Communication method, electronic device and data media

Abstract

FIELD: mobile communication technology.SUBSTANCE: communication method applies to an access point multi-link device (AP MLD) and a non-AP MLD. A communication method applied to an Access Point Multi-Link Device (AP MLD) includes determining a first frame that indicates that a communication channel to which a broadcast target wake-up time (TWT) parameter set field in the first frame is applied includes a plurality of communication channels between the AP MLD and a non-Access Point Multi-Link Device (non-AP MLD), transmitting the first frame that includes at least one of the following: a beacon frame, a probe response frame, and an association response frame.EFFECT: improving the mechanism of limited target wake-up time R-TWT.7 cl, 7 dwg, 3 tbl

Description

AREA OF TECHNOLOGY

[0001] Embodiments of the present invention relate to the field of mobile communication technology. In particular, embodiments of the present invention relate to a communication method, an electronic device, and a storage medium. BACKGROUND

[0002] In the currently studied Wi-Fi technology, a Target Wake Time (TWT) mechanism is proposed to reduce the power consumption of Wi-Fi networks and support power-saving modes for mass-market Internet of Things (IoT) devices. At the same time, a Restricted-Target Wake Time (R-TWT) mechanism is proposed to ensure the transmission of latency-sensitive traffic. Therefore, it is necessary to develop an implementation method for R-TWT in order to improve the R-TWT mechanism. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0003] As embodiments of the present invention, a communication method, an electronic device and a storage medium for implementing the R-TWT implementation method are provided.

[0004] In one aspect, as one embodiment of the present invention, a communication method is provided that is applied to an Access Point Multi-Link Device (AP MLD), and includes: determining a first frame, where the first frame includes a first identification, the first identification indicates a communication channel to which a Broadcast Target Wake Time (TWT) Parameter Set field in the first frame is applied, and the communication channel includes one or more communication channels between the AP MLD and a non-Access Point Multi-Link Device (non-AP MLD); and sending the first frame.

[0005] In another aspect, as one embodiment of the present invention, a communication method is further provided that is applied to a multi-channel device that is not an access point (non-AP MLD), and includes: receiving a first frame, where the first frame includes a first identification, the first identification indicates a communication channel to which a broadcast target wake-up time (TWT) parameter set field in the first frame is applied, and the communication channel includes one or more communication channels between the multi-channel device that is an access point (AP MLD) and the non-AP MLD.

[0006] In another aspect, as one of the embodiments of the present invention, an electronic device is further provided, which is a multi-channel device that is an access point (AP MLD), and includes: a determining module configured to determine a first frame, where the first frame includes a first identification, the first identification indicates a communication channel to which a broadcast target wake-up time (TWT) parameter set field in the first frame is applied, and the communication channel includes one or more communication channels between the AP MLD and a multi-channel device that is not an access point (non-AP MLD); and a sending module configured to send the first frame.

[0007] In another aspect, as one embodiment of the present invention, an electronic device is further provided, which is a multi-channel device that is not an access point (non-AP MLD), and includes: a receiving module configured to receive a first frame, where the first frame includes a first identification, the first identification indicates a communication channel to which a broadcast target wake-up time (TWT) parameter set field in the first frame is applied, and the communication channel includes one or more communication channels between a multi-channel point device that is an access point (AP MLD) and a non-AP MLD.

[0008] As one embodiment of the present invention, an electronic device is further provided, including a memory, a processor, and a computer program stored in the memory and executed on the processor. When the processor executes the program, one or more communication methods described in the embodiments of the present invention are implemented.

[0009] As one embodiment of the present invention, a computer-readable storage medium is further provided, on which a computer program is stored. When the computer program is executed by the processor, one or more communication methods described in the embodiment of the present invention are implemented.

[0010] In embodiments of the present invention, the MLD AP determines and sends a first frame, carries a first identification bit in the first frame, and indicates a communication channel to which the broadcast TWT parameter set field in the first frame applies through the first identification. Furthermore, the communication channel includes one or more communication channels between the MLD AP and a non-MLD AP to implement a TWT negotiation mechanism within a plurality of communication channels, improve spectrum efficiency, and reduce energy consumption by the end device. Furthermore, the existing R-TWT schedule can be applied to other communication channels to avoid negotiation by other communication channels to establish a new R-TWT schedule when transmitting low-latency services and causing a delay in transmitting low-latency services.

[0011] Additional aspects and advantages of embodiments of the present invention will be set forth in part in the following description, which will be apparent from the following description or will be learned by practice of the present invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] To more clearly illustrate the technical solution of the embodiments of the present invention, the drawings necessary for describing the embodiments of the present invention will be briefly described below. It should be noted that the drawings in the following description are only some embodiments of the present invention. Those skilled in the art can derive other drawings based on those presented without creative efforts.

[0013] Fig. 1 shows one of the block diagrams for the communication method proposed by the embodiment of the present invention;

[0014] Fig. 2 shows one of the schematic diagrams for a first example of an embodiment of the present invention;

[0015] Fig. 3 shows another schematic diagram for a first example of an embodiment of the present invention;

[0016] Fig. 4 shows another block diagram for a communication method proposed by an embodiment of the present invention;

[0017] Fig. 5 shows one of the structural circuit diagrams of the electronic device proposed in the embodiment of the present invention;

[0018] Fig. 6 shows another structural schematic diagram of the electronic device proposed in the embodiment of the present invention; and

[0019] Fig. 7 shows another structural schematic diagram of the electronic device proposed in the embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0020] Exemplary embodiments will now be described in detail, and these examples are shown in the accompanying drawings. When referring to the drawings in the following description, unless otherwise indicated, the same numbers in different drawings represent the same or similar elements. The implementations described in the following embodiment examples do not represent all embodiments corresponding to the present disclosure. Instead, they are merely examples of devices and methods corresponding to certain aspects of the present invention, as disclosed in the appended claims.

[0021] In the embodiments of the present invention, terms are used only to describe particular embodiments and are not intended to limit the present invention. The singular forms, as well as the words "said" and "specified" used in this disclosure and the appended claims, are also intended to include plural forms unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It should also be understood that the term "and / or" as used herein refers to and includes any or all possible combinations of one or more related listed elements. For example, A and / or B may mean that A exists alone, A and B exist simultaneously, and B exists alone. The symbol " / " generally indicates that the objects linked before and after such symbol are in an "or" relationship. The term "multiple" means two or more.In view of the above, “multiple” may also be understood as “at least two” in embodiments of the present invention.

[0022] It should be understood that although the terms "first," "second," "third," and so on may be used in this specification to describe various information, this information should not be limited to these terms. These terms are used only to distinguish information of the same type. For example, without departing from the scope of the present invention, first information may also be referred to as second information, and similarly, second information may also be referred to as first information. Depending on the context, for example, the word "if" used herein may be interpreted as "upon," or "when," or "in response to."

[0023] The technical diagram of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below together with the drawings of the embodiments of the present invention. It should be noted that the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of the present invention, not all of them. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary skilled in the art without creative work are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0024] As one embodiment of the present invention, a communication method, an electronic device and a storage medium for providing a method for implementing R-TWT (limited TWT) are provided.

[0025] The method and device are based on the same claimed concept. Since the problem-solving principles of the method and device are similar, implementations of the device and method may be mutually referenced and will not be described again.

[0026] As shown in Fig. 1, one embodiment of the present invention provides a communication method. In the embodiment, the communication method can be applied to an access point (AP) device. In the embodiment of the present invention, the AP is, for example, a device providing a bridge function from a wireless to a wired network, and the AP is responsible for extending services provided by a wired network to a wireless network. A station (STA) is, for example, an electronic device providing an access function to a wireless network and providing a frame delivery service for ensuring information transmission.

[0027] The communication method may include the following steps 101 and 102.

[0028] In step 101, a first frame is determined. The first frame includes a first identification, the first identification indicates a communication channel to which the broadcast target wake-up time (TWT) parameter set field in the first frame applies, and the communication channel includes one or more communication channels between an AP MLD and a non-AP MLD.

[0029] In a wireless LAN, a Basic Service Set (BSS) may consist of an AP and one or more stations (STAs) communicating with the AP. A Basic Service Set can be connected to a Distribution System (DS) through a corresponding AP, and then connected to another Basic Service Set to form an Extended Service Set (ESS). As a first example, with reference to Fig. 2, AP1 and STA1 form BSS1, and AP2 and STA2 form BSS2. If the coverages of two or more BSSs overlap, an Overlapping Basic Service Set (OBSS) is formed. As shown in Fig. 2, BSS1 and BSS2 overlap to form OBSS.

[0030] In an embodiment of the present invention, the AP and STA may be devices supporting multiple communication channels. For example, they may be represented as an AP MLD and a non-AP MLD, respectively. An AP MLD may be an access point supporting multi-channel communication functions, and a non-AP MLD may be a station supporting multi-channel communication functions.

[0031] Referring to Fig. 3, the AP MLD may include three subordinate APs, such as AP1, AP2, and AP3, as shown in Fig. 3. Each AP may operate in link 1, link 2, and link 3, respectively. A non-AP MLD may also include three subordinate STAs, such as STA1, STA2, and STA3, as shown in Fig. 2. STA1 operates in link 1, STA2 operates in link 2, and STA3 operates in link 3.

[0032] For simplicity of description, an example in which an AP communicates with an STA via multiple communication channels is mainly described below. However, embodiments of the present invention are not limited to this. In the example in Fig. 3, it is assumed that AP1 communicates with STA1 via a corresponding first communication channel 1. Similarly, AP2 communicates with STA2 via a corresponding second communication channel 2, and AP communicates with STA3 via a third communication channel 3. In addition, communication channel 1 to communication channel 3 may be multiple channels at different frequencies, for example, channels at 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz and 6 GHz, or multiple channels with the same or different bandwidth at a frequency of 2.4 GHz. In addition, there may be a plurality of communication channels in each communication channel. It should be understood that the communication scenario shown in Fig. 2 is only an example, and the concept of the present invention is not limited to this example.For example, an AP MLD may be connected to multiple (three) non-AP MLDs, or in each link an AP may communicate with multiple other types of stations.

[0033] TWT is a power-saving technology that aims to further reduce the power consumption of Wi-Fi networks. Specifically, TWT determines the sleep and wake-up times and frequencies of STAs, allowing the STA and AP to negotiate a service period (SP). The STA remains active and maintains communication during the SP, so it can "sleep" outside the SP to achieve power-saving goals. Furthermore, TWT can also enable the AP to provide higher-quality services to multiple STAs, minimize contention or overlap, and improve spectrum efficiency while reducing the power consumption of Wi-Fi networks.

[0034] To further ensure low-latency service connectivity, Restricted Target Wake Time (R-TWT) is proposed based on TWT technology. R-TWT is used to provide low-latency services. During the R-TWT service period, non-low-latency services cannot communicate during this period, thus ensuring low-latency service transmission.

[0035] In one embodiment of the present invention, the MLD AP determines a first frame. In one embodiment, the first frame includes at least one of the following: a Beacon frame, a Probe Response frame, and an Association Response frame. The first frame carries a Broadcast TWT Parameter Set field. As a second example, the format of the Broadcast TWT Parameter Set field is shown in the following Table 1:Table 1 Contents of information Request type Target wake-up time Nominal minimum wake-up time TWT Mantissa of the TWT wake-up interval Information about TWT broadcast Limited TWT traffic information Octets 2 2 1 2 2 0 or 3

[0036] As shown in Table 1, the TWT broadcast parameter set field includes Request Type, Target Wake Time, Restricted TWT traffic information, and so on.

[0037] The first frame also carries a first identification, which indicates the link to which the R-TWT Set parameter set field applies. The link includes one or more links between the AP MLD and a non-AP MLD. For example, a Link ID Bitmap subfield may be added to the first frame, wherein the Link ID Bitmap subfield carries the first identification. If the i-th bit in the Link ID Bitmap subfield identifier is set to 1, this indicates that the link to which the R-TWT Set parameter set parameter applies includes the link associated with the i-th bit. Thus, the first identification may indicate whether one or more links between the AP MLD and a non-AP MLD are applicable to the parameters in the Broadcast TWT Set parameter set field.

[0038] In step 102, the first frame is sent.

[0039] The MLD AP sends the first frame so that the R-TWT schedule corresponding to the broadcast TWT parameter set field can be applied to one or more links with a non-AP MLD. Specifically, the MLD AP is used as one or more R-TWT schedules between the AP and the non-AP MLD and is set only on one link between them. Therefore, these one or more R-TWT schedules can only be used for low-latency services on one link and cannot be applied to other links between the same MLD AP and the non-AP MLD. Therefore, if there are low-latency services on other links, a new R-TWT schedule must be negotiated and set on the link, which leads to a delay in the transmission of low-latency services and the occupation of network resources.In an embodiment of the present invention, the first identification bit is carried in the first frame to implement the application of the existing R-TWT schedule to other channels, which avoids the need for other channels to negotiate and establish a new R-TWT schedule when transmitting low latency services.

[0040] It should be understood that in the embodiments of the present invention, the broadcast TWT parameter set field may also be referred to as a restricted-TWT parameter set (Restricted-TWT Parameter Set); for example, when the value of the broadcast TWT recommendation field (Broadcast TWT Recommendation) of the broadcast TWT parameter set field is 4.

[0041] Furthermore, in the embodiments of the present invention, a Broadcast TWT element including only the Restricted TWT parameter set is also referred to as a Restricted-TWT element. That is, the broadcast form of the TWT element is also referred to as a Restricted-TWT element.

[0042] As one embodiment of the present invention, a communication method is provided that can be applied to an AP MLD, and the method can include the following steps: determining a first frame, where the first frame includes a first identification, the first identification indicates a communication channel to which a broadcast target wake-up time (TWT) parameter set field in the first frame is applied, and the communication channel includes one or more communication channels between the AP MLD and a multi-channel device that is not an access point (non-AP MLD); and sending the first frame, where the first identification is carried in the broadcast TWT parameter set field.

[0043] The i-th bit of the first identification is set to the value of the first parameter, indicating that the communication channel to which the TWT broadcast parameter set field is applied includes the communication channel corresponding to the i-th bit.

[0044] The i-th bit of the first identification is set to the value of the second parameter, indicating that the communication channel to which the TWT broadcast parameter set field applies does not include the communication channel corresponding to the i-th bit.

[0045] Referring to Table 1 above, the first identification is carried in the broadcast TWT parameter set field. For example, a subfield is added to the broadcast TWT parameter set to carry the first identification bit. As a third example, when the first identification bit is a link identifier bitmap, see Table 2:Table 2 Contents of information Request type Target wake-up time Nominal minimum wake-up time TWT Mantissa of the TWT wake-up interval Information about TWT broadcast Limited TWT traffic information Channel Identifier Bitmap Octets 2 2 1 2 2 1 0 or 2

[0046] Each bit of the first identification can correspond to a communication channel. The i-th bit of the first identification is set to the value of the first parameter. For example, the value of the first parameter is 1, indicating that the communication channel to which the broadcast TWT parameter set field applies includes the communication channel corresponding to the i-th bit.

[0047] The i-th bit of the first identification is set to the value of the second parameter. For example, the value of the second parameter is 0, indicating that the communication channel to which the broadcast TWT parameter set field applies does not include the communication channel corresponding to the i-th bit.

[0048] As one embodiment of the present invention, a communication method is provided that can be applied to an AP MLD, and the method can include the following steps: defining a first frame, wherein the first frame includes a first identification, the first identification indicates a communication channel to which a broadcast TWT parameter set field in the first frame is applied, and the communication channel includes one or more communication channels between the AP MLD and a multi-channel device that is not an access point (non-AP MLD); and sending the first frame, wherein the broadcast TWT parameter set field includes a second identification, and the second identification indicates whether the communication channel includes a plurality of communication channels between the AP MLD and the non-AP MLD.

[0049] The second identification is added to the Parameter Set field of the Broadcast TWT, and the second identification is used to indicate whether the link includes multiple links between the AP MLD and non-AP MLD. For example, as the fourth example, see Table 3 below, where the second identification is added to the Request Type field of the Parameter Set field of the Broadcast TWT, and the second identification can be, for example, the multi-link identification bit:Table 3 Contents of information TWT Request TWT installation command Trigger The last set of broadcast parameters Flow type TWT Broadcast Recommendation The exponent of the TWT wake-up interval Multi-channel identification bit Bits 1 3 1 1 1 1 0 or 2

[0050] For example, when the multi-channel identification bit is 1, the link includes multiple links between the AP MLD and non-AP MLD. When the multi-channel identification bit is 0, the link does not include multiple links between the AP MLD and non-AP MLD, for example, but only includes one link for sending the first frame.

[0051] As one embodiment of the present invention, a communication method is provided, which can be applied to an AP MLD, for example. The method may include the following steps: determining a first frame, where the first frame includes a broadcast TWT parameter set field, a second identification, and a TWT element, the second identification indicating whether the link to which the broadcast TWT parameter set field is applied includes a plurality of links between an AP MLD and a multi-link device that is not an access point (non-AP MLD), the TWT information element includes a third identification, and the third identification may be, for example, a Link ID Bitmap Present bit in the Control field of the TWT element; and sending the first frame.

[0052] If the third identification is set to the value of the third parameter and the second identification bit is the value of the fourth parameter, the first frame includes the first identification. The first identification indicates the link to which the TWT broadcast parameter set field in the first frame applies. The link includes one or more links between an AP MLD and a non-AP MLD.

[0053] For example, if the value of the third parameter is 1 and the value of the fourth parameter is 1, that is, the presence bit of the link identification bitmap (the third identification) is 1 and the multi-channel identification bit (the second identification) is 1, then the parameter set field of the broadcast TWT includes the first identification.

[0054] As one embodiment of the present invention, a communication method is provided, which can be applied, for example, to an AP MLD. The method may include the following steps: determining a first frame, where the first frame includes a first identification, the first identification indicates a communication channel to which a broadcast TWT parameter set field in the first frame is applied, and the communication channel includes one or more communication channels between the AP MLD and a multi-channel device that is not an access point (non-AP MLD); and sending the first frame.

[0055] The first frame includes a TWT element, the TWT element includes a plurality of broadcast TWT parameter set fields, and the control field of the TWT element includes a fourth identification. When an AP subordinate to an AP MLD sends the first frame including a TWT element (or an R-TWT element) to an STA subordinate to a non-AP MLD associated with it over the same link, the TWT element includes a plurality of R-TWT parameter set fields: the control field of each TWT element includes a fourth identification, and the fourth identification is used, for example, for Link ID Bitmap Present and indicates the link to which the TWT element applies, including the following cases 1-3.

[0056] Case 1:

[0057] The fourth identification is set to the value of the fifth parameter, and the channel to which the plurality of fields of the TWT broadcast parameter set belong turns on the communication channel for sending the first frame.

[0058] For example, the value of the fifth parameter is set to 0. That is, when the Link ID Bitmap Present (fourth identification) bit in the control field of the TWT element is set to 0, all the fields of the R-TWT parameter set in the R-TWT element are applied only to the link for sending the first frame.

[0059] Case 2:

[0060] If the fourth identification is set to the value of the sixth parameter and the second identification is set to the value of the seventh parameter, the link to which the TWT broadcast parameter set field is applied enables the link for sending the first frame.

[0061] For example, the value of the sixth parameter is set to 1 and the seventh parameter is set to 0. That is, when the Link ID Bitmap Present bit (fourth identification) in the control field of the TWT element is set to 1 and the multi-link identification bit (second identification) in the request type field is set to 0, the corresponding limited target wake-up time parameter set field in the R-TWT element is applied only to the link for sending the first frame.

[0062] Case 3:

[0063] If the fourth identification is set to the value of the eighth parameter and the second identification is set to the value of the ninth parameter, the link to which the TWT broadcast parameter set field is applied includes the link where the first identification is set to the value of the tenth parameter.

[0064] For example, the value of the eighth parameter is set to 1, the ninth parameter is set to 1, and the tenth parameter is set to 1. When the Link ID Bitmap Present bit (fourth identification) in the control field of the TWT element is set to 1, and the Multi-Link Identification bit (second identification) in the Request Type field is set to 1, all the fields of the Limited TWT parameter set in the TWT element are applied to the link where the first identification bit is set to 1.

[0065] In embodiments of the present invention, the MLD AP determines and sends a first frame, carries a first identification bit in the first frame, and indicates a communication channel to which the broadcast TWT parameter set field in the first frame is applied via the first identification. Furthermore, the communication channel includes one or more communication channels between the MLD AP and a non-MLD AP to implement a TWT negotiation mechanism across multiple communication channels, improve spectrum efficiency, and reduce power consumption by the end device. The existing R-TWT schedule can be applied to other communication channels to avoid other communication channels negotiating a new R-TWT schedule when transmitting low-latency services and causing a delay in transmitting low-latency services.

[0066] Referring to FIG. 4, as one embodiment of the present invention, a communication method is provided that can be applied to a multi-channel device that is not an access point (non-AP MLD). The method may include the following step 401.

[0067] In step 401, the first frame is received. The first frame includes a first identification, and the first identification indicates a link to which the TWT broadcast parameter set field in the first frame applies. The link includes one or more links between an AP MLD and a non-AP MLD.

[0068] The WLAN architecture to which the communication method proposed in the embodiments of the present invention is applied refers to the above-mentioned first example, which will not be described again.

[0069] TWT is a power-saving technology that aims to further reduce the power consumption of Wi-Fi networks. Specifically, TWT determines the sleep and wake-up times and frequency of STAs, allowing the STA and AP to negotiate a service period (SP). The STA remains active and maintains communication during the SP, allowing it to sleep outside the SP to achieve power-saving goals. Furthermore, TWT can also enable the AP to provide higher-quality services to multiple STAs, minimize contention or overlap, and improve spectrum efficiency while reducing the power consumption of Wi-Fi networks.

[0070] To further ensure low-latency service communications, the Limited Target Wake-up Time (R-TWT) is proposed based on TWT technology. R-TWT is used to provide low-latency services. During the R-TWT service period, other low-latency services cannot communicate during this period, thereby ensuring low-latency service transmission.

[0071] In embodiments of the present invention, the non-AP MLD receives a first frame. In an example, the first frame includes at least one of the following: a beacon frame, a probe response frame, and an association response frame. The non-AP MLD receives a broadcast TWT parameter set field carried in the first frame. As a second example, the format of the broadcast TWT parameter set field is shown in the aforementioned Table 1, and the broadcast TWT parameter set field includes a Request type, a Target Wake Time, Restricted TWT Traffic information, and the like.

[0072] The non-AP MLD also receives the first identification in the first frame. The first identification indicates the link to which the broadcast TWT parameter set field applies. The link includes one or more links between the AP MLD and the non-AP MLD. For example, a link identifier bitmap subfield can be added to the first frame, and the link identifier bitmap subfield carries the first identification. The i-th bit in the link identifier bitmap subfield is set to 1, indicating that the link to which the R-TWT Set parameter applies includes the link associated with the i-th bit. Thus, the first identification can indicate whether one or more links between the AP MLD and the non-AP MLD are applicable to the parameters in the broadcast TWT parameter set field.

[0073] The non-AP MLD receives the first frame, so the R-TWT schedule corresponding to the broadcast TWT parameter set field can be applied to one or more links with the non-AP MLD. Specifically, the AP MLD is used as one or more R-TWT schedules between the AP schedule and the non-AP MLD and is set only on one link between them. Therefore, one or more R-TWT schedules are used only for low-latency services on one link and cannot be applied to other links between the same AP MLD and the non-AP MLD. Therefore, if there are low-latency services on other links, a new R-TWT schedule must be negotiated and set on the link, which leads to a delay in the transmission of low-latency services and the occupation of network resources.In embodiments of the present invention, the first identification bit is carried in the first frame to apply the existing R-TWT schedule to other communication channels, avoiding the need for the other communication channels to negotiate and establish a new R-TWT schedule when transmitting low latency services.

[0074] As one embodiment of the present invention, a communication method is provided that can be applied, for example, to a multi-channel device that is not an access point (non-AP MLD). The method may include the following step: receiving a first frame.

[0075] The first frame includes the first identification, and the first identification specifies the link to which the TWT Broadcast Parameter Set field in the first frame applies. The link includes one or more links between an AP MLD and a non-AP MLD.

[0076] The first identification is transferred to the TWT broadcast parameter set field.

[0077] The i-th bit of the first identification is set to the value of the first parameter, indicating that the communication channel to which the TWT broadcast parameter set field is applied includes the communication channel corresponding to the i-th bit.

[0078] The i-th bit of the first identification is set to the value of the second parameter, indicating that the communication channel to which the TWT broadcast parameter set field applies does not include the communication channel corresponding to the i-th bit.

[0079] Referring to Table 1 above, the first identification is carried in the broadcast TWT parameter set field. For example, a subfield for carrying the first identification bit may be added to the broadcast TWT parameter set. As a third example, when the first identification bit is a link identifier bitmap, referring to Table 2 above, each bit of the first identification may correspond to a link. The i-th bit of the first identification is set to the value of the first parameter. For example, the value of the first parameter is 1, indicating that the link to which the broadcast TWT parameter set field applies includes the link corresponding to the i-th bit.

[0080] The i-th bit of the first identification is set to the value of the second parameter. For example, the value of the second parameter is 0, indicating that the communication channel to which the TWT broadcast parameter set field applies does not include the communication channel corresponding to the i-th bit.

[0081] As one embodiment of the present invention, a communication method is provided that can be applied, for example, to a multi-channel device that is not an access point (non-AP MLD). The method may include the following step: receiving a first frame.

[0082] The first frame includes the first identification, and the first identification indicates the link to which the TWT broadcast parameter set field in the first frame applies. The link includes one or more links between an AP MLD and a non-AP MLD.

[0083] The TWT broadcast parameter set field includes the second identification, and the second identification indicates that the link includes a plurality of links between an AP MLD and a non-AP MLD.

[0084] The second identification can be added to the broadcast TWT parameter set field, and the second identification is used to indicate whether the link includes multiple links between the AP MLD and the non-AP MLD. For example, as a fourth example, referring to Table 3 above, the second identification can be added to the request type field of the broadcast TWT parameter set field, and the second identification can be, for example, a multi-link identification bit. For example, when the multi-link identification bit is 1, the link includes multiple links between the AP MLD and the non-AP MLD. When the multi-link identification bit is 0, the link does not include multiple links between the AP MLD and the non-AP MLD, for example, it includes only one link for sending the first frame.

[0085] As one embodiment of the present invention, a communication method is provided that can be applied, for example, to a multi-channel device that is not an access point (non-AP MLD). The method may include the following step: receiving a first frame.

[0086] The first frame includes a Broadcast TWT Parameter Set field, a second identification, and a TWT element. The second identification indicates whether the link to which the Broadcast TWT Parameter Set field applies includes multiple links between an AP MLD and a non-AP MLD. The TWT element includes a third identification. The third identification may be, for example, the Link ID Bitmap Present bit in the control field of the TWT element.

[0087] If the third identification is set to the value of the third parameter, and the second identification bit is set to the value of the fourth parameter, the first frame includes the first identification. The first identification indicates the link to which the TWT broadcast parameter set field in the first frame applies, and the link includes one or more links between AP MLDs and non-AP MLDs.

[0088] For example, the value of the third parameter is 1, and the value of the fourth parameter is 1. That is, the Link ID Bitmap Present bit (the third identification) is 1, and the Multi-Link Identification bit (the second identification) is 1, then the TWT broadcast parameter set field includes the first identification.

[0089] As one embodiment of the present invention, a communication method is provided that can be applied, for example, to a multi-channel device that is not an access point (non-AP MLD). The method may include the following step: receiving a first frame.

[0090] The first frame includes the first identification, and the first identification specifies the link to which the TWT broadcast parameter set field in the first frame applies. The link includes one or more links between an AP MLD and a non-AP MLD.

[0091] The first frame includes a TWT element, the TWT element includes a plurality of broadcast TWT parameter set fields, and the control field of the TWT element includes a fourth identification. When an AP subordinate to an AP MLD sends the first frame including a TWT element (or an R-TWT element) to an STA subordinate to a non-AP MLD associated with it over the same channel, the TWT element includes a plurality of R-TWT parameter set fields: the control field of each TWT element includes a fourth identification, and the fourth identification is used, for example, for Link ID Bitmap Present and indicates the communication channel to which the TWT element applies, including the following cases 1-3.

[0092] Case 1:

[0093] The fourth identification is set to the value of the fifth parameter, and the link to which the plurality of fields of the broadcast TWT parameter set are applied turns on the link for sending the first frame.

[0094] For example, the value of the fifth parameter is set to 0. That is, when the Link ID Bitmap Present (fourth identification) bit in the control field of the TWT element is set to 0, all the fields of the R-TWT parameter set in the R-TWT element are applied only to the link for sending the first frame.

[0095] Case 2:

[0096] If the fourth identification is set to the value of the sixth parameter and the second identification is set to the value of the seventh parameter, the link to which the TWT broadcast parameter set field is applied enables the link for sending the first frame.

[0097] For example, the value of the sixth parameter is set to 1 and the seventh parameter is set to 0. That is, when the Link ID Bitmap Present bit (fourth identification) in the control field of the TWT element is set to 1 and the Multi-Link Identification bit (second identification) in the Request Type field is set to 0, the corresponding R-TWT parameter set field in the R-TWT element is applied only to the link for sending the first frame.

[0098] Case 3:

[0099] If the fourth identification is set to the value of the eighth parameter and the second identification is set to the value of the ninth parameter, the link to which the broadcast TWT parameter set field is applied includes the link where the first identification is set to the value of the tenth parameter.

[00100] For example, the value of the eighth parameter is set to 1, the ninth parameter is set to 1, and the tenth parameter is set to 1. When the Link ID Bitmap Present bit (fourth identification) in the control field of the TWT element is set to 1, and the multi-link identification bit (second identification) in the request type field is set to 1, all of the R-TWT parameter set fields in the TWT element are applied to the link where the first identification bit is set to 1.

[00101] In embodiments of the present invention, the non-AP MLD receives the first frame, obtains the first identification bit carried in the first frame, and determines the link,to which the Broadcast TWT Parameter Set field in the first frame is applied by the first identification. The communication channel includes one or more communication channels between the MLD AP and the non-MLD AP, thereby implementing a TWT negotiation mechanism across multiple communication channels, improving spectrum efficiency and reducing energy consumption by end devices. The existing R-TWT schedule can be applied to other communication channels to avoid the need for other communication channels to negotiate and establish a new R-TWT schedule when transmitting low-latency services and thereby causing a delay in transmitting low-latency services.

[00102] Referring to FIG. 5, based on the same principle as the method proposed in accordance with embodiments of the present invention, an electronic device is further proposed as an embodiment of the present invention. The electronic device is a multi-channel device that is an access point (MLD AP),and the electronic device includes a determining module 501 and a sending module 502.

[00103] The determining module 501 is configured to determine a first frame. The first frame includes a first identification, and the first identification indicates a communication channel to which a Broadcast TWT Parameter Set field in the first frame applies. The communication channel includes one or more channels between an AP MLD and a non-AP MLD.

[00104] The sending module 502 is configured to send the first frame.

[00105] For example, in an embodiment of the present invention, the first identification is carried in a Broadcast TWT Parameter Set field.

[00106] the i-th bit of the first identification is set to a first parameter value, indicating that the communication channel to which the Broadcast TWT Parameter Set field applies includes a communication channel corresponding to the i-th bit.

[00107] the i-th bit of the first identification is set to a second parameter value, indicating,that the communication channel to which the broadcast TWT parameter set field is applied does not include the communication channel corresponding to the i-th bit.

[00108] For example, in an embodiment of the present invention, the broadcast TWT parameter set field includes a second identification, and the second identification indicates whether the communication channel includes a plurality of communication channels between an AP MLD and a non-AP MLD.

[00109] For example, in an embodiment of the present invention, the first frame includes a TWT element, and the TWT element includes a third identification.

[00110] If the third identification is set to the value of the third parameter, and the second identification is set to the value of the fourth parameter, the broadcast TWT parameter set field includes the first identification.

[00111] For example, in an embodiment of the present invention, the first frame includes a TWT element, the TWT element includes a plurality of broadcast TWT parameter set fields,and the TWT element control field includes a fourth identification.

[00112] The fourth identification is set to the value of the fifth parameter, and the communication channel to which the plurality of broadcast TWT parameter set fields are applied includes the communication channel for sending the first frame.

[00113] The fourth identification is set to the value of the sixth parameter, the second identification is set to the value of the seventh parameter, and the communication channel to which the broadcast TWT parameter set field is applied includes the communication channel for sending the first frame.

[00114] The fourth identification is set to the value of the eighth parameter, the second identification is set to the value of the ninth parameter, and the communication channel to which the broadcast TWT parameter set field is applied includes the communication channel, where the first identification is set to the value of the tenth parameter.

[00115] For example,in an embodiment of the present invention, the first frame includes at least one of the following: a beacon frame, a probe response frame, and an association response frame.

[00116] As an embodiment of the present invention, there is further provided a communication device that is applied to a multi-channel device that is an access point (AP MLD). The communication device includes a frame determining module and a frame sending module.

[00117] The frame determining module is configured to determine a first frame. The first frame includes a first identification, and the first identification indicates a communication channel to which the broadcast TWT parameter set field in the first frame is applied. The communication channel includes one or more communication channels between the AP MLD and the multi-channel device,

[00118] The frame sending module is configured to send the first frame.

[00119] The communication device further includes other modules of the electronic device in the above-mentioned embodiments, which will not be described again.

[00120] Referring to Fig. 6, based on the same principle as the method proposed in accordance with the embodiments of the present invention, an electronic device that is a multi-channel device that is an access point (AP MLD) is further provided as one embodiment of the present invention. The electronic device includes a receiving module 601.

[00121] The receiving module 601 is configured to receive the first frame. The first frame includes a first identification, and the first identification indicates a communication channel,to which the Broadcast TWT Parameter Set field in the first frame applies. The link includes one or more links between the AP MLD and a multi-link non-AP MLD.

[00122] For example, in an embodiment of the present invention, a first identification is carried in the Broadcast TWT Parameter Set field.

[00123] the i-th bit of the first identification is set to the value of the first parameter, indicating that the link to which the Broadcast TWT Parameter Set field applies includes the link corresponding to the i-th bit.

[00124] the i-th bit of the first identification is set to the value of the second parameter, indicating that the link to which the Broadcast TWT Parameter Set field applies does not include the link corresponding to the i-th bit.

[00125] For example, in an embodiment of the present invention, the Broadcast TWT Parameter Set field includes a second identification, and the second identification indicates,that the communication channel includes a plurality of communication channels between the AP MLD and the non-AP MLD.

[00126] For example, in an embodiment of the present invention, the first frame includes a TWT element, and the TWT element includes a third identification.

[00127] If the third identification is set to the value of the third parameter, and the second identification is set to the value of the fourth parameter, the broadcast TWT parameter set field includes the first identification.

[00128] For example, in an embodiment of the present invention, the first frame includes a TWT element, the TWT element includes a plurality of broadcast TWT parameter set fields, and the control field of the TWT element includes a fourth identification.

[00129] The fourth identification is set to the value of the fifth parameter, and the communication channel to which the plurality of broadcast TWT parameter set fields are applied includes the communication channel for sending the first frame.

[00130] The fourth identification is set to the value of the sixth parameter,the second identification is set to the value of the seventh parameter, and the communication channel to which the broadcast TWT parameter set field is applied includes a communication channel for sending the first frame.

[00131] The fourth identification is set to the value of the eighth parameter, the second identification is set to the value of the ninth parameter, and the communication channel to which the broadcast TWT parameter set field is applied includes a communication channel where the first identification is set to the value of the tenth parameter.

[00132] As an embodiment of the present invention, there is further provided a communication device that is applied to an access point multi-channel device (AP MLD). The communication device includes a frame receiving module.

[00133] The frame receiving module is configured to receive a first frame. The first frame includes a first identification, and the first identification indicates a communication channel,to which the Broadcast TWT Parameter Set field in the first frame is applied. The communication channel includes one or more communication channels between the AP MLD and a multi-channel non-access point device (non-AP MLD).

[00134] The communication device also includes other modules of the electronic device in the above-mentioned embodiment(s), which will not be described again.

[00135] In an embodiment example, an electronic device as shown in Fig. 7 is further provided as one embodiment of the present invention. The electronic device 700 shown in Fig. 7 may be a server including: a processor 701 and a memory 703. The processor 701 and the memory 703 are connected, for example, via a bus 702. For example, the electronic device 700 may also include a transceiver 704. It should be noted that in actual applications, the transceiver 704 is not limited to one,and the structure of the electronic device 700 does not impose any limitations on the embodiments of the present invention.

[00136] The processor 701 may be a central processing unit (CPU, Central Processing Unit, CPU), a general-purpose processor, a digital signal processor (DSP, Digital Signal Processor, DSP), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field-programmable gate array (FPGA) or other programmable logic devices, transistor logic devices, hardware components, or any combination thereof. The processor 701 may implement or execute various examples of logical blocks, modules, and circuits described in connection with the disclosure of the present invention. The processor 701 may also be a combination implementing computing functions, such as a combination of one or more microprocessors,

[00137] The bus 702 may include a path for transferring information between the above components. The bus 702 may be a Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) bus or an Extended Industry Standard Architecture (EISA) bus, and so on. The bus 702 may be classified as an address bus, a data bus, a control bus, and so on. For ease of presentation, only one thick line is used in Fig. 7, but this does not mean that only one bus or one type of bus can be applied.

[00138] The memory 703 may be a Read Only Memory (ROM) or other types of static memory devices that can store static information and instructions, a Random Access Memory (RAM) or other types of dynamic memory devices that can store information and instructions,or an Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory (EEPROM), a Compact Disc-Read Only Memory (CD-ROM) or other optical disk storage, an optical disk storage (including a compressed optical disc, a laser disc, an optical disc, a digital versatile disc, a Blu-ray disc, etc.), a disk carrier or other magnetic storage device, or any other medium that can be used to carry or store the desired program codes in the form of instructions or data structures and that can be accessed by a computer, but is not limited to this.

[00139] The memory 703 is used to store application codes for implementing the solution of the present invention and is controlled by the processor 701 for execution. The processor 701 is used to execute the application codes stored in the memory 703 to implement the content,shown in the above-mentioned embodiments of the method.

[00140] Electronic devices include, but are not limited to, mobile terminals such as mobile phones, laptops, digital broadcast receivers, personal digital assistants (PDAs), tablet computers (PADs), portable multimedia players (PMPs), vehicle-mounted terminals (such as vehicle-mounted navigation terminals), and so on, as well as stationary terminals such as digital televisions, desktop computers, and so on. The electronic device shown in Fig. 7 is merely an example and should not impose any limitations on the functions and scope of use of embodiments of the present invention.

[00141] The server proposed by the present disclosure may be an independent physical server or a cluster of servers or a distributed system,consisting of multiple physical servers, or a cloud server that provides basic cloud computing services such as cloud services, cloud databases, cloud computing, cloud functions, cloud storage, network services, cloud communications, middleware services, domain name services, security services, CDN, and big data and artificial intelligence platforms. The terminal may be a smartphone, a tablet computer, a laptop, a desktop computer, a smart speaker, a smart watch, and so on, but is not limited thereto. The terminal and the server may be directly or indirectly connected via a wired or wireless connection, which is not limited to the present disclosure.

[00142] As one embodiment of the present invention, a computer-readable storage medium is provided on which a computer program is stored. When the computer program is run on a computer,the computer can execute the corresponding content in the above-mentioned embodiment(s) of the method.

[00143] It should be understood that although the steps in the flow chart of the accompanying drawings are shown in a sequence as indicated by the arrows, these steps are not necessarily performed in sequence in the order indicated by the arrows. Unless otherwise indicated herein, there is no strict limitation on the order in which these steps are performed, and they may be performed in other orders. Moreover, at least some of the steps in the flow chart of the accompanying drawings may include several sub-steps or several steps, and these sub-steps or steps are not necessarily performed simultaneously, but may be performed at different times, and their order of execution is not necessarily sequential, but may be performed in turn or alternately with other steps or at least one of the sub-steps or steps of other steps.

[00144] It should be noted thatthat the computer-readable medium mentioned above in this disclosure may be a computer-readable signal carrier or a computer-readable storage medium, or any combination of the two. The computer-readable storage medium may be, for example, but not limited to, an electrical, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared, or semiconductor system, apparatus, or device, or any combination of the above. More specific examples of computer-readable storage media may include, but are not limited to: an electrical connection with one or more wires, a portable computer disk, a hard disk, a random access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM or flash memory), an optical fiber, a portable compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), an optical storage device,a magnetic storage device, or any suitable combination thereof. In the present disclosure, a computer-readable storage medium may be any tangible medium containing or storing a program that can be used by or in combination with an instruction execution system, apparatus, or device. In the present disclosure, a computer-readable signal medium may include a data signal propagated in baseband or as part of a carrier wave that carries computer-readable program codes. This propagated data signal may take various forms, including, but not limited to, an electromagnetic signal, an optical signal, or any suitable combination thereof. A computer-readable signal medium may also be any computer-readable medium, other than a computer-readable data medium, that can send, distribute, or transmit a program for use by an instruction execution system,apparatus or device or in combination with them. The program codes stored on the computer-readable medium may be transmitted by any suitable medium, including, but not limited to: wires, optical cables, radio frequency (RF), and so on, or any suitable combination of the above.

[00145] The aforementioned computer-readable medium may be part of the aforementioned electronic device; or may exist separately without being assembled into an electronic device.

[00146] The aforementioned computer-readable medium carries one or more programs. When the one or more programs as mentioned above are executed by the electronic device, the electronic device performs the method shown in the aforementioned embodiment(s).

[00147] According to one aspect of the present invention, a computer program product or a computer program is provided. The computer program product or a computer program includes computer instructions,which are stored on a computer storage medium. The processor of the computing device reads computer instructions from the computer-readable storage medium, and the processor executes the computer instructions, so that the computing device performs the methods provided in the various embodiments as mentioned above.

[00148] The computer program codes for performing the operations of the present invention may be written in one or more programming languages ​​or a combination thereof, including object-oriented programming languages ​​such as Java, Smalltalk, C++, and conventional procedural programming languages ​​such as "C" or similar programming languages. The program codes may be executed entirely on the user's computer, partly on the user's computer, as a separate software package, partly on the user's computer, and partly on a remote computer,or entirely on a remote computer or server. In the case of a remote computer, the remote computer may be connected to the user's computer through any type of network, including a local area network (LAN) or a wide area network (WAN), or may be connected to an external computer (e.g., via the Internet using an Internet service provider).

[00149] The flow charts and block diagrams in the accompanying drawings illustrate possible architecture, functions, and operations of systems, methods, and computer program products in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention. In this regard, each block in a flow chart or block diagram may represent a module, a program segment, or a portion of codes that includes one or more executable instructions for implementing the indicated logical function. It should also be noted that in some alternative implementations, the functions noted in the blocks may also occur in a different order than thatwhich is marked in the drawings. For example, two blocks shown in series may actually be executed substantially in parallel, and sometimes they may be executed in the opposite order, depending on the functions involved. It should also be noted that each block in the flowchart and / or block diagram, as well as the combination of blocks in the flowchart and / or block diagram, may be implemented by a dedicated hardware system that performs the indicated function or operation, or may be implemented by a combination of dedicated hardware and computer instructions.

[00150] The modules involved in the embodiments described by the present disclosure may be implemented by software or hardware. The name of a module does not represent any limitation for the module itself in some cases. For example,module A may also be described as "module A for performing operation B."

[00151] The above description represents only preferred embodiments of the present invention and an explanation of the technical principles used. Those skilled in the art should understand that the scope of the disclosure included in the present description is not limited to technical solutions formed by a certain combination of the above technical features, but should also cover other technical solutions formed by any combination of the above technical features or their equivalent features, without departing from the disclosed essence. For example, the above features can be replaced by technical features with similar functions disclosed in the present description (but not limited to them) to form a technical solution.

Claims

1. A communication method applied to a multi-link device that is an access point (AP MLD), including: determining (101) a first frame, wherein the first frame indicates that the communication channel to which the broadcast target wake-up time (TWT) parameter set field in the first frame is applied includes a plurality of communication channels between the AP MLD and a non-Access Point Multi-Link Device (non-AP MLD); and sending (102) the first frame, wherein the first frame includes at least one of the following: a beacon frame, a probe response frame, and an association response frame.

2. The communication method of claim 1, wherein the first frame includes a TWT element, and the TWT element includes a third identification; the TWT broadcast parameter set field includes a second identification, and the second identification indicates whether the communication channel includes a plurality of communication channels between an AP MLD and a non-AP MLD; in the case where the third identification is set to the value of the third parameter and the second identification is set to the value of the fourth parameter, the broadcast TWT parameter set field indicates that the communication channel to which the broadcast TWT parameter set field is applied in the first frame includes a plurality of communication channels between the AP MLD and the non-AP MLD.

3. A communication method applied to an Access Point Multi-Link Device (AP MLD), which method comprises: receiving (401) a first frame, wherein the first frame indicates that the communication channel to which the broadcast target wake-up time (TWT) parameter set field in the first frame is applied includes a plurality of communication channels between the AP MLD and a non-Access Point Multi-Link Device (non-AP MLD), wherein the first frame includes at least one of the following: a beacon frame, a probe response frame, and an association response frame.

4. The communication method of claim 3, wherein the first frame includes a TWT element, and the TWT element includes a third identification; the TWT broadcast parameter set field includes a second identification, and the second identification indicates whether the communication channel includes a plurality of communication channels between an AP MLD and a non-AP MLD; in the case where the third identification is set to the value of the third parameter and the second identification is set to the value of the fourth parameter, the broadcast TWT parameter set field indicates that the communication channel to which the broadcast TWT parameter set field is applied in the first frame includes a plurality of communication channels between the AP MLD and the non-AP MLD.

5. A multi-channel device that is an access point (AP MLD), including: a determining module (501) configured to determine a first frame, wherein the first frame indicates that the communication channel to which the broadcast target wake-up time (TWT) parameter set field in the first frame is applied includes a plurality of communication channels between the AP MLD and a non-Access Point Multi-Link Device (non-AP MLD); and a sending module (502) configured to send the first frame, wherein the first frame includes at least one of the following: a beacon frame, a probe response frame, and an association response frame.

6. A non-Access Point Multi-Link Device (non-AP MLD) that includes: a receiving module (601) configured to receive a first frame, wherein the first frame indicates that the communication channel to which the broadcast target wake-up time (TWT) parameter set field in the first frame is applied includes a plurality of communication channels between an Access Point Multi-Link Device (AP MLD) and a non-AP MLD, wherein the first frame includes at least one of the following: a beacon frame, a probe response frame, and an association response frame.

7. A machine-readable storage medium on which a computer program is stored, wherein the computer program is configured to ensure the implementation of the communication method according to any of paragraphs 1, 2 or the communication method according to any of paragraphs 3, 4 when executed by a processor.

Images