Nominal packet padding value indication method, determination method, and communication device

Abstract

The present application provides a nominal packet padding value indication method, a determination method, and a communication device for reducing the overhead of a physical layer packet padding threshold field. The indication method includes: a first device generates a PPDU and transmits the PPDU to a second device. A physical layer packet padding threshold information field included in the PPDU includes a plurality of packet padding threshold subfield sets corresponding to different nominal packet padding values, and each packet padding threshold subfield set indicates a modulation threshold corresponding to an RU with an NSS of n and an index b. If the value of the RU index bit mask subfield corresponding to an RU with an index y is 0, the value range of b does not include y. In a packet padding threshold subfield set corresponding to the same nominal packet padding value, the value of the RU index bit mask subfield corresponding to an RU with an index y is 0 indicates that the modulation threshold corresponding to an RU with an NSS of n and an index y is the modulation threshold corresponding to an RU with an NSTS of n and an index m1.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present application relates to the field of wireless fidelity technology, and in particular to a nominal packet padding value indication method, a determination method, and a communication device. [Background technology]

[0002] In order to ensure that the receiver can have sufficient processing time for the data packet received from the transmitter, the receiver may indicate a modulation threshold corresponding to the number of spatial and time streams (NSTS) / number of spatial and time streams (NSTS) and a resource unit (RU) size. The transmitter may determine a nominal packet padding value to be used based on the modulation threshold. The transmitter then determines an actual padding value based on the nominal packet padding value, and pads a packet extension that may be included in the data packet transmitted to the receiver based on the actual padding value. The data in the packet extension is not required by the receiver. Therefore, other data may be processed within the processing time of the packet extension to ensure that the receiver has sufficient processing time.

[0003] When one or more of the NSTS, RU size, and modulation scheme used by the transmitting end are different, the corresponding minimum processing time required by the receiving end is also different. In other words, the corresponding nominal packet padding value may be different. Currently, the nominal packet padding value corresponding to each NSTS, RU, and modulation threshold is provided in an exhaustive or cross-sectional manner. As the NSTS supported by the device increases and the RU size increases, providing the nominal packet padding value corresponding to each NSTS, RU, and modulation threshold in an exhaustive or cross-sectional manner will cause large overhead. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The present application provides a nominal packet padding value indicating method, a determination method, and a communication device for reducing overhead for indicating a nominal packet padding value and flexibly indicating a nominal packet padding value corresponding to each NSTS and each RU size. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] According to a first aspect, a nominal packet padding value indication method is provided. The method can be executed by a first communication device. The first communication device can be a communication device or a communication apparatus, for example, a chip system that can support a communication device to implement the functions required in the method. The following description uses an example in which the communication device is the first device. The first device can be an AP. The method includes the following steps.

[0006] The first device generates a physical layer protocol data unit (PPDU) and transmits the PPDU to the second device. The PPDU includes a physical layer packet extension threshold present subfield and a physical layer packet extension threshold field, where the value of the physical layer packet extension threshold present subfield is 1, and the physical layer packet extension threshold field includes an RU index bitmask subfield, an NSS subfield, and a physical layer packet extension threshold information field. The physical layer packet extension threshold information field includes a plurality of packet extension threshold subfield sets corresponding to different nominal packet padding values, where each packet extension threshold subfield set indicates a modulation threshold corresponding to an RU with an NSS of n and an index b, where the modulation threshold is used to determine a nominal packet padding value used by the second device when the modulation scheme is equal to or greater than the modulation threshold. The value range of n is a subset of [1,...,N], where N is an integer equal to or greater than 1. The value range of b is a subset of [m,...,M], where m and M are integers equal to or greater than 0. If the value of the RU Index Bit Mask subfield corresponding to the RU with index y is 0, then the value range of b does not include y.

[0007] In the packet extension threshold subfield set corresponding to the same nominal packet padding value, a value of 0 in the RU index bit mask subfield corresponding to an RU with index y indicates that the modulation threshold corresponding to an RU with an NSS of n and index y is the modulation threshold corresponding to an RU with an NSTS of n and index m1, where m1 is the smallest index among the indices corresponding to bits that are 1 in the RU index bit mask subfield and that are greater than y, or m1 is the largest index among the indices corresponding to bits that are 1 in the RU index bit mask subfield and that are less than y.

[0008] In this solution, the modulation threshold corresponding to the RU with NSS of n and index y can be the modulation threshold corresponding to the RU with NSS of n and index m1. That is, the modulation threshold corresponding to the RU with NSS of n and index y may be indicated using the packet extension threshold subfield, and the packet extension threshold subfield indicates the modulation threshold corresponding to the RU with NSS of n and index m1. Therefore, the physical layer packet extension threshold information field may omit the packet extension threshold subfield indicating the modulation threshold corresponding to the RU with NSS of n and index y, and can still indicate the modulation threshold corresponding to the RU with NSS of n and index y by using the packet extension threshold subfield indicating the modulation threshold corresponding to the RU with NSS of n and index m1. In other words, the modulation threshold corresponding to the RU can be indicated without traversing all RUs of different sizes. In this way, the overhead of the physical layer packet extension threshold field is reduced.

[0009] According to a second aspect, a nominal packet padding value determination method is provided. The method can be executed by a second communication device. The second communication device can be a communication device or a communication apparatus, for example, a chip system that can support a communication device to implement the functions required in the method. The following description uses an example in which the communication device is the second device. The second device can be a STA. The method includes the following steps.

[0010] The second device receives a PPDU from the first device. The PPDU includes a physical layer packet extension threshold present subfield and a physical layer packet extension threshold field, where the value of the physical layer packet extension threshold present subfield is 1, and the physical layer packet extension threshold field includes an RU index bitmask subfield, an NSS subfield, and a physical layer packet extension threshold information field. The physical layer packet extension threshold information field includes a plurality of packet extension threshold subfield sets corresponding to different nominal packet padding values, where each packet extension threshold subfield set indicates a modulation threshold corresponding to an RU with an NSS of n and an index b, where the modulation threshold is used to determine a nominal packet padding value used by the second device when the modulation scheme is equal to or greater than the modulation threshold. The value range of n is a subset of [1,...,N], where N is an integer greater than or equal to 1. The value range of b is a subset of [m,...,M], where m and M are integers greater than or equal to 0. If the value of the RU index bitmask subfield corresponding to an RU with index y is 0, the value range of b does not include y.

[0011] The second device corresponds to an RU having an NSS of n and index m1, and determines a modulation threshold corresponding to an RU having an NSS of n and index y based on the modulation threshold indicated by the physical layer packet extension threshold field, where m1 is the smallest index among the indices corresponding to bits that are 1 in the RU index bit mask subfield and that are greater than y, or m1 is the largest index among the indices corresponding to bits that are 1 in the RU index bit mask subfield and that are less than y.

[0012] Corresponding to the solution provided in the first aspect, the PPDU transmitted by the first device to the second device does not include a packet extension threshold subfield set indicating a modulation threshold corresponding to an RU with an NSS of n and index y, but the second device can still determine a modulation threshold corresponding to an RU with an NSS of n and index y. For example, the second device can determine a modulation threshold corresponding to an RU with an NSS of n and index y based on a modulation threshold corresponding to an RU with an NSS of n and index m1. The condition that m1 needs to satisfy is that m1 is the smallest index among the indexes corresponding to bits that are 1 in the RU index bit mask subfield and that are greater than y, or m1 is the largest index among the indexes corresponding to bits that are 1 in the RU index bit mask subfield and that are less than y. Specifically, when it is determined that there is an m1 that satisfies the condition, the second device may determine a modulation threshold corresponding to an RU with an NSS of n and index y.

[0013] In a possible implementation of the first and second aspects, the value of the RU index bitmask subfield corresponding to an index smaller than y includes 1. A value of 0 in the RU index bitmask subfield may correspond to multiple RUs, i.e., multiple indices smaller than y. Based on such a case, this solution further restricts the condition that y needs to satisfy. Specifically, if the value of the RU index bitmask subfield corresponding to an index smaller than y includes 1, the modulation threshold corresponding to the RU with NSS of n and index y is the modulation threshold corresponding to the RU with NSTS of n and index m1. That is, if there is no y that satisfies this condition, the modulation threshold corresponding to the RU with NSS of n and index y may be other possible values, for example, a fixed value. In this case, the second device may directly determine that the nominal packet padding value to be used is a fixed value, and does not determine the nominal packet padding value to be used based on the modulation threshold corresponding to the RU with NSS of n and index m1. This is simpler.

[0014] In a possible implementation of the first aspect, if none of the indices corresponding to bits that are 1 in the RU index bitmask subfield are greater than y, a value of 0 in the RU index bitmask subfield corresponding to the RU with index y indicates that the nominal packet padding value corresponding to the RU with NSS of n and index y is 20 microseconds. Correspondingly, in a possible implementation of the second aspect, if none of the indices corresponding to bits that are 1 in the RU index bitmask subfield are greater than y, the second device determines that the nominal packet padding value corresponding to the RU with index y is 20 microseconds. In this solution, if no m1 satisfies the condition, the nominal packet padding value corresponding to the RU with index y may be a fixed value, for example, 20 microseconds.

[0015] In a possible implementation form of the second aspect, when the second device uses (dual carrier modulation, DCM), the second device determines a nominal packet padding value to be used based on an NSS of n and a modulation threshold corresponding to an RU with index y+1, where index y corresponds to multiple RUs of different sizes.

[0016] In this solution, it is considered that multiple types of RUs (a combination of RUs and MRUs) correspond to one RU allocation index, i.e., to one index. Since multiple RUs are combined, the overhead of the physical layer packet extension threshold field can be reduced. In this case, the second device may not determine the nominal packet padding value to be used based on the modulation threshold corresponding to the RU with NSS of n and index y. For example, the second device may determine the nominal packet padding value to be used based on the modulation threshold corresponding to the RU with NSS of n and index y+1.

[0017] In a possible implementation of the second aspect, when the second device uses DCM, the second device may determine a nominal packet padding value based on an NSS of n and a modulation threshold corresponding to an RU with index y, where index y corresponds to multiple types of RUs, the multiple types of RUs including at least one type of multiple resource unit MRU, and the RU used by the second device is not the largest RU among the multiple RUs.

[0018] Similarly, multiple types of RUs may be combined to reduce the overhead of the physical layer packet extension threshold field. In other words, multiple types of RUs (combination of RU and MRU) correspond to one RU allocation index, i.e., one index. In this case, if the RU used by the second device to transmit data is not the largest RU among the multiple RUs, even if the second device uses DCM, the second device may still determine the nominal packet padding value to be used based on the modulation threshold corresponding to the RU with NSS of n and index y, instead of determining the nominal packet padding value to be used based on the modulation threshold corresponding to the RU with NSS of n and index y+1.

[0019] According to a third aspect, a nominal packet padding value indication method is provided. The method can be executed by a first communication device. The first communication device can be a communication device or a communication apparatus, for example, a chip system that can support a communication device to implement the functions required in the method. The following description uses an example in which the communication device is the first device. The first device can be an AP. The method includes the following steps.

[0020] The first device generates a PPDU and transmits the PPDU to the second device. The PPDU includes a physical layer packet extension threshold present subfield and a physical layer packet extension threshold field, where the physical layer packet extension threshold present subfield has a value of 1, and the physical layer packet extension threshold field includes an RU index bitmask subfield, an NSS subfield, and a physical layer packet extension threshold information field. The physical layer packet extension threshold information field includes a plurality of packet extension threshold subfield sets corresponding to different nominal packet padding values, where each packet extension threshold subfield set indicates a modulation threshold corresponding to an RU with an NSS of n and an index b, and the modulation threshold is used to determine a nominal packet padding value used by the second device when the modulation scheme is equal to or greater than the modulation threshold.

[0021] The value range of n is a subset of [1,...,N], where N is an integer greater than or equal to 1. The value range of b is a subset of [m,...,M], where m and M are integers greater than or equal to 0. If the value of the RU Index Bit Mask subfield corresponding to the RU with index y is 0, then the Physical Layer Packet Extension Threshold field indicates that the nominal packet padding value corresponding to the RU with index y is 0 microseconds, and the value range of b does not include y.

[0022] Similar to the solution of the first aspect, in this solution, in the physical layer packet extension threshold field, the packet extension threshold subfield indicating the modulation threshold corresponding to the RU with NSS of n and index y can also be omitted. Although the packet extension threshold subfield indicating the modulation threshold corresponding to the RU with NSS of n and index y is omitted, the nominal packet padding value corresponding to the RU with index y is still indicated to be 0 microseconds, reducing the overhead of the physical layer packet extension threshold field.

[0023] According to a fourth aspect, a nominal packet padding value determination method is provided. The method can be executed by a second communication device. The second communication device can be a communication device or a communication apparatus, for example, a chip system that can support a communication device to implement the functions required in the method. The following description uses an example in which the communication device is the second device. The second device can be a STA. The method includes the following steps.

[0024] The second device receives a PPDU from the first device. The PPDU includes a physical layer packet extension threshold present subfield and a physical layer packet extension threshold field, where the value of the physical layer packet extension threshold present subfield is 1, and the physical layer packet extension threshold field includes an RU index bitmask subfield, an NSS subfield, and a physical layer packet extension threshold information field. The physical layer packet extension threshold information field includes a plurality of packet extension threshold subfield sets corresponding to different nominal packet padding values, where each packet extension threshold subfield set indicates a modulation threshold corresponding to an RU with an NSS of n and an index b, where the modulation threshold is used to determine a nominal packet padding value used by the second device when the modulation scheme is equal to or greater than the modulation threshold. The value range of n is a subset of [1,...,N], where N is an integer greater than or equal to 1. The value range of b is a subset of [m,...,M], where m and M are integers greater than or equal to 0. If the value of the RU index bitmask subfield corresponding to an RU with index y is 0, the value range of b does not include y.

[0025] The second device determines, based on the physical layer packet expansion threshold field, that the nominal packet padding value corresponding to the RU with index y is 0 microseconds.

[0026] Corresponding to the solution of the third aspect, the PPDU transmitted by the first device to the second device does not include a packet extension threshold subfield indicating the modulation threshold corresponding to the RU with NSS of n and index y. However, if the value of the RU index bitmask subfield corresponding to the RU with index y is 0, the second device may determine that the nominal packet padding value to be used is 0 microseconds, which is simpler.

[0027] In possible implementations of the third and fourth aspects, the value of the RU index bitmask subfield corresponding to an index smaller than y does not include 1. A value of 0 in the RU index bitmask subfield may correspond to multiple RUs, i.e., multiple indices smaller than y. Based on such cases, this solution further restricts the conditions that y must satisfy. Specifically, if the value of the RU index bitmask subfield corresponding to an index smaller than y does not include 1, the nominal packet padding value corresponding to an RU with an NSS of n and index y is 0 microseconds.

[0028] According to a fifth aspect, a nominal packet padding value indication method is provided. The method can be executed by a first communication device. The first communication device can be a communication device or a communication apparatus, for example, a chip system that can support a communication device to implement the functions required in the method. The following description uses an example in which the communication device is the first device. The first device can be an AP. The method includes the following steps.

[0029] The first device generates a PPDU and transmits the PPDU to the second device. The PPDU includes a physical layer packet extension threshold present subfield and a physical layer packet extension threshold field, where the physical layer packet extension threshold present subfield has a value of 1, and the physical layer packet extension threshold field includes an RU index bitmask subfield, an NSS subfield, and a physical layer packet extension threshold information field. The physical layer packet extension threshold information field includes a plurality of packet extension threshold subfield sets corresponding to different nominal packet padding values, where each packet extension threshold subfield set indicates a modulation threshold corresponding to an RU with an NSS of n and an index b, and the modulation threshold is used to determine a nominal packet padding value used by the second device when the modulation scheme is equal to or greater than the modulation threshold.

[0030] The value range of n is a subset of [1,...,N], where N is an integer greater than or equal to 1. The value range of b is a subset of [m,...,M], where m and M are integers greater than or equal to 0. If an RU with index y corresponds to a bit set to 0 in the RU Index Bit Mask subfield, then the value range of b does not include y, and the Physical Layer Packet Extension Threshold field indicates that the nominal packet padding value corresponding to the RU with index y is 8 microseconds, 16 microseconds, or 20 microseconds.

[0031] Similar to the solution of the third aspect, in this solution, in the physical layer packet extension threshold field, the packet extension threshold subfield indicating the modulation threshold corresponding to the RU with NSS of n and index y may also be omitted. For the omitted modulation threshold corresponding to the RU with NSS of n and index y, the corresponding nominal packet padding value may be specified to be a fixed value, for example, 8 microseconds, 16 microseconds, or 20 microseconds. In other words, the packet extension threshold subfield indicating the modulation threshold corresponding to the RU with NSS of n and index y is omitted, but the nominal packet padding value corresponding to the RU with index y is still indicated, reducing the overhead of the physical layer packet extension threshold field.

[0032] According to a sixth aspect, a nominal packet padding value determination method is provided. The method may be executed by a second communication device. The second communication device may be a communication device or a communication apparatus, for example, a chip system that can support a communication device to implement the functions required in the method. The following description uses an example in which the communication device is the second device. The second device may be a ST A The method includes the following steps.

[0033] The second device receives a PPDU from the first device. The PPDU includes a physical layer packet extension threshold present subfield and a physical layer packet extension threshold field, where the physical layer packet extension threshold present subfield has a value of 1, and the physical layer packet extension threshold field includes an RU index bit mask subfield, an NSS subfield, and a physical layer packet extension threshold information field. The physical layer packet extension threshold information field includes a plurality of packet extension threshold subfield sets corresponding to different nominal packet padding values, where each packet extension threshold subfield set indicates a modulation threshold corresponding to an RU with an NSS of n and an index b, where the modulation threshold is used to determine a nominal packet padding value used by the second device when the modulation scheme is equal to or greater than the modulation threshold. The value range of n is a subset of [1,...,N], where N is an integer greater than or equal to 1. The value range of b is a subset of [m,...,M], where m and M are integers greater than or equal to 0. If an RU with index y corresponds to a bit set to 0 in the RU index bit mask subfield, the value range of b does not include y.

[0034] The second device determines, based on the physical layer packet expansion threshold field, that the nominal packet padding value corresponding to the RU with index y is 8 microseconds, 16 microseconds, or 20 microseconds.

[0035] Corresponding to the solution of the fifth aspect, the PPDU transmitted by the first device to the second device does not include a packet extension threshold subfield indicating the modulation threshold corresponding to the RU with NSS of n and index y. However, if the value of the RU index bit mask subfield corresponding to the RU with index y is 0, the second device may determine that the nominal packet padding value to be used is a fixed value without referring to the modulation thresholds corresponding to the RUs with other indexes to determine the nominal packet padding value to be used, which is simpler.

[0036] In a possible implementation of the fifth or sixth aspect, at least one bit with a value of 1 is present before the bit set to 0. The value of 0 in the RU index bitmask subfield may correspond to multiple RUs, i.e., multiple indices smaller than y. Based on such a case, the solution further restricts that at least one bit set to 1 is present before the bit set to 0, i.e., the condition that y must satisfy is further restricted. The nominal packet padding value corresponding to the RU with index y is a fixed value only when there is at least one bit set to 1 before the bit set to 0 corresponding to index y in the RU index bitmask subfield.

[0037] In a possible implementation of the fifth aspect, if the NSS used by the second device is greater than the value indicated by the NSS subfield, the physical layer packet extension threshold field indicates that the nominal packet padding value used by the second device is 8 microseconds, 16 microseconds, or 20 microseconds. Correspondingly, in a possible implementation of the sixth aspect, if the NSS used by the second device is greater than the value indicated by the NSS subfield, the second device may determine that the nominal packet padding value to be used is 8 microseconds, 16 microseconds, or 20 microseconds.

[0038] In this solution, the NSS does not need to be traversed. Specifically, if the NSS used by the second device is greater than the value indicated by the NSS subfield, the nominal packet padding value to be used by the second device may be specified to be a fixed value, for example, 8 microseconds, 16 microseconds, or 20 microseconds. In this way, the overhead of the physical layer packet extension threshold field can be further reduced.

[0039] In a possible implementation of the fifth aspect, if the NSS used by the second device is greater than the value indicated by the NSS subfield, the physical layer packet extension threshold field indicates that the second device determines the nominal packet padding value to be used based on the NSS used by the second device and the modulation threshold corresponding to the RU with index y. Correspondingly, in a possible implementation of the sixth aspect, if the NSTS used by the second device is greater than the value indicated by the NSS subfield, the second device determines the nominal packet padding value to be used based on the NSS used by the second device and the modulation threshold corresponding to the RU with index y.

[0040] In this solution, the NSS does not need to be traversed. Specifically, if the NSS used by the second device is greater than the value indicated by the NSS subfield, it may be specified that the second device determines the nominal packet padding value to be used based on the NSS used by the second device and the modulation threshold corresponding to the RU with index y, so that the overhead of the physical layer packet extension threshold field can be further reduced.

[0041] According to a seventh aspect, a nominal packet padding value determination method is provided. The method can be executed by a first communication device. The first communication device can be a communication device or a communication apparatus, for example, a chip system that can support a communication device to implement the functions required in the method. The following description uses an example in which the communication device is the first device. The first device can be an AP. The method includes the following steps.

[0042] The first device generates a PPDU and transmits the PPDU to the second device. The PPDU includes a spatial stream number NSS index bit mask subfield, an NSS subfield, and a physical layer packet expansion threshold information field. The physical layer packet expansion threshold information field includes a plurality of packet expansion threshold subfield sets corresponding to different nominal packet padding values, each packet expansion threshold subfield set includes a plurality of packet expansion threshold subfields indicating an NSS of n, and the packet expansion threshold subfield indicates to the second device a corresponding packet expansion threshold to be used when the number of RU blocks obtained after equalization encoding for the allocated resource unit RU is a first value and the NSS used by the second device is n. The packet expansion threshold subfield indicates a nominal packet padding value to be used by the second device when the first value is equal to or greater than the packet expansion threshold, where n is in the value range [1,...,N], where N is an integer greater than 8.

[0043] According to an eighth aspect, a nominal packet padding value determination method is provided. The method can be executed by a second communication device. The second communication device can be a communication device or a communication apparatus, for example, a chip system that can support a communication device to implement the functions required in the method. The following description uses an example in which the communication device is the second device. The second device can be a STA. The method includes the following steps.

[0044] The second device receives a PPDU from the first device, the PPDU including a spatial stream number NSS index bitmask subfield, an NSS subfield, and a physical layer packet expansion threshold information field. The physical layer packet expansion threshold information field includes a plurality of packet expansion threshold subfield sets corresponding to different nominal packet padding values, each packet expansion threshold subfield set includes a plurality of packet expansion threshold subfields indicating an NSS of n, and the packet expansion threshold subfield indicates to the second device a corresponding packet expansion threshold to be used when the number of RU blocks obtained after equalization encoding for the assigned resource unit RU is a first value and the NSS used by the second device is n. The packet expansion threshold subfield indicates a nominal packet padding value to be used by the second device when the first value is equal to or greater than the packet expansion threshold, where n is in the value range [1,...,N], where N is an integer greater than 8.

[0045] The second device determines, based on the physical layer packet extension threshold information field and the first value, a nominal packet padding value to be used when the NSS is j, where j is an integer greater than or equal to 1.

[0046] In the solution of the seventh aspect, the physical layer packet expansion threshold information field indicates the corresponding packet expansion threshold to be used when the NSS used is n and the number of RU blocks obtained after equal coding for the resource unit RU allocated to the second device is a first value by using multiple packet expansion threshold subfield sets corresponding to different nominal packet padding values. In this way, the second device can determine the nominal packet padding value to be used based on the packet expansion threshold subfield corresponding to the NSS used by the second device and the first value. That is, when the NSS used is n and the number of RU blocks obtained after equal coding for the allocated resource unit RU is a first value, the corresponding packet expansion threshold is used to indicate the nominal packet padding value instead of the modulation threshold corresponding to the NSS and the RU size. This can reduce the dimension of the physical layer packet expansion threshold information field, simplify the physical layer packet expansion threshold information field, and reduce the overhead of the physical layer packet expansion threshold information field.

[0047] In a possible implementation, the first value satisfies the following formula: N CBPRU =N RU242 ×N BPSCS .

[0048] N CBPRU is the first value, and N RU242 is the maximum number of RUs 242 that can be included in an RU, and N BPSCS is the number of coded bits carried on each subcarrier of a single space-time stream.

[0049] The first value may be considered to be related to the RU allocated to the second device, and is in fact a quantization of the RU allocated to the second device. This solution provides an exemplary manner of determining the first value. The specific manner of determining the first value is not limited in this embodiment of the present application.

[0050] It should be understood that when the number of nominal packet padding values ​​indicated by the multiple packet expansion threshold sub-field sets is different, the manner in which the second device determines the nominal packet padding value to be used is also different. Some of the following cases may be included:

[0051] Case 1: The plurality of packet expansion threshold subfield sets includes a set of first packet expansion threshold subfields corresponding to a first nominal packet padding value, and a first packet expansion threshold subfield in the set of first packet expansion threshold subfields indicates to the second device a corresponding first packet expansion threshold to be used when the number of RU blocks obtained after equalization encoding for the assigned resource unit RU is a first value and the NSS used by the second device is n. The first packet expansion threshold indicates that the nominal packet padding value to be used by the second device when the first value corresponding to the assigned RU is equal to or greater than the first packet expansion threshold is a first nominal packet padding value, and the first nominal packet padding value is 20 microseconds. Correspondingly, the NSS is j and the NSS is n. CBPRU is greater than or equal to a first nominal packet padding value corresponding to the first packet expansion threshold subfield when NSS is j, then the second device determines that the nominal packet padding value used when NSS is j is the first nominal packet padding value.

[0052] Case 2: The plurality of packet expansion threshold subfield sets further includes a set of second packet expansion threshold subfields corresponding to a second nominal packet padding value, and the second packet expansion threshold subfield in the set of second packet expansion threshold subfields indicates to the second device a corresponding second packet expansion threshold to be used when the number of RU blocks obtained after equalization encoding for the assigned resource unit RU is a first value and the NSS used by the second device is n. The second packet expansion threshold indicates that the nominal packet padding value to be used by the second device when the first value corresponding to the assigned RU is equal to or greater than the second packet expansion threshold is a second nominal packet padding value, and the second nominal packet padding value is 16 microseconds. Correspondingly, the NSS is j and the NSS is n. CBPRU is greater than or equal to the second nominal packet padding value corresponding to the second packet expansion threshold subfield when NSS is j and is less than the first nominal packet padding value corresponding to the first packet expansion threshold subfield when NSS is j, then the second device determines that the nominal packet padding value used when NSS is j is the second nominal packet padding value.

[0053] Case 3: The plurality of packet expansion threshold subfield sets further includes a set of third packet expansion threshold subfields corresponding to a third nominal packet padding value, and the third packet expansion threshold subfield in the set of third packet expansion threshold subfields indicates to the second device a corresponding third packet expansion threshold to be used when the number of RU blocks obtained after equalization encoding for the assigned resource unit RU is a first value and the NSS used by the second device is n. The third packet expansion threshold indicates that the nominal packet padding value to be used by the second device when the first value corresponding to the assigned RU is equal to or greater than the third packet expansion threshold is a third nominal packet padding value, and the third nominal packet padding value is 8 microseconds. Correspondingly, the NSS is j and the NSS is n. CBPRU is greater than or equal to the third nominal packet padding value corresponding to the third packet expansion threshold subfield when NSTS is j and is less than the second nominal packet padding value corresponding to the second packet expansion threshold subfield when NSTS is j, then the second device determines that the nominal packet padding value used when NSS is j is the third nominal packet padding value.

[0054] In a possible implementation of the seventh aspect, the NSS index bitmask subfield occupies at least 8 bits, the i-th bit of the NSS index bitmask subfield is 0, and the physical layer packet extension threshold information field does not include a packet extension threshold subfield set corresponding to the i NSS. In this solution, to further reduce the overhead of the physical layer packet extension threshold information field, the NSS index bitmask subfield may be used to indicate packet extension threshold subfields that may be omitted.

[0055] In a possible implementation of the eighth aspect, when the NSS used by the second device is greater than the NSS corresponding to the most significant bit of the bits not set to 0 in the NSS index bitmask subfield, the nominal packet padding value used by the second device when the first value corresponding to the assigned RU is greater than or equal to the packet expansion threshold is 20 microseconds. In this solution, certain conditions may be defined. For example, when the NSS used by the second device is greater than the NSS corresponding to the most significant bit of the bits not set to 0 in the NSS index bitmask subfield, the nominal packet padding value used by the second device is a fixed value, for example, 20 microseconds. In this way, when determining the nominal packet padding value to be used, the second device does not need to compare the NSS with multiple packet expansion threshold subfield sets one by one, which is more direct and simpler.

[0056] According to a ninth aspect, a nominal packet padding value determination method is provided. The method can be executed by a first communication device. The first communication device can be a communication device or a communication apparatus, for example, a chip system that can support a communication device to implement the functions required in the method. The following description uses an example in which the communication device is the first device. The first device can be an AP. The method includes the following steps.

[0057] The first device generates a PPDU and transmits the PPDU to the second device. The PPDU includes an NSS subfield and a physical layer packet expansion threshold information field. The physical layer packet expansion threshold information field includes packet expansion threshold subfields corresponding to different nominal packet padding values, the packet expansion threshold subfield indicates a packet expansion threshold, and the packet expansion threshold subfield indicates a nominal packet padding value used by the second device when the second value is equal to or greater than the packet expansion threshold. The value range of n is [1,...,N], where N is an integer greater than 8, and the second value is related to the NSS used by the second device and the number of RU blocks obtained after equalization coding for the assigned resource unit RU.

[0058] The difference from the solution of the seventh aspect is that in this solution, the physical layer packet extension threshold information field does not separately indicate the packet extension thresholds related to the NSSs, i.e., one packet extension threshold field can indicate the packet extension thresholds corresponding to multiple NSSs, which can further simplify the physical layer packet extension threshold information field and reduce the overhead of the physical layer packet extension threshold information field.

[0059] According to a tenth aspect, a nominal packet padding value determination method is provided. The method can be executed by a second communication device. The second communication device can be a communication device or a communication apparatus, for example, a chip system that can support a communication device to implement the functions required in the method. The following description uses an example in which the communication device is the second device. The second device can be a STA. The method includes the following steps.

[0060] The second device receives a PPDU from the first device, the PPDU including a number of spatial streams NSS subfield and a physical layer packet expansion threshold information field. The physical layer packet expansion threshold information field includes packet expansion threshold subfields corresponding to different nominal packet padding values, the packet expansion threshold subfield indicating a packet expansion threshold, and the packet expansion threshold subfield indicating a nominal packet padding value used by the second device when the second value is equal to or greater than the packet expansion threshold. The value range of n is [1,...,N], where N is an integer greater than 8, and the second value is related to the NSS used by the second device and the number of RU blocks obtained after equalization coding for the assigned resource unit RU.

[0061] The second device determines a second value based on the used NSS and the number of RU blocks obtained after equal encoding for the allocated resource unit RU, and determines a nominal packet padding value to be used based on the second value and the physical layer packet extension threshold information field.

[0062] In this solution, the second value may be considered as a value related to the NSS used by the second device and the number of RU blocks obtained after equal coding for the assigned resource unit RU. For example, the second value may be determined based on the used NSS and the number of RU blocks obtained after equal coding for the assigned resource unit RU. Before determining the nominal packet padding value to be used, the second device may first determine the second value to determine the nominal packet padding value to be used based on the second value and the physical layer packet extension threshold information field.

[0063] In a possible implementation form of the tenth aspect, the second device determining the second value based on the used NSS and the number of RU blocks obtained after equal coding for the assigned resource unit RU includes the second device determining the second value according to the following relationship:

[0064] P index =f(NSS,N CBPRU ). NSS is the NSS corresponding to the RU assigned to the second device, and N CBPRU is the number of RU blocks obtained after equal coding for the RUs allocated to the second device, and the following relationship is satisfied: N CBPRU =N RU242 ×N BPSCS .

[0065] N RU242 is the maximum number of RUs 242 that can be included in an RU, and N BPSCS is the number of coded bits carried on each subcarrier of a single space-time stream.

[0066] It should be understood that when the number of nominal packet padding values ​​indicated by the multiple packet expansion threshold subfields is different, the manner in which the second device determines the nominal packet padding value to be used is also different. Some of the following cases may be included:

[0067] In a possible implementation of the ninth or tenth aspect, the physical layer packet expansion threshold information field includes a first packet expansion threshold subfield corresponding to a first nominal packet padding value. The first packet expansion threshold subfield indicates to the second device a first packet expansion threshold, which indicates that the nominal packet padding value used by the second device when the second value is equal to or greater than the first packet expansion threshold is the first nominal packet padding value, the first nominal packet padding value being 20 microseconds. Correspondingly, when the second value is equal to or greater than the first packet expansion threshold, the second device determines that the nominal packet padding value to be used is the first nominal packet padding value.

[0068] In a possible implementation of the ninth or tenth aspect, the physical layer packet expansion threshold information field includes a second packet expansion threshold subfield corresponding to a second nominal packet padding value. The second packet expansion threshold subfield indicates to the second device a second packet expansion threshold, which indicates that the nominal packet padding value used by the second device when the second value is equal to or greater than the second packet expansion threshold is the second nominal packet padding value, the second nominal packet padding value being 16 microseconds. Correspondingly, when the second value is equal to or greater than the second packet expansion threshold and the second value is less than the first packet expansion threshold, the second device determines that the nominal packet padding value to be used is the second nominal packet padding value.

[0069] In a possible implementation of the ninth or tenth aspect, the physical layer packet expansion threshold information field includes a third packet expansion threshold subfield corresponding to a third nominal packet padding value. The third packet expansion threshold subfield indicates to the second device a third packet expansion threshold, which indicates that the nominal packet padding value used by the second device when the second value is equal to or greater than the third packet expansion threshold is the third nominal packet padding value, the third nominal packet padding value being 8 microseconds. Correspondingly, when the second value is equal to or greater than the third packet expansion threshold and the second value is less than the second packet expansion threshold, the second device determines that the nominal packet padding value to be used is the third nominal packet padding value.

[0070] According to an eleventh aspect, a nominal packet padding value determination method is provided. The method can be executed by a first communication device. The first communication device can be a communication device or a communication apparatus, for example, a chip system that can support a communication device to implement the functions required in the method. The following description uses an example in which the communication device is the first device. The first device can be an AP. The method includes the following steps.

[0071] The first device generates a PPDU and transmits the PPDU and a first packet expansion threshold range to the second device, the first packet expansion threshold range indicating a nominal packet padding value used by the second device to transmit data to the first device when the third value is within the first packet expansion threshold range, with different packet expansion threshold ranges corresponding to different nominal packet padding values.

[0072] According to a twelfth aspect, a nominal packet padding value determination method is provided. The method can be executed by a second communication device. The second communication device can be a communication device or a communication apparatus, for example, a chip system that can support a communication device to implement the functions required in the method. The following description uses an example in which the communication device is the second device. The first device can be a STA. The method includes the following steps.

[0073] The second device receives a physical layer protocol data unit (PPDU) and a first threshold range from the first device, the first threshold range indicating a nominal packet padding value used by the second device to transmit data to the first device when a third value is within the first packet expansion threshold range, different packet expansion threshold ranges corresponding to different nominal packet padding values, the third value being related to one or more parameters of a number of spatial streams (NSS), a RU size, and a modulation scheme used by the second device.

[0074] If the third value is within the first packet expansion threshold range, the second device determines that the nominal packet padding value to be used is the nominal packet padding value corresponding to the first packet expansion threshold range.

[0075] Unlike the solution of the seventh or ninth aspect, in this solution, multiple packet extension threshold ranges may be defined, and different packet extension threshold ranges correspond to different nominal packet padding values. The first device may indicate the packet extension threshold range to the second device. The second device may determine a quantization value based on one or more of factors that affect the nominal packet padding value, such as one or more of the NSS, RU, or order of the modulation scheme used by the second device, and then compare the quantization value with the first packet extension threshold range transmitted by the first device to determine the nominal packet padding value. In this way, the first packet extension threshold range does not need to be indicated by using the physical layer packet extension threshold field, so that the overhead of the physical layer packet extension threshold field can be further reduced. Even if the physical layer packet extension threshold field is used for indication, one packet extension threshold range is indicated instead of multiple packet extension threshold ranges. The overhead of the physical layer packet extension threshold field can also be reduced.

[0076] In a possible implementation of the eleventh or twelfth aspect, the third value satisfies the following relationship: x = f(NSTS, RU, Modulation)

[0077] x is a third value, NSS is the NSS used by the second device, RU is the RU size used by the second device, and Modulation is the order of the modulation scheme used by the second device.

[0078] In this solution, the manner of determining the third value is used as an example. That is, the third value is related to one or more of the NSS, RU, and the order of the modulation scheme used by the second device. In this embodiment of the present application, the specific determining manner is not limited.

[0079] According to a thirteenth aspect, a communication device is provided. For example, the communication device is the first device described above or a device disposed in the first device. The communication device may be configured to perform a method according to the first aspect or any one of the possible implementation forms of the first aspect. Specifically, the communication device may include a module configured to perform a method according to the first aspect or any one of the possible implementation forms of the first aspect, for example, including a processing module and a transceiver module coupled to each other. For example, the communication device is the first device described above.

[0080] The processing module is configured to generate a PPDU, and the transceiver module is configured to transmit the PPDU to the second device. The PPDU includes a physical layer packet extension threshold present subfield and a physical layer packet extension threshold field, where the physical layer packet extension threshold present subfield has a value of 1, and the physical layer packet extension threshold field includes an RU index bitmask subfield, an NSS subfield, and a physical layer packet extension threshold information field. The physical layer packet extension threshold information field includes a plurality of packet extension threshold subfield sets corresponding to different nominal packet padding values, where each packet extension threshold subfield set indicates a modulation threshold corresponding to an RU with an NSS of n and an index b, and the modulation threshold is used to determine a nominal packet padding value used by the second device when the modulation scheme is equal to or greater than the modulation threshold.

[0081] The value range of n is a subset of [1,...,N], where N is an integer greater than or equal to 1. The value range of b is a subset of [m,...,M], where m and M are integers greater than or equal to 0. When the value of the RU Index Bitmask subfield corresponding to the RU with index y is 0, the value range of b does not include y.

[0082] In the packet extension threshold subfield set corresponding to the same nominal packet padding value, a value of 0 in the RU index bit mask subfield corresponding to an RU with index y indicates that the modulation threshold corresponding to an RU with an NSS of n and index y is the modulation threshold corresponding to an RU with an NSTS of n and index m1, where m1 is the smallest index among the indices corresponding to bits that are 1 in the RU index bit mask subfield and that are greater than y, or m1 is the largest index among the indices corresponding to bits that are 1 in the RU index bit mask subfield and that are less than y.

[0083] In a possible implementation, the values ​​of the RU index bitmask subfields that correspond to indices less than y contain 1's.

[0084] In a possible implementation, if no index corresponding to a bit that is 1 in the RU Index Bit Mask subfield is greater than y, then a value of 0 in the RU Index Bit Mask subfield corresponding to the RU with index y indicates that the NSS of n and the nominal packet padding value corresponding to the RU with index y is 20 microseconds.

[0085] According to a fourteenth aspect, a communication device is provided. For example, the communication device is the second device or a device disposed in the second device. The communication device may be configured to perform the method according to the second aspect or any one of the possible implementation forms of the second aspect. Specifically, the communication device may include modules configured to perform the method according to the second aspect or any one of the possible implementation forms of the second aspect, for example, including a processing module and a transceiver module coupled to each other. For example, the communication device is the second device described above.

[0086] The transceiver module is configured to receive a physical layer protocol data unit (PPDU) from a first device. The PPDU includes a physical layer packet extension threshold present subfield and a physical layer packet extension threshold field, where the value of the physical layer packet extension threshold present subfield is 1, and the physical layer packet extension threshold field includes a resource unit RU index bitmask subfield, a number of spatial streams NSS subfield, and a physical layer packet extension threshold information field. The physical layer packet extension threshold information field includes a plurality of packet extension threshold subfield sets corresponding to different nominal packet padding values, where each packet extension threshold subfield set indicates a modulation threshold corresponding to an RU with an NSS of n and an index b, where the modulation threshold is used to determine a nominal packet padding value used by the communication device when the modulation scheme is equal to or greater than the modulation threshold. The value range of n is a subset of [1,...,N], where N is an integer equal to or greater than 1. The value range of b is a subset of [m,...,M], where m and M are integers equal to or greater than 0. When the value of the RU index bitmask subfield corresponding to an RU with index y is 0, the value range of b does not include y.

[0087] The processing module corresponds to an RU having an NSS of n and an index m1, and is configured to determine a modulation threshold corresponding to an RU having an NSS of n and an index y based on a modulation threshold indicated by the physical layer packet extension threshold field, where m1 is the smallest index among the indices corresponding to bits that are 1 in the RU index bit mask subfield and that are greater than y, or m1 is the largest index among the indices corresponding to bits that are 1 in the RU index bit mask subfield and that are less than y.

[0088] In a possible implementation, the values ​​of the RU index bitmask subfields that correspond to indices less than y contain 1's.

[0089] In a possible implementation, if none of the indices corresponding to bits that are 1 in the RU index bitmask subfield are greater than y, the processing module is configured to determine that the nominal packet padding value corresponding to the RU with index x is 20 microseconds.

[0090] In a possible implementation, the communication device uses DCM and the processing module is configured to determine a nominal packet padding value to be used based on a modulation threshold corresponding to an RU with an NSS of n and an index y+1, where index y corresponds to a plurality of RUs of different sizes. Alternatively, the processing module is configured to determine a nominal packet padding value based on a modulation threshold corresponding to an RU with an NSS of n and an index y, where index y corresponds to a plurality of RUs of different sizes, and the RU used by the communication device is not the largest RU of the plurality of RUs of different sizes.

[0091] According to a fifteenth aspect, a communication device is provided. For example, the communication device is the first device or a device disposed in the first device. The communication device may be configured to perform the method according to the third aspect or any one of the possible implementation forms of the third aspect. Specifically, the communication device may include a module configured to perform the method according to the third aspect or any one of the possible implementation forms of the third aspect, for example, including a processing module and a transceiver module coupled to each other. For example, the communication device is the first device described above.

[0092] The processing module is configured to generate a PPDU, and the transceiver module is configured to transmit the PPDU to the second device. The PPDU includes a physical layer packet extension threshold present subfield and a physical layer packet extension threshold field, where the value of the physical layer packet extension threshold present subfield is one, and the physical layer packet extension threshold field includes a resource unit RU index bitmask subfield, a number of spatial streams NSS subfield, and a physical layer packet extension threshold information field. The physical layer packet extension threshold information field includes a plurality of packet extension threshold subfield sets corresponding to different nominal packet padding values, where each packet extension threshold subfield set indicates a modulation threshold corresponding to an RU with an NSS of n and an index b, and the modulation threshold is used to determine a nominal packet padding value used by the second device when the modulation scheme is equal to or greater than the modulation threshold.

[0093] The value range of n is a subset of [1,...,N], where N is an integer greater than or equal to 1. The value range of b is a subset of [m,...,M], where m and M are integers greater than or equal to 0. When the value of the RU Index Bit Mask subfield corresponding to the RU with index y is 0, in the Physical Layer Packet Extension Threshold subfield corresponding to the same nominal packet padding value, the value of the RU Index Bit Mask subfield corresponding to the RU with index y being 0 indicates that the nominal packet padding value corresponding to the RU with index y is 0 microseconds, and the value range of b does not include y.

[0094] In a possible implementation, the values ​​of the RU index bitmask subfields corresponding to indices less than x do not include 1.

[0095] According to a sixteenth aspect, a communication device is provided. For example, the communication device is the second device or a device disposed in the second device. The communication device may be configured to perform the method according to the fourth aspect or any one of the possible implementation forms of the fourth aspect. Specifically, the communication device may include a module configured to perform the method according to the fourth aspect or any one of the possible implementation forms of the fourth aspect, for example, including a processing module and a transceiver module coupled to each other. For example, the communication device is the second device described above.

[0096] The transceiver module is configured to receive a PPDU from a first device. The PPDU includes a physical layer packet extension threshold present subfield and a physical layer packet extension threshold field, where the value of the physical layer packet extension threshold present subfield is 1, and the physical layer packet extension threshold field includes a resource unit RU index bitmask subfield, a number of spatial streams NSS subfield, and a physical layer packet extension threshold information field. The physical layer packet extension threshold information field includes a plurality of packet extension threshold subfield sets corresponding to different nominal packet padding values, where each packet extension threshold subfield set indicates a modulation threshold corresponding to an RU with an NSS of n and an index b, where the modulation threshold is used to determine a nominal packet padding value used by the communication device when the modulation scheme is equal to or greater than the modulation threshold. The value range of n is a subset of [1,...,N], where N is an integer equal to or greater than 1. The value range of b is a subset of [m,...,M], where m and M are integers equal to or greater than 0. When the value of the RU index bitmask subfield corresponding to an RU with index y is 0, the value range of b does not include y.

[0097] The processing module is configured to determine, based on a physical layer packet expansion threshold field, that a nominal packet padding value corresponding to the RU having index y is 0 microseconds.

[0098] In a possible implementation, the values ​​of the RU index bitmask subfields corresponding to indices less than y do not contain 1.

[0099] According to a seventeenth aspect, a communication device is provided. For example, the communication device is the first device or a device disposed in the first device. The communication device may be configured to perform the method according to the fifth aspect or any one of the possible implementation forms of the fifth aspect. Specifically, the communication device may include a module configured to perform the method according to the fifth aspect or any one of the possible implementation forms of the fifth aspect, for example, including a processing module and a transceiver module coupled to each other. For example, the communication device is the first device described above.

[0100] The processing module is configured to generate a PPDU, and the transceiver module is configured to transmit the PPDU to the second device. The PPDU includes a physical layer packet extension threshold present subfield and a physical layer packet extension threshold field, where the physical layer packet extension threshold present subfield has a value of 1, and the physical layer packet extension threshold field includes an RU index bitmask subfield, an NSS subfield, and a physical layer packet extension threshold information field. The physical layer packet extension threshold information field includes a plurality of packet extension threshold subfield sets corresponding to different nominal packet padding values, where each packet extension threshold subfield set indicates a modulation threshold corresponding to an RU with an NSS of n and an index b, and the modulation threshold is used to determine a nominal packet padding value used by the second device when the modulation scheme is equal to or greater than the modulation threshold.

[0101] The value range of n is a subset of [1,...,N], where N is an integer greater than or equal to 1. The value range of b is a subset of [m,...,M], where m and M are integers greater than or equal to 0. If an RU with index y corresponds to a bit set to 0 in the RU Index Bit Mask subfield, then the value range of b does not include y, and the Physical Layer Packet Extension Threshold field indicates that the nominal packet padding value corresponding to the RU with index y is 8 microseconds, 16 microseconds, or 20 microseconds.

[0102] In a possible implementation, at least one bit with a value of 1 precedes the bits set to 0.

[0103] In a possible implementation, if the NSS used is greater than the value indicated by the NSS subfield, the physical layer packet extension threshold field indicates that the nominal packet padding value used by the second device is 8 microseconds, 16 microseconds, or 20 microseconds. Alternatively, if the NSS used is greater than the value indicated by the NSS subfield, the physical layer packet extension threshold field indicates that the second device determines the nominal packet padding value to be used based on the NSS used and the modulation threshold corresponding to the RU with index y.

[0104] According to an eighteenth aspect, a communication device is provided. For example, the communication device is the second device or a device disposed in the second device. The communication device may be configured to perform the method according to the sixth aspect or any one of the possible implementation forms of the sixth aspect. Specifically, the communication device may include a module configured to perform the method according to the sixth aspect or any one of the possible implementation forms of the sixth aspect, for example, including a processing module and a transceiver module coupled to each other. For example, the communication device is the second device described above.

[0105] The transceiver module is configured to receive a PPDU from a first device. The PPDU includes a physical layer packet extension threshold present subfield and a physical layer packet extension threshold field, where the physical layer packet extension threshold present subfield has a value of 1, and the physical layer packet extension threshold field includes an RU index bit mask subfield, an NSS subfield, and a physical layer packet extension threshold information field. The physical layer packet extension threshold information field includes a plurality of packet extension threshold subfield sets corresponding to different nominal packet padding values, where each packet extension threshold subfield set indicates a modulation threshold corresponding to an RU with an NSS of n and an index b, where the modulation threshold is used to determine a nominal packet padding value used by the communication device when the modulation scheme is equal to or greater than the modulation threshold. The value range of n is a subset of [1,...,N], where N is an integer equal to or greater than 1. The value range of b is a subset of [m,...,M], where m and M are integers equal to or greater than 0. If an RU with index y corresponds to a bit set to 0 in the RU index bit mask subfield, the value range of b does not include y.

[0106] The processing module is configured to determine, based on a physical layer packet expansion threshold field, that a nominal packet padding value corresponding to a RU having index y is 8 microseconds, 16 microseconds, or 20 microseconds.

[0107] In a possible implementation, at least one bit with a value of 1 precedes the bits set to 0.

[0108] In a possible implementation, if the NSS used by the communication device is greater than the value indicated by the NSS subfield, the processing module is further configured to determine a nominal packet padding value corresponding to the RU with index y to be 8 microseconds, 16 microseconds, or 20 microseconds. Alternatively, if the NSS used by the communication device is greater than the value indicated by the NSS subfield, the processing module is further configured to determine a nominal packet padding value corresponding to the RU with index y based on the NSS used and a modulation threshold value corresponding to the RU with index y.

[0109] According to a nineteenth aspect, a communication device is provided. For example, the communication device is the first device or a device disposed in the first device. The communication device may be configured to perform a method according to the seventh aspect or any one of the possible implementation forms of the seventh aspect. Specifically, the communication device may include a module configured to perform a method according to the seventh aspect or any one of the possible implementation forms of the seventh aspect, for example, including a processing module and a transceiver module coupled to each other. For example, the communication device is the first device described above.

[0110] The processing module is configured to generate a PPDU, and the transceiver module is configured to transmit the PPDU to the second device. The PPDU includes a spatial stream number NSS index bit mask subfield, an NSS subfield, and a physical layer packet expansion threshold information field. The physical layer packet expansion threshold information field includes a plurality of packet expansion threshold subfield sets corresponding to different nominal packet padding values, each packet expansion threshold subfield set includes a plurality of packet expansion threshold subfields indicating an NSS of n. The packet expansion threshold subfield indicates to the second device a corresponding packet expansion threshold to be used when the NSS used by the second device is n and the number of RU blocks obtained after equality encoding for the assigned resource unit RU is a first value, and the packet expansion threshold subfield indicates a nominal packet padding value to be used by the second device when the first value is equal to or greater than the packet expansion threshold. The value range of n is [1,...,N], where N is an integer greater than 8.

[0111] In a possible implementation, the first value satisfies the following formula: N CBPRU =N RU242 ×N BPSCS .

[0112] N CBPRU is the first value, and N RU242 is the maximum number of RUs 242 that can be included in an RU, and N BPSCS is the number of coded bits carried on each subcarrier of a single space-time stream.

[0113] In a possible implementation, the plurality of packet expansion threshold subfield sets include a set of first packet expansion threshold subfields corresponding to a first nominal packet padding value, and a first packet expansion threshold subfield in the set of first packet expansion threshold subfields indicates to the second device a corresponding first packet expansion threshold to be used when the number of RU blocks obtained after equal encoding for the assigned resource unit RU is a first value and the NSS used by the second device is n. The first packet expansion threshold indicates that the nominal packet padding value to be used by the second device when the first value corresponding to the assigned RU is equal to or greater than the first packet expansion threshold is a first nominal packet padding value, and the first nominal packet padding value is 20 microseconds.

[0114] In a possible implementation, the plurality of packet expansion threshold subfield sets further includes a set of second packet expansion threshold subfields corresponding to a second nominal packet padding value, and the second packet expansion threshold subfield in the set of second packet expansion threshold subfields indicates to the second device a corresponding second packet expansion threshold to be used when the number of RU blocks obtained after equal coding for the assigned resource unit RU is a first value and the NSS used by the second device is n. The second packet expansion threshold indicates that the nominal packet padding value to be used by the second device when the first value corresponding to the assigned RU is equal to or greater than the second packet expansion threshold is a second nominal packet padding value, and the second nominal packet padding value is 16 microseconds.

[0115] In a possible implementation, the plurality of packet expansion threshold subfield sets further includes a set of third packet expansion threshold subfields corresponding to a third nominal packet padding value, and the third packet expansion threshold subfield in the set of third packet expansion threshold subfields indicates to the second device a corresponding third packet expansion threshold to be used when the number of RU blocks obtained after equal encoding for the assigned resource unit RU is a first value and the NSS used by the second device is n. The third packet expansion threshold indicates that the nominal packet padding value used by the second device when the first value corresponding to the assigned RU is equal to or greater than the third packet expansion threshold is a third nominal packet padding value, and the third nominal packet padding value is 8 microseconds.

[0116] In a possible implementation, the NSS index bit mask subfield occupies at least 8 bits, the i-th bit of the NSS index bit mask subfield is 0, and the physical layer packet extension threshold information field does not include a packet extension threshold subfield set corresponding to the i NSS.

[0117] In a possible implementation, when the physical layer packet expansion threshold information field indicates that the NSS used by the second device is greater than the NSS corresponding to the most significant bit that is not set to 0 in the NSS index bit mask subfield, the nominal packet padding value used by the second device when the first value corresponding to the assigned RU is greater than or equal to the packet expansion threshold is 20 microseconds.

[0118] According to a twentieth aspect, a communication device is provided. For example, the communication device is the second device or a device disposed in the second device. The communication device may be configured to perform a method according to the eighth aspect or any one of the possible implementation forms of the eighth aspect. Specifically, the communication device may include a module configured to perform a method according to the eighth aspect or any one of the possible implementation forms of the eighth aspect, for example, including a processing module and a transceiver module coupled to each other. For example, the communication device is the second device described above.

[0119] The transceiver module is configured to receive a physical layer protocol data unit PPDU from a first device. The PPDU includes a number of spatial streams NSS index bit mask subfield, an NSS subfield, and a physical layer packet expansion threshold information field. The physical layer packet expansion threshold information field includes a plurality of packet expansion threshold subfield sets corresponding to different nominal packet padding values, each packet expansion threshold subfield set includes a plurality of packet expansion threshold subfields indicating an NSS of n. The packet expansion threshold subfield indicates to the communication device a corresponding packet expansion threshold to be used when a number of RU blocks obtained after equalization encoding for an assigned resource unit RU is a first value and the NSS used by the second device is n, and the packet expansion threshold subfield indicates a nominal packet padding value to be used by the communication device when the first value is equal to or greater than the packet expansion threshold. The value range of n is [1,...,N], where N is an integer greater than 8.

[0120] The processing module is configured to determine, based on the physical layer packet extension threshold information field and the first value, a nominal packet padding value to be used when the NSS is j, where j is an integer greater than or equal to 1.

[0121] In a possible implementation, the first value satisfies the following formula: N CBPRU =NRU242 ×N BPSCS .

[0122] N CBPRU is the first value, and N RU242 is the maximum number of RUs 242 that can be included in an RU, and N BPSCS is the number of coded bits carried on each subcarrier of a single space-time stream.

[0123] In a possible implementation, the plurality of packet expansion threshold subfield sets include a set of first packet expansion threshold subfields corresponding to a first nominal packet padding value, and a first packet expansion threshold subfield in the set of first packet expansion threshold subfields indicates to the communication device a corresponding first packet expansion threshold to be used when a number of RU blocks obtained after equalization encoding for the assigned resource unit RU is a first value and an NSS used by the second device is n. The first packet expansion threshold indicates a first nominal packet padding value to be used by the communication device when the first value corresponding to the assigned RU is equal to or greater than the first packet expansion threshold, and the first nominal packet padding value is 20 microseconds.

[0124] NSS is j and N CBPRU is greater than or equal to a first nominal packet padding value corresponding to the first packet expansion threshold subfield when NSS is j, the communication device determines that the nominal packet padding value used when NSS is j is the first nominal packet padding value.

[0125] In a possible implementation, the plurality of packet expansion threshold subfield sets further includes a set of second packet expansion threshold subfields corresponding to a second nominal packet padding value, and a second packet expansion threshold subfield in the set of second packet expansion threshold subfields indicates to the communication device a corresponding second packet expansion threshold to be used when the number of RU blocks obtained after equalization encoding for the assigned resource unit RU is a first value and the NSS used by the second device is n. The second packet expansion threshold indicates a second nominal packet padding value to be used by the communication device when the first value corresponding to the assigned RU is equal to or greater than the second packet expansion threshold, and the second nominal packet padding value is 16 microseconds.

[0126] NSS is j and N CBPRU is greater than or equal to the second nominal packet padding value corresponding to the second packet expansion threshold subfield when NSS is j and is less than the first nominal packet padding value corresponding to the first packet expansion threshold subfield when NSS is j, the communication device determines that the nominal packet padding value used when NSS is j is the second nominal packet padding value.

[0127] In a possible implementation, the plurality of packet expansion threshold subfield sets further includes a third set of packet expansion threshold subfields corresponding to a third nominal packet padding value, and a third packet expansion threshold subfield in the third set of packet expansion threshold subfields indicates to the communication device a corresponding third packet expansion threshold to be used when the number of RU blocks obtained after equalization encoding for the assigned resource unit RU is a first value and the NSS used by the second device is n. The third packet expansion threshold indicates a third nominal packet padding value to be used by the communication device when the first value corresponding to the assigned RU is equal to or greater than the third packet expansion threshold, and the third nominal packet padding value is 8 microseconds.

[0128] NSS is j and N CBPRU is greater than or equal to a third nominal packet padding value corresponding to the third packet expansion threshold subfield when NSTS is j and is less than a second nominal packet padding value corresponding to the second packet expansion threshold subfield when NSTS is j, the communication device determines that the nominal packet padding value used when NSS is j is the third nominal packet padding value.

[0129] In a possible implementation, the NSS index bit mask subfield occupies at least 8 bits, the i-th bit of the NSS index bit mask subfield is 0, and the physical layer packet extension threshold information field does not include a set of subfields corresponding to the i NSS.

[0130] In a possible implementation, if the NSS used by the communication device is greater than the NSS corresponding to the most significant bit among the bits not set to 0 in the NSS index bitmask subfield, the processing module is further configured to use a nominal packet padding value of 20 microseconds when the first value corresponding to the assigned RU is greater than or equal to a packet extension threshold.

[0131] According to a twenty-first aspect, a communication device is provided. For example, the communication device is the first device or a device disposed in the first device. The communication device may be configured to perform a method according to the ninth aspect or any one of the possible implementation forms of the ninth aspect. Specifically, the communication device may include a module configured to perform a method according to the ninth aspect or any one of the possible implementation forms of the ninth aspect, for example, including a processing module and a transceiver module coupled to each other. For example, the communication device is the first device described above.

[0132] The processing module is configured to generate a PPDU, and the transceiver module is configured to transmit the PPDU to the second device. The PPDU includes a spatial stream number NSS subfield and a physical layer packet expansion threshold information field. The physical layer packet expansion threshold information field includes a packet expansion threshold subfield corresponding to different nominal packet padding values, the packet expansion threshold subfield indicates a packet expansion threshold, and the packet expansion threshold subfield indicates a nominal packet padding value used by the second device when the second value is equal to or greater than the packet expansion threshold. The value range of n is [1,...,N], where N is an integer greater than 8, and the second value is related to the NSS used by the second device and the number of RU blocks obtained after equalization encoding for the assigned RU.

[0133] In a possible implementation, the physical layer packet expansion threshold information field includes a first packet expansion threshold subfield corresponding to a first nominal packet padding value, the first packet expansion threshold subfield indicating a first packet expansion threshold, the first packet expansion threshold indicating that a nominal packet padding value used by the second device when the second value is greater than or equal to the first packet expansion threshold is the first nominal packet padding value, the first nominal packet padding value being 20 microseconds.

[0134] In a possible implementation, the physical layer packet expansion threshold information field includes a second packet expansion threshold subfield corresponding to a second nominal packet padding value, the second packet expansion threshold subfield indicating a second packet expansion threshold, the second packet expansion threshold indicating that a nominal packet padding value used by the second device when the second value is greater than or equal to the second packet expansion threshold is the second nominal packet padding value, the second nominal packet padding value being 16 microseconds.

[0135] In a possible implementation, the physical layer packet expansion threshold information field includes a third packet expansion threshold subfield corresponding to a third nominal packet padding value, the third packet expansion threshold subfield indicating a third packet expansion threshold, the third packet expansion threshold indicating that a nominal packet padding value used by the second device when the second value is greater than or equal to the third packet expansion threshold is the third nominal packet padding value, the third nominal packet padding value being 8 microseconds.

[0136] According to a twenty-second aspect, a communication device is provided. For example, the communication device is the second device or a device disposed in the second device. The communication device may be configured to perform the method according to the tenth aspect or any one of the possible implementation forms of the tenth aspect. Specifically, the communication device may include a module configured to perform the method according to the tenth aspect or any one of the possible implementation forms of the tenth aspect, for example, including a processing module and a transceiver module coupled to each other. For example, the communication device is the second device described above.

[0137] The transceiver module is configured to receive a PPDU from a first device. The PPDU includes a Number of Spatial Streams NSS subfield and a Physical Layer Packet Expansion Threshold Information field. The Physical Layer Packet Expansion Threshold Information field includes a Packet Expansion Threshold subfield corresponding to different nominal packet padding values, the Packet Expansion Threshold subfield indicates a packet expansion threshold, and the Packet Expansion Threshold subfield indicates a nominal packet padding value used by the second device when the second value is equal to or greater than the packet expansion threshold. The value range of n is [1,...,N], where N is an integer greater than 8, and the second value is related to the NSS used by the second device and the number of RU blocks obtained after equalization encoding for the assigned RU.

[0138] The processing module is configured to determine a second value based on the used NSS and the number of RU blocks obtained after equal coding for the allocated resource unit RU, and to determine a nominal packet padding value to be used based on the second value and the physical layer packet extension threshold information field.

[0139] In a possible implementation, the processing module is particularly configured to determine the second value according to the following relationship:

[0140] P index =f(NSS,N CBPRU ) The NSS is the NSS corresponding to the RU assigned to the communication device. CBPRU is the number of RU blocks obtained after equalization coding for the RUs allocated to the communication device, which satisfies the following relationship: N CBPRU =N RU242 ×N BPSCS .

[0141] N RU242 is the maximum number of RUs 242 that can be included in an RU, and N BPSCS is the number of coded bits carried on each subcarrier of a single space-time stream.

[0142] In a possible implementation, the physical layer packet expansion threshold information field includes a first packet expansion threshold subfield corresponding to a first nominal packet padding value, the first packet expansion threshold subfield indicating a first packet expansion threshold, the first packet expansion threshold indicating that a nominal packet padding value used by the communication device when the second value is greater than or equal to the first packet expansion threshold is the first nominal packet padding value, the first nominal packet padding value being 20 microseconds.

[0143] When the second value is greater than or equal to the first packet expansion threshold, the processing module determines that the nominal packet padding value used by the communication device is the first nominal packet padding value.

[0144] In a possible implementation, the physical layer packet expansion threshold information field includes a second packet expansion threshold subfield corresponding to a second nominal packet padding value, the second packet expansion threshold subfield indicating a second packet expansion threshold, the second packet expansion threshold indicating that a nominal packet padding value used by the communication device when the second value is greater than or equal to the second packet expansion threshold is the second nominal packet padding value, the second nominal packet padding value being 16 microseconds.

[0145] When the second value is greater than or equal to the second packet expansion threshold and the second value is less than the first packet expansion threshold, the processing module determines that the nominal packet padding value used by the communication device is the second nominal packet padding value.

[0146] In a possible implementation, the physical layer packet expansion threshold information field includes a third packet expansion threshold subfield corresponding to a third nominal packet padding value, the third packet expansion threshold subfield indicating a third packet expansion threshold, the third packet expansion threshold indicating that a nominal packet padding value used by the communication device when the second value is greater than or equal to the third packet expansion threshold is the third nominal packet padding value, the third nominal packet padding value being 8 microseconds.

[0147] When the second value is greater than or equal to the third packet expansion threshold and the second value is less than the second packet expansion threshold, the processing module determines that the nominal packet padding value used by the communication device is the third nominal packet padding value.

[0148] According to a twenty-third aspect, a communication device is provided. For example, the communication device is the first device or a device disposed in the first device. The communication device may be configured to perform the method according to the eleventh aspect or any one of the possible implementation forms of the eleventh aspect. Specifically, the communication device may include a module configured to perform the method according to the eleventh aspect or any one of the possible implementation forms of the eleventh aspect, for example, including a processing module and a transceiver module coupled to each other. For example, the communication device is the first device described above.

[0149] The processing module is configured to generate the PPDU, and the transceiver module is configured to transmit the PPDU and a first packet expansion threshold range. When the third value is within the first packet expansion threshold range, the first packet expansion threshold range indicates a nominal packet padding value used by the communication apparatus to transmit data to the first device. Different packet expansion threshold ranges correspond to different nominal packet padding values.

[0150] In a possible implementation, the third value satisfies the following relationship: x = f(NSTS, RU, Modulation)

[0151] x is a third value, NSS is the NSS used by the communication device, RU is the RU size used by the communication device, and Modulation is the order of the modulation scheme used by the communication device.

[0152] According to a 24th aspect, a communication device is provided. For example, the communication device is the second device or a device disposed in the second device. The communication device may be configured to perform the method according to the 12th aspect or any one of the possible implementations of the 12th aspect. Specifically, the communication device may include a module configured to perform the method according to the 12th aspect or any one of the possible implementations of the 12th aspect, for example, including a processing module and a transceiver module coupled to each other. For example, the communication device is the second device described above.

[0153] The transceiver module is configured to receive the PPDU and a first packet expansion threshold range from the first device. When the third value is within the first packet expansion threshold range, the first packet expansion threshold range indicates a nominal packet padding value used by the communication device to transmit data to the first device. Different packet expansion threshold ranges correspond to different nominal packet padding values. The third value is related to one or more parameters of a number of spatial streams NSS, a RU size, and a modulation scheme used by the communication device.

[0154] If the third value is within the first packet expansion threshold range, the processing module determines that the nominal packet padding value used by the communication device is the nominal packet padding value corresponding to the first packet expansion threshold range.

[0155] In a possible implementation, the third value satisfies the following relationship: x = f(NSTS, RU, Modulation)

[0156] x is a third value, NSS is the NSS used by the communication device, RU is the RU size used by the communication device, and Modulation is the order of the modulation scheme used by the communication device.

[0157] According to a twenty-fifth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication device. The communication device may be the communication device of any one of the thirteenth to twenty-fourth aspects in the aforementioned embodiment, or a chip disposed in the communication device of any one of the thirteenth to twenty-fourth aspects. The communication device includes a communication interface and a processor, and optionally further includes a memory. The memory is configured to store a computer program, an instruction, or data. The processor is coupled to the memory and the communication interface. When the processor reads the computer program, the instruction, or the data, the communication device executes the method executed by the first device or the second device in the method embodiment of any one of the first to twelfth aspects.

[0158] It should be understood that the communication interface may be implemented by using an antenna, a feeder, a codec, etc. in the communication device. Alternatively, if the communication device is a chip located in the first device or the second device, the communication interface may be an input / output interface of the chip, e.g., an input / output pin. The communication device may further include a transceiver configured to perform communication between the communication device and the other device. For example, when the communication device is the first device, the other device is the second device, or when the communication device is the second device, the other device is the first device.

[0159] According to a twenty-sixth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a chip system. The chip system includes a processor configured to perform the method performed by the communication device in any one of the first to twelfth aspects, and may further include a memory. In a possible implementation, the chip system further includes a memory configured to store program instructions and / or data. The chip system may include a chip, or may include a chip and another separate device.

[0160] According to a twenty-seventh aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication system, the communication system comprising a communication device according to the thirteenth aspect and the fourteenth aspect, or the communication system comprising a communication device according to the fifteenth aspect and the sixteenth aspect, or the communication system comprising a communication device according to the seventeenth aspect and the eighteenth aspect, or the communication system comprising a communication device according to the nineteenth aspect and the twentieth aspect, or the communication system comprising a communication device according to the twenty-first aspect and the twenty-second aspect, or the communication system comprising a communication device according to the twenty-third aspect and the twenty-fourth aspect.

[0161] According to a twenty-eighth aspect, the present application provides a computer-readable storage medium. The computer-readable storage medium stores a computer program. When the computer program is run, the method performed by the first device in the aforementioned aspect is performed, or the method performed by the second device in the aforementioned aspect is performed.

[0162] According to a twenty-ninth aspect, there is provided a computer program product, the computer program product including computer program code that, when run, performs the method performed by the first device in the aforementioned aspect or the method performed by the second device in the aforementioned aspect.

[0163] For the beneficial effects of the thirteenth to twenty-ninth aspects and their implementation forms, please refer to the description of the beneficial effects of the methods according to the first to twelfth aspects and their implementation forms. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0164] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram of a network architecture of a WLAN to which an embodiment of the present application is applicable; [Diagram 2] PPDU bit padding process in the last coding symbol. [Diagram 3]FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a PPDU according to an embodiment of the present application. [Figure 4] A schematic diagram showing the structure of an HE physical layer capability information field according to one embodiment of the present application. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating the structure of an HE capability element according to one embodiment of the present application. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating a structure of a physical layer packet extension threshold field according to an embodiment of the present application; [Figure 7] 1 is a schematic diagram showing the structure of an existing physical layer packet extension threshold information field. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating a structure of a physical layer packet extended threshold information field according to an embodiment of the present application; [Figure 9] 1 is a schematic flowchart of a nominal packet padding value indication method 1 according to an embodiment of the present application; [Figure 10] 4 is a schematic flowchart of a nominal packet padding value indication method 2 according to an embodiment of the present application; [Figure 11] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating a structure of a physical layer packet extended threshold information field according to an embodiment of the present application; [Figure 12] 4 is a schematic flowchart of a nominal packet padding value indication method 3 according to an embodiment of the present application; [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram illustrating another structure of a physical layer packet extended threshold information field according to an embodiment of the present application; [Figure 14] 4 is a schematic flowchart of a nominal packet padding value indication method 4 according to an embodiment of the present application; [Figure 15] 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a structure of a communication device according to an embodiment of the present application; [Figure 16] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing another structure of a communication device according to an embodiment of the present application; DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0165] In order to make the objectives, technical solutions and advantages of the embodiments of the present application clearer, the following further describes the embodiments of the present application in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0166] The embodiments of the present application may be applied to a wireless local area network (WLAN) scenario, or to an IEEE 802.11 system standard, such as 802.11a / b / g, 802.11n, 802.11ac, 802.11ax, or a next-generation standard, such as 802.11be, or further next-generation standard. Alternatively, the embodiments of the present application may be applied to a wireless local area network system, such as an internet of things (IoT) or a vehicle to X (V2X) network. Of course, the embodiments of the present application may also be applied to other possible communication systems, such as long term evolution (LTE) systems, LTE frequency division duplex (FDD) systems, LTE time division duplex (TDD) systems, universal mobile telecommunication system (UMTS), worldwide interoperability for microwave access (WiMAX) communication systems, and future 5G communication systems.

[0167] The following uses an example in which the embodiments of the present application are applicable to a WLAN scenario. It should be understood that WLAN evolves from the 802.11a / g standard through 802.11n, 802.11ac, 802.11ax, and 802.11be, which are currently being considered. 802.11n can also be called high throughput (HT), 802.11ac can also be called very high throughput (VHT), 802.11ax can also be called high efficient (HE) or Wi-Fi 6, and 802.11be can also be called extremely high throughput (EHT) or Wi-Fi 7. Standards before HT, such as 802.11a / b / g, are collectively called non-high throughput (Non-HT).

[0168] Please refer to FIG. 1. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a network architecture of a WLAN to which an embodiment of the present application is applicable. In FIG. 1, it is used as an example that the WLAN includes one wireless access point (AP) and two stations (STAs). The STAs associated with the AP can receive wireless frames transmitted by the AP and can also transmit wireless frames to the AP. In addition, the embodiment of the present application is also applicable to communication between APs. For example, the APs may communicate with each other by using a distributed system (DS). The embodiment of the present application is also applicable to communication between STAs. It should be understood that the number of APs and STAs in FIG. 1 is only an example. There may be more or less APs and STAs.

[0169] The STA in the embodiments of the present application may be a user terminal, user equipment, access device, subscriber station, subscriber unit, mobile station, user agent, user device, or other device having wireless communication capability. The user terminal may be a handheld device, an in-vehicle device, a wearable device, a computing device, or other processing device connected to a wireless modem having wireless communication capability. The user terminal may also be a user equipment (UE), a mobile station (MS), a terminal, a terminal device, a portable communication device, a handheld device, a portable computing device, an entertainment device, a gaming device or system, a global positioning system device, or any other suitable device of various forms configured to perform network communication over a wireless medium. For example, the STA may be a router, a switch, a bridge, etc. For ease of description, the above-mentioned devices are collectively referred to as stations or STAs in this specification.

[0170] The AP and STA in the embodiment of the present application may be AP and STA applicable to the IEEE 802.11 system standard. The AP is a device deployed in a wireless communication network and provides wireless communication function to the STA associated with the AP. The AP may be used as the center of the communication system, and is usually a network side product supporting MAC and PHY in the 802.11 system standard, and may be, for example, a communication device such as a base station, a router, a gateway, a repeater, a communication server, a switch, or a bridge. The base station may include various forms of macro base station, micro base station, relay station, etc. In this specification, for the sake of simplicity, the above-mentioned devices are collectively referred to as AP. The STA is usually a terminal product supporting the media access control (MAC) and physical layer (PHY) of the 802.11 system standard, such as a mobile phone or a notebook computer.

[0171] According to 802.11ax, pre-(forward error correction, FEC) padding, post-FEC padding, and packet extension may be added to the PPDU. The pre-FEC padding and excess information occupy approximately a multiple of one-quarter of the subcarriers (e.g., one-quarter, two-quarters, three-quarters, and all) in the last encoded symbol, and the remaining subcarriers may be used to carry the post-FEC padding. The decoding of the last encoded symbol of the PPDU may be performed only on the multiple of one-quarter of the subcarriers occupied by the pre-FEC padding and excess information without decoding the entire encoded symbol. This saves the decoding time and reserves more processing time for the PPDU.

[0172] For ease of understanding, the following description will be given with reference to FIG.

[0173] FIG. 2 is a PPDU bit padding process in the last coding symbol. In FIG. 2, a indicates that the excess information bits and pre-forward error correction padding bits occupy approximately a multiple of one-quarter of the subcarriers in the scrambled and coded symbol. For example, in FIG. 2, a=1 indicates that the excess information bits and pre-forward error correction padding bits occupy approximately one-quarter of the subcarriers in the scrambled and coded symbol. Similarly, a=2 indicates that the excess information bits and pre-forward error correction padding bits occupy approximately two-quarters of the subcarriers in the scrambled and coded symbol, a=3 indicates that the excess information bits and pre-forward error correction padding bits occupy approximately three-quarters of the subcarriers in the scrambled and coded symbol, and a= 4 indicates that the excess information bits and pre-forward error correction padding bits occupy all subcarriers within the symbol after scrambling and encoding.

[0174] As shown in FIG. 2, the remaining subcarriers in the symbol are padded with post-FEC padding, so that the number of bits occupied by data is N CBPS Bits reached, N CBPS represents the number of coded bits per symbol. It should be understood that since it is clearly specified that the pre-FEC padding bits and excess information bits occupy about a quarter of the subcarriers in the last coded symbol, when receiving the PPDU, the receiving end may only decode a multiple of a quarter of the subcarriers to decode the last coded symbol of the PPDU without decoding the entire coded symbol. This can save the decoding time and reserve more processing time for the PPDU.

[0175] However, due to the uncertainty of the duration corresponding to the post-FEC padding and the limitation of the total duration, the additional processing time reserved for the PPDU may not meet the minimum time required by the receiver. To ensure that the additional processing time reserved for the PPDU reaches the minimum time required by the receiver (e.g., 8 μs and 16 μs), a field that may need to be added is introduced in the last symbol of the PPDU, namely the packet extension (PE) field.

[0176] Please refer to Figure 3. Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of a PPDU. Figure 3 shows the duration of the PE field in the PPDU when a=1, a=2, a=3, and a=4 in Figure 2. The duration of the PE field is the nominal packet extension time (nominal T PEIt may also be referred to as a nominal packet extension time. The nominal packet extension time is related to the nominal packet padding value included in the PPDU. From FIG. 3, it can be seen that the nominal packet extension time is related to the value of a and the nominal packet padding value. For details, please refer to Table 1.

[0177] [Table 1]

[0178] The second row of Table 1 represents the nominal packet padding value, which can be 0 μs, 8 μs, or 16 μs. The post-FEC padding may also provide additional processing time, and the processing time provided by the post-FEC padding and the nominal packet expansion time are multiplied by the actual packet expansion time (T PE It should be understood that the packet extension time is combined to obtain a minimum time (e.g., 0 μs, 8 μs, or 16 μs) required by the receiving device, as can be seen from Table 1. For example, the nominal packet padding value is equal to 16 μs, and the nominal T PE can be 4 μs, 8 μs, 12 μs, or 16 μs. That is, T PE is nominal T PE That's it. Usually, T PE The value of is the minimum that satisfies the requirement.

[0179] For two communication ends, for example, a first device and a second device, in order to ensure that the first device can have sufficient processing time for a data packet received from the second device, the first device may indicate a modulation threshold corresponding to the NSTS and the RU size, and the second device may determine a nominal packet padding value to be used based on the modulation threshold. The second device then determines a duration of the PE field based on the nominal packet padding value and the above-mentioned a, and pads the PE field that may be included in the PPDU transmitted to the first device based on the duration of the PE field. The second device generates a PPDU based on the duration of the PE field, and transmits the PPDU to the first device. This can ensure that the first device has sufficient processing time, i.e., can guarantee the minimum processing time requirement of the first device. It can be understood that in this embodiment of the present application, the first device may indicate to the second device a nominal packet padding value to be used by the second device. As used herein, it means that the second device determines the duration of the PE field based on the nominal packet padding value and the above a.

[0180] In some embodiments, the first device may directly indicate the nominal packet padding value to be used by the second device. In one example, the first device may indicate the nominal packet padding value by using a nominal packet padding subfield that indicates the nominal packet padding value. For example, the first device may transmit a PPDU carrying the nominal packet padding subfield to the second device.

[0181] In some other embodiments, the first device may indirectly indicate a nominal packet padding value to be used by the second device. In one example, the first device may indirectly indicate a nominal packet padding value by using a modulation threshold associated with the nominal packet padding value. For example, the first device may transmit a PPDU to the second device carrying a packet expansion threshold subfield that indicates the modulation threshold.

[0182] In this specification, the manner in which the nominal packet padding subfield indicates the nominal packet padding value used by the second device is called a direct indication manner, and the manner in which the packet extension threshold subfield indicating the modulation threshold indirectly indicates the nominal packet padding value used by the second device is called an indirect indication manner. The PPDU includes a nominal packet padding subfield and a packet extension threshold subfield indicating the modulation threshold. To distinguish when the nominal packet padding subfield or the packet extension threshold subfield indicating the modulation threshold is used to indicate the nominal packet padding value, the PPDU further includes a physical packet extension (PPE) thresholds present subfield. When the value of the physical layer packet extension threshold present subfield is 0, the nominal packet padding subfield indicates the nominal packet padding value. When the value of the physical layer packet extension threshold present subfield is 1, the packet extension threshold subfield indicating the modulation threshold indicates the nominal packet padding value.

[0183] The following describes the direct and indirect indication formats of the nominal packet padding value separately.

[0184] Direct instruction style: As shown in Figure 4, the physical layer packet extension threshold present subfield and the nominal packet padding subfield are carried in the HE PHY capabilities information field. The HE physical layer capabilities information field is included in the HE capabilities element, as shown in Figure 5. The HE capabilities element may include an element field, a length field, an element ID extension field, a HE (medium access control, MAC) capabilities information field, a HE PHY capabilities information field, a supported high efficiency (HE) modulation and coding scheme (MCS) and number of spatial streams (NSS) set field, and may further include a physical layer packet extension thresholds field. In this embodiment of the present application, the number of bits occupied by each field or subfield included in the HE capabilities element is not limited. As shown in Figure 5, the element field occupies 1 bit, the length field occupies 1 bit, the element identifier extension field occupies 1 bit, the HE medium access control capability information field occupies 6 bits, the HE physical layer capability information field occupies 11 bits, and the physical layer packet extension threshold field occupies a variable number of bits. In addition, the physical layer packet extension threshold field is optional, i.e., not required.

[0185] When the value of the Physical Layer Packet Extension Threshold Present subfield is 0, see Table 2 for the nominal packet padding value indicated by the Nominal Packet Padding subfield.

[0186] [Table 2]

[0187] As the number of streams supported by each device changes from 8 to 16, the supported modulation scheme changes from 1K quadrature amplitude modulation (QAM) to 4KQAM, and the supported bandwidth changes from 160 MHz to 320 MHz. In these cases, the receiver requires more processing time. Based on this, a nominal packet padding value larger than 16 μs is proposed, for example, a nominal packet padding value supporting 20 μs is proposed.

[0188] Table 2 may still be used, and an indication of value 3 may be added to the nominal packet padding subfield. For example, if the nominal packet padding value is 16 μs for all modes with constellation ≦ 1024, NSTS ≦ 8, and RU ≦ 996 × 2, the nominal packet padding subfield is set to 3, and the corresponding nominal packet padding value for other modes is 20 μs. (Set to 3 if the nominal packet padding is 16 μs for all modes with constellation <= 1024, NSTS <= 8 and RU <= 996 × 2, and 20 μs for all other modes the STA supports.) In other words, when the value of the nominal packet padding subfield is 3, the nominal packet padding value is 16 μs when the modulation scheme is 1KQAM or less, the NSTS is ≦ 8, and the RU size is ≦ 2 × 996. Otherwise, the nominal packet padding value is 20 μs.

[0189] In one example, the nominal packet padding field in the HE physical layer capability information field may still be used, and the number of bits occupied by the nominal packet padding field may be increased to indicate the nominal packet padding value. In another example, a field indicating the nominal packet padding value may be set in a newly defined EHT capability element.

[0190] Indirect mode: The nominal packet padding value may be indirectly indicated by using a physical layer packet extension threshold present subfield and a physical layer packet extension threshold field (PPE thresholds field) in the PPDU. For example, the value of the physical layer packet extension threshold present subfield is 1, and the physical layer packet extension threshold field indicates a modulation threshold corresponding to an NSTS of n and an RU. The second device may determine the nominal packet padding value based on the modulation threshold. In this way, different nominal packet padding values ​​may be indicated based on different NSTS, RU sizes, and modulation schemes, which is more flexible.

[0191] For example, see Figure 6. Figure 6 is a schematic diagram showing the structure of a physical layer packet extension threshold field. The physical layer packet extension threshold field includes an NSTS subfield, an RU Index Bitmask subfield, a physical layer packet extension threshold information field, and a physical layer packet extension padding (PPE padding) field.

[0192] The NSTS subfield may indicate the number of space-time streams for transmitting data. For example, the NSTS subfield occupies 3 bits, and the values ​​of the 3 bits are 0 to 7, indicating the first stream to the eighth stream, respectively. In other words, one value of the 3 bits corresponds to one space-time stream number. The RU Index Bitmask subfield may indicate the RU size. Table 3 shows the relationship between the RU Index Bitmask subfield and the RU size.

[0193] [Table 3]

[0194] The RU Index Bitmask subfield is a bitmap. In Table 3, the RU allocation index indicates a particular bit in the bitmap. For example, in Table 3, the RU Index Bitmask occupies 4 bits. The first row of Table 3 indicates that the first bit of the RU Index Bitmask is set to 1, and thus the corresponding RU shown in FIG. 6 is 242. Similarly, the second row indicates that the second bit of the RU Index Bitmask is set to 1, and thus the corresponding RU shown in FIG. 6 is 484, and so on. The RU allocation index may also be referred to as an RU index (number). A smaller index (number) indicates a smaller RU size. In this specification, the granularity of the RU size is a subcarrier. For example, 242 refers to 242 subcarriers, and 484 refers to 484 subcarriers.

[0195] It should be understood that when one or more of the NSTS, RU size, and modulation scheme used by the transmitting end are different, the corresponding minimum processing time required by the receiving end is also different. In other words, the corresponding nominal packet padding value may be different. In one implementation, modulation thresholds corresponding to the NSTS from the first stream to the Nth stream, and different RU sizes indicated from the minimum granularity are provided exhaustively or cross-sectionally. The value of N may be the maximum value of the bits used by the NSTS subfield plus 1. For example, if the NSTS subfield uses 3 bits, the maximum value of the NSTS subfield is 7, and the maximum number of streams that can be indicated by the NSTS subfield is 8 (7+1=8). For example, if the NSTS subfield uses 6 bits, the maximum value of the NSTS subfield is 15, and the maximum number of streams that can be indicated by the NSTS subfield is 16 (15+1=16). In this specification, the value set of the NSTS subfield may be denoted as [1,...NSTN+1]. In this case, the Nth stream is the (NSTS+1)th stream, i.e., NSTS is equal to N. In this specification, NSTS may be equivalently replaced with NSS, and the NSTS subfield may be equivalently replaced with an NSS subfield.

[0196] In one example, the physical layer packet extension threshold information field includes a packet extension threshold subfield set that indicates a modulation threshold corresponding to different nominal packet padding values. In other words, the physical layer packet extension threshold information field includes a plurality of packet extension threshold subfield sets that correspond to different nominal packet padding values, each packet extension threshold subfield set includes a plurality of packet extension threshold subfields, each packet extension threshold subfield indicates a modulation threshold corresponding to an RU having an NSS of n and an index b. It should be understood that the value range of n is [1,...,N]. The index b here may be considered as an RU allocation index and indicates the RU size. For example, the value range of b is [m,...,M], where [m,...,M] is a bit list formed by sequentially setting all bits set to 1 in the RU index bit mask subfield, and m is the least significant bit in the bit list. Using Table 3 as an example, the value range of b is [0,...,3], i.e., m is equal to 0 and M is equal to 3.

[0197] For example, see Figure 7. Figure 7 shows that the physical layer packet expansion threshold information field includes a packet expansion threshold subfield set indicating multiple packet expansion thresholds corresponding to a nominal packet padding value of 8 μs and a packet expansion threshold subfield set indicating multiple packet expansion thresholds corresponding to a nominal packet padding value of 16 μs. In this specification, the packet expansion threshold subfield set indicating multiple packet expansion thresholds corresponding to a nominal packet padding value of 8 μs is referred to as PPET8 NSTSn RUb subfields, and any subfield of the PPET8 NSTSn RUb subfields is referred to as a PPET8 NSTSn RUb subfield, indicating a modulation threshold corresponding to an RU having an NSTS of n and index b. For example, if the PPET8 NSTSn RUb subfield occupies 3 bits, the PPET8 NSTSn RUb subfields may indicate 8 modulation thresholds. Similarly, a packet expansion threshold subfield set indicating multiple packet expansion thresholds corresponding to a nominal packet padding value of 16 μs may be referred to as PPET16 NSTSn RUb subfields, and any subfield of the PPET16 NSTSn RUb subfields indicating a modulation threshold corresponding to an RU with an NSTS of n and index b may be referred to as a PPET16 NSTSn RUb subfield. Alternatively, for simplicity, the PPET8 NSTSn RUb subfield may be referred to as PPET8 for short, i.e., PPET8 stands for the PPET8 NSTSn RUb subfield. Similarly, the PPET16 NSTSn RUb subfield may be referred to as PPET16 for short.

[0198] Figure 7 provides an indication from the first stream to the Nth stream in an exhaustive or traversal manner and provides an indication of RU size from the smallest granularity. The values ​​of n traverse from 1 to N, i.e., n is an element of [1,...,N], and b can be considered to traverse from m to M. That is, The PPET16 NSTSn RUb and PPET8 NSTSn RUb subfields are present for all values ​​of n and b where 1≦n≦(N)and where b=[m,...,M]is the set of integers equal to the ordered list of bit positions of all bits that are set to 1 in the RU Index Bitmask subfield,with m being the lowest value.

[0199] It should be noted that in this embodiment of the present application, the PPET8 NSTSn RUb subfield / PPET16 NSTSn RUb subfield indicates a modulation threshold corresponding to an NSTS of n and an RU with index b. Alternatively, the PPET8 NSTSn RUb subfield / PPET16 NSTSn RUb subfield may be considered to indicate an NSTS of n, an RU with index b, and a modulation threshold. It should be understood that the modulation threshold may indicate a modulation scheme, i.e., the modulation threshold indicated by the PPET8 NSTSn RUb subfield / PPET16 NSTSn RUb subfield may indicate a modulation scheme.

[0200] For example, the correspondence between the PPET8 NSTSn RUb subfield / PPET16 NSTSn RUb subfield and the modulation scheme is shown in Table 4. The modulation threshold indicated by the PPET8 NSTSn RUb subfield / PPET16 NSTSn RUb subfield is the same as the constellation index in Table 4 to indirectly indicate the modulation scheme.

[0201] [Table 4]

[0202] The structure of the physical layer packet extension threshold field transmitted by the first device to the second device is shown in Figure 7. The second device may obtain the physical layer packet extension threshold field of the first device and determine the nominal packet padding value to be used by using a combination of the PPET8 NSTSn RUb subfield and the PPET16 NSTSn RUb subfield. Specifically, the second device may determine the nominal packet padding value according to Table 5. Specifically, if the result of the comparison between the modulation scheme used by the second device and the modulation threshold indicated by the PPET8 NSTSn RUb subfields and the result of the comparison between the modulation scheme used by the second device and the modulation threshold indicated by the PPET16 NSTSn RUb subfields meets the condition of a row in Table 5, the nominal packet padding value is the value corresponding to that row.

[0203] [Table 5]

[0204] It should be noted that the modulation scheme in Table 5 refers to the modulation scheme based on the modulation scheme corresponding to RUb and taking DCM into consideration. "None" in Table 5 can be understood as the corresponding condition is not considered. For example, if the PPET8 subfield is set to None, the indication of the PPET8 subfield is not used to determine the nominal packet padding value.

[0205] As shown in Table 5, if the result of the comparison between the modulation scheme used by the second device and the modulation threshold indicated by PPET8 satisfies condition 1, and the result of the comparison between the modulation scheme used by the second device and the modulation threshold indicated by PPET16 satisfies condition 2, then the nominal packet padding value is a value corresponding to condition 1 and condition 2.

[0206] Specifically, if the constellation index x corresponding to the modulation scheme used by the second device is equal to or greater than the modulation threshold indicated by PPET8, and the constellation index x corresponding to the modulation scheme used by the second device is less than the modulation threshold indicated by PPET16, or PPET16 is set to None, the nominal packet padding value is 8 μs. If the constellation index x corresponding to the modulation scheme used by the second device is greater than the modulation threshold indicated by PPET8, or PPET8 is set to None, and the constellation index x corresponding to the modulation scheme used by the second device is equal to or greater than the modulation threshold indicated by PPET16, the nominal packet padding value is 16 μs. That is, if condition 1 and condition 2 of a row in Table 5 are satisfied, the nominal packet padding value is the value of that row.

[0207] As the number of streams supported by each device changes from 8 to 16, the supported modulation scheme changes from 1K quadrature amplitude modulation (QAM) to 4KQAM, and the supported bandwidth changes from 160 MHz to 320 MHz. In these cases, the receiver requires more processing time and a larger nominal packet padding value needs to be specified, e.g., a nominal packet padding value of 20 μs or other possible duration.

[0208] For example, the structure shown in FIG. 7 may still be used, and a field indicating a nominal packet padding value of 20 μs is added to the physical layer packet extension threshold information field shown in FIG. 7. For example, a packet extension threshold subfield set indicating multiple packet extension thresholds corresponding to a nominal packet padding value of 20 μs is added to the physical layer packet extension threshold information field shown in FIG. 7. The set of subfields may indicate modulation thresholds corresponding to different NSTSs and different RU sizes. However, the nominal packet padding value determined by the second device based on the modulation thresholds may be greater than 16 μs, e.g., 20 μs. Similar to the PPET8 NSTSn RUb subfields, for ease of explanation, the set of subfields may be represented as PPET20 NSTSn RUb subfields, as shown in FIG. 8. That is, each PPET20 NSTSn RUb subfield in the PPET20 NSTSn RUb subfields may indicate a modulation threshold corresponding to an RU with an NSTS of n and index b.

[0209] Similar to the PPET16 NSTSn RUb subfields, in the PPET20 NSTSn RUb subfields, the value range of n is [1,...,N] and the value range of b is [m,...,M]. The difference is that the length of the NSTS subfield in Figure 8 is longer than that of the NSTS subfield in Figure 7. For example, the NSTS subfield may occupy 4 bits. In this case, the value range of n is [1,...,N], where N is equal to 16.

[0210] Similarly, the length of the RU Index Bitmask subfield in FIG. 8 may be longer than that of the RU Index Bitmask subfield in FIG. 7, i.e., the RU Index Bitmask subfield in FIG. 8 occupies more bits. For example, the RU Index Bitmask field may occupy 5 bits. In this case, the maximum granularity of the RUs indicated by the RU Index Bitmask subfield is 3×996. In another example, the RU Index Bitmask subfield may occupy 6 bits. In this case, the maximum granularity of the RUs indicated by the RU Index Bitmask subfield is 4×996. Of course, the RU Index Bitmask subfield may occupy more bits, and the RU size may be 242+484, 484+996, 242+484+996, 2×996+484, 2×996+996, 3×996+484, etc. In this case, in the value range [m,...,M] of b, M may be 5 or more.

[0211] Similarly, considering the occurrence of higher modulation schemes, the Constellation Index corresponding to any PPET20 NSTSn RUb subfield in the PPET20 NSTSn RUb subfields may correspond to more bits, for example, 4 bits, and indicate 16 modulation thresholds. Note that in this embodiment of the present application, the number of bits occupied by the NSTS subfield is not limited, the number of bits occupied by the RU Index Bitmask field is not limited, and the number of bits corresponding to the Constellation Index corresponding to the PPET20 NSTSn RUb subfield is not limited.

[0212] It should be understood that the PPET20 NSTSn RUb subfield, the PPET16 NSTSn RUb subfield, and the PPET8 NSTSn RUb subfield indicate modulation thresholds corresponding to the RU with NSTS of n and index b, respectively. Hereinafter, for ease of explanation, the modulation threshold indicated by the PPET20 NSTSn RUb subfield is referred to as the first modulation threshold, the modulation threshold indicated by the PPET16 NSTSn RUb subfield is referred to as the second modulation threshold, and the modulation threshold indicated by the PPET8 NSTSn RUb subfields is referred to as the third modulation threshold. For ease of explanation, in this specification, the PPET20 NSTSn RUb subfield, the PPET16 NSTSn RUb subfield, and the PPET8 NSTSn RUb subfield may be referred to as the PPET20 / 16 / 8 NSTSn RUb subfield. As used herein, the PPET20 NSTSn RUb subfields, the PPET16 NSTSn RUb subfields, and the PPET8 NSTSn RUb subfields may be referred to as PPET20 / 16 / 8 NSTSn RUb subfields.

[0213] The second device may determine the nominal packet padding value to be used by using a combination of the PPET8 NSTSn RUb subfield, the PPET16 NSTSn RUb subfield, and the PPET20 NSTSn RUb subfield. In other words, the second device determines the nominal packet padding value based on the result of the comparison between the modulation scheme used and each of the first modulation threshold, the second modulation threshold, and the third modulation threshold. Specifically, the second device may determine the nominal packet padding value according to Table 6. If condition 1, condition 2, and condition 3 of a row of Table 6 are satisfied, the second device may determine the value corresponding to that row as the nominal packet padding value to be used. Specifically, if the second device determines that the condition of a row of Table 6 is satisfied, the second device determines to use the value indicated in that row as the nominal packet padding value.

[0214] [Table 6]

[0215] As shown in Table 6, if conditions 1, 2, and 3 in the first row are met, the nominal packet padding value is 8 μs. If conditions 1, 2, and 3 in the second row are met, the nominal packet padding value is 16 μs. If conditions 1, 2, and 3 in the third row are met, the nominal packet padding value is 20 μs.

[0216] From Figures 7 and 8, it can be seen that as the number of streams and the size and type of RUs increase, the modulation thresholds corresponding to the first stream to the Nth stream and various RU sizes are indicated comprehensively or cross-sectionally, and the nominal packet padding value is indirectly indicated by using the modulation thresholds. As a result, the overhead becomes large. In particular, the overhead of the PPE thresholds field is large because more different RUs are introduced in 802.11be.

[0217] In order to reduce the overhead of the PPE thresholds field, some MRUs or RUs may be combined, i.e., multiple types of RUs of different sizes have the same index. In other words, the relationship between the RU Index Bitmask subfield and the RU size shown in Table 7 is obtained by extension based on Table 3.

[0218] [Table 7]

[0219] In Table 7, in order to reduce the overhead of the PPE thresholds field, multiple types of RUs of different sizes may have the same index, that is, multiple types of RUs of different sizes may correspond to one PPET20 / 16 / 8 NSTSn RUb subfield. However, as shown in Table 7, when multiple types of RUs of different sizes correspond to the same index, the overhead of the PPE thresholds field can be reduced, but is not flexible.

[0220] In view of this, an embodiment of the present application provides a nominal packet padding value indication method to reduce the overhead of the PPE thresholds field and more flexibly indicate the nominal packet padding value corresponding to each NSTS and each RU size. It should be noted that, if there is no conflict, the NSTS in the embodiment of the present application may be replaced with NSS. In the following, NSS is used as an example.

[0221] The technical solutions provided in the embodiments of the present application are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following description, an example in which the receiver is a first device and the transmitter is a second device is used to describe how the first device indicates to the second device the nominal packet padding value used by the second device. Please refer to Figure 9. Figure 9 is a schematic flowchart of a nominal packet padding value indication manner according to an embodiment of the present application. The procedure is described as follows:

[0222] S901: A first device generates a PPDU. The PPDU includes a physical layer packet extension threshold present subfield and a physical layer packet extension threshold field, where the value of the physical layer packet extension threshold present subfield is 1, and the physical layer packet extension threshold field includes an NSS subfield, an RU index bit mask subfield, and a physical layer packet extension threshold information field. The physical layer packet extension threshold information field includes a plurality of packet extension threshold subfield sets corresponding to different nominal packet padding values, where each packet extension threshold subfield set indicates a modulation threshold corresponding to an RU with an NSS of n and an index b, and the modulation threshold is used to determine a nominal packet padding value used by the second device when the modulation scheme is equal to or greater than the modulation threshold. The value range of n is a subset of [1,...,N], where N is an integer equal to or greater than 1. The value range of b is a subset of [m,...,M], where m and M are integers equal to or greater than 0. If the value of the RU index bit mask subfield corresponding to an RU with index y is 0, the value range of b does not include y.

[0223] S902: A first device transmits a PPDU to a second device, and the second device receives the PPDU.

[0224] S903: The second device determines a nominal packet padding value to be used based on a modulation threshold indicated by the physical layer packet expansion threshold field and corresponding to an NSS of n and an RU with index m1.

[0225] In this embodiment of the present application, the modulation threshold corresponding to the RU can be indicated without traversing all RUs of different sizes. For example, the PPE Thresholds field may omit the PPET20 NSSn RUy subfield, the PPET16 NSSn RUy subfield, and the PPET8 NSSn RUy subfield corresponding to the RU with NSS of n and index y, but the PPE Thresholds field can still indicate the modulation threshold corresponding to the RU with NSS of n and index y. That is, the value range of n is a subset of [1,...,N], where N is an integer equal to or greater than 1, the value range of b is a subset of [m,...,M], where m and M are integers equal to or greater than 0, and the value range of b does not include y. That is, the PPE Thresholds field does not include the PPET20 NSSn RUy subfield, the PPET16 NSSn RUy subfield, and the PPET8 NSSn RUy subfield.

[0226] In a possible implementation (referred to herein as implementation 1), in this embodiment of the present application, some bits in the RU Index Bitmask subfield may be redefined to be set to 0. For example, an index (i.e., an index) is still configured for the RU corresponding to the bits set to 0, but the modulation threshold corresponding to the RU corresponding to the bits set to 0 in the RU Index Bitmask subfield is not indicated. It should be understood that according to the 802.11ax specification, the PPE Thresholds field omits the PPET20 / 16 / 8 NSSn RUb subfield corresponding to the RU corresponding to the bits set to 0. However, in this embodiment of the present application, the index is still configured for the RU corresponding to the bits set to 0. Therefore, it may be considered that even if the PPET20 / 16 / 8 NSSn RUb subfield corresponding to the RU corresponding to the bits set to 0 is omitted in the PPE Thresholds field, the modulation threshold corresponding to the RU corresponding to the bits set to 0 can still be indicated. The second device may determine a nominal packet padding value corresponding to the RU corresponding to the bits set to 0 based on the modulation threshold.

[0227] In other words, the index of the RU corresponding to the bit set to 0 is assumed to be y, i.e., if the value of the RU index bit mask subfield corresponding to the RU with index y is 0, the value range of b may not include y. That is, although the PPE Thresholds field does not include the PPET20 / 16 / 8 NSSn RUy subfield corresponding to the NSS of n and the RU with index y, the PPE Thresholds field can still implicitly indicate the RU with the modulation threshold corresponding to the NSS of n and index y. Since the PPET20 / 16 / 8 NSSn RUy subfield is omitted in the PPE Thresholds field, the overhead of the PPE Thresholds field can be reduced. In addition, the omitted PPET20 / 16 / 8 NSSn RUy subfield actually has a corresponding constellation index. The corresponding constellation index may be considered to be redefined for the RU corresponding to the omitted PPET20 / 16 / 8 NSSn RUy subfield (i.e., the RU with index y). Therefore, even if there are multiple types of RUs, different types of RUs may correspond to different constellation indexes, which is more flexible than multiple types of RUs corresponding to the same constellation index. Of course, in this embodiment of the present application, multiple types of RUs may also correspond to the same constellation index.

[0228] The following describes how to indicate an RU with a modulation threshold and index y corresponding to an NSS of n when the PPET20 / 16 / 8 NSSn RUy subfield corresponding to an NSS of n and an RU with index y are omitted in the PPE Thresholds field. For example, the following several cases may be included:

[0229] Case 1: In the packet extension threshold subfield set corresponding to the same nominal packet padding value, the modulation threshold corresponding to the RU with NSS of n and index y may be specified as equal to the modulation threshold corresponding to the RU with NSS of n and index m1. That is, for the same NSS, the value of the RU index bitmask subfield corresponding to the RU with index y being 0 may indicate that the modulation threshold corresponding to the RU with NSS of n and index y is the modulation threshold corresponding to the RU with NSS of n and index m1. For example, m1 is the smallest index among the indices that correspond to the bits that are 1 in the RU index bitmask subfield and are greater than y. In other words, for the equation between the modulation threshold corresponding to the RU with NSS of n and index y and the modulation threshold corresponding to the RU with NSS of n and index m1, condition 1 needs to be satisfied, that is, the bit corresponding to the RU with index y in the RU Index Bitmask is set to 0, and m1 is the smallest index among the indices that correspond to the bits that are 1 in the RU index bitmask subfield and are greater than y.

[0230] For ease of understanding, please refer to Table 8, which is a table of the correspondence between RU Index Bitmask, RU Allocation Index, RU Size, and Nominal Packet Padding Value.

[0231] [Table 8]

[0232] Note that in Table 8, self-defined means that the nominal packet padding value corresponding to the RU is determined by the RU. Table 8 uses an example including six types of RU / MRU. For ease of explanation, the six types of RU / MRU are shown in Table 8 as RU0, RU1, RU2, RU3, RU4, and RU5.

[0233] In this embodiment of the present application, some bits in the RU Index Bitmask subfield are redefined to be set to 0. For example, in Table 8, the bits corresponding to RU3 and RU4 and set to 0 in the RU Index Bitmask subfield are redefined, that is, RU3 and RU4 still have corresponding constellation indexes, rather than directly specifying that the nominal packet padding values ​​corresponding to RU3 and RU4 are 0.

[0234] Since the values ​​corresponding to RU3 and RU4 in the RU Index Bitmask subfield are 0, the PPET20 / 16 / 8 NSSn RUb subfield corresponding to RU3 or RU4 may be omitted in the PPE Thresholds field. It should be understood that b=3 or 4. To provide modulation thresholds corresponding to RU3 and RU4, in this embodiment of the present application, the modulation thresholds corresponding to RU3 and RU4 may be specified to be the same as the modulation thresholds corresponding to other RUs. For example, the modulation threshold corresponding to an RU with an NSS of n and index y may be specified to be equal to the modulation threshold corresponding to an RU with an NSS of n and index m1, where m1 is the smallest index among the indices that correspond to bits that are 1 in the RU Index Bitmask subfield and are greater than y.

[0235] RU3 is used as an example, i.e., y=3. As shown in Table 8, m1=5. In other words, the modulation threshold corresponding to RU3 is the modulation threshold corresponding to RU5. Similarly, the modulation threshold corresponding to RU4 is the modulation threshold corresponding to RU5. RU1 is used as another example, i.e., y=1. As shown in Table 8, y=1, m1=2. In other words, the modulation threshold corresponding to RU1 is the modulation threshold corresponding to RU2. It can be seen that although the PPET20 / 16 / 8 NSSn RUb subfield corresponding to the RU with index y is omitted in the PPE Thresholds field, the modulation threshold corresponding to the RU with index y can still be determined by using the PPET20 / 16 / 8 NSSn RUb subfield corresponding to other RUs.

[0236] Of course, if there is no m1 that satisfies condition 1, i.e., if any index corresponding to a bit that is 1 in the RU index bitmask subfield is greater than y, then the value of the RU index bitmask subfield corresponding to the RU with index y being 0 indicates that the NSS of n and the nominal packet padding value corresponding to the RU with index y are other fixed values, for example, the nominal packet padding value may be 20 microseconds or other possible values. That is, Table 8 does not include a column for RU5. In this case, the protocol may specify a value as the nominal packet padding value. For example, the nominal packet padding value may be 20 microseconds, and the second device may determine that the nominal packet padding value corresponding to the RU with index y is 20 microseconds.

[0237] In an alternative solution, in this embodiment of the present application, it may be specified that for the equation between the modulation threshold corresponding to an RU with NSS of n and index y and the modulation threshold corresponding to an RU with NSS of n and index m1, condition 2 must be satisfied: Condition 2: The bit corresponding to the RU with index y in the RU Index Bitmask is set to 0, m1 is the smallest index among the indices greater than y that corresponds to a bit that is 1 in the RU Index Bitmask subfield, and at least one of the bits in the RU Index Bitmask subfield that corresponds to an RU with an index less than y is set to 1.

[0238] Further refer to Table 8. RU3 is used as an example, i.e., y=3. When y=3, m1=5, and the RUs with an index smaller than 3 include RU0, RU1, and RU2, the bit corresponding to RU2 in the RU Index Bitmask includes a bit set to 1, i.e., condition 2 is met. In this case, the modulation threshold corresponding to RU3 is equal to the modulation threshold corresponding to RU5. RU2 is used as an example, i.e., y=1. When y=1, m1=2, and the RUs with an index smaller than 2 include RU0 and RU1, the bits corresponding to RU0 and RU1 in the RU Index Bitmask do not include a bit set to 1, i.e., condition 2 is not met. In this case, the modulation threshold corresponding to RU1 may not be determined based on the modulation threshold corresponding to RU2. For example, in Table 8, the nominal packet padding value corresponding to the modulation threshold corresponding to RU1 is 0 microseconds.

[0239] That is, as shown in Table 8, if y corresponds to a bit that is 1 in the RU Index Bitmask subfield and there is no index greater than y, the nominal packet padding value that may be used by the second device is 0 microseconds. If y corresponds to a bit that is 1 in the RU Index Bitmask subfield and is the smallest index among the indexes greater than y, the bits corresponding to RUs with indexes less than y in the RU Index Bitmask include bits set to 1, and the bits corresponding to RUs with indexes greater than y in the RU Index Bitmask include bits set to 1, the nominal packet padding value used by the second device is determined based on the modulation threshold corresponding to the closest RU with index greater than y, and the index of the closest RU refers to the index with the smallest difference from y. If y corresponds to a bit that is 1 in the RU Index Bitmask subfield and is the smallest index among the indexes greater than y, but the bits corresponding to RUs with indexes less than y in the RU Index Bitmask subfield are all set to 0, the nominal packet padding value that may be used by the second device is 20 microseconds.

[0240] In an alternative solution, m1 may be the largest index among the indices that correspond to bits that are 1 in the RU Index Bitmask subfield and are smaller than y. In other words, for the equation between the modulation threshold corresponding to an RU with NSS of n and index y and the modulation threshold corresponding to an RU with NSS of n and index m1, condition 3 needs to be satisfied. Condition 3: The bit corresponding to an RU with index y in the RU Index Bitmask is set to 0, and m1 may be the largest index among the indices that correspond to bits that are 1 in the RU Index Bitmask subfield and are smaller than y.

[0241] For ease of understanding, please refer to Table 9, which is a table of the correspondence between RU Index Bitmask, RU Allocation Index, RU Size, and Nominal Packet Padding Value.

[0242] [Table 9]

[0243] Note that in Table 9, self-defined means that the nominal packet padding value corresponding to the RU is determined by the RU. Table 9 uses an example including six types of RU / MRU. For ease of explanation, the six types of RU / MRU are shown in Table 9 as RU0, RU1, RU2, RU3, RU4, and RU5.

[0244] Similar to Table 8, since the values ​​corresponding to RU3 and RU5 in the RU Index Bitmask subfield are 0, the PPET20 / 16 / 8 NSSn RUb subfield corresponding to RU3 or RU5 may be omitted in the PPE Thresholds field. It should be understood that b=3 or 5. To provide modulation thresholds corresponding to RU3 and RU5, in this embodiment of the present application, the modulation thresholds corresponding to RU3 and RU5 may be specified to be the same as the modulation thresholds corresponding to other RUs. For example, when condition 3 is met, the modulation threshold corresponding to an RU with an NSS of n and index y may be specified to be the modulation threshold corresponding to an RU with an NSS of n and index m1.

[0245] RU3 is used as an example, i.e., y=3. The index m1 of RU2 is 2, which is smaller than 3, and m1 is the largest index among the indexes corresponding to the RUs and corresponding to the bits that are 1 in the RU Index Bitmask. Therefore, the modulation threshold corresponding to the RU (RU3) with an NSS of n and an index 3 is equal to the modulation threshold corresponding to the RU (RU2) with an NSS of n and an index 2. Similarly, RU5 in Table 9 is used as an example, i.e., y=5. The largest index among the indexes corresponding to the RUs and corresponding to the bits that are 1 in the RU Index Bitmask is the index corresponding to RU4, and the index 4 corresponding to the RU is smaller than the index corresponding to RU5. Therefore, the modulation threshold corresponding to the RU (RU5) with an NSS of n and an index 5 is equal to the modulation threshold corresponding to the RU (RU4) with an NSS of n and an index 4. It can be seen that although the PPET20 / 16 / 8 NSSn RUb subfields corresponding to RU3 and RU5 are omitted in the PPE Thresholds field, the modulation thresholds corresponding to RU3 and RU5 can still be determined by using the PPET20 / 16 / 8 NSSn RUb subfields corresponding to RU2 and RU4.

[0246] Of course, if there is no m1 that satisfies condition 3, i.e., if any index corresponding to a bit that is 1 in the RU index bitmask subfield is less than y, then a value of 0 in the RU index bitmask subfield corresponding to the RU with index y indicates that the NSS of n and the nominal packet padding value corresponding to the RU with index y are other fixed values, e.g., the nominal packet padding value may be 0 microseconds or other possible values. For example, for RU3, Table 9 does not include a column for RU2. In this case, the protocol may specify a value as the nominal packet padding value. For example, the nominal packet padding value may be 0 microseconds. Alternatively, for RU5, Table 9 does not include a column for RU4. In this case, the protocol may specify a value as the nominal packet padding value. For example, the nominal packet padding value may be 0 microseconds.

[0247] In an alternative solution, in this embodiment of the present application, it may be specified that for the equation between the modulation threshold corresponding to an RU with NSS of n and index y and the modulation threshold corresponding to an RU with NSS of n and index m1, condition 4 must be satisfied. Condition 4 may be the following: the bit corresponding to the RU with index y in the RU Index Bitmask is set to 0, m1 is the largest index among the indices smaller than y that correspond to bits that are 1 in the RU Index Bitmask subfield, and at least one of the bits in the RU Index Bitmask that correspond to RUs with index smaller than y is set to 1.

[0248] The example of Table 9 is continued. RU3 is used as an example, i.e., y=3. When y=3, m1=2, and the RUs with an index smaller than 3 include RU0, RU1, and RU2, the bit corresponding to RU2 in the RU Index Bitmask includes a bit set to 1, i.e., condition 4 is met. In this case, the modulation threshold corresponding to RU3 is equal to the modulation threshold corresponding to RU2. RU5 is used as an example, i.e., y=5. When y=5, m1=4, and the RUs with an index smaller than 5 include RU0, RU1, RU2, RU3, and RU4, the bits corresponding to RU2 and RU4 in the RU Index Bitmask include a bit set to 1, i.e., condition 4 is met. In this case, the modulation threshold corresponding to RU5 is equal to the modulation threshold corresponding to RU4. RU2 is used as an example, i.e., y=2. When y=2, m1=1, and the RUs with an index less than 1 include RU0, the bit corresponding to RU0 in the RU Index Bitmask does not include a bit set to 1, i.e., condition 4 is not met. In this case, the modulation threshold corresponding to RU2 may not be determined based on the modulation threshold corresponding to RU1. For example, in Table 9, the nominal packet padding value corresponding to the modulation threshold corresponding to RU2 may be fixed to 0 microseconds.

[0249] If y corresponds to a bit that is 1 in the RU Index Bitmask subfield and there is no index less than y, the nominal packet padding value that may be used by the second device is 0 microseconds. If y corresponds to a bit that is 1 in the RU Index Bitmask subfield and is the largest index of the indices less than y, the bits corresponding to RUs with indexes greater than y in the RU Index Bitmask include bits set to 1, and the bits corresponding to RUs with indexes less than y in the RU Index Bitmask include bits set to 1, the nominal packet padding value used by the second device is determined based on the modulation threshold corresponding to the closest RU with index less than y, the index of the closest RU being the one that differs least from y. If y corresponds to a bit that is 1 in the RU Index Bitmask subfield and is the largest index of the indices less than y, but the bits corresponding to RUs with indexes greater than y in the RU Index Bitmask subfield are all set to 0, the nominal packet padding value that may be used by the second device is 20 microseconds.

[0250] According to the format shown in Table 8 or Table 9, if the RU Index Bitmask value corresponding to index y is 0, but the RU used by the second device is 2×996 or less, the number of streams is 8 or less, and the modulation scheme is 1KQAM or less, if the nominal packet padding value used by the second device is greater than 16 microseconds, for example 20 microseconds, it should be noted that in this case, the nominal packet padding value used by the second device may be 16 microseconds by default for better compatibility with existing regulations of 802.11ax.

[0251] A solution to the above case 1 may be considered as follows: if all values ​​before the value set to 0 in the RU index bitmask subfield are 0, the nominal packet padding value corresponding to the RU corresponding to the bit set to 0 in the RU index bitmask subfield may be 0 microseconds. If the bit set to 0 in the RU index bitmask subfield is located between two bits set to 1 in the RU index bitmask subfield, the modulation threshold corresponding to the RU corresponding to the bit set to 0 in the RU index bitmask subfield is determined based on the modulation threshold of the RU that is closest to the bit whose value is 0 in the RU index bitmask subfield. The difference between the index of the closest RU and the index of the RU that corresponds to the bit in the RU index bitmask subfield whose value is 0 is the smallest. If all values ​​after the bit set to 0 in the RU index bitmask subfield are 0, the nominal packet padding value corresponding to the RU corresponding to the bit set to 0 in the RU index bitmask subfield may be 20 microseconds.

[0252] For ease of understanding, please refer to Table 10, which is a table of the correspondence between RU Index Bitmask, RU Allocation Index, RU Size, and Nominal Packet Padding Value.

[0253] [Table 10]

[0254] RU2 in Table 10 is used as an example. RU2 has an RU Index Bitmask of 0 and is placed between RU1, whose RU Index Bitmask is set to 1, and RU4, whose RU Index Bitmask is set to 1. In this case, the modulation threshold corresponding to RU2 may be determined based on the modulation threshold corresponding to RU4. RU0 is used as an example. The RU Index Bitmask value corresponding to RU0 is 0, RU0 is placed before RU1 to RU5, and the RU Index Bitmask value of RU1 is 1. In this case, the nominal packet padding value corresponding to RU0 is 0 microseconds. RU5 is used as an example. The RU Index Bitmask value corresponding to RU5 is 0, and RU5 is placed after RU0 to RU4. In this case, the nominal packet padding value corresponding to RU5 may be 20 microseconds.

[0255] Case 2: It may be specified that the bit corresponding to the RU with index y in the RU Index Bitmask is set to 0, and the nominal packet padding value corresponding to the RU with NSS of n and index y is a fixed value. For example, the bit corresponding to the RU with index y in the RU Index Bitmask is set to 0, and the nominal packet padding value corresponding to the RU with NSS of n and index y is 0 microseconds. Unlike case 1, in this case, the second device can directly determine the nominal packet padding value for sending data packets to the first device. This is simple.

[0256] In an alternative solution for Case 2, if a bit corresponding to an RU with index y in the RU Index Bitmask is set to 0 and the RU Index Bitmask value corresponding to an index smaller than y does not include 1, the nominal packet padding value corresponding to an RU with an NSS of n and index y may be specified to be a fixed value, e.g., 0 microseconds. RU3 in Table 9 is used as an example, i.e., y=3. RUs corresponding to an index smaller than 3 include RU0, RU1, and RU2. Since the RU Index Bitmask value corresponding to RU2 includes 1, the nominal packet padding value corresponding to RU3 may be determined based on the modulation thresholds corresponding to other RUs. RU2 in Table 9 is used as an example, i.e., y=2. RUs corresponding to an index smaller than 2 include RU0 and RU1. Since the RU Index Bitmask values ​​corresponding to RU0 and RU1 do not include 1, the nominal packet padding value corresponding to RU2 is a fixed value.

[0257] It should be noted that in Table 8 and Table 9, one index (RU Allocation Index) corresponds to multiple types of RUs of different sizes, which is merely an example. For example, in Table 9, the RU Allocation Index corresponding to 242+484 RU and 996 RU are both 2. In this embodiment of the present application, the number of RU types corresponding to one RU Allocation Index is not limited. For example, one RU may correspond to one RU Allocation Index. In other words, the correspondence shown in Table 11 is also applicable to this embodiment of the present application. It should be further understood that in the aforementioned RUs of different sizes, the RU may be a single RU, for example, an RU with 996 subcarriers (shown as 996 in the table), or an MRU, for example, an MRU including an RU with 996 subcarriers and an RU with 484 subcarriers (shown as 996+484 in the table), or an MRU including two RUs with 996 subcarriers separately (shown as 2×996 in the table).

[0258] [Table 11]

[0259] Different from implementation 1, in possible implementation 2, in this embodiment of the present application, the nominal packet padding value corresponding to the RU corresponding to the bit set to 0 in the RU Index Bitmask subfield may be defined to be a fixed value, which is more straightforward.

[0260] For example, if a bit in the RU Index Bitmask subfield corresponding to an RU with index y is set to 0, then the nominal packet padding value corresponding to an RU with NSS of n and index y is a fixed value. For example, the nominal packet padding value corresponding to an RU with NSS of n and index y may be 8 microseconds, 16 microseconds, or 20 microseconds.

[0261] As another example, if a bit in the RU Index Bitmask subfield corresponding to an RU with index y is set to 0 and there is at least one bit with a value of 1 preceding the bit set to 0, then the nominal packet padding value corresponding to an RU with an NSS of n and index y is a fixed value. For example, the nominal packet padding value corresponding to an RU with an NSS of n and index y may be 8 microseconds, 16 microseconds, or 20 microseconds.

[0262] In implementation form 2, in addition to the PPET20 / 16 / 8 NSSn RUb subfield corresponding to the RU with index y, the PPET20 / 16 / 8 NSSn RUb subfield corresponding to the RU with other indexes may also be omitted in the PPE Thresholds field, which further reduces overhead.

[0263] In possible implementation form 3, in this embodiment of the present application, the NSS range indicated by the NSS subfield in the PPE Thresholds field may be used to assist the second device in determining a nominal packet padding value for transmitting data.

[0264] For example, the NSS used by the second device may be greater than the value indicated by the NSS subfield in the PPE Thresholds field, and the nominal packet padding value that may be used by the second device may be defined to be a fixed value, e.g., 8 microseconds, 16 microseconds, or 20 microseconds. In this way, in the PPE Thresholds field, the PPET20 / 16 / 8 NSSn RUb subfield corresponding to the RU with index y may be omitted, and the second device only needs to pay attention to the value indicated by the NSS subfield, which is simpler.

[0265] For example, the value indicated by the NSS subfield in the PPE Thresholds field is 9, and the NSS used by the second device is 12 streams. The second device may directly determine that the nominal packet padding value to be used is a fixed value, for example, 8 microseconds, 16 microseconds, or 20 microseconds, without considering the indication regarding the RU in the PPE Thresholds field.

[0266] As another example, it may be defined that the NSS used by the second device is greater than the value indicated by the NSS subfield in the PPE Thresholds field, and the nominal packet padding value that may be used by the second device is determined based on the value indicated by the NSS subfield and the modulation threshold corresponding to the RU with index y. For example, the value indicated by the NSS subfield in the PPE Thresholds field is 9, and the NSS used by the second device is 12 streams. When the second device determines that the RU to be used is y, the nominal packet padding value to be used is determined based on the NSS of 9 and the modulation threshold corresponding to the RU with index y.

[0267] The embodiment of the present application may be applied to a scenario in which one index corresponds to one type of RU, or may be applied to a scenario in which one index corresponds to multiple RUs of different sizes. In a scenario in which one index corresponds to multiple RUs of different sizes, if the second device uses DCM, the index y may correspond to multiple RUs of different sizes. In this case, the embodiment of the present application further provides a corresponding nominal packet padding value indication method, and the following two indication methods may be included:

[0268] Indication method 1: It may be specified that when a bit in the RU Index Bitmask corresponding to an RU with index y is set to 0 and the second device uses DCM, the nominal packet padding value corresponding to the RU with index y is determined based on the modulation threshold corresponding to the RU with index y+1. That is, when the second device uses DCM, the second device may determine the nominal packet padding value based on the modulation threshold corresponding to the PPET20 / 16 / 8 NSSn RU(y+1)subfield. For example, RU2 in Table 9 is used as an example, that is, y=2. When the second device uses DCM, the second device may determine the nominal packet padding value corresponding to RU2 based on the modulation threshold corresponding to RU3.

[0269] Indication method 2: When the RU selected by the second device is not the largest RU among the multiple RUs of different sizes corresponding to index y, the bit in the RU Index Bitmask corresponding to index y is set to 0, and it may be specified that when the second device uses DCM, the nominal packet padding value corresponding to the RU with index y is determined based on the NSS of n and the modulation threshold corresponding to the RU with index y. For example, RU2 in Table 9 is used as an example, that is, y=2. When the second device uses DCM, the second device may determine that the nominal packet padding value corresponding to RU2 is still determined based on the modulation threshold corresponding to RU2, instead of the modulation threshold of RU3. It should be understood that the RU selected by the second device is not the largest RU among the multiple RUs of different sizes corresponding to index y. For example, the RU assigned to the second device is RU2 (242+484), and the second device uses DCM. In this case, the second device determines the nominal packet padding value based on the modulation threshold corresponding to RU2. If the RU assigned to the second device is RU2 (996), the second device may determine a nominal packet padding value based on a modulation threshold corresponding to RU3.

[0270] It should be understood that when the second device transmits data to the first device, the nominal packet padding is performed to ensure sufficient processing time for the first device. Usually, the time consumed by the first device to process the received data is mainly consumed by the multiple-in multiple-out (MIMO) demodulation module and the FEC decoding module of the first device. The complexity of the MIMO demodulation is positively correlated with the NSS, and the complexity of the FEC decoding is positively correlated with the number of RU blocks obtained after equalization coding for the RU assigned to the second device. Based on this, the number of RU blocks obtained after equalization coding for the RU can be used to help determine the nominal packet padding value. Alternatively, the NSS and the number of RU blocks obtained after equalization coding for the RU can be used to help determine the nominal packet padding value. That is, a packet expansion threshold corresponding to the number of RU blocks obtained after equalization coding for the RU is set to indicate a nominal packet padding value, or a packet expansion threshold corresponding to the number of NSS and RU blocks obtained after equalization coding for the RU is set to indicate a nominal packet padding value. Compared to indicating a nominal packet padding value by using a modulation threshold corresponding to the NSS and RU size, in this embodiment of the present application, the PPE Thresholds field can be simplified and the overhead of the PPE Thresholds field can be reduced.

[0271] The following describes separately a solution in which the number of RU blocks obtained after equal coding for an RU is used to assist in determining a nominal packet padding value, and a solution in which the number of NSS and RU blocks obtained after equal coding for an RU is used to assist in determining a nominal packet padding value.

[0272] Please refer to Figure 10. Figure 10 shows another nominal packet padding value indication method according to an embodiment of the present application. Specifically, the nominal packet padding value is indicated by using the number of RU blocks obtained after equal coding for RU. The procedure of this method is described as follows:

[0273] S1001: A first device generates a PPDU. The PPDU includes an NSS index bit mask subfield, an NSS subfield, and a physical layer packet expansion threshold information field. The physical layer packet expansion threshold information field includes a plurality of packet expansion threshold subfield sets corresponding to different nominal packet padding values, each packet expansion threshold subfield set includes a packet expansion threshold subfield indicating an NSS of n, and the packet expansion threshold subfield indicates to the second device a corresponding packet expansion threshold to be used when the NSS used by the second device is n and the number of RU blocks after equal encoding for the assigned RU is a first value. The packet expansion threshold indicates a nominal packet padding value to be used by the second device when the first value is equal to or greater than the packet expansion threshold. The value range of n is [1,...,N], where N is an integer greater than 8.

[0274] S1002: A first device transmits a PPDU to a second device, and the second device receives the PPDU.

[0275] S1003: The second device determines, based on the physical layer packet extension threshold information field and the first value, a nominal packet padding value used when NSS is i.

[0276] In one example, the first value is related to the maximum number of RUs 242 that can be included in the RU allocated to the second device and the number of coded bits carried on each subcarrier of a single space-time stream. For example, the first value may satisfy the following relationship: N CBPRU =N RU242 ×NBPSCS .

[0277] N CBPRU is the first value, and N RU242 is the maximum number of RUs 242 that can be included in the RU assigned to the second device. For example, the RU assigned to the second device is RU 996, and RU 996 may include four RUs 242. Therefore, N RU242 = 4. When the bandwidth is 320 MHz or less, N RU242 It should be understood that the value range of N is 0 to 16. BPSCS is the number of coded bits carried on each subcarrier of a single space-time stream. For example, when the modulation scheme is Binary Phase Shift Keying (BPSK), N BPSCS = 1. When the modulation method is 64QAM, N BPSCS = 6. When the modulation method is 4096QAM, N BPSCS If the second device uses DCM modulation, N RU242 It should be appreciated that is twice as much when the second device does not use the DCM modulation scheme.

[0278] Each NSS may correspond to multiple packet expansion thresholds. See, for example, FIG. 11. FIG. 11 is a new structure of a physical layer packet expansion threshold information field according to an embodiment of the present application. The physical layer packet expansion threshold information field includes multiple packet expansion threshold subfield sets corresponding to different nominal packet padding values, and each packet expansion threshold subfield set includes multiple packet expansion threshold subfields indicating n NSSs. As shown in FIG. 11, the physical layer packet expansion threshold information field includes a set of multiple packet expansion threshold subfields indicating a nominal packet padding value of 20 μs. The physical layer packet expansion threshold information field further includes a set of multiple packet expansion threshold subfields indicating a nominal packet padding value of 16 μs. The physical layer packet expansion threshold information field further includes a set of multiple packet expansion threshold subfields indicating a nominal packet padding value of 8 μs. For ease of explanation, in this specification, a set of packet expansion threshold subfields indicating a nominal packet padding value of 20 μs is referred to as a first set of subfields, a set of packet expansion threshold subfields indicating a nominal packet padding value of 16 μs is referred to as a second set of subfields, and a set of packet expansion threshold subfields indicating a nominal packet padding value of 8 μs is referred to as a third set of subfields.

[0279] The first subfield in the first set of subfields indicates a first packet expansion threshold corresponding to an NSS of n. The first packet expansion threshold indicates a first nominal packet padding value to be used by the second device when the first value corresponding to the assigned RU is equal to or greater than the first packet expansion threshold. For example, the first nominal packet padding value is 20 microseconds. As shown in FIG. 11, the first subfield indicates a PPET20 NSS=n where n is in the range [1,...,N], and N is an integer greater than or equal to 8.

[0280] Similarly, a second subfield in the second set of subfields indicates a second packet expansion threshold corresponding to the NSS of n. The second packet expansion threshold indicates a second nominal packet padding value to be used by the second device when the first value corresponding to the assigned RU is equal to or greater than the second packet expansion threshold. For example, the second nominal packet padding value is 16 microseconds. As shown in FIG. 11, the second subfield indicates a PPET16 NSS=n , where n is an integer in the range of values ​​[1,...,N] and N is equal to or greater than 8. A third subfield in the set of third subfields indicates a third packet expansion threshold corresponding to the NSS of n. The third packet expansion threshold indicates a third nominal packet padding value to be used by the second device when the first value corresponding to the assigned RU is equal to or greater than the third packet expansion threshold. For example, the third nominal packet padding value is 8 microseconds. As shown in FIG. 11 , the third subfield indicates a PPET8 NSS=n where n is in the range [1,...,N], and N is an integer greater than or equal to 8.

[0281] When the second device transmits data to the first device, the PPET20 NSS=n , PPET16 NSS=n , and PPET8 NSS=n In other words, for the NSS, the second device may determine the nominal packet padding value to be used based on a combination of N CBPRUand a nominal packet padding value based on the results of the comparison between PPET20 and each of the first modulation threshold, the second modulation threshold, and the third modulation threshold. Specifically, the second device may determine the nominal packet padding value according to Table 12. If condition 1, condition 2, and condition 3 of a row of Table 12 are satisfied, the second device may determine the value corresponding to that row as the nominal packet padding value to be used. Specifically, if the second device determines that the condition of a row of Table 12 is satisfied, the second device determines to use the value shown in that row as the nominal packet padding value. In Table 12, PPET20 NSS=n represents the first packet expansion threshold corresponding to the NSS of n, and PPET16 NSS=n represents the second packet expansion threshold corresponding to the NSS of n, and PPET8 NSS=n represents the third packet expansion threshold corresponding to the NSS of n.

[0282] [Table 12]

[0283] For example, the second device uses the NSS of i. CBPRU When N is greater than or equal to a first packet extension threshold corresponding to the first subfield corresponding to the NSS of i, the second device may determine that the nominal packet padding value to be used is 20 microseconds. CBPRU When NSS is greater than or equal to a second packet extension threshold corresponding to the second subfield corresponding to the NSS of i and less than a first packet extension threshold corresponding to the first subfield corresponding to the NSS of i, the second device may determine that the nominal packet padding value to be used is 16 microseconds. CBPRUWhen i is greater than or equal to a third packet extension threshold corresponding to the third subfield corresponding to the NSS of i and is less than a second packet extension threshold corresponding to the second subfield corresponding to the NSS of i, the second device may determine that the nominal packet padding value to be used is 8 microseconds.

[0284] Furthermore, in order to reduce the overhead of the physical layer packet extension threshold information field, in this embodiment of the present application, the first subfield, the second subfield, and the third subfield corresponding to some NSSs may be omitted.

[0285] In one example, the NSS index bit mask subfield may occupy at least 8 bits, and in a bit mapping manner, it may be indicated that there is no packet extension threshold corresponding to the NSS, that is, the physical layer packet extension threshold information field does not include the first subfield, the second subfield, and the third subfield corresponding to the NSS. For example, if the j-th bit of the NSS index bit mask subfield is 0, the physical layer packet extension threshold information field does not include the first subfield, the second subfield, and the third subfield corresponding to the NSS of j. It should be understood that j is arranged in [1,...,N]. Correspondingly, if the j-th bit of the NSS index bit mask subfield is 1, the physical layer packet extension threshold information field includes the first subfield, the second subfield, and the third subfield corresponding to the NSS of j. Alternatively, if the j-th bit of the NSS index bit mask subfield is 1, the physical layer packet extension threshold information field does not include the first subfield, the second subfield, and the third subfield corresponding to the NSS of n. Correspondingly, when the jth bit of the NSS index bit mask subfield is 0, the physical layer packet extension threshold information field includes a first subfield, a second subfield, and a third subfield corresponding to the jth NSS.

[0286] In another example, if the NSS used by the second device is greater than the NSS corresponding to the most significant bit not set to 0 in the NSS Index Bit Mask subfield, the nominal packet padding value used by the second device may be defined to be a fixed value, e.g., 20 microseconds, which is simpler.

[0287] Please refer to Figure 12. Figure 12 shows another nominal packet padding value indication method according to an embodiment of the present application. Specifically, the nominal packet padding value is indicated by using a packet expansion threshold corresponding to the NSS and the number of RU blocks obtained after equal coding for the RU. The procedure of this method is described as follows:

[0288] S1201: A first device generates a PPDU. The PPDU includes an NSS subfield and a physical layer packet expansion threshold information field. The physical layer packet expansion threshold information field includes a packet expansion threshold subfield corresponding to different nominal packet padding values. The packet expansion threshold field indicates a packet expansion threshold to the second device, and the packet expansion threshold indicates a nominal packet padding value to be used when the second value is equal to or greater than the packet expansion threshold, and the second value is related to the number of RU blocks obtained after equalization coding for the resource units RU allocated to the second device and the NSS used by the second device, and the value range of the NSS is [1,...,N], where N is an integer greater than 8. It should be noted that the packet expansion threshold indicated by the packet expansion threshold field can be considered as the packet expansion threshold corresponding to the second value obtained when the packet expansion threshold field indicates to the second device that the NSS used by the second device is n and the RU blocks obtained after equalization coding for the allocated resource units are quantized (equalization).

[0289] S1202: A first device transmits a PPDU to a second device, and the second device receives the PPDU.

[0290] S1203: The second device determines a nominal packet padding value to be used based on the physical layer packet extension threshold information field and the second value.

[0291] In this embodiment of the present application, the second value is related to the number of RU blocks obtained after equivalent encoding for the RUs allocated to the second device and the NSS used by the second device. For example, the second value satisfies the following relationship: P index =f(NSTS,N CBPRU )

[0292] P index is a second value, NSS is the number of space-time streams corresponding to the RU assigned to the second device, and N CBPRU is the number of RU blocks obtained after equalization encoding for the RUs allocated to the second device.

[0293] P index =f(NSTS,N CBPRU ) is P index The values ​​of NSTS and N CBPRU Note that this is an example that may be determined by using P index is N in multiple formats. CBPRU and P index As an example, P index =NSTS×N CBPRU It is.

[0294] The difference between this embodiment of the present application and the embodiment shown in FIG. 10 is that the physical layer packet extension threshold information field does not separately indicate the packet extension threshold associated with the NSS, so that the physical layer packet extension threshold information field is further simplified and the overhead of the physical layer packet extension threshold information field can be reduced.

[0295] For example, see Figure 13. Figure 13 is a new structure of the physical layer packet extension threshold information field according to one embodiment of the present application. The physical layer packet extension threshold information field includes a packet extension threshold subfield corresponding to different nominal packet padding values. For example, the physical layer packet extension threshold information field includes a packet extension threshold subfield (referred to as the fourth subfield in this embodiment of the present application) corresponding to a nominal packet padding value of 20 μs. The physical layer packet extension threshold information field includes a packet extension threshold subfield (referred to as the fifth subfield in this embodiment of the present application) corresponding to a nominal packet padding value of 16 μs. The physical layer packet extension threshold information field includes a packet extension threshold subfield (referred to as the sixth subfield in this embodiment of the present application) corresponding to a nominal packet padding value of 8 μs. As shown in FIG. 13, the fourth subfield may be represented as PPET20 and indicates a fourth packet expansion threshold, the fifth subfield may be represented as PPET16 and indicates a fifth packet expansion threshold, and the sixth subfield may be represented as PPET8 and indicates a sixth packet expansion threshold.

[0296] The second device may determine a nominal packet padding value to be used based on a combination of PPET20, PPET16, and PPET8 when transmitting data to the first device. In other words, the second device first determines a second value based on the NSS used and the RU assigned to the second device, then compares the second value with the fourth packet expansion threshold, the fifth packet expansion threshold, and the sixth packet expansion threshold, respectively, and determines a nominal packet padding value based on a final comparison result. Specifically, the second device may determine a nominal packet padding value according to Table 13. If condition 1, condition 2, and condition 3 of a row of Table 13 are satisfied, the second device may determine a value corresponding to the row as a nominal packet padding value to be used. Specifically, if the second device determines that a condition of a row of Table 13 is satisfied, the second device determines to use the value shown in the row as a nominal packet padding value. In Table 13, PPET 20 corresponds to the fourth packet expansion threshold, PPET 16 corresponds to the fifth packet expansion threshold, and PPET 8 corresponds to the sixth packet expansion threshold.

[0297] [Table 13]

[0298] That is, when the second value is greater than the fourth packet expansion threshold, the second device may determine that the nominal packet padding value to be used is 20 microseconds. When the second value is greater than or equal to the fifth packet expansion threshold and less than the fourth packet expansion threshold, the second device may determine that the nominal packet padding value to be used is 16 microseconds. When the second value is greater than or equal to the sixth packet expansion threshold and less than the fifth packet expansion threshold, the second device may determine that the nominal packet padding value to be used is 8 microseconds.

[0299] It should be understood that when one or more of the NSS, RU size, and modulation scheme used by the second device are different, the nominal packet padding value used by the second device may be different. In the aforementioned embodiment, the NSS, RU size, and modulation scheme are combined to indicate the nominal packet padding value. In order to further reduce the overhead, an embodiment of the present application further provides a nominal packet padding value indication method. In this method, the first device may notify the second device of a packet extension threshold range, and the second device may determine a third value that affects the nominal packet padding value based on one or more of the NSS, RU, and order of the modulation scheme used to determine a nominal packet padding value to be used based on the third value transmitted by the first device and the packet extension threshold range. In this method, the overhead of the physical layer packet extension threshold field can be reduced because the first device transmits the packet extension threshold range.

[0300] Please refer to Figure 14. Figure 14 shows another nominal packet padding value indication method according to an embodiment of the present application. Specifically, the nominal packet padding value is indicated by using the number of RU blocks obtained after equal coding for RU and the packet expansion threshold corresponding to NSS. The procedure of this method is described as follows:

[0301] S1401: A first device generates a PPDU.

[0302] S1402: The first device transmits a PPDU and a first packet expansion threshold range to a second device, and the second device receives the PPDU and the first packet expansion threshold range, where the first packet expansion threshold range indicates a nominal packet padding value used by the second device to transmit data to the first device when a third value is within the first packet expansion threshold range, and different packet expansion threshold ranges correspond to different nominal packet padding values.

[0303] S1403: The second device determines a nominal packet padding value used by the second device based on the received first packet expansion threshold range and the third value.

[0304] In this embodiment of the present application, the third value is related to one or more factors that affect the nominal packet padding value used by the second device. For example, the third value is related to one or more of the parameters of the NSS, RU size, and modulation scheme used by the second device. For example, the third value satisfies the following relationship: x = f(NSTS, RU, Modulation)

[0305] x is a third value, NSS is the NSS used by the second device, RU is the RU size used by the second device, and Modulation is the order of the modulation scheme used by the second device.

[0306] Please note that x=f(NSTS, RU, Modulation) only shows an example where x relates to NSS, RU size, and modulation scheme. The specific correspondence between x and NSS, RU size, and modulation scheme is not limited in this embodiment of the present application.

[0307] For example, when NSS=a, the corresponding packet expansion threshold is b, when NSS=c, the corresponding packet expansion threshold is d, or when NSS=e, the corresponding packet expansion threshold is f. x may be considered as a function related to b, d, and f, for example, x=b+d+f, and in another example, x=b×(d+f).

[0308] A number of packet expansion threshold ranges may be predefined, with different packet expansion threshold ranges corresponding to different nominal packet padding values. For example, a first packet expansion threshold range is [0, p1], corresponding to a nominal packet padding value of 0 microseconds. A second packet expansion threshold range is (p1, p2], corresponding to a nominal packet padding value of 8 microseconds. A third packet expansion threshold range is (p2, p3], corresponding to a nominal packet padding value of 20 microseconds.

[0309] When transmitting data to the first device, the second device may calculate a third value based on the NSS, RU size, and Modulation used, and then compare the third value with the packet expansion threshold range transmitted by the first device, and determine a nominal packet padding value to be used based on the comparison result. If the third value is within the packet expansion threshold range, the second device determines that the nominal packet padding value to be used is the nominal packet padding value corresponding to the packet expansion threshold range.

[0310] Unlike the above solution in which the first device informs the second device of the packet expansion threshold range, and the second device determines the third value and determines the nominal packet padding value, in the alternative solution, the first device can inform the second device of the influence range of each parameter on the nominal packet padding value, and the second device can determine the nominal packet padding value to be used based on each parameter used to transmit data and the influence range corresponding to each parameter separately. In this way, the influence of NSS, RU size, and modulation scheme on the nominal packet padding value is indicated separately, and there is no need for NSS, RU size, and modulation scheme to be combined to indicate the nominal packet padding value. For example, NSS has 16 influence results, RU has 6 influence results, and modulation scheme has 8 influence results. In this case, the first device may feed back 16+6+8 influence results to the second device. Therefore, compared with comprehensively or cross-sectionally providing nominal packet padding values ​​corresponding to all NSSs, RUs, and modulation thresholds, the nominal packet padding value indication method provided in this embodiment of the present application further reduces overhead.

[0311] In the above embodiments provided in the present application, the methods provided in the embodiments of the present application are described separately in terms of the interaction between the first device and the second device. To implement the functions of the above methods provided in the embodiments of the present application, the first device and the second device may include a hardware structure and / or a software module, and may implement the above functions in the form of a hardware structure, a software module, or a combination of a hardware structure and a software module. Whether a particular function among the above functions is performed by a hardware configuration, a software module, or a combination of a hardware configuration and a software module depends on a specific application and a design constraint of a technical solution.

[0312] The following describes a communication device for implementing the above-mentioned method in the embodiment of the present application with reference to the accompanying drawings. Therefore, all the above-mentioned contents can be used in the following embodiment. The repeated contents will not be described again.

[0313] FIG. 15 is a schematic block diagram of a communication device 1500 according to an embodiment of the present application. The communication device 1500 may correspondingly implement the functions or steps implemented by the first device or the second device in the above method embodiments. The communication device may include a processing module 1510 and a transceiver module 1520. Optionally, the communication device may further include a storage unit. The storage unit may be configured to store instructions (codes or programs) and / or data. The processing module 1510 and the transceiver module 1520 may be coupled to the storage unit. For example, the processing module 1510 may read the instructions (codes or programs) and / or data in the storage unit to implement the corresponding method. The aforementioned units may be independently located or may be partially or fully integrated.

[0314] In some possible implementations, the communication apparatus 1500 may correspondingly implement the behavior and functionality of the first device in the method embodiments.

[0315] In example 1, the processing module 1510 is configured to generate a PPDU, and the transceiver module 1520 is configured to transmit the PPDU to a second device. The PPDU includes a physical layer packet extension threshold present subfield and a physical layer packet extension threshold field, where the value of the physical layer packet extension threshold present subfield is one, and the physical layer packet extension threshold field includes an RU index bitmask subfield, an NSS subfield, and a physical layer packet extension threshold information field. The physical layer packet extension threshold information field includes a plurality of packet extension threshold subfield sets corresponding to different nominal packet padding values, where each packet extension threshold subfield set indicates a modulation threshold corresponding to an RU with an NSS of n and an index b, and the modulation threshold is used to determine a nominal packet padding value used by the second device when the modulation scheme is equal to or greater than the modulation threshold.

[0316] The value range of n is a subset of [1,...,N], where N is an integer greater than or equal to 1. The value range of b is a subset of [m,...,M], where m and M are integers greater than or equal to 0. When the value of the RU Index Bitmask subfield corresponding to the RU with index y is 0, the value range of b does not include y.

[0317] In the packet extension threshold subfield set corresponding to the same nominal packet padding value, a value of 0 in the RU index bit mask subfield corresponding to an RU with index y indicates that the modulation threshold corresponding to an RU with an NSS of n and index y is the modulation threshold corresponding to an RU with an NSTS of n and index m1, where m1 is the smallest index among the indices corresponding to bits that are 1 in the RU index bit mask subfield and that are greater than y, or m1 is the largest index among the indices corresponding to bits that are 1 in the RU index bit mask subfield and that are less than y.

[0318] In a possible implementation, the values ​​of the RU index bitmask subfields that correspond to indices less than y contain 1's.

[0319] In a possible implementation, if no index corresponding to a bit that is 1 in the RU Index Bit Mask subfield is greater than y, then a value of 0 in the RU Index Bit Mask subfield corresponding to the RU with index y indicates that the NSS of n and the nominal packet padding value corresponding to the RU with index y is 20 microseconds.

[0320] In example 2, the processing module 1510 is configured to generate a PPDU and the transceiver module 1520 is configured to transmit the PPDU to a second device. The PPDU includes a physical layer packet extension threshold present subfield and a physical layer packet extension threshold field, where the value of the physical layer packet extension threshold present subfield is one, and the physical layer packet extension threshold field includes a resource unit RU index bitmask subfield, a number of spatial streams NSS subfield, and a physical layer packet extension threshold information field. The physical layer packet extension threshold information field includes a plurality of packet extension threshold subfield sets corresponding to different nominal packet padding values, where each packet extension threshold subfield set indicates a modulation threshold corresponding to an RU with an NSS of n and an index b, and the modulation threshold is used to determine a nominal packet padding value used by the second device when the modulation scheme is equal to or greater than the modulation threshold.

[0321] The value range of n is a subset of [1,...,N], where N is an integer greater than or equal to 1. The value range of b is a subset of [m,...,M], where m and M are integers greater than or equal to 0. When the value of the RU Index Bit Mask subfield corresponding to the RU with index y is 0, in the Physical Layer Packet Extension Threshold subfield corresponding to the same nominal packet padding value, the value of the RU Index Bit Mask subfield corresponding to the RU with index y being 0 indicates that the nominal packet padding value corresponding to the RU with index y is 0 microseconds, and the value range of b does not include y.

[0322] In a possible implementation of Example 2, the values ​​of the RU index bitmask subfields that correspond to indices less than x do not include 1.

[0323] In example 3, the processing module 1510 is configured to generate a PPDU and the transceiver module 1520 is configured to transmit the PPDU to a second device. The PPDU includes a physical layer packet extension threshold present subfield and a physical layer packet extension threshold field, where the physical layer packet extension threshold present subfield has a value of 1, and the physical layer packet extension threshold field includes an RU index bitmask subfield, an NSS subfield, and a physical layer packet extension threshold information field. The physical layer packet extension threshold information field includes a plurality of packet extension threshold subfield sets corresponding to different nominal packet padding values, where each packet extension threshold subfield set indicates a modulation threshold corresponding to an RU with an NSS of n and an index b, and the modulation threshold is used to determine a nominal packet padding value used by the second device when the modulation scheme is equal to or greater than the modulation threshold.

[0324] The value range of n is a subset of [1,...,N], where N is an integer greater than or equal to 1. The value range of b is a subset of [m,...,M], where m and M are integers greater than or equal to 0. If an RU with index y corresponds to a bit set to 0 in the RU Index Bit Mask subfield, then the value range of b does not include y, and the Physical Layer Packet Extension Threshold field indicates that the nominal packet padding value corresponding to the RU with index y is 8 microseconds, 16 microseconds, or 20 microseconds.

[0325] In a possible implementation, at least one bit with a value of 1 precedes the bits set to 0.

[0326] In a possible implementation, if the NSS used is greater than the value indicated by the NSS subfield, the physical layer packet expansion threshold field indicates that the nominal packet padding value used by the communication device is 8 microseconds, 16 microseconds, or 20 microseconds. Alternatively, if the NSS used is greater than the value indicated by the NSS subfield, the physical layer packet expansion threshold field indicates that the communication device determines the nominal packet padding value to be used based on the NSS used and the modulation threshold corresponding to the RU with index y.

[0327] In example 4, the processing module 1510 is configured to generate a PPDU and the transceiver module 1520 is configured to transmit the PPDU to a second device. The PPDU includes an NSS index bitmask subfield, an NSS subfield, and a physical layer packet expansion threshold information field. The physical layer packet expansion threshold information field includes a plurality of packet expansion threshold subfield sets corresponding to different nominal packet padding values, each packet expansion threshold subfield set includes a plurality of packet expansion threshold subfields indicating an NSS of n. The packet expansion threshold subfield indicates to the second device a corresponding packet expansion threshold to be used when the NSS used by the second device is n and the number of RU blocks obtained after equality encoding for the assigned RU is a first value, and the packet expansion threshold subfield indicates a nominal packet padding value to be used by the second device when the first value is equal to or greater than the packet expansion threshold. The value range of n is [1,...,N], where N is an integer greater than 8.

[0328] In a possible implementation, the first value satisfies the following formula: N CBPRU =N RU242 ×N BPSCS .

[0329] N CBPRU is the first value, and N RU242 is the maximum number of RUs 242 that can be included in an RU, and N BPSCS is the number of coded bits carried on each subcarrier of a single space-time stream.

[0330] In a possible implementation, the plurality of packet expansion threshold subfield sets include a set of first packet expansion threshold subfields corresponding to a first nominal packet padding value, and a first packet expansion threshold subfield in the set of first packet expansion threshold subfields indicates to the second device a corresponding first packet expansion threshold to be used when the number of RU blocks obtained after equal encoding for the assigned resource unit RU is a first value and the NSS used by the second device is n. The first packet expansion threshold indicates that the nominal packet padding value to be used by the second device when the first value corresponding to the assigned RU is equal to or greater than the first packet expansion threshold is a first nominal packet padding value, and the first nominal packet padding value is 20 microseconds.

[0331] In a possible implementation, the plurality of packet expansion threshold subfield sets further includes a set of second packet expansion threshold subfields corresponding to a second nominal packet padding value, and the second packet expansion threshold subfield in the set of second packet expansion threshold subfields indicates to the second device a corresponding second packet expansion threshold to be used when the number of RU blocks obtained after equal coding for the assigned resource unit RU is a first value and the NSS used by the second device is n. The second packet expansion threshold indicates that the nominal packet padding value to be used by the second device when the first value corresponding to the assigned RU is equal to or greater than the second packet expansion threshold is a second nominal packet padding value, and the second nominal packet padding value is 16 microseconds.

[0332] In a possible implementation, the plurality of packet expansion threshold subfield sets further includes a set of third packet expansion threshold subfields corresponding to a third nominal packet padding value, and the third packet expansion threshold subfield in the set of third packet expansion threshold subfields indicates to the second device a corresponding third packet expansion threshold to be used when the number of RU blocks obtained after equal encoding for the assigned resource unit RU is a first value and the NSS used by the second device is n. The third packet expansion threshold indicates that the nominal packet padding value used by the second device when the first value corresponding to the assigned RU is equal to or greater than the third packet expansion threshold is a third nominal packet padding value, and the third nominal packet padding value is 8 microseconds.

[0333] In a possible implementation, the NSS index bit mask subfield occupies at least 8 bits, the i-th bit of the NSS index bit mask subfield is 0, and the physical layer packet extension threshold information field does not include a packet extension threshold subfield set corresponding to the i NSS.

[0334] In a possible implementation, when the physical layer packet expansion threshold information field indicates that the NSS used by the second device is greater than the NSS corresponding to the most significant bit that is not set to 0 in the NSS index bit mask subfield, the nominal packet padding value used by the second device when the first value corresponding to the assigned RU is greater than or equal to the packet expansion threshold is 20 microseconds.

[0335] In example 5, the processing module 1510 is configured to generate a PPDU, and the transceiver module 1520 is configured to transmit the PPDU to a second device. The PPDU includes an NSS subfield and a physical layer packet expansion threshold information field. The physical layer packet expansion threshold information field includes a packet expansion threshold subfield corresponding to a different nominal packet padding value, the packet expansion threshold subfield indicates a packet expansion threshold, and the packet expansion threshold subfield indicates a nominal packet padding value used by the second device when the second value is equal to or greater than the packet expansion threshold. The value range of n is [1,...,N], where N is an integer greater than 8, and the second value is related to the NSS used by the second device and the number of RU blocks obtained after equalization encoding for the assigned RU.

[0336] In a possible implementation, the physical layer packet expansion threshold information field includes a first packet expansion threshold subfield corresponding to a first nominal packet padding value, the first packet expansion threshold subfield indicating a first packet expansion threshold, the first packet expansion threshold indicating that a nominal packet padding value used by the second device when the second value is greater than or equal to the first packet expansion threshold is the first nominal packet padding value, the first nominal packet padding value being 20 microseconds.

[0337] In a possible implementation, the physical layer packet expansion threshold information field includes a second packet expansion threshold subfield corresponding to a second nominal packet padding value, the second packet expansion threshold subfield indicating a second packet expansion threshold, the second packet expansion threshold indicating that a nominal packet padding value used by the second device when the second value is greater than or equal to the second packet expansion threshold is the second nominal packet padding value, the second nominal packet padding value being 16 microseconds.

[0338] In a possible implementation, the physical layer packet expansion threshold information field includes a third packet expansion threshold subfield corresponding to a third nominal packet padding value, the third packet expansion threshold subfield indicating a third packet expansion threshold, the third packet expansion threshold indicating that a nominal packet padding value used by the second device when the second value is greater than or equal to the third packet expansion threshold is the third nominal packet padding value, the third nominal packet padding value being 8 microseconds.

[0339] In example 6, the processing module 1510 is configured to generate the PPDU and the transceiver module 1520 is configured to transmit the PPDU and the first packet expansion threshold range. When the third value is within the first packet expansion threshold range, the first packet expansion threshold range indicates a nominal packet padding value used by the communications apparatus 1500 to transmit data to the first device. Different packet expansion threshold ranges correspond to different nominal packet padding values.

[0340] In a possible implementation, the third value satisfies the following relationship: x = f(NSTS, RU, Modulation)

[0341] x is a third value, NSS is the NSS used by communication device 1500, RU is the RU size used by communication device 1500, and Modulation is the order of the modulation scheme used by communication device 1500.

[0342] It should be understood that in this embodiment of the application, the processing module 1510 may be implemented as a processor or circuitry associated with a processor, and the transceiver module 1520 may be implemented as a transceiver, or circuitry associated with a transceiver, or a communications interface.

[0343] In some possible implementations, the communication apparatus 1500 may correspondingly implement the behavior and functionality of the second device in the method embodiments.

[0344] In example 1, the transceiver module 1520 is configured to receive a physical layer protocol data unit (PPDU) from a first device. The PPDU includes a physical layer packet extension threshold present subfield and a physical layer packet extension threshold field, where the value of the physical layer packet extension threshold present subfield is 1, and the physical layer packet extension threshold field includes a resource unit RU index bit mask subfield, a number of spatial streams NSS subfield, and a physical layer packet extension threshold information field. The physical layer packet extension threshold information field includes a plurality of packet extension threshold subfield sets corresponding to different nominal packet padding values, where each packet extension threshold subfield set indicates a modulation threshold corresponding to an RU with an NSS of n and an index b, where the modulation threshold is used to determine a nominal packet padding value used by the communication apparatus 1500 when the modulation scheme is equal to or greater than the modulation threshold. The value range of n is a subset of [1,...,N], where N is an integer equal to or greater than 1. The value range of b is a subset of [m,...,M], where m and M are integers equal to or greater than 0. If the value of the RU Index Bit Mask subfield corresponding to the RU with index y is 0, then the value range of b does not include y.

[0345] The processing module 1510 is configured to determine a modulation threshold corresponding to an RU having an NSS of n and an index m1 based on a modulation threshold indicated by the physical layer packet extension threshold field, where m1 is the smallest index among the indices corresponding to bits that are 1 in the RU index bit mask subfield and that are greater than y, or m1 is the largest index among the indices corresponding to bits that are 1 in the RU index bit mask subfield and that are less than y.

[0346] In a possible implementation, the values ​​of the RU index bitmask subfields that correspond to indices less than y contain 1's.

[0347] In a possible implementation, if none of the indices corresponding to bits that are 1 in the RU index bit mask subfield are greater than y, the processing module 1510 is configured to determine that the nominal packet padding value corresponding to the RU with index x is 20 microseconds.

[0348] In a possible implementation, the communications device 1500 uses DCM and the processing module 1510 is configured to determine a nominal packet padding value to be used based on a modulation threshold corresponding to an RU with an NSS of n and an index y+1, where index y corresponds to a plurality of RUs of different sizes. Alternatively, the processing module 1510 is configured to determine a nominal packet padding value based on a modulation threshold corresponding to an RU with an NSS of n and an index y, where index y corresponds to a plurality of RUs of different sizes, and the RU used by the communications device 1500 is not the largest RU of the plurality of RUs of different sizes.

[0349] In example 2, the transceiver module 1520 is configured to receive a PPDU from a first device. The PPDU includes a physical layer packet extension threshold present subfield and a physical layer packet extension threshold field, where the physical layer packet extension threshold present subfield has a value of 1, and the physical layer packet extension threshold field includes a resource unit RU index bit mask subfield, a number of spatial streams NSS subfield, and a physical layer packet extension threshold information field. The physical layer packet extension threshold information field includes a plurality of packet extension threshold subfield sets corresponding to different nominal packet padding values, where each packet extension threshold subfield set indicates a modulation threshold corresponding to an RU with an NSS of n and an index b, where the modulation threshold is used to determine a nominal packet padding value used by the communication apparatus 1500 when the modulation scheme is equal to or greater than the modulation threshold. The value range of n is a subset of [1,...,N], where N is an integer equal to or greater than 1. The value range of b is a subset of [m,...,M], where m and M are integers equal to or greater than 0. If the value of the RU Index Bit Mask subfield corresponding to the RU with index y is 0, then the value range of b does not include y.

[0350] The processing module 1510 is configured to determine, based on the physical layer packet extension threshold field, that the nominal packet padding value corresponding to the RU with index y is 0 microseconds.

[0351] In a possible implementation, the values ​​of the RU index bitmask subfields corresponding to indices less than y do not contain 1.

[0352] In example 3, the transceiver module 1520 is configured to receive a PPDU from a first device. The PPDU includes a physical layer packet extension threshold present subfield and a physical layer packet extension threshold field, where the physical layer packet extension threshold present subfield has a value of 1, and the physical layer packet extension threshold field includes a resource unit RU index bit mask subfield, a number of spatial streams NSS subfield, and a physical layer packet extension threshold information field. The physical layer packet extension threshold information field includes a plurality of packet extension threshold subfield sets corresponding to different nominal packet padding values, where each packet extension threshold subfield set indicates a modulation threshold corresponding to an RU with an NSS of n and an index b, where the modulation threshold is used to determine a nominal packet padding value used by the communication apparatus 1500 when the modulation scheme is equal to or greater than the modulation threshold. The value range of n is a subset of [1,...,N], where N is an integer equal to or greater than 1. The value range of b is a subset of [m,...,M], where m and M are integers equal to or greater than 0. If an RU with index y corresponds to a bit set to 0 in the RU Index Bit Mask subfield, then the value range of b does not include y.

[0353] The processing module 1510 is configured to determine, based on the physical layer packet extension threshold field, that the nominal packet padding value corresponding to the RU with index y is 8 microseconds, 16 microseconds, or 20 microseconds.

[0354] In a possible implementation, at least one bit with a value of 1 precedes the bits set to 0.

[0355] In a possible implementation, if the NSS used by the communication device 1500 is greater than the value indicated by the NSS subfield, the processing module 1510 is further configured to determine a nominal packet padding value corresponding to the RU with index y to be 8 microseconds, 16 microseconds, or 20 microseconds. Alternatively, if the NSS used by the communication device 1500 is greater than the value indicated by the NSS subfield, the processing module 1510 is further configured to determine a nominal packet padding value corresponding to the RU with index y based on the NSS used and a modulation threshold corresponding to the RU with index y.

[0356] In example 4, the transceiver module 1520 is configured to receive a PPDU from a first device. The PPDU includes an NSS index bitmask subfield, an NSS subfield, and a physical layer packet expansion threshold information field. The physical layer packet expansion threshold information field includes a plurality of packet expansion threshold subfield sets corresponding to different nominal packet padding values, each packet expansion threshold subfield set includes a plurality of packet expansion threshold subfields indicating an NSS of n, the packet expansion threshold subfield indicates to the communication device 1500 a corresponding packet expansion threshold to be used when the NSS used is n and the number of RU blocks obtained after equalization encoding for the assigned resource unit RU is a first value, and the packet expansion threshold subfield indicates a nominal packet padding value to be used by the communication device 1500 when the first value is equal to or greater than the packet expansion threshold, where n is in the value range of [1,...,N], where N is an integer greater than 8.

[0357] The processing module 1510 is configured to determine, based on the physical layer packet extension threshold information field and the first value, a nominal packet padding value to be used when the NSS is j, where j is an integer greater than or equal to 1.

[0358] In a possible implementation, the first value satisfies the following formula: N CBPRU =N RU242 ×N BPSCS .

[0359] N CBPRU is the first value, and N RU242 is the maximum number of RUs 242 that can be included in an RU, and N BPSCS is the number of coded bits carried on each subcarrier of a single space-time stream.

[0360] In a possible implementation, the plurality of packet expansion threshold subfield sets include a set of first packet expansion threshold subfields corresponding to a first nominal packet padding value, and a first packet expansion threshold subfield in the set of first packet expansion threshold subfields indicates to the communications device 1500 a corresponding first packet expansion threshold to be used when the number of RU blocks obtained after equalization encoding for the assigned resource unit RU is a first value and the NSS used by the communications device 1500 is n. The first packet expansion threshold indicates a first nominal packet padding value to be used by the communications device 1500 when the first value corresponding to the assigned RU is equal to or greater than the first packet expansion threshold, and the first nominal packet padding value is 20 microseconds.

[0361] NSS is j and N CBPRU is greater than or equal to the first nominal packet padding value corresponding to the first packet expansion threshold subfield when NSS is j, then communications device 1500 determines that the nominal packet padding value used when NSS is j is the first nominal packet padding value.

[0362] In a possible implementation, the plurality of packet expansion threshold subfield sets further includes a set of second packet expansion threshold subfields corresponding to a second nominal packet padding value, and the second packet expansion threshold subfield in the set of second packet expansion threshold subfields indicates to the communication device 1500 a corresponding second packet expansion threshold to be used when the number of RU blocks obtained after equalization encoding for the assigned resource unit RU is a first value and the NSS used by the communication device 1500 is n. The second packet expansion threshold indicates a second nominal packet padding value to be used by the communication device 1500 when the first value corresponding to the assigned RU is equal to or greater than the second packet expansion threshold, and the second nominal packet padding value is 16 microseconds.

[0363] NSS is j and N CBPRU is greater than or equal to the second nominal packet padding value corresponding to the second packet expansion threshold subfield when NSS is j and is less than the first nominal packet padding value corresponding to the first packet expansion threshold subfield when NSS is j, then communications device 1500 determines that the nominal packet padding value used when NSS is j is the second nominal packet padding value.

[0364] In a possible implementation, the plurality of packet expansion threshold subfield sets further includes a third packet expansion threshold subfield set corresponding to a third nominal packet padding value, and the third packet expansion threshold subfield in the third packet expansion threshold subfield set indicates to the communication device 1500 a corresponding third packet expansion threshold to be used when the number of RU blocks obtained after equalization encoding for the assigned resource unit RU is a first value and the NSS used by the communication device 1500 is n. The third packet expansion threshold indicates a third nominal packet padding value to be used by the communication device 1500 when the first value corresponding to the assigned RU is equal to or greater than the third packet expansion threshold, and the third nominal packet padding value is 8 microseconds.

[0365] NSS is j and N CBPRU is greater than or equal to the third nominal packet padding value corresponding to the third packet expansion threshold subfield when NSTS is j and is less than the second nominal packet padding value corresponding to the second packet expansion threshold subfield when NSTS is j, then communications device 1500 determines that the nominal packet padding value used when NSS is j is the third nominal packet padding value.

[0366] In a possible implementation, the NSS index bit mask subfield occupies at least 8 bits, the i-th bit of the NSS index bit mask subfield is 0, and the physical layer packet extension threshold information field does not include a set of subfields corresponding to the i NSS.

[0367] In a possible implementation, if the NSS used by the communication device 1500 is greater than the NSS corresponding to the most significant bit among the bits not set to 0 in the NSS index bitmask subfield, the processing module 1510 is further configured to use a nominal packet padding value of 20 microseconds when the first value corresponding to the assigned RU is greater than or equal to the packet extension threshold.

[0368] In example 5, the transceiver module 1520 is configured to receive a PPDU from a first device. The PPDU includes an NSS subfield and a physical layer packet expansion threshold information field. The physical layer packet expansion threshold information field includes packet expansion threshold subfields corresponding to different nominal packet padding values, the packet expansion threshold subfield indicating a packet expansion threshold, and the packet expansion threshold subfield indicating a nominal packet padding value used by the communication apparatus 1500 when the second value is equal to or greater than the packet expansion threshold. The value range of n is [1,...,N], where N is an integer greater than 8, and the second value is related to the NSS used by the second device and the number of RU blocks obtained after equalization encoding for the assigned RU.

[0369] The processing module 1510 is configured to determine a second value based on the used NSS and the number of RU blocks obtained after equal coding for the allocated resource unit RU, and to determine a nominal packet padding value to be used based on the second value and the physical layer packet extension threshold information field.

[0370] In a possible implementation, the processing module 1510 is specifically configured to determine the second value according to the following relationship:

[0371] P index =f(NSS,N CBPRU The NSS is an NSS corresponding to the RU assigned to the communication device 1500. CBPRUis the number of RU blocks obtained after equalization coding for the RUs allocated to the communication device 1500, and satisfies the following relationship: N CBPRU =N RU242 ×N BPSCS .

[0372] N RU242 is the maximum number of RUs 242 that can be included in an RU, and N BPSCS is the number of coded bits carried on each subcarrier of a single space-time stream.

[0373] In a possible implementation, the physical layer packet expansion threshold information field includes a first packet expansion threshold subfield corresponding to a first nominal packet padding value, the first packet expansion threshold subfield indicating a first packet expansion threshold, the first packet expansion threshold indicating that a nominal packet padding value used by the communication device 1500 when the second value is greater than or equal to the first packet expansion threshold is the first nominal packet padding value, the first nominal packet padding value being 20 microseconds.

[0374] When the second value is greater than or equal to the first packet expansion threshold, the processing module 1510 determines that the nominal packet padding value used by the communications device 1500 is the first nominal packet padding value.

[0375] In a possible implementation, the physical layer packet expansion threshold information field includes a second packet expansion threshold subfield corresponding to a second nominal packet padding value, the second packet expansion threshold subfield indicating a second packet expansion threshold, the second packet expansion threshold indicating that a nominal packet padding value used by the communication device 1500 when the second value is greater than or equal to the second packet expansion threshold is the second nominal packet padding value, the second nominal packet padding value being 16 microseconds.

[0376] When the second value is greater than or equal to the second packet expansion threshold and the second value is less than the first packet expansion threshold, the processing module 1510 determines that the nominal packet padding value used by the communication device 1500 is the second nominal packet padding value.

[0377] In a possible implementation, the physical layer packet expansion threshold information field includes a third packet expansion threshold subfield corresponding to a third nominal packet padding value, the third packet expansion threshold subfield indicating a third packet expansion threshold, the third packet expansion threshold indicating that a nominal packet padding value used by the communication device 1500 when the second value is greater than or equal to the third packet expansion threshold is a third nominal packet padding value, the third nominal packet padding value being 8 microseconds.

[0378] When the second value is greater than or equal to the third packet expansion threshold and the second value is less than the second packet expansion threshold, the processing module 1510 determines that the nominal packet padding value used by the communication device 1500 is the third nominal packet padding value.

[0379] In example 6, the transceiver module 1520 is configured to receive a PPDU and a first packet expansion threshold range from a first device. When the third value is within the first packet expansion threshold range, the first packet expansion threshold range indicates a nominal packet padding value used by the communication apparatus 1500 to transmit data to the first device. Different packet expansion threshold ranges correspond to different nominal packet padding values. The third value is associated with one or more parameters of an NSS, an RU size, and a modulation scheme used by the communication apparatus 1500.

[0380] If the third value is within the first packet expansion threshold range, the processing module 1510 determines that the nominal packet padding value used by the communication device 1500 is the nominal packet padding value corresponding to the first packet expansion threshold range.

[0381] In a possible implementation, the third value satisfies the following relationship: x = f(NSTS, RU, Modulation)

[0382] x is a third value, NSS is the NSS used by communication device 1500, RU is the RU size used by communication device 1500, and Modulation is the order of the modulation scheme used by communication device 1500.

[0383] It should be understood that in this embodiment of the application, the processing module 1510 may be implemented as a processor or circuitry associated with a processor, and the transceiver module 1520 may be implemented as a transceiver, or circuitry associated with a transceiver, or a communications interface.

[0384] FIG. 16 shows a communication device 1600 according to an embodiment of the present application. The communication device 1600 may be an AP or a STA, and may implement the functions of a first device or a second device in the method provided in the embodiment of the present application. Alternatively, the communication device 1600 may be a device that can support a first device to implement the corresponding functions in the method provided in the embodiment of the present application, or a device that can support a second device to implement the corresponding functions in the method provided in the embodiment of the present application. The communication device 1600 may be a chip or a chip system. In this embodiment of the present application, the chip system may include a chip, or may include a chip and other discrete components.

[0385] The communication device 1600 includes at least one processor 1620 configured to implement or support the communication device 1600 to implement the functions of the first device or the second device in the method provided in the embodiment of the present application, for example, generating the aforementioned PPDU. The communication device 1600 may further include at least one memory 1630 configured to store program instructions and / or data. The memory 1630 is coupled to the processor 1620. The coupling in this embodiment of the present application may be an indirect coupling or communication connection between devices, units, or modules in an electrical, mechanical, or other form, and is used for information exchange between the devices, units, or modules. The processor 1620 may cooperate with the memory 1630. The processor 1620 may execute the program instructions and / or data stored in the memory 1630 such that the communication device 1600 implements the corresponding method. At least one of the at least one memory may be located within the processor.

[0386] The communication device 1600 may further include a transceiver 1610 configured to communicate with other devices by using a transmission medium so that the devices in the communication device 1600 can communicate with the other devices. For example, when the communication device is a terminal, the other device is a network device. Alternatively, when the communication device is a network device, the other device is a terminal. The processor 1620 may transmit and receive data by using the transceiver 1610. The transceiver 1610 may specifically be a transceiver. The communication device 1600 may further include a radio frequency unit. The radio frequency unit may be independent of the communication device 1600 or may be integrated into the communication device 1600. Of course, the transceiver 1610 may further include an antenna, for example, a remote antenna independent of the communication device 1600 or an antenna built into the communication device 1600. In a hardware implementation, the transceiver module 1520 may be the transceiver 1610.

[0387] The specific connection medium between the transceiver 1610, the processor 1620, and the memory 1630 is not limited in this embodiment of the present application. In this embodiment of the present application, the memory 1630, the processor 1620, and the transceiver 1610 are connected by using the bus 1640 in FIG. 16. The bus is represented by using a thick line in FIG. 16. The manner of connection between the other components is only an example for illustration and does not impose a limitation. The bus may be classified into an address bus, a data bus, a control bus, etc. For ease of representation, only one thick line is used to represent a bus in FIG. 16, but this does not mean that there is only one bus or only one type of bus.

[0388] In this embodiment of the present application, the processor 1620 may be a general-purpose processor, a digital signal processor, an application specific integrated circuit, a field programmable gate array or other programmable logic device, a discrete gate or transistor logic device, or a discrete hardware component, and may implement or execute the methods, steps, and logic block diagrams disclosed in the embodiments of the present application. The general-purpose processor may be a microprocessor or any conventional processor, etc. The steps of the methods disclosed with reference to the embodiments of the present application may be directly executed and performed by a hardware processor, or may be directly executed and performed by using a combination of hardware modules and software modules in the processor.

[0389] In this embodiment of the present application, the memory 1630 may be a non-volatile memory such as a hard disk drive (HDD) or a solid-state drive (SSD), or a volatile memory such as a random-access memory (RAM). The memory is any other medium that can carry or store program code, for example in the form of instruction structures or data structures, and can be accessed by a computer, but is not limited to such. The memory in the embodiment of the present application may alternatively be a circuit or any other device capable of implementing a storage function, configured to store program instructions and / or data.

[0390] It should be noted that the communication device in the above embodiment may be a terminal, a circuit, a chip used in a terminal, or other combined parts, components, etc. having the function of a terminal. When the communication device is a terminal, the transceiver module may be a transceiver and may include an antenna, a radio frequency circuit, etc. The processing module may be a processor, for example, a central processing unit (CPU). When the communication device is a component having the function of a terminal, the transceiver module may be a radio frequency unit, and the processing module may be a processor. When the communication device is a chip or chip system, the transceiver module may be an input / output interface of the chip or chip system, and the processing module may be a processor of the chip or chip system.

[0391] In possible product forms, the APs and STAs in the embodiments of this application may be implemented using or include one or more field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), programmable logic devices (PLDs), controllers, state machines, logic gates, discrete hardware components, any other suitable circuitry, or any combination of circuitry capable of performing the various functions described in this application.

[0392] The first device in the embodiment of the present application can be an AP or a STA. The second device can be an AP or a STA. It should be understood that the AP of various product forms has any function of the AP in the embodiment of the above-mentioned method. Details will not be described again here. The STA of various forms has any function of the STA in the embodiment of the above-mentioned method. Details will not be described again here.

[0393] An embodiment of the present application further provides a communication system. Specifically, the communication system may include a second device and a first device, or may further include more first devices and second devices. For example, the communication system includes a second device and a first device configured to implement the relevant functions of FIG. 9, FIG. 10, FIG. 12, or FIG. 14.

[0394] The first device is separately configured to perform functions associated with the first device in FIG. 9, FIG. 10, FIG. 12, or FIG. 14. The second device is configured to perform functions associated with the second device in FIG. 9, FIG. 10, FIG. 12, or FIG. 14. For example, the first device may perform S901-S902 in the embodiment shown in FIG. 9, and the second device may perform S902-S903 in the embodiment shown in FIG. 9. For example, the first device may perform S1001-S1002 in the embodiment shown in FIG. 10, and the second device may perform S1002-S1003 in the embodiment shown in FIG. 10. The first device may perform S1002-S1003 in the embodiment shown in FIG. 12. 1201 ~S 1202 The second device may execute, for example, 12 14. The first device may execute S1202 to S1203 in the embodiment shown in Fig. 14. The first device may execute S1401 to S1402 in the embodiment shown in Fig. 14, and the second device may execute S1402 to S1403 in the embodiment shown in Fig. 14, for example.

[0395] An embodiment of the present application further provides a computer-readable storage medium including instructions, which when executed on a computer, enable the computer to execute the method performed by the first device or the second device of FIG.

[0396] An embodiment of the present application further provides a computer program product including computer program code, which, when run on a computer, enables the computer to execute the method performed by the first device or the second device of Figure 9, Figure 10, Figure 12, or Figure 14.

[0397] An embodiment of the present application provides a chip system. The chip system includes a processor, and may further include a memory, and is configured to implement the functions of the first device or the second device in the aforementioned method. The chip system may include a chip, or may include a chip and other discrete components.

[0398] An embodiment of the present application further provides a communication device, including a processor and an interface, wherein the processor is configured to perform the nominal packet padding value indication method in any one of the aforementioned method embodiments, or the processor is configured to perform the nominal packet padding value determination method in any one of the aforementioned method embodiments.

[0399] It should be understood that the communication device may be a chip. The processor may be implemented by hardware or by software. When the processor is implemented by hardware, the processor may be a logic circuit, an integrated circuit, etc. When the processor is implemented by software, the processor may be a general-purpose processor. The general-purpose processor is implemented by reading software code stored in a memory. The memory may be integrated in the processor or may be located outside the processor and exist independently.

[0400] It should be understood that the terms "system" and "network" may be used interchangeably in the embodiments of the present application. "At least one" means one or more, and "multiple" means two or more. "And / or" describes an association relationship between related objects and represents that three relationships may exist. For example, A and / or B may represent the following cases: only A is present, both A and B are present, and only B is present, and A and B may be singular or plural. The symbol " / " generally indicates an "or" relationship between related objects. At least one of the following items (parts) or similar expressions refers to any combination of these items, including any combination of singular items (parts) or multiple items (parts). For example, at least one of a, b, or c may represent a, b, c, a and b, a and c, b and c, or a, b, and c, where a, b, and c may be singular or plural.

[0401] In addition, unless otherwise specified, ordinals such as "first" and "second" in the embodiments of the present application are intended to distinguish between multiple objects, but are not intended to limit the order, time sequence, priority, or importance of the multiple objects. For example, a first packet expansion threshold and a second packet expansion threshold are merely used to distinguish between different packet expansion thresholds, and do not indicate that the two packet expansion thresholds have different priorities or importance, etc.

[0402] It should be understood that the indexes of the above processes do not mean the execution order in various embodiments of the present application. The execution order of the processes should be determined according to the functions and internal logic of the processes, and should not be construed as limiting the implementation process of the embodiments of the present application.

[0403] In addition, the term "for example" in the embodiments of the present application is used to represent an example or explanation. Any embodiment or implementation solution described as an "example" in the embodiments of the present application should not be described as preferred over other embodiments or implementation solutions. That is, the use of the word "example" is intended to specifically explain a concept.

[0404] All or part of the method in the embodiments of the present application may be implemented by using software, hardware, firmware, or any combination thereof. When software is used to implement the embodiments, all or part of the embodiments may be implemented in the form of a computer program product. The computer program product includes one or more computer instructions. When the computer program instructions are loaded into a computer and executed, the procedures or functions according to the embodiments of the present invention are generated in whole or in part. The computer may be a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a computer network, a network device, a user equipment, or other programmable device. The 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, the computer instructions may be transmitted from a website, computer, server, or data center to another website, computer, server, or data center in a wired (e.g., coaxial cable, optical fiber, or digital subscriber line (DSL)) or wireless (e.g., infrared, radio, or microwave) manner. The computer-readable storage medium may be any available medium accessible to a computer, or a data storage device, such as a server or a data center, that integrates one or more available media. The available medium may be a magnetic medium (e.g., a floppy disk, a hard disk, or a magnetic tape), an optical medium (e.g., a digital video disc (DVD)), a semiconductor medium (e.g., an SSD), etc.

[0405] The above description is merely a specific implementation of the present application, and is not intended to limit the scope of protection of the present application. Any variation or replacement that is easily conceived by a person skilled in the art within the technical scope disclosed in this application shall fall within the scope of protection of the present application. Therefore, the scope of protection of the present application shall be subject to the scope of protection of the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0406] 1500 Communication Equipment 1510 Processing Module 1520 Transceiver Module 1600 Communication Equipment 1610 Transceiver 1620 Processor 1630 Memory 1640 Bus

Claims

1. 1. A method for indicating a nominal packet padding value, comprising: generating, by a first device, a physical layer protocol data unit (PPDU), the PPDU including a physical layer packet extension threshold present subfield and a physical layer packet extension threshold field, the physical layer packet extension threshold present subfield having a value of 1, the physical layer packet extension threshold field including a resource unit RU index bitmask subfield, a number of spatial streams NSS subfield, and a physical layer packet extension threshold information field, the physical layer packet extension threshold information field including a plurality of packet extension threshold subfield sets, each packet extension threshold subfield set indicating a modulation threshold corresponding to an RU or multiple resource unit MRU with an NSS of n and an index b, the modulation thresholds being used to determine a nominal packet padding value to be used; the value range of n is a subset of [1,...,N], where N is an integer greater than 1, the value range of b is a subset of [0,...,M], where M is an integer greater than 0, the value of the y-th bit in the RU Index Bit Mask subfield corresponding to the RU or MRU with index y is 0, and the physical layer packet extension threshold information field does not include a packet extension threshold subfield set corresponding to an NSS of n and an RU or MRU with index y; In a packet extension threshold subfield set, the value of the bit in the RU index bit mask subfield corresponding to the RU or MRU with index y being 0 indicates that the modulation threshold corresponding to the RU or MRU with the NSS of n and index y is the same as the modulation threshold corresponding to the RU or MRU with an NSS of n and index m1, where m1 is the maximum index of indexes corresponding to bits that are 1 in the RU index bit mask subfield that are less than y; or a value of 0 for the bit in the RU index bitmask subfield corresponding to the RU or MRU with index y indicates that the NSS of n and a nominal packet padding value corresponding to the RU or MRU with index y are 0 microseconds, and the value of any bit in the RU index bitmask subfield corresponding to the RU or MRU with index less than y is not 1; transmitting, by the first device, the PPDU; A method for indicating a nominal packet padding value, comprising:

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein multiple types of RUs or MRUs of different sizes correspond to the same RU allocation index.

3. 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the plurality of packet expansion threshold sub-field sets correspond to different nominal packet padding values.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the NSS subfield indicates a value of N.

5. 1. A method for determining a nominal packet padding value, comprising: receiving, by a second device, a physical layer protocol data unit (PPDU) from a first device, the PPDU including a physical layer packet extension threshold present subfield and a physical layer packet extension threshold field, the physical layer packet extension threshold present subfield having a value of 1, the physical layer packet extension threshold field including a resource unit RU index bitmask subfield, a number of spatial streams NSS subfield, and a physical layer packet extension threshold information field, the physical layer packet extension threshold information field including a plurality of packet extension threshold subfield sets, each packet extension threshold subfield set indicating a modulation threshold corresponding to an RU or multiple resource unit (MRU) with an NSS of n and an index b, the modulation threshold being used to determine a nominal packet padding value to be used, n being a subset of [1,...,N], N being an integer greater than 1, and b being in the range of [0,...,N]; , M], where M is an integer greater than 0, a value of the y-th bit in the RU index bit mask subfield corresponding to the RU or MRU with index y is 0, and the physical layer packet extension threshold information field does not include a packet extension threshold subfield set corresponding to the RU or MRU with NSS of n and index y; determining, by the second device, that a modulation threshold corresponding to the RU or MRU with the NSS of n and the index y is the same as a modulation threshold corresponding to an RU or MRU with an NSS of n and index m1 in a packet expansion threshold subfield set, where m1 is the largest index less than y that corresponds to bits in the RU index bitmask subfield that are 1, or that the nominal packet padding value corresponding to the RU or MRU with the NSS of n and the index y is 0 microseconds, and the value of any bit in the RU index bitmask subfield corresponding to the RU or MRU with the index less than y is not 1; A method for determining a nominal packet padding value, comprising:

6. The method of claim 5 , wherein multiple RUs or MRUs of different sizes correspond to the same RU allocation index.

7. 7. The method of claim 5 or 6, wherein the multiple packet expansion threshold sub-field sets correspond to different nominal packet padding values.

8. 8. The method of claim 5, wherein the NSS subfield indicates a value of N.

9. Apparatus configured to carry out the method according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

10. Apparatus configured to perform the method according to any one of claims 5 to 8.

11. 9. A computer-readable storage medium storing a computer program, the computer program comprising program instructions which, when executed by a computer, enable the computer to perform the method of any one of claims 1 to 8.

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