Critical BSS parameter management method and related equipment applicable to multilink

Abstract

To provide a method for managing critical BSS parameters applied to multi-link and related apparatuses applied to a wireless communication field and, in particular, for example, wireless local area networks supporting the 802.11be standard.SOLUTION: A method includes the following. A first AP in a first AP MLD generates and sends a first frame. The first frame indicates critical BSS parameter update count values corresponding to a plurality of APs in the first AP MLD and critical BSS parameter update count values corresponding to a plurality of APs in a second AP MLD. The second AP MLD is an AP MLD to which a non-transmitting AP in a multi-BSSID set including the first AP belongs. This helps some APs or all APs in some AP MLDs inform STAs managed by the APs whether critical BSS parameters of BSSs managed by the APs are updated, and helps the STAs receive the latest critical BSS parameters.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] [Related Application] The present application claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 202010821468.2, filed with the China National Intellectual Property Administration on August 14, 2020, and entitled "CRITICAL BSS PARAMETER MANAGEMENT METHOD APPLICABLE TO MULTIPLE LINK AND RELATED APPARATUS", which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[0002] [Technical Field] The present application relates to the field of wireless communication technology, and in particular, to a critical BSS parameter management method applicable to multiple links and a related apparatus. [Background Art]

[0003] In order to greatly improve the service transmission rate of a wireless local area network (WLAN) system, Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access (OFDMA) technology is further used in the existing Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11ax standard based on Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) technology. OFDMA technology supports multiple nodes to transmit and receive data simultaneously, which achieves multi-station diversity gain.

[0004] The next-generation Wi-Fi standard, IEEE 802.11be, is also known as extremely high throughput (EHT) or Wi-Fi 7, and its most important technical goal is to significantly improve peak throughput. IEEE 802.11be-compliant WLAN equipment can improve peak throughput and reduce service transmission delay by using multiple streams (up to 16 spatial streams), multiple frequency bands (e.g., 2.4GHz, 5GHz, and 6GHz frequency bands), and coordinating multiple channels within the same frequency band. Multiple frequency bands or multiple channels are sometimes collectively referred to as multiple links. Next-generation IEEE 802.11-compliant station equipment that supports multiple links simultaneously is referred to here as a multi-link device (MLD).

[0005] When the BSS of an access point (AP) within an access point multilink device (access point MLD, AP MLD) is updated, some multilink devices or stations may not be able to obtain the latest BSS information managed by those APs. Therefore, these stations' multilink devices or stations are typically unable to communicate with these specific APs. [Overview of the project]

[0006] Embodiments of the present invention provide a critical BSS parameter management method and related equipment applicable to multiple links, which enable some or all APs within some AP MLDs to notify the AP-managed STA (managed BSS) whether the AP's critical BSS parameters have been updated, and to assist the STA in receiving the latest critical BSS parameters. Thus, the STA can also communicate with the AP as usual after the AP's critical BSS parameters have been updated.

[0007] The present invention will be explained from various perspectives below. It is important to understand that the following implementations and their different aspects can be mutually referenced in terms of beneficial effects.

[0008] According to a first aspect, the present invention provides a BSS parameter management method applicable to multiple links and applied to a first AP MLD, where the first AP is any reporting AP within the first AP MLD. The BSS parameter management method applicable to multiple links includes: The first AP in the first AP MLD generates a first frame and transmits the first frame on the link on which the first AP operates. The first frame contains critical basic service set BSS parameter update information corresponding to multiple APs within the first AP MLD, and critical BSS parameter update information corresponding to multiple APs in the second AP MLD. The second AP MLD is an AP MLD to which non-transmitting APs belong among a set of multiple basic service set identifiers (BSSIDs) including the first AP, and one critical BSS parameter update information corresponding to an AP is used to determine whether the critical BSS parameters of the BSS managed by the AP are updated.

[0009] Optionally, critical BSS parameter update information includes the critical BSS parameter update count value.

[0010] Optionally, when one or more of the critical BSS parameters change, the critical BSS parameter update count value increases by 1.

[0011] This solution uses the first frame to indicate not only the critical BSS parameter update count values ​​corresponding to multiple APs in the first AP MLD, but also the critical BSS parameter update count values ​​corresponding to multiple APs in the second AP MLD. This helps an AP indicate the critical BSS parameter update count values ​​corresponding to multiple APs in another AP MLD, allowing the STA to compare the critical BSS parameter update count value currently received with the last received critical BSS parameter update count value to determine if the critical BSS parameter has been updated. Thus, the STA can receive the latest critical BSS parameters, and the Non-AP MLD associated with the second AP MLD can listen on the link on which the non-transmitting APs in the second AP MLD are operating and can function normally. In other words, for Non-AP MLDs, there may be an increased number of channels to listen on for selection. In 802.11be, all or some APs in an AP MLD may be non-transmitting APs. Therefore, the solution provided in this embodiment of the application can solve the problem that some non-transmitting APs may not be able to send a management frame notifying that the critical BSS parameter has been updated. Therefore, it is possible to improve the completeness and diversity of update instructions for critical BSS parameters.

[0012] Referring to the first aspect, after the first AP in the first AP MLD transmits a first frame, the method further includes: the first AP in the first AP MLD generates a second frame, the second frame indicating specific critical BSS parameters for multiple APs in the first AP MLD and specific critical BSS parameters for multiple APs in the second AP MLD, and the first AP transmits the second frame on the link on which it operates.

[0013] This solution not only helps some APs within another AP MLD to indicate whether their critical BSS parameters have been updated, but also helps some APs within another AP MLD to indicate the latest specific critical BSS parameters. These specific critical BSS parameters include elements related to channel changes. This helps the Non-AP MLD learn the operational channel switching state of all APs within the AP MLD when listening on one or more links (but not all links), allowing the Non-AP MLD to function correctly.

[0014] According to a second aspect, the present invention provides a BSS parameter management method applicable to multiple links, the method being applied to a first STA. The first STA may be a single-link STA or an STA within a Non-AP MLD. The first STA and the first AP operate on a single link. The BSS parameter management method applicable to multiple links includes: The first STA in the Non-AP MLD receives a first frame of the link on which the first STA operates, and based on the first frame, determines whether critical BSS parameters in multiple BSSs managed by multiple APs in the AP MLD associated with the first STA are to be updated. The first frame contains critical BSS parameter update information corresponding to each of the multiple APs in the first AP MLD, and primary BSS parameter update information corresponding to each of the multiple APs in the second AP MLD. The second AP MLD is an AP MLD to which non-transmitting APs in a multi-BSSID set, including the first AP, belong. Using one critical BSS parameter update information corresponding to an AP, it is determined whether critical BSS parameters in the BSS managed by the AP are to be updated.

[0015] If the first STA is an STA within a Non-AP MLD, it is understandable that the AP MLD associated with the first STA may be an AP MLD associated with the Non-AP MLD containing the first STA.

[0016] Optionally, critical BSS parameter update information includes the critical BSS parameter update count value.

[0017] Optionally, when one or more of the critical BSS parameters change, the critical BSS parameter update count value increases by 1.

[0018] Referring to the second aspect, in possible implementations, after the first STA of the Non-AP MLD receives the first frame, the method further includes: the first STA of the Non-AP MLD receives the second frame on the link on which the first STA operates, the second frame showing specific critical BSS parameters for multiple APs in the first AP MLD and specific critical BSS parameters for multiple APs in the second AP MLD, and the second frame is parsed to obtain specific critical BSS parameters for multiple APs in the AP MLD associated with the Non-AP MLD.

[0019] According to a third aspect, the present application provides a communication device. The communication device may be a first AP MLD or a chip within the first AP MLD, for example, a Wi-Fi chip, or a first AP within the first AP MLD or a chip within the first AP, and includes the following: A processing unit configured to generate a first frame, wherein the first frame shows critical basic service set (BSS) parameter update information corresponding to multiple APs in a first AP MLD and critical BSS parameter update information corresponding to multiple APs in a second AP MLD, the second AP MLD being an AP MLD to which non-transmitting APs in a multi-basic service set identifier (BSSID) set including the first AP belong, and one critical BSS parameter update information corresponding to an AP is used to determine whether the critical BSS parameter in the BSS managed by the AP is updated. A transceiver unit configured to transmit the first frame over the link on which the communication equipment is operating.

[0020] Optionally, critical BSS parameter update information includes the critical BSS parameter update count value.

[0021] Optionally, when one or more of the critical BSS parameters change, the critical BSS parameter update count value increases by 1.

[0022] Referring to a third aspect, in possible implementations, the processing unit is further configured to generate a second frame, which contains specific critical BSS parameters for multiple APs in the first AP MLD and specific critical BSS parameters for multiple APs in the second AP MLD. The transceiver unit is further configured to transmit the second frame over the link on which the communication equipment operates.

[0023] According to a fourth aspect, the present invention provides a communication device. The communication device may be a first STA or a chip within the first STA, such as a Wi-Fi chip. The first STA may be a single-link STA or an STA within a Non-AP MLD. The communication device includes: A transceiver unit that receives a first frame on a link on which a communication device operates, the first frame showing critical BSS parameter update information corresponding to multiple APs in a first AP MLD and critical BSS parameter update information corresponding to multiple APs in a second AP MLD, the second AP MLD being an AP MLD to which non-transmitting APs in a multi-BSSID set including the first AP belong, and the transceiver unit is configured to determine whether the critical BSS parameters in the BSS managed by the AP are updated using one critical BSS parameter update information corresponding to the AP. A processing unit configured to determine, based on the first frame, whether the critical BSS parameters of multiple BSSs managed by multiple APs within the AP MLD associated with the communication device are updated.

[0024] Optionally, the critical BSS parameter update information includes a critical BSS parameter update count value.

[0025] Optionally, when one or more parameters of the critical BSS parameters change, the critical BSS parameter update count value is incremented by 1.

[0026] With reference to the fourth aspect, in a possible implementation, the transceiver unit is further configured to receive a second frame on a link on which the communication device operates, wherein the second frame indicates specific critical BSS parameters of a plurality of APs in a first AP MLD and specific critical BSS parameters of a plurality of APs in a second AP MLD. The processing unit is configured to parse the second frame to obtain specific critical BSS parameters of a plurality of APs in the AP MLD associated with the Non-AP MLD.

[0027] In an implementation of any of the foregoing aspects, the first frame includes a link identifier field and a multi-link device MLD identifier field. The link identifier field indicates a reported AP. The MLD identifier field indicates an AP MLD including the reported AP.

[0028] Optionally, the first frame further includes a critical BSS parameter count field, and the critical BSS parameter update count value field indicates a critical BSS parameter update count value.

[0029] In an implementation of any one of the foregoing aspects, the critical BSS parameter update count value field, the link identifier field, and the MLD identifier field are carried in a reduced neighbor report RNR element of the first frame.

[0030] The three fields—the critical BSS parameter update count value field, the link identifier field, and the MLD identifier field—are independent and can be transmitted in either an RNR element or not. In other words, the RNR element may carry only a portion of these three fields.

[0031] In any one of the aforementioned implementations, one Target Beacon Transmission Time (TBTT) information field within the RNR element carries one critical BSS parameter update count value, one link identifier field, and one MLD identifier field. One TBTT information field corresponds to one AP.

[0032] In any one of the above implementations, the value of the short service set identifier (SSID) field of the AP within the RNR element is obtained based on the SSID of the MLD containing the AP.

[0033] In any one of the above implementations, one specific critical BSS parameter of one AP in the second frame includes one or more of the following: inclusion of a channel switching announcement element, inclusion of an extended channel switching announcement element, inclusion of a broadband channel switching element, and inclusion of a channel switching wrapper element.

[0034] In any one of the above implementations, the aforementioned specific critical BSS parameters are carried by a multilinked ML element.

[0035] According to a fifth aspect, the present invention provides a method for updating critical BSS parameters applied to a first AP MLD, where the second AP is any AP in the first AP MLD. The method for updating critical BSS parameters includes: the second AP in the first AP MLD generates a second frame and transmits the second frame on the link on which the second AP operates. The second frame indicates specific critical BSS parameters for multiple APs in the first AP MLD and / or specific critical BSS parameters for multiple APs in the second AP MLD. The second AP MLD is an AP MLD to which non-transmitting APs in a multi-BSSID set, including the second AP, belong.

[0036] Optionally, one specific critical BSS parameter of one AP within the second frame includes one or more of the following: channel switching announcement element inclusion, extended channel switching announcement element inclusion, broadband channel switching element inclusion, and channel switching wrapper element inclusion.

[0037] Optionally, certain critical BSS parameters are carried by multilinked ML elements.

[0038] According to a sixth aspect, the present invention provides a method for updating critical BSS parameters applied to a second STA, where the second STA may be a single-link STA or an STA in a Non-AP MLD. The second STA and the second AP operate on a single link. The method for updating critical BSS parameters includes: the second STA receives a second frame on the link on which the second STA operates, parses the second frame to obtain specific critical BSS parameters for multiple APs in the AP MLD associated with the second STA. The second frame shows specific critical BSS parameters for multiple APs in the first AP MLD, and / or specific critical BSS parameters for multiple APs in the second AP MLD. The second AP MLD is an AP MLD to which non-transmitting APs in a multi-BSSID set including the second AP belong.

[0039] If the second STA is an STA within a Non-AP MLD, it is understandable that the AP MLD associated with the second STA may be an AP MLD associated with the Non-AP MLD that contains the second STA.

[0040] Optionally, one specific critical BSS parameter of one AP within the second frame includes one or more of the following: channel switching announcement element inclusion, extended channel switching announcement element inclusion, broadband channel switching element inclusion, and channel switching wrapper element inclusion.

[0041] Optionally, certain critical BSS parameters are carried by multilinked ML elements.

[0042] According to the seventh aspect, the present application provides a communication device. The communication device may be a first AP MLD or a chip within the first AP MLD, such as a Wi-Fi chip, or a second AP within the first AP MLD or a chip within the second AP, and includes: A processing unit configured to generate a second frame, wherein the second frame indicates specific critical BSS parameters of multiple APs in a first AP MLD and / or specific critical BSS parameters of multiple APs in a second AP MLD, and the second AP MLD is an AP MLD to which non-transmitting APs in a multi-BSSID set including the second AP MLD belong. A transceiver unit configured to transmit a second frame over the link on which the communication equipment is operating.

[0043] Optionally, one specific critical BSS parameter of one AP within the second frame includes one or more of the following: channel switching announcement element inclusion, extended channel switching announcement element inclusion, broadband channel switching element inclusion, and channel switching wrapper element inclusion.

[0044] Optionally, certain critical BSS parameters are carried by multilinked ML elements.

[0045] According to the eighth aspect, the present invention provides a communication device. The communication device may be a second STA or a chip within the second STA, such as a Wi-Fi chip. The first STA may be a single-link STA or an STA within a Non-AP MLD. The communication device includes: A transceiver unit configured to receive a second frame on a link in which communication equipment is operating, wherein the second frame indicates specific critical BSS parameters of multiple APs in a first AP MLD and / or specific critical BSS parameters of multiple APs in a second AP MLD, and the second AP MLD is an AP MLD to which non-transmitting APs belong within a multi-BSSID set including the second AP, A processing unit configured to analyze the second frame and retrieve specific critical BSS parameters for multiple APs within an AP MLD associated with a Non-AP MLD.

[0046] Optionally, one specific critical BSS parameter of one AP within the second frame includes one or more of the following: channel switching announcement element inclusion, extended channel switching announcement element inclusion, broadband channel switching element inclusion, and channel switching wrapper element inclusion.

[0047] Optionally, certain critical BSS parameters are carried by multilinked ML elements.

[0048] According to a ninth aspect, the present invention provides a communication device, specifically a first AP MLD or a first AP within the first AP MLD, comprising a processor and a transceiver. The processor is configured to support the first AP MLD in performing the corresponding functions of the method of the first aspect. The transceiver supports communication between the first AP MLD and a non-access point multilink device (also called a station multilink device) and is configured to transmit information, frames, data packets, instructions, etc., in the aforementioned method to the station multilink device. The first AP MLD may further include memory, which is configured to be coupled to the processor and stores program instructions and data necessary for the first AP MLD.

[0049] Specifically, the processor is configured to generate a first frame, which contains critical basic service set (BSS) parameter update information corresponding to multiple APs in the first AP MLD, and critical BSS parameter update information corresponding to multiple APs in the second AP MLD. The second AP MLD is the AP MLD to which non-transmitting APs belong among the multiple basic service set identifier (BSSID) set, which includes the first AP, and one critical BSS parameter update information corresponding to an AP is used to determine whether the critical BSS parameters of the BSS managed by the AP are updated. The transceiver is configured to transmit the first frame on the link in which the communication equipment operates.

[0050] According to a tenth aspect, the present invention provides a communication device, specifically a first AP including a processor and a transceiver. The processor is configured to support a first STA when performing the corresponding functions of the method of the second aspect. The transceiver is configured to support communication between the first STA and the first AP MLD and to receive information, frames, data packets, instructions, etc., from the first AP MLD in the aforementioned method. The first STA may further include a memory, configured to be coupled to the processor, and the memory stores the program instructions and data necessary for the first STA.

[0051] Specifically, the transceiver is configured to receive a first frame on the link in which the communication equipment operates, and the first frame contains critical BSS parameter update information corresponding to multiple APs in the first AP MLD and critical BSS parameter update information corresponding to multiple APs in the second AP MLD. The second AP MLD is the AP MLD to which non-transmitting APs belong among the multi-BSSID set that includes the first AP, and one critical BSS parameter update information corresponding to an AP is used to determine whether the critical BSS parameters of the BSS managed by the AP are updated. The processor is configured to determine, based on the first frame, whether the critical BSS parameters of multiple BSSs managed by multiple APs in the AP MLD associated with the first STA are updated.

[0052] According to the eleventh aspect, the present invention provides a communication device, specifically a first AP MLD or a second AP within the first AP MLD, comprising a processor and a transceiver. The processor is configured to support the first AP MLD in performing the corresponding functions of the method of the fifth aspect. The transceiver supports communication between the first AP MLD and a non-access point multilink device (also called a station multilink device) and is configured to transmit information, frames, data packets, instructions, etc., in the aforementioned method to the station multilink device. The first AP MLD may further include memory, configured to be coupled to the processor, and the memory stores the program instructions and data necessary for the first AP MLD.

[0053] Specifically, the processor is configured to generate a second frame, which contains specific critical BSS parameters for multiple APs in the first AP MLD and / or specific critical BSS parameters for multiple APs in the second AP MLD. The second AP MLD is the AP MLD to which non-transmitting APs in a multi-BSSID set, including the second AP, belong. The transceiver is configured to transmit the second frame on the link in which the communication equipment operates.

[0054] According to a twelfth aspect, the present invention provides a communication device, specifically a second STA comprising a processor and a transceiver. The processor is configured to support the second STA when performing the corresponding functions of the method of the sixth aspect. The transceiver is configured to support communication between the second STA and a first AP MLD and to receive information, frames, data packets, instructions, etc., from the first AP MLD in the aforementioned method. The second STA may further include a memory, configured to be coupled to the processor, and the memory stores the program instructions and data necessary for the second STA.

[0055] Specifically, the transceiver is configured to receive a second frame on the link in which the communication equipment operates, and the second frame contains specific critical BSS parameters for multiple APs in the first AP MLD and / or specific critical BSS parameters for multiple APs in the second AP MLD. The second AP MLD is the AP MLD to which non-transmitting APs in a multi-BSSID set, including the second AP, belong. The processor is configured to parse the second frame to obtain specific critical BSS parameters for multiple APs in the AP MLD associated with the second STA.

[0056] According to a thirteenth aspect, the present invention provides a chip or chip system including an input / output interface and a processing circuit. Specifically, the processing circuit is configured to generate a first frame, which contains critical basic service set (BSS) parameter update information corresponding to multiple APs in a first AP MLD and critical BSS parameter update information corresponding to multiple APs in a second AP MLD. The second AP MLD is an AP MLD to which non-transmitting APs belong among a set of multiple basic service set identifiers (BSSIDs) including the first AP, and one critical BSS parameter update information corresponding to an AP is used to determine whether the critical BSS parameters of the BSS managed by the AP are updated. The input / output interface is configured to transmit the first frame on the link on which the chip or chip system operates.

[0057] In a possible design, the input / output interface is configured to receive a first frame on the link on which the chip or chip system operates, and the first frame contains critical BSS parameter update information corresponding to multiple APs in the first AP MLD and critical BSS parameter update information corresponding to multiple APs in the second AP MLD. The second AP MLD is the AP MLD to which non-transmitting APs belong among the multi-BSSID set including the first AP, and one critical BSS parameter update information corresponding to an AP is used to determine whether the critical BSS parameters of the BSS managed by the AP are updated. The processing circuit is configured to determine, based on the first frame, whether the critical BSS parameters of multiple BSSs managed by multiple APs in the AP MLD associated with the first STA are updated.

[0058] According to a fourteenth aspect, the present invention provides a chip or chip system including an input / output interface and a processing circuit. The processing circuit is configured to generate a second frame, which indicates specific critical BSS parameters of multiple APs in a first AP MLD and / or specific critical BSS parameters of multiple APs in a second AP MLD. The second AP MLD is an AP MLD to which non-transmitting APs in a multi-BSSID set including the second AP belong. The input / output interface is configured to transmit the second frame on the link on which the chip or chip system operates.

[0059]

[0059] In a possible design, the input / output interface is configured to receive a second frame on the link on which the chip or chip system operates, and the second frame contains specific critical BSS parameters for multiple APs in the first AP MLD and / or specific critical BSS parameters for multiple APs in the second AP MLD. The second AP MLD is the AP MLD to which non-transmitting APs in a multi-BSSID set, including the second AP, belong. The processing circuit is configured to analyze the second frame to obtain specific critical BSS parameters for multiple APs in the AP MLD associated with the second STA.

[0060] According to the fifteenth aspect, the present invention provides a computer-readable storage medium. The computer-readable storage medium stores instructions. When the instructions are executed on a computer, the computer is made capable of executing a critical BSS parameter management method applicable to multilink according to the first or second aspect.

[0061] According to the sixteenth aspect, the present invention provides a computer-readable storage medium that stores instructions. When an instruction is executed on a computer, the computer is made capable of performing a method for updating critical BSS parameters according to the fifth or sixth aspect.

[0062] According to the 17th aspect, the present application provides a computer program product including instructions. When the computer program product is executed on a computer, the computer performs a critical BSS parameter management method applicable to multilink according to the first or second aspect.

[0063] According to the 18th aspect, the present application provides a computer program product including instructions. When the computer program product is executed on a computer, the computer performs a method for updating critical BSS parameters according to the 5th or 6th aspect.

[0064] Embodiments of this invention may help several APs or all APs within some AP MLDs notify the STA managed by the AP whether the AP's critical BSS parameters (managed BSS) have been updated, thereby assisting the STA in receiving the latest critical BSS parameters. Thus, after the AP's critical BSS parameters have been updated, the STA can also communicate with the AP. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0065] To further clarify the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application, the accompanying drawings used to illustrate the embodiments are briefly described below.

[0066] [Figure 1] This is a schematic diagram showing the structure of AP MLD and Non-AP MLD according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[0067] [Figure 2] This is a schematic diagram of the frame format of a Multiple BSSID element according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0068] [Figure 3A] This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the communication system 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0069] [Figure 3B] This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the communication system 200 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0070] [Figure 3C] This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the communication system 300 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0071] [Figure 4] This is a schematic architecture diagram of a Multiple BSSID set according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0072] [Figure 5] This is a schematic diagram of the frame structure of the TIM frame according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[0073] [Figure 6] This is a schematic diagram of the frame structure of the management frame according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[0074] [Figure 7] This is a schematic flowchart of a critical BSS parameter management method applicable to multilink according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0075] [Figure 8A] This is a schematic diagram of the frame structure of the RNR element according to the embodiment of the present application.

[0076] [Figure 8B] This is a schematic diagram of the frame structure of the TBTT information field of the RNR element according to the embodiment of the present application.

[0077] [Figure 9] This is a schematic flowchart of a method for updating critical BSS parameters according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0078] [Figure 10A] This is a schematic diagram of the frame structure of the ML element according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[0079] [Figure 10B] This is a schematic diagram of the first part of the frame structure of the ML element according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[0080] [Figure 11A] This is a schematic diagram of the frame structure for incorporating a channel switching announcement element according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0081] [Figure 11B] This is a schematic diagram of the frame structure for incorporating an extended channel switching announcement element according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0082] [Figure 11C] This is a schematic diagram of the frame structure incorporating a broadband channel switching element according to the embodiment of the present application.

[0083] [Figure 11D] This is a schematic diagram of the frame structure of a Quiet element according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0084] [Figure 12] This is a schematic diagram of the frame structure of non-inherited elements according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[0085] [Figure 13] This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the communication device 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[0086] [Figure 14] This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the communication device 2 according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[0087] [Figure 15] This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the communication device 3 according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[0088] [Figure 16] This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the communication device 4 according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[0089] [Figure 17] This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the communication device 1000 according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0090] The following describes the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0091] To better understand the critical BSS parameter management method and related equipment applicable to multiple links disclosed in the embodiments of this application, relevant concepts in the embodiments of this application will be described first.

[0092] 1. Multilink device

[0093] The wireless communication system applicable to the embodiments of this application may be a wireless local area network (WLAN) or a cellular network. The unicast service instruction method may be implemented by a communication device within the wireless communication system or by a chip or processor within the communication device. The communication device may be a wireless communication device that supports simultaneous transmission on multiple links. For example, the communication device is called a multi-link device or a multi-band device. Compared to a device that supports only single-link transmission, a multi-link device has higher transmission efficiency and higher throughput.

[0094] A multilink device includes one or more affiliated stations (STAs). An affiliated station is a logical station and may operate on a single link. An affiliated station may be an access point (AP) or a non-access point station (non-AP STA). For ease of explanation, in this application, a multilink device with an AP as an affiliated station is sometimes referred to as a multilink AP, multilink AP device, or AP multilink device (AP MLD), and a multilink device with a non-AP STA as an affiliated station is sometimes referred to as a multilink non-AP, multilink non-AP device, or non-AP multilink device (non-AP MLD). For ease of explanation, in embodiments of this application, "a multilink device includes an affiliated station" is sometimes simply written as "a multilink device includes a station."

[0095] A multilink device includes one or more affiliated STAs (Logical Stations). This means that a single multilink device may contain multiple logical stations. Each logical station operates on a single link, but multiple logical stations can operate on the same link.

[0096] Multilink devices can perform wireless communication in accordance with the 802.11 family of standards. For example, a station compliant with extremely high throughput (EHT), or a station compliant with or compatible with 802.11be, can implement communication with other devices. Of course, the other device may or may not be a multilink device.

[0097] For example, the multilink device in the embodiments of the present application may be a single-antenna device or a multi-antenna device. For example, the multilink device may be a device having two or more antennas. The number of antennas included in the multilink device is not limited in the embodiments of the present application. In the embodiments of the present application, the multilink device may enable the transmission of the same access type service over different links, and also enable the transmission of the same data packets over different links. Alternatively, the multilink device may not allow the transmission of the same access type service over different links, but may allow the transmission of different access types service over different links.

[0098] For example, a multilink device is a device having wireless communication capabilities. The device may be an entire system, or it may be a chip, processing system, etc., mounted on an entire system. A device on which a chip or processing system is installed may be controlled by the chip or processing system to implement the methods and functions of the embodiments of the present invention. For example, a Non-AP MLD in the embodiments of the present invention has wireless transceiver functionality, can support the 802.11 series protocol, and can communicate with an AP MLD, another Non-AP MLD, or a single-link device. For example, a Non-AP MLD is any user communication device that a user can communicate with an AP and further with a WLAN. For example, a Non-AP MLD may be a user device that can connect to a network, such as a tablet computer, desktop computer, laptop computer, note computer, ultra-mobile personal computer (UMPC), handheld computer, netbook, personal digital assistant (PDA), or mobile phone, or it may be an Internet of Things node in the Internet of Things, or an in-vehicle communication device in the Internet of Vehicles. Non-AP MLD may, as an alternative, be the chip and processing system within the terminal described above.

[0099] In embodiments of this application, the AP MLD is a device that provides services to a Non-AP MLD and may support the 802.11 series protocol. For example, the AP MLD may be a communication entity such as a communication server, router, switch, or bridge, or it may include various forms such as a macro base station, micro base station, and relay station. Of course, the AP MLD may, alternatively, be a chip and processing system in various forms of equipment to implement the methods and functions in embodiments of this application. Furthermore, multilink equipment may support high-speed, low-latency transmission. With the continued evolution of wireless local area network application scenarios, multilink equipment may be used in even more scenarios. For example, a multilink device may serve as a sensor node in a smart city (e.g., a smart water meter, a smart electricity meter, or a smart air detection node), a smart device in a smart home (e.g., a smart camera, projector, display screen, television, stereo, refrigerator, or washing machine), an Internet of Things node, an entertainment terminal (e.g., an AR, VR, or other wearable device), a smart device in a smart office (e.g., a printer or projector), an Internet of Vehicle device in a Vehicle Internet, or infrastructure in everyday life scenarios (e.g., a vending machine, a self-service navigation console, a self-checkout, or a self-service food machine). The specific forms of Non-AP MLD and AP MLD are not particularly limited in the embodiments of this application and are merely examples for illustrative purposes. The 802.11 protocol may be a protocol that supports or is compatible with 802.11be.

[0100] The frequency bands in which multilink devices operate include, but are not limited to, sub-1 GHz, 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, 6 GHz, and high-frequency 60 GHz.

[0101] For example, the multilink device in the embodiments of this application may be a single-antenna device or a multi-antenna device. For example, the multilink device in the embodiments of this application may be a device having at least two antennas. The number of antennas included in the multilink device is not limited in the embodiments of this application. Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the structure of an AP MLD and a Non-AP MLD according to the embodiments of this application. Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of an AP MLD with multiple antennas and a Non-AP MLD with a single antenna. The 802.11 standard focuses on the physical layer (PHY) and medium access control (MAC) layers of AP MLDs and Non-AP MLDs.

[0102] 2. Link identifier

[0103] A link identifier represents one station operating on a single link. Therefore, if a single link has multiple logical stations, multiple link identifiers represent multiple stations. The links mentioned below may sometimes also represent stations operating on that link.

[0104] During data transmission, AP MLDs and Non-AP MLDs may use link identifiers to identify the link or stations on the link. Prior to communication, AP MLDs and Non-AP MLDs may first negotiate or communicate with each other regarding the correspondence between the link identifier and the link or stations on the link. Therefore, during data transmission, the link identifier is not carried to indicate the link or stations on the link, and there is no need to transmit a large amount of signaling information to indicate the link or stations on the link. This reduces signaling overhead and improves transmission efficiency.

[0105] In the example, a management frame sent by the AP MLD when establishing a basic service set (BSS), such as a beacon frame, carries one element containing multiple link identifier fields. The link identifier field can indicate the correspondence between a link identifier and the station operating on the corresponding link. The link identifier field includes not only the link identifier but also one or more of the following information: Medium Access Control (MAC) address, operating class, and channel number. One or more of the MAC address, operating class, and channel number can indicate a single link. In the case of an AP, the AP's MAC address is also the AP's BSSID (basic service set identifier). In another example, during the multilink device association process, the AP MLD and Non-AP MLD negotiate multiple link identifier fields. Multilink device association means that one AP in the AP MLD is associated with one STA in the Non-AP MLD only once. This association helps multiple STAs within a Non-AP MLD to individually associate with multiple APs within an AP MLD, so that one STA is associated with one AP.

[0106] In subsequent communications, the AP MLD or Non-AP MLD uses a link identifier to represent a station within the Non-AP MLD, which may further represent one or more attributes of the MAC address, the operating class, or the station's channel number. The MAC address may be replaced after association with the association identifier of the AP MLD. Optionally, if multiple stations operate on a single link, the meaning identified by the link identifier (which is a numerical ID) includes not only the operating class and channel number that encompass the link, but also identifiers of the stations operating on the link, such as MAC addresses or the station's association identifier (AID).

[0107] 3. Multiple Basic Service Set Identifier (Multiple BSSID set)

[0108] A Multiple Basic Service Set Identifier Set (Multiple BSSID set, also known as a MultiBSSID set) can be understood as a set of several cooperating APs. All cooperating APs use the same operating class, channel number, and antenna interface. In a MultiBSSID set, there is only one AP that transmits a BSSID, and all other APs are Non-transmitted BSSID APs. Information about the MultiBSSID set (i.e., the MultiBSSID element) is carried in beacon frames, probe response frames, or neighbor reports sent by the AP with the Transmitted BSSID. Information about the BSSID of an AP with a Non-transmitted BSSID is derived by the station using the MultiBSSID element in beacon frames, probe response frames, neighbor reports, etc. The BSSID of an AP with a Non-transmitted BSSID is calculated based on the BSSID of the AP that transmits a BSSID and the BSSID Index field of the MultiBSSID-index element in the Non-transmitted BSSID profile. See Draft802.11 REmd_D3.0 for details.

[0109] A multi-BSSID set can also be understood as containing multiple access points (APs). Each AP manages one BSS, and different APs have different SSIDs and permissions, such as security mechanisms or transmission opportunities.

[0110] In a multi-BSSID setup, only APs whose BSSID is a Transmitted BSSID can transmit beacon frames and probe response frames, while APs whose BSSID is a Non-transmitted BSSID do not transmit beacon frames. Therefore, if a probe request frame sent from an STA is sent to an AP whose BSSID is a Non-transmitted BSSID within a Multiple BSSID set, then the AP whose BSSID is a Transmitted BSSID within a Multiple BSSID set will be more likely to respond to the transmission of a probe response frame.

[0111] In a Multiple BSSID set, if an AP has multiple access points (APs), one AP's BSSID may be configured as a Transmitted BSSID, and the AP with the Transmitted BSSID may be called a Transmitted AP. Other APs may have Non-transmitted BSSIDs, and APs with Non-transmitted BSSIDs may be called Non-transmitted APs.

[0112] The beacon frame transmitted by the Transmitted AP may contain a Multiple BSSID element. The frame format of the Multiple BSSID element is shown in Figure 2. Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of the frame format of the Multiple BSSID element according to an embodiment of the present invention. The Multiple BSSID element includes an element ID field, a length field, a maximum BSSID indicator field, and an optional sub-element field. The maximum BSSID indicator field indicates the maximum number N of BSSIDs included in the Multiple BSSID set, and the optional sub-element field contains information about the BSSID of an AP that has a Non-transmitted BSSID.

[0113] The maximum number of APs allowed within a multi-BSSID set is 2n, where n is the value shown in the MaxBSSID Indicator field within the multi-BSSID element shown in Figure 2, and N=2n. Therefore, bits 1 to 2n-1 of the service indication virtual bitmap field are assigned to each AP within the Non-transmitted BSSID in the multi-BSSID set, indicating whether each AP of the Non-transmitted BSSID with a NonTxBSSID (identifier) ​​of 1 to 2n-1 has multicast services. The value of NonTxBSSID is equal to the value of the BSSID Index field in the Multiple BSSID-Index element within the Non-transmitted BSSID profile within the multi-BSSID element. The Non-transmitted BSSID profile is an optional sub-element field.

[0114] 4. Critical BSS Parameters

[0115] For example, critical BSS parameters include: Inclusion of a Channel Switch Announcement element, Inclusion of an Extended Channel Switch Announcement element, Modification of the EDCA (enhanced distributed channel access) parameter element, Inclusion of a Quiet element, Modification of the DSSS Parameter Set, Modification of the CF Parameter Set element, Modification of the HT Operation element, Inclusion of a Wide Bandwidth Channel Switch element, Inclusion of a Channel Switch Wrapper element, Inclusion of an Operating Mode Notification element, Inclusion of a Quiet Channel element, Modification of the VHT (very high throughput) Operation element. Modification of the HE Operation element, Insertion of a Broadcast TWT element, Inclusion of the BSS Color Change Announcement elementThis may include one or more of the following: Announcement element, Modification of the MUEDCA Parameter Set element, or Modification of the Spatial Reuse Parameter Set element. One or more of the aforementioned critical BSS parameters may also be listed as critical parameters of the link.

[0116] 5. Specific critical BSS parameters

[0117] Certain critical BSS parameters may refer to parameters related to channel changes in critical BSS parameters. Specifically, certain critical BSS parameters include one or more of the following: Inclusion of a Channel Switch Announcement element, Inclusion of an Extended Channel Switch Announcement element, Inclusion of a Wide Bandwidth Channel Switch element, and Inclusion of a Channel Switch Wrapper element.

[0118] While embodiments of this application are primarily described using a network where IEEE 802.11 is deployed as an example, it will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that various aspects of this application can be extended to other networks using various standards or protocols, such as Bluetooth®, High Performance Radio LAN (HIPERLAN) (a wireless standard similar to the IEEE 802.11 standard, mainly used in Europe), Wide Area Networks (WANs), Wireless Local Area Networks (WLANs), Personal Area Networks (PANs), or other known or later developed networks. Therefore, various aspects provided in this application can be applied to any suitable wireless network, regardless of coverage or wireless access protocol.

[0119] Figure 3A is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication system 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. In Figure 3A, a communication system 100 to which an embodiment of the present invention is applied is described using a wireless local area network as an example. The communication system 100 includes a station 101 and an STA 120. Station 101 can communicate with station 102 via multiple links to improve throughput. Station 101 may be a multilink device, and station 102 may be a single-link device, a multilink device, etc. In one scenario, station 101 is an AP MLD, and station 102 is a Non-AP MLD or a station (e.g., a single-link station). In another scenario, station 101 is a Non-AP MLD, and station 102 is an AP (e.g., a single-link AP) or an AP MLD. In yet another scenario, station 101 is an AP MLD, and station 102 is an AP MLD or an AP. In yet another scenario, station 101 is a Non-AP MLD, and station 102 is either a Non-AP MLD or a station (e.g., a single-link station). Of course, a wireless local area network may include even more equipment. The number and types of equipment shown in Figure 3A are merely examples.

[0120] Figure 3B is a schematic diagram of the structure of communication system 200 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 3C is a schematic diagram of the structure of communication system 300 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figures 3B and 3C show schematic diagrams of the structures of communication system 200 and communication system 300, respectively. In communication system 200 and communication system 300, for example, a multilink device of a wireless local area network communicates with other devices via multiple links.

[0121] Specifically, Figure 3B shows a scenario in which AP MLDs and Non-AP MLDs communicate with each other. AP MLDs include dependent AP1 and dependent AP2, while Non-AP MLDs include STA1 and STA2, to which Non-AP MLDs belong. Furthermore, AP MLDs and Non-AP MLDs communicate in parallel via Link 1 and Link 2.

[0122] Figure 3C shows a scenario in which AP MLD601 communicates with Non-AP MLD602, Non-AP MLD603, and STA604. AP MLD601 includes dependent AP601-1 through dependent AP601-3. Non-AP MLD602 includes three dependent STAs: STA602-1, STA602-2, and STA602-3. Non-AP MLD603 includes two dependent STAs: STA603-1 and STA603-2. STA604-1 and STA604 are single-link devices. AP MLD601 can communicate with Non-AP MLD602 via links 1, 2, and 3, with Non-AP MLD603 via links 2 and 3, and with STA604 via link 1. For example, STA604 operates in the 2.4 GHz frequency band. In the Non-AP MLD603, STA603-1 operates in the 5GHz frequency band, and STA603-2 operates in the 6GHz frequency band. In the Non-AP MLD602, STA602-1 operates in the 2.4GHz frequency band, STA602-2 operates in the 5GHz frequency band, and STA602-3 operates in the 6GHz frequency band. AP601-1, included in the AP MLD601 and operating in the 2.4GHz frequency band, can transmit uplink or downlink data to STA604 and STA602-1 of the Non-AP MLD602 via link 1. AP601-2, included in AP MLD601 and operating in the 5GHz frequency band, can transmit uplink or downlink data via link 2 to STA603-1, included in Non-AP MLD603 and operating in the 5GHz frequency band, and further transmit uplink or downlink data via link 2 to STA602-2, included in Non-AP MLD602 and operating in the 5GHz frequency band. AP601-3, included in AP MLD601 and operating in the 6GHz frequency band, can transmit uplink or downlink data via link 3 to STA602-3, included in Non-AP MLD602 and operating in the 6GHz frequency band, and further transmit uplink or downlink data via link 2 to STA603-2 of Non-AP MLD.

[0123] It can be understood that Figure 3B shows only that the AP MLD supports two frequency bands, and Figure 3C shows only that the AP MLD601 supports three frequency bands (2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, and 6 GHz). Each frequency band corresponds to one link. For example, the AP MLD601 can operate on one or more links, such as link 1, link 2, or link 3. On the AP side or STA side, a link here can also be understood as a station operating on the link. In practical applications, AP MLDs and Non-AP MLDs may further support more or fewer frequency bands. That is, AP MLDs and Non-AP MLDs may operate on more or fewer links. This is not limited to the present embodiments of the present application.

[0124] Figure 4 is a schematic architecture diagram of a Multiple BSSID set according to an embodiment of the present invention. Specifically, the MLDs of each AP shown in Figure 4 are collocated AP MLD sets.

[0125] BSSID-1x, BSSID-1y, BSSID-2x, BSSID-2y, BSSID-2z, BSSID-4x, BSSID-4y, BSSID-4z, BSSID-3, and BSSID-5 are MAC address identifiers, each used to identify the corresponding AP. APs whose MAC address identifier ends in x are Transmitted BSSID APs, APs whose MAC address identifier ends in y or z are Non-transmitted BSSID APs, and APs whose MAC address identifier ends in only a number are general APs, which represent APs that do not belong to a multi-BSSID set. For example, the Transmitted BSSID AP in Multiple BSSID set 1 is AP1x, whose MAC address identifier is BSSID_1x. The Non-transmitted BSSID AP in Multiple BSSID set 1 is AP1y, whose MAC address identifier is BSSID_1y. The Transmitted BSSID AP in Multiple BSSID set 2 is AP2x, whose MAC address identifier is BSSID_2x. The Non-transmitted BSSID APs in Multiple BSSID Set 2 include AP2y, whose MAC address identifier is BSSID_2y, and AP2z, whose MAC address identifier is BSSID_2z.

[0126] The MLD set of APs that share a location with the reporting AP includes the following APs, where the reporting AP represents the AP that sends the management frame. The management frame carries information from multiple APs, including beacon frames, probe response frames, etc. The reporting AP includes the Transmitted AP and general APs in the multi-BSSID set. The MLD set of APs that share the same location as the reporting AP includes the following APs:

[0127] (1) All APs belonging to the same AP MLD as the reporting AP, or all APs within the AP MLD that includes the reporting AP.

[0128] (2) All APs in the AP MLD to which a Non-transmitted AP (or Transmitted AP) in the same multi-BSSID set as the reporting AP belongs, or all APs in the AP MLD to which a Non-transmitted AP in the multi-BSSID set to which the reporting AP (or Transmitted AP) belongs belongs.

[0129] (3) All APs in an AP MLD that satisfy the following two conditions: (1) At least one AP in the AP MLD is in the same multi-BSSID set as one AP in the AP MLD to which the reporting AP belongs, and (2) No AP in the AP MLD operates on the same link as the reporting AP.

[0130] Optionally, in the implementation, each AP MLD contains only one AP.

[0131] Optionally, the reporting AP may be a general AP of AP MLD (for example, AP3 with MAC address identifier BSSID_3 and AP5 with MAC address identifier BSSID_5 in Figure 4), or a Transmitted AP with a multi-BSSID set, and may transmit the unicast service instruction information described herein.

[0132] For example, AP1x in Figure 4 is used as the reporting AP, and the AP MLD set that shares a location with AP1x includes the following APs:

[0133] (1) All APs in MLD1 that are the same as AP1x, i.e., AP1x, AP2y, and AP3.

[0134] (2) All APs in AP MLD3, including the Non-transmitted AP (i.e., AP1y) of the same MultiBSSID set 1 as AP1x, are AP1y, AP2z, and AP4y, respectively.

[0135] (3) In Figure 4, the AP MLD that satisfies the conditions of (1) and (2) above is AP MLD2, which includes AP2x and AP4x, AP2x of AP MLD2 and AP2y of AP MLD1 are on the same multiple BSSID set 2, and AP of AP MLD2 is not on the same link as AP1x.

[0136] In the 802.11 protocol, an STA generally has two operating modes: non-power saving mode and power saving mode. When an STA is operating in non-power saving mode, it is in an active state (also called the awakened state) regardless of whether there is data to transmit to the STA. When an STA is operating in power saving mode, it may become active when transmitting data to an AP. If no data is transmitted between the STA and the AP, the STA may enter a doze state to reduce power consumption. The STA may send a frame to the AP to notify it whether it is in power saving mode. If the power saving bit in the frame control field in the MAC header of the frame is set to 1, the AP is notified that the STA is in power saving mode. If the power saving bit in the frame control field in the MAC header of the frame is set to 0, the AP is notified that the STA is in non-power saving mode.

[0137] The terms "data transmission" and "transmitted data" as used in this application can generally be understood to refer to communication. "Data" generally refers to communication information and is not limited to data information; it may also refer to signaling information, etc.

[0138] In energy-saving mechanisms based on wireless network management (WNM) or target wake-up time (TWT), the STA may communicate with the AP about the wake-up period. At the start of each wake-up period, the AP sends a broadcast traffic indication map (TIM) frame to multiple corresponding STAs. The TIM frame is much shorter than the beacon frame. The TIM elements contained in the TIM frame are used to notify multiple STAs whether there is a corresponding downlink service indication. Because the TIM frame is much shorter than the beacon frame, the STA can achieve power savings. In the WNM energy-saving mechanism, the TIM broadcast interval field of the TIM request frame sent by the STA or the TIM response returned by the AP indicates the wake-up period. Alternatively, in the TWT energy-saving mechanism, the wake-up period corresponds to the TWT wake-up interval of the TWT energy-saving mechanism, and the TWT wake-up interval is calculated based on the TWT wake-up period decimal field and the TWT wake-up interval exponent field of the TWT element. Specifically, the TWT awakening interval = TWT awakening period (decimal) * 2 (TWT awakening interval exponent).

[0139] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of the frame structure of a TIM frame according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in Figure 5, the frame carrier within the TIM frame may include at least one of the following: a type field, an unprotected WNM action field, a timestamp field, a beacon frame Beacon check field, a TIM element field, and a link identification information field. The unprotected WNM action field indicates a different action value. The timestamp field indicates clock information. The TIM element field indicates whether there is a downlink service to the STA or Non-AP MLD identified by the AID. The link identification information field indicates a specific link. The beacon frame Beacon check field is used to indicate whether the link indicated by the link identification information field exists, or whether the critical BSS parameter of the AP indicated by the link identification information field has been updated. Alternatively, the beacon frame Beacon check field may indicate whether the critical parameter of the link indicated by the link identification information field has been updated.

[0140] For example, if the critical BSS parameter of a BSS containing the link indicated by the link identification field is updated, or if the critical parameter of the link indicated by the link identification field is updated, the value of the beacon check field increases by 1. BSS parameters can also be understood as link parameters. Similarly, critical BSS parameters can also be understood as critical link parameters.

[0141] For example, a Non-AP MLD stores the value of the last received beacon check field for each link. If the most recently received Beacon check field for a link differs from the value of the last received Beacon check field for a link, the Non-AP MLD receives the beacon frame sent by the AP MLD on the link. Alternatively, a Non-AP MLD may send a probe request frame on any link, which is used to request the latest critical BSS parameters for one or more APs. The probe request frame contains a link identifier for one or more APs. Optionally, the probe request frame may further contain the MLD identifier of the MLD containing the APs, e.g., the MLD MAC address or the MLD sequence number of the AP MLD. After receiving the probe request frame, the AP MLD returns an acknowledgment frame and sends a probe response frame to the Non-AP MLD. The probe response frame contains the latest critical BSS parameters for one or more APs requested by the Non-AP MLD. After receiving the frame, the Non-AP MLD returns an acknowledgment frame. In the probe response frame, the value of the Beacon check field corresponding to one or more APs changes. It can be understood that the beacon frame carries the latest critical BSS parameters of the link.

[0142] Because TIM frames include a link identification information field, when using TIM frames, it can be understood that a single BSS requires only one AID, even if the Non-AP MLD contains multiple STAs. The link identification information and AID are combined to determine which stations are operating on the link indicated in the link identification information field and which stations have downlink services.

[0143] Furthermore, it can be understood that the Beacon check field and link identification information field included in the TIM frame may, alternatively, be placed in a separate management frame. Multiple fields (represented here as the Beacon check field and link identification information field) can be used separately to indicate whether the critical BSS parameter of the BSS on which the link indicated by the link identification information field resides has been changed / updated. Alternatively, the above method can also be used to determine whether the critical BSS parameter of multiple BSSs on which multiple links reside has been changed / updated. For example, the management frame may include the number of links, n Beacon check fields, and n link identification information fields, where n is indicated by the number of links field. As another example, the management frame may include a link identifier bitmap and n Beacon check fields, optionally including a length field for the link identifier bitmap, where n is the number of first values ​​(e.g., 1) in the link identifier bitmap. The values ​​of one or more Beacon check fields are initialized to 0. In an implementation, Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of the frame structure of a management frame according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in Figure 6, the frame carrier of a management frame includes a type field, an unprotected WNM operation field, a link count field, a Beacon check field, a TIM element field, and a link identification information field. If the link count field indicates multiple links, each link has one Beacon check field, one TIM element field, and one link identification information field. Optionally, the frame carrier of a management frame may further include one or more timestamp fields. The management frame shown in Figure 6 can indicate whether multiple stations operating on the links indicated by each link identification information field have downlink services.

[0144] In conclusion, as shown in Figure 4, some APs (e.g., Non-transmitted APs within the same multi-BSSID set) are unable to transmit management frames. Consequently, these APs cannot notify the associated STA / Non-AP MLDs whether the critical BSS parameters of the BSS managed by these APs have been updated by transmitting management frames such as beacon frames or probe response frames. Therefore, STA / Non-AP MLDs associated with these APs and listening on their operational links are unaware that the critical BSS parameters of these APs have been updated. As a result, after the critical BSS parameters are updated by these APs, the STA / Non-AP MLDs associated with these APs are unable to function properly or communicate with these APs.

[0145] Accordingly, this embodiment of the present application provides a critical BSS parameter management method applicable to multiple links. To address the problem that some APs may not be able to notify others that critical BSS parameters have been updated, one AP MLD may help notify another AP MLD whether the critical BSS parameters of multiple APs within that AP MLD have been updated. The STA can assist in receiving the latest critical BSS parameters so that the Non-AP MLD associated with the other AP MLD can still operate normally after multiple APs within that AP MLD have updated their critical BSS parameters. The technical solution of the present application will be described below with further reference to the attached drawings.

[0146] Embodiment 1 Embodiment 1 of the present invention describes a critical BSS parameter management method applicable to multilinks, specifically relating to update instructions for critical BSS parameters applicable to multilinks. It may display not only the critical BSS parameter update count values ​​for multiple APs in a first AP MLD (this value is found in the Reduced Neighbor Report (RNR) element), but also the critical BSS parameter update count values ​​for multiple APs in a second AP MLD. Thus, a Non-AP MLD associated with a second AP MLD can listen on the link where the Non-transmitted APs in the second AP MLD operate and function correctly. In other words, a Non-AP MLD may have more listening channel options.

[0147] Each reporting AP in the first AP MLD must transmit critical BSS parameter update count values ​​corresponding to multiple APs in the first AP MLD to the Non-AP MLD associated with the first AP MLD or to surrounding stations (surrounding stations include stations managed by reporting APs and stations not associated with the first AP MLD), and transmit critical BSS parameter update count values ​​corresponding to multiple APs in the second AP MLD. For simplicity of explanation, Embodiment 1 of the present invention uses the reporting APs of the first AP MLD.

[0148] Figure 7 is a schematic flowchart of a critical BSS parameter management method applicable to multilink according to an embodiment of the present invention. The AP MLD contains one or more APs, and the first AP is any reporting AP in the AP MLD. Optionally, the reporting AP is not a Non-transmitted AP in a multi-BSSID set. The first STA may be a single-link STA or an STA in a Non-AP MLD. For simplicity of explanation, the first STA in a Non-AP MLD will be used as an example below. The first AP and the first STA operate on the same link. As shown in Figure 7, the association method applicable to a multilink device includes, but is not limited to, the following steps.

[0149] S101: The first AP in the first AP MLD generates the first frame, which shows critical BSS parameter update information corresponding to multiple APs in the first AP MLD and critical BSS parameter update information corresponding to multiple APs in the second AP MLD, the second AP MLD being the AP MLD to which the non-transmitted APs in the multi-BSSID set including the first AP belong. One critical BSS parameter update information corresponding to one AP is used to determine whether the critical BSS parameters in the BSS managed by the AP are updated.

[0150] The first AP may be any reporting AP within the first AP MLD, and the reporting AP may be an AP that transmits management frames (e.g., beacon frames or probe response frames). The critical BSS parameter update information includes the critical BSS parameter update count value.

[0151] The first frame may be a management frame, such as a beacon frame, a probe response frame, or another management frame. The first frame may show the critical BSS parameter update count values ​​corresponding to multiple APs in the first AP MLD (where multiple APs are all APs in the first AP MLD, or all APs in the first AP MLD excluding the first AP, or some APs) and the critical BSS parameter update count values ​​corresponding to multiple APs in the second AP MLD (where multiple APs are all APs or some APs in the second AP MLD). The second AP MLD is the AP MLD to which the non-transmitted APs in the multi-BSSID set where the first AP is located belong. Optionally, when one or more critical BSS parameters change, the critical BSS parameter update count value increases by 1.

[0152] A single critical BSS parameter update count value corresponding to one AP can be used to determine whether a critical BSS parameter in the BSS managed by the AP is being updated. The critical BSS parameter update count value can be a natural number and is initialized to 0. When a critical BSS parameter in the BSS managed by an AP changes, the critical BSS parameter update count value corresponding to the AP increases by 1. Since there are critical BSS parameter update count values ​​for multiple APs, each critical BSS parameter update count value corresponds one-to-one with an AP identifier. The AP identifier may be the AP's MAC address, the AP's link identifier, or a combination of the AP's operating class, channel number, and BSSID. The critical BSS parameter update count value may be carried in the Reduced Neighbor Report Element (RNR element) of the first frame. The Reduced Neighbor Report Element is described below.

[0153] Optionally, in addition to the critical BSS parameter update count value field, the RNR element of this embodiment of the Application may further include a link identifier field and an AP MLD identifier field (e.g., an MLD ID field). The link identifier field indicates the AP or station on which a particular link operates. The link identifier field may be understood to be called a link identifier information field or a link identifier bitmap field (used to indicate one bitmap of link identifiers corresponding to multiple APs). This is not limited to this embodiment of the Application. The critical BSS parameter update count value indicates the critical BSS parameter update count value. The critical BSS parameter update count value field may be understood to be called a critical BSS parameter update field. This is not limited to this embodiment of the Application. The AP MLD identifier field can be used to identify a particular AP MLD. The AP MLD identifier field may be an MLD ID field, an MLD index field, an MLD sequence number field, etc., and it is understood that the name of the identifier field is not limited.

[0154] The RNR element includes a link identifier field and an AP MLD identifier field (such as the MLD ID field). Therefore, when using the RNR element, each AP MLD has an identifier, even if each AP MLD contains multiple APs. By combining the link identifier information and the AP MLD identifier information, it is possible to determine which APs operate on the link indicated by the link identifier field and whose critical BSS parameters are updated.

[0155] It is understood that in order to associate with an AP, the station must first perform a scan to notify the AP of its presence. There are two types of scans: active scans and passive scans.

[0156] Passive scanning means that a station receives management frames transmitted from an AP on a channel, such as beacon frames, association response frames, reassociation response frames, authentication frames, or probe response frames. For example, a station may move between different channels to search for beacon frames transmitted from an AP. Once the station obtains admission control information from the AP using the beacon frame, the station can obtain further additional information from the AP by exchanging probe request frames and probe response frames.

[0157] Active scanning means that if a station does not detect a beacon frame, it proactively sends a broadcast probe request frame. If certain conditions are met, an AP that receives the probe request frame may initiate random channel access to respond with a probe response frame.

[0158] During the scanning process, to support faster station scanning, APs include simplified neighbor reporting elements in management frames such as beacon and probe response frames, preventing stations from continuously performing channel scans. This reduces the station's scan time.

[0159] APs carry a brief neighbor report element within management frames, such as beacon frames or probe response frames. During scanning, stations receive management frames transmitted from APs, obtain information about surrounding APs based on the brief neighbor report element within the management frame, and select the appropriate AP for association.

[0160] Specifically, a simplified neighbor report element generally carries one or more Neighbor AP information fields. These fields are used to describe information about one or more neighbor APs and the BSS to which the neighbor APs belong. Figure 8A is a schematic diagram of the frame structure of an RNR element according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in Figure 8A, a simplified neighbor report element may include some or all of the following fields: a target beacon transmission time (TBTT) information header field, an operating class field, a channel number field, and one or more TBTT information set fields. A TBTT information set field contains one or more TBTT information fields, with one TBTT information field corresponding to one neighbor AP.

[0161] The TBTT information header field carries at least one of the following pieces of information: The TBTT information field type field indicates the type of TBTT information. This field is used in conjunction with the TBTT information length field to indicate the format of the TBTT information field. The filtered neighbor AP field indicates whether all BSS SSIDs carried in the neighbor AP information field match the SSID in the probe request frame. Reserved field (1 bit). The TBTT information count field indicates the number of TBTT information fields included in the TBTT information set. The TBTT information length field indicates the length of each TBTT information field. Table 1 below shows the format of specific information being carried, with different lengths. [Table 1]

[0162] The following shows the specific format of the TBTT information field when the TBTT information length is 12 bytes.

[0163] Neighbor AP TBTT offset field: Indicates the Beacon transmission time offset between the neighboring AP and the reporting AP. BSSID (BSS identifier) ​​field: Indicates the BSS identifier corresponding to the neighboring AP. Short SSID (Short Service Set Identifier) ​​field: Indicates the service set identifier to which the neighboring AP belongs. BSS Parameter field: Indicates relevant parameters for neighboring APs.

[0164] Optionally, in addition to the neighbor APTBTT offset field, BSSID field, Short SSID field, and BSS parameter field, one TBTT information field of an RNR element in an embodiment of the present invention includes at least one of the following: critical BSS parameter update count value field, link identifier (link ID) field, and multilink device identifier (MLD ID) field.

[0165] Figure 8B is a schematic diagram of the frame structure of the TBTT information field of an RNR element according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in Figure 8B, one TBTT information field of an RNR element includes at least one of the following: neighbor AP TBTT offset field, BSSID field, Short SSID field, BSS parameter field, critical BSS parameter update count value field, link identifier (link ID) field, and multilink device identifier (MLD ID) field. Figure 8B is merely an example, and it can be understood that the sequence of critical BSS parameter update count value field, link ID field, and MLD ID field included in the TBTT information field is not limited, and whether there are other fields between the critical BSS parameter update count value field, link ID field, and MLD ID field.

[0166] The three fields—the critical BSS parameter update count value field, the link identifier field, and the MLD identifier field—are independent and can be transmitted in either an RNR element or not. In other words, the RNR element may carry only a portion of these three fields.

[0167] The critical BSS parameter update count value indicates the critical BSS parameter update count value. The link identifier field indicates a specific link. The MLD ID field indicates a specific AP MLD. It can be understood that one TBTT information field corresponds to one AP, one AP manages one BSS, and each TBTT information field transmits the MLD ID field and the link identifier field. Therefore, when using the first frame, even if an AP MLD contains multiple APs in one BSS, different APs within the AP MLD may be distinguished by the link indicated by the link identifier field and the MLD indicated by the MLD ID field. In other words, by combining the link identifier field and the MLD ID field, it may be possible to uniquely identify an AP.

[0168] The BSS Parameter field indicates the relevant parameters of the neighboring AP. Specifically, the relevant parameters of the neighboring AP include the following information: OCT recommended (recommended on-channel tunneling mechanism) field: Indicates that the neighboring AP is expected to use the OCT mechanism to exchange management-type MPDUs with the reporting AP. Same SSID (Same Service Set Identifier) ​​field: Indicates whether the neighboring AP and the reporting AP have the same SSID. The Multiple BSSID (Multiple Basic Service Set Identifier) ​​field indicates whether a neighboring AP is part of a multiple BSSID set. Transmitted BSSID (Transmitting Basic Service Set Identifier) ​​field: If a neighboring AP is part of a multi-BSSID set, this field indicates whether the neighboring AP is a Transmitted BSSID or a Non-transmitted BSSID. The "Member of ESS With 2.4 / 5GHz Co-Located AP" field indicates whether the neighboring AP is a member of the extended service set of 2.4 / 5GHz co-located APs (i.e., whether the neighboring AP is a 6GHz-only AP). Unsolicited Probe Response Active field: Indicates whether the neighboring AP enables active probe responses. Co-located AP (Same Location AP) field: Indicates whether the neighboring AP and the reporting AP are located at the same location.

[0169] In this embodiment of the present application, an access point (AP) described in a Neighbor Report element or a Reduced Neighbor Report element is a reported access point (reported AP), and neighboring APs referred to hereafter can be understood as reported APs. An access point (reporting AP) that transmits an element, such as a neighbor report element or a reduced neighbor report element, describing a reported AP.

[0170] The RNR element was explained above. The following describes the second AP MLD.

[0171] Optionally, the second AP MLD is the AP MLD to which the Non-transmitted AP belongs within the multi-BSSID set to which the first AP belongs.

[0172] For example, as shown in Figure 4, let's assume AP1x is the first AP. The first AP transmits management frames, such as beacon frames and probe response frames, carrying RNR elements. The RNR elements carry the critical BSS parameter update count values ​​for multiple APs in the first AP MLD and the critical BSS parameter update count values ​​for multiple APs in the second AP MLD. AP MLD1 is the first AP MLD, and AP MLD3 is the second AP MLD. Therefore, the first frame contains the critical BSS parameter update count values ​​corresponding to multiple APs in AP MLD1, for example, the critical BSS parameter update count value corresponding to AP2y and the critical BSS parameter update count value corresponding to AP3. The first frame further contains the critical BSS parameter update count values ​​corresponding to multiple APs in AP MLD3, for example, the critical BSS parameter update count value corresponding to AP1y, the critical BSS parameter update count value corresponding to AP2z, and the critical BSS parameter update count value corresponding to AP4y. Optionally, management frames transmitted from the first AP further contain the critical BSS parameter update count value corresponding to AP1x. The critical BSS parameter update count value for AP1x is located in the MLD common information or EHT operation element of the multi-link (ML) element. The MLD common information field or EHT operation element within the ML element further carries the link identifier of the first AP, i.e., AP1x.

[0173] As another example, as shown in Figure 4, suppose AP2x is the first AP, AP MLD2 is the first AP MLD, and both AP MLD1 and AP MLD3 are the second AP MLDs. Therefore, the first frame contains critical BSS parameter update count values ​​corresponding to multiple APs of AP MLD2, for example, the critical BSS parameter update count value corresponding to AP4x. The first frame further contains critical BSS parameter update count values ​​corresponding to multiple APs of AP MLD1, for example, the critical BSS parameter update count value corresponding to AP1x, the critical BSS parameter update count value corresponding to AP2y, and the critical BSS parameter update count value corresponding to AP3. The first frame further contains critical BSS parameter update count values ​​corresponding to multiple APs of AP MLD3, for example, the critical BSS parameter update count value corresponding to AP1y, the critical BSS parameter update count value corresponding to AP2z, and the critical BSS parameter update count value corresponding to AP4y. Optionally, a management frame sent from the first AP further contains the critical BSS parameter update count value corresponding to AP2x. The critical BSS parameter update count value for AP2x is located in the ML element common MLD common information or EHT operation element. The MLD common information field or EHT operation element within the ML element further carries the link identifier of the first AP, i.e., AP2x.

[0174] As another example, as shown in Figure 4, suppose AP4x is the first AP, AP MLD2 is the first AP MLD, and both AP MLD3 and AP MLD4 are the second AP MLDs. Therefore, the first frame contains critical BSS parameter update count values ​​corresponding to multiple APs of AP MLD2, for example, the critical BSS parameter update count value corresponding to AP2x. The first frame further contains critical BSS parameter update count values ​​corresponding to multiple APs of AP MLD3, for example, the critical BSS parameter update count value corresponding to AP1y, the critical BSS parameter update count value corresponding to AP2z, and the critical BSS parameter update count value corresponding to AP4y. The first frame further contains critical BSS parameter update count values ​​corresponding to multiple APs of AP MLD1, for example, the critical BSS parameter update count value corresponding to AP4z and the critical BSS parameter update count value corresponding to AP5. Optionally, a management frame sent from the first AP further contains the critical BSS parameter update count value corresponding to AP4x. The critical BSS parameter update count value for AP4x is located in the ML element common MLD common information or EHT operation element. The MLD common information field or EHT operation element within the ML element further carries the link identifier of the first AP, i.e., AP4x.

[0175] As another example, as shown in Figure 4, suppose AP3 is the first AP, AP MLD1 is the first AP MLD, and there is no second AP MLD. Therefore, the first frame contains critical BSS parameter update count values ​​corresponding to multiple APs in AP MLD1, for example, the critical BSS parameter update count value corresponding to AP1x and the critical BSS parameter update count value corresponding to AP2y. Optionally, a management frame sent from the first AP further contains the critical BSS parameter update count value corresponding to AP3. The BSS parameter update count value for AP3 is located in the ML element common MLD common information or the EHT operation element. The MLD common information field or EHT operation element within the ML element further carries the link identifier of the first AP, i.e., AP3.

[0176] S102: The first AP in the first AP MLD transmits the first frame on the link on which the first AP operates.

[0177] Specifically, the first AP of the first AP MLD needs to transmit a first frame to the first AP MLD or to Non-AP MLDs associated with stations around the first AP on the link on which the first AP MLD operates. Stations around the first AP include stations managed by the first AP and stations not associated with it. Below, a critical BSS parameter management method applicable to multiple links in this embodiment of the application will be described using stations managed by the AP as an example. It can be understood that the first frame may be transmitted by broadcast or multicast.

[0178] Furthermore, the Non-AP MLD associated with the first AP MLD in this embodiment of the present application can be understood to have two meanings: (1) all Non-AP MLDs that establish a multilink association with the first AP MLD. A Non-AP MLD can establish an association with some APs of the first AP MLD, or it can establish an association with all APs. (2) There exists a Non-AP MLD associated with the first AP of the first AP MLD. A Non-AP MLD can establish an association with some APs of the first AP MLD, or it can establish an association with all APs, but some APs or all APs must include the first AP. The first AP is the reporting AP.

[0179] S103: The first STA in the Non-AP MLD receives the first frame on the link on which the first STA is operating.

[0180] The first station (STA) may be a station managed by the first access point (AP) or a station in the vicinity of the first AP, and may learn whether the critical BSS parameters of the BSS to which the first station belongs have been updated. The first station (STA) and the first AP operate on the same link / same frequency band / same channel.

[0181] S104: The first STA of the Non-AP MLD determines, based on the first frame, whether the critical BSS parameters of multiple BSSs managed by multiple APs within the AP MLD associated with the Non-AP MLD have been updated.

[0182] Specifically, the first STA of the Non-AP MLD, after receiving the first frame, analyzes the first frame and obtains critical BSS parameter update count values ​​corresponding to multiple APs in the first AP MLD and critical BSS parameter update count values ​​corresponding to multiple APs in the second AP MLD. The Non-AP MLD analyzes from the first frame the M critical BSS parameter update count values ​​corresponding to the M APs in the AP MLD associated with the Non-AP MLD (the M APs have an association relationship with the Non-AP MLD). For each of the M APs, the Non-AP MLD compares the value relationship between the critical BSS parameter update count value received this time and the last received critical BSS parameter update count value, or compares whether the critical BSS parameter update count value received this time is the same as the last received critical BSS parameter update count value. If the critical BSS parameter update count value received this time is different from the last received critical BSS parameter update count value, the Non-AP MLD determines that the critical BSS parameter of the BSS managed by the AP has been updated. Optionally, if the critical BSS parameter update count value received this time differs from the critical BSS parameter update count value received last time, the Non-AP MLD may listen for a beacon frame on the link on which the AP is operating. The beacon frame carries the AP's latest critical BSS parameters. Alternatively, the STA of the Non-AP MLD can obtain the AP's latest critical BSS parameters by sending a probe request frame as described above.

[0183] If the critical BSS parameter update count value received this time is the same as the critical BSS parameter update count value received last time, it indicates that the BSS managed by the AP has not updated the critical BSS parameter, and Non-AP MLD may not perform any processing.

[0184] Optionally, Non-AP MLD records the critical BSS parameter update count value corresponding to each link that was last received.

[0185] For example, as shown in Figure 4, suppose the first AP is AP1x, AP MLD1 is the first AP MLD, and AP MLD3 is the second AP MLD. Non-AP MLD1 is associated with AP1y, AP2z, and AP4y of AP MLD3, and M is equal to 3, and the APs associated with Non-AP MLD1 are AP1y, AP2z, and AP4y. The first frame contains the critical BSS parameter update count values ​​corresponding to AP1x of AP MLD1, the critical BSS parameter update count values ​​corresponding to AP2y, and the critical BSS parameter update count values ​​corresponding to AP3. The first frame further contains the critical BSS parameter update count values ​​corresponding to AP1y of AP MLD3, the critical BSS parameter update count values ​​corresponding to AP2z, and the critical BSS parameter update count values ​​corresponding to AP4y. In other words, N is equal to 6. Non-AP MLD1 analyzes the three critical BSS parameter update count values ​​corresponding to AP1y, AP2z, and AP4y of AP MLD3 associated with Non-AP MLD1 from the first frame. For AP1y, Non-AP MLD2 compares whether the critical BSS parameter update count value corresponding to AP1y received this time is the same as the critical BSS parameter update count value corresponding to AP1y received last time. If the critical BSS parameter update count value corresponding to AP1y received this time is different from the critical BSS parameter update count value corresponding to AP1y received last time, it indicates that the critical BSS parameter of the BSS managed by AP1y has been updated. Non-AP MLD1 may listen for beacon frames carrying the latest critical BSS parameters on link 1 where AP1y resides. For AP2z, Non-AP MLD1 compares whether the critical BSS parameter update count value corresponding to AP2z received this time is the same as the critical BSS parameter update count value corresponding to AP2z received last time.If the critical BSS parameter update count value corresponding to AP2z received this time is different from the critical BSS parameter update count value corresponding to AP2z received last time, it indicates that the critical BSS parameter of the BSS managed by AP2z has been updated. Non-AP MLD1 may listen for beacon frames carrying the latest critical BSS parameters on link 2 where AP2z is located. For AP4y, Non-AP MLD1 compares whether the critical BSS parameter update count value corresponding to AP4y received this time is the same as the critical BSS parameter update count value corresponding to AP4y received last time. If the critical BSS parameter update count value corresponding to AP4y received this time is different from the critical BSS parameter update count value corresponding to AP4y received last time, it indicates that the critical BSS parameter of the BSS managed by AP4y has been updated. Non-AP MLD1 may listen for beacon frames carrying the latest critical BSS parameters on link 4 where AP4y is located.

[0186] As another example, suppose Non-AP MLD2 is associated with AP1y and AP4y of AP MLD3. In this case, M is equal to 2, and the APs associated with Non-AP MLD2 are AP1y and AP4y. Therefore, for AP1y, Non-AP MLD2 compares whether the critical BSS parameter update count value corresponding to the currently received AP1y is the same as the critical BSS parameter update count value corresponding to the last received AP1y. If the critical BSS parameter update count value corresponding to the currently received AP1y is different from the critical BSS parameter update count value corresponding to the last received AP1y, it indicates that the critical BSS parameter of the BSS managed by AP1y has been updated. Non-AP MLD2 may listen for beacon frames carrying the latest critical BSS parameters on link 1 where AP1y resides. For AP4y, Non-AP MLD2 compares whether the critical BSS parameter update count value corresponding to the currently received AP4y is the same as the critical BSS parameter update count value corresponding to the last received AP4y. If the critical BSS parameter update count value corresponding to the AP4y received this time differs from the critical BSS parameter update count value corresponding to the last AP4y received, it indicates that the critical BSS parameters of the BSS managed by AP4y have been updated. Non-AP MLD2 may listen for beacon frames carrying the latest critical BSS parameters on link 4 where AP4y resides.

[0187] If the first STA is a single-link STA, it can be understood that when the first STA switches from one link to another, the first STA may obtain a critical BSS parameter update count value using the method of this embodiment of the present application.

[0188] In this embodiment of the present application, the first frame transmitted by the first AP is used to indicate not only the critical BSS parameter update count values ​​corresponding to multiple APs in the first AP MLD, but also the critical BSS parameter update count values ​​corresponding to multiple APs in the second AP MLD. This helps one AP indicate the critical BSS parameter update count values ​​corresponding to multiple APs in another AP MLD, allowing the STA to compare the critical BSS parameter update count value currently received with the last received critical BSS parameter update count value to determine if the critical BSS parameters have been updated. Thus, the STA can be helped to receive the latest critical BSS parameters, and the Non-AP MLD associated with the second AP MLD can listen on the link on which the non-transmitting APs in the second AP MLD are operating and can also operate normally. In other words, for the Non-AP MLD, there may be an increased number of channels to listen on for selection. In 802.11be, all or some APs in an AP MLD may be non-transmitting APs. Therefore, the solution provided in this embodiment of the present invention can solve the problem that some non-transmitting APs are unable to send management frames notifying that critical BSS parameters have been updated. This improves the completeness and diversity of critical BSS parameter update instructions.

[0189] In any embodiment, each Non-AP MLD obtains an initial value for the critical BSS parameter update count of multiple APs in the AP MLD associated with the Non-AP MLD as follows:

[0190] 1. In the association phase, an association response frame sent from one AP within the AP MLD carries the current critical BSS parameter update count values ​​for multiple APs within the AP MLD.

[0191] 2. When an STA within a Non-AP MLD requests to switch to another link, the channel switching signaling implicitly indicates that it requests the critical BSS parameter update count value of the AP operating on the link from the AP MLD. The response frame that the relevant AP MLD responds with on the link corresponding to the STA must carry the latest critical BSS parameter update count value of the AP operating on the other link at this point.

[0192] The channel switching signaling includes a link identifier corresponding to the AP that the STA needs to switch to. For example, as shown in Figure 4, suppose STA1 of Non-AP MLD1 requests a switch from link 1 to link 2, and the channel switching signaling includes the link identifier for link 2. Assume Non-AP MLD1 is associated with AP MLD. The channel switching signaling implicitly indicates that STA1 is requesting the critical BSS parameter update count value for AP2y operating on link 2 from AP MLD1. The response frame returned by AP MLD1 on link 1 corresponding to STA1 should carry the latest critical BSS parameter update count value for AP2y operating on link 2 at this point.

[0193] If the received critical BSS parameter update count value sent from the AP differs from the last received critical BSS parameter update count value, in addition to obtaining the latest critical BSS parameters by receiving a beacon frame and sending a probe request, it is necessary to update the locally stored critical BSS parameter update count value to the newly received critical BSS parameter update count value.

[0194] In another optional embodiment, there is a common SSID for one AP MLD, and optionally each AP has a separate SSID. During the neighboring AP or AP MLD discovery phase, the non-AP MLD can discover the best AP MLD for association as quickly as possible, including the discovery of the preferred SSID. For reported APs (i.e., neighboring APs) in the AP MLD, the Short SSID field for each reported AP (i.e., neighboring AP) in the RNR element of the embodiments of this application contains a Short SSID calculated based on the SSID of the AP MLD in which the reported AP (i.e., neighboring AP) is located. For details on how the Short SSID is calculated, see the 802.11-2016 protocol.

[0195] It can be understood that this embodiment of the present application may be implemented separately or by reference to the method shown in Figure 7. This is not limited to this embodiment of the present application.

[0196] Compared to the case where the Short SSID of the reported AP is directly carried in the RNR element, the Non-AP MLD of this embodiment of the present application uses the Short SSID of the AP MLD to which the reported AP belongs, thereby enabling the rapid selection of the optimal AP MLD for association during the discovery phase and improving association efficiency.

[0197] In yet another optional embodiment, the first frame may be further used to indicate specific critical BSS parameters for multiple APs in the first AP MLD and specific critical BSS parameters for multiple APs in the second AP MLD. The specific critical BSS parameters are BSS parameters related to channel switching. The specific critical BSS parameters may include one or more of the following: inclusion of a channel switching announcement element, inclusion of an extended channel switching announcement element, inclusion of a broadband channel switching element, and inclusion of a channel switching wrapper element.

[0198] Embodiment 2 Embodiment 2 of the present application describes a method for updating critical BSS parameters applied to a multilink device in order to describe a method for updating critical BSS parameters. In practical applications, it can be understood that Embodiment 2 of the present application may be implemented independently or by reference to Embodiment 1. This is not limited to the present application.

[0199] Figure 9 is a schematic flowchart of a method for updating critical BSS parameters according to an embodiment of the present invention. The AP MLD contains one or more APs, the second AP being any AP in the AP MLD, which may or may not be a reporting AP. The second STA may be a single-link STA or any STA in a Non-AP MLD. For simplicity of explanation, the second STA in a Non-AP MLD will be used as an example below. The second AP and the second STA operate on the same link. As shown in Figure 9, the method for updating critical BSS parameters includes, but is not limited to, the following steps.

[0200] S201: The second AP in the first AP MLD generates the second frame, the second frame indicates specific critical BSS parameters of multiple APs in the first AP MLD and / or specific critical BSS parameters of multiple APs in the second AP MLD, and the second AP MLD is the AP MLD to which the Non-transmitted AP in the multi-BSSID set containing the second AP belongs.

[0201] The second frame may be a management frame such as a beacon frame, or it may be another frame. The second frame and the first frame in Embodiment 1 may be one frame, or they may be different frames. This is not limited to the present embodiments of the Application. The second frame may indicate specific critical BSS parameters of multiple APs in the first AP MLD (where multiple APs are all APs in the first AP MLD, or all APs in the first AP MLD excluding the first AP, or some APs), and / or specific critical BSS parameters of multiple APs in the second AP MLD (where multiple APs are all or some APs in the second AP MLD).

[0202] Certain critical BSS parameters may include one or more of the following: inclusion of a Channel Switch Announcement element, inclusion of an Extended Channel Switch Announcement element, inclusion of a Wide Bandwidth Channel Switch element, and inclusion of a Channel Switch Wrapper element. If all or some of the aforementioned four elements are changed / updated, but the station does not learn the change / update in time (possibly because the station does not receive the updated element), the station cannot find the corresponding AP in the AP MLD. As a result, the terminal cannot communicate with the corresponding AP in the AP MLD. Therefore, it is necessary to transmit certain critical BSS parameters.

[0203] Optionally, a particular critical BSS parameter may further include one or more of the following: inclusion of a Quiet element and / or inclusion of a Quiet Channel element. Optionally, a particular critical BSS parameter may further include one or more of the following: modification of an EDCA parameter element, modification of a DSSS parameter set, modification of a CF parameter set element, modification of an HT operation element, inclusion of an operation mode notification element, modification of a VHT operation element, modification of an HE operation element, inclusion of a broadcast TWT element, inclusion of a BSS color change announcement element, modification of a MUEDCA parameter set element, and modification of a spatial reuse parameter set element. One or more of the aforementioned particular critical BSS parameters may also be listed as the critical parameters of a link.

[0204] Optionally, specific critical BSS parameters can be carried in the AP information of the multi-link (ML) element in the second frame. Each AP's specific critical BSS parameter is carried in the AP information of its respective ML element.

[0205] Next, we will explain the multilink element.

[0206] Figure 10A is a schematic diagram of the frame structure of an ML element according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in Figure 10A, the ML element includes a common control field, MLD common information, and one or more optional sub-elements. Optionally, the MLD common information includes an MLD MAC address field, and optionally includes an authentication algorithm field and a link identifier (link ID) field. The MLD MAC address field indicates the address of the MLD, and the address is used to identify the MLD. Optionally, the MLD address is the MAC address of the MLD. That is, the MAC address is used to identify the APMLD management entity. The MAC address of an AP MLD may be the same as one MAC address of n APs included in the AP MLD, or it may be different from all MAC addresses of the n APs. For example, the MAC address of an AP MLD is a public MAC address and can identify the AP MLD.

[0207] Optionally, the control field may include an MLD MAC address presence field (or MLD MAC address presence field or MLD MAC address presence identifier) ​​used to indicate whether the MLD common information contains an MLD MAC address field. Optionally, the common control field may further include an authentication algorithm presence field to indicate whether the MLD common information contains an authentication algorithm field. Optionally, the “presence field” may contain 1 bit. The first value indicates the presence of the corresponding field, and the second value indicates the absence of the corresponding field. For example, the first value is 1 and the second value is 0. Optionally, the common control field may further include a link ID presence field used to indicate whether the MLD common information contains a link ID field.

[0208] Optionally, a single ML element may contain one or more sub-elements, each sub-element describing information about a single AP within a single AP MLD. The content of each sub-element includes the AP's link identifier. Optionally, each sub-element may further include AP-related fields such as an SSID field, a timestamp field, a beacon interval field, and AP elements. AP elements may be, for example, a BSS load element, an EHT capability element, or an EHT operation element.

[0209] Figure 10B is a schematic diagram of the first part of the frame structure of an ML element according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in Figure 10B, Figure 10B shows the first part of an ML element that does not include the sub-elements of AP information of AP MLD. The first part of the ML element includes a common control field and MLD common information. The common control field includes one or more or all of the following: MLD MAC address presence field, link ID presence field, MLD sequence number presence field, and sub-element presence field. Optionally, an authentication algorithm presence field is included. The MLD MAC address presence field indicates whether the MLD common information includes the MLD MAC address field. The link ID presence field is used to indicate whether the MLD public information includes the link ID field. The MLD sequence number presence field indicates whether the MLD common information includes the MLD sequence number field. The aforementioned fields may be indicated separately using 1 bit. For example, 1 indicates that the field exists, and 0 indicates that the field does not exist. Alternatively, two values ​​for a single field can be used separately for indication, with the first value indicating the field exists and the second value indicating the field does not exist.

[0210] Optionally, the first part of the ML element shown in Figure 10A (representing the common control field and MLD common information shown in Figure 10A) may be replaced by the first part of the ML element shown in Figure 10B (representing the common control field and MLD common information shown in Figure 10B). The AP MLD can be used to provide further details about the station Non-AP MLD placed, for example, in a probe response frame or association response frame. Optionally, the common control field may include an MLD common information presence field, used to indicate whether MLD common information exists or whether there are fields other than the MLD MAC address or MLD sequence number within the MLD common information, helping to further reduce repetitive information (it is assumed that the Non-AP MLD has learned the authentication algorithm and link identifier). In beacon frames, to avoid redundant content within the beacon frame and to avoid repetition of information about each AP in the RNR element, the beacon frame only needs to carry the MLD common information or some fields within the MLD common information in the ML element. In this case, the common control field includes a sub-element existence field, which means that there are no sub-elements used to indicate specific information for multiple APs within the ML element, as shown in Figure 10B.

[0211] If the reporting AP belongs to a multi-BSSID set, the reporting AP must also transmit multiple BSSID elements, including a non-transmitted profile, to indicate information about one or more non-transmitted APs. If one non-transmitted AP is from one AP MLD, the first part of the ML element shown in Figure 10B or the complete part of the ML element shown in Figure 10A may be placed to further indicate information about the non-transmitted AP.

[0212] The following describes some of the elements included in specific critical BSS parameters.

[0213] Figure 11A is a schematic diagram of the frame structure of the channel switching announcement element inclusion according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in Figure 11A, the channel switching announcement element inclusion includes a Channel Switch Mode field, a New Channel Number field, and a Channel Switch Count field. The Channel Switch Mode field indicates any restrictions on transmission until a channel switch. The New Channel Number field is set to the number of the channel to which the station is switching. The Channel Switch Count field indicates the number of TBTTs (beacon frame target transmission time) required by the station to switch channels in order to transmit the element. If the Channel Switch Count field is set to 0, it indicates that a switch will occur before the next TBTT.If the Channel Switch Count field is set to 1, it indicates that a switch can occur at any time after the element has been transmitted. (The Channel Switch Count field indicates the number of target beacon transmission times (TBTTs) until the STA sending the Channel Switch Count field switches to the new channel. A Channel Switch Count field set to 1 indicates that the switch occurs immediately before the next TBTT. A Channel Switch Count field set to 0 indicates that the switch occurs any time after the frame containing the Channel Switch Count field is transmitted.)

[0214] Figure 11B is a schematic diagram of the frame structure of the inclusion of an extended channel switching announcement element according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in Figure 11B, the inclusion of an extended channel switching announcement element includes a Channel Switch Mode field, a New Operating Class field, a New Channel Number field, and a Channel Switch Count field. The Channel Switch Mode field indicates the transmission limit before the channel switch. The New Operating Class field is set to the number of the operating class to which the station will switch. The New Channel Number field indicates the channel number to which the station should switch. The Channel Switch Count field indicates the number of TBTTs required from the time the station transmits the element until it switches to the channel. If the Channel Switch Count field is set to 0, it indicates that the switch will occur before the next TBTT. If the Channel Switch Count field is set to 1, it indicates that the switch may occur after the element has been transmitted.

[0215] Figure 11C is a schematic diagram of the frame structure of the inclusion of a broadband channel switching element according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in Figure 11c, the inclusion of a broadband channel switching element includes a New Channel Width field, a New Channel Center Frequency Segment 0 field, and a New Channel Center Frequency Segment 1 field. The New Channel Width field defines the BSS bandwidth. The New Channel Center Frequency Segment 0 defines a channel center frequency for a 20, 40, 80, 160, or 80+80 MHz BSS. The new Channel Center Frequency Segment 1 defines a channel center frequency for a 160, or 80+80 MHz BSS bandwidth.

[0216] Figure 11D is a schematic diagram of the frame structure of a Quiet element according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in Figure 11D, the Quiet element includes a Quiet Count field, a Quiet Period field, a Quiet Duration field, and a Quiet Offset field. The Quiet Count field is set to the number of TBTTs until the beacon interval during which the next quiet interval starts. The Quiet Period field is set to the number of beacon frame intervals between the start of a regularly scheduled quiet interval defined by the Quiet element. A Quiet Period field set to 0 indicates that no periodic quiet interval is defined. The Quiet Duration field is set to the duration of the quiet interval, expressed in TUs. The Quiet Offset field is set to the offset from the TBTT specified in the Quiet Count field to the start of the quiet interval, expressed in TUs.The value of the Quiet Offset field is less than one beacon frame interval.

[0217] After the quiet element is enabled, the AP stops communicating with the STA, and the STA maintains the quiet state, allowing it to perform other operations.

[0218] Optionally, the second AP MLD is the AP MLD to which the Non-transmitted AP in the multi-BSSID set to which the second AP belongs belongs. For a more detailed explanation of the meaning of the second AP MLD, please refer to the related explanation in Embodiment 1 above.

[0219] S202: The second AP within the first AP MLD transmits the second frame on the link on which the second AP is operating.

[0220] The second AP of the first AP MLD needs to send a second frame to Non-AP MLDs associated with the first AP MLD or surrounding stations of the second AP on the link in which the second AP MLD operates. Stations surrounding the second AP include stations not associated with stations managed by the second AP. It can be understood that the second frame may be transmitted via broadcast, multicast, or unicast.

[0221] S203: The second STA in the Non-AP MLD receives the second frame on the link on which the second STA is operating.

[0222] The second STA may be a station managed by the second AP or a station surrounding the second AP, and may learn specific critical BSS parameters of multiple APs within the AP MLD associated with the MLD, including the first STA. The second STA and second AP operate on the same link / same frequency band / same channel.

[0223] S204: The second STA of the Non-AP MLD analyzes the second frame to obtain specific critical BSS parameters for multiple APs within the AP MLD associated with the Non-AP MLD.

[0224] Specifically, the second STA of the Non-AP MLD, after receiving the second frame, analyzes the second frame and obtains specific critical BSS parameters for K APs in the AP MLD associated with the Non-AP MLD from the ML elements of the second frame (the K APs are associated with the Non-AP MLD, and K is a positive integer). For each of the K APs' specific critical BSS parameters, the Non-AP MLD can adjust the channel information of the STA corresponding to each AP based on the indication of each AP's specific critical BSS parameter.

[0225] For example, as shown in Figure 4, suppose AP2x is the second AP, AP MLD2 is the first AP MLD, and both AP MLD1 and AP MLD3 are the second AP MLD. Suppose Non-AP MLD1 is associated with AP1x and AP2y of AP MLD1, and AP1x and AP2y are APs that have an association relationship with Non-AP MLD1, with K equal to 2. The second frame carries specific critical BSS parameters for multiple APs (all or some APs) of AP MLD1, AP MLD2, and AP MLD3 individually. For example, the second frame carries specific critical BSS parameters for all APs of AP MLD1, and also specific critical parameters for all APs of AP MLD2 and AP MLD3. Therefore, in AP1x of AP MLD1, the specific critical BSS parameter of AP1x indicates that the channel number to which the station will switch is 9, and Non-AP MLD1 switches the STA corresponding to AP1x to the channel where channel number 9 is located for communication, based on the indication of the specific critical BSS parameter of AP1x. In AP2y of AP MLD1, the specific critical BSS parameter of AP2y indicates that the operating class to which the station will switch is A, and Non-AP MLD1 changes the STA corresponding to AP2y from the current operating class to the operating class identified by operating class A, based on the indication of the specific critical BSS parameter of AP2y.

[0226] In Embodiment 2 of this application, it can be understood that the AP of AP MLD is used as an example for illustrative purposes. In actual application, each AP of AP MLD may perform steps S201 to S202 shown in Figure 9.

[0227] It can be understood that the second STA may be a single-link STA or an STA within a Non-AP MLD. If the second STA is a single-link STA, when the second STA switches from one link to another, it may obtain certain critical BSS parameters using the method of this embodiment of the present application.

[0228] In this embodiment of the present application, a second frame transmitted by an AP in an AP MLD explicitly carries not only specific critical BSS parameters for multiple APs in an AP MLD, but also specific critical BSS parameters for multiple APs in another AP MLD. These specific critical BSS parameters include elements related to channel switching. This helps the Non-AP MLD learn the operational channel switching state of all APs in the AP MLD when it listens on one or more links (but not all links), enabling the Non-AP MLD to function correctly.

[0229] In an optional embodiment, when an STA in a Non-AP MLD requests to switch to another link, the channel switching signaling implicitly indicates that it requests specific critical BSS parameters of the AP operating on the link from the AP MLD. Alternatively, specific signaling may be explicitly carried to indicate particularly necessary critical BSS parameters. For example, one or more element IDs may be used. Optionally, one or more element ID extensions may be carried further. Alternatively, non-inherited elements of the 802.11-2016 protocol may be directly reused to obtain the parameters of the corresponding elements within the non-inherited elements. The response frame that the relevant AP MLD responds with on the link corresponding to the STA should carry the most recent specific unique BSS parameters of the AP operating on the other link at this point.

[0230] Optionally, the channel switching signaling may further include an AP identifier, such as a link identifier, and an MLD identifier containing the AP, such as the MLD sequence number or the MLD MAC address.

[0231] Figure 12 is a schematic diagram of the frame structure of a non-inherited element according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in Figure 12, a non-inherited element includes an element ID, length, element ID extension, one or more element IDs, and one or more element ID extensions. The element ID and element ID extension are used to indicate that the element is a non-inherited element. The length indicates the length after the element length field. Optionally, one or more element IDs and one or more element ID extensions are used to indicate the content of one or more specific elements requested. The element ID extension number also exists only when the value of the element ID is 255. Otherwise, the element ID may independently indicate the element.

[0232] The above describes in detail the method provided in this application. To better implement the aforementioned solution in the embodiments of this application, embodiments of this application further provide corresponding equipment or devices.

[0233] In embodiments of the present application, functional modules within a multilink device may be defined based on the method examples described above. For example, each functional module may be defined in correspondence with each function, or two or more functions may be integrated into a single processing module. The integrated module may be implemented in hardware form or in the form of a software functional module. It should be noted that in embodiments of the present application, the division into modules is merely an example and represents a logical functional division. In actual implementations, other division methods may be used. The communication equipment in embodiments of the present application will now be described in detail with reference to Figures 13 to 17. The communication equipment is an access point in an access point multilink device, or a station in a non-access point multilink device. The communication equipment may also be equipment in an AP MLD, or equipment in a Non-AP MLD.

[0234] When using an integrated unit, Figure 13 is a schematic diagram of the structure of the communication device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The communication device 1 may be a first AP MLD or a chip within the first AP MLD, for example, a Wi-Fi chip, or a first AP within the first AP MLD or a chip within the first AP. The first AP is a reporting AP and belongs to the first AP MLD. As shown in Figure 13, the communication device 1 includes a processing unit 11 and a transceiver unit 12.

[0235] The processing unit 11 is configured to generate a first frame, which contains critical BSS parameter update information corresponding to multiple APs in the first AP MLD and critical BSS parameter update information corresponding to multiple APs in the second AP MLD. The second AP MLD is the AP MLD to which non-transmitting APs belong among the multi-BSSID set including the first AP, and one critical BSS parameter update information corresponding to an AP is used to determine whether the critical BSS parameters of the BSS managed by the AP are updated. The transceiver unit 12 is configured to transmit the first frame on the link in which the communication device 1 is operating.

[0236] Optionally, critical BSS parameter update information includes the critical BSS parameter update count value.

[0237] In communication device 1, the first frame generated by processing unit 11 can not only show the critical BSS parameter update count values ​​corresponding to multiple APs in the first AP MLD, but also the critical BSS parameter update count values ​​corresponding to multiple APs in the second AP MLD. This helps one AP to show the critical BSS parameter update count values ​​corresponding to multiple APs in another AP MLD, allowing the STA to compare the critical BSS parameter update count value currently received with the last received critical BSS parameter update count value to determine whether the critical BSS parameters have been updated. Thus, the STA can receive the latest critical BSS parameters, and the Non-AP MLD associated with the second AP MLD can listen on the link where the non-transmitting APs in the second AP MLD are operating and function normally.

[0238] Optionally, the processing unit 11 is further configured to generate a second frame, which contains specific critical BSS parameters for multiple APs in the first AP MLD and specific critical BSS parameters for multiple APs in the second AP MLD. The transceiver unit 12 is further configured to transmit the second frame over the link on which the communication equipment operates.

[0239] Furthermore, communication device 1 can accordingly perform Embodiment 1, and the above-described operations or functions of the units within communication device 1 are used separately to realize the corresponding operations of the first AP in the first AP MLD of Embodiment 1. For brevity, further details will not be described here.

[0240] Figure 14 is a schematic diagram of the structure of communication device 2 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Communication device 2 may be a first STA or a chip within the first STA, for example, a Wi-Fi chip. The first STA may be a single-link STA or an STA within a Non-AP MLD. As shown in Figure 14, communication device 2 includes a transceiver unit 21 and a processing unit 22.

[0241] The transceiver unit 21 is configured to receive a first frame on the link on which the communication device 2 operates. The first frame contains critical BSS parameter update information corresponding to multiple APs in the first AP MLD and critical BSS parameter update information corresponding to multiple APs in the second AP MLD. The second AP MLD is the AP MLD to which non-transmitting APs belong among the multi-BSSID set including the first AP. One critical BSS parameter update information corresponding to an AP is used to determine whether the critical BSS parameters of the BSS managed by the AP are updated. The processing unit 22 is configured to determine, based on the first frame, whether the critical BSS parameters of multiple BSSs managed by multiple APs in the AP MLD associated with the communication device 2 are updated.

[0242] Optionally, critical BSS parameter update information includes the critical BSS parameter update count value.

[0243] In communication device 2, processing unit 22 learns whether the BSS to which processing unit 22 belongs has been updated with critical BSS parameters based on the critical BSS parameter update count value indicated by the first frame, and ensures that processing unit 22 can reliably receive the latest critical BSS parameters.

[0244] Optionally, the transceiver unit 21 is further configured to receive a second frame on the link in which the communication device 2 operates, the second frame showing specific critical BSS parameters for multiple APs in the first AP MLD and specific critical BSS parameters for multiple APs in the second AP MLD. The processing unit 22 is configured to analyze the second frame to obtain specific critical BSS parameters for multiple APs in the AP MLD associated with the communication device 2.

[0245] Furthermore, communication device 2 can perform Embodiment 1 accordingly, and the above-mentioned operations or functions of the units within communication device 2 are used separately to realize the corresponding operations of the first STA in the Non-AP MLD of Embodiment 1. For brevity, further details will not be described here.

[0246] Figure 15 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device 3 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The communication device 3 may be a first AP MLD or a chip within the first AP MLD, such as a Wi-Fi chip, or a second AP within the first AP MLD or a chip within the second AP. The second AP is any AP within the first AP MLD. As shown in Figure 15, the communication device 3 includes a processing unit 31 and a transceiver unit 32.

[0247] The processing unit 31 is configured to generate a second frame, which contains specific critical BSS parameters for multiple APs in the first AP MLD and / or specific critical BSS parameters for multiple APs in the second AP MLD. The second AP MLD is the AP MLD to which non-transmitting APs in a multi-BSSID set, including the second AP, belong. The transceiver unit 32 is configured to transmit the second frame on the link in which the communication device 3 operates.

[0248] In communication device 3, the second frame generated by processing unit 31 explicitly carries not only specific critical BSS parameters for multiple APs in one AP MLD, but also specific critical BSS parameters for multiple APs in another AP MLD. These specific critical BSS parameters include elements related to channel switching. This helps the Non-AP MLD learn the operational channel switching state of all APs in the AP MLD when it listens on one or more links (but not all links), enabling the Non-AP MLD to operate correctly.

[0249] Furthermore, the communication device 3 described in this embodiment of the present application can accordingly perform Embodiment 2, and the above-mentioned operations or functions of the units within the communication device 3 are used separately to realize the corresponding operations of the second AP in the first AP MLD of Embodiment 2. For the sake of brevity, further details will not be described here.

[0250] Figure 16 is a schematic diagram of the structure of the communication device 4 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The communication device 4 may be a second STA or a chip within the second STA, such as a Wi-Fi chip. The second STA may be a single-link STA or an STA within a Non-AP MLD. As shown in Figure 16, the communication device 4 includes a transceiver unit 41 and a processing unit 42.

[0251] The transceiver unit 41 is further configured to receive a second frame on the link on which the communication device 4 operates, the second frame showing specific critical BSS parameters for multiple APs in the first AP MLD and / or specific critical BSS parameters for multiple APs in the second AP MLD. The second AP MLD is the AP MLD to which non-transmitting APs in a multi-BSSID set including the second AP belong. The processing unit 42 is configured to analyze the second frame to obtain specific critical BSS parameters for multiple APs in the AP MLD associated with the second STA.

[0252] In communication device 4, the processing unit 42 analyzes the second frame, learns the latest critical BSS parameters of multiple APs within the AP MLD associated with the MLD where the processing unit 42 is located, and performs corresponding processing based on the received latest critical BSS parameters to ensure normal communication.

[0253] Furthermore, the communication device 4 described in this embodiment of the present application can accordingly perform Embodiment 2, and the above-mentioned operations or functions of the units within the communication device 4 are used separately to realize the corresponding operations of the second STA of the Non-AP MLD in Embodiment 2. For the sake of brevity, further details are not described here.

[0254] The above describes the AP MLD and STA in the embodiments of the present application. The following describes possible product forms of the AP MLD and STA. It should be understood that the product forms having the functions of the AP MLD in Figure 13 or Figure 15, and the product forms having the functions of the STA in Figure 14 or Figure 16, are within the scope of protection of the embodiments of the present application. It should be further understood that the following description is merely an example, and the product forms of the AP MLD and STA in the embodiments of the present application are not limited thereto.

[0255] As possible product formats, the AP MLD and STA described in the embodiments of this application may be implemented using a general-purpose bus architecture.

[0256] Figure 17 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device 1000 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The communication device 1000 may be an AP MLD, STA, or equipment within an AP MLD or STA. As shown in Figure 17, the communication device 1000 includes a processor 1001 and a transceiver 1002 that is internally connected to the processor and communicates with the processor. The processor 1001 is a general-purpose processor, a dedicated processor, etc. For example, the processor may be a baseband processor or a central processing unit. The baseband processor may be configured to process communication protocols and communication data, and the central processing unit may be configured to control communication equipment (e.g., a base station, a baseband chip, a terminal, a terminal chip, a DU, or a CU) to execute a computer program and process the data of the computer program. The transceiver 1002 may be called a transceiver unit, transceiver, transceiver circuit, etc., and is configured to implement transceiver functionality. The transceiver 1002 may include a receiver and a transmitter. The receiver may be called a receiver machine, a receiving circuit, etc., and is configured to implement receiving functionality. The transmitter, also called a transmitter circuit, is configured to implement a transmitting function. Optionally, the communication device 1000 may further include an antenna 1003 and / or a radio frequency unit (not shown in the figure). The antenna 1003 and / or radio frequency unit may be located inside the communication device 1000 or may be separated from the communication device 1000. In other words, the antenna 1003 and / or radio frequency unit may be located remotely or in a distributed manner.

[0257] Optionally, the communication device 1000 may include one or more memories 1004. The memories 1004 may store instructions. The instructions may be computer programs. The computer programs may be executed on the communication device 1000, and as a result, the communication device 1000 performs the method described in the embodiment of the above-described method. Optionally, the memories 1004 may further store data. The communication device 1000 and the memories 1004 may be arranged separately or integrated.

[0258] The processor 1001, the transceiver 1002, and the memory 1004 may be connected to each other via a communication bus.

[0259] In the design, the communication device 1000 may be configured to perform the functions of the first AP of the first AP MLD of Embodiment 1 described above. The processor 1001 may be configured to perform step S101 of Figure 7 and / or another process of the technology described herein. The transceiver 1002 may be configured to perform step S102 of Figure 7 and / or another process of the technology described herein.

[0260] In the design, the communication device 1000 may be configured to perform the function of the first STA of the Non-AP MLD of Embodiment 1. The processor 1001 may be configured to perform step S104 in Figure 7 and / or another process of the technology described herein. The transceiver 1002 may be configured to perform step S103 in Figure 7 and / or another process of the technology described herein.

[0261] In the design, the communication device 1000 may be configured to perform the functions of the second AP of the first AP MLD of Embodiment 2. The processor 1001 may be configured to perform step S201 of Figure 9 and / or another process of the technology described herein. The transceiver 1002 may be configured to perform step S202 of Figure 9 and / or another process of the technology described herein.

[0262] In the design, the communication device 1000 may be configured to perform the STA function of the Non-AP MLD of Embodiment 2. The processor 1001 may be configured to perform step S204 in Figure 9 and / or another process of the technology described herein. The transceiver 1002 may be configured to perform step S203 in Figure 9 and / or another process of the technology described herein.

[0263] In any of the above designs, the processor 1001 may include a transceiver configured to implement receive and transmit functions. For example, the transceiver may be a transceiver circuit, interface, or interface circuit. The transceiver circuit, interface, or interface circuit configured to implement receive and transmit functions may be separate or integrated. The transceiver circuit, interface, or interface circuit may be configured to read and write code / data. Alternatively, the transceiver circuit, interface, or interface circuit may be configured to transmit or transfer signals.

[0264] In any of the designs described above, the processor 1001 can store instructions. These instructions may be computer programs. The computer programs are executed on the processor 1001, and as a result, the communication device 1000 can perform the methods described in the embodiments of the above-described methods. The computer programs may be fixed to the processor 1001, in which case the processor 1001 may be implemented by hardware.

[0265] In implementation, the communication device 1000 may include a circuit, which may implement a transmit, receive, or communicate function in any embodiment of the method described above. The processor and transceiver described herein may be mounted on an integrated circuit (IC), analog IC, radio frequency integrated circuit (RFIC), mixed-signal IC, application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or printed circuit board (PCB), electronic device, etc. The processor and transceiver may be manufactured using various IC technologies, such as complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS), n-metal oxide semiconductor (NMOS), positive channel metal oxide semiconductor (PMOS), bipolar junction transistor (BJT), bipolar CMOS (BiCMOS), silicon germanium (SiGe), and gallium arsenide (GaAs).

[0266] The scope of communication equipment described herein is not limited thereto, and the structure of communication equipment may not be limited by Figure 17. Communication equipment may be a standalone device or part of a larger device. For example, communication equipment may be: (1) Independent integrated circuits (ICs), chips, or chip systems or subsystems, (2) A set comprising one or more ICs, optionally the set of ICs further comprising a storage component configured to store data and computer programs. (3) ASIC, for example, modem, (4) Modules that can be incorporated into other devices, (5) receivers, terminals, intelligent terminals, mobile phones, wireless devices, handheld devices, mobile units, in-vehicle devices, network devices, cloud devices, artificial intelligence devices, or (6) other devices.

[0267] In a possible product form, the AP MLD and the STA in the embodiments of the present application may be implemented by a general-purpose processor.

[0268] A general-purpose processor implementing an AP MLD includes a processing circuit, and an input-output interface internally connected to the processing circuit and communicating with the processing circuit.

[0269] In design, the general-purpose processor may be configured to perform the functions of the first AP of the first AP MLD in the foregoing first embodiment. Specifically, the processing circuit is configured to perform step S101 of FIG. 7 and / or another process of the technology described in the present specification. The input-output interface is configured to perform step S102 of FIG. 7 and / or another process of the technology described in the present specification.

[0270] In another design, the general-purpose processor may be configured to perform the functions of the second AP of the first AP MLD in the foregoing second embodiment. Specifically, the processing circuit is configured to perform step S201 of FIG. 9 and / or another process of the technology described in the present specification. The input-output interface is configured to perform step S202 of FIG. 9 and / or another process of the technology described in the present specification.

[0271] A general-purpose processor implementing a Non-AP MLD includes a processing circuit, and an input-output interface internally connected to the processing circuit and communicating with the processing circuit.

[0272] In the design, the general-purpose processor can be configured to perform the function of the first STA of the Non-AP MLD of Embodiment 1 described above. Specifically, the processing circuit is configured to perform step S104 in Figure 7 and / or another process of the technology described herein. The input / output interface is configured to perform step S103 in Figure 7 and / or another process of the technology described herein.

[0273] In an alternative design, a general-purpose processor may be configured to perform the function of the second STA of the Non-AP MLD of Embodiment 2 described above. Specifically, the processing circuit is configured to perform step S204 in Figure 9 and / or another process of the technology described herein. The input / output interface is configured to perform step S203 in Figure 9 and / or another process of the technology described herein.

[0274] In possible product formats, the AP MLD or STA described in the embodiments of this application may be implemented using, instead, one or more FPGAs (field programmable gate arrays), PLDs (programmable logic devices), control units, state machines, gate logic, individual hardware components, any other suitable circuitry, or any combination of circuits capable of performing the various functions described herein.

[0275] It should be understood that the various product forms of communication equipment described above have either the AP MLD or STA functionality as described in the embodiment of the method. Further details are not provided here.

[0276] Embodiments of the present invention further provide a computer-readable storage medium. The computer-readable storage medium stores computer program code. When a processor executes the computer program code, the electronic device performs the method according to any of the embodiments described above.

[0277] One embodiment of the present invention further provides a computer program product. When the computer program product is executed on a computer, the computer is made executable in any of the embodiments described above.

[0278] Embodiments of the present invention further provide a communication device. The device may reside in the form of a chip. The structure of the device includes a processor and an interface circuit. The processor is configured to communicate with another device through the interface circuit, enabling the communication device to perform the method in any of the embodiments described above.

[0279] Embodiments of the present invention further provide a wireless communication system including a first AP MLD and STA. The first AP MLD and STA can perform the methods in any of the above embodiments.

[0280] The methods or algorithmic steps described in connection with the content disclosed herein may be implemented in hardware or by a processor by executing software instructions. Software instructions may include corresponding software modules. These software modules may be stored in random access memory (RAM), flash memory, erasable programmable read-only memory (Erasable PROM, EPROM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (Electrically EPROM, EEPROM), registers, hard disks, removable hard disks, compact disk read-only memory (CD-ROM), or any other form of storage medium well known in the art. For example, the storage medium may be coupled to a processor, thereby enabling the processor to read information from or write information to the storage medium. Of course, the storage medium may be a component of the processor. The processor and storage medium may be located within an ASIC. Furthermore, the ASIC may be located within a core network interface device. Of course, the processor and storage medium may exist as separate components within the core network interface device.

[0281] A person skilled in the art should recognize that in one or more of the above-mentioned examples, the functions described herein may be implemented by hardware, software, firmware, or any combination thereof. If the functions are implemented by software, they may be stored in a computer-readable medium or transmitted to a computer-readable medium as one or more instructions or codes. The computer-readable medium may include computer-readable storage and communication media, and further include any medium that enables the transmission of a computer program from one location to another. The storage medium may be any available medium accessible by a general-purpose or dedicated computer.

[0282] The specific implementations described above further elaborate on the objectives, technical solutions, and beneficial effects of this application. It should be understood that these descriptions are merely specific implementations of this application and are not intended to limit the scope of protection. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, or improvements based on the technical solutions of this application should be included within the scope of protection.

Claims

1. A method for managing Critical Basic Service Set (BSS) parameters applicable to multiple links, A first frame is generated by a first access point (AP) in a first access point multilink device (AP MLD), wherein the first frame includes critical basic service set (BSS) parameter update information corresponding to each of the multiple APs in the first AP MLD, and critical BSS parameter update information corresponding to each of the multiple APs in a second AP MLD, the second AP MLD being an AP MLD to which non-transmitting APs in a set of multibasic service set identifiers (BSSIDs) including the first AP belong, and one critical BSS parameter update information corresponding to an AP is used to determine whether a critical BSS parameter in the BSS managed by the AP has been updated. The steps include: transmitting the first frame on the link on which the first AP operates using the first AP MLD; A method that includes this.

2. A method for managing critical BSS parameters applicable to multiple links, A first station (STA) in a first non-access point multilink device (non-AP MLD) receives a first frame on the link on which the first STA operates, wherein the first frame contains critical BSS parameter update information corresponding to multiple APs in the first AP MLD and critical BSS parameter update information corresponding to multiple APs in a second AP MLD, the second AP MLD being an AP MLD to which non-transmitting APs in a multi-BSSID set including the first AP belong, and one critical BSS parameter update information corresponding to an AP is used to determine whether the critical BSS parameters in the BSS managed by the AP are updated. The first STA in the first non-AP MLD determines whether, based on the first frame, the critical BSS parameters of multiple BSSs managed by multiple APs in the AP MLD associated with the first STA are updated. A method that includes this.

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein the critical BSS parameter update information includes a critical BSS parameter update count value, and the first non-AP MLD records the last received critical BSS parameter update count value corresponding to each link.

4. The aforementioned critical BSS parameter update information includes a critical BSS parameter update count value, The aforementioned method, The method according to claim 2, further comprising the step of receiving a beacon frame of the second AP by a station associated with the second AP in the first non-AP MLD if the critical BSS parameter update count value received by the first STA in the first non-AP MLD, corresponding to the second AP in the AP MLD associated with the first non-AP MLD, is different from the critical BSS parameter update count value of the second AP last received by the first non-AP MLD, wherein the beacon frame carries the latest critical BSS parameters of the second AP.

5. The aforementioned critical BSS parameter update information includes a critical BSS parameter update count value, The aforementioned method, The method according to claim 2, further comprising the step of obtaining the latest critical BSS parameters of the second AP by the STA in the first non-AP MLD if the critical BSS parameter update count value received by the first STA in the first non-AP MLD, corresponding to the second AP in the AP MLD associated with the first non-AP MLD, is different from the critical BSS parameter update count value of the second AP last received by the first non-AP MLD.

6. The aforementioned method, The method according to claim 3, further comprising the step of updating the locally stored critical BSS parameter update count value corresponding to the AP in the first AP MLD and indicated by the first frame, if the critical BSS parameter update count value corresponding to the AP and indicated by the first non-AP MLD is different from the critical BSS parameter update count value corresponding to the AP and indicated by the first non-AP MLD.

7. The method according to claim 3, wherein when one of the critical BSS parameters changes, the critical BSS parameter update count value increases by 1.

8. The method according to any one of claims 3 to 7, wherein the first frame includes a link identifier field and a multilink device (MLD) identifier field, the link identifier field indicates a reported AP, and the MLD identifier field indicates an AP MLD including the reported AP.

9. The method according to claim 8, wherein the field carrying the critical BSS parameter update count value, the link identifier field, and the MLD identifier field are carried in the simplified neighbor report (RNR) element of the first frame.

10. The method according to claim 9, wherein one target beacon transmission time (TBTT) information field within the RNR element carries one critical BSS parameter update count value, one link identifier field, and one MLD identifier field, and one TBTT information field corresponds to one AP.

11. The method according to claim 10, wherein the value of the short service set identifier (SSID) field of the AP in the RNR element is obtained based on the SSID of the MLD containing the AP.

12. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the first frame is one of a beacon frame, a probe response frame, and an association response frame.

13. The method according to claim 1, wherein the association response frame transmitted by the AP in the first AP MLD carries the current critical BSS parameter update count values ​​of the multiple APs.

14. A step of generating a second frame using the first AP in the first AP MLD, wherein the second frame shows specific critical BSS parameters of multiple APs in the first AP MLD and specific critical BSS parameters of multiple APs in the second AP MLD. The steps include: transmitting the second frame on the link on which the first AP operates using the first AP MLD; A method according to any one of claim 1, claim 12, or claim 13, further comprising the above.

15. The aforementioned method, The first STA receives a second frame on the link on which the first STA operates, wherein the second frame shows specific critical BSS parameters of multiple APs in the first AP MLD and specific critical BSS parameters of multiple APs in the second AP MLD. The first STA analyzes the second frame to obtain specific critical BSS parameters for multiple APs within the AP MLD associated with the non-AP MLD, The method according to any one of claims 2 to 11, or claim 12, which is dependent on claim 2.

16. The method according to claim 14 or 15, wherein one specific critical BSS parameter of one AP in the second frame includes one or more of the following: inclusion of a channel switching announcement element, inclusion of an extended channel switching announcement element, inclusion of a broadband channel switching element, and inclusion of a channel switching wrapper element.

17. The method according to any one of claims 14 to 16, wherein one particular critical BSS parameter of the AP in the second frame further comprises one or more of the inclusion of a quiet element and the inclusion of a quiet channel element.

18. The method according to any one of claims 14 to 17, wherein the specific critical BSS parameter is carried by a multilink (ML) element.

19. A communication device comprising a processor and a transceiver, wherein the transceiver and the processor are configured to perform the method according to any one of claims 1, 12, 13, 14, or 16 to 18 dependent on claim 14.

20. A communication device comprising a processor and a transceiver, wherein the transceiver and the processor are configured to perform the method according to any one of claims 2 to 11, claim 12 dependent on claim 2, claim 15, or claims 16 to 18 dependent on claim 15.

21. A computer-readable storage medium, wherein the computer-readable storage medium stores instructions, and when the instructions are executed on a computer, the computer is enabled by a first access point (AP) in a first access point multilink device (AP MLD) to perform the method according to any one of claims 1, 12, 13, 14, or 16 to 18 dependent on claim 14.

22. A computer-readable storage medium, wherein the computer-readable storage medium stores instructions, and when an instruction is executed on a computer, the computer is enabled by a first station (STA) in a first non-access point multilink device (non-AP MLD) to perform the method according to any one of claims 2 to 11, claim 12 dependent on claim 2, claim 15, or claims 16 to 18 dependent on claim 15.

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