Communication Method and Communication Device in Multi-Connection

Abstract

The present disclosure provides a communication method and a communication device in a multi-connection, the communication method including: determining a first message frame in a first connection, the first message frame including first information on a change in system information of an access point device corresponding to at least one of the multiple connections, the first message frame instructing a station in the at least one connection to receive a second message frame transmitted by the access point device to obtain the changed system information; and transmitting the first message frame. The technical solution provided by the exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure improves spectrum utilization efficiency.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to the field of communications, and more particularly, to a communication method and a communication device in multi-connection.

Background Art

[0002] The current scope of research in Wi-Fi technology is 320 MHz bandwidth transmission, multi-band aggregation and cooperation, etc., and it is expected to increase the speed and throughput by at least four times compared with existing standards. Its main application scenarios are video transmission, AR (Augmented Reality), VR (Virtual Reality), etc.

[0003] Multi-band aggregation and cooperation mean communicating between devices simultaneously in frequency bands of 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, and 6 - 7 GHz. To communicate between devices simultaneously in multiple bands, it is necessary to define and manage a new MAC (Media Access Control) mechanism. Also, it is expected that multi-band aggregation and cooperation can support low-latency transmission.

[0004] Currently, the maximum bandwidth supported by multi-band aggregation and system technology is 320 MHz (160 MHz + 160 MHz), and it may further support 240 MHz (160 MHz + 80 MHz) and other bandwidths.

[0005] In the current technology, a station (STA) and an access point (AP) may be multi-link devices (MLD), that is, they support the function of simultaneously transmitting and / or receiving in multi-connection at the same time. Therefore, in the current technology, there may be multiple connections between the STA and the AP, and the communication in the multi-connection of these two devices is being studied.

[0006] However, in the prior art, when the system information of the access point changes, only the change in a single connection can be identified, so the needs of the currently studied multi-connection as described above cannot be met. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] Each aspect of the present disclosure solves at least the above problems and / or drawbacks. Each embodiment of the present disclosure provides the following technical solutions.

[0008] An exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure provides a communication method in multi-connection. The communication method includes determining a first message frame on a first connection, where the first message frame includes first information regarding a change in system information of an access point device corresponding to at least one connection among the plurality of connections, and the first message frame instructs a station in the at least one connection to receive a second message frame transmitted by the access point device in order to obtain the changed system information, and transmitting the first message frame.

[0009] An exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure provides a communication method in multi-connection. The communication method includes receiving a first message frame on a first connection, where the first message frame includes first information regarding a change in system information of an access point device corresponding to at least one connection among the plurality of connections, determining a connection in which the system information has changed based on the first message frame, and receiving a second message frame transmitted by the access point device in order to obtain the changed system information.

[0010] Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure provide a communication device in multi-connection. The communication device includes a processing module configured to determine a first message frame on a first connection, where the first message frame includes first information regarding a change in system information of an access point device corresponding to at least one of the plurality of connections, and the first message frame instructs a station in the at least one connection to receive a second message frame transmitted by the access point device in order to obtain the changed system information; and a communication module configured to transmit the first message frame.

[0011] Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure provide a communication device in multi-connection. The communication device includes a communication module configured to receive a first message frame on a first connection, where the first message frame includes first information regarding a change in system information of an access point device corresponding to at least one of the plurality of connections, and a processing module configured to control the communication module to determine a connection with changed system information based on the first message frame and receive a second message frame transmitted by the access point device to obtain the changed system information.

[0012] Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure provide an electronic device. The electronic device includes a memory, a processor, and a computer program stored in the memory and executable by the processor. When the processor executes the computer program, the above method is implemented.

[0013] Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure provide a computer-readable storage medium. A computer program is stored in the computer-readable storage medium. When the computer program is executed by a processor, the above method is implemented.

Advantages of the Invention

[0014] The technical solutions provided by the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure can be applied to the changes in system information in multi-connection, improving the spectral utilization efficiency and throughput.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0015] By referring to the accompanying drawings and describing the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure in detail, the above and other features of the embodiments of the present disclosure will become more apparent.

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0016] In order to assist in a complete understanding of the various embodiments of the present disclosure defined by the appended claims and their equivalents, the following description is provided with reference to the accompanying drawings. The various embodiments of the present disclosure include various specific details, but these specific details are considered merely as examples. Also, descriptions of known technologies, functions, and structures can be omitted clearly and concisely.

[0017] The terms and words used in the present disclosure are not limited to the written meaning and are used only by the inventor to enable a clear and consistent understanding of the present disclosure. Therefore, for those skilled in the art, providing descriptions of the various embodiments of the present disclosure is for explanatory purposes only and not for restrictive purposes.

[0018] Unless the context clearly dictates otherwise, it should be understood that the singular forms "one", "a", "the", and "said" as used herein can also include the plural. It should further be understood that the term "comprising" as used in this disclosure means the presence of the described features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and / or components, but does not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and / or groups thereof.

[0019] The terms such as "first", "second", etc. can be used herein to describe various elements, but it should be understood that these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element from another. Thus, the first element described below can be called the second element without departing from the teachings of the exemplary embodiments.

[0020] When an element is referred to as "connected" or "coupled" to another element, it should be understood that it can be directly connected or coupled to the other element, or there can also be intermediate elements. Further, "connected" or "coupled" as used herein can include a wireless connection or a wireless coupling. The term "and / or" or the term "at least one / one of at least" as used herein includes any combination and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

[0021] Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure pertains.

[0022] FIG. 1 is an exemplary diagram showing a communication scenario in a multi-connection.

[0023] In a wireless local area network, a basic service set (BSS) can be composed of an access point (AP) and one or more stations (STAs) that communicate with the AP. A certain basic service set can be connected to a distribution system (DS) via the AP and then access another basic service set to form an extended service set (ESS).

[0024] The AP is a wireless switch for a wireless network and is also the core of the wireless network. The AP device can be used as a wireless base station and is mainly used as a bridge to connect a wireless network and a wired network. By using such an access point AP, a wired and wireless network can be integrated.

[0025] The AP can include software applications and / or circuits so that other types of nodes in the wireless network can communicate with the outside and inside of the wireless network via the AP. In some examples, for example, the AP may be a terminal device or a network device equipped with a Wi-Fi (Wireless Fidelity) chip.

[0026] As an example, a station (STA) can include, but is not limited to, a cellular phone, a smart phone, a wearable device, a computer, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a personal communication system (PCS) device, a personal information manager (PIM), a personal navigation device (PND), a global location system, a multimedia device, an Internet of Things (IoT) device, etc.

[0027] In an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the AP and the STA can support multi-connected devices. For example, each can be represented as an AP MLD and a non-AP STA MLD, respectively. For the convenience of description, hereinafter, mainly an example in which one AP communicates with one STA in a multi-connection manner will be described, but the embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited thereto.

[0028] In FIG. 1, as an example, the AP MLD can represent an access point that supports a multi-connection communication function, and the non-AP STA MLD can represent a station that supports a multi-connection communication function. Referring to FIG. 1, the AP MLD can operate with three connections, namely AP1, AP2, and AP3, as shown in FIG. 1, and the non-AP STA MLD can also operate with three connections, namely STA1, STA2, and STA3, as shown in FIG. 1. In the example of FIG. 1, it is assumed that AP1 and STA1 communicate via the corresponding first connection Link 1. Similarly, AP2 and AP3 communicate with STA2 and STA3 via the second connection Link 2 and the third connection Link 3, respectively. Also, Link1 to Link3 can be a plurality of connections at different frequencies, such as connections at 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, 6 GHz, etc., or a plurality of connections at 2.4 GHz with the same or different bandwidths. Further, there may be a plurality of channels for each connection. However, it should be understood that the communication scenario shown in FIG. 1 is merely an example, and the concept of the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the AP MLD may be connected to a plurality of non-AP STA MLDs, or the AP may communicate with a plurality of other types of stations in each connection.

[0029] Note that FIG. 1 shows that the first connection Link1 to the third connection Link 3 all belong to the same AP MLD, but the embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited thereto. For example, Link1 to the third connection Link 3 may be connections shared by the AP MLD shown in FIG. 1 and other AP MLDs.

[0030] When the system information of the access point changes, it is identified by changing specific identification bits of a sequence domain or a data transmission waiting information (TIM: Traffic Indication Map, also called "traffic indication map") frame, for example, a check beacon subdomain which will be described later with reference to Tables 1 to 5.

[0031] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, when there are multiple connections between an access point and a station, the change status of the system information of the AP can be transmitted to the station via one AP belonging to the AP MLD, and the change status of the system information of other APs can also be transmitted via the AP. This will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 2. For the embodiments of the present disclosure, for the sake of convenience of description, the data transmission waiting information (TIM) message frame (hereinafter, also simply referred to as "TIM frame") will be mainly referred to hereinafter, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and other information for notifying the change status of the system information may also be used.

[0032] FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The communication method shown in FIG. 2 can be applied to a multi-connection access point device.

[0033] Referring to FIG. 2, in operation 210, for example, a first message frame is determined in the first connection. In the embodiments of the present disclosure, there are various methods for determining the first message frame. For example, the access point device can generate the first message frame based on at least one of network status, load status, hardware capabilities of the transmitting / receiving device, traffic type, and related protocol regulations, and the embodiments of the present disclosure are not particularly limited. In the embodiments of the present disclosure, the access point device can also obtain this first message frame from an external device, but the embodiments of the present disclosure are not particularly limited.

[0034] According to an embodiment, the first message frame includes first information regarding a change in system information of an access point device corresponding to at least one connection among a plurality of connections. The first information will be described in detail later with reference to Tables 1 to 5. In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the plurality of connections may be connections that a multi-connection access point device (AP MLD) can support, and at least one of the plurality of connections may belong to the same AP MLD or may be a connection shared with other AP MLDs. These two cases will be described in detail later, respectively.

[0035] The first connection may be a connection for communicating with a station among the plurality of connections supported by the AP MLD. The first information determined in the first connection may identify the change status of the system information of the access point device corresponding to the first connection, or may identify the change status of the system information of an access point device corresponding to another connection different from the first connection. For example, referring to the embodiment of FIG. 1, when the first connection is Link 1 shown in FIG. 1 and the access point device corresponding to the first connection is AP1, the first information may represent the change status of the system information of AP1, or may represent the change status of the system information of an access point device (for example, AP2 and / or AP3) in another connection.

[0036] According to an embodiment, the first message frame can instruct a station in at least one connection to receive a second message frame transmitted by an access point device in order to obtain the changed system information. That is, when the station receives the first message frame, based on the first information of the first message frame, the connection in which the system information has changed is determined, and the station corresponding to this connection can be prepared to receive the second message frame in which the changed system information is carried.

[0037] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the first information carried by the first message frame only identifies the change status of the system information (e.g., whether the system information has changed), and the specific content of the changed system information may be carried by the second message frame, which can save the resources and time required to transmit the first message frame and the second message frame while the system information has not changed. According to the embodiment, the first message frame may be a TIM frame, and the TIM frame may carry the first information indicating the change status of the system information. The second message frame may be a beacon frame, and the beacon frame may carry the specific content of the changed system information. However, this is merely an example, and the embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited thereto, and other suitable types of frames are also possible.

[0038] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the change of the system information can refer to the key update of the beacon frame element, and at least one of the following events is classified as the above key update. a) Inclusion of a Channel Switch Announcement element b) Inclusion of an Extended Channel Switch Announcement element c) Modification of the EDCA parameters element d) Inclusion of a Quiet element e) Modification of the DSSS Parameter Set f) Modification of the HT Operation element g) Inclusion of a Wide Bandwidth Channel Switch element h) Inclusion of a Channel Switch Wrapper element i) Inclusion of an Operating Mode Notification element j) Inclusion of a Quiet Channel element k) Modification of the VHT Operation element Modification of the HE Operation element n) Insertion of a Broadcast TWT element o) Inclusion of the BSS Color Change Announcement element p) Modification of the MU EDCA Parameter Set element q) Modification of the Spatial Reuse Parameter Set element r) Modification of the UORA Parameter Set element etc.

[0039] If at least one of the above events occurs, the system information changes. However, it should be understood that the events shown above are merely examples and the embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited thereto, and other system information events are also possible.

[0040] In step 220, the first message frame can be transmitted. For the sake of simplicity, the connection used to transmit the first message frame in step 220 may be the same as the connection used to determine the first message frame in step 210, but this is merely an example and the present disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, the connection used to transmit the first message frame in step 210 and the connection used to determine the first message frame in step 220 may be different. When the station receives the first message frame, it can analyze the information contained in the first message frame, such as the first information, to obtain the change status of the system message.

[0041] Hereinafter, the case where at least one connection in which a change in system information occurs belongs to the same AP MLD, that is, the case where it is only necessary to identify the change status of the system information of the same AP MLD will be described.

[0042] According to an embodiment, the first information may include a first identifier. The first identifier indicates the change status of the system information in at least one connection among the plurality of connections.

[0043] According to an embodiment, the first information further includes a second identifier. The second identifier can correspond to at least one connection among the plurality of connections.

[0044] As an exemplary embodiment, the first information can have the format shown in Table 1 below.

[0045] [Table 1]

[0046] The check beacon in Table 1 is an example of a first identifier, and the connection identifier (Link ID 1 to Link ID n in Table 1, where n is an integer greater than or equal to 1) is an example of a second identifier. The first identifier (e.g., check beacon) is an unsigned integer and is initialized to 0. When the system information of the access point device in the corresponding connection changes, the value of the first identifier (e.g., check beacon) may be changed, for example, the value of the first identifier may be incremented. In an embodiment, the changed value of the first identifier may be the value obtained by taking the modulus of the changed value (e.g., the incremented value) with 256, but this is merely an illustration and the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and other ways of taking values that can reflect the change in system information are also possible. When the station receives the first message frame, it can determine whether the value of the first identifier is the same as the previously received value, and if different, it indicates that the system of the corresponding connection has changed.

[0047] The second identifier (e.g., connection identifier Link ID 1 to Link ID n) can correspond to the connection in which the system information has changed. In an embodiment, the second identifier may have 4 bits used to identify the connection in which the system information has changed, but this is merely an example and the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and the second identifier may have more bits or fewer bits. In the format of the first information shown in Table 1, in response to the system information changing in at least one of the plurality of connections, the first identifier and the second identifier exist in pairs in the first message frame. That is, the check beacon and the Link ID appear in pairs only when the SI (system information) in the connection changes. The station that has received the first message frame can determine in which connection the system information has changed based on the first identifier and the second identifier in the first information.

[0048] Referring to Table 1, the first information further includes a data transmission wait information (TIM) element. As an example, the format of the TIM element in Table 1 is shown in Table 2 below.

[0049]

Table 2

[0050] Although Table 1 shows only one TIM element, the present disclosure is not limited thereto. In the first message frame, the number of TIM elements is related to the number of connections in which a change in system information has occurred among a plurality of connections. In one example, when the second identifier (connection identifiers Link ID 1 to Link ID n) in Table 1 corresponds to the connection in which a change in system information has occurred, the number of TIM elements is the same as the number of the second identifiers (connection identifiers Link ID 1 to Link ID n), and the TIM element corresponding to each connection identifier can be shown.

[0051] As another exemplary embodiment, the first information can have the format shown in Table 3 below.

[0052]

Table 3

[0053] The check beacon in Table 3 is an example of the first identifier, and the connection identifier group (Link ID set in Table 3) is an example of the second identifier.

[0054] The first identifier (e.g., Check Beacon) is an unsigned integer and is initialized to 0. The second identifier (e.g., connection identifier group Link ID set) may include a plurality of bits, and the plurality of bits respectively correspond to a plurality of connections. That is, compared with Table 2, the connection identifier group Link ID set in Table 3 can correspond to all connections, rather than only the connections where the system information has changed. In one embodiment, the second identifier (e.g., connection identifier group Link ID set) may have 8 bits where each bit corresponds to one connection, but this is only an example and the present disclosure is not limited thereto. Depending on the hardware and / or software configuration of the AP MLD, the second identifier may have more bits or fewer bits.

[0055] According to the embodiment, in response to a change in system information in the first connection, the value of the first identifier is changed, and among the plurality of bits included in the second identifier, the bit corresponding to the first connection is set to a first value. Specifically, when a change in system information occurs in the access point device corresponding to the first connection for determining and transmitting the first message frame, Check Beacon in Table 3 is changed (the change method can be similar to the embodiment described with reference to Table 2 above), and the bit corresponding to the first connection in the connection group identifier Link ID set can be set to a first value (for example, 1). Referring to FIG. 1, assume that Link 1 to Link 3 respectively correspond to bits B0 to B2 of the connection group identifier Link ID set, and the first connection corresponds to Link 1. When the system information of the access point device (AP1) corresponding to Link 1 changes and the system information of the access point devices (AP2 and AP3) corresponding to other connections does not change, in the first message frame, the first identifier (Check Beacon) is changed (for example, increased), and bit B0 of the second identifier (for example, the connection group identifier Link ID set) is set to the first value (for example, 1), and bits B1 and B2 of the second identifier (for example, the connection group identifier Link ID set) can be set to a second value (for example, 0). When the system information of the access point devices (AP1 and AP3) corresponding to Link 1 and Link 3 changes and the system information of the access point device (AP2) corresponding to Link 2 does not change, in the first message frame, the first identifier (Check Beacon) is changed (for example, increased), and bits B0 and B2 of the second identifier (for example, the connection group identifier Link ID set) are set to the first value (for example, 1), and bit B1 of the second identifier (for example, the connection group identifier Link ID set) can be set to a second value (for example, 0).

[0056] According to the embodiment, in response to the system information not changing in the first connection and the system information changing in another connection different from the first connection, the value of the first identifier is not changed, and the bits corresponding to the other connection among the plurality of bits are set to the first value. In the case of the above assumption, when the system information of the access point device AP1 corresponding to the first connection Link 1 does not change and the system information of the access point devices (AP2 and AP3) corresponding to Link 2 and Link 3 changes, in the first message frame, the first identifier (Check Beacon) is not changed, and B1 and B2 of the second identifier (for example, connection group identifier Link ID set) are set to the first value (for example, 1), and B0 can be set to the second value (for example, 0).

[0057] The embodiment described with reference to Table 3 can achieve backward compatibility, and an old station can avoid an analysis error when receiving the first message frame.

[0058] The format of the TIM element in Table 3 may be the same as the format shown in Table 2. Although only one TIM element is shown in Table 3, the present disclosure is not limited thereto. In the first message frame, the number of TIM elements is related to the number of multiple connections. For example, the number of TIM elements is the same as the number of bits of the second identifier (connection group identifier Link ID set), and the TIM elements can correspond to the multiple connections in the order in which they appear in the first message frame.

[0059] In the above description, the case where all the connections in which system information changes belong to the same AP MLD has been described. However, in this case, the content included in the first information shown in Table 1 or Table 3 is an example, and the present disclosure is not limited thereto. It is understood that some content in Table 1 and Table 3 may be omitted or other content may be added. For example, the first information shown in Table 1 or Table 3 may include a time offset (Time offset) subdomain indicating the time offset between the beacon frame (e.g., TBTT beacon frame) transmitted next in the connection that has received the first message frame (e.g., TIM frame) connection and the beacon frame (e.g., TBTT beacon frame) transmitted in the connection where the system message has changed.

[0060] The above describes the case where all the connections with system information changes belong to the same AP MLD. In this case, the format of a new first message frame (e.g., TIM frame) is defined, specifically, it appears as an extension of the Check Beacon domain. For example, a Link ID or Link ID set domain can be added after the Check Beacon domain. The Link ID can be 4 bits, while the Link ID set domain is 8 bits, with 1 bit corresponding to one connection. Their specific formats are as shown in Table 1 and Table 3 respectively. According to the embodiment, for Table 1, the Check Beacon and Link ID appear in pairs only when the system information in the connection changes. According to the embodiment, considering backward compatibility for Table 3, when the SI changes in the transmission connection (e.g., the above first connection), the Check Beacon value changes and the corresponding Link ID set bit position becomes "1". When the SI of the transmission connection does not change, the value of the Check Beacon does not change. When the SI changes in other connections, the bit position corresponding to the Link ID set becomes "1". The methods described with reference to Tables 1 to 3 are all newly defined domains. When the station receives the first message frame, it needs to analyze the first identifier (Check Beacon domain) among them. Note that in the embodiments of the present disclosure, the number of TIM elements appearing is related to the change of system information in each connection, or when there are multiple connections, multiple TIM elements appear.

[0061] Next, the case where the connections with system information changes belong to different AP MLDs, that is, when it is necessary to identify the change status of the system information of other AP MLDs, will be described.

[0062] In this case, the first information can have the formats shown in Table 4 and Table 5 below.

[0063]

Table 4

[0064]

Table 5

[0065] For the sake of convenience of explanation, in Tables 4 and 5, some of the content included in Tables 1 to 3 is omitted, but it can be understood that Tables 4 and 5 may also include these omitted contents. Note that each element shown in Tables 1 to 5 exists independently, and although these elements are illustratively listed in the same table, it does not mean that all elements of the table must exist simultaneously as shown in the table. The values of these elements do not depend on other elements in Tables 1 to 5. Therefore, those skilled in the art should understand that the possible values of each element in the tables of the present disclosure are independent embodiments.

[0066] Referring to Tables 4 and 5, the first information can further include identifiers of multi-connected devices, such as MLD identifier I and MLD identifier II in Tables 4 and 5. The identifier of the multi-connected device corresponds to the multi-connected device belonging to the connection where the system information has changed. In one embodiment, the identifier of the multi-connected device may be the MAC address of the multi-connected device. Note that in Tables 4 and 5, identifiers of two multi-connected devices (MLD identifier I and MLD identifier II) are shown, but the concept of the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and according to the connection where the system information has changed, more or fewer multi-connected device identifiers can be included.

[0067] The Check Beacon in Table 4 to Link ID n (similar to Table 1) and the Check Beacon and Link ID set in Table 5 (similar to Table 3) can correspond to the multi-connection access point device (hereinafter referred to as the "current multi-connection access point device") described in the first connection that determines and transmits the first message frame. When communicating using the first connection, since the station already knows the information (e.g., MAC address) of the multi-connection access point device (e.g., during the establishment of the association connection), the first information does not include the identifier of the multi-connection device of the multi-connection access point device, but may only include the identifiers of the multi-connection devices (e.g., MLD identifier I and MLD identifier II).

[0068] In Table 4, Link ID n from the Check Beacon can be as described in Table 1. For each multi-connection device (e.g., the multi-connection devices indicated by MLD identifier I and MLD identifier II respectively), the first identifier (e.g., Check Beacon I and Check Beacon II) and the second identifier (e.g., Link ID I and Link ID II) can be similar to the first identifier and the second identifier described with reference to Table 1. For the sake of brevity, the repeated descriptions are omitted.

[0069] In Table 5, the Check Beacon and Link ID set can be similar to those described in Table 3. For each multi-connection device (e.g., the multi-connection devices indicated by MLD identifier I and MLD identifier II respectively), the first identifier (e.g., Check Beacon I and Check Beacon II) and the second identifier (e.g., Link ID set I and Link ID set II) can be similar to the first identifier and the second identifier described with reference to Table 3. For the sake of brevity, the repeated descriptions are omitted.

[0070] Note that for each multi-connection device, the first information further includes the TIM elements shown in Table 2, and the number of TIM elements is related to the number of connections in which a change in system information has occurred among the multiple connections supported by the multi-connection device, or may be related to the number of multiple connections supported by the multi-connection device. That is, for each multi-connection device, the TIM elements can be similar to the examples described with reference to Table 2, and duplicate descriptions are omitted for the sake of brevity.

[0071] When the connections in which changes in system information occur belong to different AP MLDs, in Tables 4 and 5, for different AP MLDs (having different multi-connection device identifier MLD IDs), since the time to transmit the next beacon frame (e.g., TBTT beacon frame) is different for each connection, a corresponding time offset is set according to each MLD ID, and it is used to indicate the time offset between the TBTT beacon frame transmitted on the connection that received the first message frame (e.g., TIM frame) next and the TBTT beacon frame transmitted on the connection where the system message has changed.

[0072] It is understood that the formats of the first information shown in Tables 4 and 5 are merely illustrative, and based on the concept of the present disclosure, other contents can also be included. For example, the first information can also include a third identifier (not shown) in which changes in system information of different access point devices are the same.

[0073] Specifically, for example, the second connection in a plurality of connections may be a connection shared by the first multi-connection access point device and the second multi-connection access point device. In the first multi-connection access point device, the second connection corresponds to the first access point device, and in the second multi-connection access point device, the second connection corresponds to the second access point device. The first information may include a third identifier indicating that the change in the system information of the first access point device is the same as the change in the system information of the second access point device. Note that the first multi-connection access point device or the second multi-connection access point device may be a current multi-connection access point device, a multi-connection device corresponding to the MLD identifier I, or a multi-connection device corresponding to the MLD identifier II.

[0074] According to an embodiment, when the change in the system information of the first access point device is the same as the change in the system information of the second access point device, only the third message frame (for example, a beacon frame) may be transmitted to carry the system information having the same change for the first access point device and the second access point device. That is, when the changes in the system information of the access point devices of different multi-connection devices belonging to the same connection are the same, signaling can be saved by not transmitting a plurality of beacon frames respectively to carry the changed system information.

[0075] According to the embodiment, when the change in the system information of the first access point device is different from the change in the system information of the second access point device, no additional third identifier is required. Using the first information shown in Table 4 and Table 5, the station is notified of which connection has its system information changed, and then different message frames (e.g., beacon frames) are transmitted respectively to carry the system information corresponding to the corresponding access point device. In the embodiment of the present disclosure, the message frames (e.g., the second message frame and the third message frame described above) carrying the changed system information may be transmitted on the connection where the system information has changed, or may be transmitted using other connections, but the present disclosure is not particularly limited thereto.

[0076] In the embodiment of the present disclosure, when it is necessary to identify the status of other AP MLDs, it is necessary to add AP MLD identification, which may be the MLD MAC address.

[0077] The communication method shown in FIG. 2 can be applied to the change of system information in multi-connection, improving the utilization efficiency of the spectrum and the throughput.

[0078] FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing another communication method according to the embodiment. The communication method shown in FIG. 3 can be applied to the multi-connection station device.

[0079] Referring to FIG. 3, in step 310, a first message frame is received on a first connection, and the first message frame includes first information regarding a change in the system information of an access point device corresponding to at least one connection among a plurality of connections.

[0080] In step 320, based on the first message frame, the connection where the system information has changed is determined.

[0081] In step 330, to obtain the changed system information, a second message frame (e.g., a beacon frame) transmitted by the access point device is received.

[0082] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the first information includes a first identifier, and the first identifier indicates a change status of system information in at least one connection among a plurality of connections.

[0083] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the first information further includes a second identifier, and the second identifier corresponds to at least one connection among a plurality of connections.

[0084] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the second identifier corresponds to the connection in which the system information is changed, and step 320 includes a step of determining the connection in which the system information is changed among a plurality of connections based on the first identifier and the second identifier that exist in pairs in the first message frame.

[0085] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the second identifier includes a plurality of bits, and the plurality of bits respectively correspond to a plurality of connections.

[0086] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, in step 320, in response to the value of the first identifier being changed and the bit corresponding to the first connection among the plurality of bits being set to the first value, it may include a step of determining that the connection in which the system information is changed is the first connection.

[0087] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, step 320 includes a step of determining that the system information does not change in the first connection and the system information is changed in the connection corresponding to at least one bit in response to the value of the first identifier not being changed and at least one bit among the plurality of bits being set to the first value.

[0088] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the first information further includes an identifier of a multi-connection device, and the identifier of the multi-connection device corresponds to the multi-connection device belonging to the connection in which the system information has changed.

[0089] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the plurality of connections include a second connection corresponding to a first multi-connection access point device and a second multi-connection access point device. In the first multi-connection access point device, the second connection corresponds to the first access point device, and in the second multi-connection access point device, the second connection corresponds to the second access point device. The first information includes a third identifier indicating that the change in the system information of the first access point device is the same as the change in the system information of the second access point device. According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, based on the third identifier, the station can determine that the changes in the system information of the first access point device and the second access point device corresponding to the second connection are the same, so that the changed system information can be obtained from the message frame (for example, beacon frame) transmitted by the access point device later.

[0090] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the first information may further include a data transmission waiting information (TIM) element. According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the number of data transmission waiting information (TIM) elements is related to the number of connections in which the system information has changed among the plurality of connections. According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the number of data transmission waiting information (TIM) elements is related to the number of the plurality of connections.

[0091] The first information and the TIM element can be similar to the embodiments described with reference to Tables 1 to 5, and duplicate descriptions are omitted for the sake of brevity. When the station receives the first message frame, it analyzes the first information (e.g., Check Beacon and / or LinkID / Link ID set) included in the first message frame to determine the access point device corresponding to the connection with changed system information, and then can receive the message frame carrying the changed system information.

[0092] In step 310 of FIG. 3, it may correspond to the operations described in steps 210 and 220 of FIG. 2, and in step 330, it can correspond to the embodiments described with respect to the second message frame and the third message frame. Duplicate descriptions are omitted here.

[0093] FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a communication system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0094] Referring to FIG. 4, the communication device 400 can include a processing module 410 and a communication module 420. The communication device shown in FIG. 4 can be applied to an AP MLD or a non-AP STA MLD.

[0095] When the communication device shown in FIG. 4 is applied to an AP MLD, the processing module 410 is configured to determine a first message frame in a first connection, the first message frame includes first information regarding a change in system information of an access point device corresponding to at least one connection among the plurality of connections, and the first message frame instructs the station in the at least one connection to receive a second message frame transmitted by the access point device in order to obtain the changed system information. The communication module 420 is configured to transmit the first message frame. In this case, the communication device 400 can execute the communication method described with reference to FIG. 2, and duplicate descriptions are omitted for the sake of brevity.

[0096] When the communication device shown in FIG. 4 is applied to a non-AP STA MLD, the communication module 420 is configured to receive a first message frame in a first connection, and the first message frame includes first information regarding a change in system information of an access point device corresponding to at least one connection among the plurality of connections. The processing module is configured to control the communication module to receive a second message frame transmitted by the access point device in order to determine a connection in which the system information has changed and obtain the changed system information based on the first message frame. In this case, the communication device 400 can execute the communication method described with reference to FIG. 3, and duplicate descriptions are omitted for the sake of brevity.

[0097] Note that the communication device 400 shown in FIG. 4 is merely an example, and the embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited thereto. For example, the communication device 400 may include other modules such as a memory module. In addition, each module of the communication device 400 may be coupled to a more complex module, or may be divided into more separate modules.

[0098] The communication method and communication device according to the embodiments of the present disclosure are also applicable to changes in system information in multi-connection, improving the spectrum utilization efficiency and throughput.

[0099] Based on the same principle as the method provided by the embodiments of the present disclosure, the embodiments of the present disclosure further provide an electronic device, which includes a memory and a processor, the memory stores machine-readable instructions (also referred to as "computer programs"), and the processor executes the machine-readable instructions to execute the method described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3.

[0100] Embodiments of the present disclosure further provide a computer-readable storage medium, in which a computer program is stored. When the computer program is executed by a processor, the method described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3 is implemented.

[0101] In an exemplary embodiment, the processor may be various exemplary logic blocks, modules, and circuits described in connection with the present disclosure. For example, it may be a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a general-purpose processor, a DSP (Digital Signal Processor), an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), or other programmable logic devices, transistor logic devices, hardware components, or any combination thereof. The processor may also be a combination that realizes computing functions, including a combination of one or more microprocessors, a combination of a DSP and a microprocessor, and the like.

[0102] In an exemplary embodiment, the memory can be, for example, a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory), a CD-ROM (Compact Disc Read Only Memory), or other optical disk storage, optical disk storage devices (including compressed disks, laser disks, floppy disks, digital versatile disks, Blu-ray disks, etc.), disk storage media or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium that can carry or store program code in the form of instructions or data structures and is accessible by a computer, but is not limited thereto.

[0103] Note that each step in the flowchart of the drawings is sequentially displayed according to the indication of the arrow, but it is not necessarily executed sequentially according to the indication of the arrow. Unless explicitly stated in this specification, there is no strict order restriction for the execution of these steps, and they can be executed in other orders. Note that at least some of the steps in the flowchart of the drawings do not necessarily need to be executed at the same timing, but can be executed at different timings, and the execution order is not necessarily sequential, and can include a plurality of sub-steps or a plurality of phases that can be executed alternately or alternately with at least some of other steps or sub-steps or phases of other steps.

[0104] The present disclosure has been illustrated and described with reference to some embodiments of the present disclosure, but those skilled in the art will understand that various changes can be made in form and detail without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Therefore, the scope of the present disclosure should not be limited to the embodiments, but should be limited by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A communication method in multi-connection, which is applied to a multi-connection access point device, and the communication method includes: Determining a first message frame in a first connection, where the first message frame includes first information regarding a change in system information of an access point device corresponding to at least one connection among the plurality of connections, and the first message frame instructs a station in the at least one connection to receive a second message frame transmitted by the access point device in order to obtain the changed system information; Transmitting the first message frame; The first information includes a first identifier and a second identifier, the first identifier indicates a change status of system information in at least one connection among the plurality of connections, and the second identifier corresponds to at least one connection among the plurality of connections; The first information further includes an identifier of a multi-connection device; The identifier of the multi-connection device corresponds to a multi-connection device belonging to a connection whose system information has changed; The identifier of the multi-connection device is the MAC address of the multi-connection device. A communication method in multi-connection, characterized by the above.

2. In response to a change in system information in at least one connection among the plurality of connections, the first identifier and the second identifier exist in pairs in the first message frame; The second identifier corresponds to a connection whose system information has changed. The communication method according to claim 1, characterized by the above.

3. The second identifier includes a plurality of bits, and the plurality of bits respectively correspond to the plurality of connections. The communication method according to claim 1, characterized by the above.

4. In response to a change in system information in the first connection, the value of the first identifier is changed, and the bit corresponding to the first connection among the plurality of bits is set to a first value. The communication method according to claim 3, characterized by the above.

5. In response to no change in system information in the first connection and a change in system information in another connection different from the first connection, the value of the first identifier is not changed, and the bit corresponding to the other connection among the plurality of bits is set to a first value. The communication method according to claim 3, characterized in that...

6. In response to the existence of at least one connection in which system information has changed among the plurality of connections due to an increase in the first identifier, for each bit among the plurality of bits included in the second identifier that corresponds to the connection in which the system information has changed, the bit is set to a first value, and for each bit among the plurality of bits included in the second identifier that corresponds to a connection in which the system information has not changed, the bit is set to a second value. The communication method according to claim 1, characterized in that...

7. The plurality of connections include a second connection corresponding to a first multi-connection access point device and a second multi-connection access point device. In the first multi-connection access point device, the second connection corresponds to a first access point device, and in the second multi-connection access point device, the second connection corresponds to a second access point device. The first information includes a third identifier indicating that the change in the system information of the first access point device and the change in the system information of the second access point device are the same. The communication method according to claim 1, characterized in that...

8. The communication method further includes: Transmitting a third message frame to carry system information having the same change in the first access point device and the second access point device. The communication method according to claim 7, characterized in that...

9. The first information further includes a data transmission indication message (TIM) element. The communication method according to claim 1, characterized in that...

10. The number of the data transmission indication message (TIM) elements is related to the number of connections among the plurality of connections in which a change in system information has occurred. The communication method according to claim 9, characterized in that...

11. The number of the data transmission indication message (TIM) elements is related to the number of the plurality of connections. The communication method according to claim 9, characterized in that...

12. A communication method in multi-connection, applied to a multi-connection station device, the communication method includes: Receiving a first message frame in a first connection, wherein the first message frame includes first information regarding a change in system information of an access point device corresponding to at least one connection among the plurality of connections; Determining a connection in which the system information has changed based on the first message frame; Receiving a second message frame transmitted by the access point device to obtain the changed system information, and including; The first information includes a first identifier and a second identifier, the first identifier indicates a change status of system information in at least one connection among the plurality of connections, and the second identifier corresponds to at least one connection among the plurality of connections; The first information further includes an identifier of a multi-connection device; The identifier of the multi-connection device corresponds to a multi-connection device belonging to a connection in which the system information has changed; The identifier of the multi-connection device is the MAC address of the multi-connection device; A communication method in multi-connection, characterized in that.

13. The second identifier corresponds to a connection in which the system information has changed; The step of determining a connection in which the system information has changed based on the first message frame includes determining a connection in which the system information has changed among the plurality of connections based on the first identifier and the second identifier that exist in pairs in the first message frame. The communication method according to claim 12, characterized in that.

14. The second identifier includes a plurality of bits, and the plurality of bits respectively correspond to the plurality of connections; The communication method according to claim 12, characterized in that.

15. The step of determining a connection in which the system information has changed based on the first message frame is; In response to the value of the first identifier being changed and the bit corresponding to the first connection among the plurality of bits being set to a first value, determining that the connection in which the system information has changed is the first connection, including the step of; The communication method according to claim 14, characterized in that.

16. The step of determining a connection in which the system information has changed based on the first message frame is; In response to the value of the first identifier remaining unchanged and at least one of the plurality of bits being set to a first value, determining that system information does not change in the first connection and that system information changes in a connection corresponding to the at least one bit, The communication method according to claim 14, characterized in that.

17. In response to there being at least one connection in which system information changes among the plurality of connections due to an increase in the first identifier, among the plurality of bits included in the second identifier, bits corresponding to the connections in which the system information has changed are each set to a first value, and bits corresponding to the connections in which the system information has not changed among the plurality of bits included in the second identifier are each set to a second value, The communication method according to claim 12, characterized in that.

18. The plurality of connections includes a second connection corresponding to a first multi-connection access point device and a second multi-connection access point device, In the first multi-connection access point device, the second connection corresponds to a first access point device, and in the second multi-connection access point device, the second connection corresponds to a second access point device, The first information includes a third identifier indicating that changes in system information of the first access point device and changes in system information of the second access point device are the same, The communication method according to claim 12, characterized in that.

19. The first information further includes a data transmission indication message (TIM) element, The communication method according to claim 12, characterized in that.

20. A communication device in a multi-connection, applied to a multi-connection access point device, the communication device A processing module configured to determine a first message frame in a first connection, the first message frame including first information regarding a change in system information of an access point device corresponding to at least one of the plurality of connections, the first message frame being a processing module that instructs a station in the at least one connection to receive a second message frame transmitted by the access point device in order to obtain the changed system information, a communication module configured to transmit the first message frame wherein the first information includes a first identifier and a second identifier, the first identifier indicating a change status of system information in at least one of the plurality of connections, and the second identifier corresponding to at least one of the plurality of connections wherein the first information further includes an identifier of a multi-connection device wherein the identifier of the multi-connection device corresponds to a multi-connection device belonging to a connection in which system information has changed wherein the identifier of the multi-connection device is the MAC address of the multi-connection device characterized by a communication device in multi-connection

21. A communication device in multi-connection, applicable to a multi-connection station device, the communication device comprising a communication module configured to receive a first message frame on a first connection, the first message frame including first information regarding a change in system information of an access point device corresponding to at least one of the plurality of connections a processing module configured to control the communication module to receive a second message frame transmitted by the access point device in order to determine a connection in which system information has changed and obtain the changed system information based on the first message frame wherein the first information includes a first identifier and a second identifier, the first identifier indicating a change status of system information in at least one of the plurality of connections, and the second identifier corresponding to at least one of the plurality of connections wherein the first information further includes an identifier of a multi-connection device wherein the identifier of the multi-connection device corresponds to a multi-connection device belonging to a connection in which system information has changed wherein the identifier of the multi-connection device is the MAC address of the multi-connection device characterized by a communication device

22. An electronic device, comprising a memory, a processor, and a computer program stored in the memory and executable by the processor, wherein when the processor executes the computer program, the method according to any one of Claims 1 to 11 is implemented characterized by an electronic device

23. An electronic device A memory, a processor, and a computer program stored in the memory and executable by the processor, wherein when the processor executes the computer program, the method according to any one of claims 12 to 19 is realized. An electronic device characterized by the above. **Claim 24** 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 11 is realized. A computer-readable storage medium characterized by the above. **Claim 25** 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 12 to 19 is realized. A computer-readable storage medium characterized by the above.

Images