Communication methods and related devices

Abstract

Communication methods and related devices are disclosed and apply to wireless local area network systems that support 802.11 series protocols such as 802.11 be, Wi-Fi 7, or next-generation Wi-Fi protocols of IEEE 802.11 ax such as EHT, next-generation 802.11 be such as Wi-Fi 8 or UHR, or Wi-Fi AI, and may also apply to ultrabandwidth-based wireless personal local area network systems and sensing systems. The AP MLD transmits at least one first frame on at least one first link. The first frame indicates the effective start time of the traffic identifier-to-link mapping. If the TID-to-link mapping indicates that the second link should be disabled, the AP MLD disables the second link when it is no earlier than time Tb. If the TID-to-link mapping indicates that the second link should be enabled, the AP MLD enables the second link when it is no later than time Ta. Ta is faster than Tb. This application can improve the reliability of communications.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 202310790310.7, titled "Communication Method and Related Device", filed with the China National Intellectual Property Administration on June 28, 2023, the entire content of which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] This application is related to the field of communication technologies, and in particular, to communication methods and related devices.

Background Art

[0003] With the development of wireless technologies, more wireless devices support multi-link communication. For example, a device may support simultaneous communication on frequency bands of 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, and 6 GHz, or communication on different channels of the same frequency band. This improves the communication speed between wireless devices. A device that supports multi-link communication is usually called a multi-link device (MLD).

[0004] Before multi-link communication is performed between MLDs, multi-link establishment (or what is called multi-link association) needs to be performed first. To better perform traffic management, traffic identifier (TID)-to-link mapping may be performed to provide different services for different traffics. Usually, TID-to-link mapping is carried by a TID-to-link mapping element.

[0005] As specified in the 802.11 be standard, an access point multi-link device (AP MLD) can notify the effective start time of a TID-to-link mapping by using the mapping switch time field in the TID-to-link mapping element carried in a beacon frame or probe response frame. The notified effective start time of a TID-to-link mapping may be the target beacon transmission time (TBTT) indicated by a delivery traffic indication map (DTIM) beacon frame for any link. It should be understood that the TBTT of a link (e.g., Link 1) is the time unit (TU) boundary of that link, but not necessarily the TU boundary of another link (e.g., Link 2 or Link 3) (because the values ​​of the time synchronization function (TSF) timers of different links are selected independently, and if the lower 10 bits of the TSF timer of a link (e.g., Link 1) are 0, the lower 10 bits of the TSF timer of another link are not necessarily 0). However, the time precision that can be indicated by the mapping switch time field in the TID-to-link mapping element is TU (1 TU = 1024 μs). As a result, the mapping switch time field in the TID-to-link mapping element on one link cannot indicate the TU boundary of another link, and therefore cannot indicate the TBTT of another link. In other words, AP MLD cannot accurately indicate the effective start time of the TID-to-link mapping. This is undesirable for reliable communication between AP MLDs and non-access point multi-link devices (non-AP MLDs). [Overview of the Initiative]

[0006] This application provides a communication method and related apparatus for facilitating reliable communication between AP MLDs and non-AP MLDs.

[0007] According to a first aspect, the present application provides a communication method. The method is applied to an AP MLD, which may be the AP MLD itself or a module or chip within the AP MLD. The method comprises: the AP MLD generating at least one first frame; and the AP MLD transmitting at least one first frame over at least one first link, the first frame indicating the effective start time of a traffic identifier-to-link mapping. If the TID-to-link mapping indicates that the second link should be disabled, the AP MLD disables the second link no earlier than time Tb; or, if the TID-to-link mapping indicates that the second link should be enabled, the AP MLD enables the second link no later than time Ta; Ta is earlier than Tb, and Ta and / or Tb are determined based on a first time and / or a second time, where the first time is the Target Beacon Transmission Time (TBTT) corresponding to the Delivery Traffic Notification Map (DTIM) beacon frame of the third link. If the first link is the same as the third link, the effective start time of the TID-to-link mapping, which is notified by the first frame on the first link, is the first time; or If the first link is different from the third link, the effective start time of the TID-to-link mapping, as indicated by the first frame transmitted on the first link, is the second time, and the second time is the time unit (TU) boundary of the first link.

[0008] It will be understood that if a Traffic Identifier (TID) is not mapped to a link in any direction (including uplinks and downlinks) according to the TID-to-link mapping instructions, the link should be disabled; or, if a Traffic Identifier (TID) is mapped to a link in any direction (including uplinks and downlinks) according to the TID-to-link mapping instructions, the link should be enabled.

[0009] In this application, if it is determined that a link (for example, a second link, used in this application as an example for illustrative purposes) should be disabled based on the TID-to-link mapping instructions, the AP MLD will be disabled as late as possible (i.e., later than the disable time of all non-AP MLDs that have established multi-link communication with the AP MLD). This ensures that the AP MLD can successfully receive data / information from non-AP MLDs. If it is determined that a link (for example, a second link, used in this application as an example for illustrative purposes) should be enabled based on the TID-to-link mapping instructions, the AP MLD will be enabled as early as possible (i.e., earlier than the enable time of all non-AP MLDs that have established multi-link communication with the AP MLD). This ensures that the AP MLD can successfully receive data / information from non-AP MLDs. Based on this, the problem of unreliable communication between AP MLDs and non-AP MLDs being unable to occur when there is a discrepancy in their understanding of the mapping's validity period can be resolved.

[0010] In possible implementations, if the TID-to-link mapping indicates that the second link is disabled, the AP MLD will not initiate transmission to the first non-AP MLD on the second link at a later time than Ta; or If the TID-to-link mapping indicates that the second link will be enabled, the AP MLD will not start sending data to the first non-AP MLD on the second link before Tb.

[0011] In this implementation, if the second link should be disabled, the AP MLD will not initiate transmission to the first non-AP MLD over the second link if it is slower than Ta. This ensures that the non-AP MLD can successfully receive data / information from the AP MLD. This helps improve the reliability of communication between the AP MLD and the non-AP MLD. Similarly, if the second link is enabled, the AP MLD will not initiate transmission to the first non-AP MLD over the second link if it is faster than Tb. This also ensures that the non-AP MLD can successfully receive data / information from the AP MLD. This helps improve the reliability of communication between the AP MLD and the non-AP MLD.

[0012] In possible implementations, if the TID-to-link mapping indicates that the second link is disabled, the AP MLD terminates transmissions by the first non-AP MLD on the second link before Ta; or If the TID-to-link mapping indicates that the second link is to be enabled, the AP MLD may initiate transmission to the first non-AP MLD on the second link only after Tb.

[0013] In possible implementations, the AP MLD does not initiate transmission to the first non-AP MLD on the second link if it is later than Ta but earlier than Tb.

[0014] In this implementation, the AP MLD is restricted from initiating transmission to the first non-AP MLD on the second link when it is later than Ta but earlier than Tb (e.g., within [Ta, Tb] or (Ta, Tb)), ensuring that the non-AP MLD can successfully receive data / information from the AP MLD, thereby improving the reliability of communication between the AP MLD and the non-AP MLD. It should be noted that this implementation is applicable both when the second link should be disabled and when the second link should be enabled.

[0015] In a possible implementation, the second time is the TU boundary closest to the first time of the first link.

[0016] In this implementation, the second time is the TU boundary closest to the first time of the first link, and the interval between Tb and Ta may be shortened, resulting in a shorter time period during which the AP MLD cannot begin transmitting to the non-AP MLD. The following describes various methods for setting the values ​​of Tb and Ta separately, and it should be noted that as a result, the implementation solution of this application is more diversified and has many applicability.

[0017] In a possible implementation, the second time point is earlier than the first time point, and the second time point is the closest TU boundary to the first time point of the first link.

[0018] In possible implementations, Ta is the difference between the first time and the length of TU, ​​and Tb is the first time; or Ta is the smallest of all second times corresponding to all first links in AP MLD, and Tb is the first time.

[0019] In a possible implementation, Ta is the minimum of all second times corresponding to all first links established between the first non-AP MLD and the AP MLD, and Tb is the first time.

[0020] In a possible implementation, Ta is the maximum time among all the second times corresponding to all the first links established between the first non-AP MLD and the AP MLD, and Tb is the first time.

[0021] In a possible implementation, the second time is after the first time, and the second time is the TU boundary closest to the first time of the first link.

[0022] In a possible implementation, Ta is the first time and Tb is the sum of the first time and the TU length; or Ta is the first time and Tb is the maximum time among all the second times corresponding to all the first links of the AP MLD.

[0023] In a possible implementation, Ta is the first time and Tb is the maximum time among all the second times corresponding to all the first links established between the first non-AP MLD and the AP MLD.

[0024] In a possible implementation, Ta is the first time and Tb is the minimum time among all the second times and / or the first time corresponding to all the first links established between the first non-AP MLD and the AP MLD.

[0025] In a possible implementation, Ta is the minimum time among all the second times and / or the first time corresponding to all the first links of the AP MLD, and Tb is the maximum time among all the second times and / or the first time corresponding to all the first links of the AP MLD.

[0026] In a possible implementation, Ta is the minimum time among all the second times and / or the first time corresponding to all the first links established between the first non-AP MLD and the AP MLD, and Tb is the maximum time among all the second times and / or the first time corresponding to all the first links established between the first non-AP MLD and the AP MLD and / or the first time.

[0027] In a possible implementation, the first non-AP MLD is all non-AP MLDS that have established multi-link communication with the AP MLD.

[0028] In this implementation, when the first non-AP MLD is all non-AP MLDS that have established multi-link communication with the AP MLD, the values of Ta and Tb are applicable to all non-AP MLDS that have established multi-link communication with the AP MLD. The process is simple and the scope of application is wide.

[0029] In a possible implementation, the first non-AP MLD is one of the non-AP MLDS that have established multi-link communication with the AP MLD.

[0030] In this implementation, when the first non-AP MLD is one of the non-AP MLDS that have established multi-link communication with the AP MLD, the values of Ta and Tb are applicable to one non-AP MLD that has established multi-link communication with the AP MLD. Tb - Ta can be decreased (i.e., the time interval between Tb and Ta is shortened), thereby making the time period during which the AP MLD cannot start transmitting to the non-AP MLD shorter.

[0031] In a possible implementation, the TU boundary is the point at which the lower 10 bits of the time synchronization function (TSF) timer are 0.

[0032] In a possible implementation, the first frame is a beacon frame or a probe response frame.

[0033] In this implementation, when the first frame is a beacon frame or a probe response frame, the first frame can be transmitted through broadcast, and as a result, more non-AP MLDS can receive the first frame.

[0034] In possible implementations, the effective start time of the TID-to-link mapping is indicated by the mapping switch time field in the first frame.

[0035] In possible implementations, the effective start time of the TID-to-link mapping, as indicated by different first frames, varies.

[0036] According to a second aspect, the present application provides a communication method. The method is applied to a non-AP MLD, which may be the non-AP MLD itself or a module or chip within the non-AP MLD. The method includes:

[0037] The non-AP MLD receives at least one first frame on at least one first link, the first frame indicating the effective start time of the traffic identifier-to-link mapping; and The non-AP MLD determines the target enable start time for the TID-to-link mapping based on at least one first frame.

[0038] In this application, a non-AP MLD can obtain multiple different time information (i.e., the effective start time of the TID-to-link mapping, indicated by all of the multiple first frames) from among multiple first links. Therefore, a non-AP MLD can select one time information from among multiple different time information as the target effective start time of the TID-to-link mapping, and furthermore, a non-AP MLD can use the selected target effective start time as the time when the link is actually enabled or disabled (where the link to be enabled or disabled can be determined based on the TID-to-link mapping relationship).

[0039] In possible implementations, the effective start time of the TID-to-link mapping, as indicated by different first frames, varies.

[0040] In possible implementations, a non-AP MLD determining the effective start time of a TID-to-link mapping based on at least one first frame includes:

[0041] The non-AP MLD determines one of the valid start times for a TID-to-link mapping, selected from among the valid start times for TID-to-link mappings indicated by at least one first frame, as the target valid start time for the TID-to-link mapping.

[0042] In this implementation, the non-AP MLD can randomly select one time piece of information from several different time pieces of information as the target enable start time for the TID-to-link mapping. This implementation is flexible.

[0043] In a possible implementation, the target start time of a TID-to-link mapping is the maximum start time among at least one of the TID-to-link mapping start times.

[0044] In this implementation, the non-AP MLD can select the longest of several different time pieces of information as the target enable start time for the TID-to-link mapping. This helps to shorten the time interval between Tb and Ta.

[0045] In a possible implementation, the target enable time of a TID-to-link mapping is the minimum enable time among at least one enable time of a TID-to-link mapping.

[0046] In this implementation, the non-AP MLD can select the smallest of several different time pieces of information as the target enable start time for the TID-to-link mapping. This helps to reduce the time interval between Tb and Ta.

[0047] In possible implementations, the first frame is a beacon frame or a probe response frame.

[0048] In this implementation, if the first frame is a beacon frame or a probe response frame, the first frame can be transmitted via broadcast, and as a result, more non-AP MLDs can receive the first frame.

[0049] In possible implementations, the effective start time of the TID-to-link mapping is indicated by the mapping switch time field in the first frame.

[0050] According to a third aspect, the present application provides a communication device, which may be an AP MLD or a chip within an AP MLD, for example, a Wi-Fi chip. The communication device includes a processing unit configured to generate at least one first frame; and a transceiver unit configured to transmit at least one first frame on at least one first link, the first frame indicating the effective start time of a traffic identifier-to-link mapping. If the TID-to-link mapping indicates that a second link is to be disabled, the AP MLD disables the second link no earlier than time Tb; or, if the TID-to-link mapping indicates that a second link is to be enabled, the AP MLD enables the second link no later than time Ta; Ta is earlier than Tb, and Ta and / or Tb are determined based on a first time and / or a second time, where the first time is the Target Beacon Transmission Time (TBTT) corresponding to a Delivery Traffic Notification Map (DTIM) beacon frame of a third link. If the first link is the same as the third link, the effective start time of the TID-to-link mapping, which is notified by the first frame on the first link, is the first time; or If the first link is different from the third link, the effective start time of the TID-to-link mapping, as indicated by the first frame transmitted on the first link, is the second time, and the second time is the time unit (TU) boundary of the first link.

[0051] If the TID-to-link mapping indicates that the second link will be disabled, the AP MLD will not initiate transmission to the first non-AP MLD on the second link at a later time than Ta; or If the TID-to-link mapping indicates that the second link will be enabled, the AP MLD will not start sending data to the first non-AP MLD on the second link before Tb.

[0052] In possible implementations, if the TID-to-link mapping indicates that the second link is disabled, the AP MLD terminates transmissions by the first non-AP MLD on the second link before Ta; or If the TID-to-link mapping indicates that the second link is to be enabled, the AP MLD may initiate transmission to the first non-AP MLD on the second link only after Tb.

[0053] In possible implementations, the AP MLD does not initiate transmission to the first non-AP MLD on the second link if it is later than Ta but earlier than Tb.

[0054] In a possible implementation, the second time is the TU boundary closest to the first time of the first link.

[0055] In a possible implementation, the second time point is earlier than the first time point, and the second time point is the closest TU boundary to the first time point of the first link.

[0056] In possible implementations, Ta is the difference between the first time and the length of TU, ​​and Tb is the first time; or Ta is the smallest of all second times corresponding to all first links in AP MLD, and Tb is the first time.

[0057] In a possible implementation, Ta is the minimum of all second times corresponding to all first links established between the first non-AP MLD and the AP MLD, and Tb is the first time.

[0058] In a possible implementation, Ta is the maximum of all second times corresponding to all first links established between the first non-AP MLD and the AP MLD, and Tb is the first time.

[0059] In a possible implementation, the second time is after the first time, and the second time is the closest TU boundary to the first time of the first link.

[0060] In possible implementations, Ta is the first time, and Tb is the sum of the first time and the length of TU; or Ta is the first time, and Tb is the maximum of all second times corresponding to all first links in AP MLD.

[0061] In a possible implementation, Ta is the first time, and Tb is the maximum of all second times corresponding to all first links established between the first non-AP MLD and the AP MLD.

[0062] In a possible implementation, Ta is the first time, and Tb is the minimum of all second times and / or first times corresponding to all first links established between the first non-AP MLD and AP MLD.

[0063] In a possible implementation, Ta is the minimum time among all second times and / or first times corresponding to all first links of the AP MLD, and Tb is the maximum time among all second times and / or first times corresponding to all first links of the AP MLD.

[0064] In a possible implementation, Ta is the minimum time among all second times and / or first times corresponding to all first links established between the first non-AP MLD and the AP MLD, and Tb is the maximum time among all second times and / or first times corresponding to all first links established between the first non-AP MLD and the AP MLD.

[0065] In a possible implementation, the first non-AP MLD is all non-AP MLDs that have established multi-link communication with an AP MLD.

[0066] In possible implementations, the first non-AP MLD is one of the non-AP MLDs that has established multi-link communication with an AP MLD.

[0067] In possible implementations, the TU boundary is the point in time when the lower 10 bits of the Time Synchronization Function (TSF) timer are 0.

[0068] In possible implementations, the first frame is a beacon frame or a probe response frame.

[0069] In possible implementations, the effective start time of the TID-to-link mapping is indicated by the mapping switch time field in the first frame.

[0070] In possible implementations, the effective start time of the TID-to-link mapping, as indicated by different first frames, varies.

[0071] According to a fourth aspect, the present application provides a communication device, which may be a non-AP MLD or a chip within a non-AP MLD, for example, a Wi-Fi chip. The communication device includes a transceiver unit configured to receive at least one first frame on at least one first link, the first frame indicating the effective start time of a traffic identifier-to-link mapping; and the communication device includes a processing unit configured to determine the target effective start time of a TID-to-link mapping based on at least one first frame.

[0072] In possible implementations, the effective start time of the TID-to-link mapping, as indicated by different first frames, varies.

[0073] In a possible implementation, when determining the effective start time of a TID-to-link mapping based on at least one first frame, the processing unit: The system is configured to determine one effective start time for a TID-to-link mapping as the target effective start time for the TID-to-link mapping, from among the effective start times for TID-to-link mappings that are indicated by at least one first frame.

[0074] In a possible implementation, the target start time of a TID-to-link mapping is the maximum start time among at least one of the TID-to-link mapping start times.

[0075] In a possible implementation, the target enable time of a TID-to-link mapping is the minimum enable time among at least one enable time of a TID-to-link mapping.

[0076] In possible implementations, the first frame is a beacon frame or a probe response frame.

[0077] In possible implementations, the effective start time of the TID-to-link mapping is indicated by the mapping switch time field in the first frame.

[0078] According to the fifth aspect, the present application provides a communication device. The communication device includes a processor, the processor is configured to execute a computer program, and as a result the communication device performs a method according to either the first or second aspect.

[0079] In possible designs, the communication device may be a chip or a device containing such a chip that implements the method according to the first or second embodiment.

[0080] In possible designs, the communication device further includes transceivers. The processor is coupled to the transceivers.

[0081] In possible designs, the communication device further includes memory. A processor is coupled to the memory, which stores computer programs, and the processor is further configured to call computer programs from the memory.

[0082] According to the sixth aspect, the present application provides a communication device. The communication device includes a processor and an interface circuit. The interface circuit is configured to: receive signals from a communication device other than the communication device and transmit signals to the processor, or transmit signals from the processor to a communication device other than the communication device; the processor is configured to carry out the method according to either the first or second aspect via logic circuits or by executing code instructions.

[0083] According to the seventh aspect, the present application provides a computer-readable storage medium. The storage medium stores a computer program or instruction. When the computer program or instruction is executed by a computer, a method according to either the first or second aspect is performed.

[0084] According to the eighth aspect, the present application provides a computer program product. When a computer loads and executes the computer program product, the computer becomes capable of performing the method according to either the first or second aspect.

[0085] According to the ninth aspect, the present application provides a communication system. The communication system includes an AP MLD and a non-AP MLD. The AP MLD may be configured to carry out a method according to any one of the first aspects, and the non-AP MLD may be configured to carry out a method according to any one of the second aspects.

[0086] For the beneficial effects of the third through ninth aspects, please refer to the relevant beneficial effects of the first and second aspects. Further details will not be provided here. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0087] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a diagram of the architecture of a wireless communication system according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0088] [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a diagram of multi-link communication according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0089] [Figure 3a] Figure 3a is a diagram illustrating the connection method between an AP MLD and a non-AP MLD according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0090] [Figure 3b] Figure 3b is a diagram of another connection method between an AP MLD and a non-AP MLD according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0091] [Figure 3c] Figure 3c is a diagram of the antenna of the MLD according to the embodiment of the present application.

[0092] [Figure 4a] Figure 4a is a diagram of a communication scenario according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0093] [Figure 4b] Figure 4b is a diagram of another communication scenario according to the embodiment of the present application.

[0094] [Figure 5] Figure 5 shows the frame structure of a TID-to-link mapping element according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0095] [Figure 6] Figure 6 illustrates a scenario in which the mapping switch time field in the beacon frame indicates the effective start time of the traffic identifier-to-link mapping.

[0096] [Figure 7] Figure 7 is a schematic flowchart of the communication method according to the embodiment of the present application.

[0097] [Figure 8a] Figure 8a is a diagram of the scenario for Ta and Tb according to the embodiment of the present application.

[0098] [Figure 8b] Figure 8b is a diagram of another scenario for Ta and Tb according to the embodiment of the present application.

[0099] [Figure 8c] Figure 8c is a diagram of yet another scenario for Ta and Tb according to the embodiment of the present application.

[0100] [Figure 8d] Figure 8d is a diagram of yet another scenario for Ta and Tb according to the embodiment of the present application.

[0101] [Figure 8e] Figure 8e is a diagram of yet another scenario for Ta and Tb according to the embodiment of the present application.

[0102] [Figure 9a] Figure 9a is a diagram of yet another scenario for Ta and Tb according to the embodiment of the present application.

[0103] [Figure 9b] Figure 9b is a diagram of yet another scenario of Ta and Tb according to the embodiment of the present application.

[0104] [Figure 9c] Figure 9c is a diagram of yet another scenario for Ta and Tb according to the embodiment of the present application.

[0105] [Figure 9d] Figure 9d is a diagram of yet another scenario for Ta and Tb according to the embodiment of the present application.

[0106] [Figure 9e] Figure 9e is a diagram of yet another scenario for Ta and Tb according to the embodiment of the present application.

[0107] [Figure 10] Figure 10 is a diagram showing the structure of a communication device according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0108] [Figure 11] Figure 11 is a diagram showing the structure of another communication device according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0109] [Figure 12] Figure 12 is a diagram showing the structure of yet another communication device according to an embodiment of the present application. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0110] To facilitate understanding of the technical solutions presented in this application, the application will be further described below with reference to the attached drawings.

[0111] The terms “First,” “Second,” and similar terms in the specification, claims, and accompanying drawings of this application are used solely to distinguish different subjects and not to describe a particular order. Furthermore, the terms “includes” and “have,” and any other variations thereof, are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion. For example, a process, method, system, product, or device comprising a series of steps or units may, optionally, include further steps or units not listed, or may optionally include other steps or units specific to those processes, methods, products, or devices.

[0112] The “embodiments” as used herein indicate that certain features, structures, or characteristics described with reference to these embodiments may be included in at least one embodiment of the present application. The terms used in various parts of the specification do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment, nor are they exclusive, independent, or optional embodiments from another embodiment. It will be explicitly and implicitly understood by those skilled in the art that the embodiments described herein may be combined with other embodiments.

[0113] In this application, “at least one (item)” means one or more, “multiple” means two or more, and “at least two (items)” means two or three or more. “And / or” is used to describe a relationship between related subjects and indicates that three relationships may exist. For example, “A and / or B” may indicate that only A exists, only B exists, and both A and B exist, where A and B may be singular or plural. “Or” indicates that two relationships may exist, e.g., only A exists, only B exists. If A and B are mutually exclusive, it may also indicate that three relationships exist, e.g., only A exists, only B exists, and both A and B exist. The letter “ / ” generally indicates an “or” relationship between related subjects. “At least one of the following” or similar expressions mean any combination of these items. For example, at least one of a, b, or c may represent a, b, c, "a and b", "a and c", "b and c", or "a, b, and c".

[0114] The technical solutions provided in embodiments of this application may be applied to WLAN systems, such as Wi-Fi. For example, the methods provided in embodiments of this application are applicable to IEEE 802.11 series protocols, such as 802.11a / b / g protocols, 802.11n protocols, 802.11ac protocols, 802.11ax protocols, 802.11be protocols, or next-generation protocols. Specific examples are not listed herein. The technical solutions provided in embodiments of this application may further be applied to wireless personal area networks (WPANs) based on ultra-wideband (UWB) technology. For example, the methods provided in embodiments of this application are applicable to IEEE 802.15.4 series protocols, such as 802.15a protocols, 802.15.4z protocols, 802.15.4ab protocols, or next-generation UWB WPAN protocols. Specific examples are not listed herein. The technical solutions provided in the embodiments of this application may be further applied to various other communication systems, such as Internet of Things (IoT) systems, Vehicle to X (V2X) systems, and Narrowband Internet of Things (NB-IoT) systems, and may be applied to devices in the Internet of Vehicles, IoT nodes in the Internet of Things (IoT), sensors, and the like, smart cameras, smart remote controls, and smart water meters in smart homes, sensors in smart cities, and the like, or further applicable to Long Term Evolution (LTE) systems, 5th-generation (5G) communication systems, new communication systems emerging in future communication developments, and the like.

[0115] WLAN systems can provide high-rate and low-latency transmission. With the continuous advancement of WLAN application scenarios, WLAN systems are being applied to a wider range of scenes and industries, such as the Internet of Things industry, the Internet of Vehicles industry, the banking industry, corporate offices, stadiums and exhibition halls, concert halls, hotel rooms, dormitories, hospital rooms, classrooms, supermarkets, squares, streets, production plants, and warehouses. Indeed, devices that support WLAN communication or sensing (e.g., access points or stations) may include sensor nodes in smart cities (e.g., smart water meters, smart electricity meters, or smart air sensing nodes), smart devices in smart homes (e.g., smart cameras, projectors, displays, televisions, stereos, refrigerators, or washing machines), nodes in the Internet of Things, entertainment terminals (e.g., wearable devices such as augmented reality (AR) or virtual reality (VR) devices), smart devices in smart offices (e.g., printers, projectors, speakers, or stereos), Internet of Vehicle devices in the Internet of Vehicles, infrastructure in everyday life scenarios (e.g., vending machines, self-service navigation consoles in supermarkets, self-service cashiers, or self-service ordering machines), devices in large sports and music venues, and similar devices. For example, access points and stations may be, respectively, the Internet of Things, an Internet of Things node, a device used in a sensor or similar device in the Internet of Things, a smart camera, a smart remote control, a smart water / electric meter in a smart home, a sensor in a smart city, or similar devices.

[0116] The embodiments of this application primarily use, as an example, a network to which WLANs, particularly those conforming to the IEEE 802.11 series standards, such as a system supporting Wi-Fi 7, which may also be called extremely high throughput (EHT), and, in another example, a system supporting Wi-Fi 8, which may also be called ultra high reliability (UHR) or ultra high reliability and throughput (UHRT). Those skilled in the art will readily understand that the various embodiments of this application may be extended to other networks using various standards or protocols, such as Bluetooth, high-performance radio LAN (HIPERLAN) (a wireless standard similar to the IEEE 802.11 standard, primarily used in Europe), wide-area networks (WANs), or other networks currently known or to be developed in the future. Therefore, regardless of the coverage area used and the wireless access protocol used, the various embodiments provided in the embodiments of this application are applicable to any suitable wireless network.

[0117] A multi-link device includes one or more affiliated stations. An affiliated station is a logical station and can operate on a link, frequency band, channel, or similar. An affiliated station may be an AP or a non-AP STA. For ease of explanation, in the embodiments of this application, a multi-link device in which the affiliated stations are APs may be called a multi-link AP, a multi-link AP device, or an AP multi-link device (AP MLD). A multi-link device in which the affiliated stations are non-AP STAs may be called a multi-link STA, a multi-link STA device, or an STA multi-link device, or a multi-link device in which the affiliated stations are non-AP STAs may be called a multi-link non-AP, a multi-link non-AP device, or a non-AP multi-link device (non-AP MLD). A multi-link device (which may be a non-AP MLD or AP MLD in this application) is a communication device having wireless communication capabilities. The communication device may be the entire device, or it may be a chip, processing system, or similar installed within the entire device. A device incorporating the chip or processing system can implement the methods and functions of the embodiments of this application under the control of the chip or processing system.

[0118] A multi-link device can communicate wirelessly according to the 802.11 series protocol, for example, by complying with Extremely High Throughput (EHT), or by complying with and being based on 802.11 be, or by being compatible with and supporting 802.11 be, and can communicate with another device. Of course, the other device may or may not be a multi-link device.

[0119] Each logical station can operate on one link, and multiple logical stations are permitted to operate on the same link. A link identifier can represent one station operating on one link; that is, if there are more than one logical station on a link, more than one link identifier may be used to represent the logical station. Link identifiers occasionally indicate stations operating on a link. In the case of data transmission between one multi-link device and another multi-link device, before communication, the multi-link devices can first negotiate or communicate with each other regarding the correspondence between link identifiers and links or stations on the link, or the AP MLD specifies the correspondence between link identifiers and links or stations on the link through broadcast management frames, such as beacon frames. Thus, instead of transmitting a large amount of signaling during data transmission, link identifiers are carried to indicate links or stations on the link. This reduces signaling overhead and improves transmission efficiency.

[0120] The following explanation uses the example where one of the aforementioned multi-link devices is an AP MLD and the other multi-link device is a non-AP MLD. In one example, when an AP MLD establishes a basic service set (BSS), the management frame sent by the AP MLD, such as a multi-link probe response frame, carries one or more multi-link elements. The link information field contained in the multi-link element can be used to establish a correspondence between the link identifier and the stations operating on the link.

[0121] Figure 1 is a diagram of the architecture of a wireless communication system according to an embodiment of the present application. As shown in Figure 1, the wireless communication system includes at least one AP MLD (e.g., AP MLD 100 in Figure 1) and at least one non-AP MLD (e.g., non-AP MLD 200 and non-AP MLD 300 in Figure 1). Optionally, Figure 1 further includes a legacy station (e.g., single-link non-AP STA 400 in Figure 1, also referred to as STA 400) that supports transmission only on a single link. The AP MLDs are devices that provide services to the non-AP MLDs, and the non-AP MLDs can communicate with the AP MLDs on multiple links to increase throughput. The STAs within the non-AP MLDs can also communicate with the APs within the AP MLDs on the links. It should be understood that the quantities of AP MLDs and non-AP MLDs in Figure 1 are merely examples.

[0122] Optionally, Figure 2 is a diagram of multi-link communication according to an embodiment of the present application. As shown in Figure 2, the AP MLD includes AP1, AP2, ..., and APn, and the non-AP MLD includes STA1, STA2, ..., and STAn, where n is a positive integer. The AP MLD and non-AP MLD can perform parallel communication on links 1, 2, ..., and n. STA1 in the non-AP MLD establishes an association relationship with AP1 in the AP MLD, STA2 in the non-AP MLD establishes an association relationship with AP2 in the AP MLD, and STAn in the non-AP MLD establishes an association relationship with APn in the AP MLD. Thus, one or more STAs in the non-AP MLD and one or more APs in the AP MLD can communicate with each other after establishing an association relationship. The frequency bands in which multi-link devices (including AP MLDs and non-AP MLDs) operate may include, but are not limited to, sub-1 GHz, 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, 6 GHz, and high-frequency 60 GHz. For example, the methods provided in embodiments of this application are applicable to, but are not limited to, single-layer uplink / downlink transmission, multi-user uplink / downlink transmission, vehicle-to-everything (V2X, where X may represent everything) communication, and device-to-device (D2D) communication. For example, V2X communication may include vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) communication, vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2I) communication, vehicle-to-pedestrian (V2P) communication, or vehicle-to-network (V2N) communication.

[0123] Figures 3a and 3b illustrate the connection method between an AP MLD and a non-AP MLD according to an embodiment of the present application. The 802.11 standard focuses on the 802.11 physical layer (PHY) and medium access control (MAC) layers in multi-link devices. Therefore, Figures 3a and 3b show only examples of the PHY and MAC layers.

[0124] As shown in Figures 3a and 3b, each multi-link device (such as AP MLDs and non-AP MLDs) may include a physical layer (PHY) processing circuit (PHY#1, PHY#2, and PHY#n shown in Figure 3a) and a medium access control (MAC) layer processing circuit, where the physical layer processing circuit may be configured to process physical layer signals, and the MAC layer processing circuit may be configured to process MAC layer signals. Furthermore, the MAC layer can be further divided into one high-MAC layer (e.g., high MAC shown in Figure 3a, and high MAC#1 through high MAC#n shown in Figure 3b) and multiple low-MAC layers (e.g., low MAC#1, low MAC#2, ..., and low MAC#n shown in Figures 3a and 3b). As shown in Figure 3a, the multiple APs included in the AP MLD are independent of each other in the low-MAC layer and PHY, and share the high-MAC layer. Multiple STAs in a non-AP MLD are independent of each other at the low MAC layer and PHY, but share the high MAC layer. The high MAC layer is connected separately to multiple low MAC layers, i.e., the high MAC layer is shared by multiple links. As shown in Figure 3b, multiple APs in an AP MLD are independent of each other at the low MAC layer and PHY, and also independent at the high MAC layer. Multiple STAs in a non-AP MLD device are independent of each other at the low MAC layer and PHY, and also independent at the high MAC layer. For example, the high MAC layer mainly completes operations such as assigning sequence numbers (SN) and packet numbers (PN) of MAC service data units (MSDUs), encryption, and decryption. For example, the low MAC layer mainly completes operations such as assembling MAC protocol data units (MPDUs) for each link, channel access, packet transmission, and reception acknowledgment.

[0125] In Figure 3a, the PHY#1 layer, low MAC#1 layer, and high MAC layer in the AP MLD may be considered as AP#1, the PHY#2 layer, low MAC#2 layer, and high MAC layer may be considered as AP#2, and the PHY#n layer, low MAC#n layer, and high MAC layer may be considered as AP#n. In other words, the AP MLD can be understood as containing n AP entities. The situation is similar in the non-AP MLD. Specifically, the high MAC layer in the non-AP MLD is also shared by multiple links, and the PHY#1 layer, low MAC#1 layer, and high MAC layer can be considered as STA#1, the PHY#2 layer, low MAC#2 layer, and high MAC layer can be considered as STA#2, ..., and the PHY#n layer, low MAC#n layer, and high MAC layer can be considered as STA#n. In other words, the non-AP MLD can be understood as containing n STA entities. As shown in Figure 3a, PHY#1 of AP#1 in the AP MLD is connected to PHY#1 of STA#1 in the non-AP MLD, and AP#1 in the AP MLD and STA#1 in the non-AP MLD communicate over a link (e.g., link #1 shown in Figure 3a). PHY#2 of AP#2 in the AP MLD is connected to PHY#2 of STA#2 in the non-AP MLD, and AP#2 in the AP MLD and STA#2 in the non-AP MLD communicate over a link (e.g., link #2 shown in Figure 3a). PHY#n of AP#n in the AP MLD is connected to PHY#n of STA#n in the non-AP MLD, and AP#n in the AP MLD and STA#n in the non-AP MLD communicate over a link (e.g., link #n shown in Figure 3a). For an explanation of Figure 3b, please refer to Figure 3a. Further details will not be explained here again.

[0126] For example, both the high MAC layer and the low MAC layer may be implemented by a processor within the chip system of the multi-link device, or by different processing modules within the chip system. Specific examples are not listed in the embodiments of this application. It will be understood that Figures 3a and 3b may be understood as the multi-link device being divided into functional modules. The modules shown in Figures 3a and 3b may be implemented in hardware form, or in the form of software functional modules or the like. The PHY and MAC layers shown in Figures 3a and 3b may be understood as a logical functional division, although there may be other division methods in actual implementation. In Figures 3a and 3b, n may be equal to 0, or equal to 1, or n may be an integer greater than 1, and so on.

[0127] For example, the multi-link device in the embodiments of this application may be a single-antenna device or a multi-antenna device. For example, the multi-link device may have more than two antennas. The number of antennas included in the multi-link device is not limited in the embodiments of this application. Figure 3c shows the antennas of an MLD according to an embodiment of this application. In Figure 3c, examples are used where an AP MLD includes multiple antennas and a non-AP MLD includes a single antenna. However, this should not be understood as a limitation to the embodiments of this application.

[0128] The frequency bands in which the multi-link vice operates may include, but are not limited to, sub-1 GHz, 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, 6 GHz, and the high frequency 60 GHz. Figures 4a and 4b are two diagrams illustrating communication between a multi-link device and another device on multiple links in a wireless local area network.

[0129] Figure 4a shows a scenario in which AP MLD 101 communicates with non-AP MLD 102. AP MLD 101 includes affiliate AP 101-1 and AP 101-2, and non-AP MLD 102 includes affiliate STA 102-1 and STA 102-2. AP MLD 101 and non-AP MLD 102 perform parallel communication on Link 1 and Link 2.

[0130] For example, Figure 4b shows a scenario in which AP MLD 101 communicates with non-AP MLD 102, non-AP MLD 103, and STA 104. AP MLD 101 includes affiliated APs 101-1 through 101-3, non-AP MLD 102 includes three affiliated STAs: STA 102-1, STA 102-2, and STA 102-3, non-AP MLD 103 includes two affiliated STAs, namely STA 103-1 and STA 103-2, and STA 104 is a single-link device, including STA 104-1. AP MLD 101 can communicate separately with non-AP MLD 102 on links 1, 2, and 3, with non-AP MLD 103 on links 2 and 3, and with STA 104 on link 1. For example, STA 104 operates in the 2.4 GHz frequency band; with non-AP MLD 103, STA 103-1 operates in the 5 GHz frequency band and STA 103-2 operates in the 6 GHz frequency band; with non-AP MLD 102, STA 102-1 operates in the 2.4 GHz frequency band, STA 102-2 operates in the 5 GHz frequency band, and STA 102-3 operates in the 6 GHz frequency band. AP 101-1, operating in the 2.4 GHz frequency band within AP MLD 101, can communicate uplink or downlink data with STA 104 and STA 102-1 in non-AP MLD 102 over link 1. AP 101-2, operating in the 5 GHz frequency band within AP MLD 101, can communicate uplink or downlink data with STA 103-1, operating in the 5 GHz frequency band within non-AP MLD 102 over link 2, and can also communicate uplink or downlink data with STA 102-2, operating in the 5 GHz frequency band within non-AP MLD 103 over link 2.AP 101-3, operating in the 6GHz frequency band in AP MLD 101, can communicate uplink or downlink data with STA 102-3, operating in the 6GHz frequency band in non-AP MLD 102, over link 3, and can also communicate uplink or downlink data with STA 103-2 in non-AP MLD over link 3.

[0131] Figure 4a shows that the AP MLD supports only two frequency bands. Figure 4b is used for illustrative purposes as an example in which the AP MLD 101 supports only three frequency bands (2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, and 6 GHz), each frequency band corresponding to one link, and the AP MLD 101 can operate on one or more links, such as link 1, link 2, or link 3. On the AP side or STA side, a link may be understood as a station operating on that link. In practical applications, AP MLDs and non-AP MLDs may further support more or fewer frequency bands, i.e., AP MLDs and non-AP MLDs may operate on more or fewer links. This is not limited to the embodiments of this application. Figures 4a and 4b are merely simplified diagrams and do not constitute any limitation to the scope of protection of the embodiments of this application.

[0132] The following describes and explains the relevant technical features of the embodiments of the present application. It should be noted that these descriptions are intended to facilitate understanding of the embodiments of the present application, but should not be considered as limitations on the scope of protection claimed in the present application.

[0133] 1. Traffic Identifier-to-Link Mapping Element (TID-to-link mapping element)

[0134] In the multi-link establishment process, if TID-to-link mapping is not performed between multi-link devices, all traffic identifiers are mapped to the respective established links by default; in other words, all types of traffic can be transmitted over the respective established links.

[0135] In the multi-link establishment process, TID-to-link mapping may be performed between multi-link devices. For example, an AP MLD can include TID-to-link mapping information within a beacon frame or probe response frame, so that all stations use the corresponding mapping scheme after receiving the mapping information. The method of carrying mapping information within a beacon frame or probe response frame is also referred to as broadcasting TID-to-link mapping. This method can effectively increase signaling transmission efficiency.

[0136] For example, TID-to-link mapping information may be carried in a TID-to-link mapping element. Figure 5 shows the frame structure of a TID-to-link mapping element according to an embodiment of the present application. As shown in Figure 5, a TID-to-link mapping element may include at least one of the following fields: element ID, length, element ID extension (or referred to as element ID expansion), TID-to-link mapping control, mapping switch time, and expected duration (or referred to as expected duration, desired duration, required duration, etc.). Optionally, a TID-to-link mapping element may further include at least one of the following fields: link mapping of TID 0, ..., and link mapping of TID 7.

[0137] For example, the mapping transition time field may indicate the effective start time of the TID-to-link mapping (or what is referred to as the effective time, mapping effective time, etc.), or the effective start time of the TID-to-link mapping relationship (or what is referred to as the effective time, mapping effective time, etc.), or the time when the TID-to-link mapping relationship is established. The mapping transition time field is present when the TID-to-link mapping element is carried in a beacon frame or probe response frame. If the aforementioned mapping relationship is enabled, the beacon frame or probe response frame does not need to carry the mapping transition time field.

[0138] Furthermore, the value carried in the mapping switch time field may be determined based on the target beacon transmission time (TBTT) of a future delivery traffic indication map (DTIM) beacon frame. Optionally, TBTT may also be described as the target transmission time. TBTT is in units of time units (TU), where 1 TU = 1024 μs. Generally, AP MLDs broadcast a time synchronization function (TSF) timer value in their beacon frames. After receiving the TSF timer value, non-AP MLDs can update their locally maintained system time to the TSF timer value to achieve the objective of ensuring that the time of all non-AP MLDs is the same as the time of AP MLDs in the BSS (i.e., time synchronization).

[0139] For example, the value carried in the mapping switch time field may be set to bits 11 through 26, i.e., TSF[10:25] (bits 10 through 25 of the TSF) of the TSF timer corresponding to when a new mapping relationship becomes active. The TSF timer may have a length of 64 bits and be understood as a time value in units of microseconds (μs). For example, the TSF timer corresponding to all non-AP MLDs on one link may be the same, while the TSF timers corresponding to non-AP MLDs on different links may be different.

[0140] For example, the expected duration field may indicate the expected end time of a TID-to-link mapping relationship, or the expected end time of the TID-to-link mapping itself. For example, the expected duration field may indicate the effective duration of the TID-to-link mapping (if the TID-to-link mapping element carries a mapping transition time field) or the remaining time (if the TID-to-link mapping element does not carry a mapping transition time field). The expected duration field is present if the TID-to-link mapping element is carried in a beacon frame or probe response frame.

[0141] For example, the link mapping of the TID0 field may indicate the link to which TID0 is mapped. For example, the field may carry a bitmap, where each bit in the bitmap may correspond to a link. If the bit value is 1, it indicates that TID0 is mapped to the link corresponding to the bit. In another example, if the bit value is 0, it indicates that TID0 is not mapped to the link corresponding to the bit. For example, the length of the bitmap may be equal to the maximum number of links that can be associated between multi-link devices; or the length of the bitmap may be a fixed value, e.g., 16 bits; or the length of the bitmap may be equal to the number of associated links established between multi-link devices, and so on. The method of setting the length of the bitmap is not limited to the embodiments of this application. For a description of link mapping of another TID field, see Link Mapping of the TID0 Field. Details are again not described here. TID0 through TID7 in the embodiments of this application are merely examples. As standards evolve, more traffic types may exist in the future, such as TID0 to TID15. Therefore, the number of link mappings for TID fields within a TID-to-link mapping element is not limited to the embodiments of this application. For example, the number of link mappings for TID fields within a TID-to-link mapping element is the number of TID types. quantity It may be the same as the above. For example, if TID is expanded from TID0 to TID7 to TID0 to TID15, the number of link mappings in the TID field may be equal to 16.

[0142] If a TID is mapped to a link, it can be understood that the link is enabled. If a TID is not mapped to a link, it can be understood that the link is disabled. AP MLD can enable or disable a link by including a TID-to-link mapping element within the beacon frame or probe response frame.

[0143] In a unicast scheme, it will be understood that, generally, once the two communicating parties have negotiated the TID-to-link mapping information, the mapping information becomes effective immediately. The mapping transition time field and expected duration field must be transmitted multiple times in the beacon frame or probe response frame to ensure that one or more non-AP MLDs can receive the TID-to-link mapping element. Therefore, the mapping transition time field and expected duration field are typically present when the TID-to-link mapping element is carried in the beacon frame or probe response frame.

[0144] For example, see Figure 5. The TID-to-link mapping control field may include at least one of the following fields: direction, default link mapping (or referred to as default link mapping), mapping switch time present, expected duration present, reserved (or referred to as retained), and link mapping presence indicator. Optionally, the TID-to-link mapping control field may further include a link mapping presence indicator field. The TID-to-link mapping control field may be used to carry control information related to the TID-to-link mapping. For example, the TID-to-link mapping control fields are described as follows: the direction field may indicate whether the direction of traffic is uplink, downlink, or uplink and downlink; the default link mapping field may indicate whether the default mapping method is used; the mapping switch time presence field may indicate whether the mapping switch time field is present; the expected duration presence field may indicate whether the expected duration field is present; and the link mapping presence indicator field indicates which of the eight fields—the link mapping of the TID0 field or the link mapping of the TID7 field—are present and which are not.

[0145] If the default link mapping field indicates that the default mapping scheme is used, it will be understood that this indicates that all traffic identifiers can, by default, be mapped to their respective established links. In this case, the TID-to-link mapping control field may not include a link mapping existence indicator, and the TID-to-link mapping element may not include a link mapping for the TID0 field or a link mapping for the TID7 field.

[0146] It will be understood that the TID-to-link mapping information, TID-to-link mapping relationships (or simply referred to as mapping relationships), TID-to-link mappings, and similar concepts in the embodiments of this application may be interchangeable. The TID-to-link mapping relationships shown by the TID-to-link mapping elements in the embodiments of this application may be simply referred to as the mapping relationships (or mapping information) shown by the TID-to-link mapping elements.

[0147] 2.TU boundary

[0148] In the embodiments of this application, the TU boundary is the point in time when the lower 10 bits of the TSF timer are 0.

[0149] Based on the above explanation, it can be seen that the current AP MLD can specify the effective start time of a TID-to-link mapping by using the mapping switch time field in the TID-to-link mapping element carried in the beacon frame or probe response frame, where the specified effective start time of the TID-to-link mapping may be the TBTT specified by the DTIM beacon frame of some link. It will be understood that the TBTT of a link (e.g., link 1) is the TU boundary of the link, but not necessarily the TU boundary of another link (e.g., link 2 or link 3) (because the TSF timer values ​​of different links are selected independently, and if the lower 10 bits of the TSF timer of a link (e.g., link 1) are 0, the lower 10 bits of the TSF timer of another link are not necessarily 0). However, the time precision that can be specified by the mapping switch time field in the TID-to-link mapping element is TU. As a result, the mapping switch time field within a TID-to-link mapping element on one link cannot specify the TU boundary of another link, nor can it specify the TBTT of another link. In other words, AP MLD cannot accurately specify the effective start time of the TID-to-link mapping. This is detrimental to reliable communication between AP MLD and non-AP MLD.

[0150] For example, see Figure 6. Figure 6 illustrates a scenario in which the mapping switch time field in a beacon frame indicates the effective start time of the TID-to-link mapping. As shown in Figure 6, if the AP MLD assumes that the effective start time of the TID-to-link mapping is the TBTT corresponding to the DTIM beacon frame on link 2, i.e., time t0, then when the AP MLD transmits a beacon frame on link 1, the mapping switch time field in the TID-to-link mapping element in the beacon frame transmitted by the AP MLD on link 1 can only specify the TU boundary of link 1, e.g., time t1 (or time t2) in Figure 6. In this case, the non-AP MLD assumes that the effective start time of the TID-to-link mapping is t1 (or t2) with a certain deviation from time t0. If a deviation occurs, it will be understood that the AP MLD and the non-AP MLD have a discrepancy in their understanding of the effective start time of the TID-to-link mapping. As a result, reliable communication between AP MLDs and non-AP MLDs is not possible. For example, suppose the TID-to-link mapping indicates that a certain link (e.g., link 3) should be disabled, and the assumed effective start time by the non-AP MLD is later than the assumed effective start time by the AP MLD. The following happens: If the AP MLD has disabled link 3, but the non-AP MLD has not, the non-AP MLD may continue to send data or information to the AP MLD. However, the AP MLD should not respond with an acknowledgment frame at this point. As a result, the reliability of the communication is low. In another example, suppose the TID-to-link mapping indicates that link 3 should be enabled, and the assumed effective start time by the non-AP MLD is later than the effective start time considered by the AP MLD. The following happens: The AP MLD has enabled link 3, but the non-AP MLD has not.If the AP MLD initiates transmission to the non-AP MLD before the non-AP MLD enables Link 3, the non-AP MLD will not be able to successfully receive the data or information transmitted by the AP MLD. As a result, the reliability of the communication will be reduced.

[0151] With this in mind, the prior art has suggested that an offset field may be added to the TID-to-link mapping element to indicate the deviation score. For example, the scenario shown in Figure 6 is used as an example. Based on the prior art solution, the specified deviation score may be (t0-t1) (or the specified deviation score may be (t0-t2)). Therefore, when a non-AP MLD receives a TID-to-link mapping element in a beacon frame, it may determine that the actual effective start time is t0 by referring to t1 (or t2) indicated by the mapping switch time field in the TID-to-link mapping element and the deviation score (t0-t1) (or deviation score (t0-t2)) indicated by the offset field, i.e., the non-AP MLD assumes that the effective start time of the TID-to-link mapping is t0. While the prior art method ensures that AP MLDs and non-AP MLDs have a consistent understanding of the effective start time of TID-to-link mapping, the prior art method of adding a new field increases signaling overhead. Therefore, this application provides an alternative method that can resolve the problem of discrepancies in the understanding of the effective start time of TID-to-link mapping between AP MLDs and non-AP MLDs without adding a new field, and helps improve the reliability of communication between AP MLDs and non-AP MLDs.

[0152] It should be noted that in the following embodiments of this application, "effective start time of TID-to-link mapping" may be simply referred to as "effective start time," and "target effective start time of TID-to-link mapping" may be simply referred to as "target effective start time."

[0153] The communication method and communication device provided in this application will be described in detail below.

[0154] Figure 7 is a schematic flowchart of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present application. As shown in Figure 7, the communication method includes the following steps S701 and S702. The method shown in Figure 7 may be performed by an AP MLD and a non-AP MLD, or the method shown in Figure 7 may be performed by a chip in the AP MLD and a chip in the non-AP MLD. For ease of explanation, Figure 7 is primarily illustrated by using an example in which the method is performed by an AP MLD and a non-AP MLD. It should be noted that Figure 7 is a schematic flowchart of an embodiment of the method of the present application, showing detailed communication steps or operations of the method. However, these steps or operations are merely examples. Other operations or variations of the operations in Figure 7 may be further performed in embodiments of the present application. Furthermore, the steps in Figure 7 may be performed separately in a different order than that presented in Figure 7, and not all operations in Figure 7 may be performed. Specifically:

[0155] S701: An AP MLD may transmit at least one first frame on at least one first link. Conversely, a non-AP MLD may receive at least one first frame on at least one first link.

[0156] For example, before transmitting at least one first frame on at least one first link, the AP MLD may generate at least one more first frame. Thus, the AP MLD may transmit one of at least one first frame on each of the at least one first link, i.e., for each of the at least one first frame generated, each of the at least one first frame may be transmitted on each of the first links. Optionally, the at least one first link may include a third link.

[0157] A first frame may indicate the effective start time of a traffic identifier-to-link mapping, and at least one first frame may indicate at least one effective start time. For example, the effective start times of a TID-to-link mapping, indicated by different first frames, may be different. In this application, different effective start times may be understood as completely different or partially different. This is not limited to this application. For example, suppose there are three first links: link 1-1, link 1-2, and link 1-3. First frame 1 is transmitted on link 1-1, first frame 2 is transmitted on link 1-2, and first frame 3 is transmitted on link 1-3. First frame 1 indicates effective start time 1, first frame 2 indicates effective start time 2, and first frame 3 indicates effective start time 3. Effective start times 1, 2, and 3 may be different from each other (or different / completely different from each other). That is, Effective start time 1 ≠ Effective start time 2 ≠ Effective start time 3 Therefore, as an option, effective start time 1, effective start time 2, and effective start time 3 may be partially the same or partially different. For example, Effective start time 1 = Effective start time 2 ≠ Effective start time 3 That is the case.

[0158] The first frame may specifically be a beacon frame, a probe response frame, or the like; however, this is not limited to the present application. The effective start time of the TID-to-link mapping may specifically be indicated by a mapping switch time field within the first frame. Optionally, the mapping switch time field may be carried in a TID-to-link mapping element included in the first frame.

[0159] S702: non-AP MLD determines the target enable start time for TID-to-link mapping based on at least one first frame.

[0160] In some feasible implementations, the determination of the target effective start time of a TID-to-link mapping based on at least one first frame may be understood as follows: The non-AP MLD can determine one effective start time from among at least one effective start time indicated by at least one first frame as the target effective start time of a TID-to-link mapping.

[0161] In Implementation 1, the non-AP MLD may randomly select one effective start time from among at least one effective start time indicated by at least one first frame received, as the target effective start time for the TID-to-link mapping. Alternatively, the target effective start time selected by the non-AP MLD is any one of the at least one effective start time indicated by at least one first frame received.

[0162] In implementation 2, the non-AP MLD can select the maximum effective start time from among at least one effective start time indicated by at least one first frame received, as the target effective start time for the TID-to-link mapping. In other words, the target effective start time for the TID-to-link mapping is the maximum effective start time among the at least one effective start time obtained.

[0163] In implementation 3, the non-AP MLD can select the minimum effective start time from among at least one effective start time indicated by at least one first frame received, as the target effective start time for the TID-to-link mapping. In other words, the target effective start time for the TID-to-link mapping is the minimum effective start time among the at least one effective start time obtained.

[0164] The following describes in detail the processing rules proposed in this embodiment of the present application to resolve the discrepancy between AP MLDs and non-AP MLDs in their understanding of the effective start time of TID-to-link mapping. The general idea of ​​the processing rules is as follows: an AP MLD determines a time period [Ta, Tb] and ensures that the effective time selected by any non-AP MLD falls within that time period, where time Ta is earlier than time Tb. For ease of explanation, in the following embodiments of the present application, time Ta will be abbreviated as Ta and time Tb will be abbreviated as Tb. Specifically, one or more of the following rules are included.

[0165] Rule 1: If the TID-to-link mapping in the first frame indicates that a link (for simplicity of explanation, a second link is used as an example for illustrative purposes in this application) should be disabled, AP MLD shall disable the second link when it is no earlier than Tb.

[0166] Rule 2: If the TID-to-link mapping in the first frame indicates that the second link should be enabled, AP MLD enables the second link when it is not slower than Ta.

[0167] Rule 3: If the TID-to-link mapping in the first frame indicates that the second link should be disabled, the AP MLD will not initiate transmission to the first non-AP MLD on the second link when it is after Ta.

[0168] Rule 4: If the TID-to-link mapping in the first frame indicates that the second link should be enabled, the AP MLD will not initiate transmission to the first non-AP MLD on the second link before Tb.

[0169] Rule 5: If the TID-to-link mapping in the first frame indicates that the second link should be disabled, the AP MLD will terminate transmission with the first non-AP MLD on the second link before Ta (i.e., if the TID-to-link mapping in the first frame indicates that the second link should be disabled, the AP MLD will terminate transmission with the first non-AP MLD on the second link before Ta).

[0170] Rule 6: If the TID-to-link mapping in the first frame indicates that the second link should be enabled, then transmission to the first non-AP MLD on the second link may begin only after Tb (i.e., if the TID-to-link mapping in the first frame indicates that the second link should be enabled, the AP MLD may begin transmission to the first non-AP MLD on the second link only after Tb).

[0171] Rule 7: An AP MLD shall not initiate transmission to a first non-AP MLD on a second link after Ta but before Tb.

[0172] It will be understood that if a Traffic Identifier (TID) is not mapped to a link in any direction (including uplinks and downlinks) according to the TID-to-link mapping instructions, the link should be disabled; or, if a Traffic Identifier (TID) is mapped to a link in any direction (including uplinks and downlinks) according to the TID-to-link mapping instructions, the link should be enabled.

[0173] It should be noted that in this embodiment of the present application, "not earlier" may be replaced with phrases such as "slower," "greater," or "greater or equal to." Accordingly, "not slower" may be replaced with phrases such as "earlier," "smaller," or "smaller or equal to." This is not limited to the present application.

[0174] It should be noted that Ta and / or Tb can be determined based on a first time and / or a second time. The first time is the TBTT corresponding to the DTIM beacon frame of the third link. In other words, the effective time of the TID-to-link mapping uses the TBTT corresponding to the DTIM beacon frame of the third link as a reference. In other words, the first time in this embodiment of the present application may be understood as a reference time. Optionally, the DTIM beacon frame of the third link may be, alternatively, another non-DTIM beacon frame of the third link. This is not limited to the present. For ease of understanding, the example in the present application where the first time is the TBTT corresponding to the DTIM beacon frame of the third link is used primarily for illustrative purposes.

[0175] If any one of the at least one first link is a third link, the effective start time of the TID-to-link mapping, as indicated by a first frame transmitted over some first link, is the first time (e.g., t0 in Figure 6); or, if any one of the at least one first link is not a third link, the effective start time of the TID-to-link mapping, as indicated by a first frame transmitted over some first link, is the second time, and the second time is the TU boundary of any first link. For ease of explanation, the following primarily uses one of the at least one first link as an example to explain and describe the concept of the second time of one first link in this application.

[0176] As an option, the first interpretation of the second time being the TU boundary of the first link is as follows: the second time is the TU boundary closest to the first time of the first link (e.g., t1 or t2 in Figure 6).

[0177] As an option, a second interpretation of the second time being the TU boundary of the first link is as follows: the second time may be before the first time, and the second time is the TU boundary closest to the first time of the first link (e.g., t1 in Figure 6).

[0178] As an option, a third interpretation of the second time being the TU boundary of the first link is as follows: the second time is after the first time, and the second time is the TU boundary closest to the first time of the first link (e.g., t2 in Figure 6).

[0179] The values ​​of Ta and Tb in various cases will be explained individually below.

[0180] It should be noted that the following first time (or second time) corresponding to the first link in this application may be understood as the effective start time indicated by the first frame transmitted by AP MLD on the first link.

[0181] Case 1: The first non-AP MLD is all non-AP MLDs that have established multi-link communication with the AP MLD. In other words, "not initiating transmission to the first non-AP MLD on the second link" can be understood as not initiating transmission to any non-AP MLDs that have established multi-link communication with the AP MLD on the second link. In Case 1, the values ​​of Ta and Tb are applicable to all non-AP MLDs that have established multi-link communication with the AP MLD.

[0182] Scenario 1: The second time is earlier than the first time (i.e., the second time is less than the first time), and it is the TU boundary closest to the first time of the first link, Method 1.1 for setting the values ​​of Ta and Tb is as follows: Ta is determined based on the first time and the length of TU, ​​and Tb is determined based on the first time. For example, the length of one TU is 1024 μs. For example, Ta is the difference between the first time and the length of TU (i.e., Ta = first time - 1 TU), and Tb is the first time (i.e., Tb = first time).

[0183] For example, Figure 8a is a diagram of a scenario relating to Ta and Tb according to an embodiment of the present application. As shown in Figure 8a, it is assumed that the effective start time of the TID-to-link mapping is the TBTT corresponding to the DTIM beacon frame of link 2, i.e., time t0 is used as the reference, i.e., the first time is t0. It is assumed that all first links of AP MLD are links 1-1, 1-2, and 1-3 shown in Figure 8a. In the case of Scenario 1, for the first frame transmitted on link 1-1, the effective start time of the TID-to-link mapping, indicated by the first frame, is time t1; for the first frame transmitted on link 1-2, the effective start time of the TID-to-link mapping, indicated by the first frame, is time t3; and for the first frame transmitted on link 1-3, the effective start time of the TID-to-link mapping, indicated by the first frame, is time t5. That is, the first time is t0, and the second times are t1, t3, and t5. When Ta = first time - 1TU and Tb = first time, the positions of Ta and Tb are those shown in Figure 8a.

[0184] Method 1.2 for setting the values ​​of Ta and Tb is as follows: Ta is determined based on the minimum of all second times corresponding to all first links of the AP MLD, and Tb is determined based on the first time. For example, Ta is the minimum of all second times corresponding to all first links of the AP MLD (i.e., Ta = the minimum of all second times corresponding to all first links of the AP MLD), and Tb is the first time (i.e., Tb = the first time). Optionally, the first non-AP MLD is all non-AP MLDs that have established multi-link communication with the AP MLD.

[0185] For example, Figure 8b is a diagram of another scenario relating to Ta and Tb according to an embodiment of the present application. As shown in Figure 8b, it is assumed that the effective start time of the TID-to-link mapping is the TBTT corresponding to the DTIM beacon frame of link 2, i.e., time t0 is used as the reference, i.e., the first time is t0. All first links of AP MLD are links 1-1, 1-2, and 1-3, indicated by (1) in Figure 8b. In the case of Scenario 1, for the first frame transmitted on link 1-1, the effective start time of the TID-to-link mapping indicated by the first frame is time t1, for the first frame transmitted on link 1-2, the effective start time of the TID-to-link mapping indicated by the first frame is time t3, and for the first frame transmitted on link 1-3, the effective start time of the TID-to-link mapping indicated by the first frame is time t5. That is, the first time is t0, and the second times are t1, t3, and t5. When Ta = the minimum value at all second times corresponding to all first links of AP MLD, and Tb = the first time, the positions of Ta and Tb are the positions of Ta and Tb shown in Figure 8b, and the minimum value at all second times corresponding to all first links of AP MLD is t1 (t1 <t3<t5であるからである)。

[0186] Scenario 2: The second time is later than the first time (i.e., the second time is greater than the first time), and it is the TU boundary closest to the first time of the first link, Method 2.1 for determining the values ​​of Ta and Tb is as follows: Ta is determined based on the first time, and Tb is determined based on the first time and the length of TU. For example, Ta is the first time (i.e., Ta = first time), and Tb is the sum of the first time and the length of TU (i.e., Tb = first time + 1 TU).

[0187] For example, Figure 8c is a diagram of yet another scenario relating to Ta and Tb according to an embodiment of the present application. As shown in Figure 8c, it is assumed that the effective start time of the TID-to-link mapping is the TBTT corresponding to the DTIM beacon frame of link 2, i.e., time t0 is used as the reference, i.e., the first time is t0. It is assumed that all first links of AP MLD are links 1-1, 1-2, and 1-3 shown in Figure 8c. In the case of Scenario 2, for the first frame transmitted on link 1-1, the effective start time of the TID-to-link mapping, indicated by the first frame, is time t2; for the first frame transmitted on link 1-2, the effective start time of the TID-to-link mapping, indicated by the first frame, is time t4; and for the first frame transmitted on link 1-3, the effective start time of the TID-to-link mapping, indicated by the first frame, is time t6. That is, the first time is t0, and the second times are t2, t4, and t6. When Ta = the first time and Tb = the first time + 1TU, the positions of Ta and Tb are those shown in Figure 8c.

[0188] Method 2.2 for setting the values ​​of Ta and Tb is as follows: Ta is determined based on the first time, and Tb is determined based on the maximum of all second times corresponding to all first links of the AP MLD. For example, Ta is the first time (i.e., Ta = first time), and Tb is the maximum of all second times corresponding to all first links of the AP MLD (i.e., Tb = maximum of all second times corresponding to all first links of the AP MLD).

[0189] For example, Figure 8d is a diagram of yet another scenario relating to Ta and Tb according to an embodiment of the present application. As shown in Figure 8d, it is assumed that the effective start time of the TID-to-link mapping is the TBTT corresponding to the DTIM beacon frame of link 2, i.e., time t0 is used as the reference, i.e., the first time is t0. All first links of AP MLD are links 1-1, 1-2, and 1-3 shown in Figure 8d. In the case of Scenario 2, for the first frame transmitted on link 1-1, the effective start time of the TID-to-link mapping, indicated by the first frame, is time t2; for the first frame transmitted on link 1-2, the effective start time of the TID-to-link mapping, indicated by the first frame, is time t4; and for the first frame transmitted on link 1-3, the effective start time of the TID-to-link mapping, indicated by the first frame, is time t6. That is, the first time is t0, and the second times are t2, t4, and t6. When Ta = the first time and Tb = the first time + 1TU, the positions of Ta and Tb are the positions of Ta and Tb shown in Figure 8d, and the maximum value at all second times corresponding to all first links of AP MLD is t6 (t2 <t4<t6であるからである)。

[0190] Scenario 3: The second time is the closest TU boundary to the first time of the first link (i.e., the second time may be greater than the first time, or less than the first time), Method 3.1 for setting the values ​​of Ta and Tb is as follows: Ta is determined based on the minimum time among all second times and / or first times corresponding to all first links of the AP MLD, and Tb is determined based on the maximum time among all second times and / or first times corresponding to all first links of the AP MLD. For example, Ta is the minimum time among all second times and / or first times corresponding to all first links of the AP MLD (i.e., Ta = minimum value among all second times and / or first times corresponding to all first links of the AP MLD), and Tb is the maximum time among all second times and / or first times corresponding to all first links of the AP MLD (i.e., Tb = maximum value among all second times and / or first times corresponding to all first links of the AP MLD).

[0191] In method 3.1 for setting the values ​​of Ta and Tb, it should be noted that Rule 1 described above may be written as follows: If the TID-to-link mapping in the first frame indicates that the second link is disabled, AP MLD disables the second link when it is no earlier than all of the second times corresponding to all of the first links in AP MLD and / or any one of the first times.

[0192] In method 3.1 for setting the values ​​of Ta and Tb as an option, Rule 2 described above may be written as follows: If the TID-to-link mapping in the first frame indicates that the second link is enabled, the AP MLD enables the second link at a time that is no later than all of the second times corresponding to all of the first links in the AP MLD and / or any one of the first times.

[0193] In method 3.1 for setting the values ​​of Ta and Tb as an option, the aforementioned rule 3 may be written as follows: If the TID-to-link mapping in the first frame indicates that the second link is disabled, the AP MLD will not initiate transmission to the first non-AP MLD on the second link after all second times and / or any one of the first times corresponding to all first links of the AP MLD.

[0194] In method 3.1 for setting the values ​​of Ta and Tb as an option, the aforementioned rule 4 may be written as follows: If the TID-to-link mapping in the first frame indicates that the second link is to be enabled, the AP MLD will not initiate transmission to the first non-AP MLD on the second link before all second times and / or any one of the first times corresponding to all first links of the AP MLD.

[0195] In method 3.1 for setting the values ​​of Ta and Tb as an option, the aforementioned rule 5 may be written as follows: If the TID-to-link mapping in the first frame indicates that the second link is to be disabled, the AP MLD terminates transmission with the first non-AP MLD on the second link before all second times and / or any one of the first times corresponding to all first links of the AP MLD.

[0196] In method 3.1 for setting the values ​​of Ta and Tb as an option, the aforementioned rule 6 may be written as follows: If the TID-to-link mapping in the first frame indicates that the second link is enabled, the AP MLD may begin transmitting to the first non-AP MLD on the second link only after all second times corresponding to all first links of the AP MLD and / or any one of the first times.

[0197] For example, Figure 8e is a diagram of yet another scenario relating to Ta and Tb according to an embodiment of the present application. As shown in Figure 8e, it is assumed that the effective start time of the TID-to-link mapping is the TBTT corresponding to the DTIM beacon frame of link 2, i.e., time t0 is used as the reference, i.e., the first time is t0. All first links of AP MLD are links 1-1, 1-2, and 1-3 shown in Figure 8e. In the case of Scenario 3, for the first frame transmitted on link 1-1, the effective start time of the TID-to-link mapping, indicated by the first frame, is time t1 or t2; for the first frame transmitted on link 1-2, the effective start time of the TID-to-link mapping, indicated by the first frame, is time t3 or t4; and for the first frame transmitted on link 1-3, the effective start time of the TID-to-link mapping, indicated by the first frame, is time t5 or t6. That is, the first time is t0, and the second time is either t1 and t2, either t3 and t4, or either t5 and t6. Here, an example is used where the second time includes t1, t3, and t6. Ta = the minimum value in all second times corresponding to all first links of AP MLD, Tb = the maximum value in all second times corresponding to all first links of AP MLD, the positions of Ta and Tb are the positions of Ta and Tb shown in Figure 8e, and the minimum value in all second times corresponding to all first links of AP MLD is t1 (t1 <t3<t6であるからである)。

[0198] In the aforementioned Scenario 1 through Scenario 3 of Case 1, the implementation of how all non-AP MLDs that have established multi-link communication with the AP select the target start time for TID-to-link mapping is not limited (for example, a non-AP MLD may use any one of the aforementioned implementation forms 1 through 3). That is, it should be understood that which start time from at least one start time is specifically selected by the non-AP MLD as the target start time is not limited. For example, the target start time may be any start time from at least one start time, or the target start time may be the largest start time from at least one start time, or the target start time may be the smallest start time from at least one start time.

[0199] Case 2: The first non-AP MLD is one of the non-AP MLDs that has established multi-link communication with the AP MLD. In other words, "not initiating transmission to the first non-AP MLD on the second link" can be understood as not initiating transmission to one of the non-AP MLDs that has established multi-link communication with the AP MLD on the second link. In Case 2, it should be noted that the values ​​of Ta and Tb are specific to the one non-AP MLD that has established multi-link communication with the AP MLD, meaning that the AP MLD may individually determine the time range [Ta, Tb] for each non-AP MLD that has established multi-link communication with the AP MLD, or for each non-AP MLD that has established multi-link communication with the AP MLD, the AP MLD needs to individually determine the values ​​of Ta and Tb corresponding to the non-AP MLD.

[0200] Scenario I: The second time is earlier than the first time (i.e., the second time is less than the first time), and the TU boundary is closest to the first time of the first link, Method I.1 for setting the values ​​of Ta and Tb is as follows: Ta is determined based on the minimum of all second times corresponding to all first links established between the first non-AP MLD and AP MLD, and Tb is determined based on the first time. For example, Ta is the minimum of all second times corresponding to all first links established between the first non-AP MLD and AP MLD (i.e., Ta = the minimum of all second times corresponding to all first links established between the first non-AP MLD and AP MLD), and Tb is the first time (i.e., Tb = the first time).

[0201] In Scenario I of Case 2, the implementation form by which the non-AP MLD selects the target effective start time for the TID-to-link mapping (for example, any one of the aforementioned implementation forms 1 to 3) is not limited. That is, it is understood that which effective start time from at least one effective start time is specifically selected by the non-AP MLD as the target effective start time is not limited. For example, the target effective start time could be any effective start time from at least one effective start time, or it could be the largest effective start time from at least one effective start time, or it could be the smallest effective start time from at least one effective start time. This is not limited in this case.

[0202] For example, Figure 9a is a diagram of yet another scenario relating to Ta and Tb according to an embodiment of the present application. As shown in Figure 9a, it is assumed that the effective start time of the TID-to-link mapping is TBTT corresponding to the DTIM beacon frame of link 2, i.e., time t0 is used as the reference, i.e., the first time is t0. All first links established between the first non-AP MLD and AP MLD are links 1-1 and 1-2 shown in Figure 9a. In the case of Scenario I, for the first frame transmitted on link 1-1, the effective start time of the TID-to-link mapping, as indicated by the first frame, is time t1, and for the first frame transmitted on link 1-2, the effective start time of the TID-to-link mapping, as indicated by the first frame, is time t3. That is, the first time is t0, and the second time includes t1 and t3. It is not limited that any of the at least one effective start time indicated by the received first frame is the target effective time determined by the non-AP MLD. If Ta = the minimum value in all second times corresponding to all first links established between the first non-AP MLD and the AP MLD, and Tb = the first time, then the positions of Ta and Tb are the positions of Ta and Tb shown in Figure 9a, and the minimum value in all second times corresponding to all first links established between the first non-AP MLD and the AP MLD is t1 (t1 <t3であるからである)。

[0203] Scenario II: The second time is after the first time (i.e., the second time is greater than the first time), and the TU boundary is closest to the first time of the first link, Method II for setting the values ​​of Ta and Tb. 1 The following applies: Ta is determined based on a first time, and Tb is determined based on the maximum of all second times corresponding to all first links established between a first non-AP MLD and an AP MLD. For example, Ta is the first time (i.e., Ta = first time), and Tb is the maximum of all second times corresponding to all first links established between a first non-AP MLD and an AP MLD (i.e., Tb = maximum of all second times corresponding to all first links established between a first non-AP MLD and an AP MLD).

[0204] In Scenario II of Case 2, the implementation form in which the non-AP MLD selects the target effective start time for the TID-to-link mapping (for example, any one of the aforementioned implementation forms 1 to 3) does not need to be limited. That is, it should be understood that which effective start time from at least one effective start time is specifically selected by the non-AP MLD as the target effective start time does not need to be limited. For example, the target effective start time could be any effective start time from at least one effective start time, or the target effective start time could be the largest effective start time from at least one effective start time, or the target effective start time could be the smallest effective start time from at least one effective start time, and so on. This is not limited in this case.

[0205] For example, Figure 9b is a diagram of yet another scenario relating to Ta and Tb according to an embodiment of the present application. As shown in Figure 9b, it is assumed that the effective start time of the TID-to-link mapping is the TBTT corresponding to the DTIM beacon frame of link 2, i.e., time t0 is used as the reference, i.e., the first time is t0. All first links established between the first non-AP MLD and AP MLD are links 1-1 and 1-2 shown in Figure 9b. In the case of Scenario II, for the first frame transmitted on link 1-1, the effective start time of the TID-to-link mapping, indicated by the first frame, is time t2, and for the first frame transmitted on link 1-2, the effective start time of the TID-to-link mapping, indicated by the first frame, is time t4. That is, the first time is t0, and the second time includes t2 and t4. It is not limited that any of the at least one valid start time indicated by the received first frame is the target valid time determined by the non-AP MLD. If Ta = first time and Tb = maximum value in all second times corresponding to all first links established between the first non-AP MLD and AP MLD, then the positions of Ta and Tb are the positions of Ta and Tb shown in Figure 9b, and the maximum value in all second times corresponding to all first links established between the first non-AP MLD and AP MLD is t4 (t2 <t4であるからである)。

[0206] Scenario III: The second time is the closest TU boundary to the first time of the first link (i.e., the second time may be greater than or less than the first time), and the non-AP MLD determines the target effective start time of the TID-to-link mapping in the aforementioned implementation form 1, Method III.1 for setting the values ​​of Ta and Tb is as follows: Ta is determined based on the minimum time among all second times and / or first times corresponding to all first links established between the first non-AP MLD and AP MLD, and Tb is determined based on the maximum time among all second times and / or first times corresponding to all first links established between the first non-AP MLD and AP MLD. For example, Ta is the minimum of all second times and / or first times corresponding to all first links established between the first non-AP MLD and AP MLD (i.e., Ta = minimum of all second times and / or first times corresponding to all first links established between the first non-AP MLD and AP MLD), and Tb is the maximum of all second times and / or first times corresponding to all first links established between the first non-AP MLD and AP MLD (i.e., Tb = maximum of all second times and / or first times corresponding to all first links established between the first non-AP MLD and AP MLD).

[0207] In Scenario III of Case 2, the implementation form in which the non-AP MLD selects the target effective start time for the TID-to-link mapping (for example, any one of the aforementioned implementation forms 1 to 3) does not need to be limited. That is, it should be understood that which effective start time from at least one effective start time is specifically selected by the non-AP MLD as the target effective start time does not need to be limited. For example, the target effective start time could be any effective start time from at least one effective start time, or the target effective start time could be the largest effective start time from at least one effective start time, or the target effective start time could be the smallest effective start time from at least one effective start time, and so on. This is not limited in this case.

[0208] For example, FIG. 9c is a diagram of yet another scenario regarding Ta and Tb according to an embodiment of the present application. As shown in FIG. 9c, the effective start time of the TID-to-link mapping is the TBTT corresponding to the DTIM beacon frame of Link 2, that is, it is assumed that time point t0 is used as a reference, that is, the first time is t0. All the first links established between the first non-AP MLD and the AP MLD are Link 1-1 and Link 1-2 shown in FIG. 9c. In the case of Scenario III, for the first frame transmitted on Link 1-1, the effective start time indicated by the first frame, which is the effective start time of the TID-to-link mapping, is time point t1 or t2, and for the first frame transmitted on Link 1-2, the effective start time indicated by the first frame, which is the effective start time of the TID-to-link mapping, is time point t3 or t4. That is, the first time is t0, and the second time includes either of t1 and t2 and either of t3 and t4. Here, it is used as an example that the second time includes t1 and t4. Which of at least one of the effective start times indicated by the received first frame is the target effective time determined by the non-AP MLD is not limited. If Ta is the minimum value at all the second times corresponding to all the first links established between the first non-AP MLD and the AP MLD, and Tb is the maximum value at all the second times corresponding to all the first links established between the first non-AP MLD and the AP MLD, the positions of Ta and Tb are the positions of Ta and Tb shown in FIG. 9c. The minimum value at all the second times corresponding to all the first links established between the first non-AP MLD and the AP MLD is t1 (because t1 < t4), and the maximum value at all the second times corresponding to all the first links established between the first non-AP MLD and the AP MLD is t4 (because t1 < t4).

[0209] Scenario IV: The second time is earlier than the first time (i.e., the second time is less than the first time), and the TU boundary is closest to the first time of the first link, Method IV.1 for determining the values ​​of Ta and Tb is as follows: Ta is determined based on the maximum of all second times and / or first times corresponding to all first links established between a first non-AP MLD and an AP MLD, and Tb is determined based on the first time. For example, Ta is the maximum of all second times and / or first times corresponding to all first links established between a first non-AP MLD and an AP MLD (i.e., Ta = maximum of all second times and / or first times corresponding to all first links established between a first non-AP MLD and an AP MLD), and Tb is the first time (i.e., Tb = first time).

[0210] In Scenario IV of Case 2, it will be understood that the non-AP MLD may determine the target effective start time of the TID-to-link mapping in the aforementioned implementation form 2, that is, the target effective start time determined by the non-AP MLD is the largest effective start time among at least one effective start time obtained.

[0211] For example, Figure 9d is a diagram of yet another scenario relating to Ta and Tb according to an embodiment of the present application. As shown in Figure 9d, it is assumed that the effective start time of the TID-to-link mapping is TBTT corresponding to the DTIM beacon frame of link 2, i.e., time t0 is used as the reference, i.e., the first time is t0. All first links established between the first non-AP MLD and AP MLD are links 1-1 and 1-2 shown in Figure 9d. In the case of Scenario IV, for the first frame transmitted on link 1-1, the effective start time of the TID-to-link mapping, as indicated by the first frame, is time t1, and for the first frame transmitted on link 1-2, the effective start time of the TID-to-link mapping, as indicated by the first frame, is time t3. That is, the first time is t0, and the second time includes t1 and t3. If the target validity period determined by the non-AP MLD is the maximum validity period (i.e., t3) among at least one validity start time (t1 and t3 shown in Figure 9d) indicated by the first frame received, and Ta = the maximum value in all second times corresponding to all first links established between the first non-AP MLD and the AP MLD, and Tb = the first time, then the positions of Ta and Tb are the positions of Ta and Tb shown in Figure 9d, where the maximum value in all second times corresponding to all first links established between the first non-AP MLD and the AP MLD is t3 (t1 <t3であるからである)。

[0212] Scenario V: The second time is after the first time (i.e., the second time is greater than the first time), and the TU boundary is closest to the first time of the first link, Method V.1 for setting the values ​​of Ta and Tb is as follows: Ta is determined based on a first time, and Tb is determined based on the minimum of all second times and / or first times corresponding to all first links established between a first non-AP MLD and an AP MLD. For example, Ta is the first time (i.e., Ta = first time), and Tb is the minimum of all second times and / or first times corresponding to all first links established between a first non-AP MLD and an AP MLD (i.e., Tb = minimum of all second times and / or first times).

[0213] In Scenario V of Case 2, it will be understood that the non-AP MLD can determine the target effective start time of the TID-to-link mapping in the aforementioned implementation form 3, that is, the target effective start time determined by the non-AP MLD is the minimum effective start time among the at least one effective start time obtained.

[0214] For example, Figure 9e is a diagram of yet another scenario relating to Ta and Tb according to an embodiment of the present application. As shown in Figure 9e, it is assumed that the effective start time of the TID-to-link mapping is TBTT corresponding to the DTIM beacon frame of link 2, i.e., time t0 is used as the reference, i.e., the first time is t0. All first links established between the first non-AP MLD and AP MLD are links 1-1 and 1-2 shown in Figure 9e. In the case of Scenario V, for the first frame transmitted on link 1-1, the effective start time of the TID-to-link mapping, as indicated by the first frame, is time t2, and for the first frame transmitted on link 1-2, the effective start time of the TID-to-link mapping, as indicated by the first frame, is time t4. That is, the first time is t0, and the second time includes t2 and t4. If the target validity period determined by the non-AP MLD is the minimum validity period (i.e., t2) among at least one validity start time (t2 and t4 shown in Figure 9e) indicated by the first frame received, and Ta = first time, and Tb = minimum of all second times corresponding to all first links established between the first non-AP MLD and AP MLD, then the positions of Ta and Tb are the positions of Ta and Tb shown in Figure 9e, where the minimum of all second times corresponding to all first links established between the first non-AP MLD and AP MLD is t2 (t2 <t4であるからである)。

[0215] It will be understood that the following explanation is provided with reference to specific examples in order to further distinguish the meanings of "all first links of the AP MLD" and "all first links established between the first non-AP MLD and the AP MLD" as described in this embodiment of the present application. For example, assuming that the AP MLD operates on N first links and M first links are established between the first non-AP MLD and the AP MLD, then all first links of the AP MLD can be understood as N first links, and all first links established between the first non-AP MLD and the AP MLD can be understood as M first links, where N is a positive integer greater than or equal to M.

[0216] In this application, when a link (for example, the second link used as an example for illustrative purposes in this application) is to be disabled, the AP MLD is disabled as late as possible (i.e., later than the disable time of all non-AP MLDs that have established multi-link communication with the AP MLD). When a link (for example, the second link used as an example for illustrative purposes in this application) is to be enabled, the AP MLD is enabled as early as possible (i.e., earlier than the enable time of all non-AP MLDs that have established multi-link communication with the AP MLD). This solves the problem that AP MLDs and non-AP MLDs may not be able to reliably communicate with each other if there is a discrepancy in their understanding of the mapping validity period.

[0217] The above describes in detail the method in the present application. To better implement the aforementioned solution in the embodiments of the present application, embodiments of the present application further provide corresponding apparatus or devices.

[0218] In this application, the communication device is divided into functional modules based on the embodiments of the method described above. For example, the communication device may be divided into functional modules corresponding to functions, or two or more functions may be integrated into a single processing module. The integrated module may be implemented in hardware form or in the form of a software functional module. It should be noted that in this application, the module division is merely an example and is nothing more than a logical functional division. In actual implementation, a different division method may be used. The communication device in the embodiments of this application will be described in detail below with reference to Figures 10 to 12.

[0219] Figure 10 is a diagram illustrating the structure of a communication device according to an embodiment of the present application. As shown in Figure 10, the communication device includes a processing unit 1001 and a transceiver unit 1002. The transceiver unit 1002 is capable of performing corresponding communication functions, and the processing unit 1001 is configured to process data. For example, the transceiver unit 1002 may be referred to as a communication interface, a communication unit, or the like.

[0220] In some embodiments of this application, the communication device may be configured to perform operations performed by the AP MLD in the method embodiments described above. In this case, the communication device may be the AP MLD or a component (such as a chip or system) that can be built into the AP MLD. The transceiver unit 1002 is configured to perform operations related to receiving and transmitting of the AP MLD in the method embodiments described above. The processing unit 1001 is configured to perform operations related to processing of the AP MLD in the method embodiments described above.

[0221] In some embodiments of this application, the communication device may be the AP MLD or chip described above, and the chip may be located within the AP MLD. In other words, the communication device may be configured to perform steps, functions, or similar actions performed by the AP MLD in the method embodiments described above.

[0222] The processing unit 1001 is configured to generate at least one first frame. The transceiver unit 1002 is configured to transmit at least one first frame over at least one first link.

[0223] Optionally, the communication device may further include a storage unit. The storage unit may be configured to store instructions and / or data. The processing unit 1001 is capable of reading instructions and / or data from the storage unit, and as a result, the communication device implements embodiments of the method described above.

[0224] In other embodiments of this application, the communication device may be configured to perform operations performed by the non-AP MLD in embodiments of the method described above. In this case, the communication device may be the non-AP MLD or a component that can be built into the non-AP MLD. The transceiver unit 1002 is configured to perform operations related to receiving and transmitting of the non-AP MLD in embodiments of the method described above. The processing unit 1001 is configured to perform operations related to processing of the non-AP MLD in embodiments of the method described above. In other words, the communication device may be configured to perform steps, functions, or similar operations performed by the non-AP MLD in embodiments of the method described above.

[0225] The transceiver unit 1002 is configured to receive at least one first frame on at least one first link. The processing unit 1001 is configured to determine the target effective start time of a traffic identifier-to-link mapping based on at least one first frame.

[0226] For a specific explanation of how the processing unit 1001 analyzes the first frame to determine the target effective start time, please refer to the embodiments of the method shown above. Further details will not be explained here.

[0227] Optionally, the communication device may further include a storage unit. The storage unit may be configured to store instructions and / or data. The processing unit 1001 is capable of reading instructions and / or data from the storage unit, and as a result, the communication device implements embodiments of the method described above.

[0228] It will be understood that the specific descriptions of the transceiver unit and processing unit described in this embodiment of the present application are merely illustrative. For specific functions of the transceiver unit and processing unit, the steps performed, and similar, please refer to the embodiments of the method described above. Further details are not described here.

[0229] For a description of the first frame, first time, second time, Ta, Tb, and similar in the embodiments described above, please refer to the description in the embodiments of the method described above. Further details will not be described here again.

[0230] The above describes the communication device in this embodiment of the present application. The following describes possible product forms of the communication device. It should be understood that any form of product having the functionality of the communication device shown in Figure 10 falls within the scope of protection of the embodiment of the present application. It should be further understood that the following description is merely an example and does not limit the product forms of the communication device in the embodiment of the present application.

[0231] In possible implementations, in the communication device shown in Figure 10, the processing unit 1001 may be one or more processors, the transceiver unit 1002 may be a transceiver, or the transceiver unit 1002 may be a transmitting unit and a receiving unit. The transmitting unit may be a transmitter, and the receiving unit may be a receiver. The transmitting unit and the receiving unit are integrated into a single component, for example, a transceiver. In the embodiments of this application, the processor and the transceiver may be coupled or similarly formed. The method of connection between the processor and the transceiver is not limited to the embodiments of this application. In the process of performing the aforementioned method, the process of transmitting information in the aforementioned method may be understood as the process of outputting the aforementioned information by the processor. When outputting the aforementioned information, the processor outputs the aforementioned information to the transceiver, and as a result the transceiver transmits the information. After the aforementioned information has been output by the processor, further processing may need to be performed on that information before it arrives at the transceiver. Similarly, the process of receiving information in the aforementioned method may be understood as the process of receiving input information by the processor. When the processor receives input information, the transceiver receives the aforementioned information and inputs it to the processor. Furthermore, after the transceiver receives the aforementioned information, other processing may need to be performed on that information before it is input to the processor.

[0232] As shown in Figure 11, the communication device 110 includes one or more processors 1120 and a transceiver 1110.

[0233] In some embodiments of this application, the communication device may be configured to perform steps, functions, and similar actions performed by the AP MLD in the method embodiments described above.

[0234] The processor 1120 is configured to generate at least one first frame. The transceiver 1110 is configured to transmit at least one first frame over at least one first link.

[0235] In other embodiments of this application, the communication device may be configured to perform steps, functions, and similar actions performed by the non-AP MLD in the method embodiments described above.

[0236] The transceiver 1110 is configured to receive at least one first frame on at least one first link. The processor 1120 is configured to determine the target effective start time of a traffic identifier-to-link mapping based on at least one first frame.

[0237] It will be understood that the specific description of the transceiver and processor shown in this embodiment of the present application is merely illustrative. For specific functions of the transceiver and processor, steps performed, and similar, please refer to the embodiments of the method described above. Details are again not described here.

[0238] For a description of the first frame, first time, second time, Ta, Tb, and similar in the embodiments described above, please refer to the description in the embodiments of the method described above. Further details will not be described here again.

[0239] In each implementation of the communication device shown in Figure 11, the transceiver may include a receiver and a transmitter. The receiver is configured to perform a receiving function (or operation), and the transmitter is configured to perform a transmitting function (or operation). Furthermore, the transceiver is configured to communicate with another device / device through a transmission medium.

[0240] Optionally, the communication device 110 may further include one or more memories 1130 configured to store program instructions, data, and / or the like. The memories 1130 are coupled to the processor 1120. The coupling in the embodiments 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 may be for the exchange of information between devices, units, or modules. The processor 1120 can operate in cooperation with the memories 1130. The processor 1120 can execute program instructions stored in the memories 1130. Optionally, at least one of the one or more memories may be included in the processor.

[0241] The specific connecting medium between the transceiver 1110, the processor 1120, and the memory 1130 is not limited to the embodiments of this application. In this embodiment of this application, the memory 1130, the processor 1120, and the transceiver 1110 are connected via a bus 1140 in Figure 11. The bus is represented by a thick line in Figure 11. The methods of connecting other components are merely examples for illustrative purposes and are not limited to them. Buses may be classified as address buses, data buses, control buses, and similar. For simplicity of representation, only a single thick line is used in Figure 11 to represent a bus, but this does not mean that there is only one bus or only one type of bus.

[0242] In this embodiment of the present application, the processor may be a general-purpose processor, a digital signal processor, an application-specific integrated circuit, a field-programmable gate array or another programmable logic device, a discrete gate or transistor logic device, a discrete hardware component, or the like. The processor is capable of carrying out or executing the methods, steps, and logic block diagrams disclosed in embodiments of the present application. The general-purpose processor may be a microprocessor, some conventional processor, or the like. The steps of the methods disclosed in relation to embodiments of the present application may be carried out directly by a hardware processor, or by using a combination of hardware modules and software modules within a processor, or the like.

[0243] In this embodiment of the present application, memory may include, but is not limited to, non-volatile memory such as a hard disk drive (HDD) or solid-state drive (SSD), random access memory (RAM), erasable programmable ROM (EPROM), read-only memory (ROM), or compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM). Memory is any storage medium capable of being used to carry or store program code in the form of instructions or data structures, and is a storage medium that can be read from and / or written to by a computer (e.g., a communication device as shown in this application). Alternatively, memory in this embodiment of the present application may be a circuit or any other device capable of performing a storage function and configured to store program instructions and / or data.

[0244] For example, the processor 1120 is primarily configured to process communication protocols and communication data, control the entire communication device, execute software programs, and process data for software programs. The memory 1130 is primarily configured to store software programs and data. The transceiver 1110 may include a control circuit and an antenna. The control circuit is primarily configured to perform conversions between baseband signals and radio frequency signals and to process radio frequency signals. The antenna is primarily configured to receive / transmit radio frequency signals in the form of electromagnetic waves. Input / output devices, such as a touchscreen, display, or keyboard, are primarily configured to receive data entered by the user and output data to the user.

[0245] After the communication device is powered on, the processor 1120 can read the software program from the memory 1130, interpret and execute the instructions of the software program, and process the data of the software program. If the data needs to be transmitted wirelessly, the processor 1120 performs baseband processing on the data to be transmitted and then outputs the baseband signal to the radio frequency circuit. The radio frequency circuit performs radio frequency processing on the baseband signal and then transmits the radio frequency signal in the form of electromagnetic waves via the antenna. When the data is transmitted to the communication device, the radio frequency circuit receives the radio frequency signal via the antenna, converts the radio frequency signal back into a baseband signal, and outputs the baseband signal back to the processor 1120. The processor 1120 converts the baseband signal back into data and processes the data.

[0246] In alternative implementations, the radio frequency circuitry and antennas may be located independently of the processor performing baseband processing. For example, in a distributed scenario, the radio frequency circuitry and antennas may be located remotely, independently of the communication equipment.

[0247] It will be understood that the communication device shown in this embodiment of the present application may alternatively have more and similar components than those in Figure 11. This is not limited to the embodiment of the present application. The methods performed by the processor and transceiver described above are merely examples. For specific steps performed by the processor and transceiver, please refer to the methods described above.

[0248] In another possible implementation, in the communication device shown in Figure 10, the processing unit 1001 may be one or more logic circuits, and the transceiver unit 1002 may be an input / output interface, or may be referred to as a communication interface, interface circuit, interface, or the like. Alternatively, the transceiver unit 1002 may be a transmit unit and a receive unit. The transmit unit may be an output interface, and the receive unit may be an input interface. The transmit unit and the receive unit are integrated into a single unit, for example, an input / output interface. As shown in Figure 12, the communication device shown in Figure 12 includes a logic circuit 1201 and an interface 1202. That is, the processing unit 1001 may be implemented using the logic circuit 1201, and the transceiver unit 1002 may be implemented using the interface 1202. The logic circuit 1201 may be a chip, a processing circuit, an integrated circuit, a system on a chip (SoC), or the like. Interface 1202 may be a communication interface, an input / output interface, a pin, or something similar. For example, Figure 12 shows an example where the communication device is a chip, and the chip includes logic circuit 1201 and interface 1202.

[0249] In this embodiment of the present application, the logic circuit and the interface may be coupled to each other. The specific method of connection between the logic circuit and the interface is not limited to the embodiment of the present application.

[0250] In some embodiments of this application, the communication device may be configured to perform steps, functions, or similar actions performed by the AP MLD in the embodiments of the method described above.

[0251] The logic circuit 1201 is configured to generate at least one first frame. The interface 1202 is configured to transmit at least one first frame over at least one first link.

[0252] In further embodiments of the present application, the communication device may be configured to perform steps, functions, or similar actions performed by the non-AP MLD in the embodiments of the method described above.

[0253] Interface 1202 is configured to receive at least one first frame on at least one first link. Logic circuit 1201 is configured to determine the target effective start time for a traffic identifier-to-link mapping based on at least one first frame.

[0254] It will be understood that the specific description of the logic circuits and interfaces shown in this embodiment of the present application is merely illustrative. For specific functions of the logic circuits and interfaces, steps performed, or similar, please refer to the embodiments of the method described above. Details are not described again here.

[0255] For a description of the first frame, first time, second time, Ta, Tb, and similar in the embodiments described above, please refer to the description in the embodiments of the method described above. Further details will not be described here again.

[0256] It will be understood that the communication device shown in the embodiments of this application may implement the method provided in the embodiments of this application in hardware form, or it may implement the method provided in the embodiments of this application in software form. This is not limited to the embodiments of this application.

[0257] Embodiments of the present application further provide a wireless communication system. The wireless communication system includes an AP MLD and a non-AP MLD. The AP MLD and the non-AP MLD may be configured to perform the method in any one of the embodiments described above.

[0258] Furthermore, this application provides a computer program used to perform operations and / or processes performed by AP MLD in the manner provided in this application.

[0259] This application further provides a computer program, which is used to perform operations and / or processes performed by a non-AP MLD in the manner provided in this application.

[0260] This application further provides a computer-readable storage medium for storing computer code. When the computer code is executed on a computer, the computer becomes capable of performing operations and / or processes performed by AP MLD in the manner provided in this application.

[0261] This application further provides a computer-readable storage medium for storing computer code. When the computer code is executed on a computer, the computer becomes capable of performing operations and / or processes performed by a non-AP MLD in the manner provided in this application.

[0262] This application further provides a computer program product, which includes computer code or a computer program. When the computer code or computer program is executed on a computer, the operations and / or processes performed by AP MLD in the manner provided in this application are carried out.

[0263] This application further provides a computer program product, which includes computer code or a computer program. When the computer code or computer program is executed on a computer, the operations and / or processes performed by the non-AP MLD in the manner provided in this application are carried out.

[0264] In some embodiments provided in this application, it should be understood that the disclosed systems, apparatus, and methods may be implemented in other ways. For example, the embodiments of the apparatus described are merely examples. For example, the division into units is merely a logical functional division. There may be other division methods in actual implementation. For example, multiple units or components may be combined or integrated into another system, or some features may be ignored or not performed. Also, the mutual coupling or direct coupling or communication connection shown or described may be implemented through some interface. Indirect coupling or communication connection between apparatus or units may be implemented in electrical, mechanical, or other forms.

[0265] Units described as separate parts may or may not be physically separate, and parts shown as units may or may not be physical units, and may be located in one place or distributed across multiple network units in order to achieve the technical effects of the solutions provided in the embodiments of this application. All or some of the units can be selected based on the actual requirements.

[0266] Furthermore, the functional units in the embodiments of this application may be integrated into a single processing unit, and each unit may exist physically independently, or two or more units may be integrated into a single unit. The integrated unit may be implemented in hardware form or in the form of a software functional unit.

[0267] If the integrated unit is implemented in the form of a software functional unit and sold or used as an independent product, the integrated unit may be stored on a computer-readable storage medium. Based on such understanding, the technical solution of the present application, in essence, or in part with respect to the prior art, or all or part of the technical solution, may be implemented in the form of a software product. The computer software product is stored on a readable storage medium and includes several instructions for instructing a computer device (which may be a personal computer, server, network device, etc.) to perform all or part of the steps of the method described in the embodiments of the present application. The readable storage medium is any medium capable of storing program code, including, for example, a USB flash drive, a removable hard disk, read-only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), a magnetic disk, or an optical disk.

[0268] The foregoing description is merely a specific implementation of the present application and is not intended to limit the scope of protection of the present application. Any modifications or substitutions that can be easily devised by a person skilled in the art within the technical scope disclosed in the present application shall fall within the scope of protection of the present application. Accordingly, the scope of protection of the present application shall be subject to the scope of protection of the claims.

Claims

1. It is a method of communication: The steps include: an access point multi-link device (AP MLD) generating at least one first frame; and The AP MLD transmits the at least one first frame over at least one first link; The first frame includes the effective start time of the traffic identifier-to-link mapping (TID-to-Link Mapping); If the TID-to-link mapping indicates that the second link should be disabled, the AP MLD disables the second link when it is no earlier than time Tb; or If the TID-to-link mapping indicates that the second link should be enabled, the AP MLD enables the second link no later than time Ta; A method in which Ta is earlier than Tb, and Tb is determined based on a first time, the first time being the Target Beacon Transmission Time (TBTT) corresponding to a Delivery Traffic Notification Map (DTIM) beacon frame of a third link.

2. In the method according to claim 1: If the first link is the same as the third link, the effective start time of the TID-to-link mapping, which is communicated by the first frame on the first link, is the first time; or If the first link is different from the third link, the effective start time of the TID-to-link mapping, as indicated by the first frame transmitted on the first link, is a second time, and the second time is the time unit (TU) boundary of the first link, method.

3. In the method according to claim 1 or 2: If the TID-to-link mapping indicates that the second link is disabled, the AP MLD will not initiate transmission to the first non-access point multi-link device (non-AP MLD) on the second link at a later time than Ta; or If the TID-to-link mapping indicates that the second link is enabled, the AP MLD does not initiate transmission to the first non-AP MLD on the second link earlier than Tb.

4. In the method according to any one of claims 1-3: If the TID-to-link mapping indicates that the second link is disabled, the AP MLD terminates the transmission by the first non-AP MLD on the second link before Ta; or If the TID-to-link mapping indicates that the second link is enabled, the AP MLD may initiate transmission to the first non-AP MLD on the second link only after Tb; and The first non-AP MLD is all non-AP MLDs that have established multi-link communication with the AP MLD, in this method.

5. In the method according to claim 1: A method wherein the AP MLD does not initiate transmission to the first non-access point multi-link device (non-AP MLD) on the second link when it is later than Ta but earlier than Tb.

6. In the method according to any one of claims 1-5: The second time is the TU boundary closest to the first time of the first link, in this manner.

7. In the method according to any one of claims 1-6: The second time is earlier than the first time, and the second time is the closest TU boundary to the first time of the first link, in this manner.

8. In the method of claim 7: Ta is the difference between the first time and the length of TU, ​​and Tb is determined based on the first time, specifically Tb is the first time; or A method in which Ta is the minimum time among all the second times corresponding to all the first links of the AP MLD, and Tb is the first time.

9. In the method of claim 7: A method in which Ta is the minimum of all second times corresponding to all first links established between the first non-AP MLD and the AP MLD, and Tb is the first time.

10. In the method of claim 7: A method in which Ta is the maximum of all second times and / or first times corresponding to all first links established between the first non-AP MLD and the AP MLD, and Tb is the first time.

11. A method according to any one of claims 1-6, wherein the second time is after the first time, and the second time is the TU boundary closest to the first time of the first link.

12. In the method according to claim 11: Ta is the first time, and Tb is the sum of the first time and the length of TU; or A method in which Ta is the first time and Tb is the maximum of all second times corresponding to all first links of the AP MLD.

13. In the method according to claim 11: A method in which Ta is the first time and Tb is the maximum of all second times corresponding to all first links established between the first non-AP MLD and the AP MLD.

14. In the method according to claim 11: A method in which Ta is the first time, and Tb is the minimum of all second times and / or first times corresponding to all first links established between the first non-AP MLD and the AP MLD.

15. In the method according to any one of claims 1-6: A method in which Ta is the minimum time among all second times and / or first times corresponding to all first links of the AP MLD, and Tb is the maximum time among all second times and / or first times corresponding to all first links of the AP MLD.

16. In the method according to any one of claims 1-6: A method in which Ta is the minimum time among all second times and / or first times corresponding to all first links established between the first non-AP MLD and the AP MLD, and Tb is the maximum time among all second times and / or first times corresponding to all first links established between the first non-AP MLD and the AP MLD.

17. The method according to claim 8, wherein the first non-AP MLD is any one of the non-AP MLDs that has established multi-link communication with the AP MLD.

18. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 17, wherein the TU boundary is the time when the lower 10 bits of the time synchronization function (TSF) timer are 0.

19. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 18, wherein the first frame is a beacon frame or a probe response frame.

20. A method according to any one of claims 1-19, wherein the effective start time of the TID-to-link mapping is indicated by the mapping switch time field of the first frame.

21. A method according to any one of claims 1-20, wherein the effective start time of the TID-to-link mapping, indicated by different first frames, is different.

22. It is a method of communication: The steps include: a non-access point multi-link device (non-AP MLD) receiving at least one first frame on at least one first link, the first frame indicating the effective start time of a traffic identifier-to-link mapping; and The non-AP MLD determines the target effective start time of the TID-to-link mapping based on the at least one first frame; A method that includes this.

23. The method according to claim 22, wherein the effective start time of the TID-to-link mapping, as indicated by different first frames, is different.

24. The method according to claim 22 or 23, wherein the non-AP MLD determines the effective start time of the TID-to-link mapping based on the at least one first frame: The non-AP MLD determines one of the effective start times of the TID-to-link mapping, from among the effective start times of the TID-to-link mapping indicated by at least one first frame, as the target effective start time of the TID-to-link mapping; Methods that include...

25. The method according to claim 24, wherein the target effective start time of the TID-to-link mapping is the maximum effective start time among at least one effective start time of the TID-to-link mapping.

26. The method according to claim 25, wherein the target effective start time of the TID-to-link mapping is the minimum effective start time among at least one effective start time of the TID-to-link mapping.

27. A method according to any one of claims 22-26, wherein the first frame is a beacon frame or a probe response frame.

28. A method according to any one of claims 22-27, wherein the effective start time of the TID-to-link mapping is indicated by the mapping switch time field of the first frame.

29. A communication device comprising a unit or module configured to perform the method described in any one of claims 1 to 21, or a unit or module configured to perform the method described in any one of claims 22 to 28.

30. A communication device including a processor and an interface circuit, The interface circuit is configured to receive signals from communication devices other than the communication device and transmit those signals to the processor, or to transmit signals from the processor to communication devices other than the communication device; and A communication device wherein the processor is configured to implement the method according to any one of claims 1 to 21, or the method according to any one of claims 22 to 28, by means of a logic circuit or by executing a code instruction.

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