Communication methods and communication devices

Abstract

This application relates to the field of communications, and more particularly to communications methods and communications devices. The solution can be applied to WLAN systems that support IEEE 802.11ax next-generation Wi-Fi protocols, such as 802.11be, Wi-Fi 7, or EHT, and, as another example, 802.11-based protocols such as the next-generation protocol of 802.11be, and Wi-Fi 8. According to this application, a first AP can transmit a first radio frame to a second AP in order to require the second AP to modify the RTWT parameters of at least one RTWT agreement. This facilitates improved transmission in multi-AP cooperative scenarios and enhances communication quality.

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

[0002] The target wake time (TWT) is a power-saving technology defined in Wi-Fi 6. To save power, a station (STA) and an access point (AP) agree on a TWT service period (SP). During the TWT SP, communication continues actively, and outside the TWT SP, the device can enter a sleep state. According to the method of agreeing on the TWT SP, TWT can be classified into individual TWT and broadcast TWT.

[0003] Restricted TWT (RTWT) is a special type of broadcast TWT. The RTWT SP defined by RTWT is used to provide low-latency services. To ensure that the AP obtains the channel through contention within the RTWT SP and performs low-latency service communication with the STA, the STA that has obtained the transmission opportunity (TXOP) needs to end the TXOP before the RTWT SP arrives.

[0004] In a multi-AP cooperation scenario, the STA associated with an AP (e.g., AP 1) not only needs to end the TXOP before the RTWT SP of AP 1 arrives but also needs to end the TXOP before the RTWT SP of the neighboring APs of AP 1 arrives. If AP 1 has a large number of neighboring APs (each neighboring AP may also have multiple RTWT agreements), the STA associated with AP 1 needs to end the TXOP multiple times in advance. As a result, the communication quality is affected.

Summary of the Invention

[0005] Embodiments of this application provide a communication method to achieve improved transmission and enhance communication quality in a multi-access point (AP) cooperative scenario. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] According to the first embodiment, a communication method is provided. This method may be performed by a communication device or by a component of the communication device (e.g., a chip or circuit), but is not limited to this. For ease of explanation, an example in which the method is performed by a first AP is used below.

[0007] The method includes the steps of: a first AP transmitting a first radio frame to a second AP, the first radio frame being used to request a modification of the RTWT parameter of at least one restricted target wake time (RTWT) agreement of the second AP; and the first AP receiving a second radio frame from the second AP, the second radio frame being a response frame to the first radio frame.

[0008] Based on the aforementioned technical solution, the first AP can transmit a first radio frame to a neighboring AP (e.g., the second AP) to request the second AP to modify the RTWT parameters of at least one RTWT agreement of the second AP. This helps to achieve improved transmission and enhance communication quality in multi-AP cooperative scenarios.

[0009] For example, the RTWT parameters that a first wireless frame requests a correction from a second AP include one or more of the following: the start time of the first RTWT (service period, SP), the minimum duration of the RTWT SP, or the interval between adjacent RTWT SPs. The start time of the first RTWT SP is sometimes referred to as a future RTWT SP start time.

[0010] For example, the first radio frame may contain instruction information #1, which contains three bits that correspond one-to-one with the three parameters mentioned above in order to indicate the RTWT parameters that the first radio frame requests the second AP to modify. For example, the first bit in instruction information #1 (denoted as bit #1) corresponds to the start time of the first RTWT SP. If the value of bit #1 is set to a first value (e.g., 1), it indicates that the RTWT parameters that the first radio frame requests the second AP to modify include the start time of the first RTWT SP. If the value of bit #1 is set to a second value (e.g., 0), it indicates that the parameters that the first radio frame requests the second AP to modify do not include the start time of the first RTWT SP.

[0011] Referring to the first embodiment, in some implementations of the first embodiment, the first radio frame includes first instruction information which instructs a first RTWT agreement of a second AP, and the first radio frame is used to request modifications to the RTWT parameters of the first RTWT agreement.

[0012] Based on the aforementioned technical solutions, the first AP can request the second AP to modify the RTWT parameters of a particular RTWT agreement based on the requirements of various application scenarios. For example, if the first AP wants to establish a new RTWT agreement, but the first RTWT agreement established by the second AP is fragmenting the time resources available to the first AP for establishing the new RTWT agreement, the first AP can request the second AP to modify the parameters of the first RTWT agreement so that the first AP has the full time resources to establish the new RTWT agreement.

[0013] For example, the first instruction information is the identifier of the first RTWT agreement.

[0014] For example, the identifier for the first RTWT agreement is carried in the broadcast target wake time (TWT) identifier field of the first radio frame.

[0015] Referencing the first embodiment, in some implementations of the first embodiment, the first radio frame includes second instruction information, the second instruction information indicates a modification amount for the RTWT parameters, and the modification amount for the RTWT parameters is used to modify the RTWT parameters of at least one RTWT agreement of the second AP. The modification amount for the RTWT parameters includes one or more of the following: a modification amount for the start time of the first RTWT SP, a modification amount for the minimum duration of the RTWT SP, or a modification amount for the interval between adjacent RTWT SPs.

[0016] Based on the aforementioned technical solution, the first AP instructs the second AP on the amount of modification required for the RTWT parameters. This helps to achieve improved multi-AP protocol transmission in various application scenarios. For example, the first AP has two neighboring APs, namely the second AP and the third AP. If the first AP determines that the period of the first RTWT agreement of the second AP is the same as the period of the second RTWT agreement of the third AP, but the start time of the first RTWT SP included in the RTWT parameters of the first RTWT agreement is different from the start time of the first RTWT SP included in the RTWT parameters of the second RTWT agreement, the first AP can use the second instruction information to instruct the second AP on the amount of modification to the start time of the first RTWT SP in order to request the second AP to modify the start time of the first RTWT SP included in the RTWT parameters of the first RTWT agreement, so that the start time of the RTWT SP corresponding to the first RTWT agreement is the same as the start time of the RTWT SP corresponding to the second RTWT agreement.

[0017] Referencing the first embodiment, in some implementations of the first embodiment, the modification amount of the RTWT parameter includes a modification amount of the start time of the first RTWT SP, the modification amount of the start time of the first RTWT SP indicates by how much the first start time is advanced or how much the first start time is delayed. The first start time is the start time of the first RTWT SP included in the RTWT parameter of the first RTWT agreement of the second AP, and at least one RTWT agreement includes the first RTWT agreement.

[0018] For example, the amount of modification to the start time of the first RTWT SP satisfies one of the following conditions: that the duration between the second start time and the third start time obtained by modifying the first start time based on the amount of modification to the start time of the first RTWT SP does not exceed the first duration threshold, or that the duration between the second start time and the third start time obtained by modifying the first start time based on the amount of modification to the start time of the first RTWT SP exceeds the second duration threshold. The third start time is the start time of the first RTWT SP included in the RTWT parameter of the second RTWT agreement of the third AP.

[0019] For example, the correction amount for the start time of the first RTWT SP may be either a first duration or a second duration such that the absolute difference between the second duration and the first duration does not exceed the first duration threshold. The first duration is the duration between the first start time and the third start time.

[0020] Based on the aforementioned technical solutions, if the interval between the second start time and the third start time does not exceed the first duration threshold, the number of TXOP interruptions for the first AP and stations associated with the first AP can be reduced, thus improving communication quality. If the interval between the second start time and the third start time exceeds the second duration threshold, it is beneficial to obtain the full time resources used by another AP (e.g., the first AP) to establish a new RTWT agreement between the first and second RTWT agreements. This helps ensure the transmission of low-latency services from the first AP and improves communication quality.

[0021] Referencing the first embodiment, in some implementations of the first embodiment, the modification amount of the RTWT parameter includes a modification amount of the interval between adjacent RTWT SPs, the modification amount of the interval between adjacent RTWT SPs indicates by how much the first interval is increased or how much the first interval is decreased. The first interval is the interval between adjacent RTWT SPs included in the RTWT parameter of the first RTWT agreement of the second AP, and at least one RTWT agreement includes the first RTWT agreement.

[0022] For example, the amount of correction for the interval between adjacent RTWT SPs satisfies one of the following conditions: the second interval obtained by correcting the first interval based on the amount of correction for the interval between adjacent RTWT SPs is the same as the third interval, or the second interval obtained by correcting the first interval based on the amount of correction for the interval between adjacent RTWT SPs has a composite relationship with the third interval, or the second interval obtained by correcting the first interval based on the amount of correction for the interval between adjacent RTWT SPs exceeds the interval threshold. The third interval is the interval between adjacent RTWT SPs included in the RTWT parameters of the second RTWT agreement of the third AP.

[0023] For example, the amount of correction for the interval between adjacent RTWT SPs may be either the difference between the first interval and the third interval, or the difference between the first interval and the interval threshold.

[0024] Based on the foregoing technical solution, when the second interval is the same as the third interval, or when the second interval has a composite relationship with the third interval, the start time of the RTWT SP corresponding to the first RTWT agreement can be aligned with the start time of the RTWT SP corresponding to the second RTWT agreement. In this way, the number of TXOP interruptions of the first AP and the stations associated with the first AP can be reduced, and the communication quality is improved. When the second interval exceeds the interval threshold, it is beneficial to obtain the complete time resources used by another AP (for example, the first AP) to establish a new RTWT agreement between adjacent RTWT SPs corresponding to the first RTWT agreement. This helps to ensure the transmission of the low-latency service of the first AP and improve the communication quality.

[0025] For example, the amount of modification of the RTWT parameter is carried in the TWT offset field of the first wireless frame.

[0026] Referring to the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the first wireless frame further includes the identification information of the third AP.

[0027] For example, the identification information of the third AP is the media access control (MAC) address of the third AP or the identifier (ID) of the third AP.

[0028] Based on the foregoing technical solution, the second AP can determine whether the second AP and the third AP interfere with each other based on the identification information of the third AP. Further, when it is determined that the second AP and the third AP do not interfere with each other, the second AP modifies the RTWT parameters of at least one RTWT agreement, thereby avoiding the degradation of communication quality caused by blindly modifying the RTWT parameters of at least one RTWT agreement by the second AP.

[0029] Referring to the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the first wireless frame includes third indication information, and the third indication information indicates a reason for requesting a modification of at least one RTWT parameter of at least one RTWT agreement of the second AP.

[0030] For example, the reason for which the first AP requests a modification of at least one RTWT parameter of at least one RTWT agreement of the second AP is as follows: the start time of at least one RTWT SP corresponding to at least one RTWT agreement of the second AP is aligned with the start time of at least one RTWT SP corresponding to the second RTWT agreement. In this case, the third indication information may be the identification information of the third AP.

[0031] For example, the third indication information is carried in the reason code field of the first wireless frame.

[0032] Referring to the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the second wireless frame includes fourth indication information, and the fourth indication information indicates whether the second AP agrees to the request of the first AP.

[0033] Referring to the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the fourth indication information indicates that the second AP does not agree to the request of the first AP, and the fourth indication information further indicates a reason for which the second AP does not agree to the request of the first AP.

[0034] According to the second aspect, a communication method is provided. This method may be executed by a communication device or may also be executed by a component (e.g., a chip or a circuit) of the communication device. This is not limited. For the sake of easy explanation, hereinafter, an example in which the method is executed by the second AP is used for explanation.

[0035] The method includes the steps of: a second AP receiving a first radio frame from a first AP, wherein the first radio frame is used to request a modification of the RTWT parameters of at least one RTWT agreement of the second AP; and the second AP transmitting a second radio frame to the first AP, wherein the second radio frame is a response frame to the first radio frame.

[0036] For the second aspect and the beneficial effects of implementing the second aspect, please refer to the description of the first aspect.

[0037] Referring to the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, the RTWT parameters that the first radio frame requests the second AP to modify include, namely, one or more of the following: the start time of the first RTWT SP, the minimum duration of the RTWT SP, or the interval between adjacent RTWT SPs.

[0038] Referring to the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, the first radio frame includes first instruction information, the first instruction information instructs the second AP to make a first RTWT agreement, and the first radio frame is used to request a modification of the RTWT parameters of the first RTWT agreement.

[0039] Referring to the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, the first instruction information is the identifier of the first RTWT agreement.

[0040] Referring to the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, the identifier of the first RTWT agreement is carried in the broadcast TWT identifier field of the first radio frame.

[0041] Referencing the second embodiment, in some implementations of the second embodiment, the first radio frame includes second instruction information, the second instruction information indicates a first modification amount of the RTWT parameters, the first modification amount of the RTWT parameters is used to modify the RTWT parameters of at least one RTWT agreement of the second AP. The first modification amount of the RTWT parameters includes one or more of the following: a modification amount of the start time of the first RTWT SP, a modification amount of the minimum duration of the RTWT SP, or a modification amount of the interval between adjacent RTWT SPs.

[0042] Referencing the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, the first modification amount of the RTWT parameter includes a modification amount of the start time of the first RTWT SP, the modification amount of the start time of the first RTWT SP indicates by how much the first start time is advanced or how much the first start time is delayed. The first start time is the start time of the first RTWT SP included in the RTWT parameter of the first RTWT agreement of the second AP, and at least one RTWT agreement includes the first RTWT agreement.

[0043] Referencing the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, the amount of modification to the start time of the first RTWT SP satisfies one of the following conditions: namely, the duration between the second start time and the third start time obtained by modifying the first start time based on the amount of modification to the start time of the first RTWT SP does not exceed the first duration threshold, or the duration between the second start time and the third start time obtained by modifying the first start time based on the amount of modification to the start time of the first RTWT SP exceeds the second duration threshold. The third start time is the start time of the first RTWT SP included in the RTWT parameters of the second RTWT agreement of the third AP.

[0044] Referencing the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, the first modification amount of the RTWT parameter includes a modification amount of the interval between adjacent RTWT SPs, the modification amount of the interval between adjacent RTWT SPs indicates by how much the first interval is increased or how much the first interval is decreased. The first interval is the interval between adjacent RTWT SPs included in the RTWT parameter of the first RTWT agreement of the second AP, and at least one RTWT agreement includes the first RTWT agreement.

[0045] Referencing the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, the amount of correction for the interval between adjacent RTWT SPs satisfies one of the following conditions: the second interval obtained by correcting the first interval based on the amount of correction for the interval between adjacent RTWT SPs is the same as the third interval, or the second interval obtained by correcting the first interval based on the amount of correction for the interval between adjacent RTWT SPs has a composite relationship with the third interval, or the second interval obtained by correcting the first interval based on the amount of correction for the interval between adjacent RTWT SPs exceeds the interval threshold. The third interval is the interval between two adjacent RTWT SPs included in the RTWT parameter of the second RTWT agreement of the third AP.

[0046] Referring to the second embodiment, in some implementations of the second embodiment, the first modification amount of the RTWT parameter is carried in the TWT offset field of the first wireless frame.

[0047] Referring to the second embodiment, in some implementations of the second embodiment, the first wireless frame further includes identification information of a third AP.

[0048] Referencing the second embodiment, in some implementations of the second embodiment, the first radio frame includes third directive information, the third directive information indicating the reason for requesting a modification of the RTWT parameters of at least one RTWT agreement of the second AP.

[0049] Referring to the second embodiment, in some implementations of the second embodiment, the third instruction information is carried in the reason code field of the first radio frame.

[0050] Referring to the second embodiment, in some implementations of the second embodiment, the second radio frame includes fourth instruction information, which indicates whether the second AP agrees to the request of the first AP.

[0051] Referring to the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, the fourth directive information indicates that the second AP does not agree to the request of the first AP, and the fourth directive information further indicates the reason why the second AP does not agree to the request of the first AP.

[0052] Referring to the second embodiment, in some implementations of the second embodiment, the method further includes the step of a second AP transmitting a third radio frame, wherein the third radio frame includes a fifth instruction information, the fifth instruction information indicating at least one modified RTWT parameter of an RTWT agreement, or a second modification amount of an RTWT parameter. The second modification amount of an RTWT parameter is used to modify the RTWT parameter of at least one RTWT agreement in order to obtain a modified RTWT parameter of at least one RTWT agreement.

[0053] Based on the aforementioned technical solution, after modifying the RTWT parameters of at least one RTWT agreement, the second AP can transmit a third radio frame, thereby allowing the station associated with the second AP and / or neighboring APs of the second AP to determine / determine the modified RTWT parameters.

[0054] Referring to the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, the third radio frame further includes a sixth instruction information, the sixth instruction information indicating the time at which at least one modified RTWT parameter of the RTWT agreement becomes effective.

[0055] According to a third embodiment, a communication method is provided. This method may be performed by a communication device or by a component of the communication device (e.g., a chip or circuit), but is not limited to this. For ease of explanation, an example in which the method is performed by a first AP is used below.

[0056] The method includes the steps of: a first AP generating a fourth radio frame, wherein the fourth radio frame includes the RTWT parameters of a second RTWT agreement of a third AP and the identification information of the third AP; and the first AP transmitting the fourth radio frame.

[0057] Based on the aforementioned technical solution, the fourth radio frame transmitted by the first AP includes the RTWT parameters of the third AP's second RTWT agreement and the third AP's identification information. Therefore, if the second AP determines, based on the third AP's identification information, that the second AP and the third AP will not interfere with each other, the second AP modifies at least one of its RTWT agreement parameters based on the RTWT parameters of the second RTWT agreement. This helps to achieve improved transmission in multi-AP cooperative scenarios and enhance communication quality.

[0058] Refer to the third aspect, and in some implementations of the third aspect, the RTWT parameters of the second RTWT agreement are used by the second AP to modify the RTWT parameters of at least one RTWT agreement of the second AP.

[0059] Referring to the third embodiment, in some implementations of the third embodiment, the identification information of the third AP includes the MAC address of the third AP, and the MAC address of the third AP is carried in the AP MAC address field of the TWT element included in the fourth radio frame.

[0060] Referencing the third embodiment, in some implementations of the third embodiment, the identification information of the third AP includes the identifier of the third AP, which is carried in the AP identifier field of the TWT element contained in the fourth radio frame, or in the fifth byte of the broadcast TWT parameter set field of the TWT element, or in fields B3 through B7 of the broadcast TWT information field of the broadcast TWT parameter set field.

[0061] Referring to the third embodiment, in some implementations of the third embodiment, the method further includes the step of a first AP transmitting a mapping relationship to a second AP, wherein the mapping relationship includes an identifier of the third AP and the MAC address of the third AP.

[0062] Referring to the third aspect, in some implementations of the third aspect, the parameters of the second RTWT agreement are carried in a TWT element included in the fourth wireless frame.

[0063] According to a fourth aspect, a communication method is provided. This method may be performed by a communication device or by a component of the communication device (e.g., a chip or circuit). This is not limited to this. For ease of explanation, an example in which the method is performed by a second AP is used below.

[0064] The method includes the steps of: a second AP receiving a fourth radio frame from a first AP, wherein the fourth radio frame includes the RTWT parameters of a second RTWT agreement of a third AP and identification information of the third AP; and the second AP modifying at least one RTWT agreement parameter of the second AP based on the RTWT parameters of the second RTWT agreement.

[0065] Based on the aforementioned technical solution, the fourth radio frame transmitted by the first AP includes the RTWT parameters of the third AP's second RTWT agreement and the third AP's identification information. Therefore, if the second AP determines, based on the third AP's identification information, that the second AP and the third AP will not interfere with each other, the second AP modifies at least one of its RTWT agreement parameters based on the RTWT parameters of the second RTWT agreement. This helps to achieve improved transmission in multi-AP cooperative scenarios and enhance communication quality.

[0066] Referring to the fourth aspect, in some implementations of the fourth aspect, the identification information of the third AP includes the MAC address of the third AP, and the MAC address of the third AP is carried in the AP MAC address field of the TWT element included in the fourth radio frame.

[0067] Referencing the fourth aspect, in some implementations of the fourth aspect, the identification information of the third AP includes the identifier of the third AP, which is carried in the AP identifier field of the TWT element contained in the fourth radio frame, or in the fifth byte of the broadcast TWT parameter set field of the TWT element, or in fields B3 through B7 of the broadcast TWT information field of the broadcast TWT parameter set field.

[0068] Referring to the fourth aspect, in some implementations of the fourth aspect, the method further includes the step of a second AP receiving a mapping relationship from a first AP, wherein the mapping relationship includes an identifier of a third AP and the MAC address of the third AP.

[0069] Referring to the fourth aspect, in some implementations of the fourth aspect, the parameters of the second RTWT agreement are carried in a TWT element included in the fourth wireless frame.

[0070] Referencing the fourth aspect, in some implementations of the fourth aspect, the RTWT parameter of the second RTWT agreement includes the start time of the first RTWT SP, and the modification of at least one RTWT parameter of the second AP of the second RTWT agreement based on the RTWT parameter of the second RTWT agreement includes the second AP modifying at least one RTWT parameter of the second RTWT agreement based on the RTWT parameter of the second RTWT agreement in order to obtain a modified RTWT parameter of at least one RTWT agreement. The start time of the first RTWT SP included in the modified RTWT parameter of at least one RTWT agreement is the same as the third start time, and the third start time is the start time of the first RTWT SP included in the RTWT parameter of the second RTWT agreement.

[0071] Based on the aforementioned technical solution, if the start time of the first RTWT SP included in the modified RTWT parameters of at least one RTWT agreement is the same as the start time of the third RTWT SP, the number of TXOP interruptions for the first AP and the stations associated with the first AP can be reduced, thus improving communication quality.

[0072] Referring to the fourth aspect, in some implementations of the fourth aspect, the RTWT parameter of the second RTWT agreement includes the interval between adjacent RTWT SPs, and the modification of at least one RTWT parameter of the second AP of the second RTWT agreement based on the RTWT parameter of the second RTWT agreement includes the second AP modifying at least one RTWT parameter of the RTWT agreement based on the RTWT parameter of the second RTWT agreement in order to obtain a modified RTWT parameter of at least one RTWT agreement. The interval between adjacent RTWT SPs included in the modified RTWT parameter of at least one RTWT agreement is the same as the third interval, where the third interval is the interval between adjacent RTWT SPs included in the RTWT parameter of the second RTWT agreement.

[0073] Based on the aforementioned technical solution, if the interval between adjacent RTWT SPs included in the modified RTWT parameters of at least one RTWT agreement is the same as the third interval, the start time of the RTWT SP corresponding to at least one RTWT agreement can be aligned with the start time of the RTWT SP corresponding to the second RTWT agreement. This reduces the number of TXOP interruptions for the first AP and the stations associated with the first AP, thereby improving communication quality.

[0074] According to a fifth aspect, a communication device is provided. The communication device is configured to perform a method provided in any one of the first to fourth aspects. Specifically, the communication device may include units and / or modules configured to perform a method provided in the first aspect or any one of the aforementioned implementations of the first aspect, or units and / or modules configured to perform a method provided in the second aspect or any one of the aforementioned implementations of the second aspect, or units and / or modules configured to perform a method provided in the third aspect or any one of the aforementioned implementations of the third aspect, or units and / or modules configured to perform a method provided in the fourth aspect or any one of the aforementioned implementations of the fourth aspect, for example, a processing unit and / or a transceiver unit.

[0075] In one implementation, the communication device is a device (e.g., a first AP or a second AP). If the communication device is a device, the transceiver unit may be a transceiver or an input / output interface, and the processing unit may be at least one processor. Optionally, the transceiver may be a transceiver circuit. Optionally, the input / output interface may be an input / output circuit.

[0076] In another implementation, the communication device is a chip, chip system, or circuit used within a device (e.g., a first AP or a second AP). If the communication device is a chip, chip system, or circuit used within a device, the transceiver unit may be an input / output interface, interface circuit, output circuit, input circuit, pins, associated circuit, etc., within the chip, chip system, or circuit, and the processing unit may be at least one processor, processing circuit, logic circuit, etc.

[0077] According to the sixth aspect, a communication device is provided. The device includes a memory configured to store a program, and at least one processor configured to execute a computer program or instructions stored in the memory in order to perform a method provided in any one of the first aspects or an implementation of the first aspect, or a method provided in any one of the second aspects or an implementation of the second aspect, or a method provided in any one of the third aspects or an implementation of the third aspect, or a method provided in any one of the fourth aspects or an implementation of the fourth aspect.

[0078] In one implementation, this communication device is a device (for example, the first AP or the second AP).

[0079] In another implementation, the device is a chip, chip system, or circuit used within a device (e.g., a first AP or a second AP).

[0080] According to a seventh aspect, the present application provides a processor. The processor is configured to perform the method provided in the preceding aspects.

[0081] Operations such as transmission and acquisition / reception related to the processor may be understood as operations such as the processor's outputs and reception or inputs, or operations such as transmission and reception performed by radio frequency circuits and antennas, unless otherwise specified, or unless the operation is inconsistent with the actual function or internal logic of the operation in the description to which it relates. This is not limited to the present application.

[0082] According to the eighth aspect, a computer-readable storage medium is provided. The computer-readable medium stores program code to be executed by a device, the program code including instructions used to perform a method provided in any one of the first aspects or the aforementioned implementation of the first aspect, or instructions used to perform a method provided in any one of the second aspects or the implementation of the second aspect, or instructions used to perform a method provided in any one of the third aspects or the implementation of the third aspect, or instructions used to perform a method provided in any one of the fourth aspects or the implementation of the fourth aspect.

[0083] According to the ninth aspect, a computer program product including instructions is provided. When the computer program product is executed on a computer, the computer becomes capable of performing a method provided in any one of the first aspects or an implementation of the first aspect, or a method provided in any one of the second aspects or an implementation of the second aspect, or a method provided in any one of the third aspects or an implementation of the third aspect, or a method provided in any one of the fourth aspects or an implementation of the fourth aspect.

[0084] According to the tenth aspect, a chip is provided. The chip includes a processor and a communication interface. The processor reads instructions stored in memory through the communication interface in order to perform a method provided in any one of the first aspects or an implementation of the first aspect, or a method provided in any one of the second aspects or an implementation of the second aspect, or a method provided in any one of the third aspects or an implementation of the third aspect, or a method provided in any one of the fourth aspects or an implementation of the fourth aspect.

[0085] Optionally, in one implementation, the chip further includes memory. The memory stores computer programs or instructions. The processor is configured to execute computer programs or instructions stored in memory. When a computer program or instruction is executed, the processor is configured to perform a method provided in any one of the first embodiments or implementations of the first embodiment, or a method provided in any one of the second embodiments or implementations of the second embodiment, or a method provided in any one of the third embodiments or implementations of the third embodiment, or a method provided in any one of the fourth embodiments or implementations of the fourth embodiment.

[0086] According to the eleventh embodiment, a communication system including the first AP and the second AP described above is provided. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0087] [Figure 1] This is a diagram illustrating an application scenario to which one embodiment of this application may be applied. [Figure 2] This diagram illustrates the establishment of individual TWT agreements between AP and STA. [Figure 3] This is a schematic flowchart of a communication method according to one embodiment of this application. [Figure 4] This is a diagram of the frame structure of a third wireless frame according to one embodiment of the present application. [Figure 5]This is a schematic flowchart of a communication method according to another embodiment of the present application. [Figure 6] This is a diagram showing the structure of a TWT element according to one embodiment of this application. [Figure 7] This is a diagram showing the structure of a mapping element according to one embodiment of this application. [Figure 7a] This is a diagram showing the structure of a first information element according to one embodiment of the present application. [Figure 8] This is a diagram of a communication device according to one embodiment of the present application. [Figure 9] This is a diagram of another communication device according to one embodiment of the present application. [Figure 10] This is a diagram of a chip system according to one embodiment of the present application. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0088] The technical solutions of the embodiments of this application will be described below with reference to the attached drawings.

[0089] Embodiments of this application may be applied to wireless local area networks (WLANs). The standard currently used by WLANs is the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11 series. A WLAN may include multiple basic service sets (BSS). Network nodes within a BSS are stations (STAs) and access points (APs). Each BSS may include one AP and multiple STAs associated with that AP.

[0090] In the embodiments of this application, APs are sometimes referred to as wireless access points or hotspots. APs are access points for mobile users to access wired networks and are primarily deployed within homes, buildings, and premises, with a typical coverage radius ranging from tens to hundreds of meters. Naturally, APs may also be deployed outdoors. APs act as a bridge connecting wired and wireless networks. The main function of APs is to connect wireless network clients together and then connect the wireless network to Ethernet. Specifically, APs may be devices that support the 802.11ax standard. Furthermore, optionally, APs may be devices that support multiple WLAN standards, such as 802.11ac, 802.11n, 802.11g, 802.11b, 802.11a, and later versions.

[0091] In embodiments of this application, STA may be a wireless communication chip, a wireless sensor, or a wireless communication terminal, for example, a mobile phone supporting Wi-Fi communication, a tablet computer supporting Wi-Fi communication, a set-top box supporting Wi-Fi communication, a smart TV supporting Wi-Fi communication, a smart wearable device supporting Wi-Fi communication, an in-vehicle communication device supporting Wi-Fi communication, or a computer supporting Wi-Fi communication. Optionally, STA may support the 802.11ax standard. Furthermore, optionally, STA may support multiple WLAN standards, such as 802.11ac, 802.11n, 802.11g, 802.11b, 802.11a, and later versions.

[0092] In embodiments of this application, the STA or AP includes a hardware layer, an operating system layer running on the hardware layer, and an application layer running on the operating system layer. The hardware layer includes hardware such as a central processing unit (CPU), a memory management unit (MMU), and memory (also called main memory). The operating system may be one or more computer operating systems that perform service processing through processes, such as a Linux® operating system, a Unix operating system, an Android operating system, an iOS operating system, or a Windows operating system. The application layer includes applications such as a browser, an address book, word processing software, and instant messaging software. In addition, the specific structure of the executable of the method provided in embodiments of this application is not particularly limited in embodiments of this application, as communication can be performed in accordance with the method provided in embodiments of this application by executing a program that records the code of the method provided in embodiments of this application. For example, the method provided in embodiments of this application may be executed by an STA or AP, or by a functional module within the STA or AP that can call and execute a program.

[0093] In addition, various aspects or features of this application may be implemented as methods, apparatus, or products using standard programming and / or engineering techniques. As used in this application, the term “product” includes computer programs that can be accessed from any computer-readable component, carrier, or medium. For example, computer-readable medium may include, but is not limited to, magnetic storage components (e.g., hard disks, floppy disks, or magnetic tapes), optical discs (e.g., compact discs (CDs), digital versatile discs (DVDs)), smart cards, and flash memory components (e.g., erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), cards, sticks, or key drives). In addition, the various storage media described herein may represent one or more devices and / or other machine-readable media configured to store information. The term “machine-readable medium” may include, but is not limited to, wireless channels and various other media that can store, contain, and / or carry instructions and / or data.

[0094] Figure 1 is a diagram of a network architecture of a wireless local area network to which one embodiment of the present application is applicable. As shown in Figure 1, one AP may be associated with one or more STAs, that is, one AP may communicate with one or more STAs. As shown in Figure 1, the network architecture of the wireless local area network may further include a plurality of APs, each AP also being able to communicate with one another. For example, as shown in Figure 1, the diagram shows AP#1, AP#2, and STAs 11 and 12 associated with AP#1. Data transmission may occur between AP#1 and STA 11 or STA 12, data transmission may occur between STA 11 and STA 12, and AP#1 and AP#2 are also able to communicate with one another.

[0095] Figure 1 is merely an example, and it should be understood that the network architecture of the wireless local area network to which this application applies should not be limited. For example, the network architecture may include more APs, and each AP may be associated with more STAs. This is not limited to the embodiments of this application.

[0096] To facilitate understanding of the embodiments of this application, some terms used in this application are briefly explained below.

[0097] 1. Target wake time (TWT) TWT is a power-saving technology defined in Wi-Fi 6. The core idea of ​​TWT is to set several periodic periods, and as a result, in order to achieve power saving, some devices need to remain active only during these periods (called TWT service periods, or TWT SPs) and remain dormant outside of TWT SPs.

[0098] TWTs are classified into individual TWTs and broadcast TWTs. In individual TWTs, each STA can independently establish a TWT agreement with an AP. Therefore, each STA may have its own active and dormant periods. In broadcast TWTs, an AP can establish a common TWT agreement with a group of STAs, and multiple STAs operate within the same active period and become dormant within the same period.

[0099] 2. Individual TWT Individual TWTs mean that a TWT requesting station (STA) sends a TWT request message to a TWT responding station (STA) to request the setting of an awakening time. After receiving the TWT request message, the responding station sends a TWT response message to the requesting station. After the exchange is successful, a TWT agreement is established between the requesting and responding stations. After reaching a TWT agreement, both the requesting and responding stations must remain active for the agreed period to send and receive data. Outside of the agreed period, stations may go into sleep mode to achieve power saving. Generally, the STA sends a TWT agreement setup request to the AP. That is, the STA is the requesting STA and the AP is the responding STA. Of course, the AP may also initiate a TWT agreement setup request to a station. After a TWT agreement is established, the agreed active period is called a TWT SP.

[0100] Figure 2 illustrates the establishment of a TWT agreement between an AP and an STA. As shown in Figure 2, the STA sends a TWT request frame to the AP to request the establishment of a TWT agreement, and the AP sends a TWT response frame to the STA to establish a TWT agreement with the STA. A single TWT agreement may contain multiple TWT SPs of equal length that appear periodically.

[0101] 3. Broadcast TWT Unlike individual TWTs, broadcast TWTs provide a "centralized management" mechanism. An AP can establish a series of TWT SPs that appear periodically with multiple STAs. Within a TWT SP, multiple STAs must remain active to communicate with the AP.

[0102] An AP can carry information about one or more broadcast TWTs within a beacon frame. Each broadcast TWT is congruently represented by a broadcast TWT identifier (ID) and the AP's media access control (MAC) address. After receiving a beacon frame, if the STA intends to join a broadcast TWT, it can send a broadcast TWT setup request message to the AP to join the broadcast TWT. Once a broadcast TWT is established, the STA must specify the broadcast TWT ID to join a particular broadcast TWT. After joining a broadcast TWT, the STA can awaken based on the SP indicated by the TWT parameter set in order to communicate with the AP. Note that if the STA supports broadcast TWTs but does not explicitly specify the broadcast TWT ID of the broadcast TWT it wishes to join, the STA will default to joining a broadcast TWT with a broadcast TWT ID of 0.

[0103] Similar to individual TWTs, the parameter set for a broadcast TWT specifies the period during which TWT SPs appear and the duration of each TWT SP. In addition, the broadcast TWT parameters further include the broadcast TWT lifecycle. The broadcast TWT lifecycle is measured in units of beacon frame intervals and indicates the duration of the broadcast TWT.

[0104] 4. Restricted target wake-up time (restricted TWT, RTWT) RTWT is a special broadcast TWT type, and the restricted TWT SP (RTWT SP) defined by RTWT is used to provide low-latency services.

[0105] An AP can include a TWT element within a beacon frame to declare the RTWT service time. To direct the RTWT, the AP sets the value of the broadcast TWT recommendation field within the request type field of the TWT element to 4.

[0106] After the AP declares an RTWT in a beacon frame, the STA can send a request frame (e.g., a TWT setup frame) to the AP requesting to join the RTWT and become a member of the RTWT in order to send low-latency services within the RTWT SP.

[0107] To ensure that an AP can obtain a channel through competition within the RTWT SP to communicate with the STA in a low-latency service, the following rules are defined in the standard: (1) If the STA obtains a channel through competition and has a transmission opportunity (TXOP) before the RTWT SP arrives, the STA must terminate the TXOP before the RTWT SP arrives. (2) If the STA backs off the backoff counter to 0 through channel competition before the RTWT SP arrives, the STA must determine whether it can complete one transmission before the RTWT arrives. If the STA cannot complete the transmission, the STA cannot initiate a transmission. According to the above rules, an AP can successfully obtain a channel through competition when the RTWT SP begins in order to perform low-latency service communication with the RTWT SP.

[0108] 5. Multi-AP Cooperative Scenario With the development of wireless networks and the continuous proliferation of WLAN technology, WLAN devices are becoming increasingly densely packed. Because access points (APs) are easy to deploy, this increasing density of APs is leading to increased cell interference. Reducing inter-cell interference through coordination between APs and improving user service quality is a challenge that must be considered in next-generation Wi-Fi technology.

[0109] In the case of RTWT, to ensure low-latency service communication for AP 2, an AP (e.g., AP 1) can broadcast RTWT information for a neighboring AP (e.g., AP 2), so the STA associated with AP 1 terminates the TXOP before the RTWT SP for AP 2 arrives.

[0110] As mentioned above, in a multi-AP cooperative scenario, APs and non-AP stations (non-AP STAs) must terminate TXOP before the RTWT SP of a neighboring cell arrives. If there are many neighboring cells (each of which may also have multiple RTWT agreements), APs and non-AP STAs may need to terminate TXOP multiple times in advance, which has a significant impact on communication quality.

[0111] Based on this, this application provides a communication method to achieve improved transmission in a multi-AP cooperative scenario and enhance communication quality.

[0112] Figure 3 is a schematic flowchart of a communication method 300 according to one embodiment of the present application. Method 300 may include the following steps.

[0113] S310: The first AP transmits the first wireless frame to the second AP.

[0114] Accordingly, the second AP receives the first wireless frame from the first AP. The second AP is a neighboring AP of the first AP.

[0115] The first radio frame is used to request modification of the RTWT parameters of at least one RTWT agreement of the second AP. The at least one RTWT agreement of the second AP is an RTWT agreement established by the second AP. The following describes how the second AP establishes an RTWT agreement, using the first RTWT agreement of the at least one RTWT agreement as an example. The second AP may include a first TWT element in its broadcast beacon frame to declare the RTWT SP of the first RTWT agreement. The first TWT element includes the RTWT parameters of the first RTWT agreement and the ID of the first RTWT agreement. Accordingly, after an STA associated with the second AP receives a beacon frame from the second AP, if the STA intends to participate in the first RTWT agreement, it may send an RTWT setup request message to the AP to participate in the first RTWT agreement, and the RTWT setup request message includes the ID of the first RTWT agreement.

[0116] For example, the RTWT parameters that the first wireless frame requests a correction from the second AP may include one or more of the following: the start time of the first RTWT SP, the minimum duration of the RTWT SP, or the interval between adjacent RTWT SPs. The start time of the first RTWT SP is sometimes called a future RTWT SP start time.

[0117] Let us take the first RTWT agreement as an example. The start time of the first RTWT SP included in the RTWT parameters of the first RTWT agreement is carried in the TWT field of the first TWT element, the minimum duration of the RTWT SP included in the RTWT parameters of the first RTWT agreement is carried in the nominal minimum TWT wake duration field of the first TWT element, and the interval between adjacent RTWT SPs included in the RTWT parameters of the first RTWT agreement is carried in the TWT wake interval mantissa field and the TWT wake interval exponent field of the first TWT element. The minimum duration of the RTWT SP included in the RTWT parameters of the first RTWT agreement is the minimum duration of each of the multiple RTWT SPs corresponding to the first RTWT agreement. In other words, the actual duration of the RTWT SP corresponding to the first RTWT agreement may be greater than or equal to the minimum duration of the RTWT SP included in the RTWT parameters of the first RTWT agreement.

[0118] It should be understood that the first radio frame may be used to request the second AP to move the entire RTWT SP corresponding to at least one RTWT agreement by a certain period, including delaying the entire RTWT SP by a certain period or advancing the entire RTWT SP by a certain period. The request by the first radio frame to move the entire RTWT SP corresponding to at least one RTWT agreement by a certain period is carried out by requesting the second AP to modify the start time of the first RTWT SP included in the RTWT parameters of at least one RTWT agreement.

[0119] For example, the first radio frame may include instruction information #1, which includes three bits that correspond one-to-one with the three parameters described above in order to indicate the RTWT parameters that the first radio frame requests the second AP to modify. For example, the first bit included in instruction information #1 (denoted as bit #1) corresponds to the start time of the first RTWT SP. If the value of bit #1 is set to a first value (e.g., 1), it indicates that the RTWT parameters that the first radio frame requests the second AP to modify include the start time of the first RTWT SP. If the value of bit #1 is set to a second value (e.g., 0), it indicates that the parameters that the first radio frame requests the second AP to modify do not include the start time of the first RTWT SP. The first value may be 0, and the second value may be 1. This is not limited to the embodiments of this application.

[0120] In one possible implementation, the first radio frame contains first instruction information, which instructs the second AP to make a first RTWT agreement. It should be understood that when the first radio frame contains first instruction information, the first radio frame is used to request a modification of the RTWT parameters of the second AP's first RTWT agreement.

[0121] The first instruction information may be the ID of the first RTWT agreement. Alternatively, the first instruction information may be a parameter included in the RTWT parameters of the first RTWT agreement, which is different from a parameter included in the RTWT parameters of another RTWT agreement of the second AP. For example, the first instruction information is the start time of the first RTWT SP included in the RTWT parameters of the first RTWT agreement (referred to as the first start time), which is different from the start time of the first RTWT SP included in the RTWT parameters of another RTWT agreement of the second AP. Alternatively, the first instruction information may be identification information for a low-latency service corresponding to the first RTWT agreement. For example, the ID of the first RTWT agreement is carried in the broadcast TWT ID field included in the first radio frame.

[0122] The following describes the method by which the first AP determines the first RTWT agreement.

[0123] For example, if the first AP determines that the RTWT parameters of the second AP's RTWT agreement (e.g., RTWT Agreement #1) are different from the RTWT parameters of the third AP's second RTWT agreement, the first AP can determine RTWT Agreement #1 to be the first RTWT agreement. The third AP is a neighboring AP of the first AP. For example, if the first AP determines that the start time of the first RTWT SP included in the RTWT parameters of RTWT Agreement #1 is different from the start time of the first RTWT SP included in the RTWT parameters of the second RTWT agreement, the first AP can determine RTWT Agreement #1 to be the first RTWT agreement. As another example, if the first AP determines that the interval between adjacent RTWT SPs included in the RTWT parameters of RTWT Agreement #1 is different from the interval between adjacent RTWT SPs included in the RTWT parameters of the second RTWT agreement, the first AP can determine RTWT Agreement #1 to be the first RTWT agreement.

[0124] For example, if the first AP determines that the RTWT parameters of the second AP's RTWT agreement (e.g., RTWT Agreement #1) are most similar to the RTWT parameters of the third AP's second RTWT agreement, the first AP can determine RTWT Agreement #1 to be the first RTWT agreement. For example, if the first AP determines that the start time of the first RTWT SP included in the RTWT parameters of RTWT Agreement #1 is different from the start time of the first RTWT SP included in the RTWT parameters of the second RTWT agreement, but another parameter included in the RTWT parameters of RTWT Agreement #1 is the same as another parameter included in the RTWT parameters of the second RTWT agreement, the first AP can determine RTWT Agreement #1 to be the first RTWT agreement.

[0125] For example, if the first AP determines that one or more RTWT agreements have been established by the second AP, and the time resources available to establish RTWT agreements are fragmented, or if the remaining time resources are insufficient to establish a new RTWT agreement, the first AP may determine that at least one of the one or more RTWT agreements established by the second AP is the first RTWT agreement.

[0126] For example, if the first AP determines that there is an RTWT agreement established by the second AP (e.g., RTWT Agreement #1) and a second RTWT agreement established by the third AP, and the time resources available to establish an RTWT agreement are fragmented, or the remaining time resources are insufficient to establish a new RTWT agreement, the first AP may determine that RTWT Agreement #1 is the first RTWT agreement.

[0127] In one possible implementation, the first radio frame includes second instruction information, which indicates a first modification amount for the RTWT parameters, and the first modification amount for the RTWT parameters is used to modify the RTWT parameters of at least one RTWT agreement of the second AP.

[0128] For example, the first modification amount of the RTWT parameters includes one or more of the following: a modification amount for the start time of the first RTWT SP, a modification amount for the minimum duration of the RTWT SP, or a modification amount for the interval between adjacent RTWT SPs. It should be understood that when the first radio frame includes second instruction information, the first radio frame is used to request that the second AP modify the RTWT parameters of at least one RTWT agreement based on the first modification amount of the RTWT parameters, or that the RTWT parameters that the first radio frame requests the second AP to modify include parameters corresponding to the first modification amount of the RTWT parameters. For example, if the first modification amount of the RTWT parameters includes a modification amount for the start time of the first RTWT SP, the RTWT parameter that the first radio frame requests the second AP to modify includes the start time of the first RTWT SP. If the first modification amount of the RTWT parameters includes a modification amount for the minimum duration of the RTWT SP, the RTWT parameter that the first radio frame requests the second AP to modify includes the minimum duration of the RTWT SP. If the first modification amount of the RTWT parameters includes the modification amount of the interval between adjacent RTWT SPs, then the RTWT parameters that the first radio frame requests the second AP to modify include the interval between adjacent RTWT SPs.

[0129] For example, the first modification amount of the RTWT parameter is carried in the TWT offset field of the first wireless frame.

[0130] For example, the first modification amount of the RTWT parameter indicated by the second instruction information is a relative value. In other words, the first modification amount of the RTWT parameter indicates the amount by which the RTWT parameter of at least one RTWT agreement of the second AP is modified (e.g., increased or decreased).

[0131] For example, the modification amount for the start time of the first RTWT SP included in the first modification amount of the RTWT parameter may indicate how much the first start time is advanced or how much it is delayed. The first start time is the start time of the first RTWT SP included in the RTWT parameter of the first RTWT agreement.

[0132] The modification amount for the start time of the first RTWT SP is sometimes called time shift information that indicates the duration of the first shift (forward or backward) of the start time. In other words, the fact that the first modification amount of the RTWT parameters indicated by the second indication information includes the modification amount for the start time of the first RTWT SP is equivalent to the first radio frame being used to request the second AP to shift the entire RTWT SP corresponding to at least one RTWT agreement by a certain period, for example, delaying the entire RTWT SP by a certain period, or advancing the entire RTWT SP by a certain period.

[0133] Optionally, if the modification amount for the start time of the first RTWT SP included in the first modification amount of the RTWT parameters is a relative value, the first radio frame may further include instruction information #3. Instruction information #3 indicates that the modification amount for the start time of the first RTWT SP indicates how much the first start time is advanced (or moved forward), or that the modification amount for the start time of the first RTWT SP indicates how much the first start time is delayed (or moved backward).

[0134] As another example, the modification amount of the interval between adjacent RTWT SPs included in the first modification amount of the RTWT parameter may indicate an amount by which the first interval is increased or an amount by which the first interval is decreased. The first interval is the interval between adjacent RTWT SPs included in the RTWT parameter of the first RTWT agreement of the first AP.

[0135] Optionally, if the modification amount of the interval between adjacent RTWT SPs included in the first modification amount of the RTWT parameters is a relative value, the first radio frame may further include instruction information #4. Instruction information #4 indicates that the modification amount of the interval between adjacent RTWT SPs indicates an increase in the first interval, or an increase in the interval between adjacent RTWT SPs indicates an decrease in the first interval.

[0136] For example, the first modification amount of the RTWT parameter indicated by the second instruction information is an absolute value. In other words, the first modification amount of the RTWT parameter indicates the value obtained after the RTWT parameter of at least one RTWT agreement of the second AP has been modified.

[0137] Optionally, the modification amount for the start time of the first RTWT SP satisfies one of the following conditions: namely, the duration between the second and third start times obtained by modifying the first start time based on the modification amount for the start time of the first RTWT SP does not exceed the first duration threshold, or the duration between the second and third start times obtained by modifying the first start time based on the modification amount for the start time of the first RTWT SP exceeds the second duration threshold. The third start time is the start time of the first RTWT SP included in the RTWT parameters of the second RTWT agreement of the third AP. The first duration threshold does not exceed the shortest duration required by the AP or STA to compete for a channel. For example, the first duration threshold may be short inter-frame space (SIFS), point coordination function inter-frame space (PIFS), 4 microseconds (μs), or 8 microseconds. The second duration threshold is greater than or equal to the sum of the minimum duration required by the AP or STA to perform one low-latency service transmission and the first minimum duration, or the second duration threshold is greater than or equal to the sum of the minimum duration required by the AP or STA to perform one low-latency service transmission and the second minimum duration. The first minimum duration is the minimum duration of the RTWT SP included in the RTWT parameters of the second AP's first RTWT agreement, and the second minimum duration is the e-minimum duration of the RTWT SP included in the RTWT parameters of the third AP's second RTWT agreement.

[0138] Optionally, the first duration threshold may be 0 μs. In other words, the second start time obtained by modifying the first start time based on the modification amount of the initial RTWT SP start time is the same as the third start time.

[0139] For example, if the correction amount for the start time of the first RTWT SP is a relative value, the correction amount for the start time of the first RTWT SP may be one of the following: a first duration, or a second duration such that the absolute difference between the second duration and the first duration does not exceed the first duration threshold. The first duration is the duration between the first start time and the third start time.

[0140] As another example, if the correction amount for the start time of the first RTWT SP is an absolute value, the correction amount for the start time of the first RTWT SP may be any one of the following: the third start time, or start time #1 such that the duration between start time #1 and the third start time does not exceed the first duration threshold, or start time #2 such that the duration between start time #2 and the third start time exceeds the second duration threshold.

[0141] Optionally, the amount of adjustment for the interval between adjacent RTWT SPs satisfies one of the following conditions: the second interval obtained by adjusting the first interval based on the amount of adjustment for the interval between adjacent RTWT SPs is the same as the third interval; the second interval obtained by adjusting the first interval based on the amount of adjustment for the interval between adjacent RTWT SPs has a composite relationship with the third interval; or the second interval obtained by adjusting the first interval based on the amount of adjustment for the interval between adjacent RTWT SPs exceeds the interval threshold. The third interval is the interval between adjacent RTWT SPs included in the RTWT parameters of the second RTWT agreement of the third AP. The duration corresponding to the interval threshold is greater than or equal to the sum of the shortest duration required by the AP or STA to perform one low-latency service transmission and the first minimum duration.

[0142] For example, if the correction amount for the interval between adjacent RTWT SPs is a relative value, the correction amount for the interval between adjacent RTWT SPs can be either the difference between the first interval and the third interval, or the difference between the first interval and the interval threshold.

[0143] As another example, if the correction amount for the interval between adjacent RTWT SPs is an absolute value, the correction amount for the interval between adjacent RTWT SPs can be any one of the following: a third interval, or interval #1 such that interval #1 is a multiple of the third interval, or interval #2 such that the third interval is a multiple of interval #2, or interval #4 such that interval #4 is greater than or equal to the interval threshold.

[0144] If, optionally, the first modification amount of the RTWT parameters is determined based on the RTWT parameters of the third AP's second RTWT agreement, the first radio frame further includes the MAC address of the third AP. For example, if the first modification amount of the RTWT parameters includes a modification amount for the start time of the first RTWT SP, and the modification amount for the start time of the first RTWT SP is the first duration, the first radio frame further includes identification information for the third AP. The identification information for the third AP includes the MAC address or ID of the third AP. For example, the MAC address of the third AP is carried in the overlapping AP MAC address field of the first radio frame.

[0145] If the identification information of the third AP includes the ID of the third AP, method 300 may further include the step of the first AP transmitting a mapping relationship to the second AP, wherein the mapping relationship is a mapping relationship between the ID of the third AP and the MAC address of the third AP. In other words, the mapping relationship may include the MAC address of the third AP and the ID of the third AP.

[0146] Below, we describe two possible scenarios in which the first AP uses the second instruction information to instruct the first modification amount of the RTWT parameter.

[0147] In one possible scenario, assume that the first AP has two neighboring APs, namely the second AP and the third AP. If the first AP determines that the period of the second AP's first RTWT agreement is the same as the period of the third AP's second RTWT agreement—in other words, if the first interval is the same as the third interval, but the first start time is different from the third start time, or if the duration of the interval between the first start time and the third start time exceeds the first duration threshold, then the first modification amount of the RTWT parameters indicated by the second indication information includes a modification amount of the start time of the first RTWT SP in order to require the second AP to modify the first start time. Thus, the first start time is the same as the third start time, or the duration between the first start time and the third start time does not exceed the first duration threshold.

[0148] In another possible scenario, the first AP wants to establish a new RTWT agreement, but because several neighboring APs have already established RTWT agreements, the time resources available to the first AP for establishing the new RTWT agreement are fragmented. In this case, the first modification amount of the RTWT parameters indicated by the second instruction information may include a modification amount of the start time of the first RTWT SP to require the second AP to modify the start time of the first RTWT SP included in the RTWT parameters of at least one RTWT agreement. In this way, the full time resources available to the first AP for establishing the new RTWT agreement are obtained.

[0149] It should be understood that the above illustrates, using examples, two application scenarios to which the embodiments of this application may be applicable. The embodiments of this application may be further applicable to other application scenarios different from those described above, and are not limited to these.

[0150] In one possible implementation, the first radio frame includes third directive information, which indicates the reason for requesting a modification of the RTWT parameters of at least one RTWT agreement of the second AP.

[0151] For example, the reason why the first AP requests modification of the RTWT parameters of at least one RTWT agreement of the second AP is as follows: the start time of at least one RTWT SP corresponding to at least one RTWT agreement of the second AP is consistent with the start time of at least one RTWT SP corresponding to the second RTWT agreement, or the duration between the start time of at least one RTWT SP corresponding to at least one RTWT agreement of the second AP and the start time of at least one RTWT SP corresponding to the second RTWT agreement does not exceed the first duration threshold. In this case, the third instruction information may be the identification information of the third AP, or the identification information of the third AP and a predetermined reason value #1. For example, the predetermined reason value #1 is "1".

[0152] For example, the reason why the first AP requests a modification of the RTWT parameter of at least one RTWT agreement of the second AP is as follows: the duration between the start time of at least one RTWT SP corresponding to at least one RTWT agreement of the second AP and the start time of any RTWT SP corresponding to the second RTWT agreement exceeds a second duration threshold, or the interval between at least two adjacent RTWT SPs corresponding to at least one RTWT agreement of the second AP exceeds an interval threshold. In this case, the third instruction information may be a predetermined reason value #2, for example, the predetermined reason value #2 is "2".

[0153] For example, the reason for requesting a modification of the RTWT parameters in at least one RTWT agreement of the second AP is carried in the reason code field of the first radio frame.

[0154] The frame format of the first wireless frame is described below.

[0155] In one possible implementation, the frame type of the first wireless frame may be an action frame, and the frame body of the first wireless frame may contain one or more fields as shown in Table 1.

[0156] [Table 1]

[0157] The value of the Category field is a third value that indicates UHR, i.e., that the first radio frame is a UHR action frame (for example, the third value is "1"). The value of the UHR action field is a fourth value that indicates that the UHR action frame is the first radio frame (for example, the fourth value is "2"). The Broadcast TWT ID is used to carry the first instruction information, e.g., the ID used to carry the first RTWT agreement. The TWT offset is used to carry the second instruction information. In other words, the TWT offset is used to carry the first modification amount of the RTWT parameters, e.g., the duration for which the first AP requests the second AP to move the start time of the first RTWT SP included in the RTWT parameters of at least one RTWT agreement. The Overlapping AP MAC address is used to carry the identification information of the third AP. The Reason code is used to carry the third instruction information, or the reason for the second AP's request for modification of the RTWT parameters of at least one RTWT agreement. For example, the value of reason code is set to a predetermined reason value #1. The purpose of the first AP requesting the second AP to modify the RTWT parameters of at least one RTWT agreement is indicated as being to align with the start time of the first RTWT SP included in the RTWT parameters of the third AP's RTWT agreement (e.g., the second RTWT agreement).

[0158] It should be understood that the first wireless frame may include one or more fields shown in Table 1, or may further include other fields not shown in Table 1. This is not limited to the embodiments of this application.

[0159] For example, the first wireless frame may be called an RTWT modification request frame, or the first wireless frame may have a different name. This is not limited to the embodiments of this application.

[0160] S320: The second AP transmits the second radio frame to the first AP.

[0161] Accordingly, the first AP receives the second radio frame from the second AP. The second radio frame is the response frame to the first radio frame.

[0162] After receiving the first radio frame from the first AP, the second AP can decide whether to accept the request from the first AP and return the second radio frame to the first AP.

[0163] For example, a second wireless frame may include a fourth instruction information that indicates whether the second AP agrees to the request of the first AP.

[0164] If, optionally, the fourth directive indicates that the second AP does not agree to the first AP's request, the fourth directive further indicates the reasons why the second AP does not agree to the first AP's request.

[0165] Optionally, if the fourth instruction information indicates that the second AP does not agree to the first AP's request, the second radio frame may further include instruction information #2, which indicates the reason why the second AP does not agree to the first AP's request.

[0166] The following describes how the second AP decides whether to accept the request from the first AP.

[0167] In one possible implementation, the second AP accepts the first AP's request by default, or the second AP does not accept the first AP's request by default.

[0168] In one possible implementation, if the first wireless frame contains first instruction information, the second AP can decide whether to accept the first AP's request based on the priority of the low-latency service corresponding to the first RTWT agreement. For example, if the priority of the low-latency service corresponding to the first RTWT agreement is high, the second AP can decide not to accept the first AP's request. If the priority of the low-latency service corresponding to the first RTWT agreement is low, the second AP can decide to accept the first AP's request.

[0169] In this implementation, if the second AP does not accept the first AP's request, the reason indicated by the fourth instruction information or instruction information #2 may be that the low-latency service corresponding to the first RTWT agreement has higher priority.

[0170] In one possible implementation, if the first radio frame contains second instruction information, the second AP can decide whether to accept the request from the first AP based on whether the first modification amount of the RTWT parameters exceeds an acceptable modification threshold. For example, if the modification amount of the RTWT parameters includes a modification amount for the start time of the first RTWT SP, and the modification amount for the start time of the first RTWT SP exceeds the acceptable modification threshold for the start time of the first RTWT SP, the second AP can decide not to accept the request from the first AP. As another example, if the first modification amount of the RTWT parameters includes a modification amount for the interval between adjacent RTWT SPs, and the modification amount for the interval between adjacent RTWT SPs does not exceed the modification threshold for the interval between adjacent RTWT SPs, the second AP can decide to accept the request from the first AP.

[0171] In this implementation, if the second AP does not accept the request of the first AP, the reason indicated by the fourth instruction information or instruction information #2 may be that the first modification amount of the RTWT parameter requested by the first AP exceeds the acceptable modification amount threshold.

[0172] In one possible implementation, if the first wireless frame contains the identification information of the third AP, the second AP can determine whether to accept the request from the first AP based on the identification information of the third AP. For example, if the second AP determines, based on the identification information of the third AP, that the second AP and the third AP will not interfere with each other, the second AP can determine to accept the request from the first AP. If the second AP determines, based on the identification information of the third AP, that the second AP and the third AP will interfere with each other, the second AP can determine not to accept the request from the first AP. If the second AP can obtain beacon frames transmitted by the third AP through wireless listening, the second AP will determine that the second AP and the third AP will interfere with each other. If the second AP obtains beacon frames transmitted by the third AP through wireless listening, the second AP will determine that the second AP and the third AP will not interfere with each other.

[0173] In this implementation, if the second AP does not accept the request from the first AP, the reason indicated by the fourth instruction information or instruction information #2 could be that the second AP is being interfered with by the third AP, or that the third AP is a neighboring AP of the second AP.

[0174] The following describes the frame format for the second wireless frame.

[0175] In one possible implementation, the frame type of the second wireless frame may be an action frame, and the frame body of the second wireless frame may contain one or more fields as shown in Table 2.

[0176] [Table 2]

[0177] The value of the Category field is a third value that indicates UHR, i.e., that the second radio frame is a UHR action frame (for example, the third value is "1"). The value of the UHR action field is a fifth value that indicates that the UHR action frame is the second radio frame (for example, the fifth value is "3"). The Status code is used to carry a fourth instruction information, or to carry the fourth instruction information and instruction information #2. In other words, the status code indicates whether the second AP agrees to the request of the first AP, and why the second AP does not agree to the request of the first AP.

[0178] It should be understood that a second wireless frame may include one or more fields shown in Table 2, or may further include other fields not shown in Table 2. This is not limited to the embodiments of this application.

[0179] For example, the second wireless frame may be called an RTWT modification response frame, or the second wireless frame may have a different name. This is not limited to the embodiments of this application.

[0180] It should be noted that in S310 and S320, the frame exchange between the first AP and the second AP may be performed by the first AP and the second AP, or by the first AP and the collocated station within the second AP, or by the second AP and the collocated station within the first AP.

[0181] If the second AP agrees to the first AP's requirements, the second AP may modify the RTWT parameters of at least one of its RTWT agreements based on the first AP's requirements.

[0182] The following describes how the second AP modifies the RTWT parameters based on the request of the first AP.

[0183] In one possible implementation, a second AP can modify the RTWT parameters of at least one RTWT agreement in the default manner. For example, a second AP can modify the RTWT parameters of an RTWT agreement corresponding to a low-latency service whose priority is below the priority threshold in the default manner. As another example, the amount of modification made by a second AP to the RTWT parameters of at least one RTWT agreement in the default manner does not exceed an acceptable modification threshold.

[0184] In one possible implementation, if the first radio frame contains second instruction information, the second AP can modify the RTWT parameters of at least one RTWT agreement based on a first modification amount of the RTWT parameters indicated by the second instruction information. For example, if the first modification amount of the RTWT parameters includes a modification amount of the start time of the first RTWT SP, the second AP can shift the start time of the first RTWT SP included in the RTWT parameters of at least one RTWT agreement based on the modification amount of the start time of the first RTWT SP.

[0185] Method 300 further includes the step S330: the second AP transmits a third radio frame after the second AP has modified the RTWT parameters of at least one RTWT agreement.

[0186] The third radio frame includes fifth instruction information. The fifth instruction information indicates a modified RTWT parameter of at least one RTWT agreement of the second AP, or a second modification amount of the RTWT parameter. The second modification amount of the RTWT parameter is used to modify the RTWT parameter of at least one RTWT agreement in order to obtain the modified RTWT parameter of at least one RTWT agreement. For example, if the second AP modifies the start time of the first RTWT SP included in the RTWT parameter of at least one RTWT agreement, the second modification amount of the RTWT parameter may include a modification amount of the start time of the RTWT SP.

[0187] Optionally, the third wireless frame further includes at least one RTWT agreement ID.

[0188] Optionally, a third wireless frame further includes a sixth instruction. The sixth instruction indicates the time at which at least one modified RTWT parameter of an RTWT agreement becomes effective. For example, the sixth instruction may be the number N of beacon frame periods, indicating that at least one modified RTWT parameter of an RTWT agreement becomes effective after N beacon periods, where N is a positive integer.

[0189] It should be understood that the second AP transmits a third radio frame in a broadcast manner, and as a result, stations associated with the second AP and / or neighboring APs of the second AP can listen to the third radio frame and determine at least one agreed modified RTWT parameter of the second AP based on the fifth instruction information contained in the third radio frame.

[0190] The following describes the frame format for the third wireless frame.

[0191] In one possible implementation, the third radio frame may contain at least one information element, and at least one information element corresponds one-to-one with at least one RTWT agreement. The structure of the at least one information element included in the third radio frame is described using the first information element of the at least one information element as an example. The first information element corresponds to the first RTWT agreement of the at least one RTWT agreement. As shown in Figure 4, the first information element may contain one or more of the following fields: an element ID field indicating the ID of the element, a length field indicating the length of the element, a broadcast TWT ID field indicating the ID of the first RTWT agreement corresponding to the element, a TWT offset field indicating the modified RTWT parameters of the first RTWT agreement, or a second modification amount of the RTWT parameters, and a target beacon transmission time (TBTT) countdown field indicating the time when the modified RTWT parameters of the first RTWT agreement become effective.

[0192] In this embodiment of the present application, the first AP can transmit a first radio frame to a neighboring AP (e.g., the second AP) in order to request the second AP to modify the RTWT parameters of at least one RTWT agreement of the second AP. This helps to achieve improved transmission in multi-AP cooperative scenarios and enhance communication quality.

[0193] For example, if the period of the first RTWT agreement of the second AP is the same as the period of the RTWT agreement of the third AP, the second AP will, based on the request of the first radio frame, modify the start time of the first RTWT SP included in the RTWT parameters of the first RTWT agreement. Thus, after the start time of the RTWT SP corresponding to the first RTWT agreement is aligned with the start time of the RTWT SP corresponding to the second RTWT agreement, the number of TXOP interruptions for the first AP and the station associated with the first AP can be reduced, and therefore the quality of communication is improved.

[0194] As another example, in order to obtain the full time resources used by the first AP to establish a new RTWT agreement, the second AP modifies the start time of the first RTWT SP included in the RTWT parameters of the first RTWT agreement, based on the request of the first radio frame. This helps ensure the transmission of low-latency services by the first AP and improves communication quality.

[0195] Figure 5 is a schematic flowchart of a communication method 500 according to one embodiment of the present application. The method 500 may include the following steps.

[0196] S510: The first AP generates the fourth wireless frame.

[0197] The fourth wireless frame includes the RTWT parameters of the third AP's second RTWT agreement and the third AP's identification information.

[0198] The RTWT parameters of the second RTWT agreement are used by the second AP to modify the parameters of at least one RTWT agreement of the second AP. The RTWT parameters of the second RTWT agreement may include one or more of the following: the start time of the first RTWT SP, the minimum duration of the RTWT SP, or the interval between adjacent RTWT SPs. The RTWT parameters of the second RTWT agreement may further include parameters specified in another standard or agreement. This is not limited to the embodiments of this application.

[0199] For example, the RTWT parameters of a second RTWT agreement are carried in a TWT element included in the fourth radio frame. As shown in Figure 6, a TWT element may include one or more of the following fields: an element ID field, a length field, a control field, or a TWT parameter information field. The TWT parameter information field includes one or more broadcast TWT parameter set fields. The broadcast TWT parameter set field corresponding to a second RTWT agreement may include one or more of the following fields: a request type field, a target awakening time field, a nominal minimum TWT awakening duration field indicating the minimum duration of the RTWT SP included in the RTWT parameters of the second RTWT agreement, an awakening interval mantissa field indicating the interval between adjacent RTWT SPs included in the RTWT parameters of the second RTWT agreement, and a broadcast TWT info field. The broadcast TWT information field may include one or more of the following fields: the restricted TWT traffic info present field, the restricted TWT schedule info field, the broadcast TWT identifier field, and the broadcast TWT persistence field. For the meaning of the fields included in the TWT element, please refer to the explanation in existing standards or agreements.

[0200] The identification information of the third AP is not limited to the embodiments of this application.

[0201] In one possible implementation, the identification information for the third AP is the MAC address of the third AP.

[0202] The MAC address of the third AP may be carried in the AP MAC address field of the TWT element included in the first radio frame. As shown in Figure 6, the broadcast TWT parameter set field of the TWT parameter information field of the TWT element may include the AP MAC address field, which is used to carry the MAC address of the third AP.

[0203] In one possible implementation, the identification information for the third AP is the ID of the third AP.

[0204] The ID of the third AP may be carried in the AP ID address of the TWT element included in the first radio frame. As shown in Figure 6, the broadcast TWT parameter set field of the TWT parameter information field of the TWT element may include an AP ID field, which is used to carry the ID of the third AP. Alternatively, the ID of the third AP may be carried in the fifth byte of the broadcast TWT parameter set field. As shown in Figure 6, the fifth byte of the broadcast TWT parameter set field is the nominal minimum TWT wake-up duration field. If the fifth byte of the broadcast TWT parameter set field is used to carry the identifier of the third AP, the broadcast TWT parameter set field does not include the nominal minimum TWT wake-up duration field. Alternatively, the ID of the third AP may be carried in the B3 to B7 fields of the broadcast TWT information within the broadcast parameter set field. As shown in Figure 6, the B3 to B7 fields of the broadcast TWT information field are the broadcast TWT identifier fields. If fields B3 through B7 of the broadcast TWT information field are used to carry the ID of the third AP, the broadcast TWT information field does not include a broadcast TWT identifier field.

[0205] If the identification information of the third AP is the ID of the third AP, method 500 further includes the step of the first AP transmitting a mapping relationship, wherein the mapping relationship is a mapping relationship between the MAC address of the third AP and the ID of the third AP, that is, the mapping relationship includes the MAC address of the third AP and the ID of the third AP.

[0206] The mapping relationship between the MAC address of the third AP and the ID of the third AP may be included in the fourth wireless frame, or in a different wireless frame from the fourth wireless frame. This is not limited to the embodiments of this application.

[0207] The mapping relationship between the MAC address of a third AP and the ID of the third AP may be included in a newly defined information element. For example, a newly defined information element may be called a mapping relationship element. As shown in Figure 7, a mapping relationship element may include one or more AP ID fields and AP MAC address fields that have a mapping relationship.

[0208] In another possible implementation, the identification information of the third AP is determined based on both the broadcast TWT identifier field in the TWT element and the first mapping relationship. The first mapping relationship is the broadcast mapping relationship between the TWT identifier and the identification information of the third AP. The mapping relationship may be carried in the first information element or in the TWT element.

[0209] For example, as shown in Figure 7a, the mapping relationship may be carried in the first information element. Specifically, the fourth radio frame includes the first information element, which includes one or more broadcast TWT identifier fields having a mapping relationship and a third AP identification information field, the AP identification information field may carry the AP's MAC address or BSSID, part of the AP's MAC address, part of the AP's BSSID, or the color of the AP's BSS.

[0210] The first information element may be contained in the fourth wireless frame, or in another wireless frame different from the fourth wireless frame. This is not limited to this embodiment of the present application.

[0211] Upon receiving the fourth wireless frame, the receiving end determines the identification information of the third AP based on the broadcast TWT identifier field in the TWT element and the first mapping relationship. Specifically, the broadcast TWT identifier is determined from the TWT element, and the identification information of the third AP is determined from the first mapping relationship based on the determined broadcast TWT identifier. For example, the broadcast TWT identifier determined from the TWT element is broadcast TWT ID 1, broadcast TWT ID 1 is found in the first mapping relationship, and the AP ID corresponding to broadcast TWT ID 1 is AP ID 1. In this way, it is determined that the AP ID corresponding to broadcast TWT ID 1 is AP ID 1.

[0212] The fourth radio frame may further carry ninth directive information to indicate that the third AP's second RTWT agreement is an RTWT agreement for a non-local cell. In other words, the ninth directive information indicates that the RTWT agreement transmitted by the first AP in the fourth frame is an RTWT agreement for a different AP than the first AP. Specifically, the ninth directive information may be carried in the broadcast TWT identifier field and the restricted TWT schedule Info field of the TWT element. Furthermore, certain combinations of values ​​for the broadcast TWT identifier field and the restricted TWT schedule Info field can indicate that the third AP's second RTWT agreement is an RTWT agreement for a non-local cell. That is, if the value of the broadcast TWT identifier field is a specific first value and the value of the restricted TWT schedule Info field is a specific second value, it indicates that the third AP's second RTWT agreement is an RTWT agreement for a non-local cell. For example, if the value of the Broadcast TWT Identifier field is 31 and the value of the Restricted TWT Schedule Info field is 2, it indicates that the second RTWT agreement of the third AP is an RTWT agreement for a non-local cell.

[0213] The fourth wireless frame is not limited to this embodiment of the present application. The fourth wireless frame may be a beacon frame, or a probe response frame, or another type of frame. If the fourth wireless frame is a probe response frame, it should be understood that before S510, method 500 further includes the step of the first AP receiving a probe request frame from the first station.

[0214] S520: The first AP transmits the fourth wireless frame.

[0215] For example, the first access point (AP) can transmit the fourth wireless frame using a broadcast method.

[0216] If the second AP is a neighboring AP to the first AP, it will be understood that when the first AP transmits a fourth wireless frame using a broadcast method, the second AP can receive the fourth wireless frame from the first AP.

[0217] After receiving the fourth radio frame, the second AP can obtain the RTWT parameters of the second RTWT agreement and the identification information of the third AP from the fourth radio frame. Furthermore, based on the identification information of the third AP, the second AP can determine whether it should modify at least one of its RTWT agreement parameters based on the RTWT parameters of the second RTWT agreement. For example, if the second AP determines, based on the identification information of the third AP, that the second AP and the third AP do not interfere with each other, the second AP can modify at least one of its RTWT agreement parameters based on the RTWT parameters of the second RTWT agreement. If the second AP determines, based on the identification information of the third AP, that the second AP and the third AP do interfere with each other, the second AP does not modify at least one of its RTWT agreement parameters based on the RTWT parameters of the second RTWT agreement.

[0218] The following describes how the second AP modifies at least one of the RTWT parameters of the second AP's RTWT agreement based on the RTWT parameters of the second AP's RTWT agreement.

[0219] In one possible implementation, if the interval between adjacent RTWT SPs included in the RTWT parameters of at least one RTWT agreement of the second AP is the same as the interval between adjacent RTWT SPs included in the RTWT parameters of the second RTWT agreement (hereinafter referred to as the third interval), but the start time of the first RTWT SP included in the RTWT parameters of at least one RTWT agreement of the second AP is different from the start time of the first RTWT SP included in the RTWT parameters of the second RTWT agreement (hereinafter referred to as the third start time), the second AP modifies the RTWT parameters of at least one RTWT agreement based on the third start time, thereby making the start time of the first RTWT SP included in the RTWT parameters of at least one RTWT agreement the same as the third start time, or the duration between the start time and the third start time does not exceed the first duration threshold. See the explanation in S310 for the first duration threshold.

[0220] In one possible implementation, if the start time of the first RTWT SP included in the RTWT parameters of at least one RTWT agreement of the second AP is the same as the start time of the third, but the interval between adjacent RTWT SPs included in the RTWT parameters of at least one RTWT agreement of the second AP is different from the third interval, or does not have a composite relationship with the third interval, the second AP modifies the interval between adjacent RTWT SPs included in the RTWT parameters of at least one RTWT agreement based on the third interval, so that the interval between adjacent RTWT SPs included in the RTWT parameters of at least one RTWT agreement becomes the same as the third interval, or has a composite relationship with the third interval.

[0221] In one possible implementation, the second AP modifies the RTWT parameters of at least one RTWT agreement based on a third start time, so that the start time of the first RTWT SP included in the RTWT parameters of at least one RTWT agreement is the same as the third start time, or the duration between the start time and the third start time does not exceed the first duration threshold. The second AP modifies the interval between adjacent RTWT SPs included in the RTWT parameters of at least one RTWT agreement based on a third interval, so that the interval between adjacent RTWT SPs included in the RTWT parameters of at least one RTWT agreement is the same as the third interval, or has a composite relationship with the third interval.

[0222] After the second AP has modified the RTWT parameters of at least one RTWT agreement, method 500 further includes the step of S530: the second AP transmits a third radio frame. For details of S530, see S330 of method 300 described above.

[0223] Optionally, method 500 further includes the step of a second AP transmitting a fifth radio frame to a first AP, wherein the fifth radio frame is a response frame to a fourth radio frame. Optionally, the fifth radio frame further includes seventh instruction information indicating whether the second AP modifies at least one RTWT parameter of the second AP's RTWT agreement based on the RTWT parameters of the second RTWT agreement. If the seventh instruction information indicates that the second AP does not modify at least one RTWT parameter of the second AP's RTWT agreement based on the RTWT parameters of the second RTWT agreement, the seventh instruction information may further indicate why the second AP does not modify at least one RTWT parameter of the RTWT agreement. Alternatively, if the seventh directive information indicates that the second AP will not modify at least one RTWT parameter of the second AP's RTWT agreement based on the RTWT parameters of the second RTWT agreement, the fifth radio frame may further include eighth directive information indicating the reason why the second AP will not modify at least one RTWT parameter of the RTWT agreement.

[0224] In this embodiment of the present application, the fourth radio frame transmitted by the first AP includes the RTWT parameters of the third AP's second RTWT agreement and the third AP's identification information. If the second AP determines, based on the third AP's identification information, that the second AP and the third AP will not interfere with each other, the second AP modifies at least one of its RTWT agreement parameters based on the second RTWT agreement parameters. This helps to achieve improved transmission in multi-AP cooperative scenarios and enhance communication quality. For example, if the second AP modifies at least one of its RTWT agreement parameters based on the second RTWT agreement parameters, the start time of the RTWT SP corresponding to at least one of the second AP's RTWT agreements is aligned with the start time of the RTWT SP corresponding to the second RTWT agreement. In this way, the number of TXOP interruptions for the first AP and the stations associated with the first AP can be reduced, and therefore communication quality is improved.

[0225] Please understand that the embodiments of this application are illustrated with reference to Figures 3 and 5 as examples to illustrate the methods provided by the embodiments of this application. The sequential numbering of the processes described above does not suggest an order of execution. The order of execution of each process should be determined by its function and inherent logic, and no restrictions should be imposed on the implementation processes of the embodiments of this application.

[0226] It should be further understood that in some of the embodiments described above, devices within existing network architectures (e.g., stations or access points) are primarily used as illustrative examples. It should be understood that the specific form of the device is not limited to the embodiments of this application. For example, the embodiments of this application are applicable to any future device capable of performing the same function.

[0227] In embodiments of the aforementioned methods, it will be understood that the methods and operations performed by a device (e.g., a first AP or a second AP) may also be performed by a component of the device (e.g., a chip or circuit).

[0228] It will be understood that, in order to perform the aforementioned functions, the access point will include corresponding hardware structures and / or software modules for performing those functions.

[0229] Those skilled in the art will notice, in combination with the examples described in the embodiments disclosed herein, that the units and algorithmic steps may be implemented by electronic hardware, or by a combination of computer software and electronic hardware. Whether the functions are performed by hardware or software depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution. Those skilled in the art may implement the functions described using various methods for each specific application, but such implementations should not be considered to exceed the scope of this application.

[0230] The apparatus provided in the embodiments of this application will be described in detail below with reference to Figures 8 and 10. It should be understood that the description of the apparatus embodiments corresponds to the description of the method embodiments. Therefore, for details not described in detail, please refer to the method embodiments described above. For brevity, some details will not be repeated.

[0231] In embodiments of this application, functional module partitioning may be performed on an access point based on embodiments of the method described above. For example, functional modules may be obtained by partitioning based on corresponding functions, or two or more functions may be integrated into a single processing module. The integrated module may be implemented in hardware form or in the form of a software functional module. Note that in embodiments of this application, module partitioning is an example and merely a logical functional partitioning. In actual implementations, other partitioning methods may be used. Below, examples will be used in which each functional module is obtained by partitioning based on corresponding functions.

[0232] Figure 8 is a block diagram of a communication device according to one embodiment of the present application. As shown in Figure 8, the communication device 2000 may include a transceiver unit 2010 and a processing unit 2020. The transceiver unit 2010 is configured to communicate with the outside world, and the processing unit 2020 is configured to process data. The transceiver unit 2010 may also be called a communication interface or communication unit.

[0233] Optionally, the communication device 2000 may further include a storage unit. The storage unit may be configured to store instructions and / or data. The processing unit 2020 can read instructions and / or data from the storage unit, and as a result, the communication device implements embodiments of the method described above.

[0234] In the first design, the communication device 2000 may be the first AP in the embodiments described above, or a component (e.g., a chip) of the first AP. The communication device 2000 can perform steps or procedures performed by the first AP in the embodiments of the method described above. The transceiver unit 2010 may be configured to perform transmit / receive related operations of the first AP in the embodiments of the method described above, and the processing unit 2020 may be configured to perform processing related operations of the first AP in the embodiments of the method described above.

[0235] In one possible implementation, the transceiver unit 2010 is configured to transmit a first radio frame to a second AP, the first radio frame being used to request a modification of the RTWT parameters of at least one RTWT agreement of the second AP. The transceiver unit 2010 is further configured to receive a second radio frame from the second AP, the second radio frame being a response frame to the first radio frame.

[0236] In another possible implementation, the processing unit 2020 is configured to generate a fourth radio frame, the fourth radio frame containing the RTWT parameters of the third AP's second RTWT agreement and the third AP's identification information. The transceiver unit 2010 is configured to transmit the fourth radio frame.

[0237] In the second design, the communication device 2000 may be the second AP in the embodiments described above, or a component (e.g., a chip) of the second AP. The communication device 2000 can perform steps or procedures performed by the second AP in the embodiments of the method described above. The transceiver unit 2010 may be configured to perform transmit / receive related operations of the second AP in the embodiments of the method described above, and the processing unit 2020 may be configured to perform processing related operations of the second AP in the embodiments of the method described above.

[0238] In one possible implementation, the transceiver unit 2010 is configured to receive a first radio frame from a first AP, the first radio frame being used to request a modification of the RTWT parameters of at least one RTWT agreement from a second AP. The transceiver unit 2010 is further configured to transmit a second radio frame to the first AP, the second radio frame being a response frame to the first radio frame.

[0239] In another possible implementation, the transceiver unit 2010 is configured to receive a fourth radio frame from a first AP, the fourth radio frame containing the RTWT parameters of the second RTWT agreement of the third AP and the identification information of the third AP. The processing unit 2020 is configured to modify the RTWT parameters of at least one RTWT agreement of the second AP based on the RTWT parameters of the second RTWT agreement.

[0240] It should be understood that the specific process by which the unit performs the corresponding steps described above is explained in detail in the embodiments of the method described above. For brevity, the details will not be explained here.

[0241] It should also be understood that the communication device 2000 described herein is presented in the form of a functional unit. The term “unit” as used herein may mean an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), an electronic circuit, a processor (e.g., a shared processor, a dedicated processor, or a group processor) configured to run one or more software or firmware programs, memory, merged logic circuits, and / or other suitable components that support the functions described. In an optional example, a person skilled in the art will understand that the communication device 2000 may specifically be the first AP in the embodiments described above and may be configured to perform the procedures and / or steps corresponding to the first AP in the embodiments of the methods described above. Alternatively, the communication device 2000 may specifically be the second AP in the embodiments described above and may be configured to perform the procedures and / or steps corresponding to the second AP in the embodiments of the methods described above. For the sake of avoiding repetition, further details will not be described here. The transceiver unit 2010 may instead be a transceiver circuit (e.g., including a receiving circuit and a transmitting circuit), and the processing unit 2020 may be a processing circuit.

[0242] The communication device 2000 in Figure 8 may be the device described in the embodiments above, or it may be a chip or chip system, such as a system on a chip (SoC). The transceiver unit may be an input / output circuit or a communication interface. The processing unit is a processor, a microprocessor, or an integrated circuit on a chip, but is not limited to this.

[0243] The communication device 2000 in the aforementioned solution has the function of performing the corresponding steps performed by the first AP or the second AP in the manner described above. This function may be performed by hardware or by hardware running the corresponding software. The hardware or software includes one or more modules corresponding to the function described above. For example, in order to perform the receiving and transmitting operations and associated processing operations separately in the embodiment of the method, the transceiver unit may be replaced by a transceiver (for example, the transmitting unit in the transceiver unit may be replaced by a transmitter, and the receiving unit in the transceiver unit may be replaced by a receiver), and another unit, for example, a processing unit, may be replaced by a processor.

[0244] Figure 9 is a diagram showing the structure of a communication device 3000 according to one embodiment of the present application. The communication device 3000 includes a processor 3010. The processor 3010 is configured to execute computer programs or instructions stored in memory 3020, or to read data or signaling stored in memory 3020, in order to perform the method of the embodiment of the method described above. Optionally, there may be one or more processors 3010.

[0245] Optionally, as shown in Figure 9, the communication device 3000 further includes a memory 3020, which is configured to store computer programs or instructions and / or data. The memory 3020 may be integrated with the processor 3010 or may be located separately. Optionally, one or more memories 3020 may be present.

[0246] Optionally, the communication device 3000 further includes a transceiver 3030, as shown in Figure 9. The transceiver 3030 is configured to receive and / or transmit signals. For example, the processor 3010 is configured to control the transceiver 3030 to receive and / or transmit signals.

[0247] In one solution, the communication device 3000 is configured to perform the operations performed by the first AP in the embodiment of the method described above.

[0248] For example, the processor 3010 is configured to execute a computer program or instruction stored in memory 3020 in order to perform the relevant operations of the first AP in the embodiments of the method described above. For example, the method performed by the first AP in the embodiments shown in Figure 3 or Figure 5.

[0249] In another solution, the communication device 3000 is configured to perform the operations performed by the second AP in the embodiment of the method described above.

[0250] For example, the processor 3010 is configured to execute a computer program or instruction stored in memory 3020 in order to perform the relevant operations of the second AP in the embodiments of the method described above. For example, the method performed by the second AP in the embodiments shown in Figure 3 or Figure 5.

[0251] It should be understood that the processor referred to in the embodiments of this application may be a central processing unit (CPU), and may also be another general-purpose processor, a digital signal processor (DSP), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), or another programmable logic device, a discrete gate or transistor logic device, a discrete hardware component, etc. The general-purpose processor may be a microprocessor, or the processor may be any conventional processor, etc.

[0252] It should be further understood that the memories referred to in the embodiments of this application may be volatile and / or non-volatile memories. Non-volatile memories may be read-only memory (ROM), programmable read-only memory (PROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), or flash memory. Volatile memories may be random access memory (RAM). For example, RAM may be used as an external cache. As an example, rather than an exhaustive list, RAM includes multiple forms such as static random access memory (static RAM, SRAM), dynamic random access memory (dynamic RAM, DRAM), synchronous dynamic random access memory (synchronous DRAM, SDRAM), double data rate synchronous dynamic random access memory (double data rate SDRAM, DDR SDRAM), enhanced synchronous dynamic random access memory (enhanced SDRAM, ESDRAM), synchlink dynamic random access memory (synchlink DRAM, SLDRAM), and direct rambus random access memory (direct rambus RAM, DR RAM).

[0253] Note that memory (storage modules) may be integrated into the processor if the processor is a general-purpose processor, DSP, ASIC, FPGA, or another programmable logic device, discrete gate, transistor logic device, or discrete hardware component.

[0254] It should be further noted that the memories described herein are intended to include, but not limited to, these and any other suitable types of memory.

[0255] Figure 10 shows a chip system 4000 according to one embodiment of the present application. The chip system 4000 (also called a processing system) includes a logic circuit 4010 and an input / output interface 4020.

[0256] The logic circuit 4010 may be a processing circuit within the chip system 4000. The logic circuit 4010 is coupled to and connected to a memory unit and can call instructions within the memory unit, so that the chip system 4000 can implement the methods and functions of the embodiments of this application. The input / output interface 4020 may be an input / output circuit within the chip system 4000 that can output information processed by the chip system 4000 or input data or signaling information to be processed into the chip system 4000 for processing.

[0257] Specifically, for example, when the chip system 4000 is installed in a first AP, the logic circuit 4010 is coupled to the input / output interface 4020, and the logic circuit 4010 can transmit a first radio frame through the input / output interface 4020. The first radio frame can be generated by the logic circuit 4010. As another example, when the chip system 4000 is installed in a second AP, the logic circuit 4010 is coupled to the input / output interface 4020, and the logic circuit 4010 can receive the first radio frame through the input / output interface 4020, and the logic circuit 4010 parses the first radio frame.

[0258] In one solution, the chip system 4000 is configured to perform the operations performed by the first AP in the embodiment of the method described above.

[0259] For example, the logic circuit 4010 is configured to perform processing-related operations performed by the first AP in the embodiments of the method described above, for example, processing-related operations performed by the first AP in the embodiments shown in Figure 3 or Figure 5. The input / output interface 4020 is configured to perform transmission and / or reception-related operations performed by the first AP in the embodiments of the method described above, for example, transmission and / or reception-related operations performed by the first AP in the embodiments shown in Figure 3 or Figure 5.

[0260] In an alternative solution, the chip system 4000 is configured to perform the operations performed by the second AP in the embodiment of the method described above.

[0261] For example, the logic circuit 4010 is configured to perform processing-related operations performed by the second AP in the embodiments of the method described above, for example, processing-related operations performed by the second AP in the embodiments shown in Figure 3 or Figure 5. The input / output interface 4020 is configured to perform transmission and / or reception-related operations performed by the second AP in the embodiments of the method described above, for example, transmission and / or reception-related operations performed by the second AP in the embodiments shown in Figure 3 or Figure 5.

[0262] One embodiment of this application further provides a computer-readable storage medium for storing computer instructions for carrying out the method performed by the device in the embodiment of the method described above.

[0263] For example, when a computer program is executed by a computer, the computer becomes capable of performing the method executed by the first AP in the embodiments of the method described above.

[0264] As another example, once a computer program is executed by a computer, the computer becomes capable of performing the method executed by the second AP in the embodiments of the method described above.

[0265] One embodiment of this application further provides a computer program product including instructions. When the instructions are executed by a computer, the method executed by a device (e.g., a first AP or a second AP) in the embodiments of the method described above is implemented.

[0266] One embodiment of this application further provides a communication system including a first AP and a second AP.

[0267] For a description of the relevant aspects and beneficial effects of any one of the devices provided above, please refer to the corresponding embodiment of the method provided above. Further details will not be provided here.

[0268] It should be understood that in some embodiments provided in this application, the disclosed apparatus and methods may be implemented in a different manner. For example, the embodiments of the apparatus described are merely examples. For example, the division into units is merely a logical functional division, and in actual implementation, there may be other divisions. For example, multiple units or components may be combined or integrated into another system, or some features may be ignored or not performed. In addition, the mutual coupling, direct coupling or communication connection shown or discussed may be implemented through some interfaces. Indirect coupling or communication connection between apparatus or units may be implemented in electronic, mechanical or other forms.

[0269] All or part of the embodiments described above may be implemented using software, hardware, firmware, or any combination thereof. If an embodiment is implemented using software, all or part of the embodiment may be implemented in the form of a computer program product. The computer program product includes one or more computer instructions. When the computer program instructions are loaded and executed on a computer, the procedures or functions according to the embodiments of this application are generated, all or in part. The computer may be a general-purpose computer, a dedicated computer, a computer network, or another programmable device. For example, the computer may be a personal computer, a server, or a network device. The computer instructions may be stored in a computer-readable storage medium or transmitted from one computer-readable storage medium to another. For example, the computer instructions may be transmitted from one website, computer, server, or data center to another website, computer, server, or data center by wired (e.g., coaxial cable, optical fiber, or digital subscriber line (DSL)) or wireless (e.g., infrared, radio waves, or microwaves). Computer-readable storage media may be any available medium accessible by a computer, or a data storage device such as a server or data center that integrates one or more available media. Available media may be magnetic media (e.g., floppy disks, hard disks, or magnetic tapes), optical media (e.g., DVDs), or semiconductor media (e.g., solid-state disks (SSDs)). For example, available media may include, but are not limited to, any medium capable of storing program code, such as USB flash drives, removable hard disks, read-only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), magnetic disks, or optical disks.

[0270] The above description is merely a specific implementation of the present application and is not intended to limit the scope of protection of this application. Any modification or substitution that is readily conceivable by a person skilled in the art within the technical scope disclosed in this application shall fall within the scope of protection of this application. Accordingly, the scope of protection of this application shall be subject to the scope of protection of the claims. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0271] #1 AP #2 AP 11 STA 12 STA 300 Communication Methods 500 communication methods 2000 Communication equipment 2010 Transceiver Unit 2020 Processing Unit 3000 Communication devices 3010 Processor 3020 memory 3030 Transceiver 4000 Chip System 4010 Logic Circuits 4020 Input / Output Interface

Claims

1. A first access point AP transmits a first radio frame to a second AP, wherein the first radio frame is used to request a modification of the RTWT parameter of at least one limited target wake-up time RTWT agreement of the second AP. A step of receiving a second radio frame from a second AP by the first AP, wherein the second radio frame is a response frame to the first radio frame. A communication method that includes this.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the RTWT parameters that the first wireless frame requests the second AP to modify include, namely, one or more of the following: the start time of the first RTWT service period SP, the minimum duration of the RTWT SP, or the interval between adjacent RTWT SPs.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first wireless frame includes first instruction information, the first instruction information instructs a first RTWT agreement of the second AP, and the first wireless frame is used to request a modification of the RTWT parameters of the first RTWT agreement.

4. The method according to claim 3, wherein the first instruction information is an identifier for the first RTWT agreement.

5. The method according to claim 4, wherein the identifier of the first RTWT agreement is carried in the broadcast target awakening time TWT identifier field of the first wireless frame.

6. The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first wireless frame includes second instruction information, the second instruction information indicates a modification amount for the RTWT parameter, the modification amount for the RTWT parameter is used to modify the RTWT parameter for the at least one RTWT agreement of the second AP, and the modification amount for the RTWT parameter includes one or more of the following: a modification amount for the start time of the first RTWT SP, a modification amount for the minimum duration of the RTWT SP, or a modification amount for the interval between adjacent RTWT SPs.

7. The method according to claim 6, wherein the modification amount of the RTWT parameter includes the modification amount of the start time of the first RTWT SP, the modification amount of the start time of the first RTWT SP indicates by how much the first start time is advanced or how much the first start time is delayed, the first start time is the start time of the first RTWT SP included in the RTWT parameter of the first RTWT agreement of the second AP, and the at least one RTWT agreement includes the first RTWT agreement.

8. The amount of the correction to the start time of the first RTWT SP is subject to the following conditions, namely: The duration between the second start time and the third start time, obtained by modifying the first start time based on the modification amount of the start time of the first RTWT SP, does not exceed the first duration threshold, or The duration between the second start time and the third start time, obtained by modifying the first start time based on the modification amount of the start time of the first RTWT SP, is greater than the second duration threshold, satisfying one of these conditions. The method according to claim 7, wherein the third start time is the start time of the first RTWT SP included in the RTWT parameters of the second RTWT agreement of the third AP.

9. The method according to any one of claims 6 to 8, wherein the modification amount of the RTWT parameter includes the modification amount of the interval between adjacent RTWT SPs, the modification amount of the interval between adjacent RTWT SPs indicates by how much the first interval is increased or how much the first interval is decreased, the first interval is the interval between adjacent RTWT SPs included in the RTWT parameter of the first RTWT agreement of the second AP, and the at least one RTWT agreement includes the first RTWT agreement.

10. The amount of the correction to the interval between adjacent RTWT SPs is subject to the following conditions, namely: The second interval obtained by modifying the first interval based on the modification amount of the interval between adjacent RTWT SPs is the same as the third interval, or The second interval obtained by modifying the first interval based on the modification amount of the interval between adjacent RTWT SPs has a composite relationship with the third interval, or The second interval obtained by modifying the first interval based on the modification amount of the interval between adjacent RTWT SPs satisfies any one of the following conditions: the second interval exceeds the interval threshold, The method according to claim 9, wherein the third interval is the interval between adjacent RTWT SPs included in the RTWT parameter of the second RTWT agreement of the third AP.

11. The method according to any one of claims 6 to 10, wherein the amount of the modification of the RTWT parameter is carried in the TWT offset field of the first wireless frame.

12. The method according to claim 8 or 10, wherein the first wireless frame further includes identification information of the third AP.

13. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the first wireless frame includes third instruction information, the third instruction information indicates the reason for requesting a modification of the RTWT parameters of at least one RTWT agreement of the second AP.

14. The method according to claim 13, wherein the third instruction information is carried in the reason code field of the first wireless frame.

15. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the second wireless frame includes a fourth instruction information, the fourth instruction information indicating whether the second AP agrees to the request of the first AP.

16. The method according to claim 15, wherein the fourth instruction information indicates that the second AP does not agree to the request of the first AP, and the fourth instruction information further indicates the reason why the second AP does not agree to the request of the first AP.

17. A second access point AP receives a first radio frame from a first AP, wherein the first radio frame is used to request a modification of the RTWT parameter of at least one limited target wake-up time RTWT agreement of the second AP. A step of transmitting a second radio frame to the first AP by the second AP, wherein the second radio frame is a response frame to the first radio frame. A communication method that includes this.

18. The method according to claim 17, wherein the RTWT parameters for which the first wireless frame requests a modification from the second AP include, namely, one or more of the following: the start time of the first RTWT service period SP, the minimum duration of the RTWT SP, or the interval between adjacent RTWT SPs.

19. The method according to claim 17 or 18, wherein the first wireless frame includes first instruction information, the first instruction information instructs a first RTWT agreement of the second AP, and the first wireless frame is used to request a modification of the RTWT parameters of the first RTWT agreement.

20. The method according to claim 19, wherein the first instruction information is an identifier for the first RTWT agreement.

21. The method according to claim 20, wherein the identifier of the first RTWT agreement is carried in the broadcast target awakening time TWT identifier field of the first wireless frame.

22. The method according to claim 17 or 18, wherein the first wireless frame includes second instruction information, the second instruction information indicates a first modification amount of the RTWT parameter, the first modification amount of the RTWT parameter is used to modify the RTWT parameter of the at least one RTWT agreement of the second AP, and the first modification amount of the RTWT parameter includes one or more of the following: a modification amount of the start time of the first RTWT SP, a modification amount of the minimum duration of the RTWT SP, or a modification amount of the interval between adjacent RTWT SPs.

23. The method according to claim 22, wherein the first modification amount of the RTWT parameter includes the modification amount of the start time of the first RTWT SP, the modification amount of the start time of the first RTWT SP indicates by how much the first start time is advanced or delayed, the first start time is the start time of the first RTWT SP included in the RTWT parameter of the first RTWT agreement of the second AP, and the at least one RTWT agreement includes the first RTWT agreement.

24. The amount of the correction to the start time of the first RTWT SP is subject to the following conditions, namely: The duration between the second start time and the third start time, obtained by modifying the first start time based on the modification amount of the start time of the first RTWT SP, does not exceed the first duration threshold, or The duration between the second start time and the third start time, obtained by modifying the first start time based on the modification amount of the start time of the first RTWT SP, is greater than the second duration threshold, satisfying one of these conditions. The method according to claim 23, wherein the third start time is the start time of the first RTWT SP included in the RTWT parameters of the second RTWT agreement of the third AP.

25. The method according to any one of claims 22 to 24, wherein the first modification amount of the RTWT parameter includes the modification amount of the interval between adjacent RTWT SPs, the modification amount of the interval between adjacent RTWT SPs indicates by how much the first interval is increased or how much the first interval is decreased, the first interval is the interval between adjacent RTWT SPs included in the RTWT parameter of the first RTWT agreement of the second AP, and the at least one RTWT agreement includes the first RTWT agreement.

26. The amount of the correction to the interval between adjacent RTWT SPs is subject to the following conditions, namely: The second interval obtained by modifying the first interval based on the modification amount of the interval between adjacent RTWT SPs is the same as the third interval, or The second interval obtained by modifying the first interval based on the modification amount of the interval between adjacent RTWT SPs has a composite relationship with the third interval, or The second interval obtained by modifying the first interval based on the modification amount of the interval between adjacent RTWT SPs satisfies any one of the following conditions: the second interval exceeds the interval threshold, The method according to claim 25, wherein the third interval is the interval between adjacent RTWT SPs included in the RTWT parameter of the second RTWT agreement of the third AP.

27. The method according to any one of claims 22 to 26, wherein the first modification amount of the RTWT parameter is carried in the TWT offset field of the first wireless frame.

28. The method according to claim 24 or 26, wherein the first wireless frame further includes identification information of the third AP.

29. The method according to any one of claims 17 to 28, wherein the first wireless frame includes third instruction information, the third instruction information indicates the reason for requesting a modification of the RTWT parameters of at least one RTWT agreement of the second AP.

30. The method according to claim 29, wherein the third instruction information is carried in the reason code field of the first wireless frame.

31. The method according to any one of claims 17 to 30, wherein the second wireless frame includes a fourth instruction information, the fourth instruction information indicating whether the second AP agrees to the request of the first AP.

32. The method according to claim 31, wherein the fourth instruction information indicates that the second AP does not agree to the request of the first AP, and the fourth instruction information further indicates the reason why the second AP does not agree to the request of the first AP.

33. The aforementioned method, The method according to any one of claims 17 to 32, comprising the step of transmitting a third radio frame by the second AP, the third radio frame comprising a fifth instruction information, the fifth instruction information indicating a modified RTWT parameter of the at least one RTWT agreement, or indicating a second modification amount of the RTWT parameter, the second modification amount of the RTWT parameter being used to modify the RTWT parameter of the at least one RTWT agreement in order to obtain the modified RTWT parameter of the at least one RTWT agreement.

34. The method according to claim 33, wherein the third wireless frame further includes a sixth instruction information, the sixth instruction information indicating the time at which the modified RTWT parameter of the at least one RTWT agreement becomes effective.

35. A communication device comprising a unit configured to perform the method described in any one of claims 1 to 16, or a unit configured to perform the method described in any one of claims 17 to 34.

36. A communication device, A communication device comprising a processor configured to execute computer instructions stored in memory in order to enable the communication device to perform the method according to any one of claims 1 to 16, or to enable the communication device to perform the method according to any one of claims 17 to 34.

37. The communication device according to claim 36, further comprising the memory.

38. The communication device according to claim 36 or 37, further comprising a communication interface, wherein the communication interface is coupled to the processor, and the communication interface is configured to input and / or output information.

39. A computer-readable storage medium configured to store a computer program, wherein the computer program includes instructions used to carry out the method according to any one of claims 1 to 16, or instructions used to carry out the method according to any one of claims 17 to 34.

40. A computer program comprising instructions used to carry out the method described in any one of claims 1 to 16, or instructions used to carry out the method described in any one of claims 17 to 34.

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