Data transmission method, communication device, computer-readable storage medium, and chip

Abstract

To provide a data transmitting method, a communication device, a computer-readable storage medium, and a chip that avoid processing errors.SOLUTION: A method includes a step 410 of generating a management frame by a first multilink device 401. The management frame includes link indication information, which indicates that the management frame is applied to at least one link corresponding to the link indication information. The method also includes a step 420 of transmitting the management frame to a second multilink device 402 on a link on which a station indicated by a receiving side address or a station indicated by a transmitting side address operates. The management frame includes link indication information for indicating a link to which the management frame is applied, and as a result, cross-link transmitting of the management frame is achieved and the second multilink device can apply the management frame to a correct link.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to the field of communications, and more specifically, to a data transmission method, a communication device, a computer-readable storage medium, and a chip.

Background Art

[0002] A multi-link device (MLD) has a plurality of radio frequency modules and can operate in a plurality of different frequency bands or channels.

[0003] For communication between multi-link devices, a management frame can be transmitted on a link between a station to which a multi-link device belongs and a station to which another multi-link device belongs. However, in the current solution, the multi-link function cannot be fully utilized, resulting in low transmission efficiency.

Summary of the Invention

Means for Solving the Problems

[0004] Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure provide a management frame mechanism for cross-link transmission in order to fully utilize resources based on multi-link characteristics.

[0005] According to a first aspect, a data transmission method is provided. The method includes a first multi-link device generating a management frame, the management frame including a receiving-side address, a transmitting-side address, and link indication information, the link indication information indicating that the management frame is applicable to at least one link corresponding to the link indication information, and the first multi-link device transmitting the management frame on a link on which a station indicated by the receiving-side address or a station indicated by the transmitting-side address operates. In this way, in this embodiment of the present disclosure, the management frame can include link indication information for indicating the link to which the management frame is applicable, and as a result, cross-link transmission of the management frame can be realized, and a device receiving the management frame can apply the management frame to the correct link. Thereby, processing errors are avoided. The device receiving the management frame can be a second multi-link device or a second single-link station.

[0006] In some embodiments of the first aspect, the link indication information includes a first address, and the first address includes address indication information. In one implementation, the address indication information indicates whether the first address is the MLD MAC address of an access point AP MLD or the MAC address of an AP. In another implementation, the address indication information indicates whether the management frame is an MLD-level management frame or a link-level management frame.

[0007] In one implementation, the MAC address of the AP is the MAC address of the AP belonging to the AP MLD.

[0008] In another implementation, the MAC address of the AP is the MAC address of a single-link AP or the MAC address of an AP that does not belong to any AP MLD.

[0009] In this way, in this embodiment of the present disclosure, the address indication information indicates whether the first address is the MLD MAC address of the AP MLD or the MAC address of the AP belonging to the AP MLD. This solution is applicable even if the MAC address of the MLD is the same as the MAC address of the station to which it belongs. This solution is more general and can reduce signaling overhead.

[0010] In some embodiments of the first aspect, the address indication information is carried within the individual / group of the MAC address and the I / G bit in the address 3 field of the management frame.

[0011] In this way, in this embodiment of the present disclosure, the address indication information can be carried by the I / G bit of the address 3 field. Thereby, resources can be effectively utilized.

[0012] In some embodiments of the first aspect, the link indication information includes the address indication information and the first address. The address indication information indicates whether the first address is the MLD MAC address of the AP MLD or the MAC address of the AP.

[0013] In yet another implementation form of the first aspect, the first address of the management frame is always set to the MAC address of the AP. The MAC address of the AP is the MAC address of the AP belonging to the AP MLD, or the MAC address of the single-link AP, or the MAC address of the AP that does not belong to any AP MLD. In this case, the address indication information does not need to indicate which address the first address is. Optionally, the address indication information can indicate whether the management frame is an MLD-level management frame or a link-level management frame.

[0014] The MAC address of the AP is the MAC address of the AP belonging to the AP MLD, or the MAC address of the single-link AP, or the MAC address of the AP that does not belong to any AP MLD.

[0015] In some embodiments of the first aspect, the address indication information is carried by the I / G bit of the MAC address in the address 2 field of the management frame.

[0016] In some embodiments of the first aspect, the address indication information is a first value, and the first address is the MLD MAC address of the AP MLD.

[0017] In some embodiments of the first aspect, the link indication information further includes link identifier information, and the link identifier information indicates that the management frame is applied to one or more links.

[0018] In some embodiments of the first aspect, the link indication information further includes link identifier information, the link identifier information is carried in the first element of the management frame, and the link identifier information indicates that the first element is applied to one or more links.

[0019] In this way, in this embodiment of the present disclosure, all or part of the links can be indicated by the link identifier information. Thereby, the applicable range is expanded and the communication performance is ensured.

[0020] In some embodiments of the first aspect, the second element of the management frame does not carry link identifier information indicating that the second element is applied to all the links establishing the association between the first multi-link device and the second multi-link device.

[0021] In this way, in this embodiment of the present disclosure, the management frame is applied to all the links without carrying the link identifier information. Thereby, the signaling overhead is reduced and the communication efficiency is improved.

[0022] In some embodiments of the first aspect, the link identifier information includes at least one of one or more link identifiers or a link identifier bitmap.

[0023] In some embodiments of the first aspect, the address indication information is a second value, the first address is the MAC address of the AP belonging to the AP MLD, and the management frame is applied to the link on which the belonging AP operates.

[0024] In some embodiments of the first aspect, the address indication information is a second value, the first address is the MAC address of the single-link AP or the MAC address of the AP not belonging to any AP MLD, and the management frame is applied to the link on which the AP operates.

[0025] In this way, in this embodiment of the present disclosure, the management frame may be transmitted across the entire link. As a result, the multi-link function can be fully utilized to effectively use resources. Thereby, the resource utilization rate is improved and the communication efficiency is further improved.

[0026] In some embodiments of the first aspect, generating the management frame includes constructing additional authentication data AAD, where AAD includes the receiving-side address, the transmitting-side address, and the second address, the constructing, generating a message integrity check MIC based on the AAD, and generating a management frame based on the MIC.

[0027] In some embodiments of the first aspect, the second address is the same as the first address.

[0028] In some embodiments of the first aspect, the first address includes address indication information, and the second address is obtained by masking the address indication information in the first address to 0.

[0029] In some embodiments of the first aspect, the receiving-side address is carried in the address 1 field of the management frame, and the transmitting-side address is carried in the address 2 field of the management frame.

[0030] According to a second aspect, a data transmission method is provided. The method includes: a second multi-link device receiving a management frame from a first multi-link device on a link on which a station within the second multi-link device operates, the management frame including a receiving-side address, a transmitting-side address, and link indication information, the receiving-side address being an address of a station within the second multi-link device, and the link indication information indicating that the management frame is applicable to at least one link corresponding to the link indication information; and the second multi-link device applying the management frame to at least one corresponding link based on the link indication information.

[0031] In some embodiments of the second aspect, the link indication information includes a first address, and the first address includes address indication information. In one implementation, the address indication information indicates whether the first address is the MLD MAC address of an access point AP MLD or the MAC address of an AP. The MAC address of the AP may be the MAC address of an AP belonging to the AP MLD. Alternatively, in another implementation, the address indication information indicates whether the management frame is an MLD-level management frame or a link-level management frame.

[0032] In some embodiments of the second aspect, that the address indication information is carried within the individual / group, I / G bit of the MAC address in the address 3 field of the management frame further includes the second multi-link device masking the I / G bit in the address 3 field of the management frame to 0 to obtain the first address in the address 3 field of the management frame.

[0033] In some embodiments of the second aspect, the link indication information includes address indication information and a first address, and the address indication information indicates whether the first address is the MLD MAC address of the AP MLD or the MAC address of the AP. The MAC address of the AP may be the MAC address of the AP belonging to the AP MLD.

[0034] In yet another implementation of the second aspect, the first address of the management frame is always set to the MAC address of the AP. The MAC address of the AP is the MAC address of the AP belonging to the AP MLD, or the MAC address of the single-link AP, or the MAC address of the AP not belonging to any AP MLD. In this case, the address indication information does not need to indicate which address the first address is. Optionally, the address indication information can indicate whether the management frame is an MLD-level management frame or a link-level management frame. In other words, the address indication information can indicate whether the management frame includes link indication information.

[0035] The MAC address of the AP is the MAC address of the AP belonging to the AP MLD, or the MAC address of the single-link AP, or the MAC address of the AP not belonging to any AP MLD.

[0036] In some embodiments of the second aspect, the fact that the address indication information is carried by the I / G bit of the MAC address in the address 2 field of the management frame further includes masking the I / G bit in the address 2 field of the management frame to 0 in order to obtain the transmission-side address in the address 2 field of the management frame.

[0037] In some embodiments of the second aspect, the address indication information is a first value, and the first address is not all 1s, but rather the MLD MAC address of the AP MLD.

[0038] In some embodiments of the second aspect, applying a management frame to at least one corresponding link includes applying the management frame to all links that establish an association between the first multi-link device and the second multi-link device when the link indication information does not include link identifier information, or applying the management frame to one or more links indicated by the link identifier information when the link indication information includes link identifier information.

[0039] In some embodiments of the second aspect, applying a management frame to at least one corresponding link includes applying a first element to one or more links indicated by the link identifier information when the link indication information further includes link identifier information and the link identifier information is carried in the first element of the management frame.

[0040] In some embodiments of the second aspect, applying a management frame to at least one corresponding link includes applying a second element to all links that establish an association between the first multi-link device and the second multi-link device when the second element of the management frame does not carry link identifier information.

[0041] In some embodiments of the second aspect, the link identifier information includes at least one of one or more link identifiers or a link identifier bitmap.

[0042] In some embodiments of the second aspect, the address indication information is a second value, and the first address is not all ones, but rather the first address is the MAC address of the AP, and the MAC address of the AP can be the MAC address of the AP belonging to the AP MLD. Additionally, applying a management frame to at least one corresponding link includes applying the management frame to the link on which the AP operates, specifically, the link on which the AP belonging to the AP MLD operates.

[0043] In some embodiments of the second aspect, the management frame further includes a first message integrity check (MIC). The method further includes constructing additional authentication data (AAD), where the AAD includes the receiving address, the transmitting address, and a second address; generating a second MIC based on the AAD; and performing a security verification on the management frame based on the first MIC and the second MIC.

[0044] In some embodiments of the second aspect, the second address is the same as the first address.

[0045] In some embodiments of the second aspect, the first address includes address indication information, and the second address is obtained by masking the address indication information in the first address to zero.

[0046] In some embodiments of the second aspect, the management frame further includes a first address. All bits of the first address are 1. The method further includes a second multi-link device determining that the first address is a wildcard basic service set identifier (BSSID).

[0047] In some embodiments of the second aspect, the receiving address is carried in the address 1 field of the management frame, and the transmitting address is carried in the address 2 field of the management frame.

[0048] According to a third aspect, a communication device is provided. The device includes a generation unit configured to generate a management frame, where the management frame includes a receiving address, a transmitting address, and link indication information, and the link indication information indicates that the management frame is applicable to at least one link corresponding to the link indication information; and a transmission unit configured to transmit the management frame on a link where a station indicated by the receiving address or a station indicated by the transmitting address operates.

[0049] In some embodiments of the third aspect, the link indication information includes a first address. The first address includes address indication information. The address indication information indicates whether the first address is the MLD MAC address of the access point AP MLD or the MAC address of the AP. Alternatively, the address indication information indicates whether the management frame is an MLD-level management frame or a link-level management frame.

[0050] The MAC address of the AP is the MAC address of the AP belonging to the AP MLD, or the MAC address of the single-link AP, or the MAC address of the AP not belonging to any AP MLD.

[0051] In some embodiments of the third aspect, the address indication information is carried within the individual / group of the MAC address and the I / G bit in the address 3 field of the management frame.

[0052] In some embodiments of the third aspect, the link indication information includes the address indication information and the first address. In one implementation, the address indication information indicates whether the first address is the MLD MAC address of the AP MLD or the MAC address of the AP. The MAC address of the AP is the MAC address of the AP belonging to the AP MLD, or the MAC address of the single-link AP, or the MAC address of the AP not belonging to any AP MLD.

[0053] In another implementation, the first address of the management frame is always set to the MAC address of the AP. The MAC address of the AP is the MAC address of the AP belonging to the AP MLD, or the MAC address of the single-link AP, or the MAC address of the AP not belonging to any AP MLD. In this case, the address indication information does not need to indicate which address the first address is. Optionally, the address indication information can indicate whether the management frame is an MLD-level management frame or a link-level management frame. In other words, the address indication information can indicate whether the management frame contains link indication information.

[0054] In some embodiments of the third aspect, the address indication information is carried by the I / G bit of the MAC address in the address 2 field of the management frame.

[0055] In some embodiments of the third aspect, the address indication information is a first value, and the first address is the MLD MAC address of the AP MLD.

[0056] In some embodiments of the third aspect, the link indication information further includes link identifier information, and the link identifier information indicates that the management frame is applied to one or more links.

[0057] In some embodiments of the third aspect, the link indication information further includes link identifier information, the link identifier information is carried in the first element of the management frame, and the link identifier information indicates that the first element is applied to one or more links.

[0058] In some embodiments of the third aspect, the second element of the management frame does not carry link identifier information indicating that the second element is applied to all links establishing an association between the first multi-link device and the second multi-link device.

[0059] In some embodiments of the third aspect, the link identifier information includes at least one of one or more link identifiers or a link identifier bitmap.

[0060] In some embodiments of the third aspect, the address indication information is a second value, the first address is the MAC address of the AP, and the management frame is applied to the link on which the AP operates.

[0061] In one implementation, the MAC address of the AP is the MAC address of the AP belonging to the AP MLD.

[0062] In another implementation, the MAC address of the AP is the MAC address of the single-link AP or the MAC address of the AP that does not belong to any AP MLD.

[0063] In some embodiments of the third aspect, the generation unit constructs additional authentication data AAD, the AAD includes a receiving-side address, a transmitting-side address, and a second address, generates a message integrity check MIC based on the AAD, and is configured to generate a management frame based on the MIC.

[0064] In some embodiments of the third aspect, the second address is the same as the first address.

[0065] In some embodiments of the third aspect, the first address includes address indication information, and the second address is obtained by masking the address indication information in the first address to 0.

[0066] In some embodiments of the third aspect, the receiving-side address is carried in the address 1 field of the management frame, and the transmitting-side address is carried in the address 2 field of the management frame.

[0067] According to a fourth aspect, a communication device is provided. The device includes a receiving unit configured to receive a management frame from a first multi-link device on a link on which a station in the communication device operates, the management frame including a receiving-side address, a transmitting-side address, and link indication information, the receiving-side address being an address of the station in the communication device, and the link indication information indicating that the management frame is applicable to at least one link corresponding to the link indication information, and a processing unit configured to apply the management frame to at least one corresponding link based on the link indication information.

[0068] In some embodiments of the fourth aspect, the link indication information includes a first address, and the first address includes address indication information. In one implementation, the address indication information indicates whether the first address is the MLD MAC address of the access point AP MLD or the MAC address of the AP. In another implementation, the address indication information indicates whether the management frame is an MLD level management frame or a link level management frame.

[0069] The MAC address of the AP is the MAC address of the AP belonging to the AP MLD, or the MAC address of the single-link AP, or the MAC address of the AP not belonging to any AP MLD.

[0070] In some embodiments of the fourth aspect, the address indication information is carried within the individual / group, I / G bit of the MAC address in the address 3 field of the management frame. The processing unit is further configured to mask the I / G bit in the address 3 field of the management frame to 0 in order to obtain the first address in the address 3 field of the management frame.

[0071] In some embodiments of the fourth aspect, the link indication information includes address indication information and a first address, and the address indication information indicates whether the first address is the MLD MAC address of the AP MLD or the MAC address of the AP. The MAC address of the AP is the MAC address of the AP belonging to the AP MLD, or the MAC address of the single-link AP, or the MAC address of the AP not belonging to any AP MLD.

[0072] In another implementation of the fourth aspect, the first address of the management frame is always set to the MAC address of the AP. The MAC address of the AP is the MAC address of the AP belonging to the AP MLD, or the MAC address of the single-link AP, or the MAC address of the AP not belonging to any AP MLD. In this case, the address indication information does not need to indicate which address the first address is. Optionally, the address indication information can indicate whether the management frame is an MLD-level management frame or a link-level management frame. In other words, the address indication information can indicate whether the management frame includes link indication information. In some embodiments of the fourth aspect, the address indication information is carried by the I / G bit of the MAC address in the address 2 field of the management frame. The processing unit is further configured to mask the I / G bit in the address 2 field of the management frame to 0 in order to obtain the transmission-side address in the address 2 field of the management frame.

[0073] In some embodiments of the fourth aspect, the address indication information is a first value and the first address is the MLD MAC address of the AP MLD.

[0074] In some embodiments of the fourth aspect, when the link indication information does not include link identifier information, the processing unit applies the management frame to all the links for establishing the association between the first multi-link device and the communication device, or when the link indication information includes link identifier information, the processing unit is configured to apply the management frame to one or more links indicated by the link identifier information.

[0075] In some embodiments of the fourth aspect, when the link indication information further includes link identifier information and the link identifier information is carried in the first element of the management frame, the processing unit is configured to apply the first element to one or more links indicated by the link identifier information.

[0076] In some embodiments of the fourth aspect, when the second element of the management frame does not carry link identifier information, the processing unit is configured to apply the second element to all the links for establishing the association between the first multi-link device and the second multi-link device.

[0077] In some embodiments of the fourth aspect, the link identifier information includes at least one of one or more link identifiers or a link identifier bitmap.

[0078] In some embodiments of the fourth aspect, the address indication information is a second value, and the first address is the MAC address of the AP. In one implementation, the MAC address of the AP is the MAC address of the AP belonging to the AP MLD. The processing unit is configured to apply the management frame to the link on which the belonging AP operates.

[0079] In yet another implementation form, the MAC address of the AP is the MAC address of a single-link AP or the MAC address of an AP that does not belong to any AP MLD. The processing unit is configured to apply the management frame to a link on which a single-link AP or an AP that does not belong to an AP MLD operates. In some embodiments of the fourth aspect, the management frame further includes a first message integrity check MIC. The processing unit constructs additional authentication data AAD, where AAD includes a receiving-side address, a transmitting-side address, and a second address, generates a second MIC based on the AAD, and is further configured to perform a security verification on the management frame based on the first MIC and the second MIC.

[0080] In some embodiments of the fourth aspect, the second address is the same as the first address.

[0081] In some embodiments of the fourth aspect, the first address includes address indication information, and the second address is obtained by masking the address indication information in the first address with 0.

[0082] In some embodiments of the fourth aspect, the management frame further includes a first address. All bits of the first address are 1. The processing unit is further configured to be determined by a second multi-link device that the first address is a wildcard basic service set identifier BSSID.

[0083] In some embodiments of the fourth aspect, the receiving-side address is carried within the address 1 field of the management frame, and the transmitting-side address is carried within the address 2 field of the management frame.

[0084] According to a fifth aspect, a communication device is provided. The communication device includes a transceiver and a processor. When the processor executes a computer program, the device is to generate a management frame, where the management frame includes a receiving-side address, a transmitting-side address, and link indication information, and the link indication information indicates that the management frame is applied to at least one link corresponding to the link indication information, the generating, and transmitting, by the transceiver, the management frame on a link on which a station indicated by the receiving-side address or a station indicated by the transmitting-side address operates.

[0085] In some embodiments of the fifth aspect, the device further includes a memory coupled to the processor. The memory stores a computer program executable by the processor.

[0086] In some embodiments of the fifth aspect, the link indication information includes a first address, and the first address includes address indication information. In one implementation, the address indication information indicates whether the first address is the MLD MAC address of the access point AP MLD or the MAC address of the AP. In another implementation, the address indication information indicates whether the management frame is an MLD-level management frame or a link-level management frame. In one implementation, the MAC address of the AP is the MAC address of the AP belonging to the AP MLD. In another implementation, the MAC address of the AP is the MAC address of the single-link AP or the MAC address of the AP not belonging to any AP MLD. In some embodiments of the fifth aspect, the address indication information is carried within the individual / group, I / G bit of the MAC address in the address 3 field of the management frame.

[0087] In some embodiments of the fifth aspect, the link indication information includes address indication information and a first address, and the address indication information indicates whether the first address is the MLD MAC address of the AP MLD or the MAC address of the AP. In one implementation, the MAC address of the AP is the MAC address of the AP belonging to the AP MLD. In another implementation, the MAC address of the AP is the MAC address of the single-link AP or the MAC address of the AP that does not belong to any AP MLD.

[0088] In another implementation of the fifth aspect, the first address of the management frame is always set to the MAC address of the AP. The MAC address of the AP is the MAC address of the AP belonging to the AP MLD, or the MAC address of the single-link AP, or the MAC address of the AP that does not belong to any AP MLD. In this case, the address indication information does not need to indicate which address the first address is. Optionally, the address indication information can indicate whether the management frame is an MLD-level management frame or a link-level management frame. In other words, the address indication information can indicate whether the management frame includes link indication information.

[0089] In some embodiments of the fifth aspect, the address indication information is carried by the I / G bit of the MAC address in the address 2 field of the management frame.

[0090] In some embodiments of the fifth aspect, the address indication information is a first value and the first address is the MLD MAC address of the AP MLD.

[0091] In some embodiments of the fifth aspect, the link indication information further includes link identifier information, and the link identifier information indicates that the management frame is applied to one or more links.

[0092] In some embodiments of the fifth aspect, the link indication information further includes link identifier information, the link identifier information is carried in a first element of the management frame, and the link identifier information indicates that the first element is applied to one or more links.

[0093] In some embodiments of the fifth aspect, the second element of the management frame does not carry link identifier information indicating that the second element is applied to all links that establish an association between the first multi-link device and the second multi-link device.

[0094] In some embodiments of the fifth aspect, the link identifier information includes at least one of one or more link identifiers or a link identifier bitmap.

[0095] In some embodiments of the fifth aspect, the address indication information is a second value, the first address is the MAC address of the AP, and the management frame is applied to the link on which the AP operates. In one implementation, the MAC address of the AP is the MAC address of the AP belonging to the AP MLD. In another implementation, the MAC address of the AP is the MAC address of a single-link AP or the MAC address of an AP that does not belong to any AP MLD.

[0096] In some embodiments of the fifth aspect, when the processor executes a computer program, the apparatus is capable of constructing additional authentication data AAD, where the AAD includes the receiving-side address, the transmitting-side address, and the second address, generating a message integrity check MIC based on the AAD, and generating a management frame based on the MIC.

[0097] In some embodiments of the fifth aspect, the second address is the same as the first address.

[0098] In some embodiments of the fifth aspect, the first address includes address indication information, and the second address is obtained by masking the address indication information in the first address to zero.

[0099] In some embodiments of the fifth aspect, the receiving - side address is carried within the address 1 field of the management frame, and the transmitting - side address is carried within the address 2 field of the management frame.

[0100] According to a sixth aspect, a communication device is provided. The communication device includes a transceiver and a processor. When the processor executes a computer program, the device is caused to receive, by the transceiver, a management frame from a first multi - link device on a link on which a station within the communication device operates, the management frame including a receiving - side address, a transmitting - side address, and link indication information, the receiving - side address being the address of the station within the communication device, and the link indication information indicating that the management frame is applicable to at least one link corresponding to the link indication information, and to apply the management frame to at least one corresponding link based on the link indication information.

[0101] In some embodiments of the sixth aspect, the device further includes a memory coupled to the processor. The memory stores a computer program executable by the processor.

[0102] In some embodiments of the sixth aspect, the link indication information includes a first address. The first address includes address indication information. The address indication information indicates whether the first address is the MLD MAC address of an access point AP MLD or the MAC address of an AP. In one implementation, the MAC address of the AP is the MAC address of the AP belonging to the AP MLD. In another implementation, the MAC address of the AP is the MAC address of a single - link AP or the MAC address of an AP not belonging to any AP MLD.

[0103] In some embodiments of the sixth aspect, the address indication information is carried within the individual / group of the MAC address and the I / G bit in the address 3 field of the management frame. When the processor executes the computer program, the apparatus is enabled to mask the I / G bit in the address 3 field of the management frame to 0 in order to obtain the first address in the address 3 field of the management frame.

[0104] In some embodiments of the sixth aspect, the link indication information includes the address indication information and the first address. In one implementation, the address indication information indicates whether the first address is the MLD MAC address of the AP MLD or the MAC address of the AP. In another implementation, the address indication information indicates whether the management frame is an MLD level management frame or a link level management frame. In one implementation, the MAC address of the AP is the MAC address of the AP belonging to the AP MLD. In another implementation, the MAC address of the AP is the MAC address of the single link AP or the MAC address of the AP not belonging to any AP MLD.

[0105] In some embodiments of the sixth aspect, the address indication information is carried within the I / G bit of the MAC address in the address 2 field of the management frame. When the processor executes the computer program, the apparatus is enabled to mask the I / G bit in the address 2 field of the management frame to 0 in order to obtain the transmission side address in the address 2 field of the management frame.

[0106] In some embodiments of the sixth aspect, the address indication information is the first value and the first address is the MLD MAC address of the AP MLD.

[0107] In some embodiments of the sixth aspect, when the processor executes a computer program, the apparatus is enabled to apply a management frame to all links that establish an association between the first multi-link device and the communication device if the link indication information does not include link identifier information, or to apply the management frame to one or more links indicated by the link identifier information if the link indication information includes link identifier information.

[0108] In some embodiments of the sixth aspect, when the processor executes a computer program, the apparatus is enabled to apply a first element to one or more links indicated by the link identifier information if the link indication information further includes link identifier information and the link identifier information is carried in a first element of the management frame.

[0109] In some embodiments of the sixth aspect, when the processor executes a computer program, the apparatus is enabled to apply a second element to all links that establish an association between the first multi-link device and the second multi-link device if the second element of the management frame does not carry link identifier information.

[0110] In some embodiments of the sixth aspect, the link identifier information includes at least one of one or more link identifiers or a link identifier bitmap.

[0111] In some embodiments of the sixth aspect, the address indication information is a second value and the first address is the MAC address of the AP. When the processor executes a computer program, the apparatus is enabled to apply a management frame to the link on which the AP operates. In one implementation, the MAC address of the AP is the MAC address of the AP belonging to the AP MLD. In another implementation, the MAC address of the AP is the MAC address of a single-link AP or the MAC address of an AP that does not belong to any AP MLD.

[0112] In some embodiments of the sixth aspect, the management frame further includes a first message integrity check (MIC). When the processor executes a computer program, the apparatus is enabled to construct additional authentication data (AAD), where the AAD includes a receiving address, a transmitting address, and a second address, to generate a second MIC based on the AAD, and to perform a security verification on the management frame based on the first MIC and the second MIC.

[0113] In some embodiments of the sixth aspect, the second address is the same as the first address.

[0114] In some embodiments of the sixth aspect, the first address includes address indication information, and the second address is obtained by masking the address indication information within the first address to zero.

[0115] In some embodiments of the sixth aspect, the management frame further includes a first address. All bits of the first address are 1. When the processor executes a computer program, the apparatus is enabled to determine by the second multi-link device that the first address is a wildcard basic service set identifier (BSSID).

[0116] In some embodiments of the sixth aspect, the receiving address is carried within the address 1 field of the management frame, and the transmitting address is carried within the address 2 field of the management frame.

[0117] According to the seventh aspect, a communication method is provided. The method includes constructing AAD, where the AAD includes a receiving address, a transmitting address, and a second address, and the second address is the MLD MAC address of the AP MLD or the MAC address of the AP to which the AP MLD belongs, and generating a MIC based on the AAD. A D and generating a MIC based on the AAD.

[0118] In some embodiments of the seventh aspect, the method further includes performing a security verification on the received management frame based on the generated MIC and the MIC in the received management frame.

[0119] In some embodiments of the seventh aspect, the receiving address is carried in the address 1 field of the AAD, the transmitting address is carried in the address 2 field of the AAD, and the second address is carried in the address 3 field of the AAD.

[0120] In some embodiments of the seventh aspect, the second address is determined based on the first address carried in the address 3 field of the management frame.

[0121] In some embodiments of the seventh aspect, the second address is the same as the first address.

[0122] In some embodiments of the seventh aspect, the first address includes address indication information, and the second address is obtained by masking the address indication information in the first address to 0.

[0123] In some embodiments of the seventh aspect, the first address does not include address indication information, and the second address is obtained by setting the I / G bit in the first address to the value of the address indication information. In this way, the second address can include address indication information indicating whether the second address is the MLD MAC address of the AP MLD or the MAC address of the AP. In one implementation, the MAC address of the AP is the MAC address of the AP belonging to the AP MLD. In another implementation, the MAC address of the AP is the MAC address of the single-link AP or the MAC address of the AP that does not belong to any AP MLD.

[0124] In some other embodiments of the seventh aspect, the first address of the management frame is always set to the MAC address of the AP, and the second address is always set to the MAC address of the AP. The MAC address of the AP is the MAC address of the AP belonging to the AP MLD, or the MAC address of the single-link AP, or the MAC address of the AP not belonging to any AP MLD.

[0125] In some embodiments of the seventh aspect, the first address includes address indication information, and the second address is obtained by masking the address indication information in the first address to 0. The AAD includes address indication information, and the address indication information is carried by the I / G bit in the address 2 field of the AAD. In this way, the transmission-side address may include address indication information indicating whether the second address is the MLD MAC address of the AP MLD or the MAC address of the AP. In one implementation, the MAC address of the AP is the MAC address of the AP belonging to the AP MLD. In another implementation, the MAC address of the AP is the MAC address of the single-link AP, or the MAC address of the AP not belonging to any AP MLD.

[0126] In some embodiments of the seventh aspect, the transmission-side address is determined based on the address carried in the address 2 field of the management frame.

[0127] In some embodiments of the seventh aspect, the transmission-side address is the same as the address in the address 2 field of the management frame.

[0128] In some embodiments of the seventh aspect, the address in the address 2 field of the management frame includes address indication information, and the transmission-side address is obtained by masking the address indication information in the address in the address 2 field of the management frame to 0.

[0129] In some embodiments of the seventh aspect, the address in the address 2 field of the management frame does not include address indication information, and the transmission-side address is obtained by setting the address indication information in the address in the address 2 field of the management frame to the value of the address indication information. In this way, the transmission-side address may include address indication information indicating whether the second address is the MLD MAC address of the AP MLD or the MAC address of the AP. In one implementation form, the MAC address of the AP is the MAC address of the AP belonging to the AP MLD. In another implementation form, the MAC address of the AP is the MAC address of the single-link AP or the MAC address of the AP that does not belong to any AP MLD.

[0130] In some embodiments of the seventh aspect, the address in the address 2 field of the management frame includes address indication information, and the transmission-side address is obtained by masking the address indication information in the address in the address 2 field of the management frame with 0. In addition, the AAD includes address indication information, and the address indication information is carried by the I / G bit in the address 3 field of the AAD.

[0131] According to the eighth aspect, a communication device is provided. The device includes a construction unit configured to construct an AAD, where the AAD includes a reception-side address, a transmission-side address, and a second address, and the second address is the MLD MAC address of the AP MLD or the MAC address of the AP, and a A generation unit configured to generate a MIC based on the A

[0132] In some embodiments of the eighth aspect, the device further includes a verification unit configured to perform a security verification on the received management frame based on the generated MIC and the MIC in the received management frame.

[0133] In some embodiments of the eighth aspect, the receiving-side address is carried in the address 1 field of the AAD, the transmitting-side address is carried in the address 2 field of the AAD, and the second address is carried in the address 3 field of the AAD.

[0134] In some embodiments of the eighth aspect, the second address is determined based on the first address carried within the address 3 field of the management frame.

[0135] In some embodiments of the eighth aspect, the second address is the same as the first address.

[0136] In some embodiments of the eighth aspect, the first address includes address indication information, and the second address is obtained by masking the address indication information within the first address to 0.

[0137] In some embodiments of the eighth aspect, the first address does not include address indication information, and the second address is obtained by setting the I / G bit within the first address to the value of the address indication information. In this way, the second address can include address indication information indicating whether the second address is the MLD MAC address of the AP MLD or the MAC address of the AP. In one implementation, the MAC address of the AP is the MAC address of the AP belonging to the AP MLD. In another implementation, the MAC address of the AP is the MAC address of the single-link AP or the MAC address of the AP that does not belong to any AP MLD.

[0138] In some other embodiments of the eighth aspect, the first address of the management frame is always set to the MAC address of the AP, and the second address is always set to the MAC address of the AP. The MAC address of the AP is the MAC address of the AP belonging to the AP MLD, or the MAC address of the single-link AP, or the MAC address of the AP that does not belong to any AP MLD.

[0139] In some embodiments of the eighth aspect, the first address includes address indication information, and the second address is obtained by masking the address indication information in the first address to zero. The AAD includes address indication information, and the address indication information is carried by the I / G bit in the address 2 field of the AAD. In this way, the transmission-side address may include address indication information indicating whether the second address is the MLD MAC address of the AP MLD or the MAC address of the AP. In one implementation, the MAC address of the AP is the MAC address of the AP belonging to the AP MLD. In another implementation, the MAC address of the AP is the MAC address of the single-link AP or the MAC address of the AP that does not belong to any AP MLD.

[0140] In some embodiments of the eighth aspect, the transmission-side address is determined based on the address carried in the address 2 field of the management frame.

[0141] In some embodiments of the eighth aspect, the transmission-side address is the same as the address in the address 2 field of the management frame.

[0142] In some embodiments of the eighth aspect, the address in the address 2 field of the management frame includes address indication information, and the transmission-side address is obtained by masking the address indication information in the address in the address 2 field of the management frame to zero.

[0143] In some embodiments of the eighth aspect, the address in the address 2 field of the management frame does not include address indication information, and the transmission-side address is obtained by setting the address indication information in the address in the address 2 field of the management frame to the value of the address indication information. In this way, the transmission-side address may include address indication information indicating whether the second address is the MLD MAC address of the AP MLD or the MAC address of the AP. In one implementation, the MAC address of the AP is the MAC address of the AP belonging to the AP MLD. In another implementation, the MAC address of the AP is the MAC address of the single-link AP or the MAC address of the AP that does not belong to any AP MLD.

[0144] In some embodiments of the eighth aspect, the address in the address 2 field of the management frame includes address indication information, and the transmission-side address is obtained by masking the address indication information in the address in the address 2 field of the management frame to 0. In addition, the AAD includes address indication information, and the address indication information is carried by the I / G bit in the address 3 field of the AAD.

[0145] According to the ninth aspect, a communication device is provided. The communication device includes a transceiver and a processor. When the processor executes a computer program, the device is capable of constructing an AAD, where the AAD includes a reception-side address, a transmission-side address, and a second address, and the second address is the MLD MAC address of the AP MLD or the MAC address of the AP, the constructing, and A generating a MIC based on the AAD. In one implementation, the MAC address of the AP is the MAC address of the AP belonging to the AP MLD. In another implementation, the MAC address of the AP is the MAC address of the single-link AP or the MAC address of the AP that does not belong to any AP MLD.

[0146] In some embodiments of the ninth aspect, the communication device further includes a memory coupled to the processor. The memory stores a computer program executable by the processor.

[0147] In some embodiments of the ninth aspect, when the processor executes the computer program, the device is enabled to perform a security verification on the received management frame based on the generated MIC and the MIC in the received management frame.

[0148] In some embodiments of the ninth aspect, the receiving address is carried in the address 1 field of the AAD, the transmitting address is carried in the address 2 field of the AAD, and the second address is carried in the address 3 field of the AAD.

[0149] In some embodiments of the ninth aspect, the second address is determined based on the first address carried within the address 3 field of the management frame.

[0150] In some embodiments of the ninth aspect, the second address is the same as the first address.

[0151] In some embodiments of the ninth aspect, the first address includes address indication information, and the second address is obtained by masking the address indication information within the first address to zero.

[0152] In some embodiments of the ninth aspect, the first address does not include address indication information, and the second address is obtained by setting the I / G bit in the first address to the value of the address indication information. In this way, the second address can include address indication information indicating whether the second address is the MLD MAC address of the AP MLD or the MAC address of the AP. In one implementation, the MAC address of the AP is the MAC address of the AP belonging to the AP MLD. In another implementation, the MAC address of the AP is the MAC address of the single-link AP or the MAC address of the AP that does not belong to any AP MLD.

[0153] In some embodiments of the ninth aspect, the first address includes address indication information, and the second address is obtained by masking the address indication information in the first address to 0. The AAD includes address indication information, and the address indication information is carried by the I / G bit in the address 2 field of the AAD. In this way, the transmission-side address may include address indication information indicating whether the second address is the MLD MAC address of the AP MLD or the MAC address of the AP. In one implementation, the MAC address of the AP is the MAC address of the AP belonging to the AP MLD. In another implementation, the MAC address of the AP is the MAC address of the single-link AP or the MAC address of the AP that does not belong to any AP MLD.

[0154] In some other embodiments of the ninth aspect, the first address of the management frame is always set to the MAC address of the AP, and the second address is always set to the MAC address of the AP. The MAC address of the AP is the MAC address of the AP belonging to the AP MLD, or the MAC address of the single-link AP, or the MAC address of the AP that does not belong to any AP MLD.

[0155] In some embodiments of the ninth aspect, the transmission-side address is determined based on the address carried in the address 2 field of the management frame.

[0156] In some embodiments of the ninth aspect, the transmission-side address is the same as the address in the address 2 field of the management frame.

[0157] In some embodiments of the ninth aspect, the address in the address 2 field of the management frame includes address indication information, and the transmission-side address is obtained by masking the address indication information in the address in the address 2 field of the management frame with 0.

[0158] In some embodiments of the ninth aspect, the address in the address 2 field of the management frame does not include address indication information, and the transmission-side address is obtained by setting the address indication information in the address in the address 2 field of the management frame to the value of the address indication information. In this way, the transmission-side address may include address indication information indicating whether the second address is the MLD MAC address of the AP MLD or the MAC address of the AP. In one implementation, the MAC address of the AP is the MAC address of the AP belonging to the AP MLD. In another implementation, the MAC address of the AP is the MAC address of the single-link AP or the MAC address of the AP that does not belong to any AP MLD.

[0159] In some embodiments of the ninth aspect, the address in the address 2 field of the management frame includes address indication information, and the transmission-side address is obtained by masking the address indication information in the address in the address 2 field of the management frame with 0. In addition, the AAD includes address indication information, and the address indication information is carried by the I / G bit in the address 3 field of the AAD.

[0160] According to a tenth aspect, a multi-link device is provided. The multi-link device includes an apparatus according to any one of the implementation forms of the third aspect to the sixth aspect, the seventh aspect to the eighth aspect, or the third aspect to the sixth aspect and the seventh aspect to the eighth aspect.

[0161] According to an eleventh aspect, a computer-readable storage medium is provided. The computer-readable storage medium stores a computer program. When the computer program is executed by a processor, the operations of the method in any one of the embodiments of the first aspect, the second aspect, the seventh aspect, or the first aspect, the second aspect, or the seventh aspect are executed.

[0162] According to a twelfth aspect, a chip or a chip system is provided. The chip or the chip system includes a processing circuit and a communication interface. The processing circuit is configured to execute the operations of the method according to any one of the embodiments of the first aspect, the second aspect, the seventh aspect, or the first aspect, the second aspect, or the seventh aspect.

[0163] According to a thirteenth aspect, a computer program or a computer program product is provided. The computer program or the computer program product is tangibly stored on a computer-readable medium and includes computer-executable instructions. When the computer-executable instructions are executed, the device is enabled to execute the operations of the method in any one of the embodiments of the first aspect, the second aspect, the seventh aspect, or the first aspect, the second aspect, or the seventh aspect.

[0164] According to a 14th aspect, a wireless communication system is provided. The system includes a first multi-link device and a second multi-link device. Alternatively, the system includes a first multi-link device and a single-link station, or the system includes a second multi-link device and a single-link station. The first multi-link device may be a transmitting end, and the single-link station may be a receiving end. Alternatively, the second multi-link device may be a receiving end, and the single-link station may be a transmitting end. The first multi-link device can execute the operations of a method according to any one of the first aspect, the seventh aspect, or an embodiment of the first aspect or the seventh aspect. The second multi-link device can execute the operations of a method according to any one of the second aspect, the seventh aspect, or an embodiment of the second aspect or the seventh aspect. The first multi-link device can be an AP MLD or a non-AP MLD. The second multi-link device can be an AP MLD or a non-AP MLD.

[0165] Referring to the accompanying drawings and the following detailed description, the features, advantages, and other aspects of the implementations of the present disclosure will become more apparent. Some implementations of the present disclosure are shown herein by way of example and not limitation. In the accompanying drawings, the details are as follows.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0166]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10

Figure 11

Figure 12

Figure 13

Figure 14

Figure 15

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0167] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Although some embodiments of the present disclosure are shown in the accompanying drawings, it should be understood that the present disclosure may be implemented in various forms and should not be construed as being limited to the embodiments described herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that the present disclosure will be thoroughly and completely understood. It should be understood that the accompanying drawings and embodiments of the present disclosure are only used as examples and are not intended to limit the protection scope of the present disclosure.

[0168] In the context of the present disclosure, the term "wireless communication system" can be, for example, a wide area network system or a Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) system. The wireless communication system can support a plurality of WLAN communication protocols, such as 802.11ac / 802.11ax / 802.11be in the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11 series protocols, or any protocol in future IEEE 802.11 series. For ease of explanation, embodiments of the present application use WLAN as an example for illustration. The WLAN can include a plurality of Basic Service Sets (BSS). The BSS can have a Basic Service Set Identifier (BSSID). The nodes of the BSS include an access point station and a Non-Access Point Station (Non-AP STA).

[0169] The term "Multi-Link Device (MLD)" is sometimes referred to as a multi-band device and is a wireless communication device that can support parallel transmission of multiple links. Compared with a device that only supports single-link transmission, a multi-link device has higher transmission efficiency and higher throughput. A multi-link device includes a plurality of affiliated stations. An affiliated station is a logical station that operates on a link. The affiliated station may be an Access Point (AP) or a non-Access Point Station (non-AP STA). A multi-link device can operate in the 1 GHz band, 2.4 GHz band, 5 GHz band, or 6 GHz band, or in another band. A multi-link device can implement wireless communication according to the 802.11 series protocols. For example, a station compliant with Extremely High Throughput (EHT), or a station compliant with and based on 802.11be, or a station compatible with and supporting 802.11be enables communication with another device. The other device may or may not be a multi-link device.

[0170] The term "AP MLD" means that the station belonging to the AP MLD is an AP and is sometimes referred to as a multi-link AP. The AP MLD is deployed in a wireless communication network and is associated with non-APs associated with the AP MLD STAIt may also be a device that provides a wireless communication function. The AP MLD is mainly deployed in homes, buildings, and campuses, and a typical coverage radius is from several tens of meters to several hundreds of meters. Of course, the AP MLD may alternatively be deployed outdoors. The AP MLD corresponds to a bridge that connects a wired network and a wireless network. The main function of the AP MLD is to connect various wireless network clients to each other and then connect the wireless network to Ethernet. Specifically, the AP MLD may be a network device having a Wireless Fidelity (Wi-Fi) chip, such as a communication device such as a base station, a router, a gateway, a repeater, a communication server, a switch, or a bridge. The base station may include various forms of macro base stations, micro base stations, relay stations, and the like. Also, the AP MLD can support the 802.11 be standard or the next-generation WLAN standard of the 802.11 be standard. The AP MLD can also support WLAN standards such as 802.11 ax, 802.11 ac, 802.11n, 802.11g, 802.11b, and 802.11a.

[0171] The term "non-AP MLD" means that the stations belonging to non-AP MLD are non-AP STAs, and may also be referred to as multi-link non-AP STAs. A non-AP MLD may be a device having a wireless transmission and reception function, and may access a wireless local area network based on an AP MLD. A non-AP STA can be a wireless communication chip, a wireless sensor, or a wireless communication terminal. For example, a non-AP STA may be a user unit, an access terminal, a mobile station, a remote station, a subscriber station, a subscriber unit, a remote terminal, a mobile device, a user terminal, a terminal, a wireless communication device, a user agent, a user device, or a user equipment (UE) that supports a Wi-Fi communication function. For example, a non-AP STA may include various handheld devices, in-vehicle devices, wearable devices, Internet of Things (IoT) devices, computing devices, or other processing devices connected to a wireless modem, having a wireless communication function, and various forms of portable communication devices, handheld devices, portable computing devices, entertainment devices, game devices or game systems, global positioning system devices, or any other suitable device configured to perform network communication by using a wireless medium. Also, a non-AP MLD can support the 802.11 be standard or the next-generation WLAN standard of the 802.11 be standard. A non-AP MLD can also support WLAN standards such as 802.11 ax, 802.11 ac, 802.11n, 802.11g, 802.11b, and 802.11a.

[0172] When the AP MLD and the non-AP MLD perform data transmission, a link identifier (link ID) or a link ID bitmap can be used to identify the link or a station on the link. The link ID can include at least one of a Medium Access Control (MAC) address, an operating set, and a channel number, or optionally, can further include a station identifier on the link, such as a station's MAC address or a station's Associated Identifier (AID). The link may have a link address, such as the MAC address of the affiliated station (affiliated STA MAC Address). The AP MLD may also have an AP MLD MAC address abbreviated as the MLD address.

[0173] In the wireless communication system in this disclosure, both the transmitting end and the receiving end may be multi-link devices. This scenario is mainly used as an example in the embodiments of this application. Alternatively, the transmitting end may be a single-link station, and the receiving end may be a multi-link device. Alternatively, the transmitting end may be a multi-link device, and the receiving end may be a single-link station.

[0174] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a wireless communication system 100. As shown in FIG. 1, the wireless communication system 100 includes an AP 110(1), an AP 110(2), a non-AP STA 120(1), and a non-AP STA 120(2). For simplicity of explanation, AP 110(1) and AP 110(2) are hereinafter collectively referred to as AP 110, and non-AP STA 120(1) and non-AP STA 120(2) are hereinafter collectively referred to as non-AP STA 120. It should be understood that the wireless communication system 100 in the present disclosure may alternatively include an AP 110(1), an AP 110(2), and one or more single-link non-AP STAs (not shown). Alternatively, the wireless communication system 100 in the present disclosure may include one or more single-link APs, a non-AP STA 120(1), and a non-AP STA 120(2).

[0175] For example, AP 110(1) and AP 110(2) may be APs belonging to an AP MLD, and non-AP STA 120(1) and non-AP STA 120(2) may be non-AP STAs belonging to a non-AP MLD. In the following description, the belonging AP and the belonging non-AP are collectively referred to as the belonging station (STA), and the AP and the non-AP STA are collectively referred to as the STA.

[0176] It should be understood that FIG. 1 is only a schematic diagram of a wireless communication system and may further include another network device or terminal device, for example, it may further include a wireless relay device and a wireless backhaul device. In addition, the figure does not constitute a limitation on the number of AP MLDs or non-AP MLDs in the wireless communication system.

[0177] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of a connection scenario 200 of a multi-link device. Figure 2 shows an AP MLD 210 and a non-AP MLD 220. There are at least two links between the AP MLD 210 and the non-AP MLD 220. Figure 2 shows a first link 230 and a second link 240.

[0178] The AP MLD 210 has at least two logical APs. Figure 2 shows a first AP 212 and a second AP 214. In addition, the first AP 212 has a first AP physical layer 2121 and a first AP lower MAC layer 2122. The second AP 214 has a second AP physical layer 2141 and a second AP lower MAC layer 2142. The first AP 212 and the second AP 214 have a shared upper MAC layer 2124.

[0179] The non-AP MLD 220 has at least two logical non-AP STAs. Figure 2 shows a first non-AP STA 222 and a second non-AP STA 224. Also, the first non-AP STA 222 has a first non-AP STA physical layer 2221 and a first non-AP STA lower MAC layer 2222. The second non-AP STA 224 has a second non-AP STA physical layer 2241 and a second non-AP STA lower MAC layer 2242. The first non-AP STA 222 and the second non-AP STA have a shared upper MAC layer 2224.

[0180] It should be understood that Figure 2 is merely an example. For example, there may be more links between the AP MLD 210 and the non-AP MLD 220.

[0181] The non-AP MLD (e.g., the non-AP MLD 220 in FIG. 2) can simultaneously establish associations with multiple links of the AP MLD (e.g., the AP MLD 210 in FIG. 2) by performing a multi-link establishment operation for one link. Specifically, the multi-link establishment operation can be performed by using a Multi-link Association Request frame and a Multi-link Association Response frame. The Multi-link Association Request frame and the Multi-link Association Response frame can carry information of multiple links to achieve simultaneous association with multiple links.

[0182] Referring to FIG. 2, for example, the multi-link establishment process may be that the non-AP MLD 220 sends a multi-link association request frame to the AP MLD 210 on the first link 230. The multi-link association request frame carries the non-AP STA side information of the first link 230 (i.e., the information of the first non-AP STA 222) and further carries the non-AP STA side information of the second link 240 (i.e., the information of the second non-AP STA 224). After receiving the multi-link association request frame on the first link 230, the AP MLD 210 sends a multi-link association response frame to the non-AP MLD 220 on the first link 230. The multi-link association response frame carries the AP side information of the first link 230 (i.e., the information of the first AP 212) and further carries the AP side information of the second link 240 (i.e., the information of the second AP 214). In this way, the first non-AP STA 222 and the second non-AP STA 224 of the non-AP MLD 220 respectively establish associations with the first AP 212 and the second AP 214 of the AP MLD 210.

[0183] A multi-link element may be defined to include the relevant information of non-AP MLDs (e.g., the first non-AP STA 222 and the second non-AP STA 224) in the multi-link association request frame.

[0184] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of the format 300 of the multi-link element. As shown in Figure 3, the multi-link element includes an Element Identifier field 301, a Length field 302, an Element ID Extension field 303, a Multi-Link Control field 304, and a common information field. The common information field includes an MLD MAC address field 305, …, a Field k 306 such as a capability field, a Per-STA Profile x field 307, and a Per-STA Profile y field 308 (if present).

[0185] The MLD common information part 310 is configured to carry the relevant information of the MLD. The subsequent Per-STA Profile x field 307 and Per-STA Profile y field 308 (if present) are optional sub-elements 320 representing the configuration information (per-STA profile) of each station.

[0186] Furthermore, the multi-link control field 304 includes a Type 314, an MLD MAC Address present 324, and a Reserved 334. For example, the Type 314 may be a Tunneled Direct Link Setup (TDLS).

[0187] Optionally, for each STA, the profile x field 307 includes a Subelement ID 317, a Length 327, and a Content 337, and the Content 337 includes a Per-STA control field 3371, a STA information field 3372, and a STA configuration field 3373. The Per-STA control field 3371 includes a Link ID 33711 and a STA MAC Address present 33712. The STA configuration field 3373 includes an Element 1 (Element 1 ) 33731, …, an Element Y 33732, …, and a Non-Inheritance element 33733 (if present).

[0188] Another field may be further included between the MLD MAC address field 305 and the field k 306 in FIG. 3, which may not be shown in this specification. Between the Element 1 33731 and the Element Y 33732, other elements are included, such as Element 2, Element 3, …, Element Y-1. The other elements may be included between the Element Y 33732 and the Non-Inheritance element 337322, and the Non-Inheritance element 33733 is the last element.

[0189] In the case of communication between a multi-link device and another multi-link device, for example, the communication between the AP MLD 210 and the non-AP MLD 220 shown in FIG. 2, the management frame transmitted by the first AP 212 is usually transmitted to the first non-AP STA 222 on the first link 230. However, in the current solution, the multi-link function cannot be fully utilized, resulting in low transmission efficiency.

[0190] One embodiment of the present disclosure provides a data transmission solution. In this solution, management frames can be transmitted across the entire link, and the multi-link function is fully utilized. Thereby, communication efficiency is ensured. Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in more detail with reference to FIGS. 4 to 9.

[0191] FIG. 4 is a signaling interaction diagram of a data transmission process 400 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Process 400 includes a first multi-link device 401 and a second multi-link device 402. The first multi-link device 401 can be an AP MLD or a non-AP MLD. Correspondingly, the second multi-link device 402 can be a non-AP MLD or an AP MLD.

[0192] For the sake of simplicity of explanation, in the following example, it can be assumed that the first multi-link device 401 is an AP MLD, for example, the AP MLD 210 shown in FIG. 2, and the second multi-link device 402 is a non-AP MLD, for example, the non-AP MLD 220 shown in FIG. 2. It can be understood that the communication process shown in FIG. 4 is only an example and not a limitation. In this embodiment of the present disclosure, interaction signaling not shown in FIG. 4 may be included, or some of the signaling shown in FIG. 4 may be omitted.

[0193] In step 410 of process 400, the first multi-link device 401 may first generate a management frame.

[0194] Specifically, the generated management frame may have the format shown in FIG. 5.

[0195] FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of a format 500 of a management frame according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The format 500 includes a Frame Control 501, a Duration 502, an Address 1 503, an Address 2 504, an Address 3 505, a Sequence Control 506, an Address 4 507, a Frame Body 509, and a Frame Check Sequence (FCS) 510. The Frame Body 509 may include a Media Access Control Management Protocol Data Unit (MMPDU). Additionally or optionally, the format 500 may further include a High Throughput Control (HT Control) 511.

[0196] For example, the Frame Control 501 may include a plurality of sub-fields, such as a Protocol Version, a Frame Type, a Subtype, a From Distributed System (From DS), a To DS, a Retry, a Power Management, and a More Data. For example, a Frame Type of "00" indicates a management frame.

[0197] For example, the duration 502 may indicate the transmission opportunity duration. The address 1 503, address 2 504, address 3 505, and address 4 507 may be collectively referred to as the address field, indicating the receiving side address, transmitting side address, source address, destination address, BSSID, etc. of the management frame. The frame body 509 can carry specific information. The FCS 510 can be used for error detection. For example, the FCS 510 may include a 32-bit Cyclic Redundancy Check (CRC). The HT control 511 can include Aggregated Control (A-Control) and can further include a control list and padding.

[0198] In communication between multi-link devices, it can be understood that there are two different types of management frames, namely, MLD level management frames and link level management frames. MLD level management frames are specific to MLD and can be applied to two or more links. It can be understood that when a management frame indicates only one link, the MLD level management frame may be applied to the link. Link level management frames are specific to a particular link and may be applied to a particular link, or link level management frames are specific to a link and may be applied to the link. Further, different MAC addresses can be used to distinguish frame types. For example, the MAC address of the MLD corresponds to the management frame at the MLD level. The MAC address of the station to which it belongs corresponds to the link level management frame, or the MAC address of a station that does not belong to any MLD corresponds to the link level management frame. It should be understood that a station that does not belong to any MLD is a single link station. In this embodiment, the station belonging to the MLD is mainly used as an example for explanation. The implementation form of the single link station is the same as that of the MLD. For the sake of brevity, the details will not be described again. When at least one of the transmitting end and the receiving end is a single link station, it should be further understood that there is only one link between the transmitting end and the receiving end. Therefore, when transmitting a management frame, the transmitting end can set the content of the management frame according to the existing protocol 802.11-2020 version. After receiving the management frame, the receiving end can interpret and execute the content of the management frame according to the existing protocol 802.11-2020 version. This is because when at least one of the transmitting end and the receiving end is a single link station, there is only one relevant link between the transmitting end and the receiving end, and there is no possibility of cross-link transmission. Therefore, A1 and A2 in the management frame can be set to the station address, and A3 can be set to the MAC address of the AP, that is, the BSSID. The specific implementation form is as follows.

[0199] First, when the transmitting end is a single-link station, e.g., a single-link AP, and the receiving end is a non-AP STA MLD, A3 is set to the MAC address of the single-link AP at the transmitting end.

[0200] In another example, when the transmitting end is a single-link station, e.g., a single-link non-AP STA, and the receiving end is an AP MLD, A3 is set to the MAC address of the AP associated with the single-link non-AP STA. The AP associated with the single-link non-AP STA is the AP belonging to the AP MLD at the transmitting end.

[0201] In another example, when the transmitting end is an AP MLD and the receiving end is a single-link station, e.g., a single-link non-AP STA, A3 is set to the MAC address of the AP associated with the receiving end, i.e., the non-AP STA. The associated AP is the AP belonging to the AP MLD.

[0202] In another example, when the transmitting end is a non-AP STA MLD and the receiving end is a single-link station, e.g., a single-link AP, A3 is set to the MAC address of the receiving end, i.e., the single-link AP.

[0203] In yet another example, when both the transmitting end and the receiving end are single-link stations, e.g., when the transmitting end is a single-link AP and the receiving end is a single-link non-AP STA, A3 is set to the MAC address of the AP at the transmitting end. For example, when the receiving end is a single-link AP and the transmitting end is a single-link non-AP STA, A3 is set to the MAC address of the AP at the receiving end.

[0204] In the foregoing example, the management frame or elements within the management frame are applied to the relevant link between the transmitting end and the receiving end. In subsequent embodiments, for example, both the transmitting end and the receiving end are multi-link devices. This implementation is applicable when either the transmitting end or the receiving end is referred to as a single-link station.

[0205] Optionally, the multi-link device may distinguish the type of management frame by using different MAC addresses (e.g., carried by address 3). For example, the MLD MAC address of the MLD corresponds to the management frame at the MLD level. For example, the MAC address of a station belonging to the MLD corresponds to the link-level management frame, or the MAC address of a station not belonging to the MLD or a single-link station corresponds to the link-level management frame.

[0206] The management frame may include a receiving-side address, a transmitting-side address, and link indication information. The link indication information can indicate at least one link to which the management frame is applied. The link indication information includes a first address.

[0207] Specifically, in the case of the MLD level management frame, the first address is the MLD MAC address of the AP MLD. In the case of the link level management frame, when both the transmitting end and the receiving end are multi-link devices, the management frame is applied to one link or a specific link between the transmitting end and the receiving end, or when at least one of the transmitting end and the receiving end is a single-link station, only one link exists between the transmitting end and the receiving end. In these two cases, the first address can be set to the MAC address of the AP, specifically, the BSSID of the AP, for example, the BSSID of the AP belonging to the AP MLD, or an AP not belonging to any AP MLD, that is, a single-link AP. In this embodiment, the AP belonging to the AP MLD is mainly used as an example for explanation. In this way, the design of the first address can help to realize the cross-link transmission of management frames between multi-link devices. The first address is the BSSID of an AP not belonging to any AP MLD or the BSSID of a single-link AP. There are similar implementation forms. For the sake of brevity, according to the various scenarios described above, in some cases where the address A3 is the MAC address of the AP, specifically the MAC address of a single-link AP, the "AP to which it belongs" in the following embodiments is replaced by the "AP not belonging to the AP MLD" or the "single-link AP". The details will not be described again.

[0208] For the sake of easy explanation, in the following description, the MLD MAC address of the AP MLD is simply described as the MAC address of the AP MLD, and the MAC address of the AP to which the AP MLD belongs is simply described as the MAC address of the AP to which it belongs. The MAC address of the AP to which it belongs may be the BSSID of the AP to which it belongs.

[0209] In some examples, the address 1 503 may carry the receiving-side address of the management frame, the address 2 504 may carry the transmitting-side address of the management frame, and the address 3 505 may carry the first address.

[0210] For example, the receiving-side address may be the MAC address of the receiving-end station, and the transmitting-side address may be the MAC address of the transmitting-end station. The management frame is transmitted on the link where the receiving-end station or the transmitting-end station operates.

[0211] For example, as shown in Table 1 below, when the management frame is transmitted from the AP MLD to the non-AP MLD, that is, when the transmission direction is the downlink, the address 1 503 can carry the MAC address of the non-AP STA, and the address 2 504 can carry the MAC address of the AP. When the management frame is transmitted from the non-AP MLD to the AP MLD, that is, when the transmission direction is the uplink, the address 1 503 can carry the MAC address of the AP, and the address 2 504 can carry the MAC address of the non-AP STA. When the management frame is transmitted from the non-AP MLD to the non-AP MLD, that is, in the case of peer-to-peer communication, the address 1 503 and the address 2 504 carry the MAC address of the STA. In addition, regardless of whether it is the uplink or the downlink, the address 3 505 carries the first address.

[0212]

Table 1

[0213] In some other examples, for example, during air interface transmission, the address 1 503 may carry the address of the corresponding link of the management frame. Similarly, the address 2 504 can carry the address of the corresponding link of the management frame, and the address 3 505 can carry the first address.

[0214] For example, when the management frame is applied to at least two links, the first multi-link device 401 can generate a management frame at the MLD level. When the management frame is applied to one link, the first multi-link device 401 may generate a link-level management frame. Optionally, in a specific example, when the management frame is applied to a link, a management frame at the MLD level may also be generated.

[0215] In this embodiment of the present disclosure, in order to implement cross-link transmission, address 1 503 can carry the receiving-side address, address 2 504 can carry the transmitting-side address, and address 3 505 can carry the first address. For example, it is assumed that the first multi-link device 401 is the AP MLD 210 in FIG. 2 and the second multi-link device is the non-AP MLD 220 in FIG. 2. In this case, address 1 503 carries the MAC address of the non-AP STA belonging to the non-AP MLD 220 (for example, the MAC address of the first non-AP STA 222 in FIG. 2), and address 2 504 carries the MAC address of the AP belonging to the AP MLD 210 (for example, the BSSID of the first AP 212 in FIG. 2).

[0216] For example, in the existing protocol 802.11-2020, the MAC address of the AP is the same as the BSSID of the AP. Therefore, in some embodiments, the MAC address of the belonging AP may be the BSSID of the belonging AP.

[0217] In this embodiment of the present disclosure, the link indication information may include address indication information. The address indication information may indicate the attribute or meaning of the first address, or the address indication information may indicate the type of the management frame.

[0218] Specifically, the address indication information indicates whether the first address is the MAC address of the AP MLD or the MAC address of the AP. The address indication information is a first value (e.g., 1) indicating that the first address is the MAC address of the AP MLD, and the address indication information is a second value (e.g., 0) indicating that the first address is the MAC address of the AP to which it belongs. The MAC address of the AP to which it belongs may be the BSSID of the AP to which it belongs, or the BSSID of an AP that does not belong to any AP MLD. In this embodiment, the AP belonging to the MLD is mainly used as an example for explanation. The implementation forms of an AP that does not belong to the AP MLD or a single-link AP are the same as the implementation form of the AP belonging to the MLD. For the sake of brevity, the "AP to which it belongs" in this embodiment may be replaced with an "AP that does not belong to any AP MLD", or may be replaced with a "single-link AP". Details will not be described again.

[0219] Since the first address is carried within the address 3 field of the management frame, the address indication information can be considered to indicate whether the address 3 field carries the MAC address of the AP MLD or the MAC address of the AP to which it belongs.

[0220] In another understanding, the address indication information can indicate the type of the management frame. Specifically, the address indication information is a first value indicating that the management frame is a management frame at the MLD level, and the address indication information is a second value indicating that the management frame is a management frame at the link level. The first value is different from the second value. For example, the first value is 1 and the second value is 0. In another example, the first value is 0 and the second value is 1.

[0221] In one implementation of the present disclosure, the first address may include address indication information. In other words, the address indication information is arranged at the first address, or the address indication information is some bits of the first address. Specifically, the address indication information may be carried in the address 3 field of the management frame. For example, the address indication information may be carried within the Individual / Group (I / G) bit in the MAC address of the address 3 field. In other words, in this embodiment of the present disclosure, the I / G bit of the first address carried in the address 3 field may be set to the value of the address indication information. The default value of the I / G bit of the first address may be 0. When the address indication information is the first value (1), the I / G bit of the first address may be reset to 1. When the address indication information is the second value (0), the I / G bit of the first address remains 0.

[0222] It can be understood that the specific position of the I / G bit is not limited in this embodiment of the present disclosure. For example, the I / G bit may be the least significant bit or bit B0 of the first byte of the address 3 field, or may be arranged at another position. In other words, in this implementation, the address 3 field is used to carry the first address, and the first address includes address indication information. For example, bit B0 in the first address is used as the address indication information.

[0223] FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of a scenario 600 of a multi-link device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 6 shows an AP MLD 610 and a non-AP MLD 620. The AP MLD 610 includes AP 1, AP 2, and AP 3. The non-AP MLD 620 includes non-AP STA 1, non-AP STA 2, and non-AP STA 3. It is assumed that three associated links including a first link 601, a second link 602, and a third link 603 are established between the AP MLD 610 and the non-AP MLD 620 by using a multi-link establishment process.

[0224] In some embodiments, when the management frame generated by the first multi-link device 401 is an MLD level management frame, when generating the management frame, the first multi-link device 401 can set the I / G bit (i.e., address indication information) of the MAC address in address 3 505 to a first value (e.g., 1), and the first address in address 3 505 is the MAC address of the AP MLD. In this case, the first address of the management frame carries the address indication information. For example, the first value is "1", the first address is the MAC address of the AP MLD, but the I / G bit of the MAC address is set to "1" instead of "0".

[0225] For example, it is assumed that the address 3 field contains 48 bits and the I / G bit is located at bit B0 of the first byte. In this case, the MAC address of the AP MLD may first be represented as a 48-bit string, then bit B0 of the string is set to 1, and then the string with bit B0 being 1 is carried within the address 3 field.

[0226] In the existing protocol 802.11-2020, the address within address 2 (A2) of the management frame is the transmitting side address and can only be a unicast address. Note that address 3 (A3) is the BSSID of the AP and is generally also a unicast address. However, in the foregoing embodiments where the first address contains the address indication information in the present disclosure, the first address does not necessarily have to be all "1". In some management frames such as the probe request frame, when all the A3 addresses of the management frame are set to "1", for example, when it is a wildcard BSSID, the 48 bits of the A3 address are all "1". In this case, the wildcard BSSID cannot carry the address indication information. In other words, the embodiments where the first address contains the address indication information can only be applied when the addresses within address 3 are not all 1.

[0227] In another implementation of the present disclosure, the address indication information may be arranged outside the first address. In this implementation, the link indication information includes the address indication information and the first address, and the address indication information indicates whether the first address is the MAC address of the AP MLD or the MAC address of the AP to which it belongs. In other words, in the above example, it is assumed that the address indication information is carried by the I / G bit of address 3. However, this is not limited to this embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0228] In one example, the address indication information may be carried by the I / G bit of address 3 of the management frame. Specifically, when the address indication information is a first value (e.g., 1), it indicates that the first address within address 3 is the MAC address of the AP MLD. When the address indication information is a second value (e.g., 0), it indicates that the first address within address 3 is the MAC address of the AP to which it belongs. In other words, in this embodiment of the present disclosure, the I / G bit of the address carried in the address 2 field may be set to the value of the address indication information. The default value of the I / G bit of the address within the address 2 field may be 0. When the address indication information is the first value (1), the I / G bit of the address within the address 2 field is reset to 1. When the address indication information is the second value (0), the I / G bit of the address within the address 2 field is kept at 0.

[0229] For example, the address indication information is a first value (e.g., 1). When the first multi-link device 401 generates a management frame, it can include the MAC address of the AP MLD in the address 3 field. In the case of the address 2 field, a string represented by the transmitting-side address (e.g., the MAC address of AP 1 in FIG. 6) may be determined first, then the I / G bit of the string is set to 1, and then the string with the I / G bit being 1 is carried within the address 2 field.

[0230] In another example, the address indication information may be carried in the From DS and To DS of the frame control of the management frame. Specifically, when the address indication information is a first value (for example, the first value may be From DS = 1 and To DS = 0), it indicates that the first address in address 3 is the MAC address of the AP MLD. When the address indication information is a second value (for example, the second value may be From DS = 1 and To DS = 1), it indicates that the first address in address 3 is the MAC address of the AP to which it belongs.

[0231] It should be noted that the address indication information may alternatively be carried in another field or bit. Details are not described again in this disclosure.

[0232] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the address indication information is a first value (for example, 1), and the first address is the MAC address of the AP MLD. The link indication information may further include link identifier information or may not include link identifier information.

[0233] As described above, the address indication information is a first value, and it can further indicate that the management frame is an MLD-level management frame.

[0234] In one example, the management frame may not carry link identifier information to indicate that the management frame is applied to all links for establishing an association, specifically, all links for establishing an association between the first multi-link device 401 and the second multi-link device 402. Referring to FIG. 6, when the management frame is applied to all links, that is, the first link 601, the second link 602, and the third link 603, the management frame may not carry link identifier information. This can reduce signaling overhead.

[0235] Also, the above description that "management frames are applied to all links for establishing associations" is applicable even when the address 1 field (reception side address) of the management frame is a unicast address. When the address 1 field (reception side address) of the management frame is a multicast address, "management frames are applied to all links for establishing associations" is replaced by "management frames are applied to all links". For example, when an AP belonging to an AP MLD transmits a multicast management frame, "management frames are applied to all links for establishing associations" is replaced by "management frames are applied to all links of the AP MLD". For example, the management frame may include at least one element. For example, the frame body 509 of the management frame may include one or more elements. Optionally, the elements within the frame body 509 can have the format 300 shown in FIG. 3. In one example, the element can carry link identifier information. For example, the link identifier information is carried in the link ID field 33711 shown in FIG. 3. However, it can be understood that the elements within the frame body 509 can alternatively have a format different from the format of FIG. 3. This is not limited in the present disclosure.

[0236] When an element of the management frame (e.g., the second element) is applied to all links for establishing an association between the first multi-link device 401 and the second multi-link device 402, the second element does not have to carry any link identifier information. In other words, the second element does not carry link identifier information for instructing the second multi-link device to apply the second element to all links. In another implementation, the second element does not carry link identifier information for instructing the second multi-link device to apply the second element to the link on which the element is transmitted. The link ID may alternatively occupy another amount of bits, for example, 4 bits.

[0237] In another example, the management frame can carry link identifier information of the link to which the management frame is applied, indicating that the management frame is applied to at least one link. In other words, in this embodiment, the link indication information further includes link identifier information. For example, the link identifier information may be a link identifier (link ID) or a link ID bitmap. Referring to FIG. 6, the management frame is applied to the first link 601 and the second link 602.

[0238] In one example, the link identifier information includes the link ID of the first link 601 and the link ID of the second link 602. For example, assume that 2 bits are used to carry the link ID, the link ID of the first link 601 is "00", the link ID of the second link 602 is "01", and the link ID of the third link 603 is "10". In this case, the link identifier information may include "00" and "01" indicating that the management frame is applied to the first link 601 and the second link 602.

[0239] In another example, the link identifier information may include a link ID bitmap. The bits corresponding to the first link 601 and the second link 602 in the link ID bitmap are set to 1, and the other bits are set to 0. In this embodiment, the amount of bits included in the link ID bitmap may be equal to (or greater than) the amount of all links, or may be set to 8 or 16, and the sequence of bits included in the link ID bitmap may have a correspondence with all links. For example, assume that the bits included in the link ID bitmap correspond to the first link 601, the second link 602, and the third link 603 in sequence from the most significant bit to the least significant bit. In this case, the link identifier information may include "110" indicating that the management frame is applied to the first link 601 and the second link 602. In this way, fewer bits can clearly indicate the links to which the management frame is applied.

[0240] For example, the management frame may include at least one element, and the link identifier information may be carried in an element of the management frame (e.g., the first element). In other words, the first element of the management frame carries the link identifier information to indicate to the second multi-link device to apply the first element to one or more links indicated by the link identifier information.

[0241] For example, the management frame may include at least one element, and the second element of the management frame is applied to all links. In this case, the second element can carry the link identifier information, and the link identifier information indicates all links. For example, the bits corresponding to all associated links are set to a preset value or a first value based on the link identifier bitmap to indicate that the second element is applied to all corresponding links.

[0242] In this embodiment, when the link identifier information carried in the first element indicates a link, it can be understood that the second multi-link device applies the first element to the link. When the link identifier information carried in the first element indicates a plurality of links (e.g., two links or all links), the second multi-link device applies the first element to the plurality of links.

[0243] The link identifier information includes at least one of one or more link identifiers or a link identifier bitmap.

[0244] In some other embodiments of the present disclosure, the address indication information is a second value (e.g., 0), and the first address is the MAC address of the AP to which it belongs. Specifically, the first address may be the BSSID of the AP to which it belongs, and the management frame may be applied by the second multi-link device to the link on which the AP to which it belongs operates.

[0245] As described above, the address indication information is the second value, and it may further indicate that the management frame is a link-level management frame. The link-level management frame is specific to a particular link and may be applied to the particular link, or the link-level management frame is link-specific and may be applied to the link.

[0246] The link-level management frame is specific to a particular link and can be applied to the particular link.

[0247] In one example, the management frame may not carry link identifier information to indicate that the management frame is applied to the link on which the AP indicated by the first address operates.

[0248] In another example, the management frame can carry link identifier information of the link to which the management frame is applied to indicate that the management frame is applied to at least one link. In other words, in this embodiment, the link indication information further includes link identifier information. For example, the link identifier information may be a link identifier (link ID) or a link identifier bitmap (link ID bitmap). Referring to FIG. 6, the management frame is applied to the first link 601 and the second link 602.

[0249] In one example, the link identifier information includes the link ID of the first link 601 and the link ID of the second link 602. For example, assume that 2 bits are used to carry the link ID, the link ID of the first link 601 is "00", the link ID of the second link 602 is "01", and the link ID of the third link 603 is "10". In this case, the link identifier information may include "00" and "01" indicating that the management frame is applied to the first link 601 and the second link 602. The link ID may alternatively occupy another amount of bits, for example, 4 bits.

[0250] In another example, the link identifier information may include a link identifier bitmap. Bits corresponding to the first link 601 and the second link 602 in the link identifier bitmap are set to 1, and other bits are set to 0. In this embodiment, the amount of bits included in the link identifier bitmap may be equal to (or greater than) the amount of all links, or may be set to 8 or 16, and the sequence of bits included in the link identifier bitmap may have a correspondence with all links. For example, it is assumed that the bits included in the link identifier bitmap correspond to the first link 601, the second link 602, and the third link 603 in order from the most significant bit to the least significant bit. In this case, the link identifier information may include "110" indicating that the management frame is applied to the first link 601 and the second link 602. In this way, fewer bits can clearly indicate the links to which the management frame is applied.

[0251] Optionally, the link indicated by the link identifier information includes the link identifier corresponding to the AP for transmitting the management frame, or the bit corresponding to the link identifier bitmap is set to 1.

[0252] For example, the management frame may include at least one element, and the link identifier information may be carried in an element of the management frame (e.g., the first element). In other words, the first element of the management frame carries the link identifier information to indicate to the second multi-link device to apply the first element to one or more links indicated by the link identifier information.

[0253] For example, the management frame may include at least one element, and the second element of the management frame is applied to all links. In this case, the second element can carry link identifier information, and the link identifier information indicates all links. For example, the bits corresponding to all associated links are set to a preset value or a first value based on a link identifier bitmap to indicate that the second element is applied to all corresponding links.

[0254] In this embodiment, when the link identifier information carried by the first element indicates a link, it can be understood that the second multi-link device applies the first element to the link. When the link identifier information carried by the first element indicates a plurality of links (for example, two links or all links), the second multi-link device applies the first element to the plurality of links.

[0255] The link-level management frame is specific to a link and can be applied to the link. In this case, the management frame does not carry link identifier information.

[0256] Referring to FIG. 6, when the management is a link-level management frame and is applied to the second link 602, the first address is the BSSID of the AP to which it belongs (that is, AP 2).

[0257] In one example, when downlink transmission is performed on the second link 602 and the management frame is applied to the second link 602, address 1 carries the MAC address of non-AP STA 2, address 2 carries the MAC address of AP 2, and address 3 carries the BSSID of AP 2. In another example, when downlink transmission is performed on the first link 601 and the management frame is applied to the second link 602, address 1 carries the MAC address of non-AP STA 1, address 2 carries the MAC address of AP 1, and address 3 carries the BSSID of AP 2. The management frame does not need to carry link information further. This can avoid repeated signaling instructions and reduce signaling overhead.

[0258] In step 420 of process 400, the first multi-link device 401 transmits a management frame to the second multi-link device 402.

[0259] The transmitting step may be performed in a unicast manner or a broadcast manner. This is not limited in the present disclosure.

[0260] Specifically, the first multi-link device 401 may transmit the management frame to the second multi-link device 402 over the link between address 1 and address 2 of the management frame.

[0261] In some examples, as shown in FIG. 6, address 1 of the management frame carries the MAC address of non-AP STA 1, and address 2 of the management frame carries the MAC address of AP 1. In this case, the AP MLD 610 can transmit the management frame to non-AP STA 1 in the non-AP MLD 620 by using AP 1 on the first link 601 as shown by the dashed line 630 in FIG. 6.

[0262] In some other examples, as shown in FIG. 6, the address 1 of the management frame carries the MAC address of the non-AP STA 2, and the address 2 of the management frame carries the MAC address of the AP 2. In this case, the AP MLD 610 can send a management frame to the non-AP STA 2 in the non-AP MLD 620 by using the AP 2 on the second link 602, as indicated by the dashed line 640 in FIG. 6.

[0263] In step 430 of process 400, the second multi-link device 402 applies the received management frame to one or more of the indicated links.

[0264] As described above, the link indication information of the management frame includes the first address. The first address includes address indication information. In other words, the address indication information is arranged in the first address. Alternatively, the link indication information of the management frame includes the first address and the address indication information.

[0265] In some embodiments, if the address indication information is a first value (e.g., 1), the second multi-link device 402 can determine that the first address is the MAC address of the AP MLD. Optionally, it may be further determined that the management frame is an MLD level management frame.

[0266] When the first address includes the address indication information, the second multi-link device 402 can obtain the information carried in the address 3 field of the management frame, reset the I / G bit to 0, and read the first address in the address 3, that is, the MAC address of the AP MLD. Referring to the scenario in FIG. 6, the first address can be the MAC address of the AP MLD 610.

[0267] Furthermore, the second multi-link device 402 can determine whether the management frame carries link indication information.

[0268] When the management frame does not carry link identifier information, the second multi-link device 402 may apply the management frame to all the links (e.g., the first link 601, the second link 602, and the third link 603) that establish the association between the first multi-link device 401 and the second multi-link device 402. In one example, the management frame may be an Add Block ACK (ADDBA) request frame or a Block Add ACK frame.

[0269] When the management frame carries link identifier information, the second multi-link device 402 may apply the management frame to one or more links indicated by the link identifier information. For example, referring to FIG. 6, when the management frame includes the link identifier information of the first link 601 and the second link 602 (e.g., the link identifier information may include the link ID of the first link 601 and the link ID of the second link 602 by using two link ID fields, or the link identifier information may be indicated by setting two corresponding bits in the link identifier bitmap to a first value), the management frame may be applied to the first link 601 and the second link 602. In one example, the management frame may be a Target Wake Time (TWT) setup frame, and the TWT element in the TWT setup frame carries the link identifier information, and the link identifier information indicates one or more links to which it is applied.

[0270] For example, a management frame includes at least one element. When the first element carries link identifier information, the second multi-link device 402 may apply the first element to one or more links indicated by the link identifier information. When the second element does not carry link identifier information, the second multi-link device 402 may apply the second element to all links establishing an association between the first multi-link device 401 and the second multi-link device 402. Alternatively, in another implementation, when the second element does not carry link identifier information, the second multi-link device 402 may apply the second element only to the link on which the management frame is transmitted (i.e., the link on which the station indicated by the receiving side address or the station indicated by the transmitting side address operates).

[0271] In some other embodiments, when the address indication information is a second value (e.g., 0), the second multi-link device 402 can determine that the first address is the MAC address of the AP to which it belongs. Optionally, it may be further determined that the management frame is a link-level management frame. Also, the second multi-link device 402 can apply the management frame to the link on which the AP to which it belongs operates. In one example, the management frame may be a Notify Channel Width Frame Format frame.

[0272] The second multi-link device 402 can obtain the information of address 3 of the management frame and read the first address within address 3, i.e., the BSSID of the AP to which it belongs. Referring to the scenario in FIG. 6, it is assumed that the first address can be the BSSID of AP 2. In this case, the second multi-link device 402 can apply the management frame to the link associated with the first address (the BSSID of AP 2), i.e., the second link 602.

[0273] In this embodiment, it can be understood that the link to which the management frame is applied is determined based on the first address (i.e., the MAC address of the AP to which it belongs) and is independent of the link on which the management frame is actually transmitted.

[0274] For example, referring to FIG. 6, it is assumed that address 1 of the management frame carries the MAC address of non-AP STA 2, address 2 of the management frame carries the MAC address of AP 2, and address 3 carries the BSSID of AP 2. In this case, the first multi-link device 401 transmits a management frame to the second multi-link device 402 on the second link 602, and the second multi-link device 402 applies the management frame to the second link 602. In this embodiment, it can be known that the link on which the management frame is actually transmitted and the link to which the management frame is applied are the same, and both are the second link 602. In another example, it is assumed that address 1 of the management frame carries the MAC address of non-AP STA 1, address 2 of the management frame carries the MAC address of AP 1, and address 3 carries the BSSID of AP 2. In this case, the first multi-link device 401 transmits a management frame to the second multi-link device 402 on the first link 601, but the second multi-link device 402 applies the management frame to the second link 602. In other words, the second multi-link device 402 applies the management frame to a link (the second link 602) other than the link (the first link 601) on which the management frame is transmitted based on the first address. In this way, the link on which the management frame is transmitted and the link to which the management frame is applied may be the same or different, and as a result, cross-link transmission of the management frame is implemented and the multi-link function is fully utilized. Thereby, the communication efficiency is improved.

[0275] After receiving the management frame, it should be noted that the second multi-link device 402 can determine whether all the addresses in address 3 of the management frame are all 1s. If so, the second multi-link device 402 can determine that the wildcard BSSID is in address 3 and address 3 does not carry address indication information. Whether the first address is the MAC address of the AP MLD or the MAC address of the belonging AP is determined only when the addresses in address 3 are not all 1s.

[0276] In step 440 of process 400, the second multi-link device 402 sends a reply confirmation response frame of the management frame to the first multi-link device 401.

[0277] For example, referring to FIG. 6, the non-AP STA 1 of the non-AP MLD 620 can send a confirmation response frame to the AP 1 of the AP MLD 610 on the first link 601. In one example, the confirmation response frame may include an acknowledgment (ACK).

[0278] In the above example with reference to FIGS. 4 to 6, it is assumed that the first multi-link device 401 is an AP MLD and the second multi-link device 402 is a non-AP MLD. It can be understood that the first multi-link device 401 may be a non-AP MLD and the second multi-link device 402 may be an AP MLD. The corresponding description is the same and will not be elaborated here again.

[0279] According to the foregoing description with reference to FIGS. 4 to 6, in this embodiment of the present disclosure, the management frame can include link indication information for indicating the link to which the management frame is applied so that the second multi-link device can apply the management frame to the correct link. Thereby, processing errors are avoided. Further, the link indication information can include address indication information for indicating whether the first address is the MAC address of the AP MLD or the MAC address of the AP to which it belongs. This solution is applicable even if the MAC address of the MLD is the same as the MAC address of the station to which it belongs. This solution is more general and can reduce signaling overhead. In this embodiment of the present disclosure, the management frame may be transmitted across links, as a result, the multi-link function can be fully utilized and resources can be effectively used. Thereby, the resource utilization rate is improved and the communication efficiency is further improved.

[0280] This embodiment of the present disclosure provides a management frame mechanism for cross-link transmission. As a result, it can be known that the multi-link function can be used to fully utilize resources. Also, even if the MAC address of the MLD is the same as the MAC address of the station to which it belongs, no processing abnormality occurs when the type of the management frame cannot be determined. In another aspect, the cross-link transmission mechanism enables the MLD MAC address of the MLD to be the same as the MAC address of one of the stations to which it belongs. This reduces the overhead for the amount of MAC addresses and reduces the chip cost. Specifically, in this embodiment of the present disclosure, the address indication information indicates a first address. This can reduce the signaling overhead and ensure normal processing. In addition, the link-level management frame indicates the link to which the management frame is applied based on at least the first address. This avoids the management frame being applied to the wrong link due to cross-link transmission. The management frame at the MLD level can indicate several links to which the management frame is applied based on additional link information. This expands the application range and guarantees the communication performance.

[0281] In another embodiment, address 3 of the management frame always carries the MAC address of the AP. In other words, address 3 in any management frame carries the MAC address of the AP and cannot carry the MAC address of the AP MLD. The MAC address of the AP may be the MAC address of the AP to which it belongs, or may be the MAC address of a single-link AP. The address indication information can indicate the type of the management frame. Specifically, the address indication information is a first value indicating that the management frame is a management frame at the MLD level, and the address indication information is a second value indicating that the management frame is a management frame at the link level. The first value is different from the second value. For example, the first value is 1 and the second value is 0. In another example, the first value is 0 and the second value is 1.

[0282] Also, the MAC address of the AP is either the MAC address of the AP that transmits the management frame or the MAC address of another AP other than the MAC address of the AP that transmits the management frame within the same AP MLD.

[0283] The MAC address of the AP is the MAC address of the AP that transmits the management frame. The link identifier information carried in the management frame is consistent with the aforementioned description "The link-level management frame is specific to a particular link and may be applied to a particular link." Details are not described again here.

[0284] The MAC address of the AP is the MAC address of another AP other than the MAC address of the AP that transmits the management frame in the same AP MLD. The link identifier information carried in the management frame is consistent with the aforementioned description "The link-level management frame is specific to a particular link and may be applied to a particular link." Details are not described again here. FIG. 7 is another signaling interaction diagram of a data transmission process 700 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Process 700 includes a first multi-link device 701 and a second multi-link device 702. The first multi-link device 701 can be an AP MLD or a non-AP MLD. Correspondingly, the second multi-link device 702 can be a non-AP MLD or an AP MLD.

[0285] For ease of explanation, in the following description, it is assumed that the first multi-link device 701 is the AP MLD 610 shown in FIG. 6, and the second multi-link device 702 can be assumed to be the non-AP MLD 620 shown in FIG. 6. It can be understood that the communication process shown in FIG. 7 is only an example and not a limitation. In this embodiment of the present disclosure, interaction signaling not shown in FIG. 7 may be included, or some of the signaling shown in FIG. 7 may be omitted.

[0286] In step 710 of process 700, the first multi-link device 701 may first generate a management frame. The management frame may be a robust management frame, or may be referred to as a protected management frame or an encrypted management frame, and may have the format shown in FIG. 8.

[0287] FIG. 8 is another schematic diagram of a management frame format 800 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The format 800 includes a Frame Control 801, a Duration 802, an Address 1 803, an Address 2 804, an Address 3 805, a Sequence Control 806, an Address 4 807, a Counter mode Cipher-Block Chaining Message Authentication Code (CBC-MAC) Protocol, CCMP) header or a Galois / Counter Mode Protocol (GCMP) header 808, a Frame Body 809, a Message Integrity Check (MIC) 812, and a Frame Check Sequence (FCS) 810. The frame body 809 can include an MMPDU. Additionally or optionally, the format 800 may further include a High Throughput Control (HT Control) 811.

[0288] For example, frame control 801 may include a plurality of subfields, such as Protocol Version, Type, Subtype, From Distributed System (From DS), To DS, Retry, Power Management, and More Data. For example, frame type "00" indicates a management frame.

[0289] For example, duration 802 may indicate the transmission opportunity duration. Address 1 803, Address 2 804, Address 3 805, and Address 4 807 may be collectively referred to as the address fields. Frame body 509 can carry specific information. FCS 810 can be used for error detection. For example, FCS 810 may include a 32-bit Cyclic Redundancy Check (CRC). HT control 811 can include Aggregated Control (A-Control) and can further include a control list and padding.

[0290] It can be understood that for elements having the same reference numbers in FIG. 8, reference is made to the foregoing description of the similar elements in FIG. 5. Details are not described again here.

[0291] A management frame may include a receiving-side address, a transmitting-side address, and link indication information. The link indication information can indicate at least one link to which the management frame is applied.

[0292] In some examples, the link indication information may include a first address and address indication information. In some other examples, the link indication information may include a first address, and the first address includes the address indication information. In other words, the address indication information is arranged at the first address. The address indication information indicates whether the first address is the MAC address of the AP MLD or the MAC address of the AP to which it belongs. Specifically, the address indication information is a first value indicating that the first address is the MAC address of the AP MLD, and the address indication information is a second value indicating that the first address is the MAC address of the AP to which it belongs.

[0293] When the address indication information is the first value and the first address is the MAC address of the AP MLD, the link indication information may further include link identifier information. For example, the link identifier information is carried in an element of the management frame. Alternatively, the management frame may not carry the link identifier information.

[0294] Specifically, for specific embodiments of the receiving address, the transmitting address, and the link indication information, refer to the foregoing description with reference to FIG. 4. For the sake of brevity, the details are not described again here.

[0295] In one implementation, the MIC 812 of the management frame in format 800 shown in FIG. 8 may be generated based on additional authentication data (AAD) constructed by the first multi-link device 701. The process of constructing and / or parsing the AAD provided in this embodiment of the present disclosure, as well as the corresponding process of generating and / or parsing the MIC, may be implemented separately or combined with the process of generating and transmitting the management frame provided in the foregoing embodiments. A It should be understood that the process of constructing and / or parsing the AAD, as well as the corresponding process of generating and / or parsing the MIC, may be implemented separately or combined with the process of generating and transmitting the management frame provided in the foregoing embodiments.

[0296] FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram of a format 900 of AAD according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The format 900 includes Frame Control 901, Address 1 902, Address 2 903, Address 3 904, Sequence Control 905, and Address 4 906.

[0297] For example, Frame Control 901 may be generated based on a part of Frame Control 801. For example, a part of Frame Control 801 (e.g., subtype, retransmission, and further data) may be excluded, and then Frame Control 901 is generated. That is, the excluded part is masked with 0. For example, Sequence Control 905 may match Sequence Control 806, and Address 4 906 may match Address 4 807. In one implementation, for a specific method for constructing Frame Control 901, Address 1 902, Sequence Control 905, and Address 4 906 of AAD, refer to the existing protocol 802.11-2021.

[0298] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the address carried by Address 1 902 is the same as the address carried by Address 1 803, the address carried by Address 2 903 is the same as the address carried by Address 2 804, and the address carried by Address 3 904 is the same as the address carried by Address 3 805.

[0299] Specifically, address 1 902 within format 900 can carry the receiving-side address of the management frame, address 2 903 can carry the transmitting-side address of the management frame, and address 3 904 can carry a second address. It can be understood that the management frame in this specification may be a management frame corresponding to AAD or may be the management frame described in the foregoing embodiments. For example, when the management frame is transmitted from AP MLD to non-AP MLD, that is, when the transmission direction is downlink, address 1 902 may carry the MAC address of the non-AP STA, and address 2 903 may carry the MAC address of the AP. When the management frame is transmitted from non-AP MLD to AP MLD, that is, when the transmission direction is uplink, address 1 902 can carry the MAC address of the AP, and address 2 903 can carry the MAC address of the non-AP STA. In addition, regardless of whether it is uplink or downlink, address 3 904 carries a second address.

[0300] In addition, during air interface transmission, when address 1 803 and address 2 804 of the management frame carry the address of the corresponding link to which the management frame is transmitted, in this case, address 1 902 and address 2 903 of AAD can also carry the address of the corresponding link to which the management frame is transmitted, as shown in Table 2.

[0301]

Table 2

[0302] In some other embodiments of the present disclosure, address 1 902 and address 2 903 within format 900 carry the corresponding MAC addresses of the MLD and cannot be replaced with the corresponding link addresses even during air interface transmission. In other words, in this embodiment, during air interface transmission, the addresses carried within address 1 902 and the addresses carried within address 2 903 remain MAC addresses.

[0303] However, in this embodiment, the address carried by address 3 904 is the same as the address carried by address 3 805. In other words, the second address is the same as the first address.

[0304] Specifically, when the management frame is an MLD-level management frame, the first address is the MAC address of the AP MLD. When the AAD is constructed, the second address within address 3 904 of the AAD is also the MAC address of the AP MLD. When the management frame is a link-level management frame, the first address is the BSSID of the AP and can be the BSSID of the belonging AP or the BSSID of an AP not belonging to the AP MLD. When the AAD is constructed, the second address within address 3 904 of the AAD is also the BSSID of the AP and can be the BSSID of the belonging AP or the BSSID of an AP not belonging to the AP MLD. Correspondingly, address 1, address 2, and address 3 of the AAD can be as described in Table 3 below.

[0305]

Table 3

[0306] In this embodiment, since Address 1 and Address 2 of AAD are the corresponding MAC addresses of MLD, the corresponding management frame is permitted to be transmitted across the entire link, and it can be understood that re-encryption is not required even when the management frame is not transmitted on the target link. In this way, the multi-link function can be fully utilized, the flexibility of transmission is improved, and as a result, the link resources can be effectively utilized. Thereby, the communication efficiency is improved.

[0307] In the foregoing description of the management frame, the management frame includes link indication information, and the link indication information includes address indication information.

[0308] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the address indication information is carried in the Address 3 field of the management frame. In other words, the first address includes the address indication information.

[0309] In one example, the address in Address 3 904 of AAD can be the same as the address within Address 3 of the management frame. In other words, the second address of AAD also includes the address indication information.

[0310] In another example, the first address of the management frame is always set to the MAC address of the AP, and the second address is always set to the MAC address of the AP.

[0311] In another example, the address within address 3904 of the AAD is not necessarily the same as the address within address 3 of the management frame. In other words, the second address of the AAD does not contain address indication information. Specifically, when the address indication information is the first value (e.g., 1), when the AAD is constructed, the address indication information in the address 3 field of the management frame is reset to the default value (e.g., 0) and used as the second address within address 3904 of the AAD. When the address indication information is the second value (e.g., 0), when the AAD is constructed, the address indication information in the address 3 field of the management frame is kept at 0 and used as the second address within address 3904 of the AAD. In this case, it can be understood that the meaning of the first address can still be determined based on the address indication information in the management frame. Optionally, the type of the management frame is determined. Optionally, in this embodiment, although the second address does not contain address indication information, the AAD can carry the address indication information by using another position or bit. In other words, the AAD contains address indication information, and the address indication information is carried by the I / G bit of address 2 of the AAD, or carried by the From DS and To DS of the frame control of the AAD, etc.

[0312] In some other embodiments of the present disclosure, the address indication information is carried within the address 2 field of the management frame.

[0313] In one example, the address within address 3904 of the AAD is not necessarily the same as the address within address 3 of the management frame. In other words, the second address of the AAD contains address indication information. Specifically, when the address indication information in the address 2 field of the management frame is the first value (for example, 1), when the AAD is constructed, the address indication information in the address 3 field of the management frame is reset to 1 and used as the second address within address 3904 of the AAD. When the address indication information in the address 2 field of the management frame is the second value (for example, 0), when the AAD is constructed, the address indication information in the address 3 field of the management frame is maintained at 0 and used as the second address within address 3904 of the AAD. In other words, in this embodiment of the present disclosure, the I / G bit of the second address carried in the address 3 field of the AAD can be set to the value of the address indication information. The default value of the I / G bit of the second address can be 0. When the address indication information is the first value (1), the I / G bit of the second address is reset to 1. When the address indication information is the second value (0), the I / G bit of the second address remains 0.

[0314] In another example, the address within address 2 903 of the AAD may be the same as the address within address 2 of the management frame. In other words, the AAD also includes address indication information. In another example, the address within address 2 903 of the AAD is not necessarily the same as the address within address 2 of the management frame. In other words, the AAD does not include address indication information. Specifically, when the address indication information within address 2 of the management frame is a first value (e.g., 1), when the AAD is constructed, the address indication information within the address 2 field of the management frame is reset to a default value (e.g., 0) and used as the address within address 2 903 of the AAD. When the address indication information within address 2 of the management frame is a second value (e.g., 0), when the AAD is constructed, the address indication information within the address 2 field of the management frame is kept at 0 and used as the address within address 2 903 of the AAD. In this case, it can be understood that the meaning of the first address can still be determined based on the address indication information in address 2 of the management frame. Optionally, the type of the management frame is determined.

[0315] Also, the first multi-link device 701 can generate the MIC 812 using an encryption algorithm based on the constructed AAD and the frame body 809.

[0316] In step 720 of process 700, the first multi-link device 701 transmits the management frame to the second multi-link device 702. Specifically, the first multi-link device 701 can transmit the management frame to the second multi-link device 702 over the link between address 1 and address 2 of the management frame.

[0317] Regarding step 720 in FIG. 7, refer to the foregoing description of step 420 in FIG. 4. For the sake of brevity, the details are not described again here.

[0318] In step 730 of process 700, the second multi-link device 702 performs security verification on the received management frame.

[0319] In some embodiments, the second multi-link device 702 may construct an AAD based on the received management frame. Next, the second multi-link device 702 generates a second MIC based on the constructed AAD and the frame body of the management frame, and may perform security verification on the received management frame based on the MIC of the management frame (referred to as the first MIC) and the second MIC.

[0320] It should be understood that the process by which the second multi-link device 702 constructs an AAD to obtain the second MIC can be implemented independently. In other words, this process can be separated from the process by which the second multi-link device 702 receives the management frame. Alternatively, the process by which the second multi-link device 702 constructs an AAD to obtain the second MIC can be implemented in combination with the process by which the second multi-link device 702 receives the management frame and applies the management frame to at least one link.

[0321] The AAD constructed by the second multi-link device 702 may have a format similar to format 900 shown in FIG. 9. Specifically, the manner in which the second multi-link device constructs the AAD is similar to the manner in which the first multi-link device 701 constructs the AAD shown in FIG. 9. For details, refer to the foregoing description. For the sake of brevity, the details are not described again here.

[0322] After constructing the AAD, the second multi-link device 702 may generate a second MIC based on the constructed AAD and the frame body of the received management frame. Next, the second multi-link device 702 may compare the MIC (referred to as the first MIC) of the received management frame with the generated second MIC. If the two MIC fields are the same, it indicates that the management frame has not been tampered with, and subsequent processing may be executed. Conversely, if the two MIC fields are different, it indicates that the management frame has been tampered with.

[0323] In step 740 of process 700, the second multi-link device 702 applies the received management frame to the indicated one or more links.

[0324] Specifically, if security is verified in step 730, for example, if the first MIC matches the second MIC, step 740 is executed.

[0325] As described above, the link indication information of the management frame includes the first address. The first address includes address indication information. In other words, the address indication information is arranged at the first address. Alternatively, the link indication information of the management frame includes the first address and the address indication information.

[0326] In some embodiments, if the address indication information is a first value (e.g., 1), the second multi-link device 402 may determine that the first address is the MAC address of the AP MLD. Optionally, it may further be determined that the management frame is an MLD-level management frame.

[0327] When the first address contains address indication information, the second multi-link device 402 can obtain the information carried within the address 3 field of the management frame, reset the I / G bit to 0, and read the first address within address 3, i.e., the MAC address of the AP MLD. Referring to the scenario of FIG. 6, the first address can be the MAC address of the AP MLD 610.

[0328] Furthermore, the second multi-link device 402 can determine whether the management frame carries link indication information.

[0329] When the management frame does not carry link identifier information, the second multi-link device 402 can apply the management frame to all the links (e.g., the first link 601, the second link 602, and the third link 603) that establish the association between the first multi-link device 401 and the second multi-link device 402. In one example, the management frame can be an Add Block ACK (ADDBA) request frame or a Block Add ACK frame.

[0330] When the management frame carries link identifier information, the second multi-link device 402 can apply the management frame to one or more links indicated by the link identifier information. For example, referring to FIG. 6, when the management frame contains the link identifier information of the first link 601 and the second link 602, the management frame may be applied to the first link 601 and the second link 602. In one example, the management frame can be a Target Wake Time (TWT) setup frame, and the TWT element within the TWT setup frame carries the link identifier information, and the link identifier information indicates the one or more links to which it is applied.

[0331] For example, a management frame includes at least one element. When the first element carries link identifier information, the second multi-link device 402 may apply the first element to one or more links indicated by the link identifier information. When the second element does not carry link identifier information, the second multi-link device 402 may apply the second element to all links that establish an association between the first multi-link device 401 and the second multi-link device 402. In another implementation, when the second element does not carry link identifier information, the second multi-link device 402 may apply the second element to the link on which the element is transmitted.

[0332] In some other embodiments, when the address indication information is a second value (e.g., 0), the second multi-link device 402 can determine that the first address is the MAC address of the AP to which it belongs. Optionally, it may be further determined that the management frame is a link-level management frame. Also, the second multi-link device 402 can apply the management frame to the link on which the AP to which it belongs operates. In one example, the management frame can be a notify channel width frame format frame. The second multi-link device 402 can obtain the information of address 3 of the management frame and read the first address within address 3, i.e., the BSSID of the AP to which it belongs. Referring to the scenario of FIG. 6, it is assumed that the first address can be the BSSID of AP 2. In this case, the second multi-link device 402 can apply the management frame to the link associated with the first address (BSSID of AP 2), i.e., the second link 602.

[0333] In this embodiment, it can be understood that the link to which the management frame is applied is determined based on the first address (i.e., the MAC address of the AP to which it belongs) and is independent of the link on which the management frame is actually transmitted.

[0334] For example, referring to FIG. 6, it is assumed that the address 1 of the management frame carries the MAC address of non-AP STA 2, the address 2 of the management frame carries the MAC address of AP 2, and the address 3 carries the BSSID of AP 2. In this case, the first multi-link device 401 transmits a management frame to the second multi-link device 402 on the second link 602, and the second multi-link device 402 applies the management frame to the second link 602. In this embodiment, it can be known that the link on which the management frame is actually transmitted and the link to which the management frame is applied are the same, both being the second link 602. In another example, it is assumed that the address 1 of the management frame carries the MAC address of non-AP STA 1, the address 2 of the management frame carries the MAC address of AP 1, and the address 3 carries the BSSID of AP 2. In this case, the first multi-link device 401 transmits a management frame to the second multi-link device 402 on the first link 601, but the second multi-link device 402 applies the management frame to the second link 602. In other words, the second multi-link device 402 applies the management frame to a link (the second link 602) other than the link (the first link 601) on which the management frame is transmitted, based on the first address. In this way, the link on which the management frame is transmitted and the link to which the management frame is applied may be the same or different, and as a result, cross-link transmission of the management frame is realized and the multi-link function is fully utilized. Thereby, the communication efficiency is improved.

[0335] In step 750 of process 700, the second multi-link device 702 transmits a reply confirmation response frame of the management frame to the first multi-link device 701. When the receiving end of the management frame is a single-link station, the single-link station returns a confirmation response frame to the first multi-link device 701.

[0336] For example, referring to FIG. 6, non-AP STA 1 of non-AP MLD 620 can transmit a confirmation response frame to AP 1 of AP MLD 610 on the first link 601. In one example, the confirmation response frame may include an acknowledgment (ACK).

[0337] In the foregoing example, it is assumed that the first multi-link device 701 is an AP MLD and the second multi-link device 702 is a non-AP MLD. It can be understood that the first multi-link device 701 may be a non-AP MLD and the second multi-link device 702 may be an AP MLD. The corresponding description is the same and will not be described again here.

[0338] According to the foregoing description, in this embodiment of the present disclosure, the management frame can include link indication information for indicating the link to which the management frame is applied. As a result, the second multi-link device can apply the management frame to the correct link. This avoids processing errors. Further, the link indication information can include address indication information for indicating whether the first address is the MAC address of the AP MLD or the MAC address of the AP to which it belongs. This solution is applicable even if the MAC address of the MLD is the same as the MAC address of the station to which it belongs. This solution is more general and can reduce signaling overhead. In another aspect, the cross-link transmission mechanism allows the MLD MAC address of the MLD to be the same as the MAC address of one of the stations to which it belongs. This reduces the overhead on the amount of MAC addresses and reduces the chip cost. In this embodiment of the present disclosure, the management frame may be transmitted across links, so that the multi-link function is fully utilized and resources can be effectively used. This improves the resource utilization rate and further improves the communication efficiency.

[0339] FIG. 10 is a schematic flowchart of a data transmission method 1000 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The method 1000 can be executed by a first multi-link device. For example, the first multi-link device may be implemented as the AP MLD 610 in FIG. 6 or the non-AP MLD 620 in FIG. 6.

[0340] The method 1000 starts at block 1010. In step 1010, the first multi-link device generates a management frame. The management frame includes a receiving side address, a transmitting side address, and link indication information. The link indication information indicates that the management frame is applied to at least one link corresponding to the link indication information.

[0341] For example, the management frame may have the format 500 shown in FIG. 5, or may have the format 800 shown in FIG. 8 under protection. The link indication information may include a first address. The first address is carried in the address 3 field of the management frame. In addition, the receiving side address may be carried in the address 1 field of the management frame. The transmitting side address is carried in the address 2 field of the management frame.

[0342] In some examples, the first address may include address indication information. For example, the address indication information is carried by the I / G bit of the MAC address within the address 3 field of the management frame.

[0343] In some other examples, the link indication information may include the first address and address indication information. For example, the address indication information is carried by the I / G bit of the MAC address within the address 2 field of the management frame or at another position.

[0344] In this embodiment of the present disclosure, the address indication information can indicate whether the first address is the MLD MAC address of the AP MLD or the MAC address of the AP belonging to the AP MLD. Specifically, when the address indication information is the first value (for example, 1), it indicates that the first address is the MLD MAC address of the AP MLD. When the address indication information is the second value (for example, 0), it indicates that the first address is the MAC address of the AP belonging to the AP MLD, and may be, for example, the BSSID of the AP belonging to the AP MLD.

[0345] In some cases, the address indication information is the first value, and the first address is the MLD MAC address of the AP MLD. The link indication information may further include link identifier information or may not include any link identifier information at all.

[0346] Specifically, the link indication information includes link identifier information indicating the link to which the management frame is applied. The link indication information does not include link identifier information and indicates that the management frame is applied to all links for establishing an association between the first multi-link device and the second multi-link device.

[0347] In this embodiment of the present disclosure, "applied to a link" may be understood as being targeted at a link or applied to the stations at both ends of the link, and will be collectively described as being applied to a link in the following description.

[0348] In one example, the management frame includes at least one element. The link identifier information may be carried in the first element of the management frame, indicating that the first element is applied to one or more links indicated by the link identifier information.

[0349] In another example, the management frame includes at least one element. The second element of the management frame does not carry any link identifier information and indicates that the second element is applicable to all links that establish an association between the first multi-link device and the second multi-link device.

[0350] For example, the link identifier information may be at least one of one or more link IDs or a link ID bitmap.

[0351] In another case, the address indication information is a second value, and the first address is the MAC address of the AP belonging to the AP MLD. In this case, the management frame is applicable to the link on which the belonging AP operates.

[0352] In some embodiments, when the protected management frame shown in FIG. 8 is generated, when the management frame is generated, an AAD may be further constructed, and the AAD includes a second address. The MIC is generated based on the constructed AAD. Then, the management frame is generated based on the MIC.

[0353] The constructed AAD can have the format 900 shown in FIG. 9. The second address may be carried within the address 3 field of the AAD.

[0354] In one example, when the AAD is constructed, the second address of the AAD may match the first address of the management frame. Specifically, when the first address is the MLD MAC address of the AP MLD, the second address is also the MLD MAC address of the AP MLD. When the first address is the MAC address of the AP belonging to the AP MLD, the second address is also the MAC address of the AP belonging to the AP MLD. When the first address is the MAC address of a single-link AP or the MAC address of an AP that does not belong to any AP MLD, the second address is also the MAC address of an AP that does not belong to any AP MLD.

[0355] In this embodiment, when the first address includes address indication information, correspondingly, the second address also includes address indication information. When the first address does not include address indication information, correspondingly, the second address also does not include address indication information. In other words, the address 3 of the AAD matches the address 3 field of the management frame in air interface transmission.

[0356] In another example, when the first address includes address indication information, when the AAD is constructed, the address indication information in the first address is reset to a default value (for example, 0), and then can be used as the second address of the AAD.

[0357] In this embodiment, the first address includes address indication information, but the second address does not include address indication information.

[0358] In yet another example, the AAD may include address indication information carried in the I / G bit of address 2 or address 3 of the AAD. Similar to the foregoing embodiments where the management frame includes address indication information, details are not described again here.

[0359] In this way, the first multi-link device can construct the AAD and further generate the MIC based on this. Specifically, the management frame generated in step 1010 includes the MIC.

[0360] It can be understood that the specific purpose of the management frame is not limited in this embodiment of the present disclosure. For example, the management frame may be any one of a block addition confirmation response request frame, a block addition confirmation response frame, a channel width notification frame format frame, a target wake-up time setup frame, a channel switching request frame, and a transmit power control (TPC) request frame.

[0361] Regarding step 1010, refer to the related descriptions in step 410 of FIG. 4 and step 710 of FIG. 7. For the sake of brevity, the details will not be described again here.

[0362] In step 1020, the first multi-link device transmits a management frame in the link where the station indicated by the receiving-side address or the station indicated by the transmitting-side address operates. For example, the management frame may be transmitted to the second multi-link device, or the management frame may be transmitted to a single-link station.

[0363] Regarding step 1020, refer to the related descriptions in step 420 of FIG. 4 and step 720 of FIG. 7. For the sake of brevity, the details will not be described again here.

[0364] Optionally, after step 1020, the first multi-link device may further receive a response to the management frame, such as an acknowledgment response frame, from the second multi-link device or a single-link station.

[0365] In this way, in this embodiment of the present disclosure, the management frame can include link indication information for indicating the link to which the management frame is applied. As a result, when the receiving-end device is the second multi-link device, the second multi-link device can apply the management frame to the correct link. This avoids processing errors.

[0366] The link indication information may include address indication information for indicating whether the first address is the MLD MAC address of the AP MLD or the MAC address of the AP. In one implementation, the MAC address of the AP is the MAC address of the AP belonging to the AP MLD. This solution is applicable even if the MAC address of the MLD is the same as the MAC address of the associated station. This solution is more general and can reduce signaling overhead. In this embodiment of the present disclosure, the management frame may be transmitted across the link, so that the multi-link function can be fully utilized to effectively use resources. This improves the resource utilization rate and further improves the communication efficiency. In another implementation, the MAC address of the AP is the MAC address of the single-link AP or the MAC address of the AP not belonging to the AP MLD.

[0367] FIG. 11 is another schematic flowchart of a data transmission method 1100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The method 1100 may be executed by a second multi-link device. For example, the second multi-link device may be implemented as the AP MLD 610 in FIG. 6 or the non-AP MLD 620 in FIG. 6.

[0368] The method 1100 starts at block 1110. In step 1110, the second multi-link device receives a management frame from the first multi-link device on the link where the station in the second multi-link device operates. The management frame includes a receiving-side address, a transmitting-side address, and link indication information. The receiving-side address is the address of the station in the second multi-link device. The link indication information indicates that the management frame is applicable to at least one link indicated by the link indication information.

[0369] For example, the management frame may have the format 500 shown in FIG. 5, or may have the format 800 shown in FIG. 8 under protection. The link indication information may include a first address. The first address is carried in the address 3 field of the management frame. In addition, the receiving side address may be carried in the address 1 field of the management frame. The transmitting side address is carried in the address 2 field of the management frame.

[0370] In some examples, the first address may include address indication information. For example, the address indication information is carried by the I / G bit of the MAC address within the address 3 field of the management frame.

[0371] In some other examples, the link indication information may include the first address and the address indication information. For example, the address indication information is carried by the I / G bit of the MAC address within the address 2 field of the management frame or at another position.

[0372] In the present embodiment of the present disclosure, the address indication information can indicate whether the first address is the MLD MAC address of the AP MLD, the MAC address of the AP within the AP MLD, specifically, the MAC address of the AP belonging to the AP MLD. Specifically, when the address indication information is a first value (for example, 1), it indicates that the first address is the MLD MAC address of the AP MLD. When the address indication information is a second value (for example, 0), it indicates that the first address is the MAC address of the AP belonging to the AP MLD, and may be, for example, the BSSID of the AP belonging to the AP MLD.

[0373] In some cases, the address indication information is the first value, and the first address is not all 1s, but the first address is the MLD MAC address of the AP MLD. The link indication information may further include link identifier information or may not include any link identifier information at all.

[0374] Specifically, the link indication information includes link identifier information indicating the link to which the management frame is applied. The link indication information does not include link identifier information and indicates that the management frame is applied to all links for establishing an association between the first multi-link device and the second multi-link device.

[0375] In one example, the management frame includes at least one element. The first element of the management frame conveys link identifier information. In another example, the management frame includes at least one element. The second element of the management frame does not convey link identifier information.

[0376] For example, the link identifier information may be at least one of one or more link IDs or a link ID bitmap.

[0377] In another case, the address indication information is a second value, and the first address is the MAC address of the AP, specifically, the MAC address of the AP belonging to the AP MLD.

[0378] In some embodiments, when the protected management frame shown in FIG. 8 is received in step 1110, the management frame may further include a first MIC.

[0379] In one implementation, for the embodiments of the management frame, refer to the relevant descriptions in the foregoing embodiments. For the sake of brevity, the details are not described again here.

[0380] In step 1120, the second multi-link device applies the management frame to at least one corresponding link based on the link indication information.

[0381] In some embodiments, when the received management frame includes a first MIC, before step 1120, the second multi-link device further performs a security verification on the management frame. The second multi-link device is A AThe process described below of constructing D to obtain a second MIC and performing security verification may be implemented independently, or in combination with the aforementioned process of receiving a management frame and the aforementioned process of applying the management frame to at least one corresponding link in step 1120.

[0382] Specifically, the second multi-link device can construct an AAD based on the management frame, where the AAD includes a second address, generate a second MIC based on the AAD, and perform security verification on the management frame based on the first MIC and the second MIC.

[0383] In one example, when the AAD is constructed, the second address of the AAD may match the first address of the management frame. Specifically, if the first address is the MLD MAC address of the AP MLD, the second address is also the MLD MAC address of the AP MLD. If the first address is the MAC address of the AP belonging to the AP MLD, the second address is also the MAC address of the AP belonging to the AP MLD.

[0384] If the first address is the MAC address of a single-link AP or the MAC address of an AP that does not belong to any AP MLD, the second address is also the MAC address of a single-link AP or the MAC address of an AP that does not belong to any AP MLD.

[0385] In this embodiment, if the first address includes address indication information, correspondingly, the second address also includes address indication information. If the first address does not include address indication information, accordingly, the second address does not include address indication information either.

[0386] In another example, when the first address contains address indication information, when the AAD is constructed, the address indication information in the first address is reset to a default value (e.g., 0), and then can be used as the second address of the AAD.

[0387] In this embodiment, the first address contains address indication information, while the second address does not contain address indication information.

[0388] In this way, the second multi-link device can construct the AAD and further generate the second MIC based on this.

[0389] The second multi-link device can compare the generated second MIC with the first MIC in the received management frame to verify the security of the management frame. For example, if the first MIC is different from the second MIC, it indicates that the management frame has been tampered with. If the first MIC is the same as the second MIC, it indicates that the management frame has not been tampered with and can be further processed.

[0390] In some examples, when security is verified, that is, when it is determined that the management frame has not been tampered with, step 1120 is executed.

[0391] In some embodiments, when the address indication information is a first value (e.g., 1), the second multi-link device may determine that the first address is the MLD MAC address of the AP MLD. Optionally, it may further be determined that the management frame is an MLD-level management frame.

[0392] When the first address contains address indication information, the second multi-link device can obtain the information carried in the address 3 field of the management frame, reset the I / G bit to 0, and read the first address in address 3, that is, the MLD MAC address of the AP MLD.

[0393] Furthermore, the second multi-link device can determine whether the management frame carries link indication information.

[0394] When the management frame does not carry link identifier information, the second multi-link device may apply the management frame to all the links that establish the association between the first multi-link device and the second multi-link device. In one example, the management frame may be a block addition confirmation request frame or a block addition confirmation response frame.

[0395] When the management frame carries link identifier information, the second multi-link device may apply the management frame to one or more links indicated by the link identifier information. In one example, the management frame may be a TWT setup frame, and the TWT element in the TWT setup frame carries link identifier information, and the link identifier information indicates one or more links to which it is applied.

[0396] For example, the management frame includes at least one element. When the first element carries link identifier information, the second multi-link device may apply the first element to one or more links indicated by the link identifier information. When the second element does not carry link identifier information, the second multi-link device can apply the second element to all the links that establish the association between the first multi-link device and the second multi-link device.

[0397] In some other embodiments, when the address indication information is a second value (e.g., 0), the second multi-link device can determine that the first address is the MAC address of the AP belonging to the AP MLD, or the MAC address of the single-link AP, or the MAC address of the AP not belonging to any AP MLD. Optionally, it may be further determined that the management frame is a link-level management frame. Also, the second multi-link device can apply the management frame to the link where the AP belonging to the AP MLD operates, or apply the management frame to the link where the single-link AP or the AP not belonging to the AP MLD operates. In one example, the management frame can be a notification channel width frame format frame.

[0398] Regarding step 1120, refer to the related descriptions of step 430 in FIG. 4 and step 740 in FIG. 7. For the sake of brevity, the details are not described again here.

[0399] Optionally, after step 1120, the second multi-link device can further send a response to the management frame, for example, a reply confirmation response frame, to the first multi-link device.

[0400] Specifically, the second multi-link device can send a reply confirmation response frame on the link where the management frame is received. For example, the reply confirmation response frame may be sent on the link between the receiving address and the transmitting address of the management frame.

[0401] In this way, in this embodiment of the present disclosure, the management frame received by the second multi-link device includes link indication information for indicating the link to which the management frame is applied. In this way, even in a cross-link transmission scenario, the management frame can be applied to the correct link. This ensures correct processing and avoids communication errors.

[0402] The foregoing examples have described in detail that the address indication information is carried by the I / G bit of address 3 of the management frame, but it should be noted that the present disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, the address indication information may alternatively be carried by the I / G bit of address 2 of the management frame, or the address indication information may be carried by the From DS and To DS of the frame control of the management frame, or at another position or bit. Furthermore, those skilled in the art can similarly obtain specific implementation forms in which the address indication information is carried at another position or bit. All of these specific implementation forms fall within the protection scope of the present disclosure.

[0403] In the embodiments of the present disclosure, it should be understood that "first", "second", "third", etc. are only intended to indicate that multiple objects may be different, but two objects may be the same. "First", "second", "third", etc. should not be construed as limitations on the embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0404] It should be further understood that the methods, cases, categories, and divisions into embodiments in the embodiments of the present application are only intended to facilitate the description and should not constitute specific limitations. The features in the methods, categories, cases, and embodiments can be combined with each other if logical.

[0405] It should be further understood that the above content is not intended to limit the scope of the embodiments of the present application, but only to help those skilled in the art better understand the embodiments of the present application. Those skilled in the art can make various modifications, changes, combinations, etc. according to the foregoing content. The modified, changed, or combined solutions also fall within the scope of the embodiments of the present application.

[0406] As used throughout this specification, the phrase "one embodiment" or "an embodiment" further means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic associated with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the invention. Thus, the appearances of the phrase "in one embodiment" or "in an embodiment" in this specification do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment. Additionally, these particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. The sequence numbers of the foregoing processes do not mean the execution sequences in various embodiments of the invention. The execution order of the processes should be determined according to the functions and internal logics of the processes and should not be construed as any limitation to the implementation processes of the embodiments of the invention.

[0407] It should be further understood that the foregoing description focuses on highlighting the differences between embodiments, and for the same or similar content of the embodiments, reference may be made to each other. For the sake of simplicity, details are not further described herein.

[0408] FIG. 12 is another schematic block diagram of a communication device 1200 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The device 1200 may be implemented within a first multi-link device or as a chip or chip system within the first multi-link device. The scope of the present disclosure is not limited to this aspect.

[0409] As shown in FIG. 12, the device 1200 includes a generation unit 1210 and a transmission unit 1220. The generation unit 1210 may be configured to generate a management frame. The management frame includes a receiving-side address, a transmitting-side address, and link indication information. The link indication information indicates at least one link to which the management frame is applied. The transmission unit 1220 may be configured to transmit the management frame to a second multi-link device over a link between the receiving-side address and the transmitting-side address.

[0410] In some embodiments, the link indication information includes a first address. The first address includes address indication information. The address indication information indicates whether the first address is the MLD MAC address of the access point AP MLD or the MAC address of the AP. The MAC address of the AP is the MAC address of the AP belonging to the AP MLD, or the MAC address of the single-link AP, or the MAC address of the AP not belonging to any AP MLD.

[0411] In another understanding, the address indication information can indicate the type of management frame. Specifically, the address indication information is a first value indicating that the management frame is a management frame at the MLD level, and the address indication information is a second value indicating that the management frame is a management frame at the link level. The first value is different from the second value. For example, the first value is 1 and the second value is 0. In another example, the first value is 0 and the second value is 1.

[0412] In some embodiments, the address indication information is carried within the individual / group, I / G bit of the MAC address in the address 3 field of the management frame. In some other embodiments, the address indication information may be carried in the From DS and To DS of the frame control of the management frame.

[0413] In some embodiments, the link indication information includes the address indication information and the first address, and the address indication information indicates whether the first address is the MLD MAC address of the AP MLD or the MAC address of the AP. The MAC address of the AP is the MAC address of the AP belonging to the AP MLD, or the MAC address of the single-link AP, or the MAC address of the AP not belonging to any AP MLD.

[0414] In another implementation, the address indication information indicates whether the management frame is an MLD level management frame or a link level management frame.

[0415] In some embodiments, the address indication information is carried by the I / G bit of the MAC address in the address 2 field of the management frame.

[0416] In some embodiments, the address indication information is a first value, and the first address is not all ones, but rather the MLD MAC address of the AP MLD.

[0417] In some embodiments, the link indication information further includes link identifier information, and the link identifier information indicates that the management frame is applicable to one or more links.

[0418] In some embodiments, the link indication information further includes link identifier information, and the link identifier information is carried in the first element of the management frame, and the link identifier information indicates that the first element is applicable to one or more links.

[0419] In some embodiments, the second element of the management frame does not carry link identifier information, and the second element is applicable to all links that establish an association between the first multi-link device and the second multi-link device.

[0420] In some embodiments, the link identifier information includes at least one of a link identifier or a link identifier bitmap.

[0421] In some embodiments, the address indication information is a second value, and the first address is not all ones, but rather the MAC address of the AP. The MAC address of the AP is the MAC address of the AP belonging to the AP MLD, or the MAC address of a single-link AP, or the MAC address of an AP not belonging to any AP MLD. The management frame is applicable to the link on which the AP belonging to the AP MLD operates, or the link on which a single-link AP or an AP not belonging to the AP MLD operates.

[0422] In some embodiments, the generation unit 1210 constructs an AAD, the AAD includes a receiving address, a transmitting address, and a second address, generates a MIC based on the AAD, and is configured to generate a management frame based on the MIC.

[0423] In some embodiments, the second address is the same as the first address.

[0424] In some embodiments, when the first address includes address indication information, the address indication information within the first address is set to a default value and then used as the second address.

[0425] In some embodiments, the receiving address is carried within the address 1 field of the management frame, and the transmitting address is carried within the address 2 field of the management frame.

[0426] In some embodiments, the apparatus 1200 may further include a receiving unit 1230 configured to receive an acknowledgment response frame from a second multi-link device.

[0427] For example, the apparatus 1200 in FIG. 12 may be configured to implement the processes described with reference to the first multi-link device in FIGS. 4 to 9. For the sake of brevity, the details are not described again here.

[0428] FIG. 13 is another schematic block diagram of a communication apparatus 1300 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The apparatus 1300 may be implemented within a second multi-link device, or may be implemented as a chip or a chip system within the second multi-link device. The scope of the present disclosure is not limited to this aspect.

[0429] As shown in FIG. 13, the apparatus 1300 includes a receiving unit 1310 and a processing unit 1320. The receiving unit 1310 may be configured to receive a management frame from a first multi-link device in a link between a receiving-side address and a transmitting-side address. The management frame includes a receiving-side address, a transmitting-side address, and link indication information. The link indication information indicates at least one link to which the management frame is applied. The processing unit 1320 may be configured to apply the management frame to at least one corresponding link based on the link indication information.

[0430] In some embodiments, the link indication information includes a first address. In one implementation, the first address includes address indication information. The address indication information indicates whether the first address is the MLD MAC address of the AP MLD or the MAC address of an AP belonging to the AP MLD. In another implementation, the address indication information indicates whether the management frame is an MLD level management frame or a link level management frame.

[0431] In some embodiments, the address indication information is carried within the individual / group of the MAC address and the I / G bit in the address 3 field of the management frame. The processing unit 1320 is further configured to set the I / G bit in the address 3 field of the management frame to a default value in order to obtain the first address in the address 3 field of the management frame.

[0432] In some embodiments, the link indication information includes address indication information and a first address, and the address indication information indicates whether the first address is the MLD MAC address of the AP MLD or the MAC address of an AP. The MAC address of the AP is the MAC address of an AP belonging to the AP MLD, or the MAC address of a single-link AP, or the MAC address of an AP that does not belong to any AP MLD.

[0433] In another embodiment, the first address of the management frame is always set to the MAC address of the AP. The MAC address of the AP is the MAC address of the AP belonging to the AP MLD, or the MAC address of the single-link AP, or the MAC address of the AP not belonging to any AP MLD. In this case, the address indication information does not need to indicate which address the first address is. Optionally, the address indication information can indicate whether the management frame is an MLD-level management frame or a link-level management frame. In other words, the address indication information can indicate whether the management frame contains link indication information.

[0434] In some embodiments, the address indication information is carried by the I / G bit of the MAC address in the address 2 field of the management frame.

[0435] In some embodiments, the address indication information is a first value, and the first address is not all 1s, but the first address is the MLD MAC address of the AP MLD.

[0436] In some embodiments, the processing unit 1320 is configured to apply the management frame to all links establishing an association between the first multi-link device and the second multi-link device when the link indication information does not include link identifier information, or to apply the management frame to one or more links indicated by the link identifier information when the link indication information includes link identifier information.

[0437] In some embodiments, the processing unit 1320 is configured to apply the first element to one or more links indicated by the link identifier information when the link indication information further includes link identifier information and the link identifier information is carried in the first element of the management frame.

[0438] In some embodiments, when the second element of the management frame does not carry link identifier information, the processing unit 1320 is configured to apply the second element to all links that establish an association between the first multi-link device and the second multi-link device.

[0439] In some embodiments, the link identifier information includes at least one of a link identifier or a link identifier bitmap.

[0440] In some embodiments, the address indication information is a second value, and the first address is not all ones. Instead, the first address is the MAC address of the AP. The MAC address of the AP is the MAC address of the AP belonging to the AP MLD, or the MAC address of a single-link AP, or the MAC address of an AP not belonging to any AP MLD. Additionally, the processing unit 1320 is configured to apply the management frame to the link on which the belonging AP operates, or to the link on which a single-link AP or an AP not belonging to any AP MLD operates.

[0441] In some embodiments, the management frame further includes a first MIC. The processing unit 1320 is further configured to construct an AAD, where the AAD includes a receiving-side address, a transmitting-side address, and a second address, generate a second MIC based on the AAD, and perform security verification on the management frame based on the first MIC and the second MIC.

[0442] In some embodiments, the second address is the same as the first address. In some other embodiments, the first address of the management frame is always set to the MAC address of the AP, and the second address is always set to the MAC address of the AP.

[0443] In some embodiments, when the first address includes address indication information, the address indication information in the first address is set to a default value and then used as the second address.

[0444] In some embodiments, the management frame further includes a first address. All bits of the first address are 1. The processing unit 1320 is further configured by the second multi-link device to determine that the first address is a wildcard BSSID.

[0445] In some embodiments, the receiving-side address is carried within the address 1 field of the management frame, and the transmitting-side address is carried within the address 2 field of the management frame.

[0446] In some embodiments, the apparatus 1300 may further include a transmitting unit 1330 configured to transmit an acknowledgment response frame to the first multi-link device.

[0447] For example, the apparatus 1300 of FIG. 13 may be configured to implement the processes described with reference to the second multi-link device of FIGS. 4 to 9. For the sake of brevity, the details are not described again here.

[0448] FIG. 14 is yet another schematic block diagram of a communication apparatus 1400 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The apparatus 1400 may be implemented in a first multi-link device or a second multi-link device, or may be implemented as a chip or a chip system within the first multi-link device or the second multi-link device. The scope of the present disclosure is not limited to this aspect.

[0449] As shown in FIG. 14, the apparatus 1400 includes a construction unit 1410 and a generation unit 1420. The construction unit 1410 is configured to construct an AAD, which includes a receiving address, a transmitting address, and a second address, and the second address is the MLD MAC address of the AP MLD or the MAC address of the AP. The generation unit 1420 is configured to generate a MIC based on the A A D. The MAC address of the AP is the MAC address of the AP belonging to the AP MLD, or the MAC address of the single-link AP, or the MAC address of the AP not belonging to any AP MLD.

[0450] In some embodiments, the apparatus 1400 may further include a verification unit 1430 configured to perform security verification on the received management frame based on the generated MIC and the MIC in the received management frame.

[0451] In some embodiments, the receiving address is carried within the address 1 field of the AAD, the transmitting address is carried within the address 2 field of the AAD, and the second address is carried within the address 3 field of the AAD.

[0452] In some embodiments, the second address is determined based on a first address carried within the address 3 field of the management frame.

[0453] In some embodiments, the second address is the same as the first address. In some other embodiments, the first address of the management frame is always set to the MAC address of the AP, and the second address is always set to the MAC address of the AP.

[0454] In some embodiments, the first address includes address indication information, and the second address is obtained by masking the address indication information in the first address to 0.

[0455] In some embodiments, the first address does not include address indication information, and the second address is obtained by setting the I / G bit in the first address to the value of the address indication information. In this way, the second address can include address indication information indicating whether the second address is the MLD MAC address of the AP MLD or the MAC address of the AP. The MAC address of the AP is the MAC address of the AP belonging to the AP MLD, or the MAC address of the single-link AP, or the MAC address of the AP not belonging to any AP MLD.

[0456] In some embodiments, the first address includes address indication information, and the second address is obtained by masking the address indication information in the first address to 0. The AAD includes address indication information, and the address indication information is carried by the I / G bit in the address 2 field of the AAD. In this way, the transmission-side address may include address indication information indicating whether the second address is the MLD MAC address of the AP MLD or the MAC address of the AP. The MAC address of the AP is the MAC address of the AP belonging to the AP MLD, or the MAC address of the single-link AP, or the MAC address of the AP not belonging to any AP MLD.

[0457] In some embodiments, the transmission-side address is determined based on the address carried in the address 2 field of the management frame.

[0458] In some embodiments, the transmission-side address is the same as the address in the address 2 field of the management frame.

[0459] In some embodiments, the address in the address 2 field of the management frame includes address indication information, and the transmission-side address is obtained by masking the address indication information in the address in the address 2 field of the management frame to 0.

[0460] In some embodiments, the address in the address 2 field of the management frame does not include address indication information, and the transmission-side address is obtained by setting the address indication information within the address in the address 2 field of the management frame to the value of the address indication information. In this way, the transmission-side address may include address indication information indicating whether the second address is the MLD MAC address of the AP MLD or the MAC address of the AP. The MAC address of the AP is the MAC address of the AP belonging to the AP MLD, or the MAC address of the AP not belonging to any AP MLD.

[0461] In some embodiments, the address in the address 2 field of the management frame includes address indication information, and the transmission-side address is obtained by masking the address indication information within the address in the address 2 field of the management frame to 0. In addition, the AAD includes address indication information, and the address indication information is carried by the I / G bit in the address 3 field of the AAD.

[0462] Specifically, for the construction of the AAD by the construction unit 1410, refer to the foregoing description with reference to FIG. 9. For the sake of brevity, the details are not described again here.

[0463] It can be understood that the device 1400 may be implemented as a part of the foregoing device 1200. For example, the generation unit 1210 includes the construction unit 1410 and the generation unit 1420. The device 1400 may be implemented as a part of the foregoing device 1300. For example, the processing unit 1320 includes the construction unit 1410, the generation unit 1420, and the verification unit 1430. For the process that can be implemented by the device 1400, refer to the relevant description in the foregoing embodiments.

[0464] FIG. 15 is a simplified block diagram of an exemplary apparatus 1500 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Apparatus 1500 may be configured to implement the first multi-link device and the second multi-link device in the foregoing embodiments, and for example, may be configured to implement an AP MLD and a non-AP MLD. As shown in the figure, apparatus 1500 includes one or more processors 1510, one or more memories 1520 coupled to processor 1510, and a communication module 1540 coupled to processor 1510.

[0465] Communication module 1540 may be configured to perform bidirectional communication. Communication module 1540 may have at least one communication interface for communication. The communication interface may include any interface necessary for communicating with another device.

[0466] Processor 1510 can be of any type suitable for a local technology network and can include at least one of one or more of a general-purpose computer, a dedicated computer, a microcontroller, a digital signal processor (DSP), or a controller-based multi-core controller architecture, but is not limited thereto. Apparatus 1500 can have multiple processors, such as application-specific integrated circuit chips, that are temporally associated with a clock synchronized with the main processor.

[0467] Memory 1520 may include one or more non-volatile memories and one or more volatile memories. Examples of non-volatile memories include, but are not limited to, Read-Only Memory (ROM) 1524, Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory (EPROM), flash memory, hard disk, Compact Disc (CD), Digital Versatile Disc (DVD), or at least one of another magnetic storage device and / or optical storage device. Examples of volatile memories include, but are not limited to, Random Access Memory (RAM) 1522, or at least one of another volatile memory that does not persist during power-off duration.

[0468] Computer program 1530 includes computer-executable instructions to be executed by the associated processor 1510. Program 1530 may be stored in ROM 1524. Processor 1510 can execute any appropriate operations and processes by loading program 1530 into RAM 1522.

[0469] Embodiments of the present disclosure can be implemented with the aid of program 1530 such that device 1500 can execute any of the processes described with reference to FIGS. 4 to 11. Embodiments of the present disclosure can alternatively be implemented by using hardware or a combination of software and hardware.

[0470] In some embodiments, program 1530 may be tangibly embodied on a computer-readable medium. The computer-readable medium may be included within the device 1500 (e.g., within the memory 1520) or within another storage device accessible by the device 1500. Program 1530 may be loaded from the computer-readable medium into the RAM 1522 for execution. The computer-readable medium may include any type of tangible non-volatile memory such as ROM, EPROM, flash memory, hard disk, CD, or DVD.

[0471] In some embodiments, the communication module 1540 within the device 1500 may be implemented as a transmitter and receiver (or transceiver) and may be configured to transmit / receive system information such as management frames and acknowledgment frames. Additionally, the device 1500 may further include one or more of a scheduler, a controller, and a radio frequency / antenna. Details are not described again in this disclosure.

[0472] In another implementation, the radio frequency / antenna may be installed independently of the processor that executes baseband processing. For example, in a distributed scenario, the radio frequency / antenna may be installed separately and independently of the device 1500.

[0473] For example, the device 1500 of FIG. 15 may be implemented as a first multi-link device or a second multi-link device, or as a chip or chip system within the first multi-link device, or as a chip or chip system within the second multi-link device. This is not limited to this embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0474] For example, the device 1500 of FIG. 15 may be implemented as an AP MLD or a non-AP MLD, or as a chip or chip system within the AP MLD, or as a chip or chip system within the non-AP MLD. This is not limited to this embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0475] One embodiment of the present disclosure further provides a chip. The chip may include an input interface, an output interface, and a processing circuit. In this embodiment of the present disclosure, the input interface and the output interface can complete the aforementioned signaling or data interaction, and the processing circuit can complete the generation and processing of signaling or data information.

[0476] One embodiment of the present disclosure further provides a chip system including a processor configured to support a first multi-link device or a second multi-link device to implement the functions in any one of the foregoing embodiments. In a possible design, the chip system may further include a memory. The memory is configured to store necessary program instructions and data. When the processor executes the program instructions, the device in which the chip system is installed is enabled to execute the method in any one of the foregoing embodiments. The chip system may include a chip, or may include a chip and another discrete component.

[0477] One embodiment of the present disclosure further provides a processor configured to be coupled to a memory. The memory stores instructions. When the processor executes the instructions, the processor is enabled to execute the methods and functions related to the first multi-link device or the second multi-link device in any one of the foregoing embodiments.

[0478] One embodiment of the present disclosure further provides a computer program product including instructions. When the computer program product is executed on a computer, the computer is enabled to execute the methods and functions related to the first multi-link device or the second multi-link device in any one of the foregoing embodiments.

[0479] One embodiment of the present disclosure further provides a computer-readable storage medium. The computer-readable storage medium stores computer instructions. When the processor executes the instructions, the processor is enabled to execute the methods and functions related to the first multi-link device or the second multi-link device in any one of the foregoing embodiments.

[0480] One embodiment of the present disclosure further provides a wireless communication system. The system includes a first multi-link device and a second multi-link device. In some examples, the system may include an AP MLD and a non-AP MLD.

[0481] Generally, various embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented by hardware or dedicated circuits, software, logic, or any combination thereof. Some aspects may be implemented by hardware, and other aspects may be implemented by firmware or software and may be executed by a controller, a microprocessor, or another computing device. The aspects of the embodiments of the present disclosure are illustrated as block diagrams, flowcharts, or other figures, but it should be understood that the blocks, devices, systems, techniques, or methods described herein may be implemented, for example, as non-limiting examples, hardware, software, firmware, dedicated circuits, logic, general-purpose hardware, controllers, other computing devices, or combinations thereof.

[0482] The present disclosure further provides at least one computer program product tangibly stored in a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium. The computer program product includes computer-executable instructions, such as instructions included in program modules, that are executed on a device on a real or virtual target processor to perform the processes / methods as described above with reference to FIGS. 4 to 11. Generally, program modules include routines, programs, libraries, objects, classes, components, data structures, etc. that perform specific tasks or implement specific abstract data types. In various embodiments, the functions of the program modules can be combined or the functions of the program modules can be divided as needed. The machine-executable instructions for the program modules can be executed locally or within a distributed device. In a distributed device, the program modules may be arranged on a local storage medium and a remote storage medium.

[0483] The computer program code used to execute the methods disclosed in the present disclosure may be written in one or more programming languages. The computer program code may be provided to a processor of a general-purpose computer, a dedicated computer, or another programmable data processing apparatus, such that when the program code is executed by the computer or another programmable data processing apparatus, the functions / operations specified in the flowchart and / or block diagram are realized. The program code may be executed entirely on the computer, partially on the computer, as an independent software package, partially on the computer and partially on a remote computer, or entirely on a remote computer or server.

[0484] In the context of the present disclosure, computer program code or related data can be conveyed by any suitable medium such that a device, apparatus, or processor can execute the various processes and operations described above. Examples of the medium include signals, computer-readable media, and the like. Examples of signals can include electrical, optical, wireless, acoustic, or carrier waves and other forms of propagated signals such as infrared signals.

[0485] A computer-readable medium can be any tangible medium that is used for or in connection with an instruction execution system, apparatus, or device or that contains or stores a program for them. A computer-readable medium may be a computer-readable signal medium or a computer-readable storage medium. A computer-readable medium can include, but is not limited to, electronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared, or semiconductor systems, apparatus, or devices, or any suitable combination thereof. More detailed examples of computer-readable storage media include electrical connections with one or more wires, portable computer disks, hard disks, random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM or flash memory), optical storage devices, magnetic storage devices, or any suitable combination thereof.

[0486] In addition, although the operations of the methods disclosed in this disclosure are described in a specific order in the accompanying drawings, this does not require or imply that these operations must be performed in the specific order, or that all of the operations shown are necessary to achieve the desired result. Instead, the order of execution of the steps shown in the flowchart may be changed. Additionally or optionally, some steps may be omitted, multiple steps may be combined into one step for execution, and / or one step may be decomposed into multiple steps for execution. It should be further noted that the features and functions of two or more devices according to this disclosure may be specified in one device. Conversely, the features and functions of one device described above may be further divided among multiple devices for implementation.

[0487] The implementations of this disclosure have been described above. The foregoing description is by way of example, not exhaustive, and not limited to the disclosed implementations. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the described implementations. The selection of the terms used herein is intended to adequately explain the implementation principles, actual applications, or improvements in the technology in the market, or to enable another person skilled in the art to understand the implementations disclosed herein.

Description of Reference Numerals

[0488] 100 Wireless communication system 110 AP 120 non-AP STA 200 Connection scenario 210 AP MLD 212 First AP 2121 First AP physical layer 2122 First AP lower MAC layer 2124 Shared upper MAC layer 214 Second AP 2141 Second AP physical layer 2142 Second AP lower MAC layer 220 non-AP MLD 222 First non-AP STA 2221 First non-AP STA physical layer 2222 First non-AP STA lower MAC layer 2224 Shared upper MAC layer 224 Second non-AP STA 2241 Second non-AP STA physical layer 2242 Second non-AP STA lower MAC layer 230 First link 240 Second link 300 Format 301 Element ID field 302 Length field 303 Element ID extension field 304 Multi-link control field 305 MLD MAC address field 306 Field k such as capability field 307 Profile x field per STA 308 Profile y field per STA 310 MLD common information part 314 Type 317 Sub-element ID 320 Sub-element 324 Existence of MLD MAC address 327 Length 334 Reserved 337 Content 3371 Control field per STA 33711 Link ID 33712 Existence of STA MAC address 3372 STA information field 3373 STA configuration field 33731 Element 1 33732 Element Y 33733 Non-inherited element 400 Data transmission process 401 First multi-link device 402 Second Multi-Link Device 500 Format 501 Frame Control 502 Duration 503 Address 1 504 Address 2 505 Address 3 506 Sequence Control 507 Address 4 509 Frame Body 510 Frame Check Sequence 511 High Throughput Control 600 Scenario 601 First Link 602 Second Link 603 Third Link 610 AP MLD 620 non-AP MLD 630 Dashed Line 640 Dashed Line 700 Data Transmission Process 701 First Multi-Link Device 702 Second Multi-Link Device 800 Format 801 Frame Control 802 Duration 803 Address 1 804 Address 2 805 Address 3 806 Sequence Control 807 Address 4 808 Counter Mode Cipher Block Chaining Message Authentication Code Protocol Header or Galois / Counter Mode Protocol Header 809 Frame Body 810 Frame Check Sequence 811 High Throughput Control 812 Message Integrity Check 900 Format 901 Frame Control 902 Address 1 903 Address 2 904 Address 3 905 Sequence Control 906 Address 4 1000 Data Transmission Method 1100 Data Transmission Method 1200 Communication Device 1210 Generation Unit 1220 Transmission Unit 1230 Reception Unit 1300 Communication Device 1310 Reception Unit 1320 Processing Unit 1330 Transmission Unit 1400 Communication Device 1410 Construction Unit 1420 Generation Unit 1430 Verification Unit 1500 Device 1510 Processor 1520 Memory 1522 Random Access Memory 1530 Computer Program 1540 Communication Module

Claims

1. A method for transmitting a management frame, comprising: generating, by a first multi-link device, a management frame, wherein the management frame includes a receiving-side address, a transmitting-side address, a first address, and link indication information, the first address carrying a media access control (MAC) address of an access point (AP) that transmits the management frame, the AP belonging to an AP multi-link device (MLD), the link indication information including link identifier information, the link identifier information indicating that the management frame is applicable to one or more links, and the link identifier information including a link identifier bitmap; transmitting, by the first multi-link device, the management frame to a second multi-link device on a link on which a station indicated by the receiving-side address or a station indicated by the transmitting-side address operates, in a unicast manner; A method comprising the above.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the first address is carried in an address 3 field of the management frame.

3. For downlink transmission, the first address of the management frame carries a media access control (MAC) address of an access point (AP) that transmits the management frame; For uplink transmission, the first address of the management frame carries a MAC address of an AP that receives the management frame; The method according to claim 1, wherein the AP belongs to the AP multi-link device (MLD).

4. For downlink transmission, the address carried by the receiving-side address of the management frame is a MAC address of a non-access point station (non-AP STA) at the receiving end, and the address carried by the transmitting-side address of the management frame is a MAC address of an access point (AP) at the transmitting end, or For uplink transmission, the address carried by the receiving-side address of the management frame is a MAC address of an access point (AP) at the receiving end, and the address carried by the transmitting-side address of the management frame is a MAC address of a non-access point station (non-AP STA) at the transmitting end. The method according to claim 1, wherein the transmitting end is the first multi-link device, and the receiving end is the second multi-link device.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the link indication information further includes address indication information, and the address indication information indicates whether the management frame is an MLD-level management frame or a link-level management frame.

6. The method according to claim 1, wherein the link indication information further includes link identifier information, the link identifier information is carried in a first element of the management frame, and the link identifier information indicates that the first element is applied to one or more links.

7. The method according to claim 1, wherein a second element of the management frame does not carry link identifier information indicating that the second element is applied to all links establishing an association between the first multi-link device and the second multi-link device.

8. The step of generating the management frame includes the step of constructing additional authentication data (AAD), the AAD including address 1, address 2, and a second address, and the step of generating a message integrity check (MIC) based on the AAD, and the step of generating the management frame based on the MIC. The method according to claim 1.

9. The management frame includes a first address, the first address carrying a media access control (MAC) address of an access point (AP) that transmits the management frame, the AP belonging to an AP multi-link device (MLD), and the second address being the same as the first address. The method according to claim 8.

10. For downlink transmission, the second address carries a media access control (MAC) address of an access point (AP) that transmits the management frame, For uplink transmission, the second address carries the MAC address of the AP that receives the management frame, and The AP belongs to the AP MLD. The method according to claim 8.

11. For downlink transmission, the address carried by the address 1 is the MAC address of the non-access point station (non-AP STA) at the receiving end, and the address carried by the address 2 is the MAC address of the access point (AP) at the transmitting end. For uplink transmission, the address carried by the address 1 is the MAC address of the access point (AP) at the receiving end, and the address carried by the address 2 is the MAC address of the non-access point station (non-AP STA) at the transmitting end. The method according to claim 8, wherein the transmitting end is the first multi-link device and the receiving end is the second multi-link device.

12. For downlink transmission, the address carried by the address 1 is the MAC address of the non-access point multi-link device (non-AP MLD) at the receiving end, and the address carried by the address 2 is the MAC address of the access point multi-link device (AP MLD) at the transmitting end. For uplink transmission, the address carried by the address 1 is the MAC address of the access point multi-link device (AP MLD) at the receiving end, and the address carried by the address 2 is the MAC address of the non-access point multi-link device (non-AP MLD) at the transmitting end. The method according to claim 8, wherein the transmitting end is the first multi-link device and the receiving end is the second multi-link device.

13. A method for receiving a management frame, comprising: A step of receiving, by a second multi-link device, a management frame from a first multi-link device in a unicast manner in a link in which a station in the second multi-link device operates, where the management frame includes a receiving-side address, a transmitting-side address, a first address, and link indication information, the receiving-side address is an address of the station in the second multi-link device, the first address carries a media access control (MAC) address of an access point (AP) that transmits the management frame, the AP belongs to an AP multi-link device (MLD), the link indication information includes link identifier information, the link identifier information indicates that the management frame is applicable to one or more links, and the link identifier information includes a link identifier bitmap. A step of applying, by the second multi-link device, the management frame to at least one corresponding link based on the link indication information. A method including the above.

14. The method according to claim 13, wherein the first address is carried in the address 3 field of the management frame.

15. For downlink transmission, the first address of the management frame carries a media access control (MAC) address of an access point (AP) that transmits the management frame. For uplink transmission, the first address of the management frame carries a MAC address of an AP that receives the management frame. The method according to claim 13, wherein the AP belongs to the AP multi-link device (MLD).

16. For downlink transmission, the address carried by the receiving-side address of the management frame is a MAC address of a non-access point station (non-AP STA) at the receiving end, and the address carried by the transmitting-side address of the management frame is a MAC address of an access point (AP) at the transmitting end, or For uplink transmission, the address carried by the receiving-side address of the management frame is a MAC address of an access point (AP) at the receiving end, and the address carried by the transmitting-side address of the management frame is a MAC address of a non-access point station (non-AP STA) at the transmitting end. The method according to claim 13, wherein the transmitting end is the first multi-link device, and the receiving end is the second multi-link device.

17. The method according to claim 13, wherein the link indication information further includes address indication information, and the address indication information indicates whether the management frame is an MLD level management frame or a link level management frame.

18. The method according to claim 13, wherein the link indication information further includes link identifier information, the link identifier information is carried in a first element of the management frame, and the link identifier information indicates that the first element is applied to one or more links.

19. The method according to claim 16, wherein a second element of the management frame does not carry link identifier information indicating that the second element is applied to all links establishing an association between the first multi-link device and the second multi-link device.

20. The method further includes: constructing additional authentication data (AAD), where the AAD includes address 1, address 2, and a second address; generating a message integrity check (MIC) based on the AAD; performing a security verification on the management frame based on the MIC The method according to claim 13.

21. The method according to claim 20, wherein the management frame includes a first address, the first address carries a media access control (MAC) address of an access point (AP) that transmits the management frame, the AP belongs to an AP multi-link device (MLD), and the second address is the same as the first address.

22. For downlink transmission, the second address carries a media access control (MAC) address of an access point (AP) that transmits the management frame, For uplink transmission, the second address carries the MAC address of the AP that receives the management frame, The method according to claim 20, wherein the AP belongs to the AP MLD.

23. Regarding downlink transmission, the address carried by the address 1 is the MAC address of the non-access point station (non-AP STA) at the receiving end, and the address carried by the address 2 is the MAC address of the access point (AP) at the transmitting end. Regarding uplink transmission, the address carried by the address 1 is the MAC address of the access point (AP) at the receiving end, and the address carried by the address 2 is the MAC address of the non-access point station (non-AP STA) at the transmitting end. The method according to claim 20, wherein the transmitting end is the first multi-link device and the receiving end is the second multi-link device.

24. Regarding downlink transmission, the address carried by the address 1 is the MAC address of the non-access point multi-link device (non-AP MLD) at the receiving end, and the address carried by the address 2 is the MAC address of the access point multi-link device (AP MLD) at the transmitting end. Regarding uplink transmission, the address carried by the address 1 is the MAC address of the access point multi-link device (AP MLD) at the receiving end, and the address carried by the address 2 is the MAC address of the non-access point multi-link device (non-AP MLD) at the transmitting end. The method according to claim 20, wherein the transmitting end is the first multi-link device and the receiving end is the second multi-link device.

25. A first multi-link device configured to execute the method according to any one of claims 1 to 12.

26. A second multi-link device configured to execute the method according to any one of claims 13 to 24.

27. A computer-readable storage medium storing a computer program, wherein when the computer program is executed by a processor, the method according to any one of claims 1 to 12 is executed.

28. A chip including a processing circuit and a communication interface, wherein the processing circuit is configured to execute the method according to any one of claims 1 to 12. Claim 29. A computer-readable storage medium storing a computer program which, when executed by a processor, causes the method according to any one of claims 13 to 24 to be performed. Claim 30. A chip including a processing circuit and a communication interface, wherein the processing circuit is configured to perform the method according to any one of claims 13 to 24.

Images