Communication method and apparatus

Abstract

To solve a technical problem in the 802.11be standard or future Wi-Fi standards.SOLUTION: An embodiment of the present application is a communication method including receiving, by a second communication device, a physical layer protocol data unit (PPDU) from a first communication device, the PPDU including a first field, the first field including an unsolicited modulation and coding scheme feedback (MFB) subfield and first indication information, the first indication information indicating a modulation and coding scheme request (MRQ) when the value of the unsolicited MFB subfield is a first value, and the first indication information indicating an uplink very high throughput trigger-based PPDU modulation and coding scheme feedback when the value of the unsolicited MFB subfield is a second value, and parsing, by the second communication device, the PPDU.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 9

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] TECHNICAL FIELD This application relates to the field of communications technology, and more particularly to communications methods and devices. [Background technology]

[0002] This application claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 202110554343.2, entitled "COMMUNICATION METHOD AND APPARATUS," filed with the State Intellectual Property Office of China on May 20, 2021, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0003] Existing wireless local area network (WLAN) communication systems have gone through multiple generations of standards, starting with the 802.11a / b / g standard, such as the 802.11n standard, the 802.11ac standard, the 802.11ax standard, and the 802.11be standard. Based on the above standards, communication devices may communicate with each other using physical layer protocol data units (PPDUs). The PPDUs may include medium access control protocol data units (MPDUs).

[0004] For example, in the 802.11ax standard, the MPDU may include a high throughput (HT) control field, which may include one or more control identifiers and control information corresponding to each control identifier. When the control identifier has a value of 2, the control information may be a 26-bit high efficiency link adaptation (HLA) control subfield.

[0005] The HLA control subfield may include a 3-bit number of spatial streams (NSS) subfield, a 2-bit bandwidth (BW) subfield, and other subfields.

[0006] With the continuous evolution of standards, the 802.11be standard or future wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi) standards may support more features and functions than the 802.11ax standard. However, the bit number and meaning of each subfield of the HLA control subfield are predefined in the 802.11ax standard. If the HLA control subfield continues to be used, more features and functions cannot be supported. Therefore, how to appropriately design a link adaptation control subfield corresponding to the 802.11be standard or future Wi-Fi standards becomes an urgent technical problem to be solved. Summary of the Invention

[0007] The present application provides communication methods and apparatus to support more features and functions in the 802.11be standard or future Wi-Fi standards if the HLA control subfield continues to be used.

[0008] According to a first aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication method, including: a first communication device generating a physical layer protocol data unit (PPDU) and transmitting the PPDU to a second communication device; the PPDU including a first field having a quantity of 26 bits, the first field including an unsolicited modulation and coding scheme feedback (MFB) subfield having a quantity of 1 bit and first indication information having a quantity of 1 bit; when the value of the unsolicited MFB subfield is the first value, the first indication information indicates a modulation and coding scheme request (MRQ); or when the value of the unsolicited MFB subfield is the second value, the first indication information indicates an uplink very high throughput trigger-based PPDU modulation and coding scheme feedback (UL EHT TB PPDU MFB).

[0009] According to the first aspect, with reference to the value of the Unsolicited MFB subfield, the MRQ and the UL EHT TB PPDU MFB are indicated using one bit. Compared with the 802.11ax standard, in which the MRQ and the UL EHT TB PPDU MFB are each indicated using one bit, one bit can be saved. Furthermore, since more features and functions in the 802.11be standard or future Wi-Fi standards can be supported using this saved one bit, the first field feedbacks more information without increasing the number of bits (in other words, the number of bits remains at 26).

[0010] In a possible design, the first field may further include a Number of Spatial Streams NSS subfield, the quantity of bits of which may be three or more, where the maximum number of spatial streams indicated by the NSS subfield is 16.

[0011] Based on this possible design, the maximum number of spatial streams indicated by the NSS subfield may be 16, so that the requirement for the number of spatial streams in the 802.11be standard or future Wi-Fi standards may be met.

[0012] In a possible design, the first field further includes an extremely high throughput modulation and coding scheme (EHT-MCS) subfield, the quantity of bits of which is 4. Alternatively, the first field further includes a signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) subfield, the quantity of bits of which is 6.

[0013] Based on this possible design, compared to the 802.11ax standard, enhancements are made to the EHT-MSC subfield or the SNR subfield, so that the EHT-MSC or SNR requirements of the 802.11be standard or future Wi-Fi standards can be met.

[0014] In a possible design, the first field further includes a resource unit allocation subfield, where the number of bits of the resource unit allocation subfield is 5, the number of bits of the resource unit allocation subfield is 7, the number of bits of the resource unit allocation subfield is 8, or the number of bits of the resource unit allocation subfield is 9.

[0015] Based on this possible design, the resource unit allocation subfield is adjusted so that the requirements for RUs in the 802.11be standard or future Wi-Fi standards can be met.

[0016] In a possible design, the first field further includes a bandwidth BW subfield, where the quantity of bits is three or greater.

[0017] Based on this possible design, since the number of bits in the BW subfield is expanded compared to the 802.11ax standard, the BW subfield may indicate more bandwidth information, thereby meeting the bandwidth requirements in the 802.11be standard or future Wi-Fi standards.

[0018] In a possible design, the first field further includes fourth indication information having a bit quantity of 1. The fourth indication information indicates that the first field is an extremely high-throughput EHT LA control subfield, or the fourth indication information indicates that the first field is a high-efficiency HE LA control subfield.

[0019] Based on this possible design, by adding the fourth indication information, it is possible to effectively distinguish whether the current first field is an HE LA control subfield or an EHT LA control subfield.

[0020] In a possible design, the first field further includes a modulation and coding scheme MCS request sequence identifier or partial PPDU parameters subfield, the quantity of which is two.

[0021] Based on this possible design, compared with the 802.11ax standard, in this embodiment of the present application, the modulation and coding scheme MCS request sequence identifier or partial PPDU parameter subfield is compressed from 3 bits to 2 bits, so that the number of bits can be saved while meeting the requirements of the modulation and coding scheme MCS request sequence identifier or partial PPDU parameter subfield in the 802.11be standard or future Wi-Fi standards. Furthermore, the saved 1 bit can support more features and functions in the 802.11be standard or future Wi-Fi standards, so that the first field can feedback more information without increasing the number of bits (in other words, the number of bits remains 26 bits).

[0022] In a possible design, the first field further includes a Tx beamforming subfield with a quantity of bits equal to one.

[0023] In a possible design, the PPDU further includes a control identifier field corresponding to the first field, where the value of the control identifier field is one of 2, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, and 14. When the value of the control identifier field is one of 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, and 14, the control identifier field indicates that the first field is an EHT LA control subfield.

[0024] Based on this possible design, when the value of the control identifier field is 2, the first field may include fourth indication information to indicate whether the current first field is an HE LA control subfield or an EHT LA control subfield. When the value of the control identifier field is any one of 9 to 14, the control identifier field indicates that the first field is an EHT LA control subfield.

[0025] According to a second aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a first communication device. The first communication device may implement a function performed by the first communication device in the first aspect or a possible design thereof, and the function may be implemented by executing corresponding software by hardware. The hardware or software includes one or more modules corresponding to the function, such as a processing module and a transceiver module. The processing module is configured to generate a physical layer protocol data unit (PPDU), and the transceiver module is configured to transmit the PPDU to a second communication device. The PPDU includes a first field having a quantity of 26 bits, and the first field includes an unsolicited modulation and coding scheme feedback (MFB) subfield having a quantity of 1 bit and first indication information having a quantity of 1 bit. When the value of the unsolicited MFB subfield is a first value, the first indication information indicates a modulation and coding scheme request MRQ, or when the value of the unsolicited MFB subfield is a second value, the first indication information indicates an uplink very high throughput trigger-based PPDU modulation and coding scheme feedback UL EHT TB PPDU MFB.

[0026] For a description of the first field in the second aspect, please refer to the description of the first field in the first aspect. Details will not be repeated. For a specific implementation of the first communication device in the second aspect, please refer to the behavior function of the first communication device in the communication method provided in the first aspect or any one of the possible designs of the first aspect.

[0027] According to a third aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a first communication device. The first communication device may be a first communication device, or may be a chip or system-on-chip within the first communication device. The first communication device may implement the functions performed by the first communication device in the above aspects or possible designs, and the functions may be implemented by hardware. In a possible design, the first communication device may include a processor and a transceiver. The processor and the transceiver may be configured to support the first communication device in implementing the functions in any one of the first aspect or possible designs of the first aspect. For example, the processor may be configured to generate a physical layer protocol data unit (PPDU), and the transceiver may be configured to transmit the PPDU to the second communication device. The PPDU includes a first field having a quantity of 26 bits, and the first field includes an unsolicited modulation and coding scheme feedback (MFB) subfield having a quantity of 1 bit and first indication information having a quantity of 1 bit. When the value of the Unsolicited MFB subfield is a first value, the first indication indicates a Modulation and Coding Scheme Request (MRQ), or when the value of the Unsolicited MFB subfield is a second value, the first indication indicates an Uplink Very High Throughput Trigger-Based PPDU Modulation and Coding Scheme Feedback (UL EHT TB PPDU MFB). In another possible design, the first communication device may further include a memory configured to store computer-executable instructions and data required by the first communication device. When the first communication device is operational, the transceiver and processor execute the computer-executable instructions stored in the memory so that the first communication device performs a communication method according to the first aspect or any one of the possible designs of the first aspect.

[0028] For a description of the first field in the third aspect, please refer to the description of the first field in the first aspect. Details will not be repeated. For a specific implementation of the first communication device in the third aspect, please refer to the behavior function of the first communication device in the communication method provided in the first aspect or any one of the possible designs of the first aspect.

[0029] According to a fourth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication method, the method including: a second communication device receiving a physical layer protocol data unit (PPDU) from a first communication device and parsing the PPDU; the PPDU including a first field having a quantity of 26 bits, the first field including an unsolicited modulation and coding scheme feedback (MFB) subfield having a quantity of 1 bit and first indication information having a quantity of 1 bit; when the value of the unsolicited MFB subfield is the first value, the first indication information indicates a modulation and coding scheme request (MRQ); or when the value of the unsolicited MFB subfield is the second value, the first indication information indicates uplink very high throughput trigger-based PPDU modulation and coding scheme feedback (UL EHT TB PPDU MFB).

[0030] For a description of the first field in the fourth aspect, please refer to the description of the first field in the first aspect, and the details will not be repeated.

[0031] According to a fifth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a second communication device. The second communication device may implement the functions performed by the second communication device in the fourth aspect or a possible design of the fourth aspect, and the functions may be implemented by executing corresponding software by hardware. The hardware or software includes one or more modules corresponding to the functions, such as a transceiver module and a processing module. The transceiver module is configured to receive a physical layer protocol data unit (PPDU) from the first communication device, and the processing unit is configured to parse the PPDU. The PPDU includes a first field having a quantity of 26 bits, and the first field includes an unsolicited modulation and coding scheme feedback (MFB) subfield having a quantity of 1 bit and first indication information having a quantity of 1 bit. When the value of the unsolicited MFB subfield is a first value, the first indication information indicates a modulation and coding scheme request MRQ, or when the value of the unsolicited MFB subfield is a second value, the first indication information indicates an uplink very high throughput trigger-based PPDU modulation and coding scheme feedback UL EHT TB PPDU MFB.

[0032] For a description of the first field in the fifth aspect, please refer to the description of the first field in the fourth aspect. Details will not be repeated. For a specific implementation of the second communication device in the fifth aspect, please refer to the behavior function of the second communication device in the communication method provided in the fourth aspect or any one of the possible designs of the fourth aspect.

[0033] According to a sixth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a second communication device. The second communication device may be a second communication device, or may be a chip or system-on-chip within the second communication device. The second communication device may implement the functions performed by the second communication device in the above aspects or possible designs, and the functions may be implemented by hardware. In a possible design, the second communication device may include a transceiver and a processor. The transceiver and processor may be configured to support the second communication device in implementing the functions in any one of the fourth aspect or possible designs of the fourth aspect. For example, the transceiver may be configured to receive a physical layer protocol data unit (PPDU) from the first communication device, and the processor may be configured to parse the PPDU. The PPDU includes a first field having a quantity of 26 bits, and the first field includes an unsolicited modulation and coding scheme feedback (MFB) subfield having a quantity of 1 bit and first indication information having a quantity of 1 bit. When the value of the Unsolicited MFB subfield is a first value, the first indication indicates a Modulation and Coding Scheme Request (MRQ), or when the value of the Unsolicited MFB subfield is a second value, the first indication indicates an Uplink Very High Throughput Trigger-Based PPDU Modulation and Coding Scheme Feedback (UL EHT TB PPDU MFB). In another possible design, the second communication device further includes a memory configured to store computer-executable instructions and data required for the second communication device. When the second communication device is operational, the transceiver and processor execute the computer-executable instructions stored in the memory to cause the second communication device to perform a communication method according to the fourth aspect or any one of the possible designs of the fourth aspect.

[0034] For a description of the first field in the sixth aspect, please refer to the description of the first field in the fourth aspect. Details will not be repeated. For a specific implementation of the second communication device in the sixth aspect, please refer to the behavior function of the second communication device in the communication method provided in the fourth aspect or any one of the possible designs of the fourth aspect.

[0035] According to a seventh aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication method, the method including: a first communication device generating a physical layer protocol data unit (PPDU) and transmitting the PPDU to a second communication device; the PPDU including a first field having a quantity of 26 bits, the first field including second indication information; the second indication information indicating that the first field supports single-user multiple-input multiple-output (SU-MIMO) or multi-user multiple-input multiple-output (MU-MIMO);

[0036] According to the seventh aspect, in SU-MIMO and MU-MIMO, users of MU-MIMO may interfere with each other, and the link adaptation feedback parameters corresponding to MU-MIMO are usually different from those of SU-MIMO. Whether the current feedback is SU-MIMO or MU-MIMO can be distinguished by adding second indication information, which can improve the throughput of the communication system.

[0037] In a possible design, the first field further includes a Number of Spatial Streams NSS subfield, the quantity of bits of which is greater than or equal to 3. When the second indication information indicates that the first field corresponds to SU-MIMO, the maximum number of spatial streams indicated by the NSS subfield is 16, or when the second indication information indicates that the first field corresponds to MU-MIMO, the maximum number of spatial streams indicated by the NSS subfield is 4.

[0038] Based on this possible design, when the second indication information indicates that the first field corresponds to SU-MIMO, the maximum number of spatial streams indicated by the NSS subfield may be 16, and when the second indication information indicates that the first field corresponds to MU-MIMO, the maximum number of spatial streams for each user indicated by the NSS subfield may be 4, thereby meeting the requirements for the number of spatial streams in the 802.11be standard or future Wi-Fi standards.

[0039] In a possible design, the first field further includes an extremely high throughput modulation and coding scheme (EHT-MCS) subfield, the quantity of bits of which is 4. Alternatively, the first field further includes a signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) subfield, the quantity of bits of which is 6.

[0040] Based on this possible design, compared to the 802.11ax standard, enhancements are made to the EHT-MSC subfield or the SNR subfield, so that the EHT-MSC or SNR requirements of the 802.11be standard or future Wi-Fi standards can be met.

[0041] In a possible design, the first field further includes a resource unit allocation subfield, where the number of bits of the resource unit allocation subfield is 5, the number of bits of the resource unit allocation subfield is 7, the number of bits of the resource unit allocation subfield is 8, or the number of bits of the resource unit allocation subfield is 9.

[0042] Based on this possible design, the resource unit allocation subfield is adjusted so that the requirements for RUs in the 802.11be standard or future Wi-Fi standards can be met.

[0043] In a possible design, the first field further includes an unsolicited modulation and coding scheme feedback MFB subfield having a quantity of bits of 1 and first indication information having a quantity of bits of 1. When the value of the unsolicited MFB subfield is the first value, the first indication information indicates a modulation and coding scheme request MRQ, or when the value of the unsolicited MFB subfield is the second value, the first indication information indicates uplink very high throughput trigger-based PPDU modulation and coding scheme feedback UL EHT TB PPDU MFB.

[0044] Based on this possible design, the MRQ and UL EHT TB PPDU MFB are indicated using one bit, referring to the value of the Unsolicited MFB subfield. Compared to the 802.11ax standard, in which the MRQ and the UL EHT TB PPDU MFB are each indicated using one bit, one bit can be saved. Furthermore, since more features and functions in the 802.11be standard or future Wi-Fi standards can be supported using this saved one bit, the first field feedbacks more information without increasing the number of bits (in other words, the number of bits remains at 26).

[0045] In a possible design, the first field further includes a bandwidth BW subfield, where the quantity of bits is three or greater.

[0046] Based on this possible design, since the number of bits in the BW subfield is expanded compared to the 802.11ax standard, the BW subfield may indicate more bandwidth information, thereby meeting the bandwidth requirements in the 802.11be standard or future Wi-Fi standards.

[0047] In a possible design, the first field further includes fourth indication information having a bit quantity of 1. The fourth indication information indicates that the first field is an extremely high-throughput EHT LA control subfield, or the fourth indication information indicates that the first field is a high-efficiency HE LA control subfield.

[0048] Based on this possible design, by adding the fourth indication information, it is possible to effectively distinguish whether the current first field is an HE LA control subfield or an EHT LA control subfield.

[0049] In a possible design, the first field further includes a modulation and coding scheme MCS request sequence identifier or partial PPDU parameters subfield, the quantity of which is two.

[0050] Based on this possible design, compared to the 802.11ax standard, in this embodiment of the present application, the modulation and coding scheme MCS request sequence identifier or partial PPDU parameter subfield is compressed from 3 bits to 2 bits, thereby saving the number of bits while meeting the requirements of the modulation and coding scheme MCS request sequence identifier or partial PPDU parameter subfield in the 802.11be standard or future Wi-Fi standards. Furthermore, the saved 1 bit can be used to support more features and functions in the 802.11be standard or future Wi-Fi standards, so the first field can feedback more information with 26 bits.

[0051] In a possible design, the first field further includes a Tx beamforming subfield with a quantity of bits equal to one.

[0052] In a possible design, the PPDU further includes a control identifier field corresponding to the first field, where the value of the control identifier field is one of 2, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, and 14. When the value of the control identifier field is one of 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, and 14, the control identifier field indicates that the first field is an EHT LA control subfield.

[0053] Based on this possible design, when the value of the control identifier field is 2, the first field may include fourth indication information to indicate whether the current first field is an HE LA control subfield or an EHT LA control subfield. When the value of the control identifier field is any one of 9 to 14, the control identifier field indicates that the first field is an EHT LA control subfield.

[0054] According to an eighth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a first communication device. The first communication device may implement the functions performed by the first communication device in the seventh aspect or a possible design thereof, and the functions may be implemented by executing corresponding software by hardware. The hardware or software includes one or more modules corresponding to the functions, such as a processing module and a transceiver module. The processing module is configured to generate a physical layer protocol data unit (PPDU), and the transceiver module is configured to transmit the PPDU to a second communication device. The PPDU includes a first field having a quantity of 26 bits, and the first field includes second indication information. The second indication information indicates that the first field supports single-user multiple-input multiple-output (SU-MIMO) or that the first field supports multi-user multiple-input multiple-output (MU-MIMO).

[0055] For a description of the first field in the eighth aspect, please refer to the description of the first field in the seventh aspect. Details will not be repeated. For a specific implementation of the first communication device in the eighth aspect, please refer to the behavior function of the first communication device in the communication method provided in the seventh aspect or any one of the possible designs of the seventh aspect.

[0056] According to a ninth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a first communication device. The first communication device may be a first communication device, or may be a chip or system-on-chip within the first communication device. The first communication device may implement the functions performed by the first communication device in the above aspects or possible designs, and the functions may be implemented by hardware. In a possible design, the first communication device may include a processor and a transceiver. The processor and the transceiver may be configured to support the first communication device in implementing the functions in any one of the seventh aspect or possible designs of the seventh aspect. For example, the processor may be configured to generate a physical layer protocol data unit (PPDU), and the transceiver may be configured to transmit the PPDU to the second communication device. The PPDU includes a first field having a quantity of 26 bits, and the first field includes second indication information. The second indication information indicates that the first field corresponds to single-user multiple-input multiple-output SU-MIMO, or the second indication information indicates that the first field corresponds to multi-user multiple-input multiple-output MU-MIMO. In another possible design, the first communication device may further include a memory configured to store computer-executable instructions and data necessary for the first communication device. When the first communication device is operational, the transceiver and the processor execute the computer-executable instructions stored in the memory so that the first communication device performs the communication method according to the seventh aspect or any one of the possible designs of the seventh aspect.

[0057] For a description of the first field in the ninth aspect, please refer to the description of the first field in the seventh aspect. Details will not be repeated. For a specific implementation of the first communication device in the ninth aspect, please refer to the behavior function of the first communication device in the communication method provided in the seventh aspect or any one of the possible designs of the seventh aspect.

[0058] According to a tenth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication method, the method including: a second communication device receiving a physical layer protocol data unit (PPDU) from a first communication device and parsing the PPDU; the PPDU including a first field having a quantity of 26 bits, the first field including second indication information; the second indication information indicating that the first field supports single-user multiple-input multiple-output (SU-MIMO) or multi-user multiple-input multiple-output (MU-MIMO);

[0059] For a description of the first field in the tenth aspect, please refer to the description of the first field in the seventh aspect, and details will not be repeated.

[0060] According to an eleventh aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a second communication device. The second communication device may implement the functions performed by the second communication device in the tenth aspect or a possible design thereof, and the functions may be implemented by executing corresponding software by hardware. The hardware or software includes one or more modules corresponding to the functions, such as a transceiver module and a processing module. The transceiver module is configured to receive a physical layer protocol data unit (PPDU) from the first communication device, and the processing unit is configured to parse the PPDU. The PPDU includes a first field having a quantity of 26 bits, and the first field includes second indication information. The second indication information indicates that the first field supports single-user multiple-input multiple-output (SU-MIMO) or that the first field supports multi-user multiple-input multiple-output (MU-MIMO).

[0061] For a description of the first field in the eleventh aspect, please refer to the description of the first field in the tenth aspect. Details will not be repeated. For a specific implementation of the second communication device in the eleventh aspect, please refer to the behavior function of the second communication device in the communication method provided in the tenth aspect or any one of the possible designs of the tenth aspect.

[0062] According to a twelfth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a second communication device. The second communication device may be a second communication device, or may be a chip or system-on-chip within the second communication device. The second communication device may implement the functions performed by the second communication device in the above aspects or possible designs, and the functions may be implemented by hardware. In a possible design, the second communication device may include a transceiver and a processor. The transceiver and processor may be configured to support the second communication device in implementing the functions in any one of the tenth aspect or possible designs of the tenth aspect. For example, the transceiver may be configured to receive a physical layer protocol data unit (PPDU) from the first communication device, and the processor may be configured to parse the PPDU. The PPDU includes a first field having a quantity of 26 bits, and the first field includes second indication information. The second indication information indicates that the first field corresponds to single-user multiple-input multiple-output (SU-MIMO), or the second indication information indicates that the first field corresponds to multi-user multiple-input multiple-output (MU-MIMO). In another possible design, the second communication device further includes a memory configured to store computer-executable instructions and data necessary for the second communication device. When the second communication device is operational, the transceiver and processor execute the computer-executable instructions stored in the memory to cause the second communication device to perform the communication method according to the tenth aspect or any one of the possible designs of the tenth aspect.

[0063] For a description of the first field in the twelfth aspect, please refer to the description of the first field in the tenth aspect. Details will not be repeated. For a specific implementation of the second communication device in the twelfth aspect, please refer to the behavior function of the second communication device in the communication method provided in the tenth aspect or any one of the possible designs of the tenth aspect.

[0064] According to a thirteenth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication method, the method including: a first communication device generating a physical layer protocol data unit (PPDU) and transmitting the PPDU to a second communication device; the PPDU including a first field having a quantity of 26 bits; the first field including a single-user multiple-input multiple-output extremely high-throughput modulation and coding scheme (EHT-MSC) subfield having a quantity of four bits and a multi-user multiple-input multiple-output (MMI) EHT-MSC subfield having a quantity of four bits; or the first field including a single-user multiple-input multiple-output signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) subfield having a quantity of six bits and a multi-user multiple-input multiple-output (MMI) SNR subfield having a quantity of six bits.

[0065] According to the thirteenth aspect, the MCS or SNR of SU-MIMO and MU-MIMO may be fed back simultaneously in the same first field.

[0066] In a possible design, the first field further includes a number of spatial streams NSS subfield with a quantity of bits of 2, and the maximum number of spatial streams indicated by the NSS subfield is 4.

[0067] Based on this possible design, the NSS subfield may be applicable to both SU-MIMO and MU-MIMO, and values ​​0 to 3 of the NSS subfield may correspond to the number of spatial streams 1 to 4, respectively.

[0068] In a possible design, the first field further includes a resource unit allocation subfield, where the number of bits of the resource unit allocation subfield is 5, the number of bits of the resource unit allocation subfield is 7, the number of bits of the resource unit allocation subfield is 8, or the number of bits of the resource unit allocation subfield is 9.

[0069] Based on this possible design, the resource unit allocation subfield is adjusted so that the requirements for RUs in the 802.11be standard or future Wi-Fi standards can be met.

[0070] In a possible design, the first field includes an unsolicited modulation and coding scheme feedback MFB subfield having a quantity of bits of 1 and first indication information having a quantity of bits of 1. When the value of the unsolicited MFB subfield is the first value, the first indication information indicates a modulation and coding scheme request MRQ, or when the value of the unsolicited MFB subfield is the second value, the first indication information indicates an uplink very high throughput trigger-based PPDU modulation and coding scheme feedback UL EHT TB PPDU MFB.

[0071] Based on this possible design, the MRQ and UL EHT TB PPDU MFB are indicated using one bit, referring to the value of the Unsolicited MFB subfield. Compared to the 802.11ax standard, in which the MRQ and the UL EHT TB PPDU MFB are each indicated using one bit, one bit can be saved. Furthermore, since more features and functions in the 802.11be standard or future Wi-Fi standards can be supported using this saved one bit, the first field feedbacks more information without increasing the number of bits (in other words, the number of bits remains at 26).

[0072] In a possible design, the first field further includes a bandwidth BW subfield, where the quantity of bits is three or greater.

[0073] Based on this possible design, since the number of bits in the BW subfield is expanded compared to the 802.11ax standard, the BW subfield may indicate more bandwidth information, thereby meeting the bandwidth requirements in the 802.11be standard or future Wi-Fi standards.

[0074] In a possible design, the first field further includes fourth indication information having a bit quantity of 1. The fourth indication information indicates that the first field is an extremely high-throughput EHT LA control subfield, or the fourth indication information indicates that the first field is a high-efficiency HE LA control subfield.

[0075] Based on this possible design, by adding the fourth indication information, it is possible to effectively distinguish whether the current first field is an HE LA control subfield or an EHT LA control subfield.

[0076] In a possible design, the first field further includes a modulation and coding scheme MCS request sequence identifier or partial PPDU parameters subfield, the quantity of which is two.

[0077] Based on this possible design, compared with the 802.11ax standard, in this embodiment of the present application, the modulation and coding scheme MCS request sequence identifier or partial PPDU parameter subfield is compressed from 3 bits to 2 bits, thereby saving the number of bits while satisfying the requirements of the modulation and coding scheme MCS request sequence identifier or partial PPDU parameter subfield in the 802.11be standard or future Wi-Fi standards. Furthermore, the saved 1 bit can be used to support more features and functions in the 802.11be standard or future Wi-Fi standards, so the first field can feedback more features and functions with 26 bits.

[0078] In a possible design, the first field further includes a Tx beamforming subfield with a quantity of bits equal to one.

[0079] In a possible design, the PPDU further includes a control identifier field corresponding to the first field, where the value of the control identifier field is one of 2, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, and 14. When the value of the control identifier field is one of 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, and 14, the control identifier field indicates that the first field is an EHT LA control subfield.

[0080] Based on this possible design, when the value of the control identifier field is 2, the first field may include fourth indication information to indicate whether the current first field is an HE LA control subfield or an EHT LA control subfield. When the value of the control identifier field is any one of 9 to 14, the control identifier field indicates that the first field is an EHT LA control subfield.

[0081] According to a fourteenth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a first communication device. The first communication device may implement a function performed by the first communication device in the thirteenth aspect or a possible design thereof, and the function may be implemented by executing corresponding software by hardware. The hardware or software includes one or more modules corresponding to the function, such as a processing module and a transceiver module. The processing module is configured to generate a physical layer protocol data unit (PPDU), and the transceiver module is configured to transmit the PPDU to a second communication device. The PPDU includes a first field having a quantity of 26 bits. The first field includes a single-user multiple-input multiple-output extremely high-throughput modulation and coding scheme (EHT-MSC) subfield having a quantity of four bits and a multi-user multiple-input multiple-output (MMI) EHT-MSC subfield having a quantity of four bits, or the first field includes a single-user multiple-input multiple-output signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) subfield having a quantity of six bits and a multi-user multiple-input multiple-output (MMI) SNR subfield having a quantity of six bits.

[0082] For a description of the first field in the fourteenth aspect, please refer to the description of the first field in the thirteenth aspect. Details will not be repeated. For a specific implementation of the first communication device in the fourteenth aspect, please refer to the behavioral function of the first communication device in the communication method provided in the thirteenth aspect or any one of the possible designs of the thirteenth aspect.

[0083] According to a fifteenth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a first communication device. The first communication device may be a first communication device, or may be a chip or system-on-chip within the first communication device. The first communication device may perform the functions performed by the first communication device in the above aspects or possible designs, and the functions may be implemented by hardware. In a possible design, the first communication device may include a processor and a transceiver. The processor and the transceiver may be configured to support the first communication device in performing the functions in any one of the thirteenth aspect or possible designs of the thirteenth aspect. For example, the processor may be configured to generate a physical layer protocol data unit (PPDU), and the transceiver may be configured to transmit the PPDU to the second communication device. The PPDU includes a first field having a quantity of bits of 26, the first field including a single-user multiple-input multiple-output extremely high-throughput modulation and coding scheme EHT-MSC subfield having a quantity of bits of 4 and a multi-user multiple-input multiple-output EHT-MSC subfield having a quantity of bits of 4, or the first field including a single-user multiple-input multiple-output signal-to-noise ratio SNR subfield having a quantity of bits of 6 and a multi-user multiple-input multiple-output SNR subfield having a quantity of bits of 6. In another possible design, the first communication device may further include a memory configured to store computer-executable instructions and data required for the first communication device. When the first communication device is operational, the transceiver and the processor execute the computer-executable instructions stored in the memory so that the first communication device performs the communication method according to the thirteenth aspect or any one of the possible designs of the thirteenth aspect.

[0084] For a description of the first field in the fifteenth aspect, please refer to the description of the first field in the thirteenth aspect. Details will not be repeated. For a specific implementation of the first communication device in the fifteenth aspect, please refer to the behavioral function of the first communication device in the communication method provided in the thirteenth aspect or any one of the possible designs of the thirteenth aspect.

[0085] According to a sixteenth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication method, the method including: a second communication device receiving a physical layer protocol data unit (PPDU) from a first communication device and parsing the PPDU; the PPDU including a first field having a quantity of 26 bits; the first field including a single-user multiple-input multiple-output extremely high-throughput modulation and coding scheme (EHT-MSC) subfield having a quantity of 4 bits and a multi-user multiple-input multiple-output (MMI) EHT-MSC subfield having a quantity of 4 bits; or the first field including a single-user multiple-input multiple-output signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) subfield having a quantity of 6 bits and a multi-user multiple-input multiple-output (MMI) SNR subfield having a quantity of 6 bits.

[0086] For a description of the first field in the sixteenth aspect, please refer to the description of the first field in the thirteenth aspect, and the details will not be repeated.

[0087] According to a seventeenth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a second communication device. The second communication device may implement the functions performed by the second communication device in the sixteenth aspect or a possible design of the sixteenth aspect, and the functions may be implemented by executing corresponding software by hardware. The hardware or software includes one or more modules corresponding to the functions, such as a transceiver module and a processing module. The transceiver module is configured to receive a physical layer protocol data unit (PPDU) from the first communication device, and the processing module is configured to parse the PPDU. The PPDU includes a first field having a quantity of 26 bits. The first field includes a single-user multiple-input multiple-output extremely high-throughput modulation and coding scheme (EHT-MSC) subfield having a quantity of four bits and a multi-user multiple-input multiple-output (MMI) EHT-MSC subfield having a quantity of four bits, or the first field includes a single-user multiple-input multiple-output signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) subfield having a quantity of six bits and a multi-user multiple-input multiple-output (MMI) SNR subfield having a quantity of six bits.

[0088] For a description of the first field in the seventeenth aspect, please refer to the description of the first field in the sixteenth aspect. Details will not be repeated. For a specific implementation of the second communication device in the seventeenth aspect, please refer to the behavioral function of the second communication device in the communication method provided in the sixteenth aspect or any one of the possible designs of the sixteenth aspect.

[0089] According to an eighteenth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a second communication device. The second communication device may be a second communication device, or may be a chip or system-on-chip within the second communication device. The second communication device may implement the functions performed by the second communication device in the above aspects or possible designs, and the functions may be implemented by hardware. In a possible design, the second communication device may include a transceiver and a processor. The transceiver and processor may be configured to support the second communication device in implementing the functions in any one of the sixteenth aspect or possible designs of the sixteenth aspect. For example, the transceiver may be configured to receive a physical layer protocol data unit (PPDU) from the first communication device, and the processor may be configured to parse the PPDU. The PPDU includes a first field having a quantity of 26 bits. The first field includes a single-user multiple-input multiple-output extremely high-throughput modulation and coding scheme EHT-MSC subfield with a quantity of bits of 4 and a multi-user multiple-input multiple-output EHT-MSC subfield with a quantity of bits of 4, or the first field includes a single-user multiple-input multiple-output signal-to-noise ratio SNR subfield with a quantity of bits of 6 and a multi-user multiple-input multiple-output SNR subfield with a quantity of bits of 6. In another possible design, the second communication device further includes a memory configured to store computer-executable instructions and data required for the second communication device. When the second communication device is operational, the transceiver and processor execute the computer-executable instructions stored in the memory so that the second communication device performs the communication method according to the sixteenth aspect or any one of the possible designs of the sixteenth aspect.

[0090] For a description of the first field in the eighteenth aspect, please refer to the description of the first field in the sixteenth aspect. Details will not be repeated. For a specific implementation of the second communication device in the eighteenth aspect, please refer to the behavioral function of the second communication device in the communication method provided in the sixteenth aspect or any one of the possible designs of the sixteenth aspect.

[0091] According to a nineteenth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication method. The method includes a first communication device generating a physical layer protocol data unit (PPDU) and transmitting the PPDU to a second communication device. The PPDU includes a first field having a quantity of 26 bits. The first field includes a single-user multiple-input multiple-output extremely high-throughput modulation and coding scheme (EHT-MSC) subfield having a quantity of four bits, a multi-user multiple-input multiple-output (EHT-MSC) subfield having a quantity of four bits, a single-user multiple-input multiple-output number of spatial streams (NSS) subfield having a quantity of three or more bits, and a multi-user multiple-input multiple-output (NSS) subfield having a quantity of two bits. Alternatively, the first field includes a single-user multiple-input multiple-output signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) subfield having a quantity of six bits, a multi-user multiple-input multiple-output (SNR) subfield having a quantity of six bits, a single-user multiple-input multiple-output number of spatial streams (NSS) subfield having a quantity of three or more bits, and a multi-user multiple-input multiple-output (NSS) subfield having a quantity of two bits.

[0092] According to the 19th aspect, the MCS (or SNR) and NSS of SU-MIMO and MU-MIMO can be fed back simultaneously in the same first field, so that the number of spatial streams is fed back more accurately and the throughput of the communication system is improved.

[0093] In a possible design, the first field further includes a resource unit allocation subfield, where the number of bits of the resource unit allocation subfield is 5, the number of bits of the resource unit allocation subfield is 7, the number of bits of the resource unit allocation subfield is 8, or the number of bits of the resource unit allocation subfield is 9.

[0094] Based on this possible design, the resource unit allocation subfield is adjusted so that the requirements for RUs in the 802.11be standard or future Wi-Fi standards can be met.

[0095] In a possible design, the first field includes an unsolicited modulation and coding scheme feedback MFB subfield having a quantity of bits of 1 and first indication information having a quantity of bits of 1. When the value of the unsolicited MFB subfield is the first value, the first indication information indicates a modulation and coding scheme request MRQ, or when the value of the unsolicited MFB subfield is the second value, the first indication information indicates an uplink very high throughput trigger-based PPDU modulation and coding scheme feedback UL EHT TB PPDU MFB.

[0096] Based on this possible design, the MRQ and UL EHT TB PPDU MFB are indicated using one bit, referring to the value of the Unsolicited MFB subfield. Compared to the 802.11ax standard, in which the MRQ and the UL EHT TB PPDU MFB are each indicated using one bit, one bit can be saved. Furthermore, since more features and functions in the 802.11be standard or future Wi-Fi standards can be supported using this saved one bit, the first field feedbacks more information without increasing the number of bits (in other words, the number of bits remains at 26).

[0097] In a possible design, the first field further includes a bandwidth BW subfield, where the quantity of bits is three or greater.

[0098] Based on this possible design, since the number of bits in the BW subfield is expanded compared to the 802.11ax standard, the BW subfield may indicate more bandwidth information, thereby meeting the bandwidth requirements in the 802.11be standard or future Wi-Fi standards.

[0099] In a possible design, the first field further includes fourth indication information having a bit quantity of 1. The fourth indication information indicates that the first field is an extremely high-throughput EHT LA control subfield, or the fourth indication information indicates that the first field is a high-efficiency HE LA control subfield.

[0100] Based on this possible design, by adding the fourth indication information, it is possible to effectively distinguish whether the current first field is an HE LA control subfield or an EHT LA control subfield.

[0101] In a possible design, the first field further includes a modulation and coding scheme MCS request sequence identifier or partial PPDU parameters subfield, the quantity of which is two.

[0102] Based on this possible design, compared to the 802.11ax standard, in this embodiment of the present application, the modulation and coding scheme MCS request sequence identifier or partial PPDU parameter subfield is compressed from 3 bits to 2 bits, thereby saving the number of bits while meeting the requirements of the modulation and coding scheme MCS request sequence identifier or partial PPDU parameter subfield in the 802.11be standard or future Wi-Fi standards. Furthermore, the saved 1 bit can be used to support more features and functions in the 802.11be standard or future Wi-Fi standards, so the first field can feedback more information with 26 bits.

[0103] In a possible design, the first field further includes a Tx beamforming subfield with a quantity of bits equal to one.

[0104] In a possible design, the PPDU further includes a control identifier field corresponding to the first field, where the value of the control identifier field is one of 2, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, and 14. When the value of the control identifier field is one of 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, and 14, the control identifier field further indicates that the first field is an EHT LA control subfield.

[0105] Based on this possible design, when the value of the control identifier field is 2, the first field may include fourth indication information to indicate whether the current first field is an HE LA control subfield or an EHT LA control subfield. When the value of the control identifier field is any one of 9 to 14, the control identifier field indicates that the first field is an EHT LA control subfield.

[0106] According to a twentieth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a first communication device. The first communication device may implement a function performed by the first communication device in the nineteenth aspect or a possible design of the nineteenth aspect, and the function may be implemented by executing corresponding software by hardware. The hardware or software includes one or more modules corresponding to the function, such as a processing module and a transceiver module. The processing module is configured to generate a physical layer protocol data unit (PPDU), and the transceiver module is configured to transmit the PPDU to a second communication device. The PPDU includes a first field having a quantity of 26 bits. The first field includes a single-user multiple-input multiple-output very high-throughput modulation and coding scheme (EHT-MSC) subfield having a quantity of four bits, a multi-user multiple-input multiple-output (EHT-MSC) subfield having a quantity of four bits, a single-user multiple-input multiple-output number of spatial streams (NSS) subfield having a quantity of three or more bits, and a multi-user multiple-input multiple-output (NSS) subfield having a quantity of two bits. Alternatively, the first field includes a single-user multiple-input multiple-output signal-to-noise ratio SNR subfield with a quantity of bits of 6, a multi-user multiple-input multiple-output SNR subfield with a quantity of bits of 6, a single-user multiple-input multiple-output number of spatial streams NSS subfield with a quantity of bits of 3 or more, and a multi-user multiple-input multiple-output NSS subfield with a quantity of bits of 2.

[0107] For a description of the first field in the twentieth aspect, please refer to the description of the first field in the nineteenth aspect. Details will not be repeated. For a specific implementation of the first communication device in the twentieth aspect, please refer to the behavior function of the first communication device in the communication method provided in the nineteenth aspect or any one of the possible designs of the nineteenth aspect.

[0108] According to a 21st aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a first communication device. The first communication device may be a first communication device, or may be a chip or system-on-chip within the first communication device. The first communication device may perform the functions performed by the first communication device in the above aspects or possible designs, and the functions may be implemented by hardware. In a possible design, the first communication device may include a processor and a transceiver. The processor and the transceiver may be configured to support the first communication device in performing the functions in any one of the 19th aspect or possible designs of the 19th aspect. For example, the processor may be configured to generate a physical layer protocol data unit (PPDU), and the transceiver may be configured to transmit the PPDU to the second communication device. The PPDU includes a first field having a quantity of 26 bits. The first field includes a single-user multiple-input multiple-output extremely high-throughput modulation and coding scheme EHT-MSC subfield with a quantity of bits of 4, a multi-user multiple-input multiple-output EHT-MSC subfield with a quantity of bits of 4, a single-user multiple-input multiple-output number of spatial streams NSS subfield with a quantity of bits of 3 or more, and a multi-user multiple-input multiple-output NSS subfield with a quantity of bits of 2. Alternatively, the first field includes a single-user multiple-input multiple-output signal-to-noise ratio SNR subfield with a quantity of bits of 6, a multi-user multiple-input multiple-output SNR subfield with a quantity of bits of 6, a single-user multiple-input multiple-output number of spatial streams NSS subfield with a quantity of bits of 3 or more, and a multi-user multiple-input multiple-output NSS subfield with a quantity of bits of 2. In another possible design, the first communication device may further include a memory configured to store computer-executable instructions and data necessary for the first communication device. When the first communication device is operating, the transceiver and processor execute computer-executable instructions stored in the memory, causing the first communication device to perform a communication method according to the 19th aspect or any one of the possible designs of the 19th aspect.

[0109] For a description of the first field in the 21st aspect, please refer to the description of the first field in the 19th aspect. Details will not be repeated. For a specific implementation of the first communication device in the 21st aspect, please refer to the behavior function of the first communication device in the communication method provided in the 19th aspect or any one of the possible designs of the 19th aspect.

[0110] According to a 22nd aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication method. The method includes: a second communication device receiving a physical layer protocol data unit (PPDU) from a first communication device and parsing the PPDU. The PPDU includes a first field having a quantity of 26 bits. The first field includes a single-user multiple-input multiple-output very high-throughput modulation and coding scheme (EHT-MSC) subfield having a quantity of 4 bits, a multi-user multiple-input multiple-output (EHT-MSC) subfield having a quantity of 4 bits, a single-user multiple-input multiple-output number of spatial streams (NSS) subfield having a quantity of 3 or more bits, and a multi-user multiple-input multiple-output (NSS) subfield having a quantity of 2 bits. Alternatively, the first field includes a single-user multiple-input multiple-output signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) subfield having a quantity of 6 bits, a multi-user multiple-input multiple-output (SNR) subfield having a quantity of 6 bits, a single-user multiple-input multiple-output number of spatial streams (NSS) subfield having a quantity of 3 or more bits, and a multi-user multiple-input multiple-output (NSS) subfield having a quantity of 2 bits.

[0111] For a description of the first field in the 22nd embodiment, please refer to the description of the first field in the 19th embodiment, and details will not be repeated.

[0112] According to a 23rd aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a second communication device. The second communication device may implement a function performed by the second communication device in the 22nd aspect or a possible design of the 22nd aspect, and the function may be implemented by executing corresponding software by hardware. The hardware or software includes one or more modules corresponding to the function, such as a transceiver module and a processing module. The transceiver module is configured to receive a physical layer protocol data unit (PPDU) from the first communication device, and the processing unit is configured to parse the PPDU. The PPDU includes a first field having a quantity of 26 bits. The first field includes a single-user multiple-input multiple-output very high-throughput modulation and coding scheme (EHT-MSC) subfield having a quantity of 4 bits, a multi-user multiple-input multiple-output (EHT-MSC) subfield having a quantity of 4 bits, a single-user multiple-input multiple-output number of spatial streams (NSS) subfield having a quantity of 3 or more bits, and a multi-user multiple-input multiple-output (NSS) subfield having a quantity of 2 bits. Alternatively, the first field includes a single-user multiple-input multiple-output signal-to-noise ratio SNR subfield with a quantity of bits of 6, a multi-user multiple-input multiple-output SNR subfield with a quantity of bits of 6, a single-user multiple-input multiple-output number of spatial streams NSS subfield with a quantity of bits of 3 or more, and a multi-user multiple-input multiple-output NSS subfield with a quantity of bits of 2.

[0113] For a description of the first field in the 23rd aspect, please refer to the description of the first field in the 22nd aspect. Details will not be repeated. For a specific implementation of the second communication device in the 23rd aspect, please refer to the behavioral function of the second communication device in the communication method provided in the 22nd aspect or any one of the possible designs of the 22nd aspect.

[0114] According to a 24th aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a second communication device. The second communication device may be a second communication device, or may be a chip or system-on-chip within the second communication device. The second communication device may implement the functions performed by the second communication device in the above aspects or possible designs, and the functions may be implemented by hardware. In a possible design, the second communication device may include a transceiver and a processor. The transceiver and processor may be configured to support the second communication device in implementing the functions in any one of the 22nd aspect or possible designs of the 22nd aspect. For example, the transceiver may be configured to receive a physical layer protocol data unit (PPDU) from the first communication device, and the processor may be configured to parse the PPDU. The PPDU includes a first field having a quantity of 26 bits. The first field includes a single-user multiple-input multiple-output extremely high-throughput modulation and coding scheme EHT-MSC subfield with a quantity of bits of 4, a multi-user multiple-input multiple-output EHT-MSC subfield with a quantity of bits of 4, a single-user multiple-input multiple-output number of spatial streams NSS subfield with a quantity of bits of 3 or more, and a multi-user multiple-input multiple-output NSS subfield with a quantity of bits of 2. Alternatively, the first field includes a single-user multiple-input multiple-output signal-to-noise ratio SNR subfield with a quantity of bits of 6, a multi-user multiple-input multiple-output SNR subfield with a quantity of bits of 6, a single-user multiple-input multiple-output number of spatial streams NSS subfield with a quantity of bits of 3 or more, and a multi-user multiple-input multiple-output NSS subfield with a quantity of bits of 2. In another possible design, the second communication device further includes a memory configured to store computer-executable instructions and data required for the second communication device. When the second communication device is operational, the transceiver and processor execute computer-executable instructions stored in the memory, causing the second communication device to perform a communication method according to the 22nd aspect or any one of the possible designs of the 22nd aspect.

[0115] For a description of the first field in the 24th aspect, please refer to the description of the first field in the 22nd aspect. Details will not be repeated. For a specific implementation of the second communication device in the 24th aspect, please refer to the behavioral function of the second communication device in the communication method provided in the 22nd aspect or any one of the possible designs of the 22nd aspect.

[0116] According to a 25th aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication method, the method including: a first communication device generating a physical layer protocol data unit (PPDU) and transmitting the PPDU to a second communication device; the PPDU including a first field having a quantity of 26 bits, the first field including third indication information having a quantity of 1 bit; the third indication information indicating that the first field corresponds to orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA); or the third indication information indicating that the first field corresponds to non-orthogonal frequency division multiple access (non-OFDMA).

[0117] According to the twenty-fifth aspect, the third indication information may be added to indicate whether the first field corresponds to OFDMA or non-OFDMA.

[0118] In a possible design, when the third indication information indicates that the first field corresponds to OFDMA, the first field further includes a single-user multiple-input multiple-output extremely high-throughput modulation and coding scheme (EHT-MSC) subfield with a quantity of bits of 4, a single-user multiple-input multiple-output number of spatial streams (NSS) subfield with a quantity of bits of 3 or more, and a resource unit allocation subfield. The quantity of bits of the resource unit allocation subfield is 5, the quantity of bits of the resource unit allocation subfield is 7, the quantity of bits of the resource unit allocation subfield is 8, or the quantity of bits of the resource unit allocation subfield is 9. Alternatively, when the third indication information indicates that the first field corresponds to non-OFDMA, the first field further includes a single-user multiple-input multiple-output (EHT-MSC) subfield with a quantity of bits of 4, a single-user multiple-input multiple-output (NSS) subfield with a quantity of bits of 3 or more, a multi-user multiple-input multiple-output (NSS) subfield with a quantity of bits of 2, and a multi-user multiple-input multiple-output (EHT-MSC) subfield with a quantity of bits of 4.

[0119] Based on this possible design, when the first field corresponds to non-OFDMA compared with OFDMA, a bit quantity reuse scheme may be used. The number of bits of the RU allocation subfield in the first field is used as the number of bits of the MU-MIMO NSS subfield and the number of bits of the MU-MIMO EHT-MSC subfield, so that the bit reuse effectively distinguishes between OFDMA and non-OFDMA with limited bits. In this way, feedback becomes more accurate and the throughput of the communication system is improved.

[0120] In a possible design, when the third indication information indicates that the first field corresponds to OFDMA, the first field further includes a single-user multiple-input multiple-output signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) subfield having a quantity of bits of 6, a single-user multiple-input multiple-output number of spatial streams (NSS) subfield having a quantity of bits equal to or greater than 3, and a resource unit allocation subfield. The quantity of bits of the resource unit allocation subfield is 5, the quantity of bits of the resource unit allocation subfield is 7, the quantity of bits of the resource unit allocation subfield is 8, or the quantity of bits of the resource unit allocation subfield is 9. Alternatively, when the third indication information indicates that the first field corresponds to non-OFDMA, the first field further includes a single-user multiple-input multiple-output SNR subfield having a quantity of bits of 6, a single-user multiple-input multiple-output NSS subfield having a quantity of bits equal to or greater than 3, a multi-user multiple-input multiple-output NSS subfield having a quantity of bits equal to 2, and a multi-user multiple-input multiple-output SNR subfield having a quantity of bits equal to 6.

[0121] Based on this possible design, when the first field corresponds to non-OFDMA compared with OFDMA, a bit quantity reuse scheme may be used. The number of bits of the RU allocation subfield in the first field is used as the number of bits of the MU-MIMO NSS subfield and the number of bits of the MU-MIMO SNR subfield, so that the bit reuse effectively distinguishes between OFDMA and non-OFDMA with limited bits. In this way, feedback becomes more accurate and the throughput of the communication system is improved.

[0122] In a possible design, the first field includes an unsolicited modulation and coding scheme feedback MFB subfield having a quantity of bits of 1 and first indication information having a quantity of bits of 1. When the value of the unsolicited MFB subfield is the first value, the first indication information indicates a modulation and coding scheme request MRQ, or when the value of the unsolicited MFB subfield is the second value, the first indication information indicates an uplink very high throughput trigger-based PPDU modulation and coding scheme feedback UL EHT TB PPDU MFB.

[0123] Based on this possible design, the MRQ and UL EHT TB PPDU MFB are indicated using one bit, referring to the value of the Unsolicited MFB subfield. Compared to the 802.11ax standard, in which the MRQ and the UL EHT TB PPDU MFB are each indicated using one bit, one bit can be saved. Furthermore, since more features and functions in the 802.11be standard or future Wi-Fi standards can be supported using this saved one bit, the first field feedbacks more information without increasing the number of bits (in other words, the number of bits remains at 26).

[0124] In a possible design, the first field further includes a bandwidth BW subfield, where the quantity of bits is three or greater.

[0125] Based on this possible design, since the number of bits in the BW subfield is expanded compared to the 802.11ax standard, the BW subfield may indicate more bandwidth information, thereby meeting the bandwidth requirements in the 802.11be standard or future Wi-Fi standards.

[0126] In a possible design, the first field further includes fourth indication information having a bit quantity of 1. The fourth indication information indicates that the first field is an extremely high-throughput EHT LA control subfield, or the fourth indication information indicates that the first field is a high-efficiency HE LA control subfield.

[0127] Based on this possible design, by adding the fourth indication information, it is possible to effectively distinguish whether the current first field is an HE LA control subfield or an EHT LA control subfield.

[0128] In a possible design, the first field further includes a modulation and coding scheme MCS request sequence identifier or partial PPDU parameters subfield, the quantity of which is two.

[0129] Based on this possible design, compared with the 802.11ax standard, in this embodiment of the present application, the modulation and coding scheme MCS request sequence identifier or partial PPDU parameter subfield is compressed from 3 bits to 2 bits, thereby saving the number of bits while satisfying the requirements of the modulation and coding scheme MCS request sequence identifier or partial PPDU parameter subfield in the 802.11be standard or future Wi-Fi standards. Furthermore, the saved 1 bit can be used to support more features and functions in the 802.11be standard or future Wi-Fi standards, so the first field can feedback more features and functions with 26 bits.

[0130] In a possible design, the first field further includes a Tx beamforming subfield with a quantity of bits equal to one.

[0131] The PPDU further includes a control identifier field corresponding to the first field, and the value of the control identifier field is one of 2, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, and 14. When the value of the control identifier field is one of 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, and 14, the control identifier field indicates that the first field is an EHT LA control subfield.

[0132] Based on this possible design, when the value of the control identifier field is 2, the first field may include fourth indication information to indicate whether the current first field is an HE LA control subfield or an EHT LA control subfield. When the value of the control identifier field is any one of 9 to 14, the control identifier field indicates that the first field is an EHT LA control subfield.

[0133] According to a 26th aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a first communication device. The first communication device may implement a function performed by the first communication device in the 25th aspect or a possible design of the 25th aspect, and the function may be implemented by executing corresponding software by hardware. The hardware or software includes one or more modules corresponding to the function, such as a processing module and a transceiver module. The processing module is configured to generate a physical layer protocol data unit (PPDU), and the transceiver module is configured to transmit the PPDU to a second communication device. The PPDU includes a first field having a quantity of 26 bits, and the first field includes third indication information having a quantity of 1 bit. The third indication information indicates that the first field corresponds to orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA), or the third indication information indicates that the first field corresponds to non-orthogonal frequency division multiple access (non-OFDMA).

[0134] For a description of the first field in the 26th aspect, please refer to the description of the first field in the 25th aspect. Details will not be repeated. For a specific implementation of the first communication device in the 26th aspect, please refer to the behavioral function of the first communication device in the communication method provided in the 25th aspect or any one of the possible designs of the 25th aspect.

[0135] According to a 27th aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a first communication device. The first communication device may be a first communication device, or may be a chip or system-on-chip within the first communication device. The first communication device may implement the functions performed by the first communication device in the above aspects or possible designs, and the functions may be implemented by hardware. In a possible design, the first communication device may include a processor and a transceiver. The processor and the transceiver may be configured to support the first communication device in implementing the functions in any one of the 25th aspect or possible designs of the 25th aspect. For example, the processor may be configured to generate a physical layer protocol data unit (PPDU), and the transceiver may be configured to transmit the PPDU to the second communication device. The PPDU includes a first field having a quantity of 26 bits, and the first field includes third indication information having a quantity of 1 bit. The third indication information indicates that the first field corresponds to Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access (OFDMA), or the third indication information indicates that the first field corresponds to Non-Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access (non-OFDMA). In another possible design, the first communication device may further include a memory configured to store computer-executable instructions and data necessary for the first communication device. When the first communication device is operational, the transceiver and the processor execute the computer-executable instructions stored in the memory so that the first communication device performs the communication method according to the 25th aspect or any one of the possible designs of the 25th aspect.

[0136] For a description of the first field in the 27th aspect, please refer to the description of the first field in the 25th aspect. Details will not be repeated. For a specific implementation of the first communication device in the 27th aspect, please refer to the behavior function of the first communication device in the communication method provided in the 25th aspect or any one of the possible designs of the 25th aspect.

[0137] According to a 28th aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication method, the method including: a second communication device receiving a physical layer protocol data unit (PPDU) from a first communication device; and parsing the PPDU. The PPDU includes a first field having a quantity of 26 bits, and the first field includes third indication information having a quantity of 1 bit. The third indication information indicates that the first field corresponds to Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access (OFDMA), or the third indication information indicates that the first field corresponds to Non-Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access (non-OFDMA).

[0138] For a description of the first field in the 28th embodiment, please refer to the description of the first field in the 25th embodiment, and details will not be repeated.

[0139] According to a 29th aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a second communication device. The second communication device may implement a function performed by the second communication device in the 28th aspect or a possible design of the 28th aspect, and the function may be implemented by executing corresponding software by hardware. The hardware or software includes one or more modules corresponding to the function, such as a transceiver module and a processing module. The transceiver module is configured to receive a physical layer protocol data unit (PPDU) from the first communication device, and the processing unit is configured to parse the PPDU. The PPDU includes a first field having a quantity of 26 bits, and the first field includes third indication information having a quantity of 1 bit. The third indication information indicates that the first field corresponds to orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA), or the third indication information indicates that the first field corresponds to non-orthogonal frequency division multiple access (non-OFDMA).

[0140] For a description of the first field in the 29th aspect, please refer to the description of the first field in the 28th aspect. Details will not be repeated. For a specific implementation of the second communication device in the 29th aspect, please refer to the behavior function of the second communication device in the communication method provided in the 28th aspect or any one of the possible designs of the 28th aspect.

[0141] According to a thirtieth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a second communication device. The second communication device may be a second communication device, or may be a chip or system-on-chip within the second communication device. The second communication device may implement the functions performed by the second communication device in the above aspects or possible designs, and the functions may be implemented by hardware. In a possible design, the second communication device may include a transceiver and a processor. The transceiver and processor may be configured to support the second communication device in implementing the functions in any one of the 28th aspect or possible designs of the 28th aspect. For example, the transceiver may be configured to receive a physical layer protocol data unit (PPDU) from the first communication device, and the processor may be configured to parse the PPDU. The PPDU includes a first field having a quantity of 26 bits, and the first field includes third indication information having a quantity of 1 bit. The third indication information indicates that the first field corresponds to Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access (OFDMA), or the third indication information indicates that the first field corresponds to Non-Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access (non-OFDMA). In another possible design, the second communication device further includes a memory configured to store computer-executable instructions and data necessary for the second communication device. When the second communication device is operational, the transceiver and the processor execute the computer-executable instructions stored in the memory to cause the second communication device to perform the communication method according to the 28th aspect or any one of the possible designs of the 28th aspect.

[0142] For a description of the first field in the 30th aspect, please refer to the description of the first field in the 28th aspect. Details will not be repeated. For a specific implementation of the second communication device in the 30th aspect, please refer to the behavioral function of the second communication device in the communication method provided in the 28th aspect or any one of the possible designs of the 28th aspect.

[0143] According to a thirty-first aspect, there is provided a communications device, the communications device including one or more processors and one or more memories coupled to the one or more processors, the one or more memories configured to store computer programs or instructions, and the one or more processors configured to execute the computer programs or instructions. When executed by one or more processors, the computer program or instructions cause a communication method according to the first aspect or any one of the possible designs of the first aspect to be performed, a communication method according to the fourth aspect or any one of the possible designs of the fourth aspect to be performed, a communication method according to the seventh aspect or any one of the possible designs of the seventh aspect to be performed, a communication method according to the tenth aspect or any one of the possible designs of the tenth aspect to be performed, a communication method according to the thirteenth aspect or any one of the possible designs of the thirteenth aspect to be performed, a communication method according to the sixteenth aspect or any one of the possible designs of the sixteenth aspect to be performed, a communication method according to the nineteenth aspect or any one of the possible designs of the nineteenth aspect to be performed, a communication method according to the twenty-second aspect or any one of the possible designs of the twenty-second aspect to be performed, a communication method according to the twenty-fifth aspect or any one of the possible designs of the twenty-fifth aspect to be performed, or a communication method according to the twenty-eighth aspect or any one of the possible designs of the twenty-eighth aspect to be performed.

[0144] In one possible implementation, the memory is located external to the communication device. In another possible implementation, the memory is located internal to the communication device. In this embodiment of the present application, the processor and the memory may alternatively be integrated into one component. In other words, the processor and the memory may alternatively be integrated.

[0145] In a possible design, the communication device further includes one or more communication interfaces, the one or more communication interfaces coupled to the one or more processors, the one or more communication interfaces configured to communicate with modules other than the communication device. The one or more communication interfaces coupled to the one or more processors.

[0146] According to a thirty-second aspect, there is provided a communication device, the communication device including an interface circuit and a logic circuit, the interface circuit coupled to the logic circuit, the interface circuit configured to input information and / or output information. The logic circuit is configured to perform a method of communication according to the first aspect or any one of the possible designs of the first aspect, a method of communication according to the fourth aspect or any one of the possible designs of the fourth aspect, a method of communication according to the seventh aspect or any one of the possible designs of the seventh aspect, a method of communication according to the tenth aspect or any one of the possible designs of the tenth aspect, a method of communication according to the thirteenth aspect or any one of the possible designs of the thirteenth aspect, a method of communication according to the sixteenth aspect or any one of the possible designs of the sixteenth aspect, a method of communication according to the nineteenth aspect or any one of the possible designs of the nineteenth aspect, a method of communication according to the twenty-second aspect or any one of the possible designs of the twenty-second aspect, a method of communication according to the twenty-fifth aspect or any one of the possible designs of the twenty-fifth aspect, or a method of communication according to the twenty-eighth aspect or any one of the possible designs of the twenty-eighth aspect, process information and / or generate information based on this information. Note that the interface circuitry is also sometimes described as an input / output interface.

[0147] According to a thirty-third aspect, there is provided a computer-readable storage medium for storing computer instructions or programs. The computer instructions or program, when executed on a computer, causes a communication method according to the first aspect or any one of the possible designs of the first aspect to be performed, a communication method according to the fourth aspect or any one of the possible designs of the fourth aspect to be performed, a communication method according to the seventh aspect or any one of the possible designs of the seventh aspect to be performed, a communication method according to the tenth aspect or any one of the possible designs of the tenth aspect to be performed, a communication method according to the thirteenth aspect or any one of the possible designs of the thirteenth aspect to be performed, a communication method according to the sixteenth aspect or any one of the possible designs of the sixteenth aspect to be performed, a communication method according to the nineteenth aspect or any one of the possible designs of the nineteenth aspect to be performed, a communication method according to the twenty-second aspect or any one of the possible designs of the twenty-second aspect to be performed, a communication method according to the twenty-fifth aspect or any one of the possible designs of the twenty-fifth aspect to be performed, or a communication method according to the twenty-eighth aspect or any one of the possible designs of the twenty-eighth aspect to be performed.

[0148] According to a thirty-fourth aspect, there is provided a computer program product comprising computer instructions. When the computer program product is run on a computer, a communication method according to the first aspect or any one of the possible designs of the first aspect is performed, a communication method according to the fourth aspect or any one of the possible designs of the fourth aspect is performed, a communication method according to the seventh aspect or any one of the possible designs of the seventh aspect is performed, a communication method according to the tenth aspect or any one of the possible designs of the tenth aspect is performed, a communication method according to the thirteenth aspect or any one of the possible designs of the thirteenth aspect is performed, a communication method according to the sixteenth aspect or any one of the possible designs of the sixteenth aspect is performed, a communication method according to the nineteenth aspect or any one of the possible designs of the nineteenth aspect is performed, a communication method according to the twenty-second aspect or any one of the possible designs of the twenty-second aspect is performed, a communication method according to the twenty-fifth aspect or any one of the possible designs of the twenty-fifth aspect is performed, or a communication method according to the twenty-eighth aspect or any one of the possible designs of the twenty-eighth aspect is performed.

[0149] According to a thirty-fifth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a computer program. When this computer program is run on a computer, a communication method according to the first aspect or any one of the possible designs of the first aspect is performed, a communication method according to the fourth aspect or any one of the possible designs of the fourth aspect is performed, a communication method according to the seventh aspect or any one of the possible designs of the seventh aspect is performed, a communication method according to the tenth aspect or any one of the possible designs of the tenth aspect is performed, a communication method according to the thirteenth aspect or any one of the possible designs of the thirteenth aspect is performed, a communication method according to the sixteenth aspect or any one of the possible designs of the sixteenth aspect is performed, a communication method according to the nineteenth aspect or any one of the possible designs of the nineteenth aspect is performed, a communication method according to the twenty-second aspect or any one of the possible designs of the twenty-second aspect is performed, a communication method according to the twenty-fifth aspect or any one of the possible designs of the twenty-fifth aspect is performed, or a communication method according to the twenty-eighth aspect or any one of the possible designs of the twenty-eighth aspect is performed.

[0150] For the technical effects provided by any design manner of the 31st to 35th aspects, please refer to the technical effects provided by any possible design of the 1st aspect, the technical effects provided by any possible design of the 4th aspect, the technical effects provided by any possible design of the 7th aspect, the technical effects provided by any possible design of the 10th aspect, the technical effects provided by any possible design of the 13th aspect, the technical effects provided by any possible design of the 16th aspect, the technical effects provided by any possible design of the 19th aspect, the technical effects provided by any possible design of the 22nd aspect, the technical effects provided by any possible design of the 25th aspect, or the technical effects provided by any possible design of the 28th aspect, and the details will not be repeated here.

[0151] According to a 36th aspect, there is provided a communication system including a first communication device according to any one of the second and third aspects and a second communication device according to any one of the fifth and sixth aspects, a first communication device according to any one of the eighth and ninth aspects and a second communication device according to any one of the eleventh and twelfth aspects, a first communication device according to any one of the fourteenth and fifteenth aspects and a second communication device according to any one of the seventeenth and eighteenth aspects, a first communication device according to any one of the twentieth and twenty-first aspects and a second communication device according to any one of the twenty-third and twenty-fourth aspects, or a first communication device according to any one of the twenty-sixth and twenty-seventh aspects and a second communication device according to any one of the twenty-ninth and thirty aspects. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0152] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram of SU-MIMO according to an embodiment of the present application; [Figure 2] 1 is a schematic diagram of MU-MIMO according to an embodiment of the present application; [Figure 3] 2 is a schematic diagram of the structure of an MPDU frame according to an embodiment of the present application; [Figure 4] 1 is a schematic diagram of an A-control subfield frame structure according to an embodiment of the present application; [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of the structure of an HLA control subfield according to an embodiment of the present application; [Figure 6] 1 is a schematic diagram of a communication system according to an embodiment of the present application; [Figure 7] 1 is a schematic diagram of a composition structure of a communication device according to an embodiment of the present application. [Figure 8] 1 is a schematic diagram of a composition structure of a communication device according to an embodiment of the present application. [Figure 9] 1 is a flow chart of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present application; [Figure 10]FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a 20 MHz tone plan and RU plan according to an embodiment of the present application. [Figure 11] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a 20 MHz tone plan and RU plan according to an embodiment of the present application. [Figure 12] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a 20 MHz tone plan and RU plan according to an embodiment of the present application. [Figure 13] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a 40 MHz tone plan and RU plan according to an embodiment of the present application. [Figure 14] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a 40 MHz tone plan and RU plan according to an embodiment of the present application. [Figure 15] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a 40 MHz tone plan and RU plan according to an embodiment of the present application. [Figure 16] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of an 80 MHz tone plan and RU plan according to an embodiment of the present application. [Figure 17] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of an 80 MHz tone plan and RU plan according to an embodiment of the present application. [Figure 18] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of an 80 MHz tone plan and RU plan according to an embodiment of the present application. [Figure 19] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of an 80 MHz tone plan and RU plan according to an embodiment of the present application. [Figure 20] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a 160 MHz tone plan and RU plan according to an embodiment of the present application. [Figure 21] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a 160 MHz tone plan and RU plan according to an embodiment of the present application. [Figure 22] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a 320 MHz tone plan and RU plan according to an embodiment of the present application. [Figure 23] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a 320 MHz tone plan and RU plan according to an embodiment of the present application. [Figure 24] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a 320 MHz tone plan and RU plan according to an embodiment of the present application. [Figure 25] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a structure of a first field frame according to an embodiment of the present application; [Figure 26] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a structure of a first field frame according to an embodiment of the present application; [Figure 27] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a structure of a first field frame according to an embodiment of the present application; [Figure 28] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a structure of a first field frame according to an embodiment of the present application; [Figure 29] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a structure of a first field frame according to an embodiment of the present application; [Figure 30] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a structure of a first field frame according to an embodiment of the present application; [Figure 31] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a structure of a first field frame according to an embodiment of the present application; [Figure 32] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a structure of a first field frame according to an embodiment of the present application; [Figure 33] 1 is a schematic diagram of a first communication device according to an embodiment of the present application; [Figure 34] 1 is a schematic diagram of a communication device according to an embodiment of the present application; [Figure 35] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a second communication device according to an embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0153] Before describing the embodiments of the present application, technical terms used in the embodiments of the present application will be described.

[0154] Wireless local area network (WLAN) communication systems have gone through multiple generations of standards, starting with the 802.11a / b / g standard, including the 802.11n standard, the 802.11ac standard, the 802.11ax standard, and the 802.11be standard. Standards prior to the 802.11be standard, such as the 802.11a / b / g standard, the 802.11n standard, the 802.11ac standard, and the 802.11ax standard, are also sometimes collectively referred to as non-802.11be standards.

[0155] The standards prior to 802.11n, such as 802.11a / b / g, are sometimes collectively referred to as non-high throughput (non-HT) standards. The 802.11n standard is sometimes referred to as the high throughput (HT) standard. The 802.11ac standard is sometimes referred to as the very high throughput (VHT) standard. The 802.11ax standard is sometimes referred to as the high efficiency (HE) standard or the sixth generation wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi 6) standard. The 802.11be standard is sometimes referred to as the extreme high throughput (EHT) standard or the Wi-Fi 7 standard.

[0156] For example, see Table 1, which may show the allowable transmission bandwidths, the number of space-time streams, the coding and modulation schemes, and the maximum supported data rates of the above standards.

[0157] [Table 1]

[0158] Note that all standards in Table 1 use orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) mode. The 802.11b standard is not listed in Table 1 because it uses a non-OFDM mode.

[0159] OFDM is a fundamental transmission mode in current wireless communication systems that minimizes subcarrier spacing by utilizing subcarrier orthogonality within an acceptable range to ensure the formation of multiple parallel paths that do not interfere with each other and improve the frequency utilization efficiency of the wireless communication system. OFDM is widely used in wireless communication systems such as long term evolution (LTE) wireless communication systems, worldwide interoperability for microwave access (WiMAX) wireless communication systems, and Wi-Fi wireless communication systems. Furthermore, OFDM can also be applied to fixed network transmission, such as optical fiber, stranded copper wire, or cable transmission modes.

[0160] Based on the above description of OFDM, when non-interfering subcarriers using OFDM are allocated to multiple users, OFDM may be used to implement the access and data transmission of the multiple users, i.e., orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA). OFDMA can be used to realize parallel data transmission of multiple users and effectively improve the concurrency of data transmission.

[0161] Link Adaptation (LA): In wireless communication, the status of a wireless communication channel usually changes over time. Specifically, the channel changes due to changes in factors such as path loss, shadowing, fading, noise, and interference. Based on this, the communication device at the transmitting end can select different modulation and coding schemes (MCS) based on different channel statuses by using a specific method to achieve a trade-off between individual transmission success probability and high transmission rate. Therefore, the overall throughput of the wireless communication system is improved.

[0162] For example, the transmitting end communication device and the receiving end communication device may perform a specific channel sounding and feedback procedure, whereby the transmitting end communication device obtains some parameters (e.g., signal-to-noise ratio (SNR)) that can reflect the channel status, and then learns the channel status and selects an appropriate MCS based on these parameters. Alternatively, after performing channel sounding, the receiving end communication device may suggest to the transmitting end communication device the MCS and the number of spatial streams (NSS) required by the receiving end communication device.

[0163] Multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) system: MIMO systems can be classified into single-user multiple-input multiple-output (SU-MIMO) systems and multi-user multiple-input multiple-output (MU-MUIMO) systems based on the number of users. Compared with MU-MIMO systems, SU-MIMO systems are also sometimes described as non-MU-MIMO systems.

[0164] In a SU-MIMO system, multiple parallel spatial streams occupying the same time-frequency resources are transmitted to the same user, and the SU-MIMO system may be used to increase the rate for a single user.

[0165] For example, as shown in Figure 1, a SU-MIMO system is an antenna system shown in Figure 1. This antenna system may include an access point (AP) with four antennas and a user with two antennas, and the AP can transmit data to only one user at a time.

[0166] In a MU-MIMO system, multiple parallel spatial streams occupying the same time-frequency resource are transmitted to different users, and the MU-MIMO system can be used to increase the rate of multiple users. The core of the MU-MIMO system can be space division multiple access (SDMA) technology, specifically, data from multiple users is transmitted using the same slot and the same subcarrier, but using different antennas. SDMA technology can be used to accommodate more users on one link by differentiating users in space, thereby increasing the capacity of the communication system.

[0167] For example, as shown in Figure 2, a MU-MIMO system is an antenna system shown in Figure 2. This antenna system may include an AP with a number of antennas of four and four users with a number of antennas of one, and the AP can transmit data to the four users simultaneously.

[0168] A physical layer protocol data unit (PPDU) is a carrier transmitted at the physical layer and is also sometimes referred to as a data packet or physical layer data packet.

[0169] A medium access control protocol data unit (MPDU) is a carrier transmitted at the medium access control (MAC) layer, and is sometimes referred to as a MAC frame. It may be carried in the data field of a PPDU. An MPDU may include a control frame, a management frame, a data frame, etc.

[0170] In a WLAN communication system, control signaling, management signaling, or data may be transmitted between communication devices using MPDUs in PPDUs.

[0171] 3, an MPDU may include a frame header, a frame body field, and a frame check sequence (FCS) field. The frame header may include a frame control field with a quantity of octets of 2, a duration / ID field with a quantity of octets of 2, an address 1 (A1) field with a quantity of octets of 6, an address 2 (A2) field with a quantity of octets of 0 or 6, an address 3 (A3) field with a quantity of octets of 0 or 6, a sequence control field with a quantity of octets of 0 or 2, an address 4 (A4) field with a quantity of octets of 0 or 6, a quality of service control (QoS control) field with a quantity of octets of 0 or 2, and a high throughput control (HT control) field with a quantity of octets of 0 or 4. The Frame Body field may be used to carry data transmitted from higher layers or some management and control signaling, and the Frame Check Sequence field may be used to verify whether the MPDU is transmitted correctly.

[0172] Furthermore, the communication device may also transmit some control information in the high throughput control field of the frame header of the MPDU.

[0173] For example, a high-efficiency variant of the high-throughput control field (e.g., an HT variant, a VHT variant, or an HE variant) may include an aggregated control (A-control) subfield. As shown in Figure 4, the A-control subfield may include one or N control subfields and a padding field. Each control subfield may include a control identifier field with a quantity of four bits and a control information field with a variable quantity of bits to carry one or N pieces of control information. In each control subfield, the control identifier field may indicate the type of control information.

[0174] Specifically, in the 802.11ax standard, the MPDU may include an HT control field (also sometimes referred to as an A-control subfield). The HT control field may include one or more control identifier fields, control information fields corresponding to each control identifier field, and a padding field. As shown in Figure 5, when the value of the control identifier field is 2, the control information field may be a 26-bit high-efficiency link adaptation (HLA) control subfield.

[0175] As shown in FIG. 5, in the 802.11ax standard, the HLA control subfield includes an unsolicited MCS feedback (unsolicited MFB) subfield with a bit quantity of 1, an MCS request (MRQ) subfield with a bit quantity of 1, an NSS subfield with a bit quantity of 3, an HE-MCS subfield with a bit quantity of 4, a dual carrier modulation (DCM) subfield with a bit quantity of 1, a resource unit allocation (RU allocation) subfield with a bit quantity of 8, a bandwidth (BW) subfield with a bit quantity of 2, an MCS request sequence identifier or partial PPDU parameter (MRQ sequence identifier or partial PPDU parameter, MSI / partial PPDU parameter) subfield with a bit quantity of 3, a Tx beamforming subfield with a bit quantity of 1, and an uplink HE trigger-based PPDU MCS feedback (UL HE TB PPDU) subfield with a bit quantity of 1. It may contain a MFB (Multiple Frame Frame) subfield and a reserved subfield whose quantity of bits is 1.

[0176] Specifically, the meaning and definition of each subfield in FIG. 5 may be as shown in Table 2.

[0177] [Table 2-1] [Table 2-2] [Table 2-3] [Table 2-4] [Table 2-5] [Table 2-6]

[0178] In the 802.11ax standard, of the eight bits in the RU Allocation subfield, seven bits may indicate individual RUs, and the remaining one bit indicates whether the RU indicated by the seven bits is applicable to the primary 80 MHz or the secondary 80 MHz.

[0179] For example, the 8 bits of the RU Allocation subfield are B0 to B7. B0 may indicate whether the RU indicated by B7 to B1 is applicable to the primary 80 MHz or the secondary 80 MHz. For example, B0 may be set to 0 to indicate the primary 80 MHz and set to 1 to indicate the secondary 80 MHz. B7 to B1 may use this 7-bit index to indicate a specific RU.

[0180] Specifically, the bandwidth, RU size, and RU index corresponding to the RU allocation subfield may be as shown in Table 3.

[0181] [Table 3]

[0182] Compared with the 802.11ax standard, the 802.11be standard or future Wi-Fi standards may support more features and functions. However, based on the description in Table 2 above, the bit number and meaning of each subfield of the HLA control subfield are predefined in the 802.11ax standard. If the HLA control subfield continues to be used in the 802.11be standard or future Wi-Fi standards, there is a technical problem that more features and functions cannot be supported.

[0183] For example, the 802.11be standard or future Wi-Fi standards may support a larger number of spatial streams or a larger bandwidth, but the HLA control subfield cannot support this larger number of spatial streams or a larger bandwidth because the bit quantities and meanings of the NSS subfield and BW field of the HLA control subfield are predefined in the 802.11ax standard.

[0184] In conclusion, how to properly design the link adaptation control subfield for the 802.11be standard or future Wi-Fi standards becomes an urgent technical problem to be solved.

[0185] To solve this problem, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication method and apparatus. A first communication device generates a PPDU and transmits the PPDU to a second communication device. The PPDU includes a first field having a quantity of 26 bits, which includes an unsolicited MFB subfield having a quantity of 1 bit and first indication information having a quantity of 1 bit. When the value of the unsolicited MFB subfield is the first value, the first indication information indicates an MRQ, and when the value of the unsolicited MFB subfield is the second value, the first indication information indicates a UL EHT TB PPDU MFB.

[0186] In the present embodiment, the MRQ and the UL EHT TB PPDU MFB are indicated using one bit, referring to the value of the Unsolicited MFB subfield. Compared with the 802.11ax standard, in which the MRQ and the UL EHT TB PPDU MFB are each indicated using one bit, one bit can be saved. Furthermore, since more features and functions of the 802.11be standard or future Wi-Fi standards can be supported using this saved one bit, the first field feedbacks more information without increasing the number of bits (in other words, the number of bits remains at 26).

[0187] Hereinafter, implementations of the embodiments of the present application will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings of this specification.

[0188] The communication method provided in the embodiments of the present application may be applied to any WLAN communication system, for example, but not limited to, a WLAN system using the 802.11be standard or a WLAN communication system using a future Wi-Fi standard, such as, but not limited to, the 802.11bx standard or the 802.11cx standard.

[0189] It should be noted that the 802.11bx standard may also be referred to as the Wi-Fi 8 standard, and the 802.11cx standard may also be referred to as the Wi-Fi 9 standard. The first field corresponding to the 802.11be standard may also be referred to as an LA control subfield, an EHT LA control subfield, or a subfield having another name. This is not limited thereto. The first field corresponding to a standard later than the 802.11be standard may also be referred to as an LA control subfield, an evolved extremely high throughput LA (EHT+LA) control subfield, or a subfield having another name. This is not limited thereto. For example, the LA control subfield corresponding to the 802.11bx standard may also be referred to as an LA control subfield, an EHT+LA control subfield, or a subfield having another name. This is not limited thereto. Alternatively, the LA control subfield corresponding to the 802.11cx standard may also be referred to as an LA control subfield, an EHT+LA control subfield, or a subfield having another name. This is not limited thereto. That is, the name of the first field in each standard after the 802.11ax standard is not limited in this application.

[0190] Furthermore, the WLAN communication system provided in the embodiments of the present application may be, but is not limited to, a communication system using the above Wi-Fi standards, such as cellular, Bluetooth, and ultra-wideband (UWB).

[0191] The following uses FIG. 6 as an example to describe the WLAN communication system provided in the embodiment of the present application.

[0192] 6 is a schematic diagram of a communication system according to an embodiment of the present application. As shown in FIG. 6, the communication system may include access point devices and station devices. One or more access point devices may communicate with one or more station devices, or one access point device may communicate with one or more other access point devices, or one station device may communicate with one or more other station devices.

[0193] The access point device may be an AP, and the station device may be a station (STA).

[0194] For example, the AP may be a device that supports multiple WLAN standards, such as the 802.11be standard or a future Wi-Fi standard (e.g., the 802.11bx standard or the 802.11cx standard), or may be a device that supports the 802.11a / b / g standard, the 802.11n standard, the 802.11ac standard, or the 802.11ax standard, without being limited thereto.

[0195] For example, an AP can be a terminal device, a network device, a communication server, a router, a switch, a bridge, or a computer with a Wi-Fi chip. An AP can also be an access point used by mobile users to access a wired network. APs are primarily deployed within homes, buildings, and campuses, typically with an effective range of tens to hundreds of meters. Of course, APs can also be deployed outdoors. An AP is equivalent to a bridge connecting wired and wireless networks, and is primarily used to connect clients of the wireless network to each other and then connect the wireless network to Ethernet.

[0196] For example, the STA may be a device that supports multiple WLAN standards, such as the 802.11be standard or a future Wi-Fi standard (e.g., the 802.11bx standard or the 802.11cx standard), or may be a device that supports the 802.11a / b / g standard, the 802.11n standard, the 802.11ac standard, or the 802.11ax standard, without being limited thereto.

[0197] For example, the STA may be a wireless communication chip, a wireless sensor, a wireless communication terminal, a communication server, a router, a switch, a bridge, or a computer. For example, the STA may be a mobile phone supporting a Wi-Fi communication function, a tablet computer supporting a Wi-Fi communication function, a set-top box supporting a Wi-Fi communication function, a smart TV supporting a Wi-Fi communication function, a smart wearable device supporting a Wi-Fi communication function, an in-vehicle communication device supporting a Wi-Fi communication device, and a computer supporting a Wi-Fi communication function. This is not limited to this.

[0198] In particular implementations, as shown in FIG. 6, for example, each access point device and each station device may use the composition structure shown in FIG. 7 or may include the components shown in FIG. 7. FIG. 7 is a schematic composition diagram of a communication device according to an embodiment of the present application. The communication device may be an access point device, or a chip or system-on-chip in an access point device. Alternatively, the communication device may be a station device, or a chip or system-on-chip in a station device. As shown in FIG. 7, the communication device may include a memory, a scheduler, a controller, and a processor, and may further include a MAC layer, a physical (PHY) layer, and a radio frequency / antenna.

[0199] The memory may be configured to store signaling information, or pre-agreed preset values, etc. The processor may be configured to parse the signaling information and process associated data. The radio frequency / antenna may be configured to transmit and / or receive the signaling information. Furthermore, the communication device may further include a preempt queue and a fast queue, and an interface may exist between the preempt queue and the fast queue for mutual communication.

[0200] In another implementation, for example, each access point device and device may alternatively use the compositional structure or include the components shown in FIG. 8, as shown in FIG. 6. FIG. 8 is a schematic compositional diagram of a communication device 800 according to an embodiment of the present application. The communication device 800 may be an access point device, or a chip or system-on-chip in an access point device. Alternatively, the communication device 800 may be a station device, or a chip or system-on-chip in a station device. As shown in FIG. 8, the communication device 800 includes a processor 801, a transceiver 802, and a communication line 803.

[0201] Furthermore, the communication device 800 may further include a memory 804. The processor 801, the memory 804, and the transceiver 802 may be connected using a communication line 803.

[0202] The processor 801 may be a central processing unit (CPU), a general-purpose processor, a network processor (NP), a digital signal processor (DSP), a microprocessor, a microcontroller, a programmable logic device (PLD), or any combination thereof. Alternatively, the processor 801 may be another device having processing capabilities, such as, but not limited to, a circuit, a component, or a software module.

[0203] The transceiver 802 is configured to communicate with another device or another communication network, which may be an Ethernet or a radio access network (RAN), etc. The transceiver 802 may be a module, circuit, transceiver, or any device capable of implementing communications.

[0204] The communication line 803 is configured to transmit information between components included in the communication device 800 .

[0205] The memory 804 is configured to store instructions, which may be computer programs.

[0206] Memory 804 may be, without limitation, read-only memory (ROM) or another type of static storage device capable of storing static information and / or instructions, random access memory (RAM) or another type of dynamic storage device capable of storing information and / or instructions, electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM) or other compact disc storage, optical disc storage (including compact disc, laser disc, optical disc, digital versatile disc, or Blu-ray disc, etc.), or magnetic disc storage medium or other magnetic storage device.

[0207] It should be noted that the memory 804 may exist independently of the processor 801 or may be integrated with the processor 801. The memory 804 may be configured to store instructions, program codes, some data, etc. The memory 804 may be located within the communication device 800 or may be located outside the communication device 800. This is not limited thereto. The processor 801 is configured to execute instructions stored in the memory 804 to implement the communication methods provided in the following embodiments of the present application.

[0208] In an example, processor 801 may include one or more CPUs, such as CPU0 and CPU1 in FIG.

[0209] In an optional implementation, the communications device 800 includes multiple processors. For example, in addition to the processor 801 of FIG. 8, the communications device 800 may further include a processor 807.

[0210] In an optional implementation, the communication apparatus 800 further includes an output device 805 and an input device 806. For example, the input device 806 is a device such as a keyboard, a mouse, a microphone, or a joystick, and the output device 805 is a device such as a display or a speaker.

[0211] It should be noted that the communications device 800 may be a desktop computer, a portable computer, a network server, a mobile phone, a tablet computer, a wireless terminal, an embedded device, a chip system, or any device having a structure similar to that of Figure 8. Furthermore, the compositional structure of Figure 8 is not a limitation on the communications device. In addition to the components shown in Figure 8, the communications device may include more or fewer components than those shown in the figure, or some components may be combined or a different arrangement of components may be used.

[0212] In this embodiment of the present application, a chip system may include a chip, or may include a chip and other discrete components.

[0213] Furthermore, actions and terms in the embodiments of the present application should be referred to with reference to each other. This is not a limitation. In the embodiments of the present application, the names of messages exchanged between devices or the names of parameters in messages are merely examples. Alternatively, other names may be used in individual implementations. This is not a limitation.

[0214] Referring to the communication system shown in Figure 6, the communication method provided in the embodiment of the present application will be described below with reference to Figure 9. The first communication device may be any access point device or station device in the communication system shown in Figure 6. The second communication device may be any access point device or station device in the communication system shown in Figure 6. Both the first communication device and the second communication device described in the following embodiment may have the components shown in Figure 7 or Figure 8.

[0215] 9 is a flow chart of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present application. As shown in FIG. 9, the method may include the following steps:

[0216] Step 901: A first communication device generates a PPDU.

[0217] The PPDU may include a first field having a quantity of 26 bits, and the first field may include an unsolicited MFB subfield having a quantity of 1 bit and first indication information having a quantity of 1 bit.

[0218] When the value of the Unsolicited MFB subfield is a first value, the first indication information may indicate MRQ, and when the value of the Unsolicited MFB subfield is a second value, the first indication information may indicate UL EHT TB PPDU MFB.

[0219] In a possible implementation, the first field may be specifically located in the A-control field in the MAC frame.

[0220] The first field may also be referred to as an LA control subfield, and the first indication information may also be referred to as an MRQ / UL EHT TB PPDU MFB subfield. Specifically, when the first indication information indicates an MRQ, the first indication information may also be referred to as an MRQ subfield. When the first indication information indicates a UL EHT TB PPDU MFB, the first indication information may also be referred to as a UL EHT TB PPDU MFB subfield.

[0221] For example, when the value of the Unsolicited MFB subfield is 0, the first indication information may indicate MRQ, and when the value of the Unsolicited MFB subfield is 1, the first indication information may indicate UL EHT TB PPDU MFB.

[0222] Specifically, from Table 2 above, it can be seen that when the value of the Unsolicited MFB subfield is 1, the UL EHT TB PPDU indicates whether the information provided in the first field is used for the UL TB PPDU, and MRQ is a reserved bit. When the value of the Unsolicited MFB subfield is 0, MRQ may indicate whether solicited feedback is used, and UL EHT TB PPDU is a reserved bit. The UL EHT TB PPDU subfield and MRQ subfield are compressed to 1 bit, in other words, the UL EHT TB PPDU or MRQ is indicated using the first indication information whose bit count is 1, so that the bit count can be saved.

[0223] For example, a specific procedure for solicited feedback may be as follows: A first communication device (also referred to as an MFB requester) may send an MFB request using a PPDU. In the MFB request, the unsolicited MFB subfield is set to 0. The first indication information indicates an MRQ, and the first indication information is set to 1. After receiving the MFB request sent by the MFB requester, a second communication device (also referred to as an MFB responder) may measure related MFB parameters based on the PPDU carrying the MFB request, and send an MFB response to the MFB requester. In the MFB response, the unsolicited MFB subfield is set to 0, and the MRQ subfield is set to 0.

[0224] Optionally, the MFB request further includes a SU-MIMO / MU-MIMO indication.

[0225] For example, the SU-MIMO / MU-MIMO indicator is one bit that may be set to 0 to indicate SU-MIMO and set to 1 to indicate MU-MIMO. Alternatively, the bit may be set to 1 to indicate SU-MIMO and set to 0 to indicate MU-MIMO.

[0226] For example, a specific procedure for unsolicited feedback may be as follows: The first communication device may send an unsolicited MFB using a PPDU. The unsolicited MFB subfield is set to 1, and the first indication information indicates a UL EHT TB PPDU MFB. The unsolicited MFB may indicate a corresponding parameter of the PPDU, so that the second communication device estimates the MFB parameter based on the received PPDU.

[0227] The corresponding parameters of the PPDU may include one or more of the following: PPDU format, coding type, Tx beamforming indication, and SU-MIMO / MU-MIMO transmission, and the like.

[0228] Step 902: The first communication device transmits a PPDU to the second communication device, and in response, the second communication device receives the PPDU.

[0229] Step 903: The second communication device parses the PPDU.

[0230] 9, with reference to the value of the Unsolicited MFB subfield, the MRQ and the UL EHT TB PPDU MFB are indicated using one bit. Compared to the 802.11ax standard, in which the MRQ and the UL EHT TB PPDU MFB are each indicated using one bit, one bit can be saved. Furthermore, since more features and functions of the 802.11be standard or future Wi-Fi standards can be supported using this saved one bit, the first field feedbacks more information without increasing the number of bits (in other words, the number of bits remains at 26).

[0231] Furthermore, the first field may further include an NSS subfield, the quantity of bits of which may be equal to or greater than 3. The NSS subfield indicates the number of spatial streams, and the maximum number of spatial streams may be 16.

[0232] For example, the number of bits in the NSS subfield is equal to 3. The values ​​of the number of bits 0 to 7 may correspond to any 8 spatial stream numbers from 1 to 16, respectively, which is not a limitation in this application.

[0233] For example, bit quantity values ​​0 through 7 may correspond to spatial stream numbers 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, and 16, respectively. Alternatively, bit quantity values ​​0 through 7 may correspond to spatial stream numbers 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, and 16, respectively. This is not limiting.

[0234] For example, the number of bits in the NSS subfield is equal to 4. Bit quantity values ​​0 to 15 may correspond to the number of spatial streams 1 to 16, and the specific correspondence between the bit values ​​and the number of spatial streams is not limited. In a possible implementation, bit quantity values ​​0 to 15 correspond one-to-one to the number of spatial streams 1 to 16. Specifically, bit value 0 corresponds to the number of spatial streams 1, and bit value 1 corresponds to the number of spatial streams 2, but examples are not listed in this specification.

[0235] Note that in the first field, when the Unsolicited MFB subfield is set to 1 and the UL EHT TB PPDU MFB subfield is set to 0, or when the Unsolicited MFB subfield is set to 0 and the MRQ subfield is set to 0, the NSS subfield may indicate the number of recommended spatial streams for the PPDU sent to the station (or sometimes referred to as the station sending the feedback). When Unsolicited MCS Feedback is set to 1 and the UL EHT TB PPDU MFB subfield is set to 1, the NSS subfield may indicate the number of recommended spatial streams for the EHT TB PPDU sent from the station. In other cases, the NSS subfield is reserved.

[0236] Based on the above description of the NSS subfield, compared with the 802.11ax standard, the maximum number of spatial streams indicated by the NSS subfield in this embodiment of the present application may be 16, so that the requirement for the number of spatial streams in the 802.11be standard or future Wi-Fi standards can be better met.

[0237] Furthermore, the first field may further include an EHT-MCS subfield, the quantity of bits of which is 4. Alternatively, the first field may further include a signal-to-noise ratio SNR subfield, the quantity of bits of which is 6.

[0238] When the first field includes an EHT-MCS subfield whose quantity of bits is 4, the EHT-MCS subfield may indicate a recommended EHT MCS. The values ​​of the EHT-MSC subfield and the EHT MCS corresponding to each value may be those shown in Table 4 below.

[0239] [Table 4]

[0240] The EHT-MSC subfield may further indicate that DCM is recommended when the value of the EHT-MSC subfield is 14 or 15. In other words, the EHT-MSC subfield may further indicate whether DCM is recommended when the value of the EHT-MSC subfield is 0 to 15. Furthermore, when the value of the EHT-MSC subfield is 14, repetition transmission may be introduced based on BPSK-DCM.

[0241] Note that in the first field, the EHT-MSC subfield may indicate the recommended EHT MCS of the PPDU transmitted to the station when the Unsolicited MFB subfield is set to 1 and the UL EHT TB PPDU MFB subfield is set to 0, or when the Unsolicited MFB subfield is set to 0 and the MRQ subfield is set to 0. When the Unsolicited MFB subfield is set to 1 and the UL EHT TB PPDU MFB subfield is set to 1, the EHT-MSC subfield may indicate the recommended EHT-MSC of the EHT TB PPDU transmitted from the station. In other cases, the EHT-MSC subfield is reserved.

[0242] When the first field includes a signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) subfield with a quantity of bits of 6, the SNR subfield may be a signed integer indicated by a 2s component code, where the most significant bit is negative and the other bits are positive. For example, 100001 may indicate -32+1=-31. The range of the signed integer indicated by the SNR subfield may be from -32 to 31. The correspondence between each signed integer and the signal-to-noise ratio may be as shown in Table 5 below.

[0243] [Table 5]

[0244] Based on the above description of the EHT-MSC subfield or the SNR subfield, compared with the 802.11ax standard, in this embodiment of the present application, the HE-MCS subfield is replaced with a 4-bit EHT-MSC subfield, or the HE-MCS subfield is replaced with a 6-bit SNR subfield, so that the requirements of EHT MCS or SNR in the 802.11be standard or future Wi-Fi standards can be better met.

[0245] Furthermore, the first field may further include an RU Allocation subfield, wherein the number of bits of the RU Allocation subfield is 5, the number of bits of the RU Allocation subfield is 7, the number of bits of the RU Allocation subfield is 8, or the number of bits of the RU Allocation subfield is 9.

[0246] Based on the RU size, an RU with fewer than 242 tones may be referred to as a small RU, an RU with 242 tones or more may be referred to as a large RU, and multiple RUs with a fixed combination may be referred to as a multiple resource unit (MRU). Note that the combination cases supported by a large RU are different for OFDMA and non-OFDMA (also referred to as non-OFDMA) transmissions. Compared with OFDMA transmission, non-OFDMA transmission supports one more RU, 996+484+242 tones, and the same applies to other cases.

[0247] A 20 MHz bandwidth is used as an example. Figures 10 to 12 may be 20 MHz tone plans and RU plans. As shown in Figure 10, the RU size may be 26 tones, 52 tones, 106 tones, or 242 tones. As shown in Figure 11, the RU size may be 26 tones, 52 tones, or 52 + 26 tones. As shown in Figure 12, the RU size may be 26 tones, 106 tones, or 106 + 26 tones.

[0248] A 40 MHz bandwidth is used as an example. Figures 13 to 15 may be 40 MHz tone plans and RU plans. As shown in Figure 13, the RU size may be 26 tones, 52 tones, 106 tones, 242 tones, or 484 tones. As shown in Figure 14, the RU size may be 26 tones, 52 tones, or 52 + 26 tones. As shown in Figure 15, the RU size may be 26 tones, 106 tones, or 106 + 26 tones.

[0249] An 80 MHz bandwidth is used as an example. Figures 16 to 19 may be 80 MHz tone plans and RU plans. As shown in Figure 16, the RU size may be 26 tones, 52 tones, 106 tones, 242 tones, 484 tones, or 996 tones. As shown in Figure 17, the RU size may be 26 tones, 52 tones, or 52 + 26 tones. As shown in Figure 18, the RU size may be 26 tones, 106 tones, or 106 + 26 tones. As shown in Figure 19, the RU size may be 484 + 242 tones.

[0250] A bandwidth of 160 MHz or 80+80 MHz is used as an example. The entire bandwidth can be viewed as a repetition of two 80 MHz tone plans. The entire bandwidth may include a total of 2 x 996 tone RUs, or may include various combinations of 26-tone RUs, 52-tone RUs, 106-tone RUs, 242-tone RUs, 484-tone RUs, and 996-tone RUs. As shown in Figure 20, the RU size may be 996+484 tones. As shown in Figure 21, the RU size may be 996+484+242 tones.

[0251] A bandwidth of 320 MHz or 160 + 160 MHz is used as an example. The entire bandwidth can be viewed as a repeat of four 80 MHz tone plans. The entire bandwidth may include a total of 4 x 996 tone RUs, or may include various combinations of 26-tone RUs, 52-tone RUs, 106-tone RUs, 242-tone RUs, 484-tone RUs, and 996-tone RUs. As shown in Figure 22, the RU size may be 2 x 996 + 484 tones. As shown in Figure 23, the RU size may be 3 x 996 tones. As shown in Figure 24, the RU size may be 3 x 996 + 484 tones.

[0252] Based on the above description of the RUs for each bandwidth, in the first example, the number of bits in the RU Allocation subfield is 5. As shown in Table 6, a particular RU may be indicated using 5 bits to indicate the puncturing pattern.

[0253] [Table 6-1] [Table 6-2] [Table 6-3] [Table 6-4]

[0254] In a second example, the number of bits in the RU Allocation subfield is 7. As shown in Table 7 below, with reference to the RU plans shown in Figures 10 to 24, large RUs or MRUs of 242 tones or more may be indicated using 7 bits.

[0255] [Table 7]

[0256] In a third example, the number of bits in the RU Allocation subfield is 8. Referring to the bandwidth indication, each of the 8 bits may represent a 242-tone RU or a 484-tone RU. Table 8 below is used as an example. When the bandwidth is 20 MHz, 40 MHz, 80 MHz, and 160 MHz, each bit may represent a 242-tone RU. When the bandwidth is 320 MHz, each bit may represent a 484-tone RU. An RU may be indicated by setting the value of each bit to 1.

[0257] [Table 8-1] [Table 8-2]

[0258] In a fourth example, the number of bits in the RU Allocation subfield is 9. The first bit of the 9 bits may indicate granularity, indicating whether each of the following 8 bits represents a 242-tone RU or a 484-tone RU. Table 9 below is used as an example. The value of the first bit may be set to 0 to indicate that each of the following 8 bits represents a 242-tone RU. This is applicable to communication scenarios where the bandwidth is 20 MHz, 40 MHz, 80 MHz, and 160 MHz. The value of the first bit may be set to 1 to indicate that each of the following 8 bits represents a 484-tone RU. This is applicable to communication scenarios where the bandwidth is 320 MHz. The RU may be indicated by setting the value of each of the 8 bits to 1.

[0259] [Table 9-1] [Table 9-2]

[0260] Note that two consecutive 242-tone RUs can be combined into one 484-tone RU, two consecutive 484-tone RUs can be combined into one 996-tone RU, and the rest can be deduced by analogy.

[0261] In a fifth example, the number of bits in the RU Allocation subfield is 9. As shown in Table 10 below, the 1-bit PS160 subfield in the RU Allocation subfield may indicate whether the RU corresponds to the primary 160 MHz or the secondary 160 MHz, and the RU or MRU may be indicated using 8 bits.

[0262] [Table 10-1] [Table 10-2] [Table 10-3] [Table 10-4] [Table 10-5]

[0263] Note that in the first field, when the Unsolicited MFB subfield is set to 1 and the UL EHT TB PPDU MFB subfield is set to 0, the RU Allocation subfield may indicate the RU to which the recommended EHT MCS applies for the PPDU transmitted to the station. When the Unsolicited MFB subfield is set to 0 and the MRQ subfield is set to 1, the RU Allocation subfield may indicate the RU specified by the MFB requester receiving the feedback. The RU Allocation subfield and the BW subfield may jointly indicate a specific resource unit. When the Unsolicited MFB subfield is set to 1 and the UL EHT TB PPDU MFB subfield is set to 1, the RU Allocation subfield may indicate the resource unit to which the recommended EHT-MCS applies for the EHT TB PPDU transmitted from the station. Note that the actual allocation of RUs can be ignored by the receiver. In other cases, the RU Allocation subfield is reserved.

[0264] Based on the above description of the RU allocation subfield, compared with the 802.11ax standard, more RU types are introduced by using any one of the first to fifth examples in this embodiment of the present application, so that the RU requirements in the 802.11be standard or future Wi-Fi standards can be better met.

[0265] Additionally, the first field may further include a BW subfield, the quantity of bits of which is 3 or greater.

[0266] For example, the number of bits in the BW subfield is 3. Different values ​​of the 3 bits may correspond to different bandwidths. The specific correspondence between the bit values ​​and the bandwidths is not limited. In a possible implementation, the number of bits may be set to 0 to indicate 20 MHz, 1 to indicate 40 MHz, 2 to indicate 80 MHz, 3 to indicate 160 MHz, and 4 to indicate 320 MHz.

[0267] Note that in the first field, when the Unsolicited MFB subfield is set to 1 and the UL EHT TB PPDU MFB subfield is set to 0, the BW subfield may indicate the bandwidth that the recommended EHT-MCS applies to the PPDU transmitted to the station. When the Unsolicited MFB subfield is set to 0 and the MRQ subfield is set to 1, the BW subfield may indicate the bandwidth specified by the MFB requester receiving the feedback. When the Unsolicited MFB subfield is set to 1 and the UL EHT TB PPDU MFB subfield is set to 1, the BW subfield may indicate the bandwidth that the recommended EHT-MSC applies to the EHT TB PPDU transmitted from the station. In other cases, the BW subfield is reserved.

[0268] Based on the above description of the BW subfield, compared with the 802.11ax standard, in this embodiment of the present application, the number of bits in the BW subfield is expanded to introduce more bandwidth, so that the bandwidth requirements in the 802.11be standard or future Wi-Fi standards can be better met.

[0269] Furthermore, the first field may further include an MSI / Partial PPDU Parameters subfield, the quantity of which is two.

[0270] In the first field, when the Unsolicited MFB subfield is set to 0 and the MRQ subfield is set to 1, the MSI / Partial PPDU Parameters subfield may contain a sequence number ranging from 0 to 3 that identifies a specific EHT-MCS feedback request. When the Unsolicited MFB subfield is set to 0 and the MRQ subfield is set to 0, the MSI / Partial PPDU Parameters subfield may contain a sequence number ranging from 0 to 3 that responds to specific EHT-MCS feedback. When the Unsolicited MFB subfield is set to 1, the MSI / Partial PPDU Parameters subfield may include a 1-bit PPDU Format subfield and a 1-bit Coding Type subfield. For example, the value of the PPDU Format subfield may be set to 0 to indicate an EHT MU PPDU, or the value of the PPDU Format subfield may be set to 1 to indicate an EHT TB PPDU. The Coding Type subfield may indicate the coding type. For example, the value of the Coding Type subfield may be set to 0 to indicate binary convolutional coding, or the value of the Coding Type subfield may be set to 1 to indicate low-density parity-check coding.

[0271] Based on the above description of the MSI / Partial PPDU parameters subfield, compared with the 802.11ax standard, in this embodiment of the present application, the MSI / Partial PPDU parameters subfield is compressed from 3 bits to 2 bits. The number of bits can be saved while still meeting the requirements of the MSI / Partial PPDU parameters subfield in the 802.11be standard or future Wi-Fi standards. Furthermore, since the saved 1 bit can be used to support more features and functions in the 802.11be standard or future Wi-Fi standards, the first field can feedback more features and functions with these 26 bits.

[0272] Additionally, the first field may further include a Tx beamforming subfield with a quantity of bits of 1.

[0273] For a description of the Tx Beamforming subfields, see the Tx Beamforming Subfield Description in Table 2. Details will not be repeated.

[0274] Furthermore, the first field may further include fourth indication information whose bit quantity is 1.

[0275] The fourth indication information may indicate that the first field is an EHT LA control subfield. Alternatively, the fourth indication information may indicate that the first field is an HE LA control subfield.

[0276] Additionally, the PPDU may further include a control identifier field corresponding to the first field.

[0277] See Table 11 below. When the value of the control identifier field is 2, the control information is the first field. Therefore, the value of the control identifier field corresponding to the first field may be 2, or the value of the control identifier field corresponding to the first field may be one of the reserved values. Specifically, the value of the control identifier field corresponding to the first field may be 2, or any one of 9 to 14.

[0278] [Table 11]

[0279] When the value of the control identifier field is 2, the first field may include fourth indication information to indicate whether the current first field is an HE LA control subfield or an EHT LA control subfield. When the value of the control identifier field is any one of 9 to 14, the control identifier field indicates that the first field is an EHT LA control subfield.

[0280] Based on the above description of the first field and the control identifier field corresponding to the first field, in this embodiment of the present application, bit compression is performed using one or more of the following methods 1 to 6, and the bits saved based on maintaining the number of bits of the first field at 26 can be used to better support more features and functions in the 802.11be standard or future Wi-Fi standards (e.g., more spatial streams, more RUs, larger bandwidth, effective distinction between the HE LA control subfield and the EHT LA control subfield). In other words, as long as the number of bits of the first field is 26, one or more of the following methods can be used in combination to perform bit compression or to perform function information extension using the bits saved by compression. For how to indicate related information using the number of bits corresponding to a specific field, please refer to the description in the above embodiment. Details will not be repeated below.

[0281] Method 1: The MRQ and the UL EHT TB PPDU MFB are compressed into 1-bit first indication information to implement bit compression.

[0282] Method 2: Based on the above description of the EHT-MSC subfield, the EHT-MSC subfield may indicate DCM. Therefore, compared with the 802.11ax standard, the DCM subfield may be removed to implement bit compression.

[0283] Method 3: Based on the above description of the RU Allocation subfield, the number of bits in the RU Allocation subfield is compressed. For example, the number of bits in the RU Allocation subfield may be set to 5, 7, or 8 to achieve bit compression.

[0284] Method 4: Based on the above description of the MSI / Partial PPDU parameters subfield, the MSI / Partial PPDU parameters subfield is compressed from 3 bits in the 802.11ax standard to 2 bits to implement bit compression.

[0285] Method 5: The Tx beamforming subfield may be removed to implement bit compression.

[0286] Method 6: The value of the control identifier field is set to any one of 9 to 14 to remove the fourth indication information, and perform bit compression.

[0287] For example, as shown in Figure 25, compared with the 802.11ax standard, the MRQ and UL EHT TB PPDU MFB may be compressed to 1 bit, the MSI / Partial PPDU Parameters subfield may be compressed to 2 bits, and the DCM subfield may be removed, so that with the saved bits, the NSS subfield may be extended to 4 bits, the HE-MCS subfield may be replaced with a 4-bit EHT-MSC subfield, the RU Allocation subfield may be extended to 9 bits, the BW subfield may be extended to 3 bits, and a fourth indication information may be added to indicate whether the first field is an HE LA Control subfield or an EHT LA Control subfield. In this way, more features and functions, such as a larger number of spatial streams, more RUs, larger bandwidth, and effective distinction between the HE LA Control subfield and the EHT LA Control subfield in the 802.11be standard or future Wi-Fi standards, may be supported.

[0288] In another example, as shown in Figure 26, compared with Figure 25, the MRQ and UL EHT TB PPDU MFB may not be compressed to 1 bit, and bit compression may be performed using a 3-bit NSS subfield to indicate a larger number of spatial streams. Specifically, for indicating the number of spatial streams by a 3-bit NSS subfield, please refer to the above embodiment. Details will not be repeated here.

[0289] In another example, as shown in Figure 27, bit compression may be performed compared to Figure 25, or by setting the value of the control identifier field to any one of 9 to 14 and removing the fourth display information. In this case, it should be noted that there is still one reserved bit that is not used for specific display information. When a function extension is performed in the first field, this one reserved bit may indicate specific information. When this one bit is used, this one bit is no longer considered a reserved bit.

[0290] Note that, as shown in Figure 28, when the Unsolicited MFB subfield is set to 1, the first indication may indicate a UL EHT TB PPDU MFB. When the value of the UL EHT TB PPDU MFB subfield is 1, the first field may include an MSI / Partial PPDU Parameters subfield, an RU Allocation subfield, an EHT-MSC subfield, and an NSS subfield. When the value of the UL EHT TB PPDU MFB subfield is 0, the first field may include a Tx Beamforming subfield, an MSI / Partial PPDU Parameters subfield, a BW subfield, an RU Allocation subfield, an EHT-MSC subfield, and an NSS subfield. When the value of the Unsolicited MFB subfield is 0, the first indication may include an MRQ. When the value of the Unsolicited MFB subfield is 0, the first field may include an MSI / Partial PPDU Parameters subfield, a BW subfield, and an RU Allocation subfield. When the value of the MRQ subfield is 0, the first field may include an MSI / Partial PPDU Parameters subfield, an EHT-MSC subfield, and an NSS subfield.

[0291] Corresponding to the first fields shown in FIGS. 9 to 28, the embodiment of the present application further provides another first field.

[0292] The number of bits of the first field is 26, and the first field may include second indication information, which may indicate that the first field supports SU-MIMO, or the second indication information indicates that the first field supports MU-MIMO.

[0293] In SU-MIMO and MU-MIMO, users of MU-MIMO may interfere with each other, and the link adaptation feedback parameters corresponding to MU-MIMO are usually different from those of SU-MIMO. Whether the current feedback is SU-MIMO or MU-MIMO can be distinguished by adding second indication information, which can improve the throughput of the communication system.

[0294] For example, the number of bits of the second display information is 1. The value of the second display information may be set to 0 to indicate that the first field supports SU-MIMO, and the value of the second display information may be set to 1 to indicate that the first field supports MU-MIMO. Alternatively, the value of the second display information may be set to 1 to indicate that the first field supports SU-MIMO, and the value of the second display information may be set to 0 to indicate that the first field supports MU-MIMO. This is not a limitation of the present application.

[0295] Additionally, the first field may include a Number of Spatial Streams NSS subfield, where the quantity of bits is three or more.

[0296] When the second indication information indicates that the first field corresponds to SU-MIMO, the maximum number of spatial streams indicated by the NSS subfield may be 16. When the second indication information indicates that the first field corresponds to MU-MIMO, the maximum number of spatial streams indicated by the NSS subfield may be 4.

[0297] For example, the second indication information indicates that the first field supports SU-MIMO, and the number of bits of the NSS subfield is equal to 3. The bit number values ​​0 to 7 may correspond to any 8 spatial stream numbers among 1 to 16 spatial stream numbers, respectively, which is not limited in the present application.

[0298] For example, bit quantity values ​​0 through 7 may correspond to spatial stream numbers 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, and 16, respectively. Alternatively, bit quantity values ​​0 through 7 may correspond to spatial stream numbers 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, and 16, respectively. This is not limiting.

[0299] For example, the number of bits in the NSS subfield is equal to 4. Bit quantity values ​​0 to 15 may correspond to the number of spatial streams 1 to 16, and the specific correspondence between the bit values ​​and the number of spatial streams is not limited. In a possible implementation, bit quantity values ​​0 to 15 correspond one-to-one to the number of spatial streams 1 to 16. Specifically, bit value 0 corresponds to the number of spatial streams 1, and bit value 1 corresponds to the number of spatial streams 2, but examples are not listed in this specification.

[0300] For example, the second indication information indicates that the first field supports MU-MIMO, and the number of bits in the NSS subfield is equal to or greater than 3. The values ​​0 to 3 of the two bits in the NSS subfield may correspond to the number of spatial streams 1 to 4, respectively, and the remaining bits in the NSS subfield are reserved bits.

[0301] Furthermore, the first field may further include an EHT-MSC subfield, the quantity of bits of which is 4. Alternatively, the first field may further include a signal-to-noise ratio SNR subfield, the quantity of bits of which is 6.

[0302] For the description of the EHT-MSC subfield or the SNR subfield, please refer to the relevant description of the EHT-MSC subfield or the SNR subfield corresponding to Table 4 or Table 5. Details will not be repeated.

[0303] Furthermore, the first field may further include an RU Allocation subfield, wherein the number of bits of the RU Allocation subfield is 5, the number of bits of the RU Allocation subfield is 7, the number of bits of the RU Allocation subfield is 8, or the number of bits of the RU Allocation subfield is 9.

[0304] For a description of the RU Allocation subfield, please refer to the associated description of the RU Allocation subfield in Figures 10 through 24 and Tables 6 through 10. Details will not be repeated.

[0305] Furthermore, the first field may further include one or more of the following subfields: first indication information having a bit quantity of 1; a BW subfield having a bit quantity of 3 or more; an MSI / partial PPDU parameters subfield having a bit quantity of 2; a Tx beamforming subfield having a bit quantity of 1; and a fourth indication information having a bit quantity of 1.

[0306] Furthermore, the PPDU corresponding to the first field may further include a control identifier field corresponding to the first field.

[0307] For descriptions of the first indication information, the BW subfield, the MSI / partial PPDU parameter subfield, the Tx beamforming subfield, the fourth indication information, and the control identifier field corresponding to the first field, please refer to the relevant descriptions in the above embodiments, and the details will not be repeated.

[0308] Based on the above description of the LA control field and the control identifier field corresponding to the first field, this embodiment of the present application also performs bit compression using one or more of the above methods 1 to 6, and the bits saved based on maintaining the number of bits of the first field at 26 can be used to better support more features and functions in the 802.11be standard or future Wi-Fi standards (e.g., more spatial streams, more RUs, larger bandwidth, effective distinction between the HE LA control subfield and the EHT LA control subfield). In other words, as long as the number of bits of the first field is 26, one or more of the above methods 1 to 6 can be used in combination to perform bit compression or to perform function information extension using the bits saved by compression. For how to indicate related information using the number of bits corresponding to a specific field, please refer to the description in the above embodiments. Details will not be repeated below.

[0309] 29, compared to the 802.11ax standard, the MRQ and UL EHT TB PPDU MFB may be compressed to 1 bit, the MSI / Partial PPDU Parameters subfield may be compressed to 2 bits, and the DCM subfield may be removed, so that with the saved bits, the NSS subfield may be extended to 4 bits, the HE-MCS subfield may be replaced with a 4-bit EHT-MSC subfield, a second indication may be added, the BW subfield may be extended to 3 bits, and a fourth indication may be added to indicate whether the first field is an HE LA Control subfield or an EHT LA Control subfield. In this way, more features and functions in the 802.11be standard or future Wi-Fi standards may be supported, such as a larger number of spatial streams, more RUs, larger bandwidth, effective distinction between SU-MIMO and MU-MIMO, and effective distinction between the HE LA Control subfield and the EHT LA Control subfield.

[0310] Corresponding to the second indication information indicating whether the first field corresponds to SU-MIMO or MU-MIMO, this embodiment of the present application provides a first field, and the MCS or SNR of SU-MIMO and MU-MIMO may be fed back simultaneously in the same first field.

[0311] The number of bits of the first field may be 26, and the first field may include a SU-MIMO EHT-MSC subfield with a number of bits of 4 and a MU-MIMO EHT-MSC subfield with a number of bits of 4. Alternatively, the first field may include a SU-MIMO SNR subfield with a number of bits of 6 and a MU-MIMO SNR subfield with a number of bits of 6.

[0312] Additionally, the first field may further include an NSS subfield with a quantity of two bits.

[0313] The NSS subfield may be applicable to both SU-MIMO and MU-MIMO. Values ​​0 to 3 of the NSS subfield may correspond to the number of spatial streams 1 to 4, respectively. The specific correspondence between the bit values ​​and the number of spatial streams is not limited. In a possible implementation, the bit quantity values ​​0 to 3 correspond one-to-one to the number of spatial streams 1 to 4. Specifically, the bit value 0 corresponds to the number of spatial streams 1, and the bit value 1 corresponds to the number of spatial streams 2, but examples are not listed herein.

[0314] Furthermore, the first field may further include an RU Allocation subfield, wherein the number of bits of the RU Allocation subfield is 5, the number of bits of the RU Allocation subfield is 7, the number of bits of the RU Allocation subfield is 8, or the number of bits of the RU Allocation subfield is 9.

[0315] For a description of the RU Allocation subfield, please refer to the associated description of the RU Allocation subfield in Figures 10 through 24 and Tables 6 through 10. Details will not be repeated.

[0316] Furthermore, the first field may further include one or more of the following subfields: first indication information having a bit quantity of 1; a BW subfield having a bit quantity of 3 or more; an MSI / partial PPDU parameters subfield having a bit quantity of 2; a Tx beamforming subfield having a bit quantity of 1; and a fourth indication information having a bit quantity of 1.

[0317] Furthermore, the PPDU corresponding to the first field may further include a control identifier field corresponding to the first field.

[0318] For descriptions of the first indication information, the BW subfield, the MSI / partial PPDU parameter subfield, the Tx beamforming subfield, the fourth indication information, and the control identifier field corresponding to the first field, please refer to the relevant descriptions in the above embodiments, and the details will not be repeated.

[0319] Based on the above description of the LA control field and the control identifier field corresponding to the first field, even in this embodiment of the present application, bit compression can be performed using one or more of the above Method 1 to Method 6 and the following Method 7, and the bits saved based on maintaining the number of bits of the first field at 26 can be used to better support more features and functions (e.g., more RUs, larger bandwidth, effective distinction between the HE LA control subfield and the EHT LA control subfield) in the 802.11be standard or future Wi-Fi standards. In other words, as long as the number of bits of the first field is 26, one or more of the above Method 1 to Method 6 and the following Method 7 can be used in combination to perform bit compression or to perform function information extension using the bits saved by compression. For how to indicate related information using the number of bits corresponding to a specific field, please refer to the description in the above embodiment. Details will not be repeated below.

[0320] Method 7: Based on the above description of the NSS subfield with the bit quantity of 2, the NSS subfield is compressed from 3 bits in 802.11ax to 2 bits to implement bit compression.

[0321] For example, as shown in Figure 30, compared with the 802.11ax standard, the MRQ and UL EHT TB PPDU MFB may be compressed to 1 bit (i.e., the first indication information in the above embodiment; for the specific indication manner, please refer to the above embodiment), the NSS subfield may be compressed to 2 bits, the MSI / Partial PPDU Parameters subfield may be compressed to 2 bits, the DCM subfield may be removed, and the RU Allocation subfield may be compressed to 5 bits; therefore, using the saved bits, a 4-bit SU-MIMO EHT-MSC subfield and a 4-bit MU-MIMO EHT-MSC subfield may be added, the BW subfield may be extended to 3 bits, and a fourth indication information may be added to indicate whether the first field is an HE LA control subfield or an EHT LA control subfield. In this way, more features and functions of the 802.11be standard or future Wi-Fi standards can be supported, such as more RUs, larger bandwidths, effective distinction between SU-MIMO and MU-MIMO, and effective distinction between HE LA control subfields and EHT LA control subfields. Note that in this case, there are still two reserved bits that are not used for specific indication information. When function extensions are performed in the first field, these two reserved bits may indicate specific information. When these two bits are used, these two bits are no longer considered as reserved bits.

[0322] The embodiment of the present application provides a first field, similarly, where the MCS or SNR of both SU-MIMO and MU-MIMO are fed back simultaneously in the same first field. Since the MCS (or SNR) and NSS of SU-MIMO and MU-MIMO can be fed back simultaneously in the same first field, the number of spatial streams can be fed back more accurately, and the throughput of the communication system can be improved.

[0323] The number of bits in the first field may be 26, and the first field may include a SU-MIMO EHT-MSC subfield with a number of bits of 4, a MU-MIMO EHT-MSC subfield with a number of bits of 4, a SU-MIMO NSS subfield with a number of bits equal to or greater than 3, and a MU-MIMO NSS subfield with a number of bits equal to 2. Alternatively, the first field may include a SU-MIMO SNR subfield with a number of bits of 6, a MU-MIMO SNR subfield with a number of bits of 6, a SU-MIMO NSS subfield with a number of bits equal to or greater than 3, and a MU-MIMO NSS subfield with a number of bits equal to 2.

[0324] The maximum number of spatial streams indicated by the SU-MIMO NSS subfield may be 16. The maximum number of spatial streams indicated by the MU-MIMO NSS subfield may be 4.

[0325] For example, the number of bits for the SU-MIMO NSS subfield is equal to 3. The number of bits values ​​0 to 7 may correspond to any 8 spatial stream numbers from 1 to 16, respectively, which is not a limitation in this application.

[0326] For example, bit quantity values ​​0 through 7 may correspond to spatial stream numbers 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, and 16, respectively. Alternatively, bit quantity values ​​0 through 7 may correspond to spatial stream numbers 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, and 16, respectively. This is not limiting.

[0327] For example, the number of bits of the SU-MIMO NSS subfield is equal to 4. The bit number values ​​0 to 15 may correspond to the number of spatial streams 1 to 16, and the specific correspondence between the bit values ​​and the number of spatial streams is not limited. In a possible implementation, the bit number values ​​0 to 15 correspond one-to-one to the number of spatial streams 1 to 16. Specifically, the bit value 0 corresponds to the number of spatial streams 1, and the bit value 1 corresponds to the number of spatial streams 2, but examples are not listed herein.

[0328] Furthermore, the first field may further include an RU Allocation subfield, wherein the number of bits of the RU Allocation subfield is 5, the number of bits of the RU Allocation subfield is 7, the number of bits of the RU Allocation subfield is 8, or the number of bits of the RU Allocation subfield is 9.

[0329] For a description of the RU Allocation subfield, please refer to the associated description of the RU Allocation subfield in Figures 10 through 24 and Tables 6 through 10. Details will not be repeated.

[0330] Furthermore, the first field may further include one or more of the following subfields: first indication information having a bit quantity of 1; a BW subfield having a bit quantity of 3 or more; an MSI / partial PPDU parameters subfield having a bit quantity of 2; a Tx beamforming subfield having a bit quantity of 1; and a fourth indication information having a bit quantity of 1.

[0331] Furthermore, the PPDU corresponding to the first field may further include a control identifier field corresponding to the first field.

[0332] For descriptions of the first indication information, the BW subfield, the MSI / partial PPDU parameter subfield, the Tx beamforming subfield, the fourth indication information, and the control identifier field corresponding to the first field, please refer to the relevant descriptions in the above embodiments, and the details will not be repeated.

[0333] Based on the above description of the LA control field and the control identifier field corresponding to the first field, even in this embodiment of the present application, bit compression can be performed using one or more of the above Method 1 to Method 6 and the following Method 8, and the bits saved based on maintaining the number of bits of the first field at 26 can be used to better support more features and functions in the 802.11be standard or future Wi-Fi standards (e.g., more spatial streams, more RUs, larger bandwidth, effective distinction between the HE LA control subfield and the EHT LA control subfield). In other words, as long as the number of bits of the first field is 26, one or more of the above Method 1 to Method 6 and the following Method 8 can be used in combination to perform bit compression or to perform function information extension using the bits saved by compression. For how to indicate related information using the number of bits corresponding to a specific field, please refer to the description in the above embodiment. Details will not be repeated below.

[0334] Method 8: The RU Allocation subfield may be removed to achieve bit compression.

[0335] For example, as shown in Figure 31, compared with the 802.11ax standard, the MRQ and UL EHT TB PPDU MFB may be compressed to 1 bit, the MSI / Partial PPDU Parameters subfield may be compressed to 2 bits, the DCM subfield may be removed, and the RU Allocation subfield may be removed, so that using the saved bits and the 4-bit HE-MCS, a 4-bit SU-MIMO NSS subfield, a 4-bit SU-MIMO EHT-MSC subfield, a 2-bit MU-MIMO NSS subfield, and a 4-bit MU-MIMO EHT-MSC subfield may be added, the BW subfield may be expanded to 3 bits, and a fourth indication information may be added to indicate whether the first field is an HE LA Control subfield or an EHT LA Control subfield. In this way, more features and functions in the 802.11be standard or future Wi-Fi standards may be supported, such as a larger number of spatial streams, more RUs, larger bandwidth, and effective distinction between the HE LA Control subfield and the EHT LA Control subfield. In this case, please note that there are still three reserved bits that are not used for specific display information. When the function extension is performed in the first field, these three reserved bits may indicate specific information. When these three bits are used, these three bits are no longer considered as reserved bits.

[0336] Corresponding to the first field shown in FIGS. 9 to 31, the embodiment of the present application provides a first field.

[0337] The number of bits of the first field is 26, and the first field may include third indication information. The third indication information may indicate that the first field corresponds to OFDMA, or the third indication information may indicate that the first field corresponds to non-OFDMA.

[0338] In an example, when the third indication information indicates that the first field corresponds to OFDMA, the first field may further include a SU-MIMO EHT-MSC subfield having a quantity of bits of 4, a SU-MIMO NSS subfield having a quantity of bits equal to or greater than 3, and a resource unit allocation subfield. The quantity of bits of the resource unit allocation subfield is 5, the quantity of bits of the resource unit allocation subfield is 7, the quantity of bits of the resource unit allocation subfield is 8, or the quantity of bits of the resource unit allocation subfield is 9. When the third indication information indicates that the first field corresponds to non-OFDMA, the first field may further include a SU-MIMO EHT-MSC subfield having a quantity of bits of 4, a SU-MIMO NSS subfield having a quantity of bits equal to or greater than 3, a MU-MIMO NSS subfield having a quantity of bits of 2, and a MU-MIMO EHT-MSC subfield having a quantity of bits of 4.

[0339] In another example, when the third indication information indicates that the first field corresponds to OFDMA, the first field may further include a SU-MIMO SNR subfield having a quantity of bits of 6, a SU-MIMO NSS subfield having a quantity of bits equal to or greater than 3, and a resource unit allocation subfield. The quantity of bits of the resource unit allocation subfield is 5, the quantity of bits of the resource unit allocation subfield is 7, the quantity of bits of the resource unit allocation subfield is 8, or the quantity of bits of the resource unit allocation subfield is 9. When the third indication information indicates that the first field corresponds to non-OFDMA, the first field may further include a SU-MIMO SNR subfield having a quantity of bits of 6, a SU-MIMO NSS subfield having a quantity of bits equal to or greater than 3, a MU-MIMO NSS subfield having a quantity of bits of 2, and a MU-MIMO SNR subfield having a quantity of bits of 6.

[0340] Based on the above two examples, when the first field corresponds to non-OFDMA compared with OFDMA, a bit quantity reuse scheme may be used. The number of bits in the RU allocation subfield in the first field is used as the number of bits in the MU-MIMO NSS subfield and the number of bits in the MU-MIMO EHT-MSC subfield, and bit reuse effectively distinguishes between OFDMA and non-OFDMA with limited bits. In this way, feedback becomes more accurate and the throughput of the communication system is improved.

[0341] Furthermore, the first field may further include one or more of the following subfields: first indication information having a bit quantity of 1; a BW subfield having a bit quantity of 3 or more; an MSI / partial PPDU parameters subfield having a bit quantity of 2; a Tx beamforming subfield having a bit quantity of 1; and a fourth indication information having a bit quantity of 1.

[0342] Furthermore, the PPDU corresponding to the first field may further include a control identifier field corresponding to the first field.

[0343] For descriptions of the first indication information, the BW subfield, the MSI / partial PPDU parameter subfield, the Tx beamforming subfield, the fourth indication information, and the control identifier field corresponding to the first field, please refer to the relevant descriptions in the above embodiments, and the details will not be repeated.

[0344] Based on the above description of the LA control field and the control identifier field corresponding to the first field, this embodiment of the present application also performs bit compression using one or more of the above methods 1 to 6, and the bits saved based on maintaining the number of bits of the first field at 26 can be used to better support more features and functions in the 802.11be standard or future Wi-Fi standards (e.g., more spatial streams, more RUs, larger bandwidth, effective distinction between the HE LA control subfield and the EHT LA control subfield). In other words, as long as the number of bits of the first field is 26, the above methods 1 to 6 can be used in combination to perform bit compression or to perform function information extension using the bits saved by compression. For how to indicate related information using the number of bits corresponding to a specific field, please refer to the description in the above embodiments. Hereinafter, the details will not be repeated.

[0345] For example, as shown in Figure 32, compared to the 802.11ax standard, the MRQ and UL EHT TB PPDU MFB may be compressed to 1 bit, the MSI / Partial PPDU Parameter subfield may be compressed to 2 bits, and the DCM subfield may be removed. The saved bits are then used to add 1 bit of third indication information, a 4-bit SU-MIMO NSS subfield, and a 4-bit SU-MIMO EHT-MSC subfield. The 8 bits of the 802.11ax standard RU Allocation subfield indicate RU allocation. Alternatively, the 8 bits of the 802.11ax standard RU Allocation subfield no longer indicate RU allocation, and function splitting is again performed on these 8 bits to indicate a 2-bit MU-MIMO NSS subfield, a 4-bit MU-MIMO EHT-MSC subfield, and 2 reserved bits. The BW subfield is extended to three bits, and a fourth indication is added to indicate whether the first field is an HE LA control subfield or an EHT LA control subfield. In this way, more features and functions can be supported, such as a larger number of spatial streams, more RUs, larger bandwidth, and effective differentiation between the HE LA control subfield and the EHT LA control subfield in the 802.11be standard or future Wi-Fi standards. Note that in this case, there are still two reserved bits that are not used for specific indication information. When function extensions are performed in the first field, these two reserved bits may indicate specific information. When these two bits are used, these two bits are no longer considered reserved bits.

[0346] It should be noted that the above embodiments may be used as independent embodiments or may be combined with other embodiments, without being limited thereto.

[0347] The above describes the solutions provided in the embodiments of the present application mainly from the perspective of interactions between devices. It can be understood that, to implement the above functions, the devices include hardware structures and / or software modules corresponding to those functions. Those skilled in the art will easily realize that, in combination with the example algorithms and steps described in the embodiments disclosed herein, the present application can be implemented by hardware or a combination of hardware and computer software. Whether the functions are performed by hardware or by hardware driven by computer software depends on the individual application and design constraints of the technical solution. Those skilled in the art may use various methods to implement the described functions for each individual application, but this implementation shall not be deemed to depart from the scope of the present application.

[0348] In the embodiments of the present application, a device may be divided into functional modules based on the above-described exemplary method. For example, functional modules corresponding to respective functions may be obtained by division, or two or more functions may be integrated into one processing module. The integrated module may be implemented in the form of hardware or in the form of a software functional module. It should be noted that in the embodiments of the present application, the division into modules is an example and merely represents a logical division of functions. In actual implementation, a different division method may be used.

[0349] FIG. 33 illustrates a first communication device in which each functional module is obtained by division based on its corresponding function. The first communication device 330 may include a processing module 3301 and a transceiver module 3302. For example, the first communication device 330 may be the first communication device itself, a chip used within the first communication device, or another combined component or component having the functionality of the first communication device. When the first communication device 330 is the first communication device, the processing module 3301 may be a processor (or processing circuit), such as a baseband processor. The baseband processor may include one or more CPUs. The transceiver module 3302 may be a transceiver, which may include an antenna, a radio frequency circuit, etc. When the first communication device 330 is a component having the functionality of the first communication device, the processing module 3301 may be a processor (or processing circuit), such as a baseband processor. The transceiver module 3302 may be a radio frequency module. When the first communication device 330 is a chip system, the processing module 3301 may be a processor (or processing circuit) or logic circuit of the chip system, and may include one or more central processing modules. The transceiver module 3302 may be an input / output interface of the chip (e.g., a baseband chip). It should be understood that the processing module 3301 in this embodiment of the present application may be implemented by a processor or circuit components related to a processor (also referred to as a processing circuit). The transceiver module 3302 may be implemented by a transceiver or circuit components related to a transceiver.

[0350] For example, the processing module 3301 may be configured to perform all operations other than the transmit and receive operations performed by the first communication device in the embodiments shown in Figures 9 through 32 and / or may be configured to support other processes of the techniques described herein. The transceiver module 3302 may be configured to perform all transmit and receive operations performed by the first communication device in the embodiments shown in Figures 9 through 32 and / or may be configured to support other processes of the techniques described herein.

[0351] In another possible implementation, the processing module 3301 in FIG. 33 may be replaced by a processor, and the processor may integrate the functions of the processing module 3301. The transceiver module 3302 may be replaced by a transceiver, and the transceiver may integrate the functions of the transceiver module 3302. Furthermore, the first communication device 330 shown in FIG. 33 may further include a memory. When the processing module 3301 is replaced by a processor and the transceiver module 3302 is replaced by a transceiver, the first communication device 330 of this embodiment of the present application may be the communication device shown in FIG. 8.

[0352] Alternatively, when the processing module 3301 is replaced by a processor and the transceiver module 3302 is replaced by a transceiver, the first communication device 330 of this embodiment of the present application may alternatively be the communication device 340 shown in Figure 34. The processor may be a logic circuit 3401, and the transceiver may be an input / output interface 3402. Furthermore, the communication device 340 shown in Figure 34 may further include a memory 3403.

[0353] FIG. 35 illustrates a second communication device in which each functional module is obtained by division based on its corresponding function. The second communication device 350 may include a transceiver module 3501 and a processing module 3502. For example, the second communication device 350 may be a second communication device, a chip used in the second communication device, or another combined component or component having the functionality of the second communication device. When the second communication device 350 is a second communication device, the transceiver module 3501 may be a transceiver, which may include an antenna, a radio frequency circuit, etc. The processing module 3502 may be a processor (or processing circuit), such as a baseband processor. The baseband processor may include one or more CPUs. When the second communication device 350 is a component having the functionality of the second communication device, the transceiver module 3501 may be a radio frequency module, and the processing module 3502 may be a processor (or processing circuit), such as a baseband processor. When the second communication device 350 is a chip system, the transceiver module 3501 may be an input / output interface of the chip (e.g., a baseband chip). The processing module 3502 may be a processor (or processing circuit) or logic circuit of the chip system, and may include one or more central processing modules. It should be understood that the transceiver module 3501 in this embodiment of the present application may be implemented by a transceiver or circuit components related to a transceiver, and the processing module 3502 may be implemented by a processor or circuit components related to a processor (also called a processing circuit).

[0354] For example, the transceiver module 3501 may be configured to perform all of the transmit and receive operations performed by the second communication device in the embodiments shown in Figures 9 through 32 and / or to support other processes of the techniques described herein. The processing module 3502 may be configured to perform all operations other than the transmit and receive operations performed by the second communication device in the embodiments shown in Figures 9 through 32 and / or to support other processes of the techniques described herein.

[0355] In another possible implementation, the transceiver module 3501 in FIG. 35 may be replaced by a transceiver, and the transceiver may integrate the functions of the transceiver module 3501. The processing module 3502 may be replaced by a processor, and the processor may integrate the functions of the processing module 3502. Furthermore, the second communication device 350 shown in FIG. 35 may further include a memory. When the transceiver module 3501 is replaced by a transceiver and the processing module 3502 is replaced by a processor, the second communication device 350 of this embodiment of the present application may be the communication device shown in FIG.

[0356] Alternatively, when the transceiver module 3501 is replaced by a transceiver and the processing module 3502 is replaced by a processor, the second communication device 350 of this embodiment of the present application may alternatively be the communication device 340 shown in Figure 34. The processor may be a logic circuit 3401, and the transceiver may be an input / output interface 3402. Furthermore, the communication device 340 shown in Figure 34 may further include a memory 3403.

[0357] The embodiments of the present application further provide a computer-readable storage medium. All or part of the steps of the above method embodiments may be implemented by a computer program instructing associated hardware. The program may be stored in the above computer-readable storage medium. When the program is executed, the steps of the above method embodiments may be included. The computer-readable storage medium may be an internal storage unit (including a data transmission end and / or a data receiving end) of the terminal in any one of the above embodiments, such as a hard disk drive or memory of the terminal. Alternatively, the computer-readable storage medium may be an external storage device of the terminal, such as a plug-in hard disk, a smart media card (SMC), a secure digital (SD) card, or a flash card configured on the terminal. Furthermore, the computer-readable storage medium may further include both an internal storage unit and an external storage device of the terminal. The computer-readable storage medium is configured to store computer programs and other programs and data required by the terminal. The computer-readable storage medium may also be configured to temporarily store output or output data.

[0358] It should be noted that in the specification, claims, and accompanying drawings of this application, terms such as "first" and "second" are used to distinguish different objects but do not indicate a particular order. Furthermore, the terms "comprise" and "have," as well as any other variations thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion. For example, a process, method, system, product, or device that includes a series of steps or units is not limited to the listed steps or units, but may optionally further include unlisted steps or units, or may optionally further include other inherent steps or units of the process, method, product, or device.

[0359] It should be understood that, as used herein, "at least one (item)" means one or more, "multiple" means two or more, "at least two (items)" means two or more, and "and / or" is used to describe an association relationship between related objects and indicates a possible three-way relationship. For example, "A and / or B" can indicate that only A is present, that only B is present, or that both A and B are present, where A and B can be singular or plural. The character " / " generally indicates an "or" relationship between related objects. "At least one of the following items" or similar expressions refers to any combination of items, such as one item or any combination of multiple items. For example, at least one of a, b, or c can refer to a, b, c, a and b, a and c, b and c, or a, b, and c, where a, b, and c can be singular or plural.

[0360] It should be understood that references throughout the specification to "one embodiment" or "an embodiment" mean that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic associated with that embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present application. Thus, the appearances of "in one embodiment" or "in an embodiment" throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, these features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments.

[0361] From the above description of the implementation, those skilled in the art can understand that the above division into functional modules is used as an example for convenience and simplicity of explanation. In actual application, the above functions can be allocated and implemented by different functional modules according to requirements, that is, the internal structure of the device is divided into different functional modules to implement all or part of the above functions.

[0362] In some embodiments provided herein, it should be understood that the disclosed apparatus and method may be implemented in other manners. For example, the described apparatus embodiments are merely examples. For example, the division into modules or units is merely a logical division of functionality, and actual implementation may involve other divisions. For example, multiple units or components may be combined or integrated into another apparatus, or some features may be omitted or not implemented. Furthermore, the shown or described mutual couplings or direct couplings or communication connections may be implemented via some interfaces. Indirect couplings or communication connections between apparatuses or units may be implemented in electronic, mechanical, or other forms.

[0363] The units described as separate parts may or may not be physically separate, and the parts shown as units may be one or more physical units, located in one place, or distributed across multiple locations. Some or all of these units may be selected according to actual requirements to achieve the objectives of the solutions of the embodiments.

[0364] Furthermore, the functional units in the embodiments of the present application may be integrated into one processing unit, each of the units may exist physically independently, or two or more units may be integrated into one unit. The integrated unit may be implemented in the form of hardware or in the form of a software functional unit.

[0365] When an integrated unit is implemented in the form of a software functional unit and sold or used as an independent product, the integrated unit may be stored in a readable storage medium. Based on this understanding, the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application may essentially be implemented in the form of a software product, or the parts that contribute to the prior art, or all or part of these technical solutions. The software product may be stored in a storage medium and include some instructions that instruct a device (such as a single-chip microcomputer or chip) or a processor to perform all or part of the steps of the methods described in the embodiments of the present application. The storage medium may include any medium that can store program code, such as a USB flash drive, a removable hard disk, a ROM, a RAM, a magnetic disk, or an optical disk.

Claims

1. receiving, by a second communication device, a physical layer protocol data unit (PPDU) from a first communication device, the PPDU including a first field, the first field including an unsolicited modulation and coding scheme feedback (MFB) subfield and first indication information, the first indication information indicating a modulation and coding scheme request (MRQ) when the value of the unsolicited MFB subfield is a first value, and the first indication information indicating an uplink very high throughput trigger-based PPDU modulation and coding scheme feedback (UL EHT TB PPDU MFB) when the value of the unsolicited MFB subfield is a second value; parsing, by the second communication device, the PPDU; A communication method including:

2. The method described in claim 1, wherein the PPDU includes an MFB request, the value of the unsolicited MFB subfield is 0, and the value of the first display information is 1.

3. The method further comprises: receiving, by the first communication device, a second PPDU from the second communication device, the second PPDU including an MFB response, an Unsolicited MFB subfield of the second PPDU having a value of 0, and a first information value of the second PPDU having a value of 0; 3. The method of claim 2, comprising:

4. The method of claim 1, wherein when the value of the Unsolicited MFB subfield is 0, the first indication information indicates whether solicited feedback is used, and when the value of the Unsolicited MFB subfield is 1, the first indication information indicates whether information provided in the field is used in a UL EHT TB PPDU.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the first field further includes a number of spatial streams (NSS) subfield, the number of bits being three or greater.

6. The method described in claim 1, wherein the first field includes an extremely high throughput modulation and coding scheme (EHT-MCS) subfield having a bit quantity of 4.

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the first field further includes a resource unit allocation subfield, and the quantity of bits in the resource unit allocation subfield is eight.

8. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the first field includes a bandwidth (BW) subfield having a quantity of three bits.

9. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the first field further includes fourth indication information having a bit quantity of 1, and the fourth indication information indicates that the first field is an extremely high throughput (EHT LA) control subfield, or the fourth indication information indicates that the first field is a high efficiency (HE) LA control subfield.

10. The method of claim 1 , wherein the first field further comprises a Tx beamforming subfield having a quantity of one bit.

11. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the PPDU further includes a control identifier field corresponding to the first field, the control identifier field having a value of 2.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein the unsolicited MFB subfield is 1 bit.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein the first display information is one bit.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein the first field is 26 bits.

15. 15. A communication device comprising a processor and a memory, the memory coupled to the processor, the memory configured to store computer programs or instructions, and the processor configured to execute the computer programs or instructions to perform the communication method of any one of claims 1 to 14.

16. A computer readable storage medium storing computer instructions or programs which, when executed on a computer, perform the communication method according to any one of claims 1 to 14.

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