Communication method and communication device

Abstract

To provide a communication method and a communication apparatus, so as to manage a downlink cache service of a multi-link device and help managing a data buffer space.SOLUTION: A first station in a first multi-link device sends first information to a second multi-link device, and the first information is used to indicate a frequency at which a station in a power saving mode in the first multi-link device receives a beacon frame. In this way, the second multi-link device may learn about, on the basis of, the first information, a frequency at which a station in the first multi-link device receives a beacon frame, thereby helping the second multi-link device to effectively manage a cache service of each station in the first multi-link device and manage a data buffer space.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application claims the priority of Chinese Patent Application No. 202010292203.8, titled "Communication Method and Communication Device", filed with the China National Intellectual Property Administration on April 14, 2020, which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[0002] This application relates to the field of communications, and more particularly, to communication methods and communication devices.

Background Art

[0003] As defined in the IEEE 802.11 next-generation Wi-Fi extremely high throughput (EHT) protocol, an ultra-wide bandwidth may be used to transmit information packets in the new 6 GHz frequency band, and multiple discontinuous links may also be aggregated to form an ultra-wide bandwidth by using multi-link (ML) cooperation technology. The multi-link cooperation technology can aggregate a wider standby bandwidth. In addition, multi-link cooperation technologies such as sharing of the MAC layer on multiple links may be used to flexibly transmit message packets or to simultaneously transmit message packets of the same service to the same station. Wireless local area network (WLAN) devices that support the next-generation IEEE 802.11 standard have the ability to transmit and receive data in multiple bands (multi-band).

[0004] Currently, the conventional listen mechanism has limitations and is only applicable to single-link stations, and is not applicable to stations equipped with multi-link devices.

Summary of the Invention

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] In view of this, this application provides a communication method and a communication device to effectively manage the downlink cache service of a multi-link device and assist in managing data buffer space.

[0006] According to a first aspect, a communication method is provided. The communication method includes the following. First, a first station in a first multi-link device transmits first information to a second multi-link device, and the first information is used to indicate that a station in the first multi-link device in the power-saving mode receives a beacon frame. Then, the first multi-link device receives the beacon frame based on the first information. In this way, the second multi-link device can know that a station in the first multi-link device receives the beacon frame, thereby effectively managing the cache service of each station in the first multi-link device and managing the data buffer space. How often receives or for which the first information is used to indicate. And the first multi-link device receives the beacon frame based on the first information. In this way, the second multi-link device can know that a station in the first multi-link device receives the beacon frame, thereby effectively managing the cache service of each station in the first multi-link device and managing the data buffer space. How often receives or about, and thereby effectively manage the cache service of each station in the first multi-link device and manage the data buffer space.

[0007] The first station may be a station in the first multi-link device. Alternatively, the first multi-link device is a special multi-link device, that is, a multi-link device including a single station.

[0008] Optionally, the first station is in the first multi-link device and is a station used to establish an association request.

[0009] In a possible implementation, the first information indicates a first time interval during which a second station operating on a first link in a first multi-link device receives a beacon frame, and the unit of the first time interval is the interval of beacon frames on the first link. In other words, the first time interval is related to the interval at which a third station operating on the first link in a second multi-link device transmits a beacon frame. The first multi-link device notifies the second multi-link device of a first time interval (or a listening interval) during which a station operating on the first link receives a beacon frame. In this way, the second multi-link device can effectively manage the cache service of each station in the first multi-link device based on the first time interval and manage the data buffer space.

[0010] Here, the first link may be referred to as the primary link, and there is one first link.

[0011] Optionally, the first station is the same as or different from the second station.

[0012] Optionally, the first multi-link device receiving a beacon frame based on the first information includes the following. A station in the first multi-link device receives a beacon frame on the first link during the interval of the first time interval. Here, a station in the first multi-link device may receive a beacon frame on the first link based on the first time interval to know about BSS parameter information transmitted by the second multi-link device. For example, a station in the first multi-link device knows about downlink service instructions through the beacon frame, and finally, to help the AP complete downlink service transmission, the station notifies the AP through a power-saving pole frame that the station is in an awake state.

[0013] In another possible implementation, the first information indicates a second time interval during which multiple stations operating on multiple links in the first multi-link device receive beacon frames, the second time interval being related to multiple beacon frame intervals during which the second multi-link device transmits beacon frames on the multiple links, and each beacon frame interval being an interval during which a station in the second multi-link device transmits a beacon frame on a link. The first multi-link device notifies the second multi-link device of a second time interval (also referred to as a listen interval) during which multiple stations operating on multiple links receive beacon frames. In this way, the second multi-link device can effectively manage the cache service of each station in the first multi-link device and manage the data buffer space based on the second time interval.

[0014] Optionally, the unit of the second time interval is the maximum time interval among multiple beacon frame intervals during which the second multi-link device transmits beacon frames on multiple links, or the minimum time interval among multiple beacon frame intervals. In other words, the unit of the second time interval can be the minimum or maximum value among multiple beacon frame intervals.

[0015] Optionally, the first multi-link device receiving a beacon frame based on the first information includes the following. The first multi-link device receives a beacon frame on at least one of the multiple links during the interval of the second time interval. Here, the first multi-link device may receive a beacon frame on the first link based on the second time interval to know about the BSS parameter information transmitted by the second multi-link device. For example, a station in the first multi-link device knows about the downlink service indication through the beacon frame, and finally, the station notifies the AP of its awake state through the power save poll frame to help the AP complete the downlink service transmission.

[0016] Here, a plurality of stations in the first multi-link device (i.e., all stations operating on a plurality of links) may receive beacon frames on each of the plurality of links, i.e., on all of the plurality of links, during a second time interval. Alternatively, some stations in the first multi-link device (i.e., stations operating on some of the plurality of links) may receive beacon frames on some of the plurality of links during the second time interval.

[0017] In this embodiment of this application, the transmission of the first information from the first station in the first multi-link device to the second multi-link device includes the following. The first station in the first multi-link device transmits a first frame to the second multi-link device, and the first frame carries the first information. The first frame may be a management frame. For example, the first frame may be an association request frame or a re-association request frame. Therefore, the method of transmitting the first information is relatively flexible.

[0018] According to a second aspect, a communication method is provided. The communication method includes the following. First, the second multi-link device receives the first information from the first multi-link device, and the first information is used to indicate that a station in the power-saving mode in the first multi-link device receives a beacon frame. Then, the second multi-link device transmits a beacon frame based on the first information. In this way, the second multi-link device can know that a station in the first multi-link device receives a beacon frame and can transmit a beacon frame based on the first information, so that the second multi-link device can effectively manage the cache service of each station in the first multi-link device and manage the data buffer space. How often receive or Thereby, the second multi-link device can know that a station in the first multi-link device receives a beacon frame and can transmit a beacon frame based on the first information, so that the second multi-link device can effectively manage the cache service of each station in the first multi-link device and manage the data buffer space. How often receive or Thereby, the second multi-link device can know that a station in the first multi-link device receives a beacon frame and can transmit a beacon frame based on the first information, so that the second multi-link device can effectively manage the cache service of each station in the first multi-link device and manage the data buffer space.

[0019] Optionally, the method further includes the following. A second multi-link device determines the duration of the service of the first multi-link device based on the first information.

[0020] Optionally, the method further includes the following. When the time for the second multi-link device to cache the service of the first multi-link device is less than the time indicated by the first information, the second multi-link device skips discarding the cached service of the first multi-link device.

[0021] Optionally, the second multi-link device managing the service of the first multi-link device based on the first information includes the following. When the time for the second multi-link device to cache the service of the first multi-link device is greater than the time indicated by the first information, the second multi-link device discards the cached service of the first multi-link device.

[0022] Optionally, the second multi-link device receiving the first information from the first multi-link device includes the following. The second multi-link device receives a first frame from the first multi-link device, and the first frame carries the first information. The first frame may be a management frame. For example, the first frame is an association request frame or a re-association request frame. Therefore, the way to send the first information is relatively flexible.

[0023] According to a third aspect, a communication method is provided. The communication method includes the following. First, a first station in the first multi-link device sends a first frame to the second multi-link device, the first frame includes a plurality of second information, and each station in the power-saving mode in the first multi-link device sends a beacon frame How often receives orEach of a plurality of second information is used to indicate. And, the first multi-link device receives a beacon frame based on the plurality of second information. In this way, the second multi-link device knows about the plurality of second information, and thereby effectively manages the cache service of each station in the first multi-link device and manages the data buffer space.

[0024] Optionally, the first frame further includes link identifiers of a plurality of stations, each link identifier corresponds to one piece of second information, and the link identifier is used to identify a station in the first multi-link device. In this way, the second multi-link device can know about the association between the second information and the stations.

[0025] The first frame may be a management frame. For example, the first frame is an association request frame or a re-association request frame. The method of transmitting the plurality of second information is relatively flexible.

[0026] According to a fourth aspect, a communication method is provided. The communication method includes the following. First, a second multi-link device receives a first frame, the first frame includes a plurality of second information, and each station in the power-saving mode in the first multi-link device How often receives or Each of a plurality of second information is used to indicate. And, the second multi-link device transmits a beacon frame based on the plurality of second information. In this way, the second multi-link device can know about the plurality of second information, and thereby effectively manages the cache service of each station in the first multi-link device and manages the data buffer space.

[0027] Optionally, the first frame further includes link identifiers for a plurality of stations, each link identifier corresponding to one piece of second information, and the link identifier is used to identify a station in the first multi-link device. In this way, the second multi-link device can know about the association between the second information and the station.

[0028] The first frame may be a management frame. For example, the first frame may be an association request frame or a re-association request frame. The method of transmitting a plurality of pieces of second information is relatively flexible.

[0029] According to a fifth aspect, a communication device is provided. The communication device includes a module configured to execute the method in the first aspect or any possible implementation of the first aspect, a module configured to execute the method in the second aspect or any possible implementation of the second aspect, a module configured to execute the method in the third aspect or any possible implementation of the third aspect, or a module configured to execute the method in the fourth aspect or any possible implementation of the fourth aspect.

[0030] According to a sixth aspect, a communication device is provided. The communication device includes a processor. The processor may be coupled to a memory and configured to execute instructions in the memory to execute the method in any possible implementation of the first aspect or the third aspect. Optionally, the device further includes a memory. Optionally, the device further includes a communication interface, and the processor is coupled to the communication interface.

[0031] In an implementation, the device is a first multi-link device. When the device is a first multi-link device, the communication interface may be a transceiver or an input / output interface.

[0032] In another implementation, the device is a chip disposed on a first multi-link device. When the device is a chip disposed on a first multi-link device, the communication interface can be an input / output interface.

[0033] Optionally, the transceiver can be a transceiver circuit. Optionally, the input / output interface can be an input / output circuit.

[0034] According to a seventh aspect, a communication device is provided. The communication device includes a processor. The processor is coupled to a memory and can be configured to read and execute instructions in the memory to execute a method according to any possible implementation of the second or fourth aspect. Optionally, the device further includes a memory. Optionally, the device further includes a communication interface, and the processor is coupled to the communication interface.

[0035] In an implementation, the device is a second multi-link device. When the device is a second multi-link device, the communication interface can be a transceiver or an input / output interface.

[0036] In another implementation, the device is a chip disposed on a second multi-link device. When the device is a chip disposed on a second multi-link device, the communication interface can be an input / output interface.

[0037] Optionally, the transceiver can be a transceiver circuit. Optionally, the input / output interface can be an input / output circuit.

[0038] According to an eighth aspect, a processor is provided and includes an input circuit, an output circuit, and a processing circuit. The processing circuit is configured to receive a signal through the input circuit and transmit a signal through the output circuit, whereby the processor executes a method in any possible implementation of any one of the first to fourth aspects.

[0039] During a specific implementation, the processor may be a chip, the input circuit may be an input pin, the output circuit may be an output pin, and the processing circuit may be a transistor, a gate circuit, a trigger, various logic circuits, or the like. The input signal received by the input circuit may be received and input, for example, but not limited to, by a receiver, and the signal output by the output circuit may be output and transmitted by a transmitter, for example, but not limited to, to a transmitter. The input circuit and the output circuit may be the same circuit, and the circuit is used as the input circuit and the output circuit at different instants. The specific implementation of the processor and the circuit is not limited in the embodiments of this application.

[0040] According to a ninth aspect, an apparatus is provided that includes a processor and a memory. The processor is configured to read instructions stored in the memory, receive signals through a receiver, and transmit signals through a transmitter to execute the method in any possible implementation of any one of the first aspect to the fourth aspect.

[0041] Optionally, there is one or more processors and one or more memories.

[0042] Optionally, the memory may be integrated with the processor, or the memory and the processor may be arranged separately.

[0043] In a specific implementation process, the memory may be a non-transitory memory, such as a read only memory (ROM). The memory and the processor may be integrated on the same chip, or may be arranged separately on different chips. The type of the memory and the manner of arranging the memory and the processor are not limited in the embodiments of this application.

[0044] For example, the related data exchange process of transmitting the first information or the first frame may be a process in which the first information or the first frame is output from the processor, and it should be understood that receiving the capability information may also be a process in which the processor receives the input capability information. Specifically, the data output by the processor may be output to the transmitter, and the input data received by the processor may come from the receiver. The transmitter and the receiver may be collectively referred to as a transceiver.

[0045] The device in the ninth aspect may be a chip. The processor may be implemented by using hardware or software. When the processor is implemented by using hardware, the processor may be a logic circuit, an integrated circuit, or the like, or when the processor is implemented by using software, the processor may be a general-purpose processor and is implemented by reading software code stored in the memory. The memory may be integrated with the processor or may exist independently outside the processor.

[0046] According to the tenth aspect, a computer-readable storage medium is provided. The computer-readable storage medium stores a computer program or instructions. When the computer program or instructions are executed, the method in any one of the possible implementations from the first aspect to the fourth aspect is executed.

[0047] According to the eleventh aspect, a computer program product including instructions is provided. When the instructions are executed, the method in any one of the possible implementations from the first aspect to the fourth aspect is executed.

[0048] According to a twelfth aspect, a communication chip storing instructions is provided. When the instructions operate in a computer device, the communication chip is enabled to execute the method in the first aspect or any possible implementation of the first aspect, or the communication chip is enabled to execute the method in the third aspect or any possible implementation of the third aspect.

[0049] According to a thirteenth aspect, a communication chip storing instructions is provided. When the instructions operate in a computer device, the communication chip is enabled to execute the method in the second aspect or any possible implementation of the second aspect, or the communication chip is enabled to execute the method in the fourth aspect or any possible implementation of the fourth aspect.

[0050] According to a fourteenth aspect, a communication system is provided, the communication system including a first multi-link device and a second multi-link device.

[0051] Optionally, the communication system further includes another device that communicates with the first multi-link device and / or the second multi-link device.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0052]

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DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0053] The following describes the technical solutions of this application with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0054] The technical solutions provided in the embodiments of this application can be applied to various communication systems, such as long term evolution (LTE) systems, LTE frequency division duplex (FDD) systems, LTE time division duplex (TDD), Wi-Fi systems, wireless local area networks (WLAN), worldwide interoperability for microwave access (WiMAX) communication systems, 5th generation (5G) systems, or new radio (NR), or device to device (D2D) systems.

[0055] In a communication system, if one device transmits data to another device or receives data transmitted by another device, then the other device receives the data transmitted by the data transmitting device and / or transmits data to the data transmitting device.

[0056] The technical solutions provided in the embodiments of this application can be applied to wireless communication between communication devices. Specifically, this embodiment of this application is applicable to communication between multi-link devices. Wireless communication between communication devices may include wireless communication between a network device and a terminal device, wireless communication between network devices, and wireless communication between terminals. In the embodiments of this application, the term "wireless communication" may sometimes be referred to as "communication", and the term "communication" may also be described as "data transmission", "information transmission", or "transmission".

[0057] The terminal device can be a station (STA), user equipment, access terminal, user unit, subscriber station, mobile station, remote station, remote terminal, mobile device, user terminal, terminal, wireless communication device, user agent, or user device. Alternatively, the terminal device can be a cellular phone, cordless phone, session initiation protocol (SIP) phone, wireless local loop (WLL) station, personal digital assistant (PDA), handheld device with wireless communication capabilities, computing device, another processing device connected to a wireless modem, in-vehicle device, wearable device, terminal device in a future 5G network, terminal device in a future evolved public land mobile network (PLMN), or the like. This is not limited in the embodiments of this application.

[0058] A network device may be a device configured to communicate with a terminal device, or may be referred to as a radio access network (RAN) device, or the like. The network device includes, but is not limited to, an access point (AP), a next generation node B (gNB) in 5G, an evolved node B (eNB), a baseband unit (BBU), a transmitting and receiving point (TRP), a transmitting point (TP), a relay station, or the like. Alternatively, the network device may be a radio controller in a cloud radio access network (CRAN) scenario. In addition, the network device may further play roles of functions such as radio resource management on the air interface side, quality of service (QoS) management, and compression and encryption of data. The network device can support at least one wireless communication technology such as LTE or NR.

[0059] In some deployments, the gNB may include a centralized unit (CU) and a distributed unit (DU). The gNB may further include an active antenna unit (AAU). The CU implements some functions of the gNB, and the DU implements some functions of the gNB. For example, the CU plays a role in processing non-real-time protocols and services, and implements the functions of the radio resource control (RRC) layer and the packet data convergence protocol (PDCP) layer. The DU plays a role in processing physical layer protocols and real-time services, and implements the functions of the radio link control (RLC) layer, the media access control (MAC) layer, and the physical (PHY) layer. The AAU implements some processing functions of the physical layer, radio frequency processing, and functions related to active antennas. Information in the RRC layer ultimately becomes information in the PHY layer or is changed from the information in the PHY layer. Therefore, in this architecture, signaling at higher layers such as RRC layer signaling can be considered to be transmitted by the DU or by the DU and the AAU. It can be understood that the network device can be a device including one or more of the CU node, the DU node, and the AAU node. In addition, the CU may be a network device in the radio access network (RAN) or may be a network device in the core network (CN). This is not limited in this application.

[0060] In the embodiments of this application, a terminal device or a network device includes a hardware layer, an operating system layer operating on the hardware layer, and an application layer operating on the operating system layer. The hardware layer includes hardware such as a central processing unit (CPU), a memory management unit (MMU), and a memory (which is also called the main memory). The operating system can be any one or more computer operating systems that execute service processing through a process, such as the Linux (registered trademark) operating system, the Unix operating system, the Android operating system, the iOS operating system, or the Windows operating system. The application layer includes applications such as a browser, an address book, word processing software, and instant messaging software. In addition, the specific structure of the entity for executing the method provided in the embodiments of this application is not particularly limited in the embodiments of this application, provided that the entity can execute a program that records the code of the method provided in the embodiments of this application for performing communication according to the method provided in the embodiments of this application. For example, the entity for executing the method provided in the embodiments of this application can be a terminal device, a network device, or a functional module that is in the terminal device or the network device and can call and execute a program.

[0061] In addition, aspects or features of this application can be implemented as a method, apparatus, or product using standard programming and / or engineering techniques. The term "product" as used in this application encompasses a computer program that can be accessed from any computer-readable device, carrier, or medium. For example, computer-readable media can include, but are not limited to, magnetic storage components (such as hard disks, floppy disks, or magnetic tape), optical disks (such as compact discs (CDs) and digital versatile discs (DVDs)), smart cards, and flash memory components (such as erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), cards, sticks, or key drives). Additionally, the various storage media described in this specification can represent one or more devices and / or other machine-readable media configured to store information. The term "machine-readable media" can include, but is not limited to, wireless channels and various other media that can store, contain, and / or carry instructions and / or data.

[0062] This application is applicable to a communication system including a multi-link device (MLD). The following briefly describes the multi-link device.

[0063] MLD is also referred to as a multi-band device. A multi-link device includes one or more attached stations, and the attached stations are logical stations. "A multi-link device includes attached stations" is also simply described as "a multi-link device includes stations" in the embodiments of this application. The attached stations can be an access point AP or a non-access point station (non-AP STA). For ease of explanation, in this application, a multi-link device with an attached station being an AP may be referred to as a multi-link AP, a multi-link AP device, or an AP multi-link device, and a multi-link device with an attached station being a non-AP STA may be referred to as a multi-link STA, a multi-link STA device, or a STA multi-link device.

[0064] The MLD may perform wireless communication in accordance with the 802.11 series protocol, for example, in accordance with extremely high throughput (EHT), or in accordance with an 802.11be-based protocol or an 802.11be-compatible protocol, thereby performing communication with another device. The other device may or may not be a multi-link device.

[0065] Each logical station can operate on one link, but multiple logical stations are allowed to operate on the same link. The link identifier mentioned below identifies (or represents) one station operating on one link. In other words, if there are more than one logical stations on one link, more than one link identifier is required to identify (or represent) the logical stations. The link identifier mentioned below sometimes also indicates the station operating on the link. When data transmission is performed between one 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 about the association between the link identifier and the link or the station on the link, or the AP multi-link device may indicate the association between the link identifier and the link or the station on the link through a broadcast management frame (e.g., a beacon frame). Therefore, during data transmission, the link identifier is carried without the need to transmit a large amount of signaling information to indicate the link or the station on the link. This reduces the signaling overhead and improves the transmission efficiency.

[0066] For the sake of explanation, the following example uses the case where one of the aforementioned multi-link devices is an AP multi-link device and the other aforementioned multi-link device is a STA multi-link device.

[0067] In an example, when an AP multi-link device establishes a basic service set (BSS), management frames (e.g., beacon frames) transmitted by the AP multi-link device carry elements that include a plurality of link identifier information fields. Each link identifier information field is used to indicate the association between a link identifier and a station operating on the link. Each link identifier information field includes a link identifier. Optionally, each link identifier information field 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 or the station operating on the link.

[0068] In another example, in a multi-link association process, an AP multi-link device and an STA multi-link device negotiate 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 within the multi-link device by using the link identifier. Optionally, the link identifier may further identify (or represent) one or more attributes of a MAC address, an operating operating class, and a channel number of the station. There may be an association between the link identifier and one or more attributes of the station. The MAC address may also be replaced with an association identifier of the associated AP multi-link device. Optionally, if a plurality of stations operate on one link, the meaning identified (or represented) by the link identifier (which is a numerical ID) includes not only the operating class and channel number where the link is located, but also the identifier of the station operating on the link, such as the MAC address or association identifier (AID) of the station.

[0069] FIG. 1 is an exemplary diagram of an application scenario to which the embodiments of this application are applied. As shown in FIG. 1, a wireless local area network includes a first station 101 and a second station 102. To improve throughput, multiple links may be used for communication between the first station 101 and the second station 102. The first station 101 may be a multi-link device, and the second station 102 may be a single-link device, a multi-link device, or the like. For example, in a 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 (e.g., 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 (e.g., a single-link AP) or an AP multi-link device. For example, 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. For example, in yet 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.

[0070] It can be understood that the quantity and type of devices shown in FIG. 1 are merely examples and do not constitute limitations in this embodiment of this application. In fact, the wireless local area network in FIG. 1 may further include other devices.

[0071] FIGS. 2 and 3 are 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 portions of the 802.11 physical layer (PHY) and media access control (MAC) layer of AP multi-link devices and STA multi-link devices (such as mobile phones and notebook computers).

[0072] As shown in FIG. 2, the multiple APs included in the 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. The multiple STAs included in the 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.

[0073] As shown in FIG. 3, the multiple APs included in the 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. The multiple STAs included in the 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.

[0074] It can be understood that the structures shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 are merely examples and do not constitute limitations in this embodiment of this application. For example, 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.

[0075] It can be understood that the multi-link device in this embodiment of this application may be a single-antenna device or a multi-antenna device. For example, the multi-link device can be a device having more than two antennas. The number of antennas included in the multi-link device is not limited in the embodiments of this application. FIG. 4 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. The schematic diagram in FIG. 4 is merely an example and it can be understood that it does not constitute a limitation in this embodiment of this application. In this embodiment of this application, the multi-link device may allow the same access type of service to be transmitted on different links, or may even allow the same data packet to be transmitted on different links. Alternatively, the multi-link device may not allow the same access type of service to be transmitted on different links, but may allow different access type of services to be transmitted on different links.

[0076] It can be further understood that the multi-link device in this embodiment of this application can operate in multiple frequency bands. For example, the frequency bands in which the multi-link device operates are not limited, but may include sub-1 GHz, 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, 6 GHz, and millimeter wave 60 GHz. The examples shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 are used for the description here. FIGS. 5 and 6 are two schematic diagrams showing that the multi-link device communicates with another device through multiple links in a wireless local area network.

[0077] Figure 5 depicts a scenario where the AP multi-link device 101 communicates with the STA multi-link device 102. As shown in Figure 5, the AP multi-link device 101 includes the attached AP101-1 and the attached AP101-2, the STA multi-link device 102 includes the attached STA102-1 and the attached STA102-2, and the AP multi-link device 101 and the STA multi-link device 102 communicate in parallel through Link 1 and Link 2.

[0078] Figure 6 depicts 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 the attached APs 101-1 to 101-3. The STA multi-link device 102 includes two attached STAs, namely STA102-1 and STA102-2. The STA multi-link device 103 includes two attached STAs, namely STA103-1 and STA103-2. STA104 is a single-link device. The AP multi-link device 101 can communicate with the STA multi-link device 102 separately through Link 1 and Link 3, communicate with the STA multi-link device 103 through Link 2 and Link 3, and communicate with STA104 through 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 operating in the 2.4 GHz frequency band within the AP multi-link device 101 can perform uplink or downlink data transmission with STA104 and STA102-1 within the STA multi-link device 102 through Link 1. The AP101-2 operating in the 5 GHz frequency band within the AP multi-link device 101 can perform uplink or downlink data transmission with STA103-1 operating in the 5 GHz frequency band within the STA multi-link device 103 through Link 2. The AP101-3 operating in the 6 GHz frequency band within the AP multi-link device 101 may perform uplink or downlink data transmission with STA102-2 operating in the 6 GHz frequency band within the STA multi-link device 102 through Link 3, or may also perform uplink or downlink data transmission with STA103-2 within the STA multi-link device through Link 3.

[0079] For illustration purposes, FIG. 5 shows that the AP multi-link device supports only two frequency bands, and FIG. 6 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 it should be noted that only an example where the AP multi-link device 101 can operate on one or more of Link 1, Link 2, and Link 3 is used. On the AP or STA side, a link (there are two interpretations for a link. One interpretation is location (considering that there are multiple stations operating on the same link). The other interpretation is the link itself.) can also be understood as a station operating on the link. In the implementation application, the AP multi-link device and the STA multi-link device may further support more or fewer frequency bands, that is, the AP multi-link device and the STA multi-link device may operate on more or fewer links. This is not limited in this embodiment of this application.

[0080] For example, a multi-link device is a device with a wireless communication function, and the device may be a device, or may be a chip, a processing system, or the like mounted on the device. The device on which the chip or the processing system is mounted can implement the methods and functions in the embodiments of this application under the control of the chip or the processing system. For example, the multi-link STA in this embodiment of this application has a wireless transceiver function, may support the 802.11 series protocol, and may 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 then with a WLAN. For example, the multi-link STA can be a tablet, a desktop, a laptop, or a notebook computer, an ultra-mobile personal computer (UMPC), a handheld computer, a netbook, a personal digital assistant (PDA), or a mobile phone, an Internet of Things node in the Internet of Things, an in-vehicle communication device in the Internet of Vehicles, or the like, which is a user device that can be connected to the Internet. The multi-link STA can further be a chip or a processing system in the aforementioned terminals. The multi-link AP in this embodiment of this application is a device that provides services for the multi-link STA and can support the 802.11 series protocol. For example, the multi-link AP may be a communication entity such as a communication server, a router, a switch, or a network bridge, or the multi-link AP may include various forms of macro base stations, micro base stations, relay stations, or the like. Of course, the multi-link AP can further be a chip and a processing system in various forms of devices for implementing the methods and functions of this embodiment of this application. In addition, the multi-link device can support high-speed and low-latency transmission.With the continuous evolution of scenarios of wireless local area network applications, multi-link devices can be further applied to more scenarios, such as sensor nodes in smart cities (e.g., smart water meters, smart power meters, or smart air detection nodes), smart devices in smart homes (e.g., smart cameras, projectors, display screens, TVs, stereos, refrigerators, washing machines, or the like), nodes in the Internet of Things, entertainment terminals (e.g., AR, VR, or other wearable devices), smart devices in smart offices (e.g., printers, projectors, or the like), Internet of Vehicles devices in the Internet of Vehicles, or infrastructure in daily life scenarios (e.g., vending machines, self-service navigation consoles, automatic payment devices, self-service food machines, or the like). The specific forms of multi-link STAs and multi-link APs are not specifically limited in the embodiments of this application and are merely examples for the purpose of the description here. The 802.11 series protocols may include 802.11be, 802.11ax, 802.11a / b / g / n / ac, and the like.

[0081] In one BSS, the AP manages multiple stations. The AP can be the AP in the AP multi-link device or a single AP. Similarly, a station can be the station in the STA multi-link device or a single station. Each AP in the AP multi-link device can independently establish one BSS. Each AP periodically broadcasts beacon frames, and the beacon frame intervals can be different.

[0082] For unified description, the communication method in this embodiment of this application is applicable in the following cases: (1) The AP is a single AP, and the station is a single station. (2) The AP is from an AP multi-link device. (3) The station is from an STA multi-link device, and the AP is a single AP. (4) The AP is from an AP multi-link device, and the station is from an STA multi-link device.

[0083] A single station can be considered to be a station from a special STA multi-link device. The special STA multi-link device includes one station, but the station can be switched to another link for transmission. A single AP can be considered to be an AP from a special AP multi-link device. The special AP multi-link device includes one AP, but the AP can be switched to another link for transmission. The link here can also be understood as a channel. STA multi-link devices and AP multi-link devices are used as examples. The stations in the STA multi-link device discover surrounding APs by scanning, such as active scanning or passive scanning, and select an appropriate AP for association, and the AP belongs to the AP multi-link device.

[0084] The following briefly describes the association between a STA multi-link device and an AP multi-link device. To reduce unnecessary interaction overhead, a STA multi-link device associates a station on one link in the STA multi-link device with one AP in the AP multi-link device that operates on the same link as that station. In this way, one or more stations in the STA multi-link device are associated with the corresponding one or more APs in the AP multi-link device, that is, each station does not need to be associated with each AP separately. All stations or APs in the multi-link device have their own MAC addresses. Generally, different stations (or APs) in the same multi-link device have different MAC addresses. In addition, a STA (or AP) multi-link device has a common multi-link MAC address. The common multi-link MAC address may be the same as the MAC address of one station (or AP) in the multi-link device, and the multi-link MAC address may also be different from the MAC address of any station (or AP) in the multi-link device. Currently, association establishment includes one or more interactions of a probe request frame / probe response frame, an authentication request frame / authentication response frame, an association request frame / association response frame, and a re-association request frame / re-association response frame. To distinguish from the frame interactions related to association establishment between a single-link AP and a single-link station, the multi-link MAC address may be carried in a probe request frame / probe response frame, an authentication request frame / authentication response frame, an association request frame / association response frame, or a re-association request frame / re-association response frame, thereby helping the STA multi-link device establish an association with the AP multi-link device.When a station in a STA multi-link device sends a frame to an AP in an AP multi-link device, the receiving address field in the frame is the MAC address of the AP in the AP multi-link device, not the MAC address of the AP multi-link device (corresponding to the common multi-link MAC address owned by the AP multi-link device mentioned above). It should be noted that the transmitting address field is the MAC address of the station in the STA multi-link device, not the MAC address of the STA multi-link device (corresponding to the common multi-link MAC address owned by the STA multi-link device mentioned above). The method for setting the address field for reverse communication is the same and will not be described again here.

[0085] In a communication system having multi-link devices, there is no effective solution for managing the cache service of each station in the multi-link device. This application proposes a communication method in which a listen interval is introduced in the multi-link device scenario to assist the AP multi-link device in managing the cache service of each STA in the STA multi-link device.

[0086] The following describes the communication method provided in this application with reference to FIGS. 7 to 9.

[0087] FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of a communication method 700 according to an embodiment of this application. As shown in FIG. 7, method 700 includes the following steps.

[0088] S710: A first station in a first multi-link device sends first information to a second multi-link device, and the first information is used to indicate that the station in the first multi-link device receives a beacon frame. How often Receiving or is used.

[0089] The first multi-link device includes one or more stations, and the first station is configured to establish an association request.

[0090] Optionally, a station in the power-saving mode in the first multi-link device uses a beacon frame How often to receive or and the first information is used to indicate this. For the power-saving mode, refer to the description in series protocols such as 802.11-2016.

[0091] The first multi-link device and the second multi-link device can be understood as two multi-link devices that perform data transmission in a communication system. One of the two multi-link devices may be a STA multi-link device, and the other multi-link device may be an AP multi-link device.

[0092] For example, the first multi-link device is a STA multi-link device, and the second multi-link device is an AP multi-link device. For ease of explanation, the following uses an example in which the first multi-link device is a STA multi-link device and the second multi-link device is an AP multi-link device for the purpose of explanation.

[0093] A station in the power-saving mode in the first multi-link device uses a beacon frame How often to receive or and the first information is used to indicate this to the second multi-link device. In this embodiment of this application, "indication" may include "direct indication" or "indirect indication", or "implied indication" or "explicit indication".

[0094] Optionally, the first multi-link device transmits the first information through the first frame. Correspondingly, the second multi-link device receives the first frame, and the first frame carries the first information.

[0095] In other words, the first information can be carried in the first frame. For example, the first frame can be a management frame. For example, the management frame can be an association request frame or a re-association request frame. The association request frame is used to associate with a receiver of the association request frame (e.g., the second multi-link device).

[0096] The following briefly describes the multi-link device association process. An example where the first multi-link device is a STA multi-link device and the second multi-link device is an AP multi-link device is used for illustration. The STA in the STA multi-link device discovers surrounding APs through scanning and selects an appropriate AP for association. The AP belongs to the AP multi-link device. In the last stage of the association, the STA sends an association request frame to the AP, and the association request frame is used to associate with a receiver of the association request frame (e.g., the AP). Then, the AP replies using an acknowledge (ACK) frame. The AP returns an association response frame to the STA, and the association response frame is used to notify the receiver of the association response frame (e.g., the STA) of the result of the association for AP-related information such as the AP's capability information, operation information, or the like. For a specific description of AP-related information (e.g., capability element and operation element), refer to the description in series protocols such as 802.11-2016. If the association is successful, the AP assigns an association identifier (AID) to the station.

[0097] Optionally, the first information may use newly added fields or may continue to use existing fields. This is not limited. If the first information continues to use existing fields, the existing fields are redefined. For example, a station in a multi-link device may carry a listen interval field in an association request frame or a re-association request frame, and the first information may continue to use the listen interval field in the association request frame.

[0098] S720: The first multi-link device receives a beacon frame based on the first information.

[0099] In this embodiment of this application, the first multi-link device transmits the first information, whereby the second multi-link device can know about the stations in the first multi-link device receiving a beacon frame based on the first information. Optionally, the stations in the first multi-link device are in a power-saving mode. The second multi-link device may transmit a beacon frame based on the first information. The first multi-link device obtains a downlink service indication through the beacon frame, knows about the downlink service indication, and notifies the second multi-link device of the awake state through a power-saving poll frame, which helps the second multi-link device complete downlink service transmission. After obtaining the first information, the second multi-link device can effectively manage the cache services of each station in the first multi-link device with reference to the first information, thereby helping to manage the data buffer space. How often receive or In a possible implementation, it is indicated by the first information carried by a station configured to establish an association request in the first multi-link device

[0100] valueis too small (i.e., the listen interval is relatively large), that is, the station in the first multi-link device at too low a frequency receives no the beacon frame, then the second multi-link device caches the service of the station in the first multi-link device for an overly long time, which occupies a lot of memory. In this case, the second multi-link device may reject the station association request. Specifically, the status code field carried in the returned association response frame is set to rejected (DENIED_LISTEN_INTERVAL_TOO _LARGE).

[0101] The first information in this embodiment of this application can be implemented in different ways. In different implementations, the content represented by the first information is different.

[0102] Implementation 1: The first information indicates the first time interval during which the second station operating on the first link in the first multi-link device receives the beacon frame, and the unit of the first time interval is the interval between beacon frames on the first link.

[0103] In other words, the first time interval is related to the interval at which the 2 first station operating on the first link in the second multi-link device transmits the beacon frame.

[0104] In Implementation 1, the first link may be referred to as the primary link, and there is one first link. How the first link is selected is not limited in this embodiment of this application. Optionally, the first link may be the link through which the STA multi-link device and the AP multi-link device complete the association request and association response interaction process. Optionally, the first link is selected by the STA multi-link device. The selection algorithm may be determined based on the busy degree of the channel. For example, in order to ensure that the STA multi-link device has sufficient time to be served on the link, a link with less busy traffic may be selected as the first link. The algorithm for selecting the first link is not specifically limited in this embodiment of this application. Optionally, the first link is specified by the AP multi-link device. For example, the AP may specify the first link for the STA multi-link device through a management frame.

[0105] For example, the primary link may be based on the STA multi-link device, and the primary links of different STA multi-link devices may be different. FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of an example to which the communication method in this application is applied. For the operating frequency band of the multi-link device in FIG. 8, refer to the description in FIG. 6. Details will not be described again here. As shown in FIG. 8, the primary link of the STA multi-link device 102 may be Link 3, the primary link of the STA multi-link device 103 may be Link 2, and the primary link of the special multi-link device STA104 may be Link 1. The primary links shown in FIG. 8 are merely examples and do not constitute a limitation in this embodiment of this application.

[0106] The example in FIG. 8 is merely for the ease of understanding by those skilled in the art of this embodiment of this application, and it can be understood that it is not intended to limit this embodiment of this application to the specific scenario in this example. Those skilled in the art can, of course, make various equivalent modifications or changes according to the example in FIG. 8, and such modifications or changes also fall within the scope of the embodiments of this application.

[0107] Optionally, in Implementation 1, S720 includes the following. A first multi-link device receives a beacon frame on a first link at intervals of a first time interval.

[0108] For example, an STA multi-link device receives or listens for a beacon frame on a primary link to obtain BSS parameter information broadcast by an AP multi-link device, such as a traffic indication map (TIM) element or a multi-link TIM element, or a BSS parameter update indication. The TIM element or the multi-link TIM element is used to indicate the downlink services of multiple stations among multiple multi-link devices, or the downlink services of multiple single stations.

[0109] Implementation 2: The first information indicates a second time interval during which multiple stations operating on multiple links in the first multi-link device receive a beacon frame. The second time interval is related to multiple beacon frame intervals during which a second multi-link device transmits a beacon frame on multiple links, and each beacon frame interval is an interval during which a station in the second multi-link device transmits a beacon frame on a link.

[0110] In the embodiment of Implementation 2, the fact that the first information indicates a second time interval during which a plurality of stations operating on a plurality of links in the first multi-link device receive beacon frames includes the following. The first information indicates a second time interval during which each station operating on each of the plurality of links in the first multi-link device receives a beacon frame, that is, a second time interval during which each station receives a beacon frame on the link on which the station operates.

[0111] Unlike Implementation 1, Implementation 2 may have a plurality of primary links, or it is conceivable that in Implementation 2 there is no primary link and any of the plurality of links may be used to listen for BSS parameter information transmitted by the AP. Optionally, the plurality of primary links (or the plurality of links) are a plurality of links corresponding to a plurality of operating stations. An operating station refers to a plurality of stations that participate in the association establishment process and are enabled.

[0112] For example, the second time interval is an interval during which a plurality of STAs operating on a plurality of links in the STA multi-link device wake up and receive beacon frames. Optionally, the plurality of STAs operating on a plurality of links in the STA multi-link device are in a power-saving mode. The unit of the second time interval may be related to a plurality of time intervals during which the second multi-link device transmits beacon frames on a plurality of links.

[0113] Optionally, the unit of the second time interval is the maximum time interval among a plurality of beacon frame intervals during which the second multi-link device transmits beacon frames on a plurality of links, or the minimum time interval among a plurality of beacon frame intervals. In other words, the unit of the second time interval can be the minimum value or the maximum value among a plurality of beacon frame intervals.

[0114] A beacon frame, a probe response frame, an association response frame, or another management frame carries the parameters of the beacon frame. For example, the parameters of the beacon frame include the beacon interval, and the beacon interval of each link can be carried in the link information field corresponding to each link in the multi-link element. Here, the multi-link element includes one or more of the following fields, namely, the multi-link control field, the common field, and one or more link information fields. For details about these fields, refer to the description in Standard 802.11be Draft 0.4. When an AP in an AP multi-link device transmits a beacon frame, the beacon frame, the probe response frame, the association response frame, or another management frame further carries the parameters of the beacon frame transmitted by one or more other APs in the same multi-link device, such as the beacon interval. Optionally, one or more other APs can be a set of candidate primary link APs indicated by the AP multi-link device. The STA multi-link device can select one or more links as the primary link from the set of candidate primary link APs.

[0115] Optionally, in Implementation 2, S720 includes the following. A first multi-link device receives a beacon frame on at least one of a plurality of links during an interval of a second time interval.

[0116] Alternatively, a plurality of stations in the first multi-link device (i.e., all stations operating on a plurality of links) can receive beacon frames on each of the plurality of links, i.e., on all of the plurality of links, during an interval of a second time interval. Alternatively, some stations in the first multi-link device (i.e., stations operating on some of the plurality of links) can receive beacon frames on some of the plurality of links during an interval of a second time interval.

[0117] In this embodiment of this application, if the value of the listen interval (e.g., the first time interval or the second time interval) is 0, none of the stations in the STA multi-link device enter the sleep mode, that is, the stations are always in the awake state. In this embodiment of this application, if the first information continues to use the listen interval field, the listen interval field is 2 bytes, and the beacon frame period is used as the basic unit. For the AP multi-link device, the AP multi-link device manages the duration of the cache service of the STA multi-link device by using the listen interval field carried in the association request frame transmitted by the STA in the STA multi-link device. The AP multi-link device may further determine the duration of the cache service of the STA multi-link device.

[0118] In this embodiment of this application, a STA in the power-saving mode among STA multi-link devices wakes up periodically and receives beacon frames based on the listen interval parameter and the ReceiveDTIMs parameter. The beacon frame includes a special class of DTIM beacon frames that are also periodically broadcast by the AP. The DTIM beacon frame interval is an integer multiple of the beacon frame interval. If ReceiveDTIMs is true, the STA wakes up and receives all DTIM beacon frames. If ReceiveDTIMs is false, the STA is not required to wake up to receive each DTIM beacon frame. By receiving the beacon frame, the STA obtains important BSS parameter information, such as TIM, broadcast by the AP. TIM is used to indicate to multiple stations whether the AP has a downlink service. If the woken-up STA detects that the TIM element in the beacon frame transmitted by the AP includes an indication that the AP has a downlink data service to the STA, the STA sends a power-saving poll (PS-poll) frame to the AP to notify the AP that the STA is in the awake state. In this case, the AP may send a downlink data service to the STA. The STA in the power-saving mode needs to wake up early enough so that the time to receive the first beacon frame is within the listen interval starting from the transmission time of the previous beacon frame. The STA learns about the downlink service indication by receiving the beacon frame and notifies the AP through the power-saving poll frame that the STA is in the awake state to help the AP complete the downlink service transmission.

[0119] A second multi-link device transmits a beacon frame based on first information. After obtaining the first information for the second multi-link device, the second multi-link device may manage the cache service of the first multi-link device based on the first information to achieve effective management of the downlink cache service of the multi-link device.

[0120] Optionally, after obtaining the first information, the second multi-link device may further determine the duration of the cache service of the first multi-link device based on the first information.

[0121] Optionally, when the time for the second multi-link device to cache the service of the first multi-link device is less than the time indicated by the first information, the second multi-link device skips discarding the cache service of the first multi-link device. Optionally, when the time for the second multi-link device to cache the service of the first multi-link device is greater than or equal to the time indicated by the first information, the second multi-link device discards the cache service of the first multi-link device. In another way, optionally, when the time for the second multi-link device to cache the service of the first multi-link device is greater than the time indicated by the first information, the second multi-link device discards the cache service of the first multi-link device.

[0122] It can be understood that the foregoing conditions for determining whether to discard the cache service are merely examples and do not constitute limitations in this embodiment of this application.

[0123] Here, the time indicated by the first information is an overview of the listen interval determined in the embodiments of this application (for example, for the method of determining the listen interval, reference may be made to the foregoing Implementation 1 or Implementation 2 shown in FIG. 7, and specific details will not be described again, or it is the listen interval determined in Method 900 below).

[0124] When "the time for caching the service is equal to the time indicated by the first information" and when "the time for caching the service is greater than the time indicated by the first information", they are classified into one category for the sake of explanation, but it can be further understood that this does not constitute a limitation in this embodiment of this application. In fact, when "the time for caching the service is equal to the time indicated by the first information" and when "the time for caching the service is less than the time indicated by the first information", they may alternatively be classified as one category. In other words, "when the time for the second multi-link device to cache the service of the first multi-link device is less than or equal to the time indicated by the first information, the second multi-link device skips discarding the cache service of the first multi-link device."

[0125] For example, an AP multi-link device uses a function over time to determine whether to discard the cache service. The function over time can be determined based on the first information. For example, the function over time is determined based on the listen interval parameter (for example, the first time interval or the second time interval) carried in the association request frame or re-association request frame by the STA in the STA multi-link device. The AP may determine the duration for caching the data service of each STA in the STA multi-link device based on the first time interval or the second time interval, thereby facilitating the management of the data buffer space.

[0126] This application further provides another communication method. The first frame carries a plurality of second information, whereby the second multi-link device effectively manages the cache services of each station in the first multi-link device.

[0127] FIG. 9 is a schematic flowchart of a communication method 900 according to another embodiment of this application. As shown in FIG. 9, method 900 includes the following steps.

[0128] S910: A first station in a first multi-link device transmits a first frame to a second multi-link device. The first frame includes a plurality of second information, and a station in a power-saving mode in the first multi-link device uses each of the plurality of second information to How often receive or a beacon frame. Correspondingly, the second multi-link device receives the first frame. Specifically, the second multi-link device receives the first frame on the link where the first station operates.

[0129] In implementation, the plurality of second information is used to indicate the respective frequencies at which a plurality of stations in the first multi-link device receive beacon frames.

[0130] For the related description of the first frame, please refer to the foregoing description. Details will not be described again here. For the related description of the first station, please refer to the foregoing description. Details will not be described again here. For the related description of the first multi-link device and the second multi-link device, please refer to the foregoing description. Details will not be described again here.

[0131] Here, the quantity of the plurality of second information is the same as the quantity of the plurality of stations in the first multi-link device.

[0132] Optionally, the second information may use newly added fields or continue to use existing fields. This is not limited. In one approach, the second information continues to use existing fields and the existing fields are redefined. For example, a station in a multi-link device conveys a listen interval field in an association request frame or a re-association request frame, and the second information may continue to use the listen interval field in the association request frame or the re-association request frame. A first station in a power saving mode receives a beacon frame How often Receive orA listen interval is used to indicate, and the listen interval is based on the interval of beacon frames on the link where the first station operates. For example, the first station may further carry a plurality of listen interval fields in an association request frame to notify the second multi-link device of the respective frequencies at which a plurality of stations in a power saving mode other than the first station in the first multi-link device receive beacon frames. The plurality of listen interval fields are based on the interval of beacon frames on the link where a plurality of stations in a power saving mode other than the first station in the first multi-link device operate. Optionally, the association request frame or the re-association request frame further includes a field for indicating the quantity of listen intervals or link identifiers. In another way, the second information may use a newly added field, and the first station may carry a plurality of listen interval fields in an association request frame or a re-association request frame to notify the second multi-link device of the respective frequencies at which a plurality of stations in a power saving mode in the first multi-link device receive beacon frames. The plurality of listen interval fields are based on the interval of beacon frames on the link where a plurality of stations in a power saving mode other than the first station in the first multi-link device operate. Optionally, the association request frame or the re-association request frame further includes a field for indicating the quantity of listen intervals or link identifiers. By using a station in a power saving mode as an example, the foregoing description is described. Optionally, a station in a power saving mode may sometimes be directly called a station. This is not specifically limited.

[0133] Optionally, the first frame further includes link identifiers for a plurality of stations, each link identifier corresponding to one piece of second information, and the link identifier is used to identify a station in the first multi-link device. The link identifier may identify (or represent) a station operating on one link in the first multi-link device, or may identify (or represent) the link on which the station operates. Optionally, prior to communication, the first multi-link device and the second multi-link device may first negotiate or communicate with each other about the association between the link identifier and the link or the station on the link, or the AP multi-link device may indicate the association between the link identifier and the link or the station on the link through a broadcast management frame (e.g., a beacon frame). Here, it is not necessary to transmit a large amount of signaling information to indicate the link or the station on the link, and the link identifier can be carried, thereby reducing the signaling overhead and improving the transmission efficiency. For the description of the link identifier, please refer to the foregoing description. Details are not described again here.

[0134] S920: The first multi-link device receives a beacon frame based on a plurality of pieces of second information.

[0135] In this embodiment of this application, the first multi-link device transmits a plurality of pieces of second information (a plurality of listen intervals) to the second multi-link device, whereby the second multi-link device effectively manages the cache services of each station in the STA multi-link device.

[0136] Here, the manner in which the second multi-link device manages the cache service is the same as that described above. For example, the AP multi-link device determines whether to discard the cache service in the STA multi-link device based on a function of time. The function of time is determined by a plurality of listen interval fields.

[0137] In the embodiments of this application, it can be understood that the number of bytes of the field length of the listen interval is not fixedly limited. For example, the length of one or more listen intervals in this embodiment of this application may be 2 bytes, or may be bytes of other lengths, such as 3, 4, or 5 bytes. FIG. 10 shows a schematic diagram of the listen interval field. As shown in FIG. 10, the listen interval occupies 2 bytes.

[0138] The listen interval supports a listen duration having a length of up to (2 16 -1) unit interval lengths. The unit interval is the beacon frame interval of the beacon frame on the link where the first station operates (Implementation 1 shown in FIG. 7 above), or the maximum or minimum value of the beacon frame intervals of the beacon frames on multiple links (Implementation 2 shown in FIG. 7 above). Alternatively, the unit interval is the beacon frame interval of the beacon frame on one link corresponding to the unit interval length of each of the multiple listen intervals (the method shown in FIG. 9 above). To support a longer sleep time, this application proposes to redefine the listen interval. As shown in FIG. 11, the listen interval includes a 14-bit unnormalized interval and a 2-bit unified normalization coefficient.

[0139] The duration of the listen interval is the unnormalized interval * normalization coefficient * unit interval length, where "*" represents the multiplication operation, and the values of the normalization coefficients corresponding to different unified normalization coefficients are shown in Table 1.

[0140]

Table 1

[0141] In Table 1, the normalization coefficients corresponding to different unified normalization coefficients have different values.

[0142] The unit of the listening interval referred to in this embodiment of this application is related to, but not limited to, the beacon frame interval (taking the beacon frame interval as the unit, or taking the maximum or minimum value in a plurality of beacon frame intervals as the unit). The unit of the listening interval referred to in this embodiment of this application may also be related to the transmission interval of other specified broadcast management frames. For example, the listening interval referred to in this embodiment of this application takes the transmission interval of the management frame broadcast on the primary link as the unit, takes the maximum or minimum value in the plurality of transmission intervals of the management frames broadcast on a plurality of links as the unit, or takes the transmission interval of the management frame broadcast on the link identified by the link identifier field as the unit.

[0143] In this embodiment of this application, the meaning of the listening interval is that a station in the power saving mode in the STA multi-link device receives a beacon frame How often receives oris to be shown, but not limited thereto. The listen interval referred to in this embodiment of this application further includes another meaning. For a station in a special power-saving mode in a STA multi-link device, for example, a Non-traffic indication map (Non-TIM) mode, the station does not need to wake up regularly to receive beacon frames. In this case, the listen interval is used to indicate the interval at which at least one frame is transmitted by a station in the STA multi-link to the associated AP. This frame may be used to notify the associated AP multi-link device that a station in the STA multi-link device is in an awake state (this frame is similar to a PS-poll frame), whereby the associated AP multi-link device may transmit downlink services to the STA multi-link device. Here, there may be one listen interval applied to the STA multi-link device. For the specific method of one listen interval, refer to Implementation 1 or Implementation 2 represented in FIG. 7 above. Details will not be described again. Here, there may be multiple listen intervals applied to multiple stations in the STA multi-link device. For the specific method of multiple listen intervals, refer to the implementation represented in FIG. 9 above. Details will not be described again.

[0144] The method referred to in this embodiment of this application is further applicable for an AP multi-link device to manage the cache service of a station in the wireless network management (WNM) sleep mode among STA multi-link devices. A station in the WNM sleep mode does not need to wake up regularly to receive each DTIM beacon frame. The following describes a specific manner in which an AP multi-link device manages the cache service of a station in the WNM sleep mode. In the following manner, the WNM sleep interval field may be the same as the listen interval field in the foregoing description, that is, the foregoing embodiments of the listen interval field are also applicable to the WNM sleep interval field.

[0145] Method 1: One or more stations among the STA multi-link devices interact with one or more APs among the AP multi-link devices respectively through WNM sleep request frames and WNM sleep response frames, whereby one or more stations among the STA multi-link devices enter the WNM sleep mode separately.

[0146] Specifically, a station in the STA multi-link device sends a WNM sleep request frame to an AP in the AP multi-link device. The WNM sleep request frame carries a WNM sleep mode element, and the WNM sleep mode element includes an element ID field, a length field, an action type field, a WNM sleep mode response status field, and a WNM sleep interval field. FIG. 12 shows an exemplary diagram of the WNM sleep mode element. As shown in FIG. 12, the WNM sleep mode element includes an element ID field, a length field, an action type field, a WNM sleep mode response status field, and a WNM sleep interval field. The WNM sleep interval field in the WNM sleep mode element is used to indicate the interval at which a station in the WNM sleep state in the STA multi-link device receives beacon frames, and the unit of the WNM sleep interval is the DTIM beacon frame interval. A WNM sleep interval field having a value of 0 indicates that a station in the WNM sleep state in the STA multi-link device does not wake up at any specified interval.

[0147] Method 2: One station in the STA multi-link device interacts with one AP in the AP multi-link device through a WNM sleep request frame and a WNM sleep response frame, whereby some or all of the stations in the STA multi-link device enter the WNM sleep mode.

[0148] Specifically, a station in the STA multi-link device sends a WNM sleep request frame to the AP in the AP multi-link device. The WNM sleep request frame carries a WNM sleep mode element, and the WNM sleep mode element includes an element ID field, a length field, an action type field, a WNM sleep mode response status field, and a WNM sleep interval field. Refer to FIG. 12 for the WNM sleep mode element. The WNM sleep interval field is used to indicate the interval at which a station in the WNM sleep state in the STA multi-link device receives beacon frames, and the unit of the WNM sleep interval is the DTIM beacon frame interval. A WNM sleep interval field having a value of 0 indicates that a station in the WNM sleep state in the STA multi-link device does not wake up at any specified interval.

[0149] In Method 2, there may be one WNM sleep interval applied to the STA multi-link device. Except that the listen interval is replaced by the WNM sleep interval and the unit of the listen interval is related to the beacon frame interval, which is replaced by the fact that the unit of the WNM sleep interval is related to the DTIM beacon frame interval, the specific method is the same as Implementation 1 or Implementation 2 shown in FIG. 7 above. Other specific details are not described here.

[0150] In Mode 2, there may be multiple WNM sleep intervals applied to multiple stations in the local multi-link device. Except that the listen interval is replaced by the WNM sleep interval and the unit of the listen interval is related to the beacon frame interval, which is replaced by the fact that the unit of the WNM sleep interval is related to the DTIM beacon frame interval, the specific method is the same as the implementation shown in FIG. 9. For example, the WNM sleep interval is based on the DTIM beacon frame interval on the primary link, or the maximum or minimum value among the DTIM beacon frame intervals on multiple links, or the interval of the DTIM beacon frame on the link identified by the link identifier field. Other specific details are not described here. For example, the WNM sleep element includes multiple WNM sleep intervals and multiple link identifiers, and each WNM sleep interval corresponds to one link identifier, which is used to indicate the WNM sleep interval of the station corresponding to the link identifier. Optionally, the WNM sleep element further includes a field for indicating the quantity of the WNM sleep interval field or the link identifier field. Optionally, in order to distinguish the existing "enter WNM sleep mode" and "exit WNM sleep mode", "the multi-link device enters the WNM sleep mode" and "the multi-link device exits the WNM sleep mode" are added to the action type.

[0151] In some scenarios, in order to solve the corresponding technical problems and achieve the corresponding effects, it can be understood that some optional features in the embodiments of this application may be implemented independently without depending on other features, for example, the optional features currently based on the solution. Alternatively, in some scenarios, the optional features may be combined with other features based on requirements. Correspondingly, the device provided in the embodiments of this application may also implement these features or functions correspondingly. Details are not described here.

[0152] The solutions in the embodiments of this application may be appropriately combined for use. It should be further understood that the descriptions or explanations of terms in the embodiments may be cross-referenced or explained with each other in the embodiments. This is not limited.

[0153] It should be further understood that the serial numbers of the foregoing processes do not mean the execution order in various embodiments of this application. The execution order of the processes should be determined based on the functions and internal logics of the processes. The numbers or serial numbers in the foregoing processes are only used for distinction for the ease of description and should not constitute any limitation in the implementation process of the embodiments of this application.

[0154] Corresponding to the methods provided in the embodiments of the foregoing method, the embodiments of this application further provide a corresponding device. The device includes corresponding modules configured to execute the foregoing embodiments. The modules may be software, hardware, or a combination of software and hardware. It can be understood that the technical features described in the embodiments of the method are also applicable to the following embodiments of the device.

[0155] FIG. 13 is a schematic block diagram of a communication device 1000 according to an embodiment of this application. As shown in FIG. 13, the communication device includes a transmission unit 1010. Optionally, the communication device may further include a reception unit 1020 and a processing unit 1030.

[0156] In a possible design, the communication device 1000 may correspond to the first multi-link device in the embodiments of the foregoing method, for example, an MLD, or a chip disposed in the MLD.

[0157] In an embodiment, the transmission unit 1010 is configured to transmit first information to a second multi-link device, and a station in the power-saving mode among the first multi-link devices How often receives orThe first information is used to indicate. The receiving unit 1020 is configured to receive a beacon frame based on the first information.

[0158] Optionally, the first station is within the first multi-link device and is the station used to establish an association request.

[0159] In a possible implementation, the first information indicates a first time interval during which a second station operating on a first link within the first multi-link device receives a beacon frame, and the unit of the first time interval is the interval between beacon frames on the first link.

[0160] Optionally, the first station is the same as or different from the second station.

[0161] Optionally, the fact that the receiving unit 1020 is configured to receive a beacon frame based on the first information includes receiving a beacon frame on the first link during the interval of the first time interval.

[0162] In another possible implementation, the first information indicates a second time interval during which a plurality of stations operating on a plurality of links within the first multi-link device receive a beacon frame, and the second time interval is related to a plurality of beacon frame intervals during which a second multi-link device transmits beacon frames on the plurality of links, and each beacon frame interval is the interval during which a station within the second multi-link device transmits a beacon frame on the link.

[0163] Optionally, the unit of the second time interval is the maximum time interval among the plurality of beacon frame intervals during which the second multi-link device transmits beacon frames on the plurality of links, or the minimum time interval among the plurality of beacon frame intervals.

[0164] Optionally, the receiving unit 1020 receiving the beacon frame based on the first information includes receiving the beacon frame on at least one of a plurality of links during an interval of a second time interval.

[0165] The transmitting unit 1010 being configured to transmit the first information to the second multi-link device includes transmitting a first frame to the second multi-link device, and the first frame carries the first information. The first frame may be a management frame. For example, the first frame may be an association request frame or a re-association request frame.

[0166] Alternatively, in another embodiment, the transmitting unit 1010 is configured to transmit a first frame to the second multi-link device, the first frame includes a plurality of second information, and a station in the power-saving mode among the first multi-link devices How often receives or each of the plurality of second information is used to indicate. The receiving unit 1020 is configured to receive the beacon frame based on the plurality of second information.

[0167] Optionally, the first frame further includes link identifiers of a plurality of stations, each link identifier corresponds to one piece of second information, and the link identifier is used to identify a station among the first multi-link devices.

[0168] The first frame may be a management frame. For example, the first frame may be an association request frame or a re-association request frame.

[0169] Specifically, the communication device 1000 may correspond to the first multi-link device in method 700 or method 900 in the embodiments of this application, and the communication device 1000 may include a unit configured to execute the method executed by the first multi-link device in method 700 in FIG. 7 or method 900 in FIG. 9. In addition, each unit in the communication device 1000 and the other operations or functions described above are respectively used to execute the corresponding procedures of the first multi-link device in method 700 in FIG. 7 or method 900 in FIG. 9.

[0170] When the communication device 1000 is the communication device represented in FIG. 14, the transmission unit 1010 in the communication device 1000 may correspond to the communication interface represented in FIG. 14, the reception unit 1020 may correspond to the communication interface represented in FIG. 14, and the processing unit 1030 in the communication device 1000 may correspond to the processor represented in FIG. 14. It should be further understood that this is the case.

[0171] In an embodiment, the reception unit 1020 is configured to receive first information from the first multi-link device, and the first information is used to indicate that a station in the power-saving mode in the first multi-link device receives a beacon frame. How often Receive or The transmission unit 1010 is configured to transmit a beacon frame based on the first information.

[0172] Optionally, the processing unit 1030 is configured to determine the duration of the service of the first multi-link device based on the first information.

[0173] Optionally, when the time for the second multi-link device to cache the service of the first multi-link device is less than the time indicated by the first information, the processing unit 1030 is further configured to skip discarding the cached service of the first multi-link device.

[0174] Optionally, when the time for the second multi-link device to cache the service of the first multi-link device is greater than the time indicated by the first information, the processing unit 1030 is further configured to discard the caching service of the first multi-link device.

[0175] Optionally, the configuration that the receiving unit 1020 receives the first information from the first multi-link device includes receiving a first frame from the first multi-link device, and the first frame carries the first information. The first frame may be a management frame. For example, the first frame may be an association request frame or a re-association request frame.

[0176] Alternatively, in another embodiment, the receiving unit 1020 is configured to receive a first frame for the second multi-link device, the first frame includes a plurality of second information, and a station in the power-saving mode in the first multi-link device sends a beacon frame How often receives or Each of the plurality of second information is used to indicate this. Then, the second multi-link device sends a beacon frame based on the plurality of second information.

[0177] Optionally, the first frame further includes link identifiers of a plurality of stations, each link identifier corresponds to one piece of second information, and the link identifier is used to identify a station in the first multi-link device. The first frame may be a management frame. For example, the first frame may be an association request frame or a re-association request frame.

[0178] It should be understood that the specific process in which each unit executes the corresponding steps described above has been described in detail in the embodiments of the foregoing method. For the sake of brevity, the details are not described again here.

[0179] When the communication device 1000 is the communication device represented in FIG. 15, the transmission unit 1010 in the communication device 1000 may correspond to the communication interface represented in FIG. 15, the reception unit 1020 may correspond to the communication interface represented in FIG. 15, and it should be further understood that the processing unit 1030 in the communication device 1000 may correspond to the processor represented in FIG. 15.

[0180] Optionally, the communication device 1000 further includes a storage unit. The storage unit may be configured to store instructions or data. The processing unit may call the instructions or data stored in the storage unit to execute corresponding operations. The storage unit may be implemented by at least one memory. For example, the storage unit may correspond to the memory in FIG. 15.

[0181] When the communication device 1000 is a chip arranged in the MLD, it should be further understood that the transmission unit 1010 in the communication device 1000 may be an output interface circuit, and the reception unit 1020 may be an input interface circuit.

[0182] The division into modules in the embodiments of this application is an example and is merely a logical function division. During actual implementation, there may be other divisions. In addition, the functional modules in the embodiments of this application may be integrated into one processor, or each of the modules may physically exist independently, or two or more modules may be integrated into one module. The integrated module may be implemented in the form of hardware or in the form of a software functional module.

[0183] FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device 1400 according to an embodiment of this application. The communication device 1400 is configured to implement the function of the first multi-link device in the foregoing method. The device may be the first multi-link device, or may be a device that can be used comparably to the first multi-link device. For example, the device may be mounted on the first multi-link device. The device may be a chip system. In an embodiment of this application, the chip system may include a chip, or may include a chip and another separate component. The device 1400 includes at least one processor 1420 configured to implement the function of the first multi-link device in the method provided in the embodiment of this application.

[0184] For example, the processor 1420 may transmit first information to a second multi-link device through a communication interface, and the first information is used to indicate that a station in the power-saving mode in the first multi-link device How often receives or a beacon frame, and the processor 1420 may receive the beacon frame through the communication interface.

[0185] For example, the processor 1420 may transmit a first frame to a second multi-link device through a communication interface, the first frame includes a plurality of second information, and each second information is used to indicate that a station in the power-saving mode in the first multi-link device How often receives or a beacon frame, and the processor 1420 may receive the beacon frame through the communication interface.

[0186] Device 1400 may further include at least one memory 1430 configured to store program instructions and / or data. Memory 1430 is coupled to processor 1420. The coupling in the embodiments of this application is an indirect coupling or communication connection between devices, units, or modules for information exchange between devices, units, or modules, and may be electrical, mechanical, or other forms. Processor 1420 may operate in cooperation with memory 1430. Processor 1420 may execute the program instructions stored in memory 1430. At least one of the at least one memory may be included in the processor.

[0187] Device 1400 may further include a communication interface 1410 configured to communicate with another device through a transmission medium, whereby the devices in device 1400 can communicate with another device. In this embodiment of this application, the communication interface may be a transceiver, interface, bus, circuit, pin, or device capable of implementing a transceiver function. For example, the other device may be a second multi-link device. Processor 1420 is configured to transmit and receive data through communication interface 1410 and execute the method executed by the first multi-link device in the embodiments corresponding to FIG. 7 or FIG. 9.

[0188] In this embodiment of this application, the specific connection medium between the communication interface 1410, the processor 1420, and the memory 1430 is not limited. In this embodiment of this application, in FIG. 14, the memory 1430, the processor 1420, and the communication interface 1410 are connected through a bus 1440. The bus is represented by a thick line in FIG. 14. The connection method between other components is merely an example for illustration and is not limited thereto. The bus can be classified into an address bus, a data bus, a control bus, and the like. For ease of representation, only one thick line is used to represent the bus in FIG. 14, but this does not mean that there is only one bus or only one type of bus.

[0189] It should be understood that the communication device shown in FIG. 14 can execute a process related to the first multi-link device in the method executed by the first multi-link device in this embodiment of this application, for example, in the embodiment of the method shown in FIG. 7 or FIG. 9. The operations and / or functions of the modules in the communication device are respectively used to execute the corresponding procedures in the foregoing method embodiments. For details, please refer to the description in the foregoing method embodiments. To avoid repetition, the detailed description is appropriately omitted here.

[0190] It should be understood that the communication device shown in FIG. 14 is merely a possible architecture of the first multi-link device and should not constitute any limitation in this application.

[0191] FIG. 15 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device 1500 according to an embodiment of this application. The communication device 1500 is configured to implement the function of the second multi-link device in the foregoing method. The device may be the second multi-link device, or may be a device that can be used comparably to the second multi-link device. For example, the device may be mounted on the second multi-link device. The device may be a chip system. In an embodiment of this application, the chip system may include a chip, or may include a chip and another separate component. The device 1500 includes at least one processor 1520 configured to implement the function of the second multi-link device in the method provided in the embodiment of this application.

[0192] For example, the processor 1520 may receive first information from the first multi-link device through a communication interface, and the first information is used to indicate that a station in the power-saving mode in the first multi-link device How often receives or a beacon frame, and the processor 1520 may transmit the beacon frame.

[0193] For example, the processor 1520 may transmit a first frame through a communication interface, the first frame includes a plurality of second information, and each piece of second information is used to indicate that a station in the power-saving mode in the first multi-link device How often receives or a beacon frame, and the processor 1520 may transmit the beacon frame.

[0194] The apparatus 1500 may further include at least one memory 1530 configured to store program instructions and / or data. The memory 1530 is coupled to the processor 1520. The coupling in the embodiments of this application is an indirect coupling or communication connection between devices, units, or modules for information exchange between devices, units, or modules, and may be electrical, mechanical, or other forms. The processor 1520 may operate in cooperation with the memory 1530. The processor 1520 may execute the program instructions stored in the memory 1530. At least one of the at least one memory may be included in the processor.

[0195] The apparatus 1500 may further include a communication interface 1510 configured to communicate with another device through a transmission medium, whereby the devices in the apparatus 1500 can communicate with another device. In this embodiment of this application, the communication interface may be a transceiver, interface, bus, circuit, pin, or device capable of implementing a transceiver function. For example, the other device may be a second multi-link device. The processor 1520 is configured to transmit and receive data through the communication interface 1510 and execute a method executed by the second multi-link device in the embodiments corresponding to FIG. 7 or FIG. 9.

[0196] In this embodiment of this application, the specific connection medium between the communication interface 1510, the processor 1520, and the memory 1530 is not limited. In this embodiment of this application, in FIG. 15, the memory 1530, the processor 1520, and the communication interface 1510 are connected through a bus 1540. The bus is represented by a thick line in FIG. 15. The connection method between other components is merely illustrated as an example and is not limited thereto. The bus may be classified into an address bus, a data bus, a control bus, and the like. For ease of representation, only one thick line is used to represent the bus in FIG. 15, but this does not mean that there is only one bus or only one type of bus.

[0197] The communication device shown in FIG. 15 can execute a process related to a second multi-link device in a method executed by the second multi-link device in this embodiment of this application, for example, in an embodiment of the method shown in FIG. 7 or FIG. 9. It should be understood that the operations and / or functions of the modules in the communication device are respectively used to execute the corresponding procedures in the foregoing method embodiments. For details, please refer to the description in the foregoing method embodiments. To avoid repetition, the detailed description is appropriately omitted here.

[0198] It should be understood that the communication device shown in FIG. 15 is merely a possible architecture of the second multi-link device and should not constitute any limitation in this application.

[0199] Optionally, the communication device in this embodiment of this application includes, but is not limited to, AP devices such as communication servers, routers, switches, or network bridges, and non-AP devices such as mobile phones, tablet computers, notebook computers, smart watches, or smart TVs.

[0200] According to the method provided in the embodiments of this application, this application further provides a computer program product. The computer program product includes computer program code. When the computer program code is executed on a computer, the computer is enabled to execute the method in the embodiment shown in FIG. 7 or FIG. 9. According to the method provided in the embodiments of this application, this application further provides a computer-readable medium.

[0201] According to the method provided in the embodiments of this application, this application further provides a computer-readable medium. The computer-readable medium stores program code. When the program code is executed on a computer, the computer is enabled to execute the method in the embodiments shown in FIG. 7 or FIG. 9.

[0202] Certain embodiments of this application further provide a processing device including a processor and an interface. The processor is configured to execute the communication method in any one of the foregoing method embodiments.

[0203] Those skilled in the art of this technology can further understand that the various illustrative logical blocks and steps recited in the embodiments of this application can be implemented by using electronic hardware, computer software, or a combination thereof. Whether the function is implemented by using hardware or software depends on the specific application and design requirements of the overall system. Those skilled in the art of this technology can use various methods to implement the functions described for each specific application, but the implementation should not be considered to exceed the scope of the embodiments of this application.

[0204] The processor in the embodiments of this application may be an integrated circuit chip, and it should be understood that it has signal processing capabilities. In the implementation process, the steps in the embodiments of the foregoing method may be completed by using hardware integrated logic circuits or instructions in the form of software in the processor. The processor may be a general-purpose processor, a digital signal processor (DSP), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field programmable gate array (FPGA) or another programmable logic device, an individual gate, a transistor logic device, an individual hardware component, a system on chip (SoC), a central processing unit (CPU), a network processor (NP), a digital signal processing circuit (DSP), a microcontroller unit (MCU), a programmable logic device (PLD), or another integrated chip. The processor may implement or execute the methods, steps, and logic block diagrams disclosed in the embodiments of this application. The general-purpose processor may be a microprocessor, or the processor may be any conventional processor or the like. The steps of the method disclosed with reference to the embodiments of this application may be directly executed and completed by a hardware decoding processor, or may be executed and completed by using a combination of hardware and software modules in the decoding processor. The software module may be arranged in a mature storage medium in this technical field, such as a random access memory, a flash memory, a read-only memory, a programmable read-only memory, an electrically erasable programmable memory, or a register.The memory medium is arranged in the memory, and the processor reads the information in the memory and completes the steps in the above-described method in combination with the hardware of the processor.

[0205] The techniques described in this application can be implemented in various ways. For example, these techniques can be implemented by using hardware, software, or a combination of hardware and software. For implementation by hardware, the processing unit that executes these techniques in a communication device (for example, a base station, a terminal, a network entity, or a chip) can be implemented in one or more general-purpose processors, DSPs, digital signal processing devices, ASICs, programmable logic devices, FPGAs, other programmable logic devices, individual gates or transistor logic, individual hardware components, or any combination thereof. The general-purpose processor can be a microprocessor. Optionally, the general-purpose processor can alternatively be any conventional processor, controller, microcontroller, or state machine. The processor can alternatively be implemented by a combination of computing devices such as a digital signal processor and a microprocessor, multiple microprocessors, one or more microprocessors having digital signal processor cores, or any other similar configuration.

[0206] The memory in the embodiments of this application may be volatile or non-volatile memory, or may include both volatile and non-volatile memory. It can be understood that the non-volatile memory can be read-only memory (ROM), programmable ROM (PROM), erasable PROM (EPROM), electrically erasable PROM (EEPROM), or flash memory. The volatile memory may be random access memory (RAM) and is used as an external cache. By way of example and not limitation, many forms of RAM, such as static RAM (SRAM), dynamic RAM (DRAM), synchronous DRAM (SDRAM), double data rate SDRAM (DDR SDRAM), enhanced SDRAM (ESDRAM), synchlink DRAM (SLDRAM), and direct Rambus RAM (DR RAM) can be used. It should be noted that the memory in the systems and methods described in this specification includes, but is not limited to, these memories and any other suitable types of memory.

[0207] All or some of the foregoing embodiments may be implemented by using software, hardware, firmware, or any combination thereof. When software is used to implement an embodiment, all or some of the embodiment may be implemented in the form of a computer program product. The computer program product includes one or more computer instructions. When the computer instructions are loaded and executed on a computer, the procedures or functions according to the embodiments of this application are generated in whole or in part. The computer may be a general-purpose computer, a dedicated computer, a computer network, or another programmable device. The computer instructions may be stored in a computer-readable storage medium or transmitted from one computer-readable storage medium to another computer-readable storage medium. For example, the computer instructions may be transmitted from a website, computer, server, or data center to another website, computer, server, or data center in a wired (such as coaxial cable, optical fiber, or digital subscriber line (DSL)) or wireless (such as infrared, wireless, or microwave) manner. The computer-readable storage medium may be any available medium accessible by a computer or a data storage device such as a server or data center that integrates one or more available media. The available media may be a magnetic medium (such as a floppy disk, hard disk, or magnetic tape), an optical medium (such as a high-density digital video disc (DVD)), a semiconductor medium (such as a solid-state drive (SSD)), or the like.

[0208] As used throughout the specification, "embodiments" should be understood to mean that the specific features, structures, or characteristics associated with those embodiments are included in at least one embodiment of this application. Thus, embodiments throughout the specification are not necessarily the same embodiments. Additionally, these specific features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in one or more embodiments in any suitable manner. It should be understood that the sequence numbers of the foregoing processes do not imply an execution order in the embodiments of this application. The execution order of the processes should be determined based on the functions and internal logic of the processes and should not be construed as any limitation to the implementation process of the embodiments of this application.

[0209] In this application, "when" and "if" mean that the UE or the base station performs corresponding processing in a certain target situation, and it is not intended to limit time. It should be further understood that the UE or the base station is not necessarily required to have an action to determine during implementation, nor does it mean any other limitation.

[0210] Those skilled in the art will understand that the first, second, and various reference numbers in this application are merely for convenient description and are distinguished, and are not used to limit the scope of the embodiments of this application or to indicate an order.

[0211] In this application, unless otherwise specified, elements expressed in the singular form are intended to express "one or more", but not intended to express "one and only one". In this application, unless otherwise specified, "at least one" is intended to express "one or more", and "a plurality of" is intended to express "two or more".

[0212] In addition, the terms "system" and "network" may be used interchangeably in this specification. The term "and / or" in this specification describes only the associative relationship for explaining related objects, and expresses that three relationships may exist. For example, A and / or B may represent the following three cases, namely, only A exists, both A and B exist, and only B exists. A may be singular or plural, and B may be singular or plural.

[0213] The character " / " usually represents the "or" relationship between related objects.

[0214] The term "at least one of" in this application indicates all or any combination of the listed items. For example, "at least one of A, B, and C" may represent the following six cases, namely, A exists alone, B exists alone, C exists alone, A and B coexist, B and C coexist, and A, B, and C coexist. A may be singular or plural, B may be singular or plural, and C may be singular or plural.

[0215] In the embodiments of this application, it should be understood that "B corresponding to A" indicates that B is associated with A and B can be determined based on A. However, it should be further understood that determining A according to B does not mean that B is determined only according to A, that is, B can also be determined according to A and / or other information.

[0216] Those skilled in the art of this technology can recognize that, in combination with the examples described in the embodiments disclosed in this specification, the units and algorithm steps can be implemented by electronic hardware or a combination of computer software and electronic hardware. Whether a function is executed by hardware or by software depends on the specific application of the technical solution and the design constraints. Those skilled in the art of this technology can implement the functions described for each specific application using different methods, but the implementation should not be considered to exceed the scope of this application.

[0217] For the purpose of convenient and simple description, those skilled in the art of this technology can clearly understand the detailed operation processes of the above-mentioned systems, devices, and units by referring to the corresponding processes in the embodiments of the above-mentioned methods. The details will not be described again here.

[0218] In some embodiments provided in this application, it should be understood that the disclosed systems, devices, and methods can be implemented in other ways. For example, the described device embodiments are merely examples. For example, the division into units is merely a logical function division, and during actual implementation, other divisions may be possible. For example, multiple units or components may be combined or integrated into another system, or some features may be ignored or not executed. In addition, the mutual coupling, direct coupling, or communication connection shown or discussed can be realized through some interfaces. The indirect coupling or communication connection between devices or units can be realized electronically, mechanically, or in other forms.

[0219] Units described as separate parts may or may not be physically separate, and parts shown as units may or may not be physical units, may be located in one place, or may be distributed across multiple network units. To achieve the object of the solution in the embodiments, some or all of the units may be selected depending on the actual requirements.

[0220] In addition, the functional units in the embodiments of this application may be integrated into one processing unit, or each of the units may physically exist alone, or two or more units may be integrated into one unit.

[0221] When the function is implemented in the form of a software functional unit and sold or used as an independent product, the function may be stored in a computer-readable storage medium. Based on such an understanding, essentially the technical solution of this application, or the part that contributes to the prior art, or some of the technical solutions may be implemented in the form of a software product. The computer software product is stored in a storage medium and includes several instructions for instructing a computer device (which may be a personal computer, a server, or a network device) to execute all or some of the steps of the methods described in the embodiments of this application. The aforementioned storage medium includes any medium, such as a USB flash drive, a removable hard disk, a read-only memory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM), a magnetic disk, or an optical disk that can store program code.

[0222] The foregoing description is merely a specific implementation of this application, but is not intended to limit the protection scope of this application. Any deformation or substitution that can be easily conceived by those skilled in the art within the technical scope disclosed in this application falls within the protection scope of this application. Therefore, the protection scope of this application shall follow the protection scope of the claims.

Description of Symbols

[0223] 101 AP Multi-Link Device 102 STA Multi-Link Device 103 STA Multi-Link Device 104 STA 1000 Communication Device 1010 Transmission Unit 1020 Reception Unit 1030 Processing Unit 1400 Communication Device 1410 Communication Interface 1420 Processor 1430 Memory 1440 Bus 1500 Communication Device 1510 Communication Interface 1520 Processor 1530 Memory 1540 Bus

Claims

1. transmitting a first frame by a first STA in a station (STA) multilink device (STA MLD) to an AP in an access point (AP) multilink device (AP MLD), the first frame comprising first information indicating how frequently at least one STA of the plurality of STAs in the STA MLD listens to a beacon frame when the plurality of STAs in the STA MLD are in a power saving mode, the how frequently the at least one STA of the plurality of STAs in the STA MLD listens to the beacon frame is indicated by using a time interval within which the at least one STA of the plurality of STAs in the STA MLD listens to the beacon frame, the unit of the time interval being a maximum time interval of a plurality of beacon frame intervals, and during the plurality of beacon frame intervals, the AP MLD transmits a beacon frame on a plurality of links corresponding to the plurality of STAs in the STA MLD participating in an association establishment process with the AP MLD; receiving a second frame by the first STA in the STA MLD from the AP in the AP MLD.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the first frame requests that the STAs in the STA MLD associate with APs in the AP MLD.

3. the first frame is an association request frame and the second frame is an association response frame; or 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the first frame is a reassociation request frame and the second frame is a reassociation response frame.

4. The first information is carried in a listen interval field of an association request frame; or The method according to claim 1 , wherein the first information is carried in a listen interval field of a reassociation request frame.

5. 5. The method of claim 1, wherein when the time interval value is greater than a threshold, the second frame carries a Status Code field set to Reject, the Status Code field set to Reject indicating a rejection of an association request sent by the first STA in the STA MLD.

6. The method according to claim 1 , wherein when the value of the time interval is 0, no STA in the STA MLD enters the power saving mode.

7. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the first information enables the AP MLD to determine a lifetime of a cache service of the STA MLD.

8. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the first information enables the AP MLD to use an age function to determine whether to discard the cache service of the STA MLD.

9. The method further comprising: The method of claim 1 , further comprising: listening, by the at least one STA of the plurality of STAs, for the beacon frame within the time interval.

10. receiving, by an AP in an Access Point (AP) Multilink Device (AP MLD), a first frame from a first STA in a Station (STA) Multilink Device (STA MLD), the first frame comprising first information indicating how frequently at least one STA in the STA MLD listens to a beacon frame when the STAs in the STA MLD are in a power save mode, the how frequently the at least one STA in the STA MLD listens to the beacon frame is indicated by using a time interval within which the at least one STA in the STA MLD listens to the beacon frame, the unit of the time interval being a maximum time interval of a plurality of beacon frame intervals, and during the plurality of beacon frame intervals, the AP MLD transmits a beacon frame on a plurality of links corresponding to the STAs in the STA MLD participating in an association establishment process with the AP MLD; transmitting, by the AP in the AP MLD, a second frame to the first STA in the STA MLD based on the first information.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the first frame requests that the STAs in the STA MLD associate with APs in the AP MLD.

12. the first frame is an association request frame and the second frame is an association response frame; or 12. The method of claim 10 or 11, wherein the first frame is a reassociation request frame and the second frame is a reassociation response frame.

13. The first information is carried in a listen interval field of an association request frame; or The method according to claim 10, wherein the first information is carried in a listen interval field of a reassociation request frame.

14. 11. The method of claim 10, wherein when the time interval is greater than a threshold, the second frame carries a Status Code field set to Reject, the Status Code field set to Reject indicating a rejection of an association request sent by the first STA in the STA MLD.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein when the value of the time interval is 0, no STA in the STA MLD enters the power saving mode.

16. The method according to claim 10, wherein the AP MLD determines a lifetime of a cache service of the STA MLD by using the first information.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the AP MLD uses an age function based on the first information to determine whether to discard the cached service of the STA MLD.

18. A communication device, comprising: A communications device comprising a processing circuit and an interface circuit, said processing circuit configured to control said interface circuit to perform the method of any one of claims 1 to 9.

19. A communication device, comprising: A communications device comprising a processing circuit and an interface circuit, said processing circuit configured to control said interface circuit to perform a method according to any one of claims 10 to 17.

20. A computer-readable recording medium having a program recorded thereon, the program enabling a computer to carry out the method according to any one of claims 1 to 9 when the program is executed.

21. A computer-readable recording medium having a program recorded thereon, the program, when executed, enabling a computer to execute a method according to any one of claims 10 to 17.

22. A communication device configured to perform the method according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

23. A communications device configured to perform a method according to any one of claims 10 to 17.

24. A program comprising instructions for causing a computer to carry out the method according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

25. A program comprising instructions for causing a computer to carry out a method according to any one of claims 10 to 17.

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