Communication methods and multilink devices

Abstract

When only one link is successfully established between two multilink devices (MLDs), air interface transmission is performed between the multilink devices according to single-link communication rules. [Solution] In the communication method, when only one of the multiple links requested by the first MLD or multiple links that have been successfully established between the first and second MLDs is successfully established, the first MLD performs air interface transmission with the second MLD according to single-link communication rules, sets the address 2 field carried in the over-the-air frame transmitted by the first MLD to the MAC address of the first MLD, and sets the address used by the first MLD for key generation in a secure procedure to the MAC address of the first MLD. Therefore, the address used by the first MLD for key generation matches the address 2 field carried in the air interface transmission.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 202111056745.6, titled "Communication Method and Multi-Link Device", filed with the China National Intellectual Property Administration on September 9, 2021, and incorporates it herein in its entirety by reference.

[0002] This application relates to the field of communication technologies, and more specifically, to communication methods and multi-link devices.

Background Art

[0003] The next-generation wireless local area network (WLAN) standard is evolving and developing in the direction of increasing throughput, and one key technology is multi-link communication. A multi-link device is a device that supports multi-link communication. When two multi-link devices perform air interface transmission, multiple links can be established between the two multi-link devices. However, it is possible that only one link is successfully established between two multi-link devices, or only one link is available. In that case, how to perform air interface transmission between two multi-link devices is a problem to be solved.

Summary of the Invention

[0004] This application provides a communication method and a multi-link device for performing air interface transmission between two multi-link devices according to single-link communication rules when only one link is successfully established between the two multi-link devices.

[0005] According to the first embodiment, a communication method is provided. This method may be performed by a multilink device or by a component of a multilink device (e.g., a chip or circuit). This is not limited to the above. For the sake of clarity, the following examples will use a method in which the method is performed by a first multilink device.

[0006] The method may include, when only one of several links is successfully established, a first multilink device (MLD) performing air interface transmission with a second MLD in accordance with single-link communication rules.

[0007] In one example, the above-mentioned multiple links may be multiple links that the first MLD requires to be established.

[0008] In another example, the aforementioned links could be multiple links that have been successfully established between the first MLD and the second MLD.

[0009] According to the solution of this application, when only one of several links is successfully established, the first MLD performs air interface transmission with the second MLD according to single-link communication rules, rather than performing air interface transmission according to multi-link communication rules. Thus, when only one link is established between the first and second MLDs, the single-link communication rules are better suited to the current link connection state between the first and second MLDs.

[0010] Referring to the first embodiment, in some implementations of the first embodiment, the first MLD performs air interface transmission with the second MLD in accordance with single-link communication rules: The first MLD transmits a first over-the-air frame to a second MLD, and the address 2 field in the first over-the-air frame is set to the media access control (MAC) address of the first MLD.

[0011] According to the solution of this application, when only one of several links is successfully established, the address 2 field carried in the over-the-air frame transmitted by the first MLD is set to the MAC address of the first MLD. In a secure procedure, the address used by the first MLD for key generation may also be the MAC address of the first MLD. Thus, according to the solution of this application, the address used by the first MLD for key generation may match the address 2 field carried in the air interface transmission.

[0012] Referring to the first embodiment, in some implementations of the first embodiment, the address 1 field in the first over-the-air frame is set to the MAC address of the second MLD.

[0013] Referring to the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the method further: The first MLD receives a second over-the-air frame from a second MLD, and the address1 field in the second over-the-air frame is set to the MAC address of the first MLD.

[0014] Referring to the first embodiment, in some implementations of the first embodiment, the address 2 field in the second over-the-air frame is set to the MAC address of the second MLD.

[0015] Referring to the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, only one of several links is successfully established: The first MLD sends a first request frame to a second MLD, the first request frame is used to request the establishment of multiple links, and the first MLD receives a first response frame from the second MLD, the first response frame does not contain a first multilink element.

[0016] Thus, when the first response frame does not include the first multilink element, the first response frame may implicitly indicate that only one of the multiple links requested by the first MLD is successfully established.

[0017] According to the solution of this application, resource consumption for transmitting the first response can be reduced when the first response frame does not include a first multilink element.

[0018] Referring to the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, only one of several links is successfully established: This includes the case where only one of multiple links is successfully established through multilink reconfiguration.

[0019] According to a second embodiment, a communication method is provided. This method may be performed by a multilink device or by a component of a multilink device (e.g., a chip or circuit). This is not limited to the above. For the sake of clarity, the following examples will use a method in which the method is performed by a second multilink device.

[0020] The method may include, when only one of several links is successfully established, a second multilink device (MLD) performing air interface transmission with a first MLD in accordance with single-link communication rules.

[0021] It should be understood that the above-mentioned links may be links that the first MLD requires to be established, or they may be links that have been successfully established between the first MLD and the second MLD.

[0022] According to the solution of this application, when only one of the multiple links is successfully established, the second MLD performs air interface transmission with the first MLD according to the single-link communication rule instead of performing air interface transmission according to the multi-link communication rule.

[0023] Referring to the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, for the second MLD to perform air interface transmission with the first MLD according to the single-link communication rule: The second MLD transmits a second over-the-air frame to the first MLD, and the address 1 field in the second over-the-air frame is set to the media access control (MAC) address of the first MLD.

[0024] Referring to the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, the address 2 field in the second over-the-air frame is set to the MAC address of the second MLD.

[0025] According to the solution of this application, when only one of the multiple links is successfully established, the address 2 field carried in the over-the-air frame transmitted by the second MLD is set to the MAC address of the second MLD. In a secure procedure, the address used by the second MLD for key generation can also be the MAC address of the second MLD. Therefore, according to the solution of this application, the address used by the second MLD for key generation can match the address 2 field carried in the air interface transmission.

[0026] Referring to the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, the method further includes: The second MLD receives a first over-the-air frame from the first MLD, and the address 2 field in the first over-the-air frame is set to the MAC address of the first MLD.

[0027] Referring to the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, the address 1 field within the first over-air frame is set to the MAC address of the second MLD.

[0028] Referring to the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, only one of the plurality of links being successfully established may be: The second MLD receives the first request frame from the first MLD, the first request frame is used to request establishing a plurality of links, and the second MLD transmits the first response frame to the first MLD, the first response frame not including a first multi-link element.

[0029] Referring to the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, only one of the plurality of links being successfully established may be: including only one of the plurality of links being successfully established through multi-link reconfiguration.

[0030] According to the third aspect, a communication method is provided. The method may be executed by a multi-link device or by a component (e.g., a chip or a circuit) of a multi-link device. This is not limited herein. For ease of explanation, hereinafter, an example where the method is executed by a first multi-link device will be used for illustration.

[0031] The method may include the first MLD transmitting a second request frame to the second MLD, the second request frame being used to request establishing single-link communication, the address 2 field within the second request frame being set to the MAC address of the first MLD, the first MLD receiving a second response frame from the second MLD, the second response frame indicating that single-link communication has been successfully established, and the first MLD performing air interface transmission with the second MLD according to single-link communication rules.

[0032] Referring to the third aspect, in some implementations of the third aspect, the address 1 field in the second response frame is set to the MAC address of the first MLD.

[0033] Referring to the third aspect, in some implementations of the third aspect, the second request frame and the second response frame do not carry a multilink element.

[0034] Referring to the third aspect, in some implementations of the third aspect, the first MLD performs air interface transmission with the second MLD in accordance with single-link communication rules: The first MLD transmits a first over-the-air frame to a second MLD, and the address 2 field in the first over-the-air frame is set to the media access control (MAC) address of the first MLD.

[0035] Referring to the third aspect, in some implementations of the third aspect, the address 1 field in the first over-the-air frame is set to the MAC address of the second MLD.

[0036] According to a fourth aspect, a communication method is provided. This method may be performed by a multilink device or by a component of a multilink device (e.g., a chip or circuit). This is not limited to the above. For the sake of clarity, the following example will use a method performed by a second multilink device.

[0037] The method may include the second MLD receiving a second request frame from the first MLD, the second request frame being used to request the establishment of single-link communication, the address 2 field in the second request frame being set to the MAC address of the first MLD, the second MLD sending a second response frame to the first MLD, the second response frame indicating that single-link communication has been successfully established, and the second MLD performing air interface transmission with the first MLD in accordance with single-link communication rules.

[0038] Referring to the fourth aspect, in some implementations of the fourth aspect, the address 1 field in the second response frame is set to the MAC address of the first MLD.

[0039] Referring to the fourth aspect, in some implementations of the fourth aspect, the second request frame and the second response frame do not carry a multilink element.

[0040] Referring to the fourth aspect, in some implementations of the fourth aspect, the second MLD performs air interface transmission with the first MLD in accordance with single-link communication rules: The second MLD transmits a second over-the-air frame to the first MLD, and the address 1 field in the second over-the-air frame is set to the media access control (MAC) address of the first MLD.

[0041] Referring to the fourth aspect, in some implementations of the fourth aspect, the address 2 field in the second over-the-air frame is set to the MAC address of the second MLD.

[0042] According to the fifth aspect, a first multilink device (MLD) is provided, the first MLD being: It includes a processing unit and a transceiver unit connected to the processing unit.

[0043] The processing unit is configured to determine whether only one of the multiple links is successfully established.

[0044] The transceiver unit is configured to perform air interface transmission with a second MLD according to single-link communication rules when the processing unit determines that only one of multiple links has been successfully established.

[0045] Referring to the fifth aspect, in some implementations of the fifth aspect, the transceiver unit is configured to transmit a first over-the-air frame to a second MLD, wherein the address 2 field in the first over-the-air frame is set to the media access control (MAC) address of the first MLD.

[0046] Referring to the fifth aspect, in some implementations of the fifth aspect, the address 1 field in the first over-the-air frame is set to the MAC address of the second MLD.

[0047] Referring to the fifth aspect, in some implementations of the fifth aspect, the transceiver unit is further configured to receive a second over-the-air frame from a second MLD, wherein the address 1 field in the second over-the-air frame is set to the MAC address of the first MLD.

[0048] Referring to the fifth aspect, in some implementations of the fifth aspect, the address 2 field in the second over-the-air frame is set to the MAC address of the second MLD.

[0049] Referring to the fifth aspect, in some implementations of the fifth aspect, the transceiver unit is further configured to transmit a first request frame to a second MLD, the first request frame being used to request the establishment of multiple links. The transceiver unit is further configured to receive a first response frame from the second MLD, the first response frame not containing a first multilink element.

[0050] Referring to the fifth aspect, in some implementations of the fifth aspect, only one of several links is successfully established through multilink reconstruction.

[0051] According to the sixth aspect, a second multilink device (MLD) is provided, the second MLD being: It includes a processing unit and a transceiver unit connected to the processing unit.

[0052] The processing unit is configured to determine whether only one of the multiple links is successfully established.

[0053] The transceiver unit is configured to perform air interface transmission with the first MLD according to single-link communication rules when the processing unit determines that only one of multiple links has been successfully established.

[0054] Referring to the sixth aspect, in some implementations of the sixth aspect, the transceiver unit is configured to transmit a second over-the-air frame to a first MLD, wherein the address 1 field in the second over-the-air frame is set to the media access control (MAC) address of the first MLD.

[0055] Referring to the sixth aspect, in some implementations of the sixth aspect, the address 2 field in the second over-the-air frame is set to the MAC address of the second MLD.

[0056] Referring to the sixth aspect, in some implementations of the sixth aspect, the transceiver unit is further configured to receive a first over-the-air frame from a first MLD, wherein the address 2 field in the first over-the-air frame is set to the MAC address of the first MLD.

[0057] Referring to the sixth aspect, in some implementations of the sixth aspect, the address 1 field in the first over-the-air frame is set to the MAC address of the second MLD.

[0058] Referring to the sixth aspect, in some implementations of the sixth aspect, the transceiver unit is further configured to receive a first request frame from a first MLD, the first request frame being used to request the establishment of multiple links. The transceiver unit is further configured to transmit a first response frame to the first MLD, the first response frame not containing a first multilink element.

[0059] Referring to the sixth aspect, in some implementations of the sixth aspect, only one of several links is successfully established through multilink reconstruction.

[0060] According to the seventh aspect, a first multilink device (MLD) is provided, the first MLD including a unit configured to perform a method according to any implementation of the third aspect.

[0061] According to the eighth aspect, a second multilink device (MLD) is provided, the second MLD including a unit configured to perform a method according to any implementation of the fourth aspect.

[0062] According to the ninth aspect, a communication device having a processor is provided. When the communication device is operating, the processor executes a computer program or instructions stored in memory, thereby enabling the communication device to perform an implementation method that can be adopted in any of the first to fourth aspects. The memory may be located within the processor or may be implemented using a chip separate from the processor. This is not particularly limited in this application.

[0063] According to the tenth embodiment, a computer-readable storage medium containing a computer program is provided. When the computer program is executed on a computer, the computer is made capable of performing a method according to any implementation of the first to fourth embodiments.

[0064] According to the eleventh aspect, a chip is provided. A processing circuit is arranged on the chip and is configured to perform a method by which any of the first to fourth aspects can be implemented.

[0065] According to the twelfth aspect, a computer program product is provided. The computer program product includes a computer program (which may be referred to as code or instructions). When the computer program is executed, the computer is made capable of performing a method according to any implementation of the first to fourth aspects.

[0066] According to the 13th embodiment, a communication system including the first MLD and the second MLD described above is provided. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0067] [Figure 1] One embodiment of this application is an architecture of a communication system to which it can be applied. [Figure 2] One embodiment of this application is an architecture of a communication system to which it can be applied. [Figure 3] This is a schematic diagram of the method described in this application. [Figure 4] This is a schematic block diagram of the multilink device according to this application. [Figure 5] This is a schematic block diagram of the communication device according to this application. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0068] The technical solution of this application will be described below with reference to the attached drawings.

[0069] One embodiment of this application provides a communication method applicable to a wireless communication system. The wireless communication system may be a wireless local area network (WLAN). The method may be implemented by a communication device within the wireless communication system, or by a chip or processor within the communication device. The communication device may be a multi-link device (MLD). For example, the multi-link device may be an access point (AP) MLD, or a non-access point MLD (non-AP MLD), such as a station (STA) MLD.

[0070] To facilitate understanding of the embodiments of this application, a communication system to which the embodiments of this application can be applied will be described in detail with reference to Figures 1 and 2.

[0071] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a wireless communication system 100 to which the embodiments of this application can be applied.

[0072] The wireless communication system 100 includes STA and AP.

[0073] STA may also be referred to as subscriber unit, access terminal, mobile station, mobile console, remote station, remote terminal, mobile device, user terminal, terminal, wireless communication device, user agent, user equipment, or user equipment (UE). STA may be a cellular phone, cordless phone, session initiation protocol (SIP) phone, wireless local loop (WLL) station, personal digital assistant (PDA), handheld device with wireless local area network (e.g., Wi-Fi) communication capabilities, wearable device, computing device, or other processing device connected to a wireless modem.

[0074] The AP can be configured to send data from the STA to the network side, or to send data from the network side to the STA.

[0075] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of a wireless communication system 200 to which embodiments of this application can be applied. As shown in Figure 2, the wireless communication system 200 may include STA MLD210 and AP MLD220.

[0076] The STA MLD210 may include multiple subdevices, and the AP MLD220 may also include multiple subdevices. It should be understood that Figure 2 is merely an illustrative example, and the number of subdevices included in the STA MLD210 and AP MLD220 is not limited in this application.

[0077] As shown in Figure 2, the STA MLD210 may include STA#1, STA#2, and STA#3, and the AP MLD220 may include AP#1, AP#2, and AP#3. When all three links between the STA MLD210 and AP MLD220 are successfully established, AP#1 can communicate with STA#1 on link #1, AP#2 can communicate with STA#2 on link #2, and AP#3 can communicate with STA#3 on link #3.

[0078] In this application, the first multi-link device (MLD) may be an STA MLD and the second MLD may be an AP MLD, or the first MLD may be an AP MLD and the second MLD may be an STA MLD, or both the first and second MLDs may be AP MLDs, or both the first and second MLDs may be STA MLDs. This is not limited to this application. Below, we will describe an example in which the first MLD is an STA MLD (for example, STA MLD210 in Figure 2) and the second MLD is an AP MLD (for example, AP MLD220 in Figure 2).

[0079] The embodiments provided in this application will be described in detail below with reference to the attached drawings.

[0080] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of a communication method 300 according to one embodiment of this application. Method 300 may include the following steps:

[0081] S310: When only one of the multiple links is successfully established, the first MLD performs air interface transmission with the second MLD according to the single-link communication rules.

[0082] The following describes several possible methods by which the first MLD performs air interface transmission with the second MLD in accordance with single-link communication rules.

[0083] Possible method 1: The first MLD performing air interface transmission with the second MLD according to single-link communication rules includes the first MLD sending a first frame over the air to the second MLD, and the address 2 field in the first frame over the air being set to the media access control (MAC) address of the first MLD.

[0084] The Address 2 field is the transmit address (TA) of the over-the-air frame.

[0085] The over-the-air frame may further contain other address fields, such as the address 1 field and the address 3 field. The address 1 field is the receive address (RA) of the over-the-air frame. In some cases, the address 3 field may be the basic service set identifier (BSSID) of the AP. It should be understood that in some cases, the address 3 field may have a different meaning. See prior art for details.

[0086] The meanings of address 1, address 2, and address 3 fields will not be explained below.

[0087] According to possible method 1, the address 1 field in the first over-the-air frame can be set in one of the following ways:

[0088] (1) The address 1 field in the first over-the-air frame is set to the MAC address of the second MLD.

[0089] (2) The Address 1 field in the first over-the-air frame is set to the MAC address of AP#m. AP#m is the AP corresponding to a single link. For example, it is assumed that only one of several links between the first MLD and the second MLD (e.g., denoted as link #m) is successfully established, and link #m is the link between STA#m in the first MLD and AP#m in the second MLD. The meanings of STA#m and AP#m will not be explained below.

[0090] (3) The address 1 field in the first over-the-air frame is set to the broadcast address. In this scheme, the address 3 field in the first over-the-air frame is set to the BSSID of AP#m.

[0091] (4) The address 1 field in the first over-the-air frame is set to the MAC address of the second MLD. In this scheme, the address 3 field in the first over-the-air frame is set to the BSSID of AP#m.

[0092] According to possible method 1, when only one of multiple links is successfully established, the address 2 field carried in the first over-the-air frame transmitted by the first MLD may be the MAC address of the first MLD. In a secure procedure, the address used by the first MLD for key generation may also be the MAC address of the first MLD. Therefore, the address used by the first MLD for key generation may match the address 2 field carried in the air interface transmission.

[0093] Possible method 2: The first MLD performing air interface transmission with the second MLD according to single-link communication rules further includes the second MLD sending a second over-the-air frame to the first MLD, with the address 1 field in the second over-the-air frame being set to the MAC address of the first MLD.

[0094] According to possible method 2, the address 2 field in the second over-the-air frame can be set in one of the following ways:

[0095] (1) The address 2 field in the second over-the-air frame is set to the MAC address of the second MLD.

[0096] (2) The address 2 field in the second over-the-air frame is set to the MAC address of AP#m.

[0097] (3) The address 2 field in the second over-the-air frame is set to the MAC address of the second MLD. In this scheme, the address 3 field in the second over-the-air frame is set to the BSSID of AP#m.

[0098] According to possible method 2, when only one of multiple links is successfully established, the address 2 field carried in the second over-the-air frame transmitted by the second MLD may be the MAC address of the second MLD. In a secure procedure, the address used by the second MLD for key generation may also be the MAC address of the second MLD. Therefore, the address used by the second MLD for key generation may match the address 2 field carried in the air interface transmission.

[0099] Possible method 3: The first MLD performs air interface transmission with the second MLD according to single-link communication rules, where the first MLD sends the first over-the-air frame to the second MLD, and the address 2 field in the first over-the-air frame is set to the MAC address of STA#m.

[0100] According to possible method 3, the address 1 field in the first over-the-air frame can be set in one of the following ways:

[0101] (1) The address 1 field in the first over-the-air frame is set to the MAC address of the second MLD.

[0102] (2) The address 1 field in the first over-the-air frame is set to the MAC address of AP#m.

[0103] (3) The address 1 field in the first over-the-air frame is set to the MAC address of the second MLD. In this scheme, the address 3 field in the first over-the-air frame is set to the BSSID of AP#m.

[0104] (4) The address 1 field in the first over-the-air frame is set to the broadcast address. In this scheme, the address 3 field in the first over-the-air frame is set to the BSSID of AP#m.

[0105] Possible method 4: The first MLD performs air interface transmission with the second MLD according to single-link communication rules, further including the second MLD sending a second over-the-air frame to the first MLD, with the address 1 field in the second over-the-air frame being set to the MAC address of STA#m.

[0106] According to possible method 4, the address 2 field in the second over-the-air frame can be set in one of the following ways:

[0107] (1) The address 2 field in the second over-the-air frame is set to the MAC address of the second MLD.

[0108] (2) The address 2 field in the second over-the-air frame is set to the MAC address of AP#m.

[0109] (3) The address 2 field in the second over-the-air frame is set to the MAC address of the second MLD. In this scheme, the address 3 field in the second over-the-air frame is set to the BSSID of AP#m.

[0110] The above describes several possible methods by which the first MLD performs air interface transmission with the second MLD in accordance with single-link communication rules.

[0111] The following describes several methods in which only one of multiple links is successfully established.

[0112] Possible method 1: The first MLD sends a first request frame to the second MLD, which is used to request the establishment of multiple links, and the second MLD sends a first response frame to the first MLD, which does not contain any multilink elements. Additionally, optionally, the frame body of the first response frame may include a first field, which indicates that only one link was successfully established. For example, the first field is a status code field.

[0113] The first request frame may be, for example, an association request frame, and the first response frame may be an association response frame. Alternatively, the first request frame may be, for example, a reassociation request frame, and the first response frame may be a reassociation response frame.

[0114] A multi-link element can be a basic variant multi-link element.

[0115] Let us use the architecture shown in Figure 2 as an example. In one possible implementation, the first MLD can send a first request frame to AP#1 using STA#1, and the first request frame is used to request the establishment of multiple links. If only one of the multiple links requested by the first MLD is successfully established, the second MLD sends a first response frame to the first MLD, and the first response frame does not contain a first multilink element, and the successfully established link can be the link for transmitting the first request frame and the first response frame, for example, link #1.

[0116] According to possible method 1, when the first response frame does not include the first multilink element, the first response frame can implicitly indicate that only one of the multiple links requested by the first MLD (e.g., link #1) has been successfully established, and when the first response frame does not include the first multilink element, the resource consumption for transmitting the first response frame can be reduced.

[0117] In one possible case, if a link for sending the first request frame and the first response frame is not established, the first response frame may not include a multilink element.

[0118] Possible method 2: Only one of the multiple links is successfully established through multilink reconfiguration.

[0119] For example, multiple links could be multiple links that have been successfully established before (e.g., multiple links that were previously successfully established), and through multilink reconfiguration, only one of those multiple links will be successfully established (or only one of the multiple links that were successfully established will be available).

[0120] Devices that perform multilink reconstruction are not limited to those described in this application.

[0121] For example, the first MLD sends a third request frame to the second MLD requesting multilink reconfiguration, and the third request frame carries a multilink element. The second MLD sends a third response frame to the first MLD. The third response frame is used to respond to the third request frame. The third response frame may carry a multilink element, or it may not carry a multilink element, leaving only one of the multiple links originally successfully established between the first and second MLDs.

[0122] In another example, the second MLD sends a third request frame to the first MLD requesting multilink reconfiguration, and the third request frame carries a multilink element. The first MLD sends a third response frame to the second MLD. The third response frame is used to respond to the third request frame. The third response frame may carry a multilink element, or it may not, leaving only one of the multiple links originally successfully established between the first and second MLDs.

[0123] In yet another example, the second MLD transmits the first radio frame carrying the multilink element to the first MLD, leaving only one of the multiple links originally successfully established between the first and second MLDs.

[0124] Possible method 3: The first MLD sends a first request frame to the second MLD, the first request frame is used to request the establishment of multiple links, and the second MLD sends a first response frame to the first MLD, the first response frame includes a first multilink element and a first field, the first field indicating that only one link (e.g., link #1) was successfully established.

[0125] In this scheme, the first multilink element indicates that, of the multiple links requested by the first MLD, all links except link #1 were not established. For example, the first multilink element includes a link info field, which includes a profile sub-element corresponding to each of the other links, and each profile sub-element includes a status code field, the status code field contained in each profile sub-element indicating that the link corresponding to that profile sub-element was not established. In one possible implementation, the status code field contained in each profile sub-element indicates the failure cause.

[0126] According to possible method 3, when the first response frame includes a first multilink element, the first multilink element can indicate that, among the multiple links that the first MLD requests to be established, no links other than link #1 were established, and the first response frame can explicitly indicate that, among the multiple links that the first MLD requests to be established, only link #1 was successfully established.

[0127] According to the solution of this application, when only one of multiple links is successfully established, the first MLD performs air interface transmission with the second MLD according to single-link communication rules. For example, according to possible method 1 or possible method 3, the first and second MLDs consider that no multilink was established. In other words, the first and second MLDs no longer require the establishment of multiple links, and although only one link is actually established, multiple links are considered to have been successfully established.

[0128] The several possible methods described above are illustrative examples. The successful establishment of only one of multiple links may be implemented in a different manner, and this is not limited to this application.

[0129] It should be understood that some of the embodiments described above illustrate examples in which the over-the-air frame includes address 1 field, address 2 field, and address 3 field. This is not limited to this application. For example, the over-the-air frame may further include address 4 field.

[0130] It can be understood that the methods and operations performed by a multilink device (e.g., a first MLD or a second MLD) in the above-described method embodiments can also be performed by a component of the multilink device (e.g., a chip or circuit).

[0131] In correspondence with the method provided in the method embodiments described above, one embodiment of this application further provides a corresponding apparatus. The apparatus includes a corresponding module configured to perform the method embodiments described above. The module may be software, hardware, or a combination of software and hardware. It can be understood that the technical features described in the method embodiments are also applicable to the following apparatus embodiments.

[0132] Figure 4 shows a multilink device according to one embodiment of this application (for example, a first multilink device or a second multilink device). The multilink device may include a transceiver unit 401 and a processing unit 402.

[0133] The transceiver unit 401 may be configured to implement corresponding communication functions. For example, the transceiver unit 401 may be used by a first multilink device (MLD) to perform air interface transmission with a second MLD according to single-link communication rules. The transceiver unit 401 may also be referred to as a communication interface or communication unit.

[0134] The processing unit 402 may be configured to perform processing operations. For example, the processing unit 402 may be configured to determine whether only one of several links has been successfully established.

[0135] Optionally, the multilink device further includes a storage unit. The storage unit may be configured to store instructions and / or data. The processing unit 402 can read instructions and / or data from the storage unit and perform operations performed by the first multilink device in the method embodiment described above, or operations performed by the second multilink device in the method embodiment described above.

[0136] In the first design, the multilink device may be the first MLD in the above-described embodiment, or a component (e.g., a chip) of the first MLD. The multilink device may perform steps or procedures performed by the first MLD in the above-described method embodiment. The transceiver unit 401 may be configured to perform operations related to the transmission and reception of the first MLD in the above-described method embodiment, and the processing unit 402 may be configured to perform operations related to the processing of the first MLD in the above-described method embodiment.

[0137] Specifically, the processing unit 402 can be configured to determine whether only one of the multiple links is successfully established, and the transceiver unit 401 is configured to perform air interface transmission with the second MLD according to single-link communication rules when the processing unit determines that only one of the multiple links is successfully established.

[0138] In one possible implementation, the transceiver unit 401 is further configured to transmit a first over-the-air frame to a second MLD, where the address 2 field in the first over-the-air frame is set to the media access control (MAC) address of the first MLD.

[0139] Optionally, the address 1 field in the first over-the-air frame is set to the MAC address of the second MLD.

[0140] In another possible implementation, the transceiver unit 401 is further configured to receive a second over-the-air frame from a second MLD, the address 1 field of the second over-the-air frame being set to the MAC address of the first MLD.

[0141] Optionally, the address 2 field in the second over-the-air frame is set to the MAC address of the second MLD.

[0142] In another possible implementation, the transceiver unit 401 is further configured to send a first request frame to a second MLD, the first request frame being used to request the establishment of multiple links, and the transceiver unit 401 is further configured to receive a first response frame from the second MLD, the first response frame not containing any multilink elements.

[0143] In another possible implementation, the processing unit 402 is configured to determine whether only one of the multiple links is successfully established through multilink reconfiguration.

[0144] In the second design, the multilink device may be the second MLD in the above-described embodiment, or it may be a component (e.g., a chip) of the second MLD. The multilink device may perform steps or procedures performed by the second MLD in the above-described method embodiment. The transceiver unit 401 may be configured to perform operations related to the transmission and reception of the second MLD in the above-described method embodiment, and the processing unit 402 may be configured to perform operations related to the processing of the second MLD in the above-described method embodiment.

[0145] Specifically, the processing unit 402 can be configured to determine whether only one of the multiple links is successfully established, and the transceiver unit 401 is configured to perform air interface transmission with the first MLD according to single-link communication rules when the processing unit determines that only one of the multiple links is successfully established.

[0146] In one possible implementation, the transceiver unit 401 is further configured to transmit a second over-the-air frame to the first MLD, the address 1 field in the second over-the-air frame being set to the media access control (MAC) address of the first MLD.

[0147] Optionally, the address 2 field in the second over-the-air frame is set to the MAC address of the second MLD.

[0148] In another possible implementation, the transceiver unit 401 is further configured to receive a first over-the-air frame from a first MLD, wherein the address 2 field of the first over-the-air frame is set to the MAC address of the first MLD.

[0149] Optionally, the address 1 field in the first over-the-air frame is set to the MAC address of the second MLD.

[0150] In another possible implementation, the transceiver unit 401 is further configured to receive a first request frame from a first MLD, the first request frame being used to request the establishment of multiple links, and the transceiver unit 401 is further configured to send a first response frame to the first MLD, the first response frame not containing any multilink elements.

[0151] In another possible implementation, the processing unit 402 is configured to determine whether only one of the multiple links is successfully established through multilink reconfiguration.

[0152] It should be understood that the specific processes by which these units perform the corresponding steps described above are described in detail in the method embodiments described above. For the sake of brevity, the details will not be described here.

[0153] It should be further understood that the multilink device herein is presented in the form of a functional unit. The term “unit” herein may refer to an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), electronic circuitry, a processor configured to run one or more software or firmware programs (e.g., a shared processor, a dedicated processor, or a group processor), memory, merged logic circuits, and / or other suitable components supporting the described function. In one optional example, as those skilled in the art will understand, the multilink device may specifically be the first MLD in the embodiments described above and may be configured to perform the procedures and / or steps corresponding to the first MLD in the method embodiments described above. Alternatively, the multilink device may specifically be the second MLD in the embodiments described above and may be configured to perform the procedures and / or steps corresponding to the second MLD in the method embodiments described above. Details will not be described again here to avoid repetition.

[0154] The multilink device in the above-described solution has the function of performing the corresponding steps performed by the multilink device (e.g., the first MLD or the second MLD) in the method described above. This function may be implemented by hardware or by the hardware executing corresponding software. The hardware or software includes one or more modules corresponding to the function described above. For example, a transceiver unit may be replaced with a transceiver (e.g., the transmitting unit in the transceiver unit may be replaced with a transmitter, and the receiving unit in the transceiver unit may be replaced with a receiver) so that the transmit and receive operations and associated processing operations in the method embodiment are performed separately, and another unit, such as a processing unit, may be replaced with a processor.

[0155] Furthermore, the transceiver unit 401 may instead be a transceiver circuit (for example, a transceiver circuit may include a receiver circuit and a transmitter circuit), and the processing unit may be a processing circuit.

[0156] The multilink device in Figure 4 may be the first or second MLD in the embodiments described above, or it may be a chip or chip system, such as a system on a chip (SoC). The transceiver unit may be an input / output circuit or a communication interface. The processing unit may be a processor, microprocessor, or integrated circuit on a chip. This is not limited to the above.

[0157] One embodiment of this application further provides a communication device. As shown in Figure 5, the communication device includes a processor 501. The processor 501 is configured to perform the method in the above-described method embodiment by executing computer programs or instructions stored in memory 503 or by reading data stored in memory 503. Optionally, one or more processors 501 are present. The communication device further includes a communication interface 502, which is configured to transmit and / or receive signals. For example, the processor 501 is configured to control the communication interface 502 to transmit and / or receive signals.

[0158] Optionally, as shown in Figure 5, the communication device further includes a memory 503, which is configured to store computer programs or instructions and / or data. The memory 503 may be integrated with the processor 501 or may be located separately. Optionally, one or more memory 503s may be present.

[0159] Optionally, the processor 501, communication interface 502, and memory 503 are connected to each other by bus 504. Bus 504 may be a peripheral component interconnect (PCI) bus, an extended industry standard architecture (EISA) bus, or similar. Bus 504 may be classified as an address bus, data bus, control bus, or similar. For ease of representation, Figure 5 uses only one thick line to represent buses, but this does not mean that there is only one bus or only one type of bus.

[0160] In another solution, the communication device is configured to perform the operations performed by the multilink device in the method embodiment described above.

[0161] For example, when the communication device is a first MLD, the processor 501 is configured to determine that only one of the multiple links is successfully established, and the communication interface 502 is configured to perform air interface transmission with the second MLD according to single-link communication rules when the processor 501 determines that only one of the multiple links is successfully established.

[0162] In another example, when the communication device is a second MLD, the processor 501 is configured to determine that only one of the multiple links is successfully established, and the communication interface 502 is configured to perform air interface transmission with the first MLD according to single-link communication rules when the processor 501 determines that only one of the multiple links is successfully established.

[0163] It should be understood that the processors referred to in embodiments of this application (e.g., processor 501) may be a central processing unit (CPU), a network processor (NP), or a combination of a CPU and an NP. The processor may further include hardware chips. The hardware chips may be application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), programmable logic devices (PLDs), or a combination thereof. The PLDs may be complex programmable logic devices (CPLDs), field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), generic array logic (GALs), or any combination thereof.

[0164] It can be further understood that the memory referred to in the embodiments of this application (e.g., memory 503) may be volatile memory or non-volatile memory, or may include both volatile and non-volatile memory. Non-volatile memory may be read-only memory (ROM), programmable read-only memory (PROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), or flash memory. Volatile memory may be random access memory (RAM) used as an external cache.

[0165] As a person skilled in the art will recognize, in combination with the units and algorithmic steps described in the embodiments disclosed in this application, this application can be implemented by electronic hardware or by a combination of computer software and electronic hardware. Whether the functions are implemented by hardware or by computer software depends on the specific application and design constraints of these technical solutions. A person skilled in the art may implement the described functions in different ways for specific applications, but such implementations should not be considered beyond the scope of this application.

[0166] For the sake of simplicity and conciseness, as will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art, the detailed operating processes of the above-described systems, apparatus, and units should be referred to the corresponding processes in the above-described method embodiments, and will not be described again here.

[0167] In some embodiments provided in this application, it should be understood that the disclosed systems, apparatus, and methods may be implemented in other ways. For example, the described apparatus embodiments are merely examples. For example, the division into units is merely a logical functional division and may be a different division in actual implementation. For example, multiple units or components may be coupled or integrated into other systems, or some mechanisms may be ignored or not performed. Also, the illustrated or described coupling, direct coupling, or communication connection may be implemented through some interface. Indirect coupling or communication connection between apparatus or units may be implemented in an electrical, mechanical, or other form.

[0168] Units described as separate parts may or may not be physically separated, and parts illustrated as units may or may not be physical units, may be located in one place, or may be distributed across multiple network units. Some or all of the units may be selected in accordance with the actual requirements for achieving the objectives of the solution of the embodiment.

[0169] Furthermore, the multiple functional units in the embodiments of this application may be integrated into a single processing unit, or each of those units may exist physically independently, or two or more units may be integrated into a single unit.

[0170] When functions are implemented in the form of software function units and sold or used as independent products, those functions may be stored in a computer-readable storage medium. Based on this understanding, the technical solutions of this application, or the parts that contribute to the prior art, or parts of the technical solutions, may be implemented in the form of a software product. A computer software product includes several instructions stored in a storage medium for instructing a computer device (which may be a personal computer, server, network device, or similar) to perform all or part of the steps of the methods described in embodiments of this application. The storage medium mentioned above includes any medium capable of storing program code, such as, for example, a USB flash drive, a removable hard disk, read-only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), a magnetic disk, or a compact disk.

[0171] The above description is merely a specific implementation of this application and is not intended to limit the scope of protection of this application. Any modification or substitution that a person skilled in the art can easily conceive within the scope of the technical scope disclosed in this application will fall within the scope of protection of this application. Accordingly, the scope of protection of this application is subject to the scope of protection of the claims.

Claims

1. A chip on which a processing circuit is arranged, The steps include sending a request frame to an access point multilink device (AP MLD), the request frame being used to request the establishment of single-link communication, the request frame not carrying a multilink element, and the address 2 field in the request frame being set to the media access control (MAC) address of a station multilink device (STA MLD), The steps include receiving a response frame from the AP MLD, wherein the response frame does not carry a multilink element, and the response frame indicates that the single-link communication has been successfully established. The steps include: performing air interface transmission with the AP MLD in accordance with single-link communication rules; A chip configured to perform the following actions.

2. The chip according to claim 1, wherein the address 1 field in the response frame is set to the MAC address of the STA MLD.

3. The step of performing air interface transmission with the AP MLD in accordance with single-link communication rules is: A first over-the-air frame is transmitted, and the address 2 field in the first over-the-air frame is set to the MAC address of the STA MLD. The chip according to claim 1, having the following characteristics.

4. The chip according to claim 3, wherein the address 1 field in the first over-the-air frame is set to the MAC address of the first AP, the first AP belongs to the AP MLD, and the single link is a communication link between the first AP and the first STA.

5. The step of performing air interface transmission with the AP MLD in accordance with single-link communication rules is: A second over-the-air frame is received, and the address 1 field in the second over-the-air frame is set to the MAC address of the STA MLD. The chip according to claim 1, having the following characteristics.

6. A communication system having a station multilink device (STA MLD) and an access point multilink device (AP MLD), The aforementioned STA MLD is, A request frame is sent to the AP MLD, which is used to request the establishment of single-link communication, the request frame does not carry a multi-link element, and the address 2 field in the request frame is set to the Media Access Control (MAC) address of the STA MLD. The AP MLD receives a response frame, the response frame does not carry a multilink element, and the response frame indicates that the single-link communication has been successfully established. Air interface transmission with the AP MLD is performed according to the single-link communication rules. It is configured in such a way, The aforementioned AP MLD is, The STA MLD receives the request frame, The response frame is transmitted to the STA MLD. In accordance with the aforementioned single-link communication, the air interface transmission with the STA MLD is performed. It is configured in such a way. Communication system.

7. The communication system according to claim 6, wherein the address 1 field in the response frame is set to the MAC address of the STA MLD.

8. The STA MLD is configured to transmit a first over-the-air frame to the AP MLD, wherein the address 2 field in the first over-the-air frame is set to the MAC address of the STA MLD. The communication system according to claim 6.

9. The communication system according to claim 8, wherein the address 1 field in the first over-the-air frame is set to the MAC address of the first AP, the first AP belongs to the AP MLD, and the single link is a communication link between the first AP and the first STA.

10. The STA MLD is configured to receive a second over-the-air frame from the AP MLD, and the address 1 field in the second over-the-air frame is set to the MAC address of the STA MLD. The communication system according to claim 6.

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