Communication method and apparatus applied to a multi-link device in a wireless local area network

Abstract

To provide a communication method and a related apparatus, which are applied to a multi-link device in a wireless local area network WLAN.SOLUTION: For example, a communication method is applied to a WLAN that supports 802.11be. The method includes the steps of: receiving a probe request frame, where the probe request frame is included in a multilink device MLD; determining, according to a preset condition, whether to respond to the probe request frame, where the preset condition at least includes that a reference identifier in the probe request frame does not match a reference identifier of each station in the MLD; and if the preset condition is met, skipping sending a probe response frame in response to the probe request frame. According to embodiments of this application, a quantity of probe request frames sent by a station on a channel can be reduced, and association efficiency and communication efficiency of the station can be improved.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 8

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of communication technologies, and more particularly, to a communication method and apparatus applied to a multi-link device in a wireless local area network.

Background Art

[0002] This application claims the priority of Chinese Patent Application No. 202010240296.X, filed with the State Intellectual Property Office of China on March 27, 2020, and entitled "COMMUNICATION METHOD AND APPARATUS APPLIED TO MULTI-LINK DEVICE IN WIRELESS LOCAL AREA NETWORK", the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0003] To significantly improve the service transmission rate of the WLAN system, the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11ax standard further uses the Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access (OFDMA) technology based on the existing Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) technology. The OFDMA technology enables multiple nodes to transmit and receive data simultaneously, achieving a multi-site diversity gain. In 2017 when 802.11ax was finalized, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) opened a new free frequency band from 5925 to 7125 MHz, hereinafter abbreviated as 6 GHz. Therefore, 802.11ax standard workers expand the operating range of 802.11ax-compliant devices from 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz to 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, and 6 GHz in the 802.11ax Project Authorization Request (PAR).

[0004] Since IEEE802.11 next-generation Wi-Fi protocol (Extremely High Throughput, EHT) devices need to be backward compatible, the devices also support the operating spectrum of 802.11ax-compatible devices, that is, the 2.4GHz, 5GHz, and 6GHz frequency bands. Channel division is implemented based on the newly opened free 6GHz frequency band, and the supported bandwidth may exceed the maximum bandwidth of 160MHz supported at 5GHz, for example, it can be 320MHz. The peak throughput of IEEE802.11ax next-generation Wi-Fi extremely high throughput can be increased by using an extremely large bandwidth, and also by increasing the amount of streams through the cooperation of multiple frequency bands (2.4GHz, 5GHz, and 6GHz), for example, it can be increased by increasing the amount of streams to 16. On the same frequency band, the peak throughput can be further increased through the cooperation of multiple channels or in another way. This reduces the service transmission delay. In the following, multiple frequency bands or multiple channels are called multiple links. Multiple links are composed of 802.11ax and previous Wi-Fi standards having the same operating frequency band as 802.11ax. For each of the multiple links, usually, different Basic Service Sets (BSS) are established. Communication between a station in the BSS to which the link belongs can be carried out simultaneously on only one link.

[0005] The main function of 802.11ax and multiple previous Basic Service Set identifier (BSSID) technologies is to virtualize one physical AP into multiple logical APs, that is, to form multiple virtual networks. Each virtual network is used to manage different stations. Similar to the AP products in the current Wi-Fi scenario, the AP can be virtualized into a reporting AP (home AP) and a guest AP.

[0006] How to apply multiple BSSID technologies to a multi-link device to provide the functions of multiple virtual networks is a technical problem being studied by those skilled in the art.

Summary of the Invention

[0007] Embodiments of the present application disclose a communication method and related devices applied to a multi-link device in a WLAN to reduce the amount of probe request frames sent by a station on a channel and improve the association efficiency of the station.

[0008] According to a first aspect, embodiments of the present application provide a communication method applied to a multi-link device in a WLAN. The method includes a station receiving a probe request frame, where the station belongs to a multi-link device, and the station determining whether to respond to the probe request frame according to preset conditions, where the preset conditions at least include that the reference identifier in the probe request frame does not match the reference identifier of each station of the multi-link station, and when the preset conditions are met, the station skipping sending a probe response frame in response to the probe request frame and.

[0009] In the above method, a station of a multi-link station is enabled to help another station in the same multi-link device as the station to reply with a probe response frame. In this way, the amount of probe request frames sent by the station on the channel is reduced, and the air interface efficiency and the association efficiency of the station are improved.

[0010] According to a second aspect, embodiments of the present application provide a communication method applied to a multi-link device in a WLAN. The method includes The station receives a probe request frame, where the station belongs to a multi-link device, and stations in the multi-link device belong to a plurality of BSSID sets, and the station determines whether to respond to the probe request frame according to preset conditions, where the preset conditions are at least including that the reference identifier in the probe request frame does not match the reference identifier of each station in the multi-link device, and the reference identifier in the probe request frame does not match the reference identifier of each station in the plurality of BSSID sets to which each station in the multi-link device belongs, and when the preset conditions are met, the station skips responding to the probe request frame and sending a probe response frame and includes.

[0011] In the above method, stations in the multi-link device are enabled to help another station in the same multi-link device respond with a probe response frame, or a member of any of the plurality of BSSID sets where another station in the same multi-link device is located can help respond with a probe response frame. In this way, the amount of probe request frames sent by stations on the channel is reduced, and the air interface efficiency and station association efficiency are improved.

[0012] According to a third aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication device in a WLAN. The device is used in a multi-link device, and the device includes a transceiver unit configured to receive a probe request frame, and a processing unit configured to determine whether to respond to the probe request frame according to preset conditions, where the preset conditions are at least including that the reference identifier in the probe request frame does not match the reference identifier of each station in the multi-link device, and includes. The processing unit is further configured to skip sending a probe response frame in response to a probe request frame when a pre-set condition is satisfied.

[0013] In the above method, a station in a multi-link device is enabled to assist another station in the same multi-link device to respond with a probe response frame. In this way, the amount of probe request frames sent by stations on the channel is reduced, and the air interface efficiency and the station association efficiency are improved.

[0014] According to a fourth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication device in a WLAN. The device is used in a multi-link device, and the device is a transceiver unit configured to receive a probe request frame, where a station in the multi-link device belongs to a plurality of BSSID sets, and is a processing unit configured to determine whether to respond to the probe request frame according to a pre-set condition, where the pre-set condition at least includes that the reference identifier in the probe request frame does not match the reference identifier of each station in the multi-link device, and the reference identifier in the probe request frame does not match the reference identifier of each station in the plurality of BSSID sets where each station in the multi-link device is located, and includes The processing unit is further configured to skip sending a probe response frame in response to the probe request frame when the pre-set condition is satisfied.

[0015] In the above method, a station in a multi-link device can be enabled to assist another station in the same multi-link device to reply with a probe response frame, or a member of any of a plurality of BSSID sets in which another station in the same multi-link device is located can assist in replying with a probe response frame. In this way, the amount of probe request frames sent by stations on the channel is reduced, and the air interface efficiency and station association efficiency are improved.

[0016] In a possible implementation of the first, second, third, or fourth aspect, the probe request frame includes a receiver address, The reference identifier in the probe request frame is the receiver medium access control MAC address carried in the receiver address, The reference identifier of the station is the MAC address of the station.

[0017] In a possible implementation of the first, second, third, or fourth aspect, The reference identifier in the probe request frame is the service set identifier SSID field in the probe request frame, or the SSID included in the SSID list element in the probe request frame, or the SSID corresponding to the short SSID included in the short SSID list element in the probe request frame, The reference identifier of the station is the SSID of the station.

[0018] In a possible implementation of the first, second, third, or fourth aspect, The reference identifier in the probe request frame is carried in the basic service set identifier BSSID field in the probe request frame, The reference identifier of the station is the BSSID of the station.

[0019] In a possible implementation of the first, second, third, or fourth aspect, one or more stations in the multi-link device belong to a plurality of BSSID sets.

[0020] In a possible implementation of the first, second, third, or fourth aspect, one or more stations are transmitting BSSID stations in a plurality of BSSID sets.

[0021] In a possible implementation of the first, second, third, or fourth aspect, one or more stations include non-transmitting BSSID stations in a plurality of BSSID sets.

[0022] According to a fifth aspect, embodiments of the present application provide a communication method applied to a multi-link device in a WLAN. The method includes: a reporting access point AP sending multi-link device MLD information to a station, where the reporting AP belongs to one AP multi-link device, and the AP multi-link device includes the reporting AP and the reported AP; including.

[0023] The MLD information includes information about the reporting AP and information about the reported AP. The information about the reporting AP indicates the reporting AP, and the information about the reported AP indicates the reported AP.

[0024] In the above method, the reporting access point indicates the structure of a plurality of BSSID sets to the station via the MLD information based on the AP multi-link device. Therefore, concurrent communication (for example, establishing an association) between a plurality of APs in the AP multi-link device and a plurality of STAs in the STA multi-link device can be supported, increasing the throughput of the wireless network, improving transmission robustness, and reducing transmission delay.

[0025] According to a sixth aspect, embodiments of the present application provide a communication method applied to a multi-link device in a WLAN. The method includes: a station receiving multi-link device MLD information sent by a reporting access point AP, where the reporting AP belongs to one AP multi-link device, and the AP multi-link device includes the reporting AP and the reported AP; The MLD information includes information about the reporting AP and information about the reported AP. The information about the reporting AP indicates the reporting AP, and the information about the reported AP indicates the reported AP, and parsing the multi-link device MLD information to obtain information about the reporting AP and information about the reported AP, and includes.

[0026] In the above method, the reporting access point indicates to the station, via the MLD information, the structure of a plurality of BSSID sets based on the AP multi-link device. Therefore, concurrent communication (e.g., establishing an association) between a plurality of APs in the AP multi-link device and a plurality of STAs in the STA multi-link device is supported, and it is possible to increase the throughput of the wireless network, improve the transmission robustness, and reduce the transmission delay.

[0027] According to a seventh aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication device used in a multi-link device in a WLAN. The communication device is used in a reporting access point AP, and the communication device a processing unit configured to generate multi-link device MLD information, and a transceiver unit configured to send the multi-link device MLD information to the station, where the reporting AP belongs to one AP multi-link device, and the AP multi-link device includes the reporting AP and the reported AP, the transceiver unit includes.

[0028] The MLD information includes information about the reporting AP and information about the reported AP. The information about the reporting AP indicates the reporting AP, and the information about the reported AP indicates the reported AP.

[0029] In the above device, the reporting access point indicates the structure of a plurality of BSSID sets to the station based on the AP multi-link device via the MLD information. Therefore, concurrent communication (e.g., establishing an association) between a plurality of APs in the AP multi-link device and a plurality of STAs in the STA multi-link device is supported, and it is possible to increase the throughput of the wireless network, improve the transmission robustness, and reduce the transmission delay.

[0030] According to an eighth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication device used in a multi-link device in a WLAN. This device is used in a station, and this device is a transceiver unit configured to receive multi-link device (MLD) information sent by a reporting access point AP, where the reporting AP belongs to one AP multi-link device, and the AP multi-link device includes the reporting AP and the reported AP, the MLD information includes information about the reporting AP and information about the reported AP, the information about the reporting AP indicates the reporting AP, and the information about the reported AP indicates the reported AP, and the transceiver unit, a processing unit configured to parse the multi-link device (MLD) information to obtain information about the reporting AP and information about the reported AP and includes.

[0031] In the above device, the reporting access point indicates the structure of a plurality of BSSID sets to the station based on the AP multi-link device via the MLD information. Therefore, concurrent communication (e.g., establishing an association) between a plurality of APs in the AP multi-link device and a plurality of STAs in the STA multi-link device is supported, and it is possible to increase the throughput of the wireless network, improve the transmission robustness, and reduce the transmission delay.

[0032] In a possible implementation of the fifth, sixth, seventh, or eighth aspect, the AP in the AP multi-link device belongs to a plurality of BSSID sets, the information about the reporting AP further indicates the plurality of BSSID sets to which the reporting AP belongs, and the information about the reported AP further indicates the plurality of BSSID sets to which the reported AP belongs.

[0033] In a possible implementation of the fifth, sixth, seventh, or eighth aspect, the information about the reporting AP includes a plurality of BSSID elements of the plurality of BSSID sets to which the reporting AP belongs.

[0034] In a possible implementation of the fifth, sixth, seventh, or eighth aspect, the information about the reported AP includes a plurality of BSSID elements of the plurality of BSSID sets to which the reported AP belongs.

[0035] In a possible implementation of the fifth, sixth, seventh, or eighth aspect, the information about the reporting AP further includes the BSSID of the BSS to which the reporting AP belongs.

[0036] In a possible implementation of the fifth, sixth, seventh, or eighth aspect, the information about the reported AP further includes the transmitting BSSID in the plurality of BSSID sets to which the reported AP belongs.

[0037] In a possible implementation of the fifth, sixth, seventh, or eighth aspect, after the reporting access point AP sends local multi-link device MLD information, the method receives a probe request frame, an authentication request frame, or an association request frame sent by the local through the MLD information and further includes.

[0038] In a possible implementation of the fifth, sixth, seventh, or eighth aspect, one or more APs in the AP multi-link device belong to a plurality of BSSID sets.

[0039] In a possible implementation of the fifth, sixth, seventh, or eighth aspect, one or more stations are the transmitting BSSID APs in a plurality of BSSID sets.

[0040] In a possible implementation of the fifth, sixth, seventh, or eighth aspect, the reporting AP is the transmitting BSSID AP in the plurality of BSSID sets to which the reporting AP belongs, and the reported AP is the transmitting BSSID AP in the plurality of BSSID sets to which the reported AP belongs.

[0041] In a possible implementation of the fifth, sixth, seventh, or eighth aspect, the information about the reported AP further includes the multiple BSSID relationship information of the reported AP, and the multiple BSSID relationship information of the reported AP indicates whether the reported AP belongs to a plurality of BSSID sets, or indicates whether the reported AP is a non-transmitting BSSID AP, or indicates whether the reported AP belongs to a plurality of BSSID sets and whether the reported AP is a transmitting BSSID AP.

[0042] In a possible implementation of the fifth, sixth, seventh, or eighth aspect, the multiple BSSID relationship information of the reported AP is included in the multiple BSSID elements of the plurality of BSSID sets to which the reported AP belongs.

[0043] In a possible implementation of the fifth, sixth, seventh, or eighth aspect, one or more APs include non-transmitting BSSID APs in a plurality of BSSID sets.

[0044] In a possible implementation of the fifth, sixth, seventh, or eighth aspect, the MLD information further includes information about a virtual AP, and the information about the virtual AP indicates the virtual AP. The virtual AP and the reporting AP are not in the same AP multi-link device, and the virtual AP belongs to the same AP multi-link device as the non-transmitting AP in the plurality of BSSID sets to which the reporting AP belongs. In addition, the member AP belonging to the AP multi-link device in which the reporting AP is located does not exist on the operating link of the virtual AP, or the member AP belonging to the AP multi-link device in which the reporting AP is located exists on the operating link of the virtual AP, but is not in the same plurality of BSSID sets as the virtual AP.

[0045] In a possible implementation of the fifth, sixth, seventh, or eighth aspect, the information about the virtual AP indicates the plurality of BSSID sets to which the virtual AP belongs.

[0046] In a possible implementation of the fifth, sixth, seventh, or eighth aspect, the information about the virtual AP includes the plurality of BSSID elements of the plurality of BSSID sets to which the virtual AP belongs.

[0047] In a possible implementation of the fifth, sixth, seventh, or eighth aspect, the information about the virtual AP includes information about the transmitting BSSID AP in the plurality of BSSID sets to which the virtual AP belongs.

[0048] In a possible implementation of the fifth, sixth, seventh, or eighth aspect, the BSSID of the BSS to which the virtual AP belongs is used as the transmitting BSSID in the plurality of BSSID sets to which the virtual AP belongs.

[0049] In a possible implementation of the fifth, sixth, seventh, or eighth aspect, the information about the virtual AP includes the virtual AP's plurality of BSSID relationship information, and the virtual AP's plurality of BSSID relationship information indicates whether the virtual AP belongs to a plurality of BSSID sets, or indicates whether the virtual AP is a non-transmitting BSSID AP, or Indicates whether the virtual AP belongs to multiple BSSID sets and whether the virtual AP is the transmitting BSSID AP.

[0050] In a possible implementation of the fifth, sixth, seventh, or eighth aspect, the virtual AP's multiple BSSID relationship information is included in the multiple BSSID elements of the multiple BSSID sets to which the virtual AP belongs.

[0051] In a possible implementation of the fifth, sixth, seventh, or eighth aspect, the MLD information further includes shared information. The shared information includes one or more of the MAC address of the AP multi-link device and the amount of the information field that carries information about the reported AP.

[0052] In a possible implementation of the fifth, sixth, seventh, or eighth aspect, the shared information further includes a discrimination field. The discrimination field indicates the field in which the information about the reported AP is arranged and the field in which the information about the virtual AP is arranged.

[0053] The communication device in the third, fourth, seventh, and eighth aspects may be a chip, the processing unit may be the processing circuit of the chip, and the transceiver unit may be the input / output interface circuit. The processing circuit may be configured to process the signaling or data information provided by the input / output interface circuit, and the input / output interface circuit may be configured to input / output the data or signaling information of the chip.

[0054] According to the ninth aspect of the embodiments of the present application, a computer-readable storage medium is provided. The computer-readable storage medium stores computer program code. When the computer program is executed on a processor, the processor is enabled to implement the method in any one of the first, second, fifth, sixth, and corresponding possible implementations.

[0055] According to a tenth aspect of an embodiment of the present application, a computer program product is provided. The program product stores a computer program (instructions) to be executed by the above processor. When the computer program is executed on the processor, the processor is enabled to implement the method in any one of the first aspect, the second aspect, the fifth aspect, the sixth aspect, and the corresponding possible implementations.

[0056] According to an eleventh aspect of an embodiment of the present application, a communication device is provided. The device includes a processor and may further include a transceiver and a memory. The transceiver is configured to receive and send information or to communicate with another network element. The memory is configured to store a computer program (instructions). The processor is configured to execute the computer program to support the communication device in implementing the method in any one of the first aspect, the second aspect, the fifth aspect, the sixth aspect, and the corresponding possible implementations.

[0057] According to a twelfth aspect of an embodiment of the present application, a communication device is provided. The device may exist in the form of a chip product. The structure of the device includes a processor and may further include a memory. The memory is coupled to the processor and is configured to store the programs (instructions) and data necessary for the device. The processor is configured to execute the computer program stored in the memory to support the communication device in implementing the method in any one of the first aspect, the second aspect, the fifth aspect, the sixth aspect, and the corresponding possible implementations. Optionally, the memory may be disposed within the processor and is an internal storage. Alternatively, the memory may be disposed outside the processor, coupled to the processor, and is an external storage.

[0058] According to a thirteenth aspect of the embodiments of the present application, a communication device is provided. This device may exist in the form of a chip product. The structure of this device includes a processor and an interface circuit. The processor is configured to communicate with another device through the interface circuit so that the device implements the method in any one of the first aspect, the second aspect, the fifth aspect, the sixth aspect, and the corresponding possible implementations.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0059] The attached drawings used in the embodiments of the present application will be described below.

[0060]

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Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0061] First, the technologies related to the present application will be described below, and then the embodiments of the present application will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0062] Embodiments of the present application provide a communication method applicable to a wireless communication system. The wireless communication system can be a Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) or a cellular network. This method can be implemented by a communication device in the wireless communication system, or a chip or processor in the communication device. The communication device can be a wireless communication device that supports concurrent transmission on multiple links. For example, the communication device can be called a multi-link device (MLD) or a multi-band device. For example, in a wireless local area network, the communication device supports communication by using the IEEE802.11 series protocols, and the IEEE802.11 series protocols include 802.11be, 802.11ax, or 802.11a / b / g / n / ac.

[0063] 1. A multi-link device (MLD), also called a multi-band device

[0064] The multi-link device MLD includes one or more cooperating stations, and the cooperating stations are logical stations. In the embodiments of this application, "the multi-link device includes cooperating stations" may also be briefly described as "the multi-link device includes stations". The cooperating stations can be access points (APs) or non-access point stations (non-AP STAs). For ease of explanation, in this application, a multi-link device whose cooperating station is an AP may sometimes be referred to as a multi-link AP, a multi-link AP device, or an AP multi-link device, and a multi-link device whose cooperating station is a non-AP STA may sometimes be referred to as a multi-link STA, a multi-link STA device, or an STA multi-link device.

[0065] The multi-link device MLD implements wireless communication according to the 802.11 series protocols, for example, according to the Extremely High Throughput (EHT) protocol, or according to the 802.11be-based or 802.11be-compatible protocol, thereby enabling communication with another device. This another device may or may not be a multi-link device.

[0066] Each logical station can operate on one link, but multiple logical stations are enabled to operate on the same link. The following link identifiers identify or represent one station operating on one link. In other words, if there are two or more logical stations on one link, two or more link identifiers are required to identify or represent the logical stations. The following link sometimes also indicates the station operating on the link. When data transmission is carried out between a multi-link device and another multi-link device, before communication, the multi-link device and the other multi-link device may first negotiate or communicate with each other regarding the correspondence between the link identifier and the link or the station on the link, or the AP multi-link device may indicate the correspondence between the link identifier and the link or the station on the link through a broadcast management frame, such as a beacon frame. Therefore, during data transmission, the link identifier is carried to indicate the link or the station on the link, and thus, the transmission of a large amount of signaling information is not necessary to indicate the link or the station on the link. This reduces the signaling overhead and improves the transmission efficiency.

[0067] For the sake of explanation below, an example is used in which one of the above multi-link devices is an AP multi-link device and the other of the above multi-link devices is a STA multi-link device. In the example, when the AP multi-link device establishes a BSS, management frames sent by the AP multi-link device, such as beacon frames, carry elements that include a plurality of link identifier information fields. Each link identifier information field may indicate the correspondence between the link identifier operating on the link and the station. Each link identifier information field includes a link identifier and further includes one or more of a MAC address, an operating class, and a channel number. One or more of the MAC address, the operating class, and the channel number may identify the link. In another example, in the multi-link association establishment process, the AP multi-link device and the STA multi-link device negotiate for a plurality of link identifier information fields. In subsequent communications, the AP multi-link device or the STA multi-link device identifies or represents a station in the multi-link device by using the link identifier. The link identifier may further represent one or more attributes of the station's MAC address, operating set, and channel number. The MAC address may alternatively be an association identifier of the associated AP multi-link device. Optionally, when multiple stations operate on one link, the meaning represented by the link identifier (which is a numeric ID) includes not only the channel number and operating class on which the link is located, but also the identifier of the station operating on the link, such as the station's MAC address or AID.

[0068] FIG. 1 is a diagram of an application scenario according to an embodiment of the present application by using a wireless local area network as an example. This application scenario includes a first station 101 and a second station 102. The first station 101 can communicate with the second station 102 through a plurality of links to achieve the effect of improving throughput. The first station can be a multi-link device, and the second station can be a single-link device, a multi-link device, etc. In the scenario, the first station 101 is an AP multi-link device, and the second station 102 is an STA multi-link device or a station (for example, a single-link station). In another scenario, the first station 101 is an STA multi-link device, and the second station 102 is an AP (for example, a single-link AP) or an AP multi-link device. In yet another scenario, the first station 101 is an AP multi-link device, and the second station 102 is an AP multi-link device or an AP. In still another scenario, the first station 101 is an STA multi-link device, and the second station 102 is an STA multi-link device or an STA. Of course, the wireless local area network may further include other devices. The amount and type of devices shown in FIG. 1 are merely examples.

[0069] FIGS. 2(a) and 2(b) show schematic diagrams of the structures of an AP multi-link device and an STA multi-link device participating in communication. The 802.11 standard focuses on the 802.11 Physical layer (PHY) and Media Access Control (MAC) layer portions of AP multi-link devices and STA multi-link devices (such as mobile phones and notebook computers).

[0070] As shown in FIG. 2(a), a plurality of APs included in an AP multi-link device are independent of each other in the lower MAC (Low MAC) layer and the PHY layer, and are also independent of each other in the upper MAC (High MAC) layer. A plurality of STAs included in an STA multi-link device are independent of each other in the lower MAC (Low MAC) layer and the PHY layer, and are also independent of each other in the upper MAC (High MAC) layer.

[0071] As shown in FIG. 2(b), a plurality of APs included in an AP multi-link device are independent of each other in the lower MAC (Low MAC) layer and the PHY layer, and share the upper MAC (High MAC) layer. A plurality of STAs included in an STA multi-link device are independent of each other in the lower MAC (Low MAC) layer and the PHY layer, and share the upper MAC (High MAC) layer.

[0072] Of course, the STA multi-link device may use a structure in which the upper MAC layers are independent of each other, and the AP multi-link device may use a structure in which the upper MAC layers are shared. Alternatively, the STA multi-link device may use a structure in which the upper MAC layers are shared, and the AP multi-link device may use a structure in which the upper MAC layers are independent of each other. For example, the upper MAC layer or the lower MAC layer may be implemented by one processor in the chip system of the multi-link device, or may be implemented by different processing modules in the chip system.

[0073] For example, the multi-link device in the embodiments of the present application can be a single-antenna device or a multi-antenna device. For example, the multi-link device can be a device with three or more antennas. The amount of antennas included in the multi-link device is not limited in the embodiments of the present application. For example, FIG. 2(c) shows an example where the AP multi-link device is a multi-antenna device and the STA multi-link device is a single-antenna device. In the embodiments of the present application, the multi-link device can enable services of the same access type to be transmitted on different links, or even enable the same data packet to be transmitted on different links. Alternatively, the multi-link device may not enable services of the same access type to be transmitted on different links, but can enable services of different access types to be transmitted on different links.

[0074] The operating frequency band of the multi-link device is not limited, but may include sub-1 GHz, 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, 6 GHz, and high-frequency 60 GHz. FIGS. 3(a) and 3(b) show two schematic diagrams of communication between a multi-link device and another device by using multiple links in a wireless local area network.

[0075] FIG. 3(a) shows a scenario where the AP multi-link device 101 communicates with the STA multi-link device 102. The AP multi-link device 101 includes the cooperating AP 101-1 and the cooperating AP 101-2, the STA multi-link device 102 includes the cooperating STA 102-1 and the cooperating STA 102-2, and the AP multi-link device 101 communicates with the STA multi-link device 102 in parallel on link 1 and link 2.

[0076] Figure 3(b) shows a scenario where the AP multi-link device 101 communicates with the STA multi-link devices 102, 103, and STA104. The AP multi-link device 101 includes cooperative APs 101-1 to 101-3. The STA multi-link device 102 includes two cooperative STAs, STA102-1 and STA102-2. The STA multi-link device 103 includes two cooperative STAs, STA103-1 and STA103-2. STA104 is a single-link device. The AP multi-link device can communicate with the STA multi-link device 102 separately on Link 1 and Link 3, communicate with the STA multi-link device 103 on Link 2 and Link 3, and communicate with STA104 on Link 1. In the example, STA104 operates in the 2.4 GHz frequency band. The STA multi-link device 103 includes STA103-1 and STA103-2, where STA103-1 operates in the 5 GHz frequency band and STA103-2 operates in the 6 GHz frequency band. The STA multi-link device 102 includes STA102-1 and STA102-2, where STA102-1 operates in the 2.4 GHz frequency band and STA102-2 operates in the 6 GHz frequency band. The AP101-1 that operates in the 2.4 GHz frequency band in the AP multi-link device can perform uplink or downlink data transmission with STA104 and STA102-2 in the STA multi-link device 102 on Link 1. The AP101-2 that operates in the 5 GHz frequency band and is in the AP multi-link device can perform uplink or downlink data transmission with STA103-1 that operates in the 5 GHz frequency band in the STA multi-link device 103 on Link 2. The AP101-3 that operates in the 6 GHz frequency band and is in the AP multi-link device 101 can perform uplink or downlink data transmission with STA102-2 that operates in the 6 GHz frequency band in the STA multi-link device 102 on Link 3, and can also perform uplink or downlink data transmission with STA103-2 in the STA multi-link device on Link 3.

[0077] FIG. 3(a) shows that the AP multi-link device supports only two frequency bands, and FIG. 3(b) shows that the AP multi-link device supports three frequency bands (2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, and 6 GHz), with each frequency band corresponding to one link, and the AP multi-link device 101 can operate on one or more of Link 1, Link 2, and Link 3. It should be noted that this is just an example used. On the AP side or the STA side, the link in this specification may also be understood as a station operating on that link. In actual application examples, the AP multi-link device and the STA multi-link device may further support more or fewer frequency bands. In other words, the AP multi-link device and the STA multi-link device can operate on more or fewer links. This is not limited in this embodiment of the present application.

[0078] For example, a multi-link device is a device having a wireless communication function. The device can be a device for the entire system, or can be a chip, a processing system, etc. installed in a device for the entire system. The device in which the chip or the processing system is installed can be controlled by the chip or the processing system in order to implement the methods and functions in the embodiments of this application. For example, the multi-link STA in this embodiment of this application has a wireless transceiver function, can support the 802.11 series protocol, and can communicate with a multi-link AP, another multi-link STA, or a single-link device. For example, the multi-link STA is any user communication device that enables a user to communicate with an AP and further communicate with a WLAN. For example, the multi-link STA can be a user device capable of connecting to the Internet, such as a tablet computer, a desktop computer, a laptop computer, a notebook computer, an ultra-mobile personal computer (UMPC), a handheld computer, a netbook, a personal digital assistant (PDA), or a mobile phone, or a device in the Internet of Things in the Internet of Things, or an in-vehicle communication device in the Internet of Vehicles. The multi-link STA can alternatively be a chip and a processing system in the above terminals. The multi-link AP in the embodiments of this application is a device for providing services to the multi-link STA and can support the 802.11 series protocol. For example, the multi-link AP can be a communication entity such as a communication server, a router, a switch, or a bridge, or the multi-link AP can include various forms such as a macro base station, a micro base station, a relay station, etc. Of course, the multi-link AP can further be a chip and a processing system in devices of these various forms. In this way, the methods and functions in the embodiments of this application are implemented. In addition, the multi-link device can support high-rate and low-latency transmission.With the continuous development of wireless local area network application scenarios, multi-link devices can be further used in more scenarios. For example, multi-link devices can act as sensor nodes in smart cities (such as smart water meters, smart electricity meters, or smart air detection nodes), smart devices in smart homes (such as smart cameras, projectors, display screens, televisions, stereos, refrigerators, or washing machines), nodes in the Internet of Things, entertainment terminals (such as AR, VR, or other wearable devices), smart devices in smart offices (such as printers or projectors), Internet of Vehicles devices in the Internet of Vehicles, or infrastructure in daily life scenarios (such as vending machines, self-service navigation consoles, self-checkout devices, or self-service food machines). Specific forms of multi-link STAs and multi-link APs are not particularly limited in the embodiments of this application and are only examples of the descriptions in this specification. The 802.11 series protocols can include 802.11be, 802.11ax, 802.11a / b / g / n / ac, etc.

[0079] 2. Multiple Basic Service Set identifier (BSSID) mode

[0080] A set of multiple BSSIDs is a combination of several cooperative APs, and all cooperative APs use the same operating class, the same channel number, and the same antenna port. There is only one transmitted BSSID AP in the set of multiple BSSIDs, and the other APs are nontransmitted BSSID APs. Information about the set of multiple BSSIDs (i.e., multiple BSSID elements) is carried in beacon frames, probe response frames, or neighbor reports sent by the transmitted BSSID AP. Information about the BSSID of a nontransmitted BSSID AP is derived based on received beacon frames, probe response frames, or multiple BSSID elements in neighbor reports, etc.

[0081] In the multiple BSSID technology, one physical AP can be virtualized into multiple logical APs. Each virtual AP manages one BSS. Different virtual APs usually have different SSIDs and permissions, such as security mechanisms or transmission opportunities. The BSSID corresponding to one of the multiple APs obtained through virtualization is configured as the Transmitted BSSID. This virtual AP may be called the Transmitted AP. The BSSID corresponding to another virtual AP is configured as the non-transmitted BSSID. This virtual AP may be called the non-transmitted AP. Generally, the multiple APs in the multiple BSSID set may also be understood as multiple cooperative AP devices obtained by virtualizing one AP device. Only the AP with the BSSID being the Transmitted BSSID can send beacon frames and Probe Response frames. When the Probe Request frame sent by the STA is for the AP whose BSSID is the non-transmitted BSSID in the multiple BSSID set, the AP with the BSSID being the Transmitted BSSID needs to assist in replying with a Probe Response frame. The beacon frame sent by the AP with the BSSID being the Transmitted BSSID contains multiple BSSID elements, and the AID (association identifiers) allocated to the stations by these multiple virtual APs that cannot send beacon frames, the stations managed by these multiple virtual APs share one space. In other words, it is impossible for the AIDs allocated to the stations in multiple virtual BSSs to be the same.

[0082] Optionally, as shown in Table 1, the plurality of BSSID elements include an element ID, a length, a maximum BSSID indication, and sub-elements. The maximum BSSID indication indicates that the maximum amount of BSSIDs included in the plurality of BSSID sets is n. Optionally, the sub-elements include information regarding each non-transmitting BSSID. The receiving end can calculate the value of each BSSID based on the reference BSSID, the maximum BSSID indication, and the sequence number of each BSSID in the plurality of BSSID sets. Each BSSID includes 48 bits, and the value of the most significant (48 - n) bits of each BSSID in the plurality of BSSID sets is the same as the value of the most significant 48 - n bits of the reference BSSID, and the value of the least significant n bits of each BSSID in the plurality of BSSID sets is obtained through a modulo operation on the sum of the value of the least significant n bits of the reference BSSID and the value of the BSSID sequence number x using 2n. The reference BSSID (i.e., the transmitting BSSID) is carried in the BSSID field in the MAC header of the frame (e.g., beacon frame) in the plurality of BSSID elements. For a specific calculation method, refer to the 802.11-2016 standard.

[0083]

Table 1

[0084] The "optional sub-elements" in Table 1 can be shown in Table 2.

[0085]

Table 2

[0086] In Table 2, the non-transmitting BSSID profile includes one or more elements of one or more APs or DMG STAs having a non-transmitting BSSID, and the non-transmitting BSSID profile includes, but is not limited to, the following elements.

[0087] 1. Multiple other elements in the beacon and non-transmitting BSSID capability-related elements that need to be included in each non-transmitting BSSID, 2. SSID element and multiple BSSID index elements, 3. FMS descriptor element that is further included when multiple BSSID elements are carried in the beacon, 4. None of the following elements: The Timestamp and Beacon Interval field, DSSS Parameter Set, IBSS Parameter Set, Country, Channel Switch Announcement, Extended Channel Switch Announcement, Wide Bandwidth Channel Switch, Transmit Power Envelope, Supported Operating Class, IBSS DFS, ERP Information, HT Capabilities, HT Operation, VHT Capabilities, VHT Operation, SIG Beacon Compatibility, Short Beacon Interval, SIG Capabilities, SIG Operation (11ah), etc. Here, these elements usually have the same element values as the AP corresponding to the transmitting BSSID, and 5. Optional non-inheritance element: This element is the last element in the non-transmitted BSSID profile. The non-inheritance element contains the IDs of a series of elements that are in the non-transmitted BSSID and cannot be inherited from the transmitted BSSID, as well as element ID extensions. Note that the specific content of this element is omitted in this specification. In particular, as shown in Table 3, the non-inheritance element includes an element ID, a length, an element ID extension, an element ID list, and an element ID extension list. The element ID extension list exists only when the element ID value is 255.

[0088]

Table 3

[0089] How to apply multiple BSSID technologies to a multi-link device to provide the functions of multiple virtual networks is a technical problem being studied by those skilled in the art.

[0090] FIG. 4 shows a multi-link device and an information indication method based on multiple BSSIDs according to an embodiment of the present application. This method can be applied between stations, between an access point and a station, and between access points. For ease of explanation, in this embodiment of the present application, the communication between an access point and a station is used as an example. This method includes, but is not limited to, the following steps.

[0091] Step S401: The access point sends MLD information to the station.

[0092] An access point belongs to one MLD. For example, the access point is the AP in an AP multi-link device. A station that receives MLD information can be a station in a multi-link station device or a single-link station. In another type of BSS, the MLD information may alternatively be sent by a station, and the station belongs to one MLD. The MLD information may alternatively be received by an access point. The access point belongs to one MLD or is a single-link access point. The following description is explained by using an example where an access point sends MLD information to a station.

[0093] An AP in an AP multi-link device that sends MLD information may be called a reporting AP. The information field of the reported AP contains information about another AP in the MLD to which the reporting AP belongs.

[0094] The MLD information includes information about the reporting AP and information about the reported AP. The information about the reporting AP indicates the reporting AP, and the information about the reported AP indicates the reported AP.

[0095] Optionally, an AP in an AP multi-link device belongs to a plurality of BSSID sets. The information about the reporting AP further indicates the plurality of BSSID sets to which the reporting AP belongs, and the information about the reported AP further indicates the plurality of BSSID sets to which the reported AP belongs.

[0096] The MLD information carries information for associating a station with an AP multi-link device. Thus, a station that receives the information can be associated with the corresponding AP. Optionally, the MLD information may be carried in a management frame, such as a beacon frame, an association response frame, a probe response frame, an authentication frame, or a neighbor report.

[0097] Note that the MLD information may further include a plurality of BSSID information and the like. Of course, the MLD information may have another name. This is not particularly limited in this embodiment of the present application.

[0098] The AP multi-link device includes n logical APs operating on n different links. Therefore, the AP can be represented by using link identifiers link 1, link 2,..., and link n, and the MAC addresses of the APs are different. The AP multi-link device is identified by using the MLD MAC address. In other words, the MAC address is for identifying the AP multi-link device management entity. The MAC address of the AP multi-link device can be the same as the MAC address of one of the n logical APs included in the multi-link AP or different from the MAC addresses of all of the n logical APs. For example, the MAC address of the AP multi-link device is a common MAC address and can identify the AP multi-link device.

[0099] In an example, one or more logical APs in the AP multi-link device may belong to one or more Multiple Basic Service Set Identifier (BSSID) sets. In an example, the logical APs in the AP multi-link device belong to different multiple BSSID sets. In another example, the multiple logical APs in the AP multi-link device may belong to the same multiple BSSID sets. For example, when two logical APs in the AP multi-link device operate on one link, these two logical APs may belong to the same multiple BSSID sets.

[0100] For example, as shown in FIG. 5, the MAC address of the AP multi-link device is, for example, MLD1. The multi-link device includes three logical APs shown as AP1, AP2, and AP3. AP1, AP2, and AP3 operate on link 1, link 2, and link 3. The MAC addresses of AP1, AP2, and AP3 are BSSID_11, BSSID_21, and BSSID_31 (before 802.11ax, the BSSID of the BSS established by the AP is the MAC address of the AP and can be changed later. For the sake of easy explanation, an example where the MAC address of the AP is the BSSID of the BSS established by the AP is used in this specification). AP1 is a member of the multiple BSSID set 1, and the multiple BSSID set 1 further includes AP4 whose MAC address is BSSID_13. AP2 is a member of the multiple BSSID set 2, and the multiple BSSID set 2 further includes AP5 whose MAC address is BSSID_22 and AP6 whose MAC address is BSSID_23. AP3 is a member of the multiple BSSID set 3, and the multiple BSSID set 3 further includes AP7 whose MAC address is BSSID_32 and AP8 whose MAC address is BSSID_33.

[0101] Step S402: The station receives the MLD information sent by the access point AP.

[0102] In particular, after receiving MLD information by an AP in broadcast or unicast mode, the station parses the MLD information to obtain the content in the MLD information, for example, information regarding the reporting AP and the reported AP in the MLD information. If the MLD information includes information regarding shared information and virtual APs, the station also obtains the information regarding shared information and virtual APs through parsing. It will be understood that the station may learn a plurality of BSSID set structures based on the AP multi-link device based on the content obtained by parsing the MLD information. After obtaining a plurality of BSSID set structures based on the AP multi-link device, the STA may perform one or more of the following operations.

[0103] (1) Associate with one or more APs in the MLD where the AP is located on one link. For example, in FIG. 6, after the station receives MLD information sent by an AP whose MAC address is BSSID-1x on Link 1, the station may select to associate with the AP whose MAC address is BSSID-1x and the AP whose MAC address is BSSID-3x in the AP multi-link device MLD1 where the AP whose MAC address is BSSID-1x is located.

[0104] (2) Associate with an AP in another MLD other than the MLD where the reporting AP is located on one link, and the AP in this other MLD belongs to a plurality of BSSID sets including the AP in the MLD where the reporting AP is located. For example, in FIG. 6, after the station receives MLD information sent by an AP whose MAC address is BSSID-1x on Link 1, the station may select to associate with the AP whose MAC address is BSSID-2x and the AP whose MAC address is BSSID-3y in the AP multi-link device MLD2.

[0105] Optionally, the association herein refers to exchanging one or more of a probe request frame and a probe response frame, an authentication request frame and an authentication response frame, and an association request frame or an association response frame.

[0106] Below, two optional multiple BSSID set architecturesolutions applicable to an AP multi-link device are exemplified.

[0107] Below, the AP in the BSS identified by the transmitting BSSID is called the transmitting AP (transmitting BSSID AP), and the AP in the BSS identified by the non-transmitting BSSID is called the non-transmitting AP (non-transmitting BSSID AP).

[0108] Solution 1:

[0109] The transmitting BSSID APs in a plurality of multiple BSSID sets are not from the same AP multi-link device. In other words, the same AP multi-link device may include one transmitting BSSID AP belonging to a plurality of BSSID sets and further include one non-transmitting BSSID AP belonging to another plurality of BSSID sets. For example, AP1 in one AP multi-link device (MLD1) is the transmitting BSSID AP in the plurality of BSSID sets 1, and AP2 in the AP multi-link device (MLD1) is the non-transmitting BSSID AP in the plurality of BSSID sets 2. In this case, the network formed by the multiple BSSIDs of the multi-link device is more flexible and more suitable for the service requirements of different stations.

[0110] FIG. 6 shows an architecture in which APs in a BSS identified by a transmitting BSSID in a plurality of BSSID sets are not in the same AP multi-link device. An AP whose MAC address identifier ends with x is a transmitting BSSID AP, and an AP whose MAC address identifier ends with y or z is a non-transmitting BSSID AP. For example, the transmitting BSSID AP in the plurality of BSSID sets 1 is AP1 whose MAC address identifier is BSSID_1x, and the non-transmitting BSSID AP in the plurality of BSSID sets 1 is AP4 whose MAC address identifier is BSSID_1y. The transmitting BSSID AP in the plurality of BSSID sets 2 is AP5 whose MAC address identifier is BSSID_2x, and the non-transmitting BSSID APs in the plurality of BSSID sets 2 are AP2 whose address identifier is BSSID_2y and AP6 whose MAC address identifier is BSSID_2z. The transmitting BSSID AP in the plurality of BSSID sets 3 is AP3 whose MAC address identifier is BSSID_3x, and the non-transmitting BSSID APs in the plurality of BSSID sets 3 are AP7 whose MAC address identifier is BSSID_3y and AP8 whose MAC address identifier is BSSID_3z. From FIG. 6, it can be seen that transmitting BSSID APs (i.e., transmitting APs) from different BSSID sets are distributed in different AP multi-link devices. For example, an AP with a MAC address of BSSID-1x and an AP with a MAC address of BSSID-2x are in AP multi-link devices MLD1 and MLD2, respectively.

[0111] In this embodiment of the present application, there is also a virtual AP. The virtual AP and the reporting AP are not in the same AP multi-link device. The virtual AP belongs to the same AP multi-link device as the non-transmitting AP in the multiple BSSID sets to which the reporting AP belongs. In addition, the member APs belonging to the AP multi-link device where the reporting AP is located do not exist on the operating link of the virtual AP, or the member APs belonging to the AP multi-link device where the reporting AP is located exist on the operating link of the virtual AP, but are not in the same multiple BSSID sets as the virtual AP. For example, as shown in FIG. 6, the reporting AP in the multiple BSSID set 2 is AP5 whose MAC address is BSSID_2x (which is also the transmitting AP). AP1 whose MAC address is BSSID_1x and AP5 are not in the same multi-link device, but AP1 and the non-transmitting AP whose MAC address is BSSID_2y in the multiple BSSID set 2 where AP5 is located, that is, AP2, are in the same AP multi-link device (MLD1). In addition, the member APs belonging to the AP multi-link device where the reporting AP is located do not exist on the operating link of AP1. Therefore, for AP5 acting as the reporting AP, AP1 can be regarded as a virtual AP. Of course, the "virtual AP" in this specification may have another name, but should have the same meaning as that of the virtual AP in this specification.

[0112] In an embodiment of the present application, among the AP multi-link devices, the AP that sends MLD information may be called the reporting AP, and the AP that does not send MLD information may be called the reported AP. Optionally, the reported AP and the reporting AP are arranged in the same AP multi-link device. Optionally, the reported AP and the reported AP are not arranged in the same AP multi-link device. In an example, currently, in the AP multi-link device, there is one reporting AP and at least one reported AP (when the number of reported APs is 0, the AP multi-link device can be regarded as a special AP multi-link device). The reported AP and the reporting AP are in the same multi-link AP. In another example, the AP multi-link device may also include one logical AP, and this logical AP switches between multiple links for operation. When the logical AP sends MLD information, the logical AP is the reporting AP. The management frame can be a beacon frame, a Probe Response frame, or an association response frame. The MLD information is carried in the management frame or another pre-specified frame. Therefore, the access point sending the MLD information to the station can be specifically as follows: The reporting AP sends the MLD information to the station. The MLD information indicates information based on the distribution of the multi-link devices and the multiple BSSID sets in the station to the station. Therefore, the station learns about the information regarding the MLD where the first station is located.

[0113] The MLD information may be carried in the management frame. The MLD information includes the following information: information about the reporting AP and information about the reported AP, and optionally may further include information about the virtual AP and shared information.

[0114] The information about the reporting AP includes the BSSID of the BSS to which the reporting AP belongs (generally the MAC address of the reporting AP). In addition, if the reporting AP is a member of multiple BSSID sets, the information about the reporting AP needs to carry multiple BSSID elements of the multiple BSSID sets to which the reporting AP belongs. The multiple BSSID elements of the multiple BSSID sets to which the reporting AP belongs carry information about some APs, and the information about these APs may be referred to as the second type of AP information of the reporting AP.

[0115] Optionally, the information about the reporting AP further includes type 1 AP information, and the type 1 AP information in the information about the reporting AP is the information of the reporting AP. For example, the type 1 AP information further includes, but is not limited to, one or more of the capability information of the reporting AP, the operation information of the reporting AP, the MAC address of the reporting AP, the link identifier of the reporting AP, etc. Optionally, when the MLD information is carried in a beacon frame, the information about the reporting AP may further include some other fields or elements carried in the beacon frame in the current 802.11 protocol (for example, the 802.11-2016 protocol), such as the timestamp field, the beacon interval field, the SSID element, etc. Optionally, when the MLD information is carried in a probe response frame, the reporting AP may further include some other fields or elements carried in the beacon frame in the current 802.11 protocol (for example, the 802.11-2016 protocol), such as the timestamp field, the beacon interval field, the SSID element, etc. Optionally, when the MLD information is carried in an association request frame, the information about the reporting AP may further include some other fields or elements carried in the association request frame in the current 802.11 protocol (for example, the 802.11-2016 protocol), such as the association identifier (AID) field, the enhanced distributed channel access (EDCA) parameter set element, etc.

[0116] Information about the reported AP: Method 1: The information about the reported AP includes type 1 AP information, and the type 1 AP information includes information about one of the APs other than the reported AP in the MLD where the reported AP is located. If the reported AP indicated in the information about the reported AP is a member of a plurality of BSSID sets, optionally, the information about the reported AP further includes a plurality of BSSID elements of the plurality of BSSID sets to which the reported AP belongs. Optionally, the information about the reported AP further includes relationship information of a plurality of BSSIDs where the reported AP is located. The relationship information of the plurality of BSSIDs where the reported AP is located may indicate whether the reported AP is a member of a plurality of BSSID sets by using a first preset bit. For example, the first preset bit includes 1 bit, and whether the reported AP is a member of a plurality of BSSID sets is indicated by using 1 bit. The plurality of BSSID elements of the plurality of BSSID sets to which the reported AP belongs carry information about some APs, and the information about these APs may be called type 2 AP information of the reported AP.

[0117] In the information about the reported AP, if the reported AP indicated is a non-transmitting BSSID AP, the relationship information of the plurality of BSSIDs further includes information about the transmitting BSSID AP in the plurality of BSSID sets to which the reported AP belongs, or the transmitting BSSID in the plurality of BSSID sets, or the sequence number of the transmitting BSSID. Optionally, the transmitting BSSID AP information may further include one or more of capability information, operation information, MAC address, link identifier of the transmitting BSSID AP, and MAC address of the AP multi-link device where the transmitting BSSID AP is located.

[0118] Optionally, the relationship information of a plurality of BSSIDs where the reported AP is located may further indicate the AP type of the reported AP in the plurality of BSSID sets to which the reported AP belongs by using a second preset bit. For example, the second preset bit is 2 bits, and these 2 bits separately indicate whether the AP belongs to a plurality of BSSID sets and whether the reported AP is a transmitting BSSID AP, or the second preset bit is 1 bit, and this 1 bit indicates whether the reported AP is a non-transmitting BSSID AP.

[0119] Optionally, of course, the relationship information of a plurality of BSSIDs may further indicate whether the reported AP belongs to a plurality of BSSID sets by using 2 bits, and may further indicate the type of the reported AP in the plurality of BSSID sets to which the reported AP belongs. For example, one of the 2 bits indicates whether the reported AP belongs to a plurality of BSSID sets, and the other bit indicates the type of the reported AP in the plurality of BSSID sets to which the reported AP belongs, for example, whether the reported AP is a transmitting BSSID AP or a non-transmitting BSSID AP.

[0120] It should be noted that when a plurality of BSSID elements are in the information about the reported AP, the non-transmitting BSSID profile of the plurality of BSSID elements may further carry the MAC address of the MLD where the non-transmitting BSSID AP is located. In particular, when the non-transmitting BSSID AP belongs to the MLD, the MAC address of the MLD where the AP is located is added to the non-transmitting BSSID profile. Otherwise, the MAC address may be omitted. The MAC address of the MLD to which the non-transmitting BSSID AP belongs may be used by another station to be associated with the AP in the MLD to which the non-transmitting BSSID AP belongs.

[0121] Optionally, the relationship information of a plurality of BSSIDs included in the information about the reported AP may be in an optional sub-element field in the plurality of BSSID elements in the information field of the reported AP, for example, in the plurality of BSSID elements.

[0122] Optionally, the relationship information of the plurality of BSSIDs included in the information about the reported AP may be in another field (not in the plurality of BSSID elements) of the reported AP.

[0123] Method 2: Case 1: The reported AP does not belong to a plurality of BSSID sets. In this case, the first type of AP information in the information field of the reported AP is information about an AP belonging to the same MLD as the reporting AP. Case 2: When the reported AP belongs to a plurality of BSSID sets, the first type of AP information is information about the transmitting BSSID AP in the plurality of BSSID sets, and the information field of the reported AP further includes a plurality of BSSID elements. In this case, the plurality of BSSID elements carry the second type of AP information. Case 2 is further divided into two cases. Case 2.1: The transmitting BSSID AP and the reporting AP are in the same MLD. Case 2.2: The transmitting BSSID AP and the reporting AP are not in the same MLD.

[0124] In Case 2.2, the reported AP information field further includes information about an AP that satisfies the following conditions.

[0125] (1) The AP and the reporting AP are arranged in the same AP multi-link device, (2) The AP and the transmitting BSSID AP in the information about the reported AP are arranged in the same plurality of BSSID sets.

[0126] The information about the AP that satisfies these conditions is the BSSID or the plurality of BSSID indexes of the plurality of BSSID sets to which the AP belongs.

[0127] In Method 2, the information field of the reported AP includes 1-bit information for indicating whether the reported AP belongs to a plurality of BSSID sets, and further includes 1-bit information for indicating whether the reported AP and the reporting AP are in the same MLD.

[0128] In Method 2, when the reported AP belongs to multiple BSSID sets, the first type of AP information included in the information field of the reported AP is information regarding the transmitting BSSID AP, and the signaling structure conforms to that of the virtual AP's information field.

[0129] Optionally, for example, the first type of AP information includes one or more of the capabilities element of the reported AP, the operation information of the reported AP, the MAC address of the reported AP, the link identifier of the reported AP, etc. The link identifier can be an identifier number. Alternatively, the link identifier can be the operation class and channel number of the reported AP. Alternatively, the link identifier can be the MAC address of the reported AP. Alternatively, the link identifier can be a combination of at least two of the above items (for example, the identifier number, the operation class of the reported AP, the channel number, and the MAC address of the reported AP). In the MLD information to be sent, the reporting AP can implement a one-to-one correspondence between the identifier and the operation class and channel number in advance, or a one-to-one correspondence between the identifier and the MAC address of the reported AP, or a one-to-one correspondence between the identifier and a combination of at least two items. Of course, the correspondence may be determined through prior negotiation between the reporting AP and the station.

[0130] Information about the virtual AP: When the AP shown in the information about the virtual AP is a member of multiple BSSID sets, the information field of the virtual AP includes the first type of AP information, that is, the transmitting BSSID AP (in other words, the virtual AP is regarded as the transmitting BSSID AP in the multiple BSSID sets to which the virtual AP belongs), and information about the multiple BSSID elements of the multiple BSSID sets to which the virtual AP belongs. Optionally, the information about the virtual AP further includes the relationship information of the multiple BSSIDs where the virtual AP is located. The relationship information of the multiple BSSIDs where the virtual AP is located can indicate whether the virtual AP is a member of the multiple BSSID sets by using the third preset bit. For example, the third preset bit includes 1 bit, and this bit indicates whether the virtual AP belongs to the multiple BSSID sets.

[0131] The multiple BSSID elements of the multiple BSSID sets to which the virtual AP belongs carry information about some APs, and the information about these APs may be called the second type of AP information of the virtual AP.

[0132] When the AP shown in the information about the virtual AP is not a member of the multiple BSSID sets, the information field of the virtual AP includes the first type of AP information, in particular, information about the virtual AP itself.

[0133] Optionally, the relationship information of the multiple BSSIDs where the virtual AP is located can further indicate the AP type of the virtual AP in the multiple BSSID sets to which the virtual AP belongs by using the fourth preset bit. For example, the fourth preset bit is 2 bits, and these 2 bits separately indicate whether the AP belongs to the multiple BSSID sets and whether the virtual AP is the transmitting BSSID AP, or the fourth preset bit is 1 bit, and this 1 bit indicates whether the virtual AP is a non-transmitting BSSID AP.

[0134] Optionally, of course, the relationship information of multiple BSSIDs can further indicate whether the virtual AP belongs to multiple BSSID sets by using 2 bits, and can further indicate the type of the virtual AP in the multiple BSSID sets to which the virtual AP belongs. For example, one of the 2 bits indicates whether the virtual AP belongs to multiple BSSID sets, and the other bit indicates the type of the virtual AP in the multiple BSSID sets to which the virtual AP belongs, for example, whether the virtual AP is a transmitting BSSID AP or a non-transmitting BSSID AP.

[0135] It should be noted that when multiple BSSID elements are in the information about the virtual AP, the non-transmitting BSSID profile of the multiple BSSID elements can further carry the MAC address of the MLD where the non-transmitting BSSID AP is located. In particular, when the non-transmitting BSSID AP belongs to the MLD, the MAC address of the MLD where the AP is located is added to the non-transmitting BSSID profile. Otherwise, the MAC address may be omitted. The MAC address of the MLD to which the non-transmitting BSSID AP belongs can be used by another station to associate with the AP in the MLD to which the non-transmitting BSSID AP belongs.

[0136] Optionally, the relationship information of multiple BSSIDs included in the information about the virtual AP can be in a multiple BSSID element in the information field of the virtual AP, for example, in an optional sub-element field in the multiple BSSID elements.

[0137] Optionally, for example, the first type of AP information includes one or more of the capability elements of the virtual AP, the operation information of the virtual AP, the MAC address of the virtual AP, the link identifier of the virtual AP, the MAC address of the AP multi-link device (MLD) where the virtual AP is located, etc. The link identifier can be an identifier number, or the operation class and channel number of the virtual AP, or the MAC address, or a combination of at least two of the above items. In the MLD information to be sent, the reporting AP can implement a one-to-one correspondence between the identifier and the operation class and channel number of the virtual AP in advance, or a one-to-one correspondence between the identifier and the MAC address of the virtual AP, or a one-to-one correspondence between the identifier and a combination of at least two items. Of course, the correspondence may be determined through negotiation between the reporting AP and the station in advance.

[0138] All of the above-mentioned first type of AP information is carried outside the multiple BSSID elements of the multiple BSSID sets, and all of the above-mentioned second type of AP information is carried within the multiple BSSID elements of the multiple BSSID sets.

[0139] The shared information particularly includes at least two of the shared information such as the reporting AP, the reported AP, and the virtual AP. For example, the reporting AP and the reported AP are arranged in the same AP multi-link device MLD2, and both have the MAC address of the AP multi-link device MLD2. Therefore, the shared information may include the MAC address of the multi-link device MLD2. In addition, both the quantity of the reported AP and the quantity of the virtual AP can be classified as shared information. It should be noted that when a part of the shared information is not carried in the shared information, this part of the shared information can be carried in the information about the reporting AP, the information about the reported AP, or the information about the virtual AP. For example, the MAC address of the AP multi-link device MLD2 where both the reporting AP and the reported AP are located can be carried in the information about the reporting AP and / or in the information about the reported AP.

[0140] Optionally, the MLD information may not include shared information. In this case, some examples of the information included in the shared information of this specification may alternatively be carried in the information regarding the reporting AP, the information regarding the reported AP, or the information regarding the virtual AP.

[0141] Optionally, in this embodiment of the present application, the information field of the reported AP and the information field of the virtual AP may be distinguished in the following manner.

[0142] In an example, the information field of the reported AP and the information field of the virtual AP are implicitly indicated by the amounts of the reported AP and the virtual AP in the shared information field. In this case, the information fields of one or more reported APs are consecutive, and the information fields of one or more virtual APs are consecutive. In an example, when the MLD information includes the information regarding the reporting AP, one or more reported APs, the information regarding the virtual AP, and the shared information, the field structure of the MLD information may be shown in Table 4.

[0143]

Table 4

[0144] As shown in Table 4, it is assumed that the shared information indicates that the amount of the reported AP is 2 and the amount of the virtual AP is 3. Therefore, the two information fields after the shared information include the information regarding the two reported APs, and the three information fields after these two information fields include the information regarding the three virtual APs. In that case, a station that reads the two information fields after the shared information to receive the MLD information knows that the two fields are the information regarding the reported AP. By reading the three information fields after these two information fields, the station knows that the three fields are the information regarding the virtual AP.

[0145] In another example, the preset bit information is carried in an information field to indicate whether the current information field is the information field of the reported AP or the information field of the virtual AP. The preset bit information can be 1 bit. For example, if the value of 1 bit is 1, it indicates that the current information field is the information field of the reported AP. If the value of 1 bit is 0, it indicates that the current information field is the information field of the virtual AP. Alternatively, the preset bit information can be a special value of the field. Some values of the field (e.g., 1100) indicate that the current information field is the information field of the reported AP, and some other values (0011) indicate that the current information field is the information field of the virtual AP. Therefore, the information about the reported AP or the information about the virtual AP can be determined based on the special value of the field. In this way, the MLD information can reduce the signaling overhead without indicating the amount of the reported APs or the amount of the virtual APs. In addition, one or more information fields of the reported APs do not need to be consecutive, and one or more information fields of the virtual APs do not need to be consecutive. The locations of the information fields of the reported APs and the information fields of the virtual APs in the MLD information are more flexible. Of course, the MLD information in this example may use the structure shown in Table 2.

[0146] Regarding the structure shown in FIG. 6, examples of the transmitted BSSID information and the multiple BSSID elements carried in the information about the reporting AP, the information about the reported AP, and the information about the virtual AP will be described below. The details are as follows.

[0147] Example 1: When the reporting AP is an AP with a MAC address of BSSID-2x, one reported AP is an AP with a MAC address of BSSID-3y, and one virtual AP is an AP with a MAC address of BSSID-1x.

[0148] The reported AP with the MAC address BSSID-2x is a member of multiple BSSID set 2, and the AP with the MAC address BSSID-2x is the transmitting BSSID AP in multiple BSSID set 2. Therefore, the information about the reported AP includes the first type of AP information and the second type of AP information. The first type of AP information includes the MAC address BSSID-2x (i.e., the transmitting BSSID). The second type of AP information includes multiple BSSID elements of multiple BSSID set 2, and the multiple BSSID elements include information about the AP with the MAC address BSSID-2y and information about the AP with the MAC address BSSID-2z.

[0149] The reported AP with the MAC address BSSID-3y is a member of multiple BSSID set 3, and the relationship information of multiple BSSIDs indicates that the AP with the MAC address BSSID-3y is a non-transmitting BSSID AP. Therefore, the information about the reported AP includes the first type of AP information, the second type of AP information, and information about the transmitting BSSID AP in multiple BSSID set 3 where the AP with the MAC address BSSID-3y is located, that is, information about the AP with the MAC address BSSID-3x. The first type of AP information includes the MAC address of the reported AP with the MAC address BSSID-3y and so on. The second type of AP information carries multiple BSSID elements of multiple BSSID set 3 where the AP with the MAC address BSSID-3y is located, and the multiple BSSID elements carry information about the AP with the MAC address BSSID-3z.

[0150] The virtual AP with the MAC address BSSID-1x is a member of the multiple BSSID set 1, and the AP with the MAC address BSSID-1x is the transmitting BSSID AP in the multiple BSSID set 1. Therefore, the information about the virtual AP includes the first type of AP information and the second type of AP information. The first type of AP information includes the MAC address BSSID-1x, and the second type of AP information includes multiple BSSID elements of the multiple BSSID set 1. The multiple BSSID elements include information about the AP with the MAC address BSSID-1y.

[0151] Example 2: When the reporting AP is the AP with the MAC address BSSID-1x, one reported AP is the AP with the MAC address BSSID-2y, and another reported AP is the AP with the MAC address BSSID-3x. In addition, the AP with the MAC address BSSID-1x does not have a corresponding virtual AP.

[0152] Since the reporting AP with the MAC address BSSID-1x is a member of the multiple BSSID set 1 and the AP with the MAC address BSSID-1x is the transmitting BSSID AP in the multiple BSSID set 1, the information about the reporting AP includes the first type of AP information and the second type of AP information. The first type of AP information includes the MAC address BSSID-1x (i.e., the transmitting BSSID), and the second type of AP information includes multiple BSSID elements of the multiple BSSID set 1. The multiple BSSID elements include information about the AP with the MAC address BSSID-1y.

[0153] The reported AP with the MAC address BSSID-2y is a member of the multiple BSSID set 3, and the relationship information of the multiple BSSIDs indicates that the AP with the MAC address BSSID-2y is a non-transmitting BSSID AP. Therefore, the information about the reported AP includes the first type of AP information, the second type of AP information, and the information about the transmitting BSSID AP in the multiple BSSID set 2 where the AP with the MAC address BSSID-2y is located, that is, the information about the AP with the MAC address BSSID-2x. The first type of AP information includes the MAC address such as the MAC address BSSID-2y. The second type of AP information includes the multiple BSSID elements of the multiple BSSID set 2 where the AP with the MAC address BSSID-2y is located. The multiple BSSID elements include the information about the AP with the MAC address BSSID-2y and the information about the AP with the MAC address BSSID-2z.

[0154] The reported AP with the MAC address BSSID-3x is a member of the multiple BSSID set 3, and the relationship information of the multiple BSSIDs indicates that the AP with the MAC address BSSID-3x is a transmitting BSSID AP. Therefore, the information about the reported AP includes the first type of AP information, the second type of AP information, and the MAC address BSSID-3x (i.e., the transmitting BSSID) of the AP with the MAC address BSSID-3x. The first type of AP information includes the MAC address of the reported AP with the MAC address BSSID-3x and the like. The second type of AP information includes the multiple BSSID elements of the multiple BSSID set 3 where the AP with the MAC address BSSID-3x is located. The multiple BSSID elements include the information about the AP with the MAC address BSSID-3y and the information about the AP with the MAC address BSSID-3z.

[0155] When an AP with a MAC address of BSSID-1x acts as a reporting AP, there is no corresponding virtual AP. Therefore, the MLD information does not include information about the virtual AP. In the above two examples, it should be understood that, optionally, the MLD information may further include shared information. For the content of the shared information, refer to the above description. Details will not be described again in this specification.

[0156] Solution 2:

[0157] The transmitting BSSID APs in multiple multiple BSSID sets belong to the same AP multi-link device. In other words, if one or more APs in an AP multi-link device belong to multiple BSSID sets, all the transmitting BSSID APs in the multiple BSSID sets belong to one AP multi-link device. For example, the transmitting BSSID AP1 in multiple BSSID set 1 and the transmitting BSSID AP2 in multiple BSSID set 2 belong to two different APs in the AP multi-link device MLD1. In this case, the multiple BSSID network constructed based on the AP multi-link device is simpler, and the signaling overhead of the MLD information is less.

[0158] Figure 7 shows that the APs in the BSS identified by the transmitting BSSID in a plurality of multiple BSSID sets are from the same AP multi-link device. An AP whose MAC address identifier ends with x is the transmitting BSSID AP, and an AP whose MAC address identifier ends with y or z is a non-transmitting BSSID AP. For example, the transmitting BSSID AP in the multiple BSSID set 1 is AP1 whose MAC address identifier is BSSID_1x, and the non-transmitting BSSID AP in the multiple BSSID set 1 is AP4 whose MAC address identifier is BSSID_1y. The transmitting BSSID AP in the multiple BSSID set 2 is AP2 whose MAC address identifier is BSSID_2x, and the non-transmitting BSSID APs in the multiple BSSID set 2 are AP5 whose address identifier is BSSID_2y and AP6 whose MAC address identifier is BSSID_2z. The transmitting BSSID AP in the multiple BSSID set 3 is AP3 whose MAC address identifier is BSSID_3x, and the non-transmitting BSSID APs in the multiple BSSID set 3 are AP7 whose MAC address identifier is BSSID_3y and AP8 whose MAC address identifier is BSSID_3z. From Figure 7, it can be learned that all the transmitting BSSID APs (i.e., transmitting APs) from different multiple BSSID sets are in the AP multi-link device MLD1.

[0159] In an embodiment of the present application, among the AP multi-link devices, the AP that sends MLD information may be referred to as the reporting AP, and the AP that does not send MLD information may be referred to as the reported AP. The reported AP and the reporting AP are arranged in the same AP multi-link device. In an example, currently, in the AP multi-link device, there is one reporting AP and at least one reported AP (when the number of reported APs is 0, the AP multi-link device may be regarded as a special AP multi-link device). The reported AP and the reporting AP are in the same multi-link AP. In another example, the AP multi-link device may also include one logical AP, and this logical AP switches between multiple links for operation. When the logical AP sends MLD information, the logical AP is the reporting AP. The management frame may be a beacon frame, a Probe Response frame, or an association response frame. The MLD information is carried in the management frame or another pre-specified frame. Therefore, the access point sending the MLD information to the station may specifically be as follows: The reporting AP sends the MLD information to the station. The MLD information indicates information based on the distribution of the multi-link devices and the multiple BSSID sets in the station to the station. Therefore, the station learns about the information regarding the MLD where the first station is located.

[0160] The MLD information may be carried in the management frame. The MLD information includes the following information: information about the reporting AP and information about the reported AP, and optionally may further include information about the virtual AP and shared information.

[0161] The information about the reporting AP includes the BSSID of the BSS to which the reporting AP belongs (generally the MAC address of the reporting AP). In addition, when the reporting AP is a member of a multiple BSSID set, the information about the reporting AP needs to carry multiple BSSID elements of the multiple BSSID set to which the reporting AP belongs. The multiple BSSID elements of the multiple BSSID set to which the reporting AP belongs carry information about some APs, and the information about these APs may be referred to as the second type of AP information of the reporting AP.

[0162] Optionally, the information about the reporting AP further includes type 1 AP information, and the type 1 AP information in the information about the reporting AP is the information of the reporting AP. For example, the type 1 AP information further includes one or more of the following: the capability information of the reporting AP, the operation information of the reporting AP, the MAC address of the reporting AP, the link identifier of the reporting AP, etc. Optionally, when the MLD information is carried in a beacon frame, the information about the reporting AP may further include some other fields or elements carried in the beacon in the current 802.11 protocol (e.g., the 802.11-2016 protocol), such as the timestamp field, the beacon interval field, the SSID element, etc. Optionally, when the MLD information is carried in a probe response frame, the reporting AP may further include some other fields or elements carried in the beacon in the current 802.11 protocol (e.g., the 802.11-2016 protocol), such as the timestamp field, the beacon interval field, the SSID element, etc. Optionally, when the MLD information is carried in an association request frame, the information about the reporting AP may further include some other fields or elements carried in the association request frame in the current 802.11 protocol (e.g., the 802.11-2016 protocol), such as the association identifier (AID) field, the Enhanced distributed Channel Access (EDCA) parameter set element, etc.

[0163] The information about the reported AP includes the BSSID of the BSS to which the reported AP belongs (usually the MAC address of the reported AP). In addition, if the reported AP indicated in the information about the reported AP belongs to multiple BSSID sets, the information about the reported AP includes multiple BSSID elements of the multiple BSSID sets to which the reported AP belongs. Under the premise of the above architecture, the reported AP is essentially the transmitting BSSID AP. Optionally, the information about the reported AP further includes the relationship information of multiple BSSIDs where the reported AP is located. The relationship information of multiple BSSIDs where the reported AP is located can indicate whether the reported AP is a member of multiple BSSID sets by using a first preset bit. For example, the first preset bit includes 1 bit, and whether the reported AP is a member of multiple BSSID sets is indicated by using 1 bit. The multiple BSSID elements of the multiple BSSID sets to which the reported AP belongs carry information about some APs, and the information about these APs may be called the second type of AP information of the reported AP.

[0164] It should be noted that when multiple BSSID elements are in the information about the reported AP, the non-transmitting BSSID profile of the multiple BSSID elements may further carry the MAC address of the MLD where the non-transmitting BSSID AP is located. In particular, when the non-transmitting BSSID AP belongs to the MLD, the MAC address of the MLD where the AP is located is added to the non-transmitting BSSID profile. Otherwise, the MAC address may be omitted. The MAC address of the MLD to which the non-transmitting BSSID AP belongs can be used by another station to be associated with the AP in the MLD to which the non-transmitting BSSID AP belongs.

[0165] Optionally, the relationship information of multiple BSSIDs included in the information about the reported AP may be in the multiple BSSID elements in the information field of the reported AP, for example, in an optional sub-element field among the multiple BSSID elements.

[0166] Optionally, the relationship information of a plurality of BSSIDs included in the information about the reported AP may be in another field (not in the plurality of BSSID elements) of the reported AP.

[0167] Optionally, the information about the reported AP further includes first type AP information. The first type AP information in the information about the reported AP is information about the reported AP. For example, the first type AP information includes one or more of the capability elements of the reported AP, the operation information of the reported AP, the MAC address of the reported AP, the link identifier of the AP, etc. The link identifier can be an identifier number. Alternatively, the link identifier can be the operating class and channel number of the reported AP. Alternatively, the link identifier can be the MAC address of the reported AP. Alternatively, the link identifier can be a combination of at least two of the above items (for example, the identifier number, the operating class of the reported AP, the channel number, and the MAC address of the reported AP). In the MLD information to be sent, the reporting AP may implement a one-to-one correspondence between the identifier and the operating class and channel number in advance, or a one-to-one correspondence between the identifier and the MAC address of the reported AP, or a one-to-one correspondence between the identifier and a combination of at least two items. Of course, the correspondence may be determined through negotiation between the reporting AP and the station in advance.

[0168] The common information particularly includes at least two of the common information such as the reporting AP and the reported AP. For example, the reporting AP and the reported AP are arranged in the same AP multi-link device MLD2, and both have the MAC address of the AP multi-link device MLD2. Therefore, the common information may include the MAC address of the multi-link device MLD2. In addition, the amount of the reported AP can be classified as common information. It should be noted that when a part of the common information is not carried in the common information, a part of the common information can be carried in the information about the reporting AP or the information about the reported AP. For example, the MAC address of the AP multi-link device MLD2 in which both the reporting AP and the reported AP are arranged can be carried in the information about the reporting AP and / or in the information about the reported AP.

[0169] Optionally, the common information may further carry the amount of the information field of the reported AP.

[0170] Optionally, the MLD information may not include the common information. In this case, some examples of the information included in the common information in this specification can be alternatively carried in the information about the reporting AP or the information about the reported AP.

[0171] Optionally, when the MLD information includes the information about the reporting AP, the information about the reported AP, and the common information, the field structure of the MLD information can be shown in Table 5.

[0172]

Table 5

[0173] Regarding the structure shown in FIG. 7, examples of the transmitted BSSID information and the multiple BSSID elements carried in the information about the reporting AP and the information about the reported AP will be described below. The details are as follows.

[0174] When the reporting AP is an AP with a MAC address of BSSID-1x, one reported AP is an AP with a MAC address of BSSID-2x, and another reported AP is an AP with a MAC address of BSSID-3x.

[0175] Since the reporting AP with a MAC address of BSSID-1x is a member of the multiple BSSID set 1 and the AP with a MAC address of BSSID-1x is the transmitting BSSID AP in the multiple BSSID set 1, the information about the reporting AP includes type 1 AP information and type 2 AP information. The type 1 AP information includes the MAC address BSSID-1x (i.e., the transmitting BSSID), and the type 2 AP information includes the multiple BSSID elements of the multiple BSSID set 1, and the multiple BSSID elements include information about the AP with a MAC address of BSSID-1y.

[0176] The BSSID of the BSS to which the reported AP with a MAC address of BSSID-2x belongs is the transmitting BSSID and is a member of the multiple BSSID set 2. The information about the reported AP includes type 1 AP information and type 2 AP information. The type 1 AP information includes the MAC address BSSID-2x (i.e., the transmitting BSSID), and the type 2 AP information includes the multiple BSSID elements of the multiple BSSID set 2, and the multiple BSSID elements include information about the AP with a MAC address of BSSID-2y and information about the AP with a MAC address of BSSID-2z.

[0177] Since the reported AP with a MAC address of BSSID-3x does not belong to any multiple BSSID set, the above information about the reported AP does not need to carry the relationship information of the multiple BSSID set with a MAC address of BSSID-3x.

[0178] In an optional solution, in the above Solutions 1 and 2, the information about the reported AP is included in the information field of the reported AP, and the information about the virtual AP is included in the information field of the virtual AP, which further includes a method of inheriting the information field of the reporting AP. The principle of inheritance is the same as the method for a non-transmitting BSSID AP to inherit the transmitting BSSID AP parameters in the prior art.

[0179] In particular, the information field of the reporting AP includes relatively comprehensive parameters including various elements in the current 802.11 beacon frame. If a part of the information about the reported AP is the same as a part of the information about the reporting AP, and the same information is carried in the information field of the reporting AP, the element corresponding to this same information may not appear in the information field of the reported AP. If a part of the information about the reported AP is different from a part of the information about the reporting AP, the element corresponding to this different information may appear in the information field of the reported AP, or the non-inherited elements shown in Table 3 are used for indication. If the information field of the reported AP indicates that the reported AP belongs to multiple BSSID sets, a part of the information about the non-transmitting BSSID AP in the multiple BSSID sets may inherit the information field of the reporting AP, or inherit a part of the information about the transmitting BSSID AP in the multiple BSSID sets. For the principle of inheritance, refer to the above method for inheriting the information field of the reported AP.

[0180] If part of the information about the virtual AP is the same as part of the information about the reporting AP, and the same information is carried in the information field of the reporting AP, the element corresponding to this same information may not appear in the information field of the virtual AP. If part of the information about the virtual AP is different from part of the information about the reporting AP, the element corresponding to this different information may appear in the information field of the virtual AP, or the non-inherited elements shown in Table 3 are used for indication. If the information field of the virtual AP indicates that the virtual AP belongs to multiple BSSID sets, part of the information about the non-transmitting BSSID AP in the multiple BSSID sets may inherit the information field of the reporting AP, or inherit part of the information about the transmitting BSSID AP in the multiple BSSID sets. For the principle of inheritance, please refer to the above method for inheriting the information field of the reported AP.

[0181] Optionally, on the premise of the above Solution 1, in step S402, the method for the station to determine the structure of the multiple BSSID sets is as follows.

[0182] Multiple BSSID sets to which the reporting AP belongs: When the reporting AP is a member of multiple BSSID sets, the reporting AP is usually the transmitting BSSID AP. Therefore, the BSSID of the reporting AP included in the information about the reporting AP is actually the transmitting BSSID. In addition, since the information about the reporting AP needs to carry the multiple BSSID elements of the multiple BSSID sets to which the reporting AP belongs, the receiving end can determine the non-transmitting BSSID in the multiple BSSID sets to which the reporting AP belongs and obtain the structure of the multiple BSSID sets to which the reporting AP belongs based on the transmitting BSSID and the multiple BSSID elements of the multiple BSSID sets to which the reporting AP belongs (in particular, the maximum BSSID indication and the non-transmitted BSSID profile of the multiple BSSID sets to which the reporting AP belongs).

[0183] Multiple BSSID sets to which the reported AP belongs: Information about the reported AP conveys the relationship information between the transmitting BSSID (such as the transmitting BSSID AP information, the transmitting BSSID, and the sequence number of the transmitting BSSID in the multiple BSSID sets) and the multiple BSSID elements of the multiple BSSID sets to which the reported AP belongs. Therefore, the receiving end can determine the non-transmitting BSSIDs in the multiple BSSID sets to which the reported AP belongs and obtain the structure of the multiple BSSID sets to which the reported AP belongs based on the transmitting BSSID and the multiple BSSID elements of the multiple BSSID sets to which the reported AP belongs (in particular, the maximum BSSID indication and the non-transmitted BSSID profile of the multiple BSSID sets to which the reported AP belongs).

[0184] Optionally, when there is an information field for the virtual AP, regarding the multiple BSSID sets to which the virtual AP belongs: Information about the virtual AP conveys information regarding the transmitting BSSID AP and the multiple BSSID elements of the multiple BSSID sets to which the virtual AP belongs. Therefore, the receiving end can determine the non-transmitting BSSIDs in the multiple BSSID sets to which the virtual AP belongs and obtain the structure of the multiple BSSID sets to which the virtual AP belongs based on the transmitting BSSID and the multiple BSSID elements of the multiple BSSID sets to which the virtual AP belongs (in particular, the maximum BSSID indication and the non-transmitted BSSID profile of the multiple BSSID sets to which the virtual AP belongs).

[0185] Optionally, the reporting AP, the reported AP, and the virtual AP may not belong to multiple BSSID sets.

[0186] Optionally, the structure of the multiple BSSID elements of the multiple BSSID sets in which the reporting AP, the reported AP, and the virtual AP are arranged may be in the forms of Table 1 and Table 2, and of course, may be in other forms. For example, some fields may be added, some fields may be deleted, or the structure sequence of some fields may be changed based on the structures shown in Table 1 and Table 2.

[0187] Optionally, on the premise of the above Solution 2, in step S402, the method by which the station determines the structure of the multiple BSSID sets may be as follows.

[0188] Multiple BSSID sets to which the reporting AP belongs: When the reporting AP is a member of the multiple BSSID sets, the reporting AP is usually the transmitting BSSID AP. Therefore, the BSSID of the reporting AP included in the information about the reporting AP is actually the transmitting BSSID. In addition, since the information about the reporting AP needs to carry the multiple BSSID elements of the multiple BSSID sets to which the reporting AP belongs, the receiving end may determine the non-transmitting BSSIDs in the multiple BSSID sets to which the reporting AP belongs and obtain the structure of the multiple BSSID sets to which the reporting AP belongs based on the transmitting BSSID and the multiple BSSID elements of the multiple BSSID sets to which the reporting AP belongs (in particular, the maximum BSSID indication and the non-transmitted BSSID profile of the multiple BSSID sets to which the reporting AP belongs).

[0189] Multiple BSSID sets to which the reported AP belongs: Information about the reported AP carries the BSSID of the BSS to which the reported AP belongs. Since the reported AP is the transmitting AP, the BSSID of the BSS to which the reported AP belongs is the transmitting BSSID in the multiple BSSID sets to which the reported AP belongs. Therefore, the receiving end can determine the non-transmitting BSSIDs in the multiple BSSID sets to which the reported AP belongs and obtain the structure of the multiple BSSID sets to which the reported AP belongs based on the transmitting BSSID and the multiple BSSID elements of the multiple BSSID sets to which the reported AP belongs (in particular, the maximum BSSID indication and the non-transmitted BSSID profile of the multiple BSSID sets to which the reported AP belongs).

[0190] Optionally, the reporting AP, the reported AP, and the virtual AP may not belong to a multiple BSSID set.

[0191] Optionally, the structure of the multiple BSSID elements of the multiple BSSID sets in which the reporting AP and the reported AP are located may be in the form of Table 1 and Table 2, and of course, it may be in another form. For example, some fields may be added, some fields may be deleted, or the structure sequence of some fields may be changed based on the structures shown in Table 1 and Table 2.

[0192] In this embodiment of the present application, after learning the structure of the multiple BSSID sets based on the AP multi-link device, the station can implement many operations based on the structure. For example, the multi-link STA in the station is simultaneously associated with multiple APs in the AP multi-link device based on the structure. In this way, the AP multi-link device can simultaneously serve the STA multi-link device, thereby increasing the throughput, improving the transmission robustness, and reducing the transmission delay.

[0193] In both Solution 1 and Solution 2 above, it should be noted that the MLD information is constructed in the sequence of APs in the MLD device. For example, the MLD information includes information about the reporting AP and the reported AP in the MLD device. In the solutions described below, the MLD information is constructed in the sequence of APs in multiple BSSID sets. For example, the MLD information includes information about the reporting AP in multiple BSSIDs and information about the member APs in multiple BSSIDs.

[0194] In an optional solution, the MLD information may further include the following content.

[0195] Information about the reporting AP, where the information about the reporting AP is the same as that in Solution 1.

[0196] Optionally, when the reporting AP is placed in the MLD, the information about the reporting AP includes information about each AP in the MLD where the reporting AP is placed. For example, as shown in FIG. 6, when the reporting AP is an AP with a MAC address of BSSID-1x, in addition to the reporting AP, the APs in the MLD where the reporting AP is placed further include an AP with an identifier of BSSID-2y and an AP with a MAC address of BSSID-3x.

[0197] The MLD information may further include information about the member APs, where the member APs and the reporting AP belong to the same multiple BSSID set, and the information about the member APs is the same as the information about the reported APs in Solution 1.

[0198] Optionally, when a member AP is placed during MLD, the information about the member AP includes the information about each AP in the MLD where the member AP is placed. For example, as shown in FIG. 6, when the AP with the MAC address BSSID-1x is the reporting AP, the member AP is the AP with the MAC address BSSID-1y, and the APs in the MLD where the member AP is placed include the AP with the MAC address BSSID-2z.

[0199] The MLD information may further include information about virtual APs. The virtual APs are not placed in the multiple BSSID sets to which the reporting AP belongs and satisfy the constraint conditions. There are at least two cases for the constraint conditions.

[0200] Case 1: The reporting AP and the virtual APs do not belong to the same MLD, but belong to the same multiple BSSIDs as the member APs in the MLD to which the reporting AP belongs. For example, as shown in FIG. 6, assume that the reporting AP is BSSID-1x, and the four APs with the MAC addresses BSSID-2x, BSSID-3y, BSSID-2z, and BSSID-3z are not placed in the multiple BSSID sets to which the reporting AP belongs and do not belong to the same MLD as the reporting AP. Therefore, for the reporting AP with the MAC address BSSID-1x, the three APs with the MAC addresses BSSID-2x, BSSID-3y, and BSSID-3z are all virtual APs.

[0201] Case 2: The virtual AP does not belong to the same MLD as each member of the multiple BSSID sets to which the reporting AP belongs, but is within the same multiple BSSIDs as one of the member APs in the MLD to which the reporting AP belongs. For example, as shown in FIG. 6, assume that the reporting AP is BSSID-1x, and the two APs with MAC addresses BSSID-2x and BSSID-3y are not arranged in the multiple BSSID sets to which the reporting AP belongs and do not belong to the same MLD as each member of the multiple BSSID sets to which the reporting AP belongs. Therefore, for the reporting AP with MAC address BSSID-1x, both of the two APs with MAC addresses BSSID-2x and BSSID-3y are virtual APs.

[0202] In this case, the information about the virtual AP is the same as the information about the virtual AP in Solution 1.

[0203] Generally, the MAC address of an AP is also the BSSID for the AP to establish a BSS. This principle is followed in all embodiments of this application. Optionally, when the MAC address of the AP is different from the BSSID for the AP to establish a BSS, the information about the AP (for example, the reporting AP, the reported AP, and the virtual AP) may further carry the BSSID field of the BSS established by the AP.

[0204] Note that the amount of MLDs, the amount of multiple BSSID sets, and the overall structure shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 are merely examples. For a different structure, the MLD information can be constructed and reported by using the methods shown in the embodiments of this application.

[0205] In the method shown in FIG. 4, the access point indicates the structure of a plurality of BSSID sets to the station based on the AP multi-link device via MLD information. Therefore, concurrent communication (for example, establishing an association) between a plurality of APs in the AP multi-link device and a plurality of STAs in the STA multi-link device is supported, and it is possible to increase the throughput of the wireless network, improve the transmission robustness, and reduce the transmission delay.

[0206] FIG. 8 shows a multi-link device and an information indication method based on a plurality of BSSIDs according to an embodiment of the present application. This method can be applied between stations, between an access point and a station, and between access points. This method includes, but is not limited to, the following steps.

[0207] Step S801: The first station receives a Probe Request frame sent by the second station.

[0208] In particular, after receiving the Probe Request frame, the first station replies with an Ack frame.

[0209] The first station is a station in a multi-link device (MLD). For example, the MLD is an AP multi-link device. In another example, the MLD is particularly an STA multi-link device. Optionally, "the first station receives a Probe Request frame sent by the second station" may be expressed as "the multi-link device receives a Probe Request frame sent by the second station".

[0210] The second station is a station in a multi-link device (MLD) or a single-link station. For example, the MLD is particularly an AP multi-link device. In another example, the MLD is particularly an STA multi-link device.

[0211] In the example, the first station is the AP in the AP multi-link device, and the second station is the station in the station or STA multi-link device. Hereinafter, an example in which the first station is the AP in the AP multi-link device will be used for explanation.

[0212] The multi-link device MLD where the first station is located includes n logical APs operating on n different links. Therefore, the AP can be represented by using link identifiers link 1, link 2,..., and link n, and the MAC addresses of the APs are different. One multi-link device is identified by using the MAC address of one MLD. In other words, the MAC address is used to identify the multi-link device management entity. The MAC address of the multi-link device can be the same as the MAC address of one of the n logical APs included in the address of the multi-link AP, or can be different from the MAC addresses of all of the n logical APs. In addition, one or more logical APs in the multi-link device can belong to different multiple Basic Service Set Identifier (BSSID) sets. Generally, the logical APs in one multi-link device belong to different multiple BSSID sets. However, it is also possible for two logical APs in the multi-link device to operate on one link. In this case, these two logical APs can belong to the same multiple BSSID set.

[0213] For example, as shown in FIG. 5, the MAC address of the multi-link device is, for example, MLD1, and the multi-link device includes three logical APs, namely AP1, AP2, and AP3. AP1, AP2, and AP3 operate on link 1, link 2, and link 3, respectively. The MAC addresses of AP1, AP2, and AP3 are BSSID_11, BSSID_21, and BSSID_31, respectively (before 802.11ax, the BSSID of the BSS established by the AP is the AP MAC address and can be changed later). AP1 is a member of the multiple BSSID set 1, and the multiple BSSID set 1 further includes AP4 whose MAC address is BSSID_13. AP2 is a member of the multiple BSSID set 2, and the multiple BSSID set 2 further includes AP5 whose MAC address is BSSID_22 and AP6 whose MAC address is BSSID_23. AP3 is a member of the multiple BSSID set 3, and the multiple BSSID set 3 further includes AP7 whose MAC address is BSSID_32 and AP8 whose MAC address is BSSID_33.

[0214] FIG. 6 shows an architecture in which APs in a BSS identified by a transmitting BSSID among a plurality of BSSID sets are not from the same AP multi-link device. For ease of explanation, an AP that is in a BSS and is identified by a transmitting BSSID may be referred to as a transmitting AP (transmitting BSSID AP). An AP that is in a BSS and is identified by a non-transmitting BSSID is referred to as a non-transmitting AP (non-transmitting BSSID AP). An AP whose MAC address identifier ends with x is a transmitting BSSID AP, and an AP whose MAC address identifier ends with y or z is an AP corresponding to a non-transmitting BSSID. For example, the transmitting BSSID AP in the plurality of BSSID sets 1 is AP1 whose MAC address identifier is BSSID_1x, and the AP corresponding to the non-transmitting BSSID in the plurality of BSSID sets 1 is AP4 whose MAC address identifier is BSSID_1y. The transmitting BSSID AP in the plurality of BSSID sets 2 is AP5 whose MAC address identifier is BSSID_2x, and the APs corresponding to the non-transmitting BSSID in the plurality of BSSID sets 2 include AP2 whose address identifier is BSSID_2y and AP6 whose MAC address identifier is BSSID_2z. The transmitting BSSID AP in the plurality of BSSID sets 3 is AP3 whose MAC address identifier is BSSID_3x, and the APs corresponding to the non-transmitting BSSID in the plurality of BSSID sets 3 include AP7 whose MAC address identifier is BSSID_3y and AP8 whose MAC address identifier is BSSID_3z. From FIG. 6, it can be learned that transmitting BSSID APs (i.e., transmitting APs) from different BSSID sets are distributed among different AP multi-link devices. For example, an AP with a MAC address of BSSID-1x and an AP with a MAC address of BSSID-2x are respectively arranged in an AP multi-link device MLD1 and an AP multi-link device MLD2.

[0215] FIG. 7 shows that the APs in a BSS identified by the transmitting BSSID in a plurality of BSSID sets are from the same AP multi-link device. For ease of explanation, the AP that is in the BSS and is identified by the transmitting BSSID may be referred to as the transmitting AP (transmitting BSSID AP). The AP that is in the BSS and is identified by a non-transmitting BSSID is referred to as a non-transmitting AP (non-transmitting BSSID AP). An AP whose MAC address identifier ends with x is a transmitting BSSID AP, and an AP whose MAC address identifier ends with y or z is an AP corresponding to a non-transmitting BSSID. For example, the transmitting BSSID AP in the plurality of BSSID sets 1 is AP1 whose MAC address identifier is BSSID_1x, and the AP corresponding to the non-transmitting BSSID in the plurality of BSSID sets 1 is AP4 whose MAC address identifier is BSSID_1y. The transmitting BSSID AP in the plurality of BSSID sets 2 is AP2 whose MAC address identifier is BSSID_2x, and the APs corresponding to the non-transmitting BSSID in the plurality of BSSID sets 2 include AP5 whose MAC address identifier is BSSID_2y and AP6 whose MAC address identifier is BSSID_2z. The transmitting BSSID AP in the plurality of BSSID sets 3 is AP3 whose MAC address identifier is BSSID_3x, and the APs corresponding to the non-transmitting BSSID in the plurality of BSSID sets 3 include AP7 whose MAC address identifier is BSSID_3y and AP8 whose MAC address identifier is BSSID_3z. From FIG. 7, it can be learned that all the transmitting BSSID APs (i.e., transmitting APs) from different BSSID sets are in the AP multi-link device MLD1.

[0216] Generally, when a second station needs to be associated with a station, the second station actively scans for neighboring stations (e.g., APs), discovers them, and then associates with an appropriate station among the neighboring stations. When actively scanning for neighboring stations, the second station sends a Probe Request frame on the channel. When a neighboring station receives the Probe Request frame, the neighboring station replies with an Ack frame. Thus, the probe reRequest( Probe Request ) frame When receiving this, the first station in this embodiment of the present application also replies with an Ack frame.

[0217] The MAC header of the 802.11 management frame includes a Frame control field, a Receiver address (address 1), a Transmitter address (address 2), and a BSSID field (address 3). The Probe Request frame belongs to the 802.11 management frame. Therefore, the Probe Request frame includes a Frame control field, a Receiver address (address 1), a Transmitter address (address 2), and a BSSID field (address 3). In addition, the Probe Request frame further includes a Service Set Identifier (SSID) field. Optionally, the SSID field includes one or more of an SSID list element and a short SSID list element.

[0218] In this embodiment of the present application, whether to reply with a Probe Response frame is determined by using the following step S802 or step S803.

[0219] Step S802: When a pre-set condition is satisfied, the first station sends a Probe Response Answer( Probe Response ) frame to the second station.

[0220] The multi-link device to which the first station belongs can determine whether the pre-set condition is satisfied, or the stations in the multi-link device can determine whether the pre-set condition is satisfied. The station can be the station that receives the Probe Request frame.

[0221] The pre-set condition includes satisfying both the first condition and the second condition.

[0222] The first condition is that none of the following conditions a to k is true. The first condition is recorded in standards such as 802.11-2016, 802.11Revmd_D3.0, 802.11ax_D6.0, and may be modified (e.g., added) later by new technologies or new application scenarios. This is not limited in this application. a) The station does not match any of the following. 1) The station is an access point. 2) The station is an Independent BSS (IBSS) station. 3) The station is a mesh network station. 4) The station does not belong to a Personal BSS (PBSS) and is a directional multi-gigabit (DMG) station performing active scanning. 5) The station is a PCP. b) The address 1 field included in the above probe request frame carries a unicast address and one of the following conditions is met. 1) The station does not belong to a multiple BSSID set and the unicast address is not the station's medium access control (MAC) address. 2) The station belongs to a multiple BSSID set and the unicast address does not match any BSS in the multiple BSSID sets. c) The station is a non-AP station and address 1 in the probe request frame carries a broadcast address. d) The station is a non-PCP station in one PBSS and address 1 in the probe request frame carries a broadcast address. e) The station is an IBSS and has not performed transmission on a normal beacon frame or a DMG beacon frame since the last target beacon transmission time (TBTT). f) The station is a mesh network station and the following conditions are met. 1) The probe request frame does not contain a mesh network ID element. 2) The probe request frame contains a mesh network ID element, but this element does not carry a wildcard mesh network ID and does not match the mesh network ID included in the mesh basic service set (mesh BSS, MBSS) to which the station is connected. g) The station is not a mesh network station and does not meet any of the following conditions. 1) The SSID in the probe request is a wildcard SSID. 2) The SSID in the probe request frame is the same as the SSID of the BSS where the station is located. 2a) The station is an AP that is in the same co-located AP set as a 6 GHz AP (in the same device), the SSID in the Probe Request frame matches the SSID of the 6 GHz AP, and the STA reports the co-located 6 GHz AP in Beacon and Probe Response frames. (See English: The STA is an AP that is in the same co-located AP set as a 6 GHz AP, the SSID in the Probe Request frame matches the SSID of the 6 GHz AP, and the STA reports the co-located 6 GHz AP in Beacon and Probe Response frames, 26.17.2.4 (Out-of-band discovery of 6 GHz BSS)). 3) The station is a member of a multiple BSSID set, and the SSID in the probe request frame is the same as the SSID of a member of the multiple BSSID set. 4) The probe request frame contains an SSID list, and this list includes the SSID of the BSS where the station is located. 5) dot11SSIDListImplemented is true, the STA is an AP that is in the same co-located AP set as a 6 GHz AP, the SSID List element is present in the Probe Request frame and includes the SSID corresponding to the co-located 6 GHz AP, and the AP reports the co-located 6 GHz AP in Beacon and Probe Response frames (see 26.17.2.4 (Out-of-band discovery of 6 GHz BSS)). 6) dot11ShortSSIDListImplemented is true, the Short SSID List element is present in the Probe Request frame and includes the Short SSID field corresponding to the SSID of the STA’s BSS). 7) dot11ShortSSIDListImplemented is true, the STA is an AP that is in the same co-located AP set as a 6 GHz AP, the Short SSID List element is present in the Probe Request frame and includes the Short SSID field corresponding to the SSID of the 6 GHz AP and the AP reports this 6 GHz AP in its Beacon and Probe Response frames. (See 26.17.2.4 (Out-of-band discovery of 6 GHz BSS)). h) The STA is not a mesh network STA, Address 3 in the Probe Request frame does not contain a wildcard BSSID, and one of the following conditions is met. 1) The STA is not a member of a multiple BSSID set, and Address 3 in the Probe Request frame does not match the BSSID of the BSS in which the STA is located. 2) The STA is a member of a multiple BSSID set, and Address 3 in the Probe Request frame does not match the ID of any BSS in the multiple BSSID set. i) The STA's identifier dot11InterworkingServiceActivated is true, the Probe Request frame contains an Interworking element and an Extended Capabilities element with the Interworking field set to 1, and at least one of the following conditions is met. 1) Whether the homogeneous extended service set identifier (HESSID) field in the interworking element is missing, or the HESSID field exists but contains a wildcard HESSID, or matches the HESSID field in the InterworkingInfo parameter in the previous MLME-START or MLME-JOIN request source. 2) Whether the access network type field in the interworking element contains a wildcard access network type or matches the access network type of the station. j) The probe request frame contains a DSSS parameter set element, and the current channel field in this element contains a value different from dot11CurrentChannel. k) The station is a DMG station, and the transmitting antenna of the station is not trained to transmit to the source of the probe request frame.

[0223] "Station" refers to the first station that receives the probe request frame or the station identified by the receiver address (address 1) in the probe request frame.

[0224] If a station receives a probe request frame but does not belong to multiple BSSID sets, this station shall send a probe response frame in accordance with the above first condition. If a station that receives a probe request frame belongs to multiple BSSID sets, the station corresponding to the transmitting BSSID shall send a probe response frame in accordance with the above first condition. Non-transmitting stations in multiple BSSID sets are not allowed to send probe response frames.

[0225] In this embodiment of the present application, the second condition includes at least optional case 1 and optional case 2.

[0226] Optional case 1: The reference identifier in the probe request frame matches the reference identifier of any station in the MLD.

[0227] Alternative Case 2: The reference identifier in the probe request frame matches the reference identifier of any station in the MLD, or the receiver address (Address 1) in the received probe request frame matches the MAC address of any station in the MLD.

[0228] Optionally, the reference identifier herein can be information for identification, such as a MAC address, a BSSID, or an SSID.

[0229] For ease of understanding, in the following, Solution 1, Solution 2, and Solution 3 are used as examples to explain the second condition.

[0230] Solution 1: Alternative Case 1 and Alternative Case 2 of the second condition are as follows.

[0231] Alternative Case 1: The first station is a member of the multi-link device MLD, and the receiver address (Address 1) in the received probe request frame matches the MAC address of any station in the MLD, or the receiver address (Address 1) in the probe request frame matches the MAC address of any station in the set of multiple BSSIDs to which any station in the MLD belongs. Optionally, the first station reports to the second station, by using management frames, such as beacon frames and / or probe response frames, a station that is in the MLD and can match the receiver address in the probe request frame.

[0232] Optional Case 2: The first station is a member of the multi-link device MLD, and the receiver address (Address 1) in the received probe request frame matches the MAC address of any station in the MLD. Optionally, the first station reports to the second station, by using a management frame, such as a beacon frame and / or a probe response frame, a station that is in the MLD and can match the receiver address in the probe request frame.

[0233] For example, as shown in FIG. 9, an AP with a MAC address of BSSID_1x receives a probe request frame, and the receiver address in the probe request frame is BSSID_2y. The AP with a MAC address of BSSID_2y and the AP with a MAC address of BSSID_1x are in the same MLD. Therefore, the second condition above is satisfied. In this case, the AP with an address of BSSID_1x replies with a probe response frame.

[0234] In another example, an AP with a MAC address of BSSID_1x receives a probe request frame, and the receiver address in the probe request frame is BSSID_2z. The AP with a MAC address of BSSID_2z and the AP with a MAC address of BSSID_2y are from the same multiple BSSIDs, and the AP with a MAC address of BSSID_2y and the AP with a MAC address of BSSID_1x are in the same MLD. Therefore, the second condition above is satisfied. In this case, the AP with an address of BSSID_1x replies with a probe response frame.

[0235] In another example, an AP with a MAC address of BSSID_1y receives a probe request frame, and the receiver address in the probe request frame is BSSID_2z. The AP with a MAC address of BSSID_2z and the AP with a MAC address of BSSID_2y are from the same multiple BSSIDs, and the AP with a MAC address of BSSID_2y and the AP with a MAC address of BSSID_1x are in the same MLD. Therefore, the second condition above is satisfied. Since the AP with an address of BSSID_1x and the receiver address BSSID_1y in the probe request frame are from the same multiple BSSID set and the AP with an address of BSSID_1x is the transmitting BSSID AP, the AP with a MAC address of BSSID_1x replies with a probe response frame.

[0236] Solution 2: Optional case 1 and optional case 2 of the second condition are as follows.

[0237] Optional case 1: The first station is a member of a multi-link device MLD, and the SSID field in the received probe request frame, the SSID included in the SSID list element, or the SSID mapped from the short SSID included in the short SSID list element matches the SSID of any station in the MLD, or the SSID field in the probe request frame, the SSID included in the SSID list element, or the SSID mapped from the short SSID included in the short SSID list element matches the SSID of any station belonging to any multiple BSSID set in which any station in the MLD belongs. Optionally, the first station reports to the second station, by using a management frame, for example, a beacon frame and / or a probe response frame, a station in the MLD that matches the SSID field in the probe request frame, the SSID included in the SSID list element, or the SSID mapped from the short SSID included in the short SSID list element.

[0238] Optional Case 2: The first station is a member of the multi-link device MLD, and the SSID field in the received probe request frame, the SSID included in the SSID list element, or the SSID mapped from the short SSID included in the short SSID list element matches the SSID of any station in the MLD. Optionally, the first station reports to the second station, by using a management frame, e.g., a beacon frame and / or a probe response frame, a station in the MLD that matches the SSID field in the probe request frame, the SSID included in the SSID list element, or the SSID mapped from the short SSID included in the short SSID list element. For example, as shown in FIG. 9, an AP with a BSSID of BSSID_1x receives a probe request frame, the SSID in the probe request frame is SSID_2y, the BSSID corresponding to the AP with an SSID of SSID_2y is BSSID_2y, and the AP with a BSSID of BSSID_2y and the AP with a BSSID of BSSID_1x are from the same MLD. Therefore, the second condition above is satisfied. In this case, the AP with a MAC address of BSSID_1x replies with a probe response frame.

[0239] In another example, an AP with a BSSID of BSSID_1x receives a probe request frame, and the SSID in the probe request frame is SSID_2z. The BSSID corresponding to the AP with an SSID of SSID_2z is BSSID_2z, the AP with a BSSID of BSSID_2z and the AP with a BSSID of BSSID_2y are from the same multiple BSSIDs, and the AP with a BSSID of BSSID_2y and the AP with a BSSID of BSSID_1x are from the same MLD. Therefore, the second condition above is satisfied. In this case, the AP with a MAC address of BSSID_1x replies with a probe response frame.

[0240] Solution 3: The optional case 1 and optional case 2 of the second condition are as follows.

[0241] Optional case 1: The first station is a member of the multi-link device MLD, and the BSSID field (address 3) in the received probe request frame matches the BSSID of any station in the MLD, or the BSSID field (address 3) in the probe request frame matches the BSSID of any station in the set of multiple BSSIDs to which any station in the MLD belongs. Optionally, the first station reports to the second station, by using management frames, for example, by using beacon frames and / or probe response frames, a station in the MLD that can match the BSSID field in the probe request frame.

[0242] Optional case 2: The first station is a member of the multi-link device MLD, and the BSSID field (address 3) in the received probe request frame matches the BSSID of any station in the MLD. Optionally, the first station reports to the second station, by using management frames, for example, by using beacon frames and / or probe response frames, a station in the MLD that can match the BSSID field in the probe request frame. For example, as shown in FIG. 9, an AP with a BSSID of BSSID_1x receives a probe request frame, and the receiver address in the probe request frame is BSSID_2y. The AP with a receiver address of BSSID_2y and the AP with a BSSID of BSSID_1x are in the same MLD. Therefore, the second condition described above is satisfied. In this case, the AP with a MAC address of BSSID_1x replies with a probe response frame.

[0243] In another example, an AP with BSSID being BSSID_1x receives a probe request frame, and the receiver address in the probe request frame is BSSID_2z. The APs with BSSID being BSSID_2z and the AP with BSSID being BSSID_2y are from the same multiple BSSIDs, and the AP with BSSID being BSSID_2y and the AP with BSSID being BSSID_1x are from the same MLD. Therefore, the above second condition is satisfied. In this case, the AP with MAC address being BSSID_1x replies with a probe response frame.

[0244] Explanation of step S802 from another perspective: When any one of the third conditions is satisfied, the first station does not send a probe response frame to the second station.

[0245] In this embodiment of the present application, the condition obtained by combining the first condition and the second condition in optional solution 1 may be called the first preset condition, and the condition obtained by combining the first condition and the second condition in optional solution 2 may be called the second preset condition, and the condition obtained by combining the first condition and the second condition in optional solution 3 may be called the third preset condition. Hereinafter, three optional third conditions are provided. The first third condition is equivalent to the reverse description of the first preset condition, the second third condition is equivalent to the reverse description of the second preset condition, and the third third condition is equivalent to the reverse description of the third preset condition.

[0246] It should be understood that after the determination is made according to the third condition, the probe response frame needs to be sent to the second station in all cases except when the probe response frame is not sent to the second station.

[0247] The first third condition includes at least one of the following conditions a to g (condition b is modified with respect to condition b in the first condition). a) The station does not match any of the following: 1) The station is an access point. 2) The station is an IBSS station. 3) The station is a mesh network station. 4) The station is a DMG station that does not belong to a PBSS and is performing active scanning. 5) The station is a PCP. b) Condition b can be, in particular, the following condition b1 or the following condition b2. b1) The address 1 field included in the above probe request frame carries a unicast address, and one of the following conditions is satisfied. 1) The station does not belong to an MLD or a multiple BSSID set, and the unicast address is not the MAC address of the station. 2) The station belongs to a multiple BSSID set, none of the members of the multiple BSSID set belong to an MLD, and the unicast address does not match any BSS in the multiple BSSID set. 3) The station belongs to an MLD, none of the members of the MLD belong to a multiple BSSID set, and the unicast address does not match the MAC address of any station in the MLD. Optionally, the first station reports to the second station a station that can match the receiver address in the probe request frame by using a management frame, for example, a beacon frame and / or a probe response frame, and that is in the MLD. 4) The station belongs to an MLD, the members of the MLD belong to a multiple BSSID set, and the unicast address does not match the MAC address of any station in the MLD or does not match any BSS in the multiple BSSID set to which any member of the MLD belongs. Optionally, the first station reports to the second station a station that can match the receiver address in the probe request frame by using a management frame, for example, a beacon frame and / or a probe response frame, and that is in the MLD. b2) The address 1 field included in the above probe request frame carries a unicast address, and one of the following conditions is satisfied. 1) The station does not belong to the MLD or the multiple BSSID set, and the unicast address is not the MAC address of the station. 2) The station belongs to the multiple BSSID set, none of the members of the multiple BSSID set belong to the MLD, and the unicast address does not match any BSS in the multiple BSSID set. 3) The station belongs to the MLD, and the unicast address does not match the MAC address of any station in the MLD. Optionally, the first station reports to the second station a station that can match the receiver address in the probe request frame by using management frames, such as beacon frames and / or probe response frames, and that is in the MLD. c) The station is a non-AP station, and address 1 in the probe request frame carries a broadcast address. d) The station is a non-PCP station in one PBSS, and address 1 in the probe request frame carries a broadcast address. e) The station is an IBSS and has not performed transmission on a normal beacon frame or a DMG beacon frame since the last TBTT. f) The station is a mesh network station, and the following conditions are satisfied. 1) The probe request frame does not contain a mesh network ID element. 2) The probe request frame contains a mesh network ID element, but this element does not carry a wildcard mesh network ID and does not match the mesh network ID included in the MBSS to which the station is connected. g) The station is not a mesh network station, and none of the following conditions are satisfied. 1) The SSID in the probe request is a wildcard SSID. 2) The SSID in the probe request frame is the same as the SSID of the BSS where the station is located. 2a) The STA is an AP that is in the same co-located AP set as a 6 GHz AP, the SSID in the Probe Request frame matches the SSID of the 6 GHz AP, and the STA reports the co-located 6 GHz AP in Beacon and Probe Response frames. (See 26.17.2.4 (Out-of-band discovery of 6 GHz BSS)). 3) The STA is a member of a multiple BSSID set, and the SSID in the Probe Request frame is the same as the SSID of a member of the multiple BSSID set. 4) The Probe Request frame contains an SSID list that includes the SSID of the BSS where the STA is located. 5) dot11SSIDListImplemented is true, the STA is an AP that is in the same co-located AP set as a 6 GHz AP, the SSID List element is present in the Probe Request frame and includes the SSID corresponding to the co-located 6 GHz AP, and the AP reports the co-located 6 GHz AP in Beacon and Probe Response frames (see 26.17.2.4 (Out-of-band discovery of 6 GHz BSS)). 6) dot11ShortSSIDListImplemented is true, the Short SSID List element is present in the Probe Request frame and includes the Short SSID field corresponding to the SSID of the STA’s BSS. 7) dot11ShortSSIDListImplemented is true, the STA is an AP that is in the same co-located AP set as a 6 GHz AP, the Short SSID List element is present in the Probe Request frame and includes the Short SSID field corresponding to the SSID of the 6 GHz AP and the AP reports this 6 GHz AP in its Beacon and Probe Response frames. (See 26.17.2.4 (Out-of-band discovery of 6 GHz BSS)). h) The STA is not a mesh network STA, Address 3 in the Probe Request frame does not contain a wildcard BSSID, and one of the following conditions is met. 1) The STA is not a member of a multiple BSSID set and Address 3 in the Probe Request frame does not match the BSSID of the BSS where the STA is located. 2) The STA is a member of a multiple BSSID set and Address 3 in the Probe Request frame does not match the ID of any BSS in the multiple BSSID set. i) The STA's identifier dot11InterworkingServiceActivated is true, the Probe Request frame contains an Interworking element and an Extended Capabilities element with the Interworking field set to 1, and at least one of the following conditions is met. 1) The HESSID field in the interaction requirements is missing, or the HESSID field exists but contains a wildcard HESSID, or matches the HESSID field in the InterworkingInfo parameter in the previous MLME-START or MLME-JOIN request source. 2) The access network type field in the interaction element contains a wildcard access network type or matches the access network type of the station. j) The probe request frame contains a DSSS parameter set element, and the current channel field in this element contains a value different from dot11CurrentChannel. k) The station is a DMG station, and the transmission antenna of the station is not trained to transmit to the source of the probe request frame.

[0248] Note that the detailed conditions included in the third condition may be further deleted, added, or modified based on the requirements of a specific scenario. This is not limited in this application.

[0249] "Station" refers to the first station that receives the probe request frame or the station identified by the receiver address (address 1) in the probe request frame.

[0250] The second and third conditions include at least one of the following conditions a to g (condition g is modified with respect to condition g in the first condition). a) The station does not match any of the following. 1) The station is an access point. 2) The station is an IBSS station. 3) The station is a mesh network station. 4) The station is a DMG station that does not belong to a PBSS and is performing active scanning. 5) The station is a PCP. b) The Address 1 field included in the above probe request frame carries a unicast address, and one of the following conditions is satisfied. 1) The station does not belong to multiple BSSID sets, and the unicast address is not the MAC address of the station. 2) The station belongs to multiple BSSID sets, and the unicast address does not match any BSS in the multiple BSSID sets. c) The station is a non-AP station, and Address 1 in the probe request frame carries a broadcast address. d) The station is a non-PCP station in one PBSS, and Address 1 in the probe request frame carries a broadcast address. e) The station is an IBSS, and has not performed transmission on a normal beacon frame or a DMG beacon frame since the last TBTT. f) The station is a mesh network station, and the following conditions are satisfied. 1) The probe request frame does not contain a mesh network ID element. 2) The probe request frame contains a mesh network ID element, but this element does not carry a wildcard mesh network ID and does not match the mesh network ID included in the MBSS to which the station is connected. g) Condition g is specifically the following condition g1 or the following condition g2. g1) The station is not a mesh network station, and none of the following conditions are satisfied. 1) The SSID in the probe request is a wildcard SSID. 2) The station does not belong to the MLD, and the SSID in the probe request frame is the same as the SSID of the BSS where the station is located. 2a) The STA is an AP that is in the same co-located AP set as a 6 GHz AP, the SSID in the Probe Request frame matches the SSID of the 6 GHz AP, and the STA reports the co-located 6 GHz AP in Beacon and Probe Response frames. (See 26.17.2.4 (Out-of-band discovery of 6 GHz BSS)). 3) The STA is a member of a multiple BSSID set, none of the members of the multiple BSSID set belong to the MLD, and the SSID in the Probe Request frame is the same as the SSID of the members of the multiple BSSID set. 3a) The STA is a member of a multiple BSSID set, none of the members of the multiple BSSID set belong to the MLD, dot11SSIDListImplemented is true, the Probe Request frame contains an SSID list, and this SSID list contains the SSIDs of the members of the multiple BSSID set. 3b) The STA is a member of a multiple BSSID set, none of the members of the multiple BSSID set belong to the MLD, dot11ShortSSIDListImplemented is true, the Probe Request frame contains a short SSID list, and the short SSIDs included in this short SSID list can be mapped to the SSIDs of the members of the multiple BSSID set. 4) The STA does not belong to the MLD and dot11ShortSSIDListImplemented is true (dot11Short SSIDListImplemented is true), the Probe Request frame contains an SSID list, and this list includes the SSID of the BSS where the station is located. 5) dot11SSIDListImplemented is true, the STA is an AP that is in the same co-located AP set as a 6 GHz AP (in the same device), the SSID included in the SSID list in the Probe Request frame matches the SSID of the 6 GHz AP, and the AP reports the co-located 6 GHz AP by using Beacon and Probe Response frames (see 26.17.2.4 (Out-of-band discovery of 6 GHz BSS)). 6) The station does not belong to the MLD, and dot11ShortSSIDListImplemented is true (English: dot11 Short SSIDListImplemented is true), the Probe Request frame contains a Short SSID, and the Short SSID can be mapped to the BSSID of the BSS where the STA is located (English: dot11ShortSSIDListImplemented is true, the Short SSID List element is present in the Probe Request frame and includes the Short SSID field corresponding to the SSID of the STA’s BSS). 7) dot11ShortSSIDListImplemented is true, the STA is an AP that is in the same co-located AP set as a 6 GHz AP, the Short SSID List element is present in the Probe Request frame and includes the Short SSID field corresponding to the SSID of the 6 GHz AP and the AP reports this 6 GHz AP in its Beacon and Probe Response frames (see 26.17.2.4 (Out-of-band discovery of 6 GHz BSS)). 8) The STA belongs to an MLD, none of the members of the MLD belong to a multiple BSSID set, and the SSID in the Probe Request frame matches the SSID of the BSS where any STA in the MLD is located. Optionally, the first STA reports to the second STA, using management frames, such as Beacon frames and / or Probe Response frames, a STA in the MLD that matches the SSID field in the Probe Request frame, an SSID included in the SSID List element, or an SSID mapped from a Short SSID included in the Short SSID List element. 9) The station belongs to the MLD, none of the members of the MLD belong to a multiple BSSID set, dot11SSIDListImplemented is true, the probe request frame contains an SSID list, and this list contains the SSID of the BSS where any station in the MLD is located. Optionally, the first station reports to the second station, by using management frames, such as beacon frames and / or probe response frames, the station in the MLD that matches the SSID field in the probe request frame, the SSID included in the SSID list element, or the SSID mapped from the short SSID included in the short SSID list element. 10) The station belongs to the MLD, none of the members of the MLD belong to a multiple BSSID set, dot11ShortSSIDListImplemented is true, the probe request frame contains a short SSID list, and the short SSID included in this list can be mapped to the SSID of the BSS where any station in the MLD is located. Optionally, the first station reports to the second station, by using management frames, such as beacon frames and / or probe response frames, the station in the MLD that matches the SSID field in the probe request frame, the SSID included in the SSID list element, or the SSID mapped from the short SSID included in the short SSID list element. 11) The station belongs to the MLD, one member of this MLD belongs to a multiple BSSID set, and the SSID in the probe request frame matches the SSID of the BSS where any station in the MLD is located, or matches the SSID of any BSS in the multiple BSSID sets to which any member of the MLD belongs. Optionally, the first station reports to the second station, by using management frames, such as beacon frames and / or probe response frames, the station in the MLD that matches the SSID field in the probe request frame, the SSID included in the SSID list element, or the SSID mapped from the short SSID included in the short SSID list element. 12) The station belongs to an MLD, one member of this MLD belongs to multiple BSSID sets, dot11SSIDListImplemented is true, the probe request frame contains an SSID list, and this list contains the SSID of the BSS where any station in the MLD is located, or the SSID of any BSS in the multiple BSSID sets to which any member of the MLD belongs. Optionally, the first station reports to the second station, by using management frames, such as beacon frames and / or probe response frames, the station in the MLD that matches the SSID field in the probe request frame, the SSID included in the SSID list element, or the SSID mapped from the short SSID included in the short SSID list element. 13) The station belongs to an MLD, one member of this MLD belongs to multiple BSSID sets, dot11ShortSSIDListImplemented is true, the probe request frame contains a short SSID list, and it is possible that the short SSID included in this list is mapped to the SSID of the BSS where any station in the MLD is located, or it is possible that the short SSID included in this list is mapped to the SSID of any BSS in the multiple BSSID sets to which any member of the MLD belongs. Optionally, the first station reports to the second station, by using management frames, such as beacon frames and / or probe response frames, the station in the MLD that matches the SSID field in the probe request frame, the SSID included in the SSID list element, or the SSID mapped from the short SSID included in the short SSID list element. g2) The station is not a mesh network station and does not meet any of the following conditions. 1) The SSID in the probe request is a wildcard SSID. 2) The station does not belong to an MLD, and the SSID in the probe request frame is the same as the SSID of the BSS where the station is located. 2a) The STA is an AP that is in the same co-located AP set as a 6 GHz AP, the SSID in the Probe Request frame matches the SSID of the 6 GHz AP, and the STA reports the co-located 6 GHz AP in Beacon and Probe Response frames (see 26.17.2.4 (Out-of-band discovery of 6GHz BSS)). 3) The station is a member of a multi-BSSID set, none of the members of the multi-BSSID set belong to MLD, and the SSID in the probe request frame is the same as the SSID of a member of the multi-BSSID set. 3a) The station is a member of a multiple BSSID set, none of the members of the multiple BSSID set belong to the MLD, dot11SSIDListImplemented is true, the probe request frame contains an SSID list, and this SSID list contains the SSIDs of the members of the multiple BSSID set. 3b) The station is a member of a multiple BSSID set, none of the members of the multiple BSSID set belong to MLD, dot11ShortSSIDListImplemented is true, the probe request frame contains a short SSID list, and a short SSID included in the short SSID list can be mapped to an SSID of a member of the multiple BSSID set. 4) The station does not belong to the MLD, dot11SSIDListImplemented is true, and the probe request frame contains an SSID list, which includes the SSID of the BSS in which the station is located. 5) dot11SSIDListImplemented is true, the STA is an AP that is in the same co-located AP set as a 6 GHz AP, the SSID List element is present in the Probe Request frame and includes the SSID corresponding to the co-located 6 GHz AP, and the AP reports the co-located 6 GHz AP in Beacon and Probe Response frames (see 26.17.2.4 (Out-of-band discovery of 6 GHz BSS)). 6) The station does not belong to MLD, dot11ShortSSIDListImplemented is true, the Probe Request frame contains a short SSID, and the short SSID can be mapped to the BSSID of the BSS in which the STA is located (dot11ShortSSIDListImplemented is true, the Short SSID List element is present in the Probe Request frame and includes the Short SSID field corresponding to the SSID of the STA's BSS). 7) dot11ShortSSIDListImplemented is true, the STA is an AP that is in the same co-located AP set as a 6 GHz AP, the Short SSID List element is present in the Probe Request frame and includes the Short SSID field corresponding to the SSID of the 6 GHz AP and the AP reports this 6 GHz AP in its Beacon and Probe Response frames (see 26.17.2.4 (Out-of-band discovery of 6GHz BSS)). 8) The station belongs to the MLD and the SSID in the probe request frame matches the SSID of a BSS in which any station in the MLD is located. Optionally, the first station reports to the second station, by using a management frame, e.g., a beacon frame and / or a probe response frame, the station that is in the MLD and matches the SSID field in the probe request frame, the SSID included in the SSID list element, or the SSID to which the short SSID included in the short SSID list element is mapped. 9) The station belongs to the MLD, and the probe request frame includes an SSID list, which includes the SSIDs of the BSSs in which any station in the MLD is located. Optionally, the first station reports to the second station, by using a management frame, e.g., a beacon frame and / or a probe response frame, the stations that are in the MLD and match the SSID field in the probe request frame, the SSIDs included in the SSID list element, or the SSIDs to which the short SSIDs included in the short SSID list element are mapped. 10) A station belongs to an MLD, and the probe request frame includes a short SSID list, and a short SSID included in the list can be mapped to an SSID of a BSS in which any station in the MLD is located. Optionally, the first station reports to the second station, by using a management frame, for example, a beacon frame and / or a probe response frame, the station that is in the MLD and matches the SSID field in the probe request frame, the SSID included in the SSID list element, or the SSID to which the short SSID included in the short SSID list element is mapped. h) The station is not a mesh network station, Address 3 in the probe request frame does not contain a wildcard BSSID, and one of the following conditions is met: 1) The station is not a member of a multiple-BSSID set and Address 3 in the probe request frame does not match the BSSID of the BSS in which the station is located. 2) The station is a member of a multi-BSSID set, and Address 3 in the Probe Request frame does not match the ID of any BSS in the multi-BSSID set. i) The station identifier dot11InterworkingServiceActivated is true, the probe request frame contains an interworking element and an extended capability element whose interworking field contains 1, and at least one of the following conditions is met: 1) The HESSID field in the Interworking element is missing, or the HESSID field is present but contains a wildcard HESSID or matches a HESSID field in an InterworkingInfo parameter in a previous MLME-START or MLME-JOIN request source. 2) The access network type field in the interworking element contains a wildcard access network type or matches the access network type of the station. j) The probe request frame includes a DSSS parameter set element, and the current channel field in this element contains a value different from dot11CurrentChannel. k) The station is a DMG station and the transmit antenna of the station is not trained to transmit to the source of the probe request frame.

[0251] It should be noted that the detailed conditions contained in the third condition may further be deleted, added, or modified based on the requirements of a particular scenario, which is not limited in this application.

[0252] "Station" refers to the first station to receive a probe request frame, or the station identified by the receiver address (Address 1) in the probe request frame.

[0253] The third condition includes at least one of the following conditions a through g (wherein condition h is modified relative to condition h in the first condition): a) The station does not match any of the following: 1) The station is an access point. 2) The station is an IBSS station. 3) The station is a mesh network station. 4) The station is a DMG station that does not belong to a PBSS and is actively scanning. 5) The station is a PCP. b) The Address 1 field contained in the above Probe Request frame carries a unicast address and one of the following conditions is met: 1) The station does not belong to a multiple BSSID set and the unicast address is not the station's MAC address. 2) The station belongs to a multi-BSSID set and the unicast address does not match any BSS in the multi-BSSID set. c) The station is a non-AP station and Address 1 in the probe request frame carries a broadcast address. d) The station is a non-PCP station in one PBSS and Address 1 in the probe request frame carries a broadcast address. e) The station is an IBSS and has not transmitted on a normal or DMG beacon frame since the last TBTT. f) The station is a mesh network station and the following conditions are met: 1) The probe request frame does not contain a mesh network ID element. 2) The probe request frame contains a mesh network ID element that does not carry a wildcard mesh network ID and does not match any mesh network ID contained in an MBSS connected to the station. g) The station is not a mesh network station and none of the following conditions are met: 1) The SSID in the probe request is a wildcard SSID. 2) The SSID in the probe request frame is the same as the SSID of the BSS in which the station is located. 2a) The STA is an AP that is in the same co-located AP set as a 6 GHz AP, the SSID in the Probe Request frame matches the SSID of the 6 GHz AP, and the STA reports the co-located 6 GHz AP in Beacon and Probe Response frames (see 26.17.2.4 (Out-of-band discovery of 6GHz BSS)). 3) The station is a member of a multi-BSSID set, and the SSID in the probe request frame is the same as the SSID of a member of the multi-BSSID set. 4) The probe request frame contains an SSID list, which includes the SSID of the BSS in which the station is located. 5) dot11SSIDListImplemented is true, the STA is an AP that is in the same co-located AP set as a 6 GHz AP, the SSID List element is present in the Probe Request frame and includes the SSID corresponding to the co-located 6 GHz AP, and the AP reports the co-located 6 GHz AP in Beacon and Probe Response frames (see 26.17.2.4 (Out-of-band discovery of 6 GHz BSS)). 6) dot11ShortSSIDListImplemented is true, the Short SSID List element is present in the Probe Request frame and includes the Short SSID field corresponding to the SSID of the STA's BSS. 7) dot11ShortSSIDListImplemented is true, the STA is an AP that is in the same co-located AP set as a 6 GHz AP, the Short SSID List element is present in the Probe Request frame and includes the Short SSID field corresponding to the SSID of the 6 GHz AP and the AP reports this 6 GHz AP in its Beacon and Probe Response frames, see 26.17.2.4 (Out-of-band discovery of 6GHz BSS). h) Condition h is in particular condition h1 below or condition h2 below. h1) The station is not a mesh network station, Address 3 in the probe request frame does not contain a wildcard BSSID, and one of the following conditions is met: 1) The station does not belong to the MLD, is not a member of a multiple BSSID set, and Address 3 in the probe request frame does not match the BSSID of the BSS in which the station is located. 2) The station is a member of a multi-BSSID set, none of the members of the multi-BSSID set belong to the MLD, and Address 3 in the probe request frame does not match the ID of any BSS in the multi-BSSID set. 3) The station belongs to the MLD, none of the members of the MLD belong to multiple BSSID sets, and the unicast address does not match the BSSID of the BSS where any station in the MLD is located. Optionally, the first station reports in advance to the second station, by using management frames, for example, by using beacon frames and / or probe response frames, a station that can match the BSSID field in the probe request frame and is in the MLD. 4) The station belongs to the MLD, the members of the MLD belong to multiple BSSID sets, and the unicast address does not match the BSSID of any BSS where any station in the MLD is located, or does not match the BSSID of any BSS in the multiple BSSID sets to which any member of the MLD belongs. Optionally, the first station reports in advance to the second station, by using management frames, for example, by using beacon frames and / or probe response frames, a station that can match the BSSID field in the probe request frame and is in the MLD. h2) The station is not a mesh network station, address 3 in the probe request frame does not contain a wildcard BSSID, and one of the following conditions is met. 1) The station does not belong to the MLD, is not a member of multiple BSSID sets, and address 3 in the probe request frame does not match the BSSID of the BSS where the station is located. 2) The station is a member of multiple BSSID sets, none of the members of the multiple BSSID sets belong to the MLD, and address 3 in the probe request frame does not match the ID of any BSS in the multiple BSSID sets. 3) The station belongs to the MLD, and the unicast address does not match the BSSID of the BSS where any station in the MLD is located. Optionally, the first station reports in advance to the second station, by using management frames, for example, by using beacon frames and / or probe response frames, a station that can match the BSSID field in the probe request frame and is in the MLD. i) The station identifier dot11InterworkingServiceActivated is true, the probe request frame includes an interaction element and an extended capabilities element with the interaction field containing 1, and at least one of the following conditions is satisfied. 1) The HESSID field in the interaction element is missing, or the HESSID field exists but contains a wildcard HESSID, or matches the HESSID field in the InterworkingInfo parameter in the previous MLME-START or MLME-JOIN request source. 2) The access network type field in the interaction element contains a wildcard access network type or matches the access network type of the station. j) The probe request frame includes a DSSS parameter set element, and the current channel field in this element contains a value different from dot11CurrentChannel. k) The station is a DMG station, and the transmitting antenna of the station is not trained to transmit to the source of the probe request frame.

[0254] Note that the detailed conditions included in the third condition may be further deleted, added, or modified based on the requirements of specific scenarios. This is not limited in this application.

[0255] "Station" refers to the first station that receives the probe request frame or the station identified by the receiver address (address 1) in the probe request frame.

[0256] Step S803: The second station receives a probe response frame.

[0257] In particular, when the first station, or the multi-link device to which the first station belongs, determines that it is possible to send a probe response frame based on the above conditions or rules, the first station, or the multi-link device to which the first station belongs, sends a probe response frame. Optionally, after receiving the probe response frame, the second station replies with an Ack frame to establish an association with the station that requests an association with it in the probe request frame (i.e., the station identified by the receiver address). Optionally, the second station can also be a single-link device.

[0258] In the method shown in FIG. 8, a station in the MLD is enabled to help another station in the same MLD reply with a probe response frame, and may help a member of any of a plurality of BSSID sets to which another station in the same MLD belongs to reply with a probe response frame. In this way, the amount of probe request frames sent by stations on the channel is reduced, and the air interface efficiency and station association efficiency are improved.

[0259] Optionally, the method embodiments shown in FIG. 4 and the method embodiments shown in FIG. 8 can be implemented independently of each other or combined with each other. For example, after an AP (i.e., a reporting AP) shows the architecture of a plurality of BSSID sets based on the MLD to a station by using the method embodiment shown in FIG. 4, the station can select an AP to be associated with and establish an association relationship based on the architecture of the plurality of BSSID sets based on the MLD. Optionally, the association relationship can be specifically established by using the method embodiment shown in FIG. 8.

[0260] Hereinafter, the devices provided in the embodiments of the present application will be described in detail so that the amount of probe request frames sent by stations on the channel can be reduced and the station association efficiency can be improved.

[0261] FIG. 10 shows a communication device 1000 according to an embodiment of the present application. The device can be an access point AP (e.g., the reporting AP in an AP multi-link device), a first station, or a second station in the above embodiment. Alternatively, the device can be a chip or a processing system in an access point AP (e.g., the reporting AP in an AP multi-link device), a first station, or a second station. The device can implement the methods and functions in the embodiment shown in FIG. 4, or can implement the methods and functions in the embodiment shown in FIG. 8. Due to differences in the degree of integration, the communication device can include one or more of the components shown in FIG. 10. The components shown in FIG. 10 can include at least one processor 1001, a memory 1002, a transceiver 1003, and a communication bus 1004.

[0262] Hereinafter, the components of the communication device 1000 will be specifically described with reference to FIG. 10.

[0263] The processor 1001 is the control center of the communication device 1000 and can be a single processor or a collective term for a plurality of processing elements. For example, the processor 1001 can be a central processing unit (CPU) configured to implement this embodiment of the present application, an Application-Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), or one or more integrated circuits, such as one or more microprocessors (digital signal processors, DSPs), or one or more Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs). The processor 1001 can implement various functions of the communication device by running or executing software programs stored in the memory 1002 and calling the data stored in the memory 1002. In a specific implementation, in the embodiment, the processor 1001 can include one or more CPUs, such as CPU0 and CPU1 in FIG. 10.

[0264] In a particular implementation, in an embodiment, the communication device 1000 may include a plurality of processors, such as processor 1001 and processor 1005 in FIG. 10. Each of the processors may be a single-core processor (single CPU) or a multi-core processor (multi CPU). The processors herein may be one or more communication devices, circuits, and / or processing cores configured to process data (e.g., computer program instructions).

[0265] The memory 1002 may be a read-only memory (ROM) or another type of static storage communication device capable of storing static information and instructions, or a random access memory (RAM) or another type of dynamic storage communication device capable of storing information and instructions, or an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), a compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM) or other compact disc storage, (including compact discs, laser discs, optical discs, digital versatile discs, Blu-ray discs, etc.) optical disc storage, magnetic disc storage or another magnetic storage communication device, or any other medium that can be used to carry or store program code in the form of instructions or data structures and can be accessed by a computer. However, the memory 1002 is not limited thereto. The memory 1002 may exist independently and be connected to the processor 1001 through the communication bus 1004. Alternatively, the memory 1002 may be integrated with the processor 1001. The memory 1002 is configured to store a software program for implementing the solution of the present application, and the processor 1001 controls the execution.

[0266] The transceiver 1003 is configured to communicate with another device (e.g., the station of the embodiment shown in FIG. 4, or the second station of the embodiment shown in FIG. 8). Of course, the transceiver 1003 can be further configured to communicate with a communication network, such as Ethernet, a radio access network (RAN), or a Wireless Local Area Networks (WLAN). The transceiver 1003 can include a receiving unit for implementing a receiving function and a transmitting unit for implementing a transmitting function.

[0267] The communication bus 1004 can be an Industry Standard Architecture (ISA) bus, a Peripheral Component interconnect (PCI) bus, an Extended Industry Standard Architecture (EISA) bus, etc. The bus can be classified into an address bus, a data bus, a control bus, etc. For ease of representation, in FIG. 10, only one thick line is used to represent the bus, but this does not mean that there is only one bus or only one type of bus.

[0268] In the example, the communication device 1000 is the entire device. The communication device can include a processor 1001, a memory 1002, a transceiver 1003, and a communication bus 1004. Optionally, the communication device can further include another component, such as a display frequency.

[0269] Optionally, communication device 1000 is an access point AP (e.g., the reporting AP in an AP multi-link device) and may be configured to implement the methods and functions in the embodiment shown in FIG. 4. For example, the memory stores a computer program (instructions). When the processor calls the computer program, the above methods and functions are implemented. For example, the processor is configured to generate signaling or a frame (carrying MLD information), and the transceiver is configured to send the signaling or frame (carrying MLD information). For example, the processor is configured to control the transceiver to perform step S401. Of course, the process of generating MLD information in step S401 can also be completed by the processor.

[0270] Optionally, communication device 1000 is a first station and may be configured to implement the methods and functions of the first station in the embodiment shown in FIG. 8. For example, the memory stores a computer program. When the processor calls the computer program, the above methods and functions are implemented. For example, the processor is configured to generate signaling or a frame (e.g., a probe response frame), and the transceiver is configured to send the signaling or frame (e.g., receive a probe request frame). For example, the processor is configured to control the transceiver to receive a probe request frame in step S801. Then, the processor determines whether to reply with a probe response frame based on the relevant conditions, generates a probe response frame if a response is required, and sends the probe response frame by using the transceiver.

[0271] In another example, the communication device 1000 is an access point AP (e.g., the reporting AP in an AP multi-link device), a chip system or a processing system in a first station or a second station, such that a device in which the chip system or the processing system is installed implements the methods and functions in the embodiments shown in FIG. 4 or FIG. 8. In this case, the communication device 1000 may include some components shown in FIG. 10. For example, the communication device 1000 includes a processor. The processor is coupled to a memory and can call and execute instructions in the memory to configure a device in which the chip system or the processing system is installed so as to implement the methods and functions in the embodiments shown in FIG. 4 or FIG. 8. Optionally, the memory may be a component in the chip system or the processing system, or a coupled / connected component outside the chip system or the processing system. In the example, the chip system or the processing system is installed in an access point AP (e.g., the reporting AP in an AP multi-link device), a first station, or a second station such that the access point AP (e.g., the reporting AP in an AP multi-link device), a first station, or a second station can implement the corresponding methods and functions in the above embodiments.

[0272] The chip system or the processing system may support communications based on 802.11 series protocols, such as 802.11be, 802.11ax, and 802.11ac. The chip system may be installed in devices in various scenarios that support WLAN transmission. Devices in the WLAN transmission scenario have been described at the beginning of this specification and will not be described in detail here.

[0273] In the embodiments of the present application, an access point AP (for example, the reporting AP in an AP multi-link device), a first station, or a second station can be divided into functional modules based on the above method examples. For example, each functional module can be obtained through division based on each corresponding function, or two or more functions can be integrated into one processing module. The integrated module can be implemented in the form of hardware or in the form of a software functional module. It should be noted that in the embodiments of the present application, the division into modules is an example and is only a logical function division. In actual implementation, another division method may be used.

[0274] When an integrated unit is used, FIG. 11 is a possible schematic diagram of the structure of communication device 1100. Communication device 1100 can be a chip or a processing system in a link device or a multi-link device. Communication device 1100 can implement the operations of the multi-link device in the above method embodiments. Communication device 1100 includes a processing unit 1101 and a transceiver unit 1102.

[0275] In the example, communication device 1100 is the above access point AP (for example, the reporting AP in an AP multi-link device), the first station, or the second station.

[0276] Processing unit 1101 can be configured to control and manage the actions of communication device 1100, such as generating MLD information, or determining whether to reply with a probe response frame based on relevant conditions when a probe request frame is received, and in another example, controlling the operation of transceiver unit 1102. Optionally, if communication device 1100 includes a storage unit, processing unit 1101 can further execute a program or instructions stored in the storage unit to enable communication device 1100 to implement the methods and functions in any one of the above embodiments.

[0277] For example, the processing unit 1101 may control the transceiver unit to implement step S401 in FIG. 4, or step 801 in FIG. 8, and / or another process of the technology described in this specification. All relevant contents of the steps in the above method embodiments may be cited in the functional descriptions of the corresponding functional modules. Details are not described again in this specification.

[0278] For example, the transceiver unit 1102 may transmit and receive data or signaling transmitted on one link, or may transmit and receive data or signaling transmitted on multiple links. Optionally, the transceiver unit 1102 may be one transceiver module, or may include multiple transceiver modules. When the transceiver unit 1102 is one transceiver module, the transceiver module may transmit and receive data on multiple links. For example, when the first multi-link device operates on two links and the transceiver unit 1102 includes two transceiver modules, one transceiver module operates on one link and the other transceiver module operates on the other link. For example, the transceiver unit 1102 may be configured to implement, for example, step S401 in FIG. 4, or step S801 in FIG. 8, and / or another process of the technology described in this specification. All relevant contents of the steps in the above method embodiments may be cited in the functional descriptions of the corresponding functional modules. Details are not described again in this specification.

[0279] For example, communication device 1100 can be the communication device shown in FIG. 10, processing unit 1101 can be the processor 1001 in FIG. 10, and transceiver unit 1102 can be the transceiver 1003 in FIG. 10. Optionally, communication device 1100 can further include a memory. The memory is configured to store corresponding program code and data for communication device 1100 to implement any communication method between the multi-link devices provided above. All descriptions of the related contents of the components in FIG. 10 can be cited in the functional description of the corresponding components of communication device 1100. Details will not be described again herein.

[0280] For example, communication device 1100 can alternatively be a chip or a processor, processing unit 1101 can be a processing circuit in the chip or the processor, transceiver unit 1102 can be an input / output circuit in the chip or the processor, and the input / output circuit is an interface for mutual communication or data exchange between the chip or the processor and another coupled component. It can be guaranteed that signaling or data information or program instructions are input into the chip or the processor for processing, and the processed data or signaling is output to another coupled component, and the first multi-link device where the chip or the processor is installed is controlled to implement functions.

[0281] In another example, communication device 1100 is a chip in the above access point AP (for example, the reporting AP in the AP multi-link device), the first station, or the second station.

[0282] For example, the processing unit 1101 may be configured to generate MLD information or a probe response frame. For example, the MLD information in step S401 of FIG. 4 may be generated by the processing unit 1101, or the probe response frame in S802 of FIG. 8 may be generated by the processing unit 1101, and / or another process of the techniques described herein may be performed by the processing unit 1101. All relevant contents of the steps in the above method embodiments may be cited in the functional descriptions of the corresponding functional modules. Details will not be described again herein.

[0283] For example, the transceiver unit 1102 may transmit and receive data or signaling transmitted on one link, or may transmit and receive data or signaling transmitted on multiple links. Optionally, the transceiver unit 1102 may be a single transceiver module or may include multiple transceiver modules. When the transceiver unit 1102 is a single transceiver module, the transceiver module may transmit and receive data on multiple links. For example, when the first station operates on two links and the transceiver unit 1102 includes two transceiver modules, one transceiver module operates on one link and the other transceiver module operates on the other link. For example, the transceiver unit 1102 may be configured to perform, for example, step S401 of FIG. 4, or steps S801 and S802 of FIG. 8, and / or another process of the techniques described herein. All relevant contents of the steps in the above method embodiments may be cited in the functional descriptions of the corresponding functional modules. Details will not be described again herein.

[0284] For example, communication device 1100 may be the communication device shown in FIG. 10, processing unit 1101 may be the processor 1001 in FIG. 10, and transceiver unit 1102 may be the transceiver 1003 in FIG. 10. Optionally, communication device 1100 may further include a memory. The memory is configured to store program code and data corresponding to any of the methods provided above implemented by communication device 1100. All descriptions of the relevant content of the components in FIG. 10 may be cited in the functional description of the corresponding components of communication device 1100. Details will not be described again herein.

[0285] For example, communication device 1100 may alternatively be a chip or a processor, processing unit 1102 may be a processing circuit in the chip or the processor, and transceiver unit 1102 may be an input / output circuit in the chip or the processor. The input / output circuit is an interface for mutual communication or data exchange between the chip or the processor and another coupled component. It is guaranteed that signaling, data information, or program instructions are input to and processed by the chip or the processor, and the processed data or signaling is output to another coupled component, and the device in which the chip or the processor is installed is controlled to implement functions.

[0286] Embodiments of the present application further provide a computer-readable storage medium. The computer-readable storage medium stores computer program code. When the processor executes the computer program code, an electronic device (such as an AP, a first station, or a second station) in which the processor is disposed is enabled to implement the method in any of the embodiments of FIG. 4 or FIG. 8.

[0287] Embodiments of the present application further provide a computer program product. When the computer program product is run on a computer, the computer (such as an AP, a first station, or a second station) is enabled to implement the method in any of the embodiments of FIG. 4 or FIG. 8.

[0288] Embodiments of the present application further provide a communication device. The device may exist in the form of a chip product. The structure of the device includes a processor and an interface circuit. The processor is configured to communicate with another device through the interface circuit so that the device implements the method in any of the embodiments of FIG. 4 or FIG. 8.

[0289] Embodiments of the present application further provide a communication system. The communication system includes the above access point AP (for example, the reporting AP in the AP multi-link device) and a station. The access point AP (for example, the reporting AP in the AP multi-link device) and the station may implement the method in the embodiment of FIG. 4. Alternatively, the communication system includes a first station and a second station, and the first station and the second station may implement the method in the embodiment of FIG. 8. The method or algorithm steps described in combination with the content disclosed in the present application may be implemented by hardware or by a processor by executing software instructions. The software instructions may include corresponding software modules. The software modules may be stored in a random access memory (RAM), flash memory, erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), register, hard disk, removable hard disk, compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), or any other form of storage medium well known in the art. For example, the storage medium may be coupled to the processor, whereby the processor can read information from or write information to the storage medium. Of course, the storage medium may be a component of the processor. The processor and the storage medium may be disposed in an ASIC. In addition, the ASIC may be disposed in a core network interface device. Of course, the processor and the storage medium may exist as individual components in the core network interface device.

[0290] In one or more of the above examples, those skilled in the art should recognize that the functions described in this application can be implemented by hardware, software, firmware, or any combination thereof. When the functions are implemented by software, the above functions can be stored or transmitted to a computer-readable medium as one or more instructions or codes in the computer-readable medium. The computer-readable medium includes a computer-readable storage medium and a communication medium. The communication medium includes any medium that facilitates the transmission of a computer program from one place to another. The storage medium can be any available medium accessible to a general-purpose or dedicated computer.

[0291] In the above specific implementation, the objectives, technical solutions, and beneficial effects of this application have been further described in detail. It should be understood that the above description is only a specific implementation of this application and does not limit the protection scope of this application. Any modifications, equivalent exchanges, improvements, etc. made based on the technical solutions of this application shall fall within the protection scope of this application.

Claims

1. A communication method applied to a multi-link device (MLD) in a wireless local area network (WLAN), a step of generating MLD information by a reporting access point (AP) included in the MLD, wherein the MLD information includes information about the reporting AP, information about the reported AP, and shared information, the shared information includes a media access control (MAC) address of the MLD, and the reported AP is included in the MLD; a step of transmitting the MLD information by the reporting AP; and the method, wherein the MLD information further includes a plurality of BSSID elements of a plurality of basic service set identifiers (BSSIDs) to which the reporting AP belongs.

2. A communication method applied to a multi-link device (MLD) in a wireless local area network (WLAN), a step of generating MLD information by a reporting access point (AP) included in the MLD, wherein the MLD information includes information about the reporting AP, information about the reported AP, and shared information, the shared information includes a media access control (MAC) address of the MLD, and the reported AP is included in the MLD; a step of transmitting the MLD information by the reporting AP; and the method, wherein the MLD information further includes a plurality of BSSID elements of a plurality of BSSIDs to which the reported AP belongs.

3. A communication method applied to a multi-link device (MLD) in a wireless local area network (WLAN), a step of generating MLD information by a reporting access point (AP) included in the MLD, wherein the MLD information includes information about the reporting AP, information about the reported AP, and shared information, the shared information includes a media access control (MAC) address of the MLD, and the reported AP is included in the MLD; a step of transmitting the MLD information by the reporting AP; and the method, wherein the information about the reporting AP includes a plurality of BSSID elements of a plurality of BSSIDs to which the reporting AP belongs.

4. A communication method applied to a multi-link device (MLD) in a wireless local area network (WLAN), A step of generating MLD information by a reporting access point (AP) included in the MLD, wherein the MLD information includes information about the reporting AP, information about the reported AP, and shared information, the shared information includes the media access control (MAC) address of the MLD, and the reported AP is included in the MLD, the step and A step of transmitting the MLD information by the reporting AP and Including, The information about the reported AP includes a plurality of BSSID elements of a plurality of BSSID sets to which the reported AP belongs, the method.

5. The plurality of BSSID elements include a non-transmitting BSSID profile, and the non-transmitting BSSID profile includes the MAC address of the MLD where the non-transmitting BSSID AP is located. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. The information about the reported AP includes a bit indicating whether the reported AP is a transmitting BSSID AP. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

7. The information about the reported AP includes a bit indicating whether the reported AP is a member of a plurality of BSSID sets. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

8. The information about the reported AP includes bit information indicating whether the reported AP is a member of a plurality of BSSID sets and whether the reported AP is a transmitting BSSID AP. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

9. The bit information consists of 2 bits. The method according to claim 8.

10. The shared information further includes an indication of the amount of reported APs. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

11. The step of transmitting the MLD information by the reporting AP is A step of transmitting a management frame by the reporting AP, the management frame further including the MLD information, the step Including, the method according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

12. The management frame is one of a beacon frame, a probe response frame, or an association response frame. The method according to claim 11.

13. A communication device comprising a processor, a transceiver, and a memory, The transceiver is configured to receive and send information or communicate with another network element, The memory is configured to store a computer program, The processor is configured to execute the computer program so that the communication device can implement the method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, the device.

14. A chip comprising a processor and a memory, wherein the memory is coupled to the processor and is configured to store a computer program and data required when the processor operates, and the processor is configured to execute the computer program stored in the memory so that a communication device comprising the chip implements the method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, the chip.

15. A computer-readable storage medium storing a computer program, wherein when the computer program operates on a processor, a communication device comprising the processor implements the method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, the computer-readable storage medium.

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