Wireless frame transmission method and apparatus, and wireless frame reception method and apparatus

Abstract

The embodiment of the present application provides a method and apparatus for transmitting a radio frame and a method and apparatus for receiving a radio frame, so as to convey station information of a multi-link station device in a manner that multiple MLEs of a radio frame convey station information of the same link. This avoids radio frame transmission failure and improves communication efficiency. In the method, a multi-link device generates a radio frame, where the radio frame comprises a first multi-link element MLE and a second MLE, the first MLE has a first information element, the second MLE has a second information element, and the first information element and the second information element correspond to station information of the same link. Then, the multi-link device transmits the radio frame. The present application is applied to a wireless local area network system supporting a next-generation Wi-Fi protocol of IEEE 802.11ax, for example, an 802.11 series protocol such as 802.11be or EHT.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application claims priority from Chinese Patent Application No. 202110826539.2 filed with the China National Intellectual Property Administration on July 21, 2021, entitled "Wireless frame transmission method and apparatus, and wireless frame reception method and apparatus", the entire content of which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] The present application relates to the field of Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) technology, and in particular, to the fields of a wireless frame transmission method and apparatus, and a wireless frame reception method and apparatus.

Background Art

[0003] With the development of wireless technology, more wireless devices support multi-link communication. For example, a device supports simultaneous communication on 2.4 gigahertz (GHz), 5 GHz and 6 GHz frequency bands, or supports simultaneous communication on different channels of the same frequency band. This improves the communication rate between devices. Such a device is generally referred to as a multi-link device (MLD). A multi-link device may be a multi-link access point device or a multi-link station device.

[0004] Currently, in the communication process between multi-link devices, one multi-link device can transmit a wireless frame including a multi-link element (MLE) to another multi-link device. The MLE can be used to carry station information of a multi-link device. The maximum length of information carried in the MLE is fixed, and the maximum length is configured by the Length field in the MLE.

[0005] However, when the length of the station information of a multilink device is large, the length of the station information carried by the MLE of the multilink device may be greater than the maximum length configured for the MLE. Consequently, the MLE cannot carry the station information of the multilink device, resulting in failure of wireless frame transmission and affecting communication efficiency. [Overview of the Initiative]

[0006] Embodiments of the present invention provide a wireless frame transmission method and apparatus, and a wireless frame reception method and apparatus, for transmitting station information of a multilink station device in a manner in which multiple MLEs of wireless frames carry station information of the same link. This avoids wireless frame transmission failures and improves communication efficiency.

[0007] According to a first aspect, embodiments of the present application provide a wireless frame transmission method applicable to WLAN communication. The method is performed by a multilink device or several components within a multilink device (e.g., a processor, a chip, or a chip system). In the method, the multilink device generates a wireless frame. The wireless frame comprises a first multilink element MLE and a second MLE, the first MLE having a first information element, the second MLE having a second information element, and the first and second information elements corresponding to station information of the same link. The multilink device then transmits the wireless frame.

[0008] According to the technical solution, a wireless frame transmitted by a multilink device includes a first MLE and a second MLE, where the first information element in the first MLE and the second information element in the second MLE correspond to station information on the same link. Compared to implementations where wireless frame transmission fails because the station information of the multilink device cannot be carried when the length of the station information carried in a single MLE of the multilink device is greater than the maximum length configured by the MLE, the station information of the multilink station device is carried in a manner in which multiple MLEs of the wireless frame carry station information on the same link. This avoids wireless frame transmission failures and improves communication efficiency.

[0009] It should be noted that the fact that the first and second information elements correspond to station information of the same link can also be expressed as the first and second information elements corresponding to different parts of station information of the same link. In addition, station information of the same link is fragmented into at least two parts. One part of the station information of the link corresponds to the first information element (this can also be said to be carried in the first information element), and the other part of the station information of the link corresponds to the second information element (this can also be said to be carried in the second information element).

[0010] According to a second aspect, embodiments of the present invention provide a method for receiving wireless frames applied to WLAN communication. The method is performed by a multilink device or several components within a multilink device (e.g., a processor, a chip, or a chip system). In the method, the multilink device receives a wireless frame. The wireless frame comprises a first multilink element MLE and a second MLE, the first MLE having a first information element, the second MLE having a second information element, and the first and second information elements corresponding to station information of the same link. Next, the multilink device determines the station information based on the wireless frame.

[0011] According to the technical solution, a wireless frame received by a multilink device includes a first MLE and a second MLE, where the first information element in the first MLE and the second information element in the second MLE correspond to station information on the same link. Compared to implementations where wireless frame transmission fails because the station information of the multilink device cannot be carried when the length of the station information carried in a single MLE of the multilink device is greater than the maximum length configured by the MLE, the station information of the multilink station device is carried in a manner in which multiple MLEs of the wireless frame carry station information on the same link. This avoids wireless frame transmission failures and improves communication efficiency.

[0012] According to a third aspect, an embodiment of the present invention provides a wireless frame transmitter used in WLAN communication. The device may specifically be a multilink device or several components within a multilink device (e.g., a processor, a chip, or a chip system). The device comprises a transceiver unit and a processing unit. The processing unit is configured to generate wireless frames. The wireless frame comprises a first multilink element MLE and a second MLE, the first MLE having a first information element, the second MLE having a second information element, and the first and second information elements corresponding to station information of the same link. The transceiver unit is configured to transmit wireless frames.

[0013] According to the technical solution, the wireless frame transmitted by the transceiver unit includes a first MLE and a second MLE, where the first information element in the first MLE and the second information element in the second MLE correspond to station information on the same link. Compared to implementations where wireless frame transmission fails because the station information of the multilink device cannot be carried when the length of the station information carried in a single MLE of the multilink device is greater than the maximum length configured by the MLE, the station information of the multilink station device is carried in a manner in which multiple MLEs of the wireless frame carry station information on the same link. This avoids wireless frame transmission failures and improves communication efficiency.

[0014] According to a fourth aspect, an embodiment of the present invention provides a wireless frame receiving device used in WLAN communication. The device may specifically be a multilink device or several components within a multilink device (e.g., a processor, a chip, or a chip system). The device comprises a transceiver unit and a processing unit. The transceiver unit is configured to receive wireless frames. The wireless frame comprises a first multilink element MLE and a second MLE, the first MLE having a first information element, the second MLE having a second information element, and the first and second information elements corresponding to station information of the same link. The processing unit is configured to determine station information based on the wireless frame.

[0015] According to the technical solution, the wireless frame received by the transceiver unit includes a first MLE and a second MLE, where the first information element in the first MLE and the second information element in the second MLE correspond to station information on the same link. Compared to implementations where wireless frame transmission fails because the station information of the multilink device cannot be carried when the length of the station information carried in a single MLE of the multilink device is greater than the maximum length configured by the MLE, the station information of the multilink station device is carried in a manner in which multiple MLEs of the wireless frame carry station information on the same link. This avoids wireless frame transmission failures and improves communication efficiency.

[0016] In any one possible implementation of the first to fourth embodiments of the present invention, the first information element and the second information element each include a Link ID field, wherein the value of the Link ID field of the first information element is the same as the value of the Link ID field of the second information element.

[0017] According to the technical solution, an information element can identify the link on which the station information being transported is located by using the link identifier field contained within the information element. If the value of the link identifier field of the first information element is the same as the value of the link identifier field of the second information element, it can indicate that the link on which the station information being transported is located in the first information element is the same as the link on which the station information being transported is located in the second information element. Therefore, if the values ​​of the link identifier fields are the same, it indicates that the first and second information elements correspond to station information on the same link.

[0018] In any one possible implementation of the first to fourth embodiments of the present invention, the first information element includes first instruction information, which indicates whether the station information has been fragmented.

[0019] According to the technical solution, the first information element may include first instruction information indicating whether the station information is fragmented, to indicate that the station information of the link carried in the first information element is fragmented into at least two fragments, and that the first instruction information is at least one of the at least two fragments carried in another information element (e.g., the second information element). Thus, the first instruction information indicates that the first information element and the second information element correspond to the station information of the same link.

[0020] Optionally, the second information element includes the first referential information.

[0021] Optionally, the first instruction information indicates whether the station information has been fragmented.

[0022] Optionally, the first instruction information indicates whether different fragments of station information are being transported in different information elements.

[0023] Optionally, the first indication information indicates that the station information is fragmented, and the station information of the first information element is the first fragment.

[0024] Optionally, the first indication information indicates that the station information is fragmented, and the station information of the first information element is the last fragment.

[0025] Optionally, the first indication information indicates that the station information is fragmented, and the station information of the first information element is an intermediate fragment (neither the first fragment nor the last fragment).

[0026] Optionally, the first indication information indicates that the station information is not fragmented.

[0027] In a possible implementation of any one of the first to fourth aspects in the embodiments of the present application, the first indication information is carried in a station control (STA control) information field of the first information element.

[0028] According to the technical solution, the first indication information indicating whether the station information is fragmented is carried in the station control field of the first information element, which can provide a specific implementation for implementing the first indication information.

[0029] In a possible implementation of any one of the first to fourth aspects in the embodiments of the present application, the first information element includes second indication information, and the second indication information indicates the number of information elements carrying the station information.

[0030] According to the technical solution, the first information element may include second indication information indicating the number of information elements carrying station information, so as to indicate that the station information of a link carried in the first information element is carried in a plurality of information elements (including at least the second information element) and indicate the number of the plurality of information elements. Accordingly, the second indication information indicates that the first information element and the second information element correspond to station information of a same link.

[0031] Optionally, the second information element includes the second indication information.

[0032] Optionally, the second indication information indicates the number of fragments of the station information.

[0033] Optionally, the second indication information indicates the number of information elements carrying station information, and the information elements carrying station information include the first information element.

[0034] Optionally, the second indication information indicates the number of information elements carrying station information, and the information elements carrying station information do not include the first information element.

[0035] Optionally, the second indication information indicates a sequence number of an information element carrying station information, and the sequence number is a forward sequence number.

[0036] Optionally, the second indication information indicates a sequence number of an information element carrying station information, and the sequence number is a reverse sequence number.

[0037] In any one possible implementation from the first aspect to the fourth aspect in the embodiments of the present application, the second indication information is carried in a station control field of the first information element.

[0038] According to the technical solution, second instruction information indicating the number of information elements that carry station information is carried in the station control field of the first information element, and can provide a specific implementation that implements the second instruction information.

[0039] In any one possible implementation of the first to fourth embodiments of the present invention, the second information element includes third instruction information, the third instruction information indicating that the second information element is the last information element in a plurality of information elements that carry the station information.

[0040] According to the technical solution, the second information element may include third instruction information indicating that the second information element is the last information element among multiple information elements that carry the station information, in order to indicate that the station information of the link carried in the second information element is carried in multiple information elements (including at least the second information element) and that the second information element is the last information element among the multiple information elements. Accordingly, the third instruction information indicates the first and second information elements corresponding to the station information of the same link.

[0041] Optionally, the third instruction information indicates that there are no other information elements carrying station information after the second information element.

[0042] Optionally, station information is fragmented into multiple fragments, and the third instruction information indicates that the fragment being transported in the second information element of the station information is the last fragment.

[0043] Optionally, the third instruction information may include a non-inheritance element.

[0044] In any one possible implementation of the first to fourth embodiments of the present invention, the first information element and the second information element each include a Complete Profile field, the value of the Complete Profile field of the first information element being the same as the value of the Complete Profile field of the second information element.

[0045] According to the technical solution, an information element can indicate the relevant profile of the station information carried in the information element by using the complete profile field contained within the information element. If the value of the complete profile field of the first information element is the same as the value of the complete profile field of the second information element, it can indicate that the profile of the station information carried in the first information element is the same as the profile of the station information carried in the second information element. Therefore, having the same value for the complete profile field indicates that both the first and second information elements in the radio frame carry complete station information.

[0046] Optionally, the second information element does not include the complete profile field.

[0047] In any one possible implementation of the first to fourth embodiments of the present invention, the first information element includes a station information (STA Info) field, the station information field indicates the associated station information of the first information element and the associated station information of the second information element.

[0048] According to the technical solution, an information element can indicate the relevant station information being transported within the information element by using the station information field contained within the information element. The station information field of the first information element indicates not only the relevant station information being transported within the first information element, but also the relevant station information being transported within the second information element. Therefore, the station information field of the first information element indicates that the first and second information elements correspond to station information on the same link.

[0049] In any one possible implementation of the first to fourth embodiments of the present invention, the second information element does not include a station information field; or the second information element includes the station information field, the value of which is a reserved value.

[0050] According to the technical solution, the associated station information of the second information element is indicated by the station information field of the first information element, so the second information element does not need to carry the station information field; or, the station information field of the second information element may be set to a reserved value, and by using the reserved value, other information / data different from the information in the station information field may be carried. Therefore, the station information field of the first information element is reused to indicate the associated station information of multiple information elements, thereby reducing overhead and further improving communication efficiency.

[0051] Optionally, the second information element includes a station information field.

[0052] In any one possible implementation of the first to fourth embodiments of the present invention, the station information field includes at least one of the following: medium access control address present (MAC Address Present) field, beacon interval present (Beacon Interval Present) field, delivery traffic indication message information present (DTIM Info Present) field, and non-simultaneous transmit and receive link pair present (NSTR Link Pair Present) field.

[0053] According to the technical solution, the station information field may specifically include at least one of the aforementioned fields to indicate the relevant station information.

[0054] In any one possible implementation of the first to fourth embodiments of the present invention, the element type of the first information element is the same as the element type of the second information element.

[0055] According to the technical solution, the element type of the first information element is the same as the element type of the second information element; that is, station information of the same link is conveyed across multiple information elements of the same element type.

[0056] Optionally, the first information element and the second information element each include a type field, and the value of the type field of the first information element is the same as the value of the type field of the second information element.

[0057] Optionally, the type field is a subelement ID field.

[0058] In any one possible implementation of the first to fourth embodiments of the present invention, the element type of the first information element is different from the element type of the second information element.

[0059] According to the technical solution, the element type of the first information element is different from the element type of the second information element; that is, station information of the same link is conveyed across multiple information elements of different element types.

[0060] In any one possible implementation of the first to fourth embodiments of the present invention, the first information element and the second information element each include a type field, the value of the type field of the first information element being different from the value of the type field of the second information element.

[0061] According to the technical solution, the type field of the information element indicates the type of the information element, and different values ​​of the type field may indicate that the element type of the first information element is different from the element type of the second information element.

[0062] Optionally, the type field is a subelement ID field.

[0063] In any one possible implementation of the first to fourth embodiments of the present invention, the first MLE and the second MLE are adjacent MLEs in the wireless frame.

[0064] According to the technical solution, the first MLE and the second MLE may be adjacent MLEs in the radio frame. Compared to a system in which station information for the same link is carried by non-adjacent MLEs, a system in which station information for the same link is carried by multiple adjacent MLEs in the radio frame can help the receiver of the radio frame to acquire station information for the same link.

[0065] Optionally, in a wireless frame, there are no other MLEs between the first MLE and the second MLE.

[0066] Optionally, in a wireless frame, the first MLE is located before the second MLE, or in a wireless frame, the second MLE is located after the first MLE.

[0067] In any one possible implementation of the first to fourth embodiments of the present invention, the first MLE includes a common information field, the common information field indicates multilink common information for the first MLE and multilink common information for the second MLE.

[0068] According to the technical solution, an information element can indicate multilink common information carried within the information element by using a common information field contained within the information element. The common information field of the first information element indicates not only the multilink common information carried within the first information element, but also the multilink common information carried within the second information element. Therefore, the common information field of the first information element indicates the multilink common information corresponding to the first and second information elements.

[0069] In any one possible implementation of the first to fourth embodiments of the present invention, the second MLE does not have a common information field; or the second MLE has a common information field, and the value of the common information field of the second MLE is a reserved value.

[0070] According to the technical solution, since the multilink common information of the second information element is indicated by the common information field of the first information element, the second information element does not need to carry the common information field; or, by setting the common information field of the second information element to a reserved value, the reserved value can be used to carry other information / data different from the information in the common information field. Therefore, the common information field of the first information element is reused to indicate the multilink common information of multiple information elements, thereby reducing overhead and further improving communication efficiency.

[0071] Optionally, the second information element includes a common information field.

[0072] In any one possible implementation of the first to fourth embodiments of the present invention, the first MLE includes a multilink control field, the multilink control field indicates multilink control information for the first MLE and multilink control information for the second MLE.

[0073] According to the technical solution, an information element can indicate multilink control information carried within the information element by using a multilink control field contained within the information element. The multilink control field of the first information element indicates not only the multilink control information carried within the first information element, but also the multilink control information carried within the second information element. Therefore, the multilink control field of the first information element indicates multilink control information corresponding to the first and second information elements.

[0074] In any one possible implementation of the first to fourth embodiments of the present invention, the second MLE does not have a multilink control field; or the second MLE has a multilink control field, and all values ​​of the Presence bitmap field in the multilink control field of the second MLE are 0.

[0075] According to the technical solution, since the multilink control information of the second information element is indicated by the multilink control information field of the first information element, the second information element does not need to carry the multilink control information field; or, the multilink control field of the second information element may be set to a reserved value, and by using the reserved value, other information / data different from the information in the multilink control field may be carried. Therefore, the multilink control field of the first information element is reused to indicate the multilink control information of multiple information elements, thereby reducing overhead and further improving communication efficiency.

[0076] Optionally, the second information element includes a common information field.

[0077] In any one possible implementation of the first to fourth embodiments of the present invention, the wireless frame is an association request frame, a reassociation request frame, an association response frame, a reassociation response frame, or a probe response frame.

[0078] According to the technical solution, in multiple implementations of a wireless frame, the wireless frame can carry a first MLE and a second MLE, and the first information element contained in the first MLE and the second information element contained in the second MLE correspond to station information of the same link. Therefore, station information of a multilink station device can be carried in different wireless frames in a manner in which multiple MLEs of the wireless frame carry station information of the same link, thereby improving communication efficiency.

[0079] According to a fifth aspect, an embodiment of the present invention provides a communication device including at least one processor. The at least one processor is coupled to a memory. The memory is configured to store a program or instructions. The at least one processor is configured to execute the program or instructions, so that the device implements a method in any one of the first aspect or a possible implementation of the first aspect, a method in any one of the second aspect or a possible implementation of the second aspect, a method in any one of the third aspect or a possible implementation of the third aspect, or a method in any one of the fourth aspect or a possible implementation of the fourth aspect.

[0080] According to the sixth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a computer-readable storage medium storing one or more computer-executable instructions. When a computer-executable instruction is executed by a processor, the processor executes a method in any one of the first aspect or a possible implementation of the first aspect, a method in any one of the second aspect or a possible implementation of the second aspect, a method in any one of the third aspect or a possible implementation of the third aspect, or a method in any one of the fourth aspect or a possible implementation of the fourth aspect.

[0081] According to the seventh aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a computer program product (also referred to as a computer program) that stores one or more computers. When the computer program product is executed by a processor, the processor executes a method in any one of the first aspect or a possible implementation of the first aspect, a method in any one of the second aspect or a possible implementation of the second aspect, a method in any one of the third aspect or a possible implementation of the third aspect, or a method in any one of the fourth aspect or a possible implementation of the fourth aspect.

[0082] According to the eighth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a chip system. The chip system includes at least one processor configured to support a communication device by implementing a function in any one of the first aspect or a possible implementation of the first aspect, a function in any one of the second aspect or a possible implementation of the second aspect, a function in any one of the third aspect or a possible implementation of the third aspect, or a function in any one of the fourth aspect or a possible implementation of the fourth aspect.

[0083] In possible designs, the chip system further includes memory. The memory is configured to store program instructions and data necessary for the communication device. The chip system may include a chip, or a chip and other discrete components. Optionally, the chip system further includes interface circuitry, which provides program instructions and / or data to at least one processor.

[0084] According to the ninth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication system. The communication system includes a communication device in the third aspect and a communication device in the fourth aspect, and / or the communication system includes a communication device in the fifth aspect.

[0085] For the technical effects resulting from any design in aspects 5 through 9, please refer to the technical effects resulting from different implementations in aspects 1 through 4. Further details are not described again herein.

[0086] According to the technical solution, the wireless frame transmitted in the WLAN communication process includes a first MLE and a second MLE, where the first information element in the first MLE and the second information element in the second MLE correspond to station information on the same link. Compared to implementations where wireless frame transmission fails because the station information of the multilink device cannot be carried when the length of the station information carried in a single MLE of a multilink device is greater than the maximum length configured by the MLE, the station information of the multilink station device is carried in a manner in which multiple MLEs of the wireless frame carry the station information of the same link. This avoids wireless frame transmission failures and improves communication efficiency.

[0087] In addition, the maximum length of information carried in an MLE information element is fixed. When the length of the link station information in a multilink device carried in a single information element is greater than the maximum length composed of the information elements, wireless frame transmission fails because the link station information in the multilink device cannot be carried. In the technical solution, the station information for the same link in a multilink station device is carried in a manner in which multiple information elements of the wireless frame (including a first information element and a second information element) carry the station information for the same link. This avoids wireless frame transmission failure and improves communication efficiency. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0088] [Figure 1] This is a schematic diagram of a communication system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0089] [Figure 2] This is a schematic diagram of a multilink association according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0090] [Figure 3] This is a schematic diagram of a wireless frame according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0091] [Figure 4] This is another schematic diagram of a wireless frame according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0092] [Figure 5] This is a schematic diagram of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0093] [Figure 6] This is another schematic diagram of a wireless frame according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0094] [Figure 7a] This is another schematic diagram of a wireless frame according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0095] [Figure 7b] This is another schematic diagram of a wireless frame according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0096] [Figure 7c] This is another schematic diagram of a wireless frame according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0097] [Figure 7d] This is another schematic diagram of a wireless frame according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0098] [Figure 8a] This is another schematic diagram of a wireless frame according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0099] [Figure 8b] This is another schematic diagram of a wireless frame according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0100] [Figure 8c] This is another schematic diagram of a wireless frame according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0101] [Figure 9a] This is another schematic diagram of a wireless frame according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0102] [Figure 9b] This is another schematic diagram of a wireless frame according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0103] [Figure 10] This is a schematic diagram of a communication device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0104] [Figure 11] This is another schematic diagram of a communication device according to an embodiment of the present application. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0105] In this Application, unless otherwise specified, the same or similar parts of the embodiments should be referenced to one another. The embodiments and implementation examples / methods in the embodiments of this Application are consistent in their terminology and / or descriptions, unless otherwise specified or without logical inconsistency, and mutual references are permitted between different embodiments and between implementation examples / methods in those embodiments. The technical features and implementation examples / methods in different embodiments may be combined, based on their internal logical relationships, to form new embodiments, implementations, or methods of implementation. The following implementations of this Application are not intended to limit the scope of protection of this Application.

[0106] In some scenarios, it may be understood that some optional features in embodiments of the present application can be implemented independently of other features, such as the solution on which the optional features currently rest, to solve the corresponding technical problems and achieve the corresponding effects. Alternatively, in some scenarios, optional features may be combined with other features as needed. Accordingly, the apparatus provided in embodiments of the present application may also implement these features or functions as appropriate. Details are not described herein.

[0107] In this description, the term “a plurality of” means two or more unless otherwise specified. “At least one of the following items (elements)” or similar expressions refer to any combination of these items, including any single item (element) or any combination of multiple items (elements). For example, at least one item (element) a, b, or c may be a, b, c, a and b, a and c, b and c, or a, b, and c, where a, b, and c may be singular or plural.

[0108] In addition, in order to clearly describe the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application, terms such as "first" and "second" are used in the embodiments of this application to distinguish the same or similar items that provide essentially the same function or purpose. Those skilled in the art will understand that terms such as "first" and "second" do not limit the number or order of execution, and that terms such as "first" and "second" do not indicate a clear difference. In addition, in the embodiments of this application, expressions such as "example" or "for example" are used to indicate that an illustration, diagram, or explanation is being provided. Any embodiment or design scheme described as "example" or "for example" in some embodiments of this application should not be described as being preferable or having more advantages than another embodiment or design scheme. More precisely, the use of expressions such as "example" and "for example" is intended to present relative concepts in a specific manner for ease of understanding.

[0109] To facilitate understanding of the method provided in the embodiments of this application, the system architecture of the method provided in the embodiments of this application is described below. It should be understood that the system architecture described in the embodiments of this application is intended to more clearly illustrate the technical solution in the embodiments of this application and does not constitute any limitation on the technical solution provided in the embodiments of this application.

[0110] The technical solutions provided herein are applicable to WLAN scenarios and, for example, to IEEE 802.11 system standards such as 802.11a / b / g, 802.11n, 802.11ac, 802.11ax, or successors to 802.11ax, such as 802.11be or further successors.

[0111] While embodiments of this application are primarily described using an example of a deployed WLAN network, particularly one applying the IEEE 802.11 system standard, those skilled in the art will readily understand that embodiments 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, primarily used in Europe), wide area networks (WANs), personal area networks (PANs), or other known or future-developed networks. Accordingly, the various embodiments provided herein are applicable to any suitable wireless network, regardless of coverage and wireless access protocol.

[0112] Alternatively, embodiments of the present invention may be applied to wireless local area network systems, such as the Internet of Things (IoT) or Vehicle to Everything (V2X) networks. Naturally, embodiments of the present invention are also applicable to other possible communication systems, such as long-term evolution (LTE) systems, LTE frequency division duplex (FDD) systems, LTE time division duplex (TDD) systems, universal mobile telecommunications systems (UMTS), worldwide interoperability for microwave access (WiMAX®) communication systems, 5th generation (5G) communication systems, and future 6th generation (6G) communication systems.

[0113] The aforementioned communication systems applicable to this application are merely illustrative examples, and are not limited to those. This has been explained uniformly here and will not be explained again in detail below.

[0114] The wireless frame transmission method and apparatus, and the wireless frame reception method and apparatus provided in the embodiments of this application, can be used in a wireless communication system. The wireless communication system may be a wireless local area network (WLAN) or a cellular network. The method can be implemented in a communication device in the wireless communication system, or in a chip or processor in the communication device. The communication device may be a wireless communication device that supports parallel transmission over multiple links. For example, the communication device may be referred to as a multi-link device (MLD) 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.

[0115] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a communication system according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0116] As shown in Figure 1, the communication system mainly includes at least one multi-link access point device (Multi-link AP device) and at least one multi-link non-access point station device (Multi-link non-AP STA device) (abbreviated as multi-link station device). Multi-link access point devices and multi-link station devices can be collectively referred to as multi-link devices. The following provides a description of multi-link devices.

[0117] A multilink device includes one or more affiliated stations (indicated as affiliated STA). An affiliated STA 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 in which the affiliated station is an AP may be referred to as a multilink AP, a multi-link AP device, or an AP multi-link device; a multilink device in which the affiliated station is a non-AP STA may be referred to as a multilink STA, a multilink STA device, or an STA multi-link device. For ease of explanation, in embodiments of this application, "a multilink device includes an affiliated STA" may also be concisely explained as "a multilink device includes an STA."

[0118] Note that a multilink device includes multiple logical stations, each operating on a single link, but multiple logical stations can operate on the same link. The link identifiers described below represent one station operating on a single link. In other words, if more than one station exists on a single link, one or more link identifiers are used to represent those stations. The links described below may, in some cases, represent stations operating on that link.

[0119] During data transmission between a multilink AP device and a multilink STA, a link identifier may be used to identify a link or a station on a link. Prior to communication, the multilink AP device and the multilink STA device may negotiate or communicate with each other regarding the correspondence between link identifiers and a link or a station on a link. Thus, during data transmission, instead of transmitting a large amount of signaling information for indication, the link or a station on the link is indicated by carrying a link identifier. This reduces signaling overhead and improves transmission efficiency.

[0120] In one example, a multilink AP device may transmit a management frame, such as a beacon frame, during BSS establishment, where the management frame carries an element containing multiple link identifier information fields, and the correspondence between the link identifier and stations operating on a single link may be established in each of the link identifier information fields. Each of the link identifier information fields contains a link identifier and further contains one or more of the following: medium access control (MAC) address, operating class, and channel number, where one or more of the MAC address, operating class, and channel number may indicate a link. In another example, during the multilink association establishment process, a multilink AP device and a multilink station device negotiate multiple link identifier information fields. In subsequent communication, the multilink AP device or multilink station device may represent a station on the multilink device by using the link identifier, where the link identifier may further represent one or more attributes of the station: MAC address, operating class, and channel number. The MAC address may be replaced by the association identifier of the multilink AP device associated with the station.

[0121] When multiple stations operate on a single link, the link identifier (numerical ID) represents the operating class and channel number corresponding to the link, and also represents the identifier of the station operating on the link, such as the station's MAC address or AID.

[0122] Multilink devices can implement wireless communication according to the 802.11 series protocol. For example, an extremely high throughput (EHT) compliant station, or a station compatible with or supporting 802.11be, implements communication with another device. Naturally, the other device may or may not be a multilink device.

[0123] In this application, a non-AP MLD may be a wireless communication chip, a wireless sensor, or a wireless communication terminal. For example, a non-AP MLD may be a user terminal, user equipment, access device, subscriber station, subscriber unit, mobile station, user agent, or user device having Wi-Fi® communication capabilities. A user terminal may be any one of various devices having wireless communication capabilities, such as a handheld device, in-vehicle device, wearable device, Internet of Things (IoT) device, computing device, another process device connected to a wireless modem, and various forms of user equipment (UE), mobile station (MS), terminal, terminal equipment, portable communication device, handheld device, portable computing device, entertainment device, game device or system, global positioning system device, and any other suitable device configured for network communication over a wireless medium. In addition, a non-AP MLD may support the 802.11be standard or the next-generation WLAN standard of the 802.11be standard. Non-AP MLDs can also support multiple WLAN standards such as 802.11ax, 802.11ac, 802.11n, 802.11g, 802.11b, and 802.11a.

[0124] The AP MLD in the embodiments of this application may be a device deployed in a wireless communication network that provides wireless communication functionality to non-APs associated with the AP MLD. AP MLDs are primarily deployed in homes, inside buildings, and on university campuses, with typical coverage ranging from tens to hundreds of meters in radius. Naturally, AP MLDs can also be deployed outdoors. AP MLDs are equivalent to bridges connecting wired and wireless networks. The main function of AP MLDs is to connect various wireless network clients together and then connect the wireless network to Ethernet®. Specifically, AP MLDs may be communication devices with Wi-Fi chips, such as base stations, routers, gateways, repeaters, communication servers, switches, or bridges. Base stations may include macro base stations, micro base stations, and relay stations in various forms. In addition, AP MLDs may support the 802.11be standard or the next-generation WLAN standard of the 802.11be standard. AP MLD can also support WLAN standards such as 802.11ax, 802.11ac, 802.11n, 802.11g, 802.11b, and 802.11a.

[0125] As described above, multilink access point devices and multilink station devices can communicate with each other using multiple radio frames, such as association request frames, reassociation request frames, association response frames, reassociation response frames, and probe response frames. Different radio frames may carry multilink elements (MLEs) to carry station information of the multilink devices. MLEs may also be referred to as multilink information units.

[0126] In the following, to illustrate the specific implementation of the association request frame used in the association process, we will use the association process of a multilink device as an example. As shown in Figure 2, in the multilink establishment (or multilink association) process, one station in a multilink station device may send an association request frame to one access point in a multilink access point device, where the association request frame carries an MLE for carrying information about the current station in the multilink station device and information about another station in the multilink device. Similarly, an association response frame returned to the station by the access point may also carry an MLE for carrying information about the current access point in the multilink access point device and information about another access point in the multilink device.

[0127] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of the MLE frame structure. The MLE includes an Element ID field (for example, the value of this field may be 255 as shown in Figure 3), a Length field, an Element ID Extension field, a Multi-Link Control field, a Common Info field, and a Link Info field. The Common Info field carries common information for multiple stations in a multilink device, as well as information about the multilink device itself. The Link Info field carries station information for each link in the multilink device. The Multi-Link Control field carries the type of multilink element and indicator information showing which fields are present and which are not present in the Common Info field.

[0128] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 3, the link information field may further include one or more Per-STA Profile fields. Figure 3 uses an example where the number of Per-STA Profile fields is x (where x is greater than 1). Each Per-STA Profile field may further include a Subelement ID field (for example, the value of the Subelement ID field may be 0 as shown in Figure 3), a Length field, and a Data field.

[0129] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 3, the data fields may further include a Station Control (STA Control) field, a Station Information (STA Info) field, and a Station Profile (STA Profile) field.

[0130] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 3, an STA profile field contains multiple fields. For example, the number of fields in Figure 3 is m (where m is greater than 1). An STA profile field also contains multiple elements. For example, the number of elements in Figure 3 is n (where n is greater than 1). In addition, an STA profile field also contains non-inheritance elements (if any).

[0131] However, as shown in Figure 3, the length of content that can be carried in an MLE is limited, and the specific length of an MLE is indicated by the length field in the MLE. Specifically, the length field in the MLE is followed by the number of octets. For example, the length of the length field in an MLE is 8 bits, which indicates a length from 0 to 255 octets. However, the length of information that needs to be carried in an MLE may exceed 255 octets, and as a result, one MLE alone is insufficient to carry the information of a multilink device.

[0132] In addition, station information for each link in a multilink device is carried in the STA-specific profile subelement within the link information field, while the length of the profile for each STA is also limited. For example, the length field in the STA-specific profile is 8 bits, and as a result, the data portion can carry up to 255 octets. However, the station information for each link may be longer than 255 octets. Consequently, a single STA-specific profile alone is insufficient to carry the station information for each link.

[0133] Before describing embodiments of the present invention, the technology related to basic service set (BSS) scenarios in WLAN communication systems will be described first.

[0134] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a wireless frame in which multiple basic service set identifiers are present in the same frame.

[0135] As shown in Figure 4, the structure of a wireless frame includes two adjacent Multiple Basic Service Set Identifier (BSSID) elements. Each of the Multiple BSSID elements contains the following fields: Element ID field (for example, the value of the Element ID field is 71 as shown in Figure 3), Length field, Max BSSID Indicator field, and Nontransmitted BSSID Profile subelement (also called nontransmitted BSSID profile) field. There may be 0 or more Nontransmitted BSSID Profile fields. In Figure 4, an example is used where the number of Nontransmitted BSSID Profile subelement fields is i (where i is greater than 1).

[0136] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 4, the non-transmitting BSSID profile sub-element i (BSS i) includes a sub-element ID field (for example, the value of the sub-element ID field is 0), a length field, and a data field.

[0137] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 4, the data field includes a Nontransmitted BSSID Capability element field, a Service Set Identifier (SSID) element, a Multiple BSSID-Index element, one or more elements, and a non-inherited element (if present). In the example shown in Figure 4, the Nontransmitted BSSID Profile sub-element i in Multi-BSSID element 1 includes elements 1 through L (where L is greater than 1), and the Nontransmitted BSSID Profile sub-element i in Multi-BSSID element 2 includes elements (L+1) through Y (where Y is greater than L).

[0138] Specifically, a multi-BSSID element carries information about multiple virtual APs in a multilink device to which an AP belongs. The length field occupies 8 bits, indicating that it can carry up to 255 octets. However, the length of information for multiple virtual APs may exceed 255 octets. Therefore, multiple multi-BSSID elements are used to carry information for multiple virtual APs. As shown in Figure 4, multi-BSSID element 1 carries the first part of the information about BSS i from BSS1, and multi-BSSID element 2 carries the remaining part of the information about BSS i and information about BSS(i+1). The contents of the two multi-BSSID elements are concatenated to obtain information about BSS(i+1) from BSS1. The information for each BSS begins with a non-transmitting BSSID capability element.

[0139] However, in the example shown in Figure 4, since the information about BSS i is distributed across two multi-BSSID elements, the station needs to read information element 1 from the data portion of the non-transmitting BSSID profile sub-element in multi-BSSID element 2 and determine whether the non-transmitting BSSID profile sub-element is information about a new BSS or the remaining portion of information about a previous BSS, based on whether information element 1 is a non-transmitting BSSID capability element.

[0140] However, in the MLE frame structure shown in Figure 3, the first field of the profile sub-element for each STA is an STA control field instead of an information element. The content carried in the STA control field is modifiable. Unlike the content of fixed information units, the content of the first byte (element ID) of the STA control field is fixed. Therefore, by reading the first byte of the data portion of the STA-specific profile in the second MLE, it is not possible to determine whether the STA-specific profile contains information about a new AP or the rest of information about a previous AP.

[0141] In other words, the implementation in which information about the same AP is carried by multiple BSSID elements in the current multi-BSSID element scenario is not applicable to the process in which station information for the same link is carried by multiple MLEs in the MLE scenario. Therefore, there is an urgent need for a solution to resolve the wireless frame transmission failures that occur in the current WLAN wireless frame transmission process because the MLE cannot carry station information for multilink devices.

[0142] To solve the aforementioned problems, this application provides a wireless frame transmission method and apparatus, and a wireless frame reception method and apparatus, for transmitting station information of a multilink station device in a manner in which multiple information elements of multiple MLEs of a wireless frame carry station information of the same link. This avoids wireless frame transmission failures and improves communication efficiency.

[0143] Figure 5 is a schematic flowchart of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present application. The method includes the following steps. As shown in Figure 5, it can be understood that the communication method relates to wireless frame transmission. Therefore, the communication method may also be referred to as a wireless frame transmission method or a wireless frame reception method.

[0144] S101: The wireless frame transmitter generates a wireless frame.

[0145] In this embodiment, the wireless frame transmitter generates a wireless frame. The wireless frame comprises a first multilink element MLE and a second MLE, the first MLE having a first information element and the second MLE having a second information element, and the first and second information elements correspond to station information of the same link.

[0146] In this embodiment and subsequent embodiments, the fact that the first and second information elements correspond to station information of the same link can also be expressed as the fact that the first and second information elements correspond to different parts of station information of the same link. In addition, station information of the same link is fragmented into at least two parts. One part of the station information of the link corresponds to the first information element (this can also be said to be carried in the first information element), and the other part of the station information of the link corresponds to the second information element (this can also be said to be carried in the second information element).

[0147] It should be noted that in this embodiment and subsequent embodiments, both the wireless frame transmitter and the wireless frame receiver may be multilink devices. For example, the wireless frame transmitter may be a multilink access point device, and the wireless frame receiver may be a multilink station device. In another example, the wireless frame transmitter may be a multilink station device, and the wireless frame receiver may be a multilink access point device. In addition, both the wireless frame transmitter and the wireless frame receiver may be stations in a multilink device, and the station may be an AP or a non-AP STA. For example, the wireless frame transmitter may be an AP in a multilink device, and the wireless frame receiver may be a non-AP STA in a multilink device. In another example, the wireless frame transmitter may be a non-AP STA in a multilink device, and the wireless frame receiver may be an AP in a multilink device.

[0148] Specifically, the wireless frame generated by the wireless frame transmitter in step S101 may be an association request frame, a reassociation request frame, an association response frame, a reassociation response frame, or a probe response frame. In other words, in multiple implementations of the wireless frame, the wireless frame may carry a first MLE and a second MLE, and the first information element contained in the first MLE and the second information element contained in the second MLE correspond to station information of the same link. Therefore, station information of a multilink station device can be carried in different wireless frames in a manner in which multiple MLEs carry station information of the same link, thereby improving communication efficiency.

[0149] In addition, in this embodiment and subsequent embodiments, the first MLE (or second MLE) may represent at least one MLE, i.e., "first" or "second" does not limit the number of MLEs represented by the first MLE (or second MLE). Similarly, the first information element (or second information element) may represent at least one information element. In this application, the number of MLEs represented by the first MLE (or second MLE) is not limited, nor is the number of information elements represented by the first information element (or second information element).

[0150] In possible implementations, in the wireless frame generated in step S101, the first and second information elements each include a Link ID field, and the value of the Link ID field in the first information element is the same as the value of the Link ID field in the second information element. Specifically, the information element can identify the link on which the station information being carried is located by using the Link ID field contained within the information element. The fact that the value of the Link ID field in the first information element is the same as the value of the Link ID field in the second information element indicates that the link on which the station information being carried is located is the same as the link on which the station information being carried is located in the second information element. Therefore, the fact that the values ​​of the Link ID fields are the same indicates that the first and second information elements correspond to station information on the same link.

[0151] For example, the following describes implementation processes where the first MLE and the second MLE each include one MLE in the scenario shown in Figure 6. In addition, in Figure 6, the first MLE is indicated as MLE1 or 1st MLE, and the second MLE is indicated as MLE2 or 2nd MLE.

[0152] As shown in Figure 6, information about another station in the MLD where a multilink station (including multilink) is located is carried by two MLEs. The first MLE carries STA-specific profile 1 to STA-specific profile x, and the second MLE carries STA-specific profile x+1 to STA-specific profile y. For STA-specific profile x and STA-specific profile x+1, if the values ​​of the link ID field in the STA control field are equal (both equal to a), it indicates that STA-specific profile x and STA-specific profile x+1 carry station information for the same link.

[0153] Specifically, the value of the Link ID field in the STA control field of profile sub-element 1 for each STA in MLE2 is set to be the same as the value of the Link ID field in the STA control field of the last profile sub-element for each STA in the previous MLE (i.e., MLE1), indicating that the content carried in profile sub-element 1 for each STA in MLE2 is a continuation of the content of the last profile sub-element for each STA in the previous MLE. In other words, if the value of the Link ID field in the STA control field of two profile sub-elements for each STA is the same, the STA profiles carried in the two profile sub-elements for each STA carry station information for the same link.

[0154] If, optionally, the content carried in a profile sub-element for each STA is a continuation of the content of a previous profile sub-element for each STA, the STA profile field of the STA profile sub-element for each STA does not carry the content of the STA profile field of the previous profile sub-element for each STA.

[0155] In possible implementations, in the wireless frame generated in step S101, the element type of the first information element is the same as the element type of the second information element. Specifically, the element type of the first information element is the same as the element type of the second information element; that is, station information for the same link is carried in multiple information elements of the same element type.

[0156] Optionally, the first and second information elements each include a type field, and the value of the type field of the first information element is the same as the value of the type field of the second information element.

[0157] Optionally, the type field is the subelement identifier field (shown as subelement ID in Figure 3).

[0158] In another possible implementation, in the wireless frame generated in step S101, the element type of the first information element is different from the element type of the second information element. Specifically, the element type of the first information element is different from the element type of the second information element; that is, station information for the same link is carried across multiple information elements of different element types.

[0159] In possible implementations, the first and second information elements each include a type field, the value of the type field of the first information element being different from the value of the type field of the second information element. The type field of an information element indicates the type of the information element, and different values ​​of the type field may indicate that the element type of the first information element is different from the element type of the second information element.

[0160] Specifically, the first value of the type field indicates that the corresponding information element (first information element) carries the beginning portion of the link's station information, and the second value of the type field (the second value is different from the first value) indicates that the corresponding information element (second information element) carries the subsequent portion (non-beginning portion) of the link's station information. In other words, the second value of the type field indicates that the corresponding information element (second information element) and the preceding information element (which may be the first or second information element) carry the station information for the same link.

[0161] Furthermore, when the value of the type field of an information element is a secondary value, the information element does not carry an STA control field or an STA information field.

[0162] It should be noted that in this embodiment and subsequent embodiments, the first value (or second value, or third value, or fourth value) may be represented by using the value of at least one bit. For example, when the number of bits of at least one bit is 1, the value may include "0" or "1". In another example, when the number of bits of at least one bit is 2, the value may include "10", "11", "00", or "01". In yet another example, when the number of bits of at least one bit is 3, the value may include "110", "111", "100", "101", "011", "000", "001", or "010". In yet another example, when the number of bits of at least one bit is a different number, a similar scheme may be used for implementation. Further details are not described again herein.

[0163] Optionally, the type field is the subelement identifier field (shown as subelement ID in Figure 3).

[0164] Specifically, in the aforementioned implementation, a new sub-element is defined as the second information element, which carries information that cannot be carried by the profile sub-element (i.e., the first information element) for each STA. The following explanation will be provided using the embodiments shown in Tables 1 and 2.

[0165] As shown in Table 1, the sub-elements that can currently be included in the link information field portion of the current MLE include per-STA profile sub-elements indicated by sub-element IDs with a value of 0, and vendor-specific sub-elements indicated by sub-element IDs with a value of 221. In addition, there are extensible indications for each of the two sub-elements. Sub-element ID values ​​in the range of 1 to 220, and sub-element ID values ​​in the range of 222 to 225 are reserved values. [Table 1] [Table 1]

[0166] According to the technical solution, when station information of the same link is carried across multiple information elements of different element types, the embodiment shown in Table 1 can be modified to the embodiment shown in Table 2.

[0167] As shown in Table 2, a new sub-element is defined, and the value of the sub-element ID of the sub-element can be 1 or another value. In Table 1, the values ​​of the sub-element ID that are reserved values ​​are one of the following: 1 to 220 and 222 to 255.

[0168] Optionally, as shown in Table 2, newly defined subelements may be referred to as Per-STA Profile Extension subelements, or to other element names different from the names of the STA profiles. This specification does not specifically limit this. [Table 2] [Table 2]

[0169] Based on the examples shown in Table 2, the new sub-elements are used to carry link information that cannot be carried in the STA-specific profile. In other words, the station information of a link can be fragmented into several parts. The first part is carried in the STA-specific profile sub-elements, and the other parts are carried in one or more STA-specific profile extension sub-elements. The difference lies in the value of the sub-element ID.

[0170] For example, as shown in Figure 7a, the frame structure of the profile extension sub-element for each STA may be similar to the implementation process of the profile for each STA in Figure 3. Compared to the frame structure of the profile for each STA, the frame structure of the profile extension sub-element for each STA may not include the STA control field and the STA information field, and may only include the STA profile field.

[0171] Optionally, in the example shown in Figure 7a, the STA profile field may include the field, or the STA profile field may not include the field.

[0172] For example, as shown in Figure 7b, the frame structure of the profile extension sub-elements for each STA may be similar to the implementation process of the profile for each STA in Figure 3. Compared to the frame structure of the profile for each STA, in the frame structure of the profile extension sub-elements for each STA, the data fields may include STA control fields and STA information fields, while the STA profile fields do not include fields.

[0173] For example, as shown in Figure 7c, the frame structure of the profile extension sub-elements for each STA may be similar to the implementation process of the STA profile in Figure 3. Compared to the frame structure of the STA profile, in the frame structure of the profile extension sub-elements for each STA, the data fields may also include STA control fields and STA information fields, and the STA profile fields further include fields.

[0174] The following describes a fragmented transmission method for link station information using an example. As shown in Figure 7d, information about another station in the MLD where the station is located is carried by the first MLE (indicated as MLE1 or 1st MLE) and the second MLE (indicated as MLE2 or 2nd MLE). The first MLE carries STA-per-profile 1 to STA-per-profile x, and the second MLE carries STA-per-profile extensions to other STA-per-profiles. Since the second MLE carries STA-per-profile extensions, it indicates that the STA-per-profile extension and the previous STA-per-profile (i.e., STA-per-profile x) carry station information for the same link.

[0175] In a possible implementation, in the radio frame generated in step S101, the first information element includes first instruction information, which indicates whether the station information has been fragmented. Specifically, the first information element may include first instruction information indicating whether the station information has been fragmented, to indicate that the station information of the link carried in the first information element has been fragmented into at least two fragments, and that the first instruction information is at least one of the at least two fragments carried in another information element (e.g., the second information element). Thus, the first instruction information indicates that the first and second information elements correspond to station information of the same link.

[0176] Optionally, the second information element may also include the first referential information.

[0177] For example, the first instruction information may be indicated by using a single bit. For instance, when the value of the first instruction information is a first value, it indicates that the station information has been fragmented and the rest of the station information is being carried in the next STA-specific profile information element. In addition, when the value of the first instruction information is a second value, it indicates that the station information has not been fragmented. Obviously, the values ​​may be changed, or the instruction process for the first instruction information may be implemented in a different manner. This is not limited to the foregoing.

[0178] Optionally, the function of the first instruction information may be expressed in an alternative form. For example, the first instruction information may indicate whether the station information is fragmented. In another example, the first instruction information may indicate whether different fragments of the station information are carried in different information elements. When the first instruction information is expressed in an alternative form, it may be indicated by using different bit values ​​or in any other manner. This is not limited herein.

[0179] For example, the first instruction information may be indicated by using two bits. For instance, when the value of the first instruction information is the first value, it indicates that the station information is fragmented and that the station information of the first information element is the first fragment. In another example, when the value of the first instruction information is the second value, it indicates that the station information is fragmented and that the station information of the first information element is the last fragment. In yet another example, when the value of the first instruction information is the third value, it indicates that the station information is fragmented and that the station information of the first information element is an intermediate fragment (neither the first nor the last fragment). In yet another example, when the value of the first instruction information is the fourth value, it indicates that the first instruction information indicates that the station information is not fragmented. Obviously, the values ​​may be changed, or the instruction process for the first instruction information may be implemented in a different manner. This is not limited to the foregoing.

[0180] Furthermore, the first instruction information is carried in the station control field of the first information element (for example, the STA control in the STA information shown in Figure 3). In other words, the first instruction information indicating whether the station information is fragmented is carried in the station control field of the first information element, which can provide a specific implementation for implementing the first instruction information.

[0181] For example, as shown in Figure 8a, in the frame structure shown in Figure 3, the STA control field of the profile sub-element for each STA can carry first instruction information. In addition, the first instruction information indicates whether the station information is fragmented or not, as indicated by the profile sub-element for each STA.

[0182] Optionally, the first instruction information may be the More Fragment field in Figure 8a, or it may be a different field name. This is not limited to the foregoing. In addition, in the implementation shown in Figure 8a, the More Fragment field may be implemented using one or two bits. For specific implementations, please refer to the above description.

[0183] In possible implementations, in the wireless frame generated in step S101, the first information element includes second instruction information, which indicates the number of information elements carrying station information. Specifically, the first information element may include second instruction information indicating the number of information elements carrying station information, in order to indicate that the station information for the link carried in the first information element is carried in multiple information elements (including at least the second information element), and to indicate the number of multiple information elements. Therefore, the second instruction information indicates that the first and second information elements correspond to station information for the same link.

[0184] Optionally, the second information element includes second referential information.

[0185] For example, the second instruction information may be indicated by using one or more bits to indicate the number of information elements carrying station information. Specifically, when the second instruction information is indicated by using k bits (where k is a natural number), it may indicate that the maximum number of information elements carrying station information is 2 to the power of k. For example, when the value of k is 1, it may indicate that the maximum number of information elements carrying station information is 2. In another example, when the value of k is 4, it may indicate that the maximum number of information elements carrying station information is 16. Obviously, when the value of k is a different value, the number of information elements carrying station information may be indicated in a similar manner instead.

[0186] When there are multiple information elements that optionally carry station information, in the wireless frame generated in step S101, the multiple information elements may be multiple consecutive information elements located within the wireless frame.

[0187] Optionally, the second instruction information may be expressed in an alternative form. For example, the second instruction information indicates the number of fragments of station information. In another example, the second instruction information indicates the number of information elements carrying station information, where the information elements carrying station information include the first information element. In yet another example, the second instruction information indicates the number of information elements carrying station information, where the information elements carrying station information do not include the first information element. In yet another example, the second instruction information indicates the sequence number of the information elements carrying station information, where the sequence number is a forward sequence number. In yet another example, the second instruction information indicates the sequence number of the information elements carrying station information, where the sequence number is a reverse sequence number. When the second instruction information is expressed in an alternative form, the first instruction information may be indicated by using k different values ​​of bits, or in any other way. This is not limited herein.

[0188] For example, as shown in Figure 8b, in the frame structure shown in Figure 3, the STA control field of the profile sub-element for each STA can carry second instruction information. In addition, the second instruction information indicates that the profile sub-element for each STA indicates the number of fragments in which the station information has been fragmented, or that the remaining part of the station information, other than the profile fragments for each STA, has been fragmented.

[0189] Optionally, the second instruction information may be the Number of Fragments field in Figure 8b, or another field. This is not limited to the foregoing. In addition, in the implementation shown in Figure 8b, the Number of Fragments field may be implemented using one or more bits. For specific implementations, please refer to the above description.

[0190] The following describes a fragmented transmission method for link station information using the embodiment shown in Figure 8c. As shown in Figure 8c, information about another station in the MLD where the station is located is carried by the first MLE (indicated as MLE1 or 1st MLE) and the second MLE (indicated as MLE2 or 2nd MLE). The first MLE carries STA profile 1 to STA profile x, and the second MLE carries STA profile x+1 to STA profile y. From the instruction information in the STA control field of STA profile x, it can be seen that STA profile x and STA profile x+1 carry station information for the same link.

[0191] In possible implementations, in the wireless frame generated in step S101, the second information element includes third instruction information, which indicates that the second information element is the last information element in a group of information elements carrying station information. Specifically, the second information element may include third instruction information indicating that the second information element is the last information element in a group of information elements carrying station information, in order to indicate that the station information for the link carried by the second information element is carried by a group of information elements (including at least the second information element) and that the second information element is the last information element in a group of information elements. Therefore, the third instruction information indicates the first and second information elements corresponding to the station information for the same link. In other words, if an information element does not carry third instruction information, it indicates that the information element and the next information element carry station information for the same link.

[0192] When a first information element in a wireless frame optionally includes third instruction information, it may indicate that the station information of the link being carried in the first information element is not fragmented.

[0193] Optionally, the third instruction information indicates that there are no other information elements carrying station information after the second information element.

[0194] Optionally, station information is fragmented into multiple fragments, and the third instruction information indicates that the fragment being transported in the second information element of the station information is the last fragment.

[0195] Optionally, the third directive information may include a non-inheritance element.

[0196] Specifically, if the link's station information is fragmented, the non-inherited element is carried in the last STA-specific profile sub-element corresponding to the station information, and previous (not last) STA-specific profile sub-elements do not carry the non-inherited element. If the station information is not fragmented, the non-inherited element must be carried in all corresponding STA-specific profile sub-elements, and the value of the non-inherited element's length field is set to 1, indicating that only the element ID extension field exists after the length field and no other fields exist.

[0197] For example, as shown in Figure 9a, information about other stations in the MLD where the station is located is carried in the first MLE (indicated as MLE1 or 1st MLE) and the second MLE (indicated as MLE2 or 2nd MLE). The first MLE carries STA-specific profile 1 to STA-specific profile x, and the second MLE carries STA-specific profile x+1 to STA-specific profile y. Since STA-specific profile x does not carry non-inherited elements, it can be seen that STA-specific profile x and STA-specific profile x+1 carry station information for the same link. In addition, since STA-specific profile x+1 carries non-inherited elements, it can be seen that STA-specific profile x+1 is the last STA-specific profile sub-element that carries station information.

[0198] In addition, in the MLE configured based on Figure 3, non-inherited elements are optional in the profile sub-elements for each STA. Non-inherited elements include a set of ID counts and ID extension counts for elements that cannot be inherited by the reported STA from the reporting STA. The reporting STA is the STA that sends the MLE, and the reported STA is an STA on a different link. However, in the aforementioned implementation of the third instruction information, it is required that non-inherited elements be carried in the profile sub-element for each STA that carries the station information. Therefore, as shown in Figure 9b, when non-inherited elements do not need to be carried (i.e., the station does not contain non-inherited information elements), non-inherited elements must also be carried in the profile sub-elements for each STA, and the value of the length field of the non-inherited element is set to 1, indicating that only the element ID extension field exists after the length field and no other fields exist.

[0199] In possible implementations, in the wireless frame generated in step S101, the first and second information elements each contain a Complete Profile field, and the value of the Complete Profile field of the first information element is the same as the value of the Complete Profile field of the second information element. Specifically, the information element can indicate the relevant profile of the station information carried in the information element by using the Complete Profile field contained within the information element. The fact that the value of the Complete Profile field of the first information element is the same as the value of the Complete Profile field of the second information element indicates that the profile of the station information carried in the first information element is the same as the profile of the station information carried in the second information element. Therefore, the fact that the values ​​of the Complete Profile fields are the same indicates that both the first and second information elements in the wireless frame carry complete station information.

[0200] Optionally, the second information element does not include the complete profile field.

[0201] Optionally, the second information element may include a complete profile field, and the value of the complete profile field of the second information element is a reserved value. In this case, the value of the complete profile field indicates other information (in addition to indicating whether the information element carries complete station information for the corresponding link).

[0202] In possible implementations, in the wireless frame generated in step S101, the first information element includes a station information (STA Info) field, which indicates the associated station information of the first information element and the associated station information of the second information element. Specifically, an information element may indicate the associated station information carried in the information element by using the station information field contained within the information element. The station information field of the first information element indicates not only the associated station information carried in the first information element, but also the associated station information carried in the second information element. Therefore, the station information field of the first information element indicates that the first and second information elements correspond to station information on the same link.

[0203] In possible implementations, in the wireless frame generated in step S101, the second information element does not include a station information field; or the second information element includes a station information field, and the value of the station information field is a reserved value. Specifically, since the relevant station information of the second information element is indicated by the station information field of the first information element, the second information element does not need to carry the station information field; or, by setting the station information field of the second information element to a reserved value, the reserved value can be used to carry other information / data different from the information in the station information field. Therefore, the station information field of the first information element is reused to indicate the relevant station information of multiple information elements, thereby reducing overhead and further improving communication efficiency.

[0204] Specifically, the current station information field includes at least one of the following: a MAC address indicating the address of the station on the link; a beacon interval indicating the period for the station to receive beacon frames; DTIM information indicating the period for the station to receive DTIM beacon frames and the time to receive the next DTIM beacon frame; and an NSTR instruction bitmap indicating the ability of the station on the link to simultaneously transmit and receive with another station on the link. In the aforementioned implementation, when the value of the station information field is a reserved value, the value of the station information field indicates other information (other than at least one of the above information).

[0205] Optionally, the second information element includes a station information field.

[0206] In a possible implementation, the station information field includes at least one of the following: medium access control address present (MAC Address Present) field, beacon interval present (Beacon Interval Present) field, delivery traffic indication message information present (DTIM Info Present) field, and NSTR Link Pair Present field. Specifically, the station information field may include at least one of the aforementioned fields to indicate the relevant station information.

[0207] In possible implementations, in the radio frame generated in step S101, the first MLE and the second MLE are adjacent MLEs. Specifically, the first MLE and the second MLE may be MLEs located adjacent to each other in the radio frame. Compared to a system in which station information for the same link is carried by non-adjacent MLEs, a system in which station information for the same link is carried by multiple adjacent MLEs in a radio frame can help the receiver of the radio frame to acquire station information for the same link.

[0208] Optionally, in a wireless frame, there are no other MLEs between the first MLE and the second MLE.

[0209] Optionally, in a wireless frame, the first MLE is located before the second MLE, or in a wireless frame, the second MLE is located after the first MLE.

[0210] In possible implementations, in the wireless frame generated in step S101, the first MLE includes a common information field, which indicates the multilink common information of the first MLE and the multilink common information of the second MLE. Specifically, an information element may indicate the multilink common information carried in the information element by using the common information field contained within the information element. The common information field of the first information element indicates not only the multilink common information carried in the first information element, but also the multilink common information carried in the second information element. Therefore, the common information field of the first information element indicates the multilink common information corresponding to the first and second information elements.

[0211] In possible implementations, the second MLE may not have the common information field; or the second MLE may have the common information field, and the value of the common information field of the second MLE is a reserved value. Specifically, since the multilink common information of the second information element is indicated by the common information field of the first information element, the second information element does not have to carry the common information field; or, by setting the common information field of the second information element to a reserved value, the reserved value may be used to carry other information / data different from the information in the common information field. Therefore, the common information field of the first information element is reused to indicate the multilink common information of multiple information elements, thereby reducing overhead and further improving communication efficiency.

[0212] Optionally, the second information element includes a common information field.

[0213] In possible implementations, in the wireless frame generated in step S101, the first MLE includes a multilink control field, which indicates the multilink control information of the first MLE and the multilink control information of the second MLE. Specifically, an information element may indicate the multilink control information carried in the information element by using the multilink control field included in the information element. The multilink control field of the first information element indicates not only the multilink control information carried in the first information element, but also the multilink control information carried in the second information element. Therefore, the multilink control field of the first information element indicates the multilink control information corresponding to the first and second information elements.

[0214] In possible implementations, the second MLE may not have a multilink control field; or, the second MLE may have a multilink control field, and the values ​​of the Presence bitmap field in the multilink control field of the second MLE are all 0. Specifically, since the multilink control information of the second information element is indicated by the multilink control information field of the first information element, the second information element does not need to carry the multilink control information field; or, the multilink control field of the second information element may be set to a reserved value, and by using the reserved value, other information / data different from the information in the multilink control field may be carried. Therefore, the multilink control field of the first information element can be reused to indicate the multilink control information of multiple information elements, thereby reducing overhead and further improving communication efficiency.

[0215] Optionally, the second information element includes a common information field.

[0216] S102: The wireless frame transmitter transmits a wireless frame.

[0217] In this embodiment, after generating a wireless frame in step S101, the wireless frame transmitting device transmits the wireless frame in step S102. Correspondingly, the wireless frame receiving device receives the wireless frame in step S102.

[0218] For example, in step S102, the wireless frame transmitter and wireless frame receiver may perform wireless frame transmission based on the communication system shown in Figure 1 or Figure 2, that is, the wireless frame is transmitted using one or more of a plurality of links between the wireless frame transmitter and the wireless frame receiver.

[0219] Optionally, the wireless frame transmitter may perform pre-transmission processing on the wireless frame and transmit the processing result obtained through the pre-transmission processing in step S102. For example, the pre-transmission processing may include encryption, scrambling, and other methods. Correspondingly, the wireless frame transmitter may receive the processing result obtained by performing pre-transmission processing on the wireless frame and obtain the wireless frame in step S102 by performing pre-reception processing on the processing result. For example, the pre-reception processing may include decryption, descrambling, and other methods.

[0220] S103: The wireless frame receiver determines station information based on the wireless frame.

[0221] In this embodiment, the wireless frame receiving device determines station information based on the wireless frame received in step S102.

[0222] Specifically, in step S103, the wireless frame receiving device determines the station information for the same link by using the first information element included in the first MLE and the second information element included in the second MLE of the wireless frame, and acquires the station information for the same link in multiple MLEs.

[0223] Optionally, in step S103, the wireless frame receiver may determine station information for the same link corresponding to the first information element included in the first MLE and the second information element included in the second MLE, based on the target information included in the wireless frame. The target information may include at least one of the following: link ID, sub-element ID, first instruction information, second instruction information, and third instruction information, etc.

[0224] In one implementation, when target information includes a link ID, the wireless frame receiver receives the wireless frame in step S102. If the wireless frame contains at least two MLEs, the value of the link ID field in the profile sub-element for each STA contained in each of the at least two MLEs is the same, and the wireless frame receiver may determine in step S103 that the STA profiles carried in the profile sub-element for each STA carry station information for the same link. Furthermore, a station may obtain station information for the same link by concatenating the profile sub-elements for each STA corresponding to the same link ID in the sequence in which the profile sub-elements for each STA appear in the wireless frame.

[0225] In one implementation, when target information includes a sub-element ID, the radio frame receiver receives the radio frame in step S102. If the radio frame includes at least two MLEs, and each MLE other than the first MLE in at least two MLEs includes a profile extension sub-element for each STA, the radio frame receiver may, in step S103, determine that the STA profile carried in the profile extension sub-element for each STA and the STA profile carried in the previous adjacent STA profile carry station information for the same link. Furthermore, a station may obtain station information for the same link by concatenating the profile sub-elements for each STA in the sequence in which the profile sub-elements for each STA appear in the radio frame.

[0226] In one implementation, when target information includes first instruction information, the radio frame receiver receives the radio frame in step S102. If the radio frame includes at least two MLEs, the radio frame receiver determines whether the station information of the link carried in the profile sub-elements for each STA is fragmented, based on the first instruction information of the profile sub-elements for each STA of at least two MLEs. If the station information of the link carried in the profile sub-elements for each STA is fragmented, the radio frame receiver obtains the station information of the same link in step S103 by concatenating the fields of the STA profile carried in the next profile sub-element for each STA (or multiple next profile sub-elements for each STA) in the sequence in which the profile sub-elements for each STA appear in the radio frame.

[0227] In one implementation, when target information includes second instruction information, the radio frame receiver receives the radio frame in step S102. If the radio frame includes at least two MLEs, the radio frame receiver determines the number of STA-specific profiles that carry the link station information carried in the STA-specific profile sub-elements, based on the second instruction information of the STA-specific profile sub-elements of at least two MLEs. In addition, in step S103, the radio frame receiver obtains the station information for the same link by concatenating the fields of the STA profile carried in the next STA-specific profile sub-element (or multiple next STA-specific profile sub-elements) in the sequence in which the STA-specific profile sub-elements appear in the radio frame, based on the number of STA-specific profiles indicated by the second instruction information.

[0228] In one implementation, when target information includes third instruction information, the radio frame receiver receives the radio frame in step S102. If the radio frame includes at least two MLEs, the radio frame receiver determines, based on the third instruction information of the STA-specific profile sub-elements of at least two MLEs, that the STA-specific profile sub-element is the last STA-specific profile in a group of STA-specific profiles carrying the station information of the link. In addition, in step S103, based on the third instruction information, the radio frame receiver obtains the station information of the same link by concatenating the fields of the STA profile carried in previous STA-specific profile sub-elements (or a group of previous STA-specific profile sub-elements) that precede the STA-specific profile sub-element in the sequence in which the STA-specific profile sub-element appears in the radio frame.

[0229] According to the technical solution, when the length of the station information of a multilink device carried by a single MLE exceeds the maximum length configured by the MLE, the transmission of the wireless frame fails because the station information of the multilink device cannot be carried. For example, the length field of the MLE shown in Figure 3 is 8 bits, representing a length from 0 to 255 bytes. However, the length of the information that needs to be carried by the MLE may exceed 255 bytes. Consequently, one MLE alone is insufficient to carry the information about a multilink device. In another example, the length field of the profile for each STA shown in Figure 3 is 8 bits, and as a result, the data portion can carry up to 255 octets. However, the station information for each link may be longer than 255 octets. Consequently, one profile for each STA alone is insufficient to carry the station information for each link. According to the embodiments shown in Figures 5 to 9b, a wireless frame transmitted or received by a multilink device includes a first MLE and a second MLE, where the first information element included in the first MLE and the second information element included in the second MLE correspond to station information on the same link. Therefore, station information of a multilink station device can be carried in a manner in which multiple MLEs of the wireless frame carry station information on the same link. This ensures that the data portion of the profile for each STA does not exceed 255 bytes, and that the length of the content carried in the MLE does not exceed 255 bytes, thereby avoiding wireless frame transmission failures and improving communication efficiency.

[0230] The present application has been described above from the perspective of method; below, the present application will be described further from the perspective of apparatus.

[0231] Figure 10 is a schematic diagram of a communication device 1000 according to an embodiment of the present application. The communication device 1000 includes a processing unit 1001 and a transceiver unit 1002.

[0232] Specifically, the communication device 1000 may be a wireless frame transmitter configured to implement the wireless frame transmission method in any one of the embodiments described above. Correspondingly, the processing unit 1001 and the transceiver unit 1002 may be configured to perform the following processes.

[0233] The processing unit 1001 is configured to generate a wireless frame. The wireless frame comprises a first multilink element MLE and a second MLE, the first MLE having a first information element and the second MLE having a second information element, and the first and second information elements correspond to station information of the same link. The transceiver unit 1002 is configured to transmit the wireless frame.

[0234] According to the technical solution, when the length of the station information of a multilink device carried by a single MLE exceeds the maximum length configured by the MLE, the transmission of the wireless frame fails because the station information of the multilink device cannot be carried. For example, the length field of the MLE shown in Figure 3 is 8 bits, representing a length from 0 to 255 bytes. However, the length of the information that needs to be carried by the MLE may exceed 255 bytes. Consequently, one MLE alone is insufficient to carry the information about a multilink device. In another example, the length field of the profile for each STA shown in Figure 3 is 8 bits, and as a result, the data portion can carry up to 255 octets. However, the station information for each link may be longer than 255 octets. Consequently, one profile for each STA alone is insufficient to carry the station information for each link. In the embodiment shown in Figure 10, the wireless frame transmitted by the transceiver unit 1002 includes a first MLE and a second MLE, where the first information element included in the first MLE and the second information element included in the second MLE correspond to station information for the same link. Therefore, station information for a multilink station device can be carried in a manner in which multiple MLEs of the wireless frame carry station information for the same link. This ensures that the data portion of the profile for each STA does not exceed 255 bytes, and that the length of the content carried in the MLE does not exceed 255 bytes, thereby avoiding wireless frame transmission failures and improving communication efficiency.

[0235] In addition, the communication device 1000 may specifically be a wireless frame transmitter configured to implement the wireless frame transmission method in any one of the embodiments described above. Accordingly, the processing unit 1001 and the transceiver unit 1002 may be configured to perform the following processes.

[0236] The transceiver unit 1002 is configured to receive wireless frames. The wireless frame comprises a first multilink element MLE and a second MLE, the first MLE having a first information element and the second MLE having a second information element, and the first and second information elements correspond to station information of the same link. The processing unit 1001 is configured to determine station information based on the wireless frame.

[0237] According to the technical solution, when the length of the station information of a multilink device carried by a single MLE exceeds the maximum length configured by the MLE, the transmission of the wireless frame fails because the station information of the multilink device cannot be carried. For example, the length field of the MLE shown in Figure 3 is 8 bits, representing a length from 0 to 255 bytes. However, the length of the information that needs to be carried by the MLE may exceed 255 bytes. Consequently, one MLE alone is insufficient to carry the information about a multilink device. In another example, the length field of the profile for each STA shown in Figure 3 is 8 bits, and as a result, the data portion can carry up to 255 octets. However, the station information for each link may be longer than 255 octets. Consequently, one profile for each STA alone is insufficient to carry the station information for each link. In the embodiment shown in Figure 10, the wireless frame received by the transceiver unit 1002 includes a first MLE and a second MLE, where the first information element included in the first MLE and the second information element included in the second MLE correspond to station information for the same link. Therefore, station information for a multilink station device can be carried in a manner in which multiple MLEs of the wireless frame carry station information for the same link. This ensures that the data portion of the profile for each STA does not exceed 255 bytes, and that the length of the content carried in the MLE does not exceed 255 bytes, thereby avoiding wireless frame transmission failures and improving communication efficiency.

[0238] In addition, the MLE (first MLE or second MLE) or information elements (first information element or second information element) included in the wireless frame transmitted (received or transmitted) by the communication device shown in Figure 10 can be further optimized, specifically as follows.

[0239] In possible implementations, the first and second information elements each include a Link ID field, and the value of the Link ID field in the first information element is the same as the value of the Link ID field in the second information element.

[0240] In a possible implementation, the first information element includes first instruction information, which indicates whether the station information has been fragmented.

[0241] Optionally, the second information element includes the first referential information.

[0242] Optionally, the first instruction information indicates whether the station information has been fragmented.

[0243] Optionally, the first instruction information indicates whether different fragments of station information are being transported in different information elements.

[0244] Optionally, the first instruction information indicates that the station information has been fragmented and that the station information of the first information element is the first fragment.

[0245] Optionally, the first instruction information indicates that the station information has been fragmented and that the station information of the first information element is the last fragment.

[0246] Optionally, the first instruction information indicates that the station information has been fragmented and that the station information of the first information element is an intermediate fragment (neither the first fragment nor the last fragment).

[0247] Optionally, the first instruction information indicates that the station information is not fragmented.

[0248] In possible implementations, the first instruction information is conveyed in the station control (STA Control) information field of the first information element.

[0249] In possible implementations, the first information element includes the second instruction information, which indicates the number of information elements that carry station information.

[0250] Optionally, the second information element includes second referential information.

[0251] Optionally, the second instruction information indicates the number of fragments of station information.

[0252] Optionally, the second instruction information indicates the number of information elements that carry station information, and the information elements that carry station information include the first information element.

[0253] Optionally, the second instruction information indicates the number of information elements that carry station information, and the information elements that carry station information do not include the first information elements.

[0254] Optionally, the second instruction information indicates the sequence number of the information element that carries the station information, and the sequence number is a forward sequence number.

[0255] Optionally, the second instruction information indicates the sequence number of the information element that carries the station information, and this sequence number is the reverse sequence number.

[0256] In possible implementations, the second instruction information is conveyed in the station control field of the first information element.

[0257] In a possible implementation, the second information element contains third instruction information, which indicates that the second information element is the last information element in a group of information elements that carry station information.

[0258] Optionally, the third instruction information indicates that there are no other information elements carrying station information after the second information element.

[0259] Optionally, station information is fragmented into multiple fragments, and the third instruction information indicates that the fragment being transported in the second information element of the station information is the last fragment.

[0260] Optionally, the third instruction information may include a non-inheritance element.

[0261] In possible implementations, the first and second information elements each contain a Complete Profile field, and the value of the Complete Profile field in the first information element is the same as the value of the Complete Profile field in the second information element.

[0262] Optionally, the second information element does not include the complete profile field.

[0263] In possible implementations, the first information element includes a station information (STA Info) field, which indicates the associated station information of the first information element and the associated station information of the second information element.

[0264] In possible implementations, the second information element does not include a station information field; or, the second information element includes a station information field, and the value of the station information field is a reserved value.

[0265] Optionally, the second information element includes a station information field.

[0266] In a possible implementation, the station information field includes at least one of the following: medium access control address present (MAC Address Present) field, beacon interval present (Beacon Interval Present) field, delivery traffic indication message information present (DTIM Info Present) field, and NSTR Link Pair Present field.

[0267] In possible implementations, the element type of the first information element is the same as the element type of the second information element.

[0268] Optionally, the first and second information elements each include a type field, and the value of the type field of the first information element is the same as the value of the type field of the second information element.

[0269] Optionally, the type field is a subelement ID field.

[0270] In possible implementations, the element type of the first information element is different from the element type of the second information element.

[0271] In possible implementations, the first and second information elements each include a type field, and the value of the type field of the first information element is different from the value of the type field of the second information element.

[0272] Optionally, the type field is a subelement ID field.

[0273] In a possible implementation, in the wireless frame, the first MLE and the second MLE are adjacent MLEs.

[0274] Optionally, in a radio frame, there is no other MLE between the first MLE and the second MLE.

[0275] Optionally, in a radio frame, the first MLE is located before the second MLE, or in a radio frame, the second MLE is located after the first MLE.

[0276] In a possible implementation, the first MLE includes a common information field, and the common information field indicates the multi-link common information of the first MLE and the multi-link common information of the second MLE.

[0277] In a possible implementation, the second MLE does not have the common information field; or, the second MLE has the common information field, and the value of the common information field of the second MLE is a reserved value.

[0278] Optionally, the second information element includes a common information field.

[0279] In a possible implementation, the first MLE includes a multi-link control field, and the multi-link control field indicates the multi-link control information of the first MLE and the multi-link control information of the second MLE.

[0280] In a possible implementation, the second MLE does not have a multi-link control field; or, the second MLE has the multi-link control field, and all values of the presence bitmap field in the multi-link control field of the second MLE are 0.

[0281] Optionally, the second information element includes a common information field.

[0282] In a possible implementation, the radio frame is an association request frame, a reassociation request frame, an association response frame, a reassociation response frame, or a probe response frame.

[0283] It should be noted that the communication apparatus 1000 may be further configured to implement the other foregoing embodiments in FIG. 1 to FIG. 9 to achieve corresponding beneficial effects. For details, refer to the descriptions in the foregoing embodiments. Details will not be described again herein.

[0284] FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram of a structure of a communication apparatus 1100 according to an embodiment of the present application. The communication apparatus 1100 includes a processor 1101 and a transceiver 1102.

[0285] The communication apparatus 1100 may be a radio frame transmitting apparatus, a radio frame receiving apparatus, or a chip in a radio frame transmitting apparatus or a radio frame receiving apparatus.

[0286] FIG. 11 shows only main components of the communication apparatus 1100. In addition to the processor 1101 and the transceiver 1102, the communication apparatus may further include a memory 1103 and an input / output device (not shown).

[0287] The processor 1101 is mainly configured to process communication protocols and communication data, control the entire communication apparatus, execute software programs, and process data of the software programs. The memory 1103 is mainly configured to store software programs and data. The transceiver 1102 may include a radio frequency circuit and an antenna. The radio frequency circuit is mainly configured to perform conversion between a baseband signal and a radio frequency signal, and process the radio frequency signal. The antenna is mainly configured to transmit and receive radio frequency signals in the form of electromagnetic waves. The input / output device, such as a touch screen, a display or a keyboard, is mainly configured to receive data input by a user and output data to the user.

[0288] The processor 1101, the transceiver 1102, and the memory 1103 may be connected via a communication bus.

[0289] After the communication device is powered on, the processor 1101 can read the software program in the memory 1103, interpret and execute the instructions of the software program, and process the data of the software program. When data needs to be transmitted wirelessly, the processor 1101 performs baseband processing on the data to be transmitted and then outputs the baseband signal to the radio frequency circuit. The radio frequency circuit performs radio frequency processing on the baseband signal and then transmits the radio frequency signal in electromagnetic wave form using an antenna. When data is transmitted to the communication device, the radio frequency circuit receives the radio frequency signal via the antenna, converts the radio frequency signal to a baseband signal, and outputs the baseband signal to the processor 1101. The processor 1101 converts the baseband signal into data and processes this data.

[0290] In any of the aforementioned designs, the processor 1101 may include a communication interface for implementing receive and transmit functions. For example, the communication interface 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 together. 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.

[0291] In any of the aforementioned designs, the processor 1101 may store instructions. These instructions may be computer programs. The computer programs are executed on the processor 1101, and as a result, the communication device 1100 may perform the methods described in any of the aforementioned embodiments. The computer programs may be fixed on the processor 1101, in which case the processor 1101 may be implemented by hardware.

[0292] In one implementation, the communication device 1100 may include a circuit, which may implement the transmit, receive, or communicate functions of any one of the embodiments described above. The processor and communication interface described herein may be implemented in an integrated circuit (IC), analog IC, radio frequency integrated circuit (RFIC), mixed-signal IC, application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), printed circuit board (PCB), or electronic device. The processor and communication interface may be manufactured using various IC technologies, such as complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS), N-type metal-oxide-semiconductor (NMOS), positive channel metal oxide semiconductor (PMOS), bipolar junction transistor (BJT), bipolar CMOS (BiCMOS), silicon germanium (SiGe), and gallium arsenide (GaAs).

[0293] In an alternative implementation, the radio frequency circuitry and antennas may be located independently of the processor performing baseband processing. For example, in a distributed scenario, the radio frequency circuitry and antennas may be located remotely and independently of the communication equipment.

[0294] The communication device may be a standalone device or part of a larger device. For example, the communication device may be: (1) Independent integrated circuits (ICs), chips, or chip systems or subsystems; (2) A set of one or more ICs, wherein the set of ICs may optionally include a storage component configured to store data and instructions; (3) ASIC, for example, a modem; (4) Modules that can be embedded in another device; (5) Receivers, intelligent terminals, wireless devices, handheld devices, mobile units, in-vehicle devices, cloud devices, and artificial intelligence devices, etc.; and (6) Another device, etc.

[0295] In addition, the processor 1101 may be configured to perform, for example, baseband-related processes; the transceiver 1102 may be configured to perform, for example, radio frequency reception and transmission. The aforementioned components may be individually located on separate chips, or at least some or all of the components may be located on the same chip. For example, the processor may be divided into an analog baseband processor and a digital baseband processor. The analog baseband processor and the transceiver may be integrated on the same chip, or the digital baseband processor may be located on a separate chip. With the continued development of integrated circuit technology, even more components may be integrated on the same chip. For example, the digital baseband processor may be integrated on the same chip having multiple application processors (e.g., geometric processors and multimedia processors, for example). The chip may be referred to as a system on a chip. Whether the components are located independently on different chips or integrated and located on one or more chips usually depends on the specific requirements of the product design. The specific implementation forms of the aforementioned components are not limited to embodiments of the present invention.

[0296] Embodiments of the present invention further provide a computer-readable storage medium for storing computer program code. When a processor executes the computer program code, the electronic device performs the method described in any one of the embodiments described above.

[0297] Embodiments of the present invention further provide a computer program product. When the computer program product is executed on a computer, the computer becomes capable of performing the method in any one of the embodiments described above.

[0298] Embodiments of the present invention further provide a communication device. The device may exist 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 via the interface circuit, enabling this device to perform the method in any one of the embodiments described above.

[0299] Embodiments of the present invention further provide a WLAN communication system including a wireless frame transmitter and a wireless frame receiver. The wireless frame transmitter and wireless frame receiver may perform the method in any one of the embodiments described above.

[0300] The methods or algorithmic steps described in combination with the contents disclosed herein may be implemented by hardware or by a processor 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 ROM (EPROM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), registers, hard disks, removable hard disks, compact disk read-only memory (CD-ROM), or any other form of storage medium known in the art. For example, the storage medium may be coupled to a processor to enable the processor to read information from and write information to the storage medium. Naturally, the storage medium may be a component of the processor. The processor and storage medium may be located in an ASIC. In addition, the ASIC may be located in a core network interface device. Naturally, these processors and storage mediums may exist as discrete components within that core network interface device.

[0301] Those skilled in the art will see that, in the one or more examples described herein, the functions described herein may be implemented in hardware, software, firmware, or any combination thereof. When the functions are implemented in software, the functions described herein may be stored in a computer-readable medium or transmitted as one or more instructions or codes within a computer-readable medium. The computer-readable medium includes computer-readable storage media and communication media. The communication medium includes any medium that facilitates the transmission of computer programs from one location to another. The storage medium may be any available medium accessible to a general-purpose computer or a dedicated computer.

[0302] The present application has been described with reference to a plurality of embodiments. However, those skilled in the art can appreciate and implement other variations of the disclosed embodiments in the process of implementing the present application for which protection is claimed by studying the accompanying drawings, the disclosure and the appended claims. In the claims, the term "comprising" does not exclude other components or other steps, and "a" or "one" does not exclude a plurality of cases. A single processor or another unit may implement several features recited in the claims. Although several different means are recited in the dependent claims, this does not mean that these means cannot be combined to produce better effects.

[0303] In the foregoing specific implementation, the objectives, technical solutions and advantageous effects of the present application are further described in detail. It should be understood that the foregoing description is only specific implementations of the present application, and is not intended to limit the protection scope of the present application. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc. made based on the technical solutions of the present application shall fall within the protection scope of the present application.

Claims

1. A wireless frame transmission method, The step of generating a wireless frame, wherein the wireless frame comprises a first multilink element MLE and a second MLE, the first MLE having a first information element, the second MLE having a second information element, and the first and second information elements corresponding to station information of the same link; and The step of transmitting the aforementioned wireless frame. Equipped with, The station information of the same link is fragmented in this manner.

2. A wireless frame reception method, The step of receiving a wireless frame, wherein the wireless frame comprises a first multilink element MLE and a second MLE, the first MLE having a first information element, the second MLE having a second information element, and the first and second information elements correspond to station information of the same link; and The step of determining the station information based on the wireless frame. Equipped with, The station information of the same link is fragmented in this manner.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first information element and the second information element each include a link identifier field, and the value of the link identifier field of the first information element is the same as the value of the link identifier field of the second information element.

4. A wireless frame transmission method, The step of generating a wireless frame, wherein the wireless frame comprises a first multilink element MLE and a second MLE, the first MLE having a first information element, the second MLE having a second information element, and the first and second information elements corresponding to station information of the same link; and The step of transmitting the aforementioned wireless frame. Equipped with, A method wherein the first information element includes first instruction information, and the first instruction information indicates whether the station information has been fragmented.

5. A wireless frame receiving method, The step of receiving a wireless frame, wherein the wireless frame comprises a first multilink element MLE and a second MLE, the first MLE having a first information element, the second MLE having a second information element, and the first and second information elements correspond to station information of the same link; and The step of determining the station information based on the wireless frame. Equipped with, A method wherein the first information element includes first instruction information, and the first instruction information indicates whether the station information has been fragmented.

6. The method according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the first instruction information is conveyed in the station control field of the first information element.

7. The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first information element includes second instruction information, and the second instruction information indicates the number of information elements that convey the station information.

8. The method according to claim 7, wherein the second instruction information is conveyed in the station control field of the first information element.

9. The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the second information element includes third instruction information, and the third instruction information indicates that the second information element is the last information element in a plurality of information elements that carry the station information.

10. The second information element does not include a station information field; or, The second information element includes the station information field, and the value of the station information field is a reserved value. The method according to claim 1 or 2.

11. The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the element type of the first information element is the same as the element type of the second information element.

12. The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the element type of the first information element is different from the element type of the second information element.

13. The method according to claim 12, wherein the first information element and the second information element each include a type field, and the value of the type field of the first information element is different from the value of the type field of the second information element.

14. The method according to claim 13, wherein the type field is a sub-element identifier field.

15. The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein in the wireless frame, the first MLE and the second MLE are adjacent MLEs.

16. The second MLE does not have a common information field; The second MLE has the common information field, and the value of the common information field of the second MLE is a reserved value; The second MLE does not have a multilink control field; or The second MLE has the multilink control field, and the values ​​of the status bitmap field of the multilink control field of the second MLE are all 0. The method according to claim 1 or 2.

17. The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first information element and the second information element each include a link identifier field containing station information that identifies each station and each link of one or more affiliated stations, and the value of the link identifier field of the first information element is the same as the value of the link identifier field of the second information element, or corresponds to station information of the same link.

18. The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first information element and the second information element correspond to different parts of the station information of the same link.

19. A wireless frame transmitting device, wherein the device comprises a transceiver unit and a processing unit, and the device is configured to perform the method according to claim 1.

20. A wireless frame receiving device, wherein the device comprises a transceiver unit and a processing unit, and the device is configured to perform the method described in claim 2.

21. A communication device, It comprises at least one processor coupled to memory, where The memory is configured to store programs or instructions; A communication device wherein the at least one processor is configured to execute the program or the instructions, enabling the device to implement the method according to claim 1 or 2.

22. A computer program for causing a processor to perform the method according to claim 1 or 2.

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