Communication method and multi-link device

Abstract

This application provides a communication method and a multi-link device. The method includes: when only one of a plurality of links is successfully established, the first MLD performs air interface transmission with the second MLD according to a single-link communication rule. The plurality of links may be links that the first MLD requests to be established, or the plurality of links may be links that have been successfully established between the first MLD and the second MLD. According to the solution in this application, when only one of the plurality of links is successfully established, the first MLD does not perform air interface transmission with the second MLD according to a multi-link communication rule. Specifically, the address 2 field carried in the over-the-air frame sent by the first MLD is set to the MAC address of the first MLD. In the secure procedure, the address used by the first MLD for key generation may also be the MAC address of the first MLD. Thus, the address used by the first MLD for key generation may match the address 2 field carried in the air interface transmission.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 202111056745.6, titled "Communication Method and Multi-Link Device", filed with the China National Intellectual Property Administration on September 9, 2021, and incorporates it herein by reference in its entirety.

[0002] This application relates to the field of communication technologies, and more specifically, to communication methods and multi-link devices.

Background Art

[0003] The next-generation wireless local area network (WLAN) standard is evolving and developing in the direction of increasing throughput, and one key technology is multi-link communication. A multi-link device is a device that supports multi-link communication. When two multi-link devices perform air interface transmission, multiple links can be established between the two multi-link devices. However, there may be cases where only one link is successfully established between two multi-link devices, or only one link is available. In that case, how to perform air interface transmission between two multi-link devices is a problem to be solved.

Summary of the Invention

[0004] This application provides a communication method and a multi-link device for implementing air interface transmission between two multi-link devices according to single-link communication rules when only one link is successfully established between the two multi-link devices.

[0005] According to the first aspect, a communication method is provided. The method may be executed by a multi-link device or by a component (e.g., a chip or a circuit) of a multi-link device. This is not limited here. For the sake of easy explanation, hereinafter, an example where the method is executed by a first multi-link device will be used for explanation.

[0006] The method may include that when only one of a plurality of links is successfully established, a first multi-link device (MLD) executes air interface transmission with a second MLD according to single-link communication rules.

[0007] In one example, the plurality of links may be a plurality of links that the first MLD requests to establish.

[0008] In another example, the plurality of links may be a plurality of links that have been successfully established between the first MLD and the second MLD.

[0009] According to the solution of this application, when only one of a plurality of links is successfully established, the first MLD does not perform air interface transmission according to multi-link communication rules, but performs air interface transmission with the second MLD according to single-link communication rules. In this way, when only one link is established between the first MLD and the second MLD, the single-link communication rules better conform to the current link connection state between the first MLD and the second MLD.

[0010] Referring to the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the first MLD executing air interface transmission with the second MLD according to single-link communication rules includes: The first MLD transmits a first over-air frame to the second MLD, and the address 2 field in the first over-air frame is set to the media access control (MAC) address of the first MLD.

[0011] According to the solution of this application, when only one of a plurality of links is successfully established, the address 2 field carried in the over-air frame transmitted by the first MLD is set to the MAC address of the first MLD. In a secure procedure, the address used by the first MLD for key generation can also be the MAC address of the first MLD. Therefore, according to the solution of this application, the address used by the first MLD for key generation can match the address 2 field carried in the air interface transmission.

[0012] Referring to the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the address 1 field in the first over-air frame is set to the MAC address of the second MLD.

[0013] Referring to the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the method further: The first MLD receives a second over-air frame from the second MLD, and the address 1 field in the second over-air frame is set to the MAC address of the first MLD.

[0014] Referring to the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the address 2 field in the second over-air frame is set to the MAC address of the second MLD.

[0015] Referring to the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, only one of a plurality of links being successfully established is: The first MLD transmits a first request frame to the second MLD, the first request frame is used to request to establish a plurality of links, the first MLD receives a first response frame from the second MLD, and the first response frame does not include a first multi-link element.

[0016] Thus, when the first response frame does not include the first multi-link element, the first response frame may implicitly indicate that only one of the multiple links requested by the first MLD is successfully established.

[0017] According to the solution of this application, when the first response frame does not include the first multi-link element, the resource consumption for transmitting the first response can be reduced.

[0018] Referring to the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, that only one of the multiple links is successfully established includes: That only one of the multiple links is successfully established through multi-link reconfiguration.

[0019] According to the second aspect, a communication method is provided. The method may be executed by a multi-link device or by a component (e.g., a chip or a circuit) of the multi-link device. This is not limited here. For ease of explanation, hereinafter, an example where the method is executed by a second multi-link device will be used for illustration.

[0020] The method may include that when only one of the multiple links is successfully established, the second multi-link device (MLD) executes air interface transmission with the first MLD according to the single-link communication rule.

[0021] It should be understood that the multiple links may be the multiple links required by the first MLD to be established, or the multiple links that have been successfully established between the first MLD and the second MLD.

[0022] According to the solution of this application, when only one of the multiple links is successfully established, instead of performing air interface transmission according to the multi-link communication rule, the second MLD performs air interface transmission with the first MLD according to the single-link communication rule.

[0023] Referring to the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, for the second MLD to perform air interface transmission with the first MLD according to the single-link communication rule: The second MLD transmits a second over-the-air frame to the first MLD, and the address 1 field in the second over-the-air frame is set to the media access control (MAC) address of the first MLD.

[0024] Referring to the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, the address 2 field in the second over-the-air frame is set to the MAC address of the second MLD.

[0025] According to the solution of this application, when only one of the multiple links is successfully established, the address 2 field carried in the over-the-air frame transmitted by the second MLD is the MAC address of the second MLD. In a secure procedure, the address used by the second MLD for key generation can also be the MAC address of the second MLD. Therefore, according to the solution of this application, the address used by the second MLD for key generation can match the address 2 field carried in the air interface transmission.

[0026] Referring to the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, the method further includes: The second MLD receives a first over-the-air frame from the first MLD, and the address 2 field in the first over-the-air frame is set to the MAC address of the first MLD.

[0027] Referring to the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, the address 1 field within the first over-air frame is set to the MAC address of the second MLD.

[0028] Referring to the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, only one of a plurality of links being successfully established: The second MLD receives a first request frame from the first MLD, the first request frame being used to request establishing a plurality of links, and the second MLD transmits a first response frame to the first MLD, the first response frame not including a first multi-link element.

[0029] Referring to the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, only one of a plurality of links being successfully established: including that only one of a plurality of links is successfully established through multi-link reconfiguration.

[0030] According to a third aspect, a communication method is provided. The method may be executed by a multi-link device or by a component (e.g., a chip or a circuit) of a multi-link device. This is not limited herein. For ease of explanation, hereinafter, an example where the method is executed by a first multi-link device will be used for illustration.

[0031] The method may include that the first MLD transmits a second request frame to the second MLD, the second request frame being used to request establishing single-link communication, the address 2 field within the second request frame being set to the MAC address of the first MLD, the first MLD receives a second response frame from the second MLD, the second response frame indicating that single-link communication has been successfully established, and the first MLD performs air interface transmission with the second MLD according to single-link communication rules.

[0032] Referring to the third aspect, in some implementations of the third aspect, the address 1 field in the second response frame is set to the MAC address of the first MLD.

[0033] Referring to the third aspect, in some implementations of the third aspect, the second request frame and the second response frame do not carry a multi-link element.

[0034] Referring to the third aspect, in some implementations of the third aspect, for the first MLD to perform air interface transmission with the second MLD according to single-link communication rules: The first MLD transmits a first over-the-air frame to the second MLD, and the address 2 field in the first over-the-air frame is set to the media access control (MAC) address of the first MLD.

[0035] Referring to the third aspect, in some implementations of the third aspect, the address 1 field in the first over-the-air frame is set to the MAC address of the second MLD.

[0036] According to the fourth aspect, a communication method is provided. The method may be executed by a multi-link device or by a component (e.g., a chip or a circuit) of a multi-link device. This is not limited here. For ease of explanation, hereinafter, an example where the method is executed by a second multi-link device is used for illustration.

[0037] The method may include that the second MLD receives a second request frame from the first MLD, the second request frame is used to request to establish single-link communication, the address 2 field in the second request frame is set to the MAC address of the first MLD, the second MLD transmits a second response frame to the first MLD, the second response frame indicates that the single-link communication has been successfully established, and the second MLD performs air interface transmission with the first MLD according to the single-link communication rules.

[0038] Referring to the fourth aspect, in some implementations of the fourth aspect, the address 1 field in the second response frame is set to the MAC address of the first MLD.

[0039] Referring to the fourth aspect, in some implementations of the fourth aspect, the second request frame and the second response frame do not carry multi-link elements.

[0040] Referring to the fourth aspect, in some implementations of the fourth aspect, for the second MLD to perform air interface transmission with the first MLD according to the single-link communication rules: The second MLD transmits a second over-the-air frame to the first MLD, and the address 1 field in the second over-the-air frame is set to the media access control (MAC) address of the first MLD.

[0041] Referring to the fourth aspect, in some implementations of the fourth aspect, the address 2 field in the second over-the-air frame is set to the MAC address of the second MLD.

[0042] According to the fifth aspect, a first multi-link device (MLD) is provided, and the first MLD includes: a processing unit and a transceiver unit connected to the processing unit.

[0043] The processing unit is configured to determine whether only one of the plurality of links is successfully established.

[0044] When the processing unit determines that only one of the plurality of links is successfully established, the transceiver unit is configured to perform air interface transmission with the second MLD according to the single-link communication rule.

[0045] Referring to the fifth aspect, in some implementations of the fifth aspect, the transceiver unit is configured to transmit a first over-the-air frame to the second MLD, and the address 2 field in the first over-the-air frame is set to the media access control (MAC) address of the first MLD.

[0046] Referring to the fifth aspect, in some implementations of the fifth aspect, the address 1 field in the first over-the-air frame is set to the MAC address of the second MLD.

[0047] Referring to the fifth aspect, in some implementations of the fifth aspect, the transceiver unit is further configured to receive a second over-the-air frame from the second MLD, and the address 1 field in the second over-the-air frame is set to the MAC address of the first MLD.

[0048] Referring to the fifth aspect, in some implementations of the fifth aspect, the address 2 field in the second over-the-air frame is set to the MAC address of the second MLD.

[0049] Referring to the fifth aspect, in some implementations of the fifth aspect, the transceiver unit is further configured to transmit a first request frame to the second MLD, and the first request frame is used to request to establish a plurality of links. The transceiver unit is further configured to receive a first response frame from the second MLD, and the first response frame does not include a first multi-link element.

[0050] Referring to the fifth aspect, in some implementations of the fifth aspect, only one of the plurality of links is successfully established through multi-link reconfiguration.

[0051] According to the sixth aspect, a second multi-link device (MLD) is provided, and the second MLD includes: a processing unit and a transceiver unit connected to the processing unit.

[0052] The processing unit is configured to determine whether only one of the plurality of links is successfully established.

[0053] When the processing unit determines that only one of the plurality of links is successfully established, the transceiver unit is configured to perform air interface transmission with the first MLD according to the single-link communication rule.

[0054] Referring to the sixth aspect, in some implementations of the sixth aspect, the transceiver unit is configured to transmit a second over-the-air frame to the first MLD, and the address 1 field in the second over-the-air frame is set to the media access control (MAC) address of the first MLD.

[0055] Referring to the sixth aspect, in some implementations of the sixth aspect, the address 2 field in the second over-the-air frame is set to the MAC address of the second MLD.

[0056] Referring to the sixth aspect, in some implementations of the sixth aspect, the transceiver unit is further configured to receive a first over-the-air frame from the first MLD, and the address 2 field in the first over-the-air frame is set to the MAC address of the first MLD.

[0057] Referring to the sixth aspect, in some implementations of the sixth aspect, the address 1 field within the first over-air frame is set to the MAC address of the second MLD.

[0058] Referring to the sixth aspect, in some implementations of the sixth aspect, the transceiver unit is further configured to receive a first request frame from the first MLD, where the first request frame is used to request establishing a plurality of links. The transceiver unit is further configured to transmit a first response frame to the first MLD, where the first response frame does not include a first multi-link element.

[0059] Referring to the sixth aspect, in some implementations of the sixth aspect, only one of the plurality of links is successfully established through multi-link reconfiguration.

[0060] According to the seventh aspect, a first multi-link device (MLD) is provided, where the first MLD includes a unit configured to execute a method according to any implementation of the third aspect.

[0061] According to the eighth aspect, a second multi-link device (MLD) is provided, where the second MLD includes a unit configured to execute a method according to any implementation of the fourth aspect.

[0062] According to the ninth aspect, a communication device having a processor is provided. When the communication device operates, the processor executes a computer program or instructions stored in the memory, so that the communication device executes a method according to any possible implementation from the first aspect to the fourth aspect. The memory may be located within the processor or implemented by using a chip independent of the processor. This is not particularly limited in this application.

[0063] According to the tenth aspect, a computer-readable storage medium including a computer program is provided. When the computer program is executed on a computer, the computer is enabled to execute the method according to any one of the first to fourth aspects.

[0064] According to the eleventh aspect, a chip is provided. A processing circuit is disposed on the chip, and the processing circuit is configured to execute the method according to any one of the first to fourth aspects.

[0065] According to the twelfth aspect, a computer program product is provided. The computer program product includes a computer program (which may also be referred to as code or instructions). When the computer program is executed, the computer is enabled to execute the method according to any one of the first to fourth aspects.

[0066] According to the thirteenth aspect, a communication system including the above-mentioned first MLD and second MLD is provided.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0067]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0068] Hereinafter, with reference to the accompanying drawings, the technical solution of this application will be described.

[0069] One embodiment of this application provides a communication method applicable to a wireless communication system. The wireless communication system may be a wireless local area network (WLAN). The method may be implemented by a communication device in the wireless communication system, or a chip or processor in the communication device. The communication device may be a multi-link device (MLD). For example, the multi-link device may be an access point (AP) MLD, or a non-access point MLD (non-AP MLD) such as a station (STA) MLD.

[0070] To facilitate understanding of the embodiments of this application, a communication system to which the embodiments of this application are applicable will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2.

[0071] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a wireless communication system 100 to which the embodiments of this application are applicable.

[0072] The wireless communication system 100 includes STAs and APs.

[0073] The STA may also be referred to as a subscriber unit, access terminal, mobile station, mobile console, remote station, remote terminal, mobile device, user terminal, terminal, wireless communication device, user agent, user equipment, or user device (UE). The STA may be a cellular phone, cordless phone, session initiation protocol (SIP) phone, wireless local loop (WLL) station, personal digital assistant (PDA), handheld device with wireless local area network (e.g., Wi-Fi) communication capabilities, wearable device, computing device, or other processing device connected to a wireless modem.

[0074] The AP may be configured to transmit data of the STA to the network side or transmit data from the network side to the STA.

[0075] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a wireless communication system 200 to which an embodiment of this application is applicable. As shown in FIG. 2, the wireless communication system 200 may include an STA MLD210 and an AP MLD220.

[0076] The STA MLD210 can include a plurality of sub-devices, and the AP MLD220 can also include a plurality of sub-devices. It should be understood that FIG. 2 is only an example for illustration, and the number of sub-devices included in the STA MLD210 and the AP MLD220 is not limited in this application.

[0077] As shown in FIG. 2, the STA MLD210 can include STA#1, STA#2, and STA#3, and the AP MLD220 can include AP#1, AP#2, and AP#3. When all three links between the STA MLD210 and the AP MLD220 are successfully established, AP#1 can communicate with STA#1 on Link #1, AP#2 can communicate with STA#2 on Link #2, and AP#3 can communicate with STA#3 on Link #3.

[0078] In this application, the first multi-link device (MLD) may be the STA MLD, and the second MLD may be the AP MLD, or the first MLD may be the AP MLD, and the second MLD may be the STA MLD, or both the first MLD and the second MLD may be the AP MLD, or both the first MLD and the second MLD may be the STA MLD. This is not limited in this application. Hereinafter, an example in which the first MLD is the STA MLD (for example, the STA MLD210 in FIG. 2) and the second MLD is the AP MLD (for example, the AP MLD220 in FIG. 2) will be described.

[0079] Hereinafter, embodiments provided in this application will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0080] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a communication method 300 according to an embodiment of this application. The method 300 may include the following steps.

[0081] S310: When only one of a plurality of links is successfully established, the first MLD performs air interface transmission with the second MLD according to the single-link communication rule.

[0082] Hereinafter, some possible ways in which the first MLD performs air interface transmission with the second MLD according to the single-link communication rule will be described.

[0083] Possible Method 1: When the first MLD performs air interface transmission with the second MLD according to the single link communication rule, it means that the first MLD sends the first frame over the air to the second MLD, and the address 2 field in the first frame over the air is set to the media access control (MAC) address of the first MLD.

[0084] The address 2 field is the transmit address (TA) of the frame over the air.

[0085] The frame over the air can further include other address fields, such as the address 1 field and the address 3 field. The address 1 field is the receive address (RA) of the frame over the air. In some cases, the address 3 field can be the basic service set identifier (BSSID) of the AP. It should be understood that in some cases, the address 3 field may have other meanings. For details, please refer to the prior art.

[0086] The meanings of the address 1 field, the address 2 field, and the address 3 field will not be described below.

[0087] According to the possible method 1, the address 1 field in the first frame over the air can be set in the following several ways.

[0088] (1) The address 1 field in the first frame over the air is set to the MAC address of the second MLD.

[0089] (2) The address 1 field in the first over-air frame is set to the MAC address of AP#m. AP#m is the AP corresponding to the only link. For example, only one of the multiple links between the first MLD and the second MLD (e.g., denoted as link#m) is successfully established, and it is assumed that link#m is the link between STA#m included in the first MLD and AP#m included in the second MLD. The meanings of STA#m and AP#m will not be explained below.

[0090] (3) The address 1 field in the first over-air frame is set to the broadcast address. In this method, the address 3 field in the first over-air frame is set to the BSSID of AP#m.

[0091] (4) The address 1 field in the first over-air frame is set to the MAC address of the second MLD. In this method, the address 3 field in the first over-air frame is set to the BSSID of AP#m.

[0092] According to the possible method 1, when only one of the multiple links is successfully established, the address 2 field carried in the first over-air frame transmitted by the first MLD can be the MAC address of the first MLD. In a secure procedure, the address used by the first MLD for key generation can also be the MAC address of the first MLD. Therefore, the address used by the first MLD for key generation can match the address 2 field carried in the air interface transmission.

[0093] Possible method 2: For the first MLD to perform air interface transmission with the second MLD according to the single link communication rule, it further includes that the second MLD sends a second over-air frame to the first MLD, and the address 1 field in the second over-air frame is set to the MAC address of the first MLD.

[0094] According to the possible method 2, the address 2 field in the second over-air frame can be set in several ways as follows.

[0095] (1) The address 2 field in the second over-air frame is set to the MAC address of the second MLD.

[0096] (2) The address 2 field in the second over-air frame is set to the MAC address of AP#m.

[0097] (3) The address 2 field in the second over-air frame is set to the MAC address of the second MLD. In this method, the address 3 field in the second over-air frame is set to the BSSID of AP#m.

[0098] According to the possible method 2, when only one of the multiple links is successfully established, the address 2 field carried in the second over-air frame transmitted by the second MLD can be the MAC address of the second MLD. In a secure procedure, the address used by the second MLD for key generation can also be the MAC address of the second MLD. Therefore, the address used by the second MLD for key generation can match the address 2 field carried in the air interface transmission.

[0099] Possible method 3: When the first MLD performs air interface transmission with the second MLD according to the single-link communication rule, the first MLD transmits the first over-air frame to the second MLD, and the address 2 field in the first over-air frame is set to the MAC address of STA#m.

[0100] According to the possible method 3, the address 1 field in the first over-air frame can be set in several ways as follows.

[0101] (1) The address 1 field in the first over-air frame is set to the MAC address of the second MLD.

[0102] (2) The address 1 field in the first over-air frame is set to the MAC address of AP#m.

[0103] (3) The address 1 field in the first over-air frame is set to the MAC address of the second MLD. In this method, the address 3 field in the first over-air frame is set to the BSSID of AP#m.

[0104] (4) The address 1 field in the first over-air frame is set to the broadcast address. In this method, the address 3 field in the first over-air frame is set to the BSSID of AP#m.

[0105] Possible method 4: When the first MLD performs air interface transmission with the second MLD according to the single-link communication rule, it further includes that the second MLD sends a second over-air frame to the first MLD, and the address 1 field in the second over-air frame is set to the MAC address of STA#m.

[0106] According to possible method 4, the address 2 field in the second over-air frame can be set in the following several methods.

[0107] (1) The address 2 field in the second over-air frame is set to the MAC address of the second MLD.

[0108] (2) The address 2 field in the second over-air frame is set to the MAC address of AP#m.

[0109] (3) The address 2 field in the second over-air frame is set to the MAC address of the second MLD. In this method, the address 3 field in the second over-air frame is set to the BSSID of AP#m.

[0110] Above, several possible methods for the first MLD to perform air interface transmission with the second MLD according to the single link communication rule have been described.

[0111] Hereinafter, several methods in which only one of the multiple links is successfully established will be described.

[0112] Possible method 1: The first MLD sends a first request frame to the second MLD. The first request frame is used to request the establishment of multiple links. The second MLD sends a first response frame to the first MLD. The first response frame does not contain a multi-link element. Further, optionally, the frame body of the first response frame can contain a first field. The first field indicates that only one link has been successfully established. For example, the first field is a status code field.

[0113] The first request frame can be, for example, an association request frame, and the first response frame is an association response frame. Alternatively, the first request frame can be, for example, a reassociation request frame, and the first response frame is a reassociation response frame.

[0114] The multi-link element can be a basic variant multi-link element.

[0115] Use the architecture shown in FIG. 2 as an example. In one possible implementation, the first MLD can send a first request frame to AP#1 by using STA#1, and the first request frame is used to request establishing a plurality of links. If only one of the plurality of links requested by the first MLD is successfully established, the second MLD sends a first response frame to the first MLD, and the first response frame does not include a first multi-link element. The successfully established link can be the link for transmitting the first request frame and the first response frame, for example, Link#1.

[0116] According to a possible method 1, when the first response frame does not include a first multi-link element, the first response frame can implicitly indicate that only one of the plurality of links requested by the first MLD (for example, Link#1) is successfully established. When the first response frame does not include a first multi-link element, the resource consumption for transmitting the first response frame can be reduced.

[0117] In one possible case, if the link for sending the first request frame and the first response frame is not established, the first response frame may not include a multi-link element.

[0118] Possible method 2: Only one of the plurality of links is successfully established through multi-link reconfiguration.

[0119] For example, the plurality of links can be a plurality of links that have been successfully established (for example, a plurality of links that have been successfully established previously), and through multi-link reconfiguration, only one of the plurality of links is successfully established (or only one of the plurality of successfully established links is available).

[0120] Devices that perform multi-link reconfiguration are not limited in this application.

[0121] For example, the first MLD sends a third request frame requesting multi-link reconfiguration to the second MLD, and the third request frame carries a multi-link element. The second MLD sends a third response frame to the first MLD. The third response frame is used to respond to the third request frame. The third response frame may or may not carry a multi-link element, and only one of the multiple links that were originally successfully established between the first MLD and the second MLD may remain.

[0122] In another example, the second MLD sends a third request frame requesting multi-link reconfiguration to the first MLD, and the third request frame carries a multi-link element. The first MLD sends a third response frame to the second MLD. The third response frame is used to respond to the third request frame. The third response frame may or may not carry a multi-link element, and only one of the multiple links that were originally successfully established between the first MLD and the second MLD may remain.

[0123] In yet another example, the second MLD sends a first wireless frame carrying a multi-link element to the first MLD, and only one of the multiple links that were originally successfully established between the first MLD and the second MLD remains.

[0124] Possible method 3: The first MLD sends a first request frame to the second MLD, and the first request frame is used to request the establishment of multiple links. The second MLD sends a first response frame to the first MLD, and the first response frame includes a first multi-link element and a first field. The first field indicates that only one link (e.g., link #1) has been successfully established.

[0125] In this method, the first multi-link element indicates that among the multiple links requested by the first MLD, links other than link #1 were not established. For example, the first multi-link element includes a link info field, the link info field includes profile sub-elements corresponding to each of the other links, each profile sub-element includes a status code field, and the status code field included in each profile sub-element indicates that the link corresponding to that profile sub-element was not established. In one possible implementation, the status code field included in each profile sub-element indicates a failure cause.

[0126] According to a possible method 3, when the first response frame includes the first multi-link element, the first multi-link element indicates that among the multiple links required to be established by the first MLD, links other than link #1 were not established, and the first response frame can explicitly indicate that only link #1 among the multiple links required to be established by the first MLD was successfully established.

[0127] According to the solution of this application, when only one of the multiple links is successfully established, the first MLD performs air interface transmission with the second MLD according to the single-link communication rule. For example, according to a possible method 1 or a possible method 3, the first MLD and the second MLD consider that the multi-link was not established. In other words, the first MLD and the second MLD no longer require the establishment of multiple links. Although actually only one link was established, it is considered that multiple links were successfully established.

[0128] Some of the possible ways described above are examples for illustration purposes. It is possible that only one of the multiple links is successfully established, and it may be implemented in another way instead. This is not limited in this application.

[0129] It can be understood that some of the above embodiments describe an example where the over-air frame includes an address 1 field, an address 2 field, and an address 3 field. This is not limited in this application. For example, the over-air frame may further include an address 4 field.

[0130] It can be understood that in the above method embodiments, the methods and operations implemented by a multi-link device (e.g., the first MLD or the second MLD) can also be implemented by components (e.g., chips or circuits) of the multi-link device.

[0131] Corresponding to the methods provided in the above method embodiments, an embodiment of this application further provides a corresponding device. The device includes corresponding modules configured to execute the above method embodiments. The modules can be software, hardware, or a combination of software and hardware. It can be understood that the technical features described in the method embodiments are also applicable to the following device embodiments.

[0132] FIG. 4 shows a multi-link device (e.g., the first multi-link device or the second multi-link device) according to an embodiment of this application. The multi-link device may include a transceiver unit 401 and a processing unit 402.

[0133] The transceiver unit 401 may be configured to implement corresponding communication functions. For example, the transceiver unit 401 may be used by a first multi-link device (MLD) to perform air interface transmission with a second MLD according to single-link communication rules. The transceiver unit 401 may also be referred to as a communication interface or a communication unit.

[0134] The processing unit 402 may be configured to perform processing operations. For example, the processing unit 402 may be configured to determine whether only one of a plurality of links has been successfully established.

[0135] Optionally, the multi-link device further includes a storage unit. The storage unit may be configured to store instructions and / or data. The processing unit 402 may read the instructions and / or data in the storage unit and perform the operations executed by the first multi-link device in the above-described method embodiments, or perform the operations executed by the second multi-link device in the above-described method embodiments.

[0136] In a first design, the multi-link device may be the first MLD in the above-described embodiments, or may be a component (e.g., a chip) of the first MLD. The multi-link device may perform the steps or procedures executed by the first MLD in the above-described method embodiments. The transceiver unit 401 may be configured to perform operations related to transmission and reception of the first MLD in the above-described method embodiments, and the processing unit 402 may be configured to perform operations related to processing of the first MLD in the above-described method embodiments.

[0137] Specifically, the processing unit 402 can be configured to determine whether only one of the plurality of links is successfully established, and when the processing unit determines that only one of the plurality of links is successfully established, the transceiver unit 401 is configured to perform air interface transmission with the second MLD according to the single link communication rule.

[0138] In one possible implementation, the transceiver unit 401 is further configured to transmit a first over-the-air frame to the second MLD, and the address 2 field in the first over-the-air frame is set to the media access control (MAC) address of the first MLD.

[0139] Optionally, the address 1 field in the first over-the-air frame is set to the MAC address of the second MLD.

[0140] In another possible implementation, the transceiver unit 401 is further configured to receive a second over-the-air frame from the second MLD, and the address 1 field of the second over-the-air frame is set to the MAC address of the first MLD.

[0141] Optionally, the address 2 field in the second over-the-air frame is set to the MAC address of the second MLD.

[0142] In another possible implementation, the transceiver unit 401 is further configured to transmit a first request frame to the second MLD, the first request frame is used to request to establish a plurality of links, and the transceiver unit 401 is further configured to receive a first response frame from the second MLD, and the first response frame does not include a multi-link element.

[0143] In another possible implementation, the processing unit 402 is configured to determine whether only one of the plurality of links is successfully established through multi-link reconfiguration.

[0144] In the second design, the multi-link device can be the second MLD in the above-described embodiment, or can be a component (e.g., a chip) of the second MLD. The multi-link device can perform the steps or procedures executed by the second MLD in the above-described method embodiments. The transceiver unit 401 can be configured to perform operations related to the transmission and reception of the second MLD in the above-described method embodiments, and the processing unit 402 can be configured to perform operations related to the processing of the second MLD in the above-described method embodiments.

[0145] Specifically, the processing unit 402 can be configured to determine whether only one of the plurality of links is successfully established, and when the processing unit determines that only one of the plurality of links is successfully established, the transceiver unit 401 is configured to perform air interface transmission with the first MLD according to the single-link communication rule.

[0146] In a possible implementation, the transceiver unit 401 is further configured to transmit a second over-the-air frame to the first MLD, and the address 1 field in the second over-the-air frame is set to the media access control (MAC) address of the first MLD.

[0147] Optionally, the address 2 field in the second over-the-air frame is set to the MAC address of the second MLD.

[0148] In another possible implementation, the transceiver unit 401 is further configured to receive a first over-air frame from a first MLD, and the address 2 field of the first over-air frame is set to the MAC address of the first MLD.

[0149] Optionally, the address 1 field in the first over-air frame is set to the MAC address of a second MLD.

[0150] In another possible implementation, the transceiver unit 401 is further configured to receive a first request frame from a first MLD, the first request frame is used to request to establish a plurality of links, and the transceiver unit 401 is further configured to transmit a first response frame to the first MLD, and the first response frame does not include a multi-link element.

[0151] In another possible implementation, the processing unit 402 is configured to determine whether only one of the plurality of links is successfully established through multi-link reconfiguration.

[0152] It should be understood that the specific processes by which these units execute the corresponding steps described above are described in detail in the above method embodiments. For the sake of brevity, the details are not described here.

[0153] It should be further understood that the multi-link device here is presented in the form of a functional unit. The term "unit" here can refer to an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), an electronic circuit, a processor configured to execute one or more software or firmware programs (e.g., a shared processor, a dedicated processor, or a group of processors), a memory, a merged logic circuit, and / or other suitable components that support the described functions. In one example of an option, as those skilled in the art can understand, the multi-link device can specifically be the first MLD in the above-described embodiments and can be configured to execute the procedures and / or steps corresponding to the first MLD in the above-described method embodiments. Alternatively, the multi-link device can specifically be the second MLD in the above-described embodiments and can be configured to execute the procedures and / or steps corresponding to the second MLD in the above-described method embodiments. To avoid repetition, details will not be described here again.

[0154] The multi-link device in the above-described solution has the function of implementing the corresponding steps executed by the multi-link device (e.g., the first MLD or the second MLD) in the above-described method. This function may be implemented by hardware or may be implemented by the hardware executing the corresponding software. The hardware or software includes one or more modules corresponding to the above-described functions. For example, the transceiver unit may be replaced by a transceiver so that the transmission operation, the reception operation, and the related processing operations in the method embodiments are executed separately (e.g., the transmission unit in the transceiver unit may be replaced by a transmitter, and the reception unit in the transceiver unit may be replaced by a receiver), and also, for example, another unit such as a processing unit may be replaced by a processor.

[0155] Further, the transceiver unit 401 may alternatively be a transceiver circuit (for example, the transceiver circuit may include a receiver circuit and a transmitter circuit), and the processing unit may be a processing circuit.

[0156] Note that the multi-link device in FIG. 4 can be the first MLD or the second MLD in the above-described embodiment, or can be a chip or a chip system, for example, a system on chip (SoC). The transceiver unit can be an input / output circuit or a communication interface. The processing unit can be a processor, a microprocessor, or an integrated circuit integrated on a chip. This is not limited here.

[0157] One embodiment of this application further provides a communication device. As shown in FIG. 5, the communication device includes a processor 501. The processor 501 is configured to execute a computer program or instructions stored in the memory 503 or read data stored in the memory 503 to execute the method in the above-described method embodiment. Optionally, there are one or more processors 501. The communication device further includes a communication interface 502, and the communication interface 502 is configured to transmit and / or receive signals. For example, the processor 501 is configured to control the communication interface 502 to transmit and / or receive signals.

[0158] Optionally, as shown in FIG. 5, the communication device further includes a memory 503, and the memory 503 is configured to store a computer program or instructions and / or data. The memory 503 may be integrated with the processor 501 or may be separately arranged. Optionally, there are one or more memories 503.

[0159] Optionally, the processor 501, the communication interface 502, and the memory 503 are connected to each other by using a bus 504. The bus 504 can be a Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) bus, an Extended Industry Standard Architecture (EISA) bus, or the like. The bus 504 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. 5, but this does not mean that there is only one bus or only one type of bus.

[0160] In another solution, the communication device is configured to perform operations executed by the multi-link device in the above-described method embodiments.

[0161] For example, when the communication device is the first MLD, the processor 501 is configured to determine that only one of the plurality of links is successfully established, and the communication interface 502 is configured to perform air interface transmission with the second MLD according to the single-link communication rule when the processor 501 determines that only one of the plurality of links is successfully established.

[0162] In another example, when the communication device is the second MLD, the processor 501 is configured to determine that only one of the plurality of links is successfully established, and the communication interface 502 is configured to perform air interface transmission with the first MLD according to the single-link communication rule when the processor 501 determines that only one of the plurality of links is successfully established.

[0163] It should be understood that the processor (such as processor 501 etc.) referred to in the embodiments of this application can be a central processing unit (CPU), a network processor (NP), or a combination of a CPU and an NP. The processor may further include a hardware chip. The hardware chip can be an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a programmable logic device (PLD), or a combination thereof. The PLD can be a complex programmable logic device (CPLD), a field programmable gate array (FPGA), a generic array logic (GAL), or any combination thereof.

[0164] It can be further understood that the memory (such as memory 503 etc.) referred to in the embodiments of this application can be a volatile memory or a non-volatile memory, or may include both a volatile memory and a non-volatile memory. The non-volatile memory can be a read-only memory (ROM), a programmable ROM (PROM), an erasable PROM (EPROM), an electrically erasable PROM (EEPROM), or a flash memory. The volatile memory can be a random access memory (RAM) used as an external cache.

[0165] As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, in combination with the units and algorithm steps described in the examples in the embodiments disclosed in this application, this application can be implemented by electronic hardware or a combination of computer software and electronic hardware. Whether a function is implemented by hardware or by computer software depends on the specific application and design constraints of these technical solutions. Those skilled in the art can implement the described functions using different methods for each specific application, but such implementations should not be considered to exceed the scope of this application.

[0166] As will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art, for the sake of simplicity and conciseness of description, regarding the detailed operation processes of the above-described systems, apparatuses, and units, reference may be made to the corresponding processes in the above-described method embodiments, and the details will not be described again here.

[0167] In some embodiments provided in this application, it should be understood that the disclosed systems, apparatuses, and methods may be implemented in other ways. For example, the described apparatus embodiments are merely examples. For example, the division into units is merely a logical function division, and in actual implementation, it may be divided differently. For example, a plurality of units or components may be coupled or integrated into other systems, or some mechanisms may be ignored or not executed. Also, the illustrated or described mutual coupling, direct coupling, or communication connection may be implemented through some interface. The indirect coupling or communication connection between apparatuses or units may be implemented in an electrical form, a mechanical form, or other forms.

[0168] Units described as separate parts may or may not be physically separated, and parts illustrated as units may or may not be physical units, may be placed in one location, or may be distributed over multiple network units. Some or all of the units may be selected according to the actual requirements for achieving the objectives of the solution of the embodiment.

[0169] Also, multiple functional units in the embodiments of this application may be integrated into one processing unit, or each of those units may physically exist alone, or two or more units may be integrated into one unit.

[0170] When functions are implemented in the form of software functional units and sold or used as independent products, those functions may be stored in a computer-readable storage medium. Based on such an understanding, the technical solution of this application, in essence, or the part that contributes to the prior art, or a part of the technical solution, may be implemented in the form of a software product. The computer software product is stored in a storage medium and contains several instructions for instructing a computer device (which may be a personal computer, a server, a network device, or the like similar thereto) to execute all or part of the steps of the method described in the embodiments of this application. The above-mentioned storage medium includes any medium that can store program code, such as a USB flash drive, a removable hard disk, a read-only memory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM), a magnetic disk, or a compact disk.

[0171] The above description is merely a specific implementation of this application and is not intended to limit the protection scope of this application. Any changes or substitutions that can be easily conceived by those skilled in the art within the technical scope disclosed in this application shall fall within the protection scope of this application. Therefore, the protection scope of this application shall comply with the protection scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A step of transmitting a request frame to an access point multi-link device (AP MLD) by a first station (STA) of a station multi-link device (STA MLD), the request frame being used to request the establishment of single-link communication, the request frame not carrying a multi-link element, and an address 2 field in the request frame being set to the media access control (MAC) address of the STA MLD; A step of receiving a response frame from the AP MLD by the first STA, the response frame not carrying a multi-link element, and the response frame indicating that the single-link communication has been successfully established; A step of performing air interface transmission with the AP MLD by the first STA according to single-link communication rules; A communication method comprising the above steps.

2. The communication method according to claim 1, wherein an address 1 field in the response frame is set to the MAC address of the STA MLD.

3. The step of performing air interface transmission with the AP MLD by the first STA according to single-link communication rules is: The first STA transmits a first over-the-air frame to the AP MLD, and an address 2 field in the first over-the-air frame is set to the MAC address of the STA MLD. The communication method according to claim 1, comprising the above step.

4. The communication method according to claim 3, wherein an address 1 field in the first over-the-air frame is set to the MAC address of a first AP, the first AP belongs to the AP MLD, and the single link is a communication link between the first AP and the first STA.

5. The step of performing air interface transmission with the AP MLD by the first STA according to single-link communication rules is: The first STA receives a second over-the-air frame from the AP MLD, and an address 1 field in the second over-the-air frame is set to the MAC address of the STA MLD. The communication method according to claim 1, comprising the above step.

6. A communication device used within a first station (STA) of a station multi-link device (STA MLD), a transceiver unit configured to transmit a request frame to an access point multi-link device (AP MLD), the request frame being used to request the establishment of single-link communication, the request frame not carrying a multi-link element, and the address 2 field in the request frame being set to the media access control (MAC) address of the STA MLD, the transceiver unit further configured to receive a response frame from the AP MLD, the response frame not carrying a multi-link element, the response frame indicating that the single-link communication has been successfully established, and the transceiver unit, a processing unit configured to perform air interface transmission with the AP MLD according to single-link communication rules, A communication device having the above.

7. The communication device according to claim 6, wherein the address 1 field in the response frame is set to the MAC address of the STA MLD.

8. The transceiver unit is configured to transmit a first over-the-air frame to the AP MLD, and the address 2 field in the first over-the-air frame is set to the MAC address of the STA MLD. The communication device according to claim 6.

9. The communication device according to claim 8, wherein the address 1 field in the first over-the-air frame is set to the MAC address of a first AP, the first AP belongs to the AP MLD, and the single link is a communication link between the first AP and the first STA.

10. The transceiver unit is configured to receive a second over-the-air frame from the AP MLD, and the address 1 field in the second over-the-air frame is set to the MAC address of the STA MLD. The communication device according to claim 6.

11. A station (STA) of a station multi-link device (STA MLD), having a unit configured to execute the communication method according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

12. A communication device having a processor, wherein when the communication device operates, the processor executes a computer program or instructions stored in a memory, so that the communication device executes the communication method according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

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