Wireless communication method, first device, second device, and chip

Abstract

Embodiments of the present application provide a wireless communication method and device, the method being applied to a first device, the method including acquiring a first time-domain resource by channel access, the first time-domain resource including a second time-domain resource corresponding to a second device, the second device being a device that communicates with a third device via the first device. In embodiments of the present application, the first time-domain resource acquired by the first device by channel access includes a second time-domain resource corresponding to a second device, and the second device is a device that communicates with a third device via the first device. Therefore, when the second device communicates with the third device, the time-domain resource acquired via the first device communicates with the third device, while the second device communicates with the third device via the first device in a relay manner, thereby enabling the second device to communicate with the third device on an unlicensed spectrum and reducing collisions and interference with other devices.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The embodiments of the present application relate to the field of communications, and more specifically, to wireless communication methods and devices.

Background Art

[0002] Zero-power devices have low complexity and low cost, so they can achieve maintenance-free and battery-free operation, support power harvesting and / or backscatter communication, and can be deployed in high density and large scale at relatively low cost. The use of unlicensed frequency bands is also an important deployment scenario in cellular communication systems. However, since zero-power devices do not have channel access capabilities, when using unlicensed spectra, how zero-power terminals can communicate in unlicensed spectra and reduce collisions and interference with other devices is a technical problem that needs to be solved urgently in this field.

Summary of the Invention

[0003] The embodiments of the present application provide a wireless communication method and device, which can realize communication in an unlicensed spectrum and reduce collisions and interference with other devices.

[0004] According to a first aspect, the embodiments of the present application provide a wireless communication method, which is applied to a first device, and the method includes: obtaining a first time-domain resource through channel access, where the first time-domain resource includes a second time-domain resource corresponding to a second device, and the second device is a device that communicates with a third device through the first device.

[0005] According to a second aspect, the embodiments of the present application provide a wireless communication method, which is applied to a second device, and the method includes: communicating with a third device through a first device, Here, the first time-domain resource acquired by the first device through channel access includes the second time-domain resource corresponding to the second device.

[0006] According to the third aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a wireless communication method, the method being applied to a third device, and the method is This includes communicating with a second device via a first device, Here, the first time-domain resource acquired by the first device through channel access includes the second time-domain resource corresponding to the second device.

[0007] According to the fourth aspect, embodiments of the present application provide a first device used to perform the method in the first aspect or each of the other realizations described above. Specifically, the first device includes a functional module for performing the method in the first aspect or each of the other realizations described above.

[0008] In one implementation, the first device may include a processing unit, which is used to perform information processing functions. For example, the processing unit may be a processor.

[0009] In one embodiment, the first device may include a transmitting unit and / or a receiving unit. The transmitting unit is used to perform functions related to transmission, and the receiving unit is used to perform functions related to reception. For example, the transmitting unit may be a transmitter or transmitting device, and the receiving unit may be a receiver or receiving device. Alternatively, for example, the first device may be a communication chip, and the transmitting unit may be an input circuit or interface of the communication chip, or an output circuit or interface of the communication chip.

[0010] According to the fifth aspect, embodiments of the present application provide a second device used to carry out the method in the second aspect or each of the other realizations described above. Specifically, the second device includes a functional module used to carry out the method in the second aspect or each of the other realizations described above.

[0011] In one implementation, the second device may include a processing unit, which is used to perform information processing functions. For example, the processing unit may be a processor.

[0012] In one implementation, the second device may include a transmitting unit and / or a receiving unit. The transmitting unit is used to perform functions related to transmission, and the receiving unit is used to perform functions related to reception. For example, the transmitting unit may be a transmitter or transmitting device, and the receiving unit may be a receiver or receiving device. Alternatively, for example, the second device may be a communication chip, the receiving unit may be an input circuit or interface of the communication chip, and the transmitting unit may be an output circuit or interface of the communication chip.

[0013] According to the sixth aspect, embodiments of the present application provide a third device used to carry out the method in the second aspect or each of the other realizations described above. Specifically, the third device includes a functional module used to carry out the method in the second aspect or each of the other realizations described above.

[0014] In one implementation, the third device may include a processing unit, which is used to perform information processing functions. For example, the processing unit may be a processor.

[0015] In one implementation, the third device may include a transmitting unit and / or a receiving unit. The transmitting unit is used to perform functions related to transmission, and the receiving unit is used to perform functions related to reception. For example, the transmitting unit may be a transmitter or transmitting device, and the receiving unit may be a receiver or receiving device. Alternatively, for example, the third device may be a communication chip, the receiving unit may be an input circuit or interface of the communication chip, and the transmitting unit may be an output circuit or interface of the communication chip.

[0016] According to the seventh aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a first device comprising a processor, memory, and a transceiver. The memory is used to store a computer program, and the processor is used to call and execute the computer program stored in the memory so that the transceiver performs the method of the first aspect or each of the other implementations described above.

[0017] In one implementation, the processor may be one or more, and the memory may be one or more.

[0018] In one implementation, the memory may be integrated with the processor, or it may be configured separately from the processor.

[0019] In one embodiment, the first device further includes a transmitter (transmitting device) and a receiver (receiving device).

[0020] According to the eighth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a second device comprising a processor, memory, and a transceiver. The memory is used to store a computer program, and the processor is used to call and execute the computer program stored in the memory so that the transceiver performs the method of the second aspect or each of the other implementations.

[0021] In one implementation form, the processor is one or more, and the memory is one or more.

[0022] In one implementation form, the memory may be integrated with the processor, or the memory may be separately configured from the processor.

[0023] In one implementation form, the second device further includes a transmitter (transmission device) and a receiver (reception device).

[0024] According to the ninth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a third device including a processor, a memory, and a transceiver. The memory is used to store a computer program, and the processor is used to call and execute the computer program stored in the memory so as to cause the transceiver to execute the method in the second aspect or other various implementation forms as described above.

[0025] In one implementation form, the processor is one or more, and the memory is one or more.

[0026] In one implementation form, the memory may be integrated with the processor, or the memory may be separately configured from the processor.

[0027] In one implementation form, the third device further includes a transmitter (transmission device) and a receiver (reception device).

[0028] Aspect 10. In an embodiment of the present application, a chip for implementing the method in any one of the first to third aspects or any other implementation form related to the above is provided. Specifically, the chip includes a processor, and the processor is used to call and execute a computer program from a memory so that a device to which the chip is attached executes the method in any one of the first to third aspects or any other implementation form related to the above.

[0029] According to Aspect 11, in an embodiment of the present application, a computer-readable storage medium for storing a computer program is provided, and when the computer program is executed by a computer, the computer is caused to execute the method in any one of the first to third aspects or any other implementation form related to the above.

[0030] According to Aspect 12, in an embodiment of the present application, a computer program product including computer program instructions is provided, and the computer program instructions cause a computer to execute the method in any one of the first to third aspects or any other implementation form related to the above.

[0031] According to Aspect 13, in an embodiment of the present application, a computer program is provided, and when the computer program is executed by a computer, the computer is caused to execute the method in any one of the first to third aspects or any other implementation form related to the above.

[0032] Based on the above technical proposal, the first time-domain resource acquired by the first device through channel access includes the second time-domain resource corresponding to the second device, and since the second device is a device that communicates with the third device via the first device, that is, when the second device communicates with the third device, it communicates with the third device using the time-domain resource acquired by the first device, while simultaneously communicating with the third device via the first device in a relay manner. This allows the second device to communicate with the third device using the unlicensed spectrum, thereby reducing collisions and interference with other devices. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0033] [Figure 1] This is a schematic diagram of the communication system provided in the embodiment of the present application. [Figure 2] This is an example of a PPDU provided in the embodiment of the present application. [Figure 3] This is an example of the frame format of a MAC frame provided in the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] This is an example of relay communication provided in the embodiment of the present application. [Figure 5] This is a schematic flowchart of the wireless communication method provided in the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] This is a schematic diagram illustrating the relationship between the first device, the second device, and the third device provided in the embodiment of the present application. [Figure 7] This is an example of a channel access process provided in the embodiments of the present application. [Figure 8] This is another example of a channel access process provided in the embodiments of the present application. [Figure 9] This is an example of the first signal provided in the embodiment of the present application. [Figure 10] This is an example of the first device provided in the embodiment of the present application transmitting RTS. [Figure 11] Another example of the first device provided in the embodiments of the present application transmitting an RTS. [Figure 12]This is an example of an NDP CMAC frame provided in the embodiments of the present application. [Figure 13] This is an example of the SIGNAL field in the NDP CMAC frame provided in the embodiments of the present application. [Figure 14] This is a schematic block diagram of the first device provided in the embodiment of the present application. [Figure 15] This is a schematic block diagram of the second device provided in the embodiment of the present application. [Figure 16] This is a schematic block diagram of the third device provided in the embodiment of the present application. [Figure 17] This is a schematic block diagram of the fourth device provided in the embodiment of the present application. [Figure 18] This is a schematic block diagram of the chip provided in the embodiment of the present application. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0034] The technical proposal in the embodiment of this application will be described below in accordance with the drawings.

[0035] The embodiments of this application can be applied to various communication systems. For example, applicable communication systems include Global System of Mobile communication (GSM) systems, Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) systems, Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA) systems, General Packet Radio Service (GPRS), Long Term Evolution (LTE) systems, Advanced Long Term Evolution (LTE-A) systems, New Radio (NR) systems, NR system evolution systems, LTE-based access to unlicensed spectrum (LTE-U) systems, NR-based access to unlicensed spectrum (NR-U) systems, Universal Mobile Telecommunication System (UMTS), Wireless Local Area Networks (WLAN), and Wireless Fidelity (Wireless This includes, but is not limited to, Fidelity, Wi-Fi, next-generation communication systems, zero-power communication systems, cellular Internet of Things, cellular passive Internet of Things, or other communication systems.

[0036] Here, the cellular Internet of Things is the result of the development of the combination of cellular mobile communication networks and the Internet of Things, also known as the passive cellular Internet of Things, which is a combination of network devices and passive terminals, in which passive terminals can communicate with other passive terminals by network devices, or passive terminals can communicate by adopting a device-to-device (D2D) communication method, and network devices only need to transmit carrier signals, i.e., energy supply signals, to supply energy to passive terminals.

[0037] Traditional communication systems typically support a limited number of connections that are relatively easy to implement. However, with advancements in communication technology, mobile communication systems now support not only traditional communication but also, for example, D2D communication, machine-to-machine (M2M) communication, machine-type communication (MTC), and vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) communication. The embodiments of this invention can also be applied to these communication systems.

[0038] It is understandable that the communication systems in the embodiments of this application can be applied to carrier aggregation (CA) scenarios, dual connectivity (DC) scenarios, and standalone (SA) network construction scenarios. The embodiments of this application are not limited to the applicable spectrum. For example, the embodiments of this application can be applied to licensed spectrums and unlicensed spectrums.

[0039] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the communication system 100 provided in the embodiment of the present application.

[0040] As shown in Figure 1, the communication system 100 may include a network device 110, which may be a device that communicates with terminal devices 120 (also called a communication terminal or terminal). The network device 110 can provide communication coverage to a specific geographic area and can communicate with terminal devices located within that coverage area.

[0041] For example, the network device 110 may be a device for communicating with a mobile device, and the network device 110 may be an access point (AP) in a WLAN, a base transceiver station (BTS) in GSM® or CDMA, a base station (NodeB, NB) in WCDMA®, an evolutionary Node B (eNB or eNodeB) in LTE®, or a relay station or access point, or a network device (gNB) in an in-vehicle device, a wearable device, or an NR network, or a network device in a future evolved PLMN network.

[0042] Here, the network device 110 provides services to the cell, and the terminal device 120 communicates with the network device using the transmission resources (e.g., frequency domain resources or spectrum resources) used by the cell. The cell may be a cell corresponding to the network device 110 (e.g., a base station), and the cell may belong to a macro base station or to a base station corresponding to a small cell, where the small cell may include a metro cell, micro cell, pico cell, femto cell, etc. These small cells have the characteristics of a small coverage range and low transmission power, and are suitable for providing high-rate data transmission services.

[0043] Exemplary, the terminal device 120 may also be called a user device (UE), access terminal, user unit, user station, mobile station, mobile station, remote station, remote terminal, mobile device, user terminal, terminal, wireless communication device, user agent, or user equipment. The terminal device may be a station (ST) in a WLAN, a cellular telephone, cordless telephone, Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) telephone, Wireless Local Loop (WLL) station, Personal Digital Assistant (PDA) device, handheld device with wireless communication capabilities, computing device or other processing device connected to a wireless modem, in-vehicle device, wearable device, or terminal device in a next-generation communication system (e.g., an NR network), or a terminal device in a future-evolving Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN) network, or a zero-power device, etc.

[0044] For example, the terminal device 120 may be a wearable device. Wearable devices can also be called wearable smart devices and are a general term for wearable devices developed by applying wearable technology to intelligently design everyday clothing, such as glasses, gloves, watches, clothing, and shoes. Wearable devices are portable devices that are directly attached to the body or incorporated into the user's clothing or accessories. Wearable devices are not merely hardware devices, but also achieve powerful functionality through software support, data interaction, and cloud interaction. Wearable smart devices in a broad sense are fully functional, large in size, and can achieve full or partial functionality without relying on a smartphone, such as smartwatches or smart glasses, and also devices that focus on only one specific type of application function and need to be used in combination with other devices (such as smartphones), such as smart bands that monitor vital signs or smart jewelry.

[0045] Furthermore, the terminal device 120 may be a zero-power consumption device. A zero-power consumption device can be understood as a device whose power consumption is lower than a preset power consumption. For example, this includes passive terminals, and further includes semi-passive terminals and so on.

[0046] It is understandable that Figure 1 is merely one example of the present application and should not be understood as limiting the present application.

[0047] For example, in other alternative embodiments, the communication system 100 may include a plurality of network devices, and the coverage of each network device may include a further number of terminal devices. Also, for example, a device having communication functionality in the network / system of the embodiment of the present application may be called a communication device. Taking the communication system 100 shown in Figure 1 as an example, the communication device may include a network device 110 having communication functionality and a terminal device 120, where the network device 110 and the terminal device 120 may be the specific devices described above, for which a detailed explanation is omitted here, and the communication system 100 may further include other communication devices (e.g., other network entities such as a network controller or a mobility management entity), and the embodiment of the present application is not specifically limited thereto.

[0048] It should be noted that, for the sake of clarity, the terms “system” and “network” in this application are often used interchangeably. The terms “and / or” in this application are used to describe the relationship between related objects and indicate that there can be three types of relationships. For example, “A and / or B” can represent three cases: A existing only, A and B existing simultaneously, or B existing only. The symbol “ / ” in this application usually indicates that there is an “or” relationship between the preceding and succeeding related objects. The term “correspond” in this application may mean that there is a direct or indirect corresponding relationship between two things, or that there is a related relationship between two things, or that there is a relationship such as “indicate” and “indicate,” or “place” and “place.” The term “indicate” in this application may be a direct indication, an indirect indication, or an indication of a related relationship. For example, A directing B can represent A directly directing B, for example B being obtainable by A, and A indirectly directing B, for example A directing C and B being obtainable by C, and a related relationship between A and B. The term “predefined” in this application can be implemented by pre-storing corresponding codes, tables, or other means that a device (including, for example, terminal devices and network devices) can direct related information, and this application is not limited to these specific implementations. For example, pre-configured may mean defined in a protocol. Furthermore, it is understandable that in embodiments of this application, “protocol” above may mean a standard protocol in the field of communications, and this application is not limited to, for example LTE protocol, NR protocol, and related protocols applicable to future communication systems.

[0049] To facilitate understanding of the technical proposal provided in this application, zero-power devices and related technologies will be described below.

[0050] (1) Classification of zero-power consumption terminals.

[0051] Based on the energy source and usage method of zero-power consumption terminals, zero-power consumption terminals can be classified into the following types.

[0052] 1. Passive zero power consumption terminal.

[0053] Zero-power devices do not require a built-in battery, and when a zero-power device approaches a network device (e.g., a reader / writer for a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) system), the zero-power device is within the near-field range formed by the network device's antenna radiation. Therefore, the zero-power device antenna generates an induced current through electromagnetic induction, which drives the low-power chip circuitry of the zero-power device. This enables operations such as demodulation of forward-link signals (downlink, the link from the network device to the zero-power device) and modulation of reverse-link signals (uplink, the link from the zero-power device to the network device). For backscatter links, the zero-power device transmits signals using a backscatter realization method.

[0054] As can be seen, passive zero-power devices do not require a built-in battery to operate, whether in a forward link or reverse link, and are truly zero-power devices.

[0055] Passive zero-power devices do not require batteries, and both the radio frequency circuit and baseband circuit are very simple. They do not require equipment such as low-noise amplifiers (LNAs), power amplifiers (PAs), crystal oscillators, or analog-to-digital converters (ADCs), resulting in many advantages such as being small, lightweight, very inexpensive, and having a long lifespan.

[0056] Passive zero-power terminals can also support other power harvesting methods, such as power harvesting from the environment (e.g., light energy, thermal energy, kinetic energy, mechanical energy, etc.) to obtain energy for the drive circuit and enable the terminal device to communicate.

[0057] 2. Semi-passive zero-power consumption terminal.

[0058] Although the semi-passive zero-power device itself does not have a conventional battery, it can collect radio wave energy using a radio frequency (RF) power harvesting module, or collect energy from the environment (e.g., solar energy, thermal energy, mechanical vibration energy, etc.) using a power harvesting module, and simultaneously store the collected energy in an energy storage unit (e.g., a capacitor). After the energy storage unit has obtained energy, it can drive the low-power chip circuit of the zero-power device. This enables operations such as demodulation of forward link signals and modulation of reverse link signals. For backscatter links, the zero-power device transmits signals using a backscatter realization method.

[0059] As can be seen, semi-passive zero-power devices, whether forward-link or reverse-link, do not require an internal battery to operate and use energy stored in a capacitor during operation, but this energy originates from radio wave energy collected by a power harvesting module, making them truly zero-power devices.

[0060] Semi-passive zero-power devices inherit many of the advantages of passive zero-power devices, resulting in numerous benefits such as small size, light weight, very low cost, and long lifespan.

[0061] 3. Active-zero power consumption terminal.

[0062] Zero-power devices used in some scenarios may be active zero-power devices, and this type of terminal can incorporate a battery (a conventional battery, such as a dry cell battery or a rechargeable lithium battery). The battery is used to power the low-power chip circuitry of the zero-power terminal, enabling operations such as demodulation of forward-link signals and modulation of reverse-link signals. However, for backscatter links, zero-power devices transmit signals using a backscattering implementation method. Therefore, the zero power consumption of this type of terminal is mainly realized by the fact that reverse-link signal transmission does not require the terminal's own power and uses backscattering. Active zero-power devices use batteries, but due to ultra-low-power communication technology, power consumption is extremely low, which can significantly improve battery life compared to conventional technology.

[0063] Active-zero power consumption devices incorporate a battery to power the RFID chip, increasing the read and write distance of the tag and improving communication reliability. Therefore, they are applicable in several scenarios where there are relatively high demands regarding communication distance, read latency, and other factors.

[0064] Furthermore, some zero-power terminals (for example, semi-passive zero-power terminals or active zero-power terminals) can be equipped with the capability for active transmission; that is, in addition to communicating by backscattering, reverse links can also communicate by employing an active transmission method.

[0065] (2) Cellular passive Internet of Things.

[0066] With the increasing application of 5G in the industry, the types of connected devices and application scenarios are also increasing, leading to higher demands on the price and power consumption of communication terminals. The application of battery-free, low-cost passive Internet of Things (IoT) devices will become a key technology for cellular IoT, enriching the types and number of 5G network-linked terminals and truly realizing the Internet of Everything. Here, passive IoT devices are based on current zero-power consumption devices and can be extended to be applied to cellular IoT.

[0067] (3) Devices based on environmental energy.

[0068] In NR systems and WiFi systems, the battery-free and low-cost nature of devices can support, for example, the low-cost mass deployment and maintenance-free operation of IoT devices. IoT devices that support environmental energy in NR systems and WiFi systems are called Ambient IoT or Ambient Powered IoT (AMP IoT) devices. Ambient IoT refers to IoT devices that utilize various forms of environmental energy (e.g., various ambient energy sources such as radio frequency energy, light energy, solar energy, thermal energy, and mechanical energy). Ambient IoT devices may not have energy storage capabilities, or they may have very limited energy storage capabilities (e.g., using capacitors with a capacitance of several tens of microfarads (uF)). This type of device is similar to passive or semi-passive devices in zero-power communication.

[0069] (4) Physical layer protocol data unit (PPDU) in Wi-Fi technology.

[0070] Information from Wi-Fi devices is transmitted based on the PPDU frame format.

[0071] Figure 2 shows an example of a PPDU provided in the embodiment of the present application.

[0072] As shown in Figure 2, the PPDU frame includes a physical layer header and a data section. The physical layer header consists of three parts: one Short Training Field (STF), one Long Training Field (LTF), and several specific placements of the data section named SIGNAL. Here, the STF mainly consists of 10 short symbols (t1-t10), each with a duration of 0.8us, and includes many functions, mainly achieving frame synchronization and coarse frequency synchronization. Here, t1-t7 mainly includes functions such as signal detection, auto gain control (AGC), and diversity selection, while t8-t10 mainly includes functions such as coarse frequency, offset estimation, and timing synchronization. The LTF achieves fine frequency synchronization and channel estimation. The SIGNAL portion carries information about the data portion, including the data transmission rate, data pack length information, reserved bits, and tail bits.

[0073] The data portion of PPDU carries the MAC frame.

[0074] Figure 3 shows an example of the frame format of a MAC frame provided in the embodiment of the present invention.

[0075] As shown in Figure 3, the frame format of a MAC frame includes several parts: the MAC header, the frame body, and the Frame Check Sequence (FCS).

[0076] (5) The license-free spectrum.

[0077] Unlicensed spectrums are spectrums that can be used for communication by radio wave devices that are divided by country or region. These spectrums are generally considered shared spectrums, meaning that communication devices in different communication systems can use them as long as they meet the regulatory requirements set by the country or region for that spectrum, and do not need to apply to the government for their own spectrum license. In order to ensure that each communication system using an unlicensed spectrum for wireless communication can coexist amicably on that spectrum, some countries and regions stipulate regulatory requirements that must be met in order to use an unlicensed spectrum. For example, in the European region, communication devices follow the "listen-before-talk" (LBT) principle, meaning that a communication device must first listen to the channel before transmitting a signal on a channel in an unlicensed spectrum. Only if the channel listening result is channel idle can the communication device transmit a signal, and if the channel listening result of the communication device on a channel in an unlicensed spectrum is channel busy, the communication device cannot transmit a signal. Furthermore, to ensure fairness, the duration of signal transmission by a communication device using an unlicensed spectrum channel in a single transmission cannot exceed the Maximum Channel Occupation Time (MCOT).

[0078] Unlicensed spectrum technologies that can standardize users in cellular communication systems, such as 3GPP Rel-16's NR-U technology, use unlicensed frequency bands below 7 GHz. Subsequent technological advancements may also consider the use of unlicensed spectrum in higher frequency bands, and related technologies such as 52.6 GHz-71 GHz discussed in the Rel-17 standard. Widely used WiFi technology is also a communication technology that uses unlicensed frequency bands.

[0079] (6) Channel access mechanism.

[0080] In the 802.11 protocol, the basic channel access protocol is the Distributed Coordination Function (DCF), and the Carrier Sense Multiple Access with Collision Avoidance (CSMA / CA) mechanism allows different compatible station (STA) devices to share channel usage and reduce the probability of collisions.

[0081] DCF primarily includes four core mechanisms:

[0082] 1. Carrier listening mechanism.

[0083] The carrier listening mechanism is divided into physical carrier listening and virtual carrier listening, and a channel is busy if the result of any one listening indicates a channel busy.

[0084] Physical carrier listening employs three channel idle detection methods: energy detection, carrier detection, and energy-carrier mixed detection, collectively known as CCA. Energy detection assesses the energy magnitude of the received signal; if the received power is greater than the threshold ED_threshold defined by the physical layer, the channel is considered occupied. Carrier detection performs detection on the preamble portion of the signal in the channel, and determines whether the channel is occupied based on the detection result.

[0085] A virtual carrier listening mechanism is provided by MAC, and the 802.11 standard implements virtual listening using a Network Allocation Vector (NAV). The Dur / ID field in the MAC frame stores the "duration". Upon receiving this information, the STA determines how long the channel will be occupied and determines the amount of delay required for its own transmission. The NAV is a single time timer used to define how long the current channel will remain occupied. Its starting value is the duration of the last received frame, and it terminates when the countdown reaches zero. Each listening STA uses this NAV timer, and during data communication, the STA occupying the channel notifies other STAs of how much longer it will last using the duration field in the frame. STAs that have not acquired the channel update their own NAV value by comparing it with the duration value in the received packet. If the NAV value is 0 and the physical carrier listening indicates that the channel is idle, the current channel is considered idle.

[0086] 2. Interframe space (IFS) mechanism.

[0087] To avoid collisions as much as possible, the 802.11 standard requires that after all stations have completed transmission, they must wait a short time (continuing to listen) before transmitting the next frame. This time is commonly known as IFS. The length of the IFS depends on the type of frame that the station is transmitting. High-priority frames have a shorter waiting time and therefore have priority in transmission, while low-priority frames must wait for a longer time. If other high-priority frames have already been transmitted to the media before a low-priority frame is transmitted, the media becomes busy, and therefore the transmission of the low-priority frame must be delayed. This reduces the chance of collisions.

[0088] IFS provides and classifies different priorities for access to the wireless medium, and these different priorities are classified according to the length of IFS time, with shorter times indicating a higher corresponding priority, and the interframe space times are listed from smallest to largest as follows:

[0089] 1. Short interframe space (SIFS).

[0090] SIFS is the shortest time interval used to separate frames that require immediate response, such as control frames (RTS / CTS / ACK). It uses the shortest interval between two transmissions in a frame exchange sequence, preventing other stations waiting for media from attempting to use it.

[0091] 2. Point Coordination Function Interframe Space (PIFS).

[0092] PIFS is used only with stations operating in Point Coordination Function (PCF) mode.

[0093] 3. Distributed Coordination Function interframe space (DIFS).

[0094] This is used only with stations operating in Distributed Coordination Function (DCF) mode.

[0095] 4. Extended Interframe Space (EIFS): If an error occurs in the previous frame, the sending node must delay the next frame using EIFS rather than DIFS time zones.

[0096] 3. Random backoff mechanism.

[0097] 802.11 employs a binary exponential backoff method to resolve the time required for backoff in the event of a node transmission failure or collision. At the Media Access Control (MAC) layer, if there are frames to transmit, and both physical and virtual carrier listening indicate channel idle, and the backoff window count value is not zero, the count value continues to decrease in units of slot time; otherwise, a random backoff window is generated and backoff occurs. The node selects a random backspace count value based on a random number in the contention window, chooses the backoff time, and then sets a backoff timer. The contention window value is a single parameter value between the minimum contention window (CWmin) and maximum contention window (CWmax) of the physical feature values, and is used to allow the node to select a range for the random backspace count value (backoff counter). The station continuously listens to the channel within the slot time. If channel idle is detected, the backoff timer continues to count down, decreasing by 1. If channel busy is detected, the remaining time of the backoff timer is frozen, and the system waits for the channel to become idle again. After the time DIFS has elapsed, the countdown continues from the remaining time. Once the backoff timer time decreases to zero, transmission of the entire data frame begins.

[0098] 4. RTS / CTS handshake mechanism.

[0099] IEEE 802.11 RTS / CTS is a Request To Send / Clear To Send (RTS / CTS) protocol, a mechanism adopted in the 802.11 protocol to reduce collisions caused by the hidden node problem. The basic idea of ​​the RTS / CTS mechanism is to reserve a channel with a short control packet, and when a transmitting station wants to send a message to a receiving station, it first sends one RTS control frame. After receiving this RTS, stations around the transmitting station set their own Network Assignment Vector (NAV) value based on the duration field. After receiving the RTS, the receiving station replies with one CTS control frame. After receiving the CTS, stations around the receiving station set their own NAV value based on the duration field. Stations with a NAV value other than 0 cannot monitor channel idle, thus avoiding transmission collisions between the transmitting and receiving stations.

[0100] (7) Live broadcast.

[0101] 802.11ah technology is primarily aimed at supporting IoT devices and requires AP coverage to reach 1km. In some Internet of Things (IoT) scenarios, wide-range coverage is required. To extend coverage range, 802.11ah technology supports relaying. In 802.11ah, relaying is a single functional entity that logically includes two functions: Relay AP and Relay STA. A relay device is connected to the STA downwards and primarily acts as an AP, while a relay device is connected to the AP upwards and acts as a terminal node. Relay devices achieve wider AP coverage by relaying data packs.

[0102] Figure 4 shows an example of relay communication provided in the embodiment of the present application.

[0103] As shown in Figure 4, relay devices can be used to relay communication between APs and STAs. For example, relay device 2 is connected to STA1 and STA2 below and primarily acts as an AP, while relay device 2 is connected to the root AP above and primarily acts as a terminal node. Relay devices can also relay communication between APs and other relay devices (or STAs). For example, relay device 1 is connected to STA3 below and primarily acts as an AP, while relay device 1 is connected to the root AP above and primarily acts as a terminal node. Relay devices can also communicate with STAs via other relay devices. For example, relay device 3 is connected to STA4 and STA5 below and primarily acts as an AP, while relay device 3 is connected to relay device 1 above and primarily acts as a terminal node.

[0104] As can be seen from the above, zero-power devices have low complexity, low cost, are maintenance-free and battery-free, can support power harvesting and / or backscatter communication, and enable high-density and large-scale deployments at low cost. The use of unlicensed frequency bands is also an important deployment scenario in cellular communication systems.

[0105] Zero-power terminals have power consumption limitations and therefore require low complexity. For example, receivers may only support simple modulation / demodulation schemes (e.g., ASK, FSK) and not OFDM. However, when using unlicensed spectrum, to ensure fair channel usage, zero-power terminals must perform a corresponding CCA to determine whether a channel is idle or idle if they need to occupy a channel to transmit data. To ensure compatibility and coexistence with existing devices, they must also support the CSMA / CA mechanism. Taking a WiFi system as an example, zero-power terminal channel occupancy requires support for the DCF protocol, which necessitates the zero-power terminal being able to detect PPDU frames transmitted based on existing OFDM to satisfy physical and virtual carrier listening and RTS / CTS mechanism support, but this is not possible with zero-power terminals. Therefore, this invention provides a wireless communication method that, when using unlicensed spectrum, allows zero-power terminals to share channels with existing devices and communicate, reducing collisions and interference.

[0106] Figure 5 is a schematic flowchart of a wireless communication method 200 provided in an embodiment of the present application, the wireless communication method 200 can be performed in interaction by a first device, a second device, and a third device.

[0107] As shown in Figure 5, the method 200 may include the following:

[0108] S210, the first device acquires the first time-domain resource by channel access,

[0109] Here, the first time-domain resource includes a second time-domain resource corresponding to a second device, and the second device is a device that communicates with a third device via the first device.

[0110] In other words, the second device can enable communication between the second device and the third device through the first device. Here, the first device may be any device having a relay function (i.e., having two functions, Relay AP and Relay STA), including, but not limited to, an AP device or STA in a WiFi system, a base station or UE in a cellular system, an energy supply device, or a control node in a communication network.

[0111] In some embodiments, the second time-domain resource includes at least one of the following: transmission opportunity (TXOP), target wake-up time (TWT), service period (SP), restricted access window (RAW), and time period within the RAW.

[0112] For example, the second time-domain resource may be a resource that the second device uses to transmit and / or receive information.

[0113] In this embodiment, the first time-domain resource acquired by the first device through channel access includes the second time-domain resource corresponding to the second device, and since the second device is a device that communicates with the third device via the first device, when the second device communicates with the third device, it communicates with the third device using the time-domain resource acquired by the first device, while also communicating with the third device via the first device in a relay manner. This allows the second device to communicate with the third device using the unlicensed spectrum, thereby reducing collisions and interference with other devices.

[0114] In some embodiments, if the second device is a device that does not have channel access capability, the first time-domain resource includes the second time-domain resource.

[0115] In this embodiment, the first device can obtain a TXOP or channel occupancy time by occupying a channel for a second device that does not have channel access capability.

[0116] In some embodiments, devices that do not have the channel access capability include zero-power devices.

[0117] Zero-power devices, from the perspective of power supply methods, can include devices based on environmental energy, such as ambient power-enabled IoT devices (AMP IoT) or ambient IoT devices, battery-free terminals, and maintenance-free terminals. AMP IoT refers to IoT devices that use various types of ambient energy, such as radio frequency energy, light energy, solar energy, thermal energy, and mechanical energy. Ambient IoT devices may not have energy storage capabilities, or they may have very limited energy storage capabilities (e.g., using capacitors with a capacitance of several tens of microfarads (uF)). Zero-power devices can function as communication terminals in WiFi or cellular networks.

[0118] In this embodiment, the first device occupies a channel for a zero-power device that lacks channel access capability, thereby enabling the zero-power device to gain a transmission opportunity. This method ensures compatibility between the zero-power device and existing device channel access mechanisms and enables wireless communication on the license-free spectrum for zero-power terminals. At the same time, if the third device is an AP, the first device provides a relay function for communication between the AP and the zero-power device, thereby improving AP coverage and reducing the impact on existing APs. The AP does not need to support a new physical layer air interface and can support communication with zero-power devices through software upgrades alone, resulting in low deployment costs and ensuring compatibility with existing systems.

[0119] In some embodiments, when the second device is associated with the first device, the first time-domain resource includes the second time-domain resource.

[0120] Exemplary, the second device is associated with the first device, that is, the second device is connected to the first device from above, or the first device is connected to the second device from below.

[0121] Of course, in other alternative embodiments, the first device may be connected to other devices below it, for example, the device to which the first device is connected below it may belong to the same type as the second device or to a different type, and the present application is not specifically limited thereto.

[0122] In some embodiments, the first device is associated with the third device.

[0123] Exemplary, the first device is associated with the third device, that is, the first device is connected to the third device above, or the third device is connected to the first device below.

[0124] Of course, in other alternative embodiments, the third device may be connected to other devices below it, for example, the devices to which the third device is connected below it may belong to the same type as the first device or to a different type, and the present application is not specifically limited thereto.

[0125] In some embodiments, if the second device is a child node device of the first device, the first time domain resource includes the second time domain resource.

[0126] For example, if the second device is a child node device of the first device, the first device may also be called the parent node device of the second device.

[0127] In some embodiments, the child node device is The devices included in the Basic Service Set (BSS) provided by the aforementioned first device, A device associated with the aforementioned first device, It includes at least one of the following terms.

[0128] For example, if the BSS association provided by the first device includes the second device, then the second device is a device associated with the first device. Alternatively, if the second device is associated with the first device, then the BSS association provided by the first device includes the second device.

[0129] For example, if the BSS association provided by the first device includes the second device, the first time-domain resource includes the second time-domain resource; or if the second device is a device associated with the first device, the first time-domain resource includes the second time-domain resource.

[0130] Furthermore, BSS is the basic service unit of a wireless network, and BSS is the basic structure of an 802.11 network. For wireless medium sharing purposes, the BSS provided by the first device can be understood as a single service set consisting of multiple devices (e.g., STAs) associated with the first device. Within the BSS provided by the first device, the multiple devices associated with the first device are connected to the first device from above, and the multiple devices associated with the first device can communicate or access other devices through the first device.

[0131] In some embodiments, the first device includes a first physical layer air interface and a second physical layer air interface, the first device communicates with the second device via the first physical layer air interface, and the first device communicates with the third device via the second physical layer air interface.

[0132] For example, the first physical layer air interface may be a physical layer air interface relating to zero-power communication. For instance, the first physical layer air interface may employ a simple modulation scheme (e.g., ASK, FSK, etc.) and a simple coding scheme (e.g., iterative coding, Manchester coding, block coding, packet coding, etc.) for its modulation scheme.

[0133] For example, the second physical layer air interface may be a physical layer air interface relating to AP or STA communication. For instance, the modulation scheme for the second physical layer air interface may be OFDM modulation, and its coding may be FEC coding or the like.

[0134] For example, the second device may be a zero-power device, and the third device may be an AP, STA, or other relay node. In other words, the first device can communicate with the zero-power device via the first physical layer air interface and communicate with the AP, STA, or other relay node via the second physical layer air interface.

[0135] Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of the relationship between the first device, the second device, and the third device provided in the embodiment of the present application.

[0136] As shown in Figure 6, relay devices can be used to relay communication between APs and STAs. For example, relay device 2 is connected to STA1 and STA2 below and primarily acts as an AP, while relay device 2 is connected to the root AP above and primarily acts as a terminal node. Relay devices can also relay communication between APs and other relay devices (or STAs). For example, relay device 1 is connected to STA3 below and primarily acts as an AP, while relay device 1 is connected to the root AP above and primarily acts as a terminal node. Relay devices can also communicate with STAs via other relay devices. For example, relay device 3 is connected to STA4 and STA5 below and primarily acts as an AP, while relay device 1 is connected above it and primarily acts as a terminal node.

[0137] In accordance with the present invention, if the first device is relay device 2, the second device is ZP STA1 or ZP STA2, and the third device is the root AP. If the first device is relay device 1, the second device is ZP STA3 or relay device 3, and the third device is the root AP. If the first device is relay device 3, the second device is STA4 or STA5, and the third device is relay device 1. Here, the first physical air interface between the first device and the second device is air interface 2 as shown in the figure, and the second physical air interface between the first device and the third device is air interface 1 as shown in the figure.

[0138] In some embodiments, S210 is, Determine the first set of parameters used when the first device performs channel access. Based on the first parameter set, the first time-domain resource is acquired by channel access. It can include...

[0139] Since zero-power terminals cannot support existing channel access mechanisms, their ability to transmit data using a channel requires channel access via a relay device serving them, i.e., a first device, so that the zero-power terminal can obtain a TXOP. Therefore, in addition to providing relay functionality, the first device's important functions include obtaining, protecting, and allocating TXOPs used by the zero-power terminal. For this reason, the first device can perform channel access according to existing methods, such as 802.11 STAs, and can maintain compatibility with existing 802.11 devices, such as the CSMA / CA mechanism specified in the 802.11 protocol. Thus, in a Basic Service Set (BSS), the first device, like an STA, belongs to a BSS provided by a third device, and the communication method of the first device in the BSS is the same as that of APs and other STAs. However, the purpose of the channel access performed by the first device is not solely to obtain a TXOP for its own transmission, but also to obtain a TXOP for the associated zero-power device.

[0140] In some embodiments, the first parameter set includes at least one of the following: a contention window (CW) parameter and a latency.

[0141] In other words, relevant parameters (e.g., CW parameters, latency) that the first device obtains channel access can be defined. Latency is the priority and success probability of first device access, determined by the IFS and the length of the IFS and CW windows. For example, in the parameters adopted by first device channel access, latency may be PIFS or DIFS, and the CW parameter may be a configurable value less than or equal to a certain value or a preset value (e.g., CW=0 or 1).

[0142] Figure 7 shows an example of a channel access process provided in the embodiment of the present application.

[0143] As shown in Figure 7, the first device is called a relay STA, and it performs channel contention with the STA. The waiting times for the relay STA and the STA are the same, both being DIFS, but the random backspace count values ​​placed in each contention window are different. If the backoff timer time for a relay STA with a random backspace count value of 3 decreases to zero before the STA, it can successfully contain the channel. This difference is due to the different sizes of the contention windows placed in the relay STA and the other STAs, and if there is a relatively small CW, the probability of randomly selecting one relatively small random backspace count value is greater.

[0144] Figure 8 shows another example of a channel access process provided in the embodiments of the present application.

[0145] As shown in Figure 8, the first device is called a relay STA, which performs channel contention with the STA. The relay STA's latency is PIFS, and the STA's latency is DIFS, with the relay STA's latency being shorter than the STA's latency. The relay STA turns on its backoff timer before the STA. Although the random backspace count value selected by both is the same, both being 4, the relay STA can successfully contention the channel because it has a relatively shorter latency.

[0146] In some embodiments, the first device can determine the first parameter set based on at least one of the following: the type of the first time-domain resource, the type of the second device, the device packet to which the second device belongs, the type of the physical layer protocol data unit PPDU frame of the second device, and the time during which the first device accesses the channel.

[0147] Exemplary, the first parameter set is determined based on the type of the first time-domain resource. As one option, the type of the first time-domain resource includes at least one of the following: a time-domain resource used solely by the first device, a time-domain resource used solely by the second device, or a time-domain resource used by both the first and second devices.

[0148] For example, the parameters employed by the first device to perform channel access are related to the type of TXOP obtained, and the parameters employed may differ depending on whether the first device obtains a TXOP for a zero-power device to perform channel access or whether the first device obtains a TXOP for its own transmission to perform channel access.

[0149] Exemplary, the first set of parameters is determined based on the type of the second device. As an option, the type of the second device includes types classified according to at least one of the parameters for characterizing data priority, data type, access priority, access probability, and real-time requirements.

[0150] For example, the parameters adopted by the first device for channel access to a zero-power device can be related to the type of zero-power device. For instance, if the transmission is for a zero-power device with relatively high data transmission priority, the parameters adopted by the first device for channel access can ensure high access priority and probability. Examples of zero-power devices with relatively high data transmission priority include sensor devices for monitoring hazardous situations or zero-power devices with relatively high real-time requirements for data transmission. Conversely, if the parameters adopted by the first device for channel access do not need to ensure high access priority and probability, they can be the same as the parameters adopted for channel access performed by the first device as a STA (Synthetic Element).

[0151] Furthermore, for example, the parameters employed by the first device for channel access for zero-power devices may be associated with zero-power device groups. Transmission of different zero-power device groups corresponds to the parameters employed by the first device for different channel access. Zero-power device groups can be identified by a device group ID.

[0152] Exemplary, the first parameter set is determined based on the type of PPDU frame. As one option, the type of PPDU frame includes at least one of the following: management frame, control frame, and data frame.

[0153] For example, the parameters adopted by the first device to perform channel access for a zero-power device may be related to the type of PPDU frame of the zero-power device. Different types correspond to the parameters adopted for different channel accesses by the first device. Specifically, PPDU frame types include management frames, control frames, and data frames. For example, control frames have a relatively high priority, and data frames have a relatively low priority, and the first device adopts different channel access parameters corresponding to each different frame type. The type of PPDU frame can be labeled with a type ID.

[0154] Exemplary, the first parameter is determined based on the time the first device accesses the channel. Optionally, the time the first device accesses the channel includes at least one of the following: TWT (Time To Wake), RAW (Stream), and the time period within the RAW during which the first device accesses the channel. Optionally, the TWT includes at least one of the following: single-user TWT, broadcast TWT, and opportunity-saving PS (Power Saving System).

[0155] To reduce power consumption in STA devices, this invention introduces the following two types of windows.

[0156] 1. Target Wake Time (TWT).

[0157] The AP and STA protocol a single periodic TWT. When the TWT arrives, the STA wakes up to receive a trigger frame sent from the AP and performs a single data exchange. Once this transmission is complete, the STA returns to sleep mode.

[0158] A TWT can be of three types: individual TWT, broadcast TWT, and opportunity PS. In an individual TWT, an STA negotiates a specific TWT with an AP, which is stored in the AP's schedule. The STA wakes up to the specific TWT, receives a trigger frame sent from the AP, and performs a single data exchange. Each STA only knows the TWT it negotiated with the AP and does not need to know the TWTs of other STAs. Individual TWTs can have various operating modes, such as explicit and implicit modes. A broadcast TWT is an operating mechanism managed by the AP, and an STA can only execute a broadcast TWT after applying to the AP. An opportunity PS does not involve a negotiation process between the AP and the node. The AP declares a single TWT, and any STA can choose to wake up within this public TWT and perform a data frame exchange with the AP. This exchange may be a single-node exchange or may use the OFDMA mechanism.

[0159] 2. Restricted access window (RAW).

[0160] Each RAW is allowed to be accessed only by certain STAs. Each RAW can be divided into one or more RAW slots, and STAs perform channel access only in their assigned RAW slots and not in other RAW slots, thus reducing channel access conflicts.

[0161] In this embodiment, transmission by the zero-power device can also be placed within a single time window (which may be, for example, a TWT or a RAW). When a TWT or RAW arrives, the first device needs to perform channel access to ensure that the channel for the TWT or RAW period corresponding to the STA is available. The parameters employed by the first device to perform channel access for the zero-power device can be related to the time of channel access. For example, the first device may employ different channel access parameters for different times. The first device may employ different channel access parameters for each of the three types of TWTs that arrive. For RAWs, the first device may employ different channel access parameters for different times or periodic RAWs, meaning that the opportunity or probability for the zero-power device to obtain the channel occupied by the first device and perform transmission is different for different RAWs.

[0162] In some embodiments, the first device communicating with the second device via the first physical layer air interface includes at least one of the following: transmitting a first signal to the second device; and receiving a second signal transmitted from the second device.

[0163] The first device is an AP device for the second device (e.g., a zero-power device) and can be called a Zero Power (ZP) AP. The zero-power device may belong to a ZP BSS provided by the ZP AP device. The first device can transmit a first signal to the zero-power device via a first physical layer air interface (e.g., air interface 2 in Figure 6) related to zero-power communication. The first device can receive a second signal transmitted from the zero-power device via a first physical layer air interface (e.g., air interface 2 in Figure 6) related to zero-power communication. The first physical layer air interface employs a simple modulation scheme (e.g., ASK, FSK, etc.) and a simple coding scheme (e.g., iterative coding, Manchester coding, block coding, packet coding, etc.) for its modulation scheme.

[0164] In some embodiments, the information carried in the first signal includes first information used to indicate that the first time-domain resource includes the second time-domain resource, or the first information is used to indicate the second time-domain resource in the first time-domain resource.

[0165] For example, if the first information is used to indicate that the first time-domain resource includes the second time-domain resource, the second device can determine the second time-domain resource according to a pre-defined rule after receiving the first signal. For instance, if the first information is used to indicate that the first time-domain resource includes the second time-domain resource, the second device can determine the second time-domain resource based on its indicators. For example, the second device can perform a modulo operation on its indicators and, based on the calculation result, determine the time-domain resource at the position corresponding to the calculation result within the first time-domain resource as the second time-domain resource. Alternatively, for example, if the first information is used to indicate that the first time-domain resource includes the second time-domain resource, the second device can determine the resource at a predefined position within the first time-domain resource as the second time-domain resource.

[0166] Furthermore, this application does not limit the specific forms in which the first information can be implemented.

[0167] For example, the first piece of information may include at least one of the following: TXOP information: Indicates the duration and / or end time of the TXOP (for example, the first time-domain resource or second time-domain resource related to the above), Specify a zero-power device or device group that uses a device ID or device group ID: TXOP (for example, the first time-domain resource or second time-domain resource mentioned above), Service Period parameter: Indicates the available time period or time window information (e.g., service period, SP) within the TXOP (e.g., the first time-domain resource or second time-domain resource mentioned above) for a zero-power consumption device.

[0168] Grant information: Used to assign one TXOP or service period to a zero-power device. Trigger information: Used to turn on one SP.

[0169] For example, if the first information is used to indicate the second time-domain resource, the second device can directly determine the second time-domain resource by the first information.

[0170] In some embodiments, the information carried in the first signal is Information for indicating the first time-domain resource, Labeling of the first device, The label of the third device, The label of the second device, The label of the device group to which the aforementioned second device belongs, Information transmitted by the third device to the second device, It further includes at least one of the following terms.

[0171] Exemplary, the information carried in the first signal includes information that the third device transmits to the second device, indicating that the first device can be used to relay information transmitted from the third device to the second device. That is, the first device can be used not only to occupy a channel for the second device, but also as a relay device between the third device and the second device, and can be used to transfer information transmitted from the third device to the second device.

[0172] Specifically, the first device can be used as a relay device between the third device and the second device. For example, the first device is relay device 2 shown in Figure 6, the second device is STA1 or STA2 shown in Figure 6, and the third device is the root AP shown in Figure 6. The information carried in the first signal that the first device can transmit to the zero-power device may include control information used to control the transmission signal of the zero-power device. For example, in a sensor network, the first device is used to transmit sensor data and report control information, and to control the associated zero-power device to transmit the sensor information. Specifically, the control information in the first signal may also relate to information carried in a signal transmitted from the Root AP to the first device, for example, the Root AP can transmit control information to the first device, and the first device can further transmit corresponding control information to the zero-power device.

[0173] Of course, in other alternative embodiments, the information carried in the first signal may include any information that can be transmitted from the AP to the STA.

[0174] For example, the information transmitted from AP to STA includes, but is not limited to, the following: Beacon information: Includes parameters and / or placement related to ZP BSS, BSS ID, compressed SSID or STA ID: Indicates the ID information of the first device, Response (ACK) information: Used to respond to transmission from a second device (e.g., a zero-power device). Paging information: Used to instruct the first device that there is cached data from the second device (e.g., a zero-power device) that needs to be sent. Data: This is the data transmitted from the first device to the zero-power device. Synchronization information: For example, Timing synchronization function (TSF) information, which is used for time synchronization of a second device (e.g., a zero-power device).

[0175] Traffic indication map (TIM) information: Used to indicate a second device (e.g., a zero-power device) that has cached data in a first device.

[0176] In some embodiments, the first signal is an energy supply signal that supplies energy to the second device, or the first signal is a carrier signal for the second device to perform backscattering, or the first signal includes a carrier signal for the second device to perform backscattering.

[0177] Exemplary, the first signal is an energy supply signal that supplies energy to the second device and a carrier signal for backscattering by the second device, or the first signal is an energy supply signal that supplies energy to the second device and includes a carrier signal for backscattering by the second device.

[0178] For example, a zero-power terminal performs backscatter communication based on a received trigger signal.

[0179] For example, the trigger signal may be used to schedule or trigger backscatter communication of a zero-power terminal. The trigger signal may carry scheduling information of a network device, or the trigger signal may be a scheduling signaling or scheduling signal transmitted from the network device.

[0180] The energy supply signal and the trigger signal may be a single signal or two independent signals, and this application does not specifically limit them.

[0181] For example, in a cellular network, since zero-power devices do not have battery power supply, a network device needs to provide an energy supply signal, obtain energy for the zero-power device, and perform the corresponding communication process. Here, the signal for energy supply (i.e., the energy supply signal) and the signal for information transmission (i.e., the trigger signal) may be two signals or one signal. Also, for example, in RFID technology, the energy supply signal and the trigger signal may be one signal, and in cellular passive Internet of Things technology, the energy supply signal and the trigger signal may be two independent signals. These two signals do not have to be transmitted in the same frequency band. For example, a network device may transmit the energy supply signal continuously or intermittently in a certain frequency band, and the zero-power device may perform power harvesting, and after the zero-power device obtains energy, it may perform the corresponding communication process, such as measurement, channel / signal reception, channel / signal transmission, etc.

[0182] Figure 9 shows an example of the first signal provided in the embodiment of the present application.

[0183] As shown in Figure 9, the first signal may include a preamble and a payload, where the preamble is used by the zero-power device to identify and synchronize with the first signal, and the payload may carry various information that needs to be carried in the first signal. Of course, the first signal may also include other content, and the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0184] In some embodiments, the information carried in the second signal includes information transmitted by the second device to the third device.

[0185] Exemplary, the information carried in the second signal includes information that the second device transmits to the third device, which indicates that the first device can be used to relay information transmitted from the second device to the third device. That is, the first device can be used not only to occupy a channel for the second device, but also as a relay device between the third device and the second device, and can be used to transfer information transmitted from the second device to the third device.

[0186] Specifically, the first device can be used as a relay device between the third device and the second device. For example, the first device is relay device 2 shown in Figure 6, the second device is STA1 or STA2 shown in Figure 6, and the third device is route AP shown in Figure 6. The first device can receive a second signal from a zero-power device, for example, in a sensor network, the first device receives sensor information transmitted by the associated zero-power device.

[0187] In some embodiments, the information carried in the second signal is Labeling of the first device, The label of the third device, The label of the second device, The label of the device group to which the aforementioned second device belongs, It further includes at least one of the following terms.

[0188] Of course, in other alternative embodiments, the information carried in the second signal may include any of the information that can be transmitted from the STA to the AP.

[0189] For example, the information transmitted from STA to AP includes, but is not limited to, the following: Response (ACK) information: Used for transmission by the first device, Data: This is the data transmitted from a zero-power device to a first device. Trigger information: Used to trigger the turning on of one zero-power device SP. Grant Ack: This is the response to the grant. Polling information: Used to request the first device to send cached data.

[0190] Furthermore, the second signal may be transmitted not only to the first device but also to other devices communicating with it, such as other zero-power devices or other relay devices. In this case, the first device is not a device communicating with the zero-power device, but only a TXOP device obtained for the zero-power device. In this case, the second signal may carry address information of a receiving device used to indicate the device ID of the device receiving the second signal.

[0191] In some embodiments, the first device communicating with the third device via the second physical layer air interface includes at least one of transmitting a third signal to the third device and receiving a fourth signal transmitted from the third device.

[0192] The first device is an STA device for the Root AP. The first device belongs to the BSS provided by the Root AP device. The first device transmits a third signal to the Root AP or other STA via a second physical layer air interface (e.g., air interface 1 in Figure 6) associated with AP or STA communication. The first device receives a fourth signal transmitted from the Root AP via a second physical layer air interface (e.g., air interface 1 in Figure 6) associated with AP or STA communication. The second physical layer air interface may employ OFDM modulation and FEC coding, etc. Furthermore, the information carried in the third signal may include information transmitted from any type of STA to the AP, such as partial information in the information carried in the first signal, information related to channel access results (e.g., RTS frames), and other types of NAV-setting frames transmitted from the first device. The information carried in the fourth signal may include any type of information transmitted from the AP to the STA, such as the information carried in the first signal and information related to channel access results (e.g., CTS frames).

[0193] In some embodiments, the information carried in the third signal includes information transmitted by the second device to the third device.

[0194] Exemplary, the information carried in the third signal includes information transmitted by the second device to the third device, which indicates that the first device can be used to relay information transmitted from the second device to the third device. That is, the first device can be used not only to occupy a channel for the second device, but also as a relay device between the third device and the second device, and can be used to transfer information transmitted from the second device to the third device.

[0195] Specifically, the first device can be used as a relay device between the third device and the second device. For example, the first device is relay device 2 shown in Figure 6, the second device is STA1 or STA2 shown in Figure 6, and the third device is the root AP shown in Figure 6. After the first device receives a second signal from the zero-power device, it can send a third signal to the Root AP, where the information carried in the third signal may include the zero-power device ID (or device group ID) and information sent from the zero-power device to the Root AP, such as data or control information. This information may relate to the information carried in the second signal received by the first device from the zero-power device. For example, in a sensor network, the zero-power device sends sensor information (carried in the second signal) to the first device as a sensor, and the first device then forwards this sensor information (carried in the third signal) to the Root AP.

[0196] In some embodiments, the information carried in the third signal is Labeling of the first device, The label of the third device, The label of the second device, The label of the device group to which the aforementioned second device belongs, Information to indicate the channel occupancy time, It further includes at least one of the following terms.

[0197] Exemplary, information for indicating channel occupancy time is used to install the NAV on a receiving device of the third signal other than the third device. Information for indicating channel occupancy time may be a frame carrying a field used to indicate the occupancy time of the first channel reserved for the second device, and it includes, but is not limited to, data frames, management frames, control frames, and frames related to channel access results. Frames related to channel access results may be RTS frames. The channel occupancy time includes the time reserved for the second device, and it includes at least one of RAW, time zone or time window in RAW, TWT, and TXOP.

[0198] Figure 10 shows an example of the first device provided in the embodiment of the present application transmitting an RTS.

[0199] As shown in Figure 10, STA2 first sends an RTS frame to transmit data to AP, and the RTS frame can be received by AP and STA3. If STA3 is not the target receiving STA, it updates its NAV based on the duration field of the RTS frame (for example, carrying information to indicate the channel occupancy time). After AP receives the RTS, it replies with a CTS frame, and if STA1 is not the target receiving STA, it updates its NAV based on the duration field of the CTS frame. Here, the NAV values ​​of STA1 and STA3 ensure that channel idle monitoring begins after the transmission of an ACK between AP and STA2.

[0200] Figure 11 shows another example of the first device provided in the embodiment of the present application transmitting an RTS.

[0201] As shown in Figure 11, the first device is called a relay STA, and it performs channel contention with the STA. After successfully accessing the channel, the relay STA sends an RTS frame, in which the duration field indicates the channel occupancy time. After receiving the RTS frame, the STA updates its NAV, and before the NAV counter reaches zero, the channel is considered busy and no channel access is performed. The channel occupancy time indicated by the RTS frame includes the TXOP time of the zero-power device.

[0202] The first device can initiate channel access and obtain channel occupancy, and the channel it occupies is provided to the second device (e.g., a zero-power device) for transmission. Therefore, after the first device successfully accesses the channel, it sends an RTS frame, causing other devices to update the NAV based on the duration field in the RTS frame. Since zero-power devices cannot send CTS frames, and there may be multiple zero-power devices using the channel, and their locations may differ, the hidden node problem is difficult to resolve. Therefore, the present invention aims to avoid channel access collisions by enhancing the transmission coverage range of the RTS, thereby setting up the NAV so that as many other devices as possible can receive the RTS.

[0203] For example, the third signal may include at least one RTS frame, where the transmit power of the at least one RTS frame is greater than the transmit power of other information carried in the third signal, or the transmission rate of the at least one RTS frame is less than the transmission rate of the other information, or the at least one RTS frame is a plurality of overlapping RTS frames. In such cases, among the receiving devices of the plurality of RTS frames, devices other than the third device set the network allocation vector NAV according to the first RTS frame received. That is, the first device may transmit RTS with relatively high power or a lower data rate and may also transmit RTS repeatedly, where the later transmitted RTS among the repeatedly transmitted RTS does not affect the setting of the previously transmitted RTS to the NAV value of other devices, i.e., the RTS takes the same amount of time to zero out the NAV timer of other devices.

[0204] The third signal may contain information indicating the channel occupancy time, which may be an RTS frame, or it may be another type of frame transmitted by the STA, such as a data frame, another type of management frame, or a control frame.

[0205] For example, the time entered in the duration field of a data frame may include the transmission of ACK frames, one or three SIFSs, and further the channel usage time required for communication by zero-power devices.

[0206] Furthermore, other types of management or control frames also include a duration field, including, but are not limited to, trigger frames such as Quality of service Null (QoS Null) frames, QoS data (data) frames, ACK frames, polling frames, Grant Service period request frames (Grant AckSPR frames), Sector Sweep Feedback Frames (SSW Feedback Frames), and Sector Sweep Ack frames (SSW-Ack frames). Any frame transmitted from the STA can be used by the first device to reserve channel occupancy time for the channel required for zero-power device communication.

[0207] Figure 12 shows an example of an NDP CMAC frame provided in the embodiment of the present application.

[0208] As shown in Figure 12, a frame in which media access control information (CMAC) is carried in a null data physical layer protocol data unit (NDP) may contain only a physical layer preamble and a physical layer header, meaning it may not have a data portion.

[0209] Figure 13 shows an example of the SIGNAL field in an NDP CMAC frame provided in the embodiment of the present application.

[0210] As shown in Figure 13, the SIGNAL field contains control information including the NDP CMAC PPDU body, NDP instruction, CRC, and tail. Here, the NDP CMAC PPDU body includes NDP CMAC PPDU Type information and associated control information. For example, if the NDP CMAC PPDU Type information indicates that the NDP is a CTS, the control information carried in the NDP frame is CTS information, the NDP frame is an NDP CTS frame, and the NDP CMAC PPDU body may include a duration field. In an NDP frame transmitted to the STA, the duration field included therein can be used to reserve channel occupancy time for the channel required for zero-power device communication.

[0211] In other words, frames containing a duration field can be called NAV-setting frames, and transmission of such frames can cause a third-party STA to set up a NAV, thereby reserving channel occupancy time for zero-power devices and protecting the transmission time of zero-power device communications. Transmission time can include RAW, one time slot in RAW, a time interval corresponding to TWT, TXOP, etc. The above PPDU frame is a PPDU frame compatible with existing devices, and its receiving device may be a Root AP, STA, or relay device. Furthermore, when supporting zero-power communications in a new frequency band, frames with channel occupancy time reserved for zero-power devices can be defined accordingly, and this application is not limited to this.

[0212] In some embodiments, the information carried in the fourth signal includes information transmitted by the third device to the second device.

[0213] Exemplary, the information carried in the fourth signal includes information that the third device transmits to the second device, which indicates that the first device can be used to relay information transmitted from the third device to the second device. That is, the first device can be used not only to occupy a channel for the second device, but also as a relay device between the third device and the second device, to transfer information transmitted from the third device to the second device.

[0214] Specifically, the first device can be used as a relay device between the third device and the second device. For example, the first device is relay device 2 shown in Figure 6, the second device is STA1 or STA2 shown in Figure 6, and the third device is the root AP shown in Figure 6. The first device receives control information (carried on the third signal) transmitted from the Root AP device and is used to control the transmission signals of the zero-power devices. For example, in a sensor network, the first device transmits sensor data to report control information and is used to control the transmission of sensor information of the associated zero-power devices. The information carried on the third signal may further include the zero-power device ID (or device group ID), or broadcast information transmitted from the Root AP device to the zero-power devices.

[0215] In addition, regarding the relationship between the zero-power consumption device and the first device, the present invention may add a capability report or relay mode related to the relay of the first device, a parameter negotiation process, etc., and does not specifically limit itself to these.

[0216] In some embodiments, the information carried in the fourth signal is Labeling of the first device, The label of the third device, The label of the second device, The label of the device group to which the aforementioned second device belongs, Information to indicate the channel occupancy time, It includes at least one of the following terms.

[0217] The above describes preferred embodiments of the present application in detail with reference to the drawings. However, the present application is not limited to the specific details of the embodiments described above. Within the scope of the technical concept of the present application, various simple modifications can be made to the technical proposal of the present application, and all of these simple modifications fall within the scope of protection of the present application. For example, the various specific technical features described in the specific embodiments described above can be combined in any appropriate manner as long as they do not contradict each other, and in order to avoid unnecessary duplication, the present application does not separately describe various possible combination methods. Furthermore, for example, any combination can be made between the various different embodiments of the present application, and as long as it does not contradict the idea of ​​the present application, it should be considered to be within the disclosure of the present application.

[0218] Furthermore, it is understandable that, in the various embodiments of the present invention, the magnitude of the numbers of the processes described above does not indicate the order of execution, and the execution order of each process should be determined by its function and inherent logic, and should not constitute any limitation on the implementation process of the embodiments of the present invention.

[0219] The above describes in detail an embodiment of the method of the present application in accordance with Figures 1 to 13, and below, an embodiment of the apparatus of the present application will be described in detail in Figures 14 to 18.

[0220] Figure 14 is a schematic block diagram of the first device 400 of an embodiment of the present application.

[0221] As shown in Figure 14, the first device 400 may include a communication unit 410. The communication unit 410 is used to acquire first time-domain resources by channel access. Here, the first time-domain resource includes a second time-domain resource corresponding to a second device, and the second device is a device that communicates with a third device via the first device.

[0222] In some embodiments, if the second device is a device that does not have channel access capability, the first time-domain resource includes the second time-domain resource.

[0223] In some embodiments, devices that do not have the channel access capability include zero-power devices.

[0224] In some embodiments, when the second device is associated with the first device, the first time-domain resource includes the second time-domain resource.

[0225] In some embodiments, the first device is associated with the third device.

[0226] In some embodiments, if the second device is a child node device of the first device, the first time domain resource includes the second time domain resource.

[0227] In some embodiments, the child node device is The devices included in the basic service set BSS provided by the first device, A device associated with the aforementioned first device, It includes at least one of the following terms.

[0228] In some embodiments, the first device includes a first physical layer air interface and a second physical layer air interface, the first device communicates with the second device via the first physical layer air interface, and the first device communicates with the third device via the second physical layer air interface.

[0229] In some embodiments, the first device communicating with the second device via the first physical layer air interface includes at least one of the following: transmitting a first signal to the second device; and receiving a second signal transmitted from the second device.

[0230] In some embodiments, the information carried in the first signal includes first information used to indicate that the first time-domain resource includes the second time-domain resource, or the first information is used to indicate the second time-domain resource in the first time-domain resource.

[0231] In some embodiments, the information carried in the first signal is Information for indicating the first time-domain resource, Labeling of the first device, The label of the third device, The label of the second device, The label of the device group to which the aforementioned second device belongs, Information transmitted by the third device to the second device, It further includes at least one of the following terms.

[0232] In some embodiments, the first signal is an energy supply signal that supplies energy to the second device, or the first signal is a carrier signal for the second device to perform backscattering, or the first signal includes a carrier signal for the second device to perform backscattering.

[0233] In some embodiments, the information carried in the second signal includes information transmitted by the second device to the third device.

[0234] In some embodiments, the information carried in the second signal is Labeling of the first device, The label of the third device, The label of the second device, The label of the device group to which the aforementioned second device belongs, It further includes at least one of the following terms.

[0235] In some embodiments, the first device communicating with the third device via the second physical layer air interface includes at least one of the following: transmitting a third signal to the third device; and receiving a fourth signal transmitted from the third device.

[0236] In some embodiments, the information carried in the third signal includes information transmitted by the second device to the third device.

[0237] In some embodiments, the information carried in the third signal is Labeling of the first device, The label of the third device, The label of the second device, The label of the device group to which the aforementioned second device belongs, Information to indicate the channel occupancy time, It further includes at least one of the following terms.

[0238] In some embodiments, the information carried in the fourth signal includes information transmitted by the third device to the second device.

[0239] In some embodiments, the information carried in the fourth signal is Labeling of the first device, The label of the third device, The label of the second device, The label of the device group to which the aforementioned second device belongs, Information to indicate the channel occupancy time, It includes at least one of the following terms.

[0240] In some embodiments, the communication unit 410 specifically, This is used to determine a first set of parameters used when the first device performs channel access, and to acquire the first time-domain resource by channel access based on the first set of parameters.

[0241] In some embodiments, the first parameter set includes at least one of the following: contention window CW parameter, wait time.

[0242] In some embodiments, the communication unit 410 specifically, The first parameter set is used to determine the first parameter set based on at least one of the following: the type of the first time-domain resource, the type of the second device, the device packet to which the second device belongs, the type of physical layer protocol data unit PPDU frame of the second device, and the time during which the first device accesses the channel.

[0243] In some embodiments, the first device is an access point device or a relay device.

[0244] In some embodiments, the second time-domain resource includes at least one of the following: transmission opportunity TXOP, target wake-up time TWT, service time SP, restricted access window RAW, and time period in RAW.

[0245] It is understandable that the apparatus embodiments and method embodiments may correspond to each other, and similar descriptions can refer to the method embodiments. Specifically, the first device 400 shown in Figure 14 may correspond to the corresponding body in method 200 or 300 for carrying out embodiments of the present application, and the above and other operations and / or functions of each unit in the first device 400 are provided to realize the corresponding flows in each method of embodiments of the present application, and for the sake of brevity, a detailed explanation is omitted here.

[0246] Figure 15 is a schematic block diagram of the second device 500 of the embodiment of the present application.

[0247] As shown in Figure 15, the second device 500 may include a communication unit 510. The communication unit 510 is used to communicate with the third device via the first device. Here, the first time-domain resource acquired by the first device through channel access includes the second time-domain resource corresponding to the second device.

[0248] In some embodiments, if the second device is a device that does not have channel access capability, the first time-domain resource includes the second time-domain resource.

[0249] In some embodiments, devices that do not have the channel access capability include zero-power devices.

[0250] In some embodiments, when the second device is associated with the first device, the first time-domain resource includes the second time-domain resource.

[0251] In some embodiments, the first device is associated with the third device.

[0252] In some embodiments, if the second device is a child node device of the first device, the first time domain resource includes the second time domain resource.

[0253] In some embodiments, the child node device includes at least one of the following: a device included in the basic service set BSS provided by the first device, and a device associated with the first device.

[0254] In some embodiments, the first device includes a first physical layer air interface and a second physical layer air interface, the first device communicates with the second device via the first physical layer air interface, and the first device communicates with the third device via the second physical layer air interface.

[0255] In some embodiments, the communication unit 510 is specifically used to perform at least one of receiving a first signal transmitted from the first device and transmitting a second signal to the first device.

[0256] In some embodiments, the information carried in the first signal includes first information, and the first information is used to indicate that the first time domain resource includes the second time domain resource, or the first information is used to indicate the second time domain resource in the first time domain resource.

[0257] In some embodiments, the information carried in the first signal is information for indicating the first time domain resource, the identifier of the first device, the identifier of the third device, the identifier of the second device, the identifier of the device group to which the second device belongs, the information that the third device transmits to the second device, and further includes at least one of the above.

[0258] In some embodiments, the first signal is an energy supply signal for supplying energy to the second device, or the first signal is a carrier signal for the second device to perform backscattering, or the first signal includes a carrier signal for the second device to perform backscattering.

[0259] In some embodiments, the information carried in the second signal includes information transmitted by the second device to the third device.

[0260] In some embodiments, the information carried in the second signal is Labeling of the first device, The label of the third device, The label of the second device, The label of the device group to which the aforementioned second device belongs, It further includes at least one of the following terms.

[0261] In some embodiments, the first device is an access point device or a relay device.

[0262] In some embodiments, the second time-domain resource includes at least one of the following: transmission opportunity TXOP, target wake-up time TWT, service time SP, restricted access window RAW, and time period in RAW.

[0263] It is understandable that the apparatus embodiments and method embodiments may correspond to each other, and similar descriptions can refer to the method embodiments. Specifically, the second device 500 shown in Figure 15 may correspond to the corresponding body in method 200 or 300 for carrying out embodiments of the present application, and the above and other operations and / or functions of each unit in the second device 500 are provided to realize the corresponding flows in each method of embodiments of the present application, and for the sake of brevity, a detailed explanation is omitted here.

[0264] Figure 16 is a schematic block diagram of the third device 600 of the embodiment of the present application.

[0265] As shown in Figure 16, the third device 600 may include a communication unit 610. The communication unit 610 is used to communicate with the second device via the first device. Here, the first time-domain resource acquired by the first device through channel access includes the second time-domain resource corresponding to the second device.

[0266] In some embodiments, if the second device is a device that does not have channel access capability, the first time-domain resource includes the second time-domain resource.

[0267] In some embodiments, devices that do not have the channel access capability include zero-power devices.

[0268] In some embodiments, when the second device is associated with the first device, the first time-domain resource includes the second time-domain resource.

[0269] In some embodiments, the first device is associated with the third device.

[0270] In some embodiments, if the second device is a child node device of the first device, the first time domain resource includes the second time domain resource.

[0271] In some embodiments, the child node device includes at least one of the following: a device included in the basic service set BSS provided by the first device, and a device associated with the first device.

[0272] In some embodiments, the first device includes a first physical layer air interface and a second physical layer air interface, the first device communicates with the second device via the first physical layer air interface, and the first device communicates with the third device via the second physical layer air interface.

[0273] In some embodiments, the communication unit 610 is specifically used to perform at least one of receiving a third signal transmitted from the first device and transmitting a fourth signal to the first device.

[0274] In some embodiments, the information carried by the third signal includes the information that the second device transmits to the third device.

[0275] In some embodiments, the information carried by the third signal includes at least one of the identifier of the first device, the identifier of the third device, the identifier of the second device, the identifier of the device group to which the second device belongs, and information for indicating the channel occupancy time length.

[0276] In some embodiments, the information carried by the fourth signal includes the information that the third device transmits to the second device.

[0277] In some embodiments, the information carried by the fourth signal includes at least one of the identifier of the first device, the identifier of the third device, the identifier of the second device, the identifier of the device group to which the second device belongs, and information for indicating the channel occupancy time length.

[0278] In some embodiments, the first device is an access point device or a relay device.

[0279] In some embodiments, the second time-domain resource includes at least one of the following: transmission opportunity TXOP, target wake-up time TWT, service time SP, restricted access window RAW, and time period in RAW.

[0280] It is understandable that the apparatus embodiments and method embodiments may correspond to each other, and similar descriptions can refer to the method embodiments. Specifically, the third device 600 shown in Figure 16 may correspond to the corresponding body in method 200 or 300 for carrying out embodiments of the present application, and the above and other operations and / or functions of each unit in the second device 500 are provided to realize the corresponding flows in each method of embodiments of the present application, and for the sake of brevity, a detailed explanation is omitted here.

[0281] The communication device of the embodiment of the present application has been described above from the perspective of a functional module, in accordance with the drawings. Understandably, the functional module may be implemented in hardware form, in software form instructions, or in combination of hardware and software modules. Specifically, each step of the method embodiment of the embodiment of the present application may be performed by hardware integrated logic circuits and / or software instructions in a processor. The steps of the method disclosed in the embodiment of the present application may be directly embodied to be completed by being executed by a hardware decoding processor, or by being completed by a combination of hardware and software modules in a decoding processor. As an alternative, the software module may reside in a storage medium that is well-established in this field, such as random access memory, flash memory, read-only memory, programmable read-only memory, electro-erasable programmable memory, or registers. The storage medium is located in memory, and the processor reads information from the memory and, in combination with its hardware, performs the steps of the above embodiment of the method.

[0282] For example, the communication unit described above can be implemented using a transceiver.

[0283] Figure 17 is a schematic diagram of the communication device 700 according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0284] As shown in Figure 17, the communication device 700 may include a processor 710.

[0285] Here, the processor 710 can call and execute a computer program from memory to implement the method in the embodiment of the present application.

[0286] As shown in Figure 17, the communication device 700 may further include a memory 720.

[0287] Here, the memory 720 can be used to store information, and can also be used to store code, instructions, etc., to be executed by the processor 710. Here, the processor 710 can call and execute a computer program from the memory 720 to implement the method in the embodiment of the present application. The memory 720 may be a separate unit independent of the processor 710, or it may be integrated into the processor 710.

[0288] As shown in Figure 17, the communication device 700 may further include a transceiver 730.

[0289] Here, the processor 710 can control communication between the transceiver 730 and other devices, specifically by transmitting information or data to other devices or receiving information or data transmitted from other devices. The transceiver 730 may include a transmitter and a receiver. The transceiver 730 may further include antennas, and the number of antennas may be one or more.

[0290] It is understandable that each component of the communication device 700 is connected by a bus system, which further includes a data bus, a power bus, a control bus, and a status signal bus. It is also understandable that the communication device 700 may be the first, second, or third device of the embodiment of this application, and the communication device 700 can implement the corresponding flows implemented by the first, second, or third device in each method of the embodiment of this application, for the sake of brevity, a detailed explanation is omitted here.

[0291] Furthermore, the embodiments of this application also include chips.

[0292] For example, the chip may be an integrated circuit chip having signal processing capabilities, and can implement or execute the methods, steps, and logic block diagrams disclosed in the embodiments of this application. The chip may also be called a system-level chip, system chip, chip system, or on-chip system chip. Optionally, the chip may be applied to various communication devices, and the communication devices to which the chip is attached can be made to execute the methods, steps, and logic blocks disclosed in the embodiments of this application.

[0293] Figure 18 is a schematic diagram of the chip 800 according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0294] As shown in Figure 18, the chip 800 includes a processor 810.

[0295] Here, the processor 810 can call and execute a computer program from memory to implement the method in the embodiment of the present application.

[0296] As shown in Figure 18, the chip 800 may further include a memory 820.

[0297] Here, the processor 810 can call and execute a computer program from memory 820 to implement the method in the embodiment of the present application. The memory 820 can be used to store instruction information, and can also be used to store code, instructions, etc., that the processor 810 will execute. The memory 820 may be a separate device independent of the processor 810, or it may be integrated into the processor 810.

[0298] As shown in Figure 18, the chip 800 may further include an input interface 830.

[0299] Here, the processor 810 can control communication between the input interface 830 and other devices or chips, and specifically, it can acquire information or data transmitted from other devices or chips.

[0300] As shown in Figure 18, the chip 800 may further include an output interface 840.

[0301] Here, the processor 810 can control communication between the output interface 840 and other devices or chips, and specifically, it can output information or data to other devices or chips.

[0302] It is understandable that each component in the chip 800 is connected by a bus system, which further includes a data bus, a power bus, a control bus, and a status signal bus. It is also understandable that the chip 800 can be applied to the first, second, or third device in the embodiments of the present application, and that the chip can implement the corresponding flows realized by the first, second, or third device in each method of the embodiments of the present application, for the sake of brevity, a detailed explanation is omitted here.

[0303] The processors mentioned above include, but are not limited to, general-purpose processors, digital signal processors (DSPs), application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), or other programmable logic devices, discrete gate or transistor logic devices, and discrete hardware components.

[0304] The processor may be used to implement or execute each of the methods, steps, and logical blocks disclosed in the embodiments of the present application. The steps of the methods disclosed in the embodiments of the present application may be carried out by a hardware decoding processor or directly embodied by a combination of hardware and software modules in the decoding processor. The software modules may reside in a storage medium that is mature in the art, such as random access memory, flash memory, read-only memory, programmable read-only memory, or erasable programmable memory, or registers. The storage medium is located in memory, and the processor reads information in the memory and, in combination with its hardware, carries out the steps of the method.

[0305] The memory described above includes, but is not limited to, volatile memory and / or non-volatile memory. Here, non-volatile memory may be read-only memory (ROM), programmable read-only memory (PROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (Erasable PROM, EPROM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (Electrically Erasable EPROM, EEPROM), or flash memory. Volatile memory is random access memory (RAM) used as an external high-speed cache memory. While this is an illustrative and non-restrictive description, many forms of RAM are available, such as static random access memory (Static RAM, SRAM), dynamic random access memory (DRAM), synchronous dynamic random access memory (Synchronous DRAM, SDRAM), double data rate synchronous dynamic random access memory (DRAM, DDR SDRAM), enhanced synchronous dynamic random access memory (Enhanced SDRAM, ESDRAM), synch-linked dynamic random access memory (SLDRAM), and direct Rambus random access memory (DR RAM).

[0306] Please note that the memories described herein are intended to include these memories and any other suitable types of memories.

[0307] Embodiments of the present application further provide a computer-readable storage medium for storing computer programs. The computer-readable storage medium stores one or more programs, which include instructions, and when these instructions are executed by a portable electronic device including multiple applications, the portable electronic device can be caused to execute the wireless communication method provided in the present application. The computer-readable storage medium can be applied to a first device in an embodiment of the present application, and the computer program causes the computer to execute the corresponding flow implemented by the first device in each method of the embodiment of the present application. The computer-readable storage medium can be applied to a second device in an embodiment of the present application, and the computer program causes the computer to execute the corresponding flow implemented by the second device in each method of the embodiment of the present application. The computer-readable storage medium can be applied to a third device in an embodiment of the present application, and the computer program causes the computer to execute the corresponding flow implemented by the third device in each method of the embodiment of the present application.

[0308] Embodiments of the present application further provide a computer program product including a computer program. The computer program product can be applied to a first device in an embodiment of the present application, and the computer program causes a computer to execute the corresponding flow realized by the first device in each method of the embodiment of the present application. The computer program product can be applied to a second device in an embodiment of the present application, and the computer program causes a computer to execute the corresponding flow realized by the second device in each method of the embodiment of the present application. The computer program product can be applied to a third device in an embodiment of the present application, and the computer program causes a computer to execute the corresponding flow realized by the third device in each method of the embodiment of the present application.

[0309] Embodiments of the present application further provide a computer program. When the computer program is executed on a computer, the computer can be made to execute the wireless communication method provided in the present application. The computer program can be applied to a first device in an embodiment of the present application, and when the computer program is executed on a computer, the computer can be made to execute the corresponding flow implemented by the first device in each method of the embodiment of the present application. The computer program can be applied to a second device in an embodiment of the present application, and when the computer program is executed on a computer, the computer can be made to execute the corresponding flow implemented by the second device in each method of the embodiment of the present application. The computer program can be applied to a third device in an embodiment of the present application, and when the computer program is executed on a computer, the computer can be made to execute the corresponding flow implemented by the third device in each method of the embodiment of the present application.

[0310] The present application further provides a communication system, which may include the first, second, and third devices described above, and for the sake of brevity, a detailed explanation is omitted here. The term "system" in this application may also be referred to as "network management architecture" or "network system," etc.

[0311] Furthermore, the terms used in the embodiments and the attached claims of this application are for the purpose of describing the embodiments and are not intended to limit the embodiments of this application. For example, unless otherwise explicitly stated in the preceding or following context, the singular forms "one type," "the foregoing," "above," and "the" used in the embodiments and the attached claims of this application are intended to also include the plural forms.

[0312] As those skilled in the art will be aware, each exemplary unit and algorithmic step described with reference to the embodiments disclosed herein can be implemented in electronic hardware, or in a combination of computer software and electronic hardware. Whether these functions are performed in hardware or software will depend on the specific application and design constraints of the invention. Those skilled in the art may implement the functions described herein in different ways for each specific application, but such implementations should not be considered beyond the scope of the embodiments of this invention.

[0313] When implemented in the form of a software function unit and sold or used as an independent product, it may be stored on a single computer-readable storage medium. Based on this understanding, the essential or prior art contribution of the invention of the embodiment of the present application, or any part thereof, may be embodied in the form of a software product. The computer software product is stored on a single storage medium containing a number of instructions for causing a computer device (which may be a personal computer, server, or network device, etc.) to execute all or part of the method of the invention of the embodiment of the present application. The storage medium includes various media capable of storing program code, such as USB memory, portable hard disks, read-only memory, random access memory, magnetic disks, or optical disks.

[0314] For the sake of clarity and simplicity of explanation, and so that those skilled in the art can clearly understand, the specific operating processes of the systems, devices, and units described above may refer to the corresponding processes in the method embodiments described above, and a detailed explanation is omitted here. As can be understood in some embodiments of the present application, the disclosed systems, devices, and methods may be implemented in other ways. For example, the divisions of units, modules, or components in the device embodiments described above are merely logical functional divisions, and other division methods may be used in actual implementation. For example, multiple units, modules, or components may be combined or integrated with other systems, or some units, modules, or components may be omitted or not implemented at all. Furthermore, for example, units / modules / components described as separation / display members may be physically separated or not physically separated; that is, they may be located in one place or arranged in multiple network units. Depending on actual needs, some or all of the units / modules / components may be selected to achieve the objectives of the embodiments of the present application. Finally, the above-mentioned or considered couplings, direct couplings, or communication connections may also be indirect couplings or communication connections via several interfaces, devices, or units, and may be of electrical, mechanical, or other forms.

[0315] The above description is merely a specific embodiment of the embodiments of the present application and is not intended to limit the scope of protection of the embodiments. Any modifications or substitutions that a person skilled in the art could easily conceive within the technical scope disclosed in the embodiments of the present application should be included within the scope of protection of the embodiments. Therefore, the scope of protection of the embodiments of the present application should be the same as the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A wireless communication method applicable to a first device, This includes obtaining first time-domain resources through channel access, The first time-domain resource includes a second time-domain resource corresponding to a second device, and the second device is a device that communicates with a third device via the first device. Wireless communication method.

2. If the second device is a device that does not have channel access capability, the first time-domain resource includes the second time-domain resource. The method according to feature 1.

3. Devices that do not possess the aforementioned channel access capability include zero-power devices. The method according to feature 2.

4. If the second device is associated with the first device, the first time-domain resource includes the second time-domain resource. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized by the following:

5. The first device is associated with the third device. The method according to feature 4.

6. If the second device is a subnode device of the first device, the first time domain resource includes the second time domain resource. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized by...

7. The subnode device is, The devices included in the basic service set BSS provided by the first device, The device associated with the first device, Including at least one of the following: The method according to feature 6.

8. The first device includes a first physical layer air interface and a second physical layer air interface, the first device communicates with the second device via the first physical layer air interface, and the first device communicates with the third device via the second physical layer air interface. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized by the following:

9. The first device communicating with the second device via the first physical layer air interface includes at least one of the following: transmitting a first signal to the second device; and receiving a second signal transmitted from the second device. The method according to feature 8.

10. The information carried in the first signal includes first information, which is used to indicate that the first time-domain resource includes the second time-domain resource, or the first information is used to indicate the second time-domain resource in the first time-domain resource. The method according to feature 9.

11. The information carried in the first signal is: Information for indicating the first time-domain resource, The label of the first device, The label of the third device, The label of the second device, The label of the device group to which the second device belongs, Information transmitted by the third device to the second device, Further including at least one of the following: The method according to the present invention, characterized by the present invention.

12. The first signal is an energy supply signal that supplies energy to the second device, or the first signal is a carrier signal for the second device to perform backscattering, or the first signal includes a carrier signal for the second device to perform backscattering. The method according to any one of claims 9 to 11, characterized by...

13. The information carried in the second signal includes information that the second device transmits to the third device. The method according to feature 9.

14. The information carried in the second signal is: The label of the first device, The label of the third device, The label of the second device, The label of the device group to which the second device belongs, Further including at least one of the following The method according to the present invention, characterized by the present invention.

15. The first device communicating with the third device via the second physical layer air interface means that The process includes at least one of the following: transmitting a third signal to the third device, and receiving a fourth signal transmitted from the third device. The method according to any one of claims 8 to 14, characterized by...

16. The information carried in the third signal includes information transmitted by the second device to the third device. The method according to the present invention, characterized by the present invention.

17. The information carried in the third signal is: The label of the first device, The label of the third device, The label of the second device, The label of the device group to which the second device belongs, Information to indicate the channel occupancy time, Further including at least one of the following: The method according to 16, characterized by...

18. The information carried in the fourth signal includes information transmitted by the third device to the second device. The method according to the present invention, characterized by the present invention.

19. The information carried in the fourth signal is: The label of the first device, The label of the third device, The label of the second device, The label of the device group to which the second device belongs, Information to indicate the channel occupancy time, Including at least one of the following: The method according to the present invention, characterized by the present invention.

20. Acquiring the first time domain resource through the aforementioned channel access means The first set of parameters used when the first device performs channel access is determined, Based on the first parameter set, the first time-domain resource is acquired by channel access. including, The method according to any one of claims 1 to 19, characterized by...

21. The first parameter set includes at least one of the following: contention window CW parameter, latency, The method according to the present invention, characterized by the present invention.

22. Determining the parameter set used when the first device performs channel access is: The process includes determining the first set of parameters based on at least one of the following: the type of the first time-domain resource, the type of the second device, the device packet to which the second device belongs, the type of the physical layer protocol data unit (PPDU) frame of the second device, and the time during which the first device performs channel access. The method according to 20 or 21, characterized by the features described herein.

23. The first device is an access point device or a relay device. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 22, characterized by...

24. The second time domain resource includes at least one of the following: transmission opportunity TXOP, target wake-up time TWT, service time SP, restricted access window RAW, and time period within RAW. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 23, characterized by...

25. A wireless communication method applicable to a second device, This includes communicating with a third device via a first device, The first time-domain resource acquired by the first device through channel access includes a second time-domain resource corresponding to the second device. Wireless communication method.

26. If the second device is a device that does not have channel access capability, the first time-domain resource includes the second time-domain resource. The method according to the present invention of the present invention.

27. Devices that do not possess the aforementioned channel access capability include zero-power devices. The method according to the feature of 26.

28. If the second device is associated with the first device, the first time-domain resource includes the second time-domain resource. The method according to any one of claims 25 to 27, characterized by the following:

29. The first device is associated with the third device. The method according to feature 28.

30. If the second device is a subnode device of the first device, the first time domain resource includes the second time domain resource. The method according to any one of claims 25 to 29, characterized by...

31. The subnode device is, The devices included in the basic service set BSS provided by the first device, The device associated with the first device, Including at least one of the following: The method according to the present invention, characterized by the present invention.

32. The first device includes a first physical layer air interface and a second physical layer air interface, the first device communicates with the second device via the first physical layer air interface, and the first device communicates with the third device via the second physical layer air interface. The method according to any one of claims 25 to 31, characterized by...

33. Communicating with the third device via the first device means that The process includes at least one of the following: receiving a first signal transmitted from the first device, and transmitting a second signal to the first device. The method according to any one of claims 25 to 32, characterized by...

34. The information carried in the first signal includes first information, which is used to indicate that the first time-domain resource includes the second time-domain resource, or the first information is used to indicate the second time-domain resource in the first time-domain resource. The method according to feature 33.

35. The information carried in the first signal is: Information for indicating the first time-domain resource, The label of the first device, The label of the third device, The label of the second device, The label of the device group to which the second device belongs, Information transmitted by the third device to the second device, Further including at least one of the following: The method according to feature 34.

36. The first signal is an energy supply signal that supplies energy to the second device, or the first signal is a carrier signal for the second device to perform backscattering, or the first signal includes a carrier signal for the second device to perform backscattering. The method according to any one of claims 33 to 35, characterized by...

37. The information carried in the second signal includes information that the second device transmits to the third device. The method according to feature 33.

38. The information carried in the second signal is: The label of the first device, The label of the third device, The label of the second device, The label of the device group to which the second device belongs, Further including at least one of the following: The method according to feature 37.

39. The first device is an access point device or a relay device. The method according to any one of claims 25 to 38, characterized by...

40. The second time domain resource includes at least one of the following: transmission opportunity TXOP, target wake-up time TWT, service time SP, restricted access window RAW, and time period within RAW. The method according to any one of claims 25 to 39, characterized by...

41. A wireless communication method applicable to a third device, This includes communicating with a second device via a first device, The first time-domain resource acquired by the first device through channel access includes a second time-domain resource corresponding to the second device. Wireless communication method.

42. If the second device is a device that does not have channel access capability, the first time-domain resource includes the second time-domain resource. The method according to feature 41.

43. Devices that do not possess the aforementioned channel access capability include zero-power devices. The method according to 42, characterized by the features described above.

44. If the second device is associated with the first device, the first time-domain resource includes the second time-domain resource. The method according to any one of claims 41 to 43, characterized by...

45. The first device is associated with the third device. The method according to feature 44.

46. If the second device is a subnode device of the first device, the first time domain resource includes the second time domain resource. The method according to any one of claims 41 to 45, characterized by...

47. The subnode device is, The devices included in the basic service set BSS provided by the first device, The device associated with the first device, Including at least one of the following: The method according to 46, characterized by...

48. The first device includes a first physical layer air interface and a second physical layer air interface, the first device communicates with the second device via the first physical layer air interface, and the first device communicates with the third device via the second physical layer air interface. The method according to any one of claims 41 to 47.

49. Communicating with the second device via the first device means The process includes at least one of the following: receiving a third signal transmitted from the first device, and transmitting a fourth signal to the first device. The method according to any one of claims 41 to 48.

50. The information carried in the third signal includes information transmitted by the second device to the third device. The method according to feature 49.

51. The information carried in the third signal is: The label of the first device, The label of the third device, The label of the second device, The label of the device group to which the second device belongs, Information to indicate the channel occupancy time, Further including at least one of the following: The method according to 50, characterized by...

52. The information carried in the fourth signal includes information transmitted by the third device to the second device. The method according to feature 49.

53. The information carried in the fourth signal is: The label of the first device, The label of the third device, The label of the second device, The label of the device group to which the second device belongs, Information to indicate the channel occupancy time, Including at least one of the following: The method according to 52, characterized by...

54. The first device is an access point device or a relay device. The method according to any one of claims 41 to 53, characterized by...

55. The second time domain resource includes at least one of the following: transmission opportunity TXOP, target wake-up time TWT, service time SP, restricted access window RAW, and time period within RAW. The method according to any one of claims 41 to 54, characterized by...

56. Includes a communication unit for acquiring first time-domain resources via channel access, The first time-domain resource includes a second time-domain resource corresponding to a second device, and the second device is a device that communicates with a third device via the first device. Device 1.

57. Includes a communication unit for communicating with a third device via a first device, The first time-domain resource acquired by the first device through channel access includes a second time-domain resource corresponding to the second device. Second device.

58. Includes a communication unit for communicating with a second device via a first device, The first time-domain resource acquired by the first device through channel access includes a second time-domain resource corresponding to the second device. Third device.

59. It includes a transceiver, a processor, and memory. The memory is used to store computer programs, and the processor is used to call and execute the computer programs stored in the memory so that the transceiver performs the method according to any one of claims 1 to 24. Device 1.

60. It includes a transceiver, a processor, and memory. The memory is used to store computer programs, and the processor is used to call and execute the computer programs stored in the memory so that the transceiver performs the method according to any one of claims 25 to 40. Second device.

61. It includes a transceiver, a processor, and memory. The memory is used to store computer programs, and the processor is used to call and execute the computer programs stored in the memory so that the transceiver performs the method according to any one of claims 41 to 55. Third device.

62. A device including a processor, on which the chip is attached, is used to call and execute a computer program from memory to perform the method according to any one of claims 1 to 24, any one of claims 25 to 40, or any one of claims 41 to 55. Tip.

63. A computer-readable storage medium used to store computer programs, When the computer program is executed on the computer, the computer is instructed to perform the method according to any one of claims 1 to 24, the method according to any one of claims 25 to 40, or the method according to any one of claims 41 to 55. A computer-readable storage medium.

64. Includes computer program instructions, The computer program instruction causes the computer to execute the method according to any one of claims 1 to 24, the method according to any one of claims 25 to 40, or the method according to any one of claims 41 to 55. Computer program products.

65. To cause a computer to perform the method according to any one of claims 1 to 24, the method according to any one of claims 25 to 40, or the method according to any one of claims 41 to 55, Computer program.

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