Method for indicating and determining the capacity of a wireless local area network, and apparatus.

Abstract

This application discloses a capability indication method, a capability determination method, and an apparatus in a wireless local area network. The capability indication method includes a first device determining capability information and transmitting the capability information to a second device. The capability information includes a nominal packet padding subfield, which indicates the corresponding nominal packet padding value used when the second device transmits a physical layer data packet to the first device. The nominal packet padding value is for all NSS and all RU allocations supported by the first device, and for at least two modulation schemes used by the second device on a configured frequency domain resource or configured spatial stream. When the second device transmits a PPDU to the first device using at least two modulation schemes, the method allows the nominal packet padding value determined by the second device to have sufficient time to process the PPDU received from the second device.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] [Cross-reference to Related Applications] This application claims priority based on Chinese Patent Application No. 202310621928.0, titled "CAPABILITY INDICATION METHOD AND CAPABILITY DETERMINING METHOD IN WIRELESS LOCAL AREA NETWORK, AND APPARATUS", filed with the China National Intellectual Property Administration on May 29, 2023, the entire content of which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] [Technical Field to Which the Invention Belongs] This application relates to the field of wireless local area network technology, and in particular, to a capability indication method and a capability determination method in a wireless local area network, and an apparatus.

Background Art

[0003] To ensure that the receiver has sufficient processing time to process the physical protocol data unit (PPDU) transmitted by the transmitter, the receiver may indicate a nominal packet padding value to the transmitter. Therefore, the transmitter determines the duration of the packet extension (PE) field included in the PPDU based on the nominal packet padding value. The receiver does not need data in the packet extension. Therefore, to ensure that the receiver has sufficient processing time to process the received PPDU, other data can be processed within the processing time of the packet extension.

[0004] The transmitter uses one or more modulation schemes, and the minimum processing time required by the receiver (or the corresponding nominal packet padding value) varies accordingly. Currently, to indicate the nominal packet padding value by the receiver, the transmitter sends physical layer data packets to the receiver using one modulation scheme by default. If multiple modulation schemes are supported, there is no corresponding solution for indicating the nominal packet padding value. [Overview of the Initiative] [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] The present invention provides a capability indication method and capability determination method, as well as apparatus, for indicating a corresponding nominal packet padding value used when a receiver supports a transmitter in transmitting physical layer data packets to the receiver by using at least two modulation schemes.

[0006] To achieve the aforementioned objectives, embodiments of the present invention provide four capability indication methods in a wireless local area network, and accordingly, four capability determination methods in a wireless local area network.

[0007] Any capability determination method in a wireless local area network may be performed by a first communication device. The first communication device may be a communication device, or a communication device capable of supporting a communication device in implementing the functions required by the method, such as a chip system. The first communication device may be the receiving end of two communication ends. For example, the two communication ends include a first device and a second device, where the first device is the receiving end and the second device is the transmitting end. The first communication device may be a unit, a functional module, etc., in the first device. For example, the first communication device may be a chip located in the first device, or the first communication device may be another component configured to implement the functions of the first device. Correspondingly, a capability determination method in a wireless local area network may be performed by a second communication device. The second communication device may be a communication device, or a communication device capable of supporting a communication device in implementing the functions required by the method, such as a chip system. The second communication device may be the transmitting end of two communication ends. For example, the two communication ends include a first device and a second device, where the first device is the receiving end and the second device is the transmitting end. The second communication device may be a unit, a functional module, etc., in the second device. For example, the second communication device may be a chip located in the second device, or the second communication device may be another component configured to implement the functions of the second device.

[0008] To facilitate the explanation, the method for specifying capabilities in a wireless local area network will be described below using an example where the first communication device is the first device, and the method for determining capabilities in a wireless local area network will be described using an example where the second communication device is the second device.

[0009] According to a first aspect, one embodiment of the present application provides a first capability indication method in a wireless local area network. The capability indication method includes a first device determining capability information and transmitting the capability information to a second device. The capability information includes a nominal packet padding subfield, the nominal packet padding subfield indicating a corresponding nominal packet padding value used when the second device transmits a PPDU to the first device, enabling the second device to determine the duration of a PE field contained in the PPDU based on the nominal packet padding value. The duration of the PE field enables the first device to have sufficient time to parse the PPDU received from the second device. The nominal packet padding value is for all number of spatial streams (NSS) and all resource unit (RU) allocations supported by the first device, and for at least two modulation schemes used by the second device on the configured frequency domain resources or configured spatial streams.

[0010] In this method, the nominal packet padding value, indicated by the nominal packet padding subfield, is for all NSSs and all RU allocations supported by the first device, and further for at least two modulation schemes used by the second device on the configured frequency domain resource or configured spatial stream. When the second device transmits a PPDU to the first device using at least two modulation schemes, according to the method, the nominal packet padding value determined by the second device allows the first device to have sufficient time to process the PPDU received from the second device.

[0011] According to a second aspect, one embodiment of the present application provides a first capability determination method in a wireless local area network. The capability determination method includes a second device receiving capability information from the first device, determining a nominal packet padding value based on configured frequency domain resources and spatial streams, and at least two modulation schemes used, and determining the duration of a PE field contained in a PPDU transmitted to the first device based on the nominal packet padding value. The duration of the PE field allows the first device to have sufficient time to parse the PPDU received from the second device. The capability information includes a nominal packet padding subfield, which indicates the corresponding nominal packet padding value used when the second device transmits the PPDU to the first device. The nominal packet padding value is for all NSS and all RU allocations supported by the first device, and for at least two modulation schemes used by the second device on the configured frequency domain resources or configured spatial streams.

[0012] This corresponds to the solution provided in the first aspect. The nominal packet padding value indicated by the nominal packet padding subfield is for cases where the second device uses at least two modulation schemes. When the second device transmits a PPDU to the first device by using at least two modulation schemes, the nominal packet padding value may also be determined based on the nominal packet padding subfield from the first device, and the duration of the PE field contained in the PPDU is further determined to allow the first device to have enough time to parse the PPDU received from the second device.

[0013] Optionally, capability information further includes a physical layer packet expansion threshold presence subfield, where the nominal packet padding subfield indicates the corresponding nominal packet padding value used when the second device transmits a PPDU to the first device, and the value of the physical layer packet expansion threshold presence subfield is 0.

[0014] In possible implementations, the nominal packet padding values ​​corresponding to at least two modulation schemes used by the second device are increased by one or more levels based on the nominal packet padding value corresponding to one modulation scheme used by the second device. For example, for all RU allocations and all NSSs, the status value of the nominal packet padding subfield may be 0 and the nominal packet padding value is 8 microseconds, or the status value of the nominal packet padding subfield may be 1 and the nominal packet padding value is 16 microseconds, or the status value of the nominal packet padding subfield may be 2 and the nominal packet padding value is 20 microseconds, or the status value of the nominal packet padding subfield may be 3 and the second device sends the PPDU to the first device using at least two modulation schemes and the nominal packet padding value is 20 microseconds.

[0015] In a possible implementation, the second device determining the nominal packet padding value based on the configured frequency-domain resources and spatial streams, as well as at least two modulation schemes used, includes the second device determining the nominal packet padding value based on the number of configured spatial streams, the configured frequency-domain resources, and the highest-order modulation scheme among the at least two modulation schemes. In other words, when the second device uses at least two modulation schemes, the second device may, by default, determine the nominal packet padding value based on the highest-order modulation scheme among the at least two modulation schemes.

[0016] In possible implementations, the nominal packet padding value is 16 microseconds if the status value of the nominal packet padding subfield is 3, the constellation index corresponding to the highest-order modulation scheme among at least two modulation schemes is less than or equal to the constellation index threshold, and one or more of the following conditions are met: the RU / MRU allocation size is less than or equal to the size threshold, the size of the RU or MRU corresponding to the highest-order modulation scheme is less than or equal to the size threshold, or the NSS is less than or equal to the spatial stream count threshold; otherwise, the nominal packet padding value is 20 microseconds.

[0017] In this solution, the nominal packet padding value is related to the size of the RU / MRU and NSS actually configured for the second device and the highest-order modulation scheme. The duration of the PE field, determined based on the nominal packet padding value determined based on the size of the RU / MRU and NSS actually configured for the second device and the highest-order modulation scheme, allows the first device to have sufficient time to parse the received PPDU, thereby reducing the processing complexity for the second device.

[0018] Optionally, the constellation index threshold is 5, the size threshold is 2 × 996 tone, and the spatial stream count threshold is 8 or 16.

[0019] According to a third aspect, one embodiment of the present application provides a second capability indication method in a wireless local area network. The capability indication method includes a first device determining capability information and transmitting the capability information to a second device. The capability information includes a physical layer packet extension threshold field, the physical layer packet extension threshold field includes an RU index bitmask subfield, an NSS subfield, and a physical layer packet extension threshold information field. The physical layer packet extension threshold information field includes a plurality of sets of packet extension threshold subfields corresponding to different nominal packet padding values. Each set of packet extension threshold subfields indicates a modulation threshold corresponding to an NSS of n and an RU / MRU corresponding to sequence number b, the modulation threshold is used by the second device to determine a nominal packet padding value used to transmit a PPDU to the first device. The nominal packet padding value is for the first device to support the second device in using at least two modulation schemes when the configured NSS is n and the RU / MRU corresponds to sequence number b. The range of values ​​for n is a subset of [N1,...,N2], where both N1 and N2 are integers greater than or equal to 1. The range of values ​​for b is a subset of [M1,...,M2], where both M1 and M2 are integers greater than or equal to 0.

[0020] In the method, the nominal packet padding values ​​corresponding to the modulation thresholds indicated by each set of packet expansion threshold subfields are for the case in which the first device supports the second device in using at least two modulation schemes on a configured frequency domain resource or configured spatial stream. When the second device uses at least two modulation schemes, according to the method, the corresponding nominal packet padding values ​​allow the first device to have sufficient time to parse the PPDU received from the second device.

[0021] According to a fourth aspect, one embodiment of the present application provides a second capability determination method in a wireless local area network. The capability determination method includes a second device receiving capability information from a first device, determining a nominal packet padding value based on configured frequency domain resources and spatial streams, and at least two modulation schemes used, and determining the duration of a PE field contained in a PPDU transmitted by the second device to the first device based on the nominal packet padding value. The duration of the PE field allows the first device to have sufficient time to parse the PPDU received from the second device. The capability information includes a physical layer packet extension threshold field, the physical layer packet extension threshold field includes an RU index bitmask subfield, an NSS subfield, and a physical layer packet extension threshold information field. The physical layer packet extension threshold information field includes a plurality of sets of packet extension threshold subfields corresponding to different nominal packet padding values. Each set of the Packet Expansion Threshold subfields represents a modulation threshold corresponding to an NSS of n and a RU / MRU corresponding to sequence number b, which is used by the second device to determine the nominal packet padding value used to send the PPDU to the first device. The nominal packet padding value is for the first device supporting the second device, regarding the use of at least two modulation schemes when the configured NSS is n and the RU / MRU corresponds to sequence number b. The range of values ​​for n is a subset of [N1,...,N2], where N1 and N2 are both integers greater than or equal to 1. The range of values ​​for b is a subset of [M1,...,M2], where M1 and M2 are both integers greater than or equal to 0.

[0022] This corresponds to the solution provided in the third aspect. When the second device transmits a PPDU to the first device by using at least two modulation schemes, the second device may determine the nominal packet padding value based on a plurality of sets of a configured RU / MRU corresponding to the sequence number b, a configured NSS, at least two used modulation schemes, and a packet extension threshold subfield corresponding to a plurality of nominal packet padding values. According to this method, the first device can have sufficient time to parse the PPDU received from the second device.

[0023] Optionally, the capability information further includes a physical layer packet extension threshold presence subfield, and when the physical layer packet extension threshold field is used by the second device to determine the nominal packet padding value used to transmit the PPDU to the first device, the value of the physical layer packet extension threshold presence subfield is 1.

[0024] In a possible implementation, in each set of the packet extension threshold subfields, the nominal packet padding value corresponding to at least two modulation schemes is the nominal packet padding value corresponding to the second modulation scheme, and the constellation index corresponding to the second modulation scheme is the sum of the constellation index corresponding to the highest-order modulation scheme among at least two modulation schemes and a first value, and the first value is not equal to 0.

[0025] In this solution, when at least two modulation schemes are configured for the second device, the second modulation scheme is configured for the second device by default. In order to implement the indication of the nominal packet padding value when the use of at least two modulation schemes is supported, the design of the physical layer packet extension threshold information field in 802.11 be is still used. This is simple.

[0026] In a possible implementation, in each set of packet extension threshold sub-fields, the modulation threshold corresponding to NSS being n and RU corresponding to the sequence number b is the modulation threshold corresponding to NSS being n and RU corresponding to the sequence number b', where b' is the sum of b and a second value, and the second value is not equal to 0.

[0027] In this solution, at least two modulation schemes are configured for the second device. When the sequence number corresponding to the RU actually used by the second device is b, the modulation threshold used to determine the nominal packet padding value is, by default, the modulation threshold corresponding to NSS being n and RU corresponding to the sequence number b'. Based on this solution, the design of the physical layer packet extension threshold information field in 802.11 be does not need to be changed, which is simple.

[0028] In a possible implementation, in each set of packet extension threshold sub-fields, the modulation threshold corresponding to NSS being n and RU corresponding to sequence number b is the modulation threshold corresponding to NSS being n' and RU corresponding to sequence number b, where n' is the sum of n and a third value, and the third value is not equal to 0.

[0029] In this solution, at least two modulation schemes are configured for the second device. When the actually configured NSS for the second device is n, the modulation threshold used to determine the nominal packet padding value is, by default, the modulation threshold corresponding to NSS being n' and RU corresponding to sequence number b. In this solution, the design of the physical layer packet extension threshold information field in 802.11 be does not need to be changed, which simplifies the implementation.

[0030] In a possible implementation, in each set of packet extension threshold sub-fields, the modulation threshold corresponding to NSS being n and RU corresponding to sequence number b corresponds to a nominal packet padding value of 20 microseconds.

[0031] When at least two modulation schemes are configured for the second device, the nominal packet padding value that must be used by the second device is 20 microseconds by default. This is straightforward.

[0032] According to a fifth aspect, one embodiment of the present application provides a third capability indication method in a wireless local area network. The capability indication method includes a first device determining capability information and transmitting the capability information to a second device. The capability information includes a physical layer packet extension threshold field, which includes an RU index bitmask subfield, an NSS subfield, and a physical layer packet extension threshold information field. The physical layer packet extension threshold information field includes a plurality of sets of packet extension threshold subfields corresponding to different nominal packet padding values. Each set of packet extension threshold subfields includes a first subfield, which indicates a first modulation threshold corresponding to a first spatial-time stream among n spatial-time streams, when the NSS is n and the RU corresponds to sequence number b. The first modulation threshold is used by the second device to determine the corresponding nominal packet padding value used when transmitting a PPDU over the first spatial-time stream to the first device using a first modulation scheme. The nominal packet padding value is for a first device that supports a second device, using at least two modulation schemes on n configured spatial streams. The range of values ​​for n is a subset of [N1,...,N2], where N1 and N2 are both integers greater than or equal to 1. The range of values ​​for b is a subset of [M1,...,M2], where M1 and M2 are both integers greater than or equal to 0.

[0033] In this method, a corresponding modulation threshold is shown for each spatial stream. For example, each set of packet expansion threshold subfields may be expanded based on the number of spatial streams. For example, each set of packet expansion threshold subfields includes a first subfield and a second subfield. The first subfield shows the first modulation threshold corresponding to the first spatial-time stream among the n spatial-time streams, where NSS is n and RU corresponds to sequence number b. The first modulation threshold is used by the second device to determine the corresponding nominal packet padding value used when sending a PPDU over the first spatial-time stream to the first device using the first modulation scheme. The second subfield shows the second modulation threshold corresponding to the second spatial-time stream among the n spatial-time streams, where NSS is n and RU corresponds to sequence number b. The second modulation threshold is used by the second device to determine the corresponding nominal packet padding value used when sending a PPDU over the second spatial-time stream to the first device using the second modulation scheme. To indicate the nominal packet padding values ​​that need to be used when a second device uses multiple modulation schemes on multiple spatial streams, the corresponding modulation thresholds are shown for each spatial stream. For example, the nominal packet padding value used by the second device is the largest nominal packet padding value among the nominal packet padding values ​​corresponding to each of the n spatial-time streams, where NSS is n and RU corresponds to sequence number b.

[0034] According to a sixth aspect, one embodiment of the present application provides a third capability determination method in a wireless local area network. The capability determination method includes a second device receiving capability information from a first device, determining a nominal packet padding value based on configured frequency domain resources and spatial streams, and at least two modulation schemes used, and determining the duration of a PE field contained in a PPDU transmitted by the second device to the first device based on the determined nominal packet padding value. The duration of the PE field allows the first device to have sufficient time to parse the PPDU received from the second device. The capability information includes a physical layer packet extension threshold field, the physical layer packet extension threshold field includes an RU index bitmask subfield, an NSS subfield, and a physical layer packet extension threshold information field. The physical layer packet extension threshold information field includes a plurality of sets of packet extension threshold subfields corresponding to different nominal packet padding values. Each set of the packet expansion threshold subfields includes a first subfield, which indicates a first modulation threshold corresponding to the first spatial-time stream among n spatial-time streams, where NSS is n and RU corresponds to sequence number b. The first modulation threshold is used by the second device to determine the corresponding nominal packet padding value used when sending a PPDU over the first spatial-time stream to the first device using the first modulation scheme. The nominal packet padding value is for the first device supporting the second device for using at least two modulation schemes over n configured spatial streams. The range of values ​​for n is a subset of [N1,...,N2], where N1 and N2 are both integers greater than or equal to 1. The range of values ​​for b is a subset of [M1,...,M2], where M1 and M2 are integers greater than or equal to 0.

[0035] Each set of packet expansion threshold subfields further includes a second subfield. The second subfield indicates a second modulation threshold corresponding to the second space-time stream in n space-time streams, where NSS is n and RU corresponds to sequence number b. The second modulation threshold is used by the second device to determine the corresponding nominal packet padding value used when sending a PPDU over the second space-time stream to the first device by using the second modulation scheme.

[0036] This corresponds to the solution provided in the fifth aspect. When transmitting physical layer data packets to a first device over multiple spatial streams by using at least two modulation schemes, the second device may determine a nominal packet padding value corresponding to each spatial stream, and then, based on the nominal packet padding values ​​corresponding to all spatial streams, determine the nominal packet padding value to be used in the end.

[0037] Optionally, capability information further includes a physical layer packet expansion threshold presence subfield, where the value of the physical layer packet expansion threshold subfield is 1 when the physical layer packet expansion threshold field is used by the second device to determine the nominal packet padding value used to send a PPDU to the first device.

[0038] In a possible implementation, the nominal packet padding value used by the second device is the largest nominal packet padding value among the nominal packet padding values ​​used on each of the n space-time streams, where NSS is n and RU corresponds to sequence number b, ensuring as far as possible that the first device has sufficient time to parse the PPDU received from the second device.

[0039] According to the seventh aspect, one embodiment of the present application provides a fourth capability indication method in a wireless local area network. The capability indication method includes a first device determining capability information and transmitting the capability information to a second device. The capability information includes a physical layer packet extension threshold field, the physical layer packet extension threshold field includes a RU index bitmask subfield, an NSS subfield, and a physical layer packet extension threshold information field. The physical layer packet extension threshold information field includes a plurality of sets of packet extension threshold subfields corresponding to different nominal packet padding values. Each set of packet extension threshold subfields includes a first subfield, the first subfield indicating a first modulation threshold corresponding to a first subcarrier set in a frequency domain resource when the NSS is n and the frequency domain resource corresponds to sequence number b. The first modulation threshold is used by the second device to determine the corresponding nominal packet padding value used when transmitting a PPDU over the first subcarrier set to the first device using a first modulation scheme. The nominal packet padding value is for a first device supporting a second device, regarding the use of at least two modulation schemes on the configured frequency domain resource. The range of n is a subset of [N1,...,N2], where N1 and N2 are both integers greater than or equal to 1. The range of b is a subset of [M1,...,M2], where M1 and M2 are both integers greater than or equal to 0. The frequency domain resource contains i subcarrier sets, where i is a positive integer.

[0040] Each set of packet expansion threshold subfields further includes a second subfield, the second subfield indicating a second modulation threshold corresponding to a second set of subcarriers in a frequency domain resource, when the NSS is n and the frequency domain resource corresponds to sequence number b. The second modulation threshold is used by the second device to determine the corresponding nominal packet padding value used when transmitting a PPDU over the second set of subcarriers to the first device using the second modulation scheme.

[0041] The method shows corresponding modulation thresholds for each subcarrier set. For example, each set of packet expansion threshold subfields may be expanded based on the number of subcarrier sets. For example, each set of packet expansion threshold subfields includes a first subfield and a second subfield. The corresponding modulation thresholds are shown for each subcarrier set to indicate the nominal packet padding value used when a second device uses multiple modulation schemes on multiple subcarrier sets. For example, the nominal packet padding value used by the second device on a frequency domain resource is the largest nominal packet padding value among the nominal packet padding values ​​used on each of the i subcarrier sets, where NSS is n and RU corresponds to sequence number b.

[0042] According to the eighth aspect, one embodiment of the present application provides a fourth capability determination method in a wireless local area network. The capability determination method includes a second device receiving capability information from a first device, determining a nominal packet padding value based on configured frequency domain resources and spatial streams, as well as at least two modulation schemes used, and determining the duration of a PE field contained in a PPDU transmitted by the second device to the first device based on the determined nominal packet padding value. The duration of the PE field allows the first device to have sufficient time to parse the PPDU received from the second device.

[0043] The capability information includes a physical layer packet extension threshold field, which includes a RU index bitmask subfield, an NSS subfield, and a physical layer packet extension threshold information field. The physical layer packet extension threshold information field includes multiple sets of packet extension threshold subfields corresponding to different nominal packet padding values. Each set of packet extension threshold subfields includes a first subfield, which indicates a first modulation threshold corresponding to a first subcarrier set in a frequency domain resource when the NSS is n and the frequency domain resource corresponds to sequence number b. The first modulation threshold is used by a second device to determine the corresponding nominal packet padding value used when transmitting a PPDU over the first subcarrier set to a first device using a first modulation scheme. The nominal packet padding value is for a first device supporting a second device for using at least two modulation schemes on a configured frequency domain resource. The range of values ​​for n is a subset of [N1,...,N2], where N1 and N2 are both integers greater than or equal to 1. The range of values ​​for b is a subset of [M1,...,M2], where M1 and M2 are both non-negative integers. The frequency domain resource contains i subcarrier sets, where i is a positive integer.

[0044] Each set of packet expansion threshold subfields further includes a second subfield, the second subfield indicating a second modulation threshold corresponding to a second set of subcarriers in a frequency domain resource, when the NSS is n and the frequency domain resource corresponds to sequence number b. The second modulation threshold is used by the second device to determine the corresponding nominal packet padding value used when transmitting a PPDU over the second set of subcarriers to the first device using the second modulation scheme.

[0045] This corresponds to the solution provided in the seventh aspect. The nominal packet padding value used by the second device on the frequency domain resources is the largest nominal packet padding value among the nominal packet padding values ​​used on each of the i subcarrier sets, where NSS is n and RU corresponds to sequence number b, ensuring as much time as possible that the first device has sufficient time to parse the PPDU received from the second device.

[0046] Optionally, capability information further includes a physical layer packet extension threshold presence subfield, where the value of the physical layer packet extension threshold subfield is 1 when the physical layer packet extension threshold field is used by the second device to determine the nominal packet padding value used to transmit the PPDU to the first device.

[0047] According to the ninth aspect, one embodiment of the present application provides a communication device. The communication device has the function of performing the behavior described in any one of the method examples in the first through eighth aspects. For beneficial effects, please refer to the description of the first through eighth aspects. Further details will not be described again herein.

[0048] The communication device may be the first communication device in the first, third, fifth, or seventh aspect. For example, the communication device may be a station. Alternatively, the communication device may be a device that can support the first device in the first, third, fifth, or seventh aspect when implementing the functions required by the methods provided in the first, third, fifth, or seventh aspect. For example, the communication device may be a chip or chip system within the first device.

[0049] The communication device may be a second communication device in the second, fourth, sixth, or eighth aspect. For example, the communication device may be an access point. The communication device may be a device that can support the second device in the second, fourth, sixth, or eighth aspect when implementing the functions required by the methods provided in the second, fourth, sixth, or eighth aspect. For example, the communication device may be a chip or chip system within the second device.

[0050] In possible designs, a communication device includes corresponding means or modules configured to perform a method in any one of the eighth aspects. For example, a communication device includes a processing unit (sometimes referred to as a processing module or processor) and / or a transceiver unit (sometimes referred to as a transceiver module or transceiver). A transceiver unit may implement a transmit function and a receive function. When a transceiver unit implements a transmit function, it may be referred to as a transmit unit (sometimes referred to as a transmit module). When a transceiver unit implements a receive function, it may be referred to as a receive unit (sometimes referred to as a receive module). The transmit unit and the receive unit may be the same functional unit, and the functional unit may be referred to as a transceiver unit, and the functional unit may implement a transmit function and a receive function. Alternatively, the transmit unit and the receive unit may be different functional units, and "transceiver unit" is a general term for these functional units. These units (modules) can perform the corresponding function in any one of the method examples from the first to the eighth aspect. For details, please refer to the detailed explanation in the method examples. Details are not explained here.

[0051] According to the tenth aspect, one embodiment of the present application provides a communication device. The communication device may be the communication device in the ninth aspect of the above-described embodiment, or it may be a chip or chip system arranged in the communication device in the ninth aspect. The communication device includes a communication interface and a processor, and optionally further includes memory. The memory is configured to store computer programs, instructions, or data. The processor is coupled to the memory and the communication interface. Once the processor has read the computer programs, instructions, or data, the communication device is able to perform the method performed by the first or second device in the embodiments of the above-described method.

[0052] According to the eleventh aspect, one embodiment of the present application provides a chip system. The chip system includes a processor, and may further include memory and / or a communication interface, and is configured to implement the method in any one of the first to eighth aspects. Optionally, the chip system further includes memory. The memory is configured to store computer programs (which may also be called code or instructions). The processor is configured to call computer programs from memory and execute computer programs, enabling a device on which the chip system is installed to perform the method in any one of the first to eighth aspects and the method in any one of the possible implementations of the first to eighth aspects. The chip system may include a chip, or may include a chip and other separate components.

[0053] According to the twelfth aspect, one embodiment of the present application provides a communication device. The communication device includes an input / output interface and a logic circuit. The input / output interface is configured to input and / or output information. The input / output interface may be an interface circuit, an output circuit, an input circuit, a pin, an associated circuit, etc. The logic circuit is configured to perform any one of the methods of the first through eighth aspects.

[0054] In specific implementations, the communication device may be a chip, the input circuit may be an input pin, the output circuit may be an output pin, and the logic circuit may be a transistor, gate circuit, trigger, or various other logic circuits. The input signal received by the input circuit may be received and input by a receiver, for example, but not limited to this, and the signal output by the output circuit may be output to a transmitter, for example, but not limited to this, and transmitted by the transmitter. The input circuit and the output circuit may be the same circuit, and the circuit may be used as an input circuit and an output circuit at different times. The specific implementation of the input / output interface and logic circuit is not limited in this application.

[0055] According to the thirteenth aspect, one embodiment of the present application provides a communication system. The communication system includes a communication device in the ninth aspect configured to implement the functions in the first aspect, and a communication device in the ninth aspect configured to implement the functions in the second aspect. Alternatively, the communication system includes a communication device in the ninth aspect configured to implement the functions in the third aspect, and a communication device in the ninth aspect configured to implement the functions in the fourth aspect. Alternatively, the communication system includes a communication device in the ninth aspect configured to perform the functions in the fifth aspect, and a communication device in the ninth aspect configured to perform the functions in the sixth aspect. Alternatively, the communication system includes a communication device in the ninth aspect configured to implement the functions in the seventh aspect, and a communication device in the ninth aspect configured to implement the functions in the eighth aspect.

[0056] According to the fourteenth aspect, the present invention provides a computer-readable storage medium that stores a computer program. When the computer program is executed, one of the methods from the first to the eighth aspect is implemented.

[0057] According to the fifteenth aspect, a computer program product is provided. The computer program product includes computer program code. When the computer program code is executed, one of the methods in the first through eighth aspects is performed.

[0058] For the beneficial effects of Aspects 9 through 15 and their implementation, please refer to the explanation of the beneficial effects of Aspects 1 through 8 and their implementation. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0059] [Figure 1] This figure shows a WLAN network architecture to which one embodiment of the present invention can be applied.

[0060] [Figure 2] This figure shows the PPDU bit padding process for the last encoded symbol.

[0061] [Figure 3] This figure shows a PPDU according to one embodiment of the present application.

[0062] [Figure 4] This figure shows the HE physical layer capability information field according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0063] [Figure 5] This figure shows an HE capability element according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0064] [Figure 6] Another figure showing the HE physical layer capability information field according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0065] [Figure 7] This figure shows the structure of the physical layer packet extension threshold field according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0066] [Figure 8] This figure shows the structure of the physical layer packet extension threshold information field according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0067] [Figure 9] This figure shows the principle of determining the nominal packet padding value based on a constellation index corresponding to the modulation scheme used and a physical layer packet extension threshold field, according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0068] [Figure 10] This figure shows another structure of the physical layer packet extension threshold field according to one embodiment of the present application.

[0069] [Figure 11] This figure shows another structure of the physical layer packet extension threshold information field according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0070] [Figure 12] This is a schematic flowchart illustrating a first capability instruction method in a wireless local area network according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0071] [Figure 13] This is a schematic flowchart illustrating a second capability instruction method in a wireless local area network according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0072] [Figure 14] This figure shows a first principle for determining the nominal packet padding value based on Figure 13, according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0073] [Figure 15] This figure shows a second principle for determining the nominal packet padding value based on Figure 13, according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0074] [Figure 16]This figure shows a third principle for determining the nominal packet padding value based on Figure 13, according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0075] [Figure 17] This is a schematic flowchart illustrating a third capability instruction method in a wireless local area network according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0076] [Figure 18] This figure shows the structure of the packet extension threshold subfield in the method shown in Figure 17, according to one embodiment of the present application.

[0077] [Figure 19] This figure shows another structure of the packet extension threshold subfield in the method shown in Figure 17, according to one embodiment of the present application.

[0078] [Figure 20] This figure shows the principle for determining the nominal packet padding value based on the method shown in Figure 17, according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0079] [Figure 21] This is a schematic flowchart illustrating a fourth capability instruction method in a wireless local area network according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0080] [Figure 22] This figure shows the structure of the packet extension threshold subfield in the method shown in Figure 21, according to one embodiment of the present application.

[0081] [Figure 23] This figure shows the principle for determining the nominal packet padding value based on the method shown in Figure 21, according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0082] [Figure 24] This figure shows the structure of a communication device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0083] [Figure 25] This figure shows another structure of a communication device according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0084] Embodiments of this application are applicable to wireless local area network (WLAN) scenarios or to IEEE 802.11 system standards, including, for example, 802.11a / b / g, 802.11n, 802.11ac, 802.11ax, 802.11be, or next-generation standards. Embodiments of this application are also applicable to wireless local area network systems, such as Internet of Things (IoT) networks or Vehicle to Everything (V2X) networks. Of course, embodiments of this application are also applicable to other possible communication systems, such as long-term evolution (LTE) systems, new radio (NR) systems, and future next-generation communication systems.

[0085] The following examples illustrate how embodiments of this invention are applicable to WLAN scenarios. It should be understood that WLANs have evolved from the 802.11a / g standards, progressing through 802.11n, 802.11ac, 802.11ax, and the currently discussed 802.11be. 802.11n is sometimes referred to as high throughput (HT), 802.11ac as very high throughput (VHT), 802.11ax as high efficiency (HE) or Wi-Fi 6, and 802.11be as extremely high throughput (EHT) or Wi-Fi 7. Pre-HT standards, such as 802.11a / b / g, are collectively referred to as non-HT.

[0086] The network architecture to which embodiments of this application are applicable may include one or more access point (AP) stations and one or more non-access point stations (non-AP STAs). For ease of explanation, access point stations are referred to as access points (APs) and non-access point stations are referred to as stations (STAs) in this specification. Figure 1 shows a network architecture of a WLAN to which one embodiment of this application is applicable. In Figure 1, an example is used in which the WLAN includes one wireless access point (AP) and two stations (STAs). In a WLAN, the physical layer may transmit information based on physical layer data packets. An STA associated with an AP can receive PPDUs transmitted by the AP and can also transmit physical layer data packets to the AP. A physical layer data packet may be a physical protocol data unit (PPDU). The APs and STAs in embodiments of this application may be APs and STAs applicable to the IEEE 802.11 system standard. The number of APs and STAs in Figure 1 is merely an example. There may be more or fewer APs and STAs.

[0087] In embodiments of this application, an STA may be a wireless communication chip, wireless sensor, or terminal that supports media access control (MAC) and physical layer (PHY) in the 802.11 system standard. A terminal may include various devices having wireless communication capabilities, such as handheld devices, in-vehicle devices, wearable devices, computing devices, other processing devices connected to wireless modems, various forms of user equipment (UE), mobile stations (MS), terminals, terminal equipment, portable communication devices, handheld devices, portable computing devices, entertainment devices, game devices or systems, global positioning system devices, or any other suitable device configured to perform network communication over a wireless medium. For example, an STA may be a router, switch, bridge, etc. For ease of explanation, the above-mentioned devices are collectively referred to as a station or STA.

[0088] An AP is a device that provides wireless communication capabilities to an associated STA and is typically a network-side product that supports MAC and PHY in the 802.11 system standard. For example, an AP may be a communication device, such as a base station, router, gateway, repeater, communication server, switch, or bridge. A base station may include various forms of macro base stations, micro base stations, relay stations, etc. For the sake of clarity, in this specification, the above-mentioned devices are collectively referred to as APs.

[0089] Figure 1 shows an example in which one embodiment of the present invention can be applied to communication between an AP and an STA. In some embodiments, the embodiments of the present invention can also be applied to communication between APs. For example, APs can communicate with each other by using a distributed system (DS). The embodiments of the present invention can also be applied to communication between STAs.

[0090] To ensure that the receiver has sufficient time to parse / process the PPDU received from the transmitter, 802.11 ax specifies that pre-(forward error correction, FEC) padding, post-FEC padding, and packet extension may be introduced into the PPDU. Pre-FEC padding and excess information occupy approximately multiples of one quarter of the subcarriers on the last encoded symbol (e.g., one quarter, two quarters, three quarters, and all), and the remaining subcarriers may be used to carry post-FEC padding.

[0091] For easier understanding, please refer to Figure 2. Figure 2 shows the PPDU bit padding process for the final coded symbol. In Figure 2, a indicates that the extra information bits and pre-forward error correction padding bits occupy approximately a multiple of 1 / 4 of the subcarriers on the symbol after scrambling and coding. As shown in Figure 2, a=1 indicates that the extra information bits and pre-forward error correction padding bits occupy approximately one-quarter of the subcarriers on the symbol after scrambling and coding; a=2 indicates that the extra information bits and pre-forward error correction padding bits occupy approximately two-quarters of the subcarriers on the symbol after scrambling and coding; a=3 indicates that the extra information bits and pre-forward error correction padding bits occupy approximately three-quarters of the subcarriers on the symbol after scrambling and coding; and a=3 indicates that the extra information bits and pre-forward error correction padding bits occupy all of the subcarriers on the symbol after scrambling and coding. Subcarriers other than a multiple of one-quarter of the subcarriers occupied by pre-FEC padding and excess information are used to carry post-FEC padding.

[0092] When decoding the last coded symbol of a PPDU, the receiver may decode only a multiple of one-quarter of the subcarriers occupied by pre-FEC padding and extraneous information, without decoding the entire coded symbol. For example, the receiver does not need to decode the subcarriers occupied by post-FEC padding. This saves decoding time and allows more time to parse the PPDU.

[0093] As shown in Figure 2, the remaining subcarriers on the symbol are padded through post-FEC padding, thereby reducing the number of bits occupied by the data to N. CBPS The number of bits is reached, and here, N CBPS This indicates the number of coded bits per symbol. However, due to the uncertainty of duration corresponding to post-FEC padding and the limitation of total duration, the time reserved for parsing the PPDU may not meet the minimum time required by the receiver (e.g., 8 μs and 16 μs). To ensure that the time reserved for parsing the PPDU reaches the minimum time required by the receiver, an additional field, namely a PE field, may need to be introduced on the last symbol of the PPDU. The duration based on the PE field allows the time reserved for parsing the PPDU to meet the minimum time required by the receiver. The duration of the PE field is the nominal packet extension time (T). PE It is sometimes referred to as the processing time provided by Post-FEC padding combined with the nominal packet extension time, resulting in the actual packet extension time (T PE ) is obtained. In other words, the actual packet expansion time T PE This is greater than or equal to the nominal packet extension time. Typically, the actual packet extension time is the minimum value required by the receiver. (Nominal packet extension time (T)) PEThis relates to the nominal packet padding value and the value of a. The nominal packet padding value is also called the minimum packet padding value or small packet padding value.

[0094] For ease of understanding, Figure 3 is a diagram of the PPDU. Figure 3 shows the duration of the PE field in the PPDU for the cases a=1, a=2, a=3, and a=4 in Figure 2. For the same nominal packet padding value, the duration corresponding to post-FEC padding varies based on different values ​​of a. Therefore, the transmitter may either not add a PE field or add a PE field with a different duration. When the duration corresponding to post-FEC padding is long, the duration of the PE field is short. When the duration corresponding to post-FEC padding is short, the duration of the PE field is long. For example, when a=1, the duration corresponding to post-FEC padding is approximately 12μs, which is sufficient for the receiver to decode the subcarrier occupied by pre-FEC padding and surplus information, and the transmitter does not need to add a PE field. When a=2, the duration corresponding to post-FEC padding is approximately 8μs, which is sufficient for the receiver to decode the subcarrier occupied by pre-FEC padding and surplus information, and the transmitter does not need to add a PE field. When a=3, the duration corresponding to post-FEC padding is approximately 4μs, which is not sufficient for the receiver to completely decode the subcarrier occupied by pre-FEC padding and surplus information. In this case, the transmitter may add a PE field, and the duration of the PE field plus 4μs is sufficient for the receiver to completely decode the subcarrier occupied by pre-FEC padding and surplus information. When a=4, the duration corresponding to post-FEC padding is approximately 0μs, which is not sufficient for the receiver to completely decode the subcarrier occupied by pre-FEC padding and surplus information. In this case, the transmitter may add a PE field, and the sum of the duration of the PE field and the duration corresponding to the post-FEC padding is sufficient for the receiver to fully decode the subcarrier occupied by the pre-FEC padding and surplus information.

[0095] For example, Table 1 shows the relationship between the nominal packet expansion time, the value of a, and the nominal packet padding value. [Table 1]

[0096] The second row (bold font) of Table 1 represents the nominal packet padding value, which can be 0 μs, 8 μs, or 16 μs. Rows 3 through 6 of Table 1 represent the nominal packet extension time, i.e., the duration of the PE field. The nominal packet extension time may not be equal to the minimum time required by the receiver (i.e., the nominal packet padding value such as 0 μs, 8 μs, or 16 μs). For example, the nominal packet padding value is equal to 8 μs. As mentioned above, when a=1, 12 μs is sufficient for the receiver to decode the subcarrier occupied by pre-FEC padding and surplus information, no PE field needs to be added, and the nominal packet extension time may be 0 μs. When a=3, 4 μs is not sufficient for the receiver to fully decode the subcarrier occupied by pre-FEC padding and surplus information. In this case, the transmitter adds a PE field, and the duration of the PE field is 8μs - 4μs = 4μs, meaning the nominal packet expansion time can be 4μs.

[0097] For both communication ends, to ensure the receiver has sufficient time to parse the PPDU received from the transmitter, the receiver may indicate to the transmitter the nominal packet padding value used by the transmitter when the transmitter sends the PPDU to the receiver. The transmitter may determine the duration of the PE field based on the nominal packet padding value indicated by the receiver and a. The transmitter pads the packet extensions contained in the PPDU sent to the receiver based on the duration of the PE field. Since the data in the packet extensions does not need to be parsed by the receiver, it can be ensured that the receiver has sufficient time to parse the received PPDU.

[0098] The following describes two solutions for a receiver to indicate the nominal packet padding value to a transmitter. These two solutions are referred to as the static indication method and the dynamic indication method. In the static indication method, the receiver indicates the nominal packet padding value based on the nominal packet padding subfield. In the dynamic indication method, the receiver indicates the nominal packet padding value by indicating the modulation threshold based on the physical packet extension (PPE) thresholds subfield. The static and dynamic indication methods can be distinguished by the physical packet extension (PPE) thresholds present subfield. When the value of the physical packet extension thresholds present subfield is 0, this indicates that the physical packet extension thresholds subfield does not exist, and the nominal packet padding subfield indicates the nominal packet padding value. When the value of the physical packet extension thresholds present subfield is 1, this indicates that the physical packet extension thresholds subfield exists, and the physical packet extension thresholds subfield indicates the nominal packet padding value. When the value of the physical layer packet expansion threshold presence subfield is 1, the nominal packet padding subfield is meaningless, and it can be considered that the nominal packet padding value is determined by the packet expansion threshold subfield.

[0099] The static and dynamic instruction methods will be described below. For the sake of simplicity, the following example will use a receiver as the first device and a transmitter as the second device.

[0100] Static Instruction Method: When the value of the Physical Layer Packet Expansion Threshold Existence subfield is 0, refer to Table 2 for the nominal packet padding value indicated by the nominal packet padding subfield. The STA in Table 2 may be an access point station or a non-access point station. [Table 2]

[0101] As shown in Figure 4, the PPE threshold presence subfield and the nominal packet padding subfield are carried within the HE physical layer capability information field. Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of the HE physical layer capability information field. The PPE threshold presence subfield (B55) occupies 1 bit. The nominal packet padding subfields (B78 and B79) occupy 2 bits. As shown in Figure 5, the HE physical layer capability information field is contained within the HE capability element. An HE capabilities element may include an element field, a length field, an element ID extension field, an HE (medium access control, MAC) capabilities information field, an HE PHY capabilities information field, a Supported HE-MCS and NSS Set field, and may further include a PPE thresholds field. In this embodiment of the present application, the number of bits occupied by each field or subfield included in the HE capabilities element is not limited. As shown in Figure 5, the element field occupies 1 byte, the length field occupies 1 byte, the element ID extension field occupies 1 byte, the HE medium access control capabilities information field occupies 6 bytes, the HE PHY capabilities information field occupies 11 bytes, and the PPE thresholds field occupies a variable number of bits. Furthermore, the physical layer packet extension threshold field is optional, meaning it is not mandatory.

[0102] When the value of the PPE Thresholds present subfield in Figure 4 is 1, it can be understood that the nominal packet padding value is indicated by the PPE Thresholds field in Figure 5. When the value of the PPE Thresholds present subfield in Figure 4 is 0, the nominal packet padding value is indicated by the Nominal Packet Ppadding subfield in Figure 4.

[0103] As the number of spatial streams supported by each device increases, for example, the number of spatial streams supported by each device changes from 8 to 16, the modulation scheme supported by each device changes from 1K quadrature amplitude modulation (QAM) to 4K-QAM, and the bandwidth supported by each device changes from 160 MHz to 320 MHz. In these cases, the receiver requires more processing time. Taking this into consideration, nominal packet padding values ​​greater than 16 μs have been proposed, for example, 802.11 be proposes a nominal packet padding value supporting 20 μs. In embodiments of the present application, NSS may be replaced with the number of space-time streams (NSTS).

[0104] A nominal packet padding value of 20 μs can be represented by the Common Nominal Packet Padding subfield shown in Figure 6. The Common Nominal Packet Padding subfield in Figure 6 and the Nominal Packet Padding subfield in Figure 4 differ only in their names. Therefore, Table 2 is also applicable to the nominal packet padding value represented by the Common Nominal Packet Padding subfield. The difference from the Nominal Packet Padding subfield is that the value 3 is no longer reserved in the Common Nominal Packet Padding subfield. When the PPE Thresholds presence subfield is 0, if the nominal packet padding value is 16 μs, corresponding to a mode with constellation <= 1024, NSTS <= 8, and RU allocation <= 996*2 supported by the STA, then the value of the Common Nominal Packet Padding subfield is 3; otherwise, the nominal packet padding value is 20 μs. (Set to 3 if the nominal packet padding is 16μs for all modes with constellation<=1024, NSTS<=8 and RU<=996*2, and 20μs for all other modes the STA supports; Reserved if the PPE Thresholds Present subfield is 1). For example, the STA is a receiver and the AP is a transmitter. The nominal packet padding value is 16μs if the value of the nominal packet padding subfield is 3, the constellation index corresponding to the modulation scheme supported by the receiver is less than or equal to the constellation index corresponding to 1K-QAM, the NSTS is 8 or less, and the MRU / RU allocation size of the transmitter is 2*996 or less; otherwise, the nominal packet padding value is 20μs. The constellations supported by the STA are notified to the AP by the STA via capability information.

[0105] Dynamic Indication Method: The Physical Layer Packet Expansion Threshold Presence subfield and the Physical Layer Packet Expansion Threshold Field (PPE thresholds field) in the PPDU indicate the nominal packet padding value. Compared to the static indication method, the dynamic indication method can indicate different nominal packet padding values ​​based on different NSTS, RU / multi-RU (multiple resource unit, MRU) sizes, and modulation schemes. This is more flexible. In embodiments of the present application, the MRU includes multiple RUs. The multiple RUs may be consecutive or discontinuous.

[0106] Figure 7 shows the structure of the Physical Layer Packet Extension Threshold Field. The Physical Layer Packet Extension Threshold Field includes the Number of Space-Time Streams (NSTS) subfield, the RU Index Bitmask subfield, the Physical Layer Packet Extension Thresholds Info (PPE Thresholds info) field, and the Physical Layer Packet Extension Padding (PPE padding) field. The NSTS subfield may be replaced with the NSS subfield, which may indicate the number of space-time streams used to transmit the PPDU. For example, the NSTS subfield occupies 3 bits, and the 3-bit value can be 0 to 7, representing the 1st through 8th streams, respectively. In other words, one 3-bit value / status value corresponds to one number of space-time streams. The RU Index Bitmask subfield may indicate the RU size. Table 3 shows the relationship between the RU Index Bitmask subfield and the RU size. [Table 3]

[0107] The RU Index Bitmask subfield is a bitmap. In Table 3, the RU allocation index indicates a specific bit within the bitmap. For example, in Table 3, the RU Index Bitmask occupies 4 bits. The first row of Table 3 indicates that the first bit of the RU Index Bitmask is set to 1, and therefore the corresponding RU shown in Figure 7 is 242. Similarly, the second row indicates that the second bit of the RU Index Bitmask is set to 1, and therefore the corresponding RU shown in Figure 7 is 484. The rest can be inferred by analogy. The RU allocation index may also be referred to as the RU sequence number. A smaller sequence number indicates a smaller RU size. In this specification, the granularity of the RU size is subcarriers. For example, 242 refers to 242 subcarriers, and 484 refers to 484 subcarriers.

[0108] It should be understood that one or more of the NSTS, RU, and modulation schemes used by the transmitter will differ, and the minimum processing time (or corresponding nominal packet padding value) required by the receiver will vary accordingly. In one embodiment, the modulation thresholds corresponding to the NSTS from the first stream to the Nth stream, and the different RU sizes indicated by the minimum granularity, are provided exhaustively or crosswise. The value of N may be the maximum value of the bits used by the NSTS subfield + 1. For example, if the NSTS subfield uses 3 bits and the maximum value of the 3 bits is 7, the maximum number of streams that can be indicated by the NSTS subfield is 8 (7+1=8). For example, if the NSTS subfield uses 6 bits and the maximum value of the 6 bits is 15, the maximum number of streams that can be indicated by the NSTS subfield is 16 (15+1=16). In this specification, the set of values ​​for the NSTS subfield may be denoted as [1,...,NSTS+1]. The Nth stream is the (NSTS+1)th stream.

[0109] The modulation threshold may indicate the modulation scheme, or it may be understood as a constellation index threshold corresponding to the modulation scheme. The relationship between the modulation scheme and the corresponding constellation index is shown in Table 4. [Table 4]

[0110] For each RU, the modulation thresholds corresponding to the NSTS from the first stream to the Nth stream, and the different RU sizes indicated by the smallest granularity are provided crosswise based on the PPE thresholds info. The PPE thresholds info field includes a set of packet extension threshold subfields indicating the modulation thresholds corresponding to different nominal packet padding values. In other words, the PPE threshold info field includes a set of multiple packet extension threshold subfields corresponding to different nominal packet padding values, each set of packet extension threshold subfields includes multiple packet extension threshold subfields, and each packet extension threshold subfield indicates the modulation threshold corresponding to the RU corresponding to sequence number b, where the NSS is n. It should be understood that the range of n is [1,...,N]. Sequence number b as used herein may be considered the RU allocation index and indicates the RU size. For example, the range of values ​​for b is [x,...,m], where [x,...,m] is a bit list formed by sequentially setting all bits that are set to 1 in the RU Index Bitmask subfield, with x being the least significant bit in the bit list (where b belongs to the set of RU allocation indices equal to the ordered list of bit positions of all bits that are set to 1 in the RU Index Bitmask subfield, with y being the lowest value). Table 3 is used as an example. If all bits in the RU Index Bitmask subfield are set to 1, the range of values ​​for b is [0,...,3], i.e., x is equal to 0 and m is equal to 3. If the second and fourth bits in the RU Index Bitmask subfield are set to 1, the range of values ​​for b is [1,3].

[0111] For example, Figure 8 shows the structure of the PP thresholds info field. In Figure 8, the PPE thresholds info field includes a set of packet extension threshold subfields indicating modulation thresholds corresponding to a nominal packet padding value of 8 μs, and a set of packet extension threshold subfields indicating modulation thresholds corresponding to a nominal packet padding value of 16 μs. In this specification, the set of packet extension threshold subfields indicating modulation thresholds corresponding to a nominal packet padding value of 8 μs is referred to as the PPET8 NSTSn RUb subfield, and any subfield of the PPET8 NSTSn RUb subfield is referred to as the PPET8 NSTSn RUb subfield, where NSTS is n and the RU corresponds to the sequence number b, indicating the modulation threshold. For example, if the PPET8 NSTSn RUb subfield occupies 3 bits, the PPET8 NSTSn RUb subfield may indicate 8 modulation thresholds. Similarly, a set of packet expansion threshold subfields indicating a modulation threshold corresponding to a nominal packet fill value of 16 μs may be referred to as the PPET16 NSTSn RUb subfield, and any subfield of the PPET16 NSTSn RUb subfield is referred to as the PPET16 NSTSn RUb subfield, where NSTS is n and the RU corresponds to sequence number b, indicating the modulation threshold. The PPET8 NSTSn RUb subfield may be abbreviated as PPET8, i.e., PPET8 represents a single PPET8 NSTSn RUb subfield. Similarly, the PPET16 NSTSn RUb subfield may be abbreviated as PPET16.

[0112] In Figure 8, the value of n traverses from 1 to N, i.e., n is an element in [1,...,N], and b traverses from x to m. Figure 8 can be considered to comprehensively or crosswise show the streams from the first to the Nth stream, and comprehensively or crosswise show the RU size shown from the smallest granularity. In other words, the PPET16 NSTSn RUb and PPET8 NSTSn RUb subfields exist for all values ​​of n and b, where 1 ≤ n ≤ (N), and b = [x,...,m] is a set of integers equal to an ordered list of the bit positions of all bits set to 1 in the RU index bitmask subfield, where m is the lowest value.

[0113] Based on the instructions in Figure 8, the nominal packet padding value used by the second device is determined by the combination of the PPET8 NSTSn RUb subfield and the PPET16 NSTSn RUb subfield. Specifically, the second device may determine the nominal packet padding value according to Table 5. In other words, if the result of the comparison between the constellation index corresponding to the modulation scheme used by the second device and the modulation threshold indicated by the PPET8 NSTSn RUb subfield, and the result of the comparison between the constellation index corresponding to the modulation scheme used by the second device and the modulation threshold indicated by the PPET16 NSTSn RUb subfield, satisfies the conditions of the row in Table 5, then the nominal packet padding value is the value corresponding to the row. [Table 5]

[0114] Note that the modulation schemes in Table 5 are based on the modulation schemes corresponding to RUb and refer to modulation schemes that take DCM into consideration. In Table 5, "None" can be understood as meaning that the corresponding conditions are not considered. For example, if the PPET8 subfield is set to None, the indication of the PPET8 subfield is not used to determine the nominal packet padding value.

[0115] As shown in Table 5, if the comparison between the constellation index x corresponding to the modulation scheme used by the second device and the modulation threshold indicated by the PPET8 subfield satisfies condition 1, and the comparison between the constellation index x corresponding to the modulation scheme used by the second device and the modulation threshold indicated by the PPET16 subfield satisfies condition 2, then the nominal packet padding value is the value corresponding to conditions 1 and 2.

[0116] For ease of understanding, Figure 9 shows how the second device determines the nominal packet padding value based on the constellation index x corresponding to the modulation scheme used, the modulation threshold indicated by the PPET8 subfield (i.e., A1), and the modulation threshold indicated by the PPET16 subfield (i.e., A2). In Figure 9, the horizontal axis represents RUs and the vertical axis represents NSSs, with each dot in Figure 9 corresponding to one NSS and one RU / MRU. The dot in the second row and third column of Figure 9 is used as an example. If the constellation index x corresponding to the modulation scheme used by the second device is less than A1, the nominal packet padding value is 0 μs. If the constellation index x corresponding to the modulation scheme used by the second device is A1 or greater, and the constellation index x corresponding to the modulation scheme used by the second device is less than A2, or the PPET16 subfield is set to none, the nominal packet padding value is 8 μs. If the constellation index x corresponding to the modulation scheme used by the second device is greater than A1, or if PPET8 is set to none, and the constellation index x corresponding to the modulation scheme used by the second device is A2 or greater, the nominal packet padding value is 16 μs.

[0117] As the number of spatial streams supported by a device increases, the number of modulation schemes increases, and the supported bandwidth increases, larger nominal packet padding values ​​need to be indicated. For example, 802.11 be proposes a nominal packet padding value that supports 20 μs.

[0118] Figure 10 shows the structure of the PPET Threshold field for a nominal packet padding value of 20 μs. The PPET Threshold field includes the NSS Packet Extension (NSS_PE) field, the RU Index Bitmask subfield, the PPE thresholds info field, and the PPE padding field. The difference from Figure 7 is that the NSS_PE field indicates the number of space-time streams used to transmit the PPDU, and the NSS_PE field can occupy 4 bits. In this case, the value range of NSS_PE+1 is [1,...,N], where N is equal to 16. The RU Index Bitmask subfield can occupy 5 bits. In this case, the maximum granularity of RUs indicated by the RU Index Bitmask subfield is 3*996. In another example, the RU Index Bitmask subfield can occupy 6 bits. In this case, the maximum granularity of RUs indicated by the RU Index Bitmask subfield is 4*996. Of course, the RU index bitmask subfield may occupy more bits, and the RU size can be 242+484, 484+996, 242+484+996, 2*996+484, 2*996+996, 3*996+484, etc. In this case, the range of values ​​for b is [y,...,m], where [y,...,m] is a bit list formed by sequentially setting all the bits set to 1 in the RU index bitmask subfield, and y is the least significant bit in the bit list. Table 6 is used as an example. All bits in the RU index bitmask subfield may be set to 1, and the range of values ​​for b may be [0,...,4], i.e., y is equal to 0 and m is equal to 4. [Table 6]

[0119] Accordingly, the structure of the PPE thresholds info field in 802.11 be is shown in Figure 11. The PPET8 NSSn RUb subfield in Figure 11 is a subfield where NSS is n, RU corresponds to sequence b, and PPET is 8 μs. The PPETmax NSSn RUb subfield is a subfield where NSS is n, RU corresponds to sequence b, and PPET is 16 μs or 20 μs. The value of n traverses from 1 to NSS_PE+1, i.e., n is an element in [1,...,NSS_PE+1], and b traverses from y to m, where b=[y,...,m].

[0120] Based on the PPE thresholds info field in Figure 11, the second device may determine the nominal packet padding value according to Table 7. Similar to Table 5, if the comparison between the constellation index corresponding to the modulation scheme used by the second device and the modulation threshold indicated by the PPET8 NSTSn RUb subfields, and the comparison between the constellation index corresponding to the modulation scheme used by the second device and the modulation threshold indicated by the PPETmax NSTSn RUb subfields, satisfies the conditions of the row in Table 7, then the nominal packet padding value is the value corresponding to the row. [Table 7]

[0121] As bandwidth increases, the channel quality of different spatiotemporal streams within multiple spatiotemporal streams changes. For example, the channel quality of the first stream may be good, while the channel quality of other streams may be poor. When the same modulation scheme is used for multiple spatiotemporal streams, a small signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) must be adapted to meet the requirement of using a small modulation scheme. Therefore, different modulation schemes may be used for different spatiotemporal streams, resulting in a large SNR for each spatiotemporal stream. By using multiple modulation schemes, there is no corresponding solution for how the transmitter determines the nominal packet expansion time used when the receiver supports the transmitter when transmitting a PPDU to the receiver on a configured frequency-domain resource or spatiotemporal stream. Alternatively, by using multiple modulation schemes, there is no corresponding solution for how the receiver indicates the nominal packet padding value used when the receiver supports the transmitter when transmitting a PPDU to the receiver on a configured frequency-domain resource or spatiotemporal stream.

[0122] In embodiments of the present application, the use of multiple modulation schemes by a transmitter includes the use of multiple modulation schemes for multiple space-time streams / space streams. For example, the transmitter uses BPSK on a first space stream and 16-QAM on a second stream. The use of multiple modulation schemes by a transmitter also includes the use of multiple modulation schemes on one or more RUs. For example, a first RU includes a first subcarrier set and a second subcarrier set, and the transmitter uses BPSK on the first subcarrier set and 16-QAM on the second subcarrier set. How the transmitter uses multiple modulation schemes is not limited in embodiments of the present application.

[0123] The transmission of a PPDU to a receiver by a transmitter using one modulation scheme may be replaced with the transmission of a PPDU to a receiver by a transmitter using the same MCS. Similarly, the transmission of a PPDU to a receiver by a transmitter using multiple modulation schemes may be replaced with the transmission of a PPDU to a receiver by a transmitter using different MCSs. In other words, the use of one modulation scheme by a transmitter may be understood as the use of the same MCS by a transmitter. The use of multiple modulation schemes by a transmitter may be understood as the use of different MCSs by a transmitter. In embodiments of the present application, “modulation scheme” may be replaced with “MCS”. In addition, in embodiments of the present application, “different MCSs” include “different modulation schemes” and / or “different code rates”.

[0124] The ability of a receiver to support a transmitter in using multiple modulation schemes on a configured frequency-domain resource or space-time stream can be considered a receiver capability. This capability relates to nominal packet padding values, and different capabilities may be associated with different nominal packet padding values. A receiver may notify a transmitter of its capabilities, thereby allowing the transmitter to determine an adapted nominal packet padding value based on the receiver's capabilities. The receiver notifying a transmitter of its capabilities can be understood as the receiver indicating a nominal packet padding value to the transmitter based on capability information. In embodiments of the present application, the nominal packet padding value may be indicated to the transmitter in a manner similar to the static indication scheme described above, or it may be indicated to the transmitter in a manner similar to the dynamic indication scheme described above.

[0125] The technical proposal provided in the embodiments of this application will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings.

[0126] The communication method provided in embodiments of the present application relates to interaction between two communication devices, for example, a first device and a second device. For example, the first device is a receiver and the second device is a transmitter. The first device may indicate to the second device a nominal packet padding value that needs to be used by the second device to transmit a physical layer data packet to the first device. The second device determines a nominal packet expansion time based on the nominal packet padding value indicated by the first device and transmits the physical layer data packet to the first device. The steps performed by the first device may be implemented by the first device or by components within the first device (for example, modules such as a chip, processing unit, or processor). For example, the first device may be Station 1 in Figure 1 or a chip (system) within Station 1 in Figure 1. The steps performed by the second device may be implemented by the second device or by components within the second device (for example, modules such as a chip, processing unit, or processor). The second device may be the AP shown in Figure 1, or it may be a chip (system) within the AP shown in Figure 1.

[0127] In the embodiments of this application, “when,” “assumed,” and “in the case” mean that the device performs the corresponding processing in the intended situation, but do not constitute a time limit, require the device to have a decision action during implementation, or imply any other limitation. Unless otherwise specified, “when” and “in the case” may be read interchangeably. Steps shown with dashed lines in the flowcharts of the embodiments of this application are optional steps, i.e., steps that do not need to be performed.

[0128] In embodiments of the present application, the use of at least two modulation schemes by the second device means that the second device transmits the PPDU to the first device by using at least two modulation schemes. In addition, the nominal packet padding values ​​in embodiments of the present application include a plurality of sequentially increasing values. For example, the nominal packet padding values ​​may include four values: 0 μs, 8 μs, 16 μs, and 20 μs. Naturally, the nominal packet padding values ​​may further include more values, for example, nominal packet padding values ​​of 24 μs or 28 μs.

[0129] In the embodiments of this application, "NSTS" may be replaced with "NSS". For example, "PPET8 NSTSn RUb subfields" may be replaced with "PPET8 NSSn RUb subfields", "PPET16 NSTSn RUb subfields" may be replaced with "PPET16 NSSn RUb subfield", and "PPETmax NSTSn RUb subfields" may be replaced with "PPETmax NSSn RUb subfields". "PPET16 NSTSn RUb subfield" may be replaced with "PPETmax NSTSn RUb subfields". In the embodiments of this application, "*" and "×" in formulas may be interchangeable.

[0130] Figure 12 shows a first capability indication method in a wireless local area network according to an embodiment of the present invention. Method 1200 shown in Figure 12 is applicable to the scenario shown in Figure 1. For example, the first device may be Station 1 in Figure 1, and the second device may be AP in Figure 1. In Method 1200, the first device may indicate to the second device, based on the nominal packet padding subfield, a nominal packet padding value that the second device needs to use when transmitting physical layer data packets to the first device. Method 1200 includes the following steps:

[0131] S1201: The first device transmits capability information to the second device, and in response, the second device receives capability information, which includes a nominal packet padding subfield, the nominal packet padding subfield indicating the corresponding nominal packet padding value used when the second device transmits a PPDU to the first device.

[0132] Capability information may indicate the nominal packet padding value used by the second device when sending physical layer data packets to the first device. For example, capability information may include a nominal packet padding subfield, where the nominal packet padding subfield indicates the corresponding nominal packet padding value used by the second device when sending a PPDU to the first device. Optionally, capability information may further include a physical layer packet expansion threshold presence subfield, where the nominal packet padding subfield indicates the corresponding nominal packet padding value used by the second device when sending a PPDU to the first device, and the value of the physical layer packet expansion threshold presence subfield is 0. Alternatively, when the value of the physical layer packet expansion threshold presence subfield is 1, the nominal packet padding subfield indicates the corresponding nominal packet padding value used by the second device when sending a PPDU to the first device.

[0133] Capability information may be contained in a physical layer data packet, such as a PPDU, transmitted by the first device to the second device. For example, capability information may be carried in a physical layer capability information field. For further details, please refer to the relevant contents of Figures 4 to 6. Further details will not be described again in this specification.

[0134] In Method 1200, the nominal packet padding value is for all NSS and all RU allocations supported by the first device, and for at least two modulation schemes used by the second device on the configured frequency domain resource or configured spatial stream. In this embodiment of the Application, the use of two modulation schemes by the second device means that the constellation index corresponding to the modulation schemes used by the second device includes at least two constellation indices, or that the second device uses modulation schemes corresponding to at least two constellation indices.

[0135] The following examples illustrate how the nominal packet padding subfield indicates the nominal packet padding value used by the second device when the second device uses at least two modulation schemes. Cases 1 through 3 below are for all NSSs and all RU allocations.

[0136] Case 1: When the nominal packet padding value used by the second device to transmit a PPDU to the first device using one modulation scheme is the first nominal packet padding value, the nominal packet padding value used by the second device to transmit a PPDU to the first device using at least two modulation schemes can be considered by default to the second nominal packet padding value. The level of the second nominal packet padding value is higher than the level of the first nominal packet padding value. For example, the level of the second nominal packet padding value is 1 level higher than the level of the first nominal packet padding value. For example, the first nominal packet padding value is 0 μs and the second nominal packet padding value is 8 μs, or the first nominal packet padding value is 8 μs and the second nominal packet padding value is 16 μs. Or, the first nominal packet padding value is 16 μs and the second nominal packet padding value is 20 μs. The rest can be inferred by analogy.

[0137] In Case 1, a mapping relationship may be defined between at least one status value of the nominal packet padding subfield and at least one nominal packet padding value, so that the first device indicates the nominal packet padding value to be used by the second device based on the status value of the nominal packet padding subfield. For example, the nominal packet padding values ​​indicated by the nominal packet padding subfield are shown in Table 8. [Table 8]

[0138] As shown in Table 8, the status value of the nominal packet padding subfield is 0 and the nominal packet padding value is 8 μs, or the status value of the nominal packet padding subfield is 1 and the nominal packet padding value is 16 μs, or the status value of the nominal packet padding subfield is 2 and the nominal packet padding value is 20 μs.

[0139] Compared to Table 2, it should be noted that in Table 8, an example is used where the level of the second nominal packet padding value is one level higher than the level of the first nominal packet padding value. The relationship between the second nominal packet padding value and the first nominal packet padding value is not limited to this embodiment of the present application. For example, the second nominal packet padding value may be the sum of the first nominal packet padding value and a fixed value.

[0140] It should be noted that the mapping relationship between the status value of the nominal packet padding subfield and the nominal packet padding value in the above example is merely illustrative. The specific mapping relationship between the status value of the nominal packet padding subfield and the nominal packet padding value is not limited to this embodiment of the present application. For example, the status value of the nominal packet padding subfield is the first status value, and the nominal packet padding value is the first microsecond. The specific values ​​of the first status value and the first microsecond are not limited to this embodiment of the present application. For example, the first status value may be 2 or other possible values, and the first microsecond may be 24 μs, 28 μs, etc.

[0141] Case 2: When the first device supports the second device in transmitting PPDUs to the first device by using at least two modulation schemes, the nominal packet padding value used by the second device is, by default, related to the highest-order modulation scheme among the at least two modulation schemes (e.g., referred to as the first modulation scheme). For example, the nominal packet padding value used by the second device is related to one or more of the following: the first modulation scheme, the size of the frequency domain resource corresponding to the first modulation scheme, the NSS / NSTS corresponding to the first modulation scheme, etc. The frequency domain resource corresponding to the first modulation scheme may be an RU or MRU. The frequency domain resource corresponding to the first modulation scheme can be understood as using the first modulation scheme on the frequency domain resource.

[0142] In Case 2, a design for a nominal packet padding subfield with a status value of 3 in 802.11 be may be used. For example, if the status value of the nominal packet padding subfield is 3, the constellation index corresponding to the first modulation scheme is less than or equal to the constellation index threshold, and one or more of the following conditions are met, then the nominal packet padding value is 16 μs; otherwise, the nominal packet padding value is 20 μs. (1) The RU / MRU allocation size is less than or equal to the size threshold. (2) The size of the RU / MRU corresponding to the first modulation scheme is less than or equal to the size threshold, (3) The NSS must be below the NSS threshold.

[0143] The constellation index threshold, size threshold, and NSS threshold can be predefined or (pre)configured. For example, the constellation index threshold may be 1024 QAM, the size threshold may be 2*996 tone, and the NSS threshold may be 8 or 16.

[0144] To facilitate understanding, the following example illustrates how the nominal packet padding subfield indicates the nominal packet padding value. Note that in the following example, the status value of the nominal packet padding value is 3. In some embodiments, the status value of the nominal packet padding value may be other values.

[0145] Example 1: If the status value of the nominal packet padding subfield is 3, and the constellation index corresponding to the first modulation scheme of at least two modulation schemes configured for the second device is less than or equal to the constellation index threshold, and the RU / MRU allocation size is less than or equal to the size threshold, then the nominal packet padding value may be specified as 16 μs; otherwise, the nominal packet padding value may be specified as 20 μs.

[0146] Example 2: If the status value of the nominal packet padding subfield is 3, and the constellation index corresponding to the first modulation scheme of at least two modulation schemes configured for the second device is less than or equal to the constellation index threshold, and the configured NSS is less than or equal to the NSS threshold, and the RU / MRU allocation size is less than or equal to the size threshold, then the nominal packet padding value may be specified as 16 μs; otherwise, the nominal packet padding value may be specified as 20 μs.

[0147] Example 3: If the status value of the nominal packet padding subfield is 3, and the constellation index corresponding to the first modulation scheme of at least two modulation schemes configured for the second device is less than or equal to the constellation index threshold, and the size of the RU / MRU corresponding to the first modulation scheme is less than or equal to the size threshold, then the nominal packet padding value may be specified as 16 μs; otherwise, the nominal packet padding value may be specified as 20 μs.

[0148] Example 4: If the status value of the nominal packet padding subfield is 3, and the constellation index corresponding to the first modulation scheme of at least two modulation schemes configured for the second device is less than or equal to the constellation index threshold, and the configured NSS is less than or equal to the NSS threshold, and the size of the RU / MRU corresponding to the first modulation scheme is less than or equal to the size threshold, then the nominal packet padding value may be specified as 16 μs; otherwise, the nominal packet padding value may be specified as 20 μs.

[0149] In the aforementioned Examples 1 to 4, the constellation index thresholds in different examples may be the same or different, the size thresholds in different examples may be the same or different, and the NSS thresholds in different examples may be the same or different.

[0150] The second device may use different modulation schemes on different spatial streams, or different modulation schemes on different subcarrier sets. The second device may transmit a PPDU using at least two modulation schemes (e.g., modulation scheme 1 and modulation scheme 2), and it may be understood that the PPDU contains both content modulated using modulation scheme 1 and content modulated using modulation scheme 2. In this case, a larger nominal packet padding value is preferred. Therefore, the constellation index threshold should correspond to a larger nominal packet padding value, the RU allocation index should correspond to a larger nominal packet padding value, or the NSS should correspond to a larger nominal packet padding value. Alternatively, in this case, one or more of the following should be selected: a PPET corresponding to a smaller constellation index threshold, a larger RU allocation index, or a PPET corresponding to more NSS.

[0151] For example, when a second device transmits a PPDU to a first device using one modulation scheme, as shown in Table 7, if the status value of the nominal packet padding subfield is 3, then the constellation index corresponding to the modulation scheme used by the second device is 5 (i.e., the constellation index threshold) or less, and the RU allocation size is 2 × 996 tone (i.e., the size threshold), then the nominal packet padding value is 16 μs; otherwise, the nominal packet padding value is 20 μs. However, in this embodiment of the present application, when a second device transmits a PPDU to a first device using at least two modulation schemes, the constellation index threshold may be less than 5. For example, the constellation index threshold may be equal to 4. Similarly, the RU / MRU size threshold may be less than 2 × 996 tone (where the corresponding RU allocation index is 3). For example, the RU / MRU size threshold may be 484 tone, i.e., the RU allocation index may be equal to 2.

[0152] Alternatively, the complexity of processing increases due to the second device using at least two modulation schemes, where a low-order modulation scheme is used on some spatial streams and a high-order modulation scheme is used on other spatial streams, or where a low-order modulation scheme is used on some subcarrier sets and a high-order modulation scheme is used on other subcarrier sets. Compared to when the second device uses a high-order modulation scheme for all spatial streams or all subcarrier sets, the second device processes fewer bits per unit time when using at least two modulation schemes, and therefore the first device can complete the reception of the PPDU transmitted by the second device more quickly. In this case, a smaller nominal packet padding value is preferred. Therefore, the constellation index threshold should correspond to a smaller nominal packet padding value, the RU allocation index should correspond to a smaller nominal packet padding value, or the NSS should correspond to a smaller nominal packet padding value. Alternatively, in this case, one or more of the following should be selected: a larger constellation index threshold, a PPET corresponding to a smaller RU allocation index, or a PPET corresponding to a smaller NSS.

[0153] For example, when a second device transmits a PPDU to a first device using one modulation scheme, the nominal packet padding value is 16 μs if the status value of the nominal packet padding subfield is 3, the constellation index corresponding to the modulation scheme is 5 or less (i.e., the constellation index threshold), and the RU allocation size is 2*996 tones or less (i.e., the size threshold), as shown in Table 7; otherwise, the nominal packet padding value is 20 μs. However, in this embodiment of the present application, when a second device transmits a PPDU to a first device using at least two modulation schemes, the constellation index threshold may be greater than 5. For example, the constellation index threshold may be equal to 6. Similarly, the RU / MRU size threshold may be greater than 2*996 tone. For example, the RU / MRU size threshold may be 4*996 tone, i.e., the RU allocation index may be equal to 4.

[0154] Case 3: When the first device supports the second device in sending PPDUs to the first device by using at least two modulation schemes, the nominal packet padding value used by the second device may be 20 μs by default.

[0155] In this case, a status value may be defined for the nominal packet padding subfield corresponding to a nominal packet padding value of 20 μs, for example, the status value may be 2. When the status value of the nominal packet padding subfield is 2, the second device may determine that the nominal packet padding value indicated by the first device is 20 μs.

[0156] Alternatively, the meaning of a status value of 3 in the nominal packet padding subfield is still used. In other words, if the order of the modulation scheme supported by the second device is less than 1024 and the RU / MRU allocation size is 2 × 996 tones or less, the nominal packet padding value is 16 μs; otherwise, the nominal packet padding value is 20 μs. "Otherwise, the nominal packet padding value is 20 μs" includes the case where the second device transmits the PPDU to the first device by using at least two MCSs. In other words, if the second device transmits the PPDU to the first device by using at least two modulation schemes, and the value of the Physical Layer Packet Expansion Threshold Existence subfield in the PPDU transmitted to the second device by the first device is 0, and the status value of the nominal packet padding subfield is 3, then the nominal packet padding value indicated by the nominal packet padding subfield is 20 μs.

[0157] S1202: The second device determines the nominal packet padding value based on the configured frequency domain resources and spatial streams, as well as at least two modulation schemes used.

[0158] Resources used to transmit the PPDU to the first device, such as frequency resources and spatial streams, may be configured for the second device. Frequency domain resources may be used to allocate RU / MRU to the second device. Information regarding frequency domain resources and spatial streams may be carried in the same configuration information and transmitted together to the second device, or transmitted separately to the second device.

[0159] The second device may determine a nominal packet padding value based on the configured frequency domain resources and spatial streams, as well as at least two modulation schemes used. For example, when transmitting a PPDU to the first device using at least two modulation schemes, the second device may determine a corresponding nominal packet padding value or a default nominal packet padding value based on the status value indicated by the nominal packet padding subfield in the capability information.

[0160] For example, the meaning of the nominal packet padding subfield is the same as in Case 1. In this case, provided that the second device uses at least two modulation schemes, when the status value of the nominal packet padding subfield is 0, the second device determines that the nominal packet padding value is 8 μs; when the status value of the nominal packet padding subfield is 1, the second device determines that the nominal packet padding value is 16 μs; or when the status value of the nominal packet padding subfield is 2, the second device determines that the nominal packet padding value is 20 μs.

[0161] If the meaning of the nominal packet padding subfield is the same as in Case 2, then if the status value of the nominal packet padding subfield is 3, the constellation index corresponding to the first modulation scheme of at least two modulation schemes used by the second device is less than or equal to the constellation index threshold, and the RU / MRU allocation size is less than or equal to the size threshold, then the nominal packet padding value is 16 μs; otherwise, the nominal packet padding value is 20 μs. Or, if the status value of the nominal packet padding subfield is 3, the constellation index corresponding to the first modulation scheme of at least two modulation schemes used by the second device is less than or equal to the constellation index threshold, the configured NSS is less than or equal to the NSS threshold, and the size of the RU / MRU corresponding to the first modulation scheme is less than or equal to the size threshold, then the nominal packet padding value is 16 μs; otherwise, the nominal packet padding value is 20 μs. If the padding value is 20 μs, or if the status value of the nominal packet padding subfield is 3, and the constellation index corresponding to the first modulation scheme among the at least two modulation schemes used by the second device is less than or equal to the constellation index threshold, and the size of the RU / MRU corresponding to the first modulation scheme is less than or equal to the size threshold, then the nominal packet padding value is 16 μs; otherwise, the nominal packet padding value is 20 μs. Alternatively, if the status value of the nominal packet padding subfield is 3, and the constellation index corresponding to the first modulation scheme among the at least two modulation schemes used by the second device is less than or equal to the constellation index threshold, and the configured NSS is less than or equal to the NSS threshold, and the size of the RU / MRU corresponding to the first modulation scheme is less than or equal to the size threshold, then the nominal packet padding value is 16 μs; otherwise, the nominal packet padding value is 20 μs.

[0162] If the meaning of the nominal packet padding subfield is the same as in Case 3, then when the status value of the nominal packet padding subfield is 3, the nominal packet padding value is 20 μs, provided that the second device uses at least two modulation schemes.

[0163] S1203: The second device determines the duration of the PE field contained in the PPDU sent to the first device based on the nominal packet padding value.

[0164] After determining the nominal packet padding value, the second device determines the duration of the PE field contained in the PPDU sent to the first device based on the nominal packet padding value. The duration of the PE field allows the first device sufficient time to parse the PPDU received from the second device. For details on how the second device determines the duration of the PE field based on the nominal packet padding value, please refer to the relevant contents of Table 1 and Figure 3. Further details will not be described again in this specification.

[0165] Method 1200 provides a solution for a first device supporting a second device, where the first device indicates a nominal packet padding value based on a nominal packet padding subfield for all NSS and all RU allocations supported by the first device, and for the use of at least two modulation schemes on configured frequency domain resources or configured spatial streams. According to Method 1200, when the second device transmits a PPDU to the first device by using at least two modulation schemes, the duration of the PE field contained in the PPDU is determined, allowing the first device to have sufficient time to parse the PPDU received from the second device.

[0166] It can be understood that the nominal packet padding subfield may also indicate the nominal packet padding value corresponding to all NSSs, all RU allocations, and one modulation scheme supported by the first device. In possible implementations, the number of bits occupied by the nominal packet padding subfield does not need to be increased to reduce overhead. In this case, the second device may determine the meaning of the nominal packet padding subfield based on one or at least two modulation schemes used to transmit the PPDU to the first device. Alternatively, the extra bit information may indicate that the meaning of the nominal packet padding subfield corresponds to one or at least two modulation schemes.

[0167] As described above, or the first device may indirectly indicate the nominal packet padding value based on the physical layer packet extension threshold presence subfield and the physical layer packet extension threshold field. Further details will be provided later.

[0168] Figure 13 shows a second capability indication method in a wireless local area network according to an embodiment of the present invention. Method 1300 shown in Figure 13 is applicable to the scenario shown in Figure 1. For example, the first device may be Station 1 in Figure 1, and the second device may be AP in Figure 1. In Method 1300, the first device indirectly indicates a nominal packet padding value that needs to be used by the second device to transmit a PPDU to the first device by using at least two MCSs, based on the Physical Layer Packet Expansion Threshold Presence subfield and the Physical Layer Packet Expansion Threshold Field. Method 1300 includes the following steps:

[0169] S1301: The first device transmits capability information to the second device, and the second device receives capability information, which includes a physical layer packet extension threshold field, the physical layer packet extension threshold field includes a RU index bitmask subfield, an NSS subfield, and a physical layer packet extension threshold information field, the physical layer packet extension threshold information field includes multiple sets of packet extension threshold subfields corresponding to different nominal packet padding values.

[0170] Optionally, capability information further includes a physical layer packet extension threshold presence subfield. When the value of the physical layer packet extension threshold presence subfield is 1, the physical layer packet extension threshold information field includes multiple sets of packet extension threshold subfields corresponding to different nominal packet padding values. Alternatively, when the physical layer packet extension threshold information field includes multiple sets of packet extension threshold subfields corresponding to different nominal packet padding values, the value of the physical layer packet extension threshold presence subfield is 1.

[0171] Capability information may be contained in a physical layer data packet, such as a PPDU, transmitted by the first device to the second device. For example, capability information may be carried in a physical layer capability information field. For further details, please refer to the relevant contents of Figures 7, 8, 9, and 10. Further details will not be described again herein.

[0172] In some embodiments, the design of the physical layer packet extension threshold field may be the same as the design of the physical layer packet extension threshold field in 802.11 be. For example, the physical layer packet extension threshold field includes a RU index bitmask subfield, an NSS subfield, and a physical layer packet extension threshold information field, the physical layer packet extension threshold information field includes multiple sets of packet extension threshold subfields corresponding to different nominal packet padding values. For example, the physical layer packet extension threshold information field includes a first set of packet extension threshold subfields corresponding to a first nominal packet padding value and a second set of packet extension threshold subfields corresponding to a second nominal packet padding value. Optionally, the first nominal packet padding value may be 8 μs, and the second nominal packet padding value may be 16 μs or 20 μs. In this case, the first set of packet extension threshold subfields may be PPET8 NSTSn RUb subfields, and the second set of packet extension threshold subfields may be PPETmax NSTSn RUb subfields. In other words, the physical layer packet extension threshold information field includes the PPET8 NSTSn RUb subfields and the PPETmax NSTSn RUb subfields. For details, please refer to the relevant content in Figure 10. Further details will not be explained again in this specification.

[0173] In Method 1300, each set of the packet expansion threshold subfields represents a modulation threshold corresponding to an NSS of n and a RU / MRU corresponding to sequence number b, which is used by the second device to determine a nominal packet padding value used to send physical layer data packets to the first device. The nominal packet padding value is for the first device supporting the second device, with respect to the use of at least two modulation schemes when the configured NSS is n and the RU / MRU corresponds to sequence number b. The range of values ​​for n is a subset of [N1,...,N2], where N1 and N2 are both integers greater than or equal to 1, and the range of values ​​for b is a subset of [M1,...,M2], where M1 and M2 are both integers greater than or equal to 0.

[0174] When the first device supports the second device, regarding the use of at least two modulation schemes, one or more of the following may be specified: the relationship between the NSS corresponding to the modulation threshold indicated by each set of packet expansion threshold subfields and the NSS configured for the second device; the relationship between the RU / MRU corresponding to the modulation threshold indicated by each set of packet expansion threshold subfields and the RU / MRU configured for the second device; or the result of a comparison between the modulation threshold indicated by each set of packet expansion threshold subfields and the constellation index, thereby allowing the second device to determine the nominal packet padding value indicated by the first device based on multiple sets of packet expansion threshold subfields corresponding to multiple nominal packet padding values.

[0175] To facilitate understanding, the following explanation will use specific examples.

[0176] Example 1: When a second device is configured to use at least two modulation schemes, the nominal packet padding value is determined by default based on a comparison between the constellation index corresponding to the second modulation scheme and the modulation thresholds indicated by each set of packet extension threshold subfields. The constellation index of the second modulation scheme may be the sum of the constellation index corresponding to the highest-order modulation scheme among the at least two modulation schemes (e.g., referred to as the first modulation scheme) and the first value. For example, the second device may determine the nominal packet padding value based on a comparison between the constellation index corresponding to the second modulation scheme and the modulation thresholds indicated by the PPET8 NSTSn RUb subfields, and a comparison between the constellation index corresponding to the second modulation scheme and the modulation thresholds indicated by the PPETmax NSTSn RUb subfields. For further details, see the relevant contents of Table 5 or Table 7.

[0177] For ease of understanding, Figure 14 illustrates the principle for determining the nominal packet padding value. In Figure 14, each dot corresponds to one NSS and one RU / MRU. The first modulation scheme is the highest-order modulation scheme among at least two modulation schemes configured for the second device. The constellation index corresponding to the second modulation scheme is the sum of the constellation index corresponding to the first modulation scheme and the first value. In addition, if the first value is a positive number, and the dot in the second row, third column of Figure 14 is used as an example, and the constellation index corresponding to the first modulation scheme is greater than A1 and less than A2, and the nominal packet padding value is determined based on the results of comparisons between the constellation index corresponding to the first modulation scheme and A1 and between the constellation index corresponding to the first modulation scheme and A2, then the nominal packet padding value is 8 μs. However, in this embodiment of the present application, the nominal packet padding value is determined based on the results of a comparison between the constellation index corresponding to the second modulation scheme and A1, and a comparison between the constellation index corresponding to the second modulation scheme and A2. In this case, the constellation index corresponding to the second modulation scheme is greater than A1 and greater than A2, and accordingly, the nominal packet padding value is 16 μs or 20 μs.

[0178] The first value is not equal to 0, and it can be understood that in this embodiment of the present application, the specific value of the first value is not limited. As described above, the second device transmits the PPDU to the first device by using at least two modulation schemes, which increases the complexity of processing. In this case, a constellation index threshold corresponding to a larger nominal packet padding value may be selected. In other words, the first value is a negative number. For example, the first value may be -1, -2, or -3. The second device transmits the PPDU to the first device by using at least two modulation schemes. In this case, the number of bits processed per unit time is reduced, thereby allowing the first device to receive the PPDU from the second device more quickly. In this case, a constellation index threshold corresponding to a smaller nominal packet padding value may be selected. In other words, the first value is a positive number. For example, the first value may be 1, 2, or 3.

[0179] Example 2: In a set of packet extension threshold subfields, the modulation threshold corresponding to NSS being n and RU / MRU corresponding to sequence number b is the modulation threshold corresponding to NSS being n and RU / MRU corresponding to sequence number b', where b' is the sum of by and a second value, and the second value is not equal to 0.

[0180] Accordingly, if the NSS configured for the second device is n, the sequence number corresponding to the RU / MRU is b, and the PPDU is transmitted to the first device using at least two modulation schemes, the second device may determine the nominal packet padding value based on the result of comparing the constellation index corresponding to one of the at least two modulation schemes (e.g., referred to as the second modulation scheme) with the modulation threshold corresponding to the NSS being n and the RU / MRU corresponding to sequence number b'. The examples in Table 7 are still used. The second device may determine the nominal packet padding value based on the result of comparing the constellation index corresponding to the second modulation scheme with the modulation threshold indicated by the PPET8 NSTSn RUb subfields, and the result of comparing the constellation index corresponding to the second modulation scheme with the modulation threshold indicated by the PPETmax NSTSn RUb subfields. The modulation threshold indicated by the PPET8 NSTSn RUb subfields is the modulation threshold corresponding to the NSS being n and the RU corresponding to sequence number b'. The modulation thresholds indicated by the PPETmax NSTSn RUb subfields are those corresponding to the case where NSS is n and RU corresponds to sequence number b'. For further details, please refer to the relevant contents of Table 5 or Table 7. Further details will not be explained again herein.

[0181] For ease of understanding, Figure 15 illustrates the principle for determining the nominal packet padding value. Each dot in Figure 15 corresponds to one NSS and one RU / MRU. The starting sequence number of the RU on the x-axis shown in Figure 15 may start from 0 or from 1. For example, the starting sequence number of the RU on the x-axis shown in Figure 15 starts from 0, and the dot in the second row and second column is used as an example. RU 1 is an RU configured by a second device, and the sequence number of RU 1 is 1. If the second value is 1, the second device may determine the nominal packet padding value based on the modulation threshold corresponding to the NSS being n and the RU corresponding to sequence number 2. As shown in Figure 15, if the second device determines the nominal packet padding value based on the result of a comparison between the constellation index corresponding to the second modulation scheme and the threshold indicated by the PPET8 NSTSn RUb subfield, and the result of a comparison between the constellation index corresponding to the second modulation scheme and the threshold indicated by the PPETmax NSTSn RUb subfield, then the determined nominal packet padding value is 8 μs. However, in this embodiment of the present application, based on Example 2, the second device determines the nominal packet padding value based on the result of a comparison between the constellation index corresponding to the second modulation scheme and the modulation threshold indicated by the PPET8 NSTSn RUb' subfields, and the result of a comparison between the constellation index corresponding to the second modulation scheme and the modulation threshold indicated by the PPETmax NSTSn RUb' subfields, wherein the constellation index corresponding to the second modulation scheme is greater than A1 and greater than A2, and accordingly, the nominal packet padding value is 16 μs or 20 μs.

[0182] It should be noted that the second modulation scheme in Example 2 may be the highest-order modulation scheme among at least two modulation schemes, or the lowest-order modulation scheme among at least two modulation schemes. As with the first value, the specific value of the second value is not limited to this embodiment of the present application. For example, the second value may be a positive number, e.g., 1, 2, or 3. Alternatively, the second value may be a negative number, e.g., -1, -2, or -3.

[0183] Example 3: In a set of packet extension threshold subfields, the modulation threshold corresponding to NSS being n and RU / MRU corresponding to sequence number b is the modulation threshold corresponding to NSS being n' and RU / MRU corresponding to sequence number b, where n' is the sum of n and a third value, and the third value is not equal to 0.

[0184] Accordingly, if the NSS configured for the second device is n, the sequence number corresponding to the RU / MRU is b, and the PPDU is transmitted to the first device using at least two modulation schemes, the second device may determine the nominal packet padding value based on the result of comparing the constellation index corresponding to one of the at least two modulation schemes (e.g., referred to as the second modulation scheme) with the modulation threshold corresponding to the NSS being n' and the RU / MRU corresponding to sequence number b. The example in Table 7 is still used. The second device may determine the nominal packet padding value based on the result of comparing the constellation index corresponding to the second modulation scheme with the modulation threshold indicated by the PPET8 NSTSn RUb subfields, and the result of comparing the constellation index corresponding to the second modulation scheme with the modulation threshold indicated by the PPETmax NSTSn RUb subfields. The modulation threshold indicated by the PPET8 NSTSn RUb subfields is the modulation threshold corresponding to the NSS being n' and the RU corresponding to sequence number b. The modulation thresholds indicated by the PPETmax NSTSn RUb subfields are those corresponding to the case where NSS is n' and RU corresponds to sequence number b. For details, please refer to the relevant information in Table 5 or Table 7.

[0185] For ease of understanding, Figure 16 illustrates the principle for determining the nominal packet padding value. Each dot in Figure 16 corresponds to one NSS and one RU / MRU. The starting sequence number of the RU on the x-axis shown in Figure 16 may start from 0 or from 1. For example, the starting sequence number of the RU on the x-axis shown in Figure 16 starts from 0, and the dot in the second row, second column is used as an example. RU 1 is an RU configured by the second device, the sequence number of RU 1 is 1, and the NSS configured for the second device is the number of streams indicated by the second row, for example, n. If the sum of n and a third value is n', the second device may determine the nominal packet padding value based on the modulation threshold corresponding to the NSS being n' and the RU corresponding to sequence number 1. As shown in Figure 16, if the second device determines the nominal packet padding value based on the result of a comparison between the constellation index corresponding to the second modulation scheme and the threshold indicated by the PPET8 NSTSn RUb subfields, and the result of a comparison between the constellation index corresponding to the second modulation scheme and the threshold indicated by the PPETmax NSTSn RUb subfields, then the determined nominal packet padding value is 8 μs. However, in this embodiment of the present application, based on Example 3, the second device determines the nominal packet padding value based on the result of a comparison between the constellation index corresponding to the second modulation scheme and the modulation threshold indicated by the PPET8 NSTSn' RUb subfields, and the result of a comparison between the constellation index corresponding to the second modulation scheme and the modulation threshold indicated by the PPETmax NSTSn' RUb subfields, wherein the constellation index corresponding to the second modulation scheme is greater than A1 and greater than A2, and accordingly, the nominal packet padding value is 16 μs or 20 μs.

[0186] It should be noted that the second modulation scheme in Example 3 may be the highest-order modulation scheme among at least two modulation schemes, or the lowest-order modulation scheme among at least two modulation schemes. As with the first value, the specific value of the third value is not limited to this embodiment of the present application. For example, the third value may be a positive number, e.g., 1, 2, or 3. Alternatively, the third value may be a negative number, e.g., -1, -2, or -3.

[0187] Example 4: When the second device uses at least two modulation schemes, the nominal packet padding value corresponding to the PPETmax NSTSn RUb subfields is 20 μs or greater by default.

[0188] Multiple examples from Examples 1 to 4 may be combined with each other. For example, Example 2 is combined with Example 3. In the set of packet extension threshold subfields, the modulation threshold corresponding to NSS being n and RU / MRU corresponding to sequence number b is the modulation threshold corresponding to NSS being n' and RU / MRU corresponding to sequence number b', where b' is the sum of b and a second value, and n' is the sum of n and a third value.

[0189] S1302: The second device determines the nominal packet padding value based on the physical layer packet extension threshold information field, the configured frequency domain resources and spatial streams, and at least two modulation schemes used.

[0190] The second device may compare the configured frequency domain resources and spatial streams with the constellation index corresponding to one of the at least two modulation schemes used, and the modulation thresholds indicated by multiple packet expansion threshold subfields included in the physical layer packet expansion threshold information field, and determine the corresponding nominal packet padding value based on the result of the comparison. For specific methods of determining the nominal packet padding value by the second device, please refer to the relevant contents in Examples 1 to 4 in S1301. Further details will not be described herein again.

[0191] S1303: The second device determines the duration of the PE field contained in the PPDU sent to the first device based on the nominal packet padding value.

[0192] After determining the nominal packet padding value, the second device determines the duration of the PE field contained in the PPDU sent to the first device based on the nominal packet padding value. The duration of the PE field allows the first device sufficient time to parse the PPDU received from the second device. For details on how the second device determines the duration of the PE field based on the nominal packet padding value, please refer to the relevant contents of Table 1 and Figure 3. Further details will not be described again in this specification.

[0193] Method 1300 demonstrates that the design of the physical layer packet extension threshold field in 802.11 is still used to indicate a nominal packet padding value that must be used when a second device transmits a PPDU to a first device using at least two modulation schemes. According to Method 1300, when a second device transmits a PPDU to a first device using at least two modulation schemes, the duration of the PE field contained in the PPDU is determined, allowing the first device to have sufficient time to parse the PPDU received from the second device.

[0194] It can be understood that the physical layer packet extension threshold field in Method 1300 may also indicate the corresponding nominal packet padding value used when the first device supports one modulation scheme. In possible implementations, the number of bits occupied by the physical layer packet extension threshold field does not need to be increased to reduce overhead. In this case, the second device may determine the meaning of the physical layer packet extension threshold field based on one or at least two modulation schemes used. Alternatively, the extra bit information may indicate that the meaning of the physical layer packet extension threshold field corresponds to one or at least two modulation schemes.

[0195] In a possible alternative solution to Method 1300, the corresponding modulation threshold may be given for each spatial stream. In this case, the second device can determine the nominal packet padding value to be used based on the modulation threshold corresponding to each spatial stream. Accordingly, Figure 17 shows a third solution according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0196] Method 1700, shown in Figure 17, is applicable to the scenario shown in Figure 1. For example, the first device may be Station 1 in Figure 1, and the second device may be AP in Figure 1. In Method 1700, the first device indicates a nominal packet padding value that must be used by the second device to transmit the PPDU to the first device by using at least two modulation schemes, based on the Physical Layer Packet Expansion Threshold Presence subfield and the Physical Layer Packet Expansion Threshold Field in the PPDU. In Method 1700, each set of Packet Expansion Threshold subfields may be expanded based on the number of spatial streams. For example, each set of Packet Expansion Threshold subfields may include multiple subfields, one of which may indicate a modulation threshold corresponding to one of n spatial-time streams, where NSS is n and RU corresponds to sequence number b. For example, the set of Packet Expansion Threshold subfields may include a first subfield and a second subfield. The first subfield may indicate a first modulation threshold corresponding to a first space-time stream among n space-time streams, where NSS is n and RU corresponds to sequence number b, and the first modulation threshold is used by the second device to determine the corresponding nominal packet padding value used when transmitting a PPDU over the first space-time stream to the first device using the first modulation scheme. Similarly, the second subfield may indicate a second modulation threshold corresponding to a second space-time stream among n space-time streams, where NSS is n and RU corresponds to sequence number b, and the second modulation threshold is used by the second device to determine the corresponding nominal packet padding value used when transmitting a PPDU over the second space-time stream to the first device using the second modulation scheme. The range of values ​​for n is a subset of [N1,...,N2], where N1 and N2 are both integers greater than or equal to 1, and the range of values ​​for b is a subset of [M1,...,M2], where M1 and M2 are both integers greater than or equal to 0.

[0197] The PPETmax NSSn RUb subfield is used as an example. When the NSS supported by the first device is 4, the structure of the PPETmax NSSn RUb subfield may be shown in Figure 18. In Figure 18, "PPETmax NSS4 RUb SS=i" is one subfield where i=1, 2, 3, 4. When the NSS supported by the first device is 5, the structure of the PPETmax NSSn RUb subfield may be shown in Figure 19. In Figure 19, "PPETmax NSS4 RUb SS=i" is one subfield where i=1, 2, 3, 4, 5.

[0198] Accordingly, Method 1700 includes the following steps:

[0199] S1701: The first device transmits capability information to the second device, and the second device receives capability information, which includes a physical layer packet extension threshold field, the physical layer packet extension threshold field includes an RU index bitmask subfield, an NSS subfield, and a physical layer packet extension threshold information field, the physical layer packet extension threshold information field includes multiple sets of packet extension threshold subfields corresponding to different nominal packet padding values. Each set of packet extension threshold subfields includes a first subfield, the first subfield may indicate a first modulation threshold corresponding to a first space-time stream in n space-time streams, where the NSS is n and the RU corresponds to sequence number b, the first modulation threshold is used by the second device to determine the corresponding nominal packet padding value used when transmitting a PPDU over the first space-time stream to the first device using a first modulation scheme.

[0200] Each set of packet expansion threshold subfields further includes a second subfield which may indicate a second modulation threshold corresponding to a second space-time stream in n space-time streams, when the NSS is n and the RU corresponds to sequence number b, the second modulation threshold is used by the second device to determine the corresponding nominal packet padding value used when transmitting a PPDU over the second space-time stream to the first device by using the second modulation scheme.

[0201] Capability information may be contained in a physical layer data packet, such as a PPDU, transmitted by a first device to a second device. For example, capability information may be carried in a physical layer capability information field. For further details, see the relevant contents of Figures 7, 8, 9, and 10. Details will not be described again herein. Optionally, capability information further includes a physical layer packet extension threshold presence subfield. When the value of the physical layer packet extension threshold presence subfield is 1, the physical layer packet extension threshold information field includes multiple sets of packet extension threshold subfields corresponding to different nominal packet padding values. Alternatively, when the physical layer packet extension threshold information field includes multiple sets of packet extension threshold subfields corresponding to different nominal packet padding values, the value of the physical layer packet extension threshold presence subfield is 1.

[0202] S1702: The second device determines the nominal packet padding value based on the physical layer packet extension threshold information field, the configured frequency domain resources and spatial streams, and at least two modulation schemes used.

[0203] For any space-time stream where NSS is n and RU corresponds to sequence number b, the corresponding nominal packet padding value may be determined based on the constellation index corresponding to the modulation scheme used for each space-time stream and the modulation threshold corresponding to the space-time stream. After determining the nominal packet padding values ​​corresponding to each of the n space streams, the second device determines the nominal packet padding value that needs to be used to send the PPDU to the first device, based on the nominal packet padding values ​​corresponding to each of the n space streams. For example, the nominal packet padding value used by the second device is the largest nominal packet padding value among the nominal packet padding values ​​used on each of the n space-time streams, when NSS is n and RU corresponds to sequence number b.

[0204] For the method of determining the nominal packet padding value for any spatial-time stream, please refer to Table 5 or Table 7. Further details will not be explained again in this specification.

[0205] For ease of understanding, Figure 20 illustrates the principle for determining the nominal packet padding value. Each dot in Figure 20 corresponds to one spatial stream number and one RU / MRU. Three spatial streams are used as an example in Figure 20. The RU configured for the second device is RU 1, and the sequence number corresponding to the RU is b. The second device transmits PPDUs to the first device on the first spatial stream using the first modulation scheme, on the second spatial stream using the second modulation scheme, and on the third spatial stream using the first modulation scheme. As shown in Figure 20, the second device determines the nominal packet padding value for the first spatial stream based on the results of a comparison between the constellation index corresponding to the first modulation scheme and the modulation threshold indicated by the PPET8 NSTSn RUb subfields, and a comparison between the constellation index corresponding to the first modulation scheme and the modulation threshold indicated by the PPETmax NSTSn RUb subfields. Accordingly, the constellation index corresponding to the first modulation scheme is greater than A1 and less than A2. In this case, the nominal packet padding value is 8 μs. The second device determines the nominal packet padding value for the second spatial stream based on the results of a comparison between the constellation index corresponding to the second modulation scheme and the modulation threshold indicated by the PPET8 NSTSn RUb subfields, and a comparison between the constellation index corresponding to the second modulation scheme and the modulation threshold indicated by the PPETmax NSTSn RUb subfields. Accordingly, the constellation index corresponding to the second modulation scheme is greater than A1 and less than A2. In this case, the nominal packet padding value is 8 μs.The second device determines the nominal packet padding value for the third spatial stream based on the results of a comparison between the constellation index corresponding to the first modulation scheme and the modulation threshold indicated by the PPET8 NSTSn RUb subfields, and a comparison between the constellation index corresponding to the first modulation scheme and the modulation threshold indicated by the PPETmax NSTSn RUb subfields, and accordingly, the constellation index corresponding to the third modulation scheme is greater than A2. In this case, the nominal packet padding value is 16 μs or 20 μs. Finally, the second device may determine the maximum nominal packet padding value corresponding to the first to third spatial streams as the nominal packet padding value that needs to be used, i.e., 16 μs or 20 μs.

[0206] S1703: The second device determines the duration of the PE field contained in the PPDU sent to the first device based on the nominal packet padding value.

[0207] After determining the nominal packet padding value, the second device determines the duration of the PE field contained in the PPDU sent to the first device based on the nominal packet padding value. The duration of the PE field allows the first device sufficient time to parse the PPDU received from the second device. For details on how the second device determines the duration of the PE field based on the nominal packet padding value, please refer to the relevant contents of Table 1 and Figure 3. Further details will not be described again in this specification.

[0208] In some embodiments, the first device supports the second device in using at least two modulation schemes on at least one RU / MRU. For example, the RU / MRU contains i subcarrier sets, where i is 2 or greater. The second device uses at least two modulation schemes for the i subcarrier sets. In this case, the corresponding modulation threshold may be specified separately for each subcarrier set, and the second device may determine the nominal packet padding value to be used based on the modulation thresholds corresponding to each of the subcarrier sets. Accordingly, Figure 21 shows a fourth solution according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0209] Method 2100, shown in Figure 21, is applicable to the scenario shown in Figure 1. For example, the first device may be Station 1 in Figure 1, and the second device may be AP in Figure 1. In Method 2100, the first device indirectly indicates the nominal packet padding value that the second device must use to transmit physical layer data packets to the first device by using at least two modulation schemes, based on the physical layer packet expansion threshold presence subfield and the physical layer packet expansion threshold field in the PPDU. Method 2100 includes the following steps:

[0210] S2101: The first device transmits capability information to the second device, and the second device receives capability information, which includes a physical layer packet extension threshold field, the physical layer packet extension threshold field includes a RU index bitmask subfield, an NSS subfield, and a physical layer packet extension threshold information field, the physical layer packet extension threshold information field includes multiple sets of packet extension threshold subfields corresponding to different nominal packet padding values. Each set of packet extension threshold subfields includes a first subfield, the first subfield indicating a first modulation threshold corresponding to a first subcarrier set in a frequency domain resource when the NSS is n and the frequency domain resource corresponds to sequence number b, the first modulation threshold is used by the second device to determine the nominal packet padding value used when transmitting a PPDU on the first subcarrier set to the first device using a first modulation scheme.

[0211] Optionally, capability information further includes a physical layer packet extension threshold presence subfield. When the value of the physical layer packet extension threshold presence subfield is 1, the physical layer packet extension threshold information field includes multiple sets of packet extension threshold subfields corresponding to different nominal packet padding values. Alternatively, when the physical layer packet extension threshold information field includes multiple sets of packet extension threshold subfields corresponding to different nominal packet padding values, the value of the physical layer packet extension threshold presence subfield is 1.

[0212] The difference between S2101 and S1701 lies in the fact that each set of packet expansion threshold subfields can be expanded based on a subcarrier set. For example, each set of packet expansion threshold subfields may include multiple subfields, one of which may indicate a modulation threshold corresponding to one subcarrier set within a RU / MRU, given that the NSS is n and the RU / MRU corresponds to sequence number b. For example, a set of packet expansion threshold subfields may include a first subfield and a second subfield. The first subfield may indicate a first modulation threshold corresponding to a first subcarrier set within a RU / MRU, given that the NSS is n and the RU / MRU corresponds to sequence number b, and the first modulation threshold is used by a second device to determine the corresponding nominal packet padding value used when transmitting a PPDU over the first subcarrier set to a first device using a first modulation scheme. Similarly, the second subfield may indicate a second modulation threshold corresponding to a second subcarrier set within the RU / MRU, where NSS is n and RU / MRU corresponds to sequence number b, and the second modulation threshold is used by the second device to determine the corresponding nominal packet padding value used when transmitting the PPDU to the first device on the second subcarrier set by using the second modulation scheme.

[0213] The PPETmax NSSn RUb subfields are used as an example. When the MRU used by the second device is 484 + 996, the MRU includes RU A and RU B. When 64 QAMs are used on RU A and 16 QAMs are used on RU B, the structure of the PPETmax NSSn RUb subfield may be shown in Figure 22.

[0214] S2102: The second device determines the nominal packet padding value based on the physical layer packet expansion threshold field, the configured frequency domain resources and spatial streams, and at least two modulation schemes used.

[0215] The nominal packet padding value corresponding to a subcarrier set may be determined based on the modulation threshold corresponding to the RU containing the subcarrier set. See Table 5 or Table 7 for specific determination methods. Further details are not provided herein. In possible implementations, a new RU allocation index may be introduced to indicate RUs containing subcarrier sets. Alternatively, the RU allocation index defined in Table 6 may be reused, along with the extra bits, to indicate RUs containing subcarrier sets. The extra bits may be used to distinguish whether the indicated RU is a Table 6 RU or a RU containing a subcarrier set.

[0216] For i subcarrier sets included in the configured frequency domain resource, the second device may determine the corresponding nominal packet padding value based on the constellation index corresponding to the modulation scheme used on each of the i subcarrier sets and the modulation threshold corresponding to the space-time stream. After determining the nominal packet padding value corresponding to each of the i subcarrier sets, the second device determines the nominal packet padding value that needs to be used to transmit the PPDU to the first device, based on the nominal packet padding values ​​corresponding to each of the i subcarrier sets. For example, the nominal packet padding value used by the second device is the largest nominal packet padding value among the nominal packet padding values ​​used on each of the i subcarrier sets, when the NSS is n and the RU corresponds to sequence number b.

[0217] To facilitate understanding, Figure 23 illustrates the principle for determining the nominal packet padding value. Each dot in Figure 23 corresponds to one spatial stream number and one RU / MRU. In Figure 23, an example is used where RU 1 is the RU configured for the second device, b is the sequence number corresponding to the RU, and RU 1 contains three subcarrier sets (i.e., subcarrier set 1 to subcarrier set 3).

[0218] The second device uses the first modulation scheme on subcarrier set 1, the first modulation scheme on subcarrier set 2, and the second modulation scheme on subcarrier set 3. As shown in Figure 23, the second device determines the nominal packet padding value for subcarrier set 1 based on the results of a comparison between the constellation index corresponding to the first modulation scheme and the modulation threshold indicated by the PPET8 NSTSn RUb subfields, and a comparison between the constellation index corresponding to the first modulation scheme and the modulation threshold indicated by the PPET16 NSTSn RUb subfields. Accordingly, the constellation index corresponding to the first modulation scheme is greater than A1 and less than A2. In this case, the nominal packet padding value is 8 μs. The second device determines the nominal packet padding value for subcarrier set 2 based on the results of a comparison between the constellation index corresponding to the second modulation scheme and the modulation threshold indicated by the PPET8 NSTSn RUb subfields, and a comparison between the constellation index corresponding to the second modulation scheme and the modulation threshold indicated by the PPETmax NSTSn RUb subfields, and accordingly, the constellation index corresponding to the first modulation scheme is less than A1. In this case, the nominal packet padding value is 0 μs. The second device determines the nominal packet padding value for subcarrier set 3 based on the results of a comparison between the constellation index corresponding to the first modulation scheme and the modulation threshold indicated by the PPET8 NSTSn RUb subfields, and a comparison between the constellation index corresponding to the first modulation scheme and the modulation threshold indicated by the PPETmax NSTSn RUb subfields, and accordingly, the constellation index corresponding to the first modulation scheme is greater than A2. In this case, the nominal packet padding value is 16 μs or 20 μs.Finally, the second device may determine the maximum nominal packet padding value corresponding to subcarrier sets 1 through 3 as the nominal packet padding value that needs to be used, i.e., 16 μs or 20 μs.

[0219] S2103: The second device determines the duration of the PE field contained in the PPDU sent to the first device based on the nominal packet padding value.

[0220] After determining the nominal packet padding value, the second device determines the duration of the PE field contained in the PPDU sent to the first device based on the nominal packet padding value. The duration of the PE field allows the first device sufficient time to parse the PPDU received from the second device. For details on how the second device determines the duration of the PE field based on the nominal packet padding value, please refer to the relevant contents of Table 1 and Figure 3. Further details will not be described again in this specification.

[0221] If the first device supports the second device in transmitting a PPDU to the first device by using multiple modulation schemes, the above embodiments provide a total of four solutions, namely Method 1200, Method 1300, Method 1700, and Method 2100. Based on any one of the four solutions, the first device may indicate to the second device a nominal packet padding value to be used by the second device to transmit a PPDU to the first device by using multiple modulation schemes. Based on the instructions of the first device, the second device determines the nominal packet padding value to be used and further determines the duration of the PE field contained in the transmitted PPDU. The duration of the PE field allows the first device to have sufficient time to parse the PPDU received from the second device.

[0222] In embodiments of this application, “system” and “network” may be used interchangeably. “Multiple” means two or more. With this in mind, “multiple” may also be understood as “at least two” in embodiments of this application. “At least one” may be one or more; for example, “at least one” could be one, two, or more. For example, “including at least one” means including one, two, or more, and is not limited to which one or more are included. For example, if “including at least one of A, B, and C” could include A, B, C, A and B, A and C, B and C, or A, B and C. Similarly, the understanding of descriptions such as “at least one” is the same. “At least one of the following items” or similar expressions refer to any combination of these items, including any single item or any combination of multiple items. For example, “at least one of A, B, and C” includes A, B, C, AB, AC, BC, or ABC. The term "and / or" describes a relationship between related objects, indicating that there are three possible relationships. For example, A and / or B could represent three cases: A exists alone, both A and B exist, or B exists alone. Furthermore, the letter " / " usually indicates an "or" relationship between related objects unless otherwise specified.

[0223] Unless otherwise specified, ordinal numbers such as "first" and "second" as used in the embodiments of this application are used to distinguish between multiple subjects and are not used to limit the order, chronological order, priority, or importance of the multiple subjects. Furthermore, the use of "first" and "second" does not necessarily imply that the subjects are different. For example, "first modulation scheme" and "second modulation scheme" indicate that two modulation schemes exist, but do not limit the priority or importance of the two modulation schemes.

[0224] In the embodiments provided herein, the methods provided in the embodiments are described in terms of the interaction between a first device and a second device. To implement the functions in the methods provided in the embodiments of this application, the first and second devices include hardware structures and / or software modules, and the functions may be implemented in the form of hardware structures, software modules, or combinations of hardware structures and software modules. Whether the functions in the functions are performed by using hardware structures, software modules, or combinations of hardware structures and software modules depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution.

[0225] Figure 24 is a block diagram of a communication device 2400 according to one embodiment of the present invention. The communication device 2400 may implement functions or steps implemented by the first or second device in the embodiments of the method described above. The communication device 2400 may include a functional unit configured to perform the method performed by the first or second device in Figures 12, 13, 17, or 21. For example, the communication device 2400 may include a processing module 2410 and a transceiver module 2420. Optionally, a storage unit may be further included. The storage unit may be configured to store instructions (code or program) and / or data. The processing module 2410 and the transceiver module 2420 may be coupled to the storage unit. For example, the processing module 2410 may read instructions (code or program) and / or data from the storage unit to perform the corresponding method. The aforementioned units may be arranged independently, or they may be partially or fully integrated.

[0226] The processing module 2410 may be a processor or controller, for example, a central processing unit (CPU), a digital signal processor (DSP), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field programmable gate array (FPGA), or other programmable logic components, transistor logic components, hardware components, or any combination thereof. The processor may implement or run various exemplary logic blocks, modules, and circuits as described with reference to what is disclosed herein. Alternatively, the processor may be a combination of processors that implement computing functions, for example, a combination of one or more microprocessors, or a combination of a DSP and a microprocessor. The transceiver module 2420 is an interface circuit of the device and is configured to receive signals from other devices. For example, if the device is implemented in a chip manner, the transceiver module 2420 may be an input / output interface, pins, interface circuit, etc., for exchanging signals between the chip and other chips or devices.

[0227] In possible designs, when the communication device 2400 implements a function or step implemented by the first device in an embodiment of the method described above, the communication device 2400 may be the first device in an embodiment of the method described above, or a chip or functional module configured to implement the functions of the first device in an embodiment of the method described above. The processing module 2410 is configured to perform processing-related operations of the first device in an embodiment of the method described above, for example, to generate capability information. The transceiver module 2420 is configured to perform receiving and transmitting-related operations of the first device in an embodiment of the method described above, for example, S1201, S1301, S1701, or S2101. The specific processes by which each functional module included in the communication device 2400 performs the corresponding steps described above are described in an embodiment of the method described above. Further details are not described again herein.

[0228] In possible designs, when the communication device 2400 implements a function or step implemented by the second device in an embodiment of the method described above, the communication device 2400 may be the second device in an embodiment of the method described above, or a chip or functional module configured to implement the functions of the second device in an embodiment of the method described above. The processing module 2410 is configured to perform processing-related operations of the second device in an embodiment of the method described above, for example, S1202 and S1203, S1302 and S1303, S1702 and S1703, or S2102 and S2103. The transceiver module 2420 is configured to perform receiving and transmitting-related operations of the second device in an embodiment of the method described above, for example, S1201, S1301, S1701, or S2101. The specific processes by which each functional module included in the communication device 2400 performs the corresponding steps described above are described in an embodiment of the method described above. Further details are not described again herein.

[0229] Figure 25 shows a communication device 2500 according to an embodiment of the present application. The communication device 2500 may be an AP or an STA and may implement the functions of the first or second device in the manner provided in the embodiment of the present application. Alternatively, the communication device 2500 may be a device that can support the first device when implementing the corresponding functions in the manner provided in the embodiment of the present application, or a device that can support the second device when implementing the corresponding functions in the manner provided in the embodiment of the present application. The communication device 2500 may be a chip or a chip system. In this embodiment of the present application, the chip system may include a chip, or include a chip and other individual components.

[0230] The communication device 2500 includes at least one processor 2520 configured to implement or support the communication device 2500 when implementing the functions of the first or second device in the method provided in the embodiments of the present application, for example, when determining the aforementioned capability information or when determining nominal packet padding values. The communication device 2500 may further include at least one memory 2530 configured to store program instructions and / or data. The memory 2530 is coupled to the processor 2520. The coupling in this embodiment of the present application may be an indirect coupling or communication connection between devices, units, or modules in an electrical, mechanical, or other form, and is used for information exchange between devices, units, or modules. The processor 2520 may operate together with the memory 2530. The processor 2520 may execute program instructions and / or data stored in the memory 2530, thereby enabling the communication device 2500 to implement the corresponding method. At least one of the at least one memory may be located within the processor.

[0231] The communication device 2500 may further include a transceiver 2510 configured to communicate with other devices via a transmission medium, so that the device used in the communication device 2500 can communicate with other devices. For example, if the communication device is an AP, the other device is an STA, or if the communication device is an STA, the other device is an AP. The processor 2520 may transmit or receive data via the transceiver 2510. The transceiver 2510 may be referred to as a transceiver device, transceiver circuit, input / output interface, etc., and is configured to implement the transceiver function of the communication device 2500 via an antenna. The transceiver 2510 may further include a radio frequency unit. The radio frequency unit may be independent of the communication device 2500 or integrated into the communication device 2500. Indeed, the transceiver 2510 may further include an antenna, for example, a remote antenna independent of the communication device 2500, or an antenna integrated into the communication device 2500. In hardware implementation, the transceiver module 2420 may be transceiver 2510.

[0232] The specific connecting medium between the transceiver 2510, the processor 2520, and the memory 2530 is not limited to the embodiments of this application. In the embodiments of this application, the memory 2530, the processor 2520, and the transceiver 2510 are connected via a bus 2540 in Figure 25. In Figure 25, the bus is represented by a thick line. The methods of connecting other components are merely illustrative examples and are not limited thereto. Buses may be classified as address buses, data buses, control buses, etc. For ease of representation, only one thick line is used for representation in Figure 25, but this does not mean that only one bus or only one type of bus exists.

[0233] In embodiments of the present application, the processor 2520 may be a general-purpose processor, a digital signal processor, an application-specific integrated circuit, a field-programmable gate array or other programmable logic device, a discrete gate or transistor logic device, or a discrete hardware component, which may implement or perform the methods, steps, and logic block diagrams disclosed in embodiments of the present application. The general-purpose processor may be a microprocessor or any conventional processor, etc. The steps of the methods disclosed with reference to embodiments of the present application may be performed directly by the hardware processor or by using a combination of hardware and software modules within the processor.

[0234] In embodiments of the present application, the memory 2530 may be non-volatile memory such as a hard disk drive (HDD) or solid-state drive (SSD), or volatile memory such as random access memory (RAM). The memory may be, but is not limited to, any other medium that can carry or store expected program code in the form of instructions or data structures and can be accessed by a computer. The memory in embodiments of the present application may also be a circuit or any other device that can implement a storage function and is configured to store program instructions and / or data.

[0235] It should be noted that the communication device in the above-described embodiment may be an AP, STA, circuit, chip used in the AP or STA, or other combination of components having the functionality of an AP or STA. In possible product forms, the AP or STA described in the embodiments of this application may be further implemented using the following components, namely one or more FPGAs, PLDs, controllers, state machines, gate logic, discrete hardware components, any other suitable circuit, or any combination of circuits capable of performing the various functions described herein.

[0236] The first device in the embodiments of this application may be an AP or an STA. The second device may be an AP or an STA. It should be understood that APs in various product forms may have any of the functions of APs in the embodiments of the method described above. Further details are not described herein. STAs in various forms may have any of the functions of STAs in the embodiments of the method described above. Further details are not described herein.

[0237] One embodiment of the present application further provides a communication system. Specifically, the communication system may include a second device and a first device, or may further include more first and second devices. For example, the communication system includes a second device and a first device configured to implement the relevant functions shown in Figures 12, 13, 17, or 21.

[0238] One embodiment of the present invention further provides a computer-readable storage medium containing instructions. When the instructions are executed on a computer, the computer can perform the actions performed by the first or second device in Figures 12, 13, 17, or 21.

[0239] One embodiment of the present invention further provides a computer program product including computer program code. When the computer program code is executed on a computer, the computer is able to perform the methods performed by the first or second device in Figures 12, 13, 17, or 21.

[0240] One embodiment of the present application provides a chip system, which includes a processor and may further include memory, and is configured to implement the functions of the first or second device in the method described above. The chip system may include a chip, or may include a chip and other separate components.

[0241] One embodiment of the present invention further provides a communication device including a processor and an interface. The processor is configured to perform one or more embodiments of the methods described above. Alternatively, the processor is configured to perform a capability instruction method or capability determination method in one or more embodiments of the methods described above.

[0242] It should be understood that communication devices can be chips. Processors may be implemented in hardware or in software. When a processor is implemented in hardware, it may be a logic circuit, integrated circuit, etc. When a processor is implemented in software, it may be a general-purpose processor. General-purpose processors are implemented by reading software code stored in memory. Memory may be integrated into the processor or may be located outside the processor and exist independently.

[0243] All or part of the methods in the embodiments of this application may be implemented using software, hardware, firmware, or any combination thereof. When software is used to implement an embodiment, all or part of the embodiment may be implemented in the form of a computer program product. A computer program product includes one or more computer instructions. When a computer program instruction is loaded onto a computer and executed, the procedure or function according to an embodiment of the present invention is generated, either whole or in part. The computer may be a general-purpose computer, a dedicated computer, a computer network, a network device, user equipment, or other programmable device. Computer instructions may be stored on a computer-readable storage medium or transmitted from one computer-readable storage medium to another computer-readable storage medium. For example, computer instructions may be transmitted from one website, computer, server, or data center to another website, computer, server, or data center by wired means (e.g., coaxial cable, optical fiber, or digital subscriber line (DSL)) or wireless means (e.g., infrared, radio, or microwave). Computer-readable storage media may be any available media accessible by a computer, or a data storage device (e.g., 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., digital video discs (DVDs)), semiconductor media (e.g., SSDs), etc.

[0244] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made to the present application without departing from its scope. The present application intends to encompass these modifications and variations, provided that they fall within the scope of protection defined by the following claims and their equivalent art.

Claims

1. A method for indicating capabilities in a wireless local area network, The first device determines capability information, and the first device transmits the capability information to a second device. The capability information includes a nominal packet padding subfield, the nominal packet padding subfield indicating a corresponding nominal packet padding value used when the second device transmits a physical layer protocol data unit (PPDU) to the first device, enabling the second device to determine the duration of the packet extension PE field contained in the PPDU based on the nominal packet padding value, the nominal packet padding value being for all spatial stream number (NSS) and all RU allocations supported by the first device, and for at least two modulation schemes used by the second device on configured frequency domain resources or configured spatial streams. method.

2. A method for determining capabilities in a wireless local area network, A step of receiving capability information from a first device by a second device, wherein the capability information includes a nominal packet padding subfield, the nominal packet padding subfield indicating a corresponding nominal packet padding value used when the second device transmits a physical layer protocol data unit (PPDU) to the first device, the nominal packet padding value being for all spatial stream number (NSS) and all RU allocations supported by the first device, and for at least two modulation schemes used by the second device on a configured frequency domain resource or configured spatial stream; The second device determines the nominal packet padding value based on the configured frequency domain resources and spatial streams, and the at least two modulation schemes used. The second device determines the duration of a packet extension PE field included in the PPDU based on the nominal packet padding value, wherein the duration of the PE field allows the first device to have sufficient time to parse the PPDU received from the second device. method.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the capability information further includes a physical layer packet extension threshold presence subfield, the value of which is 0.

4. The second device determines the nominal packet padding value based on the configured frequency domain resources and spatial streams, and the at least two modulation schemes used, The method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of determining the nominal packet padding value based on the number of spatial streams configured, the frequency domain resources configured, and the highest-order modulation scheme among the at least two modulation schemes, by the second device.

5. The status value of the nominal packet padding subfield is 0, and the nominal packet padding value is 8 microseconds, The status value of the nominal packet padding subfield is 1, and the nominal packet padding value is 16 microseconds, The status value of the nominal packet padding subfield is 2, and the nominal packet padding value is 20 microseconds, or The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the status value of the nominal packet padding subfield is 3, the second device transmits the PPDU to the first device by using the at least two modulation schemes, and the nominal packet padding value is 20 microseconds.

6. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the status value of the nominal packet padding subfield is 3, the constellation index corresponding to the highest-order modulation scheme among the at least two modulation schemes is less than or equal to the constellation index threshold, and one or more of the following conditions are met: the resource unit RU / multi-resource unit MRU allocation size is less than or equal to the size threshold, the size of the RU or MRU corresponding to the highest-order modulation scheme is less than or equal to the size threshold, or the spatial-time stream count NSS is less than or equal to the spatial stream count threshold, in which case the nominal packet padding value is 16 microseconds; otherwise, the nominal packet padding value is 20 microseconds.

7. The method according to claim 6, wherein the constellation index threshold is 5, the size threshold is 2 × 996 tones, and the spatial stream number threshold is 8 or 16.

8. A method for indicating capabilities in a wireless local area network, The first device determines capability information, and the first device transmits the capability information to a second device. The capability information includes a physical layer packet expansion threshold field, the physical layer packet expansion threshold field includes a resource unit RU index bitmask subfield, a space-time stream number NSS subfield, and a physical layer packet expansion threshold information field, the physical layer packet expansion threshold information field includes a plurality of sets of packet expansion threshold subfields corresponding to different nominal packet padding values, each set of packet expansion threshold subfields indicating a modulation threshold corresponding to NSS being n and RU / MRU corresponding to sequence number b, the modulation threshold is used by the second device to determine a nominal packet padding value used to transmit a physical layer protocol data unit PPDU to the first device, the nominal packet padding value is for the first device supporting the second device to use at least two modulation schemes when the configured NSS is n and RU / MRU corresponds to sequence number b, and the range of values ​​for n is [N1, ...]. The range of values ​​for b is a subset of [M1, ..., M2], where N1 and N2 are both integers greater than or equal to 1, and the range of values ​​for b is a subset of [M1, ..., M2], where M1 and M2 are integers greater than or equal to 0. Ability instruction method.

9. A method for determining capabilities in a wireless local area network, The second device receives capability information transmitted by the first device, wherein the capability information includes a physical layer packet expansion threshold field, the physical layer packet expansion threshold field includes a resource unit RU index bitmask subfield, a space-time stream number NSS subfield, and a physical layer packet expansion threshold information field, the physical layer packet expansion threshold information field includes a plurality of sets of packet expansion threshold subfields corresponding to different nominal packet padding values, each set of packet expansion threshold subfields indicating a modulation threshold corresponding to NSS being n and RU / MRU corresponding to sequence number b, the modulation threshold is used by the second device to determine a nominal packet padding value used to transmit a physical layer protocol data unit PPDU to the first device, the nominal packet padding value is for the first device supporting the second device to use at least two modulation schemes when the configured NSS is n and RU / MRU corresponds to sequence number b, and the range of values ​​for n is [N1, ... ] The step is a subset of [M1, ..., M2], where N1 and N2 are both integers greater than or equal to 1, and the range of values ​​for b is a subset of [M1, ..., M2], where M1 and M2 are both integers greater than or equal to 0. The second device determines the nominal packet padding value based on the configured frequency domain resources and spatial streams, and the at least two modulation schemes used. A method comprising the steps of: determining the duration of a packet extension PE field contained in the PPDU based on the nominal packet padding value using the second device, wherein the duration of the PE field allows the first device to have sufficient time to parse the PPDU received from the second device.

10. The method according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the capability information further includes a physical layer packet extension threshold presence subfield, the value of which is 1.

11. Each set of packet extension threshold subfields is as follows: The nominal packet padding value corresponding to the at least two modulation schemes is the nominal packet padding value corresponding to the second modulation scheme, and the constellation index corresponding to the second modulation scheme is the sum of the constellation index corresponding to the highest-order modulation scheme among the at least two modulation schemes and the first value, and the first value is not equal to 0. The modulation threshold corresponding to the NSS being n and the RU corresponding to the sequence number b is the modulation threshold corresponding to the NSS being n and the RU corresponding to the sequence number b', where b' is the sum of b and a second value, and the second value is not equal to 0. The modulation threshold corresponding to the NSS being n and the RU corresponding to the sequence number b is the modulation threshold corresponding to the NSS being n' and the RU corresponding to the sequence number b, where n' is the sum of n and a third value, and the third value is not equal to 0, or The modulation threshold corresponding to the NSS being n and the RU corresponding to the sequence number b corresponds to a nominal packet padding value of 20 microseconds. Satisfying one or more of the following conditions The method according to any one of claims 8 to 10.

12. A communication device, A processing module configured to determine capability information, wherein the capability information includes a nominal packet padding subfield, the nominal packet padding subfield indicating a corresponding nominal packet padding value used when the second device transmits a physical layer protocol data unit (PPDU) to the communication device, enabling the second device to determine the duration of a packet extension PE field contained in the PPDU based on the nominal packet padding value, the nominal packet padding value being for all spatial stream number (NSS) and all RU allocations supported by the communication device, and for at least two modulation schemes used by the second device on a configured frequency domain resource or configured spatial stream; A communication device including a transceiver module configured to transmit the capability information to the second device.

13. A communication device, A transceiver module configured to receive capability information from a first device, wherein the capability information includes a nominal packet padding subfield, the nominal packet padding subfield indicating a corresponding nominal packet padding value used when the communication device transmits a physical layer protocol data unit (PPDU) to the first device, the nominal packet padding value being for all spatial stream number (NSS) and all RU allocations supported by the first device, and for at least two modulation schemes used by the communication device on a configured frequency domain resource or configured spatial stream, Apparatus comprising: a processing module configured to determine a nominal packet padding value based on the configured frequency domain resources and spatial streams and the at least two modulation schemes used, and to determine the duration of a packet extension PE field included in the PPDU based on the nominal packet padding value, wherein the duration of the PE field allows the first device to have sufficient time to parse the PPDU received from the communication device.

14. The apparatus according to claim 12 or 13, wherein the capability information further includes a physical layer packet extension threshold presence subfield, the value of which is 0.

15. The aforementioned processing module specifically includes, The apparatus according to claim 13, configured to determine the nominal packet padding value based on the number of configured spatial streams, the configured frequency domain resources, and the highest-order modulation scheme among the at least two modulation schemes.

16. The status value of the nominal packet padding subfield is 0, and the nominal packet padding value is 8 microseconds, The status value of the nominal packet padding subfield is 1, and the nominal packet padding value is 16 microseconds, The status value of the nominal packet padding subfield is 2, and the nominal packet padding value is 20 microseconds, or The apparatus according to any one of claims 12 to 15, wherein the status value of the nominal packet padding subfield is 3, the second device transmits the PPDU to the first device by using the at least two modulation schemes, and the nominal packet padding value is 20 microseconds.

17. The apparatus according to any one of claims 12 to 15, wherein the status value of the nominal packet padding subfield is 3, the constellation index corresponding to the highest-order modulation scheme among the at least two modulation schemes is less than or equal to the constellation index threshold, and one or more of the following conditions are met: the resource unit RU / multi-resource unit MRU allocation size is less than or equal to the size threshold, the size of the RU or MRU corresponding to the highest-order modulation scheme is less than or equal to the size threshold, or the spatial-time stream count NSS is less than or equal to the spatial stream count threshold; otherwise, the nominal packet padding value is 16 microseconds; otherwise, the nominal packet padding value is 20 microseconds.

18. The apparatus according to claim 17, wherein the constellation index threshold is 5, the size threshold is 2 × 996 tones, and the spatial stream number threshold is 8 or 16.

19. A communication device, A processing module configured to determine capability information, wherein the capability information includes a physical layer packet expansion threshold field, the physical layer packet expansion threshold field includes a resource unit RU index bitmask subfield, a space-time stream number NSS subfield, and a physical layer packet expansion threshold information field, the physical layer packet expansion threshold information field includes a plurality of sets of packet expansion threshold subfields corresponding to different nominal packet padding values, each set of packet expansion threshold subfields indicating a modulation threshold corresponding to NSS being n and RU / MRU corresponding to sequence number b, the modulation threshold is used by the second device to determine a nominal packet padding value used to transmit a physical layer protocol data unit PPDU to the communication device, the nominal packet padding value is for the communication device supporting the second device to use at least two modulation schemes when the configured NSS is n and RU / MRU corresponds to sequence number b, and the range of values ​​for n is [N1, ... A processing module where the value range of b is a subset of [M1, ..., M2], where N1 and N2 are both integers greater than or equal to 1, and the value range of b is a subset of [M1, ..., M2], where M1 and M2 are integers greater than or equal to 0, A transceiver module configured to transmit the capability information to the second device, A device including a device.

20. A communication device, A transceiver module configured to receive capability information transmitted by a first device, wherein the capability information includes a physical layer packet expansion threshold field, the physical layer packet expansion threshold field includes a resource unit RU index bitmask subfield, a space-time stream number NSS subfield, and a physical layer packet expansion threshold information field, the physical layer packet expansion threshold information field includes a plurality of sets of packet expansion threshold subfields corresponding to different nominal packet padding values, each set of packet expansion threshold subfields indicating a modulation threshold corresponding to NSS being n and RU / MRU corresponding to sequence number b, the modulation threshold is used by the communication device to determine a nominal packet padding value used to transmit a physical layer protocol data unit PPDU to the first device, the nominal packet padding value is for the first device supporting the communication device to use at least two modulation schemes when the configured NSS is n and RU / MRU corresponds to sequence number b, and the range of values ​​for n is [N1, ... A transceiver module where the range of values ​​for b is a subset of [M1, ..., M2], where both N1 and N2 are integers greater than or equal to 1, and the range of values ​​for b is a subset of [M1, ..., M2], where both M1 and M2 are integers greater than or equal to 0, Apparatus comprising: a processing module configured to determine a nominal packet padding value based on the configured frequency domain resources and spatial streams and the at least two modulation schemes used, and to determine the duration of a packet extension PE field included in the PPDU based on the nominal packet padding value, wherein the duration of the PE field allows the first device to have sufficient time to parse the PPDU received from the communication device.

21. The apparatus according to claim 19 or 20, wherein the capability information further includes a physical layer packet extension threshold presence subfield, the value of which is 1.

22. Each set of packet extension threshold subfields is as follows: The nominal packet padding value corresponding to the at least two modulation schemes is the nominal packet padding value corresponding to the second modulation scheme, and the constellation index corresponding to the second modulation scheme is the sum of the constellation index corresponding to the highest-order modulation scheme among the at least two modulation schemes and the first value, and the first value is not equal to 0. The modulation threshold corresponding to the NSS being n and the RU corresponding to the sequence number b is the modulation threshold corresponding to the NSS being n and the RU corresponding to the sequence number b', where b' is the sum of b and a second value, and the second value is not equal to 0. The NSS is n, and the modulation threshold corresponding to the RU corresponding to the sequence number b is n', and the modulation threshold corresponding to the RU corresponding to the sequence number b, where n' is the sum of n and a third value, and the third value is not equal to 0, or The modulation threshold corresponding to the NSS being n and the RU corresponding to sequence number b corresponds to a nominal packet padding value of 20 microseconds. Satisfying one or more of the following conditions The apparatus according to any one of claims 19 to 21.

23. A chip comprising at least one processor and an interface, wherein the processor is configured to read and execute instructions stored in memory, and when the instructions are executed, the chip is capable of performing the method according to any one of claims 1 to 11.

24. A computer-readable storage medium, wherein the computer-readable storage medium stores a computer program, the computer program includes program instructions, and when the program instructions are executed by a computer, the computer is able to perform the method according to any one of claims 1 to 11.

25. A computer program product, wherein the computer program product includes a computer program, and when the computer program is executed on a computer, the computer is able to perform the method according to any one of claims 1 to 11.

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