Direct link addressing method and direct link addressing device

Abstract

The present application provides a direct link addressing method and a direct link addressing device, so that direct communication can be performed between a non-AP MLD and a non-AP MLD, or between a STA device and a non-AP MLD, thereby improving data transmission efficiency. The present application may be applied to a WiFi system. The method is applied to a first device, and the first device includes one or more stations STA. The first device is connected to a third device, and the third device includes multiple access points AP. The second device is connected to the third device, and the second device includes multiple STAs. When the first device includes one STA, the protected data is configured by using an address of the first device, an address of the second device, and an address of a first AP connected to the first device. When the first device includes multiple STAs, the protected data is configured by using an address of the first device, an address of the second device, and an address of the third device. Thus, the first device transmits a first data unit via a direct link between the first device and the second device, thereby increasing the data transmission rate.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 202110278095.3, entitled "Direct Link Addressing Method and Direct Link Addressing Apparatus," filed with the China State Intellectual Property Office on March 15, 2021, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[0002] The present application relates to the field of communications, and in particular to a direct link addressing method and device. [Background technology]

[0003] With the development of wireless communication technology, more and more wireless communication devices support multi-link communication to improve the communication efficiency of the communication devices. A communication device that supports multi-link communication is sometimes called a multi-link device (MLD). A multi-link device is an access point (AP), (a The communication system may further include a station (STA) device. The STA device includes one STA and the STA device may communicate with the non-AP MLD by using the AP MLD. The communication system may further include a station (STA) device. The STA device includes one STA and the STA device may communicate with the non-AP MLD by using the AP MLD.

[0004] However, communication between two non-AP MLDs or between a STA device and a non-AP MLD still needs to be forwarded by using AP MLD, which increases the transmission delay. There is no corresponding solution available in the industry for how to set up a direct link between a first non-AP MLD and a second non-AP MLD or between a STA device and a non-AP MLD for communication. Summary of the Invention [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] The embodiments of the present application provide a direct link addressing method and a direct link addressing device, so that direct communication can be performed between non-AP MLDs and non-AP MLDs, or between STA devices and non-AP MLDs, thereby improving data transmission efficiency.

[0006] To achieve the aforementioned objectives, the present application uses the following technical solutions:

[0007] According to a first aspect, a direct link addressing method is provided, which is applied to a first device. The first device includes one or more stations STAs. The first device is connected to a third device, and the third device includes multiple access points APs. The second device is connected to the third device, and the second device includes multiple STAs. The direct link addressing method includes the steps of determining protected data and transmitting a first data unit. The protected data includes a first address, a second address, and a third address. If the first device includes one STA, the first address is an address of the second device, the second address is an address of the first device, and the third address is an address of the first AP of the third device, and the first device is connected to the first AP of the third device. If the first device includes multiple STAs, the first address is an address of the second device, the second address is an address of the first device, and the third address is an address of the third device. The first data unit includes a first header, the first header being determined based on the protected data, and the first data unit is transmitted over a direct link between the first device and the second device.

[0008] According to the direct link addressing method described in the first aspect, when the first device includes one STA, the protected data is configured by using the address of the first device, the address of the second device, and the address of the first AP connected to the first device. When the first device includes multiple STAs, the protected data is configured by using the address of the first device, the address of the second device, and the address of the third device. Thus, the first device may transmit the first data unit via the direct link between the first device and the second device, thereby increasing the data transmission rate. In addition, when the first device includes multiple STAs, the protected data is configured by using the address of the device, and the change of the direct link does not affect the protected data. Thus, when the data is transmitted via multiple direct links, encryption does not need to be performed again, thereby further increasing the data transmission rate.

[0009] Optionally, the protected data may include additional authentication data. authentication The first data unit may be a management protocol data unit (AAD), and the first data unit may be a management protocol data unit (MPDU).

[0010] In one possible design scheme, the first header may include a fourth address, a fifth address, and a sixth address. If the first device includes one STA, the fourth address is the address of the second device, the fifth address is the address of the first device, and the sixth address is the address of the first AP of the third device. In this way, the legacy STA and the second device may communicate through a direct link, thereby increasing the data transmission rate.

[0011] Optionally, the first header may be an MPDU header.

[0012] In one possible design manner, the first header may include a fourth address, a fifth address, and a sixth address. When the first device includes multiple STAs, the fourth address corresponds to the first direct link and is an address of an STA in the multiple STAs of the second device, the fifth address corresponds to the first direct link and is an address of an STA in the multiple STAs of the first device, the sixth address corresponds to the first direct link and is an address of an AP in the multiple APs of the third device, and the first direct link is a direct link between the first device and the second device. In this way, the non-AP MLD and the non-AP MLD may communicate via a direct link, thereby increasing the data transmission rate.

[0013] In one possible design scheme, the first data unit may include a tunneled direct-link setup (TDLS) frame. The TDLS frame may include a first element, which may indicate an identifier of a target link or an address of an AP corresponding to the target link and among multiple APs of a third device. The target link is a second direct link to which the TDLS frame applies, and the second direct link is a direct link between the first device and the second device. In this way, a link-level TDLS frame may be indicated with a specific direct link to which the TDLS frame applies.

[0014] Optionally, the TDLS frame may be a TDLS Channel Switch Request frame or a TDLS Channel Switch Response frame. Frame is used to request the target link to switch from the current channel to another channel, and returns the TDLS Channel Switch Response Frame indicates whether the target link agrees to switch from the current channel to another channel. In this way, the first device and the second device may switch the target link from the current channel to another channel for communication. In a multi-link TDLS scenario, the TDLS Channel Switch Request / Response Frame can be transmitted over any direct link.

[0015] Optionally, the first element may be a Link Identifier element or a newly defined element.

[0016] In one possible design, when the first device includes one STA and the TDLS frame is a TDLS discovery request frame, the first element may indicate an identifier of a transmission link or an address of an AP corresponding to the transmission link and among the APs of the third device, and the transmission link is a link for transmitting the TDLS discovery request frame. In this way, the legacy STA and the second device may communicate through a direct link, thereby increasing the data transmission rate.

[0017] In one possible design, when the first device includes one STA and the TDLS frame is a TDLS discovery response frame, the first element corresponds to an identifier of a transmission link, or an address of an AP among a plurality of APs of the third device, and the transmission link is a link for transmitting the TDLS discovery request frame. In other words, the configuration content of the first element corresponding to the TDLS frame that is a TDLS discovery response frame is the same as the configuration content of the first element corresponding to the TDLS frame that is a TDLS discovery request frame. In this way, the legacy STA and the second device may communicate via a direct link, thereby increasing the data transmission rate.

[0018] In one possible design, when the first device includes one STA and the TDLS frame is a TDLS setup request frame, the first element indicates an identifier of a link between the first device and the third device, or an address of an AP corresponding to the first device and within the APs of the third device, and the transmission link is a link for transmitting the TDLS discovery request frame. In this way, the legacy STA and the second device may communicate via a direct link, thereby increasing the data transmission rate.

[0019] In one possible design, when the first device includes one STA and the TDLS frame is a TDLS setup response frame, a TDLS setup confirm frame, a TDLS discard frame, a TDLS channel switch request frame, a TDLS channel switch response frame, a TDLS peer power saving management request frame, a TDLS peer power saving management response frame, a TDLS peer traffic indication frame, or a TDLS peer traffic response frame, for a specific implementation of the first element, please refer to the above-mentioned implementation of the first element when the first device includes one STA and the TDLS frame is a TDLS setup request frame. Details will not be described again here. In this way, the non-AP MLD and the non-AP MLD may communicate via a direct link, thereby increasing the data transmission rate.

[0020] In one possible design, when the first device includes multiple STAs and the TDLS frame is a TDLS discovery request frame, the first element indicates an identifier of a reference link or an address of an AP that corresponds to the reference link and is among the multiple APs of the third device. Optionally, the reference link may be a link indicated by a BSSID field in the Link Identifier Element. In this manner, the non-AP MLD and the non-AP MLD may communicate over a direct link, thereby increasing the data transmission rate.

[0021] In one possible design, when the first device includes multiple STAs and the TDLS frame is a TDLS discovery response frame, the first element indicates an identifier of a common link for transmitting the TDLS discovery response frame, or an address of an AP in multiple APs of the third device corresponding to the common link for transmitting the TDLS discovery response frame. The common link is a common link between the link between the first device and the third device and the link between the second device and the third device, and the AP of the third device associated with the STA of the first device corresponding to the common link is the same as the AP of the third device associated with the STA of the second device corresponding to the common link. In this way, the non-AP MLD and the non-AP MLD may communicate over a direct link, thereby increasing the data transmission rate.

[0022] In one possible design, when the first device includes multiple STAs and the TDLS frame is a TDLS setup request frame, a TDLS setup response frame, or a TDLS setup confirmation frame, the first element indicates an identifier of a reference link or an address of an AP that corresponds to the reference link and is among the multiple APs of the third device. In this way, the receiving end can know that a particular link is the corresponding reference link.

[0023] In one possible design, when the first device includes multiple STAs and the TDLS frame is a TDLS discard frame, the first element indicates the address of a third device, so that the receiving end can know which device associated with which AP MLD the frame is sent by.

[0024] In one possible design, when the first device includes multiple STAs and the TDLS frame is a TDLS peer traffic indication frame or a TDLS peer traffic response frame, the first element indicates the address of a third device, so that the receiving end can know which device associated with which AP MLD the frame is sent by.

[0025] In one possible design scheme, the first data unit may include a tunnel direct link setup TDLS frame, and the TDLS frame may include a wake-up schedule element and a second element. The offset field in the wake-up schedule element is an offset to the first timing synchronization function threshold of the third direct link, and the second element may indicate an identifier of the third direct link or an address of an AP that corresponds to the third direct link and is among the APs of the third device, and the third direct link is a direct link between the first device and the second device. In this way, the time when data is periodically woken up and received / transmitted can be accurately known, reducing power consumption.

[0026] Optionally, the TDLS frame is a TDLS Peer Power Management Request frame. or It may be a TDLS Peer PSM Request / Response frame. Thus, in a multi-link TDLS scenario, Frame may be transmitted over a direct link and the receiving end can correctly parse the wake-up schedule element.

[0027] In one possible design manner, the first data unit may include a third element, and the third element may instruct to set up at least one fourth direct link on the first link. The first link may be a common link between the link between the first device and the third device and the link between the second device and the third device, and the first link may include at least one fourth direct link.

[0028] In this way, the first device and the second device may set up a direct link over the common link to increase data transmission rates.

[0029] In other words, the first link may be a common link between the first device and the third device and between the second device and the third device, and the AP of the third device associated with the STA of the first device corresponding to the first link is the same as the AP of the third device associated with the STA of the second device corresponding to the first link.

[0030] In one possible design manner, the third element may include a number of direct links field and a direct link identifier field, where the number of direct links field may indicate a quantity of fourth direct links requested to be set up, and the direct link identifier field may separately correspond to the at least one fourth direct link and include an address of at least one AP within the multiple APs of the third device or an identifier of the at least one fourth direct link.

[0031] In this way, the quantity of the fourth direct links to be set up is indicated, so that the fourth direct links can be set up on some or all of the first links, thereby increasing the flexibility of setting up the direct links. The direct link identifier field can be used to indicate the links on which the direct links are set up.

[0032] In one possible design manner, the direct link identifier field may further include the address of the first STA of the first device and the address of the second STA of the second device. In other words, the direct link identifier field may include the addresses of the associated STAs at both ends of the direct link.

[0033] In one possible design scheme, the seventh address is bound to a TDLS peer key (TPK), where the seventh address corresponds to a direct link between the first device and the second device, and is an address of an AP within multiple APs of the third device or an address of all APs of the third device, and an address of the third device. In this way, the security of the communication between the first device and the second device over the direct link can be improved.

[0034] According to a second aspect, a direct link addressing method is provided, which is applied to a second device. The second device includes a plurality of stations STAs. The second device is connected to a third device, and the third device includes a plurality of access points APs. The first device is connected to the third device, and the first device includes one or more STAs. The direct link addressing method includes receiving a first data unit and parsing the first data unit to obtain a first header. The first data unit is transmitted over a direct link between the first device and the second device, and the first header may include a fourth address, a fifth address, and a sixth address. If the first device includes one STA, the fourth address is an address of the second device, the fifth address is an address of the first device, and the sixth address is an address of the first AP of the third device. When the first device includes multiple STAs, the fourth address corresponds to the first direct link and is an address of an STA within the multiple STAs of the second device, the fifth address corresponds to the first direct link and is an address of an STA within the multiple STAs of the first device, the sixth address corresponds to the first direct link and is an address of an AP within the multiple APs of the third device, and the first direct link is a direct link between the first device and the second device.

[0035] In one possible design manner, the direct link addressing method provided in the second aspect may further include: obtaining protected data based on the first header. The protected data includes a first address, a second address, and a third address. If the first device includes one STA, the first address is an address of the second device, the second address is an address of the first device, the third address is an address of the first AP of the third device, and the first device is connected to the first AP of the third device. If the first device includes multiple STAs, the first address is an address of the second device, the second address is an address of the first device, and the third address is an address of the third device.

[0036] In one possible design manner, the direct link addressing method provided in the second aspect may further include a step of parsing the first data unit to obtain a tunneled direct-link setup (TDLS) frame, where the TDLS frame may include a first element, where the first element may indicate an identifier of a target link or an address of an AP corresponding to the target link and within a plurality of APs of a third device, where the target link is a second direct link to which the TDLS frame applies, and where the second direct link is a direct link between the first device and the second device.

[0037] Optionally, the TDLS frame may be a TDLS Channel Switch Request frame or a TDLS Channel Switch Response frame. The TDLS Channel Switch Request is used to request a target link to switch from a current channel to another channel, and the TDLS Channel Switch Response is used to request a target link to switch from a current channel to another channel. Frameindicates whether the target link agrees to switch from the current channel to another channel.

[0038] In one possible design, when the first device includes one STA and the TDLS frame is a TDLS discovery request frame, the first element may indicate an identifier of a transmission link, or an address of an AP that corresponds to the transmission link and is within a plurality of APs of the third device, and the transmission link is the link for transmitting the TDLS discovery request frame.

[0039] In one possible design, when the first device includes one STA and the TDLS frame is a TDLS discovery response frame, the first element corresponds to an identifier of a transmission link, or indicates an address of an AP among multiple APs of the third device, and the transmission link is a link for transmitting the TDLS discovery request frame. In other words, the configuration content of the first element corresponding to the TDLS frame that is a TDLS discovery response frame is the same as the configuration content of the first element corresponding to the TDLS frame that is a TDLS discovery request frame.

[0040] In one possible design, when the first device includes one STA and the TDLS frame is a TDLS setup request frame, the first element indicates an identifier of a link between the first device and a third device, or an address of an AP that corresponds to the first device and is within a plurality of APs of the third device, and the transmission link is a link for transmitting the TDLS discovery request frame.

[0041] In one possible design, when the first device includes one STA and the TDLS frame is a TDLS setup response frame, a TDLS setup confirm frame, a TDLS discard frame, a TDLS channel switch request frame, a TDLS channel switch response frame, a TDLS peer power saving management request frame, a TDLS peer power saving management response frame, a TDLS peer traffic indication frame, or a TDLS peer traffic response frame, for a specific implementation of the first element, please refer to the above-mentioned implementation of the first element when the first device includes one STA and the TDLS frame is a TDLS setup request frame. Details will not be described again here.

[0042] In one possible design, when the first device includes multiple STAs and the TDLS frame is a TDLS discovery request frame, the first element indicates an identifier of a reference link or an address of an AP that corresponds to the reference link and is among the multiple APs of the third device. Optionally, the reference link may be a link indicated by a BSSID field in the Link Identifier Element.

[0043] In one possible design, when the first device includes multiple STAs and the TDLS frame is a TDLS discovery response frame, the first element indicates an identifier of a common link for transmitting the TDLS discovery response frame or an address of an AP within multiple APs of the third device corresponding to the common link for transmitting the TDLS discovery response frame, where the common link is a common link between the link between the first device and the third device and a link between the second device and the third device, and the AP of the third device associated with the STA of the first device corresponding to the common link is the same as the AP of the third device associated with the STA of the second device corresponding to the common link.

[0044] In one possible design, when the first device includes multiple STAs and the TDLS frame is a TDLS setup request frame, a TDLS setup response frame, or a TDLS setup confirmation frame, the first element indicates an identifier of a reference link, or an address of an AP that corresponds to the reference link and is within the multiple APs of the third device.

[0045] In one possible design, if the first device includes multiple STAs and the TDLS frame is a TDLS discard frame, the first element indicates an address of a third device.

[0046] In one possible design, if the first device includes multiple STAs and the TDLS frame is a TDLS peer traffic indication frame or a TDLS peer traffic response frame, the first element indicates an address of a third device.

[0047] In one possible design manner, the direct link addressing method provided in the second aspect may further include parsing the first data unit to obtain a TDLS frame, where the TDLS frame may include a wake-up schedule element and a second element. An offset field in the wake-up schedule element is an offset to a first timing synchronization function threshold of a third direct link, and the second element may indicate an identifier of the third direct link or an address of an AP corresponding to the third direct link and among the multiple APs of the third device, where the third direct link is a direct link between the first device and the second device.

[0048] Optionally, the TDLS frame is a TDLS Peer Power Management Request frame. or It may be a TDLS peer power management response frame.

[0049] In one possible design manner, the direct link addressing method provided in the second aspect may further include parsing the first data unit to obtain a third element, the third element may instruct to set up at least one fourth direct link on the first link. The first link may be a common link between the link between the first device and the third device and the link between the second device and the third device, and the first link may include at least one fourth direct link.

[0050] In one possible design manner, the third element may include a number of direct links field and a direct link identifier field, where the number of direct links field may indicate a quantity of fourth direct links requested to be set up, and the direct link identifier field may separately correspond to the at least one fourth direct link and include an address of at least one AP within the multiple APs of the third device or an identifier of the at least one fourth direct link.

[0051] In one possible design manner, the direct link identifier field may further include an address of a first STA of the first device and an address of a second STA of the second device.

[0052] In one possible design scheme, a seventh address is bound to the TDLS peer key, and the seventh address corresponds to a direct link between the first device and the second device, and may include an address of an AP within multiple APs of the third device or addresses of all APs of the third device, and an address of the third device.

[0053] In addition, for the technical effects of the direct link addressing method according to the second aspect, please refer to the technical effects of the direct link addressing method according to the first aspect, and the details will not be described again here.

[0054] According to a third aspect, a direct link addressing method is provided, which is applied to a second device. The second device includes a plurality of stations STAs. The second device is connected to a third device, and the third device includes a plurality of access points APs. The first device is connected to the third device, and the first device includes one or more STAs. The direct link addressing method includes the steps of determining protected data and transmitting a first data unit. The protected data includes a first address, a second address, and a third address. If the first device includes one STA, the first address is an address of the first device, the second address is an address of the second device, and the third address is an address of the first AP of the third device, and the first device is connected to the first AP of the third device. If the first device includes multiple STAs, the first address is an address of the first device, the second address is an address of the second device, and the third address is an address of the third device. The first data unit includes a first header, the first header being determined based on the protected data, and the first data unit is transmitted over a direct link between the first device and the second device.

[0055] In one possible design scheme, the first header may include a fourth address, a fifth address, and a sixth address. If the first device includes one STA, the fourth address is the address of the first device, the fifth address is the address of the second device, and the sixth address is the address of the first AP of the third device. In this way, protocol compatibility is maintained. If the second device is used as a TDLS initiator, the legacy STA can correctly parse the first data unit so that the legacy STA can communicate with the non-AP MLD over a direct link, thereby increasing the data transmission rate.

[0056] In one possible design scheme, the first header includes a fourth address, a fifth address, and a sixth address, where if the first device includes multiple STAs, the fourth address corresponds to the first direct link and is an address of an STA within the multiple STAs of the first device, the fifth address corresponds to the first direct link and is an address of an STA within the multiple STAs of the second device, the sixth address corresponds to the first direct link and is an address of an AP within the multiple APs of the third device, and the first direct link is a direct link between the first device and the second device.

[0057] In one possible design scheme, the first data unit may include a tunnel direct link setup TDLS frame. The TDLS frame may include a first element, and the first element may indicate an identifier of a target link or an address of an AP corresponding to the target link and within a plurality of APs of a third device. The target link is a second direct link to which the TDLS frame applies, and the second direct link is a direct link between the first device and the second device.

[0058] In one possible design scheme, the first data unit may include a tunnel direct link setup TDLS frame, and the TDLS frame may include a wake-up schedule element and a second element, where an offset field in the wake-up schedule element is an offset to a first timing synchronization function threshold of a third direct link, and the second element may indicate an identifier of the third direct link or an address of an AP corresponding to the third direct link and within a plurality of APs of the third device, and the third direct link is a direct link between the first device and the second device.

[0059] In one possible design, when the first device includes one STA and the TDLS frame is a TDLS discovery request frame, the first element indicates an identifier of a reference link, or an address of an AP that corresponds to the reference link and is among the APs of the third device. The reference link may be a link indicated by a BSSID field in the Link Identifier Element. In this manner, protocol compatibility is maintained.

[0060] In one possible design, when the first device includes one STA and the TDLS frame is a TDLS discovery response frame, the first element corresponds to an identifier of a transmission link, or indicates an address of an AP among a plurality of APs of the third device, and the transmission link is a link for transmitting the TDLS discovery request frame. In other words, the configuration content of the first element corresponding to the TDLS frame that is a TDLS discovery response frame is the same as the configuration content of the first element corresponding to the TDLS frame that is a TDLS discovery request frame. In this way, protocol compatibility is maintained.

[0061] In one possible design, when the first device includes one STA and the TDLS frame is a TDLS setup request frame, the first element indicates an identifier of a link between the first device and a third device or an address of an AP that corresponds to the first device and is within the multiple APs of the third device, and the transmission link is a link for transmitting the TDLS discovery request frame. In this way, protocol compatibility is maintained.

[0062] In one possible design, when the first device includes one STA and the TDLS frame is a TDLS setup response frame, a TDLS setup confirm frame, a TDLS discard frame, a TDLS channel switch request frame, a TDLS channel switch response frame, a TDLS peer power saving management request frame, a TDLS peer power saving management response frame, a TDLS peer traffic indication frame, or a TDLS peer traffic response frame, for a specific implementation of the first element, please refer to the above-mentioned implementation of the first element when the first device includes one STA and the TDLS frame is a TDLS setup request frame. Details are not described again here. In this way, protocol compatibility is maintained.

[0063] In one possible design, when the first device includes multiple STAs and the TDLS frame is a TDLS discovery request frame, the first element indicates an identifier of a reference link or an address of an AP that corresponds to the reference link and is among the multiple APs of the third device. Optionally, the reference link may be a link indicated by a BSSID field in the Link Identifier Element.

[0064] In one possible design, when the first device includes multiple STAs and the TDLS frame is a TDLS discovery response frame, the first element indicates an identifier of a common link for transmitting the TDLS discovery response frame or an address of an AP within multiple APs of the third device corresponding to the common link for transmitting the TDLS discovery response frame, where the common link is a common link between the link between the first device and the third device and a link between the second device and the third device, and the AP of the third device associated with the STA of the first device corresponding to the common link is the same as the AP of the third device associated with the STA of the second device corresponding to the common link.

[0065] In one possible design, when the first device includes multiple STAs and the TDLS frame is a TDLS setup request frame, a TDLS setup response frame, or a TDLS setup confirmation frame, the first element indicates an identifier of a reference link, or an address of an AP that corresponds to the reference link and is within the multiple APs of the third device.

[0066] In one possible design, if the first device includes multiple STAs and the TDLS frame is a TDLS discard frame, the first element indicates an address of a third device.

[0067] In one possible design, if the first device includes multiple STAs and the TDLS frame is a TDLS peer traffic indication frame or a TDLS peer traffic response frame, the first element indicates an address of a third device.

[0068] In one possible design manner, the first data unit may include a third element, and the third element may instruct to set up at least one fourth direct link on the first link. The first link may be a common link between the link between the first device and the third device and the link between the second device and the third device, and the first link may include at least one fourth direct link.

[0069] In one possible design manner, the third element may include a number of direct links field and a direct link identifier field, where the number of direct links field may indicate a quantity of fourth direct links requested to be set up, and the direct link identifier field may separately correspond to the at least one fourth direct link and include an address of at least one AP within the multiple APs of the third device or an identifier of the at least one fourth direct link.

[0070] In one possible design manner, the direct link identifier field may further include an address of a first STA of the first device and an address of a second STA of the second device.

[0071] In one possible design scheme, a seventh address is bound to the TDLS peer key TPK, the seventh address corresponds to a direct link between the first device and the second device, and may include an address of an AP within multiple APs of the third device or addresses of all APs of the third device, and an address of the third device.

[0072] In addition, for the technical effects of the direct link addressing method according to the third aspect, please refer to the technical effects of the direct link addressing method according to the first aspect, and the details will not be described again here.

[0073] According to a fourth aspect, a direct link addressing method is provided, which is applied to a first device. The first device includes one or more stations STAs. The first device is connected to a third device, which includes a plurality of access points APs. The second device is connected to the third device, which includes a plurality of STAs. The direct link addressing method includes receiving a first data unit and parsing the first data unit to obtain a first header. The first data unit is transmitted over a direct link between the first device and the second device. The first header may include a fourth address, a fifth address, and a sixth address. If the first device includes one STA, the fourth address is an address of the first device, the fifth address is an address of the second device, and the sixth address is an address of a first AP of the third device. When the first device includes multiple STAs, the fourth address corresponds to the first direct link and is an address of an STA within the multiple STAs of the first device, the fifth address corresponds to the first direct link and is an address of an STA within the multiple STAs of the second device, the sixth address corresponds to the first direct link and is an address of an AP within the multiple APs of the third device, and the first direct link is a direct link between the first device and the second device.

[0074] In one possible design manner, the direct link addressing method provided in the fourth aspect may further include: obtaining protected data based on the first header. The protected data includes a first address, a second address, and a third address. If the first device includes one STA, the first address is an address of the first device, the second address is an address of the second device, and the third address is an address of a first AP of the third device, and the first device is connected to the first AP of the third device, and the first device includes one STA. If the first device includes multiple STAs, the first address is an address of the first device, the second address is an address of the second device, and the third address is an address of the third device.

[0075] In one possible design manner, the direct link addressing method provided in the fourth aspect may further include a step of parsing the first data unit to obtain a tunnel direct link setup TDLS frame, where the TDLS frame may include a first element, where the first element may indicate an identifier of a target link or an address of an AP corresponding to the target link and within a plurality of APs of a third device, where the target link is a second direct link to which the TDLS frame applies, and where the second direct link is a direct link between the first device and the second device.

[0076] In one possible design, when the first device includes one STA and the TDLS frame is a TDLS discovery request frame, the first element indicates an identifier of a reference link or an address of an AP that corresponds to the reference link and is among the APs of the third device. The reference link may be a link indicated by a BSSID field in the Link Identifier Element.

[0077] In one possible design, when the first device includes one STA and the TDLS frame is a TDLS discovery response frame, the first element corresponds to an identifier of a transmission link, or indicates an address of an AP among multiple APs of the third device, and the transmission link is a link for transmitting the TDLS discovery request frame. In other words, the configuration content of the first element corresponding to the TDLS frame that is a TDLS discovery response frame is the same as the configuration content of the first element corresponding to the TDLS frame that is a TDLS discovery request frame.

[0078] In one possible design, when the first device includes one STA and the TDLS frame is a TDLS setup request frame, the first element indicates an identifier of a link between the first device and a third device, or an address of an AP that corresponds to the first device and is within a plurality of APs of the third device, and the transmission link is a link for transmitting the TDLS discovery request frame.

[0079] In one possible design, when the first device includes one STA and the TDLS frame is a TDLS setup response frame, a TDLS setup confirm frame, a TDLS discard frame, a TDLS channel switch request frame, a TDLS channel switch response frame, a TDLS peer power saving management request frame, a TDLS peer power saving management response frame, a TDLS peer traffic indication frame, or a TDLS peer traffic response frame, for a specific implementation of the first element, please refer to the above-mentioned implementation of the first element when the first device includes one STA and the TDLS frame is a TDLS setup request frame. Details will not be described again here.

[0080] In one possible design, when the first device includes multiple STAs and the TDLS frame is a TDLS discovery request frame, the first element indicates an identifier of a reference link or an address of an AP that corresponds to the reference link and is among the multiple APs of the third device. Optionally, the reference link may be a link indicated by a BSSID field in the Link Identifier Element.

[0081] In one possible design, when the first device includes multiple STAs and the TDLS frame is a TDLS discovery response frame, the first element indicates an identifier of a common link for transmitting the TDLS discovery response frame or an address of an AP within multiple APs of the third device corresponding to the common link for transmitting the TDLS discovery response frame, where the common link is a common link between the link between the first device and the third device and a link between the second device and the third device, and the AP of the third device associated with the STA of the first device corresponding to the common link is the same as the AP of the third device associated with the STA of the second device corresponding to the common link.

[0082] In one possible design, when the first device includes multiple STAs and the TDLS frame is a TDLS setup request frame, a TDLS setup response frame, or a TDLS setup confirmation frame, the first element indicates an identifier of a reference link, or an address of an AP that corresponds to the reference link and is within the multiple APs of the third device.

[0083] In one possible design, if the first device includes multiple STAs and the TDLS frame is a TDLS discard frame, the first element indicates an address of a third device.

[0084] In one possible design, if the first device includes multiple STAs and the TDLS frame is a TDLS peer traffic indication frame or a TDLS peer traffic response frame, the first element indicates an address of a third device.

[0085] In one possible design manner, the direct link addressing method provided in the fourth aspect may further include parsing the first data unit to obtain a TDLS frame, where the TDLS frame may include a wake-up schedule element and a second element. An offset field in the wake-up schedule element is an offset to a first timing synchronization function threshold of a third direct link, and the second element may indicate an identifier of the third direct link or an address of an AP corresponding to the third direct link and among the multiple APs of the third device, where the third direct link is a direct link between the first device and the second device.

[0086] Optionally, the TDLS frame is a TDLS Peer Power Management Request frame. or It may be a TDLS peer power management response frame.

[0087] In one possible design manner, the direct link addressing method provided in the fourth aspect may further include a step of parsing the first data unit to obtain a third element, the third element may instruct to set up at least one fourth direct link on the first link. The first link may be a common link between the link between the first device and the third device and the link between the second device and the third device, and the first link may include at least one fourth direct link.

[0088] In one possible design manner, the third element may include a number of direct links field and a direct link identifier field, where the number of direct links field may indicate a quantity of fourth direct links requested to be set up, and the direct link identifier field may separately correspond to the at least one fourth direct link and include an address of at least one AP within the multiple APs of the third device or an identifier of the at least one fourth direct link.

[0089] In one possible design manner, the direct link identifier field may further include an address of a first STA of the first device and an address of a second STA of the second device.

[0090] In one possible design scheme, a seventh address is bound to the TDLS peer key TPK, the seventh address corresponds to a direct link between the first device and the second device, and may include an address of an AP within multiple APs of the third device or addresses of all APs of the third device, and an address of the third device.

[0091] In addition, for the technical effects of the direct link addressing method according to the fourth aspect, please refer to the technical effects of the direct link addressing method according to the first aspect, and the details will not be described again here.

[0092] According to a fifth aspect, a direct link addressing method is provided, which is applied to a first device. The first device includes one or more stations STAs. The first device is connected to a third device, and the third device includes a plurality of access points APs. A second device is connected to the third device, and the second device includes a plurality of STAs. The direct link addressing method includes the steps of determining a first data unit and transmitting the first data unit. The first data unit includes a first header, and the first header includes a fourth address, a fifth address, and a sixth address.

[0093] If the first device includes one STA, the fourth address is an address of the second device, the fifth address is an address of the first device, and the sixth address is an address of a first AP of the third device, and the first device is connected to the first AP of the third device. If the first device includes multiple STAs, the fourth address is an address of the second device, the fifth address is an address of the first device, and the sixth address corresponds to a sixth direct link and is an address of an AP within the multiple APs of the third device, and the sixth direct link is a link for transmitting the first data unit between the first device and the second device. The first data unit is transmitted via the direct link between the first device and the second device.

[0094] In one possible design manner, the first data unit further includes a frame body, and the frame body may be a TDLS frame or data.

[0095] Optionally, the TDLS frame may be a TDLS discovery response frame.

[0096] According to the direct link addressing method provided in the fifth aspect, when the first device includes one STA, the first header is configured by using the address of the first device, the address of the second device, and the address of the first AP connected to the first device. When the first device includes multiple STAs, the first header is configured by using the address of the first device, the address of the second device, and the address of an AP that corresponds to the sixth direct link and is within the multiple APs of the third device, the sixth direct link being a link for transmitting TDLS frames between the first device and the second device. Thus, the first device may transmit the first data unit via the direct link between the first device and the second device without forwarding by the third device, thereby increasing the data transmission rate. In addition, the configuration method of the sixth address may be the same in both the case where the first device includes one STA and the case where the first device includes multiple STAs, in order to avoid frequent modification of the configuration content of the sixth address, thereby further reducing the transmission delay.

[0097] Optionally, the TDLS frame may be a TDLS discovery response frame. The TDLS discovery response frame is encapsulated in a common management frame and does not need to be encrypted. Therefore, the corresponding AAD configuration does not need to be determined.

[0098] According to a sixth aspect, a direct link addressing method is provided, which is applied to a second device. The second device includes a plurality of stations STAs. The second device is connected to a third device, and the third device includes a plurality of access points APs. The first device is connected to the third device, and the first device includes one or more STAs. The direct link addressing method includes receiving a first data unit and parsing the first data unit to obtain a first header. The first header includes a fourth address, a fifth address, and a sixth address.

[0099] If the first device includes one STA, the fourth address is an address of the second device, the fifth address is an address of the first device, and the sixth address is an address of a first AP of the third device, and the first device is connected to the first AP of the third device. If the first device includes multiple STAs, the fourth address is an address of the second device, the fifth address is an address of the first device, and the sixth address corresponds to a sixth direct link and is an address of an AP within the multiple APs of the third device, and the sixth direct link is a link for transmitting the first data unit between the first device and the second device. The first data unit is transmitted via the direct link between the first device and the second device.

[0100] In one possible design manner, the direct link addressing method provided in the sixth aspect may further include a step of parsing the first data unit to obtain a frame body, where the frame body may be a TDLS frame or data.

[0101] Optionally, the TDLS frame may be a TDLS discovery response frame.

[0102] In addition, for the technical effects of the direct link addressing method according to the sixth aspect, please refer to the technical effects of the direct link addressing method according to the fifth aspect, and the details will not be described again here.

[0103] According to a seventh aspect, a direct link addressing method is provided, which is applied to a second device. The second device includes a plurality of stations STAs. The second device is connected to a third device, and the third device includes a plurality of access points APs. The first device is connected to the third device, and the first device includes one or more STAs. The direct link addressing method includes the steps of determining a first data unit and transmitting the first data unit. The first data unit includes a first header, and the first header includes a fourth address, a fifth address, and a sixth address.

[0104] If the first device includes one STA, the fourth address is the address of the first device, the fifth address is the address of the second device, and the sixth address is the address of a first AP of the third device, and the first device is connected to the first AP of the third device. If the first device includes multiple STAs, the fourth address is the address of the first device, the fifth address is the address of the second device, and the sixth address corresponds to a sixth direct link and is an address of an AP within the multiple APs of the third device, and the sixth direct link is a link for transmitting the first data unit between the first device and the second device. The first data unit is transmitted via the direct link between the first device and the second device.

[0105] In one possible design manner, the first data unit further includes a frame body, and the frame body may be a TDLS frame or data.

[0106] Optionally, the TDLS frame may be a TDLS discovery response frame.

[0107] In addition, for the technical effects of the direct link addressing method according to the seventh aspect, please refer to the technical effects of the direct link addressing method according to the fifth aspect, and the details will not be described again here.

[0108] According to an eighth aspect, a direct link addressing method is provided, which is applied to a first device. The first device includes one or more stations STAs. The first device is connected to a third device, and the third device includes a plurality of access points APs. A second device is connected to the third device, and the second device includes a plurality of STAs. The direct link addressing method includes receiving a first data unit and parsing the first data unit to obtain a first header. The first header includes a fourth address, a fifth address, and a sixth address.

[0109] If the first device includes one STA, the fourth address is the address of the first device, the fifth address is the address of the second device, and the sixth address is the address of a first AP of the third device, and the first device is connected to the first AP of the third device. If the first device includes multiple STAs, the fourth address is the address of the first device, the fifth address is the address of the second device, and the sixth address corresponds to a sixth direct link and is an address of an AP within the multiple APs of the third device, and the sixth direct link is a link for transmitting the first data unit between the first device and the second device. The first data unit is transmitted via the direct link between the first device and the second device.

[0110] In one possible design manner, the direct link addressing method provided in the eighth aspect may further include a step of parsing the first data unit to obtain a frame body, where the frame body may be a TDLS frame or data.

[0111] Optionally, the TDLS frame may be a TDLS discovery response frame.

[0112] In addition, for the technical effects of the direct link addressing method according to the eighth aspect, please refer to the technical effects of the direct link addressing method according to the fifth aspect, and the details will not be described again here.

[0113] According to a ninth aspect, there is provided a direct link addressing apparatus, the direct link addressing apparatus comprising a unit or module configured to perform a method according to any one of the first, fourth, fifth or eighth aspects.

[0114] In the present application, the direct link addressing apparatus according to the ninth aspect may be the first device, or a chip (system) or another component or assembly that may be located within the first device.

[0115] In addition, for the technical effects of the direct link addressing device according to the ninth aspect, please refer to the technical effects of the direct link addressing method according to any implementation of the first aspect or the fifth aspect, and details will not be described again here.

[0116] According to a tenth aspect, there is provided a direct link addressing apparatus, the direct link addressing apparatus comprising a unit or module configured to perform a method according to any one of the second, third, sixth or seventh aspects.

[0117] In the present application, the direct link addressing apparatus according to the tenth aspect may be a second device, or a chip (system) or another component or assembly that may be located within the second device.

[0118] In addition, for the technical effects of the direct link addressing device according to the tenth aspect, please refer to the technical effects of the direct link addressing method according to any implementation of the first aspect or the fifth aspect, and the details will not be described again here.

[0119] According to an eleventh aspect, there is provided a direct link addressing apparatus, the direct link addressing apparatus including a processor, the processor coupled to a memory, the memory configured to store a computer program, the processor configured to execute the computer program stored in the memory, such that the direct link addressing apparatus performs a direct link addressing method according to any one of the possible implementations of the first to eighth aspects.

[0120] In one possible design, the direct link addressing apparatus according to the eleventh aspect may further include a transceiver. The transceiver may be a transceiver circuit or an input / output port. The transceiver may be used by the direct link addressing apparatus to communicate with another device.

[0121] In the present application, the direct link addressing apparatus according to the eleventh aspect may be a first device, a second device, or a chip or chip system located inside the first device or the second device.

[0122] In addition, for the technical effects of the direct link addressing device according to the eleventh aspect, please refer to the technical effects of the direct link addressing method according to any implementation of the first to eighth aspects, and the details will not be described again here.

[0123] According to a twelfth aspect, there is provided a communication system. The communication system includes a first device and a second device.

[0124] According to a thirteenth aspect, there is provided a chip system, the chip system including a processor and an input / output port, the processor configured to perform the processing functions of the first to eighth aspects, and the input / output port configured to perform the transceiver functions of the first to eighth aspects.

[0125] In one possible design, the chip system further includes a memory configured to store program instructions and data implementing the functions of the first to eighth aspects.

[0126] A chip system may include the chip, or it may include the chip and other discrete components.

[0127] According to a fourteenth aspect there is provided a computer readable storage medium comprising a computer program or instructions which, when executed on a computer, enables the computer to perform a direct link addressing method according to any one of the possible implementations of the first to eighth aspects.

[0128] According to a fifteenth aspect there is provided a computer program product comprising a computer program or instructions which, when executed on a computer, enable the computer to perform a direct link addressing method according to any one of the possible implementations of the first to eighth aspects. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0129] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of the architecture of a communication system according to an embodiment of the present application; [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of the structures of AP MLD and non-AP MLD involved in communication according to an embodiment of the present application; [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a frame structure of a Multi-link element according to an embodiment of the present application; [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a frame structure of a Link Identifier Element according to an embodiment of the present application; [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a frame structure of an AAD according to an embodiment of the present application; [Figure 6] 2 is a schematic diagram of a frame structure of an MPDU according to an embodiment of the present application; [Figure 7] 1 is a schematic flowchart of a direct link addressing method according to an embodiment of the present application; [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of the structures of an AP MLD, a legacy STA, and a non-AP MLD2 involved in communication according to an embodiment of the present application; [Figure 9] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of the structures of AP MLD, non-AP MLD1, and non-AP MLD2 involved in communication according to an embodiment of the present application. [Figure 10] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of the structures of non-AP MLD1 and non-AP MLD2 involved in communication according to an embodiment of the present application; [Figure 11] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a frame structure of a Wakeup Schedule element according to an embodiment of the present application; [Figure 12] FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram of a frame structure of another Multi-link element according to an embodiment of the present application; [Figure 13] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a frame structure of a frame body according to an embodiment of the present application; [Figure 14] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a frame structure of a TDLS Link Info element according to an embodiment of the present application. [Figure 15] 4 is a schematic flowchart of another direct link addressing method according to an embodiment of the present application; [Figure 16] 4 is a schematic flowchart of yet another direct link addressing method according to an embodiment of the present application; [Figure 17] 4 is a schematic flowchart of yet another direct link addressing method according to an embodiment of the present application; [Figure 18] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a direct link addressing device according to an embodiment of the present application; [Figure 19] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of the structure of another direct link addressing device according to an embodiment of the present application; DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0130] In the description of this application, unless otherwise specified, " / " means "or". For example, A / B can represent A or B. The term "and / or" in this specification describes only the association relationship between associated objects and indicates that there are three possible relationships. For example, A and / or B can indicate three cases: only A is present, both A and B are present, and only B is present. In addition, "at least one" means one or more, and "multiple" means two or more. Terms such as "first" and "second" do not limit the quantity and execution order, and terms such as "first" and "second" do not indicate clear differences.

[0131] In this application, any aspect, embodiment, or feature is presented by describing a system that may include multiple devices, components, modules, etc. It is to be appreciated and understood that each system may include other devices, components, modules, etc. and / or may not include all of the devices, components, modules, etc. discussed with reference to the accompanying drawings. Additionally, combinations of these solutions may be used.

[0132] In this application, words such as "example" and "for example" are used to denote giving an example, illustrative example, or illustration. An embodiment or design scheme described in this application as "example" or "for example" should not be described as being more preferred or having more advantages over another embodiment or design scheme. Strictly, the use of words such as "example" and "for example" is intended to present the relevant concept in a particular manner.

[0133] A multi-link device (MLD) includes one or more associated stations, and an affiliated station is a logical station. "A multi-link device includes associated stations" is also simply described as "A multi-link device includes a station" in the embodiment of this application. An associated STA can be an AP or a non-access point station (non-AP STA). For ease of explanation, in this application, a multi-link device whose associated station is an AP is called an AP MLD, a multi-link AP, a multi-link AP device, or an access point AP. A single-link device whose associated station is an AP is called an AP device, an access point, an AP, a single-link AP device, or an access point AP. A multi-link device whose associated station is a non-AP STA is called a non-AP MLD, a multi-link STA, a multi-link STA device, a STA MLD, etc. A single-link device whose associated station is a non-AP STA is called a STA device, a station, a STA, a non-AP STA, etc.

[0134] The technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application can be applied to various communication systems, such as systems using the IEEE 802.11 standard. For example, the IEEE 802.11 standard includes but is not limited to the 802.11be standard and the next generation 802.11 standard. Scenarios to which the technical solutions of the present application can be applied include communication between non-AP MLD and AP MLD, communication between STA devices and AP MLD, communication between non-AP MLD and non-AP MLD, and communication between STA devices and non-AP MLD.

[0135] The multi-link device MLD may perform wireless communication in accordance with the IEEE 802.11 series, for example, in accordance with an extremely high throughput (EHT) protocol, or in accordance with an 802.11be-based or 802.11be-compatible protocol, thereby performing communication with another device. Of course, the other device may or may not be a multi-link device.

[0136] The network architecture and service scenarios described in the embodiments of the present application are intended to more clearly describe the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application, and do not constitute limitations on the technical solutions provided in the embodiments of the present application. Those skilled in the art may understand that with the evolution of network architectures and the emergence of new service scenarios, the technical solutions provided in the embodiments of the present application can also be applied to similar technical problems.

[0137] In order to facilitate the understanding of the embodiments of the present application, the communication system shown in Fig. 1 is first used as an example to describe in detail the communication system applicable to the embodiments of the present application. For example, Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram of the architecture of a communication system to which the direct link addressing method according to an embodiment of the present application can be applied.

[0138] As shown in Fig. 1, the communication system includes at least one AP MLD and at least one non-AP MLD, such as non-AP MLD1 and non-AP MLD2. Optionally, the communication system may further include at least one STA device. The AP MLD may include multiple APs, the non-AP MLD may include multiple STAs, and the STA device may include one STA, and the STA device may also be referred to as a legacy STA.

[0139] The AP MLD is a device deployed in a wireless communication network that provides wireless communication functions to STAs associated with the AP MLD. The AP MLD includes, but is not limited to, an access point (AP), evolved Node B (eNB), radio network controller (RNC), Node B (NB), base station controller (BSC), base transceiver station (BTS), home base station (e.g., home evolved Node B or home Node B (HNB)), baseband unit (BBU), wireless relay node, wireless backhaul node, transmission and reception point (TRP or transmission point (TP)), etc. in a wireless fidelity (WiFi) system such as a home gateway, router, server, switch, bridge, etc. Alternatively, the AP MLD may be a gNB or a transmission / reception point (TRP or TP) of a 5G system, for example, a new radio (NR) system, or may be an antenna panel or a group of antenna panels (including multiple antenna panels) of a base station of a 5G system. Alternatively, the AP MLD may be a network node such as a baseband unit (BBU), a distributed unit (DU), or a road side unit (RSU) having a base station function, which constitutes a gNB or a transmission / reception point.

[0140] A non-AP MLD or STA device is a terminal that accesses a communication system and has a wireless transceiver function, or a chip or chip system that can be disposed in a terminal. A terminal device may also be called a user equipment, an access terminal, a subscriber unit, a subscriber station, a mobile station, a remote station, a remote terminal, a mobile device, a user terminal, a terminal, a wireless communication device, a user agent, or a user equipment. The terminal device in the embodiment of the present application may be a mobile phone, a tablet computer (Pad), a computer with a wireless transceiver function, a virtual reality (VR) terminal device, an augmented reality (AR) terminal device, a wireless terminal in industrial control, a wireless terminal in self driving, a remote medical ( Telemedicine The terminal device may be a wireless terminal in a smart grid, a wireless terminal in transportation safety, a wireless terminal in a smart city, a wireless terminal in a smart home, an in-vehicle terminal, an RSU with a terminal function, etc. The terminal device in the embodiments of the present application may alternatively be an in-vehicle module, an in-vehicle part, an in-vehicle chip, or an in-vehicle unit that is embedded in a vehicle as one or more components or units. The vehicle may implement the direct link addressing method provided in the present application by using an embedded in-vehicle module, an in-vehicle part, an in-vehicle chip, or an in-vehicle unit.

[0141] It should be noted that the direct link addressing method provided in the embodiment of the present application can be applied to any two nodes shown in Fig. 1. For specific implementation, please refer to the following method embodiment, and details will not be described here.

[0142] It should be noted that the solutions of the embodiments of the present application may be used in other communication systems, and the corresponding names may be replaced with the names of corresponding functions in other communication systems.

[0143] It should be understood that Fig. 1 is merely a simplified schematic diagram of an example for ease of understanding. The communication system may further include other devices not depicted in Fig. 1.

[0144] The frequency bands in which a multi-link device operates may include, but are not limited to, sub-1GHz, 2.4GHz, 5GHz, 6GHz, and high frequency 60GHz. In addition, an MLD may communicate over multiple channels within the same frequency band. Multiple frequency bands or multiple channels may be collectively referred to as multi-link. A multi-link communication method increases peak throughput, reduces service transmission delay, and increases communication speed between MLDs.

[0145] FIG. 2 shows a schematic diagram of the structure of AP MLD and non-AP MLD involved in communication. As shown in FIG. 2, AP MLD includes associated AP1 and associated AP2. AP1 and AP2 are independent of each other in low media access control (MAC) layer and physical layer (PHY), and share a high MAC layer. Non-AP MLD includes associated STA1 and associated STA2. STA1 and STA2 are independent of each other in low MAC layer and PHY layer, and share a high MAC layer. AP MLD and non-AP MLD can communicate through link 1 and link 2. One end of link 1 is connected to AP1 of AP MLD, and the other end of link 1 is connected to STA1 of non-AP MLD. One end of link 2 is connected to AP2 of AP MLD, and the other end of link 2 is connected to STA2 of non-AP MLD.

[0146] A multi-link device corresponds to a multi-link device address, and each link of the multi-link device corresponds to a respective link address. AP MLD is used as an example. The multi-link device address may be an AP MLD MAC address. Non-AP MLD is used as an example. The multi-link device address may be a STA MLD MAC address. The link address between the AP MLD and the non-AP MLD may include an affiliated AP MAC address and an affiliated STA MAC address corresponding to both ends of the link.

[0147] It should be noted that Figure 2 shows that AP MLD and non-AP MLD operate on only two links. The number of links on which AP MLD and non-AP MLD operate is not limited in this embodiment of the present application.

[0148] For example, a multi-link device is a device having a wireless communication function. The device may be a device of an entire system, or a chip or a processing system installed in the device of the entire system. The device in which the chip or the processing system is installed may be controlled by the chip or the processing system to perform the methods and functions in the embodiments of the present application.

[0149] The following specifically describes the setup of multiple links between non-AP MLD and AP MLD with reference to FIG. 2 and FIG.

[0150] The non-AP MLD may perform a multi-link configuration operation over one of the links to simultaneously associate multiple links of the AP MLD. In the association process, the non-AP MLD and the AP MLD may exchange Association Request / Response frames over one link. The link used to exchange Association Request / Response frames may be called a transmission link, and the other link may be called a non-transmission link. transmission Association Request / Response Frame It should be understood that may carry information regarding multiple links that need to be associated in order to simultaneously associate multiple links between non-AP MLD and AP MLD.

[0151] For example, referring to FIG. 2 , the non-AP MLD sends an Association Request frame via link 1, where the Association Request frame carries STA information of link 1 and STA information of link 2. It should be understood that link 1 may also be referred to as a transmission link, and link 2 may also be referred to as a non-transmission link. The AP MLD sends an Association Response frame to the non-AP MLD via link 1, where the Association Response frame may carry AP information of link 1 and AP information of link 2. Thus, the non-AP MLD and the AP MLD establish an association via link 1 and link 2. Furthermore, the non-AP MLD and the AP MLD may transmit data via link 1 and link 2.

[0152] To perform a multi-link operation, relevant information of multiple links may be indicated in a frame related to the multi-link operation. Thus, the protocol defines a multi-link element. For example, as shown in FIG. 3, information carried in the multi-link element is mainly divided into two parts. One part is multi-link device level information (MLD-level info) including fields such as a Multi-link Control field and an MLD MAC Address field, and the other part is per-station information (Per-STA Profile) carrying relevant information of non-transmission links. The Per-STA Profile indicates a link identifier (Link ID) of a corresponding link, and the link identifier may indicate information about a related STA via a link corresponding to the Per-STA Profile. The MLD MAC Address field carries the MLD MAC Address of the transmitting end.

[0153] To reduce signaling overhead, the Multi-link element uses an inheritance structure: if the content of the corresponding element in the non-transmitting link is the same as the content of the corresponding element in the transmitting link, the corresponding element in the non-transmitting link does not need to be carried in the Per-STA Profile of the link. The Per-STA Profile of the link is carried only if the content of the corresponding element in the non-transmitting link differs from the content of the corresponding element in the transmitting link.

[0154] It should be noted that the specific format of the Multi-link element is not limited to that shown in FIG. 3, and the specific format of the Link Identifier Element is not limited in this application.

[0155] It should be understood that the non-AP MLD may obtain link information (e.g., link identifier) ​​corresponding to each link by receiving a probe response frame or a beacon frame, and may further obtain the channel on which each link operates and the address of each link, e.g., the basic service set identifier (BSSID) of the link.

[0156] The following specifically describes a tunneled direct-link setup (TDLS) between two STA devices with reference to Table 1 and Figure 4. Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of a frame structure of a Link Identifier Element according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0157] It is assumed that both the first STA device and the second STA device are connected to the same AP device, the first STA device includes one STA, and the second STA device includes one STA. When the first STA device and the second STA device are within a wireless communication coverage area, a direct link can be set up between the first STA device and the second STA device, so that the first STA device and the second STA device can directly communicate with each other through the direct link without forwarding by using the AP device, thereby improving data transmission speed and reducing delay.

[0158] For example, the TDLS related operations include, but are not limited to, one or more of TDLS discovery, TDLS setup, TDLS teardown, TDLS channel switch, TDLS power save, and TDLS traffic indication. TDLS frames corresponding to the TDLS related operations are shown in Table 1 below. In this embodiment of the present application, the TDLS frames may include a TDLS action frame and a TDLS public action frame. For example, referring to Table 1 below, a TDLS Discovery Response frame belongs to the TDLS public action frame, and all TDLS frames except the TDLS Discovery Response frame belong to the TDLS action frame.

[0159] It should be understood that the first STA device and the second STA device may implement corresponding TDLS-related operations by exchanging TDLS frames. For example, the first STA device and the second STA device may implement TDLS power saving by exchanging a TDLS Peer Power Saving Management Request frame (TDLS Peer PSM Request frame) and a TDLS Peer PSM Response frame. Alternatively, the first STA device or the second STA device may implement corresponding TDLS-related operations by using a TDLS frame. For example, the first STA device may implement TDLS teardown by using a TDLS teardown frame.

[0160] The transmission mode of the TDLS frame may include via AP transmission or direct transmission. The via AP transmission indicates that the TDLS frame of this transmission mode should be used to transmit data between the first STA device and the second STA device via the AP. The direct transmission indicates that the TDLS frame of this transmission mode may be transmitted from one STA device to another STA device via a direct link between the STA devices, and does not need to be forwarded by the AP device. It should be understood that some TDLS frames or TDLS frames may be transmitted in one or both allowed manners. For details, please refer to Table 1 below. Details are not enumerated here.

[0161] When a TDLS frame is forwarded through an AP device or transmitted through a direct link, the TDLS frame is encapsulated in a data frame or a management frame for transmission. Specifically, a TDLS action frame may be encapsulated in a data frame for transmission, and a TDLS public action frame may be directly transmitted in the form of a management frame. For details, please refer to Table 1 below. Details are not enumerated here.

[0162] [Table 1]

[0163] The following describes the AAD and MPDU in the following embodiments of the present application with reference to Figures 5 and 6.

[0164] As shown in FIG. 5, the AAD may include one or more of a Frame Control field, an Address 1 field, an Address 2 field, an Address 3 field, a Sequence Control field, an Address 4 field, and a Quality of Service Control (QoS management) field.

[0165] Specifically, Address 1 indicates a receiver address (RA), Address 2 indicates a transmitter address (TA), and Address 3 indicates an address of an AP MLD associated with the receiving end or an address of an AP (AP in the AP MLD) associated with the receiving end. For management frames, Address 3 may be used for frame filtering. For example, based on Address 3, it may be known whether the frame belongs to a basic service set (BSS). If the frame does not belong to the basic service set, the frame is discarded.

[0166] It should be noted that the specific format of the AAD is not limited to that shown in Figure 5. For example, address 4 in the AAD may be optional. The specific format of the AAD is not limited in this application.

[0167] As shown in FIG. 6, the MPDU includes a frame control field, a duration field, an address 1 field, an address 2 field, an address 3 field, a sequence control field, an address 4 field, a quality of service control field, a high throughput control (HT Control) field, a cipher block chaining message authentication code protocol header (CCMP Header) field, a Frame Body field, a message integrity field, and a frame header (Frame Body). code The packet may include one or more of a message integrity code (MIC) field, and a frame check sequence (FCS) field.

[0168] Specifically, Address 1 indicates a receiver address, Address 2 indicates a sender address, and Address 3 indicates an address of an AP MLD associated with the receiving end, or an address of an AP (AP in the AP MLD) associated with the receiving end, or an address of an AP (AP in the AP MLD) associated with the link between the sending end and the receiving end.

[0169] As shown in Figure 6, the MPDU header may include frame control, duration, address 1, address 2, address 3, sequence control, address 4, quality of service control, and high throughput control. The transmitting end calculates a MIC based on the AAD and the frame body of the MPDU, places the MIC behind the frame body, and then encrypts the frame body and MIC of the MPDU for transmission. After receiving the MPDU, the receiving end performs a MIC check and calculates one MIC. Then, the receiving end compares the calculated MIC with the received MIC to check whether the MPDU has been tampered with.

[0170] It should be noted that the specific format of the MPDU is not limited to that shown in Figure 6. For example, address 4 in the MPDU may be optional. The specific format of the MPDU is not limited in this application.

[0171] Between legacy STA and AP device Transmitted by The address configurations of data frames and management frames are described below with reference to Tables 2 and 3. An AP device may include associated APs.

[0172] For data frames and management frames transmitted between the legacy STA and the AP device, Address 1, Address 2, Address 3, and Address 4 in the MPDU header correspond to Address 1, Address 2, Address 3, and Address 4 in the AAD. The specific configuration is shown in Table 2 and Table 3.

[0173] For example, Address 1, Address 2, Address 3, and Address 4 in the MPDU header of the data frame, and Address 1, Address 2, Address 3, and Address 4 in the AAD are shown in Table 2. In Table 2, if To distributed system (To DS)=0 and From distributed system (From DS)=0, it indicates point-to-point (P2P), i.e., direct link, and communication is between STAs. If To DS=0 and From DS=1, it indicates downlink transmission, i.e., the DS side transmits information to the STA. If To DS=1 and From DS=0, it indicates uplink transmission, i.e., the STA transmits information to the DS side. DA indicates the destination address (DA), SA indicates the source address (SA), and BSSID indicates the address of the associated AP of the AP device. The configuration of Address 3 and Address 4 is divided into two cases, namely, the MAC service data unit and short aggregate MAC service data unit case (MSDU and Short A-MSDU case) and the Basic A-MSDU and Dynamic A-MSDU case.

[0174] [Table 2]

[0175] For example, Address 1, Address 2, and Address 3 in the MPDU header of the management frame, and Address 1, Address 2, and Address 3 in the AAD are shown in Table 3. The STA MAC Address is the address of the legacy STA, and the BSSID indicates the address of the associated AP of the AP device.

[0176] [Table 3]

[0177] The following is a comparison between non-AP MLD and AP MLD with reference to Tables 4 and 5. Transmitted by The address configuration of data frames and management frames is described below. A Non-AP MLD may include multiple associated STAs, and an AP MLD may include multiple associated APs.

[0178] For example, for data frames transmitted between Non-AP MLD and AP MLD, the specific configurations of Address 1, Address 2, and Address 3 in the AAD are shown in Table 4. For data frames, Address 1 and Address 2 are set to the corresponding device addresses when the AAD is configured. For MSDU, for uplink data, Address 3 is set as the destination address, and for downlink data, Address 3 is set as the source address. For A-MSDU, Address 3 is set to the address of the AP MLD. When transmitted over the air interface, Address 1 and Address 2 in the MPDU header are set to the corresponding link addresses, and Address 3 in the MPDU header is set to the same value as Address 3 in the AAD.

[0179] [Table 4]

[0180] For example, for management frames transmitted between Non-AP MLD and AP MLD, the specific configurations of Address 1, Address 2, and Address 3 in the AAD are shown in Table 5.

[0181] Note that in the case of multiple links, management frames can be classified into link-level and MLD-level management frames. Link-level management frames mean that the management frames are for a specific link, e.g., channel switch request / response frames. MLD-level management frames are for the entire multi-link device, e.g., Add block ACK (ADDBA) frames.

[0182] [Table 5]

[0183] The rules for configuring Address 1, Address 2, and Address 3 in the AAD of a management frame, and the rules for configuring Address 1, Address 2, and Address 3 in the MPDU header during transmission over the air interface are as follows: For Address 1 and Address 2, when the AAD is configured, Address 1 and Address 2 are set to the address of the corresponding MLD, and when transmitted over the air interface, Address 1 and Address 2 in the MPDU Header are replaced with the corresponding link address. For Address 3, if the management frame is a link-level management frame, A3 in the AAD is set to the Affiliated AP address corresponding to the destination link. When transmitted over the air interface, A3 in the MPDU header is the same as A3 in the AAD. For MLD-level management frames, A3 in the AAD is set to the AP MLD address. When transmitted over the air interface, A3 in the MPDU header is the same as A3 in the AAD.

[0184] The following specifically describes the direct link addressing method provided in the embodiment of the present application with reference to FIG. 7 to FIG.

[0185] For example, Figure 7 is a schematic flow chart of a direct link addressing method according to an embodiment of the present application. An example in which a first device is used as a TDLS initiator is used for explanation. The direct link addressing method is applicable to the communication between the STA device and the non-AP MLD2 shown in Figure 1, or between the non-AP MLD1 and the non-AP MLD2 shown in Figure 1.

[0186] As shown in FIG. 7, the direct link addressing method includes the following steps.

[0187] S701: A first device determines protected data.

[0188] For example, the first device may include one or more station STAs, the first device may be connected to a third device, and the third device may include multiple APs. If the first device includes one STA, the first device may be the STA device shown in FIG. 1. The STA device may also be called a legacy STA. For ease of understanding, the legacy STA is used as an example for explanation in the following embodiments of the present application. If the first device includes multiple STAs, the first device may be the non-AP MLD1 shown in FIG. 1. The third device may be the AP MLD shown in FIG. 1.

[0189] The protected data may include a first address, a second address, and a third address.

[0190] For example, the protected data may be the AAD shown in FIG. 5, where the first address may be address 1 in the AAD, the second address may be address 2 in the AAD, and the third address may be address 3 in the AAD.

[0191] In some embodiments, when the first device includes one STA, the first address is an address of the second device, the second address is an address of the first device, the third address is an address of the first AP of the third device, and the first device is connected to the first AP of the third device. The second device is connected to the third device, and the second device may include multiple STAs, and the second device may be a non-AP MLD2 as shown in FIG.

[0192] For example, Figure 8 shows an example where the first device is a legacy STA, the second device is a non-AP MLD2, and the third device is an AP MLD. As shown in Figure 8, the AP MLD includes AP1, AP2, and AP3. The legacy STA is connected to AP1 of the AP MLD, and STA1 and STA2 of the non-AP MLD2 are connected to AP1 and AP2 of the AP MLD, respectively. As shown in Table 6, the first address is the address of the non-AP MLD2, e.g., the non-AP MLD2 MAC Address, the second address is the address of the legacy STA, e.g., the legacy STA MAC Address, and the third address is the address of AP1, e.g., the BSSID of AP1.

[0193] [Table 6]

[0194] In some embodiments, when the first device includes multiple STAs, the first address is an address of a second device, the second address is an address of the first device, and the third address is an address of a third device.

[0195] [Table 7]

[0196] For example, Figure 9 shows an example where the first device is non-AP MLD1, the second device is non-AP MLD2, and the third device is AP MLD. As shown in Figure 9, AP MLD includes AP1, AP2, and AP3, STA1 and STA2 of non-AP MLD1 are connected to AP1 and AP3 of AP MLD, respectively, and STA1 and STA2 of non-AP MLD2 are connected to AP1 and AP2 of AP MLD, respectively. As shown in Table 7, the first address is the address of non-AP MLD2, e.g., non-AP MLD2 MAC Address, the second address is the address of non-AP MLD1, e.g., non-AP MLD1 MAC Address, and the third address is the address of AP MLD, e.g., AP MLD MAC Address.

[0197] 8 and 9 are merely examples provided in this embodiment of the present application. The number of STAs included in the non-AP MLD2 and the number of APs included in the AP MLD are not limited, and how the non-AP MLD2 is connected to the AP MLD and how the legacy STA is connected to the AP MLD are not limited.

[0198] S702: A first device transmits a first data unit, and in response, a second device receives the first data unit from the first device.

[0199] The first data unit may include a first header, the first header being determined based on the protected data, and the first data unit being transmitted over a direct link between the first device and the second device.

[0200] For example, the first data unit may be the MPDU shown in FIG. 6, and the first header may be the MPDU header shown in FIG.

[0201] Referring to FIG. 9, a first data unit may be transmitted over link 1 between a first device and a second device without needing to be forwarded by the second device, thereby reducing transmission delay.

[0202] Optionally, the first data unit may be determined before or during the process in which the first device transmits the first data unit in S702. Specifically, one or more of the following methods 1 to 4 may be used.

[0203] Method 1: A first device determines a first header of a first data unit.

[0204] Optionally, the first header may include a fourth address, a fifth address, and a sixth address.

[0205] For example, the first header may be the MPDU header shown in Figure 6. The fourth address may be address 1 in the MPDU header, the fifth address may be address 2 in the MPDU header, and the sixth address may be address 3 in the MPDU header.

[0206] In some embodiments, when the first device includes one STA, the fourth address is an address of the second device, the fifth address is an address of the first device, and the sixth address is an address of the first AP of the third device.

[0207] For example, FIG. 8 shows an example in which the first device is a legacy STA, the second device is a non-AP MLD2, and the third device is an AP MLD. As shown in FIG. 8, the AP MLD includes AP1, AP2, and AP3, the legacy STA is connected to AP1 of the AP MLD, and STA1 and STA2 of the non-AP MLD2 are connected to AP1 and AP2 of the AP MLD, respectively. When the first device sends the first data unit to the second device, the address configuration in the first data unit is shown in Table 8. The fourth address is the address of the non-AP MLD2, e.g., the non-AP MLD2 MAC Address. The fifth address is the address of the legacy STA, e.g., the legacy STA MAC Address. The sixth address is the address of AP1, e.g., the BSSID of AP1.

[0208] The fourth address, the fifth address, and the sixth address in the first header may be the same as the first address, the second address, and the third address, respectively, in the protected data.

[0209] [Table 8]

[0210] In some embodiments, when the first device includes multiple STAs, the fourth address corresponds to the first direct link and is an address of an STA within the multiple STAs of the second device, the fifth address corresponds to the first direct link and is an address of an STA within the multiple STAs of the first device, and the sixth address corresponds to the first direct link and is an address of an AP within the multiple APs of the third device, and the first direct link is a direct link between the first device and the second device.

[0211] For example, FIG. 9 and FIG. 10 show an example in which the first device is non-AP MLD1, the second device is non-AP MLD2, and the third device is AP MLD. As shown in FIG. 9, link 1-1 and link 3 are set up between the first device and the third device, and link 1-2 and link 2 are set up between the second device and the third device. As shown in FIG. 10, STA1 of non-AP MLD1 is connected to STA1 of non-AP MLD2 and corresponds to direct link 1. When the first device transmits the first data unit to the second device, the address configuration in the first data unit is shown in Table 9. The fourth address is the address of STA1 of non-AP MLD2, e.g., Affiliated STA1 MAC Address of non-AP MLD2. The fifth address is the address of STA1 of non-AP MLD1, e.g., Affiliated STA1 MAC Address of non-AP MLD1. The sixth address is the address of AP1 corresponding to link 1, for example, the Affiliated AP1 BSSID of the AP MLD or the Affiliated AP1 MAC address of the AP MLD.

[0212] It should be noted that when there are multiple direct links between the first device and the second device, the first direct link may be a direct link for transmitting the first data unit on the direct link between the first device and the second device.

[0213] [Table 9]

[0214] Method 2: A first device determines a first element of a first data unit.

[0215] Specifically, the first data unit may include a TDLS frame, and the TDLS frame may include a first element. The first element may indicate an identifier (ID) of a target link or an address of an AP among a plurality of APs of a third device that corresponds to the target link. For example, the first element may be set to a BSSID that corresponds to the target link.

[0216] Optionally, the TDLS frame may be a TDLS channel switching request frame or a TDLS channel switching response frame.

[0217] The third devices include AP1, AP2, and AP3, and it is assumed that AP2 corresponds to the target link. In this case, the address of the AP in the third device's APs that corresponds to the target link is the address of AP2 of the third device, i.e., the Affiliated AP2 BSSID in the AP MLD.

[0218] Optionally, the target link is a second direct link to which the TDLS frame applies, where the second direct link is a direct link between the first device and the second device.

[0219] There are direct links 1 and 2 between the first device and the second device, and the TDLS frame is a TDLS channel switching request frame. or It is assumed that the target link corresponding to the TDLS channel switch request / response frame is the direct link 2, and the direct link 2 can be switched from the current channel to the specified channel based on the first element corresponding to the TDLS channel switch request / response frame.

[0220] In a multi-link TDLS scenario, the first element indicates the target link and is the TDLS Channel Switch Request / Response Framedoes not necessarily correspond to the TDLS Channel Switch Request / Response Frame may be transmitted over any direct link, rather than being transmitted over the target link to be switched, thereby increasing transmission flexibility.

[0221] Optionally, the first element may be a Link Identifier element shown in FIG. 4 or a newly defined element. In some embodiments, the first field in the first element may indicate an identifier of the target link or an address of an AP among the APs of the third device that corresponds to the target link. For example, the first field may be a BSSID field of the Link Identifier element.

[0222] Method 3: The first device determines a second element of the first data unit.

[0223] Specifically, the first data unit may include a TDLS frame, and the TDLS frame may include a wake-up schedule element and a second element, where an offset field in the wake-up schedule element is an offset to a first timing synchronization function threshold of a third direct link, the second element indicates an identifier of the third direct link or an address of an AP corresponding to the third direct link and within a plurality of APs of the third device, and the third direct link is a direct link between the first device and the second device.

[0224] It is assumed that there are direct link 1 and direct link 2 between the first device and the second device, the third device includes AP1, AP2, and AP3, the direct link 1 corresponds to AP1, the direct link 2 corresponds to AP2, and the offset field in the wake-up schedule element is an offset to the first timing synchronization function threshold of the direct link 2. In this case, the second element indicates an identifier of the direct link 2 or an address of the third device's AP2, e.g., the Affiliated AP2 BSSID in the AP MLD.

[0225] Different associated APs of an AP MLD may have independent timing synchronization functions (TSFs). In this way, by using the identifier or address indicated by the second element, it can be determined that the offset field in the wake-up schedule element is for a specific direct link TSF.

[0226] Optionally, the TDLS frame is a TDLS Peer Power Management Request frame. or It may be a TDLS peer power management response frame.

[0227] In this way, after the TDLS initiator and the TDLS responder exchange the TDLS peer power saving management request frame and the TDLS peer power saving management response frame, the TDLS initiator and the TDLS responder may periodically wake up and receive / transmit data based on the wake-up schedule element carried in the TDLS peer power saving management request frame and / or the TDLS peer power saving management response frame, thereby reducing power consumption. In addition, since the third direct link to the offset field is indicated, in a multi-link TDLS scenario, the TDLS Peer PSM Request / Response Framecan be transmitted over any direct link and the end can correctly parse the wake-up schedule elements, thereby increasing the flexibility of transmission.

[0228] Optionally, the second element may be a Link Identifier element as shown in FIG. 4 or a newly defined element. In some embodiments, the first field in the second element may indicate an identifier of a third direct link or an address of an AP among the APs of the third device that corresponds to the third direct link. For example, the first field may be a BSSID field of the Link Identifier element.

[0229] Optionally, the wake-up schedule element may reuse an existing wake-up schedule element or may be a newly defined element.

[0230] For example, referring to FIG. 11 , a Wakeup Schedule element may include one or more of an Element ID field, a Length field, an Offset field, an Interval field, an Awake window Slots field, a Maximum Awake Window Duration field, and an Idle Count field.

[0231] The offset field may indicate an offset of the first awake window relative to TSF0. The TSF may be a counter, and the value stored in the counter represents a time value. The interval field may indicate a time interval between two adjacent awake windows. The awake window slots field indicates the duration of the awake window. The maximum awake window duration field indicates the maximum duration of the awake window. The idle count field indicates the amount of idle awake windows that the TDLS peer end is allowed to pass before deleting the periodic wake-up schedule. An idle awake window means that no unicast frames are received from the TDLS peer end within the awake window. For example, if the first device does not receive a unicast frame from the second device in the process of the first device passing the amount of awake windows indicated by the idle count field, the second device may delete the wake-up schedule element.

[0232] It should be noted that Scheme 2 and Scheme 3 may be used independently or in combination. When used in combination, the first element and the second element may be the same element, e.g., the first element, so that the first element may indicate an identifier of a target link or an address of an AP that corresponds to the target link and is in the multiple APs of the third device, and may indicate an identifier of a third direct link or an address of an AP that corresponds to the third direct link and is in the multiple APs of the third device. In other words, the target link and the third direct link are the same direct link.

[0233] For different TDLS frames, the following describes how to configure the aforementioned link identifier element or the newly defined element with reference to Table 10. In other words, when the TDLS frames are different frames, the link identifier element, the newly defined element, the BSSID field in the link identifier element, or the first field of the newly defined element may correspond to different configuration contents. For ease of description, the link identifier element, the newly defined element, the first element, and the second element are hereinafter collectively referred to as the first element.

[0234] In some scenarios, when the first device includes one STA and the TDLS frame is a TDLS discovery request frame, the first element indicates an identifier of a transmission link or an address of an AP corresponding to the transmission link and among the APs of the third device. The transmission link is a link for transmitting the TDLS discovery request frame. For example, the first element may be set to a BSSID corresponding to the transmission link.

[0235] If the first device includes one STA and the TDLS frame is a TDLS discovery response frame, the first element indicates an identifier of a transmission link or an address of an AP that corresponds to the transmission link and is among the APs of the third device. The transmission link is a link for transmitting the TDLS discovery request frame.

[0236] [Table 10A] [Table 10B]

[0237] In other words, the configuration content of the first element corresponding to the TDLS frame that is a TDLS discovery response frame is the same as the configuration content of the first element corresponding to the TDLS frame that is a TDLS discovery request frame. For example, the first element can be set to a BSSID corresponding to a transmission link for transmitting the TDLS discovery request frame.

[0238] If the first device includes one STA and the TDLS frame is a TDLS setup request frame, the first element indicates an identifier of a link between the first device and the third device, or an address of an AP that corresponds to the first device and is among the APs of the third device. The transmission link is a link for transmitting the TDLS discovery request frame. For example, the first element may be set to a BSSID that corresponds to a link on which the legacy STA is located.

[0239] When the first device includes one STA and the TDLS frame is a TDLS setup response frame, a TDLS setup confirm frame, a TDLS discard frame, a TDLS channel switch request frame, a TDLS channel switch response frame, a TDLS peer power saving management request frame, a TDLS peer power saving management response frame, a TDLS peer traffic indication frame, or a TDLS peer traffic response frame, for a specific implementation of the first element, please refer to the above-mentioned implementation of the first element when the first device includes one STA and the TDLS frame is a TDLS setup request frame. Details will not be described again here.

[0240] In some other scenarios, when the first device includes multiple STAs and the TDLS frame is a TDLS discovery request frame, the first element indicates an identifier of a reference link or an address of an AP that corresponds to the reference link and is among the multiple APs of the third device. Optionally, the reference link may be a link indicated by a BSSID field in the Link Identifier Element. For example, the first element may be set to a BSSID that corresponds to the reference link.

[0241] When the first device includes multiple STAs and the TDLS frame is a TDLS discovery response frame, the first element indicates an identifier of a common link for transmitting the TDLS discovery response frame or an address of an AP in multiple APs of the third device that corresponds to the common link for transmitting the TDLS discovery response frame, where the common link is a common link between the link between the first device and the third device and the link between the second device and the third device, and the AP of the third device associated with the STA of the first device corresponding to the common link is the same as the AP of the third device associated with the STA of the second device corresponding to the common link.

[0242] Optionally, if the first device includes multiple STAs, the TDLS discovery response frame may be transmitted via any common link.

[0243] If the first device includes multiple STAs and the TDLS frame is a TDLS setup request frame, a TDLS setup response frame, or a TDLS setup confirmation frame, the first element indicates an identifier of a reference link or an address of an AP that corresponds to the reference link and is among the multiple APs of the third device. For example, the first element may be set to a BSSID that corresponds to the reference link.

[0244] If the first device includes multiple STAs and the TDLS frame is a TDLS discard frame, the first element may indicate an address of a third device, which may indicate discarding all direct links between the first device and the second device. For example, the first element may be set to an AP MLD MAC address. Alternatively, the first element may indicate an address of an AP that corresponds to the direct link between the first device and the second device and is among the multiple APs of the third device, e.g., a BSSID that corresponds to the direct link. For example, if the first element is set to an address of an affiliated AP that corresponds to the direct link between the first device and the second device, it may indicate that the direct link is discarded, i.e., data cannot be subsequently received or transmitted over the direct link.

[0245] When the first device includes multiple STAs and the TDLS frame is a TDLS channel switch request frame or a TDLS channel switch response frame, please refer to the above-mentioned method 2 for a specific implementation of the first element. Details will not be described again here. For example, the first element may be set to the BSSID corresponding to the target link.

[0246] When the first device includes multiple STAs and the TDLS frame is a TDLS peer power saving management request frame or a TDLS peer power saving management response frame, please refer to the above method 3 for a specific implementation of the first element. Details will not be described again here. For example, the first element may be set to the BSSID of the third direct link corresponding to the wake-up schedule element.

[0247] When the first device includes multiple STAs and the TDLS frame is a TDLS peer traffic indication frame or a TDLS peer traffic response frame, the first element indicates the address of the third device. For example, the first element may be set to the AP MLD MAC address.

[0248] The following describes the reference link, transmission link, and common link in detail.

[0249] Reference Link: When the frame body of an MPDU carries a Multi-link element, the link indicated by the BSSID field in the Link Identifier Element is called the Reference Link. For example, see FIG. 6 for the specific format of the MPDU; for example, see FIG. 3 or FIG. 12 for the specific format of the Multi-link element; for example, see FIG. 4 for the specific format of the Link Identifier Element.

[0250] Specifically, to set up a multi-link TDLS, if the first device includes multiple STAs, the Multi-link element will send a TDLS Setup Request / Response Frame or TDLS Discovery Request / Response Frame , may need to be carried in the TDLS action frame. After the TDLS initiator and TDLS responder successfully exchange TDLS Discovery Request / Response frames, the non-AP MLD knows whether the peer end is an MLD or not. If both the TDLS initiator and TDLS responder are MLDs, the Multi-link element may be carried in the subsequent TDLS Setup Request / Response frame.

[0251] FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram of a frame structure of another Multi-link element according to an embodiment of the present application. As shown in FIG. 12, the Type subfield is set to a number corresponding to TDLS. The Transparent / Non-transparent transmission bit indicates the address mode used by non-AP MLD. If the address mode is Transparent, it indicates that the link address of non-AP MLD is the same as the non-AP MLD address. If the address mode is non-transparent, it indicates that different links corresponding to non-AP MLD use different link addresses, and the non-AP MLD address is different from the link address of non-AP MLD. In this case, the corresponding link ID and the address used by the affiliated STA, i.e., the link address, need to be indicated at the beginning of each Per-STA Profile. The MLD MAC Address field is always set to the AP MLD MAC address.

[0252] For a specific format of the frame body, see Figure 13. The frame body may include information about the reference link (Element ID#1, Element ID#2, etc.) and information about another link (Multi-link element). For example, referring to Figure 3 or Figure 12, information about another link may be carried in the Per-STA Profile in the Multi-link element.

[0253] Transmission link ( Transmission Link): Indicates the link on which the frame is transmitted. The corresponding link is called the transmission link. It is assumed that the TDLS frame is transmitted via Link 1, so Link 1 is called the transmission link.

[0254] For TDLS frames (e.g., TDLS Discovery Response) that are encapsulated in management frames and transmitted directly, the transmission link is the reference link. Specifically, when a management frame is transmitted, it is usually required that the transmission link matches the reference link. For example, if the initiator sends a multilink association request frame over link 1, the responder must also return a multilink association response frame over link 1.

[0255] For a TDLS frame encapsulated in a data frame, the transmission link may be different from the reference link. Specifically, when a data frame is transmitted, the transmission link may be any link, in other words, the data frame may be transmitted via any link. Thus, the transmission link may be the same as or different from the reference link.

[0256] For example, the sending method of the data frame may include the following: One possible way is that the data frame is sent according to the requirements for sending the management frame, specifically, the data frame is sent back through the link on which the data frame is sent; Transmission The link corresponds to the reference link. Another possible way is that the data frame is sent according to the requirements for sending the data frame, specifically, the data frame is transmitted over any link. For example, the TDLS Setup Request Frame is sent over link1, and the TDLS Setup Response Frame is sent over link2. In this case, Transmission The link does not have to match the reference link.

[0257] Common Link: A direct link corresponding to two STAs (STA refers to legacy STA or non-AP MLD associated STA) associated with the same associated AP may be called a common link. In the (legacy STA, MLD) scenario, the link associated with the legacy STA is the common link. In the (non-AP MLD1, non-AP MLD2) scenario, there may be multiple common links.

[0258] For example, assume that AP MLD corresponds to link 1, link 2, and link 3, link 1 and link 2 are set up between non-AP MLD1 and AP MLD, and link 1 and link 3 are set up between non-AP MLD2 and AP MLD. Both STA1 of non-AP MLD1 and STA1 of non-AP MLD2 are associated with AP1 of AP MLD and correspond to link 1. STA2 of non-AP MLD1 is associated with AP2 of AP MLD and corresponds to link 2. STA3 of non-AP MLD2 is associated with AP3 of AP MLD and corresponds to link 3. Direct link 1 and direct link 2 are set up, STA1 of non-AP MLD1 and STA1 of non-AP MLD2 correspond to direct link 1, and STA2 of non-AP MLD1 and STA3 of non-AP MLD2 correspond to direct link 2. In this case, direct link 1 may be called a common link.

[0259] Method 4: The first device determines a third element of the first data unit.

[0260] Optionally, the first data unit may include a third element, and the third element may instruct to set up at least one fourth direct link on the first link. The first link may be a common link of a link between the first device and the third device and a link between the second device and the third device, and the first link may include at least one fourth direct link.

[0261] In other words, the first link may be a common link between the first device and the third device and between the second device and the third device, and the AP of the third device associated with the STA of the first device corresponding to the first link is the same as the AP of the third device associated with the STA of the second device corresponding to the first link. In this way, the first device and the second device can set up a direct link on the common link to increase the data transmission rate.

[0262] In some embodiments, the third element may include a number of direct links field and a direct link identifier field. The number of direct links field may indicate the number of fourth direct links requested to be set up. In this way, since the number of fourth direct links to be set up is indicated, the fourth direct links can be set up on some or all of the first links, thereby increasing the flexibility of setting up the direct links.

[0263] Specifically, the direct link identifier field may include an address of at least one AP in the plurality of APs of the third device, or an identifier of the at least one fourth direct link, corresponding to the at least one fourth direct link separately. In other words, the direct link identifier field may include a BSSID of at least one AP in the plurality of APs of the third device, or a link ID of the at least one fourth direct link, corresponding to the at least one fourth direct link separately. In this way, the link on which the direct link is established may be indicated.

[0264] It should be noted that in the embodiments of the present application, "AP MAC address", "AP BSSID", and "AP address" may denote the same meaning if the differences between "AP MAC address", "AP BSSID", and "AP address" are not emphasized.

[0265] Alternatively, optionally, the direct link identifier field may include an address of a first STA of the first device and an address of a second STA of the second device, in other words, the direct link identifier field may include addresses of the associated STAs on both ends of the direct link, for example, the MAC address of the first STA and the MAC address of the second STA.

[0266] Alternatively, optionally, the direct link identifier field may separately correspond to at least one fourth direct link and include an address of at least one AP within the multiple APs of the third device, or an identifier of the at least one fourth direct link, an address of a first STA of the first device, and an address of a second STA of the second device.

[0267] The above third element in the method 4 is described by using a scenario in which a direct link is set up on a common link. In one possible design solution, the direct link can be set up on a non-common link between the first device and the second device. When the direct link is set up on a non-common link, the implementation of the third element is similar to the specific implementation of the third element corresponding to the scenario in which the direct link is set up on a common link.

[0268] For example, the third element may instruct to set up at least one fifth direct link on the second link, the second link being a link different from the link between the first device and the third device and the link between the second device and the third device, and the second link may include the at least one fifth direct link.

[0269] In other words, the second link may be a non-common link between the first device and the third device and between the second device and the third device, and the AP of the third device associated with the STA of the first device corresponding to the second link is different from the AP of the third device associated with the STA of the second device corresponding to the second link. In this way, the first device and the second device can set up a direct link over the non-common link to increase the data transmission rate.

[0270] In some embodiments, the third element may include a number of direct links field and a direct link identifier field. The number of direct links field may indicate the number of fifth direct links requested to be set up. In this way, since the number of fifth direct links to be set up is indicated, the fifth direct links can be set up on some or all of the second links, thereby increasing the flexibility of setting up direct links.

[0271] Specifically, the direct link identifier field may include an address of at least one AP within the multiple APs of the third device, or an identifier of at least one fifth direct link, corresponding separately to at least one fifth direct link. For example, one end of the fifth direct link corresponds to a STA of the first device, and the other end of the fifth direct link corresponds to a STA of the second device. The direct link identifier field may include an address of an AP within the multiple APs of the third device, corresponding to a STA of the first device, or an address of an AP within the multiple APs of the third device, corresponding to a STA of the second device.

[0272] In other words, the direct link identifier field may include the BSSID of an associated AP corresponding to either end of the fifth direct link, or an identifier of the second link corresponding to the associated AP.

[0273] Alternatively, the indirect link may be represented by using an address of an associated AP corresponding to the initiator setting up the direct link or an identifier of a second link corresponding to the associated AP. For example, if the direct link setup is initiated by the first device, the direct link identifier field may include an address of an AP that corresponds to a STA of the first device and is among the APs of the third device, or an identifier of a second link corresponding to the associated AP.

[0274] In some embodiments, the third element may be a TDLS Link Info element. As shown in FIG. 14, the TDLS Link Info element may include one or more of an Element ID field, a Length field, a Number of Direct links field, and a Direct link Identifier field.

[0275] It should be noted that the format of the third element is not limited in this embodiment of the present application, and FIG. 14 is merely an example of the present application.

[0276] It should be noted that the above-mentioned Scheme 1 to Scheme 4 may be used in combination with the direct link addressing method shown in Figure 7, and the above-mentioned Scheme 1 to Scheme 4 may be used independently or in combination with each other, which is not a limitation of this application.

[0277] In some embodiments, the seventh address is bound to the TPK.

[0278] Optionally, the seventh address corresponds to a direct link between the first device and the second device and includes an address of an AP within multiple APs of the third device or addresses of all APs of the third device, and an address of the third device.

[0279] In other words, the address of the associated AP corresponding to the direct link (e.g., the BSSID of the associated AP) and the address of the third device may be bound to the TPK, or the addresses of all associated APs of the third device (e.g., the BSSIDs of all associated APs) and the address of the third device may be bound to the TPK.

[0280] Optionally, when the first device includes multiple STAs, the first device and the second device may negotiate to set up a direct link on some or all of the links, and bind the addresses of the associated APs and the addresses of the third device corresponding to the set up direct link to the TPK, or bind the addresses of all the associated APs of the third device and the addresses of the third device to the TPK. In this way, the security of the communication between the first device and the second device via the direct link may be improved.

[0281] In some embodiments, the direct link addressing method provided in this embodiment of the present application may further include a TPK derivation process shown in steps 1 and 2 below. Steps 1 and 2 may be used independently or may be combined with the method, method 1, method 2, method 3, and / or method shown in FIG. 4 Note that it may be used in combination with

[0282] Step 1: A first device negotiates with a second device to determine an authentication and key management (AKM) suite selector.

[0283] For example, as shown in Table 11, the AKM suite selector may include one or more of organizationally unique identifier (OUI), suite type, authentication, key management, key derivation, and authentication numbers. For specific corresponding contents of each item, please refer to Table 11. Details will not be described here.

[0284] [Table 11]

[0285] Step 2: The first device negotiates with the second device to derive a TDLS peer key TPK.

[0286] Optionally, the TPK may be determined by using the following equations (1) and (2). TPK-Key-Input=Hash(min(SNonce,ANonce)||max(SNonce,ANonce)) (1) In the above formula (1), Hash represents a hash algorithm, SNonce (supplicant nonce) represents a random number on the request side, ANonce (authenticator nonce) represents a random number on the authenticator side, || represents concatenation or inclusion, the mathematical symbol min represents taking a minimum value, and the mathematical symbol max represents taking a maximum value. TPK=KDF-Hash-Length(TPK-Key-Input,“TDLS MLD PMK”,min(MAC_I,MAC_R)||max(MAC_I,MAC_R)||AP MLD MAC Address||Affiliated AP Address1||….Affiliated AP Addressn)(2) In the above formula (2), TPK represents the TDLS peer key, KDF-Hash-Length represents the key derivation function, "TDLS MLD PMK" represents the TDLS MLD pairwise master key (PMK), || represents concatenation or inclusion, the mathematical symbol min represents taking the minimum value, the mathematical symbol max represents taking the maximum value, AP MLD MAC Address represents the address of the third device (AP MLD), and Affiliated AP Address1 represents the address of the affiliated AP (AP of the third device) corresponding to the direct link between the first device and the second device. If the first device is the initiator, MAC_I represents the MAC address of the first device, and MAC_R represents the MAC address of the second device.

[0287] Note that steps 1 and 2 above may be applied to derive a pairwise master key (PTK), and the seventh address may be bound to the PTK. Details will not be described again here.

[0288] In some embodiments, the first device and the second device may communicate with each other via a TDLS Setup Request / Response / Confirm Frame (For details, see steps a to c below.) Specifically, steps 1 and 2 above may be used in combination with steps a to c below to complete the TPK derivation handshake negotiation.

[0289] An example will be used in which the first device is used as a TDLS initiator.

[0290] Step a: A first device sends a TDLS Setup Request frame to a second device, and in response, the second device receives a TDLS Setup Request frame from the first device.

[0291] Step b: The second device sends a TDLS Setup Response frame to the first device, and in response, the first device receives a TDLS Setup Response frame from the second device.

[0292] Optionally, the second device may send a TDLS Setup Response frame to the first device based on the Link Identifier Element and / or the TDLS Link Info element.

[0293] For example, the TDLS Setup Response frame may include accepting the TDLS setup request or not accepting the TDLS setup request, for example, a Status Code in the TDLS Setup Response frame may indicate accepting or not accepting.

[0294] Step c: If the TDLS Setup Response frame indicates Accept, the first device sends a TDLS Setup Confirm frame to the second device to complete the TPK derivation handshake negotiation.

[0295] According to the direct link addressing method described in FIG. 7, when the first device includes one STA, the protected data is constructed by using the address of the first device, the address of the second device, and the address of the first AP connected to the first device. When the first device includes multiple STAs, the protected data is constructed by using the address of the first device, the address of the second device, and the address of the third device. Thus, the first device may transmit the first data unit via the direct link between the first device and the second device, thereby increasing the data transmission rate. In addition, when the first device includes multiple STAs, the protected data is constructed by using the address of the device, and the change of the direct link does not affect the protected data. Thus, when the data is transmitted via multiple direct links, encryption does not need to be performed again, thereby further increasing the data transmission rate.

[0296] For example, Figure 15 is a schematic flow chart of another direct link addressing method according to an embodiment of the present application. An example in which a second device is used as a TDLS initiator is used for explanation. The direct link addressing method is applicable to the communication between the STA device and the non-AP MLD2 shown in Figure 1, or between the non-AP MLD1 and the non-AP MLD2 shown in Figure 1.

[0297] S1501: A second device determines protected data.

[0298] The protected data includes a first address, a second address, and a third address.

[0299] In some embodiments, when the first device includes one STA, the first address is an address of the first device, the second address is an address of the second device, and the third address is an address of a first AP of the third device, and the first device is connected to the first AP of the third device.

[0300] In relation to FIG. 8, the first address, second address, and third address of the protected data when the first device includes one STA and the second device is used as a TDLS initiator are shown in Table 12. The difference from Table 6 in S701 is that the configuration contents of the first address and the configuration contents of the second address are exchanged, and since the responder is the first device, the first address is the address of the legacy STA, e.g., the legacy STA MAC Address, and since the initiator is the second device, the second address is the address of the non-AP MLD2, e.g., the non-AP MLD2 MAC Address. The third address is the same as the third address in Table 6, and the third address is the address of AP1, e.g., the BSSID of AP1.

[0301] [Table 12]

[0302] In some embodiments, when the first device includes multiple STAs, the first address is an address of the first device, the second address is an address of the second device, and the third address is an address of the third device.

[0303] In relation to Fig. 9, when the first device includes multiple STAs and the second device is used as a TDLS initiator, the first address, the second address, and the third address of the protected data are shown in Table 13. Because the initiator and the responder change, the difference between Table 13 and Table 7 in S701 is that the configuration contents of the first address and the configuration contents of the second address are exchanged. For details, please refer to Table 13. Details are not described here.

[0304] [Table 13]

[0305] S1502: A second device transmits a first data unit.

[0306] The first data unit includes a first header, the first header being determined based on the protected data, and the first data unit is transmitted over a direct link between the first device and the second device.

[0307] For example, the first data unit may be the MPDU shown in FIG. 6, and the first header may be the MPDU header shown in FIG.

[0308] Optionally, S 15 02 2 The first data unit may be determined before or during the process of the device transmitting the first data unit. Specifically, one or more of the following methods 5 to 8 may be used.

[0309] Method 5: A second device determines a first header of a first data unit.

[0310] Optionally, the first header may include a fourth address, a fifth address, and a sixth address.

[0311] For example, the first header may be the MPDU header shown in Figure 6. The fourth address may be address 1 in the MPDU header, the fifth address may be address 2 in the MPDU header, and the sixth address may be address 3 in the MPDU header.

[0312] In some embodiments, when the first device includes one STA, the fourth address is an address of the first device, the fifth address is an address of the second device, and the sixth address is an address of the first AP of the third device.

[0313] With reference to FIG. 8, when the first device includes one STA and the second device is used as a TDLS initiator, the fourth address, the fifth address, and the sixth address of the MPDU header are shown in Table 14. Because the initiator and the responder change, the difference between Table 14 and Table 8 in the above-mentioned method 1 is that the configuration contents of the fourth address and the configuration contents of the fifth address are exchanged. For details, please refer to Table 14. Details are not described here.

[0314] [Table 14]

[0315] In some embodiments, when the first device includes multiple STAs, the fourth address corresponds to the first direct link and is an address of a STA within the multiple STAs of the first device, the fifth address corresponds to the first direct link and is an address of a STA within the multiple STAs of the second device, and the sixth address corresponds to the first direct link and is an address of an AP within the multiple APs of the third device. The first direct link is a direct link between the first device and the second device.

[0316] 9 and 10, when the first device includes multiple STAs and the second device is used as a TDLS initiator, the fourth address, the fifth address, and the sixth address of the MPDU header are shown in Table 15. Because the initiator and the responder change, the difference between Table 15 and Table 9 in the above-mentioned method 1 is that the configuration contents of the fourth address and the configuration contents of the fifth address are exchanged. For details, please refer to Table 15. Details will not be described here.

[0317] It should be noted that when there are multiple direct links between the first device and the second device, the first direct link may be a direct link for transmitting the first data unit on the direct link between the first device and the second device.

[0318] [Table 15]

[0319] Method 6: A second device determines a first element of a first data unit.

[0320] In some embodiments, the first data unit may include a TDLS frame, the TDLS frame including a first element. The first element indicates an identifier of a target link or an address of an AP within a plurality of APs of a third device that corresponds to the target link. For example, the first element may be set to a BSSID that corresponds to the target link.

[0321] Optionally, the target link is a second direct link to which the TDLS frame applies, where the second direct link is a direct link between the first device and the second device.

[0322] For specific implementations of Scheme 6, the TDLS frame, and the first element, please refer to Scheme 2 above. Details will not be described again here.

[0323] Manner 7: A second device determines a second element of the first data unit.

[0324] In some embodiments, the first data unit may include a TDLS frame, and the TDLS frame may include a wake-up schedule element and a second element. The offset field in the wake-up schedule element is an offset to the first timing synchronization function threshold of the third direct link, and the second element may indicate an identifier of the third direct link or an address of an AP in the plurality of APs of the third device that corresponds to the third direct link, and the third direct link is a direct link between the first device and the second device. For specific implementations, please refer to the corresponding implementations of the aforementioned method 3. Details will not be described again here.

[0325] It should be noted that, like Scheme 2 and Scheme 3, Scheme 6 and Scheme 7 may be used independently or in combination, and the details will not be described again here.

[0326] [Table 16A] [Table 16B]

[0327] For different TDLS frames, the following describes how to configure the above-mentioned link identifier element or the newly defined element with reference to the above-mentioned Table 16. In other words, when the TDLS frames are different frames, the link identifier element, the newly defined element, the BSSID field in the link identifier element, or the first field of the newly defined element may correspond to different configuration contents. For ease of explanation, the link identifier element, the newly defined element, the first element, and the second element are hereinafter collectively referred to as the first element.

[0328] The main difference between how to configure the first element when the second device is used as a TDLS initiator and how to configure the first element when the first device is used as a TDLS initiator is in the scenario where the first device contains one STA and the TDLS frame is a TDLS discovery request frame.

[0329] For example, if the first device includes one STA and the TDLS frame is a TDLS discovery request frame, the first element indicates an identifier of a reference link or an address of an AP that corresponds to the reference link and is among the APs of the third device. The reference link may be a link indicated by a BSSID field in the Link Identifier Element. For example, the first element may be set to the BSSID that corresponds to the reference link.

[0330] In another scenario shown in Table 16, for specific implementations of the first element, please refer to the implementations of the corresponding first element in Table 10 when the first device is used as a TDLS initiator. Details are not described again here.

[0331] For specific implementations of the reference link, the transmission link, and the common link, please refer to the corresponding implementations of the above-mentioned Scheme 3. The details will not be described again here.

[0332] Method 8: The second device determines a third element of the first data unit.

[0333] Optionally, the first data unit may include a third element, and the third element may instruct to set up at least one fourth direct link on the first link, and the first link is a common link between the link between the first device and the third device and the link between the second device and the third device, and the first link includes at least one fourth direct link. For specific implementation, please refer to the corresponding implementation of the above-mentioned method 4. Details will not be described again here.

[0334] In one possible design solution, a direct link may be set up between the first device and the second device over a non-common link. When the direct link is set up over a non-common link, the implementation of the third element is similar to the specific implementation of the third element corresponding to the scenario in which the direct link is set up over a common link.

[0335] For example, the third element may instruct to set up at least one fifth direct link on the second link. The second link is a link different from the link between the first device and the third device and the link between the second device and the third device, and the second link may include at least one fifth direct link. In this way, the first device and the second device may set up a direct link on a non-common link to increase the data transmission rate. For specific implementation, please refer to the corresponding implementation of the above-mentioned method 4. Details will not be described again here.

[0336] It should be noted that the above-mentioned Scheme 5 to Scheme 8 may be used in combination with the direct link addressing method shown in Figure 15, and the above-mentioned Scheme 5 to Scheme 8 may be used independently or in combination with each other, which is not a limitation of this application.

[0337] In some embodiments, the seventh address is bound to the TDLS peer key TPK. Optionally, the seventh address corresponds to a direct link between the first device and the second device, and may include an address of an AP in a plurality of APs of the third device or an address of all APs of the third device, and an address of the third device. For a specific embodiment, please refer to the embodiment in which the first device binds the seventh address to the TPK. Details are not described again here.

[0338] In one possible design solution, the direct link addressing method provided in this embodiment of the present application may further include a TPK derivation process shown in the following steps 3 and 4. Note that steps 3 and 4 may be used independently or in combination with the method shown in FIG. 15, method 5, method 6, method 7, and / or method 8.

[0339] Step 3: The first device 、A Negotiate with the second device to determine a KM suite selector. For specific implementation, please refer to step 1 above, and the details will not be described again here.

[0340] Step 4: The first device negotiates with the second device to derive a TDLS peer key TPK. For a specific implementation, please refer to step 2 above, and the details will not be described again here.

[0341] Note that steps 3 and 4 above may be applied to derive a pairwise master key (PTK), and the seventh address may be bound to the PTK. Details will not be described again here.

[0342] In some embodiments, the first device and the second device may communicate with each other via a TDLS Setup Request / Response / Confirm Frame (For more details, see steps d to f below.) In particular, steps 3 and 4 above may be used in combination with steps d to f below to complete the TPK derivation handshake negotiation.

[0343] An example will be used in which the second device is used as a TDLS initiator.

[0344] Steps d to f are similar to the above steps a to c, and steps d to f correspond to the above steps a to c respectively. The main difference is that the first device in the above steps a to c is replaced by the second device, and the second device is replaced by the first device. Details are not described again here.

[0345] According to the direct link addressing method described in FIG. 15, when the first device includes one STA, the protected data is constructed by using the address of the first device, the address of the second device, and the address of the first AP connected to the first device. When the first device includes multiple STAs, the protected data is constructed by using the address of the first device, the address of the second device, and the address of the third device. Thus, the first device may transmit the first data unit via the direct link between the first device and the second device without forwarding by the third device, thereby increasing the data transmission rate. In addition, when the first device includes multiple STAs, the protected data is constructed by using the addresses of the devices, and changes in the direct link do not affect the protected data. Thus, when the data is transmitted via multiple direct links, encryption does not need to be performed again, thereby further increasing the data transmission rate.

[0346] For example, Figure 16 is a schematic flow chart of yet another direct link addressing method according to an embodiment of the present application. An example in which a first device is used as a TDLS initiator is used for explanation. The direct link addressing method is applicable to the communication between the STA device and the non-AP MLD2 shown in Figure 1, or between the non-AP MLD1 and the non-AP MLD2 shown in Figure 1.

[0347] S1601: A first device determines a first data unit.

[0348] The first data unit includes a first header, and the first header includes a fourth address, a fifth address, and a sixth address.

[0349] In some embodiments, the first data unit may include a frame body. For example, the frame body may be a TDLS frame or data.

[0350] For example, the first data unit may be the MPDU shown in FIG. 6, the first header may be the MPDU header shown in FIG. 6, and the TDLS frame or data is carried in the Frame Body field.

[0351] In some embodiments, when the first device includes one STA, the fourth address is an address of the second device, the fifth address is an address of the first device, and the sixth address is an address of a first AP of the third device, and the first device is connected to the first AP of the third device.

[0352] With reference to FIG. 8, the first AP is AP1 in FIG. 8. When the first device includes one STA and the first device is used as a TDLS initiator, the fourth address, the fifth address, and the sixth address of the MPDU header are shown in Table 17. The fourth address is an address of a non-AP MLD2, e.g., a non-AP MLD2 MAC Address. The fifth address is an address of a legacy STA, e.g., a legacy STA MAC Address. The sixth address is an address of an AP1, e.g., a BSSID of AP1.

[0353] [Table 17]

[0354] In some embodiments, when the first device includes multiple STAs, the fourth address is an address of the second device, the fifth address is an address of the first device, the sixth address corresponds to a sixth direct link and is an address of an AP within the multiple APs of the third device, the sixth direct link being a link for transmitting the first data unit between the first device and the second device, the first data unit being transmitted over the direct link between the first device and the second device.

[0355] For example, Figures 9 and 10 show an example in which the first device is non-AP MLD1, the second device is non-AP MLD2, and the third device is AP MLD. When the first device includes multiple STAs and is used as a TDLS initiator, the fourth address, the fifth address, and the sixth address of the MPDU header are shown in Table 18. It is assumed that the first data unit is transmitted via direct link 1, and the fourth address is the address of STA1 of non-AP MLD2, e.g., non-AP MLD2 MAC Address, the fifth address is the address of STA1 of non-AP MLD1, e.g., non-AP MLD1 MAC Address, and the sixth address is the address of AP1 corresponding to direct link 1, e.g., Affiliated AP1 BSSID of AP MLD.

[0356] [Table 18]

[0357] Specifically, the configuration method of the sixth address corresponding to Table 17 and Table 18 may be the same both when the first device includes one STA and when the first device includes multiple STAs, so as to avoid frequent modification of the configuration content of the sixth address, thereby reducing the transmission delay.

[0358] Optionally, the TDLS frame may be a TDLS discovery response frame.

[0359] Table 17 and Table 18 may be address configuration methods for the first header of a management frame. Because the TDLS discovery response frame is encapsulated in a common management frame and does not need to be encrypted, the corresponding AAD configuration does not need to be determined.

[0360] S1602: The first device transmits a first data unit, and in response, the second device receives the first data unit from the first device.

[0361] According to the direct link addressing method described in FIG. 16, when the first device includes one STA, the first header is configured by using the address of the first device, the address of the second device, and the address of the first AP connected to the first device. When the first device includes multiple STAs, the first header is configured by using the address of the first device, the address of the second device, and the address of an AP that corresponds to the sixth direct link and is within the multiple APs of the third device, and the sixth direct link is a link for transmitting the first data unit between the first device and the second device. Thus, the first device may transmit the first data unit through the direct link between the first device and the second device without forwarding by the third device, thereby increasing the data transmission rate. In addition, the configuration method of the sixth address may be the same in both the case where the first device includes one STA and the case where the first device includes multiple STAs, in order to avoid frequent modification of the configuration content of the sixth address, thereby further reducing the transmission delay.

[0362] For example, Figure 17 is a schematic flow chart of yet another direct link addressing method according to an embodiment of the present application. An example in which a second device is used as a TDLS initiator is used for explanation. The direct link addressing method is applicable to the communication between the STA device and the non-AP MLD2 shown in Figure 1, or between the non-AP MLD1 and the non-AP MLD2 shown in Figure 1.

[0363] S1701: A second device determines a first data unit.

[0364] The first data unit includes a first header, and the first header includes a fourth address, a fifth address, and a sixth address.

[0365] In some embodiments, the first data unit may include a frame body. For example, the frame body may be a TDLS frame or data.

[0366] For example, the first data unit may be the MPDU shown in FIG. 6, the first header may be the MPDU header shown in FIG. 6, and the TDLS frame or data is carried in the Frame Body field.

[0367] In some embodiments, when the first device includes one STA, the fourth address is an address of the first device, the fifth address is an address of the second device, and the sixth address is an address of a first AP of the third device, and the first device is connected to the first AP of the third device.

[0368] In relation to Fig. 8, when the first device includes one STA and the second device is used as a TDLS initiator, the fourth address, the fifth address, and the sixth address of the MPDU header are shown in Table 19. Because the initiator and the responder change, the difference between Table 19 and Table 17 in S1601 is that the configuration contents of the fourth address and the configuration contents of the fifth address are exchanged. For details, please refer to Table 19. Details are not described here.

[0369] [Table 19]

[0370] In some embodiments, when the first device includes multiple STAs, the fourth address is an address of the first device, the fifth address is an address of the second device, the sixth address corresponds to a sixth direct link and is an address of an AP within the multiple APs of the third device, the sixth direct link being a link for transmitting the first data unit between the first device and the second device, the first data unit being transmitted over the direct link between the first device and the second device.

[0371] 9 and 10, when the first device includes multiple STAs and the second device is used as a TDLS initiator, the fourth address, the fifth address, and the sixth address of the MPDU header are shown in Table 20. Because the initiator and the responder change, the difference between Table 20 and Table 18 in S1601 is that the configuration contents of the fourth address and the configuration contents of the fifth address are exchanged. For details, please refer to Table 20. Details are not described here.

[0372] [Table 20]

[0373] Optionally, the TDLS frame may be a TDLS discovery response frame.

[0374] S1702: The second device transmits a first data unit, and in response, the first device receives the first data unit from the second device.

[0375] Please note that for the technical effect of the method shown in Figure 17, please refer to the technical effect of the method shown in Figure 16. Details will not be described again here.

[0376] It should be noted that the address configuration rules for the configuration of the first data unit (e.g., MPDU) and protected data (e.g., AAD) provided in this embodiment of the present application are applicable to unicast frames.

[0377] The following describes some specific application scenarios to which the embodiments of the present application can be applied. It should be understood that the application scenarios of the embodiments of the present application are not limited to the following several application scenarios.

[0378] Scenario 1 It is assumed that the AP MLD corresponds to three links, link1, link2, and link3. Two links, link1 and link2, are set up between non-AP MLD1 and the AP MLD, and link1 and link3 are set up between non-AP MLD2 and the AP MLD. In this case, non-AP MLD1 and non-AP MLD2 may set up a multi-link TDLS. link1 is called a common link, and the other link is called a non-common link. The link identifier corresponding to link1 may be indicated by the Link ID or the BSSID of the AP associated with either end of the link. For data transmission over a non-common link, both ends of the non-common link may negotiate through the common link over which channel data is transmitted. For example, when the non-common link is switched to the channel where one end is located for transmission, the peer end corresponds to off-channel transmission, and the peer end needs to inform the AP that the peer end will enter a Doze state, and then switch to the channel where the other end is located for direct transmission.

[0379] In the above scenario, there must be at least one common link to set up a direct link between non-AP MLDs. Otherwise, the TDLS Discovery Response Frame If there are multiple common links between non-AP MLDs, the TDLS Discovery Response is not allowed to be returned or TDLS Setup is started. Frame However, if the link corresponding to the BSSID field in the Link Identifier Element is also a common link, the TDLS Discovery Response Frame can be returned preferably via a common link.

[0380] In addition, the non-AP MLD on both ends can use different address modes, such as a transparent transmission mode and a non-transparent transmission mode.

[0381] Scenario 2 It is assumed that the AP MLD corresponds to three links, link1, link2, and link3. Two links, link1 and link2, are set up between the non-AP MLD1 and the AP MLD, and the legacy STA is associated with link2. When the non-AP MLD sends a TDLS Discovery Request frame as an initiator and the BSSID in the Link Identifier element carried in the TDLS Discovery Request frame is set to the BSSID corresponding to link1, if the legacy STA finds that the BSSID where the legacy STA is located and the BSSID in the Link Identifier element do not match after receiving the TDLS Discovery Request frame, the legacy STA does not return a TDLS Discovery Response frame on Link2, resulting in discovery failure. This situation occurs because the non-AP MLD does not know whether the peer end is a legacy STA or a non-AP MLD, and does not know which AP the peer end is associated with.

[0382] To avoid this situation, non-AP MLD retransmits the TDLS Discovery Request frame, and the BSSID in the Link Identifier Element carried in the TDLS Discovery Request frame is set to the BSSID corresponding to Link 2. In this way, after receiving the TDLS Discovery Request frame, if the legacy STA finds that the BSSID where the legacy STA is located matches the BSSID in the Link Identifier Element, the legacy STA returns a TDLS Discovery Response frame on Link 2, and discovery is successful.

[0383] Scenario 3 It is assumed that the AP MLD corresponds to three links, link1, link2, and link3. Two links, link1 and link2, are set up between the non-AP MLD1 and the AP MLD, and the legacy STA is associated with link2. If the legacy STA, as an initiator, sends a TDLS Discovery Request frame on link2, after receiving the TDLS Discovery Request frame, the non-AP MLD can return a TDLS Discovery Response frame only via the link indicated by the BSSID in the Link Identifier Element (i.e., link2).

[0384] If both the TDLS initiator and the TDLS responder are MLDs, the TDLS Discovery Request Frame and the TDLS Discovery Response frame each carry a Multi-link element. In this way, both ends know that the peer end is also an MLD device through the TDLS discovery process. In addition, through the TDLS discovery process, the TDLS initiator and the TDLS responder can know which links are common links.

[0385] The direct link addressing method provided in the embodiment of the present application has been described above in detail with reference to Figures 7 to 17. The following will describe in detail the direct link addressing apparatus provided in the embodiment of the present application with reference to Figures 18 and 19.

[0386] FIG. 18 is a schematic diagram of a structure of a direct link addressing device that can be configured to perform a direct link addressing method provided in an embodiment of the present application. The direct link addressing device 1800 may be a first device or a second device, or a chip applied to the first device or the second device or another component having a corresponding function. As shown in FIG. 18, the direct link addressing device 1800 may include a processor 1801 and a transceiver 1803. The direct link addressing device 1800 may further include a memory 1802. The processor 1801 is coupled to the memory 1802 and the transceiver 1803. For example, the processor 1801 may be connected to the memory 1802 and the transceiver 1803 via a communication bus. Alternatively, the processor 1801 may be used independently.

[0387] The following describes each component of the direct link addressing device 1800 in detail with reference to FIG.

[0388] The processor 1801 is the control center of the direct link addressing device 1800 and may be a processor or a collective term for multiple processing elements. For example, the processor 1801 may be one or more central processing units (CPUs), or an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or configured as one or more integrated circuits for implementing this embodiment of the present application, such as one or more microprocessors (digital signal processors, DSPs) or one or more field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs).

[0389] The processor 1801 may perform various functions of the direct link addressing device 1800 by operating or executing software programs stored in the memory 1802 and accessing data stored in the memory 1802 .

[0390] In a specific implementation, in one embodiment, the processor 1801 may include one or more CPUs, such as CPU0 and CPU1 shown in FIG.

[0391] In a specific implementation, in one embodiment, the direct link addressing device 1800 may alternatively include multiple processors, such as the processor 1801 and the processor 1804 shown in FIG. 18. Each of the processors may be a single-core processor (single-CPU) or a multi-core processor (multi-CPU). Here, the processor may be one or more communication devices, circuits, and / or processing cores configured to process data (e.g., computer program instructions).

[0392] The memory 1802 may be a read-only memory (ROM) or another type of static storage communication device capable of storing static information and instructions, a random access memory (RAM) or another type of dynamic storage communication device capable of storing information and instructions, an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), a compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM) or another type of compact disc storage, an optical disc storage device (including a compact disc, a laser disc, an optical disc, a digital versatile disc, a Blu-ray disc, etc.), a magnetic disc storage medium or another magnetic storage communication device, or any other medium that can be used to carry or store expected program code in the form of instructions or data structures and that can be accessed by a computer. However, the memory 1802 is not limited thereto. The memory 1802 may be integrated with the processor 1801 or may exist independently, and is coupled to the processor 1801 via an input / output port (not shown in FIG. 18) of the direct link addressing device 1800. This is not specifically limited in this embodiment of the application.

[0393] The memory 1802 is configured to store a software program for implementing the solution of the present application, and the processor 1801 controls the execution. For the specific implementation described above, please refer to the following method embodiment. Details are not described again here.

[0394] The transceiver 1803 is configured to communicate with another direct link addressing device. For example, if the direct link addressing device 1800 is a first device, the transceiver 1803 may be configured to communicate with a second device and a third device. As another example, if the direct link addressing device 1800 is a second device, the transceiver 1803 may be configured to communicate with the first device and a third device. In addition, the transceiver 1803 may include a receiver and a transmitter (not shown separately in FIG. 18). The receiver is configured to perform a receiving function, and the transmitter is configured to perform a transmitting function. The transceiver 1803 may be integrated with the processor 1801 or may exist independently, and is coupled to the processor 1801 via an input / output port (not shown in FIG. 18) of the direct link addressing device 1800. This is not specifically limited in this embodiment of the present application.

[0395] It should be noted that the structure of the direct link addressing device 1800 shown in Figure 18 does not constitute a limitation on the direct link addressing device. An actual direct link addressing device may include more or fewer components than those shown in the figure, may combine some components, or may have a different component arrangement.

[0396] The action operations of the first device in the above-mentioned steps S701 and S702 and S1601 and S1602 may be performed by a processor 1801 in the direct link addressing apparatus 1800 shown in FIG. 18 by invoking application program code stored in memory 1802 to instruct the remote terminal device to perform.

[0397] The operations of the second device in the above steps S1501 and S1502 and steps S1701 and S1702 can be performed by the processor 1801 in the direct link addressing device 1800 shown in Figure 18 by calling application program code stored in the memory 1802 to instruct the remote terminal device to perform. This is not limited in this embodiment.

[0398] 19 is a schematic diagram of the structure of another direct link addressing device according to an embodiment of the present application. For ease of explanation, FIG. 19 only shows the main components of the direct link addressing device.

[0399] The direct link addressing device 1900 includes a transceiver module 1901. Optionally, the direct link addressing device 1900 may further include a processing module 1902. The direct link addressing device 1900 may be the first device or the second device in the above-mentioned method embodiments. The transceiver module 1901 may also be referred to as a transceiver unit, and is configured to perform a transceiver function performed by the first device or the second device in any one of the above-mentioned method embodiments.

[0400] It should be noted that the transceiver module 1901 may include a receiving module and a transmitting module (not shown in FIG. 19). The receiving module is configured to perform a receiving function performed by the first device or the second device in any one of the aforementioned method embodiments. The transmitting module is configured to perform a transmitting function performed by the first device or the second device in any one of the aforementioned method embodiments. The specific implementation of the transceiver module 1901 is not specifically limited in this application.

[0401] The processing module 1902 may also be referred to as a processing unit and may be configured to perform processing functions performed by the first device or the second device in any one of the method embodiments described above. The processing module 1902 may be a processor.

[0402] In this embodiment, the direct link addressing device 1900 is presented in a form that divides each functional module in an integrated manner. A "module" in this case may be a specific ASIC, circuit, processor executing one or more software or firmware programs, memory, integrated logic circuitry, and / or other components capable of providing the above-mentioned functions. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that in a simple embodiment, the direct link addressing device 1900 may be in the form of the direct link addressing device 1800 shown in FIG. 18.

[0403] For example, the processor 1801 in the direct link addressing device 1800 shown in FIG. 18 may invoke computer-executable instructions stored in the memory 1802 so that the direct link addressing device 1800 performs the direct link addressing method in the above-described method embodiments.

[0404] Specifically, the functions / implementation processes of the transceiver module 1901 and the processing module 1902 of FIG. 19 may be implemented by the processor 1801 in the direct link addressing device 1800 shown in FIG. 18 by invoking computer-executable instructions stored in the memory 1802. Alternatively, the functions / implementation processes of the processing module 1902 of FIG. 19 may be implemented by the processor 1801 in the direct link addressing device 1800 shown in FIG. 18 by invoking computer-executable instructions stored in the memory 1802, and the functions / implementation processes of the transceiver module 1901 of FIG. 19 may be implemented by the transceiver 1803 in the direct link addressing device 1800 shown in FIG. 18.

[0405] The direct link addressing device 1900 provided in this embodiment can implement the above-mentioned direct link addressing method, so please refer to the above-mentioned method embodiment for the technical effects that can be achieved by the direct link addressing device 1900. Details are not described again here.

[0406] In one possible design solution, the direct link addressing device 1900 shown in Fig. 19 is applicable to the communication system shown in Fig. 1 and performs the function of the first device in the direct link addressing method shown in Fig. 7. The direct link addressing device 1900 includes one or more stations STA. The direct link addressing device 1900 is connected to a third device, and the third device includes multiple access points AP. The second device is connected to the third device, and the second device includes multiple STAs.

[0407] The processing module 1902 is configured to determine protected data. The protected data includes a first address, a second address, and a third address. When the direct link addressing device 1900 includes one STA, the first address is the address of the second device, the second address is the address of the direct link addressing device 1900, the third address is the address of the first AP of the third device, and the direct link addressing device 1900 is connected to the first AP of the third device. When the direct link addressing device 1900 includes multiple STAs, the first address is the address of the second device, the second address is the address of the direct link addressing device 1900, and the third address is the address of the third device.

[0408] The transceiver module 1901 is configured to transmit a first data unit, the first data unit including a first header, the first header being determined based on the protected data, and the first data unit being transmitted over a direct link between the direct link addressing apparatus 1900 and a second device.

[0409] Optionally, the direct link addressing device 1900 may further include a storage module (not shown in FIG. 19), which stores a program or instruction. When the processing module 1902 executes the program or instruction, the direct link addressing device 1900 may perform the function of the first device in the direct link addressing method shown in FIG.

[0410] It should be noted that the direct link addressing device 1900 may be the first device, or may be a chip (system) or another component or assembly that may be located within the first device, which is not limited in this application.

[0411] In addition, for the technical effects of the direct link addressing device 1900, please refer to the technical effects of the direct link addressing method shown in Figure 7. Details will not be described again here.

[0412] In another possible design solution, the direct link addressing device 1900 shown in Fig. 19 is applicable to the communication system shown in Fig. 1 and performs the function of the second device in the direct link addressing method shown in Fig. 7. The direct link addressing device 1900 includes a plurality of stations STA. The direct link addressing device 1900 is connected to a third device, and the third device includes a plurality of access points AP. The first device is connected to the third device, and the first device includes one or more STAs.

[0413] The transceiver module 1901 is configured to receive a first data unit. The first data unit includes a first header, the first header is determined based on the protected data, and the first data unit is transmitted over a direct link between the first device and the direct link addressing device 1900. The protected data includes a first address, a second address, and a third address. If the first device includes one STA, the first address is an address of the direct link addressing device 1900, the second address is an address of the first device, the third address is an address of the first AP of the third device, and the first device is connected to the first AP of the third device. If the first device includes multiple STAs, the first address is an address of the direct link addressing device 1900, the second address is an address of the first device, and the third address is an address of the third device.

[0414] Optionally, the direct link addressing device 1900 may further include a processing module 1902 and a storage module (not shown in FIG. 19), where the storage module stores a program or instruction. When the processing module 1902 executes the program or instruction, the direct link addressing device 1900 may perform the function of the second device in the direct link addressing method shown in FIG.

[0415] It should be noted that the direct link addressing device 1900 may be a second device, or may be a chip (system) or another component or assembly that may be located within the second device, which is not a limitation of this application.

[0416] In addition, for the technical effects of the direct link addressing device 1900, please refer to the technical effects of the direct link addressing method shown in Figure 7. Details will not be described again here.

[0417] In yet another possible design solution, a direct link addressing device 1900 shown in Fig. 19 is applicable to the communication system shown in Fig. 1 and performs the function of the second device in the direct link addressing method shown in Fig. 15. The direct link addressing device 1900 includes multiple stations STAs, the direct link addressing device 1900 is connected to a third device, the third device includes multiple access points APs, the first device is connected to the third device, and the first device includes one or more STAs.

[0418] The processing module 1902 is configured to determine protected data. The protected data includes a first address, a second address, and a third address. If the first device includes one STA, the first address is the address of the first device, the second address is the address of the direct link addressing device 1900, the third address is the address of the first AP of the third device, and the first device is connected to the first AP of the third device. If the first device includes multiple STAs, the first address is the address of the first device, the second address is the address of the direct link addressing device 1900, and the third address is the address of the third device.

[0419] The transceiver module 1901 is configured to transmit a first data unit, the first data unit including a first header, the first header being determined based on the protected data, and the first data unit being transmitted over a direct link between the first device and the direct link addressing apparatus 1900.

[0420] Optionally, the direct link addressing device 1900 may further include a storage module (not shown in FIG. 19), which stores a program or instruction. When the processing module 1902 executes the program or instruction, the direct link addressing device 1900 may perform the function of the second device in the direct link addressing method shown in FIG.

[0421] It should be noted that the direct link addressing device 1900 may be a second device, or may be a chip (system) or another component or assembly that may be located within the second device, which is not a limitation of this application.

[0422] In addition, for the technical effects of the direct link addressing device 1900, please refer to the technical effects of the direct link addressing method shown in Figure 15. Details will not be described again here.

[0423] In yet another possible design solution, the direct link addressing device 1900 shown in Fig. 19 is applicable to the communication system shown in Fig. 1 and performs the function of the first device in the direct link addressing method shown in Fig. 15. The direct link addressing device 1900 includes one or more stations STA. The direct link addressing device 1900 is connected to a third device, the third device includes multiple access points AP, and the second device is connected to the third device, the second device includes multiple STAs.

[0424] The transceiver module 1901 is configured to receive a first data unit. The first data unit includes a first header, and the first header is determined based on the protected data, and the first data unit is transmitted over a direct link between the direct link addressing device 1900 and a second device. The protected data includes a first address, a second address, and a third address. When the direct link addressing device 1900 includes one STA, the first address is an address of the direct link addressing device 1900, the second address is an address of the second device, and the third address is an address of a first AP of the third device, and the direct link addressing device 1900 is connected to the first AP of the third device, and the direct link addressing device 1900 includes one STA. When the direct link addressing device 1900 includes multiple STAs, the first address is the address of the direct link addressing device 1900, the second address is the address of the second device, and the third address is the address of the third device.

[0425] Optionally, the direct link addressing device 1900 may further include a processing module 1902 and a storage module (not shown in FIG. 19), and the storage module stores a program or instruction. When the processing module 1902 executes the program or instruction, the direct link addressing device 1900 may perform the function of the first device in the direct link addressing method shown in FIG.

[0426] It should be noted that the direct link addressing device 1900 may be the first device, or may be a chip (system) or another component or assembly that may be located within the first device, which is not limited in this application.

[0427] In addition, for the technical effects of the direct link addressing device 1900, please refer to the technical effects of the direct link addressing method shown in Figure 15. Details will not be described again here.

[0428] In yet another possible design solution, the direct link addressing device 1900 shown in Fig. 19 is applicable to the communication system shown in Fig. 1 and performs the function of the first device in the direct link addressing method shown in Fig. 16. The direct link addressing device 1900 includes one or more stations STA. The direct link addressing device 1900 is connected to a third device, the third device includes multiple access points AP, and the second device is connected to the third device, the second device includes multiple STAs.

[0429] The processing module 1902 is configured to determine a first data unit. The first data unit includes a first header and a tunnel direct link setup TDLS frame, and the first header includes a fourth address, a fifth address, and a sixth address. When the direct link addressing device 1900 includes one STA, the fourth address is an address of a second device, the fifth address is an address of the direct link addressing device 1900, and the sixth address is an address of a first AP of a third device, and the direct link addressing device 1900 is connected to the first AP of the third device. When the direct link addressing device 1900 includes multiple STAs, the fourth address is an address of the second device, the fifth address is an address of the direct link addressing device 1900, the sixth address corresponds to a sixth direct link and is an address of an AP within the multiple APs of the third device, and the sixth direct link is a link for transmitting TDLS frames between the direct link addressing device 1900 and the second device.

[0430] The transceiver module 1901 is configured to transmit a first data unit, which is transmitted over a direct link between the direct link addressing apparatus 1900 and a second device.

[0431] Optionally, the TDLS frame may be a TDLS discovery response frame.

[0432] Optionally, the direct link addressing device 1900 may further include a storage module (not shown in FIG. 19), which stores a program or instruction. When the processing module 1902 executes the program or instruction, the direct link addressing device 1900 may perform the function of the first device in the direct link addressing method shown in FIG.

[0433] It should be noted that the direct link addressing device 1900 may be the first device, or may be a chip (system) or another component or assembly that may be located within the first device, which is not limited in this application.

[0434] In addition, for the technical effects of the direct link addressing device 1900, please refer to the technical effects of the direct link addressing method shown in Figure 16. Details will not be described again here.

[0435] In yet another possible design solution, the direct link addressing device 1900 shown in Fig. 19 is applicable to the communication system shown in Fig. 1 and performs the function of the second device in the direct link addressing method shown in Fig. 16. The direct link addressing device 1900 includes a plurality of stations STA. The direct link addressing device 1900 is connected to a third device, and the third device includes a plurality of access points AP. The first device is connected to the third device, and the first device includes one or more STAs.

[0436] The transceiver module 1901 is configured to receive a first data unit, the first data unit including a first header and a tunnel direct link setup TDLS frame, where the first header includes a fourth address, a fifth address, and a sixth address.

[0437] If the first device includes one STA, the fourth address is the address of the direct link addressing device 1900, the fifth address is the address of the first device, the sixth address is the address of the first AP of the third device, and the first device is connected to the first AP of the third device. If the first device includes multiple STAs, the fourth address is the address of the direct link addressing device 1900, the fifth address is the address of the first device, and the sixth address corresponds to the sixth direct link and is the address of an AP within the multiple APs of the third device, and the sixth direct link is a link for transmitting TDLS frames between the first device and the direct link addressing device 1900. The first data unit is transmitted via the direct link between the first device and the direct link addressing device 1900.

[0438] Optionally, the TDLS frame may be a TDLS discovery response frame.

[0439] Optionally, the direct link addressing device 1900 may further include a processing module 1902 and a storage module (not shown in FIG. 19), and the storage module stores a program or instruction. When the processing module 1902 executes the program or instruction, the direct link addressing device 1900 may perform the function of the second device in the direct link addressing method shown in FIG.

[0440] It should be noted that the direct link addressing device 1900 may be a second device, or may be a chip (system) or another component or assembly that may be located within the second device, which is not a limitation of this application.

[0441] In addition, for the technical effects of the direct link addressing device 1900, please refer to the technical effects of the direct link addressing method shown in Figure 16. Details will not be described again here.

[0442] In yet another possible design solution, the direct link addressing device 1900 shown in Fig. 19 is applicable to the communication system shown in Fig. 1 and performs the function of the second device in the direct link addressing method shown in Fig. 17. The direct link addressing device 1900 includes a plurality of stations STA. The direct link addressing device 1900 is connected to a third device, and the third device includes a plurality of access points AP. The first device is connected to the third device, and the first device includes one or more STAs.

[0443] The processing module 1902 is configured to determine a first data unit, the first data unit including a first header and a tunnel direct link setup TDLS frame, the first header including a fourth address, a fifth address, and a sixth address.

[0444] The transceiver module 1901 is configured to transmit a first data unit. If the first device includes one STA, the fourth address is an address of the first device, the fifth address is an address of the direct link addressing device 1900, the sixth address is an address of a first AP of the third device, and the first device is connected to the first AP of the third device. If the first device includes multiple STAs, the fourth address is an address of the first device, the fifth address is an address of the direct link addressing device 1900, and the sixth address is an address of an AP that corresponds to a sixth direct link and is within the multiple APs of the third device. The sixth direct link is a link for transmitting a TDLS frame between the first device and the direct link addressing device 1900. The first data unit is transmitted via a direct link between the first device and the direct link addressing device 1900.

[0445] Optionally, the TDLS frame may be a TDLS discovery response frame.

[0446] Optionally, the direct link addressing device 1900 may further include a processing module 1902 and a storage module (not shown in FIG. 19), where the storage module stores a program or instruction. When the processing module 1902 executes the program or instruction, the direct link addressing device 1900 may perform the function of the second device in the direct link addressing method shown in FIG. 17.

[0447] It should be noted that the direct link addressing device 1900 may be a second device, or may be a chip (system) or another component or assembly that may be located within the second device, which is not a limitation of this application.

[0448] In addition, for the technical effects of the direct link addressing device 1900, please refer to the technical effects of the direct link addressing method shown in Figure 17. Details will not be described again here.

[0449] In yet another possible design solution, the direct link addressing device 1900 shown in Fig. 19 is applicable to the communication system shown in Fig. 1 and performs the function of the first device in the direct link addressing method shown in Fig. 17. The direct link addressing device 1900 includes one or more stations STA. The direct link addressing device 1900 is connected to a third device, and the third device includes multiple access points AP. The second device is connected to the third device, and the second device includes multiple STAs.

[0450] The transceiver module 1901 is configured to receive a first data unit, the first data unit including a first header and a tunnel direct link setup TDLS frame, where the first header includes a fourth address, a fifth address, and a sixth address.

[0451] If the direct link addressing device 1900 includes one STA, the fourth address is the address of the direct link addressing device 1900, the fifth address is the address of the second device, the sixth address is the address of the first AP of the third device, and the direct link addressing device 1900 is connected to the first AP of the third device. If the direct link addressing device 1900 includes multiple STAs, the fourth address is the address of the direct link addressing device 1900, the fifth address is the address of the second device, and the sixth address is the address of an AP that corresponds to the sixth direct link and is in the multiple APs of the third device. The sixth direct link is a link for transmitting a TDLS frame between the direct link addressing device 1900 and the second device. The first data unit is transmitted via the direct link between the direct link addressing device 1900 and the second device.

[0452] Optionally, the TDLS frame may be a TDLS discovery response frame.

[0453] Optionally, the direct link addressing device 1900 may further include a processing module 1902 and a storage module (not shown in FIG. 19), where the storage module stores a program or instruction. When the processing module 1902 executes the program or instruction, the direct link addressing device 1900 may perform the function of the first device in the direct link addressing method shown in FIG. 17.

[0454] It should be noted that the direct link addressing device 1900 may be the first device, or may be a chip (system) or another component or assembly that may be located within the first device, which is not limited in this application.

[0455] In addition, for the technical effects of the direct link addressing device 1900, please refer to the technical effects of the direct link addressing method shown in Figure 17. Details will not be described again here.

[0456] An embodiment of the present application provides a communication system. The communication system includes a first device and a second device. 3 The first device is configured to perform the operation of the first device in the above-mentioned method embodiment. For specific implementation methods and processes, please refer to the above-mentioned method embodiment. Details will not be described again here. The second device is configured to perform the operation of the second device in the above-mentioned method embodiment. For specific implementation methods and processes, please refer to the above-mentioned method embodiment. Details will not be described again here. The third device is configured to perform the operation of the third device in the above-mentioned method embodiment. For specific implementation methods and processes, please refer to the above-mentioned method embodiment. Details will not be described again here.

[0457] An embodiment of the present application provides a chip system. The chip system includes a processor and an input / output port. The processor is configured to perform a processing function in the direct link addressing method provided in the embodiment of the present application. The input / output port is configured to perform a transceiver function in the direct link addressing method provided in the embodiment of the present application.

[0458] In one possible design, the chip system further includes a memory configured to store program instructions and data for implementing functions in the direct link addressing method provided in the embodiments of the present application.

[0459] A chip system may include the chip, or it may include the chip and other discrete components.

[0460] An embodiment of the present application provides a computer-readable storage medium, which includes a computer program or instruction, which, when executed on a computer, enables the computer to perform a direct link addressing method provided in the embodiment of the present application.

[0461] An embodiment of the present application provides a computer program product, which includes computer program codes or instructions, which, when executed on a computer, enable the computer to perform a direct link addressing method provided in an embodiment of the present application.

[0462] It should be understood that the processor in the embodiments of the present application may be a central processing unit (CPU), another general-purpose processor, a digital signal processor (DSP), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field programmable gate array (FPGA) or another programmable logic device, a discrete gate or transistor logic device, a discrete hardware component, etc. The general-purpose processor may be a microprocessor, the processor may be any conventional processor, etc.

[0463] It should be further understood that the memory in the embodiments of the present application may be volatile or non-volatile memory, or may include volatile and non-volatile memory. The non-volatile memory may be read-only memory (ROM), programmable read-only memory (PROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), or flash memory. The volatile memory may be random access memory (RAM) used as an external cache. By way of example and not limitation, many forms of random access memory (RAM) may be used, such as static random access memory (SRAM), dynamic random access memory (DRAM), synchronous dynamic random access memory (SDRAM), double data rate synchronous dynamic random access memory (DDR SDRAM), enhanced synchronous dynamic random access memory (ESDRAM), synchlink dynamic random access memory (SLDRAM), and direct rambus random access memory (DR RAM).

[0464] All or part of the above-mentioned embodiments may be implemented by using software, hardware (e.g., circuits), firmware, or any combination thereof. When software is used to implement the embodiments, the above-mentioned embodiments may be implemented completely or partially in the form of a computer program product. The computer program product includes one or more computer instructions or computer programs. When the program instructions or computer programs are loaded into a computer and executed, the procedures or functions according to the embodiments of the present application are generated completely or partially. The computer may be a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a computer network, or other programmable device. The computer instructions may be stored in a computer-readable storage medium or may be transmitted from a computer-readable storage medium to another computer-readable storage medium. For example, the computer instructions may be transmitted from a website, computer, server, or data center to another website, computer, server, or data center in a wired (e.g., infrared, wireless, or microwave) manner. The computer-readable storage medium may be any available medium accessible by a computer, or a data storage device, such as a server or data center, that integrates one or more available media. The available media may be magnetic media (e.g., floppy disks, hard disks, magnetic tapes), optical media (e.g., DVDs), or solid-state media. The solid-state media may be a solid-state drive.

[0465] It should be understood that the term "and / or" in this specification describes only the relationship of association between associated objects and indicates that three relationships may exist. For example, A and / or B may indicate three cases: only A is present, both A and B are present, and only B is present. A and B may be singular or plural. In addition, the character " / " in this specification may generally indicate an "or" relationship between associated objects or may indicate an "and / or" relationship. The specific meaning depends on the context.

[0466] In this application, "at least one" means one or more, and "multiple" means two or more. "At least one of the following items (moieties)" or similar expressions refers to any combination of these items, including any combination of singular items (moieties) or multiple items (moieties). For example, at least one of a, b, or c may refer to a, b, c, ab, ac, bc, or abc, where a, b, and c may be singular or plural.

[0467] It should be understood that the sequence numbers of the above processes do not refer to the execution order in various embodiments of the present application. The execution order of the processes should be determined based on the functions and internal logic of the processes, and should not be construed as a limitation on the implementation process of the embodiments of the present application.

[0468] In combination with the examples described in the embodiments disclosed herein, those skilled in the art may recognize that the units and algorithm steps can be implemented by electronic hardware, or a combination of computer software and electronic hardware. Whether a function is implemented by hardware or software depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution. Those skilled in the art may implement the described functions using different methods for each specific application, but the implementation should not be considered beyond the scope of this application.

[0469] For the purpose of convenience of description, for the detailed operation processes of the above-mentioned systems, devices and units, please refer to the corresponding processes in the above-mentioned method embodiments, and it will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art that the details will not be described again in this specification.

[0470] In some embodiments provided in the present application, it should be understood that the disclosed system, device, and method may be implemented in other ways. For example, the device embodiment described is only an example. For example, the division into units is only a logical functional division, and may be other divisions in actual implementation. For example, multiple units or components may be combined or integrated into another system, and some features may be ignored or not performed. In addition, the shown or discussed mutual couplings or direct couplings or communication connections may be implemented through some interfaces. Indirect couplings or communication connections between devices or units may be implemented in electronic, mechanical, or other forms.

[0471] The units described as separate parts may or may not be physically separate, and the parts shown as units may or may not be physical units, and may be located in one location or distributed across multiple network units. Some or all of the units may be selected based on actual requirements to achieve the objectives of the solutions of the embodiments.

[0472] In addition, the functional units in the embodiments of the present application may be integrated into a single processing unit, each of the units may exist physically alone, or two or more units may be integrated into a single unit.

[0473] When the functions are implemented in the form of a software functional unit and sold or used as an independent product, the functions may be stored in a computer-readable storage medium. Based on such understanding, the technical solution of the present application essentially or a part that contributes to the prior art, or a part of the technical solution, computerThe present invention may be implemented in the form of a software product. The computer software product includes some instructions stored in a storage medium to instruct a computer device (which may be a personal computer, a server, or a network device) to perform all or part of the steps of the method described in the embodiments of the present application. The aforementioned storage medium includes any medium that can store program code, such as a USB flash drive, a removable hard disk, a read-only memory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM), a magnetic disk, or an optical disk.

[0474] The above description is merely a specific embodiment of the present application, and is not intended to limit the scope of protection of the present application. Any variations or replacements that are easily conceived by those skilled in the art within the technical scope disclosed in the present application shall fall within the scope of protection of the present application. Therefore, the scope of protection of the present application shall be subject to the scope of protection of the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0475] 1 Address, direct link, method 2 Address, direct link, method 3 Addresses, links, and methods 4 Address, method 1800 Direct Link Addressing Device 1801 Processor 1802 Memory 1803 Transceiver 1804 Processor 1900 Direct Link Addressing Device 1901 Transceiver Module 1902 Processing Module

Claims

1. 1. A direct link setup method applied to a first device, the first device including one or more stations, STAs, the first device is connected to a third device, the third device including a plurality of access points, APs, a second device is connected to the third device, the second device including a plurality of STAs, the method comprising: determining at least two tunnel direct link setup discovery request, TDLS Discovery Request, frames, the TDLS Discovery Request frames including an Identifier field indicating an AP in the third device, the TDLS Discovery Request frames including a Multilink Element field, the Multilink Element field including a Type subfield, the Type subfield indicating a tunnel direct link setup, different TDLS Discovery Request frames having a one-to-one correspondence with different APs in the third device; and transmitting the at least two TDLS Discovery Request frames.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the identifier field is a Basic Service Set Identifier BSSID, and the BSSID is carried in a Link Identifier element field of the TDLS Discovery Request frame.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the TDLS Discovery Request frame includes the multilink element field, the multilink element field includes an MLD MAC Address field, and the MLD MAC Address field indicates a MAC address of the third device.

4. 4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the first device receives a tunnel direct link setup discovery response (TDLS Discovery Response) frame fed back by a STA in the plurality of STAs of the second device associated with the AP of the third device.

5. The method comprises: The method according to claim 1 , further comprising binding a MAC address of the third device to a TDLS peer key TPK.

6. A first device, the first device including one or more stations, STAs, the first device is connected to a third device, the third device including a plurality of access points, APs, a second device is connected to the third device, the second device including a plurality of STAs, the first device: a processing unit configured to determine at least two tunnel direct link setup discovery request, TDLS Discovery Request, frames, the TDLS Discovery Request frames including an Identifier field indicating an AP in the third device, the TDLS Discovery Request frames including a Multilink Element field, the Multilink Element field including a Type subfield, the Type subfield indicating a tunnel direct link setup, different TDLS Discovery Request frames having a one-to-one correspondence with different APs in the third device; a transceiver unit configured to transmit the at least two TDLS Discovery Request frames.

7. The first device of claim 6 , wherein the identifier field is a Basic Service Set Identifier BSSID, and the BSSID is carried in a Link Identifier element field of the TDLS Discovery Request frame.

8. The first device according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the TDLS Discovery Request frame includes the multilink element field, the multilink element field includes an MLD MAC Address field, and the MLD MAC Address field indicates a MAC address of the third device.

9. 9. The first device of claim 6, wherein the transceiver unit is further configured to receive a Tunnel Direct Link Setup Discovery Response frame fed back by a STA in the plurality of STAs of the second device associated with the AP of the third device.

10. The first device according to claim 6 , wherein a MAC address of the third device is bound to a TDLS peer key TPK.

11. 6. An apparatus, the apparatus being configured to perform the method according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

12. 6. A computer readable storage medium comprising a computer program or instructions which, when executed on a computer, enable the computer to perform the method of any one of claims 1 to 5.

13. A chip, the chip comprising a processor and input / output ports, the chip being enabled, when a computer program or instructions are executed, to perform the method according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

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