Wireless communication methods, devices, and computer-readable storage media

Abstract

A wireless communication method is disclosed, the method including the steps of: receiving, by a physical layer module of a wireless communication device, a physical protocol data unit (PPDU) including a protocol version (PV) field; and transmitting, by the physical layer module, auxiliary information to a medium access control (MAC) module of the wireless communication device, enabling the MAC module to perform MAC processing according to the auxiliary information, the auxiliary information being obtained based on the PPDU in response to a protocol version conforming to the PPDU indicated by a value of the PV field being not fully supported or partially supported by the wireless communication device.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This specification generally relates to wireless communication, and particularly to fifth-generation (5G) communication, sixth-generation (6G) communication, or wireless local area network (LAN).

Background Art

[0002] In a wireless communication system, a new communication protocol is usually designed to be backward compatible with a previous protocol. Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11ax is defined to be backward compatible with IEEE 802.11ac, IEEE 802.11ac is designed to be backward compatible with IEEE 802.11n, and IEEE 802.11n is designed to be backward compatible with IEEE 802.11g / a.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0003] This specification relates to a wireless communication method, system, and computer program product.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0004] One aspect of the present disclosure relates to a wireless communication method. In one embodiment, the wireless communication method includes the steps of: a physical layer module of a wireless communication device receiving a physical protocol data unit PPDU including a protocol version PV field; and the physical layer module transmitting auxiliary information to a media access control MAC module of the wireless communication device, enabling the MAC module to perform MAC processing in accordance with the auxiliary information, wherein the auxiliary information is obtained based on the PPDU in response to the protocol version to which the PPDU conforms, indicated by the value of the PV field, not being fully supported or partially supported by the wireless communication device.

[0005] Another aspect of the present disclosure relates to a wireless communication method. In one embodiment, the wireless communication method includes the steps of: a media access control MAC module of a wireless communication device receiving auxiliary information from a physical layer module of the wireless communication device, the auxiliary information being obtained based on the PPDU received by the physical layer module in response to the protocol version to which the PPDU conforms, indicated by the value of the PV field of the PPDU, is not fully supported or is partially supported by the wireless communication device; and the MAC module performing MAC processing in accordance with the auxiliary information obtained based on the PPDU.

[0006] Another aspect of the present disclosure relates to a wireless communication device. In one embodiment, the wireless communication device includes a communication unit and a processor. The processor is configured such that the physical layer module of the wireless communication device receives a physical protocol data unit PPDU including a protocol version PV field, the physical layer module transmits auxiliary information to the media access control MAC module of the wireless communication device, and the MAC module performs MAC processing in accordance with the auxiliary information, the auxiliary information being obtained based on the PPDU in response to whether the protocol version to which the PPDU conforms, as indicated by the value of the PV field, is not fully supported or is partially supported by the wireless communication device.

[0007] Another aspect of the present disclosure relates to a wireless communication device. In one embodiment, the wireless communication device includes a communication unit and a processor. The processor is configured such that a media access control MAC module of the wireless communication device receives auxiliary information from a physical layer module of the wireless communication device, and the MAC module performs MAC processing in accordance with the auxiliary information obtained based on a physical protocol data unit (PPDU), the auxiliary information being obtained based on the PPDU received by the physical layer module in response to the protocol version to which the PPDU conforms, indicated by the value of the PV field of the PPDU, not being fully supported or partially supported by the wireless communication device.

[0008] Various embodiments may preferably implement the following features.

[0009] Preferably, the auxiliary information is The bandwidth used by the aforementioned PPDU, The duration of protection indicated in the PPDU, The identifier of the transmitter that transmits the PPDU, and the basic service set identifier BSSID associated with the transmitter, Instructions for transmission direction, The duration of the aforementioned PPDU, The value of the PV field of the PPDU, or an indication that the value of the PV field is not supported, The system includes at least one of the following: a received signal strength indicator RSSI obtained based on the receiving portion or a part of the receiving portion of the PPDU.

[0010] Preferably, the RSSI is obtained by measuring a portion of the PPDU transmitted before the PV field.

[0011] Preferably, the general signaling symbols in the PPDU indicate at least one of the following: the bandwidth used by the PPDU, the protection duration indicated in the PPDU, the transmitter identifier of the PPDU and the BSSID associated with the transmitter, the transmission direction indication, or the duration of the PPDU.

[0012] Preferably, the physical layer module marks the PPDU as an unknown format in response to the protocol version to which the PPDU conforms, as indicated by the value of the PV field, is not fully supported or is only partially supported by the wireless communication device.

[0013] Preferably, the physical layer module notifies the MAC module that it has received a PPDU in an unknown format in response to the protocol version to which the PPDU conforms, as indicated by the value of the PV field, is not fully supported or is only partially supported by the wireless communication device.

[0014] Preferably, the physical layer module, in response to the protocol version to which the PPDU conforms, as indicated by the value of the PV field, is not fully supported or is only partially supported by the wireless communication device, continues to receive the PPDU, stops receiving the PPDU and returns to listening mode to check channel availability or receive another PPDU, or enters snooze mode.

[0015] Preferably, in response to the request received from the MAC module that the protocol version to which the PPDU conforms, as indicated by the value of the PV field, is not fully supported or is only partially supported by the wireless communication device, the physical layer module continues to receive the PPDU, stops receiving the PPDU and returns to listening mode to check channel availability or receive another PPDU, or enters snooze mode.

[0016] Preferably, the physical layer module is used to transmit an instruction indicating the end of reception of the PPDU.

[0017] Preferably, the physical layer module instructs the MAC module to perform an operation of the physical layer module, which includes one of the following: continuing to receive the PPDU, stopping the reception of the PPDU and returning to listening mode, or entering snooze mode.

[0018] Preferably, the physical layer module transmits second auxiliary information to the MAC module, the second auxiliary information is acquired during the reception of a portion of the PPDU, and the portion of the PPDU is received after the PV field.

[0019] Preferably, the physical layer module notifies the MAC module that it has received a PPDU in an unknown format in response to the protocol version to which the PPDU conforms, as indicated by the value of the PV field, is not fully supported or partially supported by the wireless communication device.

[0020] Preferably, in response to the MAC module finding that the protocol version to which the PPDU conforms, as indicated by the value of the PV field, is not fully supported or is only partially supported by the wireless communication device, the MAC module sends a request to the physical layer module to control whether to continue receiving the PPDU, stop receiving the PPDU and return to listening mode to check channel availability or receive other PPDUs, or enter snooze mode.

[0021] Preferably, the MAC module receives an instruction from the physical layer module indicating the end of reception of the PPDU.

[0022] Preferably, the MAC module receives second auxiliary information from the physical layer module, and the second auxiliary information corresponds to the portion of the PPDU from the PV field onward.

[0023] This disclosure relates to a computer program product that stores computer-readable program medium code, which, when executed by a processor, causes the processor to execute the wireless communication method described in any one of the above methods.

[0024] Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure are intended to provide features that will become apparent with reference to the following description and the drawings. According to multiple embodiments, this specification discloses an exemplary system, method, device, and computer program product. However, these embodiments are presented by way of example and not limitation, and it will be apparent to those skilled in the art who read this disclosure that various modifications can be added to the disclosed embodiments without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

[0025] Therefore, the present invention is not limited to the exemplary embodiments and uses described and explained herein. Further, the specific order or steps in the methods disclosed herein are merely exemplary. The specific order or steps of the disclosed method or process can be rearranged according to design preferences without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Therefore, those skilled in the art should understand that the methods and techniques disclosed herein show individual steps or acts in an exemplary order, and the present disclosure is not limited to the specific order or steps presented unless specifically stated otherwise.

[0026] The above embodiments and other aspects and their embodiments will be described in more detail in the drawings, the specification, and the claims.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0027] [Figure 1] It is a schematic diagram of a physical protocol data unit according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] It is a schematic diagram of a protocol version field according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 3] An example of a schematic diagram of a wireless communication device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown. [Figure 4] It is a flowchart of a wireless communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 5] It is a flowchart of a wireless communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0028] Standards design requires providing backward compatibility mechanisms for new or revised standards. For example, IEEE 802.11be under development is required to be backward compatible with IEEE 802.11ax, IEEE 802.11ax is designed to be backward compatible with IEEE 802.11ac, IEEE 802.11ac is designed to be backward compatible with IEEE 802.11n, and IEEE 802.11n is designed to be backward compatible with IEEE 802.11g / a. This approach allows devices compliant with IEEE 802.11be to recognize signals compliant with IEEE 802.11ax, IEEE 802.11ac, IEEE 802.11n, and so on. However, devices compliant with IEEE 802.11ax may not be able to recognize signals compliant with IEEE 802.11be, and devices compliant with IEEE 802.11ac may not be able to recognize signals compliant with IEEE 802.11ax.

[0029] In some embodiments, the STA (station) includes a PHY (physical layer) module and a Medium Access Control (MAC) module. In some embodiments, the PHY module is configured to perform RF (radio frequency) TX (transmit) / RX (receive), PHY Protocol Data Unit (PPDU) TX / RX, and / or baseband operations. In some embodiments, the MAC module is configured to perform higher layer operations.

[0030] In some embodiments, the functions of the PHY module and / or MAC module may be performed using one or more processors, but are not limited thereto.

[0031] In some embodiments, the PPDU may include a preamble portion and a data portion. In some embodiments, the preamble portion may include a Protocol Version (PV) field and other signaling fields.

[0032] In some embodiments, the bit value of the PV field is set to a specific value corresponding to a particular protocol version that defines the detailed format of the PPDU.

[0033] In some embodiments, if a STA receives a PPDU with the PV field set to a specific value, and this value indicates that the STA does not support the protocol version to which the PPDU conforms (e.g., not fully supported or partially supported), the STA's PHY module may recognize the PPDU as a frame conforming to the protocol version indicated by the PV field value and mark the PPDU with an identifier for further PHY processing.

[0034] In some embodiments, if the value of the PV field indicates that the PPDU is a protocol version not supported by the STA (e.g., not fully supported or partially supported), the further PHY processing mentioned may include recognizing or retrieving information from the PPDU that includes at least one of the following, and then reporting the recognized information (e.g., auxiliary information) to the MAC module for further MAC processing. - Bandwidth used by PPDU - The guaranteed duration of PPDU transmission, the protection duration indicated in PPDU. - The transmitter identifier of the PPDU, and the Basic Service Set Identifier (BSSID) associated with the PPDU transmitter. - Instructions for the transmission direction of the PPDU (e.g., to an AP (Access Point) or a non-AP STA) - PPDU duration, which indicates the actual duration of PPDU transmission. - An indication that the value of the PV field of the PPDU, or the protocol version to which the PPDU conforms, as indicated by the value of the PV field, is not supported, and / or - PPDU Received Signal Strength Indicator (RSSI)

[0035] In some embodiments, the RSSI of the PPDU is realized or obtained by measuring a portion of the PPDU in front of the PV field.

[0036] In some embodiments, a common signaling symbol in the PPDU indicates at least one of the following pieces of information: the bandwidth used by the PPDU, the protection duration indicated in the PPDU, the transmitter identifier and BSSID associated with the transmitter, the direction of transmission indication, or the duration of the PPDU.

[0037] In some embodiments, the MAC module performs media access operations according to auxiliary information. In some embodiments, the MAC module performs wireless environment perception according to auxiliary information. In some embodiments, the MAC module performs access control schemes according to auxiliary information. In some embodiments, the MAC module performs bandwidth and / or channel management, including bandwidth adjustment and / or channel switching, according to auxiliary information.

[0038] The advantages that can be introduced by such a configuration include, but are not limited to, the following:

[0039] a) To ensure fair media access based on the current MAC mechanism, enable devices to measure the RSSI of wireless frames compliant with the new protocol.

[0040] b) By enabling devices to acquire radio environment information from radio frames compliant with the new protocol, devices will be able to implement better radio environment perception and better access control schemes based on the current MAC mechanism. This means that APs will be able to perform better bandwidth and channel management, including bandwidth throttling and channel switching.

[0041] The following paragraphs provide further details with reference to examples, but this disclosure is not limited to these examples.

[0042] In some embodiments, a Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) Basic Service Set (BSS) includes an AP and several non-AP STAs associated with that AP. Both AP STAs and non-AP STAs can be understood as WLAN devices.

[0043] In some examples, both AP and non-AP STAs support STA operations, including sending and receiving PPDUs.

[0044] In some embodiments, as shown in Figure 1, the PPDU may include a preamble portion and a data portion. The preamble portion includes at least one of the following: a legacy preamble portion, a general signaling symbol, and / or a version-dependent portion.

[0045] In some embodiments, a typical signaling symbol includes version-independent information. In some embodiments, as shown in Figure 2, a typical signaling symbol includes a 3-bit protocol version field.

[0046] In some embodiments, newer transmission / reception protocol versions may define a value not used in previous protocols as the protocol version for the 3-bit protocol version field.

[0047] For example, as shown in Table 1 below, the protocol version field of a WLAN device compliant with protocol version 0 may be defined as "000".

[0048] [Table 1]

[0049] As another example, the protocol version field of a WLAN device compliant with protocol version 2 may be defined as "010," as shown in Table 2.

[0050] [Table 2]

[0051] In some embodiments, if a WLAN device receives a PPDU, and the WLAN device's PHY module successfully decodes the legacy preamble portion and identifies a common signaling symbol with an undefined PV field value (for example, the protocol version to which the PPDU conforms, as indicated by the PV field value, is not fully supported or is only partially supported by the WLAN device), the PHY module may mark the PPDU as an unknown format.

[0052] On the other hand, in some embodiments, the PHY module may measure the signal strength of the signal portion of the received PPDU located before the general signaling, and this measurement result may be used as the legacy RSSI.

[0053] In some embodiments, if the PPDU is recognized as an unknown format (for example, if the protocol version to which the PPDU conforms, as indicated by the value of the PV field, is not fully supported or is only partially supported by the WLAN equipment), the PHY module may continue to recognize information in the common signaling symbols. The PHY module then notifies the MAC module that it has received a PPDU in an unknown format, and the PPDU has at least one of the following auxiliary pieces of information for further processing by the MAC module. - An indication that the value of the PV field in the PPDU, or the protocol version to which the PPDU conforms, as indicated by the value of the PV field, is not supported. - Bandwidth information shown in the general signaling symbols of PPDU - The protection duration indicated in the general PPDU signaling symbol, which shows the guaranteed duration of PPDU transmission. - The BSSID identifier associated with the transmitter, as shown in the common signaling symbols for PPDU. -Indication of transmission direction (e.g., AP or non-AP STA), as shown in the general signaling symbols of PPDU. - The duration of the PPDU as indicated in the general signaling symbol for the PPDU, which indicates the actual duration of the PPDU transmission, and / or - Legacy RSSI

[0054] In some embodiments, the PHY module may, in addition to sending auxiliary information to the MAC module (for example, after sending auxiliary information to the MAC module), maintain a receive mode (or listening mode) for receiving the PPDU until the end of the PPDU.

[0055] In some embodiments, in addition to sending auxiliary information to the MAC module (for example, after sending auxiliary information to the MAC module), the PHY module may stop receiving the remaining signals, return to listening mode to check channel availability or receive other PPDUs, and resume Clear Channel Assessment (CCA) or other channel state detection processes.

[0056] In some embodiments, the PHY module may enter snooze mode in addition to sending auxiliary information to the MAC module (for example, after sending auxiliary information to the MAC module).

[0057] In some embodiments, the MAC module may send a request to the PHY module to control it to continue receiving the PPDU, stop receiving the PPDU and return to listening mode, or enter snooze mode, in response to the PPDU conforming protocol version indicated by the value of the PV field not being fully supported or partially supported by the WLAN equipment.

[0058] For example, in some embodiments, the MAC module may instruct the PHY module to continue receiving the rest of the PPDU upon request (e.g., including specified parameters).

[0059] In some embodiments, the MAC module may instruct the PHY module to stop receiving and restart the CCA or other media access process in response to other requests (e.g., including specified parameters).

[0060] In some embodiments, the MAC module may instruct the PHY module to enter snooze mode based on other requests (e.g., including specified parameters).

[0061] In some embodiments, when a PHY module receives an instruction or request (e.g., a specified parameter) from a MAC module, it may perform the operation requested by the instruction or request according to the specified parameter.

[0062] In some embodiments, the PHY module may send an instruction to the MAC module when it has finished receiving the PPDU. In some embodiments, this instruction indicates the end of PPDU reception.

[0063] In some embodiments, the PHY module may report to the MAC module any second auxiliary information acquired or obtained during the reception of the remainder of the PPDU (e.g., the portion of the PPDU after the PV field).

[0064] In some embodiments, the MAC module may instruct the PHY module to transmit any second auxiliary information acquired or obtained while receiving the rest of the PPDU.

[0065] In some embodiments, the second auxiliary information may include, for example, the RSSI of the rest of the PPDU.

[0066] In some embodiments, when the PHY module receives instructions from the MAC module, it stops receiving and resumes CCA or other media access processes.

[0067] According to some embodiments of this disclosure, the PHY module marks the PPDU as an unknown format if the PPDU contains a value for an undefined PV field.

[0068] According to some embodiments of this disclosure, the PHY module notifies the MAC module that it has received a PPDU in an unknown format.

[0069] According to some embodiments of this disclosure, the PHY module recognizes information in a common signaling symbol and reports the recognized information to the MAC module along with unknown format information.

[0070] According to some embodiments of this disclosure, the PHY module reports the legacy RSSI obtained or acquired in the measurement of the signal portion of the PPDU preceding a common signaling symbol.

[0071] According to some embodiments of the present disclosure, the MAC module may instruct the PHY module to continue receiving the rest of the PPDU according to specified parameters.

[0072] According to some embodiments of this disclosure, the PHY module may report to the MAC module information obtained or acquired during the reception of the rest of the PPDU in accordance with the MAC module's request.

[0073] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of a wireless communication device 30 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. The wireless communication device 30 may be, but is not limited to, a station (STA), an access point (AP), or a non-access point (non-AP). The wireless communication device 30 may include a processor 300 such as a microprocessor or an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a storage unit 310, and a communication unit 320. The storage unit 310 may be any data storage device that stores program code 312 accessed and executed by the processor 300. Embodiments of storing the code 312 include, but are not limited to, a subscriber identity module (SIM), read-only memory (ROM), flash memory, random-access memory (RAM), a hard disk, and optical data storage devices. The communication unit 320 may be a transceiver that sends and receives signals (e.g., messages and data packets) in response to the processing results of the processor 300. In one embodiment, the communication unit 320 sends and receives signals via at least one antenna 322.

[0074] In one embodiment, the storage unit 310 and the program code 312 may be omitted, and the processor 300 may include a storage unit for storing the program code.

[0075] The processor 300 may, for example, perform any of the steps of the embodiment in the wireless communication device 30 by executing program code 312.

[0076] The communication unit 320 may be a transceiver. Alternatively or additionally, the communication unit 320 may be a combination of a transmitting unit and a receiving unit, each configured to transmit signals to or receive signals from other wireless communication devices.

[0077] In some embodiments, the wireless communication device 30 may include a physical layer module and a MAC module. In some embodiments, the functions of the physical layer module may be performed by a processor 300. In some embodiments, the functions of the MAC module may be performed by a processor 300.

[0078] In some embodiments, the wireless communication device 30 may be used to perform the operations of the AP, non-AP STA, or WLAN device described above. In some embodiments, the processor 300 and the communication unit 320 perform the operations described above in cooperation with each other. For example, the processor 300 is operated by the communication unit 320 to send and receive signals, messages, and / or information.

[0079] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, a wireless communication method is also provided. In one embodiment, the wireless communication method may be carried out by a wireless communication device. In one embodiment, the wireless communication device may be the wireless communication device 30 described above, but is not limited thereto.

[0080] Referring to Figure 4, in one embodiment, a wireless communication method includes the steps of: a physical layer module of a wireless communication device receiving a physical protocol data unit PPDU including a protocol version PV field; and the physical layer module transmitting auxiliary information to a media access control MAC module of the wireless communication device, enabling the MAC module to perform MAC processing in accordance with the auxiliary information, wherein the auxiliary information is obtained based on the PPDU in response to the protocol version to which the PPDU conforms, indicated by the value of the PV field, not being fully supported or partially supported by the wireless communication device.

[0081] Further details on this can be found in the paragraphs above, and will not be explained in detail here.

[0082] Embodiments of this disclosure also provide other wireless communication methods. In one embodiment, the wireless communication method may be carried out by a wireless communication device. In one embodiment, the wireless communication device may be the wireless communication device 30 described above, but is not limited thereto.

[0083] Referring to Figure 5, in one embodiment, the wireless communication method includes the steps of: a media access control MAC module of a wireless communication device receiving auxiliary information from a physical layer module of the wireless communication device, the auxiliary information being obtained based on a PPDU received by the physical layer module in response to the protocol version to which the PPDU conforms, indicated by the value of the PV field of the physical protocol data unit PPDU, is not fully supported or is partially supported by the wireless communication device; and the MAC module performing MAC processing according to the auxiliary information obtained based on the PPDU.

[0084] Further details on this can be found in the paragraphs above, and will not be explained in detail here.

[0085] While various embodiments of this disclosure have been described above, it should be understood that these are presented as examples only and are not limiting. Similarly, various figures may illustrate exemplary architectures or configurations provided so that those skilled in the art can understand the exemplary features and functions of this disclosure. However, this disclosure is not limited to the illustrated examples of architectures or configurations, and the invention can be realized using various alternative architectures or configurations. Furthermore, one or more features of one embodiment may be combined with one or more features of other embodiments described herein. Therefore, the scope and scope of this disclosure should not be limited by the embodiments described above.

[0086] Furthermore, it should be understood that any citations of elements using terms such as “first,” “second,” etc., in this specification do not generally limit the number or order of those elements. Instead, these terms can be used in this specification as a convenient means of distinguishing two or more elements or examples of elements. Thus, citing a first element and a second element does not mean that only two elements can be adopted, or that the first element must somehow precede the second element.

[0087] Furthermore, several different methods and techniques may be used to represent information and signals. For example, data, instructions, commands, information, signals, bits, and symbols that may be referenced in the above description may be represented, for example, by voltage, current, electromagnetic waves, magnetic fields or particles, optical fields or particles, or any combination thereof.

[0088] Any of the various schematic logic blocks, units, processors, devices, circuits, methods, and functions described with reference to the embodiments disclosed herein may be implemented by electronic hardware (e.g., digital implementations, analog implementations, or a combination thereof), firmware, various forms of programs or design code including instructions (which may be referred to herein as “software” or “software units” for convenience), or any combination thereof.

[0089] To clearly illustrate such compatibility of hardware, firmware, and software, various schematic components, blocks, units, circuits, and steps have been described above according to their function. Whether this function is implemented as hardware, firmware, software, or a combination of these technologies depends on the design constraints for the particular application and the overall system. While engineers may implement the described functions in various ways for each specific application, such implementation decisions do not deviate from the scope of this disclosure. According to various embodiments, processors, devices, components, circuits, structures, machines, units, etc., may be configured to perform one or more of the functions described herein. The terms “configured” or “configured to perform” as used herein with respect to a particular operation or function mean processors, devices, components, circuits, structures, machines, units, etc., that are physically built, programmed, and / or implemented to perform a particular operation or function.

[0090] Furthermore, various schematic logic blocks, units, devices, components, and circuits described herein may be implemented in or executed by integrated circuits (ICs). An integrated circuit (IC) may include a general-purpose processor, a digital signal processor (DSP), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), or other programmable logic device, or any combination thereof. Logic blocks, units, and circuits may further include antennas and / or transceivers for communication with various components within a network or device. A general-purpose processor may be a microprocessor, but instead, the processor may be any conventional processor, controller, or state machine. The processor may also be implemented as a combination of computing devices, e.g., a combination of a DSP and a microprocessor, multiple microprocessors, one or more microprocessors combined with a DSP core, or any other suitable configuration for performing the functions described herein. Where the functions are implemented in software, the functions may be stored as one or more instructions or codes on a computer-readable medium. Thus, steps of the methods or algorithms disclosed herein may be implemented as software stored on a computer-readable medium.

[0091] Computer-readable media include both computer storage media and communication media, and communication media include any media on which computer programs or code can be transferred from one location to another. Storage media may be any available media accessible by a computer. Such computer-readable media may include, but are not limited to, RAM, ROM, EEPROM, CD-ROM or other optical disk storage devices, magnetic disk storage devices or other magnetic storage devices, or any other media accessible by a computer that can be used to store desired program code in the form of instructions or data structures.

[0092] In this specification, the term "unit" as used herein means software, firmware, hardware, and any combination thereof for performing the relevant functions described herein. Furthermore, for the purposes of this study, each unit is described as a discrete unit. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that two or more units may be combined to form a single unit that performs the relevant functions according to the embodiments of this disclosure.

[0093] Furthermore, embodiments of this disclosure may employ memory or other storage devices and communication components. For clarity, the embodiments of this disclosure have been described with reference to different functional units and processors. However, any suitable functional distribution between different functional units, processing logic elements, or domains may be used without departing from this disclosure. For example, functions illustrated to be performed by separate processing logic elements or controllers may be performed by the same processing logic element or controller. Therefore, references to specific functional units are merely references to suitable devices for providing the described functions and do not represent a strict logical or physical structure or organization.

[0094] Various modifications to the embodiments described herein will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the general principles defined herein may be applied to other embodiments without departing from the claims. Therefore, this disclosure is not intended to be limited to the embodiments shown herein, but should be given the broadest scope that coincides with the novel features and principles disclosed herein, such as the broadest scope set forth in the following claims.

Claims

1. A wireless communication method, The steps include: the physical layer module of a wireless communication device receiving a PPDU (Physical Protocol Data Unit) containing a PV (Protocol Version) field; The physical layer module transmits auxiliary information to the MAC (Media Access Control) module of the wireless communication device, enabling the MAC module to perform MAC processing according to the auxiliary information, wherein the auxiliary information is obtained based on the PPDU in response to the PPDU conforming to the protocol version indicated by the value of the PV field not being fully supported or partially supported by the wireless communication device, The auxiliary information includes RSSI (Received Signal Strength Indicator) obtained based on the receiving portion or a part of the receiving portion of the PPDU, The physical layer module transmits second auxiliary information to the MAC module, the second auxiliary information is acquired during the reception of a portion of the PPDU, and the portion of the PPDU is received after the PV field. Wireless communication method.

2. The aforementioned auxiliary information is, The bandwidth used by the aforementioned PPDU, The protection duration indicated in the PPDU, The identifier of the transmitter that transmits the PPDU, and the BSSID (Basic Service Set Identifier) ​​associated with the transmitter. Instructions for transmission direction, The duration of the PPDU, or The wireless communication method according to claim 1, comprising at least one of the following: the value of the PV field of the PPDU, or an indication that the protocol version to which the PPDU conforms, as indicated by the value of the PV field, is not fully supported or is partially supported by the wireless communication device.

3. The wireless communication method according to claim 2, wherein the RSSI is obtained by measuring a portion of the PPDU transmitted before the PV field.

4. The wireless communication method according to claim 2, wherein a general signaling symbol in the PPDU indicates at least one of the bandwidth used by the PPDU, the protection duration indicated in the PPDU, the transmitter identifier of the PPDU and the BSSID associated with the transmitter, the transmission direction indication, or the duration of the PPDU.

5. The wireless communication method according to claim 1, wherein the physical layer module marks the PPDU as an unknown format in response that the protocol version to which the PPDU conforms, as indicated by the value of the PV field, is not fully supported or is only partially supported by the wireless communication device.

6. The wireless communication method according to claim 1, wherein the physical layer module notifies the MAC module that it has received a PPDU in an unknown format in response that the protocol version to which the PPDU conforms, as indicated by the value of the PV field, is not fully supported or is only partially supported by the wireless communication device.

7. The wireless communication method according to claim 1, wherein the physical layer module, in response to the protocol version to which the PPDU conforms, as indicated by the value of the PV field, is not fully supported or is only partially supported by the wireless communication device, continues to receive the PPDU, stops receiving the PPDU and returns to listening mode, or enters snooze mode.

8. The wireless communication method according to claim 1, wherein the physical layer module, in response to the fact that the protocol version to which the PPDU conforms, as indicated by the value of the PV field, is not fully supported or is only partially supported by the wireless communication device, continues to receive the PPDU, stops receiving the PPDU and returns to listening mode to check channel availability or receive another PPDU, or enters snooze mode, in accordance with a request received from the MAC module.

9. The wireless communication method according to claim 1, wherein the physical layer module is used to transmit an instruction indicating the end of reception of the PPDU.

10. A wireless communication method, A step in which a MAC (Media Access Control) module of a wireless communication device receives auxiliary information from a physical layer module of the wireless communication device, wherein the auxiliary information is obtained based on the PPDU (Physical Protocol Data Unit) received by the physical layer module in response to the protocol version to which the PPDU conforms, indicated by the value of the PV (Protocol Version) field of the PPDU, is not fully supported or is partially supported by the wireless communication device; The MAC module includes the step of performing MAC processing according to the auxiliary information obtained based on the PPDU, The auxiliary information includes RSSI (Received Signal Strength Indicator) obtained based on the receiving portion or a part of the receiving portion of the PPDU, The physical layer module transmits second auxiliary information to the MAC module, the second auxiliary information is acquired during the reception of a portion of the PPDU, and the portion of the PPDU is received after the PV field. Wireless communication method.

11. The aforementioned auxiliary information is, The bandwidth used by the aforementioned PPDU, The protection duration indicated in the PPDU, The identifier of the transmitter that transmits the PPDU, and the BSSID (Basic Service Set Identifier) ​​associated with the transmitter. Instructions for transmission direction, The duration of the PPDU, or The wireless communication method according to claim 10, comprising at least one of the following: the value of the PV field of the PPDU, or an indication that the protocol version to which the PPDU conforms, as indicated by the value of the PV field, is not fully supported or is partially supported by the wireless communication device.

12. The wireless communication method according to claim 10, wherein the physical layer module notifies the MAC module that it has received a PPDU of an unknown format in response that the protocol version to which the PPDU conforms, as indicated by the value of the PV field, is not fully supported or is partially supported by the wireless communication device.

13. The wireless communication method according to claim 10, wherein the MAC module, in response to the fact that the protocol version to which the PPDU conforms, as indicated by the value of the PV field, is not fully supported or is only partially supported by the wireless communication device, transmits a request to the physical layer module to control whether to continue receiving the PPDU, stop receiving the PPDU and return to listening mode to check channel availability or receive another PPDU, or enter snooze mode.

14. The wireless communication method according to claim 10, wherein the MAC module receives an instruction from the physical layer module indicating the end of reception of the PPDU.

15. Wireless communication equipment, Includes a communication unit and a processor, The processor is configured to perform the wireless communication method described in any one of claims 1 to 9, and is a wireless communication device.

16. Wireless communication equipment, Includes a communication unit and a processor, The processor is configured to perform the wireless communication method described in any one of claims 10 to 14, and is a wireless communication device.

17. A computer-readable storage medium storing a computer-readable program medium code that, when executed by a processor, causes the processor to execute the wireless communication method described in any one of claims 1 to 9.

18. A computer-readable storage medium storing a computer-readable program medium code that, when executed by a processor, causes the processor to execute the wireless communication method according to any one of claims 10 to 14.

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