Data transmission method and device

Abstract

The present application provides a data transmission method and device, and relates to the field of communication technology. The data transmission method includes: a first station in a first multilink device receives a third frame; the third frame instructs the first station to enable a mode for sharing the number of spatial streams; the mode for sharing the number of spatial streams is used to enable the first station to use shared spatial streams; the number of shared spatial streams is the maximum number of shared spatial streams supported by the first multilink device; the first station transmits a fourth frame; the fourth frame is used to respond to the third frame. The data transmission method provided herein can improve the throughput of stations in the multilink device.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] [Related Applications] This application claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 202010671573.2, filed with the State Intellectual Property Office of the People's Republic of China on July 13, 2020, entitled "DATA TRANSMISSION METHOD AND APPARATUS," which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[0002] [Technical field] The present application relates to the field of communication technologies, and in particular to a data transmission method and device. [Background technology]

[0003] According to the current IEEE 802.11 next-generation Wireless Fidelity (Wi-Fi) protocol, an extremely high throughput (EHT) device supports multiple streams, multiple frequency bands (such as 2.4GHz, 5GHz, and 6GHz frequency bands), and the cooperation of multiple channels in the same frequency band to improve peak throughput and reduce service transmission delay. Multiple frequency bands and multiple channels are collectively called multi-link.

[0004] A device that contains multiple stations is called a multi-link device (MLD). Each station in a multi-link device operates on one link. In a multi-link device, how to further increase the throughput of stations is a technical problem that needs to be considered. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The present application provides a data transmission method and apparatus to increase the throughput of stations in a multi-link system.

[0006] According to a first aspect, a data transmission method is provided. The method includes: a first station in a first multilink device receives a third frame. The third frame instructs the first station to enable a mode of sharing the number of spatial streams. The mode of sharing the number of spatial streams is used to enable the first station to use shared spatial streams. The number of shared spatial streams is a maximum number of shared spatial streams supported by the first multilink device. The first station transmits a fourth frame. The fourth frame is used to respond to the third frame.

[0007] Referring to the first aspect, in a possible design, after the first station receives the third frame, the method further includes: the first station sends an acknowledgment frame for the third frame.

[0008] Referring to the first aspect, in a possible design, after the first station transmits the fourth frame, the method further includes: the first station receives an acknowledgment frame for the fourth frame.

[0009] According to a second aspect, a data transmission method is provided. The method includes: a first station in a first multilink device transmits a third frame. The third frame indicates that the first station enables a mode of sharing the number of spatial streams. The mode of sharing the number of spatial streams is used to enable the first station to use shared spatial streams. The number of shared spatial streams is a maximum number of shared spatial streams supported by the first multilink device. The first station receives a fourth frame. The fourth frame is used to respond to the third frame.

[0010] Referring to the second aspect, in a possible design, the method further includes: the first station receives an acknowledgment frame of the third frame.

[0011] Referring to the second aspect, in a possible design, the method further includes: the first station transmits an acknowledgement frame for the fourth frame.

[0012] With reference to the first or second aspect, in a possible design, the method further includes: the first station enables multiple spatial streams through frame interaction, the number of the multiple spatial streams being less than or equal to the number of shared spatial streams.

[0013] With reference to the first aspect or the second aspect, in a possible design, the method further includes: the first station uses the spatial streams supported by the first station before the frame interaction is completed.

[0014] With reference to the first or second aspect, in a possible design, the method further includes: the first station uses the multiple spatial streams after the frame interaction is completed.

[0015] With reference to the first aspect or the second aspect, in a possible design, the method further includes: the first station uses the spatial streams supported by the first station after the frame reconciliation sequence is terminated.

[0016] With reference to the first or second aspect, in a possible design, the method further includes: When any one of the preset conditions is satisfied, the first station determines that the frame interaction sequence has ended.

[0017] The preset conditions include at least one of the following conditions:

[0018] The first station receives a seventh frame, the receive address of which is different from the address of the first station, or the transmit address of the seventh frame is different from the transmit address of the eighth frame received by the first station, the eighth frame being used to initiate or establish a transmission opportunity.

[0019] Alternatively, the first station's carrier sense mechanism indicates that the medium is idle within a preset period of time.

[0020] Alternatively, the first station receives a physical layer protocol data unit (PPDU), which is determined by the first station to be an inter-basic service set (inter-BSS) PPDU.

[0021] Alternatively, the first station receives a multi-user (MU) PPDU, where the BSS color in the preamble carried in the MU PPDU is the same as the BSS color of the basic service set associated with the first station, and the preamble carried in the MU PPDU does not include a station identifier matching the first station.

[0022] With reference to the first or second aspect, in a possible design, the method further includes: the first station receives a fifth frame. The fifth frame instructs the first station to disable a mode of sharing the number of spatial streams. The first station transmits a sixth frame. The sixth frame is used to respond to the fifth frame.

[0023] With reference to the first or second aspect, in a possible design, after the first station receives the fifth frame, the method further includes: the first station sends an acknowledgment frame for the fifth frame.

[0024] With reference to the first or second aspect, in a possible design, after the first station transmits the sixth frame, the method further includes: the first station receives an acknowledgment frame for the sixth frame.

[0025] With reference to the first or second aspect, in a possible design, the method further includes: the first station transmits a fifth frame, the fifth frame instructing the first station to disable a mode of sharing the number of spatial streams, and the first station receives a sixth frame, the sixth frame being used to respond to the fifth frame.

[0026] With reference to the first or second aspect, in a possible design, the method further includes: the first station transmits an eleventh frame, the eleventh frame being the maximum number of shared spatial streams supported by the first multilink device.

[0027] With reference to the first or second aspect, in a possible design, the 11th frame indicates, for each MCS, the maximum number of shared spatial streams supported by the first multilink device.

[0028] Referring to the first or second aspect, in a possible design, the eleventh frame includes a fifth field indicating, for each MCS, the maximum number of shared spatial streams for reception supported by the first multilink device.

[0029] Referring to the first or second aspect, in a possible design, the fifth field is carried in a Supported EHT MCS and NSS Set field of the eleventh frame.

[0030] Referring to the first or second aspect, in a possible design, the eleventh frame includes a sixth field indicating, for each MCS, the maximum number of shared spatial streams for transmission supported by the first multilink device.

[0031] Referring to the first or second aspect, in a possible design, the sixth field is carried in a Supported EHT MCS and NSS Set field of the eleventh frame.

[0032] Referring to the first or second aspect, in a possible design, the eleventh frame includes a sharing station field, which indicates multiple stations participating in a shared spatial stream.

[0033] With reference to the first or second aspect, in a possible design, the shared station field includes multiple link identifier fields.

[0034] With reference to the first or second aspect, in a possible design, the 11th frame indicates the maximum number of shared spatial streams supported by each station in the first multilink device.

[0035] Referring to the first or second aspect, in a possible design, the eleventh frame includes an eighth field, which includes a field for the number of spatial streams for reception, a field for the number of spatial streams for transmission, and a link identifier field.

[0036] With reference to the first or second aspect, in a possible design, the number of spatial streams for reception field and the number of spatial streams for transmission field are carried in the Supported EHT MCS and NSS Set field of the 11th frame.

[0037] With reference to the first or second aspect, in a possible design, the eleventh frame includes an association request frame or an association response frame.

[0038] With reference to the first or second aspect, in a possible design, the method further includes: the first station transmitting a delay field, the delay field indicating a delay required for the first station in the first multilink device to align from the supported spatial streams to the shared spatial stream.

[0039] According to a third aspect, there is provided a method of data transmission, the method comprising: transmitting a third frame to a first station in a first multilink device, the third frame instructing the first station to enable a mode of sharing a number of spatial streams, the mode of sharing a number of spatial streams being used to enable the first station to use shared spatial streams, the number of shared spatial streams being a maximum number of shared spatial streams supported by the first multilink device; receiving a fourth frame from the first station, the fourth frame being used to respond to the third frame; Further includes:

[0040] With reference to the third aspect, in a possible design, after the step of transmitting the third frame to the first station, the method further includes the step of receiving an acknowledgment frame for the third frame.

[0041] With reference to the third aspect, in a possible design, after the step of receiving the fourth frame from the first station, the method further includes the step of transmitting an acknowledgment frame for the fourth frame.

[0042] According to a fourth aspect, there is provided a data transmission method, the method comprising: receiving a third frame transmitted by a first station in a first multilink device, the third frame indicating that the first station enables a mode of sharing a number of spatial streams, the mode of sharing a number of spatial streams is used to enable the first station to use shared spatial streams, and the number of shared spatial streams is a maximum number of shared spatial streams supported by the first multilink device; transmitting a fourth frame to the first station, the fourth frame being used to respond to the third frame; Further includes.

[0043] Referring to the fourth aspect, in a possible design, the method further includes transmitting an acknowledgment frame for the third frame.

[0044] Referring to the fourth aspect, in a possible design, the method further includes receiving an acknowledgment frame for the fourth frame.

[0045] With reference to the third or fourth aspect, in a possible design, a method may include transmitting a fifth frame to a first station, where the fifth frame instructs the first station to disable a number of spatial streams sharing mode; receiving a sixth frame from the first station, the sixth frame being used to respond to the fifth frame.

[0046] With reference to the third or fourth aspect, in a possible design, after the step of transmitting the fifth frame to the first station, the method further includes a step of receiving an acknowledgment frame for the fifth frame from the first station.

[0047] With reference to the third or fourth aspect, in a possible design, after the step of receiving the sixth frame from the first station, the method further includes a step of transmitting an acknowledgment frame for the sixth frame to the first station.

[0048] With reference to the third or fourth aspect, in a possible design, a method may include receiving a fifth frame transmitted by a first station, the fifth frame instructing the first station to disable a number of spatial streams sharing mode; transmitting a sixth frame to the first station, the sixth frame being used to respond to the fifth frame.

[0049] With reference to the third or fourth aspect, in a possible design, the method further includes a step of receiving an eleventh frame from the first station, the eleventh frame indicating a maximum number of shared spatial streams supported by the first multilink device.

[0050] With reference to the third or fourth aspect, in a possible design, the eleventh frame indicates, for each MCS, the maximum number of shared spatial streams supported by the first multilink device.

[0051] With reference to the third or fourth aspect, in a possible design, the eleventh frame includes a fifth field indicating, for each MCS, the maximum number of shared spatial streams for reception supported by the first multilink device.

[0052] With reference to the third or fourth aspect, in a possible design, the fifth field is carried in a Supported EHT MCS and NSS Set field of the eleventh frame.

[0053] With reference to the third or fourth aspect, in a possible design, the eleventh frame includes a sixth field indicating, for each MCS, the maximum number of shared spatial streams for transmission supported by the first multilink device.

[0054] With reference to the third or fourth aspect, in a possible design, the sixth field is carried in a Supported EHT MCS and NSS Set field of the eleventh frame.

[0055] Referring to the third or fourth aspect, in a possible design, the eleventh frame includes a sharing station field, which indicates multiple stations participating in a shared spatial stream.

[0056] With reference to the third or fourth aspect, in a possible design, the shared station field includes multiple link identifier fields.

[0057] With reference to the third or fourth aspect, in a possible design, the eleventh frame indicates the maximum number of shared spatial streams supported by each station in the first multilink device.

[0058] Referring to the third or fourth aspect, in a possible design, the eleventh frame includes an eighth field, which includes a number of spatial streams for reception, a number of spatial streams for transmission, and a link identifier field.

[0059] With reference to the third or fourth aspect, in a possible design, the number of spatial streams for reception field and the number of spatial streams for transmission field are carried in the Supported EHT MCS and NSS Set field of the 11th frame.

[0060] With reference to the third or fourth aspect, in a possible design, the eleventh frame includes an association request frame or an association response frame.

[0061] With reference to the third or fourth aspect, in a possible design, a method comprises: The method further includes transmitting a delay field from the first station, the delay field indicating a delay required for the first station in the first multilink device to tune from the supported spatial stream to the shared spatial stream.

[0062] According to a fifth aspect, a data transmission method is provided. The method includes: a first station in a first multilink device receives a fifth frame. The fifth frame instructs the first station to disable a mode of sharing the number of spatial streams. The mode of sharing the number of spatial streams is used to enable the first station to use shared spatial streams. The number of shared spatial streams is a maximum number of shared spatial streams supported by the first multilink device. The first station transmits a sixth frame. The sixth frame is used to respond to the fifth frame.

[0063] In a possible design, after the first station receives the fifth frame, the method further includes: the first station sends an acknowledgment frame for the fifth frame.

[0064] In a possible design, after the first station transmits the sixth frame, the method further includes: the first station receives an acknowledgment frame for the sixth frame.

[0065] According to a sixth aspect, a data transmission method is provided. The method includes: a first station in a first multilink device transmits a fifth frame. The fifth frame instructs the first station to disable a mode of sharing the number of spatial streams. The mode of sharing the number of spatial streams is used to enable the first station to use shared spatial streams. The number of shared spatial streams is a maximum number of shared spatial streams supported by the first multilink device. The first station receives a sixth frame. The sixth frame is used to respond to the fifth frame.

[0066] With reference to the fifth or sixth aspect, in a possible design, the method includes: a first station in a first multilink device receives a third frame; the third frame instructs the first station to enable a mode of sharing the number of spatial streams; the mode of sharing the number of spatial streams is used to enable the first station to use shared spatial streams; the number of shared spatial streams is a maximum number of shared spatial streams supported by the first multilink device; and the first station transmits a fourth frame; the fourth frame is used to respond to the third frame.

[0067] With reference to the fifth or sixth aspect, in a possible design, after the first station receives the third frame, the method further includes: the first station sends an acknowledgment frame for the third frame.

[0068] With reference to the fifth or sixth aspect, in a possible design, after the first station transmits the fourth frame, the method further includes: the first station receives an acknowledgment frame for the fourth frame.

[0069] With reference to the fifth or sixth aspect, in a possible design, the method further includes: the first station enables multiple spatial streams through frame reconciliation, the number of the multiple spatial streams being less than or equal to the number of shared spatial streams.

[0070] With reference to the fifth aspect or the sixth aspect, in a possible design, the method further includes: the first station uses spatial streams supported by the first station before the frame interaction is completed.

[0071] With reference to the fifth aspect or the sixth aspect, in a possible design, the method further includes: the first station uses the multiple spatial streams after the frame interaction is completed.

[0072] With reference to the fifth aspect or the sixth aspect, in a possible design, the method further includes: after the frame reconciliation sequence is completed, the first station uses the spatial streams supported by the first station.

[0073] With reference to the fifth aspect or the sixth aspect, in a possible design, the method further includes: when any one of the preset conditions is satisfied, the first station determines that the frame interaction sequence has ended.

[0074] The preset conditions include at least one of the following conditions:

[0075] The first station receives a seventh frame, the receive address of which is different from the address of the first station, or the transmit address of the seventh frame is different from the transmit address of the eighth frame received by the first station, the eighth frame being used to initiate or establish a transmission opportunity.

[0076] Alternatively, the first station's carrier sense mechanism indicates that the medium is idle within a preset period of time.

[0077] Alternatively, the first station receives a physical layer protocol data unit (PPDU), which is determined by the first station to be an inter-basic service set (inter-BSS) PPDU.

[0078] Alternatively, the first station receives a multi-user (MU) PPDU, where the BSS color in the preamble carried in the MU PPDU is the same as the BSS color of the basic service set associated with the first station, and the preamble carried in the MU PPDU does not include a station identifier matching the first station.

[0079] With reference to the fifth or sixth aspect, in a possible design, the method further includes: the first station transmits an eleventh frame, the eleventh frame being the maximum number of shared spatial streams supported by the first multilink device.

[0080] With reference to the fifth or sixth aspect, in a possible design, the eleventh frame indicates, for each MCS, the maximum number of shared spatial streams supported by the first multilink device.

[0081] Referring to the fifth or sixth aspect, in a possible design, the eleventh frame includes a fifth field indicating, for each MCS, a maximum number of shared spatial streams for reception supported by the first multilink device.

[0082] Referring to the fifth or sixth aspect, in a possible design, the fifth field is carried in a Supported EHT MCS and NSS Set field of the eleventh frame.

[0083] Referring to the fifth or sixth aspect, in a possible design, the eleventh frame includes a sixth field indicating, for each MCS, a maximum number of shared spatial streams for transmission supported by the first multilink device.

[0084] Referring to the fifth or sixth aspect, in a possible design, the sixth field is carried in a Supported EHT MCS and NSS Set field of the eleventh frame.

[0085] Referring to the fifth or sixth aspect, in a possible design, the eleventh frame includes a sharing station field, which indicates multiple stations participating in a shared spatial stream.

[0086] With reference to the fifth or sixth aspect, in a possible design, the shared station field includes multiple link identifier fields.

[0087] With reference to the fifth or sixth aspect, in a possible design, the eleventh frame indicates the maximum number of shared spatial streams supported by each station in the first multilink device.

[0088] Referring to the fifth or sixth aspect, in a possible design, the eleventh frame includes an eighth field, which includes a number of spatial streams for reception, a number of spatial streams for transmission, and a link identifier field.

[0089] With reference to the fifth or sixth aspect, in a possible design, the number of spatial streams for reception field and the number of spatial streams for transmission field are carried in the Supported EHT MCS and NSS Set field of the eleventh frame.

[0090] With reference to the fifth or sixth aspect, in a possible design, the eleventh frame includes an association request frame or an association response frame.

[0091] With reference to the fifth or sixth aspect, in a possible design, the method further includes: the first station transmitting a delay field, the delay field indicating a delay required for the first station in the first multilink device to adjust from the supported spatial streams to the shared spatial stream.

[0092] According to a seventh aspect, there is provided a data transmission method, the method comprising: transmitting a fifth frame to the first station, the fifth frame instructing the first station to disable a mode of sharing a number of spatial streams, the mode of sharing a number of spatial streams being used to enable the first station to use shared spatial streams, the number of shared spatial streams being a maximum number of shared spatial streams supported by the first multilink device; receiving a sixth frame from the first station, the sixth frame being used to respond to the fifth frame; Further includes:

[0093] In a possible design, after the step of transmitting the fifth frame to the first station, the method further includes the step of receiving an acknowledgment frame for the fifth frame from the first station.

[0094] In a possible design, after receiving the sixth frame from the first station, the method further includes transmitting an acknowledgment frame for the sixth frame to the first station.

[0095] According to an eighth aspect, there is provided a data transmission method, the method comprising: receiving a fifth frame transmitted by the first station, the fifth frame instructing the first station to disable a mode of sharing a number of spatial streams, the mode of sharing the number of spatial streams being used to enable the first station to use shared spatial streams, the number of shared spatial streams being a maximum number of shared spatial streams supported by the first multilink device; transmitting a sixth frame to the first station, the sixth frame being used to respond to the fifth frame; Further includes:

[0096] Referring to the seventh or eighth aspect, in a possible design, a method includes the steps of: transmitting a third frame to a first station in a first multilink device, the third frame instructing the first station to enable a mode of sharing a number of spatial streams; receiving a fourth frame from the first station, the fourth frame being used to respond to the third frame.

[0097] With reference to the seventh or eighth aspect, in a possible design, after the step of transmitting the third frame to the first station, the method further includes a step of receiving an acknowledgment frame for the third frame.

[0098] With reference to the seventh or eighth aspect, in a possible design, after the step of receiving the fourth frame from the first station, the method further includes a step of transmitting an acknowledgment frame for the fourth frame.

[0099] With reference to the seventh or eighth aspect, in a possible design, the method further includes a step of receiving an eleventh frame from the first station, the eleventh frame indicating a maximum number of shared spatial streams supported by the first multilink device.

[0100] With reference to the seventh or eighth aspect, in a possible design, the eleventh frame indicates, for each MCS, the maximum number of shared spatial streams supported by the first multilink device.

[0101] Referring to the seventh or eighth aspect, in a possible design, the eleventh frame includes a fifth field indicating, for each MCS, the maximum number of shared spatial streams for reception supported by the first multilink device.

[0102] With reference to the seventh or eighth aspect, in a possible design, the fifth field is carried in a Supported EHT MCS and NSS Set field of the eleventh frame.

[0103] Referring to the seventh or eighth aspect, in a possible design, the eleventh frame includes a sixth field indicating, for each MCS, the maximum number of shared spatial streams for transmission supported by the first multilink device.

[0104] With reference to the seventh or eighth aspect, in a possible design, the sixth field is carried in a Supported EHT MCS and NSS Set field of the eleventh frame.

[0105] Referring to the seventh or eighth aspect, in a possible design, the eleventh frame includes a sharing station field, which indicates multiple stations participating in a shared spatial stream.

[0106] With reference to the seventh or eighth aspect, in a possible design, the shared station field includes multiple link identifier fields.

[0107] With reference to the seventh or eighth aspect, in a possible design, the eleventh frame indicates the maximum number of shared spatial streams supported by each station in the first multilink device.

[0108] Referring to the seventh or eighth aspect, in a possible design, the eleventh frame includes an eighth field, which includes a field for the number of spatial streams for reception, a field for the number of spatial streams for transmission, and a link identifier field.

[0109] With reference to the seventh or eighth aspect, in a possible design, the number of spatial streams for reception field and the number of spatial streams for transmission field are carried in the Supported EHT MCS and NSS Set field of the 11th frame.

[0110] With reference to the seventh or eighth aspect, in a possible design, the eleventh frame includes an association request frame or an association response frame.

[0111] With reference to the seventh or eighth aspect, in a possible design, a method comprises: The method further includes transmitting a delay field from the first station, the delay field indicating a delay required for the first station in the first multilink device to tune from the supported spatial stream to the shared spatial stream.

[0112] According to a ninth aspect, a data transmission method is provided. The method includes: a first station in a first multilink device generates an eleventh frame, the eleventh frame being a maximum number of shared spatial streams supported by the first multilink device; and the first station transmits the eleventh frame.

[0113] In a possible design, the 11th frame indicates the maximum number of shared spatial streams supported by the first multilink device for each MCS.

[0114] In one possible design, the eleventh frame includes a fifth field that indicates, for each MCS, the maximum number of shared spatial streams for reception supported by the first multilink device.

[0115] In a possible design, the fifth field is carried within a Supported EHT MCS and NSS Set field in the eleventh frame.

[0116] In one possible design, the eleventh frame includes a sixth field that indicates, for each MCS, the maximum number of shared spatial streams for transmission supported by the first multilink device.

[0117] In a possible design, the sixth field is carried within a Supported EHT MCS and NSS Set field in the eleventh frame.

[0118] In one possible design, the 11th frame includes a sharing station field, which indicates multiple stations participating in the shared spatial stream.

[0119] In a possible design, the shared station field includes multiple link identifier fields.

[0120] In a possible design, the 11th frame indicates the maximum number of shared spatial streams supported by each station in the first multilink device.

[0121] In one possible design, the eleventh frame includes an eighth field, which includes a number of spatial streams for reception, a number of spatial streams for transmission, and a link identifier field.

[0122] In a possible design, a number of spatial streams for reception field and a number of spatial streams for transmission field are carried in the Supported EHT MCS and NSS Set field of the 11th frame.

[0123] In a possible design, the 11th frame comprises an association request frame or an association response frame.

[0124] In a possible design, the method further includes: the first station transmitting a delay field, the delay field indicating a delay required for the first station in the first multilink device to align from the supported spatial stream to the shared spatial stream.

[0125] In a possible design, the method includes: a first station in a first multilink device receives a third frame. The third frame instructs the first station to enable a mode of sharing a number of spatial streams. The mode of sharing a number of spatial streams is used to enable the first station to use shared spatial streams. The number of shared spatial streams is a maximum number of shared spatial streams supported by the first multilink device. The first station transmits a fourth frame. The fourth frame is used to respond to the third frame.

[0126] In a possible design, after the first station receives the third frame, the method further includes: the first station sends an acknowledgment frame for the third frame.

[0127] In a possible design, after the first station transmits the fourth frame, the method further includes: the first station receives an acknowledgment frame for the fourth frame.

[0128] In a possible design, the method includes: a first station in a first multilink device transmits a third frame. The third frame indicates that the first station enables a mode of sharing a number of spatial streams. The mode of sharing a number of spatial streams is used to enable the first station to use shared spatial streams. The number of shared spatial streams is a maximum number of shared spatial streams supported by the first multilink device. The first station receives a fourth frame. The fourth frame is used to respond to the third frame.

[0129] In a possible design, the method further includes: the first station enabling, through frame reconciliation, multiple spatial streams, the number of the multiple spatial streams being less than or equal to the number of shared spatial streams.

[0130] In a possible design, the method further includes: the first station uses the spatial streams supported by the first station before the frame interaction is completed.

[0131] In a possible design, the method further includes: the first station uses the multiple spatial streams after the frame interaction is completed.

[0132] In a possible design, the method further includes: After the frame reconciliation sequence is completed, the first station uses the spatial streams supported by the first station.

[0133] In a possible design, the method further includes: When any one of the preset conditions is met, the first station determines that the frame interaction sequence is ended.

[0134] The preset conditions include at least one of the following conditions:

[0135] The first station receives a seventh frame, the receive address of which is different from the address of the first station, or the transmit address of the seventh frame is different from the transmit address of the eighth frame received by the first station, the eighth frame being used to initiate or establish a transmission opportunity.

[0136] Alternatively, the first station's carrier sense mechanism indicates that the medium is idle within a preset period of time.

[0137] Alternatively, the first station receives a physical layer protocol data unit (PPDU), which is determined by the first station to be an inter-basic service set (inter-BSS) PPDU.

[0138] Alternatively, the first station receives a multi-user (MU) PPDU, where the BSS color in the preamble carried in the MU PPDU is the same as the BSS color of the basic service set associated with the first station, and the preamble carried in the MU PPDU does not include a station identifier matching the first station.

[0139] In a possible design, the method further includes: the first station receiving a fifth frame, the fifth frame instructing the first station to disable a mode of sharing the number of spatial streams, and the first station transmitting a sixth frame, the sixth frame being used to respond to the fifth frame.

[0140] In a possible design, after the first station receives the fifth frame, the method further includes: the first station sends an acknowledgment frame for the fifth frame.

[0141] In a possible design, after the first station transmits the sixth frame, the method further includes: the first station receives an acknowledgment frame for the sixth frame.

[0142] In a possible design, the method further includes: the first station transmitting a fifth frame, the fifth frame instructing the first station to disable a mode of sharing the number of spatial streams, and the first station receiving a sixth frame, the sixth frame being used to respond to the fifth frame.

[0143] According to a tenth aspect, there is provided a data transmission method, the method comprising: receiving an eleventh frame from a first station in a first multilink device, the eleventh frame indicating a maximum number of shared spatial streams supported by the first multilink device; determining a maximum number of shared spatial streams supported by the first multilink device based on the eleventh frame; Includes.

[0144] In a possible design, the 11th frame indicates the maximum number of shared spatial streams supported by the first multilink device for each MCS.

[0145] In one possible design, the eleventh frame includes a fifth field that indicates, for each MCS, the maximum number of shared spatial streams for reception supported by the first multilink device.

[0146] In a possible design, the fifth field is carried within a Supported EHT MCS and NSS Set field in the eleventh frame.

[0147] In one possible design, the eleventh frame includes a sixth field that indicates, for each MCS, the maximum number of shared spatial streams for transmission supported by the first multilink device.

[0148] In a possible design, the sixth field is carried within a Supported EHT MCS and NSS Set field in the eleventh frame.

[0149] In one possible design, the 11th frame includes a sharing station field, which indicates multiple stations participating in the shared spatial stream.

[0150] In a possible design, the shared station field includes multiple link identifier fields.

[0151] In a possible design, the 11th frame indicates the maximum number of shared spatial streams supported by each station in the first multilink device.

[0152] In one possible design, the eleventh frame includes an eighth field, which includes a number of spatial streams for reception, a number of spatial streams for transmission, and a link identifier field.

[0153] In a possible design, a number of spatial streams for reception field and a number of spatial streams for transmission field are carried in the Supported EHT MCS and NSS Set field of the 11th frame.

[0154] In a possible design, the 11th frame comprises an association request frame or an association response frame.

[0155] In a possible design, the method comprises: The method further includes transmitting a delay field from the first station, the delay field indicating a delay required for the first station in the first multilink device to tune from the supported spatial stream to the shared spatial stream.

[0156] In a possible design, the method comprises: transmitting a third frame to a first station in a first multilink device, the third frame instructing the first station to enable a mode of sharing a number of spatial streams, the mode of sharing a number of spatial streams being used to enable the first station to use shared spatial streams, the number of shared spatial streams being a maximum number of shared spatial streams supported by the first multilink device; receiving a fourth frame from the first station, the fourth frame being used to respond to the third frame; Further includes.

[0157] In a possible design, after the step of transmitting the third frame to the first station, the method further includes receiving an acknowledgment frame for the third frame.

[0158] In a possible design, after receiving the fourth frame from the first station, the method further includes transmitting an acknowledgment frame for the fourth frame to the first station.

[0159] In a possible design, the method comprises: receiving a third frame transmitted by a first station in a first multilink device, the third frame indicating that the first station enables a mode of sharing a number of spatial streams, the mode of sharing a number of spatial streams is used to enable the first station to use shared spatial streams, and the number of shared spatial streams is a maximum number of shared spatial streams supported by the first multilink device; transmitting a fourth frame to the first station, the fourth frame being used to respond to the third frame; Further includes.

[0160] In one possible design, the method may include transmitting a fifth frame to the first station, the fifth frame instructing the first station to disable a number of spatial streams sharing mode; receiving a sixth frame from the first station, the sixth frame being used to respond to the fifth frame.

[0161] In a possible design, after the step of transmitting the fifth frame to the first station, the method further includes the step of receiving an acknowledgment frame for the fifth frame from the first station.

[0162] In a possible design, after receiving the sixth frame from the first station, the method further includes transmitting an acknowledgment frame for the sixth frame to the first station.

[0163] In one possible design, the method may include receiving a fifth frame transmitted by a first station, the fifth frame instructing the first station to disable a number of spatial streams sharing mode; transmitting a sixth frame to the first station, the sixth frame being used to respond to the fifth frame.

[0164] According to an eleventh aspect, there is provided a data transmission method, the method including: a first station in a first multilink device enables multiple spatial streams through frame reconciliation, the number of the multiple spatial streams being less than or equal to a maximum number of shared spatial streams supported by the first multilink device.

[0165] In a possible design, the method further includes: the first station uses the spatial streams supported by the first station before the frame interaction is completed.

[0166] In a possible design, the method further includes: the first station uses the multiple spatial streams after the frame interaction is completed.

[0167] In a possible design, the method further includes: After the frame reconciliation sequence is completed, the first station uses the spatial streams supported by the first station.

[0168] In a possible design, the method further includes: When any one of the preset conditions is met, the first station determines that the frame interaction sequence is ended.

[0169] The preset conditions include at least one of the following conditions:

[0170] The first station receives a seventh frame, the receive address of which is different from the address of the first station, or the transmit address of the seventh frame is different from the transmit address of the eighth frame received by the first station, the eighth frame being used to initiate or establish a transmission opportunity.

[0171] Alternatively, the first station's carrier sense mechanism indicates that the medium is idle within a preset period of time.

[0172] Alternatively, the first station receives a physical layer protocol data unit (PPDU), which is determined by the first station to be an inter-basic service set (inter-BSS) PPDU.

[0173] Alternatively, the first station receives a multi-user (MU) PPDU, where the BSS color in the preamble carried in the MU PPDU is the same as the BSS color of the basic service set associated with the first station, and the preamble carried in the MU PPDU does not include a station identifier matching the first station.

[0174] In a possible design, the method further includes: the first station receiving a fifth frame, the fifth frame instructing the first station to disable a mode of sharing the number of spatial streams, and the first station transmitting a sixth frame, the sixth frame being used to respond to the fifth frame.

[0175] In a possible design, after the first station receives the fifth frame, the method further includes: the first station sends an acknowledgment frame for the fifth frame.

[0176] In a possible design, after the first station transmits the sixth frame, the method further includes: the first station receives an acknowledgment frame for the sixth frame.

[0177] In a possible design, the method includes: a first station in a first multilink device receives a third frame. The third frame instructs the first station to enable a mode of sharing a number of spatial streams. The mode of sharing a number of spatial streams is used to enable the first station to use shared spatial streams. The number of shared spatial streams is a maximum number of shared spatial streams supported by the first multilink device. The first station transmits a fourth frame. The fourth frame is used to respond to the third frame.

[0178] In a possible design, after the first station receives the third frame, the method further includes: the first station sends an acknowledgment frame for the third frame.

[0179] In a possible design, after the first station transmits the fourth frame, the method further includes: the first station receives an acknowledgment frame for the fourth frame.

[0180] In a possible design, the method further includes: a first station in a first multilink device generates an eleventh frame, the eleventh frame being a maximum number of shared spatial streams supported by the first multilink device; and the first station transmits the eleventh frame.

[0181] In a possible design, the 11th frame indicates the maximum number of shared spatial streams supported by the first multilink device for each MCS.

[0182] In one possible design, the eleventh frame includes a fifth field that indicates, for each MCS, the maximum number of shared spatial streams for reception supported by the first multilink device.

[0183] In a possible design, the fifth field is carried within a Supported EHT MCS and NSS Set field in the eleventh frame.

[0184] In one possible design, the eleventh frame includes a sixth field that indicates, for each MCS, the maximum number of shared spatial streams for transmission supported by the first multilink device.

[0185] In a possible design, the sixth field is carried within a Supported EHT MCS and NSS Set field in the eleventh frame.

[0186] In one possible design, the 11th frame includes a sharing station field, which indicates multiple stations participating in the shared spatial stream.

[0187] In a possible design, the shared station field includes multiple link identifier fields.

[0188] In a possible design, the 11th frame indicates the maximum number of shared spatial streams supported by each station in the first multilink device.

[0189] In one possible design, the eleventh frame includes an eighth field, which includes a number of spatial streams for reception, a number of spatial streams for transmission, and a link identifier field.

[0190] In a possible design, a number of spatial streams for reception field and a number of spatial streams for transmission field are carried in the Supported EHT MCS and NSS Set field of the 11th frame.

[0191] In a possible design, the 11th frame comprises an association request frame or an association response frame.

[0192] In a possible design, the method further includes: the first station transmitting a delay field, the delay field indicating a delay required for the first station in the first multilink device to align from the supported spatial stream to the shared spatial stream.

[0193] According to a twelfth aspect, there is provided a communication device adapted for a first station in a first multilink device, the communication device including a communication module, the communication module comprising: receiving a third frame, the third frame instructing the first station to enable a mode of sharing a number of spatial streams, the mode of sharing the number of spatial streams is used to enable the first station to use shared spatial streams, the number of shared spatial streams being a maximum number of shared spatial streams supported by the first multilink device; transmit a fourth frame, the fourth frame being used to respond to the third frame; It is configured as follows.

[0194] In a possible design, the communication module is further configured to transmit an acknowledgment frame of the third frame.

[0195] In a possible design, the communication module is further configured to receive an acknowledgment frame for the fourth frame.

[0196] According to a thirteenth aspect, there is provided a communication device adapted for a first station in a first multilink device, the communication device including a communication module, the communication module comprising: transmitting a third frame, the third frame indicating that the first station enables a mode of sharing a number of spatial streams, the mode of sharing the number of spatial streams is used to enable the first station to use shared spatial streams, the number of shared spatial streams being a maximum number of shared spatial streams supported by the first multilink device; transmit a fourth frame, the fourth frame being used to respond to the third frame; It is configured as follows.

[0197] With reference to the twelfth or thirteenth aspects, in a possible design, the communication device further includes a processing module configured to enable multiple spatial streams through frame interaction, the number of the multiple spatial streams being less than or equal to the number of shared spatial streams.

[0198] With reference to the twelfth or thirteenth aspect, in a possible design, the communication device is further configured to use the spatial streams supported by the first station before the frame interaction is completed.

[0199] With reference to the twelfth or thirteenth aspects, in a possible design, the communication device is further configured to use the multiple spatial streams after the frame interaction is completed.

[0200] With reference to the twelfth aspect or the thirteenth aspect, in a possible design, the communication device is further configured as follows: after the frame interaction sequence is completed, the first station uses the spatial streams supported by the first station.

[0201] With reference to the twelfth or thirteenth aspects, in a possible design, the processing module is further configured to determine that the frame interaction sequence has ended when any one of the preset conditions is satisfied.

[0202] The preset conditions include at least one of the following conditions:

[0203] The first station receives a seventh frame, the receive address of which is different from the address of the first station, or the transmit address of the seventh frame is different from the transmit address of the eighth frame received by the first station, the eighth frame being used to initiate or establish a transmission opportunity.

[0204] Alternatively, the first station's carrier sense mechanism indicates that the medium is idle within a preset period of time.

[0205] Alternatively, the first station receives a physical layer protocol data unit (PPDU), which is determined by the first station to be an inter-basic service set (inter-BSS) PPDU.

[0206] Alternatively, the first station receives a multi-user (MU) PPDU, where the BSS color in the preamble carried in the MU PPDU is the same as the BSS color of the basic service set associated with the first station, and the preamble carried in the MU PPDU does not include a station identifier matching the first station.

[0207] Referring to the twelfth or thirteenth aspect, in a possible design, the communication module receives a fifth frame, the fifth frame instructing the first station to disable a mode of sharing the number of spatial streams; The sixth frame is further configured to transmit a sixth frame, the sixth frame being used to respond to the fifth frame.

[0208] With reference to the twelfth aspect or the thirteenth aspect, in a possible design, the communication module is further configured to transmit an acknowledgement frame for the third frame.

[0209] With reference to the twelfth aspect or the thirteenth aspect, in a possible design, the communication module is further configured to receive an acknowledgement frame for the sixth frame.

[0210] With reference to the twelfth or thirteenth aspects, in a possible design, the communication module is further configured to receive an eleventh frame, the eleventh frame further indicating a maximum number of shared spatial streams supported by the first multilink device.

[0211] Referring to the twelfth or thirteenth aspects, in a possible design, the eleventh frame indicates, for each MCS, the maximum number of shared spatial streams supported by the first multilink device.

[0212] Referring to the twelfth or thirteenth aspects, in a possible design, the eleventh frame includes a fifth field indicating, for each MCS, a maximum number of shared spatial streams for reception supported by the first multilink device.

[0213] Referring to the twelfth or thirteenth aspect, in a possible design, the fifth field is carried in a Supported EHT MCS and NSS Set field of the eleventh frame.

[0214] Referring to the twelfth or thirteenth aspects, in a possible design, the eleventh frame includes a sixth field indicating, for each MCS, a maximum number of shared spatial streams for transmission supported by the first multilink device.

[0215] Referring to the twelfth or thirteenth aspect, in a possible design, the sixth field is carried in a Supported EHT MCS and NSS Set field of the eleventh frame.

[0216] Referring to the twelfth or thirteenth aspects, in a possible design, the eleventh frame includes a sharing station field, which indicates multiple stations participating in a shared spatial stream.

[0217] Referring to the twelfth aspect or the thirteenth aspect, in a possible design, the shared station field includes multiple link identifier fields.

[0218] Referring to the twelfth or thirteenth aspects, in a possible design, the eleventh frame indicates the maximum number of shared spatial streams supported by each station in the first multilink device.

[0219] Referring to the twelfth or thirteenth aspects, in a possible design, the eleventh frame includes an eighth field. The eighth field includes a field for the number of spatial streams for reception, a field for the number of spatial streams for transmission, and a link identifier field.

[0220] With reference to the twelfth or thirteenth aspects, in a possible design, the number of spatial streams for reception field and the number of spatial streams for transmission field are carried in the Supported EHT MCS and NSS Set field of the eleventh frame.

[0221] With reference to the twelfth aspect or the thirteenth aspect, in a possible design, the eleventh frame includes an association request frame or an association response frame.

[0222]

[0081] Referring to the twelfth or thirteenth aspect, in a possible design, the communication module comprises: It is further configured to transmit a delay field, the delay field indicating a delay required for a first station in the first multilink device to tune from a supported spatial stream to a shared spatial stream.

[0223] According to a fourteenth aspect, there is provided a communication device, the communication device including a communication module, the communication module comprising: sending a third frame to a first station in the first multilink device, the third frame instructing the first station to enable a mode of sharing a number of spatial streams, the mode of sharing the number of spatial streams being used to enable the first station to use shared spatial streams, the number of shared spatial streams being a maximum number of shared spatial streams supported by the first multilink device; A fourth frame is received from the first station, the fourth frame being configured to be used to respond to the third frame.

[0224] In a possible design, the communication module is further configured to receive an acknowledgment frame for the third frame.

[0225] In a possible design, the communication module is further configured to transmit an acknowledgment frame for the fourth frame.

[0226] According to a fifteenth aspect, there is provided a communication device, the communication device including a communication module, the communication module comprising: receiving a third frame transmitted by a first station in a first multilink device, the third frame indicating that the first station enables a mode of sharing a number of spatial streams, the mode of sharing the number of spatial streams is used to enable the first station to use shared spatial streams, the number of shared spatial streams being a maximum number of shared spatial streams supported by the first multilink device; A fourth frame is configured to be transmitted to the first station, the fourth frame being used to respond to the third frame.

[0227] Referring to the fourteenth or fifteenth aspect, in a possible design, the communication module transmits a fifth frame to the first station, the fifth frame instructing the first station to disable a mode of sharing the number of spatial streams; It is further configured to receive a sixth frame from the first station, the sixth frame being used to respond to the fifth frame.

[0228] With reference to the fourteenth aspect or the fifteenth aspect, in a possible design, the communication module is further configured to receive an acknowledgement frame for the fifth frame from the first station.

[0229] With reference to the fourteenth aspect or the fifteenth aspect, in a possible design, the communication module is further configured to transmit an acknowledgement frame of the sixth frame to the first station.

[0230] With reference to the 14th or 15th aspect, in a possible design, the communication module is further configured to receive an 11th frame from the first station, the 11th frame indicating a maximum number of shared spatial streams supported by the first multilink device.

[0231] Referring to the fourteenth or fifteenth aspect, in a possible design, the eleventh frame indicates, for each MCS, the maximum number of shared spatial streams supported by the first multilink device.

[0232] Referring to the fourteenth or fifteenth aspect, in a possible design, the eleventh frame includes a fifth field indicating, for each MCS, a maximum number of shared spatial streams for reception supported by the first multilink device.

[0233] Referring to the fourteenth aspect or the fifteenth aspect, in a possible design, the fifth field is carried in a Supported EHT MCS and NSS Set field of the eleventh frame.

[0234] Referring to the fourteenth or fifteenth aspect, in a possible design, the eleventh frame includes a sixth field indicating, for each MCS, a maximum number of shared spatial streams for transmission supported by the first multilink device.

[0235] Referring to the fourteenth or fifteenth aspect, in a possible design, the sixth field is carried in a Supported EHT MCS and NSS Set field of the eleventh frame.

[0236] Referring to the fourteenth or fifteenth aspect, in a possible design, the eleventh frame includes a sharing station field, which indicates multiple stations participating in a shared spatial stream.

[0237] Referring to the fourteenth or fifteenth aspect, in a possible design, the shared station field includes multiple link identifier fields.

[0238] Referring to the fourteenth or fifteenth aspects, in a possible design, the eleventh frame indicates the maximum number of shared spatial streams supported by each station in the first multilink device.

[0239] Referring to the fourteenth or fifteenth aspect, in a possible design, the eleventh frame includes an eighth field. The eighth field includes a field for the number of spatial streams for reception, a field for the number of spatial streams for transmission, and a link identifier field.

[0240] With reference to the 14th or 15th aspects, in a possible design, the number of spatial streams for reception field and the number of spatial streams for transmission field are carried in the Supported EHT MCS and NSS Set field of the 11th frame.

[0241] Referring to the fourteenth or fifteenth aspect, in a possible design, the eleventh frame includes an association request frame or an association response frame.

[0242] Referring to the fourteenth or fifteenth aspect, in a possible design, the communication module comprises: It is further configured to receive a delay field from the first station, the delay field indicating a delay required for the first station in the first multilink device to tune from the supported spatial stream to the shared spatial stream.

[0243] According to a sixteenth aspect, there is provided a communication device adapted for a first station in a first multilink device, the communication device including a communication module, the communication module comprising: receiving a fifth frame, the fifth frame instructing the first station to disable a mode of sharing a number of spatial streams, the mode of sharing the number of spatial streams being used to enable the first station to use shared spatial streams, the number of shared spatial streams being a maximum number of shared spatial streams supported by the first multilink device; transmit a sixth frame, the sixth frame being used to respond to the fifth frame; It is configured as follows.

[0244] According to a seventeenth aspect, there is provided a communication device adapted for a first station in a first multilink device, the communication device including a communication module, the communication module comprising: transmitting a fifth frame, the fifth frame instructing the first station to disable a mode of sharing a number of spatial streams, the mode of sharing the number of spatial streams being used to enable the first station to use shared spatial streams, the number of shared spatial streams being a maximum number of shared spatial streams supported by the first multilink device; transmit a sixth frame, the sixth frame being used to respond to the fifth frame; It is configured as follows.

[0245] According to an eighteenth aspect, there is provided a communication device, the communication device including a communication module, the communication module comprising: sending a fifth frame to the first station, the fifth frame instructing the first station to disable a mode of sharing a number of spatial streams, the mode of sharing a number of spatial streams being used to enable a shared spatial stream for the first station, the number of shared spatial streams being a maximum number of shared spatial streams supported by the first multilink device; receiving a sixth frame from the first station, the sixth frame being used to respond to the fifth frame; It is configured as follows.

[0246] According to an eighteenth aspect, there is provided a communication device, the communication device including a communication module, the communication module comprising: receiving a fifth frame transmitted by the first station, the fifth frame instructing the first station to disable a mode of sharing a number of spatial streams, the mode of sharing the number of spatial streams being used to enable the first station to use shared spatial streams, the number of shared spatial streams being a maximum number of shared spatial streams supported by the first multilink device; transmit a sixth frame to the first station, the sixth frame being used to respond to the fifth frame; It is configured as follows.

[0247] According to a twentieth aspect, a communication device is provided for application to a first station in a first multilink device. The communication device includes a processing module and a communication module. The processing module is configured to generate an eleventh frame, the eleventh frame being a maximum number of shared spatial streams supported by the first multilink device. The communication module is configured to transmit the eleventh frame.

[0248] According to a twenty-first aspect, there is provided a communication device, the communication device including a communication module, the communication module comprising: receiving an eleventh frame from a first station in a first multilink device, the eleventh frame indicating a maximum number of shared spatial streams supported by the first multilink device; determining a maximum number of shared spatial streams supported by the first multilink device based on the eleventh frame; It is configured as follows.

[0249] According to a twenty-second aspect, there is provided a communication device adapted for a first station in a first multilink device, the communication device including a processing module configured to enable multiple spatial streams through frame interworking, the number of the multiple spatial streams being less than or equal to a maximum number of shared spatial streams supported by the first multilink device.

[0250] According to a twenty-third aspect, there is provided a communication device. The communication device includes a processor and a communication interface. The processor and the communication interface are configured to implement any of the methods provided in any one of the first to seventh aspects. The processor is configured to perform processing operations in the corresponding method, and the communication interface is configured to perform receiving / transmitting operations in the corresponding method.

[0251] According to a twenty-fourth aspect, there is provided a computer-readable storage medium. The computer-readable storage medium stores computer instructions. When the computer instructions are executed on a computer, the computer is enabled to perform any of the methods provided in any one of the first to seventh aspects.

[0252] According to a twenty-fifth aspect, there is provided a computer program product comprising computer instructions which, when executed on a computer, enable the computer to perform any of the methods provided in any one of the first to seventh aspects.

[0253] According to a 26th aspect, there is provided a chip including a processing circuit and a transceiver pin. The processing circuit and the transceiver pin are configured to implement any of the methods provided in any one of the first to seventh aspects. The processing circuit is configured to perform the processing operations of the corresponding method, and the transceiver pin is configured to perform the receive / transmit operations of the corresponding method.

[0254] In addition, for the technical effects brought about by the design of any one of the 12th to 26th aspects, refer to the technical effects brought about by the corresponding design in the 1st to 11th aspects. Details will not be described again here. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0255] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram of a wireless local area network according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0256] [Figure 2A] 1 is a schematic diagram of the structure of an AP multi-link device and a STA multi-link device participating in communication according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0257] [Figure 2B] 1 is a schematic diagram of the structure of an AP multi-link device and a STA multi-link device participating in communication according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0258] [Figure 2C] 1 is a schematic diagram of the structure of an AP multi-link device and a STA multi-link device participating in communication according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0259] [Figure 3A] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a communication scenario according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0260] [Figure 3B] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of another communication scenario according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0261] [Figure 4] 2 is a flowchart of a data transmission method according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0262] [Diagram 5] 4 is a flowchart of another data transmission method according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0263] [Figure 6] 4 is a flowchart of another data transmission method according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0264] [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a communication scenario according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0265] [Figure 8] 4 is a flowchart of another data transmission method according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0266] [Figure 9] FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram of a format of a fifth field according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0267] [Figure 10] 1 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0268] [Figure 11] 1 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device according to an embodiment of the present application; DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0269] The following describes the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings in the embodiments of the present application.

[0270] In the present description, unless otherwise specified, " / " means "or". For example, A / B may represent A or B. The term "and / or" in this specification indicates that only the association relationship describing the associated objects is described in this specification, and that three relationships may exist. For example, A and / or B may represent the following three cases: only A exists, both A and B exist, and only B exists. Furthermore, "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.

[0271] It should be noted that in this application, words such as "example" or "for example" are used to denote example, illustration, or explanation. Any embodiment or design manner described in this application as an "example" or "for example" should not be described as being preferred or having more advantages over another embodiment or design manner. Rather, use of the words "example," "for example," etc. is intended to present related concepts in a particular way.

[0272] To facilitate understanding of the technical solution of the present application, the following first provides a brief explanation of the terms used in the present application.

[0273] 1. Spatial stream

[0274] A spatial stream refers to a data stream in wireless transmission processing. After the introduction of multiple input multiple output (MIMO) technology, multiple independent spatial streams of data can be transmitted through multiple antenna technology. The more spatial streams there are, the more channels there are to process data independently, and the higher the data transmission rate.

[0275] In a MIMO system, the number of spatial streams supported by a device is typically less than or equal to the number of antennas configured on the device.

[0276] In this embodiment of the present application, the number of spatial streams is the number of spatial streams.

[0277] 2. Request to send (RTS) / clear to send (CTS) mechanism

[0278] The RTS / CTS mechanism is used to solve the hidden station problem in order to avoid signal contention between multiple stations.

[0279] Before the transmitting end transmits a data frame, the transmitting end first transmits an RTS frame in a broadcast manner to instruct the transmitting end to transmit a data frame to a designated receiving end within a specified period. After receiving the RTS frame, the receiving end transmits a CTS frame in a broadcast manner to acknowledge the transmission of the transmitting end. Other stations that receive the RTS or CTS frame will not transmit wireless frames until the specified period ends.

[0280] 3. Carrier Sense Mechanism

[0281] Carrier sense mechanisms are classified into physical carrier sense mechanisms and virtual carrier sense mechanisms.

[0282] The physical carrier sense mechanism is also called clear channel assessment (CCA). In a wireless communication system, before the target device needs to transmit data on a channel, the target device first receives data on the channel. If the target device does not detect another device transmitting data on the channel after a given time, the target device starts transmitting data. If the target device detects that another device is transmitting data, the target device waits for a random period of time and then retries the operation.

[0283] The virtual carrier sense mechanism uses information found in 802.11 frames to predict the state of the wireless medium. Generally, the virtual carrier sense is provided by the network allocation vector (NAV). The NAV is a timer, which is set based on the duration value in the MAC header of the frame. The value of the NAV decreases over time. A non-zero NAV indicates that the wireless medium is busy. A zero NAV indicates that the wireless medium is idle. The wireless medium can be a channel, a frequency band, etc.

[0284] 4. Basic service set (BSS)

[0285] BSS is used to describe a group of devices that can communicate with each other in wireless local area networks (WLANs). A WLAN can contain multiple BSSs. Each BSS has a unique identifier called the Basic Service Set Identifier (BSSID).

[0286] A BSS can include multiple stations (STAs), including Access Points (APs) and non-AP STAs (non-AP STAs). Optionally, a BSS can include one AP and multiple non-AP STAs associated with the AP.

[0287] 5. Intra-Basic Service Set (Intra-BSS) PPDU and Inter-Basic Service Set (Inter-BSS) PPDU

[0288] In a station, if the BSS to which the PPDU detected by the station belongs is the same as the BSS associated with the station, or if the receiver / transmitter of the PPDU detected by the station belongs to the same BSS, the PPDU is an Intra-BSS PPDU. For example, if the BSS color / BSSID of the PPDU detected by the station is the same as the BSS color / BSSID of the BSS associated with the station, the PPDU is an Intra-BSS PPDU.

[0289] In a station, if the BSS to which the PPDU detected by the station belongs is not the same as the BSS associated with the station, or if the receiver / transmitter of the PPDU detected by the station belongs to the same BSS as the station, the PPDU is an Inter-BSS PPDU. For example, if the BSS color / BSSID of the PPDU detected by the station is different from the BSS color / BSSID of the BSS associated with the station, the PPDU is an Inter-BSS PPDU.

[0290] The above-mentioned methods for a station to determine whether a PPDU is an Intra-BSSP PDU or an Inter-BSSP PDU are merely examples, and for details please refer to the prior art.

[0291] An embodiment of the present application provides a data transmission method. The method can be applied to a multilink device. The multilink device includes one or more associated stations, and the associated station is a logical station or a physical station. In the embodiment of the present application, "the multilink device includes an associated station" can be simply written as "the multilink device includes a station."

[0292] An associated station may be an access point (AP) or a non-access point (STA). For ease of explanation, in this embodiment of the present application, a multilink device with an AP as an associated station may be called a multilink AP, an AP multilink device, or a multilink AP device, and a multilink device with an STA as an associated station may be called a multilink STA, a multilink STA device, or a STA multilink device.

[0293] The multi-link device can implement wireless communication according to an 802.11 system protocol. For example, the 802.11 system protocol may be an 802.11ax protocol, an 802.11be protocol, or a next-generation 802.11 protocol, which is not limited in this embodiment of the present application.

[0294] A multilink device can communicate with another device, which in this embodiment of the present application may or may not be a multilink device.

[0295] In the case of a multi-link device, each associated station can operate on the same link, but multiple associated stations are allowed to operate on the same link. Therefore, in this embodiment of the present application, a link identifier can be used to represent a station operating on a link. If a link has multiple associated stations, multiple link identifiers are required to represent the multiple associated stations.

[0296] Before two multilink devices communicate with each other, one multilink device and another multilink device can first negotiate or communicate the correspondence between link identifiers and links (or stations on links). For example, an AP multilink device indicates the correspondence between link identifiers and links (or stations on links) through a broadcast management frame such as a beacon frame. Therefore, during data transmission, the link (or station on the link) can be indicated between two multilink devices through the link identifier, and there is no need to transmit a large amount of signaling information to indicate the link (or station on the link). This reduces the signaling overhead and improves transmission efficiency.

[0297] The following uses an example in which the aforementioned one multilink device is an AP multilink device, and the aforementioned another multilink device is a STA multilink device.

[0298] In an example, when an AP multilink device establishes a BSS, a management frame (e.g., a beacon frame) transmitted from the AP multilink device includes a number of link identifier information fields. Each link identifier information field can establish a correspondence between a link identifier and a station operating on the link. Each link identifier information field includes a link identifier and further includes one or more of a MAC address, an operating set, and a channel number. One or more of the MAC address, the operating set, and the channel number can indicate a link.

[0299] As another example, in the multilink association establishment process, the AP multilink device and the STA multilink device negotiate multiple link identifier information fields. In subsequent communication, the AP multilink device or the STA multilink device represents the station in the multilink device through the link identifier. The link identifier can further represent one or more attributes of the MAC address, the working set, and the channel number of the station. The MAC address may be replaced by the association identifier of the AP multilink device after association. Optionally, when multiple stations are operating on one link, the link identifier (which is a numeric ID) not only represents the working set and the channel number on which the link is located, but also represents the identifier of the station operating on the link, for example, the MAC address or AID of the station.

[0300] FIG. 1 is a diagram of an application scenario according to an embodiment of the present application, taking a wireless local area network as an example. The application scenario includes a station 101 and a station 102. The station 101 can communicate with the station 102 via one or more links to improve throughput. The station 101 may be a multilink device, and the station 102 may be a single-link device, a multilink device, etc. For example, in a scenario, the station 101 is an AP multilink device, and the station 102 is a STA multilink device or a station (e.g., a single-link station). In another scenario, the station 101 is a STA multilink device, and the station 102 is an AP (e.g., a single-link AP) or an AP multilink device. In yet another scenario, the station 101 is an AP multilink device, and the station 102 is an AP multilink device or an AP. In yet another scenario, the station 101 is a STA multilink device, and the station 102 is a STA multilink device or a STA. Of course, the wireless local area network may include further devices. The number and types of devices shown in FIG. 1 are merely examples.

[0301] 2A and 2B are schematic diagrams of the structures of an AP multilink device and an STA multilink device participating in communication. The 802.11 standard focuses on the 802.11 physical layer (PHY) part and the media access control (MAC) layer part of the AP multilink device and the STA multilink device (such as a mobile phone and a notebook computer).

[0302] As shown in Fig. 2A, multiple APs included in the AP multilink device are independent of each other in the low MAC layer and the PHY layer, and are also independent of each other in the high MAC layer. Multiple STAs included in the STA multilink device are independent of each other in the low MAC layer and the PHY layer, and are also independent of each other in the high MAC layer.

[0303] As shown in Fig. 2B, multiple APs included in the AP multilink device are independent of each other in the lower MAC layer and the PHY layer, and share the high MAC layer. Multiple STAs included in the STA multilink device are independent of each other in the lower MAC layer and the PHY layer, and share the high MAC layer.

[0304] Of course, the STA multilink device may use a structure in which the upper MAC layers are independent of each other, and the AP multilink device may use a structure in which the upper MAC layers are shared. Alternatively, the STA multilink device may use a structure in which the upper MAC layers are shared, and the AP multilink device may use a structure in which the upper MAC layers are independent of each other. For example, the upper MAC layer or the lower MAC layer may be implemented by a processor in the chip system of the multilink device, or may be implemented by different processing modules in the chip system.

[0305] For example, in this embodiment of the present application, multiple antennas are configured for the multi-link device. The number of antennas configured for the multi-link device is not limited in this embodiment of the present application. For example, Figure 2C shows an example in which the AP multi-link device is configured with two antennas, and the STA multi-link device is configured with two antennas.

[0306] In this embodiment of the present application, the multi-link device can allow services of the same access type to be transmitted over different links, or can also allow the same data packets to be transmitted over different links. The multi-link device does not allow services of the same access type to be transmitted over different links, but allows services of different access types to be transmitted over different links.

[0307] The frequency bands in which the multilink device operates include, but are not limited to, sub-1 GHz, 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, 6 GHz, and high frequency 60 GHz. Figures 3A and 3B show two schematic diagrams of communication between a multilink device and another device in a wireless local area network via multiple links.

[0308] 3A illustrates a scenario in which an AP multilink device 101 communicates with a STA multilink device 102. The AP multilink device 101 includes an associated AP 101-1 and an associated AP 101-2, the STA multilink device 102 includes an associated STA 102-1 and an associated STA 102-2, and the AP multilink device 101 and the STA multilink device 102 communicate in parallel via link 1 and link 2.

[0309] FIG. 3B shows a scenario in which the AP multilink device 101 communicates with the STA multilink device 102, the STA multilink device 103, and the STA 104. The AP multilink device 101 includes associated APs 101-1 to 101-3. The STA multilink device 102 includes two associated STAs, namely, STA 102-1 and STA 102-2. The STA multilink device 103 includes two associated STAs, namely, STA 103-1, STA 103-2, and STA 103-3. The STA 104 is a single-link device. The AP multilink device can individually communicate with the STA multilink device 102 via link 1 and link 3, communicate with the STA multilink device 103 via link 2 and link 3, and communicate with the STA 104 via link 1. For example, the STA 104 operates in the 2.4 GHz frequency band. The STA multilink device 103 includes the AP 103-1 and the AP 103-2. STA103-1 operates in the 5 GHz frequency band, and STA103-2 operates in the 6 GHz frequency band. STA multilink device 102 includes STA102-1 and STA102-2. STA102-1 operates in the 2.4 GHz frequency band, and STA102-2 operates in the 6 GHz frequency band. AP101-1 operating in the 2.4 GHz frequency band in the AP multilink device can transmit uplink or downlink data with STA104 and STA102-2 in the STA multilink device 102 via link 1. AP101-2 operating in the 5 GHz frequency band in the AP multilink device can transmit uplink or downlink data with STA103-1 operating in the 5 GHz frequency band in the STA multilink device 103 via link 2. AP 101-3 operating in the 6 GHz frequency band in AP multilink device 101 can transmit uplink or downlink data to STA 102-2 operating in the 6 GHz frequency band in STA multilink device 102 via link 3, and can also transmit uplink or downlink data to STA 103-2 in the STA multilink device via link 3.

[0310] It should be noted that FIG. 3A only shows that the AP multilink device supports two frequency bands, and FIG. 3B only shows that the AP multilink device supports three frequency bands (2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, and 6 GHz). Each frequency band corresponds to one link. An example in which the AP multilink device 101 operates on one or more of link 1, link 2, or link 3 is used for explanation. On the AP side or STA side, the link here can also be understood as a station operating on a link. In practical application, the AP multilink device and the STA multilink device may further support more or fewer frequency bands. That is, the AP multilink device and the STA multilink device may operate on more or fewer links. This is not limited to this embodiment of the present application.

[0311] For example, the multilink device is a device having a wireless communication function. The device may be a whole system device, or a chip, a processing system, etc. mounted on the whole system device. The device mounted with the chip or processing system may implement the method or function in the present embodiment of the present application under the control of the chip or processing system.

[0312] The multi-link STA in the embodiment of the present application has a wireless transceiver function, supports 802.11 series protocols, and can communicate with a multi-link AP, another multi-link STA, or a single-link device. For example, the multi-link STA is any user communication device that allows a user to communicate with an AP and further communicate with a WLAN. For example, the multi-link STA may be a user equipment that can access a network, such as a tablet computer, a desktop computer, a laptop computer, a notebook computer, an ultra-mobile personal computer (UMPC), a handheld computer, a netbook, a personal digital assistant (PDA), or a mobile phone, or may be an Internet of Things node in the Internet of Things, an in-vehicle communication device in the Internet of Vehicles, etc. Alternatively, the multi-link STA may be a chip or a processing system in the above terminal.

[0313] The multi-link AP in this embodiment of the present application may have a wireless transceiver function and support the 802.11 series of protocols. For example, the multi-link AP may be a communication entity such as a communication server, a router, a switch, a bridge, etc., and the multi-link AP may include various forms such as a macro base station, a micro base station, a relay station, etc. Of course, the multi-link AP may alternatively be a chip and a processing system in a device in various forms. In this way, the method and function in this embodiment of the present application are implemented.

[0314] In addition, the multilink device may support high-speed and low-latency transmission. With the continuous evolution of application scenarios of wireless local area networks, the multilink device may be applied to more scenarios. For example, the multilink device may be, for example, a sensor node in a smart city (e.g., smart water meter, smart electric meter, smart air detection node), a smart device in a smart home (e.g., smart camera, projector, display screen, television, stereo, refrigerator, washing machine), a node in the Internet of Things, an entertainment terminal (e.g., wearable devices such as AR and VR), a smart device in a smart office (e.g., printer, projector, etc.), a vehicle Internet device in the Internet of Vehicles, and some infrastructure in daily life scenarios (e.g., vending machine, supermarket self-service navigation console, self-service checkout register, self-service ordering machine, etc.). The specific form of the multilink STA and the multilink AP is not particularly limited in the embodiments of the present application and is merely an example for the purpose of explanation herein.

[0315] The following describes in detail the data transmission method provided in the embodiments of the present application with reference to the accompanying drawings of the present application.

[0316] 4 shows a data transmission method according to an embodiment of the present application. The method includes the following steps:

[0317] S101: A first station in a first multilink device receives data transmitted from a data transmitting end using P spatial streams for reception.

[0318] The first multilink device includes a plurality of stations, the first station being one of the plurality of stations included in the first multilink device.

[0319] The data transmitting end may be a single link device or may be a station in a multi-link device, for example, a second station in a second multi-link device below. The second multi-link device is different from the first multi-link device. The second station is one of multiple stations included in the second multi-link device. When the second station functions as a data transmitting end, the second station and the first station operate on the same link.

[0320] For example, the data transmitting end is the second station in the second multilink device. If P is equal to or less than the number of spatial streams for transmission supported by the second station, the second station can transmit data using only the spatial streams for transmission supported by the second station. If P is greater than the number of spatial streams supported by the second station, the second station can transmit data using the spatial streams for transmission supported by the second station and the spatial streams supported by another station in the second multilink device.

[0321] The first multilink device supports M spatial streams for reception. The first station supports N spatial streams for reception, where M is a positive integer greater than 1 and N is a positive integer less than M.

[0322] In a possible design, M is equal to the sum of the spatial streams for reception supported by all the shared stations in the first multilink device. Thus, the M spatial streams for reception supported by the first multilink device include the spatial streams for reception supported by all the shared stations in the first multilink device. A shared station can provide its spatial streams to another station.

[0323] Optionally, all stations within the first multilink device may be shared stations.

[0324] Alternatively, some of the stations in the first multilink device are shared stations, and other stations in the first multilink device are not shared stations. In this case, the first station is a shared station. Also, the number of spatial streams for reception supported by a non-shared station is not limited by M. That is, the number of spatial streams for reception supported by a non-shared station may be more than M or less than M.

[0325] For example, multilink device #1 includes station #1, station #2, and station #3. Station #1 supports two spatial streams for reception, station #2 supports three spatial streams for reception, and station #3 supports four spatial streams for reception. If station #1 and station #2 are shared stations, M=5 can be calculated. That is, multilink device #1 supports five spatial streams.

[0326] Optionally, the first multilink device can determine whether a station in the first multilink device belongs to a shared station based on the configuration of the first multilink device, the communication standard, and / or instructions from another device.

[0327] For example, a communications standard may predefine that in a multi-link device, a station operating in the 5 GHz to 6 GHz frequency band is a shared station, and a station operating in the 2.4 GHz frequency band is not a shared station.

[0328] As another example, the first multilink device may transmit a link identifier corresponding to the shared station to the second multilink device or single link station by transmitting a radio frame (e.g., a control field in a management frame, a control frame, or a data frame). In this way, the second multilink device or single link station learns the link identifier corresponding to the shared station in the first multilink device and determines the shared station in the first multilink device. Alternatively, the frame transmission method may be broadcast. In this case, the surrounding single link station or multilink device can learn the link identifier corresponding to the shared station in the first multilink device and determine the shared station in the first multilink device.

[0329] In this embodiment of the present application, P is a positive integer greater than N and less than or equal to M. In this case, the P spatial streams for reception used by the first station are a subset of the M spatial streams for reception supported by the first multilink device.

[0330] In this embodiment of the present application, the first station can use the spatial streams for reception supported by the first station or the spatial streams for reception supported by another station, so the maximum number of spatial streams for reception that can be used by the first station is greater than the number of spatial streams for reception supported by the first station.

[0331] Optionally, P is less than or equal to the maximum number of spatial streams for reception that can be used by the first station. The maximum number of spatial streams for reception that can be used by the first station is less than or equal to M.

[0332] In a possible design, the P spatial streams for reception used by the first station include the N spatial streams for reception supported by the first station and the PN spatial streams for reception supported by another station in the first multilink device, i.e., the first station in the first multilink device can receive data not only using the spatial streams for reception of the first station, but also using the spatial streams for reception supported by another station in the first multilink device.

[0333] For example, multilink device #1 includes station #1, station #2, and station #3. Station #1 supports two spatial streams for reception, station #2 supports three spatial streams for reception, and station #3 supports four spatial streams for reception. Station #1 and station #2 are shared stations. In a data transmission process, station #1 can not only receive data using the two spatial streams for reception supported by station #1, but also receive data using one or more of the three spatial streams for reception supported by station #2.

[0334] In a possible design, the first station may actively receive data using P spatial streams for reception.

[0335] Optionally, based on this design, before step S101, the first station needs to send first instruction information to the data transmitting end. The first instruction information instructs the first station to use the P spatial streams for receiving. The first instruction information may be carried in a control field of a management frame, a control frame, or a data frame.

[0336] In another possible design, the first station may receive data using the P spatial streams for receiving after being triggered by the data sending end.

[0337] Next, an implementation is described in which a first station in a first multilink device is passively triggered to use the P spatial streams for reception.

[0338] Implementation 1: A first station in a first multilink device receives a first frame transmitted by a data transmitting end, and transmits a second frame to the data transmitting end.

[0339] The first frame indicates a station in the first multilink device that receives the first frame and receives data using P spatial streams for reception. Optionally, the first frame includes a first field. The first field indicates a particular value of P. The first field can be named differently, for example, a field of the number of spatial streams. This is not limited in this embodiment of the present application.

[0340] The second frame is used to respond to the first frame, e.g., an acknowledgement (Ack) frame. Optionally, the second frame indicates that the first station agrees or declines to use the P spatial streams for reception. Furthermore, if the second frame indicates that the first station declines to use the P spatial streams for reception, the second frame may further indicate A recommended spatial streams for reception, where A is not equal to P and A is a positive integer.

[0341] Implementation 2: After receiving the start frame of a frame exchange, the first station in the first multilink device enables P spatial streams for reception, where P is equal to M.

[0342] Optionally, the starting frame of the frame exchange may be an RTS frame. That is, the data transmitting end may trigger the first station to enable the P spatial streams for reception by sending an RTS frame to the first station. Then, the first station sends a CTS frame to the data transmitting end. After the RTS-CTS mechanism is completed, the first station can receive data using the P spatial streams for reception.

[0343] Optionally, the start frame of the frame interaction may be a trigger frame, which is used to trigger a station to transmit an uplink PPDU or a single-user PPDU.

[0344] Optionally, a trigger frame used as the starting frame of a frame interaction must satisfy the following conditions:

[0345] Condition 1-1: The trigger frame is transmitted in the form of a single spatial stream.

[0346] Condition 1-2: The trigger frame is from an associated AP. Alternatively, if the AP associated with the station corresponds to a non-transmitted BSSID in the multi-BSSID set and supports control frames transmitted by a transmitted BSSID in the multi-BSSID set, the trigger frame is from an AP of a transmitted BSSID in the BSSID set.

[0347] Condition 1-3: The trigger frame is a multi-user request to send (MU-RTS) trigger frame, a buffer status report poll (BSRP) frame, or a bandwidth query report poll trigger frame. In addition, the trigger frame contains a user information field. The value of the AID12 field in the user information field is the same as the lowest 12 bits of the AID of the first station.

[0348] Conditions 1-1 to 1-3 are merely examples, which are not limiting in this embodiment of the present application.

[0349] The first station publishes, in a short inter frame space (SIFS) after the start frame of the response frame interaction, a number of spatial streams for reception to receive data based on the capabilities of the spatial streams, e.g., a Supported EHT MCS Set field and an operation mode (operation mode change notification information or operation mode instruction information).

[0350] Implementation 3: When the first station of the first multilink device is in a spatial stream sharing mode, the first station in the first multilink device enables P spatial streams for reception after receiving a start frame of a frame exchange, where P is equal to M.

[0351] The mode of sharing the number of spatial streams is used to allow a station in a multilink device to use the spatial streams of another station, i.e., if the first station is in the mode of sharing the number of spatial streams, the first station can use the spatial streams supported by another station in the first multilink device.

[0352] Correspondingly, if the first station is not in a mode of sharing the number of spatial streams, the first station cannot use the spatial streams supported by another station in the first multilink device. Thus, if the first station is not in a mode of sharing the number of spatial streams, the first station enables the N spatial streams for reception supported by the first station after receiving the start frame of the frame exchange.

[0353] In a possible design, a trigger negotiation procedure in which a first station in a first multilink device enables a mode of sharing the number of spatial streams is as follows: The first station in the first multilink device receives a third frame transmitted by a data transmitting end. Then, the first station in the first multilink device transmits a fourth frame to the data transmitting end. The third frame instructs the station receiving the third frame to enable a mode of sharing the number of spatial streams. The fourth frame is used to respond to the third frame.

[0354] In another possible design, a trigger negotiation procedure in which a first station in a first multilink device enables a mode of sharing the number of spatial streams is as follows: The first station in the first multilink device receives a third frame transmitted by a data transmitting end. The first station in the first multilink device transmits an acknowledgment frame to the data transmitting end. Then, the first station in the first multilink device transmits a fourth frame to the data transmitting end. Then, the first station in the first multilink device receives the acknowledgment frame transmitted by the data transmitting end. The third frame instructs the station receiving the third frame to enable a mode of sharing the number of spatial streams. The fourth frame is used to respond to the third frame.

[0355] Optionally, the third frame further includes a second field, the second field indicating a number of spatial streams for reception that should be used by the first station.

[0356] Optionally, the third frame further includes a seventh field, which indicates the number X of spatial streams for reception that the first station needs to use after the first station ends the mode of sharing the number of spatial streams or determines that the frame exchange sequence ends when a preset condition is met, where 1≦X≦N.

[0357] Optionally, the fourth frame further includes a third field indicating the number of spatial streams currently available for reception by the first station, i.e., the third field indicates a particular value of P.

[0358] Optionally, the fourth frame further includes a delay field indicating a delay required for the first station in the first multilink device to adjust from the currently used receiving spatial stream to the P receiving spatial streams.

[0359] Optionally, the fourth frame further includes a tenth field, which indicates the number of spatial streams for reception recommended to be used by the first station after the first station has exited the mode of sharing the number of spatial streams or has determined that the frame exchange sequence is terminated when a preset condition is met.

[0360] In a possible design, a trigger negotiation procedure in which a first station in a first multilink device disables a mode of sharing the number of spatial streams is as follows: The first station in the first multilink device receives a fifth frame transmitted by a data transmitting end. Then, the first station in the first multilink device transmits a sixth frame to the data transmitting end. The fifth frame instructs the station receiving the fifth frame to disable a mode of sharing the number of spatial streams. The sixth frame is used to respond to the fifth frame.

[0361] In another possible design, a trigger negotiation procedure in which a first station in a first multilink device disables a mode of sharing the number of spatial streams is as follows: The first station in the first multilink device receives a fifth frame transmitted by a data transmitting end. The first station in the first multilink device transmits an acknowledgment frame to the data transmitting end. Then, the first station in the first multilink device transmits a sixth frame to the data transmitting end. Then, the first station in the first multilink device receives the acknowledgment frame transmitted by the data transmitting end. The fifth frame instructs the station receiving the fifth frame to disable a mode of sharing the number of spatial streams. The sixth frame is used to respond to the fifth frame.

[0362] Optionally, the third and fifth frames may apply to the same type of radio frame, and the radio frame includes an indication field, which indicates whether the radio frame is the third or fifth frame.

[0363] In the above description, "enable number of spatial streams sharing mode" can be replaced with "enter number of spatial streams sharing mode" and "disable number of spatial streams sharing mode" can be replaced with "exit number of spatial streams sharing mode."

[0364] It can be understood that the mode of sharing the number of spatial streams may have other names, such as a number of spatial streams sharing mode, a spatial stream sharing mode, or a sharing mode, which is not limited in this embodiment of the present application.

[0365] Based on the technical solution shown in Fig. 4, compared with the prior art in which the first station can receive data using only the spatial streams supported by the first station for reception, the technical solution provided in the present application allows the first station to receive data using the spatial streams for reception supported by other stations in the first multilink device. That is, compared with the prior art, the technical solution of the present application allows the first station to receive data using more spatial streams for reception. Because the number of spatial streams for reception is positively correlated with the data throughput, the technical solution of the present application can improve the data throughput of the first station.

[0366] Thus, in a scenario where high throughput is required for the first station, the first station can receive data using P spatial streams for reception. In a scenario where high throughput is not required for the first station, the first station in the first multilink device can receive data using only the spatial streams for reception that the first station supports.

[0367] Optionally, as shown in FIG. 5, based on the solution shown in FIG. 4, after step S101, the data transmission method can further include step S102.

[0368] S102: When any one of the preset conditions is met, the first station in the first multilink device determines that the frame exchange sequence is finished, and uses the X spatial streams for receiving.

[0369] X is a positive integer greater than or equal to 1 and less than or equal to N. The X spatial streams for reception are a subset of the N spatial streams for reception that the first station supports.

[0370] In a possible design, X may be 1 or N by default in the communication standard, and no additional signaling is required to indicate the value of X.

[0371] In another possible design, the data sending end may indicate to the first station the value of X. For example, the data sending end may indicate the value of X using the seventh field in the third frame.

[0372] That is, when any one of the preset conditions is met, the first station adjusts the initially used P spatial streams for reception back to X spatial streams for reception.

[0373] Optionally, the preset conditions include at least one of the following conditions:

[0374] Condition 2-1: The first station receives a seventh frame. The receiving address of the seventh frame is different from the address of the first station, or the transmitting address of the seventh frame is different from the transmitting address of the eighth frame. The eighth frame is used to initiate or establish a transmission opportunity (TXOP) between the first station and a data transmitting end.

[0375] Condition 2-2: The carrier sense mechanism of the first station indicates that the medium is idle within a preset time period. The medium may be named differently, for example, a medium, a frequency band, or a channel, which is not limited here. For example, the preset time period may be a transport point coordination function interframe space (TxPIFS).

[0376] Condition 2-3: The first station receives a physical layer protocol data unit (PPDU), which the first station determines as an Inter-BSS PPDU.

[0377] Condition 2-4: The first station receives a multi-user (MU) PPDU. The BSS color of the receive vector (RXVECTOR) parameter transmitted in the MU PPDU is the same as the BSS color of the BSS associated with the first station, and there is no station identifier that matches the first station in the RXVECTOR parameter transmitted in the MU PPDU. That is, the BSS color in the preamble of the MU PPDU is the same as the BSS color of the BSS associated with the first station, and there is no station identifier that matches the first station in the preamble of the MU PPDU.

[0378] Based on conditions 2 to 4, before the first station receives the MU PPDU, the value of the Basic Service Set Color Disable (BSS Color Disable) field in the management frame recently received by the first station becomes 0.

[0379] Based on the technical solution shown in Fig. 5, when any of the above preset conditions are met, it indicates that the first station in the first multilink device has completed frame sequence exchange with the data transmitting end, and therefore the first station in the first multilink device will stop using the spatial stream for reception supported by other stations in the first multilink device, so that the other stations in the first multilink device can use the spatial stream for reception of other stations to carry out normal communication.

[0380] 6 shows a data transmission method according to an embodiment of the present application. The method includes the following steps:

[0381] S201: A second station of a second multilink device transmits data to a data receiving end using L spatial streams for transmission.

[0382] The second multi-link device includes a plurality of stations. The second station is one of the plurality of stations included in the second multi-link device. The data receiving end may be a single-link device or a station in a multi-link device, for example, the first station in the first multi-link device.

[0383] For example, the data receiving end is the first station in the first multilink device. When L is equal to or less than N, the first station can receive data using only the spatial streams for reception supported by the first station. When L is greater than N, the first station can receive data using the spatial streams for reception supported by the first station and the spatial streams for reception supported by other stations in the first multilink device.

[0384] The second multilink device supports Q spatial streams for transmission. A second station in the second multilink device supports K spatial streams for transmission, where Q is a positive integer greater than 1 and K is a positive integer less than Q.

[0385] In a possible design, Q is equal to the sum of spatial streams for transmission supported by all shared stations in the second multilink device. Thus, the Q spatial streams supported by the second multilink device include the spatial streams for transmission supported by all shared stations in the second multilink device. A shared station can provide its spatial stream to another station.

[0386] Optionally, all stations within the second multilink device may be shared stations.

[0387] Alternatively, some of the stations in the second multilink device are shared stations, and other stations in the second multilink device are not shared stations. In this case, the second station is a shared station. Also, the number of spatial streams for reception supported by a non-shared station is not limited by Q. That is, the number of spatial streams for reception supported by a non-shared station may be greater than or less than Q.

[0388] Optionally, the second multilink device can determine whether a station in the second multilink device belongs to a shared station based on the configuration of the second multilink device, the communication standard, and / or instructions from another device.

[0389] For example, a communications standard may predefine that in a multi-link device, a station operating in the 5 GHz to 6 GHz frequency band is a shared station, and a station operating in the 2.4 GHz frequency band is not a shared station.

[0390] In this embodiment of the present application, L is a positive integer greater than K and less than or equal to Q. In this case, the L spatial streams for transmission used by the second station are a subset of the Q spatial streams for transmission supported by the second multilink device.

[0391] In this embodiment of the present application, the second station can use the spatial streams for transmission supported by the second station or the spatial streams for transmission supported by another station, so the maximum number of spatial streams for transmission that can be used by the second station is greater than the number of spatial streams for transmission supported by the second station.

[0392] Optionally, L is less than or equal to the maximum number of spatial streams for transmission that can be used by the second station. The maximum number of spatial streams that can be used by the second station is less than or equal to Q.

[0393] In a possible design, the L spatial streams for transmission used by the second station include the K spatial streams for transmission supported by the second station and the LK spatial streams for transmission supported by another station in the second multilink device, i.e., the second station in the second multilink device can transmit data not only using the spatial streams for transmission of the second station, but also using the spatial streams for transmission supported by another station in the second multilink device.

[0394] In a possible implementation, the second station may actively transmit data using the L spatial streams for transmission. For example, the second station may determine the number of spatial streams for transmission based on factors such as link conditions of the second multilink device and / or throughput requirements of the data to be transmitted.

[0395] For example, when the channel condition corresponding to the second station in the second multilink device is good (e.g., the channel quality is equal to or greater than the first preset value) and the channel condition of the link corresponding to the third station in the second multilink device is bad (e.g., the channel quality is less than the first preset value), the second station can fully utilize the spatial resources and improve the throughput of the second station by transmitting data using the spatial streams for transmission supported by the third station in the second multilink device. The third station may be one or more other stations in the second multilink device other than the second station.

[0396] For example, when the throughput requirement of the data to be transmitted of the second station is high (e.g., the throughput requirement of the data to be transmitted is equal to or greater than the second preset value), the second station may transmit the data using the L spatial streams for transmission. When the throughput requirement of the data to be transmitted of the second station is low (e.g., the throughput requirement of the data to be transmitted is lower than the second preset value), the second station transmits the data using the K spatial streams for transmission.

[0397] Optionally, the second station can determine the value of L based on information of the received spatial stream associated with the data receiving end.

[0398] For example, the data receiving end is a single link device. If the number of spatial streams for reception supported by the single link device is greater than the number of spatial streams for transmission supported by the second station, and the number of spatial streams for reception supported by the single link device is less than or equal to the number of spatial streams for transmission supported by the second multilink device, the value of L may be less than or equal to the number of spatial streams for reception supported by the single link device. Alternatively, if the number of spatial streams for reception supported by the single link device is greater than the number of spatial streams for transmission supported by the second station, and the number of spatial streams for reception supported by the single link device is greater than the number of spatial streams for transmission supported by the second multilink device, the value of L may be less than or equal to the number of spatial streams for transmission supported by the second multilink device.

[0399] For example, assuming the second multilink device supports 10 spatial streams for transmission, the second station supports 2 spatial streams for transmission, and the single-link device supports 3 spatial streams for reception, the second station may determine that the value of L is 3.

[0400] For example, the data receiving end is a station in a peer multilink device (e.g., the first station in the first multilink device described above). If the number of spatial streams for reception supported by the single link device is greater than the number of spatial streams for transmission supported by the second station, and the number of spatial streams for reception supported by the peer multilink device is equal to or less than the number of spatial streams for transmission supported by the second multilink device, the value of L may be equal to or less than the number of spatial streams for reception supported by the peer multilink device. Alternatively, if the number of spatial streams for reception supported by the peer multilink device is greater than the number of spatial streams for transmission supported by the second station, and the number of spatial streams for reception supported by the peer multilink device is greater than the number of spatial streams for transmission supported by the second multilink device, the value of L may be equal to or less than the number of spatial streams for transmission supported by the second multilink device.

[0401] In another possible implementation, the second station can transmit data using the L spatial streams for transmission after being triggered by the data receiving end.

[0402] In a possible design, the triggering procedure may include the following steps: The second station receives the 9th frame sent by the data sending end; then, the second station sends the 10th frame to the data sending end;

[0403] The ninth frame instructs the second station to transmit data using L spatial streams for transmission. Optionally, the ninth frame includes a fourth field. The fourth field indicates the value of L.

[0404] The tenth frame is used to respond to the ninth frame. Optionally, the tenth frame may indicate that the second station agrees or declines to use the L spatial streams for transmission.

[0405] Optionally, the tenth frame may be an acknowledgement frame.

[0406] In another possible design, the triggering procedure may include the following steps: the second station receives the ninth frame sent by the data sending end, and the second station sends an acknowledgement frame to the data sending end; then, the second station sends the tenth frame to the data sending end, and the second station receives the acknowledgement frame sent by the data sending end.

[0407] Optionally, before step S201, the second station may send second indication information to the data receiving end, where the second indication information indicates the number of spatial streams for transmission used by the second station.

[0408] Based on the technical solution shown in Fig. 6, compared with the prior art in which the second station can only use the spatial streams supported for transmission to transmit data, the technical solution provided in the present application allows the second station to receive data using the spatial streams for transmission supported by other stations in the second multilink device. That is, compared with the prior art, the technical solution of the present application allows the second station to transmit data using more spatial streams for transmission. Because the number of spatial streams for transmission is positively correlated with the data throughput, the technical solution of the present application can improve the data throughput of the second station.

[0409] Thus, in a scenario where high throughput is required for the second station, the second station may transmit data using L spatial streams for transmission. In a scenario where high throughput is not required for the second station, the second station in the second multilink device may transmit data using only the spatial streams for transmission that the second station supports.

[0410] Hereinafter, the technical solutions shown in Figures 4 and 6 will be described using examples with reference to practical application scenarios.

[0411] As shown in FIG. 7, multilink device #1 includes station #101 and station #102, and multilink device #2 includes station #201 and station #202. Station #101 and station #201 both operate on link 1, and station #102 and station #202 both operate on link 2. Multilink device #1 supports four spatial streams for reception, and station #101 and station #102 both support two spatial streams for reception. Multilink device #2 supports four spatial streams for transmission, and station #201 and station #202 both support two spatial streams for transmission. Multilink device #2 determines that the channel quality of link 1 is good and that the channel quality of link 2 is poor. Therefore, station #201 of multilink device #2 transmits an RTS frame to station #101 of multilink device #1 of link 1, and station #101 of multilink device #1 returns a CTS frame to station #201 of multilink device #2 of link 1. This enables station #101 of multilink device #1 to have four spatial streams for reception. Station #201 then transmits data using the four spatial streams for transmission. Correspondingly, station #101 receives data using the four spatial streams for reception.

[0412] 8 shows a data transmission method according to an embodiment of the present application. The method includes the following steps:

[0413] S301: The target multilink device transmits an eleventh frame to the peer device.

[0414] For example, the target multilink unit may be the first multilink unit or the second multilink unit.

[0415] Optionally, if the target multilink device is an AP multilink device, the AP multilink device may transmit the eleventh frame in a unicast or broadcast manner.

[0416] Optionally, if the target multilink device is a STA multilink device, the STA multilink device may transmit the 11th frame in a unicast manner.

[0417] Optionally, a peer device may be a multi-link device or a single-link device.

[0418] For example, if the target multilink device is the first multilink device, step S201 can be specifically implemented as follows: the first station in the first multilink device sends the 11th frame to the peer device;

[0419] As another example, if the target multilink device is the second multilink device, step S201 can be specifically implemented as follows: The second station in the second multilink device sends an 11th frame to the peer device.

[0420] In this embodiment of the present application, the 11th frame indicates the maximum number of spatial streams (NSS) supported by the target multilink device.

[0421] Optionally, the number of spatial streams is related to the modulation and coding scheme (MCS), and thus the 11th frame specifically indicates, for each MCS, the maximum number of shared spatial streams supported by the target multilink device.

[0422] Optionally, in this embodiment of the present application, the maximum number of spatial streams may include a maximum number of spatial streams for transmission and a maximum number of spatial streams for reception.

[0423] For example, the 11th frame may include a 5th field and a 6th field, where the 5th field indicates the maximum number of spatial streams for reception supported by the target multilink device for each MCS, and the 6th field indicates the maximum number of spatial streams for transmission supported by the target multilink device for each MCS.

[0424] Optionally, the fifth field can be given a different name, for example a receive MCS mapping field, and the sixth field can be given a different name, for example a transmit MCS mapping field.

[0425] For the format of the fifth field, see Figure 9. In Figure 9, the Max EHT-MCS For n SS field occupies 2 bits. The Max EHT-MCS For n SS field corresponds to the number n of spatial streams for reception, where n can be any integer from 1 to 16. The coding rule for the Max EHT-MCS For n SS field is as follows:

[0426] (1) A value of 0 in the Max EHT-MCS For n SS field indicates that EHT-MCS0-7 supports n spatial streams for reception.

[0427] (2) A value of 1 in the Max EHT-MCS For n SS field indicates that EHT-MCS0-9 supports n spatial streams for reception.

[0428] (3) If the value of the Max EHT-MCS For n SS field is 2, it indicates that EHT-MCS0-11, EHT-MCS0-13, or EHT-MCS0-14 supports n receive spatial streams.

[0429] (4) A value of 3 in the Max EHT-MCS For n SS field indicates that the EHT PPDU does not support n spatial streams for reception.

[0430] Note that for a particular number of spatial streams, the MCS supported in the Max EHT-MCS For n SS field may not apply to all PPDU bandwidths.

[0431] In this embodiment of the present application, the specific implementation of the sixth field will be referred to as the fifth field, and the details will not be described again here.

[0432] Optionally, the eleventh frame further indicates the maximum number of spatial streams supported by each station in the target multilink device. For example, the maximum number of spatial streams supported by each station in the target multilink device is the maximum number of spatial streams supported by the station in the default case. In a possible design, the eleventh frame may include an eighth field corresponding to each station in the target multilink device. The eighth field indicates the maximum amount of spatial streams supported by the station. The eighth field may include a number of spatial streams for reception field, a number of spatial streams for transmission field, and a link identifier field. The link identifier field of the eighth field is used to determine the station corresponding to the eighth field. The number of spatial streams for reception field of the eighth field indicates the maximum number of spatial streams for reception that the station supports. The number of spatial streams for transmission field of the eighth field indicates the maximum number of spatial streams for transmission that the station supports.

[0433] For example, the target multilink device is the first multilink device. In the 11th frame, the field of the number of spatial streams for receiving in the 8th frame corresponding to the first station may indicate a value of N.

[0434] For example, the target multilink device is the second multilink device. In the 11th frame, the field of the number of spatial streams for transmission in the 8th frame corresponding to the first station may indicate a value of Q.

[0435] Optionally, within the eighth field, the number of spatial streams for receiving field (or the number of spatial streams for transmitting field) may indicate the maximum number of spatial streams for receiving (or the maximum number of spatial streams for transmitting) in a simple manner, for example, the number of spatial streams for receiving field is 4 bits, and each value of the 4 bits corresponds to one to 16 numbers of spatial streams for receiving.

[0436] Optionally, within the eighth field, the field for the number of spatial streams for reception and the field for the number of spatial streams for transmission in the eighth field refer to the implementation of the fifth field in FIG.

[0437] Optionally, the eleventh frame further indicates the maximum number of spatial streams that can be used by each station in the target multilink device. Because one station may use the spatial streams supported by the shared station, the maximum number of spatial streams that can be used by a station may be equal to or greater than the maximum number of spatial streams supported by the station. For example, to achieve this purpose, the eleventh frame may further include a ninth field corresponding to each station in the target multilink device. The ninth field indicates the maximum number of spatial streams that can be used by a station.

[0438] In a possible design, the ninth field may include a number of spatial streams for reception field, a number of spatial streams for transmission field, and a link identifier field. The link identifier field of the ninth field is used to determine a station corresponding to the ninth field. The number of spatial streams for reception field of the ninth field indicates a maximum number of spatial streams for reception usable by a station. The number of spatial streams for transmission field of the ninth field indicates a maximum number of spatial streams for transmission usable by a station.

[0439] For example, the target multilink device is the first multilink device. In the 11th frame, the field of the number of spatial streams for reception in the 9th frame corresponding to the first station indicates the maximum value that P can reach.

[0440] For example, the target multilink device is the second multilink device. In the 11th frame, the field of the number of spatial streams for transmission in the 9th frame corresponding to the first station indicates the maximum value that L can reach.

[0441] Optionally, within the ninth field, the number of spatial streams for receiving field (or the number of spatial streams for transmitting field) may indicate the maximum number of spatial streams for receiving (or the maximum number of spatial streams for transmitting) in a simple manner, for example, the number of spatial streams for receiving field is 4 bits, and each value of the 4 bits corresponds to one to 16 numbers of spatial streams for receiving.

[0442] Optionally, in the 9th field, the field for the number of spatial streams for reception and the field for the number of spatial streams for transmission in the 8th field refer to the implementation of the 5th field in FIG.

[0443] Optionally, the 11th frame may not explicitly indicate the maximum number of spatial streams that may be used by each station in the target multilink device, i.e., the 11th frame may not include the 9th field.

[0444] For example, when the 9th field is not included in the 11th frame, if the communication standard specifies a unique value for the maximum number of spatial streams for reception / the maximum number of spatial streams for transmission supported by the target multilink device, the maximum number of spatial streams for reception that each station in the target multilink device can use is equal to the maximum number of spatial streams for reception supported by the target multilink device, and the maximum number of spatial streams for transmission that each station in the target multilink device can use is equal to the maximum number of spatial streams for transmission supported by the target multilink device. In this case, the maximum number of spatial streams for reception supported by the target multilink device is the sum of the number of spatial streams for reception supported by all shared stations in the target multilink device. The maximum number of spatial streams for reception supported by the target multilink device is the sum of the number of spatial streams for transmission supported by all shared stations in the target multilink device.

[0445] Optionally, the eleventh frame may include a shared station field, which may include multiple link identifier fields, each link identifier field corresponding to one station participating in a shared spatial stream in the target multilink device.

[0446] In a possible design, if the maximum number of spatial streams supported by a multilink device is extended from one to multiple, i.e., if the communication standard allows the maximum number of spatial streams for reception / maximum number of spatial streams for transmission supported by the target multilink device to have multiple values, the 11th frame may include a multiple set field for the number of shared spatial streams for reception and a multiple set field for the number of shared spatial streams.

[0447] The set of number of shared spatial streams for reception field includes a number of spatial streams for reception field and one or more link identifier fields. The number of spatial streams for reception field in the set of number of shared spatial streams for reception field indicates the maximum number of spatial streams for reception supported by the target multilink device. Each link identifier field in the set of number of shared spatial streams for reception field corresponds to one station participating in the shared spatial stream of the target multilink device.

[0448] Based on this design, if the 11th frame does not include the 9th field, the maximum number of receiving spatial streams that a station of the target multilink device can use is equal to the number of receiving spatial streams corresponding to the set field of the number of receiving shared spatial streams that the station supports.

[0449] The set field of the number of shared spatial streams for transmission includes a field of the number of spatial streams for transmission and one or more link identifier fields. The field of the number of spatial streams for transmission in the set field of the number of shared spatial streams for transmission indicates the maximum number of spatial streams for transmission supported by the target multilink device. Each link identifier field in the set field of the number of shared spatial streams for transmission corresponds to one station participating in the shared spatial stream of the target multilink device.

[0450] Based on this design, if the 11th frame does not include the 9th field, the maximum spatial streams for transmission that a station of the target multilink device can use is equal to the number of spatial streams for transmission corresponding to the set field of the number of shared spatial streams for transmission that the station supports.

[0451] In this embodiment of the present application, the 11th frame may be a new type of management frame. Alternatively, the 11th frame may multiplex existing management frames. For example, the 11th frame may multiplex association request / association response frames.

[0452] Optionally, if the 11th frame multiplexes an association request / association response frame, the 5th and 6th fields may be placed in a Supported EHT MCS and NSS Set field in a functional element carried in the association request / association response frame.

[0453] S302: The peer device determines the maximum number of spatial streams supported by the target multilink device.

[0454] In this embodiment of the present application, the peer device can determine the maximum number of spatial streams supported by the target multilink device per MCS based on the 11th frame and the operating mode indication frame (or the Operating Mode (OM) field).

[0455] For example, the peer device determines the number of first spatial streams and the number of second spatial streams corresponding to the target MCS. The number of first spatial streams is the maximum number of spatial streams for reception supported by the target MCS indicated by the fourth field of the ninth frame. The number of second spatial streams is the maximum number of spatial streams for reception indicated by the number of spatial streams for reception field in the most recently received operating mode indication frame or the most recently received operating mode (OM) field. The peer device uses the number of third spatial streams as the maximum number of spatial streams for reception supported by the target multilink device on the target MCS. The number of third spatial streams is the minimum value between the number of first spatial streams and the number of second spatial streams.

[0456] For example, the peer device determines the number of the fourth spatial streams and the number of the fifth spatial streams corresponding to the target MCS. The number of the fourth spatial streams is the maximum number of spatial streams for transmission supported by the target MCS indicated by the fifth field of the ninth frame. The number of the fifth spatial streams is the maximum number of spatial streams for transmission indicated by the number of spatial streams for transmission field in the most recently received operation mode indication frame or the most recently received OM field. The peer device uses the number of the sixth spatial streams as the maximum number of spatial streams for transmission supported by the target multilink device on the target MCS. The number of the sixth spatial streams is the minimum value between the number of the fourth spatial streams and the number of the fifth spatial streams.

[0457] The target MCS may be any MCS.

[0458] Optionally, if the 11th frame includes an 8th field corresponding to each station in the target multilink device, the peer device can determine, based on the 11th frame, the maximum number of spatial streams for reception and the maximum number of spatial streams for transmission supported by each station in the target multilink device in the default case.

[0459] Optionally, if the 11th frame includes a 9th field corresponding to each station in the target multilink device, the peer device can determine, based on the 11th frame, the maximum number of receiving spatial streams and the maximum number of transmitting spatial streams supported by each station in the target multilink device when shared spatial streams are used.

[0460] Based on the technical solution shown in Figure 8, the target multilink device sends the 11th frame to the peer device, so that the peer device can determine the maximum number of spatial streams supported by the target multilink device, so that the peer device can communicate with the target multilink device using an appropriate number of spatial streams.

[0461] In the above embodiment, the data can be replaced by PPDU, packet, radio frame, etc., which is not limited here.

[0462] In the above examples, the spatial streams supported by a station in a multilink device refer to the spatial streams that can be received or transmitted by an antenna configured for the station.

[0463] In the above embodiments, a station in a multilink device can use a spatial stream supported by another station, meaning that the station can use an antenna configured for the other station to receive or transmit the spatial stream.

[0464] In the above embodiments, the spatial streams for reception can be replaced with reception antennas or reception channels, and the spatial streams for transmission can be replaced with transmission antennas or transmission channels.

[0465] In this embodiment of the present application, the names of frames (e.g., first frame and second frame) and fields (e.g., first field and second field) are examples, which are not specifically limited here.

[0466] The above describes the solutions provided in the embodiments of the present application mainly from the perspective of a communication device (e.g., a first multi-link device or a second multi-link device). To implement the aforementioned functions, it can be understood that the communication device includes corresponding hardware structures and / or software modules that perform each function. Those skilled in the art should easily recognize that the present application may be implemented by hardware or a combination of hardware and computer software, in combination with the example units and algorithm steps described in the embodiments disclosed herein. Whether the functions are implemented by hardware or hardware driven by computer software depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution. Those skilled in the art may use different methods to implement the described functions for each specific application, but the implementation should not be considered to go beyond the scope of the present application.

[0467] In the embodiment of the present application, the device may be divided into functional modules based on the above-mentioned method example. For example, each functional module may be obtained through division based on each corresponding function, or two or more functions may be integrated into one functional module. The integrated module may be implemented in the form of hardware, or in the form of a software functional module. In the embodiment of the present application, the division into modules is an example, and is merely a logical function division. In actual implementation, there may be other division methods. An example in which each functional module is obtained through division based on each corresponding function is used below for explanation.

[0468] 10 shows a communication device according to an embodiment of the present application. The communication device includes: a processing module 201 and a communication module 202.

[0469] The communication module 202 is configured to perform step S101 of Figure 4, step S102 of Figure 5, step S201 of Figure 6, and step S301 of Figure 8. The processing module 201 may be configured to perform step S302 of Figure 8 to generate or analyze data.

[0470] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a possible product form structure of a communication device according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0471] In a possible product form, the communication device in the embodiment of the present application may be a communication device, which includes a processor 301 and a transceiver 302. Optionally, the communication device further includes a storage medium 303.

[0472] The transceiver 302 is configured to perform step S101 of Figure 4, step S102 of Figure 5, step S201 of Figure 6, and step S301 of Figure 8. The processor 301 may be configured to perform step S302 of Figure 8 to generate or analyze data.

[0473] In another possible product form, the communication device described in this embodiment of the present application may alternatively be implemented by a general-purpose processor or a special-purpose processor, commonly referred to as a chip. The chip includes a processing circuit 301 and transceiver pins 302. Optionally, the chip may further include a storage medium 303.

[0474] In another possible product form, the communications device described in this embodiment of the present application may alternatively be implemented using one or more of the following circuits or components: one or more field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), programmable logic devices (PLDs), controllers, state machines, gate logic, discrete hardware components, other suitable circuitry, or any combination of circuitry capable of performing the various functions described herein.

[0475] It should be understood that computer instructions may be stored in a computer-readable storage medium or transmitted from a computer-readable storage medium to another computer-readable storage medium. For example, computer instructions may be transmitted from a website, computer, server, or data center to another website, computer, server, or data center via wired (e.g., coaxial cable, fiber optic, or digital subscriber line) or wireless (e.g., infrared, radio, or microwave) methods. A 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 incorporates one or more available media. The available medium may be magnetic media (e.g., floppy disks, hard disks, or magnetic tapes), optical media, semiconductor media (e.g., solid state drives), etc.

[0476] Based on the above description of the implementation, those skilled in the art can clearly understand that for convenience and simple description, the above division of functional modules is used as an example for explanation. During actual application, the above functions can be allocated to different modules for implementation based on requirements. That is, the internal structure of the device is divided into different functional modules to implement all or part of the above functions.

[0477] It should be understood that the devices and methods disclosed in some embodiments provided in the present application may be implemented in other ways. For example, the described device embodiments are merely examples. For example, the division into modules or units is merely a logical function division, and may be divided in other ways in actual implementation. For example, multiple units or components may be combined or integrated into another device, or some functions may be ignored or not performed. Furthermore, 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.

[0478] The units described as separate parts may or may not be physically separated, i.e., the parts shown as units may be one or more physical units, located in one place, or distributed in multiple different locations, and some or all of the units may be selected based on actual requirements to achieve the objectives of the solution of the embodiment.

[0479] Furthermore, the functional units in the embodiments of the present application may be integrated into one processing unit, or each of the units may exist physically alone, or two or more units may be integrated into one unit. The integrated unit may be implemented in the form of hardware or in the form of a software functional unit.

[0480] When the integrated unit is implemented in the form of a software functional unit and sold or used as an independent product, the integrated unit may be stored in a readable storage medium. Based on this understanding, the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application, or the part that contributes to the prior art, or all or part of the technical solutions may be implemented in the form of a software product. The software product is stored in a storage medium and includes some instructions for instructing an apparatus (which may be a single-chip microcomputer, a chip, etc.) or a processor to execute all or part of the steps of the method described in the embodiments of the present application.

[0481] The above description is merely a specific implementation of the present application, and is not intended to limit the protection scope of the present application. Any modifications or replacements within the technical scope disclosed in the present application shall be included in the protection scope of the present application. Therefore, the protection scope of the present application should be subject to the protection scope of the claims.

Claims

1. 1. A method for transmitting data, comprising: receiving a third frame by a first station in a first multilink device from a data transmitting end, the third frame instructing the first station to enable a mode of sharing a number of spatial streams, the spatial streams being used by the first multilink device to receive data from the data transmitting end, the mode of sharing the number of spatial streams being used to enable the first station to use shared spatial streams, the number of shared spatial streams being a maximum number of shared spatial streams supported by the first multilink device; transmitting a fourth frame by the first station to the data transmitting end, the fourth frame being used to respond to the third frame; The method includes:

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the fourth frame includes a delay field, the delay field indicating a delay required for the first station to adjust from the spatial stream currently being used by the first station to receive data from the data transmitting end to the shared spatial stream.

3. After the step of receiving, by the first station, the third frame from the data sending end, the method further comprises:

3. The method of claim 2, further comprising the step of: transmitting, by the first station, an acknowledgement frame for the third frame to the data sending end.

4. After the step of transmitting the fourth frame by the first station to the data sending end, the method further comprises:

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of receiving, by the first station, an acknowledgement frame for the fourth frame from the data source.

5. The method comprises: The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising the step of: receiving, by the first station, a first frame from the data transmitting end, the first frame being used to instruct the first station to receive data from the data transmitting end using a first number of the spatial streams, the first number being less than or equal to the number of the shared spatial streams.

6. The method comprises:

6. The method of claim 5, further comprising: receiving, by the first station, data from the data transmitting end using the first number of the spatial streams after receiving, by the first station, the first frame from the data transmitting end.

7. The method comprises:

6. The method of claim 5, further comprising: after the step of receiving, by the first station, the first frame from the data transmitting end, if the first station is not in a mode of sharing the number of spatial streams, receiving data by the first station from the data transmitting end using the spatial streams supported by the first station.

8. The method comprises: The method further includes determining, by the first station, that a step of receiving the data from the data transmitting end by the first station using the first number of the spatial streams is completed when any one of preset conditions is satisfied; The preset conditions are as follows: indicating, via a carrier sense mechanism of the first station, that the medium is idle for a preset period of time; or receiving, by the first station, a physical layer protocol data unit (PPDU), the PPDU being determined by the first station as an inter-basic service set (inter-BSS) PPDU; or receiving, by the first station, a multi-user (MU) PPDU, wherein a basic service set color (BSS color) in a preamble carried in the MU PPDU is the same as a BSS color of a basic service set associated with the first station, and the preamble carried in the MU PPDU does not include a station identifier matching the first station; The method of claim 6, comprising at least one of:

9. The method comprises: receiving, by the first station, a fifth frame from the data source, the fifth frame instructing the first station to disable a number of spatial streams sharing mode; transmitting, by the first station, an acknowledgement frame for the fifth frame to the data transmitting end; The method of any one of claims 1 to 8, further comprising:

10. 1. A method for transmitting data, comprising: transmitting a third frame by a data transmitting end to a first station in a first multilink device, the third frame instructing the first station to enable a mode of sharing a number of spatial streams, the spatial streams being used by the first multilink device to receive data from the data transmitting end, the mode of sharing the number of spatial streams being used to enable the first station to use shared spatial streams, the number of shared spatial streams being a maximum number of shared spatial streams supported by the first multilink device; receiving a fourth frame from the first station by the data transmitting end, the fourth frame being used to respond to the third frame; The method includes:

11. 1. A method for transmitting data, comprising: receiving a fifth frame by a first station in a first multilink device from a data transmitting end, the fifth frame instructing the first station to disable a mode of sharing a number of spatial streams, the spatial streams being used by the first multilink device to receive data from the data transmitting end, the mode of sharing the number of spatial streams being used to enable the first station to use shared spatial streams, the number of shared spatial streams being a maximum number of shared spatial streams supported by the first multilink device; sending a sixth frame by the first station to the data sending end, the sixth frame being an acknowledgment frame of the fifth frame; The method includes:

12. 1. A method for transmitting data, comprising: transmitting a fifth frame by a data transmitting end to a first station in a first multilink device, the fifth frame instructing the first station to disable a mode of sharing a number of spatial streams, the spatial streams being used by the first multilink device to receive data from the data transmitting end, the mode of sharing a number of spatial streams being used to enable the first station to use shared spatial streams, the number of shared spatial streams being a maximum number of shared spatial streams supported by the first multilink device; receiving a sixth frame from the first station by the data transmitting end, the sixth frame being an acknowledgement frame of the fifth frame; The method includes:

13. A first station in a first multilink device, said first station being arranged to carry out the steps of the method according to any one of claims 1 to 9 and 11.

14. A data transmitting end, the data transmitting end being configured to perform the steps of the method according to claim 10 or 12.

15. A computer-readable storage medium, the computer-readable storage medium comprising computer instructions, the computer instructions being executed on a computer to enable the computer to perform the method according to any one of claims 1 to 9 and 11.

16. 13. A computer readable storage medium, the computer readable storage medium comprising computer instructions which, when executed on a computer, enable the computer to carry out the method of claim 10 or 12.

17. A chip comprising a processing unit and a transceiver pin, the processing unit configured to perform a processing operation in a method according to any one of claims 1 to 9 and 11, and the transceiver pin configured to perform a communication operation in a method according to any one of claims 1 to 9 and 11.

18. A chip comprising a processing unit and a transceiver pin, the processing unit configured to perform a processing operation in the method of claim 10 or 12, and the transceiver pin configured to perform a communication operation in the method of claim 10 or 12.

19. A computer program comprising computer instructions, which when executed on a computer, enable the computer to carry out the method according to any one of claims 1 to 9 and 11.

20. A computer program comprising computer instructions, which when executed on a computer enable the computer to carry out the method according to claim 10 or 12.

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