Resource instruction method and apparatus

Abstract

The present application provides a resource indication method and device, and relates to the field of communication technology. In the method, a first communication device may receive resource indication information. The resource indication information may include resource unit allocation information for indicating one or more first VRUs, and station information of a station to which one or more first VRUs are assigned. There is a mapping relationship between a first PRU and a first VRU. The first communication device transmits data on the first PRU. Since the continuous VRU is mapped to the discrete PRU, it is equivalent to reducing the number of subcarriers per MHz so that the second communication device can support a larger transmission power. The present application is applied to a wireless local area network system supporting IEEE 802.11ax next-generation Wi-Fi protocol, for example, an 802.11 series protocol such as 802.11be or EHT.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Cross-reference to Related Applications This application claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 202110694205.4, titled "RESOURCE INDICATION METHOD AND APPARATUS", filed with the China National Intellectual Property Administration on June 22, 2021, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[0002] This application relates to the field of communication technologies, and more particularly, to a resource indication method and apparatus.

Background Art

[0003] Currently, in related technologies, a low power indoor (LPI) communication method is defined, and the maximum transmission power and the maximum spectral density are strictly limited. In the case of an access point (AP), the maximum power is 36 decibel-milliwatts (dBm), and the maximum power spectral density is 5 decibel-milliwatts / megahertz (dBm / MHz). In the case of a station (STA), the maximum power is 24 dBm, and the maximum power spectral density is -1 dBm / MHz.

[0004] However, the transmit power of a device is limited by both its maximum power and maximum power spectral density. In other words, the transmit power of a device cannot exceed its maximum power or maximum power spectral density. Therefore, if the maximum power and power spectral density are limited, the corresponding transmit bandwidth may be extended to implement a greater transmit power for the device. In other words, the subcarriers allocated to the device become more discrete in the frequency domain, i.e., the number of subcarriers per MHz decreases. Since resource units (RUs) of different sizes can accommodate multiple combinations of discrete subcarriers, more RUs or combinations of RUs need to be defined, and these RUs or combinations of RUs need to be shown. [Overview of the project] [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] This application provides a resource instruction method and apparatus for increasing the transmission power of a device.

[0006] According to a first embodiment, a resource instruction method is provided. This method may be performed by a first communication device or by a chip having similar functionality to the first communication device. The first communication device may be a receiving end communication device, for example, an STA or AP. In this method, the first communication device can receive resource instruction information. The resource instruction information may include resource unit allocation information for indicating one or more first virtual resource units (VRUs) and station information for stations to which one or more first VRUs are assigned, the first VRUs comprising a plurality of contiguous subcarriers in the frequency domain, the first communication device determines a first physical resource unit (PRU) based on the resource instruction information, there is a mapping relationship between the first PRU and the first VRU, the first PRUs comprising a plurality of discrete subcarrier groups in the frequency domain, one subcarrier group comprising one subcarrier or at least two contiguous subcarriers, and the first communication device transmits data on the first PRU.

[0007] Based on the aforementioned solution, the first communication device can notify the second communication device that the RU assigned to it is a VRU, but the second communication device transmits data on discrete PRUs to which continuous VRUs are mapped. Since continuous VRUs are mapped to discrete PRUs, this is equivalent to reducing the number of subcarriers per MHz so that the second communication device can support greater transmit power.

[0008] In one possible embodiment, the mapping relationship includes the following: the difference between the index of one first VRU in one or more first VRUs and the index of the first PRU corresponding to one first VRU is a first specified value; or the index of one first VRU in one or more first VRUs is the same as the index of the first PRU corresponding to one first VRU; and the index of one first VRU in one or more first VRUs is determined based on resource unit allocation information.

[0009] Based on the aforementioned solution, the first VRU may be mapped to the first discrete PRU based on the index of the first VRU, and the second communication device transmits data on the discrete PRU, thereby enabling the second communication device to support greater transmission power.

[0010] In one possible embodiment, the mapping relationship is performed using each of the nine 26-tone RUs contained in each 20MHz as the smallest unit, where the indices of the nine 26-tone RUs are {1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9} + q, and the nine 26-tone The indices obtained by mapping the RUs are {1,7,3,9,5,6,2,8,4}+q, {6,2,8,4,5,1,7,3,9}+q, {1,2,8,9,5,6,7,3,4}+q, or {6,7,3,4,5,1,2,8,9}+q, where q is an integer, q=9*b, b is an integer, b is the number of 20MHz included in the maximum resource bandwidth allocated by the second communication device minus 1, and q=0,9,18,27, etc., specifically including one first VRU in one or more first VRUs having an index of {1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9}+q, and a 26-tone VRU. One or more RUs, and a first PRU corresponding to one first VRU in one or more first VRUs is one or more 26-tone RUs whose index is {1,7,3,9,5,6,2,8,4}+q, or a first PRU corresponding to one first VRU in one or more first VRUs is one or more 26-tone RUs whose index is {6,2,8,4,5,1,7,3,9}+q, or a first PRU corresponding to one first VRU in one or more first VRUs is a 26-tone RU whose index is {1,2,8,9,5,6,7,3,4}+q One or more RUs, or a first PRU corresponding to one first VRU within one or more first VRUs, is one or more 26-tone RUs whose index is {6,7,3,4,5,1,2,8,9}+q.

[0011] Based on the aforementioned solution, multiple first VRUs can be mapped in a similar symmetric manner in order to obtain multiple first PRUs. In a symmetric manner, continuous VRUs can be mapped fairly to discrete PRUs. Therefore, when the number of VRUs allocated by the first communication device is small and the bandwidth is small, the allocated VRUs can also be mapped to discrete PRUs as much as possible.

[0012] In one possible embodiment, the mapping relationship may have a maximum resource bandwidth of 40 MHz or more allocated by the second communication device, and the maximum resource bandwidth may include at least two 242-tone RUs, and the mapping is performed using each of the 18 26-tone RUs contained in the at least two 242-tone RUs as the smallest unit, and the indices of the 18 26-tone RUs are {1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9} and {10,11,12,13,14,15,16,17,18}+m, and the 18 26-tone The indices obtained by mapping the RUs are {1,11+m,3,13+m,5,6,16+m,8,18+m}, {10+m,2,12+m,4,14+m,15+m,7,17+m,9}, or {10+m,2,12+m,4,5,15+m,7,17+m,9}, {1,11+m,3,13+m,14+m,6,16+m,8,18+m}, where m is an integer, m=9*a, a is an integer, a represents the number of 242-tone RUs between at least two 242-tone RUs, and m=0,9,18,27, etc.

[0013] Based on the aforementioned solution, the interval between two consecutive VRUs can be long, and consecutive VRUs can be mapped to discrete PRUs whenever possible. When the number of VRUs allocated by the first communication device is large and the bandwidth is large, more discrete PRUs can be obtained.

[0014] In a possible embodiment, the sequence number of the sub - carrier in the first PRU determined for the sub - carrier with sequence number k in the first VRU based on the mapping relationship is k', and it satisfies the following formula:

Number

[0015] M t represents the number of the first VRUs involved in mapping at each 20 MHz. M t is an integer, 1 ≤ M t ≤ 9, x is an integer, x = 1, 2, 4, 8, 16, etc., and M t *x represents the total number of the first VRUs involved in mapping. mod() represents the modulo operation. M c represents the number of sub - carriers involved in mapping in one first VRU. 1 ≤ M c ≤ 26, k = 0, 1, 2,... or M t *M c *x - 1. In this specification, x may represent the number of 20 MHz included in the maximum bandwidth indicated by the resource unit allocation information.

[0016] Based on the above - mentioned solution, the sub - carriers in the VRU may be mapped to the sub - carriers on the PRU, and the interval between two consecutive sub - carriers may be extended according to the above formula so that the sub - carriers included in the PRU become more discrete.

[0017] In a possible embodiment, the indices of the sub - carriers included in the first VRU are respectively [0, 1, 2,..., M c - 1]+n*M c and the indices of the sub - carrier groups included in the first PRU are respectively [0, 1*M t *x, 2*M t *x, 3*M t *x,...,(M c - 1)*M t *x]+n, where n = 0, 1, 2,... or Mt *x-1

[0018] Based on the aforementioned solution, the subcarriers in the first VRU may be mapped to the subcarriers in the first PRU based on the subcarrier index, expanding the spacing between two consecutive subcarriers, and as a result, the subcarriers in the PRU become more discrete.

[0019] According to a second embodiment, a resource instruction method is provided. This method may be performed by a second communication device or by a chip having similar functionality to the second communication device. The second communication device may be a transmitting end communication device, for example, an AP. In this method, the second communication device transmits resource instruction information, which includes resource unit allocation information for indicating one or more first virtual resource units VRUs, and station information for a station to which one or more first VRUs are allocated, the first VRUs comprising a plurality of contiguous subcarriers in the frequency domain, the second communication device receives data on a first physical resource unit PRU, there is a mapping relationship between the first PRU and the first VRU, the first PRUs comprising a plurality of discrete subcarrier groups in the frequency domain, one subcarrier group comprising one subcarrier or at least two contiguous subcarriers, and the second communication device receives data on the first PRU.

[0020] In one possible embodiment, the mapping relationship includes the following: the difference between the index of one first VRU in one or more first VRUs and the index of the first PRU corresponding to one first VRU is a first specified value; or the index of one first VRU in one or more first VRUs is the same as the index of the first PRU corresponding to one first VRU; and the index of one first VRU in one or more first VRUs is determined based on resource unit allocation information.

[0021] In one possible embodiment, the mapping relationship is performed using each of the nine 26-tone RUs contained in each 20MHz as the smallest unit, where the indices of the nine 26-tone RUs are {1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9} + q, and the nine 26-tone The indices obtained by mapping the RUs are {1,7,3,9,5,6,2,8,4}+q, {6,2,8,4,5,1,7,3,9}+q, {1,2,8,9,5,6,7,3,4}+q, or {6,7,3,4,5,1,2,8,9}+q, where q is an integer, q=9*b, b is an integer, b is the number of 20MHz included in the maximum resource bandwidth allocated by the second communication device minus 1, and q=0,9,18,27, etc., specifically including one first VRU in one or more first VRUs having an index of {1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9}+q, and a 26-tone VRU. One or more RUs, and a first PRU corresponding to one first VRU in one or more first VRUs is one or more 26-tone RUs whose index is {1,7,3,9,5,6,2,8,4}+q, or a first PRU corresponding to one first VRU in one or more first VRUs is one or more 26-tone RUs whose index is {6,2,8,4,5,1,7,3,9}+q, or a first PRU corresponding to one first VRU in one or more first VRUs is a 26-tone RU whose index is {1,2,8,9,5,6,7,3,4}+q One or more RUs, or a first PRU corresponding to one first VRU within one or more first VRUs, is one or more 26-tone RUs whose index is {6,7,3,4,5,1,2,8,9}+q.

[0022] In one possible embodiment, the mapping relationship may have a maximum resource bandwidth of 40 MHz or more allocated by the second communication device, and the maximum resource bandwidth may include at least two 242-tone RUs, and the mapping is performed using each of the 18 26-tone RUs contained in the at least two 242-tone RUs as the smallest unit, and the indices of the 18 26-tone RUs are {1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9} and {10,11,12,13,14,15,16,17,18}+m, and the 18 26-tone The indices obtained by mapping the RUs are {1,11+m,3,13+m,5,6,16+m,8,18+m}, {10+m,2,12+m,4,14+m,15+m,7,17+m,9}, or {10+m,2,12+m,4,5,15+m,7,17+m,9}, {1,11+m,3,13+m,14+m,6,16+m,8,18+m}, where m is an integer, m=9*a, a is an integer, a represents the number of 242-tone RUs between at least two 242-tone RUs, and m=0,9,18,27, etc.

[0023] In one possible embodiment, the sequence number of a subcarrier in a first PRU, determined based on the mapping relationship for a subcarrier with sequence number k in a first VRU, is k', and satisfies the following equation:

number

[0024] M t This indicates the number of first VRUs involved in mapping at each 20MHz, and M t is an integer, and 1 ≤ M t ≤ 9, x is an integer, x = 1, 2, 4, 8, 16, etc., M t *x represents the total number of first VRUs involved in the mapping, mod() represents the modulo operation, and M c This indicates the number of subcarriers involved in mapping in one first VRU, where 1 ≤ Mc ≤ 26, and k = 0, 1, 2, ..., or M t *M c *x-1. In this specification, x may represent the number of 20 MHz included in the maximum bandwidth indicated by the resource unit allocation information.

[0025] In one possible embodiment, the indices of the subcarriers included in the first VRU are [0, 1, 2, ..., M], respectively. c -1]+n*M c The indices of the subcarrier groups included in the first PRU are [0, 1*M] respectively. t *x,2*M t *x,3*M t * x,...,( M c -1)*M t *x]+n, where n=0,1,2,..., or M t *x-1

[0026] According to a third aspect, a communication device is provided. The communication device may be configured to perform a method according to the first aspect or any one of possible embodiments of the first aspect. Specifically, the communication device may include modules or units configured to perform a method according to the first aspect or any one of possible embodiments of the first aspect. For example, the communication device includes a processing unit and a transceiver unit. For example, the communication device is the aforementioned communication device at the receiving end. The transceiver unit is configured to receive resource instruction information, the resource instruction information includes resource unit allocation information for indicating one or more first virtual resource units (VRUs) and station information for stations to which one or more first VRUs are allocated, the first VRUs including a plurality of contiguous subcarriers in the frequency domain. The processing unit is configured to determine a first physical resource unit (PRU) based on resource instruction information, and there is a mapping relationship between the first PRU and the first VRU, where the first PRU comprises a plurality of discrete subcarrier groups in the frequency domain, and each subcarrier group contains either one subcarrier or at least two consecutive subcarriers. The transceiver unit is further configured to transmit data on the first PRU.

[0027] In one design, the mapping relationship includes the difference between the index of one first VRU in one or more first VRUs and the index of the first PRU corresponding to one first VRU being a first specified value, or the index of one first VRU in one or more first VRUs being the same as the index of the first PRU corresponding to one first VRU, and the index of one first VRU in one or more first VRUs being determined based on resource unit allocation information.

[0028] In one design, the mapping relationship is performed using each of the nine 26-tone RUs contained in each 20MHz as the smallest unit, and the indices of the nine 26-tone RUs are {1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9} + q, and the nine 26-tone The indices obtained by mapping the RUs are {1,7,3,9,5,6,2,8,4}+q, {6,2,8,4,5,1,7,3,9}+q, {1,2,8,9,5,6,7,3,4}+q, or {6,7,3,4,5,1,2,8,9}+q, where q is an integer, q=9*b, b is an integer, b is the number of 20MHz included in the maximum resource bandwidth allocated by the second communication device minus 1, and q=0,9,18,27, etc., specifically including one first VRU in one or more first VRUs having an index of {1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9}+q, and a 26-tone VRU. One or more RUs, and a first PRU corresponding to one first VRU in one or more first VRUs is one or more 26-tone RUs whose index is {1,7,3,9,5,6,2,8,4}+q, or a first PRU corresponding to one first VRU in one or more first VRUs is one or more 26-tone RUs whose index is {6,2,8,4,5,1,7,3,9}+q, or a first PRU corresponding to one first VRU in one or more first VRUs is a 26-tone RU whose index is {1,2,8,9,5,6,7,3,4}+q One or more RUs, or a first PRU corresponding to one first VRU within one or more first VRUs, is one or more 26-tone RUs whose index is {6,7,3,4,5,1,2,8,9}+q.

[0029] In one design, the mapping relationship may be such that the maximum resource bandwidth allocated by the second communication device is 40 MHz or more, the maximum resource bandwidth may include at least two 242-tone RUs, and the mapping is performed using each of the 18 26-tone RUs contained in at least two 242-tone RUs as the smallest unit, the indices of the 18 26-tone RUs are {1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9} and {10,11,12,13,14,15,16,17,18}+m, and the 18 26-tone The indices obtained by mapping the RUs are {1,11+m,3,13+m,5,6,16+m,8,18+m}, {10+m,2,12+m,4,14+m,15+m,7,17+m,9}, or {10+m,2,12+m,4,5,15+m,7,17+m,9}, {1,11+m,3,13+m,14+m,6,16+m,8,18+m}, where m is an integer, m=9*a, a is an integer, a represents the number of 242-tone RUs between at least two 242-tone RUs, and m=0,9,18,27, etc.

[0030] In one design, the sequence number of a subcarrier in the first PRU, determined based on the mapping relationship for a subcarrier with sequence number k in the first VRU, is k', and satisfies the following equation:

number

[0031] M t This indicates the number of first VRUs involved in mapping at each 20MHz, and M t is an integer, and 1 ≤ M t ≤ 9, x is an integer, x = 1, 2, 4, 8, 16, etc., M t *x represents the total number of first VRUs involved in the mapping, mod() represents the modulo operation, and M c This indicates the number of subcarriers involved in mapping in one first VRU, where 1 ≤ M c≤ 26, and k = 0, 1, 2, ..., or M t *M c *x-1. In this specification, x may represent the number of 20 MHz included in the maximum bandwidth indicated by the resource unit allocation information.

[0032] In one design, the indices of the subcarriers included in the first VRU are [0, 1, 2, ..., M]. c -1]+n*M c The indices of the subcarrier groups included in the first PRU are [0, 1*M] respectively. t *x,2*M t *x,3*M t * x,...,( M c -1)*M t *x]+n, where n=0,1,2,..., or M t *x-1

[0033] According to a fourth aspect, a communication device is provided. The communication device may be configured to perform a method according to the second aspect or any one of possible embodiments of the second aspect. Specifically, the communication device may include modules or units configured to perform a method according to the second aspect or any one of possible embodiments of the second aspect. For example, the communication device includes a processing unit and a transceiver unit. For example, the communication device is the aforementioned communication device at the transmitting end. The processing unit is configured to generate resource instruction information, which includes resource unit allocation information for indicating one or more first virtual resource units (VRUs) and station information for stations to which one or more first VRUs are allocated, the first VRUs including a plurality of contiguous subcarriers in the frequency domain. The transceiver unit is configured to transmit the resource instruction information. The transceiver unit is further configured to receive data on a first PRU.

[0034] In one design, the mapping relationship includes the difference between the index of one first VRU in one or more first VRUs and the index of the first PRU corresponding to one first VRU being a first specified value, or the index of one first VRU in one or more first VRUs being the same as the index of the first PRU corresponding to one first VRU, and the index of one first VRU in one or more first VRUs being determined based on resource unit allocation information.

[0035] In one design, the mapping relationship is performed using each of the nine 26-tone RUs contained in each 20MHz as the smallest unit, and the indices of the nine 26-tone RUs are {1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9} + q, and the nine 26-tone The indices obtained by mapping the RUs are {1,7,3,9,5,6,2,8,4}+q, {6,2,8,4,5,1,7,3,9}+q, {1,2,8,9,5,6,7,3,4}+q, or {6,7,3,4,5,1,2,8,9}+q, where q is an integer, q=9*b, b is an integer, b is the number of 20MHz included in the maximum resource bandwidth allocated by the second communication device minus 1, and q=0,9,18,27, etc., specifically including one first VRU in one or more first VRUs having an index of {1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9}+q, and a 26-tone VRU. One or more RUs, and a first PRU corresponding to one first VRU in one or more first VRUs is one or more 26-tone RUs whose index is {1,7,3,9,5,6,2,8,4}+q, or a first PRU corresponding to one first VRU in one or more first VRUs is one or more 26-tone RUs whose index is {6,2,8,4,5,1,7,3,9}+q, or a first PRU corresponding to one first VRU in one or more first VRUs is a 26-tone RU whose index is {1,2,8,9,5,6,7,3,4}+q One or more RUs, or a first PRU corresponding to one first VRU within one or more first VRUs, is one or more 26-tone RUs whose index is {6,7,3,4,5,1,2,8,9}+q.

[0036] In one design, the mapping relationship may be such that the maximum resource bandwidth allocated by the second communication device is 40 MHz or more, the maximum resource bandwidth may include at least two 242-tone RUs, and the mapping is performed using each of the 18 26-tone RUs contained in at least two 242-tone RUs as the smallest unit, the indices of the 18 26-tone RUs are {1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9} and {10,11,12,13,14,15,16,17,18}+m, and the 18 26-tone The indices obtained by mapping the RUs are {1,11+m,3,13+m,5,6,16+m,8,18+m}, {10+m,2,12+m,4,14+m,15+m,7,17+m,9}, or {10+m,2,12+m,4,5,15+m,7,17+m,9}, {1,11+m,3,13+m,14+m,6,16+m,8,18+m}, where m is an integer, m=9*a, a is an integer, a represents the number of 242-tone RUs between at least two 242-tone RUs, and m=0,9,18,27, etc.

[0037] In one design, the sequence number of a subcarrier in the first PRU, determined based on the mapping relationship for a subcarrier with sequence number k in the first VRU, is k', and satisfies the following equation:

number

[0038] M t This indicates the number of first VRUs involved in mapping at each 20MHz, where 1 ≤ M t ≤ 9, and x = 1, 2, 4, 8, 16, etc., M t *x represents the total number of first VRUs involved in the mapping, mod() represents the modulo operation, and M c This indicates the number of subcarriers involved in mapping in one first VRU, where 1 ≤ M c ≤ 26, and k = 0, 1, 2, ..., or M t*M c *x-1

[0039] In one design, the indices of the subcarriers included in the first VRU are [0, 1, 2, ..., M]. c -1]+n*M c The indices of the subcarrier groups included in the first PRU are [0, 1*M] respectively. t *x,2*M t *x,3*M t * x,...,( M c -1)*M t *x]+n, where n=0,1,2,..., or M t *x-1

[0040] According to a fifth aspect, one embodiment of the present application provides a communication device. The communication device may be a communication device described in either the third or fourth aspect of the above-described embodiments, or a chip disposed in the communication device described in either the third or fourth aspect. The communication device includes a communication interface and a processor, and optionally further includes memory. The memory is configured to store computer programs, instructions, or data. The processor is coupled to the memory and the communication interface. When the processor reads computer programs, instructions, or data, the communication device performs a method performed by a transmitting end communication device or a receiving end communication device in a method embodiment according to either the first or second aspect.

[0041] It should be understood that the communication interface may be implemented by using antennas, feeders, codecs, etc., within the communication device. Alternatively, if the communication device is a chip located in a transmitting or receiving communication device, the communication interface may be the chip's input / output interface, e.g., input / output pins. The communication device may further include transceivers configured to perform communication between the communication device and other devices. For example, when the communication device is a transmitting communication device, another device is a receiving communication device, or when the communication device is a receiving communication device, another device is a transmitting communication device.

[0042] According to a sixth aspect, one embodiment of the present application provides a chip system. The chip system includes a processor and may further include memory configured to implement a method performed by a communication device according to either a third or fourth aspect. In one possible embodiment, the chip system further includes memory configured to store program instructions and / or data. The chip system may include a chip, or it may include a chip and another discrete component.

[0043] According to the seventh aspect, one embodiment of the present application provides a communication system. The communication system includes communication devices according to the third and fourth aspects.

[0044] According to the eighth aspect, the present application provides a computer-readable storage medium that stores a computer program or instruction. When the computer program or instruction is executed, a method performed by the receiving end communication device of the preceding aspects is implemented, or a method performed by the transmitting end communication device of the preceding aspects is implemented.

[0045] According to the ninth aspect, a computer program product is provided. The computer program product includes computer program code or instructions. When the computer program code or instructions are executed, a method performed by the receiving end communication device of the preceding aspects is carried out, or a method performed by the transmitting end communication device of the preceding aspects is carried out.

[0046] For the beneficial effects of the second to eighth embodiments and the embodiments thereof, please refer to the description of the beneficial effects of the method in the first embodiment and the embodiment thereof. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0047] [Figure 1] This figure shows a network architecture of a wireless local area network to which one embodiment of this application can be applied. [Figure 2] This is a schematic diagram of the 20MHz tone plan and RU plan. [Figure 3] This is a schematic diagram of the 40MHz tone plan and RU plan. [Figure 4] This is a schematic diagram of the 80MHz tone plan and RU plan. [Figure 5] This is a schematic diagram of a 26-tone RU plan with discrete subcarriers. [Figure 6] This is a schematic diagram of a 52-tone RU plan with discrete subcarriers. [Figure 7] This is an illustrative flowchart of a resource instruction method according to one embodiment of this application. [Figure 8] This is a schematic diagram of VRU substitution according to one embodiment of this application. [Figure 9A] This is a schematic diagram of one substitution method 1 according to one embodiment of the present application. [Figure 9B] This is a schematic diagram of one substitution method 1 according to one embodiment of the present application. [Figure 10A] This is a schematic diagram of one substitution method 1 according to one embodiment of the present application. [Figure 10B] This is a schematic diagram of one substitution method 1 according to one embodiment of the present application. [Figure 11A] This is a schematic diagram of one substitution method 2 according to one embodiment of this application. [Figure 11B] This is a schematic diagram of one substitution method 2 according to one embodiment of this application. [Figure 11C] This is a schematic diagram of one substitution method 2 according to one embodiment of this application. [Figure 11D] This is a schematic diagram of one substitution method 2 according to one embodiment of this application. [Figure 11E] This is a schematic diagram of one substitution method 2 according to one embodiment of this application. [Figure 11F] This is a schematic diagram of one substitution method 2 according to one embodiment of this application. [Figure 12A] This is a schematic diagram of a subcarrier mapping according to one embodiment of this application. [Figure 12B] This is a schematic diagram of a subcarrier mapping according to one embodiment of this application. [Figure 13] This is a schematic diagram of a distributed subcarrier of a 242-tone RU according to one embodiment of this application. [Figure 14] This is a schematic diagram of a distributed subcarrier of a 484-tone RU according to one embodiment of this application. [Figure 15A] This is a schematic diagram of a distributed subcarrier of a 996-tone RU according to one embodiment of this application. [Figure 15B] This is a schematic diagram of a distributed subcarrier of a 996-tone RU according to one embodiment of this application. [Figure 16] This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device according to one embodiment of this application. [Figure 17] This is a schematic diagram of another structure of a communication device according to one embodiment of this application. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0048] To further clarify the purpose, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of this application, the embodiments of this application will be described in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0049] Embodiments of this application may be applied to wireless local area network (WLAN) scenarios, and may be applied to IEEE 802.11 system standards, e.g., 802.11a / b / g, 802.11n, 802.11ac, 802.11ax, or next-generation standards, e.g., 802.11be, or further next-generation standards. Alternatively, embodiments of this application may be applied to wireless local area network systems, e.g., Internet of Things (IoT) networks or vehicle-to-vehicle / vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2X) networks. Naturally, embodiments of this application may be further applied to other possible communication systems, such as LTE systems, LTE frequency division duplex (FDD) systems, LTE time division duplex (TDD) systems, universal mobile telecommunication systems (UMTS), worldwide interoperability for microwave access (WiMAX) communication systems, 5G communication systems, and future 6G communication systems.

[0050] The following uses an example in which embodiments of this application are applicable to a WLAN scenario. It should be understood that WLAN has evolved from the 802.11a / g standards and goes through the currently discussed 802.11n, 802.11ac, 802.11ax, and 802.11be. 802.11n can also be called high throughput (HT), 802.11ac can also be called very high throughput (VHT), 802.11ax can also be called high efficiency (HE) or Wi-Fi 6, and 802.11be can also be called extremely high throughput (EHT) or Wi-Fi 7. Pre-HT standards such as 802.11a / b / g are collectively referred to as non-HT.

[0051] Figure 1 is a diagram of a WLAN network architecture to which one embodiment of this application is applicable. In Figure 1, the WLAN is used as an example to include one wireless access point (AP) and two stations (STAs). The STAs associated with the AP can receive wireless frames transmitted by the AP and can also transmit wireless frames to the AP. In addition, the embodiments of this application are also applicable to communication between APs. For example, APs may communicate with each other by using a distributed system (DS). The embodiments of this application are also applicable to communication between STAs. It should be understood that the number of APs and STAs in Figure 1 is just an example. There may be more or fewer APs and STAs.

[0052] An access point may be a device used by terminal devices (such as mobile phones) to access a wired (or wireless) network, and is primarily deployed in homes, buildings, and parks. Typical coverage radius ranges from several tens of meters to over 100 meters. Naturally, access points may also be deployed outdoors as an alternative. An access point acts as a bridge connecting wired and wireless networks. Its main function is to connect various wireless network clients together and then connect the wireless network to Ethernet. Specifically, an access point may be a terminal device (such as a mobile phone) or a network device (such as a router) equipped with a Wi-Fi chip. An access point may also be a device that supports the 802.11be standard. Alternatively, the access point may be a device that supports multiple wireless local area network (WLAN) standards in the 802.11 family, such as 802.11ax, 802.11ac, 802.11n, 802.11g, 802.11b, 802.11a, and the next generation of 802.11be. The access point in this application may be a high-efficiency (HE) AP, an extremely high-throughput (EHT) AP, or an access point applicable to future generations of Wi-Fi standards.

[0053] A station may be a wireless communication chip, wireless sensor, or wireless communication terminal, and may also be called a user. For example, a station may be a mobile phone, tablet computer, set-top box, smart TV set, smart wearable device, in-vehicle communication device, or computer that supports Wi-Fi communication capabilities. Optionally, a station may support the 802.11be standard. Alternatively, a station may support multiple wireless local area network (WLAN) standards in the 802.11 family, such as 802.11ax, 802.11ac, 802.11n, 802.11g, 802.11b, 802.11a, and the next generation of 802.11be.

[0054] The stations in this application may be high-efficiency (HE) STAs or extremely high-throughput (EHT) STAs, or STAs that are applicable to future generations of Wi-Fi standards.

[0055] For example, access points and stations may be devices used in the Internet of Things (IoT), such as the Internet of Things for vehicles, Internet of Things nodes, sensors, smart cameras, smart remotes, or smart water or electricity meters for smart homes, or sensors for smart cities.

[0056] The AP and STA in embodiments of this application may be APs and STAs applicable to the IEEE 802.11 system standard. An AP is a device deployed in a wireless communication network that provides wireless communication functionality to an STA associated with the AP. An AP may be used as the central hub of a communication system and is typically a network-side product that supports MAC and PHY in the 802.11 system standard, and may be a communication device such as a base station, router, gateway, repeater, communication server, switch, or bridge. A base station may include various forms of macro base stations, micro base stations, relay stations, etc. For the sake of simplicity, the above-mentioned devices are collectively referred to as APs in this specification. An STA is typically a terminal product that supports media access control (MAC) and physical layer (PHY) in the 802.11 system standard, such as a mobile phone or notebook computer.

[0057] The AP communicates with the STA. The AP may allocate resources to the STA. The STA receives and transmits data on the allocated resources. For example, orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA) technology or multi-user multiple-input multiple-output (MU-MIMO) technology may be used for wireless communication between the AP and the STA. It should be understood that the resources actually occupied by the STA for data transmission are PRUs, but the resources allocated to the STA by the AP may be PRUs or virtual resource units (VRUs). A VRU is a virtual RU and is relative to a PRU. If the resources allocated to the STA by the AP are VRUs, after receiving a VRU, the STA may convert the VRU to a PRU and then transmit data on the PRU.

[0058] In OFDMA and MU-MIMO technologies, the spectral bandwidth is divided into several RUs in the WLAN protocol. For example, the bandwidth configurations supported by the 802.11ax protocol include 20 MHz, 40 MHz, 80 MHz, 160 MHz, and 80+80 MHz. For example, in addition to the bandwidth configurations supported by the 802.11ax protocol, the bandwidth configurations supported by the 802.11be protocol may further include 320 MHz. The difference between 160 MHz and 80+80 MHz is that the former is a continuous frequency band, while the two 80 MHz in the latter may be separated. In other words, the 160 MHz formed by 80+80 MHz is discontinuous. The IEEE 802.11ax protocol specifies that spectral bandwidths of 20 MHz, 40 MHz, 80 MHz, or 160 MHz can be divided into several types of RUs, including 26-tone RUs, 52-tone RUs, 106-tone RUs, 242-tone RUs (the largest RU in a 20 MHz bandwidth), 484-tone RUs (the largest RU in a 40 MHz bandwidth), 996-tone RUs (the largest RU in an 80 MHz bandwidth), and 2*996-tone RUs (the largest RU in a 160 MHz bandwidth). Each RU contains consecutive subcarriers. For example, a 26-tone RU is an RU containing 26 consecutive subcarriers. In the following description, a 26-tone RU will be denoted as a 26-tone RU, a 52-tone RU as a 52-tone RU, and so on. In addition to the 26-tone RU, 52-tone RU, etc. used to transmit data, the entire bandwidth further includes one or more of other subcarriers, such as guard subcarriers, null subcarriers, direct current (DC) subcarriers, and pilot subcarriers.

[0059] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of a tone plan and RU plan for 20 MHz. As shown in Figure 2, when the bandwidth is 20 MHz, the entire bandwidth may include an entire 242-tone RU, or various combinations of 26-tone RUs, 52-tone RUs, and 106-tone RUs. For example, 20 MHz may include eight 26-tone RUs, four 52-tone RUs, or two 106-tone RUs. From Figure 2, it can be seen that the bandwidth of one 242-tone RU is approximately 20 MHz, the bandwidth of one 106-tone RU is approximately 8 MHz, the bandwidth of one 52-tone RU is approximately 4 MHz, and the bandwidth of one 26-tone RU is approximately 2 MHz. Note that the entire bandwidth may further include one or more of several guard subcarriers, null subcarriers, DC subcarriers, and pilot subcarriers. For example, the 20 MHz shown in Figure 2 further includes guard subcarriers, null subcarriers, and DC subcarriers.

[0060] As shown in Figure 3, when the bandwidth is 40 MHz, the entire bandwidth is approximately equal to two copies of a 20 MHz tone plan. The entire bandwidth may include the entire 484-tone RU, or it may include various combinations of 26-tone RU, 52-tone RU, 106-tone RU, and 242-tone RU, as shown in Figure 3. "5 DC" in Figure 3 represents five DC subcarriers. Similar to 20 MHz, 40 MHz also includes one or more of several guard subcarriers, null subcarriers, and DC subcarriers. It should be understood that the bandwidth of 484-tone RU is approximately 40 MHz.

[0061] As shown in Figure 4, when the bandwidth is 80 MHz, the entire bandwidth includes resource units in the form of four 242-tone RUs. As shown in Figure 4, the entire bandwidth may include the entire 996-tone RU, or various combinations of 26-tone RUs, 52-tone RUs, 106-tone RUs, 242-tone RUs, and 484-tone RUs. 484L and 484R in Figure 4 represent the left and right halves of a 484-tone RU containing 242 subcarriers, respectively, which is another schematic diagram of "484+5 DC" in Figure 3. In Figure 4, "5 DC" represents five DC subcarriers, and "23 DC" represents 23 DC subcarriers. Similar to 20 MHz, 80 MHz also includes one or more of several guard subcarriers, null subcarriers, and DC subcarriers. It should be understood that the bandwidth of a 996-tone RU is approximately 80 MHz.

[0062] It should be understood that when the bandwidth is 160 MHz, the entire bandwidth may be considered as two copies of the 80 MHz tone plan. The entire bandwidth may include two 996-tone RUs, or various combinations of 26-tone RUs, 52-tone RUs, 106-tone RUs, 242-tone RUs, 484-tone RUs, or 996-tone RUs. Similarly, when the bandwidth is 320 MHz, the entire bandwidth may be considered as four copies of the 80 MHz tone plan, and the entire bandwidth may include resource units in the form of four 996-tone RUs. For simplicity, the 160 MHz and 320 MHz tone plans and RU plans will not be described separately again.

[0063] In the various tone plans described above, the RUs on the left side of Figures 2-4 correspond to the lowest frequencies, and the RUs on the right side of Figures 2-4 correspond to the highest frequencies, in the form of 242-tone RUs. From left to right, the 242-tone RUs may be numbered 1st, 2nd, ..., and 16th. Note that up to 16 242-tone RUs correspond one-to-one to 16 20MHz channels in ascending order of frequency.

[0064] In addition to the aforementioned RUs, the 802.11be protocol includes 52+26-tone RUs (including 52-tone RUs and 26-tone RUs), 106+26-tone RUs (including 106-tone RUs and 26-tone RUs), 484+242-tone RUs (including 484-tone RUs and 242-tone RUs), 996+484-tone RUs (including 996-tone RUs and 484-tone RUs), 242+484+996-tone RUs (including 242-tone RUs, 484-tone RUs, and 996-tone RUs), 2*996+484-tone RUs (including two 996-tone RUs and 484-tone RUs), 3*996-tone RUs (including three 996-tone RUs), and 3*996+484-tone RUs (including three 996-tone RUs and 484-tone RUs). Further introductions may be made, such as RUs. A combined RU may be called a multi-RU. It should be understood that a multi-RU is a RU that contains multiple RUs. In some embodiments, a multi-RU may be denoted as Multi-RU or MRU.

[0065] In terms of bandwidth levels, a 26-tone RU corresponds to approximately 2MHz, a 52-tone RU to approximately 4MHz, and a 106-tone RU to approximately 8MHz. A 242-tone RU corresponds to approximately 20MHz. Further details will not be explained again.

[0066] Before describing the methods provided in this application, the relevant concepts of this application will be described first.

[0067] (1) Consecutive RU

[0068] In this application, continuous RUs include RUs and MRUs as defined in the standard. A standard-defined RU may be a RU containing multiple consecutive subcarriers, and a standard-defined MRU may be a RU containing two consecutive subcarrier groups. The multiple subcarriers contained in each consecutive subcarrier group are consecutive, and the two subcarrier groups are separated by one or more of guard subcarriers, null subcarriers, or DC subcarriers. All RUs supported in 802.11ax may be understood as continuous RUs. Continuous RUs are sometimes simply referred to as RUs. Naturally, continuous RUs may have alternative names. The specific names for continuous RUs are not limited to the embodiments of this application.

[0069] In embodiments of this application, a contiguous RU containing K subcarriers (e.g., data subcarriers and pilot subcarriers) is referred to as a contiguous K-tone RU. For example, a contiguous 26-tone RU is a contiguous RU containing 26 subcarriers. In other words, the concept of a contiguous K-tone RU is the same as the concept of a K-tone RU in the existing 802.11ax standard.

[0070] 2. Discrete RU (DRU)

[0071] A RU containing multiple subcarrier groups that are discrete in the frequency domain compared to a continuous RU may be called a discrete RU. In other words, a discrete RU contains multiple subcarrier groups, where any two subcarrier groups are discrete in the frequency domain. One subcarrier group contains one subcarrier, or one subcarrier group contains at least two consecutive subcarriers. In other words, one subcarrier group contains one subcarrier or multiple consecutive subcarriers. A discrete RU may also be called a distributed RU (DRU). Naturally, in other embodiments, a discrete RU may have a different name. The name of a discrete RU is not limited in this application. In this application, the number of subcarrier groups contained in a discrete RU is two or more.

[0072] In embodiments of this application, a discrete RU containing K subcarriers may be called a discrete K-tone RU. For example, a discrete 26-tone RU is a discrete RU containing 26 subcarriers. For the value of K, refer to the value of K used for continuous RUs. For example, when the bandwidth is 20 MHz, 20 MHz may include one or more combinations of discrete 26-tone RUs, discrete 52-tone RUs, discrete 106-tone RUs, or discrete 242-tone RUs.

[0073] In this application, one discrete RU and another discrete RU may form a discrete MRU. A discrete MRU can be assigned to one or more stations. For example, a discrete 242-tone RU and a discrete 484-tone RU may form a discrete 484+242-tone RU.

[0074] In some examples, the number of subcarriers in any two of the subcarrier groups contained within a discrete RU may be the same or different. For example, each subcarrier group may contain one subcarrier. In another example, some subcarrier groups may contain one subcarrier, while other subcarrier groups may contain two subcarriers. In other words, a discrete RU may contain four subcarrier groups, and the number of subcarriers in the four subcarrier groups may be one, one, two, and two, respectively.

[0075] In some examples, when there are three or more subcarrier groups in a discrete RU, the number of subcarriers in each pair of adjacent subcarrier groups within the discrete RU may be the same or different. Two adjacent subcarrier groups are two adjacent subcarrier groups in a single discrete RU.

[0076] Currently, the transmit power of a device is limited by both its maximum power and maximum power spectral density. In other words, the transmit power of a device cannot exceed its maximum power or maximum power spectral density. In other words, the transmit power per MHz cannot exceed a given value. For example, Table 1 shows the correspondence between the maximum transmit power and bandwidth of a device in an LPI scenario. [Table 1]

[0077] If 20 MHz from Table 1 is used as an example, then 18 dBm - 5 dBm = 13 dB, and 13 dB = 10^1.3 = 19.95, which should be understood as being approximately equal to 20 MHz. It can be found that the maximum power in the transmit bandwidth is approximately equal to the value obtained when each MHz reaches its maximum transmit power. If the power spectral density is limited, the corresponding transmit bandwidth can be extended to implement a larger transmit power for the device. From the tone plans and RU plans in Figures 2-4, it can be found that all subcarriers within the bandwidth are continuous; in other words, the RUs in Figures 2-4 are continuous RUs. Compared to discrete RUs, continuous RUs contain subcarriers corresponding to a smaller bandwidth, and therefore the maximum transmit power of the device cannot be increased using the transmit bandwidth. For example, AP assigns a discrete 26-tone RU to STA. A discrete 26-tone RU also contains 26 subcarriers. However, the 26 subcarriers may be distributed over multiple 26-tone RUs. Compared to the aforementioned consecutive 26-tone RU, discrete 26-tone RU does not have additional subcarriers allocated to the device, but it does have subcarriers that are allocated to the device and are more discrete in the frequency domain. Therefore, the number of subcarriers per MHz is reduced. From a subcarrier perspective, this is equivalent to expanding the bandwidth corresponding to each subcarrier. Therefore, the device can support greater transmit power.

[0078] For example, Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of a plan for a 26-tone RU with discrete subcarriers. In Figure 5, 80 MHz is used as an example. The 26-tone RU contains 24 data subcarriers and 2 pilot subcarriers. As shown in Figure 5, the 24 data subcarriers may include 12 data subcarriers in the first consecutive 26-tone RU and 12 subcarriers in the sixth consecutive 26-tone RU.

[0079] In another example, Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of a plan for a 52-tone RU with discrete subcarriers. In Figure 6, 80 MHz is used as an example. The 52-tone RU contains 48 data subcarriers and 4 pilot subcarriers. As shown in Figure 6, the 48 data subcarriers may include 12 subcarriers in the first consecutive 52-tone RU, 12 subcarriers in the third consecutive 52-tone RU, 12 subcarriers in the fifth consecutive 26-tone RU, and 12 subcarriers in the seventh consecutive 26-tone RU.

[0080] Please note that the discrete distribution (discrete design) of data subcarriers in Figures 5 and 6 is merely an example. The discrete distribution of data subcarriers is not limited to this embodiment of the present application.

[0081] From Figures 5 and 6, it can be seen that the number of subcarriers per MHz is reduced due to the discrete dispersion of data subcarriers on discrete RUs. From a subcarrier perspective, this corresponds to expanding the bandwidth corresponding to each subcarrier. Therefore, each subcarrier can have greater transmit power. However, the scheme in Figures 5 and 6 requires defining more discrete RUs or combinations of discrete RUs, e.g., various RUs or combinations of RUs formed by discrete subcarriers. Furthermore, to represent more types of discrete RUs or discrete MRUs (including various RUs or combinations of RUs formed by discrete subcarriers), the existing method for assigning continuous RUs formed by continuous subcarriers needs to be modified, which is complex to implement at the transmitting end. In addition, where possible, for example, several predefined sets of discrete subcarriers may have intersections. In this case, a discrete RU (e.g., x-tone RU) is assigned, and another discrete RU (e.g., y-tone RU) cannot be used for transmission. In another example, if preamble puncturing occurs, the predefined RUs cannot be used, resulting in low RU utilization.

[0082] This application provides a resource instruction method, which essentially provides a mapping relationship between VRUs and PRUs. The mapping relationship can map continuous VRUs to discrete PRUs. Based on the mapping relationship, the transmitting end may notify the receiving end that the RU assigned to the receiving end is a continuous VRU, but the transmitting end transmits data on discrete PRUs to which the continuous VRUs are mapped. Since continuous VRUs are mapped to discrete PRUs, this is equivalent to reducing the number of subcarriers per MHz so that the transmitting end can support greater transmit power.

[0083] It should be noted that in this embodiment of the present application, the subcarriers that need to be discrete may include a subcarrier for carrying data (also referred herein as a data subcarrier) and a subcarrier for carrying pilots (also referred herein as a pilot subcarrier), or may include only a subcarrier for carrying data. This is not limited to the present application.

[0084] The technical solutions provided in embodiments of this application are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following description, an example in which the transmitting end is a first communication device and the receiving end is a second communication device is used to illustrate how the first communication device indicates the resources allocated to the second communication device. The first communication device may be an AP, and the second communication device may be an STA or an AP, or the first communication device may be an STA and the second communication device may be an STA or an AP. For simplicity of explanation, the following example uses the case in which the first communication device is an AP and the second communication device is an STA. Figure 7 is an illustrative flowchart of a resource indication method according to one embodiment of this application. The procedure is described below.

[0085] S701: The AP sends resource instruction information to the STA, and in response, the STA receives resource instruction information from the AP.

[0086] Resource instruction information may include resource unit allocation information for indicating one or more first VRUs, and station information for the station to which one or more first VRUs are allocated. A first VRU may include multiple consecutive subcarriers in the frequency domain. In other words, a first VRU can be a continuous RU. See the above explanation for the definition of a continuous RU. Further details are not repeated herein.

[0087] It should be understood that an AP may assign a VRU to one STA, or may assign a VRU to multiple STAs simultaneously. For example, an AP may assign the first VRU to STA1 and the second VRU to STA2.

[0088] S702:STA determines the first PRU based on resource instruction information, and there is a mapping relationship between the first VRU and the first PRU.

[0089] For example, before sending data to the AP, the STA may map the first VRU to the first PRU based on the mapping relationship between the first VRU and the first PRU, and then send the data on the first PRU.

[0090] S703:STA transmits data on the first PRU, and in response, AP receives data on the first PRU.

[0091] The solution for mapping a VRU to a PRU provided in this embodiment of the present application may be applicable to uplink transmissions (i.e., transmissions from STA to AP). In other words, the STA may transmit data to the AP on the first PRU. Alternatively, this solution may be applicable to downlink transmissions (i.e., transmissions from AP to STA). In other words, the AP may transmit data to the STA on the first PRU.

[0092] Based on the solution described above, the resources allocated to the STA by the AP are continuous RUs (i.e., the first VRU). In order for the STA to obtain greater transmit power, in this application the continuous RUs may be mapped to discrete RUs (i.e., the first PRU), and the STA transmits data to the AP over the discrete RUs so that the STA can obtain greater transmit power. It should be understood that the STA transmits data to the AP over the discrete RUs, and the AP may receive data from the STA over the discrete RUs or transmit data to the STA over the discrete RUs. In other words, the STA does not receive or transmit data over the continuous RUs allocated to the STA by the AP. The continuous RUs allocated to the STA by the AP may be considered VRUs, and the discrete RUs may be considered PRUs. The VRUs are mapped to PRUs, and as a result the discrete RU subcarriers are distributed over a larger bandwidth, and as a result the transmitting end can transmit with greater transmit power. In this way, the transmitting end can use existing resource unit allocation schemes, namely, resource unit allocation schemes that allocate consecutive RUs, without having to redefine various types of distributed RUs or worry about how to select and allocate distributed RUs, in order to increase the maximum transmit power of the device, be compatible with existing Wi-Fi protocols, and reduce the complexity of resource allocation.

[0093] In addition, a discrete RU (first PRU) having multiple discrete subcarriers is obtained by using the method provided in this embodiment of the present application. The multiple discrete subcarriers may occupy adjacent frequency bands. Therefore, the average of the channel estimates of the multiple subcarriers may be used as the channel estimate value, thereby making the estimate result more accurate. This channel estimation method is called channel smoothing.

[0094] In this embodiment of the present application, the AP may use the current sequential RU allocation scheme, that is, it may use a Resource Unit Allocation subfield (RU Allocation subfield) to allocate resources. Generally, the AP allocates resources to the STA using the Resource Unit Allocation subfield, and the STA considers the allocated resources to be physical resources. For example, the AP sends resource allocation information to the STA, which is carried in the Resource Unit Allocation subfield and indicates the RU allocated to the STA by the AP. However, in this embodiment of the present application, the resources allocated to the STA using the Resource Unit Allocation subfield are not resources actually used by the AP to transmit data. Therefore, when the AP allocates resources to the STA, it notifies the STA that the resources allocated to the STA by the AP are VRUs. For example, the AP may send resource allocation information to the STA, which indicates that the RU allocated to the STA by the AP is a first VRU. For example, resource allocation information may be carried in a resource allocation subfield, or it may be carried in a signal field (SIG) included in a physical layer protocol data unit (PPDU), such as a universal SIG (U-SIG) or an extremely high throughput signal field (EHT-SIG).

[0095] In this embodiment of the present application, VRUs are mapped to PRUs to make the subcarriers more discrete. The positions of the VRUs and PRUs on the frequency band may be determined based on the subcarrier sequence number or RU sequence number. See Tables 2 to 6 below for details. Thus, in this embodiment of the present application, the first VRU or the subcarriers contained in the first VRU may be mapped. Specifically, the sequence number of the first VRU is mapped to the sequence number of the first PRU, or the subcarrier sequence number of the subcarriers contained in the first VRU is mapped to the subcarrier sequence number of the subcarriers contained in the first PRU. [Table 2] [Table 3] [Table 4] [Table 5A] [Table 5B] [Table 6A] [Table 6B]

[0096] Specifically, it is as follows: [Table 7A] [Table 7B] [Table 8A] [Table 8B] [Table 9]

[0097] As shown in Tables 2 to 6 above, currently, the division of consecutive RUs and the corresponding subcarrier sequence numbers or subcarrier indices for the corresponding RUs are specified. The AP may transmit resource unit instruction information to the STA so that the STA can know which RU a resource is sending to the AP. Note that in this embodiment of the present application, the sequence number of each subcarrier may still be the subcarrier number of the corresponding actual subcarrier on the frequency band (e.g., the subcarrier number specified in the above tables) or may be customized. In this embodiment of the present application, the specific embodiments of the subcarrier sequence numbers are not limited.

[0098] In one possible embodiment, the sequence number of a subcarrier may be the subcarrier number of a subcarrier on the corresponding actual frequency band. For example, the sequence numbers of the 242 subcarriers corresponding to the first 20 MHz at 80 MHz are -500 to -259, the sequence numbers of the 242 subcarriers corresponding to the second 20 MHz are -253 to -12, the sequence numbers of the 242 subcarriers corresponding to the third 20 MHz are 12 to 253, and the sequence numbers of the 242 subcarriers corresponding to the fourth 20 MHz are 259 to 500.

[0099] In one possible embodiment, the sequence numbers of the subcarriers may be renumbered starting from, for example, 0 or 1, rather than being the same as the existing subcarrier numbers (the actual subcarrier numbers in the frequency band). For example, the sequence numbers of the 242 subcarriers corresponding to the first 20 MHz of 80 MHz would be 0 to 241, or 1 to 242. In other words, in this embodiment of the present application, the sequence numbers of the subcarriers involved in mapping may be numbered sequentially in ascending order in the frequency band. For example, if all 26 subcarriers of the first 26-tone RU of 20 MHz are involved in mapping, the subcarriers may be numbered from 0 to 25. It should be noted that the sequence numbers of the subcarriers involved in mapping do not have to be numbered sequentially in ascending order in the frequency band. This is not limited to the present application.

[0100] In addition, it should be noted that in this embodiment of the present application, the 996-tone RU, 484-tone RU, 242-tone RU, 106-tone RU, and 52-tone RU may be considered to contain multiple 26-tone RUs. For example, as shown in Figure 3, the 52-tone RU may be considered to contain two 26-tone RUs, and the 106-tone RU may be considered to contain four 26-tone RUs. Further details are not provided below. The 106-tone RU, 242-tone RU, and 996-tone RU further contain subcarriers other than the subcarriers within the 26-tone RU. For further details, please refer to Tables 2 to 6 above.

[0101] It should be understood that a 242-tone RU may be considered to contain nine 26-tone RUs, with an equivalent resource allocation bandwidth of 20 MHz. A 484-tone RU may be considered to contain eighteen 26-tone RUs, with an equivalent resource allocation bandwidth of 40 MHz. A 996-tone RU may be considered to contain thirty-six 26-tone RUs, with an equivalent resource allocation bandwidth of 80 MHz. Two * 996-tone RUs and three * 996-tone RUs may be considered to contain multiple 996-tone RUs, with equivalent resource allocation bandwidths of 160 MHz and 320 MHz, respectively. For example, two * 996-tone RUs may be considered to contain two 996-tone RUs, i.e., two * thirty-six 26-tone RUs, and three * 996-tone RUs may be considered to contain three 996-tone RUs, i.e., three * thirty-six 26-tone RUs. In this specification, resource allocation bandwidth refers to the maximum bandwidth that can be allocated by the transmitting end to the receiving end. For example, using 242-tone RUs, the maximum bandwidth that can be allocated by the AP to one or more STAs may be considered to be 242-tone RUs (20 MHz), and each STA transmits data on RUs of the corresponding size and location as instructed.

[0102] The following describes some possible mapping relationships between VRUs and PRUs.

[0103] Mapping relationship 1: In this embodiment of the present application, a first VRU can be mapped to a first PRU through substitution of the VRU.

[0104] In one example, the substitution is performed using a K-tone RU as the smallest unit. The relative positions of K-tone RUs within a VRU can be adjusted through substitution so that adjacent K-tone RUs in the frequency band can be dispersed to more distant positions in the frequency band, and the RUs in the PRU obtained through substitution can be dispersed over a wider bandwidth. As shown in Figure 8, after the substitution of RU2 and RU4, RU1 and RU2 are far apart from each other in the frequency band. The first VRU assigned to STA1 by AP includes RU1 and RU2, and it is assumed that RU2 included in the first PRU obtained by substitution is actually located at the position where its index in the frequency domain is RU4. In other words, the RUs in the first PRU are dispersed over a larger bandwidth.

[0105] It is important to understand that because the substitution is performed using a K-tone RU as the smallest unit, the relative positions of the subcarriers within the K-tone RU remain unchanged. In other words, when a 26-tone RU is used as the smallest unit, the relative positions of the 26 subcarriers within the substituted 26-tone RU are the same as the relative positions of the 26 subcarriers within the original 26-tone RU.

[0106] K can be 26 or 52. In other words, the substitution may be performed using 26-tone RU as the minimum unit, or it may be performed using 52-tone RU as the minimum unit.

[0107] Below, we will describe two different substitution schemes using an example where 26-tone RU is used as the smallest unit.

[0108] Substitution method 1: Pairwise substitution is performed within 242-tone RUs.

[0109] It will be understood that a 242-tone RU as used herein may be considered to include nine 26-tone RUs in the first row shown in Figure 2, or it may be equivalent to a resource transmit bandwidth of 20M. When pairwise substitution is performed on the 26-tone RUs within a 242-tone RU, the 26-tone RU located in the center of the frequency domain within each 242-tone RU (i.e., the 26-tone RU separated by 7 DCs) may not be considered. For the remaining eight 26-tone RUs within the 242-tone RU, substitution is performed on the 26-tone RUs that are symmetrically positioned for every two 26-tone RUs.

[0110] Figure 9A is a schematic diagram of substitution method 1 according to one embodiment of the present application. The 242-tone RU includes nine 26-tone RUs, the indices of the nine 26-tone RUs being {1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9} + q. The RU with index 5, located in the center of the frequency domain, may not be considered. Substitution is performed on the RUs with index 2 and index 7, which are in symmetrical positions, and on the RUs with index 4 and index 9, which are in symmetrical positions. That is, the indices of the RUs included in the PRU obtained by substitution are {1, 7, 3, 9, 5, 6, 2, 8, 4} + q, respectively. In this specification, q is an integer, q = 9 * b, b is an integer, b is the number of 20 MHz included in the maximum resource bandwidth allocated by the AP minus 1, and q = 0, 9, 18, 27, etc.

[0111] A first VRU assigned by an AP may be one or more of the nine 26-tone RUs before substitution. For example, if a first VRU assigned by an AP is a 52-tone RU, the first VRU assigned by the AP may be considered to contain two 26-tone RUs. A first PRU corresponding to a first VRU may be one or more of the nine 26-tone RUs after substitution of the corresponding first VRU. For example, suppose the first VRU assigned to STA1 by an AP contains the pre-substitution 26-tone RUs 1 and 2 shown in Figure 9A. In this case, STA1 may obtain the first PRU after substitution based on the mapping relationship between the VRU and the PRU. In practice, the RUs included in the first PRU are the RUs with indices 1 and 7, respectively, in the frequency domain.

[0112] It should be noted that pilot subcarriers included in a RU may or may not participate in substitution. Assuming that pilot subcarriers do not participate in substitution, the frequency domain occupied by the pilot subcarriers remains unchanged before and after substitution. Assume that each 26-tone RU contains two pilot subcarriers, and the first VRU assigned to STA1 by AP contains the pre-substitution 26-tone RU1 and RU2 shown in Figure 9A. In this case, the RUs actually included in the acquired PRU are the RUs with indices 1 and 7 in the frequency domain, respectively. Since pilot subcarriers do not participate in substitution, the pilot subcarrier included in the RU with index 2 remains unchanged in the frequency domain after substitution, still located in the frequency domain of the RU with index 2 before substitution, and the frequency domain of the remaining 24 subcarriers after substitution is, in fact, the frequency domain of the RU with index 7 before substitution. Alternatively, the pilot subcarriers on each PRU may be reassigned. This is not particularly limited in this application.

[0113] For bandwidths of 40MHz, 80MHz, 160MHz, or 320MHz, the bandwidth may be considered to contain multiple 242-tone RUs, and it should be understood that pairwise substitution is performed within each 242-tone RU. For example, 40MHz may be split into two 242-tone RUs, and the substitution shown in Figure 9A is performed for each 242-tone RU.

[0114] For example, suppose the first VRU assigned to the STA by the AP includes RU1 and RU2 in the 26-tone RU shown in Table 2, and the subcarrier indices of RU1 and RU2 include [-121:-96] and [-95:-70]. In this case, the STA may map the first VRU assigned by the AP to the first PRU using the substitution method shown in Figure 9A. In other words, the first PRU includes RU1 and RU7 in the 26-tone RU shown in Table 2, and the subcarrier indices include [-121:-96] and [43:68].

[0115] The positions of VRUs and PRUs in a frequency band can be determined based on the subcarrier sequence number or RU sequence number. Therefore, in the substitution scheme shown in Figure 9A, the mapping relationship between VRUs and PRUs in a 20 MHz bandwidth can be shown using the relationships in Tables 2 and 7. For example, the STA may look up Table 7 based on a first VRU indicated by the AP to determine the RU and subcarrier indices of the first PRU. For example, it is assumed that the first VRU indicated by the AP contains RU1 and RU2 within a 26-tone RU at 20 MHz. In this case, the STA may look up Table 7 to determine that the subcarrier indices of the first PRU include [-121:-96] and [43:68], and transmit data over these PRU subcarriers. As another example, if the first VRU indicated by the AP includes RU3 and RU4 in a 20MHz 26-tone RU, the STA may look up Table 7 and determine that the subcarrier indices of the first PRU include [-68:-43] and [96:121], and may transmit data on these PRU subcarriers. [Table 10]

[0116] It should be noted that the subcarriers with indices -122 and 122 in the 106-tone RU and 242-tone RU in Table 7 above (wherein 242-tone RU means that the size of the RU allocated by the AP and received by the STA is 242-tone RU) are not involved in the substitution. Therefore, the frequency domain positions of the two subcarriers do not change before and after the substitution.

[0117] It should be understood that the mapped index tables of RU data and pilot subcarrier indices in the 40MHz to 320MHz range, shown in Tables 3 to 6, can also be determined by the substitution method shown in Figure 9A. For details, refer to the aforementioned method for determining the mapped index tables of RU data and pilot subcarrier indices in the 20MHz bandwidth, i.e., the determination method in Table 7. For example, suppose the first VRU indicated by AP includes RU1 and RU2 in the 40MHz 26-tone RU. In this case, STA may determine that the RUs included in the first PRU are RU1 and RU7 in the 26-tone RU shown in Table 3. In other words, the subcarrier indices of the first PRU include [-243:-218] and [-83:-58]. Similarly, if the pilot subcarrier is not involved in the substitution, the pilot subcarrier index does not change before and after the substitution. Details are not repeated herein.

[0118] The following shows the mapped index tables of RU data and pilot subcarrier indices for 40MHz to 320MHz, corresponding to Tables 3 to 6. [Table 11]

[0119] Note that the subcarriers with indices of -244, 244, 3, and -3 in Table 8 above are not involved in the substitution. Therefore, the subcarriers do not change in the frequency domain before and after the substitution. [Table 12A] [Table 12B]

[0120] It should be noted that the subcarriers with indices of -500, -259, -256, -12, 12, 253, 259, and 500 in Table 9 above are not involved in the mapping. Therefore, the subcarriers do not change in the frequency domain before and after the substitution. [Table 13A] [Table 13B] [Table 13C] [Table 13D]

[0121] It should be noted that the subcarriers with indices of -1012, -771, -765, -524, -500, -259, -253, -12, 12, 253, 259, 600, 524, 765, 771, and 1012 in Table 10 above are not involved in the substitution. Therefore, the subcarriers do not change in the frequency domain before and after the substitution. [Table 14A] [Table 14B]

[0122] Specifically, it is as follows: [Table 15A] [Table 15B] [Table 16A] [Table 16B] [Table 16C] [Table 16D] [Table 17A] [Table 17B]

[0123] It should be noted that the subcarriers with indices of -2036, -1795, -1789, -1548, -1524, -1283, -1277, -1036, -1012, -771, -765, -524, -500, -259, -253, -12, 12, 253, 259, 500, 524, 765, 771, 1012, 1036, 1277, 1283, 1524, 1548, 1789, 1795, and 2036 in Table 11 above are not involved in the substitution. Therefore, the frequency domain positions of the subcarriers do not change before and after the substitution.

[0124] Figure 9B is another schematic diagram of substitution method 1 according to one embodiment of the present application. The 242-tone RU contains nine 26-tone RUs, each with indices {1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9}. The RU with index 5, located in the center of the frequency domain, may not be considered. Substitution is performed on the symmetrically positioned RUs with index 1 and RUs with index 6, and on the symmetrically positioned RUs with index 3 and RUs with index 8. That is, the indices of the RUs included in the PRU obtained by substitution are {6, 2, 8, 4, 5, 1, 7, 3, 9}.

[0125] It is assumed that the first VRU assigned to STA1 by AP includes the pre-replacement 26-tone RU1 and RU2 shown in Figure 9A. In this case, STA1 can obtain a discrete first PRU based on the mapping relationship between the VRU and PRU. In practice, the RUs included in the first PRU are the RUs whose indices in the frequency domain were 6 and 2, respectively, before replacement.

[0126] It should be noted that the pilot subcarrier may or may not be involved in the substitution. Alternatively, the pilot subcarrier may be reallocated within the PRU obtained by the substitution. This is not particularly limited in this application.

[0127] For frequencies such as 40MHz, 80MHz, 160MHz, and 320MHz, the bandwidth may be considered to include multiple 242-tone RUs, and it should be understood that pairwise substitution is performed within each 242-tone RU. For example, 40MHz may be split into two 242-tone RUs, and the substitution shown in Figure 9B is performed for each 242-tone RU.

[0128] For example, suppose the first VRU assigned to the STA by the AP includes RU1 and RU2 in the 26-tone RU shown in Table 2. In this case, the STA may map the first VRU assigned by the AP to the first PRU using the substitution scheme shown in Figure 9B. In other words, the PRU includes RU6 and RU2 in the 26-tone RU shown in Table 2, and the subcarrier indices include [17:42] and [-95:-70].

[0129] The positions of VRUs and PRUs in the frequency band can be determined based on the subcarrier sequence number. Therefore, in the substitution scheme shown in Figure 9B, the mapping relationship between VRUs and PRUs in a 20 MHz bandwidth can be shown using the relationships in Tables 2 and 12. For example, the STA may determine the RU and subcarrier index of the first PRU by looking up Table 12 based on the first VRU indicated by the AP.

[0130] For example, suppose the first VRU indicated by the AP contains RU1 and RU2 in a 20MHz 26-tone RU. In this case, the STA may look up Table 12 and determine that the subcarrier indices of the first PRU contain [17:42] and [-95:-70], and transmit data on the subcarriers of the first PRU. As another example, if the first VRU indicated by the AP contains RU3 and RU4 in a 20MHz 26-tone RU, the STA may look up Table 12 and determine that the subcarrier indices of the PRU contain [70:95] and [-42:-17], and transmit data on the subcarriers of the first PRU. [Table 18]

[0131] Note that the subcarriers with indices of 122 and -122 in Table 12 mentioned above are not involved in the substitution. Therefore, the subcarriers do not change in the frequency domain before and after the substitution.

[0132] It should be understood that the mapped index tables of RU data and pilot subcarrier indices in the 40MHz to 320MHz range, shown in Tables 3 to 6, can also be determined based on the mapping relationships shown in Figure 9B. For details, refer to the aforementioned method for determining the mapped index tables of RU data and pilot subcarrier indices in the 20MHz bandwidth, i.e., the determination method in Table 12. For example, suppose the first VRU indicated by AP includes RU1 and RU2 in the 40MHz 26-tone RU. In this case, STA may determine that the RUs included in the first PRU are RU6 and RU2 in the 26-tone RU shown in Table 3. In other words, the subcarrier indices of the first PRU include [-109:-84] and [-217:-192].

[0133] The following shows the mapped index tables of RU data and pilot subcarrier indices for 40MHz to 320MHz, corresponding to Tables 3 to 6. [Table 19]

[0134] Note that the subcarriers with indices of -244, 244, -3, and 3 in Table 13 mentioned above do not participate in the substitution. Therefore, the frequency domain positions of the subcarriers do not change before and after the substitution. [Table 20A] [Table 20B]

[0135] It should be noted that the subcarriers with indices of -500, -259, -253, -12, 12, 253, 259, and 500 in Table 14 above are not involved in the substitution. Therefore, the subcarriers do not change in the frequency domain before and after the substitution. [Table 21A] [Table 21B] [Table 21C] [Table 21D]

[0136] It should be noted that the subcarriers with indices of -1012, -771, -765, -524, -500, -259, -253, -12, 12, 253, 259, 500, 524, 765, 771, and 1012 in Table 15 above are not involved in the substitution. Therefore, the subcarriers do not change in the frequency domain before and after the substitution. [Table 22A] [Table 22B]

[0137] Specifically, it is as follows: [Table 23A] [Table 23B] [Table 24A] [Table 24B] [Table 24C] [Table 24D] [Table 25A] [Table 25B]

[0138] It should be noted that the subcarriers with indices of -2036, -1795, -1789, -1548, -1524, -1283, -1277, -1036, -1012, -771, -765, -524, -500, -259, -253, -12, 12, 253, 259, 500, 524, 765, 771, 1012, 1036, 1277, 1283, 1524, 1548, 1789, 1795, and 2036 in Table 15 above are not involved in the substitution. Therefore, the subcarriers do not change in the frequency domain before and after the substitution.

[0139] It will be understood that the substitution schemes shown in Figures 9A and 9B may be considered as an exchange of the positions of nine 26-tone RUs contained within each 242-tone RU. The exchange as used herein may also be understood as a change in subcarrier positions. For example, after substitution, the positions of RU1 and RU2 correspond to the positions of RU1 and RU7 before substitution. In Figure 9A, the intermediate 26-tone RU may be used as a boundary to consider that the even-numbered RUs, excluding the intermediate 26-tone RU, are exchanged on the left and right sides of the intermediate 26-tone RU. In Figure 9B, the intermediate 26-tone RU may be used as a boundary to consider that the odd-numbered RUs, excluding the intermediate 26-tone RU, are exchanged on the left and right sides of the intermediate 26-tone RU.

[0140] Figures 9A and 9B illustrate an example where 26-tone RUs are used as the smallest unit of substitution. In some examples, substitution may be performed using 52-tone RUs as the smallest unit.

[0141] Figure 10A is yet another schematic diagram of substitution method 1 according to one embodiment of the present application. The 242-tone RU includes nine 26-tone RUs, each with indices {1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9}. The RU with index 5, located in the center of the frequency domain, may not be considered. Substitution is performed on the RUs with index 3 and index 4 in symmetrical positions, and on the RUs with index 8 and index 9 in symmetrical positions. That is, the indices of the RUs included in the PRU obtained by substitution are {1, 2, 8, 9, 5, 6, 7, 3, 4}.

[0142] It is assumed that the first VRU assigned to STA1 by AP includes the pre-replacement 26-tone RU1~4 shown in Figure 10A. In this case, STA1 can obtain the first PRU after replacement based on the mapping relationship between VRU and PRU. In practice, the RUs included in the first PRU are those with indices of 1, 2, 8, and 9 in the frequency domain, respectively.

[0143] It should be noted that the pilot subcarriers included in the RU may or may not be involved in the substitution. Alternatively, the pilot subcarriers may be reallocated within the PRU obtained by substitution. This is not particularly limited in this application.

[0144] For frequencies such as 40MHz, 80MHz, 160MHz, and 320MHz, the bandwidth may be considered to include multiple 242-tone RUs, and it should be understood that substitutions are performed within each 242-tone RU. For example, 40MHz may be divided into two 242-tone RUs, and the substitutions shown in Figure 10A are performed for each 242-tone RU.

[0145] It is assumed that the first VRU assigned to the STA by the AP includes RU1 and RU4 in the 26-tone RU shown in Table 2, with subcarrier indices of RU1 and RU4 including [-121:-96], [-95:-70], [-68:-43], and [-42:-17]. In this case, the STA may map the first VRU assigned by the AP to the first PRU using the substitution scheme shown in Figure 10A. In other words, the first PRU includes RU1, RU2, RU8, and RU9 in the 26-tone RU shown in Table 2, with subcarrier indices including [-121:-96], [-95:-70], [70:95], and [96:121].

[0146] The positions of VRUs and PRUs in the frequency band can be determined based on the subcarrier sequence number. Therefore, in the substitution scheme shown in Figure 9B, the mapping relationship between VRUs and PRUs in a 20 MHz bandwidth can be shown using the relationships in Tables 2 and 17. For example, the STA may look up Table 17 based on a first VRU indicated by the AP to determine the RU and subcarrier index of the first PRU. For example, it is assumed that the first VRU indicated by the AP contains RU2 and RU3 in a 26-tone RU at 20 MHz. In this case, the STA may look up Table 9 to determine that the subcarrier indices of the first PRU contain [-95:-70] and [70:95] and transmit data on the subcarriers of the first PRU. [Table 26]

[0147] Note that the subcarriers with indices of -122 and 122 in Table 17 mentioned above are not involved in the substitution. Therefore, the subcarriers do not change in the frequency domain before and after the substitution.

[0148] It should be understood that the mapped index tables of RU data and pilot subcarrier indices in the 40MHz to 320MHz range, shown in Tables 3 to 6, can also be determined based on the mapping relationships shown in Figure 10A. For details, please refer to the aforementioned method for determining the mapped index table of RU (first VRU) data and pilot subcarrier indices in the 20MHz range, i.e., the determination method in Table 17. Details will not be explained separately again below. For example, suppose the first VRU indicated by AP includes RU2 and RU3 in the 26-tone RU at 40MHz. In this case, STA may determine that the RUs included in the first PRU may be RU2 and RU8 in the 26-tone RU shown in Table 3. In other words, the subcarrier indices of the first PRU include [-217:-192] and [-55:-30].

[0149] Figure 10B is another schematic diagram of substitution method 1 according to one embodiment of the present application. The 242-tone RU includes nine 26-tone RUs, each with indices {1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9}. The RU with index 5, located in the center of the frequency domain, may not be considered. Substitution is performed on the RUs with index 1 and index 2 in symmetrical positions, and on the RUs with index 6 and index 7 in symmetrical positions. That is, the indices of the RUs included in the PRU obtained by substitution are {6, 7, 3, 4, 5, 1, 2, 8, 9}.

[0150] It is assumed that the first VRU assigned to STA1 by AP includes the unsubstituted 26-tone RU1~4 shown in Figure 10A. In this case, STA1 can obtain discrete PRUs based on the mapping relationship between VRUs and PRUs. In practice, the RUs included in the PRUs are those with indices of 6, 7, 3, and 4 in the frequency domain, respectively.

[0151] It should be noted that the pilot subcarrier may or may not be involved in the substitution. Alternatively, the pilot subcarrier may be reallocated within the PRU obtained by the substitution. This is not particularly limited in this application.

[0152] For frequencies such as 40MHz, 80MHz, 160MHz, and 320MHz, the bandwidth may be considered to include multiple 242-tone RUs, and it should be understood that pairwise substitution is performed within each 242-tone RU. For example, 40MHz may be split into two 242-tone RUs, and the substitution shown in Figure 10B is performed for each 242-tone RU.

[0153] It is assumed that the first VRU assigned to STA by AP includes RU2 and RU3 in the 26-tone RU shown in Table 2, with subcarrier indices of RU2 and RU3 being [-95:-70] and [-68:-43]. In this case, STA may map the first VRU assigned by AP to a first PRU using the substitution method shown in Figure 10B. In other words, the first PRU includes RU7 and RU3 in the 26-tone RU shown in Table 2, with subcarrier indices being [43:68] and [-68:-43].

[0154] The positions of VRUs and PRUs in the frequency band can be determined based on the subcarrier sequence number. Thus, in substitution scheme 1 described above, the mapping relationship between VRUs and PRUs in a 20 MHz bandwidth can be shown using the relationships in Tables 2 and 18. For example, the STA may look up Table 18 based on a first VRU indicated by the AP to determine the RU and subcarrier index of the first PRU. For example, it is assumed that the first RU indicated by the AP contains RU1 and RU4 in a 26-tone RU at 20 MHz. In this case, the STA may look up Table 18 to determine that the subcarrier indices of the first PRU contain [17:42] and [-42:-17] and transmit data on the subcarriers of the first PRU. As another example, if the first VRU indicated by the AP includes RU6 and RU8 in a 20MHz 26-tone RU, the STA may look up Table 18 and determine that the subcarrier indices of the first PRU include [-121:-96] and [70:95], and may transmit data on the subcarriers of the first PRU. [Table 27]

[0155] Note that subcarriers with indices of -122 and 122 in Table 18 mentioned above do not participate in the substitution. Therefore, the subcarrier index does not change before and after the substitution.

[0156] For details on the mapped index tables and pilot subcarrier indices for RUs in the 40MHz to 320MHz range shown in Tables 3 to 6, please refer to the aforementioned method for determining the mapped index tables and pilot subcarrier indices for RUs in the 20MHz range, i.e., the determination method in Table 18. The mapped index tables may also be determined based on the mapping relationships shown in Figure 10B. Details will not be explained separately below. For example, suppose the first VRU indicated by AP includes RU2 and RU3 in the 26-tone RU of 40MHz. In this case, STA may determine that the RUs included in the first PRU may be RU7 and RU3 in the 26-tone RU shown in Table 3. In other words, the subcarrier indices of the first PRU include [-83:-58] and [-189:-164].

[0157] In Figures 10A and 10B, it can be understood that the substitution is performed using 52-tone RUs as the granularity, or it can be considered as a substitution performed using two 26-tone RUs contained within a 52-tone RU as a group. For example, in Figure 10A, a symmetric substitution is performed on two 26-tone RUs contained in even-numbered groups on either side of an intermediate 26-tone RU, using the intermediate 26-tone RU as a boundary, and in Figure 10B, a symmetric substitution is performed on two 26-tone RUs contained in odd-numbered groups on either side of a 26-tone RU. The even-numbered and odd-numbered groups can be considered, for example, the nine 26-tone RUs contained within a 242-tone RU, numbered from 1 to 9. The RUs other than the central 26-tone RU numbered 5 are sequentially grouped in pairs. For example, RU1 and RU2 are one group and their group number is 1; RU3 and RU4 are one group and their group number is 2; RU6 and RU7 are one group and their group number is 3; RU8 and RU9 are one group and their group number is 4. Groups with even group numbers are called even-numbered groups, and groups with odd group numbers are called odd-numbered groups.

[0158] In some examples, one embodiment of the present application further provides another method for performing substitution by using a 52-tone RU as the smallest unit. A 242-tone RU contains four 52-tone RUs with indices {1, 2, 3, 4}, respectively. The substitution is performed on the RU with index 1 and the RU with index 3 at symmetrical positions. That is, the indices of the RUs contained in the PRU obtained by the substitution are {3, 2, 1, 4}. In other words, a 52-tone RU as used herein is not considered to contain two 26-tone RUs, but a 52-tone RU is considered as a whole.

[0159] Similarly, for other bandwidths, e.g., 40 MHz, 80 MHz, 160 MHz, 320 MHz, or higher, the aforementioned method of performing substitution using 26-tone RUs as the minimum unit may also be used, or the substitution may be performed according to a specific bandwidth using larger RUs (e.g., 52-tone RUs or 106-tone RUs) as units (larger RUs as used herein are not considered to include 26-tone RUs, but are considered as a whole). See the embodiments described above for further details. Details are not described again.

[0160] For example, suppose the first VRU indicated by the AP contains RU1 and RU2 within a 20MHz 52-tone RU. In this case, the STA, based on the aforementioned substitution relationships and Table 2, determines that the subcarrier indices of the first PRU contain [-121:-70] and [70:121], and can transmit data on the subcarriers of the first PRU.

[0161] It should be noted that the pilot subcarrier may or may not be involved in the substitution. Alternatively, the pilot subcarrier may be reallocated within the PRU obtained by the substitution. This is not particularly limited in this application.

[0162] Note that in the substitution method 1 described above, the substitution process performed within a 242-tone RU is described using the 242-tone RU as the granularity. For resource allocation bandwidths including multiple 242-tone RUs, e.g., 40MHz, 80MHz, 160MHz, 320MHz, and larger bandwidths, each 242-tone RU can be implemented using substitution method 1.

[0163] In the substitution scheme 1 described above, the 242-tone RU may be considered to include a plurality of discrete 26-tone RUs in the frequency domain, and as a result, the STA can transmit data over a discrete first PRU to obtain greater transmit power. The substitution scheme 1 described above can be applied to 20 MHz, 40 MHz, 80 MHz, 160 MHz, 320 MHz, and larger bandwidths.

[0164] In the aforementioned substitution method 1, the intermediate 26-tone RU is primarily used as the boundary, and dispersion occurs via symmetrical substitutions to the left and right of the intermediate 26-tone RU, resulting in a more uniform distribution of subcarriers. In actual application, dispersion is not limited to a symmetrical method and may be carried out in an asymmetrical manner. This is not limited to this application.

[0165] Furthermore, wide bandwidths such as 40MHz, 80MHz, 160MHz, and 320MHz contain a large number of 26-tone RUs. Therefore, the following substitution method 2 can be used so that the multiple 26-tone RUs contained in the 242-tone RU are more discrete in the frequency domain. Note that for wide bandwidths such as 40MHz, 80MHz, 160MHz, and 320MHz, the aforementioned substitution method 1 can still be used, i.e., the substitution is performed using 26-tone RU as the granularity.

[0166] Substitution method 2: Pairwise substitution is performed between 242-tone RUs.

[0167] The maximum resource bandwidth allocated by the AP is 40 MHz or higher, and the maximum resource bandwidth includes at least two 242-tone RUs. In substitution method 2, substitution is performed between at least two 242-tone RUs included in the maximum resource bandwidth.

[0168] Note that the maximum resource bandwidth allocated by the AP is greater than or equal to the bandwidth formed by one or more first VRUs allocated to one or more STAs in the resource indication information. For example, when the maximum bandwidth allocated by the AP is 40 MHz, the AP may allocate one or more RUs included in the 40 MHz shown in FIG. 3 to one or more STAs. The bandwidth formed by the first VRUs allocated by the AP to one or more STAs is 40 MHz or less.

[0169] It should be understood that the replacement between 242-tone RUs can be a replacement between two adjacent 242-tone RUs in the frequency domain. For example, a replacement is performed between the first 242-tone RU and the second 242-tone RU. Alternatively, a replacement is performed between two non-consecutive 242-tone RUs in the frequency domain. For example, a replacement is performed between the first 242-tone RU and the third 242-tone RU, or a replacement is performed between the first 242-tone RU and the fourth 242-tone RU. For example, it is assumed that a pairwise replacement is performed between the first 242-tone RU and the third 242-tone RU. In this case, one 26-tone RU located in the first 242-tone RU in the frequency domain is actually located at the frequency domain position of one 26-tone RU of the third 242-tone RU after replacement. Compared with replacement method 1, since the frequency domain positions of one 26-tone RU before and after replacement are far apart from each other, the PRUs obtained by mapping can be more discrete.

[0170] When pairwise replacement is performed between 242-tone RUs, the middle 26-tone RU in the frequency domain of each 242-tone RU is not considered, and for every two 26-tone RUs, a replacement is performed between the 26-tone RUs in the remaining eight 26-tone RUs in one 242-tone RU and the 26-tone RUs at the same position in the other 242-tone RU.

[0171] Figure 11A is a schematic diagram of substitution scheme 2 according to one embodiment of the present application. The 242-tone RU on the left contains nine 26-tone RUs with indices {1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9}. The 242-tone RU on the right contains nine 26-tone RUs, the indices of the nine 262-tone RUs being {10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18} + m. In this specification, m is an integer, and m = 9 * a, where a is an integer and a can be understood as the number of 242-tone RUs between two 242-tone RUs. For example, m = 0, 9, 18, 27, etc.

[0172] As shown in Figure 11B, when the 242-tone RU on the left and the 242-tone RU on the right are adjacent in the frequency domain, m=0.

[0173] As shown in Figure 11C, if there is one 242-tone RU between the left and right 242-tone RUs, then m=9. If there are two 242-tone RUs between the left and right 242-tone RUs, then m=18. The rest can be inferred by analogy. During the substitution, 26-tone RUs with indices 5 and 14+m, and located in the middle of the frequency domains of the two 242-tone RUs, do not need to be considered, and the substitution is performed on 26-tone RUs in the same position as the two 242-tone RUs. For example, the substitution is performed on the left RU with index 2 and the right RU with index 11+m, the substitution is performed on the left RU with index 4 and the right RU with index 13+m, the substitution is performed on the left RU with index 7 and the right RU with index 16+m, and the substitution is performed on the left RU with index 9 and the right RU with index 18+m. That is, the indices of the PRUs obtained by the substitution are {1,11+m,3,13+m,5,6,16+m,8,18+m} and {10+m,2,12+m,4,14+m,15+m,7,17+m,9}.

[0174] A first VRU assigned by an AP may be one or more of the 18 26-tone RUs before substitution. For example, if one of the first VRUs assigned by an AP is a 106-tone RU, the first VRU assigned by the AP may be considered to contain four 26-tone RUs. A first PRU corresponding to a first VRU may be one or more of the 18 26-tone RUs after substitution of the corresponding first VRU. For example, suppose the first VRU assigned to STA1 by an AP contains the 26-tone RUs 1 and 2 before substitution, as shown in Figure 11A. In this case, STA1 may obtain the substituted PRU based on the mapping relationship between the VRU and the PRU. In practice, the RUs included in the PRU are those whose indices in the frequency domain are 1 and 11+m, respectively.

[0175] It should be noted that the pilot subcarrier may or may not be involved in the substitution. Alternatively, the pilot subcarrier may be reallocated within the PRU obtained by the substitution. This is not particularly limited in this application.

[0176] The substitution method 2 described above can be applied to 40 MHz, 80 MHz, 160 MHz, 320 MHz, and larger bandwidths. In the case of a 40 MHz bandwidth, the 40 MHz bandwidth contains two 242-tone RUs. Therefore, when substitution method 2 described above is performed, the substitution operation shown in Figure 11A can be performed on two adjacent 242-tone RUs. In the case of an 80 MHz bandwidth, the 80 MHz bandwidth contains four 242-tone RUs. Therefore, when substitution method 2 described above is performed, the substitution operation shown in Figure 11A can be performed on two adjacent 242-tone RUs. For example, the substitution operation shown in Figure 11A may be performed between a first 242-tone RU and a second 242-tone RU, or between a third 242-tone RU and a fourth 242-tone RU. Alternatively, the substitution operation shown in Figure 11A may be performed on two non-adjacent 242-tone RUs. For example, the substitution operation shown in Figure 11A may be performed between a first 242-tone RU and a third 242-tone RU, or between a second 242-tone RU and a fourth 242-tone RU. Alternatively, the substitution operation shown in Figure 11A may be performed between a first 242-tone RU and a fourth 242-tone RU.

[0177] For illustrative purposes, the following example uses the substitution operation shown in Figure 11A performed on two adjacent 242-tone RUs. Assume that the first VRU assigned to the STA by the AP includes RU1 and RU2 in the 26-tone RU shown in Table 3. In this case, the STA may map the first VRU assigned by the AP to the first PRU using the substitution scheme shown in Figure 11A. In other words, the first PRU includes RU1 and RU11 in the 26-tone RU shown in Table 2, with subcarrier indices including [-243:-218] and [30:55].

[0178] The positions of VRUs and PRUs in the frequency band can be determined based on the subcarrier sequence number. Therefore, in the substitution scheme shown in Figure 11A, Tables 3 and 18 can be used to show the mapping relationship between VRUs and PRUs in a 20 MHz bandwidth. For example, the STA may look up Table 19 based on a first VRU indicated by the AP to determine the RU and subcarrier index of the first PRU. For instance, suppose the first VRU indicated by the AP contains RU1 and RU2 within a 40 MHz 26-tone RU. In this case, the STA may look up Table 19 to determine that the subcarrier indices of the first PRU include [-243:-218] and [30:55], and transmit data on the subcarriers of the first PRU. [Table 28]

[0179] Note that the subcarriers with indices of -244, -3, 3, and 244 in Table 19 mentioned above are not involved in the substitution. Therefore, the subcarriers do not change in the frequency domain before and after the substitution.

[0180] It should be understood that the mapped index tables of RU data and pilot subcarrier indices in the 80MHz to 320MHz range, shown in Tables 4 to 6, can also be determined by the substitution method shown in Figure 11A. For details, refer to the aforementioned method for determining the mapped index tables of RU data and pilot subcarrier indices in the 20MHz bandwidth, i.e., the determination method in Table 19. For example, suppose the first VRU indicated by AP includes RU1 and RU2 in the 80MHz 26-tone RU. In this case, STA may determine that the RUs included in the first PRU are RU1 and RU11 of the 26-tone RU shown in Table 4, and that the subcarrier indices include [-499:-474] and [-226:-201].

[0181] The following shows the data of RUs from 80 MHz to 320 MHz corresponding to Tables 4 to 6 and the mapped index table of pilot subcarrier indices.

Table 29A

Table 29B

[0182] Note that the subcarriers with the indices of the aforementioned Table 20 being -500, -259, -253, -12, 12, 253, 259, and 500 are not involved in the replacement. Therefore, the subcarriers do not change in the frequency domain before and after the replacement.

Table 30A

Table 30B

Table 30C

Table 30D

[0183] Note that the subcarriers with the indices of the aforementioned Table 21 being -1012, -771, -765, -524, -500, -259, -253, -12, 12, 253, 259, 500, 524, 765, 771, and 1012 are not involved in the replacement. Therefore, the subcarriers do not change in the frequency domain before and after the replacement.

Table 31A

Table 31B

[0184] Specifically, it is as follows: [Table 32A] [Table 32B] [Table 33A] [Table 33B] [Table 33C] [Table 33D] [Table 34]

[0185] It should be noted that the subcarriers with indices of -2036, -1795, 1789, -1548, -1524, -1283, -1277, -1036, -1012, -771, -765, -524, -500, -259, -253, -12, 12, 253, 259, 500, 524, 765, 771, 1012, 1036, 1277, 1283, 1524, 1548, 1789, 1795, and 2036 in Table 22 above are not involved in the substitution. Therefore, the subcarriers do not change in the frequency domain before and after the substitution.

[0186] For illustrative purposes, the substitution operation shown in Figure 11A is used in an example where it is performed between two non-adjacent 242-tone RUs. The substitution operation shown in Figure 11A is assumed to be performed between a first 242-tone RU and a third 242-tone RU. The first VRU assigned to the STA by the AP is assumed to contain RU1 and RU2 in the 26-tone RU shown in Table 4. In this case, the STA may map the first VRU assigned by the AP to a first PRU using the substitution scheme shown in Figure 11A. In other words, the first PRU contains RU1 and RU21 in the 26-tone RU shown in Table 5, and its subcarrier indices contain [-499:-474] and [39:64].

[0187] The positions of VRUs and PRUs in the frequency band can be determined based on the subcarrier sequence number. Therefore, in the substitution scheme shown in Figure 11A, Tables 5 and 23 can be used to show the mapping relationship between VRUs and PRUs in the 80 MHz bandwidth. For example, the STA may look up Table 23 based on a first VRU indicated by the AP to determine the RU and subcarrier index of the first PRU. For instance, the first VRU indicated by the AP is assumed to contain RU1 and RU2 within a 26-tone RU at 80 MHz. In this case, the STA may look up Table 23 to determine that the subcarrier indices of the first PRU include [-499:-474] and [39:64], and transmit data on the subcarriers of the first PRU. As another example, if the first VRU indicated by the AP includes RU3 and RU4 in an 80MHz 26-tone RU, the STA may look up Table 23 and determine that the subcarrier indices of the first PRU include [-445:-420] and [93:118], and may transmit data on the subcarriers of the first PRU. [Table 35A] [Table 35B]

[0188] It should be noted that the subcarriers with indices of -500, -259, -256, -12, 12, 253, 259, and 500 in Table 23 mentioned above are not involved in the mapping. Therefore, the aforementioned subcarrier indices do not change before and after the substitution.

[0189] It should be understood that the mapped index tables of RU data and pilot subcarrier indices in the 160 MHz to 320 MHz range, shown in Tables 5 and 6, can also be determined by the substitution method shown in Figure 11A. For details, refer to the aforementioned method for determining the mapped index tables of RU (first VRU) data and pilot subcarrier indices in the 20 MHz bandwidth, i.e., the determination method in Table 23. For example, suppose the first VRU indicated by AP includes RU1 and RU2 in the 160 MHz 26-tone RU. In this case, STA may determine that the RUs included in the first PRU are RU1 and RU21 in the 26-tone RU shown in Table 5. In other words, the subcarrier indices of the first PRU include [-1011:-986] and [-473:-448]. Similarly, if the pilot subcarrier is not involved in substitution, the pilot subcarrier index does not change before and after substitution. Details are not repeated herein.

[0190] The following shows the 160MHz-320MHz RU (first VRU) data and mapped index table of pilot subcarrier indices corresponding to Tables 5 and 6. [Table 36A] [Table 36B] [Table 36C]

[0191] It should be noted that the subcarriers with indices of -1012, -771, -765, -524, -500, -259, -253, -12, 12, 253, 259, 600, 524, 765, 771, and 1012 in Table 24 above are not involved in the substitution. Therefore, the subcarriers do not change in the frequency domain before and after the substitution. [Table 37A] [Table 37B]

[0192] Specifically, it is as follows: [Table 38A] [Table 38B] [Table 39A] [Table 39B] [Table 39C] [Table 40A] [Table 40B]

[0193] It should be noted that the subcarriers with indices of -2036, -1795, 1789, -1548, -1524, -1283, -1277, -1036, -1012, -771, -765, -524, -500, -259, -253, -12, 12, 253, 259, 500, 524, 765, 771, 1012, 1036, 1277, 1283, 1524, 1548, 1789, 1795, and 2036 in Table 25 above are not involved in the substitution. Therefore, the subcarriers do not change in the frequency domain before and after the substitution.

[0194] Figure 11D is a schematic diagram of substitution scheme 2 according to one embodiment of the present application. The 242-tone RU on the left contains nine 26-tone RUs with indices {1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9}, respectively. The 242-tone RU on the right contains nine 26-tone RUs with indices {10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18} + m, respectively. In this specification, m is an integer, and m = 9 * a, where a is an integer and a can be understood as the number of 242-tone RUs between two 242-tone RUs. For example, m = 0, 9, 18, 27, etc.

[0195] As shown in Figure 11E, when the 242-tone RU on the left and the 242-tone RU on the right are adjacent in the frequency domain, m=0.

[0196] As shown in Figure 11F, if there is one 242-tone RU between the left and right 242-tone RUs, then m=9. If there are two 242-tone RUs between the left and right 242-tone RUs, then m=18. The rest can be inferred by analogy. During the substitution, 26-tone RUs with indices 5 and 14+m, and located in the middle of the frequency domains of the two 242-tone RUs, do not need to be considered, and the substitution is performed on 26-tone RUs in the same position as the two 242-tone RUs. For example, the substitution is performed on the left RU with index 1 and the right RU with index 10+m, the substitution is performed on the left RU with index 3 and the right RU with index 12+m, the substitution is performed on the left RU with index 6 and the right RU with index 15+m, and the substitution is performed on the left RU with index 8 and the right RU with index 17+m. That is, the indices of the PRUs obtained by the substitution are {10+m,2,12+m,4,5,15+m,7,17+m,9} and {1,11+m,3,13+m,14+m,6,16+m,8,18+m}, respectively.

[0197] It is assumed that the first VRU assigned to STA1 by AP includes the pre-replacement 26-tone RU1 and RU2 shown in Figure 11D. In this case, STA1 can obtain the replaced PRU based on the mapping relationship between the VRU and PRU. In practice, the RUs included in the PRU are those with indices of 10+m and 2, respectively, in the frequency domain.

[0198] It should be noted that the pilot subcarrier may or may not be involved in the substitution. Alternatively, the pilot subcarrier may be reallocated within the PRU obtained by the substitution. This is not particularly limited in this application.

[0199] The substitution method 2 described above can be applied to 40 MHz, 80 MHz, 160 MHz, 320 MHz, and larger bandwidths. In the case of a 40 MHz bandwidth, the 40 MHz bandwidth contains two 242-tone RUs. Therefore, when the substitution method 2 described above is performed, the substitution operation shown in Figure 11D can be performed on two adjacent 242-tone RUs. In the case of an 80 MHz bandwidth, the 80 MHz bandwidth contains four 242-tone RUs. Therefore, when the substitution method 2 described above is performed, the substitution operation shown in Figure 11D can be performed on two adjacent 242-tone RUs. Alternatively, the substitution operation shown in Figure 11D may be performed on two non-adjacent 242-tone RUs. Further details are not repeated herein.

[0200] For illustrative purposes, the following example uses the substitution operation shown in Figure 11D performed on two adjacent 242-tone RUs. Assume that the first VRU assigned to the STA by the AP includes RU1 and RU2 in the 26-tone RU shown in Table 5. In this case, the STA may map the first VRU assigned by the AP to the first PRU using the substitution scheme shown in Figure 11D. In other words, the first PRU includes RU10 and RU2 in the 26-tone RU shown in Table 3, with subcarrier indices [4:29] and [-217:-192].

[0201] The positions of VRUs and PRUs on the frequency band can be determined based on the subcarrier sequence number. Therefore, in the substitution scheme shown in Figure 11D, Tables 3 and 26 can be used to show the mapping relationship between VRUs and PRUs in a 40 MHz bandwidth. For example, the STA may look up Table 26 based on a first VRU indicated by the AP to determine the RU and subcarrier index of the first PRU. For instance, the first VRU indicated by the AP is assumed to contain RU1 and RU2 within a 26-tone RU at 40 MHz. In this case, the STA may look up Table 26 to determine that the subcarrier indices of the first PRU include [4:29] and [-217:-192], and then transmit data on the subcarrier. [Table 41]

[0202] Note that the subcarriers with 242-tone RU indices of -244, 244, 3, and -3 in Table 26 mentioned above are not involved in the substitution. Therefore, the subcarriers do not change in the frequency domain before and after the substitution.

[0203] It should be understood that the mapped index tables of RU data and pilot subcarrier indices in the 80MHz to 320MHz range, shown in Tables 4 to 6, can also be determined by the substitution method shown in Figure 11D. For details, refer to the aforementioned method for determining the mapped index tables of RU (first VRU) data and pilot subcarrier indices in the 20MHz bandwidth, i.e., the determination method in Table 26. For example, suppose the first VRU indicated by AP includes RU1 and RU2 in the 80MHz 26-tone RU. In this case, STA may determine that the RUs included in the first PRU are RU10 and RU2 in the 26-tone RU shown in Table 4, and that the subcarrier indices include [-252:-227] and [-473:-448].

[0204] The following shows the mapping tables for RU data and pilot subcarrier indices for 80MHz to 320MHz, corresponding to Tables 4 to 6. [Table 42A] [Table 42B]

[0205] It should be noted that the subcarriers with indices of -500, -259, -253, -12, 12, 253, 259, and 500 in Table 27 above are not involved in the substitution. Therefore, the subcarriers do not change in the frequency domain before and after the substitution. [Table 43A] [Table 43B] [Table 43C] [Table 43D] [Table 43E]

[0206] It should be noted that the subcarriers with indices of -1012, -771, -765, -524, -500, -259, -253, -12, 12, 253, 259, 500, 524, 765, 771, and 1012 in Table 28 above are not involved in the substitution. Therefore, the subcarriers do not change in the frequency domain before and after the substitution. [Table 44A] [Table 44B]

[0207] Specifically, it is as follows: [Table 45A] [Table 45B] [Table 45C] [Table 45D] [Table 45E] [Table 46A] [Table 46B]

[0208] For illustrative purposes, the following example uses the substitution operation shown in Figure 11D performed on two non-adjacent 242-tone RUs. The substitution operation shown in Figure 11D is assumed to be performed between a first 242-tone RU and a third 242-tone RU. The first VRU assigned to the STA by the AP is assumed to contain RU1 and RU2 in the 26-tone RU shown in Table 4. In this case, the STA may map the first VRU assigned by the AP to a first PRU using the substitution scheme shown in Figure 11D. In other words, the first PRU contains RU20 and RU2 in the 26-tone RU shown in Table 4, and its subcarrier indices contain [13:38] and [-473:-448].

[0209] The positions of VRUs and PRUs in the frequency band can be determined based on the subcarrier sequence number. Therefore, in the substitution scheme shown in Figure 11D, Tables 4 and 30 can be used to show the mapping relationship between VRUs and PRUs in the 80 MHz bandwidth. For example, the STA may look up Table 30 based on a first VRU indicated by the AP to determine the RU and subcarrier index of the first PRU. For instance, suppose the first VRU indicated by the AP contains RU1 and RU2 within a 26-tone RU at 80 MHz. In this case, the STA may look up Table 30 to determine that the subcarrier indices of the first PRU include [13:38] and [-473:-448], and transmit data on the subcarriers of the first PRU. As another example, if the first VRU indicated by the AP includes RU3 and RU4 in an 80MHz 26-tone RU, the STA may look up Table 30 and determine that the subcarrier indices of the first PRU include [67:92] and [-419:-394], and may transmit data on the subcarriers of the first PRU. [Table 47A] [Table 47B]

[0210] It should be noted that the subcarriers with indices of -500, -259, -256, -12, 12, 253, 259, and 500 in Table 30 above are not involved in the mapping. Therefore, the aforementioned subcarrier indices do not change before and after the substitution.

[0211] It should be understood that the mapped index tables of RU data and pilot subcarrier indices in the 160 MHz to 320 MHz range, shown in Tables 5 and 6, can also be determined by the substitution method shown in Figure 11D. For details, refer to the aforementioned method for determining the mapped index tables of RU (first VRU) data and pilot subcarrier indices in the 20 MHz bandwidth, i.e., the determination method in Table 30. For example, suppose the first VRU indicated by AP includes RU1 and RU2 in the 160 MHz 26-tone RU. In this case, STA may determine that the RUs included in the first PRU are RU20 and RU2 in the 26-tone RU shown in Table 5. In other words, the subcarrier indices of the first PRU include [-499:-474] and [-985:-960]. Similarly, if the pilot subcarrier is not involved in substitution, the pilot subcarrier index does not change before and after substitution. Details are not repeated herein.

[0212] The following shows the mapping tables for RU data and pilot subcarrier indices from 160MHz to 320MHz, corresponding to Tables 5 and 6. [Table 48A] [Table 48B] [Table 48C] [Table 48D]

[0213] It should be noted that the subcarriers with indices of -1012, -771, -765, -524, -500, -259, -253, -12, 12, 253, 259, 500, 524, 765, 771, and 1012 in Table 31 above are not involved in the substitution. Therefore, the subcarriers do not change in the frequency domain before and after the substitution. [Table 49A] [Table 49B]

[0214] Specifically, it is as follows: [Table 50A] [Table 50B] [Table 51A] [Table 51B] [Table 51C] [Table 52A] [Table 52B]

[0215] It should be noted that the subcarriers with indices of -2036, -1795, -1789, -1548, -1524, -1283, -1277, -1036, -1012, -771, -765, -524, -500, -259, -253, -12, 12, 253, 259, 500, 524, 765, 771, 1012, 1036, 1277, 1283, 1524, 1548, 1789, 1795, and 2036 in Table 32 above are not involved in the substitution. Therefore, the subcarriers do not change in the frequency domain before and after the substitution.

[0216] Figures 11A–11F illustrate examples where 26-tone RUs are used as the smallest unit of substitution. In some examples, substitution may be performed using 52-tone RUs as the smallest unit.

[0217] In the substitution method shown in Figure 11A, it is assumed that the RU indices included in the VRU before substitution include {1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9} and {10,11,12,13,14,15,16,17,18}+m. In this case, the RU indices included in the PRU after substitution include {1,2,12+m,13+m,5,6,7,17+m,18+m}, {10+m,11+m,3,4,14+m,15+m,16+m,8,9}, or {10+m,11+m,3,4,5,15+m,16+m,8,9} and {1,2,12+m,13+m,14+m,3,4,17+m,18+m}. Similarly, since both VRU and PRU can be indicated using subcarrier sequence numbers, mapping tables similar to those shown in Tables 11 and 12 can also be obtained.

[0218] As an example, using m=0, it is assumed that the first VRU indicated by AP contains RU1, RU2, RU3, and RU4 within a 40MHz 26-tone RU. In this case, STA may determine that the RUs included in the first PRU are RU1, RU2, RU12, and RU13 within the 26-tone RU shown in Table 3. In other words, the subcarrier indices of the first PRU include [-243:-218], [-217:-192], [58:83], and [84:109]. Alternatively, STA may determine that the RUs included in the first PRU are RU10, RU11, RU3, and RU4 within the 26-tone RU shown in Table 3. In other words, the subcarrier indices of the first PRU include [4:29], [30:55], [58:83], and [84:109].

[0219] In some examples, one embodiment of the present application further provides another method for performing substitution by using a 52-tone RU as the smallest unit. One 242-tone RU contains four 52-tone RUs whose indices are {1, 2, 3, 4}, respectively, and the other 242-tone RU also contains four 52-tone RUs whose indices are {5, 6, 7, 8}+k, respectively. In other words, a 52-tone RU as used herein is not considered to contain two 26-tone RUs, but a 52-tone RU is considered as a whole. The substitution is performed on the 52-tone RUs that are in the same position in the two 242-tone RUs. For example, the substitution is performed on the 52-tone RU with index 1 and the 52-tone RU with index 5+k, and the substitution is performed on the 52-tone RU with index 3 and the 52-tone RU with index 7+k. Alternatively, the substitution is performed on the 52-tone RU with index 2 and the 52-tone RU with index 6+k, and on the 52-tone RU with index 4 and the 52-tone RU with index 8+k. Herein, k is an integer and can be understood as the number of 242-tone RUs between two 242-tone RUs. For example, k=0, 4, 8, 12, etc. If two 242-tone RUs are adjacent in the frequency domain, k=0. If there is one 242-tone RU between two 242-tone RUs, k=4. The rest can be inferred by analogy.

[0220] For example, when substitution is performed using a 52-tone RU as the smallest unit, it is assumed that the first VRU assigned to STA1 by AP includes RU1 and RU2 in the 52-tone RU shown in Table 4. In this case, STA1 may determine that the first PRU in the 52-tone RU shown in Table 3 includes RU5 and RU2. In other words, the subcarrier indices include [-252:-201] and [-445:-394]. Alternatively, STA1 may determine that the first PRU in the 52-tone RU shown in Table 3 includes RU9 and RU2. In other words, the subcarrier indices include [13:64] and [-445:-394].

[0221] Alternatively, STA1 may determine that in the 52-tone RU shown in Table 3, the first PRU includes RU1 and RU6. In other words, the subcarrier indices include [-499:-448] and [-198:-147]. Alternatively, STA1 may determine that in the 52-tone RU shown in Table 3, the first PRU includes RU1 and RU10. In other words, the subcarrier indices include [-499:-448] and [67:118].

[0222] Similarly, for other bandwidths, e.g., 40 MHz, 80 MHz, 160 MHz, 320 MHz, or higher, the aforementioned method for performing substitution between two 242-tone RUs by using 26-tone RUs as the smallest unit may also be used by using 242-tone RUs as the granularity, or the substitution may be performed according to a particular bandwidth by using larger RUs (e.g., 52-tone RUs or 106-tone RUs) as the unit (larger RUs as used herein are not considered to include 26-tone RUs but are considered as a whole). See the embodiments described above for further details. Details are not described again.

[0223] It should be noted that the pilot subcarrier may or may not be involved in the substitution. Alternatively, the pilot subcarrier may be reallocated within the PRU obtained by the substitution. This is not particularly limited in this application.

[0224] In this embodiment of the present application, it should be understood that substitution may be performed using 106-tone RU as the minimum unit. For details, see the aforementioned method of performing substitution using 26-tone RU as the minimum unit. Details are not repeated herein.

[0225] It should be noted that in the aforementioned substitution method 2, substitution may be performed on 26-tone RUs within two 242-tone RUs located in symmetrical or asymmetrical positions. This is not limited to the present application.

[0226] Furthermore, this application provides another mapping relationship between the first VRU and the first PRU, namely mapping relationship 2. Next, mapping relationship 2 will be described. Mapping relationship 2: In this embodiment of the application, the subcarrier index of the subcarrier contained in the first VRU can be mapped to the subcarrier index of the subcarrier contained in the first PRU.

[0227] In this embodiment of the present application, some subcarriers, such as DC, Null, Guard, and Pilot tone, are not involved in the mapping method shown in mapping relationship 2, and the positions of these subcarriers within the VRU and PRU do not change.

[0228] For example, in the case of a VRU, 20 MHz contains 256 subcarriers, including data, DC, pilot, guard, and null subcarriers. As shown in Figure 12A, the spacing between adjacent subcarriers is 20 MHz / 256 = 78.125 kHz. If there is one subcarrier per MHz, the index spacing between adjacent subcarriers in a PRU should be at least 1 MHz / 78.125 kHz = 12.8. Note that subcarrier indices are integers and are merely examples in this specification.

[0229] If, after each 1 MHz has completely occupied its bandwidth with one subcarrier, multiple subcarriers still have remaining subcarriers, then 1 MHz is considered to contain two or more subcarriers, and as a result, the multiple subcarriers occupy adjacent frequency bands. For example, as shown in Figure 12B, each 1 MHz may contain two subcarriers. The two subcarriers are adjacent in the frequency domain. In other words, the two subcarriers occupy adjacent frequency bands.

[0230] In this embodiment of the present application, the bandwidth of the first VRU is 20 MHz raised to the power of a positive integer, denoted as BW = 20x, where x can be 1, 2, 4, 8, 16, etc. In other words, the transmit bandwidth corresponding to the first VRU can be 20 MHz, 40 MHz, 80 MHz, 160 MHz, or 320 MHz. If subsequent WLAN protocols support larger bandwidths, the bandwidth corresponding to the first VRU can also be increased accordingly. In current WLAN protocols, each 20 MHz corresponds to nine 26-tone RUs, and each 26-tone RU has 26 subcarriers, including two pilot subcarriers and 24 data subcarriers. In this embodiment of the present application, M t This can indicate the number of 26-tone RUs involved in the mapping at one 20MHz, where 1 ≤ M t ≤ 9, M c This can indicate the number of subcarriers involved in the mapping in one 26-tone RU, where 1 ≤ Mc The limit is 26. k is the index of the subcarrier included in the VRU, and k can be 0, 1, 2, 3, ..., or M t *M c *x-1 may also be the case, and k' is the index of the subcarrier included in the PRU, and it is assumed that k' satisfies the following equation (1):

number

[0231]

number

[0232] The sequence indices of the subcarriers included in the first VRU assigned to STA by AP are [0, 1, 2, ..., M c -1]+n*M c It is assumed that this is the case. In this case, STA can map the sequence index of the VRU's subcarrier to the index of the first PRU's subcarrier according to equation (1) above. The sequence index contained in the PRU is [0, 1*M t *x,2*M t *x,3*M t * x,...,( M c -1)*M t *x]+n, where n=0,1,2,..., or M t *x-1

[0233] In this embodiment of the present application, subcarriers included in the VRU are called virtual subcarriers (VSC), and subcarriers included in the PRU are called physical subcarriers (PSC).

[0234] The 20MHz bandwidth includes nine 26-tone RUs, each of which, as specified, has two pilot subcarriers and 24 data subcarriers. All data subcarriers of the nine 26-tone RUs are involved in mapping, i.e., M c It is assumed that = 24. In this case, the number of 26-tone RUs involved in the mapping at one 20MHz is M t = 9, and the number of subcarriers involved in the mapping in one 26-tone RU is M c = 24 and x = 1. In this specification, k represents the index of a subcarrier within the VRU, and k is an integer, such that k is 0, 1, 2, 3, ... or 24*9-1.

number

[0235] Optionally, in the aforementioned formula, the pilot subcarrier is not involved in mapping, so M c = 24. In some examples, when both the pilot subcarrier and the data subcarrier are involved in the mapping, M c =26, and

number

[0236] As shown in Figure 13, for the first 26-tone RU, the range of the VSC sequence index k is [0, 23]. After mapping, the value of the PSC sequence index k' is [0, 9, 18, 27, ..., 23*9], increasing by 9 each time. For the second 26-tone RU, the range of the VSC sequence index k is [24, 47]. After mapping, the value of the PSC sequence index k' is [1, 10, 19, 28, ..., 23*9+1], increasing by 9 each time. For the third 26-tone RU, the range of the VSC sequence index k is [48, 71]. After mapping, the value of the PSC sequence index k' is [2, 11, 20, 29, ..., 23*9+2], increasing by 9 each time. For the fourth 26-tone RU, the range of the VSC sequence index k is [72, 95]. After mapping, the sequence index k' values ​​of the PSC are [3, 12, 21, 30, ..., 23*9+3], increasing by 9 each time. For the fifth 26-tone RU, the range of the VSC sequence index k is [96, 119]. After mapping, the sequence index k' values ​​of the PSC are [4, 13, 22, 31, ..., 23*9+4], increasing by 9 each time. By analogy, for the ninth 26-tone RU, the range of the VSC sequence index k is [192, 215]. After mapping, the sequence index k' values ​​of the PSC are [8, 17, 26, 35, ..., 23*9+8], increasing by 9 each time.

[0237] When AP assigns the first 26-tone RU to STA, the PRU obtained by mapping the first 26-tone RU is actually assigned to STA. For the second through ninth 26-tone RUs, please refer to the description of the first 26-tone RU.

[0238] The first 52-tone RU includes the first 26-tone RU and the second 26-tone RU. When the AP assigns the first 52-tone RU to the STA, in effect, two PRUs obtained by mapping the first 26-tone RU and the second 26-tone RU are assigned to the STA. The sequence index of the subcarriers assigned to the STA is the union of [0,9,18,27,...,23*9] and [1,10,19,28,...,23*9+1], i.e., [0,1,9,10,18,19,27,28,...,23*9,23*9+1]. In general, RU subcarriers are distributed across larger bandwidths. In addition, every two subcarriers occupy adjacent frequency bands, for example, subcarriers with sequence indices 0 and 1, as well as subcarriers with sequence indices 9 and 10. When two subcarriers are distributed across adjacent frequency bands, the average of the channel estimates of the two subcarriers can be used as the channel estimate value. This is called channel smoothing, and as a result, the estimate may become more accurate. For the second to fourth 52-tone RUs, please refer to the explanation of the first 52-tone RU.

[0239] The first 106-tone RU contains the first, second, third, and fourth 26-tone RUs. When AP assigns the first 106-tone RU to STA, in effect, four PRUs obtained by mapping the first, second, third, and fourth 26-tone RUs are assigned to STA. The sequence index of the subcarrier assigned to STA is the union of [0,9,18,27,...,23*9], [1,10,19,28,...,23*9+1], [2,11,20,29,...,23*9+2], and [3,12,21,30,...,23*9+3], i.e., [0,1,2,3,9,10,11,12,18,19,20,21,...,23*9,23*9+1,23*9+2,23*9+3]. For the explanation of the second 106-tone RU, please refer to the explanation of the first 106-tone RU. Channel smoothing can be performed on subcarriers distributed across adjacent frequency bands. The number of subcarriers is 104, and the subcarrier with the lowest frequency and the subcarrier with the highest frequency are not involved in the mapping. Therefore, the frequency domain positions of the subcarrier with the lowest frequency and the subcarrier with the highest frequency do not change before and after the mapping.

[0240] The index used above is a sequence number obtained in ascending order of the subcarrier indices on the frequency band. The sequence number has a one-to-one correspondence with the subcarrier indices on the frequency band, as shown in Tables 2 to 6. If pilot subcarriers are not involved in the mapping, the pilot subcarriers included in each 26-tone RU do not need to be considered when the data subcarriers are numbered. In other words, only the data subcarriers may be numbered in order to obtain the sequence index of the data subcarriers. For example, nine 26-tone RUs included in 20 MHz are used as an example. The index of the data subcarriers included in the first 26-tone RU is [-121:-96], and the index of the pilot subcarrier is {-116,-102}. The index of the data subcarriers included in the second 26-tone RU is [-95:-70], and the index of the pilot subcarrier is {-90,-76}. By analogy, the indices of the data subcarriers included in nine 26-tone RUs can be obtained.

[0241] The following shows the frequency bandwidth index of the pilot subcarrier in each RU. [Table 53]

[0242] In Table 33 above, i represents the index of the 26-tone RU, and the values ​​of i are also in ascending order of the 26-tone RU in the frequency domain.

number

[0243] In the following, we will use the first 26-tone RU as an example to explain the correspondence between the sequence index and the frequency band index. [Table 54]

[0244] In the case of the nine 26-tone RUs mentioned above, the sequence indices of the data subcarriers are numbered from 0 to 215, and the corresponding frequency band indices are as follows: {-121,-111,-101,-92,-82,-72,-61,-52,-42,-32,-23,-13,4,14,24,33,43,53,63,73,83,93,103,112,-120,-110,-100,-91,-81,-71,-60,-51,-41,-31,-21,-12,5,15,25,34,44,54,64,74,84,94,104,113,-119,-109,-99,-89,- 80,-70,-59,-50,-40,-30,-20,-11,6,16,26,35,45,55,65,75,85,95,105,114,-118,-108,-98,-88,-79,-68,-58,-49,-39,-29,-19,-9,7,17,27,37,46,56,66,77,86,96,106,115,-117,-107,-97,-87,-78,-67,-57,-47,-38,-28,- 18,-8,8,18,28,38,47,57,67,78,87,97,107,117,-115,-106,-96,-86,-77,-66,-56,-46,-37,-27,-17,-7,9,19,29,39,49,58,68,79,88,98,108,118,-114,-105,-95,-85,-75,-65,-55,-45,-35,-26,-16,-6,11,20,30,40,50,59, 70,80,89,99,109,119,-113,-104,-94,-84,-74,-64,-54,-44,-34,-25,-15,-5,12,21,31,41,51,60,71,81,91,100,110,120,-112,-103,-93,-83,-73,-63,-53,-43,-33,-24,-14,-4,13,23,32,42,52,61,72,82,92,101,111,121}.

[0245] A 484-tone RU may be considered to contain 18 26-tone RUs, each of which, as specified herein, has 2 pilot subcarriers and 24 data subcarriers. It is assumed that all data subcarriers of the 18 26-tone RUs are involved in mapping. The number of 26-tone RUs involved in mapping at one 20 MHz is M t =9, x=2, and the number of subcarriers involved in the mapping in one 26-tone RU is M c = 24. If k represents the index of a VSC within the VRU, then the values ​​of k are 0, 1, 2, 3, ..., 24*18-1, and each VSC is mapped to a PSC.

number

[0246] Optionally, in the aforementioned formula, the pilot subcarrier is not involved in mapping, so M c = 24. In some examples, when both the pilot subcarrier and the data subcarrier are involved in the mapping, M c =26, and

number

[0247] As shown in Figure 14, for the first 26-tone RU, the range of VSC index k is [0, 23]. After mapping, the value of PSC index k' is [0, 18, 36, 54, ..., 23*18], increasing by 18 each time. For the second 26-tone RU, the range of VSC index k is [24, 47]. After mapping, the value of PSC index k' is [1, 19, 37, 55, ..., 23*18+1], increasing by 18 each time. For the third 26-tone RU, after mapping, the value of PSC index k' is [2, 20, 38, 56, ..., 23*18+2], increasing by 18 each time. By analogy, for the tenth 26-tone RU, after mapping, the value of PSC index k' is [9, 27, 45, 63, ..., 23*18+9], increasing by 18 each time. For the 11th 26-tone RU, after mapping, the value of the PSC index k' is [10, 28, 46, 64, ..., 23*18+10], increasing by 18 each time. For the 13th 26-tone RU, after mapping, the value of the PSC index k' is [12, 30, 48, 66, ..., 23*18+12], increasing by 18 each time. For the 2nd through 18th 26-tone RUs, please refer to the explanation for the 1st 26-tone RU.

[0248] The first 52-tone RU includes the first 26-tone RU and the second 26-tone RU. When the AP assigns the first 52-tone RU to the STA, two PRUs obtained by mapping the first and second 26-tone RUs are assigned to the STA. In this case, the PSC index obtained by mapping the first 52-tone RU is the union of [0,18,36,54,...,23*18] and [1,19,37,55,...,23*18+1]. For the second through eighth 52-tone RUs, see the description of the first 52-tone RU. Channel smoothing can be performed on subcarriers distributed across adjacent frequency bands. In the mapping scheme 2 described above, subcarriers can be distributed across a larger bandwidth.

[0249] The index used above is a sequence number obtained in ascending order of the subcarrier index on the frequency band. As shown in Tables 2 to 6, the sequence number has a one-to-one correspondence with the subcarrier index on the frequency band.

[0250] The index of the data subcarrier included in the first 26-tone RU is [-243:-218], and the index of the pilot subcarrier is {-238,-224}.

[0251] The index of the data subcarrier included in the second 26-tone RU is [-217:-192], and the index of the pilot subcarrier is {-212,-198}.

[0252] By analogy, the data subcarrier indexes contained within the 18 26-tone RUs can be obtained.

[0253] For 18 26-tone RUs, the sequence indices of the data subcarriers are numbered from 0 to 431, and the corresponding frequency band indices are as follows: {-243,-223,-204,-182,-163,-143,-123,-102,-83,-63,-42,-22,4,23,43,65,84,103,124,145,164,183,205,225,-242,-222,-203,-181,-162,-142,-122,-101,-82,-62,-41,-21,5,25,44,66,85,105,125,146,165,185,206,226,-241,-221,-202,-180,-161,-141,-121,-100,-81,-61,-40,-20,6,26,45,67,86,106,126,147,166,186,207,227,-240,-220,-201,-179,-160,-140,-120,-99,-80,-60,-39,-19,7,27,46,68,87,107,127,148,167,187,208,228,-239,-219,-200,-178,-159,-139,-119,-98,-79,-59,-38,-18,8,28,47,69,88,108,128,149,168,188,209,229,-237,-218,-199,-177,-157,-138,-118,-97,-77,-58,-37,-17,9,29,48,70,89,109,129,150,169,189,210,230,-236,-217,-197,-176,-156,-136,-117,-96,-76,-55,-35,-16,11,30,49,71,91,111,131,151,171,192,211,231,-235,-216,-196,-175,-155,-135,-115,-95,-75,-54,-34,-15,12,31,51,72,92,112,132,152,172,193,213,232,-234,-215,-195,-174,-154,-134,-114,-94,-74,-53,-33,-14,13,32,52,73,93,113,133,153,173,194,214,233,-233,-214,-194,-173,-153,-133,-113,-93,-73,-52,-32,-13,14,33,53,74,94,114,134,154,174,195,215,234,-232,-213,-193,-172,-152, -132, -112, -92, -72, -51, -31, -12, 15, 34, 54, 75, 95, 115, 135, 155, 175, 196, 216, 235, -231, -211, -192, -171, -151, -131, -111, -91, -71, -49, -30, -11, 16, 35, 55, 76, 96, 117, 136, 156, 176, 197, 217, 236, -230, -210, -189 ,-169,-150,-129,-109,-89,-70,-48,-29,-9,17,37,58,77,97,118,138,157,177,199,218,237,-229,-209,-188,-168,-149,-128,-108,-88,-69,-47,-28,-8,18,38,59,79,98,119,139,159,178,200,219,239,-228,-208,- 187,-167,-148,-127,-107,-87,-68,-46,-27,-7,19,39,60,80,99,120,140,160,179,201,220,240,-227,-207,-186,-166,-147,-126,-106,-86,-67,-45,-26,-6,20,40,61,81,100,121,141,161,180,202,221,241,-226,- 206,-185,-165,-146,-125,-105,-85,-66,-44,-25,-5,21,41,62,82,101,122,142,162,181,203,222,242,-225,-205,-183,-164,-145,-124,-103,-84,-65,-43,-23,-4,22,42,63,83,102,123,143,163,182,204,223,243}.

[0254] Based on the aforementioned mapping method 2, subcarriers can be mapped to a wide bandwidth such that consecutive subcarriers on the VRU are located far apart from each other in the frequency band within the PRU. This allows for an increase in transmit power.

[0255] Mapping method 2 can be applied to bandwidths of 20 MHz, 40 MHz, 80 MHz, 160 MHz, and 320 MHz. In some examples, mapping methods 1 and 2 may be used interchangeably in combination. In other words, RUs within a bandwidth (e.g., 26-tone RUs are used as the granularity) can be discrete in the frequency domain in mapping method 1, and then adjacent subcarriers can be discrete in the frequency domain in mapping method 2. In this way, the subcarriers included in the first PRU acquired by mapping can occupy a wide bandwidth. Greater transmit power can be obtained compared to a single mapping method 1 or mapping method 2.

[0256] For example, a 40 MHz bandwidth is used as an example for explanation. In a 40 MHz bandwidth, the subcarriers of the PRU corresponding to the 52-tone RU may be more dispersed. For example, if the subcarriers are uniformly distributed across 40 MHz, the index interval may be 40 M / 48 / 78.125 k = 10.667. For example, in this embodiment of the present application, the substitution operation shown in Figure 11B or Figure 11C may be performed on multiple 26-tone RUs in a 40 MHz bandwidth. The indices of the subcarriers contained in the PRUs obtained by mapping are then obtained according to equation (1) above. Below, we describe an example in which the substitution operation shown in Figure 11B is performed on multiple 26-tone RUs in a 40 MHz bandwidth, and the indices of the subcarriers contained in the PRUs obtained by mapping are obtained according to equation (1) above.

[0257] For example, after substitution, the first 52-tone RU includes the first 26-tone RU and the eleventh 26-tone RU (RUs represented as 1 and 11 in Figure 11B). After mapping, the obtained PSC index is the union of the PSC indices obtained by mapping the first 26-tone RU and the eleventh 26-tone RU [0,18,36,54,...,23*18] and [10,28,46,64,...,23*18+10], i.e., [0,10,18,28,36,46,54,64,...,23*18,23*18+10]. The index spacing between adjacent subcarriers is 10 or 8, close to 10.667. According to the PRU obtained through this mapping, the 52-tone RU essentially occupies a 40MHz bandwidth. Compared to mapping relationship 2, it can be seen that by combining mapping relationship 1 and mapping relationship 2, subcarriers can be distributed over a larger bandwidth.

[0258] In another example, after substitution, the first 106-tone RU contains the first, third, eleventh, and thirteenth 26-tone RUs (represented as RUs 1, 3, 11, and 13 in Figure 11B). After mapping, the obtained PSC index is the union of the PSC indices obtained by mapping the first, third, eleventh, and thirteenth 26-tone RUs, i.e., the union of [0, 18, 36, 54, ..., 23*18], [2, 20, 38, 56, ..., 23*18+2], [10, 28, 46, 64, ..., 23*18+10], and [12, 30, 48, 66, ..., 23*18+12]. Channel smoothing can be performed on subcarriers distributed across adjacent frequency bands.

[0259] When the substitution scheme shown in Figure 11B is combined with the mapping scheme shown in equation (1), in the case of the aforementioned 18 26-tone RUs, the sequence indices of the data subcarriers are numbered from 0 to 431, and the corresponding frequency band indices are as follows: {-243,-223,43,-182,84,103,-123,-102,164,183,-42,225,4,23,-204,65,-163,-143,124,145,-83,-63,205,-22,-242,-222,44,-181,85,105,-122,-101,165,185,-41,226,5,25,-203,66,-162,-142,125,146,-82,-62,206,-21,-241,-221,45,-180,86,106,-121,-100,166,186,-40,227,6,26,-202,67,-161,-141,126,147,-81,-61,207,-20,-240,-220,46,-179,87,107,-120,-99,167,187,-39,228,7,27,-201,68,-160,-140,127,148,-80,-60,208,-19,-239,-219,47,-178,88,108,-119,-98,168,188,-38,229,8,28,-200,69,-159,-139,128,149,-79,-59,209,-18,-237,-218,48,-177,89,109,-118,-97,169,189,-37,230,9,29,-199,70,-157,-138,129,150,-77,-58,210,-17,-236,30,49,-176,91,-136,-117,-96,171,-55,-35,231,11,-217,-197,71,-156,111,131,151,-76,192,211,-16,-235,31,51,-175,92,-135,-115,-95,172,-54,-34,232,12,-216,-196,72,-155,112,132,152,-75,193,213,-15,-234,32,52,-174,93,-134,-114,-94,173,-53,-33,233,13,-215,-195,73,-154,113,133,153,-74,194,214,-14,-233,33,53,-173,94,-133,-113,-93,174,-52,-32,234,14,-214,-194,74,-153,114,134,154,-73,195,215,-13,-232,34,54,-172,95,-132, -112, -92, 175, -51, -31, 235, 15, -213, -193, 75, -152, 115, 135, 155, -72, 196, 216, -12, -231, 35, 55, -171, 96, -131, -111, -91, 176, -49, -30, 236, 16, -211, -192, 76, -151, 117, 136, 156, -71, 197, 217, -11, -230, 37, -189, -169,97,-129,-109,-89,177,-48,218,237,17,-210,58,77,-150,118,138,157,-70,199,-29,-9,-229,38,-188,-168,98,-128,-108,-88,178,-47,219,239,18,-209,59,79,-149,119,139,159,-69,200,-28,-8,-228,39,-1 87,-167,99,-127,-107,-87,179,-46,220,240,19,-208,60,80,-148,120,140,160,-68,201,-27,-7,-227,40,-186,-166,100,-126,-106,-86,180,-45,221,241,20,-207,61,81,-147,121,141,161,-67,202,-26,-6,-226,4 1,-185,-165,101,-125,-105,-85,181,-44,222,242,21,-206,62,82,-146,122,142,162,-66,203,-25,-5,-225,42,-183,-164,102,-124,-103,-84,182,-43,223,243,22,-205,63,83,-145,123,143,163,-65,204,-23,-4}.

[0260] When the substitution scheme shown in Figure 11E is combined with the mapping scheme shown in equation (1), for 18 26-tone RUs, the sequence indices of the data subcarriers are numbered from 0 to 431, and the corresponding frequency band indices are as follows: {4,23,-204,65,-163,-143,124,145,-83,-63,205,-22,-243,-223,43,-182,84,103,-123,-102,164,183,-42,225,5,25,-203,66,-162,-142,125,146,-82,-62,206,-21,-242,-222,44,-181,85,105,-122,-101,165,185,-41,226,6,26,-202,67,-161,-141,126,147,-81,-61,207,-20,-241,-221,45,-180,86,106,-121,-100,166,186,-40,227,7,27,-201,68,-160,-140,127,148,-80,-60,208,-19,-240,-220,46,-179,87,107,-120,-99,167,187,-39,228,8,28,-200,69,-159,-139,128,149,-79,-59,209,-18,-239,-219,47,-178,88,108,-119,-98,168,188,-38,229,9,29,-199,70,-157,-138,129,150,-77,-58,210,-17,-237,-218,48,-177,89,109,-118,-97,169,189,-37,230,11,-217,-197,71,-156,111,131,151,-76,192,211,-16,-236,30,49,-176,91,-136,-117,-96,171,-55,-35,231,12,-216,-196,72,-155,112,132,152,-75,193,213,-15,-235,31,51,-175,92,-135,-115,-95,172,-54,-34,232,13,-215,-195,73,-154,113,133,153,-74,194,214,-14,-234,32,52,-174,93,-134,-114,-94,173,-53,-33,233,14,-214,-194,74,-153,114,134,154,-73,195,215,-13,-233,33,53,-173,94,-133,-113,-93,174,-52,-32,234,15,-213,-193,75,-152,115,135,155,-72,196,216,-12,-232,34,54,-172,95,-132,-112,-92,175,-51,-31,235,16,-211,-192,76,-151,117,136,156,-71,197,217,-11,-231,35,55,-171,96,-131,-111,-91,176,-49,-30,236,17,-210,58,77,- 150,118,138,157,-70,199,-29,-9,-230,37,-189,-169,97,-129,-109,-89,177,-48,218,237,18,-209,59,79,-149,119,139,159,-69,200,-28,-8,-229,38,-188,-168,98,-128,-108,-88,178,-47,219,239,19,-208,60, 80, -148, 120, 140, 160, -68, 201, -27, -7, -228, 39, -187, -167, 99, -127, -107, -87, 179, -46, 220, 240, 20, -207, 61, 81, -147, 121, 141, 161, -67, 202, -26, -6, -227, 40, -186, -166, 100, -126, -106, -86, 180, -45, 221, 241, 21, -20 6,62,82,-146,122,142,162,-66,203,-25,-5,-226,41,-185,-165,101,-125,-105,-85,181,-44,222,242,22,-205,63,83,-145,123,143,163,-65,204,-23,-4,-225,42,-183,-164,102,-124,-103,-84,182,-43,223,243}.

[0261] An 80 MHz bandwidth contains 36 26-tone RUs, each of which, as specified, has 2 pilot subcarriers and 24 data subcarriers. It is assumed that all data subcarriers of the 36 26-tone RUs are involved in mapping. The number of 26-tone RUs involved in mapping in one 20 MHz is M. t= 9, and the number of sub - carriers involved in the mapping in one 26 - tone RU is M c = 24. When k indicates the index of the VSC within the VRU, the value of k is 0, 1, 2, 3,..., 24 * 36 - 1, and each VSC is mapped to the PSC.

Number

[0262] Optionally, in the above formula, since the pilot sub - carriers are not involved in the mapping, M c = 24. In some examples, when both the pilot sub - carriers and the data sub - carriers are involved in the mapping, M c = 26, and

Number

[0263] As shown in Figures 15A and 15B, for the first 26-tone RU, the range of VSC index k is [0, 23]. After mapping, the value of PSC index k' is [0, 36, 72, ..., 23 * 36], increasing by 36 each time. For the second 26-tone RU, the range of VSC index k is [24, 47]. After mapping, the value of PSC index k' is [1, 37, 73, ..., 23 * 36 + 1], increasing by 36 each time. For the third 26-tone RU, after mapping, the value of PSC index k' is [2, 38, 74, ..., 23 * 36 + 2], increasing by 36 each time. For the fourth 26-tone RU, after mapping, the value of PSC index k' is [3, 39, 75, ..., 23 * 36 + 3], increasing by 36 each time. By analogy, for the 10th 26-tone RU, after mapping, the value of the PSC index k' is [9, 45, 81, ..., 23*36+9], increasing by 36 each time. For the 11th 26-tone RU, after mapping, the value of the PSC index k' is [10, 46, 82, ..., 23*36+10], increasing by 36 each time. For the 13th 26-tone RU, after mapping, the value of the PSC index k' is [12, 48, 84, ..., 23*36+12], increasing by 36 each time. For the 19th 26-tone RU, after mapping, the value of the PSC index k' is [18, 54, 90, ..., 23*36+18], increasing by 36 each time. For the 20th 26-tone RU, after mapping, the value of the PSC index k' is [19, 55, 91, ..., 23*36+19], increasing by 36 each time. For the 22nd 26-tone RU, after mapping, the value of the PSC index k' is [21, 57, 93, ..., 23*36+21], increasing by 36 each time.

[0264] The first 52-tone RU includes the first 26-tone RU and the second 26-tone RU. When the AP assigns the first 52-tone RU to the STA, two PRUs obtained by mapping the first and second 26-tone RUs are assigned to the STA. In this case, the PSC index obtained by mapping the first 52-tone RU is the union of [0,36,72,...,23*36] and [1,37,73,...,23*36+1]. Channel smoothing can be performed on subcarriers distributed across adjacent frequency bands.

[0265] Similarly, if the AP assigns the first 106-tone RU to the STA, then the four PRUs obtained by mapping the first, second, third, and fourth 26-tone RUs are assigned to the STA, and the corresponding PSC indices obtained by mapping are the union of [0,36,72,...,23*36], [1,37,73,...,23*36+1], [2,38,74,...,23*36+2], and [3,39,75,...,23*36+3]. Channel smoothing can be performed on subcarriers distributed across adjacent frequency bands.

[0266] For other RUs within the 996-tone RUs, such as the 2nd to 32nd 52-tone RUs and the 2nd to 16th 106-tone RUs, please refer to the above description. Further details will not be repeated herein.

[0267] The index used above is a sequence number obtained in ascending order of the subcarrier index on the frequency band. As shown in Tables 2 to 6, the sequence number has a one-to-one correspondence with the subcarrier index on the frequency band.

[0268] The index of the data subcarrier included in the first 26-tone RU is [-499:-474], and the index of the pilot subcarrier is {-494,-480}.

[0269] The index of the data subcarrier included in the second 26-tone RU is [-473:-448], and the index of the pilot subcarrier is {-468,-454}.

[0270] By analogy, the data subcarrier indexes contained within the 36 26-tone RUs can be obtained.

[0271] In the case of the aforementioned 36 26-tone RUs, the sequence indices of the data subcarriers are numbered from 0 to 863, and the corresponding frequency band indices are as follows: {-499,-460,-419,-379,-339,-298,-252,-213,-172,-132,-92,-51,13,52,93,133,173,214,260,299,340,380,420,461,-498,-459,-418,-378,-338,-297,-251,-212,-171,-131,-91,-50,14,53,94,134,174,215,261,300,341,381,421,462,-497,-458,-417,-377,-337,-296,-250,-211,-170,-130,-90,-49,15,54,95,135,175,216,262,301,342,382,422,463,-496,-457,-416,-376,-336,-295,-249,-210,-169,-129,-89,-48,16,55,96,136,176,217,263,302,343,383,423,464,-495,-456,-415,-375,-335,-294,-248,-209,-168,-128,-88,-47,17,56,97,137,177,218,264,303,344,384,424,465,-493,-455,-413,-374,-333,-293,-247,-208,-167,-127,-87,-46,19,57,99,138,179,219,265,304,345,385,425,466,-492,-453,-412,-373,-332,-291,-245,-207,-165,-125,-85,-45,20,59,100,139,180,221,267,305,347,387,427,467,-491,-452,-411,-371,-331,-290,-244,-205,-164,-124,-84,-43,21,60,101,141,181,222,268,307,348,388,428,469,-490,-451,-410,-370,-330,-289,-243,-204,-163,-123,-83,-42,22,61,102,142,182,223,269,308,349,389,429,470,-489,-450,-409,-369,-329,-288,-242,-203,-162,-122,-82,-41,23,62,103,143,183,224,270,309,350,390,430,471,-488,-449,-408,-368,-328,-287,-241,-202,-161,-121,-81,-40,24,63,104,144,184,225,271,310,351,391,431,472,-487,-448,-407,-367,-327,-286,-240,-201,-160,-120,-80,-39,25,64,105,145,185,226,272,311,352,392,432,473,-486,-445,-406,-365,-326,-285,-239,-198,-159,-118,-79,-38,26,67,106,147,186,227,273,314,353,394,433,474,-485,-444,-405,-364,-325,-284,-238,-197,-158,-117,-78,-37,27,68,107,148,187,228,274,315,354,395,434,475,-484,-443,-404,-363,-324,-283,-237,-196,-157,-116,-77,-36,28,69,108,149,188,229,275,316,355,396,435,476,-483,-442,-403,-362,-323,-282,-236,-195,-156,-115,-76,-35,29,70,109,150,189,230,276,317,356,397,436,477,-482,-441,-402,-361,-322,-281,-235,-194,-155,-114,-75,-34,30,71,110,151,190,231,277,318,357,398,437,478,-481,-439,-401,-359,-321,-279,-234,-193,-154,-113,-74,-33,31,73,111,153,191,233,278,319,358,399,438,479,-479,-438,-399,-358,-319,-278,-233,-191,-153,-111,-73,-31,33,74,113,154,193,234,279,321,359,401,439,481,-478,-437,-398,-357,-318,-277,-231,-190,-151,-110,-71,-30,34,75,114,155,194,235,281,322,361,402,441,482,-477,-436,-397,-356,-317,-276,-230,-189,-150,-109,-70,-29,35,76,115,156,195,236,282,323,362,403,442,483,-476,-435,-396,-355,-316,-275,-229,-188,-149,-108,-69,-28,36,77,116,157,196,237,283,324,363,404,443,484,-475,-434,-395,-354,-315,-274,-228,-187,-148,-107,-68,-27,37,78,117,158,197,238,284,325,364,405,444,485,-474,-433,-394,-353,-314,-273,-227,-186,-147,-106,-67,-26,38,79,118,159,198,239,285,326,365,406,445,486,-473,-432,-392,-352,-311,-272,-226,-185,-145,-105,-64,-25,39,80,120,160,201,240,286,327,367,407,448,487,-472,-431,-391,-351,-310,-271,-225,-184,-144,-104,-63,-24,40,81,121,161,202,241,287,328,368,408,449,488,-471,-430,-390,-350,-309,-270,-224,-183,-143,-103,-62,-23,41,82,122,162,203,242,288,329,369,409,450,489,-470,-429,-389,-349,-308,-269,-223,-182,-142,-102,-61,-22,42,83,123,163,204,243,289,330,370,410,451,490,-469,-428,-388,-348,-307,-268,-222,-181,-141,-101,-60,-21,43,84,124,164,205,244,290,331,371,411,452,491,-467,-427,-387,-347,-305,-267,-221,-180,-139,-100,-59,-20,45,85,125,165,207,245,291,332,373,412,453,492,-466,-425,-385,-345,-304,-265,-219,-179,-138,-99,-57,-19,46,87,1 27,167,208,247,293,333,374,413,455,493,-465,-424,-384,-344,-303,-264,-218,-177,-137,-97,-56,-17,47,88,128,168,209,248,294,335,375,415,456,495,-464,-423,-383,-343,-302,-263,-217,-176,-13 6,-96,-55,-16,48,89,129,169,210,249,295,336,376,416,457,496,-463,-422,-382,-342,-301,-262,-216,-175,-135,-95,-54,-15,49,90,130,170,211,250,296,337,377,417,458,497,-462,-421,-381,-341,-3 00,-261,-215,-174,-134,-94,-53,-14,50,91,131,171,212,251,297,338,378,418,459,498,-461,-420,-380,-340,-299,-260,-214,-173,-133,-93,-52,-13,51,92,132,172,213,252,298,339,379,419,460,499}. ,

[0272] Due to the aforementioned mapping relationship, subcarriers can be distributed over a larger bandwidth.

[0273] In an 80MHz bandwidth, the subcarriers of the PRUs corresponding to the 52-tone RUs and 106-tone RUs can also be more widely distributed. For example, if the 52-tone RUs are uniformly distributed across the entire 80MHz, the index spacing could be 80M / 48 / 78.125 k=21.333>12.8. If the 106-tone RUs are uniformly distributed across the entire 80MHz, the index spacing could be 80M / 98 / 78.125 k=10.449.

[0274] In the 80MHz bandwidth, the left 484-tone RU and the right 484-tone RU are replaced separately using the replacement method shown in Figure 11B or Figure 11E. Below, we will describe an example in which the left 484-tone RU and the right 484-tone RU are replaced separately using the replacement method shown in Figure 11B in the 80MHz bandwidth. It should be understood that the 160MHz bandwidth may be considered as two copies of the aforementioned 80MHz bandwidth, and the 360MHz bandwidth may be considered as four copies of the aforementioned 80MHz bandwidth.

[0275] For example, the second 26-tone RU (represented as 2 in Figure 11B) is replaced by the eleventh 26-tone RU (represented as 11 in Figure 11B). The PSC index obtained by mapping is the index of the PSC obtained by mapping the eleventh 26-tone RU, i.e., [10, 46, 82, ..., 23 * 36 + 10], increasing by 36 each time.

[0276] For example, after substitution, the first 52-tone RU includes the first 26-tone RU (represented as 1 in Figure 11B) and the eleventh 26-tone RU (represented as 11 in Figure 11B). After mapping, the obtained PSC index is the union of the PSC indices obtained by mapping the first 26-tone RU and the eleventh 26-tone RU [0,36,72,...,23*36] and [10,46,82,...,23*36+10], i.e., [0,10,36,46,72,82,...,23*36,23*36+10]. The index spacing between adjacent subcarriers is 10 or 26, close to or greater than 12.8. According to a PRU of such design, the 52-tone RU essentially occupies an 80MHz bandwidth. Compared to mapping relationship 2, it can be observed that combining mapping relationship 1 and mapping relationship 2 allows subcarriers to be distributed over a larger bandwidth.

[0277] In another example, after substitution, the first 106-tone RU contains the first, third, eleventh, and thirteenth 26-tone RUs (represented as RUs 1, 3, 11, and 13 in Figure 11B). After mapping, the obtained PSC index is the union of the PSC indices obtained by mapping the first, third, eleventh, and thirteenth 26-tone RUs, i.e., the union of [0,36,72,...,23*36], [2,38,74,...,23*36+2], [10,46,82,...,23*36+10], and [12,48,84,...,23*36+12]. Channel smoothing can be performed on subcarriers distributed across adjacent frequency bands.

[0278] In the substitution scheme shown in Figure 11B, for 36 26-tone RUs, the sequence indices of the data subcarriers are numbered from 0 to 863, and the corresponding frequency band indices are as follows: {-499,-213,-172,-379,-92,-298,-252,-460,-419,-132,-339,-51,13,299,340,133,420,214,260,52,93,380,173,461,-498,-212,-171,-378,-91,-297,-251,-459,-418,-131,-338,-50,14,300,341,134,421,215,261,53,94,381,174,462,-497,-211,-170,-377,-90,-296,-250,-458,-417,-130,-337,-49,15,301,342,135,422,216,262,54,95,382,175,463,-496,-210,-169,-376,-89,-295,-249,-457,-416,-129,-336,-48,16,302,343,136,423,217,263,55,96,383,176,464,-495,-209,-168,-375,-88,-294,-248,-456,-415,-128,-335,-47,17,303,344,137,424,218,264,56,97,384,177,465,-493,-208,-167,-374,-87,-293,-247,-455,-413,-127,-333,-46,19,304,345,138,425,219,265,57,99,385,179,466,-492,-207,-165,-373,-85,-291,-245,-453,-412,-125,-332,-45,20,305,347,139,427,221,267,59,100,387,180,467,-491,-205,-164,-371,-84,-290,-244,-452,-411,-124,-331,-43,21,307,348,141,428,222,268,60,101,388,181,469,-490,-204,-163,-370,-83,-289,-243,-451,-410,-123,-330,-42,22,308,349,142,429,223,269,61,102,389,182,470,-489,-203,-162,-369,-82,-288,-242,-450,-409,-122,-329,-41,23,309,350,143,430,224,270,62,103,390,183,471,-488,-202,-161,-368,-81,-287,-241,-449,-408,-121,-328,-40,24,310,351,144,431,225,271,63,104,391,184,472,-487,-201,-160,-367,-80,-286,-240,-448,-407,-120,-327,-39,25,311,352,145,432,226,272,64,105,392,185,473,-486,-445,-159,-365,-79,-38,-239,-198,-406,-118,-326,-285,26,67,353,147,433,474,273,314,106,394,186,227,-485,-444,-158,-364,-78,-37,-238,-197,-405,-117,-325,-284,27,68,354,148,434,475,274,315,107,395,187,228,-484,-443,-157,-363,-77,-36,-237,-196,-404,-116,-324,-283,28,69,355,149,435,476,275,316,108,396,188,229,-483,-442,-156,-362,-76,-35,-236,-195,-403,-115,-323,-282,29,70,356,150,436,477,276,317,109,397,189,230,-482,-441,-155,-361,-75,-34,-235,-194,-402,-114,-322,-281,30,71,357,151,437,478,277,318,110,398,190,231,-481,-439,-154,-359,-74,-33,-234,-193,-401,-113,-321,-279,31,73,358,153,438,479,278,319,111,399,191,233,-479,-438,-153,-358,-73,-31,-233,-191,-399,-111,-319,-278,33,74,359,154,439,481,279,321,113,401,193,234,-478,-437,-151,-357,-71,-30,-231,-190,-398,-110,-318,-277,34,75,361,155,441,482,281,322,114,402,194,235,-477,-436,-150,-356,-70,-29,-230,-189,-397,-109,-317,-276,35,76,362,156,442,483,282,323,115,403,195,236,-476,-435,-149,-355,-69,-28,-229,-188,-396,-108,-316,-275,36,77,363,157,443,484,283,324,116,404,196,237,-475,-434,-148,-354,-68,-27,-228,-187,-395,-107,-315,-274,37,78,364,158,444,485,284,325,117,405,197,238,-474,-433,-147,-353,-67,-26,-227,-186,-394,-106,-314,-273,38,79,365,159,445,486,285,326,118,406,198,239,-226,-432,-392,-352,-311,-25,-473,-185,-145,-105,-64,-272,286,80,120,160,201,487,39,327,367,407,448,240,-225,-431,-391,-351,-310,-24,-472,-184,-144,-104,-63,-271,287,81,121,161,202,488,40,328,368,408,449,241,-224,-430,-390,-350,-309,-23,-471,-183,-143,-103,-62,-270,288,82,122,162,203,489,41,329,369,409,450,242,-223,-429,-389,-349,-308,-22,-470,-182,-142,-102,-61,-269,289,83,123,163,204,490,42,330,370,410,451,243,-222,-428,-388,-348,-307,-21,-469,-181,-141,-101,-60,-268,290,84,124,164,205,491,43,331,371,411,452,244,-221,-427,-387,-347,-305,-20,-467,-180,-139,-100,-59,-267,291,85,125,165,207,492,45,332,373,412,453,245,-219,-425,-385,-345,-304,-19,-466,-179,-138,-99,-57,-265,293,87,127 ,167,208,493,46,333,374,413,455,247,-218,-424,-384,-344,-303,-17,-465,-177,-137,-97,-56,-264,294,88,128,168,209,495,47,335,375,415,456,248,-217,-423,-383,-343,-302,-16,-464,-176,-136,- 96,-55,-263,295,89,129,169,210,496,48,336,376,416,457,249,-216,-422,-382,-342,-301,-15,-463,-175,-135,-95,-54,-262,296,90,130,170,211,497,49,337,377,417,458,250,-215,-421,-381,-341,-30 0,-14,-462,-174,-134,-94,-53,-261,297,91,131,171,212,498,50,338,378,418,459,251,-214,-420,-380,-340,-299,-13,-461,-173,-133,-93,-52,-260,298,92,132,172,213,499,51,339,379,419,460,252}. ,

[0279] When the substitution scheme shown in Figure 11E is used, for 36 26-tone RUs, the sequence indices of the data subcarriers are numbered from 0 to 863, and the corresponding frequency band indices are as follows: {-499,52,93,-379,173,-298,-252,299,340,-132,420,-51,13,-460,-419,133,-339,214,260,-213,-172,380,-92,461,-498,53,94,-378,174,-297,-251,300,341,-131,421,-50,14,-459,-418,134,-338,215,261,-212,-171,381,-91,462,-497,54,95,-377,175,-296,-250,301,342,-130,422,-49,15,-458,-417,135,-337,216,262,-211,-170,382,-90,463,-496,55,96,-376,176,-295,-249,302,343,-129,423,-48,16,-457,-416,136,-336,217,263,-210,-169,383,-89,464,-495,56,97,-375,177,-294,-248,303,344,-128,424,-47,17,-456,-415,137,-335,218,264,-209,-168,384,-88,465,-493,57,99,-374,179,-293,-247,304,345,-127,425,-46,19,-455,-413,138,-333,219,265,-208,-167,385,-87,466,-492,59,100,-373,180,-291,-245,305,347,-125,427,-45,20,-453,-412,139,-332,221,267,-207,-165,387,-85,467,-491,60,101,-371,181,-290,-244,307,348,-124,428,-43,21,-452,-411,141,-331,222,268,-205,-164,388,-84,469,-490,61,102,-370,182,-289,-243,308,349,-123,429,-42,22,-451,-410,142,-330,223,269,-204,-163,389,-83,470,-489,62,103,-369,183,-288,-242,309,350,-122,430,-41,23,-450,-409,143,-329,224,270,-203,-162,390,-82,471,-488,63,104,-368,184,-287,-241,310,351,-121,431,-40,24,-449,-408,144,-328,225,271,-202,-161,391,-81,472,-487,64,105,-367,185,-286,-240,311,352,-120,432,-39,25,-448,-407,145,-327,226,272,-201,-160,392,-80,473,-486,-445,106,-365,186,227,-239,-198,353,-118,433,474,26,67,-406,147,-326,-285,273,314,-159,394,-79,-38,-485,-444,107,-364,187,228,-238,-197,354,-117,434,475,27,68,-405,148,-325,-284,274,315,-158,395,-78,-37,-484,-443,108,-363,188,229,-237,-196,355,-116,435,476,28,69,-404,149,-324,-283,275,316,-157,396,-77,-36,-483,-442,109,-362,189,230,-236,-195,356,-115,436,477,29,70,-403,150,-323,-282,276,317,-156,397,-76,-35,-482,-441,110,-361,190,231,-235,-194,357,-114,437,478,30,71,-402,151,-322,-281,277,318,-155,398,-75,-34,-481,-439,111,-359,191,233,-234,-193,358,-113,438,479,31,73,-401,153,-321,-279,278,319,-154,399,-74,-33,-479,-438,113,-358,193,234,-233,-191,359,-111,439,481,33,74,-399,154,-319,-278,279,321,-153,401,-73,-31,-478,-437,114,-357,194,235,-231,-190,361,-110,441,482,34,75,-398,155,-318,-277,281,322,-151,402,-71,-30,-477,-436,115,-356,195,236,-230,-189,362,-109,442,483,35,76,-397,156,-317,-276,282,323,-150,403,-70,-29,-476,-435,116,-355,196,237,-229,-188,363,-108,443,484,36,77,-396,157,-316,-275,283,324,-149,404,-69,-28,-475,-434,117,-354,197,238,-228,-187,364,-107,444,485,37,78,-395,158,-315,-274,284,325,-148,405,-68,-27,-474,-433,118,-353,198,239,-227,-186,365,-106,445,486,38,79,-394,159,-314,-273,285,326,-147,406,-67,-26,39,-432,-392,-352,-311,240,286,-185,-145,-105,-64,487,-473,80,120,160,201,-272,-226,327,367,407,448,-25,40,-431,-391,-351,-310,241,287,-184,-144,-104,-63,488,-472,81,121,161,202,-271,-225,328,368,408,449,-24,41,-430,-390,-350,-309,242,288,-183,-143,-103,-62,489,-471,82,122,162,203,-270,-224,329,369,409,450,-23,42,-429,-389,-349,-308,243,289,-182,-142,-102,-61,490,-470,83,123,163,204,-269,-223,330,370,410,451,-22,43,-428,-388,-348,-307,244,290,-181,-141,-101,-60,491,-469,84,124,164,205,-268,-222,331,371,411,452,-21,45,-427,-387,-347,-305,245,291,-180,-139,-100,-59,492,-467,85,125,165,207,-267,-221,332,373,412,453,-20,46,-425,-385,-345,-304,247,293,-179,-138,-99,-57,493,-466,87,127,16 7,208,-265,-219,333,374,413,455,-19,47,-424,-384,-344,-303,248,294,-177,-137,-97,-56,495,-465,88,128,168,209,-264,-218,335,375,415,456,-17,48,-423,-383,-343,-302,249,295,-176,-136,-96, -55,496,-464,89,129,169,210,-263,-217,336,376,416,457,-16,49,-422,-382,-342,-301,250,296,-175,-135,-95,-54,497,-463,90,130,170,211,-262,-216,337,377,417,458,-15,50,-421,-381,-341,-300, 251,297,-174,-134,-94,-53,498,-462,91,131,171,212,-261,-215,338,378,418,459,-14,51,-420,-380,-340,-299,252,298,-173,-133,-93,-52,499,-461,92,132,172,213,-260,-214,339,379,419,460,-13}.

[0280] In the above explanation, m=0 in Figure 11B means that after substitution is performed between adjacent 242-tone RUs, the VRU is mapped to the first PRU according to the equation shown in equation (1).

[0281] Alternatively, please understand that m can be 9, 18, 27, etc. Below, we will explain the example where m=9. In other words, a substitution is performed between the first 242-tone RU and the third 242-tone RU, or between the second 242-tone RU and the fourth 242-tone RU.

[0282] As shown in Figure 11C, for example, after substitution, the first 52-tone RU includes the first 26-tone RU and the 20th 26-tone RU (represented as 1L and 2R in the figure). After mapping, the obtained PSC index is the union of the PSC indices obtained by mapping the first 26-tone RU and the 20th 26-tone RU [0,36,72,...,23*36] and [19,55,91,...,23*36+19], i.e., [0,19,36,55,72,91,...,23*36,23*36+19]. The index interval between adjacent subcarriers, for example, subcarriers with indices 0 and 19, or subcarriers with indices 19 and 36, is 19 or 17, and greater than 12.8. According to the method described above, the 52-tone RU essentially occupies an 80MHz bandwidth. Compared to mapping relationship 2, it can be observed that combining mapping relationship 1 and mapping relationship 2 allows subcarriers to be distributed over a larger bandwidth.

[0283] In another example, after substitution, the first 106-tone RU contains the first, 20th, 3rd, and 22nd 26-tone RUs (represented as 1L, 2R, 3L, and 4R in the figure). After mapping, the obtained PSC index is the union of the PSC indices obtained by mapping the first, 20th, 3rd, and 22nd 26-tone RUs, i.e., the union of [0,36,72,...,23*36], [19,55,91,...,23*36+19], [2,38,74,...,23*36+2], and [21,57,93,...,23*36+21]. Channel smoothing can be performed on subcarriers distributed across adjacent frequency bands. The spacing between subcarriers that are not on adjacent frequency bands, for example, subcarriers with indices 2 and 19, or subcarriers with indices 0 and 19, is 17 or 19, and greater than 12.8. Compared to mapping relationship 2, it can be seen that by combining mapping relationship 1 and mapping relationship 2, the subcarriers are distributed over a larger bandwidth.

[0284] In the substitution scheme shown in Figure 11C, for 36 26-tone RUs, the sequence indices of the data subcarriers are numbered from 0 to 863, and the corresponding frequency band indices are as follows: {-499,52,93,-379,173,-298,-252,299,340,-132,420,-51,13,-460,-419,133,-339,214,260,-213,-172,380,-92,461,-498,53,94,-378,174,-297,-251,300,341,-131,421,-50,14,-459,-418,134,-338,215,261,-212,-171,381,-91,462,-497,54,95,-377,175,-296,-250,301,342,-130,422,-49,15,-458,-417,135,-337,216,262,-211,-170,382,-90,463,-496,55,96,-376,176,-295,-249,302,343,-129,423,-48,16,-457,-416,136,-336,217,263,-210,-169,383,-89,464,-495,56,97,-375,177,-294,-248,303,344,-128,424,-47,17,-456,-415,137,-335,218,264,-209,-168,384,-88,465,-493,57,99,-374,179,-293,-247,304,345,-127,425,-46,19,-455,-413,138,-333,219,265,-208,-167,385,-87,466,-492,59,100,-373,180,-291,-245,305,347,-125,427,-45,20,-453,-412,139,-332,221,267,-207,-165,387,-85,467,-491,60,101,-371,181,-290,-244,307,348,-124,428,-43,21,-452,-411,141,-331,222,268,-205,-164,388,-84,469,-490,61,102,-370,182,-289,-243,308,349,-123,429,-42,22,-451,-410,142,-330,223,269,-204,-163,389,-83,470,-489,62,103,-369,183,-288,-242,309,350,-122,430,-41,23,-450,-409,143,-329,224,270,-203,-162,390,-82,471,-488,63,104,-368,184,-287,-241,310,351,-121,431,-40,24,-449,-408,144,-328,225,271,-202,-161,391,-81,472,-487,64,105,-367,185,-286,-240,311,352,-120,432,-39,25,-448,-407,145,-327,226,272,-201,-160,392,-80,473,-486,-445,106,-365,186,227,-239,-198,353,-118,433,474,26,67,-406,147,-326,-285,273,314,-159,394,-79,-38,-485,-444,107,-364,187,228,-238,-197,354,-117,434,475,27,68,-405,148,-325,-284,274,315,-158,395,-78,-37,-484,-443,108,-363,188,229,-237,-196,355,-116,435,476,28,69,-404,149,-324,-283,275,316,-157,396,-77,-36,-483,-442,109,-362,189,230,-236,-195,356,-115,436,477,29,70,-403,150,-323,-282,276,317,-156,397,-76,-35,-482,-441,110,-361,190,231,-235,-194,357,-114,437,478,30,71,-402,151,-322,-281,277,318,-155,398,-75,-34,-481,-439,111,-359,191,233,-234,-193,358,-113,438,479,31,73,-401,153,-321,-279,278,319,-154,399,-74,-33,-479,-438,113,-358,193,234,-233,-191,359,-111,439,481,33,74,-399,154,-319,-278,279,321,-153,401,-73,-31,-478,-437,114,-357,194,235,-231,-190,361,-110,441,482,34,75,-398,155,-318,-277,281,322,-151,402,-71,-30,-477,-436,115,-356,195,236,-230,-189,362,-109,442,483,35,76,-397,156,-317,-276,282,323,-150,403,-70,-29,-476,-435,116,-355,196,237,-229,-188,363,-108,443,484,36,77,-396,157,-316,-275,283,324,-149,404,-69,-28,-475,-434,117,-354,197,238,-228,-187,364,-107,444,485,37,78,-395,158,-315,-274,284,325,-148,405,-68,-27,-474,-433,118,-353,198,239,-227,-186,365,-106,445,486,38,79,-394,159,-314,-273,285,326,-147,406,-67,-26,39,-432,-392,-352,-311,240,286,-185,-145,-105,-64,487,-473,80,120,160,201,-272,-226,327,367,407,448,-25,40,-431,-391,-351,-310,241,287,-184,-144,-104,-63,488,-472,81,121,161,202,-271,-225,328,368,408,449,-24,41,-430,-390,-350,-309,242,288,-183,-143,-103,-62,489,-471,82,122,162,203,-270,-224,329,369,409,450,-23,42,-429,-389,-349,-308,243,289,-182,-142,-102,-61,490,-470,83,123,163,204,-269,-223,330,370,410,451,-22,43,-428,-388,-348,-307,244,290,-181,-141,-101,-60,491,-469,84,124,164,205,-268,-222,331,371,411,452,-21,45,-427,-387,-347,-305,245,291,-180,-139,-100,-59,492,-467,85,125,165,207,-267,-221,332,373,412,453,-20,46,-425,-385,-345,-304,247,293,-179,-138,-99,-57,493,-466,87,127,16 7,208,-265,-219,333,374,413,455,-19,47,-424,-384,-344,-303,248,294,-177,-137,-97,-56,495,-465,88,128,168,209,-264,-218,335,375,415,456,-17,48,-423,-383,-343,-302,249,295,-176,-136,-96, -55,496,-464,89,129,169,210,-263,-217,336,376,416,457,-16,49,-422,-382,-342,-301,250,296,-175,-135,-95,-54,497,-463,90,130,170,211,-262,-216,337,377,417,458,-15,50,-421,-381,-341,-300, 251,297,-174,-134,-94,-53,498,-462,91,131,171,212,-261,-215,338,378,418,459,-14,51,-420,-380,-340,-299,252,298,-173,-133,-93,-52,499,-461,92,132,172,213,-260,-214,339,379,419,460,-13}.

[0285] Naturally, before the subcarriers are mapped according to equation (1), pairwise substitution may be alternatively performed on the 26-tone RUs or 52-tone RUs in the manner described in mapping relation 1, such as in Figures 9A, 9B, 10A, and 10B.

[0286] For MRU / RUs having 2*996, 3*996, or 4*996 subcarriers, the mapping relationships shown for the aforementioned 996-tone RUs may be used for each 996-tone RU. The same or different mapping relationships may be used for different 996-tone RUs, and mapping and substitution may be performed for all or some of the 996-tone RUs. This is not particularly limited in this application.

[0287] It should be noted that the mapping relationship between VRUs and PRUs may be agreed upon in advance in the protocol. For example, the mapping table provided in this embodiment of the present application may be stored in advance, and after the VRU is determined based on resource allocation instruction information, the PRU that actually transmits the data may be obtained by querying the table. Alternatively, the mapping relationship may be used as a rule. After receiving resource instruction information indicating the VRU, the first communication device further calculates the corresponding PRU based on the rule. In addition, the first communication device may be notified of the mapping relationship before or after the second communication device transmits the resource allocation instruction information, or when the second communication device transmits the resource instruction information, so that the first communication device obtains the PRU based on the resource instruction information and the mapping relationship. This is not limited to the present application.

[0288] In the embodiments provided herein, the methods provided in the embodiments are described in terms of the interaction between the STA and the AP. To implement the functions in the methods provided in the embodiments of this application, the STA and AP may include hardware structures and / or software modules to implement the aforementioned functions by using hardware structures, software modules, or a combination of hardware structures and software modules. Whether any of the aforementioned functions are performed by using hardware structures, software modules, or a combination of hardware structures and software modules depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution.

[0289] The following describes a communication device for implementing the method described above in the embodiments of this application, with reference to the attached drawings. Therefore, all of the above may be used in the following embodiments. Repeated information will not be provided.

[0290] Figure 16 is a schematic block diagram of a communication device 1600 according to one embodiment of the present application. The communication device 1600 can carry out corresponding functions or steps of STA or AP in the method embodiment. The communication device may include a processing unit 1610 and a transceiver unit 1620. Optionally, the communication device may further include a storage unit. The storage unit may be configured to store instructions (code or program) and / or data. The processing unit 1610 and the transceiver unit 1620 may be coupled to the storage unit. For example, the processing unit 1610 may read instructions (code or program) and / or data in the storage unit and implement the corresponding method. The aforementioned units may be arranged independently, or they may be partially or fully integrated.

[0291] In some possible embodiments, the communication device 1600 can implement corresponding behaviors and functions of the communication device at the transmitting end in the method embodiment. For example, the communication device 1600 may be an AP, or a component (e.g., a chip or circuit) used in the AP. The transceiver unit 1620 may be configured to perform all receive or transmit operations performed by the AP in the embodiment shown in Figure 7, e.g., S701 and S703 in the embodiment shown in Figure 7, and / or to support other processes of the technology described herein. The processing unit 1610 may be configured to perform all operations performed by the AP in the embodiment shown in Figure 7, except for receive and transmit operations, and / or to support other processes of the technology described herein.

[0292] For example, the processing unit 1610 is configured to generate resource instruction information, which includes resource unit allocation information for indicating one or more first virtual resource units (VRUs) and station information for the stations to which one or more first VRUs are allocated, and the first VRUs include multiple consecutive subcarriers in the frequency domain. The transceiver unit 1620 is configured to transmit the resource instruction information. The transceiver unit 1620 is further configured to receive data on the first PRU.

[0293] In some possible embodiments, the communication device 1600 can implement corresponding behavior and functionality of the communication device at the receiving end in the method embodiment. For example, the communication device 1600 may be an STA or AP, or a component (e.g., a chip or circuit) used for an STA or AP. The transceiver unit 1620 may be configured to perform all receive or transmit operations performed by the second device in the embodiment shown in Figure 7, e.g., S701 and S703 in the embodiment shown in Figure 7, and / or other processes used to support the techniques described herein. The processing unit 1610 is configured to perform all operations performed by the second device in the embodiment shown in Figure 7, except for receive and transmit operations, e.g., S702 in the embodiment shown in Figure 7, and / or other processes used to support the techniques described herein.

[0294] For example, transceiver unit 1620 is configured to receive resource instruction information, which includes resource unit allocation information for indicating one or more first virtual resource units VRUs and station information for stations to which one or more first VRUs are assigned, and the first VRUs include a plurality of consecutive subcarriers in the frequency domain. Processing unit 1610 is configured to determine a first physical resource unit PRU based on the resource instruction information, and there is a mapping relationship between the first PRU and the first VRU, where the first PRU includes a plurality of discrete subcarrier groups in the frequency domain, where one subcarrier group includes one subcarrier or at least two consecutive subcarriers. Transceiver unit 1620 is further configured to transmit data on the first PRU.

[0295] It should be understood that in this embodiment of the present application, the processing unit 1610 may be implemented by a processor or a processor-related circuit assembly, and the transceiver unit 1620 may be implemented by a transceiver or a transceiver-related circuit assembly or a communication interface.

[0296] Figure 17 shows a communication device 1700 according to one embodiment of the present application. The communication device 1700 may be an AP, STA, or interleaver, and may perform the functions of an AP or STA in the manner provided in the embodiments of the present application. Alternatively, the communication device 1700 may be a device that can support an AP to implement the corresponding functions in the manner provided in the embodiments of the present application, or a device that can support an STA to implement the corresponding functions in the manner provided in the embodiments of the present application. The communication device 1700 may be a chip or a chip system. In this embodiment of the present application, the chip system may include a chip, or it may include a chip and other discrete components.

[0297] In hardware implementation, the transceiver unit 1620 may be a transceiver 1710.

[0298] The communication device 1700 includes at least one processor 1720 configured to implement or support the communication device 1700 in order to perform the functions of AP or STA in the manner provided in the embodiments of this application, for example, to generate the resource instruction information described above. The communication device 1700 may further include at least one memory 1730 configured to store program instructions and / or data. The memory 1730 is coupled to the processor 1720. The coupling in this embodiment of this application may be an indirect coupling or communication connection between devices, units, or modules in an electrical, mechanical, or other form, and is used for information exchange between devices, units, or modules. The processor 1720 may cooperate with the memory 1730. The processor 1720 may execute program instructions and / or data stored in the memory 1730 so that the communication device 1700 implements the corresponding method. At least one of the at least one memory may be located within the processor.

[0299] The communication device 1700 may further include a transceiver 1710 configured to communicate with another device via a transmitting medium, so that a device within the communication device 1700 can communicate with another device. For example, when the communication device is an AP, the other device is an STA or AP, or when the communication device is an STA, the other device is an STA or AP. The processor 1720 may transmit and receive data by using the transceiver 1710. The transceiver 1710 may specifically be a transceiver. The communication device 1700 may further include a radio frequency unit. The radio frequency unit may be independent of the communication device 1700 or integrated into the communication device 1700. Naturally, the transceiver 1710 may further include an antenna, for example, a remote antenna independent of the communication device 1700 or an antenna incorporated into the communication device 1700.

[0300] The specific connecting medium between the transceiver 1710, the processor 1720, and the memory 1730 is not limited to this embodiment of the application. In this embodiment of the application, the memory 1730, the processor 1720, and the transceiver 1710 are connected via a bus 1740 in Figure 17. In Figure 17, the bus is shown in bold. The connecting methods between other components are merely illustrative examples and should not be interpreted as limitations. Buses may be classified as address buses, data buses, control buses, etc. For ease of representation, only one bold line is used to represent a bus in Figure 17, but this does not mean that there is only one bus or only one type of bus.

[0301] In this embodiment of the present application, the processor 1720 may be a general-purpose processor, a digital signal processor, an application-specific integrated circuit, a field-programmable gate array or another programmable logic device, a discrete gate or transistor logic device, or a discrete hardware component which may implement or perform the methods, steps, and logic block diagrams disclosed in this embodiment of the present application. The general-purpose processor may be a microprocessor or any conventional processor, etc. The steps of the methods disclosed with reference to embodiments of the present application may be performed directly by the hardware processor or using a combination of hardware and software modules within the processor.

[0302] In this embodiment of the present application, the memory 1730 may be a non-volatile memory such as a hard disk drive (HDD) or a solid-state drive (SSD), or a volatile memory such as random-access memory (RAM). The memory is any other medium that can carry or store expected program code in the form of instructions or data structures and can be accessed by a computer, but is not limited to such medium. Alternatively, the memory in the embodiment of the present application may be a circuit or any other device that can implement a storage function and is configured to store program instructions and / or data.

[0303] It should be noted that the communication device in the above-described embodiment may be a terminal, a circuit, a chip used within the terminal, other combined components, or a component having the function of a terminal. When the communication device is a terminal, the transceiver unit may be a transceiver and may include an antenna, a radio frequency circuit, etc. The processing module may be a processor, for example, a central processing unit (CPU). When the communication device is a component having the function of a terminal, the transceiver unit may be a radio frequency unit and the processing module may be a processor. When the communication device is a chip or a chip system, the transceiver module may be an input / output interface of the chip or chip system and the processing module may be a processor of the chip or chip system.

[0304] As possible product forms, the AP or STA described in this embodiment of the present application may be further implemented using the following components, namely one or more FPGAs (Field Programmable Gate Arrays), PLDs (Programmable Logic Devices), controllers, state machines, gate logic, discrete hardware components, any other suitable circuits, or any combination of circuits capable of performing the various functions described in the present application.

[0305] The transmitting end communication device in this embodiment of the present application may be an AP or an STA. The receiving end communication device may be an AP or an STA. It should be understood that the AP of the aforementioned product form has any of the functions of the AP of the aforementioned method embodiment and performs the steps performed by the AP of the aforementioned method embodiment. For beneficial effects, please refer to the aforementioned method embodiment. Details are not described repeatedly herein. The STA of the aforementioned product form has any of the functions of the STA of the aforementioned method embodiment and performs the steps performed by the STA in the aforementioned method embodiment. For beneficial effects, please refer to the aforementioned method embodiment. Details are not described repeatedly herein.

[0306] One embodiment of this application further provides a communication system. Specifically, the communication system may include a second device and a first device, or further include more first and second devices. For example, the communication system includes an STA and an AP configured to implement the relevant functions shown in Figure 7.

[0307] One embodiment of this application further provides a computer-readable storage medium containing instructions. When the instructions are executed on a computer, the computer is enabled to perform the method performed by the STA or AP in Figure 7.

[0308] One embodiment of this application further provides a computer program product including computer program code or instructions. When the computer program code or instructions are executed on a computer, the computer is enabled to perform the method performed by the STA or AP in Figure 7.

[0309] One embodiment of this application provides a chip system. The chip system includes a processor, which may further include memory, and is configured to implement the functions of the STA or AP in the aforementioned method. The chip system may include a chip, or it may include a chip and another discrete component.

[0310] One embodiment of this application further provides a communication device including a processor and an interface. The processor is configured to perform a resource instruction method in any one of the method embodiments described above.

[0311] It should be understood that communication devices may be chips. Processors may be implemented by hardware or by software. When processors are implemented by hardware, they may be logic circuits, integrated circuits, etc. When processors are implemented by software, they may be general-purpose processors. General-purpose processors are implemented by reading software code stored in memory. Memory may be integrated into the processor or may be located outside the processor and exist independently.

[0312] It should be understood that the terms “system” and “network” may be used interchangeably in embodiments of this application. “At least one” means one or more, and “multiple” means two or more. “And / or” describes a relationship between related subjects, indicating that three relationships may exist. For example, A and / or B can mean that only A exists, both A and B exist, and only B exists, where A and B may be singular or plural. The symbol “ / ” generally indicates an “or” relationship between related subjects. At least one of the following items, or similar expressions thereof, refers to any combination of these items, including any combination of singular or plural items. For example, at least one of a, b, or c can mean a, b, c, a and b, a and c, b and c, or a, b, and c, where a, b, and c may be singular or plural.

[0313] In addition, unless otherwise specified, the ordinal numbers such as "first" and "second" in the embodiments of this application are for distinguishing multiple objects, but are not intended to limit the order, time sequence, priority, or importance of the multiple objects. For example, the first information and the second information are used solely to distinguish different referential information and do not indicate different priorities, importance, etc., of the two types of information.

[0314] It should be understood that the sequence numbers of the processes described above do not represent the execution order in the various embodiments of this application. The execution order of the processes should be determined by the function and internal logic of the processes and should not be interpreted as a limitation on the implementation processes of the embodiments of this application.

[0315] In addition, the term “for example” in the embodiments of this application is used to indicate an example or explanation. Any embodiment or implementation solution described as “example” in the embodiments of this application should not be described as preferable to other embodiments or implementation solutions. That is, the use of the word “example” is intended to specifically illustrate a certain concept.

[0316] In this application, unless otherwise specified, the same or similar parts of the embodiments should be referenced to one another. In the embodiments and embodiments / implementation methods of this application, unless otherwise specified or unless a logical inconsistency arises, the terminology and / or descriptions are consistent and may be referenced to one another between different embodiments and between embodiments / implementation methods of an embodiment. The technical features of different embodiments and embodiments / implementation methods of an embodiment may be combined to form a new embodiment, embodiment, or implementation method based on their internal logical relationships. The following embodiments of this application are not intended to limit the scope of protection of this application.

[0317] All or part of the methods in the embodiments of this application may be implemented using software, hardware, firmware, or any combination thereof. When software is used to implement an embodiment, all or part of the embodiment may be implemented in the form of a computer program product. A computer program product includes one or more computer instructions. When the computer program instructions are loaded into a computer and executed, all or part of the procedures or functions according to the embodiments of the present invention are generated. The computer may be a general-purpose computer, a dedicated computer, a computer network, a network device, a user device, or other programmable device. The computer instructions may be stored in a computer-readable storage medium or transmitted from one computer-readable storage medium to another. For example, computer instructions may be transmitted by wired (e.g., coaxial cable, optical fiber, or digital subscriber line (DSL)) or wireless (e.g., infrared, radio, or microwave) from one website, computer, server, or data center to another website, computer, server, or data center. Computer-readable storage media may be any available medium accessible by a computer, or they may be data storage devices such as servers or data centers that integrate one or more available media. Available media may be magnetic media (e.g., floppy disks, hard disks, or magnetic tapes), optical media (e.g., digital video discs (DVDs)), semiconductor media (e.g., SSDs), etc.

[0318] The foregoing description is merely a specific embodiment of the present application and is not intended to limit the scope of protection of this application. Any modification or substitution that is readily conceivable by a person skilled in the art within the scope of the art disclosed herein shall fall within the scope of protection of this application. Accordingly, the scope of protection of this application shall be subject to the scope of protection of the claims. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0319] 1600 Communication equipment 1610 Processing Unit 1620 Transceiver Unit 1700 Communication equipment 1710 Transceiver 1720 Processor 1730 memory 1740 Bus

Claims

1. A step of receiving resource instruction information by a first communication device, wherein the resource instruction information includes resource unit allocation information for indicating one or more first virtual resource units (VRUs), and station information for the station to which the one or more first VRUs are assigned, and the first VRUs include a plurality of contiguous subcarriers in the frequency domain. A step of determining a first physical resource unit PRU based on resource instruction information using the first communication device, wherein there is a mapping relationship between the first PRU and the first VRU that is pre-agreed upon in the protocol or used as a rule, and the first PRU comprises a plurality of discrete subcarrier groups in the frequency domain, where one subcarrier group comprises one subcarrier or at least two consecutive subcarriers, The steps include: transmitting data on the first PRU using the first communication device; Includes, The aforementioned mapping relationship is The difference between the index of one first VRU in the one or more first VRUs and the index of the first PRU corresponding to the one first VRU is a first specified value, or The index of one first VRU in the one or more first VRUs is the same as the index of the first PRU corresponding to the one first VRU, and The index of one of the first VRUs within the one or more first VRUs is determined based on the resource unit allocation information. A method for directing resources, including a method for directing resources.

2. The aforementioned mapping relationship is Mapping is performed using each of the nine 26-tone RUs contained in each 20MHz as the smallest unit, the index of the nine 26-tone RUs is {1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9} + q, and the index obtained by mapping the nine 26-tone RUs is {1, 7, 3, 9, 5, 6, 2, 8, 4} + q, {6, 2, 8, 4, 5, 1, 7, 3, 9} + q, {1, 2, 8, 9, 5, 6, 7, 3, 4} + q, or {6, 7, 3, 4, 5, 1, 2, 8, 9} + q, where q is an integer, and q = 9 * b, where b is an integer, and b represents the number of 20MHz contained in the maximum resource bandwidth allocated by the second communication device minus 1, and q = 0, 9, 18, 27, etc. This specifically includes, One of the first VRUs in the one or more first VRUs is one or more of the 26-tone RUs whose index is {1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9} + q, and the first PRU corresponding to one of the first VRUs in the one or more first VRUs is one or more of the 26-tone RUs whose index is {1, 7, 3, 9, 5, 6, 2, 8, 4} + q, or the first PRU corresponding to one of the first VRUs in the one or more first VRUs is one or more of the 26-tone RUs whose index is {6, 2, 8, 4, 5, 1, 7, 3, 9} + q, or the first PRU corresponding to one of the first VRUs in the one or more first VRUs is a 26-tone RU whose index is {1, 2, 8, 9, 5, 6, 7, 3, 4} + q One or more RUs, or the first PRU corresponding to one of the first VRUs in the one or more first VRUs, is one or more of the 26-tone RUs whose index is {6, 7, 3, 4, 5, 1, 2, 8, 9} + q. The method according to claim 1.

3. The aforementioned mapping relationship is The maximum resource bandwidth allocated by the second communication device is 40 MHz or more, and the maximum resource bandwidth includes at least two 242-tone RUs, and mapping is performed using each of the 18 26-tone RUs included in the at least two 242-tone RUs as the smallest unit, and the indices of the 18 26-tone RUs are {1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9} and {10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18} + m, and the 18 26-tone The indices obtained by mapping the RUs are {1, 11+m, 3, 13+m, 5, 6, 16+m, 8, 18+m}, {10+m, 2, 12+m, 4, 14+m, 15+m, 7, 17+m, 9}, or {10+m, 2, 12+m, 4, 5, 15+m, 7, 17+m, 9}, {1, 11+m, 3, 13+m, 14+m, 6, 16+m, 8, 18+m}, where m is an integer, m = 9 * a, where a is an integer, a represents the number of 242-tone RUs between the aforementioned two 242-tone RUs, and m = 0, 9, 18, 27, etc. The method according to claim 1, which specifically includes the following.

4. A step of receiving resource instruction information by a first communication device, wherein the resource instruction information includes resource unit allocation information for indicating one or more first virtual resource units (VRUs) and station information of the station to which the one or more first VRUs are assigned, and the first VRUs include a plurality of contiguous subcarriers in the frequency domain. A step of determining a first physical resource unit PRU based on resource instruction information using the first communication device, wherein there is a mapping relationship between the first PRU and the first VRU that is pre-agreed upon in the protocol or used as a rule, and the first PRU comprises a plurality of discrete subcarrier groups in the frequency domain, where one subcarrier group comprises one subcarrier or at least two consecutive subcarriers, The steps include: transmitting data on the first PRU using the first communication device; Includes, Based on the mapping relationship, the sequence number of the subcarrier in the first PRU determined for the subcarrier with sequence number k in the first VRU is k', and the following equation [Math 1] Satisfying the conditions, M t This indicates the number of first VRUs involved in mapping at each 20MHz, and M t is an integer, and 1 ≤ M t ≤ 9, x is an integer, x = 1, 2, 4, 8, 16, etc., M t *x represents the total number of the first VRUs involved in the mapping, mod() represents the modulo operation, and M c This indicates the number of subcarriers involved in mapping in one first VRU, where 1 ≤ M c ≤ 26, where k is an integer, and k = 0, 1, 2, ..., or M t *M c *x-1, Resource allocation method.

5. The indexes of the sub-carriers included in the first VRU are respectively [0, 1, 2,..., M c - 1] + n * M c whereas the indexes of the sub-carrier groups included in the first PRU are respectively [0, 1 * M t * x, 2 * M t * x, 3 * M t * x,..., (M c - 1) * M t * x] + n, n is an integer, and n = 0, 1, 2,..., or M t * x - 1. The method according to claim 4

6. A step of transmitting resource instruction information by a second communication device, wherein the resource instruction information includes resource unit allocation information for indicating one or more first virtual resource units (VRUs), and station information for the station to which the one or more first VRUs are assigned, and the first VRUs include a plurality of contiguous subcarriers in the frequency domain. The step of receiving data on a first physical resource unit PRU by the second communication device, wherein there is a mapping relationship between the first PRU and the first VRU that is pre-agreed upon in a protocol or used as a rule, and the first PRU comprises a plurality of discrete subcarrier groups in the frequency domain, where one subcarrier group comprises one subcarrier or at least two consecutive subcarriers. Includes, The aforementioned mapping relationship is The difference between the index of one first VRU in the one or more first VRUs and the index of the first PRU corresponding to the one first VRU is a first specified value, or The index of one first VRU in the one or more first VRUs is the same as the index of the first PRU corresponding to the one first VRU, and The index of one of the first VRUs within the one or more first VRUs is determined based on the resource unit allocation information. A method for directing resources, including a method for directing resources.

7. The aforementioned mapping relationship is Mapping is performed using each of the nine 26-tone RUs contained in each 20MHz as the smallest unit, the index of each of the nine 26-tone RUs is {1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9} + q, and the index obtained by mapping the nine 26-tone RUs is {1, 7, 3, 9, 5, 6, 2, 8, 4} + q, {6, 2, 8, 4, 5, 1, 7, 3, 9} + q, {1, 2, 8, 9, 5, 6, 7, 3, 4} + q, or {6, 7, 3, 4, 5, 1, 2, 8, 9} + q, where q is an integer, and q = 9 * b, where b is an integer, and b represents the number of 20MHz contained in the maximum resource bandwidth allocated by the second communication device minus 1, and q = 0, 9, 18, 27, etc. This specifically includes, One of the first VRUs in the one or more first VRUs is one or more of the 26-tone RUs whose index is {1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9} + q, and the first PRU corresponding to one of the first VRUs in the one or more first VRUs is one or more of the 26-tone RUs whose index is {1, 7, 3, 9, 5, 6, 2, 8, 4} + q, or the first PRU corresponding to one of the first VRUs in the one or more first VRUs is one or more of the 26-tone RUs whose index is {6, 2, 8, 4, 5, 1, 7, 3, 9} + q, or the first PRU corresponding to one of the first VRUs in the one or more first VRUs is a 26-tone RU whose index is {1, 2, 8, 9, 5, 6, 7, 3, 4} + q One or more RUs, or the first PRU corresponding to one of the first VRUs in the one or more first VRUs, is one or more of the 26-tone RUs whose index is {6, 7, 3, 4, 5, 1, 2, 8, 9} + q. The method according to claim 6.

8. The aforementioned mapping relationship is The maximum resource bandwidth allocated by the second communication device is 40 MHz or more, the maximum resource bandwidth includes at least two 242-tone RUs, the mapping is performed using each of the 18 26-tone RUs included in the at least two 242-tone RUs as the smallest unit, the indices of the 18 26-tone RUs are {1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9} and {10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18} + m, and the 18 26-tone The indices obtained by mapping the RUs are {1, 11+m, 3, 13+m, 5, 6, 16+m, 8, 18+m}, {10+m, 2, 12+m, 4, 14+m, 15+m, 7, 17+m, 9}, or {10+m, 2, 12+m, 4, 5, 15+m, 7, 17+m, 9}, {1, 11+m, 3, 13+m, 14+m, 6, 16+m, 8, 18+m}, where m is an integer, m = 9 * a, where a is an integer, a represents the number of 242-tone RUs between the aforementioned two 242-tone RUs, and m = 0, 9, 18, 27, etc. The method according to claim 6, which specifically includes the following.

9. A step of transmitting resource instruction information by a second communication device, wherein the resource instruction information includes resource unit allocation information for indicating one or more first virtual resource units (VRUs) and station information of a station to which the one or more first VRUs are assigned, and the first VRUs include a plurality of contiguous subcarriers in the frequency domain. The step of receiving data on a first physical resource unit PRU by the second communication device, wherein there is a mapping relationship between the first PRU and the first VRU that is pre-agreed upon in a protocol or used as a rule, and the first PRU comprises a plurality of discrete subcarrier groups in the frequency domain, where one subcarrier group comprises one subcarrier or at least two consecutive subcarriers. Includes, Based on the mapping relationship, the sequence number of the subcarrier in the first PRU determined for the subcarrier with sequence number k in the first VRU is k', and the following equation [Math 2] Satisfying the conditions, M t This indicates the number of first VRUs involved in mapping at each 20MHz, and M t is an integer, and 1 ≤ M t ≤ 9, x is an integer, x = 1, 2, 4, 8, 16, etc., M t *x represents the total number of the first VRUs involved in the mapping, mod() represents the modulo operation, and M c This indicates the number of subcarriers involved in mapping in one first VRU, where 1 ≤ M c ≤ 26, where k is an integer, and k = 0, 1, 2, ..., or M t *M c *x-1, Resource allocation method.

10. The indices of the subcarriers included in the first VRU are [0, 1, 2, ..., M], respectively. c -1] + n * M c The indices of the subcarrier groups included in the first PRU are, respectively, [0, 1*M t *x, 2*M t *x, 3*M t *x, . . . , (M c -1) *M t *x] + n, where n is an integer, and n = 0, 1, 2, ..., or M t The method according to claim 9, wherein x-1.

11. A communication device comprising a processing unit and a transceiver unit, The transceiver unit is configured to receive resource instruction information, the resource instruction information includes resource unit allocation information for indicating one or more first virtual resource units (VRUs), and station information for the station to which the one or more first VRUs are allocated, the first VRUs include a plurality of consecutive subcarriers in the frequency domain, The processing unit is configured to determine a first physical resource unit PRU based on the resource instruction information, and there is a mapping relationship between the first PRU and the first VRU that is pre-agreed upon in the protocol or used as a rule, wherein the first PRU comprises a plurality of discrete subcarrier groups in the frequency domain, and one subcarrier group comprises one subcarrier or at least two consecutive subcarriers. The transceiver unit is further configured to transmit data on the first PRU, The mapping relationship is The difference between the index of one first VRU in the one or more first VRUs and the index of the first PRU corresponding to the one first VRU is a first specified value, or The index of one first VRU in the one or more first VRUs is the same as the index of the first PRU corresponding to the one first VRU, and The index of one of the first VRUs within the one or more first VRUs is determined based on the resource unit allocation information. Communication devices, including

12. A communication device comprising a processing unit and a transceiver unit, The processing unit is configured to generate resource instruction information, the resource instruction information includes resource unit allocation information for indicating one or more first virtual resource units (VRUs), and station information for the station to which the one or more first VRUs are assigned, the first VRUs include a plurality of consecutive subcarriers in the frequency domain, The transceiver unit is configured to transmit the resource instruction information, The transceiver unit is further configured to receive data on a first physical resource unit PRU, and there is a mapping relationship between the first PRU and the first VRU that is pre-agreed upon in the protocol or used as a rule, wherein the first PRU comprises a plurality of discrete subcarrier groups in the frequency domain, where one subcarrier group comprises one subcarrier or at least two consecutive subcarriers. The mapping relationship is The difference between the index of one first VRU in the one or more first VRUs and the index of the first PRU corresponding to the one first VRU is a first specified value, or The index of one first VRU in the one or more first VRUs is the same as the index of the first PRU corresponding to the one first VRU, and The index of one of the first VRUs within the one or more first VRUs is determined based on the resource unit allocation information. Communication devices, including

13. The aforementioned mapping relationship is Mapping is performed using each of the nine 26-tone RUs contained in each 20MHz as the smallest unit, the index of the nine 26-tone RUs is {1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9} + q, and the index obtained by mapping the nine 26-tone RUs is {1, 7, 3, 9, 5, 6, 2, 8, 4} + q, {6, 2, 8, 4, 5, 1, 7, 3, 9} + q, {1, 2, 8, 9, 5, 6, 7, 3, 4} + q, or {6, 7, 3, 4, 5, 1, 2, 8, 9} + q, where q is an integer, and q = 9 * b, where b is an integer, and b represents the number of 20MHz contained in the maximum resource bandwidth allocated by the second communication device minus 1, and q = 0, 9, 18, 27, etc. This specifically includes, One of the first VRUs in the one or more first VRUs is one or more of the 26-tone RUs whose index is {1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9} + q, and the first PRU corresponding to one of the first VRUs in the one or more first VRUs is one or more of the 26-tone RUs whose index is {1, 7, 3, 9, 5, 6, 2, 8, 4} + q, or the first PRU corresponding to one of the first VRUs in the one or more first VRUs is one or more of the 26-tone RUs whose index is {6, 2, 8, 4, 5, 1, 7, 3, 9} + q, or the first PRU corresponding to one of the first VRUs in the one or more first VRUs is a 26-tone RU whose index is {1, 2, 8, 9, 5, 6, 7, 3, 4} + q One or more RUs, or the first PRU corresponding to one of the first VRUs in the one or more first VRUs, is one or more of the 26-tone RUs whose index is {6, 7, 3, 4, 5, 1, 2, 8, 9} + q. The apparatus according to claim 11 or 12.

14. The aforementioned mapping relationship is The maximum resource bandwidth allocated by the second communication device is 40 MHz or more, and the maximum resource bandwidth includes at least two 242-tone RUs, and mapping is performed using each of the 18 26-tone RUs included in the at least two 242-tone RUs as the smallest unit, and the indices of the 18 26-tone RUs are {1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9} and {10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18} + m, and the 18 26-tone The indices obtained by mapping the RUs are {1, 11+m, 3, 13+m, 5, 6, 16+m, 8, 18+m}, {10+m, 2, 12+m, 4, 14+m, 15+m, 7, 17+m, 9}, or {10+m, 2, 12+m, 4, 5, 15+m, 7, 17+m, 9}, {1, 11+m, 3, 13+m, 14+m, 6, 16+m, 8, 18+m}, where m is an integer, m = 9 * a, where a is an integer, a represents the number of 242-tone RUs between the aforementioned two 242-tone RUs, and m = 0, 9, 18, 27, etc. The apparatus according to claim 11 or 12, which specifically includes the following.

15. A communication device comprising a processing unit and a transceiver unit, The transceiver unit is configured to receive resource instruction information, the resource instruction information includes resource unit allocation information for indicating one or more first virtual resource units (VRUs), and station information for the station to which the one or more first VRUs are allocated, the first VRUs include a plurality of consecutive subcarriers in the frequency domain, The processing unit is configured to determine a first physical resource unit PRU based on the resource instruction information, and there is a mapping relationship between the first PRU and the first VRU that is pre-agreed upon in the protocol or used as a rule, wherein the first PRU comprises a plurality of discrete subcarrier groups in the frequency domain, and one subcarrier group comprises one subcarrier or at least two consecutive subcarriers. The transceiver unit is further configured to transmit data on the first PRU, Based on the mapping relationship, the sequence number of the subcarrier in the first PRU determined for the subcarrier with sequence number k in the first VRU is k', and the following equation [Math 3] Satisfying the conditions, M t This indicates the number of first VRUs involved in mapping at each 20MHz, and M t is an integer, and 1 ≤ M t ≤ 9, x is an integer, x = 1, 2, 4, 8, 16, etc., M t *x represents the total number of the first VRUs involved in the mapping, mod() represents the modulo operation, and M c This indicates the number of subcarriers involved in mapping in one first VRU, where 1 ≤ M c ≤ 26, where k = 0, 1, 2, ..., or M t *M c *x-1, Communication device.

16. A communication device comprising a processing unit and a transceiver unit, The processing unit is configured to generate resource instruction information, the resource instruction information includes resource unit allocation information for indicating one or more first virtual resource units (VRUs), and station information for the station to which the one or more first VRUs are assigned, the first VRUs include a plurality of consecutive subcarriers in the frequency domain, The transceiver unit is configured to transmit the resource instruction information, The transceiver unit is further configured to receive data on a first physical resource unit PRU, and there is a mapping relationship between the first PRU and the first VRU that is pre-agreed upon in the protocol or used as a rule, wherein the first PRU comprises a plurality of discrete subcarrier groups in the frequency domain, where one subcarrier group comprises one subcarrier or at least two consecutive subcarriers. Based on the mapping relationship, the sequence number of the subcarrier in the first PRU determined for the subcarrier with sequence number k in the first VRU is k', and the following equation [Math 4] Satisfying the conditions, M t This indicates the number of first VRUs involved in mapping at each 20MHz, and M t is an integer, and 1 ≤ M t ≤ 9, x is an integer, x = 1, 2, 4, 8, 16, etc., M t *x represents the total number of the first VRUs involved in the mapping, mod() represents the modulo operation, and M c This indicates the number of subcarriers involved in mapping in one first VRU, where 1 ≤ M c ≤ 26, where k = 0, 1, 2, ..., or M t *M c *x-1, Communication device.

17. The indices of the subcarriers included in the first VRU are [0, 1, 2, ..., M], respectively. c -1] + n * M c The indices of the subcarrier groups included in the first PRU are, respectively, [0, 1*M t *x, 2*M t *x, 3*M t *x, . . . , (M c -1) *M t *x] + n, where n = 0, 1, 2, ..., or M t *The apparatus according to claim 15 or 16, wherein x-1

18. A communication device comprising a processor and memory, The memory is configured to store computer programs or instructions. The processor is configured to execute the computer program or instruction stored in the memory, so that the method according to any one of claims 1 to 5 is performed, or the method according to any one of claims 6 to 10 is performed. Communication device.

19. A chip comprising an input / output interface and a processing circuit, The input / output interface is configured to input / output information or data, and the processing circuit is configured to perform the method according to any one of claims 1 to 5 or any one of claims 6 to 10. Tip.

20. A computer-readable storage medium, wherein the computer-readable storage medium stores computer-executable instructions, and when the computer-executable instructions are invoked by a computer, the computer is enabled to perform the method according to any one of claims 1 to 5 or the method according to any one of claims 6 to 10.

21. A computer program comprising a computer executable instruction, wherein when the instruction is executed on a computer, the method according to any one of claims 1 to 5 or the method according to any one of claims 6 to 10 is executed.

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