METHODS FOR RECEIVING TIME RESOURCES, COMMUNICATION EQUIPMENT, AND COMPUTER-READABLE STORAGE MEDIA

Abstract

The invention relates to the field of wireless communication technology, applied to wireless local area networks supporting the 802.11be standard, and specifically relates to a method of receiving time resources, communication devices, computer-readable storage media and communication apparatus.The method involves: the first device generates and sends a media access control (MAC) frame, where the MAC is a single-user trigger frame with the trigger type subfield set to 3 and excluding the user information field; the single-user trigger frame is used to allocate time resources to the second device; and the receiver address field in the MAC frame is set to the MAC address of the second device. The second device receives the MAC frame, parses it to obtain the trigger type subfield in the MAC frame set to 3 and the MAC frame excluding the user information field, and then determines, based on the parsing results, that the MAC frame is a single-user trigger frame.According to the invention's schemes, a user-activated framework can indicate the allocation of time resources to support communication in scheduled peer-to-peer (P2P) network scenarios and coordinated time division multiple access (Co-TDMA) scenarios.

Description

Time resource allocation and reception method and related device

[0001] This application claims priority to the Chinese patent application filed with the State Intellectual Property Office of China on January 5, 2021, with application number 202110008588.5 and application name “Time Resource Allocation and Reception Method and Related Devices”, the entire contents of which are incorporated by reference into this application. Technical Field

[0002] The present application relates to the field of wireless communication technology, and in particular to a time resource allocation and reception method and related devices. Background Art

[0003] To meet the specific needs of users, the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11be standard may support some special application scenarios, such as the scheduling site sending uplink single-user physical protocol data unit (PPDU) scenario, scheduled peer-to-peer (P2P) scenario, coordinated time division multiple access (Co-TDMA) scenario, etc.

[0004] In a scheduled P2P scenario, multiple stations (STAs) are connected via P2P technology to form a small network, enabling direct communication between them. Upon obtaining a transmission opportunity (TXOP), an access point (AP) can allocate a portion of the time resources within the TXOP to an associated STA, allowing the STA to communicate with other STAs within the allocated time resources.

[0005] In the Co-TDMA scenario, two AP roles are defined: sharing AP and shared AP. After obtaining a TXOP, the sharing AP can allocate a portion of the TXOP's time resources to the shared AP, allowing the shared AP to use the time resources to communicate with the stations associated with the shared AP.

[0006] Therefore, both scheduled P2P and Co-TDMA scenarios require a trigger frame to support time resource allocation. Based on current discussions of the 802.11be standard, utilizing the multi-user (MU) request to send (RTS) frame as a potential approach to designing a trigger frame. However, how to implement time resource allocation in scheduled P2P and Co-TDMA scenarios based on the MU-RTS frame remains unresolved.

[0007] Summary of the Invention

[0008] The embodiments of the present application provide a time resource allocation and reception method and related apparatus, which can use a single-user trigger frame to indicate the allocation of time resources, thereby supporting communications in Scheduled P2P scenarios and Co-TDMA scenarios.

[0009] The present application is introduced below from different aspects. It should be understood that the implementation methods and beneficial effects of the following different aspects can be referenced to each other.

[0010] In a first aspect, the present application provides a time resource allocation method, the method comprising: a first device generating and sending a media access control (MAC) frame, wherein the trigger type subfield in the MAC frame is set to 3 and does not include a user information field, and the receiving address field in the MAC frame is set to the MAC address of a second device. The fact that the trigger type subfield in the MAC frame is set to 3 and does not include a user information field indicates that the MAC frame is a single-user triggered frame. In other words, the MAC frame is a single-user triggered frame in which the trigger type subfield is set to 3 and does not include a user information field, and the single-user triggered frame is used to allocate time resources to the second device. The time resource here refers to the length of time.

[0011] Optionally, the trigger type subfield is set to 3, indicating a MU-RTS frame. However, since a MU-RTS frame is sent to one or more users (or stations), it must include one or more user information fields. Therefore, in this solution, although the trigger type subfield of the MAC frame is set to 3, the MAC frame does not include a user information field, indicating that the MAC frame is a single-user trigger frame, not a MU-RTS frame.

[0012] It can be seen that this solution implicitly indicates that the currently transmitted MAC frame is a single-user triggered frame by setting the trigger type subfield of the MAC frame to 3 and not including the user information field. The single-user triggered frame can be used to indicate the allocation of time resources, thereby supporting communications in scheduled P2P scenarios and Co-TDMA scenarios.

[0013] In a second aspect, the present application provides a method for receiving time resources, the method comprising: a second device receiving a MAC frame from a second device, wherein a receiving address field in the MAC frame is set to the MAC address of the second device; the second device parsing the MAC frame to obtain that a trigger type subfield in the MAC frame is set to 3 and the MAC frame does not include a user information field; the second device determining that the MAC frame is a single-user triggered frame based on the trigger type subfield in the MAC frame being set to 3 and the MAC frame not including a user information field, the single-user triggered frame being used to allocate time resources to the second device. The time resource here refers to the time length. The time resource here refers to the time length.

[0014] Optionally, the trigger type subfield is set to 3, indicating a MU-RTS frame. However, since a MU-RTS frame is sent to one or more users (or stations), it must include one or more user information fields. Therefore, in this solution, although the trigger type subfield of the MAC frame is set to 3, the MAC frame does not include a user information field, indicating that the MAC frame is a single-user trigger frame, not a MU-RTS frame.

[0015] In a third aspect, the present application provides a time resource allocation device, which can be a first device or a chip in the first device, such as a Wi-Fi chip. The time resource allocation device includes: a processing unit, configured to generate a MAC frame, wherein the trigger type subfield in the MAC frame is set to 3 and the MAC frame does not include a user information field, and the receiving address field in the MAC frame is set to the MAC address of the second device; and a transceiver unit, configured to send the MAC frame. The trigger type subfield in the MAC frame is set to 3 and the MAC frame does not include a user information field, indicating that the MAC frame is a single-user triggered frame. In other words, the MAC frame is a single-user triggered frame in which the trigger type subfield is set to 3 and does not include a user information field. The single-user triggered frame is used to allocate time resources to the second device. The time resource here refers to the length of time.

[0016] Optionally, the trigger type subfield is set to 3, indicating a MU-RTS frame. However, since a MU-RTS frame is sent to one or more users (or stations), it must include one or more user information fields. Therefore, in this solution, although the trigger type subfield of the MAC frame is set to 3, the MAC frame does not include a user information field, indicating that the MAC frame is a single-user trigger frame, not a MU-RTS frame.

[0017] In a fourth aspect, the present application provides a time resource receiving device, which can be a second device or a chip in the second device, such as a Wi-Fi chip. The time resource receiving device includes: a transceiver unit, configured to receive a MAC frame, wherein the receiving address field in the MAC frame is set to the MAC address of the second device; a parsing unit, configured to parse the MAC frame to obtain a result that the trigger type subfield in the MAC frame is set to 3 and the MAC frame does not include a user information field; and a determination unit, configured to determine that the MAC frame is a single-user triggered frame based on the trigger type subfield in the MAC frame being set to 3 and the MAC frame not including a user information field. The single-user triggered frame is used to allocate time resources to the second device. The time resource here refers to the length of time.

[0018] Optionally, the trigger type subfield is set to 3, indicating a MU-RTS frame. However, since a MU-RTS frame is sent to one or more users (or stations), it must include one or more user information fields. Therefore, in this solution, although the trigger type subfield of the MAC frame is set to 3, the MAC frame does not include a user information field, indicating that the MAC frame is a single-user trigger frame, not a MU-RTS frame.

[0019] In one possible implementation of any of the above aspects, a duration field in the MAC frame may be used to indicate a length of time allocated to the second device. Since the original meaning of the duration field is to indicate the remaining duration of the current transmission opportunity, reusing the duration field to indicate the length of time allocated to the second device is equivalent to allocating the entire remaining time of the entire transmission opportunity to the second device.

[0020] It can be seen that this solution reuses the original duration field and increases the meaning of the original duration field, so that the duration field has two meanings (one is to indicate the remaining duration of the current transmission opportunity, and the other is to indicate the length of time allocated to the second device). Without adding new fields, the second device can communicate with other sites within the allocated time resources, thereby supporting communications in Scheduled P2P scenarios and Co-TDMA scenarios, and the implementation is simple.

[0021] In one possible implementation of any of the above aspects, the MAC frame includes a first subfield, where the first subfield is used to indicate a duration allocated to the second device. Alternatively, the first subfield is used to indicate a duration of the response frame. It should be understood that the first subfield is different from the duration field. The duration allocated to the second device, as indicated by the first subfield, is a period within the remaining transmission opportunity duration.

[0022] It can be seen that this solution designs a new field in the Modified MU-RTS frame (or single-user trigger frame) to indicate the length of time allocated to the second device, and its meaning is clear and unambiguous.

[0023] In a possible implementation of any of the above aspects, the first subfield is a reserved subfield in the common information field of the MAC frame. The length of the first subfield may be less than or equal to the length of the duration field.

[0024] It can be seen that this scheme uses the subfield reserved in the common information field of the MAC frame to design the first subfield, and there is no need to add a new field. The original frame length is maintained, and the subfield reserved in the common information field can be fully utilized. The meaning of the first subfield is also clear and unambiguous.

[0025] In a possible implementation manner of any of the above aspects, the above-mentioned first subfield is an uplink length (UL length) subfield reserved in the common information field of the MAC frame, hereinafter referred to as the downlink length (UL length) subfield.

[0026] It can be seen that because the UL length subfield is used to indicate the frame length (the frame length here is the time length) of the triggered trigger-based PPDU (Trigger Based PPDU, TB PPDU) in other types of trigger frames (referring to trigger frames in which the value of the trigger type subfield is not 3), but the UL length subfield in the MU-RTS frame is not used or does not exist, this scheme uses the UL length subfield to indicate the duration allocated to the second device, and the granularity of the duration indicated by the UL length subfield can be reused, and its function is similar to that of the UL length subfield itself.

[0027] In a possible implementation of any of the above aspects, the length of the first subfield is 12 bits or 16 bits. It can be seen that the length of the first subfield is 12 bits, which is the same as the length of the UL length subfield, and the UL length subfield can be reused to indicate the granularity of the duration. The length of the first subfield is 16 bits, which is the same as the length of the duration field, and the duration field can be reused to indicate the granularity of the duration.

[0028] In a fifth aspect, the present application provides a time resource allocation method, comprising: a first device generating and transmitting a MAC frame, the MAC frame including a second subfield, the second subfield being used to indicate that the MAC frame is a single-user triggered frame, the single-user triggered frame being used to allocate time resources to a second device. The time resource herein refers to a time length. The trigger type subfield in the MAC frame is set to 3.

[0029] Optionally, the trigger type subfield is set to 3, indicating a MU-RTS frame, but the second subfield in the MAC frame indicates that the MAC frame is a single-user triggered frame, not a MU-RTS frame, to distinguish between MU-RTS frames and single-user triggered frames.

[0030] As can be seen, this solution designs a field in the MAC frame to indicate that the currently transmitted MAC frame is a single-user trigger frame. The single-user trigger frame can be used to indicate the allocation of time resources, thereby supporting communications in scheduled P2P scenarios and Co-TDMA scenarios.

[0031] In a sixth aspect, the present application provides a method for receiving time resources, the method comprising: a second device receiving a MAC frame from a first device and parsing the received MAC frame, the MAC frame including a second subfield, the second subfield being used to indicate that the MAC frame is a single-user triggered frame, the single-user triggered frame being used to allocate time resources to the second device. The time resource herein refers to a time length. The trigger type subfield in the MAC frame is set to 3.

[0032] Optionally, the trigger type subfield is set to 3, indicating a MU-RTS frame, but the second subfield in the MAC frame indicates that the MAC frame is a single-user triggered frame, not a MU-RTS frame, to distinguish between MU-RTS frames and single-user triggered frames.

[0033] In a seventh aspect, the present application provides a time resource allocation apparatus, which may be a first device or a chip within the first device, such as a Wi-Fi chip. The time resource allocation apparatus includes: a processing unit configured to generate a MAC frame, wherein the MAC frame includes a second subfield, wherein the second subfield is configured to indicate that the MAC frame is a single-user triggered frame, and wherein the single-user triggered frame is configured to allocate time resources to a second device; and a transceiver unit configured to transmit the MAC frame. The time resource herein refers to the duration. The trigger type subfield in the MAC frame is set to 3.

[0034] Optionally, the trigger type subfield is set to 3, indicating a MU-RTS frame, but the second subfield in the MAC frame indicates that the MAC frame is a single-user triggered frame, not a MU-RTS frame, to distinguish between MU-RTS frames and single-user triggered frames.

[0035] In an eighth aspect, the present application provides a time resource receiving device, which may be a second device or a chip in the second device, such as a Wi-Fi chip. The time resource receiving device includes: a transceiver unit configured to receive a MAC frame, wherein the MAC frame includes a second subfield, wherein the second subfield is configured to indicate that the MAC frame is a single-user trigger frame, and the single-user trigger frame is used to allocate time resources to the second device; and a parsing unit configured to parse the MAC frame. The time resource here refers to the time length. The trigger type subfield in the MAC frame is set to 3.

[0036] Optionally, the trigger type subfield is set to 3, indicating a MU-RTS frame, but the second subfield in the MAC frame indicates that the MAC frame is a single-user triggered frame, not a MU-RTS frame, to distinguish between MU-RTS frames and single-user triggered frames.

[0037] In a possible implementation of any of the above aspects, the second subfield is a resource unit (RU) allocation subfield in a user information field of a MAC frame, and the value is a first preset value. The first preset value is an RU allocation value between 0 and 60 and between 68 and 255 that is not used in the 802.11be standard.

[0038] This solution reuses the RU allocation subfield without changing the meaning of some values ​​in the RU allocation subfield. It uses special values ​​to indicate a single-user trigger frame, which is less modified than the MU-RTS frame and is more compatible with the 802.11ax standard.

[0039] In a possible implementation of any of the above aspects, the above-mentioned second subfield is an Association Identifier (AID) 12 subfield in the user information field of the MAC frame, and the value of the second preset value is one of 2008 to 2044 and 2047 to 4094.

[0040] Optionally, because the AID12 subfield is set to the second preset value and cannot be used to identify the site, the receiving address field in the MAC frame is set to the MAC address of the second device.

[0041] Optionally, because the AID12 subfield is set to the second preset value and cannot be used to identify the site, the reserved subfield in the user information field of the MAC frame is used to indicate the association identifier of the second device.

[0042] As can be seen, this solution reuses the AID 12 subfield without changing the meaning of some of the AID 12 subfield's values. Using a special value to indicate a single-user trigger frame reduces the changes compared to MU-RTS frames and improves compatibility with the 802.11ax standard. Furthermore, because the AID 12 subfield is the first subfield in the user information field, it can help the second device more quickly determine whether a received frame is a single-user trigger frame, allowing the second device to respond more quickly.

[0043] In a possible implementation of any of the above aspects, the above-mentioned second subfield is a reserved subfield in the common information field of the MAC frame, and the value of the second subfield is different from the value of the second subfield in the reserved state.

[0044] As can be seen, this solution uses a reserved subfield in the common information field to indicate a single-user trigger frame, making its meaning clear and unambiguous, and less likely to cause confusion. Furthermore, because the common information field is located after the transmit address field, it helps the second device more quickly determine whether a received frame is a single-user trigger frame, allowing it to respond more quickly.

[0045] In a possible implementation manner of any of the above aspects, the above-mentioned second subfield is a reserved subfield in the user information field of the MAC frame, and the value of the second subfield is different from the value of the second subfield in the reserved state.

[0046] It can be seen that this solution indicates a single-user trigger frame by using the reserved subfield in the user information field, which has a clear meaning and is not prone to confusion.

[0047] In one possible implementation of any of the above aspects, a duration field in the MAC frame may be used to indicate a length of time allocated to the second device. Since the original meaning of the duration field is to indicate the remaining duration of the current transmission opportunity, reusing the duration field to indicate the length of time allocated to the second device is equivalent to allocating the entire remaining time of the entire transmission opportunity to the second device.

[0048] In one possible implementation of any of the above aspects, the MAC frame further includes a first subfield, where the first subfield is used to indicate a duration allocated to the second device. Alternatively, the first subfield is used to indicate a duration of the response frame. It should be understood that the first subfield is different from the duration field. The duration allocated to the second device, as indicated by the first subfield, is a period within the remaining transmission opportunity duration.

[0049] In a possible implementation of any of the above aspects, the first subfield is a reserved subfield in the common information field of the MAC frame. The length of the first subfield may be less than or equal to the length of the duration field.

[0050] In a possible implementation manner of any of the above aspects, the first subfield is an uplink length (UL length) subfield reserved in a common information field of a MAC frame.

[0051] In a possible implementation manner of any of the above aspects, the length of the first subfield is 12 bits or 16 bits.

[0052] In a ninth aspect, the present application provides a communication device, specifically the first device in the first aspect or the fifth aspect, comprising a processor and a transceiver.

[0053] In one design, the processor is configured to generate a MAC frame in which the trigger type subfield is set to 3, the MAC frame does not include a user information field, and the receiving address field is set to the MAC address of the second device; and the transceiver is configured to transmit the MAC frame. The setting of the trigger type subfield in the MAC frame to 3 and the absence of the user information field indicate that the MAC frame is a single-user triggered frame, which is used to allocate time resources to the second device. Here, time resources refer to a duration.

[0054] In another design, the processor is configured to generate a MAC frame including a second subfield indicating that the MAC frame is a single-user triggered frame, the single-user triggered frame being used to allocate time resources to the second device; and the transceiver is configured to transmit the MAC frame. The time resources herein refer to a time length. The trigger type subfield in the MAC frame is set to 3.

[0055] In a tenth aspect, the present application provides a communication device, specifically the second device in the second aspect or the sixth aspect, including a processor and a transceiver.

[0056] In one design, the transceiver is configured to receive a MAC frame in which a receive address field is set to the MAC address of the second device; the processor is configured to parse the MAC frame to determine that a trigger type subfield in the MAC frame is set to 3 and the MAC frame does not include a user information field; the processor is further configured to determine, based on the trigger type subfield in the MAC frame being set to 3 and the MAC frame not including a user information field, that the MAC frame is a single-user triggered frame, the single-user triggered frame being used to allocate time resources to the second device. The time resources herein refer to a length of time.

[0057] In another design, the transceiver is configured to receive a MAC frame including a second subfield indicating that the MAC frame is a single-user triggered frame, the single-user triggered frame being used to allocate time resources to the second device; and the processor is further configured to parse the MAC frame. The time resources herein refer to a time length. The trigger type subfield in the MAC frame is set to 3.

[0058] In an eleventh aspect, the present application provides a device implemented in the form of a chip product, including an input / output interface and a processing circuit. The device is the chip in the first device of the first aspect or the fifth aspect.

[0059] In one design, the processing circuit is configured to generate a MAC frame, wherein the trigger type subfield in the MAC frame is set to 3, the MAC frame does not include a user information field, and the receiving address field in the MAC frame is set to the MAC address of the second device; the input / output interface is configured to output the MAC frame, process it through the radio frequency circuit, and then transmit the MAC frame via an antenna. The setting of the trigger type subfield in the MAC frame to 3 and the absence of the user information field indicate that the MAC frame is a single-user triggered frame, which is used to allocate time resources to the second device. Here, time resources refer to time length.

[0060] In another design, a MAC frame is generated, the MAC frame including a second subfield indicating that the MAC frame is a single-user triggered frame, the single-user triggered frame being used to allocate time resources to the second device; the input / output interface is configured to output the MAC frame, process the frame through the radio frequency circuit, and then transmit the MAC frame via an antenna. The time resource here refers to the time length. The trigger type subfield in the MAC frame is set to 3.

[0061] In a twelfth aspect, the present application provides a device, which is implemented in the form of a chip product, including an input / output interface and a processing circuit. The device is the chip in the second device of the second aspect or the sixth aspect.

[0062] In one design, the input / output interface is configured to input a MAC frame received via an antenna and a radio frequency circuit, wherein a receiving address field in the MAC frame is set to the MAC address of the second device; the processing circuit is configured to parse the MAC frame to determine that a trigger type subfield in the MAC frame is set to 3 and that the MAC frame does not include a user information field; and the processing circuit is further configured to determine, based on the trigger type subfield in the MAC frame being set to 3 and the MAC frame not including a user information field, that the MAC frame is a single-user triggered frame, wherein the single-user triggered frame is used to allocate time resources to the second device. Here, time resources refer to a length of time.

[0063] In another design, the input / output interface is configured to input a MAC frame received via the antenna and the radio frequency circuit; the processing circuit is configured to parse the MAC frame, wherein the MAC frame includes a second subfield, the second subfield being configured to indicate that the MAC frame is a single-user triggered frame, the single-user triggered frame being configured to allocate time resources to the second device. The trigger type subfield in the MAC frame is set to 3.

[0064] In the thirteenth aspect, the present application provides a computer-readable storage medium, which stores program instructions. When the program instructions are run on a computer, the computer executes the time resource allocation method described in the first aspect or the fifth aspect; or, when the program instructions are run on a computer, the computer executes the time resource receiving method described in the second aspect or the sixth aspect.

[0065] In the fourteenth aspect, the present application provides a computer program product comprising program instructions, which, when running on a computer, enables the computer to execute the time resource allocation method described in the first aspect or the fifth aspect; or, when running on a computer, enables the computer to execute the time resource receiving method described in the second aspect or the sixth aspect.

[0066] By implementing the embodiments of the present application, a single-user trigger frame can be used to indicate the allocation of time resources, thereby supporting communications in Scheduled P2P scenarios and Co-TDMA scenarios. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0067] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application, the following briefly introduces the drawings required for describing the embodiments.

[0068] FIG1a is a schematic diagram of the structure of an access point provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0069] FIG1b is a schematic diagram of the structure of a site provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0070] FIG2a is a schematic diagram of a communication scenario between an AP MLD and a non-AP MLD;

[0071] FIG2b is a schematic diagram of another communication scenario between an AP MLD and a non-AP MLD;

[0072] FIG3a is a schematic structural diagram of a multi-link device provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0073] FIG3 b is another schematic structural diagram of a multi-link device provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0074] FIG4 is a schematic diagram of a single-user trigger frame applied to a multi-link scenario;

[0075] FIG5 is a schematic diagram of a Scheduled P2P scenario;

[0076] FIG6 is a schematic diagram of a Co-TDMA scenario;

[0077] FIG7 is a schematic diagram of a single-user triggered frame applied to a Scheduled P2P scenario;

[0078] FIG8 is a schematic diagram of a single-user trigger frame applied to a Co-TDMA scenario;

[0079] FIG9 is a schematic flow chart of a method for allocating and receiving time resources provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0080] FIG10 is a schematic diagram of the frame format of a MU-RTS frame provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0081] FIG11a is a schematic diagram of the frame format of the common information field in the MU-RTS frame provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0082] FIG11b is a schematic diagram of the frame format of the user information field in the MU-RTS frame provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0083] FIG12 is a schematic diagram of the frame format of a Modified MU-RTS frame (or single-user trigger frame) provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0084] FIG13 is a schematic diagram of the frame format of the common information field in the Modified MU-RTS frame (or single-user trigger frame) provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0085] FIG14 is another schematic flow chart of a method for allocating and receiving time resources provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0086] FIG15a is a schematic diagram of a frame format of the first subfield and the second subfield in the user information field of the Modified MU-RTS frame provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0087] FIG15 b is a schematic diagram of another frame format of the first subfield and the second subfield in the user information field of the Modified MU-RTS frame provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0088] FIG15c is a schematic diagram of another frame format of the first subfield and the second subfield in the user information field of the Modified MU-RTS frame provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0089] FIG16 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a time resource allocation device provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0090] FIG17 is a schematic structural diagram of a time resource receiving device provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0091] FIG18 is a schematic structural diagram of a communication device 1000 provided in an embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0092] The technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application will be described clearly and completely below in conjunction with the drawings in the embodiments of the present application.

[0093] In the description of this application, unless otherwise specified, " / " means "or", for example, A / B can mean A or B. "And / or" in this article is merely a description of the association relationship of associated objects, indicating that three relationships can exist. For example, A and / or B can mean: A exists alone, A and B exist at the same time, and B exists alone. In addition, "at least one" means one or more, and "a plurality" means two or more. Words such as "first" and "second" do not limit the quantity and execution order, and words such as "first" and "second" do not limit them to be necessarily different.

[0094] In this application, words such as "exemplary" or "for example" are used to indicate examples, illustrations, or descriptions. Any embodiment or design described in this application as "exemplary" or "for example" should not be construed as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments or designs. Rather, the use of words such as "exemplary" or "for example" is intended to present the relevant concepts in a concrete manner.

[0095] The technical solutions provided in this application can be applied to various communication systems, such as those using the IEEE 802.11 standard. Exemplary IEEE 802.11 standards include, but are not limited to, 802.11be or later 802.11 standards. Scenarios in which the technical solutions provided in this application are applicable include AP-STA communication, AP-AP communication, and STA-STA communication.

[0096] The access point (AP) involved in this application is a device with wireless communication capabilities that supports communication using wireless local area network (WLAN) protocols and has the ability to communicate with other devices in the WLAN network (such as stations or other access points). Of course, it can also have the ability to communicate with other devices. In a WLAN system, an access point can be called an access point station (AP STA). The device with wireless communication capabilities can be a complete device, or it can be a chip or processing system installed in the complete device. The device installed with these chips or processing systems can implement the methods and functions of the embodiments of this application under the control of the chip or processing system. The AP in the embodiments of this application is a device that provides services for STAs and can support the 802.11 series of protocols. For example, the AP can be a communication entity such as a communication server, router, switch, bridge, etc.; the AP can include various forms of macro base stations, micro base stations, relay stations, etc. Of course, the AP can also be the chip and processing system in these various forms of devices, thereby implementing the methods and functions of the embodiments of this application.

[0097] The station (STA) involved in this application is a device with wireless communication capabilities that supports communication using the WLAN protocol and has the ability to communicate with other stations or access points in the WLAN network. In a WLAN system, a station can be called a non-access point station (non-AP STA). For example, a STA is any user communication device that allows a user to communicate with an AP and thus communicate with a WLAN. The device with wireless communication capabilities can be a complete device, or a chip or processing system installed in the complete device. The device installed with these chips or processing systems can implement the methods and functions of the embodiments of the present application under the control of the chip or processing system. For example, a STA can be a tablet computer, desktop, laptop, notebook computer, ultra-mobile personal computer (UMPC), handheld computer, netbook, personal digital assistant (PDA), mobile phone and other user devices that can be connected to the Internet, or an Internet of Things node in the Internet of Things, or an in-vehicle communication device in the Internet of Vehicles, or an entertainment device, gaming device or system, global positioning system device, etc. A STA can also be a chip and processing system in these terminals.

[0098] WLAN systems can provide high-speed and low-latency transmission. As WLAN application scenarios continue to evolve, WLAN systems will be applied to more scenarios or industries, such as the Internet of Things industry, the Internet of Vehicles industry, the banking industry, corporate offices, sports stadiums and exhibition halls, concert halls, hotel rooms, dormitories, wards, classrooms, supermarkets, squares, streets, production workshops and warehouses, etc. Of course, devices supporting WLAN communication (such as access points or stations) can be sensor nodes in smart cities (such as smart water meters, smart electricity meters, and smart air detection nodes), smart devices in smart homes (such as smart cameras, projectors, displays, televisions, speakers, refrigerators, washing machines, etc.), nodes in the Internet of Things, entertainment terminals (such as wearable devices such as augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR)), smart devices in smart offices (such as printers, projectors, speakers, and speakers), Internet of Vehicles devices, infrastructure in daily life scenarios (such as vending machines, self-service navigation kiosks in supermarkets, self-service cash registers, self-service ordering machines, etc.), and equipment in large sports and music venues, etc. The specific forms of STAs and APs in the embodiments of this application are not limited and are only illustrative.

[0099] It should be understood that the 802.11 standard focuses on the physical layer (PHY) layer and the media access control (MAC) layer. In one example, see Figure 1a, which is a schematic diagram of the structure of the access point provided in an embodiment of the present application. The AP can be multi-antenna / multi-radio or a single antenna / single radio, and the antenna / radio is used to send / receive data packets. In one implementation, the antenna or radio part of the AP can be separated from the main body of the AP, forming a remote layout structure. In Figure 1a, the AP can include a physical layer processing circuit and a media access control processing circuit. The physical layer processing circuit can be used to process physical layer signals, and the MAC layer processing circuit can be used to process MAC layer signals. In another example, see Figure 1b, which is a schematic diagram of the structure of the site provided in an embodiment of the present application. Figure 1b shows a schematic diagram of the STA structure of a single antenna / radio. In actual scenarios, the STA can also be multi-antenna / multi-radio, and can be a device with more than two antennas, and the antenna / radio is used to send / receive data packets. In one implementation, the antenna or radio part of the STA can be separated from the main body of the STA, forming a remote layout structure. In FIG1 b , the STA may include a PHY processing circuit and a MAC processing circuit. The physical layer processing circuit may be used to process physical layer signals, and the MAC layer processing circuit may be used to process MAC layer signals.

[0100] In order to better understand the technical solution provided by this application, the application scenarios of the time resource allocation and reception method provided in the embodiment of this application are briefly introduced below.

[0101] The time resource allocation and reception method provided in the embodiments of the present application can be applied to Scheduled P2P scenarios and Co-TDMA scenarios, and optionally, can also be applied to multi-link scenarios.

[0102] 802.11, the next generation of Wireless Fidelity (WiFi), supports extremely high throughput (EHT) devices by increasing peak throughput and reducing service transmission latency through multiple streams, multiple frequency bands (for example, 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, and 6 GHz), and collaborating multiple channels within the same frequency band. This multi-band or multi-channel approach is collectively referred to as multi-link (ML).

[0103] A multi-link device (MLD) includes one or more affiliated STAs. Affiliated STAs can be logical or physical. In the embodiments of the present application, "a multi-link device includes affiliated STAs" can be briefly described as "a multi-link device includes STAs."

[0104] The subordinate station may be an access point (AP) or a non-access point station (non-AP STA). For ease of description, in the embodiments of the present application, a multi-link device whose subordinate station is an AP may be referred to as an AP MLD; and a multi-link device whose subordinate station is a STA may be referred to as a non-AP MLD.

[0105] The multi-link device can implement wireless communication according to the 802.11 system protocol. For example, the 802.11 system protocol can be the 802.11ax protocol, the 802.11be protocol, and the next generation 802.11 protocol, but the embodiments of the present application are not limited thereto.

[0106] The multi-link device can communicate with other devices. In the embodiment of the present application, the other devices may be multi-link devices or may not be multi-link devices.

[0107] Refer to Figure 2a, which is a schematic diagram of a communication scenario between an AP MLD and a non-AP MLD. As shown in Figure 2a, an AP MLD can be associated with multiple non-AP MLDs and single-link STAs (i.e., non-MLD STAs). For example, AP MLD 100 can be associated with non-AP MLD 200, non-AP MLD 300, and STA 400. It should be understood that the multiple APs in an AP MLD operate on multiple links, while the multiple STAs in a non-AP MLD operate on multiple links. A STA in a non-AP MLD is associated with an AP in the AP MLD on its operating link. A single-link STA (i.e., a non-MLD STA) is associated with an AP in the AP MLD on its operating link. Refer to Figure 2b, which is a schematic diagram of another communication scenario between an AP MLD and a non-AP MLD. As shown in Figure 2b, the wireless communication system includes at least one AP MLD (such as AP MLD 100 in Figure 2b) and at least one non-AP MLD (such as non-AP MLD 200 in Figure 2b). The AP MLD is a multi-link device that provides services to non-AP MLDs. Non-AP MLDs can communicate with AP MLDs using multiple links. An AP in an AP MLD can communicate with a STA in a non-AP MLD using a single link. The number of AP MLDs and non-AP MLDs shown in Figure 2b is for illustrative purposes only.

[0108] The 802.11 standard focuses on the 802.11 physical layer (PHY) and media access control (MAC) layer parts in AP MLD and non-AP MLD. See Figure 3a, which is a structural diagram of a multi-link device provided in an embodiment of the present application. As shown in Figure 3a, the multiple STAs included in the multi-link device are independent of each other in the low MAC layer and the PHY layer, and are also independent of each other in the high MAC layer. See Figure 3b, which is another structural diagram of the multi-link device provided in an embodiment of the present application. As shown in Figure 3b, the multiple STAs included in the multi-link device are independent of each other in the low MAC layer and the PHY layer, and share the high MAC layer.

[0109] Of course, non-AP MLD can employ an independent high MAC layer architecture, while AP MLD can employ a shared high MAC layer architecture. Alternatively, non-AP MLD can employ a shared high MAC layer architecture, while AP MLD can employ an independent high MAC layer architecture. Exemplarily, both the high MAC layer and the low MAC layer can be implemented by a single processor in a chip system of a multi-link device, or by separate processing modules within the same chip system.

[0110] The frequency bands in which the multi-link device operates may include but are not limited to: sub 1 GHz, 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, 6 GHz, and high frequency 60 GHz.

[0111] A multi-link device may support simultaneous transmission and reception (STR) of data, or it may not support non-STR data transmission and reception. Supporting simultaneous transmission and reception of data means that while one STA of the multi-link device is transmitting a frame on one link, another STA of the multi-link device can receive a frame on another link. Not supporting simultaneous transmission and reception of data means that while one STA of the multi-link device is transmitting a frame on one link, another STA of the multi-link device cannot receive a frame on another link or the clear channel assessment is blocked.

[0112] When a non-AP MLD does not support simultaneous data transmission and reception (that is, the non-AP MLD capability is non-STR), during data transmission between the non-AP MLD and the AP MLD, the wireless frames sent by the AP MLD on multiple links must be aligned at the ends. At the same time, the response frames sent by the non-AP MLD on multiple links must also be aligned in both start and end times.

[0113] In non-STR multi-link device communication scenarios, a trigger frame is required to control the length of the response frame to ensure that the response frames transmitted on different links are aligned. It should be understood that the "multi-link scenario" referred to in this article refers to the "communication scenario with multi-link devices that do not support STR."

[0114] On the one hand, because the trigger frame in the current standard is designed for simultaneous uplink trigger-based PPDU (TB PPDU) transmission by multiple users, it must indicate information such as the modulation and coding scheme (MCS), resource units (RU), and transmit power. In multi-link scenarios, if only the response frame length needs to be aligned, the response frame length only needs to be indicated, resulting in unnecessary system overhead. Furthermore, the current trigger frame can only trigger a TB PPDU. In multi-link scenarios, the trigger frame used to control the response frame length only needs to trigger a single station to respond. Therefore, that station does not need to use a TB PPDU and can instead use a single-user PPDU. Single-user PDDUs offer several advantages over TB PPDUs: 1) Single-user PPDUs offer better channel protection. This is because third-party stations can parse the content of single-user PDDUs but not TB PPDUs. Without the ability to parse the TB PPDU, they cannot obtain the duration field and, consequently, cannot set the Network Allocation Vector (NAV). 2) The single-user PPDU has less overhead in the physical layer frame header than the TB PPDU.

[0115] To address this technical issue, the concept of a single-user trigger frame (SUTF) was proposed. This SUTF can trigger a single STA to respond using a single-user PPDU. This SUTF can be applied in multi-link scenarios, as well as scheduled P2P and Co-TDMA scenarios.

[0116] For example, see Figure 4, which is a schematic diagram of a single-user trigger frame applied to a multi-link scenario. The single-user trigger frame can be carried in downlink data or aggregated with a data frame. The single-user trigger frame includes an assigned time duration field. The assigned time duration field is used to indicate the length of the single-user PPDU (or response frame) fed back by the station. As shown in Figure 4, AP1 is associated with STA1 and operates on link 1 (link 1); AP2 is associated with STA2 and operates on link 2 (link 2); AP1 and AP2 belong to the same AP MLD, and STA1 and STA2 belong to the same non-AP MLD, and the capability of the non-AP MLD is non-STR. AP1 sends data 1 and a single-user trigger frame to STA1 on link 1, and AP2 sends data 2 and a single-user trigger frame to the receiver on link 2. In accordance with the instruction of the single-user trigger frame, STA1 sends a block acknowledgment (BA) frame 1 on link 1, and STA2 sends BA2 on link 2. BA1 and BA2 are aligned in the time domain. In Figure 4, "Tr" represents a single-user trigger frame.

[0117] It should be understood that the multi-link scenario can be considered one of the scenarios in which a station is scheduled to send uplink SU PPDUs. This is because in the multi-link scenario, a station is scheduled to send a single uplink SU PPDU via a single-user trigger frame. Another scenario in which a station is scheduled to send uplink SU PPDUs is to schedule a station to send multiple uplink SU PPDUs. The scenario in which a station is scheduled to send multiple uplink SU PPDUs is as follows: After an AP competes for a TXOP, it can allocate a portion of the time resources in that TXOP to a STA associated with the AP. This allows the STA to send multiple uplink SU PPDUs to the AP within the allocated time resources, thereby achieving uplink communication.

[0118] The design principle of Scheduled P2P is that after an AP competes for a TXOP, it can allocate a portion of the time resources in the TXOP to a STA associated with the AP, allowing the STA to communicate with other STAs within the allocated time resources. Scheduled P2P is also called scheduled device-to-device (D2D). It should be understood that the concepts of Scheduled P2P and Scheduled D2D are equivalent, both referring to multiple stations directly interacting with each other without forwarding through the AP. See Figure 5, which is a schematic diagram of a Scheduled P2P scenario. As shown in Figure 5, the AP is associated with STA1; the AP and STA2 can be associated or not. A P2P link is established between STA1 and STA2. The AP can allocate time resources to STA1 so that STA1 can communicate with STA2 via the P2P link within the allocated time resources.

[0119] Co-TDMA is a form of multi-AP collaboration. Its design principle is that after an AP (often called a Sharing AP) competes for a TXOP, it can allocate a portion of its time resources to another AP (often called a shared AP). This allows the other AP (i.e., the shared AP) and the stations associated with the shared AP to communicate within the allocated time resources. See Figure 6, which is a schematic diagram of a Co-TDMA scenario. As shown in Figure 6, STA1 is associated with the sharing AP, and STA2 is associated with the shared AP. After the Sharing AP obtains a TXOP, it allocates time resources to the Shared AP, allowing the shared AP to use these time resources to communicate with its associated STA2.

[0120] Among them, TXOP is the basic unit of wireless channel access. TXOP is a continuous duration, which is indicated by the Duration field. The station that obtains the TXOP can no longer compete for the channel again and continuously use the channel to transmit multiple data frames within the TXOP time. TXOP can be obtained through two methods: competition or hybrid coordinator (HC) allocation. The TXOP obtained through competition can be called enhanced distributed channel access (EDCA) TXOP. The TXOP obtained through HC allocation can be called hybrid coordination function controlled channel access (HCCA) TXOP. It should be understood that the method of obtaining TXOP involved in this application is common knowledge to those skilled in the art.

[0121] In order to support the allocation of time resources in Scheduled P2P scenarios and Co-TDMA scenarios, Scheduled P2P scenarios and Co-TDMA scenarios also require single user trigger frames (SU TF). It should be understood that the single user trigger frame in Scheduled P2P scenarios and Co-TDMA scenarios is used to allocate time resources for the target site (the target site here refers to a site in a broad sense, which can be either an access point site "AP" or a non-access point site "STA"). The single user trigger frame can also be used to trigger a single STA to respond using a single user physical protocol data unit (SU PPDU). It should be understood that the single user PPDU is mainly used in single user scenarios.

[0122] For example, see Figure 7, which illustrates a single-user trigger frame applied to a scheduled P2P scenario. As shown in Figure 7, after obtaining a TXOP, the AP can use a portion of the time resources for itself and then allocate all or part of the remaining time resources within the TXOP to a P2P station (such as STA1 in Figure 7) via a trigger frame (e.g., TF for P2P in Figure 7). Consequently, within the allocated time resources, STA1 can send a P2P PPDU (a single-user PPDU) to STA2, and STA2 can send an acknowledgment (ACK) frame for the P2P PPDU to STA1.

[0123] For example, see Figure 8, which is a schematic diagram of a single-user trigger frame applied to a Co-TDMA scenario. As shown in Figure 8, AP1 is the holder of the TXOP. In Figure 8, AP1 uses a trigger frame (Trigger) to allocate time resources within the TXOP to multiple APs. However, in actual applications, a more feasible approach is for AP1 to use up a portion of the time resources and then send a unicast trigger frame to AP2 to allocate the unused portion of the time resources to AP2. After AP2 uses up the allocated time resources, AP1 then sends a unicast trigger frame to AP3 to allocate the unused portion of the time resources to AP3. Similarly, AP1 can allocate the time resources within the TXOP to more APs.

[0124] Based on discussions within the 802.11be standard, utilizing multi-user (MU) request to send (RTS) frames to design single-user trigger frames is a potential approach. However, two unresolved issues remain: how to indicate that this MU-RTS frame is a single-user trigger frame (referred to herein as a modified MU-RTS frame) rather than a basic MU-RTS frame; and how to indicate the time length allocated to the target station (a target station in this context refers to a broad range of stations, including both access points (APs) and non-access point stations (STAs)).

[0125] Therefore, an embodiment of the present application provides a time resource allocation and reception method. On the one hand, it indicates in an implicit or explicit manner that the currently transmitted media access control (MAC) frame is a single-user triggered frame, which can be distinguished from the basic / original / traditional MU-RTS frame, so that the receiving end can make a corresponding response according to the different frames received; on the other hand, the reserved subfield in the MU-RTS frame is used to indicate the time length allocated to the target site (i.e., the second device in this application), so that the target site (i.e., the second device in this application) and other sites can communicate within the allocated time resources, thereby supporting communication in Scheduled P2P scenarios and Co-TDMA scenarios.

[0126] The technical solution provided in this application will be described in detail below with reference to more drawings.

[0127] The technical solution provided by this application is described in detail through two embodiments. Embodiment 1 describes implicitly indicating that the currently transmitted MAC frame is a single-user trigger frame, and describes how to indicate the time resources allocated to the target station (i.e., the second device in this application) under the implicit indication. Embodiment 2 describes explicitly indicating that the currently transmitted MAC frame is a single-user trigger frame, and describes how to indicate the time resources allocated to the target station (i.e., the second device in this application) under the explicit indication.

[0128] It is understandable that the first device in this application may be an AP, such as the AP in Figure 5 or the sharing AP in Figure 6. The second device in this application may be a STA, such as STA1 in Figure 5; the second device may also be an AP, such as the shared AP in Figure 6.

[0129] It is also understandable that the first device and the second device in this application both support the 802.11be protocol (also known as Wi-Fi 7, EHT protocol), and may also support other WLAN communication protocols, such as 802.11ax, 802.11ac, and the like. It is understood that the first device and the second device in this application may also support the next generation protocol of 802.11be. In other words, the method provided in this application is not only applicable to the 802.11be protocol, but may also be applicable to the next generation protocol of 802.11be.

[0130] Example 1

[0131] Example 1 of the present application mainly introduces the case of using MU-RTS frames to design single-user trigger frames, implicitly indicating that the currently sent MAC frame is a single-user trigger frame, so as to distinguish it from the original MU-RTS frame, and introduces how to indicate the time resources allocated to the target site (i.e., the second device in this application) under implicit indication.

[0132] Refer to Figure 9, which is a schematic flow chart of a time resource allocation and reception method provided by an embodiment of the present application. As shown in Figure 9, the time resource allocation and reception method includes but is not limited to the following steps:

[0133] S101, the first device generates a media access control MAC frame, the trigger type subfield in the MAC frame is set to 3 and the MAC frame does not include a user information field, and the receiving address field in the MAC frame is set to the MAC address of the second device, wherein the trigger type subfield in the MAC frame is set to 3 and the MAC frame does not include a user information field, indicating that the MAC frame is a single-user triggered frame, and the single-user triggered frame is used to allocate time resources to the second device.

[0134] S102: The first device sends the MAC frame.

[0135] Optionally, when the trigger type subfield is set to 3, it indicates a MU-RTS frame. Since the MU-RTS frame is sent to one or more users (or stations) and is used for one or more users (or multiple stations) to reply to a Clear to Send (CTS) frame on a specified resource unit (RU), the MU-RTS frame must include one or more user information fields.

[0136] Refer to Figure 10, which is a schematic diagram of the frame format of the MU-RTS frame provided in an embodiment of the present application. As shown in Figure 10, the MU-RTS frame includes a frame control field, a duration field, a receiver address (RA) field, a transmitter address (TA) field, a common information field, a user information list field, a padding field, and a frame check sequence (FCS) field. The Frame Control field indicates that the frame is a trigger frame. The Duration field is used to indicate the length of the remaining TXOP time. The RA field and the TA field are used to indicate the receiving address and the transmitting address, respectively. The common information (abbreviated as Common Info) field contains common information that all target STAs must interpret. The user information list field contains one or more user information fields, each of which corresponds to a station.

[0137] See Figure 11a, which illustrates the frame format of the common information field in a MU-RTS frame according to an embodiment of the present application. As shown in Figure 11a, the trigger type subfield in the common information field indicates that the current frame is a MU-RTS type trigger frame. Specifically, the trigger type subfield is set to 3 (B0 to B3 represent 0010). Among them, the following subfields in the Common Info field of the MU-RTS frame are reserved (that is, the following fields are not used in the MU-RTS frame): uplink length (UL Length) subfield, guard interval (GI) and high efficiency long training field (HE-LTF) type (GI And HE-LTF Type) subfield, multi-user multiple input, multiple output (MIMO) HE-LTF mode (MU-MIMO HE-LTF Mode) subfield, HE-LTF symbol number and midamble periodicity (Number Of HE-LTF Symbols And Midamble Periodicity) subfield, uplink space-time block code (UL STBC), low-density parity check (LDPC) code extra symbol segment (LDPC Extra Symbol Segment) subfield, AP transmit power (AP TX Power) subfield, forward error correction (FEC) before filling factor (Pre-FEC padding factor) field, data packet extension (packet The Common Info field also includes the PE disambiguation subfield, the UL spatial reuse subfield, the Doppler subfield, and the UL HE-SIG-A2Reserved subfield. In other words, these subfields in the Common Info field are unused or undefined in the MU-RTS frame and are in a reserved state. In other words, fields B4 to B15 and B20 to B62 in the Common Info field of the MU-RTS frame are unused or undefined.

[0138] See Figure 11b, which is a schematic diagram of the frame format of the user information field in the MU-RTS frame provided in an embodiment of the present application. As shown in Figure 11b, the Association Identifier (AID) 12 subfield in the user information (abbreviated as User info) field is used to indicate the last 12 bits of the AID of the site, and the RU allocation (allocation) subfield is used to indicate the frequency resources allocated to the site. Among them, the following subfields in the User Info field of the MU-RTS frame are also reserved (that is, the following fields are not used in the MU-RTS frame): Uplink High Efficiency Modulation and Coding Strategy (UL HE-MCS) subfield, Uplink Forward Error Correction Code Coding Type (UL FEC Coding Type) subfield, Uplink Dual Carrier Modulation (UL DCM) subfield, Synchronization Offset Allocation (SS Allocation) / Random Access Resource Unit Information (RA-RU Information) subfield, and Uplink Target Received Signal Strength Indication (UL Target RSSI) subfield. In other words, these subfields in the User Info field are unused or undefined in the MU-RTS frame and are reserved. In other words, fields B20 to B38 in the User Info field of the MU-RTS frame are unused or undefined.

[0139] Since the embodiments of the present application consider designing single-user triggered frames in Scheduled P2P scenarios and Co-TDMA scenarios based on MU-RTS frames, the first problem that needs to be solved is how to enable the receiving end to identify that the currently received frame is a single-user triggered frame rather than a MU-RTS frame.

[0140] Therefore, the first device generates a MAC frame in which the trigger type subfield is set to 3 and the MAC frame does not include a user information field, indicating that the MAC frame is a single-user triggered frame. The single-user triggered frame (that is, the MAC frame) is used to allocate time resources to the second device. In other words, the MAC frame is a single-user triggered frame in which the trigger type subfield is set to 3 and does not include a user information field. Because the MU-RTS frame must include a user information field, the embodiment of the present application indicates that the MAC frame is a single-user triggered frame rather than a MU-RTS frame by setting the trigger type subfield of the MAC frame to 3 (indicating a MU-RTS frame) and not including a user information field. The single-user triggered frame (that is, the MAC frame) in the present application can also be referred to as a modified MU-RTS frame, a new MU-RTS frame, a single-user RTS frame (SU-RTS frame), a single-user MU-RTS frame (SU MU-RTS frame), etc. The embodiment of the present application does not limit the name of the single-user triggered frame. In other words, when the Trigger Type field in a MAC frame is set to 3 and the User Information field is absent, it is a Modified MU-RTS frame. To distinguish it from the original MU-RTS frame, this single-user triggered frame is referred to as a Modified MU-RTS frame.

[0141] Since the Modified MU-RTS frame (or single-user trigger frame) does not include a user information field and is sent only to a single user, the receiving address field in the Modified MU-RTS frame (or single-user trigger frame) can be set to the MAC address (media access control address, also known as LAN address, MAC address, Ethernet address, or physical address) of the second device so that the second device can receive and parse the frame.

[0142] Referring to FIG12 , FIG12 is a schematic diagram of the frame format of a Modified MU-RTS frame (or single-user trigger frame) provided in an embodiment of the present application. As shown in FIG12 , the Modified MU-RTS frame includes a frame control field, a duration field, a receiving address field, a transmitting address field, a common information field, a padding field, and a frame detection sequence field. Compared with the frame format of the MU-RTS frame (shown in FIG10 ), the frame format of the Modified MU-RTS frame (shown in FIG12 ) does not include a user information list field, that is, does not include a user information field, and the receiving address field of the Modified MU-RTS frame is set to the MAC address of the second device.

[0143] Optionally, the duration field in the above-mentioned Modified MU-RTS frame (or single-user triggered frame) can be used to indicate the length of time allocated to the second device. Since the original meaning of the duration field is to indicate the remaining duration information of the current TXOP, reusing the duration field to indicate the length of time allocated to the second device is equivalent to allocating the entire remaining time of the TXOP to the second device. It can be seen that the embodiment of the present application reuses the original duration field in the Modified MU-RTS frame (or single-user triggered frame) and adds the meaning of the original duration field, so that the duration field has two meanings (one is to indicate the remaining duration information of the current TXOP, and the other is to indicate the length of time allocated to the second device). Without adding new fields, the second device can communicate with other sites within the allocated time resources, thereby supporting communications in Scheduled P2P scenarios and Co-TDMA scenarios, and the implementation is simple.

[0144] Optionally, the Modified MU-RTS frame (or single-user trigger frame) includes a first subfield, which is used to indicate the length of time allocated to the second device, or in other words, the first subfield is used to indicate the length of time allocated to the single-user transmission. It should be understood that the first subfield is different from the duration field. The length of time allocated to the second device indicated by the first subfield is a period of time within the remaining TXOP duration. It can be seen that the embodiment of the present application indicates the length of time allocated to the second device by designing a new field in the Modified MU-RTS frame (or single-user trigger frame), and its meaning is clear and unambiguous.

[0145] Optionally, as can be seen from Figure 11a above, the common information field of the MU-RTS frame includes multiple reserved subfields, so the first subfield can be a subfield reserved in the common information field of the Modified MU-RTS frame (or single-user trigger frame). The length of the first subfield can be less than or equal to the length of the duration field. For example, the length of the first subfield is 12 bits and is located from B20 to B31 of the common information field in the Modified MU-RTS frame; or, the length of the first subfield is 16 bits and is located from B20 to B35 of the common information field in the Modified MU-RTS frame. It can be seen that the embodiment of the present application uses the subfield reserved in the common information field of the Modified MU-RTS frame (or single-user trigger frame) to design the first subfield, and there is no need to add a new field. The original frame length is maintained, the reserved subfield in the common information field can be fully utilized, and the meaning of the first subfield is also clear and unambiguous. In addition, the length of the first subfield is 12 bits, which is the same as the length of the UL length subfield, and the UL length subfield can be reused to indicate the granularity of the duration. The length of the first subfield is 16 bits, which is the same as the length of the duration field, and the duration field can be reused to indicate the granularity of the duration.

[0146] Optionally, the first subfield may be an uplink length subfield reserved in the common information field of a Modified MU-RTS frame (or a single-user trigger frame). That is, the UL length subfield in the Modified MU-RTS frame is used to indicate the duration allocated to the target station (here, the second device in this application).

[0147] It can be seen that because the UL length subfield is used to indicate the frame length (the frame length here is the time length) of the triggered trigger-based PPDU (Trigger Based PPDU, TB PPDU) in other types of trigger frames (referring to trigger frames in which the value of the trigger type subfield is not 3), but the UL length subfield in the original MU-RTS frame is not used or does not exist, the embodiment of the present application uses the UL length subfield to indicate the duration allocated to the second device, and the granularity of the duration indicated by the UL length subfield can be reused, and its function is similar to that of the UL length subfield itself.

[0148] Optionally, because MU-RTS allows transmission in preamble puncturing mode, the Modified MU-RTS frame (or single-user triggered frame) in the embodiment of the present application may also be transmitted in preamble puncturing mode. Specifically, the above-mentioned Modified MU-RTS frame (or single-user triggered frame) may further include a third subfield, which is used to indicate the bandwidth mode of the preamble puncturing, or the third subfield is used to indicate the punctured subchannel in the preamble puncturing mode. The third subfield may be a subfield reserved in the common information field of the Modified MU-RTS frame (or single-user triggered frame), and the third subfield is different from the aforementioned first subfield. The length of the third subfield may be 16 bits. It should be understood that bits B4 to B15 and B20 to B62 in the Common Info field of a Modified MU-RTS frame (or single-user trigger frame) are reserved. Therefore, the third subfield and the first subfield can be located at different bits of the Common Information field in the Modified MU-RTS frame (or single-user trigger frame). For example, the first subfield can be located at bits B4 to B15 of the Common Information field, and the third subfield can be located at bits B20 to B35 of the Common Information field.

[0149] In one example, see Figure 13, which is a schematic diagram of the frame format of the common information field in the Modified MU-RTS frame (or single-user trigger frame) provided in an embodiment of the present application. As shown in Figure 13, the receiving address field in the Modified MU-RTS frame is set to the MAC address of the second device and does not include a user information list field. The trigger type subfield in the common information field of the Modified MU-RTS frame is set to 3. The UL length subfield (i.e., the first subfield) in the common information field of the Modified MU-RTS frame is used to indicate the time period allocated to the target station (i.e., the second device in this application), and the start time of the time period is the end time of the Modified MU-RTS frame. B20-B35 (i.e., the third subfield) in the common information field of the Modified MU-RTS frame is used to indicate the bandwidth of the preamble code puncturing pattern. B36-B63 in the common information field of the Modified MU-RTS frame are still reserved.

[0150] Optionally, the above-mentioned Modified MU-RTS frame can not only be used to allocate time resources to the second device, but also has the basic function of the MU-RTS frame, that is, the function of requesting a CTS frame. In other words, the Modified MU-RTS frame has two functions, one is to allocate time resources to the second device for single-user transmission, and the other is to request a CTS frame from the second device. However, whether the second device needs to feedback a CTS frame during this interaction can be indicated by the first device in the Modified MU-RTS frame. In other words, if the first device requires the second device to send a CTS frame, the second device should send a CTS frame. If the first device does not require the second device to send CTS, the second device can send a CTS frame (it can choose to still send the CTS frame or skip sending the CTS frame).

[0151] S103: The second device receives the MAC frame.

[0152] S104: The second device parses the MAC frame and obtains that the trigger type subfield in the MAC frame is set to 3 and the MAC frame does not include a user information field.

[0153] S105 : The second device determines that the MAC frame is a single-user triggered frame based on that the trigger type subfield in the MAC frame is set to 3 and that the MAC frame does not include a user information field. The single-user triggered frame is used to allocate time resources to the second device.

[0154] Optionally, after receiving the MAC frame, the second device parses the MAC frame and obtains that the trigger type subfield in the MAC frame is set to 3 and the MAC frame does not include a user information field. The second device determines that the MAC frame is a single-user triggered frame (or Modified MU-RTS frame) based on the fact that the trigger type subfield in the MAC frame is set to 3 and the MAC frame does not include a user information field. The single-user triggered frame is used to allocate time resources to the second device. That is, when the second device receives a MU-RTS frame with a trigger type subfield indicating that the frame is a MU-RTS frame, if the frame carries one or more user information fields (whether the user information field is included is determined by the frame length), the frame is determined to be a MU-RTS frame; if the frame does not carry a user information field, the frame is determined to be a single-user triggered frame (or Modified MU-RTS frame).

[0155] In other words, the second device first receives a MAC frame, then determines that the MAC frame is an improved MU-RTS frame, and further determines that the improved MU-RTS frame contains a field indicating the length of the single-user transmission time (although this field is in the MAC frame, the receiving station (i.e., the second device) does not know it before determining the frame type).

[0156] Optionally, because the single-user trigger frame can also be used to trigger a single station (this refers to a station in a broad sense, that is, it can be either an AP or a STA) to respond using the SU PPDU, the second device sends a SU PPDU after determining that the MAC frame is a single-user trigger frame (or a Modified MU-RTS frame). The SU PPDU is not a CTS frame.

[0157] Optionally, after determining that the MAC frame is a single-user triggered frame (or a Modified MU-RTS frame), the second device sends a CTS frame and then sends a SU PPDU, and the SU PPDU is not a CTS frame.

[0158] Optionally, after the second device determines that the MAC frame is a single-user triggered frame (or Modified MU-RTS frame), it may continue to parse the MAC frame to obtain the time resources allocated by the single-user triggered frame (or Modified MU-RTS frame) to the second device. The second device communicates with other stations (herein, stations in a broad sense, i.e., APs or STAs) within the allocated time resources.

[0159] It can be seen that the embodiment of the present application implicitly indicates that the MAC frame is a single-user triggered frame (or Modified MU-RTS frame) rather than a MU-RTS frame by setting the trigger type subfield of the MAC frame to 3 (indicating a MU-RTS frame) and not including the user information field. This can be distinguished from the original MU-RTS frame, so that the receiving end can make a corresponding response based on the different frames received. On the other hand, the embodiment of the present application uses the reserved subfield in the common information field of the MU-RTS frame to indicate the length of time allocated to the target site (i.e., the second device in this application) so that the target site (i.e., the second device in this application) and other sites can communicate within the allocated time resources, thereby supporting communications in Scheduled P2P scenarios and Co-TDMA scenarios.

[0160] Example 2

[0161] Example 2 of the present application mainly introduces the case of using MU-RTS frames to design single-user trigger frames, and displays an indication that the currently sent MAC frame is a single-user trigger frame, thereby distinguishing it from the original MU-RTS frame, and introduces how to indicate the time resources allocated to the target site (i.e., the second device in this application) under the display indication.

[0162] Referring to Figure 14, Figure 14 is another schematic flow chart of the time resource allocation and reception method provided in an embodiment of the present application. As shown in Figure 14, the time resource allocation and reception method includes but is not limited to the following steps:

[0163] S201: A first device generates a media access control (MAC) frame. The MAC frame includes a second subfield, where the second subfield is used to indicate that the MAC frame is a single-user triggered frame. The single-user triggered frame is used to allocate time resources to a second device.

[0164] S202: The first device sends the MAC frame.

[0165] Optionally, the first device generates a MAC frame, which includes a second subfield, and the second subfield is used to indicate that the MAC frame is a single-user triggered frame, and the single-user triggered frame is used to allocate time resources to the second device. The trigger type subfield in the MAC frame is set to 3. It should be understood that when the trigger type subfield is set to 3, it represents a MU-RTS frame. However, the second subfield in the MAC frame indicates that the MAC frame is a single-user triggered frame, not a MU-RTS frame, so the embodiment of the present application refers to the single-user triggered frame as a Modified MU-RTS frame, which can also have other names, such as new MU-RTS frame, SU-RTS frame, SU MU-RTS frame, etc., which is not limited by the embodiment of the present application.

[0166] Optionally, the frame format of the Modified MU-RTS frame may be the same as or different from the frame format of the MU-RTS frame (shown in FIG. 10 ). If the Modified MU-RTS frame includes a user information list field, the frame format of the Modified MU-RTS frame is the same as the frame format of the MU-RTS frame (shown in FIG. 10 ), including a frame control field, a duration field, an RA field, a TA field, a Common Info field, a user information list field, a padding field, and an FCS field, where the user information list field includes one or more user information fields. The Modified MU-RTS frame may also not include a user information list field, that is, it does not include a user information field. It should be understood that if the Modified MU-RTS frame does not include a user information field, the receiving address field of the Modified MU-RTS frame should be set to the MAC address of the second device.

[0167] The specific implementation of the second subfield will be described in detail below.

[0168] (1) The second subfield is the RU Allocation subfield in the user information field of the Modified MU-RTS frame (or single-user trigger frame), which takes the value of the first preset value. The RU Allocation subfield has 8 bits, namely B0-B7, which can represent values ​​0-255. In the 802.11ax standard, when the RU Allocation field indicates the primary 20MHz, primary 40MHz or primary 80MHz channel, B0 is set to 0; when the RU Allocation field indicates 160MHz or 80+80MHz, B0 is set to 1. B7-B1 are used to indicate the location of the specific allocated RU, using values ​​61-64 to indicate the four 20MHz subchannels in the primary 80MHz channel, respectively, using values ​​65 and 66 to indicate the two 40MHz subchannels in the primary 80MHz channel, respectively, using value 67 to indicate the primary 80MHz channel, and using value 68 to indicate the primary 80MHz and secondary 80MHz (that is, 160MHz) channels. Because the RU Allocation subfield value ranges from 0 to 60, it indicates RUs with a bandwidth smaller than 20 MHz (242-tone), so values ​​0-60 are not used in MU-RTS frames. Furthermore, a B7-B1 value greater than 68 is in a reserved state and is not defined in the 802.11ax standard. Because the 802.11be standard extends the bandwidth to 320 MHz and supports more RU combinations, the 802.11be standard may expand the settings for B1-B7 and B0, using undefined parameters. Therefore, the first preset value is a value from 0 to 60 and from 68 to 255 that is not used in the 802.11be standard. In other words, a specific RU allocation value (i.e., the first preset value) is used to indicate that the currently transmitted frame is a Modified MU-RTS frame. This specific RU allocation value is not used to indicate an actual RU in either the 802.11ax or 802.11be standards. For example, B0-B7 of the RU Allocation subfield are all set to 1 (representing a decimal value of 255).

[0169] It should be understood that when the RU Allocation subfield in the User Information field of a Modified MU-RTS frame (or single-user trigger frame) is set to the first preset value, the RU Allocation subfield cannot allocate frequency resources for the station. In other words, the station may not know which frequency resource to use to send back a CTS frame. However, because the Modified MU-RTS frame (or single-user trigger frame) is sent to a single user, if the second device needs to send back a CTS frame, the bandwidth of the CTS frame can be set to the same as the bandwidth of the Modified MU-RTS frame (or single-user trigger frame). The bandwidth of the Modified MU-RTS frame (or single-user trigger frame) can be obtained from the Uplink Bandwidth subfield in the Common Information field. In other words, the RU Allocation subfield in the User Information field of the Modified MU-RTS frame (or single-user trigger frame) is no longer required. Subsequent CTS frames (if required) should be set to the same bandwidth as the Modified MU-RTS frame (or single-user trigger frame). The bandwidth information can be obtained from the UL BW subfield in the Common Information field.

[0170] It can be seen that the embodiment of the present application reuses the RU Allocation subfield without changing the meaning of some values ​​of the RU Allocation subfield, and uses special values ​​to indicate the Modified MU-RTS frame (or single-user triggered frame). Compared with the MU-RTS frame, the change is relatively small and is more conducive to compatibility with the 802.11ax standard.

[0171] (2) The second subfield is the AID 12 subfield in the User Information field of the Modified MU-RTS frame (or Single User Trigger frame), and its value is a second preset value. The second preset value is a reserved value (i.e., an unused value), such as one from 2008 to 2044 or from 2047 to 4094.

[0172] It should be understood that because the original meaning of the AID 12 subfield is to indicate the last 12 bits of the AID of the site, when the AID 12 subfield is set to the second preset value, it cannot be used to identify the site. Therefore, in one implementation, the site can be identified by setting the receiving address field of the Modified MU-RTS frame (or single-user trigger frame) to the MAC address of the second device. In other words, the AID 12 subfield in the user information field of the Modified MU-RTS frame (or single-user trigger frame) is no longer needed because the Modified MU-RTS frame (or single-user trigger frame) is sent to a single user, so the RA address field can be used to carry the MAC address of the target site (i.e., the second device in this application).

[0173] In another implementation, the AID 12 subfield is multiplexed with other subfields in the user information field whose value is the second preset value to indicate the association identifier of the second device. For example, B12-B23 in the user information field whose value is the second preset value is used to indicate the association identifier of the second device. In other words, in this implementation, the RU Allocation subfield is no longer required. Therefore, if the second device needs to feedback a CTS frame, the bandwidth of the CTS frame can be set to the same as the bandwidth of the Modified MU-RTS frame (or single-user trigger frame).

[0174] As can be seen, the embodiment of the present application reuses the AID 12 subfield without changing the meaning of some of the values ​​of the AID 12 subfield, and uses special values ​​to indicate a Modified MU-RTS frame (or single-user triggered frame). This is relatively small compared to the MU-RTS frame and is more conducive to compatibility with the 802.11ax standard. In addition, because the AID 12 subfield is the first subfield in the user information field, it can help the second device more quickly confirm whether the received frame is a Modified MU-RTS frame (or single-user triggered frame), so that the second device can respond accordingly more quickly.

[0175] (3) The second subfield is a reserved subfield in the user information field of the Modified MU-RTS frame (or single-user triggered frame). The value of the second subfield is different from the value of the second subfield in the reserved state. As shown in Figure 11b above, there are multiple reserved subfields and a reserved bit (i.e., B39) in the user information field of the MU-RTS frame, so one of these reserved subfields or reserved bits can be used to indicate that the currently transmitted MAC frame is a Modified MU-RTS frame (or single-user triggered frame). If the second subfield is set to 0 in the reserved state, when the second subfield is set to 0, it is used to indicate that the MAC frame is a MU-RTS frame; when the second subfield is set to 1, it is used to indicate that the MAC frame is a Modified MU-RTS frame (or single-user triggered frame). Vice versa, that is, if the second subfield is set to 1 in the reserved state, when the second subfield is set to 1, it is used to indicate that the MAC frame is a MU-RTS frame; when the second subfield is set to 0, it is used to indicate that the MAC frame is a Modified MU-RTS frame (or a single-user triggered frame).

[0176] It can be seen that the embodiment of the present application indicates the Modified MU-RTS frame (or single-user triggered frame) by using the reserved subfield in the user information field, which has a clear meaning and is not easy to cause confusion.

[0177] (4) The second subfield is a reserved subfield in the common information field of the Modified MU-RTS frame (or single-user triggered frame). The value of the second subfield is different from the value of the second subfield in the reserved state. As shown in Figure 11a above, there are multiple reserved subfields and a reserved bit (i.e., B63) in the common information field of the MU-RTS frame, so one of these reserved subfields or reserved bits can be used to indicate that the currently transmitted MAC frame is a Modified MU-RTS frame (or single-user triggered frame). If the second subfield is set to 0 in the reserved state, when the second subfield is set to 0, it is used to indicate that the MAC frame is a MU-RTS frame; when the second subfield is set to 1, it is used to indicate that the MAC frame is a Modified MU-RTS frame (or single-user triggered frame). Vice versa, that is, if the second subfield is set to 1 in the reserved state, when the second subfield is set to 1, it is used to indicate that the MAC frame is a MU-RTS frame; when the second subfield is set to 0, it is used to indicate that the MAC frame is a Modified MU-RTS frame (or a single-user triggered frame).

[0178] As can be seen, the embodiments of the present application use a reserved subfield in the common information field to indicate a Modified MU-RTS frame (or a single-user triggered frame), making its meaning clear and unambiguous, and less likely to cause confusion. Furthermore, because the common information field is located after the transmit address field, it can help the second device more quickly confirm whether the received frame is a Modified MU-RTS frame (or a single-user triggered frame), allowing the second device to respond more quickly.

[0179] Optional, because the above-mentioned MAC frame indicates through the second subfield that the MAC frame is a single-user triggered frame, and the single-user triggered frame is used to allocate time resources to the second device. Therefore, the Modified MU-RTS frame (or single-user triggered frame) needs to carry a time length indication field to indicate the time length allocated by the AP (i.e., the first device in this application) to the target site (i.e., the second device in this application). It should be understood that the MU-RTS frame includes two fields related to time length, one is the Duration field, and the other is the UL Length subfield. The Duration field is used to indicate the remaining duration information of the current TXOP. The UL Length subfield in other types of triggered frames (those in which the Trigger Type subfield does not set to 3) indicates the length of the triggered Trigger-Based PPDU (TB PPDU). Although MU-RTS frames are also triggered frames, they do not trigger TB PPDUs. Instead, they trigger CTS frames in non-high throughput (non-HT) or non-HT duplicated formats. The CTS frame has a fixed transmission duration, so the UL Length subfield in MU-RTS frames is reserved and not used.

[0180] Optionally, the duration field in the Modified MU-RTS frame (or single-user trigger frame) can be used to indicate the length of time allocated to the second device. Since the original meaning of the duration field is to indicate the remaining duration of the current TXOP, reusing the duration field to indicate the length of time allocated to the second device is equivalent to allocating the entire remaining TXOP time to the second device.

[0181] Optionally, the MAC frame may also include a first subfield, which indicates the duration allocated to the second device, or in other words, the duration allocated for single-user transmission. It should be understood that the first subfield is distinct from the duration field, and is also distinct from the aforementioned second subfield. The duration allocated to the second device, as indicated by the first subfield, is a period within the remaining TXOP duration. Two implementations of the first subfield are described in detail below.

[0182] In the first implementation, as shown in Figure 11a above, the common information field of the MU-RTS frame includes multiple reserved subfields, so the first subfield can be a reserved subfield in the common information field of the Modified MU-RTS frame (or single-user trigger frame). The length of the first subfield can be less than or equal to the length of the duration field. For example, the first subfield is 12 bits long and is located from B20 to B31 of the common information field in the Modified MU-RTS frame; or, the first subfield is 16 bits long and is located from B20 to B35 of the common information field in the Modified MU-RTS frame.

[0183] Optionally, the first subfield may be an uplink length subfield reserved in the common information field of the Modified MU-RTS frame (or single-user trigger frame). That is, the UL length subfield in the Modified MU-RTS frame is used to indicate the duration allocated to the target station (here, the second device in this application).

[0184] In the second implementation, as shown in Figure 11b above, the user information field of the MU-RTS frame includes multiple reserved subfields, so the first subfield can be a reserved subfield in the user information field of the Modified MU-RTS frame (or single-user trigger frame). The length of the first subfield can be less than or equal to the length of the duration field. For example, the length of the first subfield is 12 bits and is located from B20 to B31 of the common information field in the Modified MU-RTS frame; or, the length of the first subfield is 16 bits and is located from B20 to B35 of the common information field in the Modified MU-RTS frame.

[0185] In one example, see Figure 15a, which is a schematic diagram of a frame format for the first and second subfields in the User Information field of a Modified MU-RTS frame provided in an embodiment of the present application. As shown in Figure 15a, the second subfield is the AID 12 subfield in the User Information field of the Modified MU-RTS frame, which is set to a special value (i.e., the second preset value described above); the Receive Address field of the Modified MU-RTS frame is set to the MAC address of the second device; and the first subfield is a reserved subfield in the User Information field of the Modified MU-RTS frame, with a length of 12 bits (B20-B31) or 16 bits (B20-B35).

[0186] In another example, see Figure 15b, which is a schematic diagram of another frame format for the first and second subfields in the User Information field of a Modified MU-RTS frame provided in an embodiment of the present application. As shown in Figure 15b, the second subfield is the AID 12 subfield in the User Information field of the Modified MU-RTS frame, which is set to a special value (i.e., the second preset value described above); B12-B23 in the User Information field of the Modified MU-RTS frame are used to indicate the site association identifier; and the first subfield is a reserved subfield in the User Information field of the Modified MU-RTS frame, with a length of 12 bits (B24-B35) or 16 bits (B24-B39).

[0187] In another example, see Figure 15c, which is another frame format diagram of the first subfield and second subfield in the User Information field of the Modified MU-RTS frame provided in an embodiment of the present application. As shown in Figure 15c, the second subfield is the RU allocation subfield in the User Information field of the Modified MU-RTS frame, which is set to a special value (i.e., the first preset value described above, i.e., a special value not used in RU allocation in 802.11ax and 802.11be); the first subfield is a reserved subfield in the User Information field of the Modified MU-RTS frame, with a length of 12 bits (B20-B31) or 16 bits (B20-B35).

[0188] It should be understood that if both the first subfield and the second subfield are located in the common information field of a Modified MU-RTS frame (or single-user triggered frame), the Modified MU-RTS frame (or single-user triggered frame) may not include a user information list field, and thus, may not include a user information field; the Modified MU-RTS frame (or single-user triggered frame) may also include one or more user information fields. It should also be understood that the Modified MU-RTS frame (or single-user triggered frame) herein does not include a user information field solely for the purpose of shortening the frame length, and has a different meaning from that in the aforementioned first embodiment.

[0189] Optionally, because MU-RTS allows transmission in preamble puncturing mode, the Modified MU-RTS frame (or single-user triggered frame) in the embodiment of the present application may also be transmitted in preamble puncturing mode. Specifically, the above-mentioned Modified MU-RTS frame (or single-user triggered frame) may further include a third subfield, which is used to indicate the bandwidth mode of the preamble puncturing, or the third subfield is used to indicate the subchannel punctured in the preamble puncturing mode. The third subfield may be a subfield reserved in the common information field of the Modified MU-RTS frame (or single-user triggered frame), and the third subfield is different from the aforementioned first subfield and the aforementioned second subfield. The length of the third subfield may be 16 bits.

[0190] It should be understood that B4 to B15 and B20 to B62 in the Common Info field of the Modified MU-RTS frame (or single-user trigger frame) are reserved, so the third subfield, the first subfield, and the second subfield can be located at different bits of the common information field in the Modified MU-RTS frame (or single-user trigger frame). For example, the first subfield is located at B4-B15 of the common information field, the third subfield can be located at B20-B35 of the common information field, and the second subfield is located at B36 of the common information field. For another example, the first subfield is the UL length subfield in the common information field, the third subfield is located at B20-B35 of the common information field, and the second subfield is located at B36 of the common information field. It should also be understood that the various implementation methods of the second subfield and the first subfield can be arbitrarily combined and are not listed here one by one.

[0191] Optionally, the above-mentioned Modified MU-RTS frame can not only be used to allocate time resources to the second device, but also has the basic function of the MU-RTS frame, that is, the function of requesting a CTS frame. In other words, the Modified MU-RTS frame has two functions, one is to allocate time resources to the second device for single-user transmission, and the other is to request a CTS frame from the second device. However, whether the second device needs to feedback a CTS frame during this interaction can be indicated by the first device in the Modified MU-RTS frame. In other words, if the first device requires the second device to send a CTS frame, the second device should send a CTS frame. If the first device does not require the second device to send CTS, the second device can send a CTS frame (it can choose to still send the CTS frame or skip sending the CTS frame).

[0192] S203: The second device receives the MAC frame.

[0193] S204: The second device parses the MAC frame.

[0194] Optionally, after receiving the MAC frame, the second device parses the MAC frame to obtain the second subfield contained in the MAC frame, and determines, based on the indication of the second subfield, that the MAC frame is a single-user triggered frame (or Modified MU-RTS frame), and the single-user triggered frame is used to allocate time resources to the second device.

[0195] Optionally, because the single-user trigger frame can also be used to trigger a single station (this refers to a station in a broad sense, that is, it can be either an AP or a STA) to respond using the SU PPDU, the second device sends a SU PPDU after determining that the MAC frame is a single-user trigger frame (or a Modified MU-RTS frame). The SU PPDU is not a CTS frame.

[0196] Optionally, after determining that the MAC frame is a single-user triggered frame (or a Modified MU-RTS frame), the second device sends a CTS frame and then sends a SU PPDU, and the SU PPDU is not a CTS frame.

[0197] Optionally, after determining that the MAC frame is a single-user triggered frame (or a Modified MU-RTS frame), the second device continues parsing to obtain the time resources allocated by the single-user triggered frame for the second device. The second device communicates with other stations (hereinafter referred to as stations in a broad sense, i.e., APs or STAs) within the allocated time resources.

[0198] It can be seen that the embodiment of the present application includes a field (i.e., the second subfield) in the MAC frame to indicate that the MAC frame is a single-user triggered frame, which can be distinguished from the MU-RTS frame, so that the receiving end can make corresponding responses based on the different frames received. On the other hand, the embodiment of the present application uses the reserved subfield in the common information field or user information field of the MU-RTS frame to design the first subfield to indicate the length of time allocated to the target site (i.e., the second device in the present application) so that the target site (i.e., the second device in the present application) and other sites can communicate within the allocated time resources, thereby supporting communications in Scheduled P2P scenarios and Co-TDMA scenarios.

[0199] As an optional embodiment, the time resource allocation and reception method provided in the present application can also be applied to a multi-link scenario. The difference between the method and the aforementioned embodiment 1 and embodiment 2 is that the first subfield is used to indicate the length of the response frame (such as a BA frame). It should be understood that the length of the response frame indicated by the first subfield is determined by the first device. It should also be understood that in a multi-link scenario, the first device may be an AP in an AP MLD, and the second device is an STA associated with the AP (i.e., the first device) in a non-AP MLD. Optionally, to facilitate distinguishing the role of the first subfield in a single-user trigger frame in different scenarios, an indication information can be carried in the single-user trigger frame to indicate the role of the first subfield in the single-user trigger frame in different scenarios. In the Scheduled P2P scenario and the Co-TDMA scenario, the first subfield is used to indicate the length of the time allocated to the second device; in the multi-link scenario, the first subfield is used to indicate the length of the response frame.

[0200] It should be understood that in different scenarios, the frame format design of the single-user trigger frame and the frame format design of the first subfield and the second subfield do not change. That is, when the time resource allocation and reception method provided in the embodiment of the present application is applied to a multi-link scenario, the frame format design of the single-user trigger frame (such as the "Tr" carried in the downlink data or aggregated with the data frame in the aforementioned Figure 4) and the design of the first subfield and the second subfield can refer to the corresponding descriptions in the aforementioned embodiment one and the aforementioned embodiment two, and will not be repeated here. In other words, the MU-RTS frame can still be used in the multi-link scenario to design the single-user trigger frame, and implicitly or explicitly indicate that the currently sent MAC frame is a single-user trigger frame (or Modified MU-RTS frame), and also indicate the length of the response frame (such as a BA frame). Among them, the single-user trigger frame (or Modified MU-RTS frame) in the multi-link scenario can be carried in the downlink data or aggregated with the data frame.

[0201] It can be seen that the embodiment of the present application uses the MU-RTS frame to design a single-user trigger frame for use in a multi-link scenario, which can not only indicate the frame length of the response frame and reduce unnecessary system overhead (because many fields in the MU-RTS frame are reserved), but also trigger a single site to respond using the SU PPDU, thereby better protecting the channel and reducing overhead.

[0202] The above content elaborates on the method provided by the present application. In order to facilitate the implementation of the above scheme of the embodiment of the present application, the embodiment of the present application also provides corresponding devices or equipment.

[0203] The embodiment of the present application can divide the functional modules of the first device and the second device according to the above-mentioned method example. For example, each functional module can be divided corresponding to each function, or two or more functions can be integrated into one processing module. The above-mentioned integrated module can be implemented in the form of hardware or in the form of software functional modules. It should be noted that the division of modules in the embodiment of the present application is schematic and is only a logical function division. There may be other division methods in actual implementation. The time resource allocation device and the time resource receiving device of the embodiment of the present application will be described in detail below with reference to Figures 16 to 18. The time resource allocation device is the first device or a device therein; the time resource receiving device is the second device or a device therein.

[0204] In the case of an integrated unit, see Figure 16, which is a schematic diagram of the structure of a time resource allocation device 1 provided in an embodiment of the present application. The time resource allocation device can be a first device or a chip in the first device, such as a Wi-Fi chip. As shown in Figure 16, the time resource allocation device includes a processing unit 11 and a transceiver unit 12.

[0205] In one design, a processing unit 11 is configured to generate a media access control (MAC) frame, wherein a trigger type subfield in the MAC frame is set to 3, the MAC frame does not include a user information field, and the receiving address field in the MAC frame is set to the MAC address of the second device; and a transceiver unit 12 is configured to transmit the MAC frame. The setting of the trigger type subfield in the MAC frame to 3 and the absence of the user information field indicate that the MAC frame is a single-user triggered frame, which is used to allocate time resources to the second device. It is understood that the setting of the trigger type subfield in the MAC frame to 3 indicates a MU-RTS frame.

[0206] Optionally, the MAC frame includes a first subfield, and the first subfield is used to indicate the length of time allocated by the second device.

[0207] Optionally, the first subfield is a subfield reserved in the common information field of the MAC frame. Optionally, the first subfield is specifically an uplink length subfield reserved in the common information field of the MAC frame.

[0208] Optionally, the length of the first subfield is 12 bits or 16 bits.

[0209] It should be understood that in this design, the time resource allocation device can execute the aforementioned embodiment one, and the above-mentioned operations or functions of each unit in the time resource allocation device are respectively for realizing the corresponding operations of the first device in the aforementioned embodiment one. Its technical effects refer to the technical effects in the aforementioned embodiment one. For the sake of brevity, they will not be repeated here.

[0210] In another design, processing unit 11 is configured to generate a media access control (MAC) frame, the MAC frame including a second subfield, the second subfield being configured to indicate that the MAC frame is a single-user triggered frame, the single-user triggered frame being configured to allocate time resources to the second device; and transceiver unit 12 is configured to transmit the MAC frame. The trigger type subfield in the MAC frame is set to 3.

[0211] Optionally, the second subfield is an RU allocation subfield in the user information field of the MAC frame, and its value is a first preset value. The first preset value is a value between 0 and 60 and 68 and 255 that is not used in the 802.11be standard.

[0212] Optionally, the second subfield is an AID 12 subfield in the user information field of the MAC frame, having a value set to a second preset value. The second preset value is one of 2008 to 2044 and 2047 to 4094. The receiving address field in the MAC frame is set to the MAC address of the second device; or, the reserved subfield in the user information field of the MAC frame is used to indicate the association identifier of the second device.

[0213] Optionally, the second subfield is a reserved subfield in the common information field of the MAC frame, and the value of the second subfield is different from the value of the second subfield in the reserved state.

[0214] Optionally, the second subfield is a reserved subfield in the user information field of the MAC frame, and the value of the second subfield is different from the value of the second subfield in the reserved state.

[0215] Optionally, the MAC frame further includes a first subfield, where the first subfield is used to indicate the length of time allocated to the second device.

[0216] Optionally, the first subfield is a subfield reserved in the common information field of the MAC frame. The first subfield is different from the second subfield. Optionally, the first subfield is specifically a reserved uplink length subfield in the common information field of the MAC frame.

[0217] Optionally, the first subfield is a reserved subfield in the user information field of the MAC frame. The first subfield is different from the second subfield.

[0218] Optionally, the length of the first subfield is 12 bits or 16 bits.

[0219] It should be understood that in this design, the time resource allocation device can execute the aforementioned embodiment 2, and the above-mentioned operations or functions of each unit in the time resource allocation device are respectively for realizing the corresponding operations of the first device in the aforementioned embodiment 2. Its technical effects refer to the technical effects in the aforementioned embodiment 2. For the sake of brevity, they will not be repeated here.

[0220] Referring to Figure 17 , Figure 17 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a time resource receiving device provided in an embodiment of the present application. The time resource receiving device can be a second device or a chip in the second device, such as a Wi-Fi chip. As shown in Figure 17 , the time resource receiving device includes a transceiver unit 21, a parsing unit 22, and optionally a determination unit 23.

[0221] In one design, a transceiver unit 21 is configured to receive a media access control MAC frame in which a receiving address field is set to the MAC address of the second device; a parsing unit 22 is configured to parse the MAC frame to determine that a trigger type subfield in the MAC frame is set to 3 and that the MAC frame does not include a user information field; and a determination unit 23 is configured to determine, based on the trigger type subfield in the MAC frame being set to 3 and the MAC frame not including a user information field, that the MAC frame is a single-user triggered frame, the single-user triggered frame being used to allocate time resources to the second device. It is understandable that the trigger type subfield in the MAC frame being set to 3 indicates a MU-RTS frame.

[0222] Optionally, the MAC frame includes a first subfield, and the first subfield is used to indicate the length of time allocated by the second device.

[0223] Optionally, the first subfield is a subfield reserved in the common information field of the MAC frame. Optionally, the first subfield is specifically an uplink length subfield reserved in the common information field of the MAC frame.

[0224] Optionally, the length of the first subfield is 12 bits or 16 bits.

[0225] The analyzing unit 22 and the determining unit 23 may be integrated into one unit, such as a processing unit.

[0226] It should be understood that in this design, the time resource receiving device can execute the aforementioned embodiment one, and the above-mentioned operations or functions of each unit in the time resource receiving device are respectively for realizing the corresponding operations of the second device in the aforementioned embodiment one. Its technical effects refer to the technical effects in the aforementioned embodiment one. For the sake of brevity, they will not be repeated here.

[0227] In another design, the transceiver unit 21 is used to receive a MAC frame, which includes a second subfield, and the second subfield is used to indicate that the MAC frame is a single-user triggered frame, and the single-user triggered frame is used to allocate time resources to the second device; the parsing unit 22 is used to parse the MAC frame.

[0228] Optionally, the second subfield is an RU allocation subfield in the user information field of the MAC frame, and its value is a first preset value. The first preset value is a value between 0 and 60 and 68 and 255 that is not used in the 802.11be standard.

[0229] Optionally, the second subfield is an AID 12 subfield in the user information field of the MAC frame, having a value set to a second preset value. The second preset value is one of 2008 to 2044 and 2047 to 4094. The receiving address field in the MAC frame is set to the MAC address of the second device; or, the reserved subfield in the user information field of the MAC frame is used to indicate the association identifier of the second device.

[0230] Optionally, the second subfield is a reserved subfield in the common information field of the MAC frame, and the value of the second subfield is different from the value of the second subfield in the reserved state.

[0231] Optionally, the second subfield is a reserved subfield in the user information field of the MAC frame, and the value of the second subfield is different from the value of the second subfield in the reserved state.

[0232] Optionally, the MAC frame further includes a first subfield, where the first subfield is used to indicate the length of time allocated to the second device.

[0233] Optionally, the first subfield is a subfield reserved in the common information field of the MAC frame. The first subfield is different from the second subfield. Optionally, the first subfield is specifically a reserved uplink length subfield in the common information field of the MAC frame.

[0234] Optionally, the first subfield is a reserved subfield in the user information field of the MAC frame. The first subfield is different from the second subfield.

[0235] Optionally, the length of the first subfield is 12 bits or 16 bits.

[0236] The above-mentioned parsing unit 22 may also be referred to as a processing unit.

[0237] It should be understood that in this design, the time resource receiving device can execute the aforementioned embodiment 2, and the above-mentioned operations or functions of each unit in the time resource receiving device are respectively for realizing the corresponding operations of the second device in the aforementioned embodiment 2. Its technical effects refer to the technical effects in the aforementioned embodiment 2. For the sake of brevity, they will not be repeated here.

[0238] The first device and the second device of the embodiment of the present application are described above. The following describes possible product forms of the first device and the second device. It should be understood that any product having the functions of the first device described in FIG16 above, and any product having the functions of the second device described in FIG17 above, falls within the scope of protection of the embodiment of the present application. It should also be understood that the following description is for illustrative purposes only and does not limit the product forms of the first device and the second device of the embodiment of the present application to these examples.

[0239] As a possible product form, the first device and the second device described in the embodiment of the present application can be implemented by a general bus architecture.

[0240] For ease of explanation, refer to Figure 18, which is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device 1000 provided in an embodiment of the present application. The communication device 1000 can be a first device or a second device, or a chip therein. Figure 18 only shows the main components of the communication device 1000. In addition to the processor 1001 and the transceiver 1002, the communication device may further include a memory 1003 and an input / output device (not shown).

[0241] Processor 1001 is primarily used to process communication protocols and communication data, control the entire communication device, execute software programs, and process software program data. Memory 1003 is primarily used to store software programs and data. Transceiver 1002 may include control circuitry and an antenna. The control circuitry is primarily used to convert baseband signals into radio frequency signals and process radio frequency signals. The antenna is primarily used to transmit and receive radio frequency signals in the form of electromagnetic waves. Input / output devices, such as a touch screen, display, and keyboard, are primarily used to receive user input and output data to the user.

[0242] When the communication device is powered on, the processor 1001 can read the software program in the memory 1003, interpret and execute the instructions of the software program, and process the data of the software program. When data needs to be sent wirelessly, the processor 1001 performs baseband processing on the data to be sent and outputs the baseband signal to the radio frequency circuit. The radio frequency circuit performs radio frequency processing on the baseband signal and then transmits the radio frequency signal to the outside in the form of electromagnetic waves through the antenna. When data is sent to the communication device, the radio frequency circuit receives the radio frequency signal through the antenna, converts the radio frequency signal into a baseband signal, and outputs the baseband signal to the processor 1001. The processor 1001 converts the baseband signal into data and processes the data.

[0243] In another implementation, the RF circuit and antenna may be provided independently of the processor performing baseband processing. For example, in a distributed scenario, the RF circuit and antenna may be remotely arranged independent of the communication device.

[0244] The processor 1001 , the transceiver 1002 , and the memory 1004 may be connected via a communication bus.

[0245] In one design, the communication device 1000 can be used to perform the functions of the first device in the aforementioned embodiment one: the processor 1001 can be used to execute step S101 in Figure 9, and / or for executing other processes of the technology described in this document; the transceiver 1002 can be used to execute step S102 in Figure 9, and / or for other processes of the technology described in this document.

[0246] In another design, the communication device 1000 can be used to perform the functions of the second device in the aforementioned embodiment one: the processor 1001 can be used to execute steps S104 and S105 in Figure 9, and / or other processes for executing the technology described in this document; the transceiver 1002 can be used to execute step S103 in Figure 9, and / or other processes for the technology described in this document.

[0247] In one design, the communication device 1000 can be used to perform the functions of the first device in the aforementioned embodiment 2: the processor 1001 can be used to execute step S201 in Figure 14, and / or other processes for executing the technology described in this document; the transceiver 1002 can be used to execute step S202 in Figure 14, and / or other processes for the technology described in this document.

[0248] In another design, the communication device 1000 can be used to perform the functions of the second device in the aforementioned embodiment 2: the processor 1001 can be used to execute step S204 in Figure 14, and / or for executing other processes of the technology described in this document; the transceiver 1002 can be used to execute step S203 in Figure 14, and / or for other processes of the technology described in this document.

[0249] In any of the above designs, processor 1001 may include a transceiver for implementing receiving and transmitting functions. For example, the transceiver may be a transceiver circuit, an interface, or an interface circuit. The transceiver circuit, interface, or interface circuit for implementing the receiving and transmitting functions may be separate or integrated. The transceiver circuit, interface, or interface circuit may be used for reading and writing code / data, or the transceiver circuit, interface, or interface circuit may be used for transmitting or delivering signals.

[0250] In any of the above designs, processor 1001 may store instructions, which may be computer programs. The computer programs, when executed on processor 1001, may cause communication device 1000 to perform the method described in any of the above method embodiments. The computer programs may be embedded in processor 1000, in which case processor 1001 may be implemented by hardware.

[0251] In one implementation, the communication device 1000 may include a circuit that can implement the functions of sending, receiving, or communicating in the aforementioned method embodiments. The processor and transceiver described in this application can be implemented on an integrated circuit (IC), an analog IC, a radio frequency integrated circuit (RFIC), a mixed signal IC, an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a printed circuit board (PCB), an electronic device, etc. The processor and transceiver can also be manufactured using various IC process technologies, such as complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS), N-type metal oxide semiconductor (nMetal-oxide-semiconductor, NMOS), P-type metal oxide semiconductor (positive channel metal oxide semiconductor, PMOS), bipolar junction transistor (bipolar junction transistor, BJT), bipolar CMOS (BiCMOS), silicon germanium (SiGe), gallium arsenide (GaAs), etc.

[0252] The scope of the communication device described in this application is not limited thereto, and the structure of the communication device may not be limited to FIG. 18 . The communication device may be an independent device or may be part of a larger device. For example, the communication device may be:

[0253] (1) An independent integrated circuit (IC), or chip, or chip system or subsystem;

[0254] (2) a collection of one or more ICs, optionally including a storage component for storing data and computer programs;

[0255] (3) ASIC, such as modem;

[0256] (4) Modules that can be embedded in other devices;

[0257] (5) Receivers, terminals, smart terminals, cellular phones, wireless devices, handheld devices, mobile units, vehicle-mounted devices, network devices, cloud devices, artificial intelligence devices, etc.;

[0258] (6)Others, etc.

[0259] As a possible product form, the first device and the second device described in the embodiments of the present application can be implemented by a general-purpose processor.

[0260] The general-purpose processor implementing the first device includes a processing circuit and an input / output interface internally connected to and communicating with the processing circuit.

[0261] In one design, the general-purpose processor can be used to perform the functions of the first device in the aforementioned embodiment 1. Specifically, the processing circuit is used to perform step S101 in Figure 9 and / or other processes of the technology described herein; the input and output interface is used to perform step S102 in Figure 9 and / or other processes of the technology described herein.

[0262] In another design, the general-purpose processor can be used to perform the functions of the first device in the aforementioned second embodiment. Specifically, the processing circuit is used to perform step S201 in Figure 14 and / or other processes of the technology described herein; the input and output interface is used to perform step S202 in Figure 14 and / or other processes of the technology described herein.

[0263] The general-purpose processor implementing the second device includes a processing circuit and an input / output interface internally connected to and communicating with the processing circuit.

[0264] In one design, the general-purpose processor can be used to perform the functions of the second device in the aforementioned embodiment 1. Specifically, the processing circuit is used to perform steps S104 and S105 in FIG. 9 , and / or to perform other processes of the technology described herein; the input / output interface is used to perform step S103 in FIG. 9 , and / or to perform other processes of the technology described herein.

[0265] In another design, the general-purpose processor can be used to perform the functions of the second device in the aforementioned embodiment 2. Specifically, the processing circuit is used to perform step S204 in Figure 14 and / or other processes of the technology described herein; the input and output interface is used to perform step S203 in Figure 14 and / or other processes of the technology described herein.

[0266] It should be understood that the communication devices in the various product forms described above have any functions of the first device or the second device in the above method embodiments, which will not be described in detail here.

[0267] An embodiment of the present application further provides a computer-readable storage medium, in which a computer program code is stored. When the processor executes the computer program code, the electronic device executes the method in any of the aforementioned embodiments.

[0268] An embodiment of the present application further provides a computer program product, which, when executed on a computer, enables the computer to execute the method in any of the aforementioned embodiments.

[0269] An embodiment of the present application also provides a communication device, which can exist in the form of a chip product. The structure of the device includes a processor and an interface circuit. The processor is used to communicate with other devices through a receiving circuit, so that the device executes the method in any of the aforementioned embodiments.

[0270] An embodiment of the present application further provides a wireless communication system, including a first device and a second device, wherein the first device and the second device can execute the method in any of the aforementioned embodiments.

[0271] The steps of the method or algorithm described in conjunction with the disclosure of this application can be implemented in hardware or by executing software instructions by a processor. The software instructions can be composed of corresponding software modules, which can be stored in random access memory (RAM), flash memory, erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), registers, hard disks, mobile hard disks, read-only compact disks (CD-ROMs), or any other form of storage medium known in the art. An exemplary storage medium is coupled to the processor so that the processor can read information from the storage medium and write information to the storage medium. Of course, the storage medium can also be an integral part of the processor. The processor and the storage medium can be located in an ASIC. In addition, the ASIC can be located in a core network interface device. Of course, the processor and the storage medium can also exist in the core network interface device as discrete components.

[0272] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that, in one or more of the examples above, the functions described herein can be implemented using hardware, software, firmware, or any combination thereof. When implemented using software, these functions can be stored in a computer-readable medium or transmitted as one or more instructions or codes on a computer-readable medium. Computer-readable media include computer-readable storage media and communication media, wherein communication media include any medium that facilitates the transmission of a computer program from one place to another. The storage medium can be any available medium that can be accessed by a general-purpose or special-purpose computer.

[0273] The specific implementation methods described above further illustrate the purpose, technical solutions and beneficial effects of this application. It should be understood that the above description is only the specific implementation methods of this application and is not intended to limit the scope of protection of this application. Any modifications, equivalent replacements, improvements, etc. made on the basis of the technical solutions of this application should be included in the scope of protection of this application.

Claims

1. A time resource allocation method, characterized in that: include: The first device generates a media access control MAC frame, where the MAC frame includes a second subfield, where the second subfield is used to indicate that the MAC frame is a single-user triggered frame, and the single-user triggered frame is used to allocate time resources to the second device; The first device sends the MAC frame.

2. A time resource receiving method, characterized in that: include: The second device receives a MAC frame, where the MAC frame includes a second subfield, where the second subfield is used to indicate that the MAC frame is a single-user triggered frame, and the single-user triggered frame is used to allocate time resources to the second device; The second device parses the MAC frame.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that The second subfield is a resource unit allocation subfield in the user information field of the MAC frame, and the value of the subfield is a first preset value.

4. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that The second subfield is an association identifier AID 12 subfield in the user information field of the MAC frame, and the value of the second preset value is one of 2008 to 2044 and 2047 to 4094.

5. The method according to claim 4, characterized in that The receiving address field in the MAC frame is set to the MAC address of the second device.

6. The method according to claim 4, characterized in that The subfield reserved in the user information field of the MAC frame is used to indicate the association identifier of the second device.

7. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that The second subfield is a subfield reserved in the common information field of the MAC frame, and a value of the second subfield is different from a value of the second subfield in a reserved state.

8. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that The second subfield is a reserved subfield in the user information field of the MAC frame, and a value of the second subfield is different from a value of the second subfield in a reserved state.

9. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that The MAC frame also includes a first subfield, where the first subfield is used to indicate the length of time allocated to the second device.

10. The method according to claim 9, characterized in that The first subfield is a subfield reserved in the common information field of the MAC frame, and the first subfield is different from the second subfield.

11. The method according to claim 9, characterized in that The first subfield is an uplink length subfield reserved in the common information field of the MAC frame, and the first subfield is different from the second subfield.

12. The method according to claim 9, characterized in that The first subfield is a subfield reserved in the user information field of the MAC frame, and the first subfield is different from the second subfield.

13. The method according to any one of claims 9 to 12, characterized in that: The length of the first subfield is 12 bits or 16 bits.

14. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that The trigger type subfield in the MAC frame is set to 3.

15. A time resource allocation method, characterized in that: include: The first device generates a media access control MAC frame, where the MAC frame is a single-user triggered frame with a trigger type subfield set to 3 and no user information field, and is used to allocate time resources to the second device; and a receiving address field in the MAC frame is set to the MAC address of the second device. The first device sends the MAC frame.

16. A time resource receiving method, characterized in that: include: The second device receives a media access control MAC frame, wherein a receiving address field in the MAC frame is set to the MAC address of the second device; The second device parses the MAC frame and obtains that the trigger type subfield in the MAC frame is set to 3 and the MAC frame does not include a user information field; The second device determines that the MAC frame is a single-user triggered frame based on the trigger type field in the MAC frame being set to 3 and the MAC frame not including a user information field, and the single-user triggered frame is used to allocate time resources to the second device.

17. The method according to claim 15 or 16, characterized in that The MAC frame includes a first subfield, where the first subfield is used to indicate a length of time allocated to the second device.

18. The method according to claim 17, characterized in that The first subfield is a subfield reserved in the common information field of the MAC frame.

19. The method according to claim 17 or 18, characterized in that The first subfield is an uplink length subfield reserved in the common information field of the MAC frame.

20. The method according to any one of claims 17 to 19, characterized in that: The length of the first subfield is 12 bits or 16 bits.

21. A time resource allocation device, characterized in that: include: a processing unit, configured to generate a media access control (MAC) frame, wherein the MAC frame is a single-user triggered frame in which a trigger type subfield is set to 3 and does not include a user information field, the single-user triggered frame being used to allocate time resources to the second device; and a receiving address field in the MAC frame being set to a MAC address of the second device; The transceiver unit is configured to send the MAC frame.

22. A time resource receiving device, characterized in that: include: a transceiver unit, configured to receive a media access control (MAC) frame, wherein a receiving address field in the MAC frame is set to the MAC address of the communication device; a parsing unit, configured to parse the MAC frame to obtain a trigger type subfield in the MAC frame set to 3 and the MAC frame does not include a user information field; A determining unit is configured to determine that the MAC frame is a single-user triggered frame based on the trigger type field in the MAC frame being set to 3 and the MAC frame not including a user information field, and the single-user triggered frame is used to allocate time resources to the time resource receiving device.

23. The device according to claim 21 or 22, characterized in that The MAC frame includes a first subfield, where the first subfield is used to indicate a length of time allocated to the second device.

24. The device according to claim 23, characterized in that The first subfield is a subfield reserved in the common information field of the MAC frame.

25. The device according to claim 23 or 24, characterized in that The first subfield is an uplink length subfield reserved in the common information field of the MAC frame.

26. The device according to any one of claims 23 to 25, characterized in that The length of the first subfield is 12 bits or 16 bits.

27. A time resource allocation device, characterized in that: include: a processing unit, configured to generate a media access control (MAC) frame, the MAC frame including a second subfield, the second subfield being configured to indicate that the MAC frame is a single-user triggered frame, the single-user triggered frame being configured to allocate time resources to the second device; The transceiver unit is configured to send the MAC frame.

28. A time resource receiving device, characterized in that: include: a transceiver unit, configured to receive a MAC frame, wherein the MAC frame includes a second subfield, wherein the second subfield is used to indicate that the MAC frame is a single-user triggered frame, and the single-user triggered frame is used to allocate time resources to the time resource receiving device; A parsing unit is used to parse the MAC frame.

29. The device according to claim 27 or 28, characterized in that The second subfield is a resource unit allocation subfield in the user information field of the MAC frame, and the value of the subfield is a first preset value.

30. The device according to claim 27 or 28, characterized in that The second subfield is an association identifier AID 12 subfield in the user information field of the MAC frame, and the value of the second preset value is one of 2008 to 2044 and 2047 to 4094.

31. The device according to claim 30, characterized in that The receiving address field in the MAC frame is set to the MAC address of the second device.

32. The device according to claim 30, characterized in that The subfield reserved in the user information field of the MAC frame is used to indicate the association identifier of the second device.

33. The device according to claim 27 or 28, characterized in that The second subfield is a subfield reserved in the common information field of the MAC frame, and a value of the second subfield is different from a value of the second subfield in a reserved state.

34. The device according to claim 27 or 28, characterized in that The second subfield is a reserved subfield in the user information field of the MAC frame, and a value of the second subfield is different from a value of the second subfield in a reserved state.

35. The device according to any one of claims 27 to 34, characterized in that The MAC frame also includes a first subfield, where the first subfield is used to indicate the length of time allocated to the second device.

36. The device according to claim 35, characterized in that The first subfield is a subfield reserved in the common information field of the MAC frame, and the first subfield is different from the second subfield.

37. The device according to claim 35, characterized in that The first subfield is an uplink length subfield reserved in the common information field of the MAC frame, and the first subfield is different from the second subfield.

38. The device according to claim 35, characterized in that The first subfield is a subfield reserved in the user information field of the MAC frame, and the first subfield is different from the second subfield.

39. The device according to any one of claims 35 to 38, characterized in that The length of the first subfield is 12 bits or 16 bits.

40. The device according to any one of claims 27 to 39, characterized in that The trigger type subfield in the MAC frame is set to 3.

41. A communication device, characterized in that The communication device comprises a processor and a transceiver, wherein the transceiver is used to send and receive MAC frames, and the processor is used to execute program instructions so that the communication device performs the method according to any one of claims 1 to 20.

42. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that The computer-readable storage medium stores program instructions, and when the program instructions are executed on a computer, the computer is caused to execute the method according to any one of claims 1 to 20.

43. A computer program product comprising program instructions, characterized in that When the program instructions are executed on a computer, the computer is caused to execute the method according to any one of claims 1 to 20.

44. A communication device, characterized in that The method comprises an input / output interface and a processing circuit, wherein the input / output interface is used to send and receive MAC frames, and the processing circuit is used to execute the method according to any one of claims 1 to 20.

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