Communication methods, communication devices, computer-readable storage media, smart vehicles and terminals.

Abstract

The invention reveals a method of communication, a communication device, a computer-readable storage medium, a vehicle, and a smart terminal. The method is applicable to a communication system comprising a master node and subordinate nodes. This method comprises the steps of: creating a first frame, which is used at least to determine the sleep start time of the second node; and sending the first frame. According to the schemes of the invention, the first frame is used at least to determine the sleep start time of the second node, so that the second node determines the sleep start time of the second node, and enters sleep mode when the sleep start time arrives, in order to reduce power consumption. Furthermore, the first frame is used specifically to determine the sleep start times of the second node and one or more downstream nodes of the second node, so that the second node and one or more downstream nodes of the second node can determine the same sleep start time, in order to enforce synchronous sleep.

Description

Communication method, communication device, chip and computer-readable storage medium

[0001] This application claims priority to the Chinese patent application with application number 202311128762.5 filed with the State Intellectual Property Office of China on August 31, 2023, and priority to the Chinese patent application with the invention name “Communication method, communication device, chip and computer-readable storage medium”, all contents of which are incorporated by reference into this application. Technical Field

[0002] The present application relates to the field of communications, and in particular to a communication method, a communication device, a chip, and a computer-readable storage medium. Background Art

[0003] In an in-vehicle multi-node wired audio transmission system, a daisy-chain topology is often used between a master node and multiple slave nodes. In this system, the vehicle's system-on-chip (SOC) serves as the master node, communicating with peripherals connected to the slave nodes through the master node. An example of an in-vehicle multi-node wired audio transmission system is as follows: the vehicle's SOC serves as the master node, the audio codec (Codec) is connected to the first slave node (the audio encoder is a peripheral connected to the first slave node), microphone (MIC) 1 is connected to the second slave node, and microphone 2 is connected to the third slave node. In this example, the audio signal to be played is sent from the host to the audio codec via the master node to the first slave node; the audio signal collected by MIC1 is transmitted to the host via the second slave node, the first slave node, and the master node; the audio signal collected by MIC2 is transmitted to the host via the third slave node, the second slave node, the first slave node, and the master node. When the in-vehicle multi-node wired audio transmission system is not transmitting data, if the nodes in the system are in hibernation, the system's power consumption can be reduced. Therefore, it is necessary to study how to control the sleep mode of nodes in the transmission system in order to reduce power consumption.

[0004] Summary of the Invention

[0005] Embodiments of the present application disclose a communication method, a communication device, a chip, and a computer-readable storage medium, which can control multiple nodes in a transmission system to sleep synchronously, thereby reducing power consumption.

[0006] In a first aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication method, applied to a first node, comprising: generating a first frame, the first frame being used at least for determining a sleep start time of a second node; and transmitting the first frame. The first frame being used at least for determining the sleep start time of the second node can be replaced by: the first frame being used at least for determining the sleep start time of the second node. The first node and the second node are different.

[0007] In an embodiment of the present application, the first frame is at least used to determine the sleep start time of the second node, so that the second node determines its sleep start time and then enters the sleep state after the sleep start time is reached, which can reduce power consumption.

[0008] In one possible implementation, the first frame is specifically used for the second node and one or more subordinate nodes of the second node to determine the sleep start time. Exemplarily, the first node is a master node in a communication system, the second node is a slave node in the communication system, and the time offset (offset) of the sleep start time determined by each subordinate node of the second node and any two nodes of the second node is less than the sending period of the communication frame in the communication system, for example, the sending period is 20.83us, and the time offset of the sleep start time determined by any two nodes does not exceed 2us. In this example, the sleep start time determined by the second node and one or more subordinate nodes of the second node is basically the same, so that the second node and one or more subordinate nodes of the second node enter the sleep state after their respective determined sleep start times, which can achieve synchronous sleep of the second node and one or more subordinate nodes of the second node, that is, sleep at the same time, thereby reducing power consumption.

[0009] In this implementation, the first frame is specifically used for the second node and one or more subordinate nodes of the second node to determine the sleep start time, so that the second node and one or more subordinate nodes of the second node determine their respective sleep start times, and then enter the sleep state after reaching the sleep start time, which can reduce power consumption.

[0010] In one possible implementation, the number of second nodes is k, that is, the first frame is used to determine the sleep start time of at least k second nodes, where k is an integer greater than 1. The k second nodes can determine their own sleep start time based on the first frame. Exemplarily, the first node is a master node in a communication system, and the k second nodes are k slave nodes in the communication system. The time offset (offset) between any two determined sleep start times of the k second nodes is less than the transmission period of the communication frame (e.g., the control frame below) in the communication system, for example, the transmission period is 20.83us, and the time offset of the sleep start times determined by any two nodes does not exceed 2us. In this example, the first frame is used to determine the sleep start time of at least k second nodes, and the sleep start times determined by the k second nodes are substantially the same. In this way, the k second nodes enter the sleep state after their respective determined sleep start times, and synchronous sleep of the k second nodes can be achieved, thereby reducing power consumption.

[0011] In this implementation, the first frame is used for at least k second nodes to determine the sleep start time, so that the k second nodes determine their own sleep start time and then enter the sleep state after the sleep start time is reached, which can reduce power consumption.

[0012] In a possible implementation, the first frame includes first indication information and second indication information, the first indication information is at least used to indicate that the first frame is a control frame for determining the sleep start time, and the second indication information is at least used to determine the sleep start time.

[0013] In this implementation, the first indication information is used to at least indicate that the first frame is a control frame for determining the sleep start time, so that the second node learns, based on the first indication information, that the first frame is a control frame for determining the sleep start time. The second indication information is used to at least determine the sleep start time, so that the second node determines its own sleep start time based on the second indication information.

[0014] In one possible implementation, the second indication information includes a backoff count value, and the backoff count value is associated with a first time interval, where the first time interval is equal to the time interval between the moment when the second node receives the first frame and the start time of the second node's sleep. An example of the backoff count value being associated with the first time interval is that the backoff count value is positively correlated with the first time interval. In this application, the time interval can be replaced by a time offset or a time offset value. For example, the first time interval can be replaced by a first time offset or a first time offset value.

[0015] In this implementation, the backoff count value is associated with the first time interval, so that the second node obtains the first time interval based on the backoff count value and further determines its sleep start time.

[0016] In a possible implementation, a product of the backoff count value and a first period is equal to the first time interval, and the first period is a sending period of the control frame.

[0017] In this implementation, the product of the backoff count value and the first period is equal to the first time interval, so that the second node can accurately obtain the first time interval.

[0018] In a possible implementation, the first indication information includes a frame type of the first frame, where the frame type of the first frame is at least used to indicate that the first frame is a control frame used to determine the sleep start time.

[0019] In this implementation, the frame type of the first frame is at least used to indicate that the first frame is a control frame for determining the sleep start time, so that the second node determines that the first frame is a control frame for determining the sleep start time based on the frame type of the first frame.

[0020] In one possible implementation, the method further includes: sending a second frame, wherein the second frame is used for the second node to maintain clock synchronization with the first node. The second frame can be named a heartbeat frame or other names, which are not limited in this application.

[0021] In this implementation, the second frame is sent so that the second node maintains clock synchronization with the first node through the second frame, facilitating rapid recovery when the second node is awakened, i.e., facilitating the second node to enter the working state from the sleep state more quickly.

[0022] In one possible implementation, before sending the second frame, the method also includes: sending a third frame, wherein the third frame is at least used by the second node to determine the sleep start time, the sleep start time is a first moment, and the time interval between the first moment and the moment when the second node receives the third frame is less than a time threshold.

[0023] In this implementation, the third frame is sent, and the third frame is at least used for the second node to determine the sleep start time, which can avoid the second node being unable to determine its sleep start time when it fails to correctly receive the first frame.

[0024] In one possible implementation, the third frame includes a frame type of the third frame and a backoff count value, wherein the frame type of the third frame is at least used to indicate that the third frame is a control frame for determining the sleep start time, and the backoff count value in the third frame is at least used by the second node to determine the sleep start time.

[0025] In this implementation, the frame type of the third frame is used to at least indicate that the third frame is a control frame for determining the sleep start time, so that the second node determines that the third frame is a control frame for determining the sleep start time based on the frame type of the third frame. The backoff count value in the third frame can enable the second node to determine its sleep start time.

[0026] In a possible implementation, the backoff count value in the third frame is 0.

[0027] In one possible implementation, the method further includes: receiving a fourth frame, the fourth frame being at least used to indicate that the second node has correctly received a control frame for determining the sleep start time; and stopping sending a control frame at least used by the second node to determine the sleep start time.

[0028] In this implementation, after receiving the fourth frame, the control frame used at least for the second node to determine the sleep start time is stopped from being sent, thereby saving signaling overhead.

[0029] In a possible implementation, the fourth frame is specifically used to indicate that the second node and each subordinate node of the second node have correctly received the control frame used to determine the sleep start time.

[0030] In this implementation, after receiving the fourth frame, the control frame used at least for the second node to determine the sleep start time is stopped from being sent, thereby saving signaling overhead.

[0031] In a possible implementation, after stopping sending the control frame at least for the second node to determine the sleep start time, the method further includes: entering the sleep state after reaching a target time point, where the target time point is a preset time point or the sleep start time.

[0032] In this implementation, after reaching the target time point, the system enters a dormant state, thereby saving power consumption.

[0033] In one possible implementation, the first node is a master node in a multi-node in-vehicle wired audio transmission system, and the second node is a slave node in the multi-node in-vehicle wired audio transmission system. Exemplarily, a daisy chain topology is employed between the master node and multiple slave nodes (including the second node) in the multi-node in-vehicle wired audio transmission system. Exemplarily, a star topology is employed between the master node and multiple slave nodes (including the second node) in the multi-node in-vehicle wired audio transmission system.

[0034] In this implementation, the first frame is used at least for the slave node in the vehicle-mounted multi-node wired audio transmission system to determine the sleep start time, and then enter the sleep state after the sleep start time is reached, which can reduce power consumption.

[0035] In a possible implementation, the number of the second nodes is k, where k is an integer greater than 1, the first node is a node in a communication system, and the second nodes include k nodes in the communication system that have synchronous sleep requirements.

[0036] In a possible implementation, the method further includes: receiving a seventh frame, where the seventh frame is at least used to indicate that the second node has not correctly received the first frame.

[0037] In this implementation, upon receiving the seventh frame, it can be learned that the second node has not correctly received the first frame, so that the second node can continue to send control frames for determining the sleep start time.

[0038] In a possible implementation, the method further includes: receiving an eighth frame, where the eighth frame is at least used to indicate that the second node or at least one subordinate node of the second node has not correctly received the first frame.

[0039] In this implementation, the eighth frame is received so as to continue to send a control frame for the second node and a node subordinate to the second node to determine a sleep start time.

[0040] In a second aspect, embodiments of the present application provide another communication method, applied to a second node, comprising: receiving a first frame transmitted via a channel, the first frame being used at least for determining a sleep start time of the second node; and parsing the received first frame transmitted via the channel. The first frame being used at least for determining a sleep start time of the second node can be replaced by: the first frame being used at least for determining a sleep start time of the second node. The first node and the second node are different.

[0041] In an embodiment of the present application, the first frame is at least used to determine the sleep start time of the second node; the second node can obtain its sleep start time by parsing the first frame, and then enter the sleep state after reaching the sleep start time, which can reduce power consumption.

[0042] In a possible implementation, the first frame is specifically used by the second node and one or more subordinate nodes of the second node to determine the sleep start time.

[0043] In this implementation, the first frame is specifically used by the second node and one or more subordinate nodes of the second node to determine the sleep start time. The second node and its subordinate nodes can parse the first frame to determine their respective sleep start times, and then enter the sleep state after the sleep start time is reached, thereby reducing power consumption.

[0044] In a possible implementation, the number of the second nodes is k, that is, the first frame is used to determine the sleep start time of at least k second nodes, where k is an integer greater than 1.

[0045] In this implementation, the first frame is used by at least k second nodes to determine the sleep start time. The k second nodes can determine their respective sleep start times by parsing the first frame, and then enter the sleep state after the sleep start time is reached, thereby reducing power consumption.

[0046] In a possible implementation, the first frame includes first indication information and second indication information, the first indication information is at least used to indicate that the first frame is a control frame for determining the sleep start time, and the second indication information indicates a frame for determining the sleep start time.

[0047] In this implementation, the first indication information is used to at least indicate that the first frame is a control frame for determining a sleep start time. The second node can learn, based on the first indication information, that the first frame is a control frame for determining a sleep start time. The second indication information is used to at least determine a sleep start time. The second node can determine its own sleep start time based on the second indication information.

[0048] In a possible implementation, the second indication information includes a backoff count value, where the backoff count value is associated with a first time interval, where the first time interval is equal to a time interval between a moment when the second node receives the first frame and a sleep start time of the second node.

[0049] In this implementation, the backoff count value is associated with the first time interval. The second node obtains the first time interval based on the backoff count value, and further determines its sleep start time.

[0050] In a possible implementation, a product of the backoff count value and a first period is equal to the first time interval, and the first period is a sending period of the control frame.

[0051] In this implementation, the product of the backoff count value and the first period is equal to the first time interval. The second node can accurately obtain the first time interval based on the backoff count value.

[0052] In a possible implementation, the first indication information includes a frame type of the first frame, where the frame type of the first frame is at least used to indicate that the first frame is a control frame used to determine the sleep start time.

[0053] In this implementation, the frame type of the first frame is at least used to indicate that the first frame is a control frame for determining the sleep start time. The second node can determine that the first frame is a control frame for determining the sleep start time based on the frame type of the first frame.

[0054] In one possible implementation, the method further includes receiving a second frame, the second frame being used at least for the second node to maintain clock synchronization with the first node, the first node being a source of the first frame. The source of the first frame is the node that first sends the first frame, not the node that forwards the first frame.

[0055] In this implementation, the second node maintains clock synchronization with the first node through the second frame, so as to facilitate rapid recovery when the second node is awakened, that is, to facilitate the second node to enter the working state from the sleep state more quickly.

[0056] In one possible implementation, before receiving the second frame, the method also includes: receiving a third frame, wherein the third frame is at least used by the second node to determine the sleep start time, the sleep start time is a first moment, and the time interval between the first moment and the moment when the second node receives the third frame is less than a time threshold.

[0057] In this implementation, the third frame is received, and the third frame is at least used for the second node to determine the sleep start time, which can avoid the second node being unable to determine its sleep start time when it fails to correctly receive the first frame.

[0058] In one possible implementation, the third frame includes a frame type of the third frame and a backoff count value, wherein the frame type of the third frame is at least used to indicate that the third frame is a control frame for determining the sleep start time, and the backoff count value in the third frame is at least used by the second node to determine the sleep start time.

[0059] In this implementation, the frame type of the third frame is used to at least indicate that the third frame is a control frame for determining the sleep start time. The second node can determine that the third frame is a control frame for determining the sleep start time based on the frame type of the third frame. The second node can determine its own sleep start time based on the backoff count value in the third frame.

[0060] In a possible implementation manner, the method further includes: forwarding the received first frame transmitted via a channel.

[0061] In this implementation, the first frame is forwarded so that a subordinate node of the second node can determine the sleep start time.

[0062] In a possible implementation, after forwarding the received first frame transmitted via the channel, the method further includes: sending a fourth frame, wherein the fourth frame is at least used to indicate that the second node has correctly received the control frame used by the second node to determine the sleep start time.

[0063] In this implementation, sending the fourth frame can indicate that the second node has correctly received the control frame used by the second node to determine the sleep start time.

[0064] In a possible implementation, the fourth frame is specifically used to indicate that the second node and each subordinate node of the second node have correctly received the control frame used to determine the sleep start time.

[0065] In this implementation, the first node can stop sending the control frame used by the second node to determine the sleep start time, thereby saving signaling overhead.

[0066] In one possible implementation, before sending the fourth frame, the method also includes: receiving a fifth frame, wherein the fifth frame is at least used to indicate that each subordinate node of the second node has correctly received the control frame for determining the sleep start time; sending the fourth frame includes: sending the fourth frame when the second node correctly receives the control frame for the second node to determine the sleep start time.

[0067] In this implementation, the fourth frame is sent when the second node and the subordinate node of the second node both correctly receive the control frame for determining the sleep start time; so that the first node stops sending the control frame for the second node to determine the sleep start time, thereby saving signaling overhead.

[0068] In one possible implementation, the method further includes: forwarding the first frame if the first frame is received correctly; or sending a sixth frame if the first frame is not received correctly, wherein the sixth frame is at least used to indicate that the second node did not correctly receive the first frame.

[0069] In this implementation, if the first frame is received correctly, the first frame is forwarded; if the first frame is not received correctly, the sixth frame is sent; forwarding of the incorrectly received first frame can be avoided, thereby saving signaling overhead.

[0070] In a possible implementation, the information source of the first frame is a master node in an in-vehicle multi-node wired audio transmission system, and the second node is a slave node in the in-vehicle multi-node wired audio transmission system.

[0071] In this implementation, the first frame is used at least for the slave node in the vehicle-mounted multi-node wired audio transmission system to determine the sleep start time, and then enter the sleep state after the sleep start time is reached, which can reduce power consumption.

[0072] In a possible implementation, the number of the second nodes is k, where k is an integer greater than 1, the first node is a node in a communication system, and the second nodes include k nodes in the communication system that have synchronous sleep requirements.

[0073] In a possible implementation, the method further includes: sending a seventh frame, where the seventh frame is at least used to indicate that the second node has not correctly received the first frame.

[0074] In this implementation, the seventh frame is sent so that the first node knows that the second node has not correctly received the first frame, and then continues to send control frames for the second node to determine the sleep start time.

[0075] In a possible implementation, the method further includes: sending an eighth frame, where the eighth frame is at least used to indicate that the second node or at least one subordinate node of the second node has not correctly received the first frame.

[0076] In this implementation, the eighth frame is sent so that the first node continues to send control frames for the second node and the node below the second node to determine the sleep start time.

[0077] In one possible implementation, before sending the eighth frame, the method also includes: receiving a ninth frame, wherein the ninth frame is used to indicate that at least one subordinate node of the second node has not correctly received the control frame for determining the sleep start time; or, determining that the second node has not correctly received the control frame for determining the sleep start time.

[0078] In a possible implementation, the method further includes: sending a tenth frame, where the tenth frame is used to indicate whether the second node correctly or incorrectly receives a control frame used to determine the sleep start time.

[0079] In a third aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication device having the function of implementing the behavior in the method embodiment of the first aspect above. The communication device can be a network device, or a component of a network device (such as a processor, chip, or chip system, etc.), or a logic module or software that can implement all or part of the functions of the network device. The communication device can also be a terminal device, or a component of a terminal device (such as a processor, chip, or chip system, etc.), or a logic module or software that can implement all or part of the functions of the terminal device. The functions of the communication device can be implemented by hardware, or by hardware executing corresponding software, and the hardware or software includes one or more modules or units corresponding to the above functions. The communication device can be the first node in the first aspect. In one possible implementation, the communication device includes a transceiver module and a processing module, wherein: the processing module is used to generate a first frame, and the first frame is used at least to determine the sleep start time of the second node; the transceiver module is used to send the first frame.

[0080] In a possible implementation, the transceiver module is further configured to send a second frame, where the second frame is used for the second node to maintain clock synchronization with the communication device (ie, the first node).

[0081] In one possible implementation, the transceiver module is also used to send a third frame, and the third frame is at least used for the second node to determine the sleep start time, the sleep start time is a first moment, and the time interval between the first moment and the moment when the second node receives the third frame is less than a time threshold.

[0082] In one possible implementation, the transceiver module is further used to receive a fourth frame, and the fourth frame is at least used to indicate that the second node has correctly received the control frame for determining the sleep start time; the processing module is also used to control the transceiver module to stop sending at least the control frame for the second node to determine the sleep start time.

[0083] In a possible implementation, the processing module is further configured to control the communication device to enter a sleep state after reaching a target time point, where the target time point is a preset time point or the sleep start time.

[0084] In a possible implementation, the transceiver module is further configured to receive a seventh frame, where the seventh frame is at least configured to indicate that the second node has not correctly received the first frame.

[0085] In a possible implementation, the transceiver module is further configured to receive an eighth frame, where the eighth frame is at least configured to indicate that the second node or at least one subordinate node of the second node has not correctly received the first frame.

[0086] For possible implementations of the communication device of the third aspect, reference may be made to various possible implementations of the first aspect.

[0087] For the technical effects brought about by various possible implementations of the third aspect, reference may be made to the introduction to the technical effects of the first aspect or various possible implementations of the first aspect.

[0088] In a fourth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication device having the function of implementing the behavior in the method embodiment of the second aspect above. The communication device can be a network device, or a component of a network device (such as a processor, chip, or chip system, etc.), or a logic module or software that can implement all or part of the functions of the network device. The communication device can also be a terminal device, or a component of a terminal device (such as a processor, chip, or chip system, etc.), or a logic module or software that can implement all or part of the functions of the terminal device. The functions of the communication device can be implemented by hardware, or by hardware executing corresponding software, and the hardware or software includes one or more modules or units corresponding to the above functions. The communication device can be the second node in the second aspect. In one possible implementation, the communication device includes a transceiver module and a processing module, wherein: the transceiver module is used to receive a first frame transmitted via a channel, and the first frame is used at least to determine the sleep start time of the second node; the processing module is used to parse the received first frame transmitted via the channel.

[0089] In one possible implementation, the transceiver module is further configured to receive a second frame, where the second frame is used at least for the second node to maintain clock synchronization with the first node, and the first node is a source of the first frame. The source of the first frame is the node that first sends the first frame, not the node that forwards the first frame.

[0090] In one possible implementation, the transceiver module is also used to receive a third frame, and the third frame is at least used by the second node to determine the sleep start time, the sleep start time is a first moment, and the time interval between the first moment and the moment when the second node receives the third frame is less than a time threshold.

[0091] In a possible implementation, the transceiver module is further configured to forward the received first frame transmitted through a channel.

[0092] In a possible implementation, the transceiver module is further configured to send a fourth frame, where the fourth frame is at least configured to indicate that the second node has correctly received a control frame used by the second node to determine the sleep start time.

[0093] In a possible implementation, the fourth frame is specifically used to indicate that the second node and each subordinate node of the second node have correctly received the control frame used to determine the sleep start time.

[0094] In one possible implementation, the transceiver module is also used to receive a fifth frame, and the fifth frame is at least used to indicate that each subordinate node of the second node has correctly received the control frame for determining the sleep start time; the processing module is also used to control the transceiver module to send the fourth frame when the second node correctly receives the control frame for the second node to determine the sleep start time.

[0095] In one possible implementation, the processing module is further used to control the transceiver module to forward the first frame when the first frame is correctly received; or, to control the transceiver module to send a sixth frame when the first frame is not correctly received, and the sixth frame is at least used to indicate that the second node did not correctly receive the first frame.

[0096] In a possible implementation, the transceiver module is further configured to send a seventh frame, where the seventh frame is at least configured to indicate that the second node has not correctly received the first frame.

[0097] In a possible implementation, the transceiver module is further configured to send an eighth frame, where the eighth frame is at least configured to indicate that the second node or at least one subordinate node of the second node has not correctly received the first frame.

[0098] In a possible implementation, the transceiver module is further configured to receive a ninth frame, where the ninth frame is configured to indicate that at least one subordinate node of the second node has not correctly received a control frame for determining the sleep start time.

[0099] In a possible implementation, the processing module is further configured to determine that the second node has not correctly received a control frame for determining the sleep start time.

[0100] In a possible implementation, the transceiver module is further configured to send a tenth frame, where the tenth frame is used to indicate whether the second node has correctly or incorrectly received the control frame used to determine the sleep start time.

[0101] Possible implementations of the communication device of the fourth aspect may refer to the various possible implementations of the second aspect.

[0102] For the technical effects brought about by various possible implementation methods of the fourth aspect, reference may be made to the introduction to the technical effects of the second aspect or various possible implementation methods of the second aspect.

[0103] In a fifth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides another communication device, which includes one or more processors, and the one or more processors are used to process data and / or information so that the method in the first aspect or any possible implementation of the first aspect is implemented, or the method in the second aspect or any possible implementation of the second aspect is implemented.

[0104] Optionally, the communication device further includes a memory storing a program or instruction. When the program or instruction is executed by the processor, the communication device performs the method described in any one of the first to second aspects. Exemplarily, the communication device may be a chip, the processor may be a processing unit in the chip, and the memory may be a random access memory or cache in the chip.

[0105] In the embodiment of the present application, during the execution of the above method, the process of sending information (or signals) in the above method can be understood as the process of outputting information based on the instructions of the processor. When outputting information, the processor outputs the information to the transceiver so that it can be transmitted by the transceiver. After being output by the processor, the information may undergo other processing before reaching the transceiver. Similarly, when the processor receives input information, the transceiver receives the information and inputs it into the processor. Furthermore, after the transceiver receives the information, the information may undergo other processing before being input into the processor.

[0106] For operations such as sending and / or receiving involved in the processor, unless otherwise specified, or unless they conflict with their actual functions or internal logic in the relevant descriptions, they can be generally understood as instructions output based on the processor.

[0107] During implementation, the processor may be a processor specifically configured to execute these methods, or may be a processor that executes computer instructions in a memory to execute these methods, such as a general-purpose processor. For example, the processor may also be configured to execute a program stored in a memory. When the program is executed, the communication device performs the method described in the first aspect or any possible implementation of the first aspect.

[0108] In a possible implementation, the memory is located outside the communication device. In a possible implementation, the memory is located inside the communication device.

[0109] In a possible implementation, the processor and the memory may also be integrated into one device, that is, the processor and the memory may also be integrated together.

[0110] In a possible implementation, the communication device further includes a transceiver, and the transceiver is used to receive signals or send signals.

[0111] In a sixth aspect, the present application provides another communication device, which includes a processing circuit and an interface circuit, wherein the interface circuit is used to acquire data or output data; the processing circuit is used to execute the method shown in any one of the first to second aspects above.

[0112] In the seventh aspect, the present application provides a computer-readable storage medium, which stores a computer program, and the computer program includes program instructions, which, when executed, enable the computer to execute the method shown in any one of the above-mentioned first to second aspects.

[0113] In an eighth aspect, the present application provides a computer program product, which includes a computer program, and the computer program includes program instructions, which, when executed, enable the computer to execute the method shown in any one of the above-mentioned first to second aspects.

[0114] In the ninth aspect, the present application provides a chip comprising a communication interface and a processor; the communication interface is used for transmitting and receiving signals of the chip; the processor is used for executing computer program instructions so that a communication device including the chip executes the method shown in any one of the above-mentioned first to second aspects.

[0115] In the tenth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication system, comprising the communication device described in the third aspect or any possible implementation of the third aspect, and the communication device described in the fourth aspect or any possible implementation of the fourth aspect. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0116] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application or the background technology, the drawings required for use in the embodiments of the present application or the background technology will be described below.

[0117] FIG1 shows a schematic block diagram of a communication system 100 provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0118] FIG2 is an example of a vehicle-mounted multi-node wired audio transmission system provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0119] FIG3 shows a schematic block diagram of a communication system 300 provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0120] FIG4 is an example of another in-vehicle multi-node wired audio transmission system provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0121] FIG5 is an interactive flow chart of a communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0122] FIG6A is an example of a schematic diagram of a frame structure of a first frame provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0123] FIG6B is an example of another schematic diagram of a frame structure of a first frame provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0124] FIG7 is an interactive flow chart of another communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0125] FIG8 is an interactive flow chart of another communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0126] FIG9 is an interactive flow chart of another communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0127] FIG10 is a schematic diagram of a first uplink frame provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0128] FIG11 is an interactive flow chart of another communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0129] FIG12 is an interactive flow chart of another communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0130] FIG13 is an interactive flow chart of another communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0131] FIG14 is a schematic structural diagram of a communication device 1400 provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0132] FIG15 is a schematic structural diagram of another communication device 150 provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0133] FIG16 is a schematic structural diagram of another communication device 160 provided in an embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0134] The terms "first" and "second" in the specification, claims and drawings of the present application are only used to distinguish different objects, rather than to describe a specific order. It will be understood that the various digital numbers involved in the embodiments of the present application are only for the convenience of description and are not used to limit the scope of the embodiments of the present application. The size of the sequence number of each of the above processes does not mean the order of execution, and the order of execution of each process should be determined by its function and inherent logic. In addition, the terms "including" and "having" and any variations thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusions. For example, a process, method, system, product or device that includes a series of steps or units is not limited to the listed steps or units, but optionally also includes steps or units that are not listed, or optionally also includes other steps or units inherent to these processes, methods, products or devices.

[0135] References to "embodiments" herein mean that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiments may be included in at least one embodiment of the present application. The appearance of this phrase in various places in the specification does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment, nor does it refer to independent or alternative embodiments that are mutually exclusive of other embodiments. It will be understood, both explicitly and implicitly, by those skilled in the art that the embodiments described herein may be combined with other embodiments.

[0136] The terms used in the following embodiments of the present application are only for the purpose of describing specific embodiments and are not intended to limit the present application. As used in the specification of the present application and the appended claims, the singular expressions "one", "a kind of", "said", "above", "the" and "this" are intended to also include plural expressions, unless there is a clear contrary indication in the context. It should also be understood that the term "and / or" used in the present application refers to and includes any or all possible combinations of one or more listed items. For example, "A and / or B" can mean: only A exists, only B exists, and A and B exist at the same time, where A and B can be singular or plural. The term "multiple" used in the present application refers to two or more. In the textual description of the present application, the character " / " generally indicates that the objects associated before and after are in an "or" relationship.

[0137] It is understood that in each embodiment of the present application, "A corresponds to B" means that there is a corresponding relationship between A and B, and B can be determined according to A. However, it should also be understood that determining (or generating) B according to (or based on) A does not mean that B is determined (or generated) only according to (or based on) A, and B can also be determined (or generated) according to (or based on) A and / or other information.

[0138] It should be understood that, in this application, indication includes direct indication (also known as explicit indication) and implicit indication. Direct indication of information A refers to including information A; implicit indication of information A refers to indicating information A through the correspondence between information A and information B and the direct indication of information B. The correspondence between information A and information B can be predefined, pre-stored, pre-burned, or pre-configured.

[0139] It should be understood that, in this application, information C is used to determine information D, which includes both information D being determined solely based on information C and information D being determined based on information C and other information. Furthermore, information C can also be used to determine information D indirectly, for example, where information D is determined based on information E, and information E is determined based on information C.

[0140] In addition, in each embodiment of the present application, "network element A sends information A to network element B" can be understood as the destination end of the information A or the intermediate network element in the transmission path between the destination end and the network element B, which may include directly or indirectly sending information to network element B. "Network element B receives information A from network element A" can be understood as the source end of the information A or the intermediate network element in the transmission path between the source end and the network element A, which may include directly or indirectly receiving information from network element A. The information may be processed as necessary between the source end and the destination end of the information transmission, such as format changes, but the destination end can understand the valid information from the source end. Similar expressions in this application can be understood similarly and will not be elaborated here.

[0141] To facilitate understanding of the solutions of the present application, the following first introduces the terms and technical solutions involved in the embodiments of the present application.

[0142] Cockpit domain controller (CDC): Also known as the vehicle computer, this computer includes cockpit functions such as radio, music and video playback, and navigation. It also includes communications (4G, 5G, etc.), enabling communication between drivers and the vehicle, and between the vehicle and the outside world, enhancing user experience, service, and safety.

[0143] Master node and slave node: Two types of communication devices with communication functions are distinguished by logical functions, namely master nodes and slave nodes. A master node refers to a communication device that can communicate with slave nodes and has the ability to manage slave nodes (such as scheduling resources for slave nodes). For example, the master node can manage the resources of the communication domain and has the function of scheduling resources for the communication link between the master node and the slave node. A slave node refers to a device that can obey the management of the master node and has the ability to communicate using the resources allocated by the master node. The master node or slave node can be various communication devices. For example, the master node is a car computer, and the slave node is a speaker or microphone. The car computer establishes a communication connection with the speaker or microphone to realize data exchange. The car computer manages the speaker or microphone. For another example, the master node is a mobile phone, and the slave node is a headset. The mobile phone establishes a communication connection with the headset to realize data exchange. The mobile phone manages the headset and has the function of allocating resources, and can allocate resources for the headset to communicate with the mobile phone.

[0144] Communication domain: A system consisting of a group of communication devices with communication relationships, and the communication relationships between these devices. A communication relationship refers to the ability for communication between communication devices. Typically, a communication domain consists of a master node and at least one slave node. The master and slave nodes communicate using resources scheduled by the master node. For example, in a communication domain, the CDC is the master node, and the in-vehicle speakers, microphones, etc. are slave nodes.

[0145] The following describes a communication system to which the technical solution provided by this application is applicable.

[0146] FIG1 shows a schematic block diagram of a communication system 100 provided in an embodiment of the present application. The communication system 100 includes at least one communication domain, and a communication domain 110 is shown in FIG1 . The communication domain 110 includes a master node and multiple slave nodes (only three slave nodes are shown, i.e., a first slave node, a second slave node, and a third slave node), and a daisy chain topology is adopted between the master node and the multiple slave nodes. The communication domain 110 shown in FIG1 is only an example. The communication domain 110 shown in FIG1 may include more or fewer nodes, and the present application limits the number of slave nodes in the communication domain 110. The master node can communicate with the slave node and can manage the slave node. Some or all of the nodes in the communication system 100 have a demand for synchronously entering a dormant state (which may be referred to as a dormant state). In the present application, multiple nodes synchronously entering a dormant state refers to the multiple nodes entering a dormant state within a transmission cycle of a communication frame (data frame or control frame). For example, the master node sends communication frames at a period of 20.83us, that is, it sends a communication frame every 20.83us, and the slave node forwards the received communication frame approximately every 20.83us; the multiple slave nodes managed by the master node enter the sleep state synchronously, which can be: the multiple slave nodes all enter the sleep state within 20.83us after forwarding the same communication frame; the multiple slave nodes managed by the master node enter the sleep state asynchronously, which can be: a part of the multiple slave nodes enter the sleep state after forwarding communication frame #1 for the first time and before forwarding the communication frame again (next time), and all slave nodes do not enter the sleep state within the same communication frame sending cycle. In this example, the slave node (such as a speaker) that enters the sleep state later may play abnormal data, causing noise to affect the user experience and increase power consumption. It can be seen that the synchronous entry of multiple nodes in the communication system into the sleep state can further improve the user experience and save power consumption compared to the asynchronous entry into the sleep state.

[0147] For example, the master node and some or all of the slave nodes in the communication system 100 all transmit data when there is data traffic to transmit. When there is no data traffic to transmit, the master node (optional) and some or all of the slave nodes enter a sleep state, thereby reducing system power consumption. It can be seen that in this example, multiple nodes have the requirement to enter a sleep state synchronously.

[0148] The communication domain 110 can be applicable to a variety of environments and this embodiment of the present application does not limit this.

[0149] In a possible implementation, the communication domain 110 may be applicable to a cockpit (also referred to as a vehicle cabin) environment of a motor vehicle (eg, a smart car, an electric car, etc.).

[0150] In another possible implementation, the communication domain 110 may be applicable to smart terminal devices, such as smart devices used in a smart home environment.

[0151] Figure 2 is an example of an in-vehicle multi-node wired audio transmission system provided by an embodiment of the present application. The in-vehicle multi-node wired audio transmission system shown in Figure 2 is an example of a communication system 100. In the in-vehicle multi-node wired audio transmission system, a daisy chain topology is adopted between the master node and multiple slave nodes. The host is connected to the master node, and communicates with the peripherals (such as audio, microphone) connected to multiple slave nodes through the master node. As shown in Figure 2, the vehicle SOC is connected to the master node as the host, the audio codec (Code decode, Codec) is connected to the first slave node, the peripheral of microphone (MIC) 1 is connected to the second slave node, and the peripheral of MIC2 is connected to the third slave node. In Figure 2, the master node and the slave nodes are connected by cables, and the slave nodes are connected by cables. Referring to Figure 2, the audio signal to be played is sent from the host to the audio codec through the master node-first slave node; the audio signal collected by MIC1 is transmitted to the host through the second slave node-first slave node-master node; the audio signal collected by MIC2 is transmitted to the host through the third slave node-second slave node-first slave node-master node. When the in-vehicle multi-node wired audio transmission system has no data service transmission, if the nodes in the system are dormant, the system power consumption can be reduced. Multiple slave nodes in the in-vehicle multi-node wired audio transmission system have the requirement to enter the dormant state synchronously.

[0152] FIG3 shows a schematic block diagram of a communication system 300 provided in an embodiment of the present application. The communication system 300 includes at least one communication domain, and a communication domain 310 is shown in FIG3 . The communication domain 310 includes a master node and multiple slave nodes (only three slave nodes are shown, namely the first slave node, the second slave node and the third slave node). A star topology is adopted between the master node and the multiple slave nodes, that is, the master node communicates directly with each slave node. The communication domain 310 shown in FIG3 is only an example. The communication domain 310 shown in FIG3 may include more or fewer nodes. The present application limits the number of slave nodes in the communication domain 310. The master node can communicate with the slave node and can manage the slave node. Some or all of the slave nodes in the communication system 300 have the need to enter a dormant state (which may be referred to as a dormant state) synchronously. Exemplarily, the master node and some or all of the slave nodes in the communication system 300 perform data transmission when there is data service transmission; when there is no data service transmission, the master node (optional) and some or all of the slave nodes enter a dormant state, which can reduce the power consumption of the system. It can be seen that multiple nodes in this example have the requirement to enter the sleep state synchronously.

[0153] The communication domain 310 can be applicable to a variety of environments and this embodiment of the present application does not limit this.

[0154] In a possible implementation, the communication domain 310 may be applicable to a cockpit (also referred to as a vehicle cabin) environment of a motor vehicle (eg, a smart car, an electric car, etc.).

[0155] In another possible implementation, the communication domain 310 may be applicable to smart terminal devices, such as smart devices used in a smart home environment.

[0156] FIG4 is an example of another in-vehicle multi-node wired audio transmission system provided by an embodiment of the present application. The in-vehicle multi-node wired audio transmission system shown in FIG4 is an example of a communication system 300. In the in-vehicle multi-node wired audio transmission system shown in FIG4, a star topology is adopted between the master node and multiple slave nodes. For example, the master node is connected to each slave node via a cable. The vehicle computer SOC is connected to the master node as the host, the audio codec is connected to the first slave node, the peripheral device of MIC1 is connected to the second slave node, and the peripheral device of MIC2 is connected to the third slave node. The master node is connected to the first slave node, the second slave node, and the third slave node via cables. Referring to FIG4, the audio signal to be played is sent from the host to the audio codec via the master node-first slave node; the audio signal collected by MIC1 is transmitted to the host via the second slave node-master node; and the audio signal collected by MIC2 is transmitted to the host via the third slave node-master node. When the in-vehicle multi-node wired audio transmission system has no data service transmission, if the nodes in the system are dormant, the system power consumption can be reduced. Multiple nodes in the in-vehicle multi-node wired audio transmission system have the requirement to enter the dormant state synchronously.

[0157] The master node and the slave node can communicate with each other in a variety of ways, which are not limited by the embodiments of the present application. For example, the master node can communicate with the slave node wirelessly. For another example, the master node can communicate with the slave node via a wired connection. It should be noted that the above-mentioned wired connection can be achieved by connecting via a data line, connecting via an internal bus, or connecting via a cable.

[0158] It should be noted that the above-mentioned wireless method can be to realize communication through a communication network, and the communication network can be a local area network, or a wide area network transferred through a relay device, or include a local area network and a wide area network. When the communication network is a local area network, illustratively, the communication network can be a WiFi hotspot network, a Bluetooth network, a ZigBee network, a near field communication (NFC) network, or a possible general short-range communication network in the future. When the communication network is a wide area network, illustratively, the communication network can be a fourth generation mobile communication technology (4G) network, a fifth generation mobile communication technology (5G) network, a public land mobile network (PLMN) or the Internet, or even a sixth or seventh generation mobile communication technology, etc., and the embodiments of the present application are not limited to this.

[0159] It should be noted that the master node in the embodiment of the present application can have various forms and can also be called a control device or control equipment, and the embodiment of the present application does not make specific limitations on this.

[0160] In a possible implementation, the master node may be an independent device.

[0161] In another possible implementation, the master node may be integrated into the device as a functional module or a chip device.

[0162] Exemplarily, the above-mentioned master node can be an evolved NodeB (eNB or eNodeB) in a long term evolution (LTE) system, or a wireless controller in a cloud radio access network (CRAN) scenario, or a relay station, access point, vehicle-mounted device, wearable device, and access device in a 5G network or a network device in a future evolved PLMN, etc. It can be an access point (AP) in a wireless local area network (WLAN), a gNB in ​​a new radio (NR) system, a control device or control apparatus in a cockpit domain (such as a car computer), or a control device or control apparatus in a scenario including a smart terminal device, and the embodiments of the present application are not limited thereto.

[0163] It should also be noted that the above-mentioned slave node can have various forms and can also be called a terminal or a terminal device, which is not limited in the embodiments of the present application.

[0164] In a possible implementation, the slave node may be an independent device.

[0165] In another possible implementation, the slave node may be integrated into the device as a functional module or a chip device.

[0166] Specifically, the above-mentioned slave node can be a device with communication function (or the ability to send and receive data). For example: speakers, microphones, mobile phones, tablet computers, laptop computers, PDAs, mobile internet devices (MIDs), wearable devices, virtual reality (VR) devices, augmented reality (AR) devices, wireless terminals in self-driving cars, cellular phones, cordless phones, session initiation protocol (SIP) phones, personal digital assistants (PDAs), handheld devices with wireless communication functions, computing devices, vehicle-mounted devices, smart home devices, wearable devices, terminal devices in 5G networks or terminal devices in future evolved PLMNs, etc., and the embodiments of the present application are not limited to this. Wearable devices can also be called wearable smart devices, which are a general term for wearable devices that are intelligently designed and developed using wearable technology for daily wear, such as glasses, gloves, watches, clothing and shoes. Wearable devices are portable devices that are worn directly on the body or integrated into the user's clothes or accessories.

[0167] In one possible implementation, taking the above-mentioned communication domain 110 or communication domain 310 applicable to the cockpit domain environment as an example, according to the relationship between the slave node and the cockpit, the slave node can include the following two terminal types: "on-board terminal equipment" and "non-on-board terminal equipment".

[0168] "In-vehicle terminal equipment," also known as an on-board unit (OBU), refers to equipment integrated or installed within the cockpit domain and is part of that domain. Examples include in-vehicle speakers, microphones, displays, and cameras. Generally, in-vehicle terminal equipment refers to equipment factory-installed in vehicles by the vehicle manufacturer.

[0169] "Non-vehicle terminal devices" refer to devices placed in the cockpit domain that can communicate or connect with other devices in the cockpit domain but are not part of the cockpit, such as the user's smartphone, tablet computer, Bluetooth headset, wearable device, etc.

[0170] In a possible implementation, the master node may be a CDC, which may communicate with multiple slave nodes. The multiple slave nodes may include at least one terminal type of a vehicle-mounted terminal device or a non-vehicle-mounted terminal device.

[0171] When one or more nodes in a communication system have no data services to transmit, the power consumption of the communication system can be reduced by controlling the one or more nodes to enter a dormant state. Compared with asynchronously entering a dormant state, the synchronous entry of multiple nodes in a communication system into a dormant state can further prevent some nodes from transmitting invalid communication frames and save power consumption. The present application provides a technical solution for controlling nodes in a communication system to enter a dormant state, which can reduce power consumption. Furthermore, the present application provides a technical solution for controlling multiple nodes in a communication system to enter a dormant state synchronously; it can prevent some nodes from transmitting invalid communication frames and save power consumption.

[0172] Figure 5 is an interactive flow chart of a communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application. The method flow in Figure 5 is applicable to the communication system 100 shown in Figure 1 or the communication system 300 shown in Figure 3. For example, the first node in Figure 5 is the master node in Figure 1, and the second node in Figure 5 is the first slave node in Figure 1. For another example, the first node in Figure 5 is the master node in Figure 3, and the second node in Figure 5 is the first slave node in Figure 3. An example of a communication system corresponding to each node in Figure 5 (including each node in Figure 5) is the in-vehicle multi-node wired audio transmission system shown in Figure 2 or Figure 4. As shown in Figure 5, the method includes:

[0173] 501. A first node sends a first frame to a second node.

[0174] Correspondingly, the second node receives the first frame from the first node. The first frame is at least used to determine the sleep start time of the second node. In other words, the first frame is at least used for the second node to determine the sleep start time. The first frame can be named a sleep frame or a sleep controller, or other names, which are not limited in this application. The first frame can be a control frame predefined (newly defined) in this application, and the control frame is at least used to determine the sleep start time of one or more nodes. The first frame can also be based on an existing control frame or data frame, adding the following first indication information and second indication information, for example, adding a control field containing the first indication information and a control field containing the second indication information; it can also be based on an existing control frame or data frame, using reserved bits to represent the first indication information and the second indication information; it can also be based on an existing control frame or data frame, adding one of the first indication information and the second indication information, and the other of the first indication information and the second indication information is represented by reserved bits.

[0175] In one possible implementation, the first frame is specifically used by the second node and one or more subordinate nodes of the second node to determine the sleep start time. After receiving the first frame, the second node may forward the first frame to the second node's subordinate node, i.e., a third node; the third node may forward the first frame to the third node's subordinate node, and so on. In this way, the second node and each of its subordinate nodes can receive the first frame. Exemplarily, the first node is a master node in a communication system, the second node is a slave node in the communication system, and the time offset (offset) of the sleep start time determined by each subordinate node of the second node and any two of the second nodes is less than the transmission period of the communication frame in the communication system, such as 20.83us. In this exemplary embodiment, the sleep start time determined by the second node and one or more subordinate nodes of the second node is substantially the same. In this way, the second node and one or more subordinate nodes of the second node enter the sleep state after their respective determined sleep start times, which can achieve synchronous sleep of the second node and one or more subordinate nodes of the second node, i.e., sleep at the same time, thereby reducing power consumption. In this implementation, the first frame is specifically used for the second node and one or more subordinate nodes of the second node to determine the sleep start time, so that the second node and one or more subordinate nodes of the second node determine their respective sleep start times, and then enter the sleep state after reaching the sleep start time, which can reduce power consumption.

[0176] In one possible implementation, the number of second nodes is k, i.e., the first frame is used to determine the sleep start times of at least k second nodes, where k is an integer greater than 1. The k second nodes may include second node #1, second node #2, ..., second node #k, where second node #1 is the superior node of second node #2, second node #2 is the node of second node #3, ..., second node #(k-1) is the superior node of second node #k. After receiving the first frame, second node #1 may forward the first frame to the subordinate node of second node #1, i.e., second node #2; second node #2 may forward the first frame to second node #3, and so on. The k second nodes may determine their own sleep start times based on the first frame. Exemplarily, the first node is a master node in a communication system, the k second nodes are k slave nodes in the communication system, and the time offset between any two determined sleep start times of the k second nodes is less than the transmission period of a communication frame (e.g., a control frame described below) in the communication system, e.g., 20.83 μs. In this example, the first frame is used by at least k second nodes to determine a sleep start time. The sleep start times determined by the k second nodes are substantially the same. Thus, the k second nodes enter a sleep state after their respective determined sleep start times, achieving synchronized sleep for the k second nodes and thus reducing power consumption. In this implementation, the first frame is used by at least k second nodes to determine a sleep start time. This allows the k second nodes to determine their respective sleep start times and then enter a sleep state after reaching the sleep start time, thereby reducing power consumption.

[0177] In one possible implementation, the first node periodically sends a control frame that is at least used by the second node to determine the start time of sleep. In this article, the control frame that is at least used by the second node to determine the start time of sleep can be referred to as a sleep frame. Exemplarily, the first node sends a sleep frame every 20.83us (i.e., the first period is 20.83us), the backoff count value in the control frame sent for the first time by the first node is N, the backoff count value in the control frame sent for the second time is (N-1), the backoff count value in the control frame sent for the third time is (N-2), ..., the backoff count value in the control frame sent for the Nth time is 1, and the backoff count value in the control frame sent for the (N+1)th time is 0. The first frame in Figure 5 can be the control frame sent for the first time by the first node in this example, and the third frame below can be the control frame sent for the (N+1)th time by the first node in this example. The second node can determine its sleep start time based on the correctly received control frame. For example, the backoff count value in control frame #1 sent for the first time by the first node is N, where N is an integer greater than 0; the second node calculates the product of the first period and the backoff count value N to obtain time offset #1; the second node offsets the time when the second node receives control frame #1 backward by time offset #1 to obtain the sleep start time. For another example, the backoff count value in control frame #N sent for the Nth time by the first node is 1, where N is an integer greater than 0; the second node calculates the product of the first period and the backoff count value 1 to obtain time offset #N, i.e., the first period; the second node offsets the time when the second node receives control frame #N backward by time offset #N to obtain the sleep start time.

[0178] 502. The second node parses the received first frame transmitted through the channel.

[0179] In one possible implementation, when the second node correctly receives the first frame, the second node determines the sleep start time of the second node based on the first frame; after reaching the sleep start time, the second node enters the sleep state; when the first frame is not correctly received, the second node determines its sleep start time based on the correctly received control frame used for the second node to determine the sleep start time. The second node can parse each control frame it receives for the second node to determine the sleep start time, and determine the sleep start time based on the correctly received control frame. Exemplarily, the second node parses each control frame it receives for the second node to determine the sleep start time, and after correctly receiving a certain control frame, determines the sleep start time based on the backoff count value in the control frame, and no longer uses subsequent correctly received control frames to determine the sleep start time.

[0180] An example of a second node determining the start sleep time of the second node based on the first frame is as follows: the backoff count value in the first frame is N, where N is an integer greater than 0; the second node parses the first frame to obtain first indication information; based on the first indication information, it is learned that the first frame contains a backoff count value; the product of the first period and the backoff count value N is calculated to obtain a first time interval; the second moment after the moment when the second node receives the first frame is used as the start sleep time of the second node, and the second moment is separated from the moment when the second node receives the first frame by the first time interval. In other words, an example of a second node determining the start sleep time of the second node based on the first frame is as follows: the backoff count value in the first frame is N; the second node parses the first frame to obtain first indication information; based on the first indication information, it is learned that the first frame contains a backoff count value; the product of the first period and the backoff count value N is calculated to obtain a first time offset; based on the moment when the second node receives the first frame, the first time offset is shifted backward to obtain the start sleep time of the second node.

[0181] 503. The second node enters the sleep state after reaching the sleep start time.

[0182] In an embodiment of the present application, the first frame is at least used to determine the sleep start time of the second node, so that the second node determines its sleep start time and then enters the sleep state after the sleep start time is reached, which can reduce power consumption.

[0183] The following describes information that may be included in the first frame, and an implementation method in which the first frame is used at least for the second node to determine the sleep start time.

[0184] In a possible implementation, the first frame includes first indication information and second indication information, the first indication information is at least used to indicate that the first frame is a control frame for determining the sleep start time, and the second indication information is at least used to determine the sleep start time. The first indication information can be understood as a sleep indication, for example, instructing the second node to start sleep control. Exemplarily, after the second node parses the first frame to obtain the first indication information, it can know that the first frame contains the second indication information according to the first indication information, and then obtain the sleep start time of the second node based on the second indication information. In this implementation, the first indication information is at least used to indicate that the first frame is a control frame for determining the sleep start time, so that the second node knows that the first frame is a control frame for determining the sleep start time based on the first indication information. The second indication information is at least used to determine the sleep start time, so that the second node determines its sleep start time based on the second indication information.

[0185] In one possible implementation, the second indication information includes a backoff count value (which may be called a backoff counter), and the backoff count value is associated with a first time interval, and the first time interval is equal to the time interval between the moment when the second node receives the first frame and the sleep start time of the second node. An example of the association between the backoff count value and the first time interval is: the backoff count value is positively correlated with the first time interval. The backoff count value can indicate how many sleep frames are left to be sent by the first node, and the second node enters sleep after the first node sends the last sleep frame. The second node can obtain the first time interval based on the backoff count value. Exemplarily, the product of the backoff count value and the first period is equal to the first time interval, and the first period is the sending period of the control frame, such as 20.83us. This application does not limit the first period. Figure 6A is an example of a frame structure diagram of a first frame provided in an embodiment of the present application. As shown in Figure 6A, the first frame includes first indication information (sleep indication), cyclic redundancy check (CRC) #1 (optional), second indication information, and CRC #2 (optional); wherein CRC #1 is used to verify the first indication information, and CRC #2 is used to verify the second indication information. This application does not limit the frame structure of the first frame. In this implementation, the backoff count value is associated with the first time interval, so that the second node obtains the first time interval based on the backoff count value and further determines its sleep start time.

[0186] In one possible implementation, the first indication information includes a frame type of the first frame, and the frame type of the first frame is at least used to indicate that the first frame is a control frame for determining the sleep start time. Figure 6B is an example of another frame structure diagram of the first frame provided in an embodiment of the present application. As shown in Figure 6B, the first frame includes a frame type, CRC#1 (optional), a backoff count value, and CRC#2 (optional); wherein CRC#1 is used to verify the frame type, and CRC#2 is used to verify the backoff count value. The frame type in the first frame is an example of the first indication information. In this implementation, the frame type of the first frame is at least used to indicate that the first frame is a control frame for determining the sleep start time, so that the second node determines that the first frame is a control frame for determining the sleep start time based on the frame type of the first frame.

[0187] FIG7 is an interactive flow chart of another communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application. The method flow in FIG7 is a possible implementation of the method described in FIG5. As shown in FIG7, the method includes:

[0188] 701. A first node periodically sends a sleep frame.

[0189] Accordingly, the second node receives sleep frames periodically transmitted by the first node. The first node may transmit sleep frames at a first period. The sleep frames periodically transmitted by the first node may include the first frame and a third frame. The third frame is used at least by the second node to determine the sleep start time of the second node. Exemplarily, the third frame includes a frame type of the third frame and a backoff count value. The frame type of the third frame is used to at least indicate that the third frame is a control frame for determining the sleep start time. The backoff count value in the third frame is used at least by the second node to determine the sleep start time. The backoff count value in the third frame may be 0. The sleep start time determined by the second node based on the backoff count value in the third frame is the moment when the second node receives the third frame. The sleep start time determined by the second node based on the backoff count value in the first frame (which is not 0) is the first moment. The time interval between the first moment and the moment when the second node receives the third frame is less than a time threshold. The time threshold may be 2us, 3us, 5us, 6us, 8us, 10us, 20us, 20.83us, etc., and is not limited in this application. Because the time interval between the first moment and the moment the second node receives the third frame is less than the time threshold, it can be assumed that the second node receives the third frame at the same moment as the first moment. In other words, the sleep start times calculated by the second node based on different control frames are the same. The second node can enter the sleep state after receiving the third frame or after the sleep start time is reached.

[0190] An example of step 701 is: the first node sends a sleep frame once every 20.83us (i.e., the first period is 20.83us), the backoff count value in the control frame sent for the first time by the first node is N, the backoff count value in the control frame sent for the second time is (N-1), the backoff count value in the control frame sent for the third time is (N-2),..., the backoff count value in the control frame sent for the Nth time is 1, and the backoff count value in the control frame sent for the (N+1)th time (i.e., the third frame) is 0.

[0191] 702. The second node parses the received sleep frame.

[0192] Exemplarily, the second node may parse each received sleep frame and determine whether the sleep frame is correctly received.

[0193] 703. When the sleep frame is correctly received, the second node sends a fourth frame to the first node.

[0194] Accordingly, the first node receives a fourth frame from the second node. The fourth frame is used to at least indicate that the second node has correctly received the control frame used to determine the sleep start time. An example of step 703 is: the second node sends the fourth frame to the first node when it has correctly received the control frame initially sent by the first node.

[0195] In one possible implementation, the second node does not provide feedback to the first node regarding the incorrect receipt of a control frame used to determine the sleep start time that was incorrectly received. For example, if the second node does not correctly receive a control frame sent initially by the first node, the second node does not provide feedback to the first node regarding the incorrect receipt of the control frame. This implementation reduces signaling overhead.

[0196] In one possible implementation, the second node, for a control frame that is not correctly received for determining the sleep start time, provides feedback to the first node that the control frame was not correctly received. For example, when the second node does not correctly receive the control frame (i.e., the first frame) initially sent by the first node, it sends a seventh frame to the first node, where the seventh frame is at least used to indicate that the second node did not correctly receive the first frame. In this implementation, the second node, for a control frame that is not correctly received for determining the sleep start time, provides feedback to the first node that the control frame was not correctly received, so that the second node can continue to send control frames for determining the sleep start time.

[0197] 704. After receiving the fourth frame, the first node stops sending the sleep frame.

[0198] For example, the first node receives the fourth frame before sending the third frame; after receiving the fourth frame, the first node stops sending sleep frames, that is, it does not need to send the third frame. Steps 703 and 704 are optional.

[0199] 705. The second node enters the sleep state after reaching the sleep start time.

[0200] The second node entering the dormant state may be the second node entering a low-power state. Exemplarily, before the second node enters the dormant state, its data forwarding function is in an enabled state, for example, forwarding a communication frame (or data packet) every 20.83us; the second node entering the dormant state may be the second node turning off the data forwarding function, that is, stopping forwarding communication frames (or data packets), thereby reducing power consumption. The second node entering the dormant state may also be the second node turning off some other functions that can save power consumption, which is not limited in this application.

[0201] In a possible implementation, the method flow in Figure 7 also includes: the first node enters a dormant state after reaching a target time point, and the above-mentioned target time point is a preset time point or the above-mentioned dormancy start time. The second node entering the dormant state may be the second node entering a low-power state. Exemplarily, before the first node enters the dormant state, its data forwarding function is in an activated state, for example, a communication frame (or data packet) is sent every 20.83us; the first node entering the dormant state may be the first node turning off the data forwarding function, that is, stopping sending communication frames, which can reduce power consumption. The first node entering the dormant state may also be turning off some other functions that can save power consumption, which is not limited in this application.

[0202] 706. The first node periodically sends a heartbeat frame.

[0203] Correspondingly, the second node receives the heartbeat frames periodically sent by the first node. The second node maintains clock synchronization with the first node through the received heartbeat frames. Possible implementations of the second node maintaining clock synchronization with the first node through the received heartbeat frames are as follows: the heartbeat frame includes the clock information of the first node, and the second node maintains clock synchronization with the first node through the clock information in the received heartbeat frame; or the sending period of the heartbeat frame corresponds to the clock information, and the second node maintains clock synchronization with the first node through the period of receiving the heartbeat frame. One of the heartbeat frames periodically sent by the second node is the second frame. The second frame is used for the above-mentioned second node to maintain clock synchronization with the above-mentioned first node. Based on the second frame, the second node can maintain clock synchronization with the first node.

[0204] In the embodiment of the present application, the first node stops sending sleep frames after receiving the fourth frame, which can save signaling overhead. In addition, the first node periodically sends sleep frames, and the second node correctly receives a sleep frame to determine the start time of sleep, which is highly reliable.

[0205] FIG8 is an interactive flow chart of another communication method provided by an embodiment of the present application. The method flow in FIG8 is applicable to the communication system 100 shown in FIG1 . An example of a communication system corresponding to each node in FIG8 (including each node in FIG8 ) is the vehicle-mounted multi-node wired audio transmission system shown in FIG2 . The method flow in FIG8 is a possible implementation of the method described in FIG5 . As shown in FIG8 , the method includes:

[0206] 801 The first node periodically sends a sleep frame.

[0207] Correspondingly, the second node receives the sleep frame periodically sent by the first node. The sleep frame periodically sent by the first node may include the above-mentioned first frame and the above-mentioned third frame. The periodic sending of the sleep frame by the first node may be replaced by: the first node periodically sends a control frame for at least the second node and the subordinate node of the second node to determine the sleep start time. Referring to Figure 8, the subordinate nodes of the second node may include a third node and a fourth node, the second node is the superior node of the third node (or the third node is the subordinate node of the second node), and the third node is the superior node of the fourth node. In Figure 8, the second node, the third node and the fourth node are only examples, and the embodiment of the present application does not limit the number of slave nodes. The periodic sending of the sleep frame by the first node may also be replaced by: the first node periodically sends a control frame for at least multiple slave nodes to determine the sleep start time, the multiple slave nodes may include the second node, the third node and the fourth node, and the first node is the master node.

[0208] Referring to Figure 8, an example of step 801 is as follows: the first node sends a sleep frame once every 20.83us (that is, the first period is 20.83us); the backoff count value in the control frame #1 sent for the first time by the first node = N, the backoff count value in the control frame #2 sent for the second time = (N-1), the backoff count value in the control frame #3 sent for the third time = (N-2), ..., the backoff count value in the control frame #N sent for the Nth time is 1, and the backoff count value in the control frame #(N+1) sent for the (N+1)th time is 0.

[0209] 802. The second node forwards the received sleep frame to the third node.

[0210] In one possible implementation, the second node periodically forwards received sleep frames to the third node. For example, the second node forwards the most recently received control frame to the third node every 20.83 us. The order of steps 802 and 803 is not limited.

[0211] 803. The second node determines a sleep start time based on the received sleep frame.

[0212] The second node can parse each control frame it receives for the second node to determine the sleep start time, and determine the sleep start time based on the correctly received control frame. Exemplarily, the second node parses each control frame it receives for the second node to determine the sleep start time; after correctly receiving a control frame, the sleep start time is determined based on the backoff count value in the control frame, and the subsequent correctly received control frames are no longer used to determine the sleep start time. For example, the backoff count value in the control frame #k sent by the first node for the kth time is (N-k+1), N is an integer greater than 0, k is an integer greater than 0, and k is less than or equal to (N+1); the second node calculates the product of the first period and the backoff count value (N-k+1) to obtain the time offset #k; the second node offsets the moment when the second node receives the control frame #k backward by the time offset #k to obtain the sleep start time. The order of step 802 and step 803 is not limited.

[0213] 804. The third node forwards the received sleep frame to the fourth node.

[0214] In a possible implementation, the third node periodically forwards the received sleep frame to the fourth node. Exemplarily, the third node forwards the control frame most recently received by the third node to the fourth node once every 20.83 us.

[0215] 805. The third node determines a sleep start time based on the received sleep frame.

[0216] The implementation of step 805 is similar to that of step 803 and will not be described in detail here. The order of step 804 and step 805 is not limited.

[0217] 806. The fourth node determines a sleep start time based on the received sleep frame.

[0218] The implementation of step 806 is similar to that of step 803 and will not be described in detail here.

[0219] 807. The first node, the second node, the third node, and the fourth node enter a sleep state when the sleep start time is reached.

[0220] It should be noted that the second node, the third node, and the fourth node determine their respective sleep start times in the same manner. If the time offset between the sleep start times determined by any two of the second node, the third node, and the fourth node is less than the aforementioned time threshold, the sleep start times determined by the second node, the third node, and the fourth node can be considered to be the same moment.

[0221] 808. The first node periodically sends a heartbeat frame.

[0222] The heartbeat frame is used for the slave nodes (including the second node, the third node, and the fourth node) to maintain clock synchronization with the master node (ie, the first node).

[0223] 809. The second node maintains clock synchronization with the first node through a heartbeat frame, and forwards the heartbeat frame to the third node.

[0224] 810. The third node maintains clock synchronization with the first node through a heartbeat frame, and forwards the heartbeat frame to the fourth node.

[0225] 811. The fourth node maintains clock synchronization with the first node through heartbeat frames.

[0226] The slave nodes (including the second node, the third node, and the fourth node) maintain clock synchronization with the master node (ie, the first node) through heartbeat frames, so that the slave nodes can enter the non-sleep state from the sleep state more quickly. Steps 808 to 811 are optional.

[0227] In an embodiment of the present application, the first node periodically sends a sleep frame; the second node, the third node and the fourth node receive the sleep frame, and determine the sleep start time based on the backoff counter in the correctly received sleep frame; in this way, even if some control frames are not received correctly from the node, in theory, as long as one control frame can be received correctly, the synchronous sleep control can be completed, that is, the second node, the third node and the fourth node can enter the sleep state synchronously.

[0228] FIG9 is an interactive flow chart of another communication method provided by an embodiment of the present application. The method flow in FIG9 is applicable to the communication system 100 shown in FIG1 . An example of a communication system corresponding to each node in FIG9 (including each node in FIG8 ) is the vehicle-mounted multi-node wired audio transmission system shown in FIG2 . The method flow in FIG9 is a possible implementation of the method described in FIG5 . As shown in FIG9 , the method includes:

[0229] 901. A first node sends a first frame to a second node.

[0230] Step 901 may refer to step 501. For example, the backoff count value in the first frame is N. The first frame is a sleep frame.

[0231] 902. The second node parses the first frame and forwards the first frame to the third node.

[0232] 903. The third node parses the first frame and forwards the first frame to the fourth node.

[0233] 904. When the fourth node fails to correctly receive the first frame, the fourth node sends a first uplink frame to the third node.

[0234] Exemplarily, the fourth node parses the received first frame, and sends a first uplink frame to the third node if the first frame is not received correctly. The first uplink frame is at least used to indicate that the fourth node has not received the first frame correctly. The first uplink frame may include identification information of the fourth node. Figure 10 is a schematic diagram of a first uplink frame provided in an embodiment of the present application. As shown in Figure 10, the first uplink frame includes a feedback field. Exemplarily, the feedback field in the first uplink frame is NACK, and the first uplink frame is at least used to indicate that the fourth node has not received the first frame correctly. For example, if the fourth node does not receive the first frame correctly, the feedback field in the first uplink frame is set, for example, to NACK. Exemplarily, the feedback field in the first uplink frame occupies 1 bit, 0 represents ACK, and 1 represents NACK.

[0235] 905. When the first frame is correctly received, the third node forwards the first uplink frame to the second node.

[0236] Step 905 may be replaced by: if the third node does not correctly receive the first frame, after receiving the first uplink frame, the third node sends a second uplink frame to the second node, where the second uplink frame is at least used to indicate that the third node did not correctly receive the first frame. The second uplink frame may include identification information of the third node.

[0237] 906. When the second node correctly receives the first frame, the second node forwards the first uplink frame to the first node.

[0238] Step 906 may be replaced by: if the second node does not correctly receive the first frame, after receiving the first uplink frame, sending a third uplink frame to the first node, the third uplink frame being used to at least indicate that the second node did not correctly receive the first frame. The third uplink frame may include identification information of the second node.

[0239] Step 906 may also be replaced by: when the second node fails to correctly receive the first frame, after receiving the second uplink frame, the second node sends a third uplink frame to the first node, where the third uplink frame is at least used to indicate that the second node fails to correctly receive the first frame.

[0240] Step 906 may also be replaced by: when the second node correctly receives the first frame, after receiving the second uplink frame, the second node forwards the second uplink frame to the first node.

[0241] It can be seen from steps 905 and 906 that the nodes (including the second node and the third node) that forward the sleep frame in the method flow of Figure 9 can perform the following operations: when the node correctly receives the sleep frame, it directly forwards the feedback of the node's subordinate node to the node's superior node, such as the first uplink frame; when the node does not correctly receive the sleep frame, it sets the feedback field in the uplink frame sent to the node's superior node to NACK.

[0242] 907. The first node sends the eleventh frame to the second node.

[0243] The eleventh frame is a sleep frame. The backoff count value in the eleventh frame can be (N-1). The first node can periodically send sleep frames, see step 701 in Figure 7. Exemplarily, the first node periodically sends sleep frames until it receives at least an uplink frame indicating that the second node and each subordinate node of the second node have correctly received the sleep frame. In other words, the first node periodically sends sleep frames; after receiving at least an uplink frame (for example, the fourth frame) indicating that the second node and each subordinate node of the second node have correctly received the sleep frame, it stops sending sleep frames. Exemplarily, after receiving the first uplink frame, or the second uplink frame, or the third uplink frame sent by the second node, the first node continues to periodically send sleep frames.

[0244] 908. The second node parses the eleventh frame and forwards the eleventh frame to the third node.

[0245] 909. The third node parses the eleventh frame and forwards the eleventh frame to the fourth node.

[0246] 910. When the fourth node correctly receives the eleventh frame, the fourth node sends a fourth uplink frame to the third node.

[0247] Exemplarily, the fourth node parses the received eleventh frame, and if the eleventh frame is correctly received, sends a fourth uplink frame to the third node. The fourth uplink frame is at least used to indicate that the fourth node has correctly received the eleventh frame. The fourth uplink frame may include identification information of the fourth node. Exemplarily, the fourth uplink frame includes a feedback field, the feedback field in the fourth uplink frame is ACK, and the fourth uplink frame is at least used to indicate that the fourth node has correctly received the eleventh frame. For example, if the fourth node correctly receives the eleventh frame, it sets the feedback field in the fourth uplink frame to ACK. In combination with step 904 and step 910, it can be seen that if the fourth node correctly receives the sleep frame, it sends an uplink frame, such as the fourth uplink frame, to its upper node (i.e., the third node) that is at least used to indicate that the fourth node has correctly received the sleep frame; if the fourth node does not correctly receive the sleep frame, it sends an uplink frame, such as the first uplink frame, to its upper node (i.e., the third node) that is at least used to indicate that the fourth node has not correctly received the sleep frame.

[0248] When the fourth node correctly receives the eleventh frame, it can determine the sleep start time based on the eleventh frame.

[0249] 911. When the third node correctly receives the eleventh frame, the third node forwards the fourth uplink frame to the second node.

[0250] When the third node correctly receives the eleventh frame, it can determine the sleep start time based on the eleventh frame.

[0251] 912. When the second node correctly receives the eleventh frame, the second node forwards the fourth uplink frame to the first node.

[0252] When the second node correctly receives the eleventh frame, it can determine the sleep start time based on the eleventh frame.

[0253] 913. After receiving the fourth uplink frame, the first node stops sending the sleep frame.

[0254] Step 913 is optional. Receipt of the fourth uplink frame by the first node indicates that each slave node (including the second, third, and fourth nodes) has correctly received the sleep frame. Each slave node can determine the sleep start time, and the first node no longer needs to send sleep frames. After receiving the fourth uplink frame, the first node stops sending sleep frames, thereby saving signaling overhead.

[0255] Step 913 may be replaced by: after receiving the fourth uplink frame, the first node sends a twelfth frame. The twelfth frame is a sleep frame. The backoff count value in the twelfth frame may be (N-2).

[0256] 914. The first node, the second node, the third node, and the fourth node enter a dormant state after reaching the dormant start time.

[0257] The first frame is a sleep frame periodically transmitted by the first node, and the eleventh frame is another sleep frame periodically transmitted by the first node. It should be noted that steps 901 to 914 are merely examples, intended to illustrate the operations performed by the first, second, third, and fourth nodes with respect to sleep frames. It should be understood that the first, second, third, and fourth nodes can all process each sleep frame transmitted by the first node in the same manner.

[0258] 915. The first node periodically sends a heartbeat frame.

[0259] 916. The second node maintains clock synchronization with the first node through a heartbeat frame, and forwards the heartbeat frame to the third node.

[0260] 917. The third node maintains clock synchronization with the first node through the heartbeat frame, and forwards the heartbeat frame to the fourth node.

[0261] 918. The fourth node maintains clock synchronization with the first node through heartbeat frames.

[0262] Steps 914 to 918 may refer to steps 807 to 811 and will not be described in detail here.

[0263] In an embodiment of the present application, the first node periodically sends a sleep frame; the second node, the third node, and the fourth node receive the sleep frame, and determine the sleep start time based on the backoff counter in the correctly received sleep frame; in this way, even if some control frames are not received correctly by the slave node, in theory, as long as one control frame can be received correctly, the synchronous sleep control can be completed, that is, the second node, the third node, and the fourth node can enter the sleep state synchronously. The second node, the third node, and the fourth node provide feedback on the received sleep frame in the uplink direction, and the first node can learn about the status of the slave node receiving the sleep frame through the feedback field in the uplink frame fed back by each slave node. After receiving an uplink frame that is at least used to indicate that all slave nodes have correctly received the sleep frame, the first node can terminate the sending of the sleep frame in advance, and enter the sleep state after the set time point.

[0264] FIG11 is an interactive flow chart of another communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application. The method flow in FIG11 is applicable to the communication system 300 shown in FIG3 . An example of a communication system corresponding to each node in FIG11 (including each node in FIG11 ) is the in-vehicle multi-node wired audio transmission system shown in FIG4 . The method flow in FIG11 is a possible implementation of the method described in FIG5 . As shown in FIG11 , the method includes:

[0265] 1101. A first node sends a first frame to a second node.

[0266] Correspondingly, the second node receives the first frame from the first node. In the method flow of Figure 11, the first node is a master node, and the second, third, and fourth nodes are slave nodes. The embodiment of the present application does not limit the number of slave nodes.

[0267] In one possible implementation, the first node periodically sends a sleep frame to the second node, the third node, and the fourth node. For example, the first node sends a sleep frame every 20.83 us (i.e., the first period). In other words, the time interval for the first node to send a sleep frame is 20.83 us. The first frame and the thirteenth, fourteenth, and fifteenth frames below are all sleep frames. The sleep frames periodically sent by the first node may include a backoff count value, and the backoff count values ​​in two temporally adjacent sleep frames sent by the first node differ by 1. For example, the first node sends the first frame to the second node, and the backoff count value in the first frame is N; the first node sends the thirteenth frame to the third node at an interval of 20.83us after sending the first frame, and the backoff count value in the thirteenth frame is (N-1); the first node sends the fourteenth frame to the fourth node at an interval of 20.83us after sending the thirteenth frame, and the backoff count value in the fourteenth frame is (N-2); the first node sends the fifteenth frame to the second node at an interval of 20.83us after sending the fourteenth frame, and the backoff count value in the fifteenth frame is (N-3), where N is an integer greater than 3. In this example, the period for the first node to send sleep frames is 20.83us. It should be noted that this application does not limit the period for the first node to send sleep frames.

[0268] A sleep frame sent by a first node to a node is used by the node to determine the sleep start time. The backoff count value in the sleep frame is used to determine the sleep start time. For example, an example of a second node, a third node, and a fourth node determining the sleep start time based on a received sleep frame is as follows: the backoff count value in the first frame is N, the second node calculates the product of the first period and the backoff count value N to obtain time offset #1; the second node shifts the time when the second node receives the first frame backward by time offset #1 to obtain the sleep start time; the backoff count value in the thirteenth frame is (N-1), the third node calculates the product of the first period and the backoff count value (N-1) to obtain time offset #2; the third node shifts the time when the third node receives the thirteenth frame backward by time offset #2 to obtain the sleep start time; the backoff count value in the fourteenth frame is (N-2), the fourth node calculates the product of the first period and the backoff count value (N-2) to obtain time offset #3; and the fourth node shifts the time when the fourth node receives the fourteenth frame backward by time offset #3 to obtain the sleep start time. In this example, the time offset between the sleep start times determined by any two nodes among the second node, the third node and the fourth node is less than the above-mentioned time threshold, so the sleep start time determined by the second node, the sleep start time determined by the third node and the sleep start time determined by the fourth node can be regarded as the same moment.

[0269] 1102. The second node parses the received first frame transmitted through the channel.

[0270] Step 1102 may refer to step 502. When the second node correctly receives the first frame, it may determine the sleep start time based on the first frame.

[0271] 1103. When the second node correctly receives the first frame, the second node sends a fifth uplink frame to the first node.

[0272] The fifth uplink frame is at least used to indicate that the second node has correctly received the first frame. The fifth uplink frame may include identification information of the second node.

[0273] 1104. After receiving the fifth uplink frame, the first node stops sending sleep frames to the second node.

[0274] Steps 1103 and 1104 are optional, i.e., the method flow in Figure 11 does not include steps 1103 and 1104. Steps 1103 and 1104 can be replaced by: if the second node does not correctly receive the first frame, sending a sixth uplink frame to the first node. The sixth uplink frame is used to at least indicate that the second node did not correctly receive the first frame. The sixth uplink frame may include identification information of the second node.

[0275] 1105. The first node sends the thirteenth frame to the third node.

[0276] Correspondingly, the third node receives the thirteenth frame from the first node.

[0277] 1106. The third node parses the received thirteenth frame transmitted through the channel.

[0278] When the second node correctly receives the thirteenth frame, it may determine the sleep start time based on the thirteenth frame.

[0279] 1107. When the third node correctly receives the thirteenth frame, the third node sends the seventh uplink frame to the first node.

[0280] The seventh uplink frame is at least used to indicate that the third node has correctly received the thirteenth frame. The seventh uplink frame may include identification information of the third node.

[0281] 1108. After receiving the seventh uplink frame, the first node stops sending sleep frames to the third node.

[0282] Steps 1107 and 1108 are optional. Steps 1107 and 1108 may be replaced by: if the third node does not correctly receive the thirteenth frame, sending an eighth uplink frame to the first node. The eighth uplink frame at least indicates that the third node did not correctly receive the thirteenth frame. The eighth uplink frame may include identification information of the third node.

[0283] 1109. The first node sends the fourteenth frame to the fourth node.

[0284] Correspondingly, the fourth node receives the fourteenth frame from the first node.

[0285] 1110. The fourth node parses the fourteenth frame received and transmitted through the channel.

[0286] When the fourth node correctly receives the fourteenth frame, it can determine the sleep start time based on the fourteenth frame.

[0287] 1111. When the fourth node correctly receives the fourteenth frame, the fourth node sends the ninth uplink frame to the first node.

[0288] The ninth uplink frame is at least used to indicate that the fourth node has correctly received the fourteenth frame. The ninth uplink frame may include identification information of the fourth node.

[0289] 1112. After receiving the ninth uplink frame, the first node stops sending sleep frames to the fourth node.

[0290] Steps 1111 and 1112 are optional. Steps 1111 and 1112 may be replaced by: if the fourth node does not correctly receive the fourteenth frame, the fourth node sends a tenth uplink frame to the first node. The tenth uplink frame is used to at least indicate that the fourth node did not correctly receive the fourteenth frame. The tenth uplink frame may include identification information of the fourth node.

[0291] 1113. The first node, the second node, the third node, and the fourth node enter a sleep state when the sleep start time is reached.

[0292] It should be noted that steps 1101 to 1112 are merely examples of operations performed before the first, second, third, and fourth nodes enter the sleep state. Steps 1101 to 1113 can be replaced with: the first node periodically sends sleep frames in the order of the second node, the third node, the fourth node, and the second node; the second, third, and fourth nodes parse the received sleep frames and determine the sleep start time based on the correctly received sleep frames.

[0293] 1114. The first node periodically sends heartbeat frames to the second node, the third node, and the fourth node.

[0294] 1115. The second node maintains clock synchronization with the first node through heartbeat frames.

[0295] 1116. The third node maintains clock synchronization with the first node through heartbeat frames.

[0296] 1117. The fourth node maintains clock synchronization with the first node through heartbeat frames.

[0297] In an embodiment of the present application, the first node periodically sends a sleep frame; the second node, the third node and the fourth node receive the sleep frame, and determine the sleep start time based on the backoff counter in the correctly received sleep frame; in this way, even if some control frames are not received correctly from the node, in theory, as long as one control frame can be received correctly, the synchronous sleep control can be completed, that is, the second node, the third node and the fourth node can enter the sleep state synchronously.

[0298] FIG12 is an interactive flow chart of another communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application. The method flow in FIG12 is applicable to the communication system 100 shown in FIG1 . An example of a communication system corresponding to each node in FIG12 (including each node in FIG12 ) is the in-vehicle multi-node wired audio transmission system shown in FIG2 . The method flow in FIG12 is a possible implementation of the method described in FIG5 . As shown in FIG12 , the method includes:

[0299] 1201. A first node sends a first frame to a second node.

[0300] Accordingly, the second node receives the first frame from the first node. Steps 1501 to 1502 may refer to steps 501 to 502. Exemplarily, the first node periodically sends a sleep frame to the second node, the first frame being a sleep frame, and the backoff count value in the first frame being N.

[0301] 1202. The second node parses the received first frame transmitted through the channel.

[0302] 1203. When the second node fails to correctly receive the first frame, the second node sends a sixth frame to the first node.

[0303] The sixth frame is at least used to indicate that the second node did not correctly receive the above-mentioned first frame. Step 1203 can be replaced by: the second node forwards the first frame to the third node when the first frame is correctly received. The operation performed by the second node on the received sleep frame can be as follows: when a sleep frame is correctly received, forward the sleep frame to the third node; when the sleep frame is not correctly received, send an uplink frame (such as the sixth frame) to the first node, and the uplink frame is at least used to indicate that the second node did not correctly receive the sleep frame.

[0304] 1204. The first node sends the sixteenth frame to the second node.

[0305] Accordingly, the second node receives the sixteenth frame from the first node. Exemplarily, the first node periodically sends sleep frames to the second node, the sixteenth frame is a sleep frame, and the backoff count value in the sixteenth frame is (N-1).

[0306] 1205. The second node parses the received sixteenth frame transmitted through the channel.

[0307] When the second node correctly receives the sixteenth frame, it may determine the sleep start time based on the sixteenth frame.

[0308] 1206. When the second node correctly receives the sixteenth frame, the second node forwards the sixteenth frame to the third node.

[0309] 1207. The third node parses the received sixteenth frame transmitted through the channel.

[0310] When the third node correctly receives the sixteenth frame, it may determine the sleep start time based on the sixteenth frame.

[0311] 1208. When the third node correctly receives the sixteenth frame, the third node forwards the sixteenth frame to the fourth node.

[0312] Step 1208 may be replaced by: if the third node does not correctly receive the sixteenth frame, the third node sends an uplink frame to the second node, the uplink frame at least used to indicate that the third node did not correctly receive the sixteenth frame. The operation performed by the third node on the received sleep frame may be as follows: if a sleep frame is correctly received, the sleep frame is forwarded to the fourth node; if the sleep frame is not correctly received, the uplink frame (e.g., the sixth frame) is sent to the second node, the uplink frame at least used to indicate that the third node did not correctly receive the sleep frame.

[0313] 1209. The fourth node parses the received sixteenth frame transmitted through the channel.

[0314] When the fourth node correctly receives the sixteenth frame, it can determine the sleep start time based on the sixteenth frame.

[0315] 1210. When the fourth node correctly receives the sixteenth frame, the fourth node sends the seventeenth frame to the third node.

[0316] The 17th frame is at least used to indicate that the fourth node has correctly received the 16th frame. Step 1210 can be replaced by: if the fourth node has not correctly received the 16th frame, the fourth node sends an uplink frame to the third node, the uplink frame at least used to indicate that the fourth node has not correctly received the 16th frame.

[0317] 1211. After receiving the seventeenth frame, the third node forwards the seventeenth frame to the second node.

[0318] 1212. After receiving the seventeenth frame, the second node forwards the seventeenth frame to the first node.

[0319] 1213. After receiving the seventeenth frame, the first node stops sending sleep frames.

[0320] Step 1213 is optional.

[0321] 1214. The first node, the second node, the third node, and the fourth node enter the sleep state when the sleep start time is reached.

[0322] It should be noted that steps 1201 to 1114 are merely examples of operations performed before the first node, the second node, the third node, and the fourth node enter the dormant state.

[0323] 1215. The first node periodically sends a heartbeat frame.

[0324] The heartbeat frame is used for the slave nodes (including the second node, the third node, and the fourth node) to maintain clock synchronization with the master node (ie, the first node).

[0325] 1216. The second node maintains clock synchronization with the first node through heartbeat frames, and forwards the heartbeat frames to the third node.

[0326] 1217. The third node maintains clock synchronization with the first node through heartbeat frames, and forwards the heartbeat frames to the fourth node.

[0327] 1218. The fourth node maintains clock synchronization with the first node through heartbeat frames.

[0328] The slave nodes (including the second node, the third node, and the fourth node) maintain clock synchronization with the master node (ie, the first node) through heartbeat frames, so that the slave nodes can enter the non-sleep state from the sleep state more quickly. Steps 1215 to 1218 are optional.

[0329] In an embodiment of the present application, the second node and the third node forward the sleep frame if the sleep frame is correctly received; and do not forward the sleep frame if the sleep frame is not correctly received. This can avoid forwarding the sleep frame that is not correctly received, thereby saving signaling overhead.

[0330] FIG13 is an interactive flow chart of another communication method provided by an embodiment of the present application. The method flow in FIG13 is applicable to the communication system 300 shown in FIG3 . An example of a communication system corresponding to each node in FIG13 (including each node in FIG11 ) is the in-vehicle multi-node wired audio transmission system shown in FIG4 . The method flow in FIG13 is a possible implementation of the method described in FIG5 . As shown in FIG13 , the method includes:

[0331] 1301. A first node sends a first frame to a second node, a third node, and a fourth node simultaneously.

[0332] An example of step 1301 is: the time offset between moment #1 when the first node sends the first frame to the second node and moment #2 when the first node sends the first frame to the third node is less than the aforementioned time threshold; the time offset between moment #1 when the first node sends the first frame to the second node and moment #3 when the first node sends the first frame to the fourth node is less than the aforementioned time threshold; and the time offset between moment #2 when the first node sends the first frame to the third node and moment #3 when the first node sends the first frame to the fourth node is less than the aforementioned time threshold. For example, the aforementioned time threshold is 2 μs. The first frame is a sleep frame.

[0333] Step 1301 may be an operation of sending a sleep frame once in which the first node periodically sends a sleep frame to the second node, the third node, and the fourth node. For example, the first node sends the same sleep frame to the second node, the third node, and the fourth node simultaneously every 20.83 us. The backoff count value in the sleep frame sent by the first node for the first time is N, the backoff count value in the sleep frame sent by the second node for the second time is (N-1), and so on. The backoff count value in the last sleep frame sent by the first node is 0.

[0334] 1302. The second node parses the received first frame transmitted through the channel.

[0335] 1303. When the second node correctly receives the first frame, the second node sends an eleventh uplink frame to the first node.

[0336] The eleventh uplink frame is at least used to indicate that the second node has correctly received the first frame. The eleventh uplink frame may include identification information of the second node. The second node may determine the sleep start time based on the correctly received sleep frame (eg, the first frame).

[0337] 1304. After receiving the eleventh uplink frame, the first node stops sending sleep frames to the second node.

[0338] Steps 1303 and 1304 are optional, that is, the method flow in Figure 13 does not include steps 1303 and 1304. Steps 1303 and 1304 can be replaced by: when the second node fails to correctly receive the first frame, sending an uplink frame to the first node that is at least used to indicate that the second node failed to correctly receive the first frame, and the uplink frame may include identification information of the second node.

[0339] 1305. The third node parses the received first frame transmitted through the channel.

[0340] 1306. When the third node correctly receives the first frame, the third node sends a twelfth uplink frame to the first node.

[0341] The twelfth uplink frame is at least used to indicate that the third node has correctly received the first frame. The twelfth uplink frame may include identification information of the third node. The third node may determine the sleep start time based on the correctly received sleep frame (eg, the first frame).

[0342] 1307. After receiving the twelfth uplink frame, the first node stops sending sleep frames to the third node.

[0343] Steps 1306 and 1307 are optional, that is, the method flow in Figure 13 does not include steps 1306 and 1307. Steps 1306 and 1307 can be replaced by: when the third node fails to correctly receive the first frame, sending an uplink frame to the first node that is at least used to indicate that the third node failed to correctly receive the first frame, and the uplink frame may include identification information of the third node.

[0344] 1308. The fourth node parses the received first frame transmitted through the channel.

[0345] The order of step 1302, step 1305, and step 1308 is not limited.

[0346] 1309. When the fourth node correctly receives the first frame, the fourth node sends a thirteenth uplink frame to the first node.

[0347] The thirteenth uplink frame is at least used to indicate that the fourth node has correctly received the first frame. The thirteenth uplink frame may include identification information of the fourth node. The fourth node may determine the sleep start time based on the correctly received sleep frame (eg, the first frame).

[0348] 1310. After receiving the thirteenth uplink frame, the first node stops sending sleep frames to the fourth node.

[0349] Steps 1309 and 1310 are optional, that is, the method flow in Figure 13 does not include steps 1309 and 1310. Steps 1309 and 1310 can be replaced by: when the fourth node fails to correctly receive the first frame, sending an uplink frame to the first node that is at least used to indicate that the fourth node failed to correctly receive the first frame, and the uplink frame may include identification information of the fourth node.

[0350] It should be noted that steps 1301 to 1310 are merely examples of operations performed before the first, second, third, and fourth nodes enter the sleep state. For example, steps 1301 to 1310 can be replaced with: the first node periodically sends a sleep frame to the second, third, and fourth nodes simultaneously; the second, third, and fourth nodes parse the received sleep frames and determine the sleep start time based on the correctly received sleep frames.

[0351] 1311. The first node, the second node, the third node, and the fourth node enter a sleep state when the sleep start time is reached.

[0352] 1312. The first node periodically sends heartbeat frames to the second node, the third node, and the fourth node.

[0353] 1313. The second node maintains clock synchronization with the first node through heartbeat frames.

[0354] 1314. The third node maintains clock synchronization with the first node through heartbeat frames.

[0355] 1315. The fourth node maintains clock synchronization with the first node through heartbeat frames.

[0356] In an embodiment of the present application, the first node periodically sends a sleep frame to the second node, the third node, and the fourth node at the same time; the second node, the third node, and the fourth node receive the sleep frame, and determine the sleep start time based on the backoff counter in the correctly received sleep frame; in this way, even if some control frames are not received correctly from the node, in theory, as long as one control frame can be received correctly, the synchronous sleep control can be completed, that is, the second node, the third node, and the fourth node can enter the sleep state synchronously.

[0357] The following describes the structure of a communication device that can implement the communication method provided in the embodiments of the present application in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. The following only briefly describes the communication device. For details on the implementation of the solution, please refer to the description of the method embodiment above, which will not be repeated below.

[0358] Figure 14 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device 1400 provided in an embodiment of the present application. The communication device 1400 can implement the functions or steps implemented by the first node, second node, third node, or fourth node in each of the above-mentioned method embodiments. The communication device may include a processing module 1410 and a transceiver module 1420. In one possible implementation, it may also include a storage unit, which can be used to store instructions (code or program) and / or data. The processing module 1410 and the transceiver module 1420 can be coupled to the storage unit. For example, the processing module 1410 can read the instructions (code or program) and / or data in the storage unit to implement the corresponding method. The above-mentioned units can be set independently or partially or fully integrated. For example, the transceiver module 1420 may include a transmitting module and a receiving module. The transmitting module can be a transmitter, and the receiving module can be a receiver. The entity corresponding to the transceiver module 1420 can be a transceiver or a communication interface.

[0359] In some possible implementations, the communication device 1400 can implement the behaviors and functions of the first node in the above-mentioned method embodiment. For example, the communication device 1400 can be a first node, or a component (such as a chip or circuit) applied to the first node. The transceiver module 1420 can be used to perform all receiving or sending operations performed by the first node in the embodiments of Figures 5, 7, 8, 9, 11, and 12. The processing module 1410 can be used to perform all operations except the transceiver operations performed by the first node in the embodiments of Figures 5, 7, 8, 9, 11, and 12.

[0360] In some possible implementations, the communication device 1400 can implement the behaviors and functions of the second node in the above-mentioned method embodiment. For example, the communication device 1400 can be a second node, or a component (such as a chip or circuit) applied to the second node. The transceiver module 1420 can be used to perform all receiving or sending operations performed by the second node in the embodiments of Figures 5, 7, 8, 9, 11, and 12, for example. The processing module 1410 can be used to perform all operations except the receiving and sending operations performed by the second node in the embodiments of Figures 5, 7, 8, 9, 11, and 12, for example.

[0361] In some possible implementations, the communication device 1400 can implement the behaviors and functions of the third node in the above-mentioned method embodiment. For example, the communication device 1400 can be a third node, or a component (such as a chip or circuit) used in the third node. The transceiver module 1420 can be used to perform all receiving or sending operations performed by the third node in the embodiments of Figures 8, 9, 11, and 12. The processing module 1410 can be used to perform all operations other than the receiving and sending operations performed by the third node in the embodiments of Figures 8, 9, 11, and 12.

[0362] In some possible implementations, the communication device 1400 can implement the behaviors and functions of the second node in the above-mentioned method embodiments. For example, the communication device 1400 can be a second node, or a component (such as a chip or circuit) used in the second node. The transceiver module 1420 can be used to perform all receiving or sending operations performed by the second node in the embodiments of Figures 8, 9, 11, and 12. The processing module 1410 can be used to perform all operations other than the transceiver operations performed by the second node in the embodiments of Figures 8, 9, 11, and 12.

[0363] Figure 15 is a schematic diagram of the structure of another communication device 150 provided in an embodiment of the present application. The communication device in Figure 15 can be the first node, the second node, the third node, or the fourth node described above. As shown in Figure 15, the communication device 150 includes at least one processor 1510 and a transceiver 1520.

[0364] In some embodiments of the present application, the processor 1510 and the transceiver 1520 may be configured to execute functions or operations performed by the first node. The transceiver 1520 may be configured to, for example, execute all receiving or transmitting operations performed by the first node in the embodiments of Figures 5, 7, 8, 9, 11, and 12. The processor 1510 may be configured to, for example, execute all operations except the transmitting and receiving operations performed by the first node in the embodiments of Figures 5, 7, 8, 9, 11, and 12.

[0365] In some embodiments of the present application, the processor 1510 and the transceiver 1520 may be configured to execute functions or operations performed by the second node. The transceiver 1520 may be configured to, for example, execute all receiving or transmitting operations performed by the second node in the embodiments of Figures 5, 7, 8, 9, 11, and 12. The processor 1510 may be configured to, for example, execute all operations except the transmitting and receiving operations performed by the second node in the embodiments of Figures 5, 7, 8, 9, 11, and 12.

[0366] In some embodiments of the present application, the processor 1510 and the transceiver 1520 may be configured to execute functions or operations performed by a third node. The transceiver 1520 may be configured to, for example, execute all receiving or transmitting operations performed by the third node in the embodiments of Figures 8, 9, 11, and 12. The processor 1510 may be configured to, for example, execute all operations except the transmitting and receiving operations performed by the third node in the embodiments of Figures 8, 9, 11, and 12.

[0367] In some embodiments of the present application, the processor 1510 and the transceiver 1520 may be configured to execute functions or operations performed by the fourth node. The transceiver 1520 may be configured to, for example, execute all receiving or transmitting operations performed by the fourth node in the embodiments of Figures 8, 9, 11, and 12. The processor 1510 may be configured to, for example, execute all operations except the transmitting and receiving operations performed by the fourth node in the embodiments of Figures 8, 9, 11, and 12.

[0368] The transceiver 1520 is used to communicate with other devices / apparatuses via a transmission medium. The processor 1510 uses the transceiver 1520 to send and receive data and / or signaling, and is used to implement the method in the above-mentioned method embodiment. The processor 1510 can implement the functions of the processing module 1410, and the transceiver 1520 can implement the functions of the transceiver module 1420. Optionally, the transceiver 1520 may include a radio frequency circuit and an antenna. The radio frequency circuit is mainly used for converting baseband signals into radio frequency signals and processing radio frequency signals. The antenna is mainly used for sending and receiving radio frequency signals in the form of electromagnetic waves. Input and output devices, such as touch screens, display screens, keyboards, etc. are mainly used to receive data input by users and output data to users.

[0369] Optionally, the communication device 150 may further include at least one memory 1530 for storing program instructions and / or data. The memory 1530 is coupled to the processor 1510. The coupling in the embodiments of the present application is an indirect coupling or communication connection between devices, units, or modules, which may be electrical, mechanical, or other forms, and is used for information exchange between devices, units, or modules. The processor 1510 may operate in conjunction with the memory 1530. The processor 1510 may execute program instructions stored in the memory 1530. At least one of the at least one memory may be included in the processor.

[0370] Processor 1510 can read software programs stored in memory 1530, interpret and execute instructions within the software programs, and process data within the software programs. When data needs to be transmitted wirelessly, processor 1510 performs baseband processing on the data to be transmitted and outputs the baseband signal to the RF circuit. The RF circuit then performs RF processing on the baseband signal and transmits it via an antenna in the form of electromagnetic waves. When data is transmitted to the communication device, the RF circuit receives the RF signal via the antenna, converts the RF signal into a baseband signal, and outputs the baseband signal to processor 1510. Processor 1510 converts the baseband signal into data and processes the data.

[0371] In another implementation, the above-mentioned RF circuit and antenna can be set independently of the processor performing baseband processing. For example, in a distributed scenario, the RF circuit and antenna can be arranged remotely from the communication device.

[0372] The specific connection medium between the transceiver 1520, processor 1510, and memory 1530 is not limited in the embodiments of the present application. In Figure 15, the memory 1530, processor 1510, and transceiver 1520 are connected via a bus 1540. The bus is represented by a bold line in Figure 15. The connection methods between other components are only for illustrative purposes and are not limiting. The bus can be divided into an address bus, a data bus, a control bus, etc. For ease of illustration, Figure 15 only uses a single bold line, but this does not mean that there is only one bus or only one type of bus.

[0373] In the embodiments of the present application, the processor may be one of the following devices: a general-purpose processor, a digital signal processor, an application-specific integrated circuit, a field programmable gate array or other programmable logic device, a discrete gate or transistor logic device, a discrete hardware component, or all or part of the circuits used for processing functions in the aforementioned devices, which may implement or execute the various methods, steps, and logic block diagrams disclosed in the embodiments of the present application. A general-purpose processor may be a microprocessor or any conventional processor, etc. The steps of the method disclosed in conjunction with the embodiments of the present application may be directly embodied as being executed by a hardware processor, or may be executed by a combination of hardware and software modules in the processor.

[0374] Figure 16 is a schematic diagram of the structure of another communication device 160 provided in an embodiment of the present application. The communication device in Figure 16 can be the above-mentioned first node or a chip for the above-mentioned first node, or it can be the above-mentioned second node or a chip for the above-mentioned second node, or it can be the above-mentioned third node or a chip for the above-mentioned third node, or it can be the above-mentioned fourth node or a chip for the above-mentioned fourth node. As shown in Figure 16, the communication device shown in Figure 16 includes a logic circuit 1601 and an interface 1602. The processing module 1410 in Figure 14 can be implemented with a logic circuit 1601, and the transceiver module 1420 in Figure 14 can be implemented with an interface 1602. Among them, the logic circuit 1601 can be a chip, a processing circuit, an integrated circuit or a system on chip (SoC) chip, etc., and the interface 1602 can be a communication interface, an input and output interface, etc. In the embodiment of the present application, the logic circuit and the interface can also be coupled to each other. The embodiment of the present application does not limit the specific connection method of the logic circuit and the interface.

[0375] In some embodiments of the present application, the logic circuit and interface may be used to execute the functions or operations performed by the first node described above.

[0376] In some embodiments of the present application, the logic circuit and interface may be used to execute the functions or operations performed by the aforementioned second node.

[0377] In some embodiments of the present application, the logic circuit and interface may be used to execute the functions or operations performed by the third node mentioned above.

[0378] In some embodiments of the present application, the logic circuit and interface may be used to execute the functions or operations performed by the fourth node described above.

[0379] The present application also provides a computer-readable storage medium, in which a computer program or instruction is stored. When the computer program or instruction is executed on a computer, the computer executes the method of the above embodiment.

[0380] The present application also provides a computer program product, which includes instructions or a computer program. When the instructions or the computer program are run on a computer, the method in the above embodiment is executed.

[0381] The present application also provides a communication system, including the above-mentioned first node, second node, third node and fourth node.

[0382] The present application also provides a chip, which includes: a communication interface and a processor; the communication interface is used for sending and receiving signals of the above-mentioned chip; the processor is used to execute computer program instructions so that the communication device including the above-mentioned chip executes the method in the above-mentioned embodiment.

[0383] In the above embodiments, all or part of the embodiments may be implemented using software, hardware, firmware, or any combination thereof. When implemented using software, all or part of the embodiments may be implemented in the form of a computer program product. The computer program product includes one or more computer programs or instructions. When the computer program or instructions are loaded and executed on a computer, the processes or functions described in the embodiments of the present application are performed in whole or in part. The computer may be a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a computer network, a network device, a user device, or other programmable device. The computer program or instructions may be stored in a computer-readable storage medium or transferred from one computer-readable storage medium to another. For example, the computer program or instructions may be transferred from one website, computer, server, or data center to another website, computer, server, or data center via wired or wireless means. The computer-readable storage medium may be any available medium that can be accessed by a computer or a data storage device such as a server or data center that integrates one or more available media. The available medium may be a magnetic medium, such as a floppy disk, hard disk, or magnetic tape; an optical medium, such as a digital video disk; or a semiconductor medium, such as a solid-state drive. The computer-readable storage medium may be a volatile or nonvolatile storage medium, or may include both volatile and nonvolatile types of storage media.

[0384] In the various embodiments of the present application, unless otherwise specified or there is a logical conflict, the terms and / or descriptions between different embodiments are consistent and can be referenced by each other. The technical features in different embodiments can be combined to form new embodiments according to their inherent logical relationships.

Claims

1. A communication method, characterized in that: The method is applied to a first node, and the method comprises: generating a first frame, wherein the first frame is at least used to determine a sleep start time of the second node; The first frame is sent.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first frame includes first indication information and second indication information, the first indication information is at least used to indicate that the first frame is a control frame for determining the sleep start time, and the second indication information is at least used to determine the sleep start time.

3. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that The second indication information includes a backoff count value, where the backoff count value is associated with a first time interval, where the first time interval is equal to a time interval between a moment when the second node receives the first frame and a sleep start time of the second node.

4. The method according to claim 3, characterized in that The product of the backoff count value and the first period is equal to the first time interval, and the first period is the sending period of the control frame.

5. The method according to any one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that: The first indication information includes a frame type of the first frame, and the frame type of the first frame is at least used to indicate that the first frame is a control frame used to determine the sleep start time.

6. The method according to any one of claims 2 to 5, characterized in that: The method further comprises: A second frame is sent, where the second frame is used for the second node to maintain clock synchronization with the first node.

7. The method according to claim 6, characterized in that Before sending the second frame, the method further includes: A third frame is sent, where the third frame is at least used by the second node to determine the sleep start time, where the sleep start time is a first moment, and the time interval between the first moment and the moment when the second node receives the third frame is less than a time threshold.

8. The method according to claim 7, characterized in that The third frame includes a frame type of the third frame and a backoff count value, wherein the frame type of the third frame is at least used to indicate that the third frame is a control frame for determining the sleep start time, and the backoff count value in the third frame is at least used by the second node to determine the sleep start time.

9. The method according to claim 8, characterized in that The backoff count value in the third frame is 0.

10. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that: The method further comprises: receiving a fourth frame, wherein the fourth frame is at least used to indicate that the second node has correctly received a control frame used to determine the sleep start time; Stop sending a control frame at least used by the second node to determine the sleep start time.

11. The method according to claim 10, characterized in that The fourth frame is specifically used to indicate that the second node and each subordinate node of the second node have correctly received the control frame used to determine the sleep start time.

12. The method according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that: After stopping sending the control frame at least for the second node to determine the sleep start time, the method further includes: After reaching the target time point, the system enters the sleep state, where the target time point is a preset time point or the sleep start time.

13. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that: The first node is a master node in the vehicle-mounted multi-node wired audio transmission system, and the second node is a slave node in the vehicle-mounted multi-node wired audio transmission system.

14. A communication method, characterized in that: The method is applied to the second node, and the method includes: receiving a first frame transmitted via a channel, wherein the first frame is at least used for determining a sleep start time of the second node; The first frame received and transmitted through the channel is parsed.

15. The method according to claim 14, characterized in that The first frame includes first indication information and second indication information, the first indication information is at least used to indicate that the first frame is a control frame for determining the sleep start time, and the second indication information is at least used to determine the sleep start time.

16. The method according to claim 15, characterized in that The second indication information includes a backoff count value, where the backoff count value is associated with a first time interval, where the first time interval is equal to a time interval between a moment when the second node receives the first frame and a sleep start time of the second node.

17. The method according to claim 16, characterized in that The product of the backoff count value and the first period is equal to the first time interval, and the first period is the sending period of the control frame.

18. The method according to any one of claims 14 to 17, characterized in that The first indication information includes a frame type of the first frame, and the frame type of the first frame is at least used to indicate that the first frame is a control frame used to determine the sleep start time.

19. The method according to any one of claims 14 to 18, characterized in that The method further comprises: A second frame is received, where the second frame is at least used for the second node to maintain clock synchronization with the first node, and the first node is a source of the first frame.

20. The method according to claim 19, characterized in that Before receiving the second frame, the method further includes: A third frame is received, where the third frame is at least used by the second node to determine the sleep start time, where the sleep start time is a first moment, and a time interval between the first moment and a moment when the second node receives the third frame is less than a time threshold.

21. The method according to claim 20, characterized in that The third frame includes a frame type of the third frame and a backoff count value, wherein the frame type of the third frame is at least used to indicate that the third frame is a control frame for determining the sleep start time, and the backoff count value in the third frame is at least used by the second node to determine the sleep start time.

22. The method according to any one of claims 14 to 21, characterized in that The method further comprises: The first frame received and transmitted through the channel is forwarded.

23. The method according to claim 22, characterized in that After forwarding the received first frame transmitted via the channel, the method further comprises: A fourth frame is sent, where the fourth frame is at least used to indicate that the second node has correctly received a control frame used by the second node to determine the sleep start time.

24. The method according to claim 23, characterized in that The fourth frame is specifically used to indicate that the second node and each subordinate node of the second node have correctly received the control frame used to determine the sleep start time.

25. The method according to claim 24, characterized in that Before sending the fourth frame, the method further includes: receiving a fifth frame, wherein the fifth frame is at least used to indicate that each subordinate node of the second node has correctly received a control frame used to determine the sleep start time; The sending of the fourth frame comprises: The fourth frame is sent when the second node correctly receives the control frame used by the second node to determine the sleep start time.

26. The method according to any one of claims 14 to 21, characterized in that The method further comprises: forwarding the first frame when the first frame is correctly received; Alternatively, when the first frame is not received correctly, a sixth frame is sent, where the sixth frame is at least used to indicate that the second node has not received the first frame correctly.

27. The method according to any one of claims 14 to 26, characterized in that The information source of the first frame is a master node in the vehicle-mounted multi-node wired audio transmission system, and the second node is a slave node in the vehicle-mounted multi-node wired audio transmission system.

28. A communication device, characterized in that: The invention comprises modules for implementing the method according to any one of claims 1 to 13.

29. A communication device, characterized in that: Comprising modules for implementing the method of any one of claims 14 to 27.

30. A communication device, characterized in that: The device comprises a processor, the processor is coupled to a memory, the memory stores computer program instructions, and the processor is used to execute the computer program instructions so that the communication device performs the method according to any one of claims 1 to 27.

31. A chip, characterized in that: It comprises a processor and a communication interface, wherein the processor reads instructions stored in a memory through the communication interface, and executes instructions so that a communication device including the chip executes the method according to any one of claims 1 to 27.

32. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that: The computer-readable storage medium stores a computer program, wherein the computer program includes program instructions, and when the program instructions are executed, the computer is enabled to perform the method according to any one of claims 1 to 27.

33. A computer program product, characterized in that When the computer program product is run on a computer, the computer is caused to execute the method according to any one of claims 1 to 27.

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