Communication methods, multi-link devices, computer-readable storage media, and chips.

Abstract

The invention's proposed methods include a data transmission method, a communication device, a computer-readable storage medium, and a chip. This method comprises the following steps: by the first multi-link device, a management frame is created, which includes the receiver address, the transmitter address, and link indicator information, and the link indicator information indicates that the management frame is applied to at least one link corresponding to the link indicator information; and the management frame is sent to the second multi-link device on the link on which the station indicated by the receiver address or the station indicated by the transmitter address is active. In this way, according to the invention's proposed methods, the management frame may include link indicator information, indicating the link to which the management frame is applied, so that the cross-link transmission of the management frame can be performed, and the second multi-link device may apply the management frame to the correct link. This avoids processing errors.The invention also relates to a method of communication, a first multi-link device, and a second multi-link device.

Description

Data transmission method, communication device, computer-readable storage medium, and chip Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to the field of communications, and more particularly, to a data transmission method, a communication device, a computer-readable storage medium, and a chip. Background Art

[0002] A multi-link device (MLD) has multiple radio frequency modules and can operate on multiple different frequency bands or channels.

[0003] For communication between multi-link devices, management frames can be transmitted through the link between a subordinate station of a multi-link device and a subordinate station of another multi-link device. However, the current solution cannot fully utilize the multi-link feature, resulting in low transmission efficiency.

[0004] Summary of the Invention

[0005] The exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure provide a management frame mechanism for cross-link transmission, which can fully utilize resources by taking advantage of multi-link characteristics.

[0006] In the first aspect, a data transmission method is provided. The method includes: a first multi-link device generates a management frame, the management frame includes a receiving end address, a sending end address and link indication information, and the link indication information is used to indicate that the management frame is applied to at least one link corresponding to the link indication information; and the first multi-link device sends the management frame on the link where the station indicated by the receiving end address or the station indicated by the sending end address works. In this way, in an embodiment of the present disclosure, the management frame can include link indication information to indicate the link to which the management frame is to be applied, so that cross-link transmission of the management frame can be achieved, and the device that receives the management frame can apply the management frame to the correct link to avoid processing errors. The device that receives the management frame can be a second multi-link device or a second single-link station.

[0007] In some embodiments of the first aspect, the link indication information includes a first address, and the first address includes address indication information. In one implementation, the address indication information is used to indicate whether the first address is an MLD MAC address of an access point (AP) MLD or an AP MAC address. In another implementation, the address indication information is used to indicate whether the management frame is an MLD-level management frame or a link-level management frame.

[0008] In one implementation, the MAC address of the AP is the MAC address of the AP belonging to the AP MLD.

[0009] In another implementation, the MAC address of the AP is the MAC address of a single-link AP or the MAC address of an AP that does not belong to any AP MLD.

[0010] In this way, in the embodiment of the present disclosure, the address indication information is used to indicate whether the first address is the MLD MAC address of the AP MLD or the MAC address of the subordinate AP in the AP MLD. This solution is applicable even for the situation where the MAC address of the MLD is the same as the MAC address of the subordinate site. This solution is more general and can save signaling overhead.

[0011] In some embodiments of the first aspect, the address indication information is carried in the unicast / multicast I / G bit of the MAC address in the address 3 field of the management frame.

[0012] In this way, the embodiment of the present disclosure can carry the address indication information in the I / G bit of address 3, thereby achieving efficient utilization of resources.

[0013] In some embodiments of the first aspect, the link indication information includes address indication information and a first address, and the address indication information is used to indicate whether the first address is an MLD MAC address of an AP MLD or a MAC address of an AP.

[0014] In another implementation of the first aspect, the first address of the management frame is always set to the MAC address of the AP; wherein the MAC address of the AP is the MAC address of the AP belonging to the AP MLD, or the MAC address of a single-link AP, or the MAC address of an AP not belonging to any AP MLD. In this case, the address indication information is not used to indicate the type of address of the first address; optionally, the address indication information can be used to indicate whether the management frame is an MLD-level management frame or a link-level management frame.

[0015] The AP MAC address is the MAC address of the AP in the AP MLD, or the MAC address of a single-link AP or the MAC address of an AP that does not belong to any AP MLD.

[0016] In some embodiments of the first aspect, the address indication information is carried in the I / G bit of the MAC address in the address 2 field of the management frame.

[0017] In some embodiments of the first aspect, the address indication information is a first value, and the first address is an MLD MAC address of the AP MLD.

[0018] In some embodiments of the first aspect, the link indication information further includes link identification information, where the link identification information is used to indicate that the management frame is applied to one or more links.

[0019] In some embodiments of the first aspect, the link indication information further includes link identification information, and the link identification information is carried in the first element of the management frame, and the link identification information is used to indicate that the first element is applied to one or more links.

[0020] In this way, the embodiments of the present disclosure can indicate all or part of the links to be applied through link identification information, thereby expanding the scope of application and ensuring communication performance.

[0021] In some embodiments of the first aspect, the second element of the management frame does not carry link identification information, and is used to indicate that the second element is applied to all links associated between the first multi-link device and the second multi-link device.

[0022] Thus, in the embodiment of the present disclosure, the management frame is applied to all links in a manner that does not carry link identification information, thereby saving signaling overhead and improving communication efficiency.

[0023] In some embodiments of the first aspect, the link identification information includes at least one of the following: one or more link identifications, or a link identification bitmap.

[0024] In some embodiments of the first aspect, the address indication information is a second value, the first address is a MAC address of a subordinate AP in an AP MLD, and the management frame is applied to a link on which the subordinate AP operates.

[0025] In some embodiments of the first aspect, the address indication information is a second value, the first address is a MAC address of a single-link AP or a MAC address of an AP that does not belong to any AP MLD, and the management frame is applied to the link on which the AP works.

[0026] In this way, the management frame of the embodiment of the present disclosure can be transmitted across links, which can fully utilize the multi-link characteristics, achieve effective utilization of resources, improve resource utilization, and further enhance communication efficiency.

[0027] In some embodiments of the first aspect, generating the management frame includes: constructing additional authentication data AAD, the AAD including the receiving end address, the sending end address, and a second address; generating a message integrity check MIC based on the AAD; and generating the management frame based on the MIC.

[0028] In some embodiments of the first aspect, the second address is the same as the first address.

[0029] In some embodiments of the first aspect, the first address includes the address indication information, and the second address is obtained by setting the address indication information in the first address to 0.

[0030] In some embodiments of the first aspect, the receiving end address is carried in the address 1 field of the management frame, and the sending end address is carried in the address 2 field of the management frame.

[0031] In a second aspect, a data transmission method is provided. The method includes: a second multi-link device receiving, on a link on which a station in the second multi-link device operates, a management frame from a first multi-link device, the management frame including the receiving end address, the sending end address, and link indication information, the receiving end address being the address of the station in the second multi-link device, and the link indication information indicating that the management frame is applied to at least one link corresponding to the link indication information; and the second multi-link device applying the management frame to the corresponding at least one link based on the link indication information.

[0032] In some embodiments of the second aspect, the link indication information includes a first address, and the first address includes address indication information. In one implementation, the address indication information is used to indicate whether the first address is an MLD MAC address of an access point (AP) MLD or an AP's MAC address. The AP's MAC address may be the MAC address of a subordinate AP in the AP MLD. Alternatively, in another implementation, the address indication information is used to indicate whether the management frame is an MLD-level management frame or a link-level management frame.

[0033] In some embodiments of the second aspect, wherein the address indication information is carried in the unicast / multicast I / G bit of the MAC address in the Address 3 field of the management frame, the second multi-link device further includes setting the I / G bit in the Address 3 field of the management frame to 0 to obtain the first address in the Address 3 field of the management frame.

[0034] In some embodiments of the second aspect, the link indication information includes address indication information and a first address, the address indication information being used to indicate whether the first address is an MLD MAC address of an AP MLD or an AP MAC address. The AP MAC address may be a MAC address of a subordinate AP in the AP MLD.

[0035] In another implementation of the second aspect, the first address of the management frame is always set to the MAC address of the AP; wherein the MAC address of the AP is the MAC address of the AP belonging to the AP MLD, or the MAC address of a single-link AP, or the MAC address of an AP not belonging to any AP MLD. In this case, the address indication information is not used to indicate the type of address. Optionally, the address indication information can be used to indicate whether the management frame is an MLD-level management frame or a link-level management frame. In other words, the address indication information can be used to indicate whether the management frame includes link indication information.

[0036] The AP MAC address is the MAC address of the AP in the AP MLD, or the MAC address of a single-link AP or the MAC address of an AP that does not belong to any AP MLD.

[0037] In some embodiments of the second aspect, the address indication information is carried in the I / G bit of the MAC address in the address 2 field of the management frame, and further includes: setting the I / G bit in the address 2 field of the management frame to 0 to obtain the sender address in the address 2 field of the management frame.

[0038] In some embodiments of the second aspect, the address indication information is a first value, the first address is not all 1s, and the first address is an MLD MAC address of the AP MLD.

[0039] In some embodiments of the second aspect, applying the management frame to the corresponding at least one link includes: if the link indication information does not include link identification information, applying the management frame to all links associated between the first multi-link device and the second multi-link device; and if the link indication information includes link identification information, applying the management frame to one or more links indicated by the link identification information.

[0040] In some embodiments of the second aspect, applying the management frame to at least one corresponding link includes: the link indication information also includes link identification information, and the link identification information is carried in the first element of the management frame, and then applying the first element to one or more links indicated by the link identification information.

[0041] In some embodiments of the second aspect, applying the management frame to the corresponding at least one link includes: if the second element of the management frame does not carry link identification information, applying the second element to all links associated between the first multi-link device and the second multi-link device.

[0042] In some embodiments of the second aspect, the link identification information includes at least one of the following: one or more link identifications, or a link identification bitmap.

[0043] In some embodiments of the second aspect, the address indication information is a second value, the first address is not all 1s and the first address is the MAC address of the AP, and the MAC address of the AP can be the MAC address of a subordinate AP in the AP MLD; and applying the management frame to the corresponding at least one link includes: applying the management frame to the link where the AP works, specifically, it can be a link where the AP works in the AP MLD.

[0044] In some embodiments of the second aspect, the management frame further includes a first message integrity check MIC, and the method further includes: constructing additional authentication data AAD, the AAD including the receiving end address, the sending end address, and the second address; generating a second MIC based on the AAD; and performing security verification on the management frame based on the first MIC and the second MIC.

[0045] In some embodiments of the second aspect, the second address is the same as the first address.

[0046] In some embodiments of the second aspect, the first address includes the address indication information, and the second address is obtained by setting the address indication information in the first address to 0.

[0047] In some embodiments of the second aspect, wherein the management frame further includes a first address, all bits of the first address are 1, the method further includes: the second multi-link device determining that the first address is a wildcarded basic service set identifier BSSID.

[0048] In some embodiments of the second aspect, the receiving end address is carried in the address 1 field of the management frame, and the sending end address is carried in the address 2 field of the management frame.

[0049] In a third aspect, a communication device is provided. The device method includes: a generating unit configured to generate a management frame, the management frame including a receiving end address, a sending end address, and link indication information, the link indication information being used to indicate that the management frame is applied to at least one link corresponding to the link indication information; and a sending unit configured to send the management frame on a link where a station indicated by the receiving end address or a station indicated by the sending end address operates.

[0050] In some embodiments of the third aspect, the link indication information includes a first address, the first address includes address indication information, the address indication information is used to indicate whether the first address is an MLD MAC address of an access point (AP) MLD or an AP MAC address, or the address indication information is used to indicate whether the management frame is an MLD-level management frame or a link-level management frame.

[0051] The AP MAC address is the MAC address of the AP in the AP MLD, or the MAC address of a single-link AP or the MAC address of an AP that does not belong to any AP MLD.

[0052] In some embodiments of the third aspect, the address indication information is carried in the unicast / multicast I / G bit of the MAC address in the address 3 field of the management frame.

[0053] In some embodiments of the third aspect, the link indication information includes address indication information and a first address. In one implementation, the address indication information indicates whether the first address is an MLD MAC address of an AP MLD or an AP MAC address. The AP MAC address is a MAC address of an AP in the AP MLD, or a MAC address of a single-link AP, or a MAC address of an AP that is not affiliated with any AP MLD.

[0054] In another implementation, the first address of a management frame is always set to the MAC address of the AP; the MAC address of the AP is the MAC address of the AP in the AP MLD, or the MAC address of a single-link AP, or the MAC address of an AP that is not affiliated with any AP MLD. In this case, the address indication information is not used to indicate the type of address. Optionally, the address indication information can be used to indicate whether the management frame is an MLD-level management frame or a link-level management frame. In other words, the address indication information can be used to indicate whether the management frame includes link indication information.

[0055] In some embodiments of the third aspect, the address indication information is carried in the I / G bit of the MAC address in the address 2 field of the management frame.

[0056] In some embodiments of the third aspect, the address indication information is a first value, and the first address is an MLD MAC address of the AP MLD.

[0057] In some embodiments of the third aspect, the link indication information further includes link identification information, and the link identification information is used to indicate that the management frame is applied to one or more links.

[0058] In some embodiments of the third aspect, the link indication information further includes link identification information, and the link identification information is carried in the first element of the management frame, and the link identification information is used to indicate that the first element is applied to one or more links.

[0059] In some embodiments of the third aspect, the second element of the management frame does not carry link identification information, which is used to indicate that the second element is applied to all links associated between the first multi-link device and the second multi-link device.

[0060] In some embodiments of the third aspect, the link identification information includes at least one of the following: one or more link identifiers, or a link identifier bitmap.

[0061] In some embodiments of the third aspect, the address indication information is a second value, the first address is a MAC address of the AP, and the management frame is applied to a link on which the AP operates.

[0062] In one implementation, the MAC address of the AP is the MAC address of the AP belonging to the AP MLD.

[0063] In another implementation, the MAC address of the AP is the MAC address of a single-link AP or the MAC address of an AP that does not belong to any AP MLD.

[0064] In some embodiments of the third aspect, the generation unit is configured to: construct additional authentication data AAD, the AAD including the receiving end address, the sending end address and the second address; generate a message integrity check MIC based on the AAD; and generate the management frame based on the MIC.

[0065] In some embodiments of the third aspect, the second address is the same as the first address.

[0066] In some embodiments of the third aspect, the first address includes the address indication information, and the second address is obtained by setting the address indication information in the first address to 0.

[0067] In some embodiments of the third aspect, the receiving end address is carried in the address 1 field of the management frame, and the sending end address is carried in the address 2 field of the management frame.

[0068] According to a fourth aspect, a communication device is provided. The device includes: a receiving unit configured to receive a management frame from a first multi-link device on a link on which a station in the communication device operates, the management frame including the receiving end address, the transmitting end address, and link indication information, the receiving end address being the address of the station in the communication device, and the link indication information indicating that the management frame is applied to at least one link corresponding to the link indication information; and a processing unit configured to apply the management frame to the corresponding at least one link based on the link indication information.

[0069] In some embodiments of the fourth aspect, the link indication information includes a first address, and the first address includes address indication information. In one implementation, the address indication information is used to indicate whether the first address is an MLD MAC address of an access point (AP) MLD or an AP MAC address; and in another implementation, the address indication information is used to indicate whether the management frame is an MLD-level management frame or a link-level management frame.

[0070] The MAC address of the AP is the MAC address of the AP belonging to the AP MLD, or the MAC address of a single-link AP or the MAC address of an AP not belonging to any AP MLD.

[0071] In some embodiments of the fourth aspect, the address indication information is carried in the unicast / multicast I / G bit of the MAC address in the address 3 field of the management frame, and the processing unit is further configured to: set the I / G bit in the address 3 field of the management frame to 0 to obtain the first address in the address 3 field of the management frame.

[0072] In some embodiments of the fourth aspect, the link indication information includes address indication information and a first address, the address indication information being used to indicate whether the first address is an MLD MAC address of an AP MLD or a MAC address of an AP. The MAC address of the AP is a MAC address of an AP belonging to the AP MLD, or a MAC address of a single-link AP, or a MAC address of an AP not belonging to any AP MLD.

[0073] In another implementation of the fourth aspect, the first address of the management frame is always set to the MAC address of the AP; wherein the MAC address of the AP is the MAC address of the AP belonging to the AP MLD, or the MAC address of a single-link AP, or the MAC address of an AP that does not belong to any AP MLD. In this case, the address indication information is not used to indicate which type of address the first address is. Optionally, the address indication information can be used to indicate whether the management frame is an MLD-level management frame or a link-level management frame. In other words, the address indication information can be used to indicate whether the management frame includes link indication information. In some embodiments of the fourth aspect, wherein the address indication information is carried in the I / G bit of the MAC address in the Address 2 field of the management frame, the processing unit is further configured to: set the I / G bit in the Address 2 field of the management frame to 0 to obtain the sender address in the Address 2 field of the management frame.

[0074] In some embodiments of the fourth aspect, the address indication information is a first value, and the first address is an MLD MAC address of the AP MLD.

[0075] In some embodiments of the fourth aspect, the processing unit is configured to: if the link indication information does not include link identification information, apply the management frame to all links associated between the first multi-link device and the communication apparatus; and if the link indication information includes link identification information, apply the management frame to one or more links indicated by the link identification information.

[0076] In some embodiments of the fourth aspect, the processing unit is configured as follows: the link indication information also includes link identification information, and the link identification information is carried in the first element of the management frame, and the first element is applied to one or more links indicated by the link identification information.

[0077] In some embodiments of the fourth aspect, the processing unit is configured to: if the second element of the management frame does not carry link identification information, apply the second element to all links associated between the first multi-link device and the second multi-link device.

[0078] In some embodiments of the fourth aspect, the link identification information includes at least one of the following: one or more link identifiers, or a link identifier bitmap.

[0079] In some embodiments of the fourth aspect, the address indication information is a second value, the first address is the MAC address of the AP, and in one implementation, the MAC address of the AP is the MAC address of the AP belonging to the AP MLD; the processing unit is configured to: apply the management frame to the link where the subordinate AP works.

[0080] In another implementation, the MAC address of the AP is the MAC address of a single-link AP or the MAC address of an AP that is not affiliated with any AP MLD, and the processing unit is configured to: apply the management frame to the link on which the single-link AP or the AP that is not affiliated with any AP MLD operates. In some embodiments of the fourth aspect, wherein the management frame also includes a first message integrity check MIC, the processing unit is further configured to: construct additional authentication data AAD, the AAD including the receiving end address, the sending end address, and a second address; generate a second MIC based on the AAD; and perform security verification on the management frame based on the first MIC and the second MIC.

[0081] In some embodiments of the fourth aspect, the second address is the same as the first address.

[0082] In some embodiments of the fourth aspect, the first address includes the address indication information, and the second address is obtained by setting the address indication information in the first address to 0.

[0083] In some embodiments of the fourth aspect, the management frame further includes a first address, all bits of the first address are 1, and the processing unit is further configured to: the second multi-link device determines that the first address is a wildcarded basic service set identifier BSSID.

[0084] In some embodiments of the fourth aspect, the receiving end address is carried in the address 1 field of the management frame, and the sending end address is carried in the address 2 field of the management frame.

[0085] In a fifth aspect, a communication device is provided, comprising a transceiver and a processor, wherein when the processor executes a computer program, the device implements: generating a management frame, the management frame comprising a receiving end address, a sending end address and link indication information, the link indication information being used to indicate that the management frame is applied to at least one link corresponding to the link indication information; and sending the management frame via the transceiver on the link where the site indicated by the receiving end address or the site indicated by the sending end address works.

[0086] In some embodiments of the fifth aspect, the apparatus further comprises a memory coupled to the processor, the memory storing the computer program executable by the processor.

[0087] In some embodiments of the fifth aspect, the link indication information includes a first address, and the first address includes address indication information. In one implementation, the address indication information is used to indicate whether the first address is the MLD MAC address of the access point AP MLD or the MAC address of the AP; in another implementation, the address indication information is used to indicate whether the management frame is an MLD-level management frame or a link-level management frame. In one implementation, the MAC address of the AP is the MAC address of the AP belonging to the AP MLD; in another implementation, the MAC address of the AP is the MAC address of a single-link AP or the MAC address of an AP that does not belong to any AP MLD. In some embodiments of the fifth aspect, the address indication information is carried in the unicast / multicast I / G bit of the MAC address in the Address 3 field of the management frame.

[0088] In some embodiments of the fifth aspect, the link indication information includes address indication information and a first address, the address indication information being used to indicate whether the first address is an MLD MAC address of an AP MLD or an AP MAC address. In one implementation, the AP MAC address is the MAC address of an AP affiliated with the AP MLD; in another implementation, the AP MAC address is the MAC address of a single-link AP or the MAC address of an AP not affiliated with any AP MLD.

[0089] In another implementation of the fifth aspect, the first address of the management frame is always set to the MAC address of the AP; wherein the MAC address of the AP is the MAC address of the AP belonging to the AP in the AP MLD, or the MAC address of a single-link AP, or the MAC address of an AP not belonging to any AP MLD. In this case, the address indication information is not used to indicate the type of address. Optionally, the address indication information can be used to indicate whether the management frame is an MLD-level management frame or a link-level management frame. In other words, the address indication information can be used to indicate whether the management frame includes link indication information.

[0090] In some embodiments of the fifth aspect, the address indication information is carried in the I / G bit of the MAC address in the address 2 field of the management frame.

[0091] In some embodiments of the fifth aspect, the address indication information is a first value, and the first address is an MLD MAC address of the AP MLD.

[0092] In some embodiments of the fifth aspect, the link indication information further includes link identification information, and the link identification information is used to indicate that the management frame is applied to one or more links.

[0093] In some embodiments of the fifth aspect, the link indication information also includes link identification information, and the link identification information is carried in the first element of the management frame, and the link identification information is used to indicate that the first element is applied to one or more links.

[0094] In some embodiments of the fifth aspect, the second element of the management frame does not carry link identification information, and is used to indicate that the second element is applied to all links associated between the first multi-link device and the second multi-link device.

[0095] In some embodiments of the fifth aspect, the link identification information includes at least one of the following: one or more link identifiers, or a link identifier bitmap.

[0096] In some embodiments of the fifth aspect, the address indication information is a second value, the first address is a MAC address of an AP, and the management frame is applied to a link on which the AP operates. In one implementation, the MAC address of the AP is a MAC address of an AP belonging to the AP MLD; in another implementation, the MAC address of the AP is a MAC address of a single-link AP or a MAC address of an AP not belonging to any AP MLD.

[0097] In some embodiments of the fifth aspect, when the processor executes the computer program, the device implements: constructing additional authentication data AAD, the AAD including the receiving end address, the sending end address and the second address; generating a message integrity check MIC based on the AAD; and generating the management frame based on the MIC.

[0098] In some embodiments of the fifth aspect, the second address is the same as the first address.

[0099] In some embodiments of the fifth aspect, the first address includes the address indication information, and the second address is obtained by setting the address indication information in the first address to 0.

[0100] In some embodiments of the fifth aspect, the receiving end address is carried in the address 1 field of the management frame, and the sending end address is carried in the address 2 field of the management frame.

[0101] In a sixth aspect, a communication device is provided, comprising a transceiver and a processor, wherein when the processor executes a computer program, the device is enabled to: receive a management frame from a first multi-link device via the transceiver on the link on which a station in the communication device operates, the management frame comprising the receiving end address, the sending end address and link indication information, the receiving end address being the address of the station in the communication device, and the link indication information being used to indicate that the management frame is applied to at least one link corresponding to the link indication information; and apply the management frame to the corresponding at least one link based on the link indication information.

[0102] In some embodiments of the sixth aspect, the apparatus further comprises a memory coupled to the processor, the memory storing the computer program executable by the processor.

[0103] In some embodiments of the sixth aspect, the link indication information includes a first address, the first address includes address indication information, and the address indication information is used to indicate whether the first address is an MLD MAC address of an access point AP MLD or an AP MAC address. In one implementation, the AP MAC address is a MAC address of an AP affiliated with the AP MLD; in another implementation, the AP MAC address is a MAC address of a single-link AP or a MAC address of an AP not affiliated with any AP MLD.

[0104] In some embodiments of the sixth aspect, the address indication information is carried in the unicast / multicast I / G bit of the MAC address in the address 3 field of the management frame, and when the processor executes the computer program, the device implements: setting the I / G bit in the address 3 field of the management frame to 0 to obtain the first address in the address 3 field of the management frame.

[0105] In some embodiments of the sixth aspect, the link indication information includes address indication information and a first address. In one implementation, the address indication information is used to indicate whether the first address is an MLD MAC address of an AP MLD or an AP's MAC address. In another implementation, the address indication information is used to indicate whether the management frame is an MLD-level management frame or a link-level management frame. In one implementation, the AP's MAC address is the MAC address of an AP affiliated with the AP MLD. In another implementation, the AP's MAC address is the MAC address of a single-link AP or the MAC address of an AP not affiliated with any AP MLD.

[0106] In some embodiments of the sixth aspect, the address indication information is carried in the I / G bit of the MAC address in the address 2 field of the management frame, and when the processor executes the computer program, the device implements: setting the I / G bit in the address 2 field of the management frame to 0 to obtain the sending end address in the address 2 field of the management frame.

[0107] In some embodiments of the sixth aspect, the address indication information is a first value, and the first address is an MLD MAC address of the AP MLD.

[0108] In some embodiments of the sixth aspect, when the processor executes the computer program, the apparatus is caused to implement: if the link indication information does not include link identification information, the management frame is applied to all links associated between the first multi-link device and the communication apparatus; and if the link indication information includes link identification information, the management frame is applied to one or more links indicated by the link identification information.

[0109] In some embodiments of the sixth aspect, when the processor executes the computer program, the device is enabled to implement: the link indication information also includes link identification information, and the link identification information is carried in the first element of the management frame, and the first element is applied to one or more links indicated by the link identification information.

[0110] In some embodiments of the sixth aspect, when the processor executes the computer program, the apparatus is caused to implement: if the second element of the management frame does not carry link identification information, then the second element is applied to all links associated between the first multi-link device and the second multi-link device.

[0111] In some embodiments of the sixth aspect, the link identification information includes at least one of the following: one or more link identifications, or a link identification bitmap.

[0112] In some embodiments of the sixth aspect, the address indication information is a second value, the first address is a MAC address of the AP, and when the processor executes the computer program, the apparatus is caused to implement: applying the management frame to a link on which the AP operates. In one implementation, the MAC address of the AP is a MAC address of an AP affiliated with the AP MLD; in another implementation, the MAC address of the AP is a MAC address of a single-link AP or an AP not affiliated with any AP MLD.

[0113] In some embodiments of the sixth aspect, the management frame also includes a first message integrity check MIC, and when the processor executes the computer program, the device implements: constructing additional authentication data AAD, the AAD including the receiving end address, the sending end address and the second address; generating a second MIC based on the AAD; and performing security verification on the management frame based on the first MIC and the second MIC.

[0114] In some embodiments of the sixth aspect, the second address is the same as the first address.

[0115] In some embodiments of the sixth aspect, the first address includes the address indication information, and the second address is obtained by setting the address indication information in the first address to 0.

[0116] In some embodiments of the sixth aspect, the management frame further includes a first address, all bits of the first address are 1, and when the processor executes the computer program, the apparatus implements: the second multi-link device determines that the first address is a wildcarded basic service set identifier BSSID.

[0117] In some embodiments of the sixth aspect, the receiving end address is carried in the address 1 field of the management frame, and the sending end address is carried in the address 2 field of the management frame.

[0118] In a seventh aspect, a communication method is provided, comprising: constructing an AAD, wherein the AAD includes a receiving end address, a transmitting end address, and a second address, wherein the second address is an MLD MAC address of an AP MLD or a MAC address of an AP in the AP MLD; and generating a MIC based on the ADD.

[0119] In some embodiments of the seventh aspect, the method further includes: performing security verification on the received management frame based on the generated MIC and the MIC in the received management frame.

[0120] In some embodiments of the seventh aspect, the receiving end address is carried in the address 1 field of the AAD, the sending end address is carried in the address 2 field of the AAD, and the second address is carried in the address 3 field of the AAD.

[0121] In some embodiments of the seventh aspect, the second address is determined based on the first address to be carried in an Address 3 field of a management frame.

[0122] In some embodiments of the seventh aspect, the second address is the same as the first address.

[0123] In some embodiments of the seventh aspect, the first address includes address indication information, and the second address is obtained by setting the address indication information in the first address to 0.

[0124] In some embodiments of the seventh aspect, the first address does not include address indication information, and the second address is obtained by setting the I / G bit in the first address to the value of the address indication information. In this manner, the second address can include address indication information indicating whether the second address is the MLD MAC address of the AP MLD or the MAC address of the AP. In one implementation, the MAC address of the AP is the MAC address of an AP affiliated with the AP MLD; in another implementation, the MAC address of the AP is the MAC address of a single-link AP or the MAC address of an AP not affiliated with any AP MLD.

[0125] In some further embodiments of the seventh aspect, the first address of the management frame is always set to the MAC address of the AP, and the second address is always set to the MAC address of the AP; wherein the MAC address of the AP is the MAC address of the AP belonging to the AP MLD, or the MAC address of a single-link AP or the MAC address of an AP that does not belong to any AP MLD.

[0126] In some embodiments of the seventh aspect, the first address includes address indication information, the second address is obtained by setting the address indication information in the first address to 0, and the AAD includes address indication information, which is carried in the I / G bit of the Address 2 field of the AAD. In this way, the transmitting end address can include address indication information for indicating whether the second address is the MLD MAC address of the AP MLD or the MAC address of the AP. In one implementation, the MAC address of the AP is the MAC address of an AP affiliated with the AP MLD; in another implementation, the MAC address of the AP is the MAC address of a single-link AP or the MAC address of an AP not affiliated with any AP MLD.

[0127] In some embodiments of the seventh aspect, the sender address is determined based on an address to be carried in an Address 2 field of a management frame.

[0128] In some embodiments of the seventh aspect, the sender address is the same as the address in the Address 2 field of the management frame.

[0129] In some embodiments of the seventh aspect, the address in the address 2 field of the management frame includes address indication information, and the sender address is obtained by setting the address indication information in the address in the address 2 field of the management frame to 0.

[0130] In some embodiments of the seventh aspect, the address in the Address 2 field of the management frame does not include address indication information, and the sender address is obtained by setting the address indication information in the address in the Address 2 field of the management frame to the value of the address indication information. In this way, the sender address can include address indication information indicating whether the second address is the MLD MAC address of the AP MLD or the MAC address of the AP. In one implementation, the MAC address of the AP is the MAC address of an AP affiliated with the AP MLD; in another implementation, the MAC address of the AP is the MAC address of a single-link AP or the MAC address of an AP not affiliated with any AP MLD.

[0131] In some embodiments of the seventh aspect, the address in the Address 2 field of the management frame includes address indication information, and the sender address is obtained by setting the address indication information in the address in the Address 2 field of the management frame to 0. The AAD includes address indication information, and the address indication information is carried in an I / G bit in the Address 3 field of the AAD.

[0132] In an eighth aspect, a communication device is provided. The device includes: a construction unit configured to construct an AAD, wherein the AAD includes a receiving end address, a transmitting end address, and a second address, where the second address is the MLD MAC address of the AP MLD or the AP's MAC address; and a generation unit configured to generate a MIC based on the AAD.

[0133] In some embodiments of the eighth aspect, a verification unit is further included, configured to perform security verification on the received management frame based on the generated MIC and the MIC in the received management frame.

[0134] In some embodiments of the eighth aspect, the receiving end address is carried in the address 1 field of the AAD, the sending end address is carried in the address 2 field of the AAD, and the second address is carried in the address 3 field of the AAD.

[0135] In some embodiments of the eighth aspect, the second address is determined based on the first address to be carried in an Address 3 field of the management frame.

[0136] In some embodiments of the eighth aspect, the second address is the same as the first address.

[0137] In some embodiments of the eighth aspect, the first address includes address indication information, and the second address is obtained by setting the address indication information in the first address to 0.

[0138] In some embodiments of the eighth aspect, the first address does not include address indication information, and the second address is obtained by setting the I / G bit in the first address to the value of the address indication information. In this manner, the second address can include address indication information indicating whether the second address is the MLD MAC address of the AP MLD or the MAC address of the AP. In one implementation, the MAC address of the AP is the MAC address of an AP affiliated with the AP MLD; in another implementation, the MAC address of the AP is the MAC address of a single-link AP or the MAC address of an AP not affiliated with any AP MLD.

[0139] In some further embodiments of the eighth aspect, the first address of the management frame is always set to the MAC address of the AP, and the second address is always set to the MAC address of the AP; wherein the MAC address of the AP is the MAC address of the AP belonging to the AP MLD, or the MAC address of a single-link AP or the MAC address of an AP that does not belong to any AP MLD.

[0140] In some embodiments of the eighth aspect, the first address includes address indication information, the second address is obtained by setting the address indication information in the first address to 0, and the AAD includes address indication information, which is carried in the I / G bit of the Address 2 field of the AAD. In this way, the transmitting end address can include address indication information for indicating whether the second address is the MLD MAC address of the AP MLD or the MAC address of the AP. In one implementation, the MAC address of the AP is the MAC address of an AP affiliated with the AP MLD; in another implementation, the MAC address of the AP is the MAC address of a single-link AP or the MAC address of an AP not affiliated with any AP MLD.

[0141] In some embodiments of the eighth aspect, the sender address is determined based on an address to be carried in an Address 2 field of a management frame.

[0142] In some embodiments of the eighth aspect, the sender address is the same as the address in the Address 2 field of the management frame.

[0143] In some embodiments of the eighth aspect, the address in the address 2 field of the management frame includes address indication information, and the sender address is obtained by setting the address indication information in the address in the address 2 field of the management frame to 0.

[0144] In some embodiments of the eighth aspect, the address in the Address 2 field of the management frame does not include address indication information, and the sender address is obtained by setting the address indication information in the address in the Address 2 field of the management frame to the value of the address indication information. In this manner, the sender address can include address indication information indicating whether the second address is the MLD MAC address of the AP MLD or the MAC address of the AP. In one implementation, the AP MAC address is the MAC address of an AP affiliated with the AP MLD; in another implementation, the AP MAC address is the MAC address of a single-link AP or the MAC address of an AP not affiliated with any AP MLD.

[0145] In some embodiments of the eighth aspect, the address in the Address 2 field of the management frame includes address indication information, and the sender address is obtained by setting the address indication information in the address in the Address 2 field of the management frame to 0. The AAD includes address indication information, and the address indication information is carried in an I / G bit in the Address 3 field of the AAD.

[0146] In a ninth aspect, a communications device is provided, comprising a transceiver and a processor, wherein when the processor executes a computer program, the device is configured to: construct an AAD, wherein the AAD comprises a receiving end address, a transmitting end address, and a second address, wherein the second address is the MLD MAC address of the AP MLD or the MAC address of the AP; and generate a MIC based on the AAD. In one implementation, the AP MAC address is the MAC address of an AP affiliated with the AP MLD; in another implementation, the AP MAC address is the MAC address of a single-link AP or an AP not affiliated with any AP MLD.

[0147] In some embodiments of the ninth aspect, the communication device further includes a memory coupled to the processor, wherein the memory stores a computer program executable by the processor.

[0148] In some embodiments of the ninth aspect, when the processor executes the computer program, the apparatus is caused to implement: performing security verification on the received management frame based on the generated MIC and the MIC in the received management frame.

[0149] In some embodiments of the ninth aspect, the receiving end address is carried in the address 1 field of the AAD, the sending end address is carried in the address 2 field of the AAD, and the second address is carried in the address 3 field of the AAD.

[0150] In some embodiments of the ninth aspect, the second address is determined based on the first address to be carried in an Address 3 field of a management frame.

[0151] In some embodiments of the ninth aspect, the second address is the same as the first address.

[0152] In some embodiments of the ninth aspect, the first address includes address indication information, and the second address is obtained by setting the address indication information in the first address to 0.

[0153] In some embodiments of the ninth aspect, the first address does not include address indication information, and the second address is obtained by setting the I / G bit in the first address to the value of the address indication information. In this manner, the second address can include address indication information indicating whether the second address is the MLD MAC address of the AP MLD or the MAC address of the AP. In one implementation, the MAC address of the AP is the MAC address of an AP affiliated with the AP MLD; in another implementation, the MAC address of the AP is the MAC address of a single-link AP or the MAC address of an AP not affiliated with any AP MLD.

[0154] In some embodiments of the ninth aspect, the first address includes address indication information, the second address is obtained by setting the address indication information in the first address to 0, and the AAD includes address indication information, which is carried in the I / G bit of the Address 2 field of the AAD. In this way, the transmitting end address can include address indication information for indicating whether the second address is the MLD MAC address of the AP MLD or the MAC address of the AP. In one implementation, the MAC address of the AP is the MAC address of an AP belonging to the AP MLD; in another implementation, the MAC address of the AP is the MAC address of a single-link AP or the MAC address of an AP not belonging to any AP MLD.

[0155] In some further embodiments of the ninth aspect, the first address of the management frame is always set to the MAC address of the AP, and the second address is always set to the MAC address of the AP; wherein the MAC address of the AP is the MAC address of the AP belonging to the AP MLD, or the MAC address of a single-link AP or the MAC address of an AP that does not belong to any AP MLD.

[0156] In some embodiments of the ninth aspect, the sender address is determined based on an address to be carried in an Address 2 field of a management frame.

[0157] In some embodiments of the ninth aspect, the sender address is the same as the address in the Address 2 field of the management frame.

[0158] In some embodiments of the ninth aspect, the address in the address 2 field of the management frame includes address indication information, and the sender address is obtained by setting the address indication information in the address in the address 2 field of the management frame to 0.

[0159] In some embodiments of the ninth aspect, the address in the Address 2 field of the management frame does not include address indication information, and the sender address is obtained by setting the address indication information in the address in the Address 2 field of the management frame to the value of the address indication information. In this manner, the sender address can include address indication information indicating whether the second address is the MLD MAC address of the AP MLD or the MAC address of the AP. In one implementation, the MAC address of the AP is the MAC address of an AP affiliated with the AP MLD; in another implementation, the MAC address of the AP is the MAC address of a single-link AP or the MAC address of an AP not affiliated with any AP MLD.

[0160] In some embodiments of the ninth aspect, the address in the Address 2 field of the management frame includes address indication information, and the sender address is obtained by setting the address indication information in the address in the Address 2 field of the management frame to 0. The AAD includes address indication information, and the address indication information is carried in an I / G bit in the Address 3 field of the AAD.

[0161] In a tenth aspect, a multi-link device is provided, which includes the apparatus described in any one of the third to sixth aspects, and the seventh to eighth aspects, or any implementation thereof.

[0162] In the eleventh aspect, a computer-readable storage medium is provided, on which a computer program is stored. When the computer program is executed by a processor, the operation of the method according to the above-mentioned first aspect, second aspect, seventh aspect or any embodiment thereof is implemented.

[0163] In a twelfth aspect, a chip or a chip system is provided, wherein the chip or chip system comprises a processing circuit and a communication interface, wherein the processing circuit is configured to perform the operations according to the method of the first aspect, the second aspect, or the seventh aspect or any embodiment thereof.

[0164] In a thirteenth aspect, a computer program or computer program product is provided. The computer program or computer program product is tangibly stored on a computer-readable medium and includes computer-executable instructions that, when executed, cause a device to implement the operations according to the method of the first aspect, the second aspect, or the seventh aspect, or any of the embodiments thereof.

[0165] In a fourteenth aspect, a wireless communication system is provided. The system includes a first multi-link device and a second multi-link device. Alternatively, the system includes the first multi-link device and a single-link site; alternatively, the system includes the second multi-link device and a single-link site, wherein the first multi-link device may be a transmitter and the single-link site is a receiver. Alternatively, the second multi-link device may be a receiver and the single-link site is a transmitter. The first multi-link device may implement the operation according to the method of the first aspect or the seventh aspect or any embodiment thereof, and the second multi-link device may implement the operation according to the method of the second aspect or the seventh aspect or any embodiment thereof. The first multi-link device may be an AP MLD or a non-AP MLD, and the second multi-link device may be an AP MLD or a non-AP MLD. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0166] The features, advantages and other aspects of the various implementations of the present disclosure will become more apparent with reference to the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Several implementations of the present disclosure are illustrated herein in an exemplary and non-limiting manner. In the accompanying drawings:

[0167] FIG1 shows a schematic diagram of a wireless communication system 100;

[0168] FIG2 shows a schematic diagram of a connection scenario 200 of a multi-link device;

[0169] FIG3 shows a schematic diagram of a format 300 of a multilink element;

[0170] FIG4 shows a signaling interaction diagram of a data transmission process 400 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0171] FIG5 shows a schematic diagram of a management frame format 500 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0172] FIG6 shows a schematic diagram of a scenario 600 of a multi-link device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0173] FIG7 shows another signaling interaction diagram of a data transmission process 700 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0174] FIG8 shows another schematic diagram of a management frame format 800 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0175] FIG9 shows a schematic diagram of an AAD format 900 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0176] FIG10 shows a schematic diagram of a data transmission method 1000 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0177] FIG11 shows another schematic flowchart of a data transmission method 1100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0178] FIG12 shows a schematic block diagram of a communication device 1200 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0179] FIG13 shows another schematic block diagram of a communication device 1300 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0180] FIG14 shows another schematic block diagram of a communication device 1400 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0181] FIG15 shows a simplified block diagram of an example apparatus 1500 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0182] The following describes embodiments of the present disclosure in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Although certain embodiments of the present disclosure are shown in the accompanying drawings, it should be understood that the present disclosure can be implemented in various forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments described herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided to provide a more thorough and complete understanding of the present disclosure. It should be understood that the drawings and embodiments of the present disclosure are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of protection of the present disclosure.

[0183] In the context of the present disclosure, the term "wireless communication system" may be, for example, a wide area network system or a wireless local area network (WLAN) system. The wireless communication system may support a variety of WLAN communication protocols, such as 802.11ac / 802.11ax / 802.11be in the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11 series of protocols or any protocol in the future IEEE 802.11 series. For ease of description, the embodiments of the present disclosure are described using WLAN as an example. A WLAN may include multiple basic service sets (BSSs), a BSS may have a basic service set identifier (BSS identifier, BSSID), and the nodes of the BSS may include access point-type stations and non-access point-type stations (Non-AP STA).

[0184] The term "Multi-Link Device (MLD)," also known as a multi-band device, refers to a wireless communication device that supports multiple links for transmission in parallel. Compared to devices that only support single-link transmission, multi-link devices offer higher transmission efficiency and throughput. A multi-link device includes multiple affiliated stations, which are logical stations operating on a link. Affiliated stations can be access points (APs) or non-AP STAs. Multi-link devices can operate in 1 GHz, 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, 6 GHz, or other frequency bands. Multi-link devices can implement wireless communications using the 802.11 series of protocols, such as Extremely High Throughput (EHT) stations or 802.11be-based or 802.11be-compatible stations, to communicate with other devices, which may or may not be multi-link devices.

[0185] The term "AP MLD" refers to an AP, also known as a multi-link AP. An AP MLD is a device deployed in a wireless communication network to provide wireless communication capabilities to its associated non-APs. It is primarily deployed in homes, buildings, and campuses, with a typical coverage radius of tens to hundreds of meters. It can also be deployed outdoors. An AP MLD acts as a bridge between wired and wireless networks, connecting wireless network clients and then connecting the wireless network to the Ethernet. Specifically, an AP MLD can be a network device equipped with a Wireless Fidelity (Wi-Fi) chip, such as a base station, router, gateway, repeater, communication server, switch, or bridge. Base stations can include various types of macro base stations, micro base stations, and relay stations. Furthermore, an AP MLD can support the 802.11be standard or its next-generation WLAN standard. AP MLD can also support WLAN standards such as 802.11ax, 802.11ac, 802.11n, 802.11g, 802.11b, and 802.11a.

[0186] The term "non-AP MLD" means that the station it belongs to is a non-AP STA, which may also be called a multi-link non-AP STA. A non-AP MLD can be a device with wireless transceiver capabilities that can access a wireless local area network based on an AP MLD. A non-AP STA can be a wireless communication chip, a wireless sensor, or a wireless communication terminal. For example, a non-AP STA can be a user unit, access terminal, mobile station, mobile station, remote station, subscriber station, subscriber unit, remote terminal, mobile device, user terminal, terminal, wireless communication device, user agent, user device, or user equipment (UE) that supports Wi-Fi communication capabilities. For example, non-AP STAs can include various handheld devices with wireless communication capabilities, in-vehicle devices, wearable devices, Internet of Things (IoT) devices, computing devices, or other processing devices connected to a wireless modem, as well as various forms of portable communication devices, handsets, portable computing devices, entertainment devices, gaming devices or systems, global positioning system devices, or any other suitable device configured to conduct network communication via a wireless medium. In addition, non-AP MLD can support 802.11be and its next-generation WLAN standard. Non-AP MLD can also support WLAN standards such as 802.11ax, 802.11ac, 802.11n, 802.11g, 802.11b, and 802.11a.

[0187] When an AP MLD transmits data with a non-AP MLD, a link ID or link ID bitmap can be used to identify the link or a station on the link. The link ID can include at least one of the following: a Medium Access Control (MAC) address, an operation set, and a channel number. Alternatively, it can include a station identifier on the link, such as the station's MAC address or its associated identifier (AID). For a link, this can include a link address, such as the affiliated STA MAC address; for an AP MLD, this can also include the AP MLD MAC address, referred to as the MLD address.

[0188] In the wireless communication system disclosed herein, both the transmitting end and the receiving end can be multi-link devices, and the embodiments of the present application mainly use this scenario as an example; or the transmitting end can be a single-link site and the receiving end can be a multi-link device; or the transmitting end can be a multi-link device and the receiving end can be a single-link site.

[0189] FIG1 shows a schematic diagram of a wireless communication system 100. As shown in FIG1 , the wireless communication system 100 includes an AP 110(1), an AP 110(2), a non-AP STA 120(1), and a non-AP STA 120(2). For ease of description, the AP 110(1) and the AP 110(2) are collectively referred to as AP 110, and the non-AP STA 120(1) and the non-AP STA 120(2) are collectively referred to as non-AP STA 120. It should be understood that the wireless communication system 100 in the present disclosure may also include the AP 110(1), the AP 110(2), and one or more single-link non-AP STAs (not shown). Alternatively, the wireless communication system 100 in the present disclosure may also include one or more single-link APs and the non-AP STA 120(1) and the non-AP STA 120(2).

[0190] For example, AP 110(1) and AP 110(2) may be subordinate APs of an AP MLD, and non-AP STA 120(1) and non-AP STA 120(2) may be subordinate non-AP STAs of a non-AP MLD. Hereinafter, subordinate APs and subordinate non-APs are collectively referred to as subordinate stations (STAs), and APs and non-AP STAs are collectively referred to as STAs.

[0191] It should be understood that Figure 1 is merely a schematic diagram of a wireless communication system, which may also include other network devices or terminal devices, such as wireless relay devices and wireless backhaul devices. Furthermore, this figure does not limit the number of AP MLDs or non-AP MLDs in the wireless communication system.

[0192] Figure 2 shows a schematic diagram of a multi-link device connection scenario 200. Figure 2 shows an AP MLD 210 and a non-AP MLD 220, and there are at least two links between the AP MLD 210 and the non-AP MLD 220, which are shown as a first link 230 and a second link 240 in Figure 2.

[0193] 2 , which are a first AP 212 and a second AP 214. Furthermore, the first AP 212 has its first AP physical layer 2121 and first AP low MAC layer 2122, the second AP 214 has its second AP physical layer 2141 and second AP low MAC layer 2142, and the first AP 212 and the second AP 214 have a shared high MAC layer 2124.

[0194] The non-AP MLD 220 has at least two logical non-AP STAs, which are shown in FIG2 as a first non-AP STA 222 and a second non-AP STA 224. Furthermore, the first non-AP STA 222 has its first non-AP STA physical layer 2221 and first non-AP STA lower MAC layer 2222, the second non-AP STA 224 has its second non-AP STA physical layer 2241 and second non-AP STA lower MAC layer 2242, and the first non-AP STA 222 and the second non-AP STA have a shared high MAC layer 2224.

[0195] It should be understood that FIG. 2 is merely an illustration. For example, there may be a greater number of links between the AP MLD 210 and the non-AP MLD 220 .

[0196] A non-AP MLD (such as non-AP MLD 220 in Figure 2 ) can establish associations with multiple links of an AP MLD (such as AP MLD 210 in Figure 2 ) simultaneously by performing a multi-link establishment operation on a single link. Specifically, the multi-link establishment operation can be performed using a Multi-link Association Request frame and a Multi-link Association Response frame. The Multi-link Association Request frame and the Multi-link Association Response frame can carry information about multiple links, thereby enabling simultaneous association with multiple links.

[0197] 2 , as an example, the multi-link establishment process may be as follows: non-AP MLD 220 sends a multi-link association request frame to AP MLD 210 on a first link 230. The multi-link association request frame carries non-AP STA-side information on the first link 230 (i.e., information on the first non-AP STA 222) and non-AP STA-side information on the second link 240 (i.e., information on the second non-AP STA 224). After receiving the multi-link association request frame on the first link 230, AP MLD 210 sends a multi-link association response frame to non-AP MLD 220 on the first link 230. The multi-link association response frame carries AP-side information on the first link 230 (i.e., information on the first AP 212) and AP-side information on the second link 240 (i.e., information on the second AP 214). Thus, the first non-AP STA 222 and the second non-AP STA 224 of the non-AP MLD 220 establish associations with the first AP 212 and the second AP 214 of the AP MLD 210, respectively.

[0198] A multi-link element may be defined so that relevant information of the non-AP MLD (eg, the first non-AP STA 222 and the second non-AP STA 224) is carried in the multi-link association request frame.

[0199] Figure 3 shows a schematic diagram of the format of a multi-link element 300. As shown in Figure 3, a multi-link element includes an element ID (Element Identifier) ​​301, a length (Length) 302, an element ID extension (Element ID Extension) 303, a multi-link control (Multi-Link Control) 304, a common information field, where the common information field includes an MLD MAC address (MLD MAC address) 305, ..., a field k (Field k) such as a capability field 306, a per-STA profile x 307, and a per-STA profile y (if present) 308.

[0200] The MLD common information section 310 is used to carry MLD related information. The following per-STA x configuration 307 and per-STA y configuration (if present) 308 belong to the optional sub-element 320, representing the configuration information of each station (per-STA profile).

[0201] Furthermore, the multi-link control 304 includes a type 314, an MLD MAC address present 324, and a reserved 334. For example, the type 314 may be a tunneled direct link setup (TDLS).

[0202] Optionally, the configuration 307 for each STA x includes a subelement ID 317, a length 327, and content 337, where the content 337 includes a per-STA control field 3371, a STA information field 3372, and a STA configuration field 3373. The STA control field 3371 includes a link ID 33711 and a STA MAC address present 33712. The STA configuration field 3373 includes element 1 33731, ..., element Y 33732, ..., and a non-inheritance element (if present) 33733.

[0203] It is understood that other fields, not shown here, may be included between MLD MAC address 305 and field k 306 in FIG3 . Other elements, such as element 2, element 3, ..., element Y-1, may be included between element 1 33731 and element Y 33732 . Other elements may be included between element Y 33732 and non-inherited element 337322 , with non-inherited element 33733 being the last element.

[0204] For communication between a multi-link device and another multi-link device, such as the communication between AP MLD 210 and non-AP MLD 220 shown in Figure 2, the management frame sent by the first AP 212 is usually sent to the first non-AP STA 222 on the first link 230. However, the current solution cannot fully utilize the multi-link characteristics, resulting in low transmission efficiency.

[0205] The embodiments of the present disclosure provide a data transmission solution. Management frames in this solution can be transmitted across multiple links, fully utilizing the multi-link feature to ensure communication efficiency. The embodiments of the present disclosure are described in more detail below with reference to Figures 4 to 9.

[0206] Figure 4 shows a signaling interaction diagram of a data transmission process 400 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Process 400 involves a first multi-link device 401 and a second multi-link device 402. The first multi-link device 401 can be an AP MLD or a non-AP MLD, and correspondingly, the second multi-link device 402 can be a non-AP MLD or an AP MLD.

[0207] For ease of description, in some of the following examples, it may be assumed that the first multi-link device 401 is an AP MLD, such as AP MLD 210 shown in Figure 2, and the second multi-link device 402 is a non-AP MLD, such as non-AP MLD 220 shown in Figure 2. It should be understood that the communication process shown in Figure 4 is merely exemplary and non-limiting. Embodiments of the present disclosure may include interactive signaling not shown in Figure 4, or may omit certain signaling shown in Figure 4.

[0208] At 410 of process 400 , the first multi-link device 401 may first generate a management frame.

[0209] Specifically, the generated management frame may have a format as shown in FIG5 below.

[0210] FIG5 illustrates a schematic diagram of a management frame format 500 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Format 500 includes a Frame Control field 501, a Duration field 502, an Address 1 field 503, an Address 2 field 504, an Address 3 field 505, a Sequence Control field 506, an Address 4 field 507, a Frame Body field 509, and a Frame Check Sequence (FCS) field 510. The Frame Body field 509 may include a Medium Access Control Management Protocol Data Unit (MAC Management Protocol Data Unit, MMPDU). Additionally or alternatively, format 500 may also include a High Throughput Control field 511.

[0211] Illustratively, the frame control 501 may include multiple subfields, such as protocol version (Protocol Version), frame type (Type), subtype (Subtype), from distributed system (From DS), to distributed system (To DS), retry (Retry), power management (Power Management), more data (More Data), etc. For example, the frame type "00" indicates a management frame.

[0212] For example, duration 502 may be used to indicate the duration of a transmission opportunity. Address 1 503, address 2 504, address 3 505, and address 4 507 may be collectively referred to as the address field, which is used to indicate the receiving address, sending address, source address, destination address, or BSSID of the management frame. Frame body 509 may be used to carry specific information. FCS 510 may be used for error detection. For example, FCS 510 may include a 32-bit cyclic redundancy check (CRC). HT control 511 may include aggregated control (A-Control), further including a control list and padding.

[0213] It is understood that in communications between multi-link devices, there are two different types of management frames: MLD-level management frames and link-level management frames. MLD-level management frames are specific to the MLD and can be applied to more than one link. It is understood that if a management frame indicates only one link, the MLD-level management frame can also be applied to that link. Link-level management frames are specific to a specific link and can be applied to that specific link, or link-level management frames are specific to a single link and can be applied to that single link. Frame types can be distinguished by different MAC addresses. For example, the MAC address of an MLD corresponds to an MLD-level management frame, while the MAC address of a station affiliated with it corresponds to a link-level management frame, or the MAC address of a station not affiliated with any MLD corresponds to a link-level management frame. It should be understood that a station not affiliated with any MLD is a single-link station. In this embodiment, the description primarily uses stations affiliated with an MLD as an example. The implementation of a single-link station is similar, and for the sake of brevity, a detailed description will not be given. It should also be understood that when at least one of the sender and the receiver is a single-link site, there is only one link between the sender and the receiver. Therefore, when the sender sends a management frame, the content of the management frame can be set according to the existing protocol 802.11-2020 version; after the receiver receives the management frame, it can interpret and execute the content of the management frame according to the existing protocol 802.11-2020 version. This is because when at least one of the sender and the receiver is a single-link site, there is only one associated link between the sender and the receiver, and there is no possibility of cross-link transmission. Therefore, A1 and A2 in the management frame can be set to the site address, and A3 can be set to the AP's MAC address, that is, the BSSID. The specific implementation is as follows:

[0214] First, when the sender is a single-link station, such as a single-link AP, and the receiver is a non-AP STA MLD, A3 is set to the MAC address of the sender's single-link AP.

[0215] For example, when the sending end is a single-link station, such as a single-link non-AP STA, and the receiving end is an AP MLD, A3 is set to the MAC address of the AP associated with the single-link non-AP STA; the AP associated with the single-link non-AP STA is the AP belonging to the AP MLD of the sending end.

[0216] For example, when the transmitter is an AP MLD and the receiver is a single-link station, such as a single-link non-AP STA, A3 is set to the MAC address of the AP associated with the receiver, that is, the non-AP STA; the associated AP is the AP belonging to the AP MLD;

[0217] For another example, when the sending end is a non-AP STA MLD and the receiving end is a single-link station, such as a single-link AP, A3 is set to the MAC address of the receiving end, that is, the single-link AP;

[0218] For another example, when both the transmitter and receiver are single-link stations, for example, when the transmitter is a single-link AP and the receiver is a single-link non-AP STA, A3 is set to the MAC address of the transmitter AP; for example, when the receiver is a single-link AP and the transmitter is a single-link non-AP STA, A3 is set to the MAC address of the receiver AP.

[0219] The above example applies a management frame or an element in a management frame to an associated link between a transmitter and a receiver. In subsequent embodiments, both the transmitter and the receiver are multi-link devices. This implementation method is applicable when either the transmitter or the receiver is a single-link site.

[0220] Optionally, a multi-link device may distinguish management frame types by different MAC addresses (such as carried in address 3), for example, the MLD MAC address of MLD corresponds to an MLD-level management frame, for example, the MAC address of a station belonging to MLD corresponds to a link-level management frame, or the MAC address of a single-link station or a station not belonging to MLD corresponds to a link-level management frame.

[0221] The management frame may include a receiving end address, a transmitting end address, and link indication information. The link indication information may be used to indicate at least one link to which the management frame is applied. The link indication information includes a first address.

[0222] Specifically, for MLD-level management frames, the first address is the MLD MAC address of the AP MLD. For link-level management frames, or when both the sending end and the receiving end are multi-link devices, it is necessary to indicate that the management frame is applied to a link or a specific link between the sending and receiving ends; or when at least one of the sending end and the receiving end is a single-link site and there is only one link between the sending and receiving ends; in these two cases, the first address can be set to the MAC address of the AP, specifically the BSSID of the AP, such as the BSSID of the AP belonging to the AP MLD, or an AP that does not belong to any AP MLD, that is, a single-link AP. In this embodiment, the description is mainly based on the example of the AP belonging to the AP MLD. In this way, the design of the first address can help the management frames between multi-link devices to achieve cross-link transmission. When the first address is the BSSID of an AP that does not belong to any AP MLD or the BSSID of a single-link AP, the implementation method is similar. For the sake of simplicity, according to the various scenarios listed above, in the cases where the address of A3 is the MAC address of the AP, specifically the MAC address of a single-link AP, the "belonging AP" involved in the following embodiments is replaced with "an AP that does not belong to any AP MLD" or "single-link AP", and no detailed description is given.

[0223] For convenience of description, in the following description, the MLD MAC address of the AP MLD is referred to as the AP MLD MAC address, and the MAC address of the subordinate AP in the AP MLD is referred to as the subordinate AP MAC address. The subordinate AP MAC address may be the BSSID of the subordinate AP.

[0224] In some examples, address 1 503 may carry the address of the receiver of the management frame, address 2 504 may carry the address of the transmitter of the management frame, and address 3 505 may carry the first address.

[0225] Exemplarily, the receiving end address may be the MAC address of the receiving end station, the sending end address may be the MAC address of the sending end station, and the management frame is transmitted on the link where the receiving end station or the sending end station works.

[0226] For example, as shown in Table 1 below, if the management frame is sent from an AP MLD to a non-AP MLD (i.e., the transmission direction is downlink), then address 1 503 can carry the MAC address of the non-AP STA, and address 2 504 can carry the MAC address of the AP. If the management frame is sent from a non-AP MLD to an AP MLD (i.e., the transmission direction is uplink), then address 1 503 can carry the MAC address of the AP, and address 2 504 can carry the MAC address of the non-AP STA. If the management frame is sent from a non-AP MLD to a non-AP MLD (i.e., peer-to-peer communication), then address 1 503 and address 2 504 carry the MAC address of the STA. Furthermore, regardless of whether the management frame is sent uplink or downlink, address 3 505 carries the first address.

[0227] Table 1

[0228]

[0229] In other examples, such as during air interface transmission, address 1 503 may carry the corresponding link address of the management frame. Similarly, address 2 504 may carry the corresponding link address of the management frame, and address 3 505 may carry the first address.

[0230] For example, if management frames are to be applied to at least two links, the first multi-link device 401 may generate an MLD-level management frame. If management frames are to be applied to one link, the first multi-link device 401 may generate a link-level management frame. Alternatively, in a special example, if management frames are to be applied to one link, an MLD-level management frame may also be generated.

[0231] In the disclosed embodiment, for cross-link transmission, address 1 503 may carry the receiver address, address 2 504 may carry the transmitter address, and address 3 505 may carry the first address. For example, assuming that the first multi-link device 401 is the AP MLD 210 in Figure 2 , and the second multi-link device is the non-AP MLD 220 in Figure 2 , then address 1 503 may carry the MAC address of a subordinate non-AP STA in the non-AP MLD 220 (such as the MAC address of the first non-AP STA 222 in Figure 2 ), and address 2 504 may carry the MAC address of a subordinate AP in the AP MLD 210 (such as the BSSID of the first AP 212 in Figure 2 ).

[0232] As an example, in the current 802.11-2020 protocol, the MAC address of an AP is the same as the BSSID of the AP. Therefore, in some embodiments, the MAC address of an AP may be the BSSID of the AP.

[0233] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the link indication information may include address indication information, and the address indication information may be used to indicate the attribute of the first address or the meaning of the first address; or, the address indication information may be used to indicate the type of the management frame.

[0234] Specifically, the address indication information is used to indicate whether the first address is the MAC address of the AP MLD or the MAC address of the AP. The address indication information is a first value (e.g., 1) to indicate that the first address is the MAC address of the AP MLD, and the address indication information is a second value (e.g., 0) to indicate that the first address is the MAC address of a subordinate AP, where the MAC address of the subordinate AP can be the BSSID of the subordinate AP or the BSSID of an AP that is not affiliated with any AP MLD. In this embodiment, the description is mainly based on an AP affiliated with an MLD. The implementation of an AP that is not affiliated with any AP MLD or a single-link AP is similar. For the sake of brevity, the "subordinate AP" involved in the embodiment can be replaced with "AP that is not affiliated with any AP MLD" or "single-link AP" and will not be described in detail.

[0235] Since the first address is carried in the Address 3 field of the management frame, it can be considered that the address indication information is used to indicate whether Address 3 carries the MAC address of the AP MLD or the MAC address of the subordinate AP.

[0236] Alternatively, the address indication information may be used to indicate the type of the management frame. Specifically, the address indication information may be a first value to indicate that the management frame is an MLD-level management frame, and a second value to indicate that the management frame is a link-level management frame. The first value is different from the second value. For example, the first value may be 1 and the second value may be 0. Alternatively, the first value may be 0 and the second value may be 1.

[0237] In one implementation of the present disclosure, the first address may include address indication information. In other words, the address indication information is located within the first address, or the address indication information is part of the bits of the first address. Specifically, the address indication information may be carried in the address 3 field of the management frame. For example, the address indication information may be carried in the unicast / multicast (Individual / Group, I / G) bit in the MAC address of the address 3 field. That is, in an embodiment of the present disclosure, the I / G bit of the first address carried in the address 3 field may be set to the value of the address indication information. The default value of the I / G bit of the first address may be 0. If the address indication information is the first value (1), then the I / G bit of the first address may be reset to 1. If the address indication information is the second value (0), then the I / G bit of the first address is maintained at 0.

[0238] It is understood that the embodiments of the present disclosure do not limit the specific location of the I / G bit. For example, it can be the least significant bit of the first byte of the Address 3 field, bit B0, or can be located at other locations. In other words, in this implementation, the Address 3 field is used to carry the first address, and the first address includes address indication information, such as bit B0 in the first address as the address indication information.

[0239] FIG6 illustrates a schematic diagram of a multi-link device scenario 600 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG6 illustrates an AP MLD 610 and a non-AP MLD 620. AP MLD 610 includes AP1, AP2, and AP3, while non-AP MLD 620 includes non-AP STA 1, non-AP STA 2, and non-AP STA 3. It is assumed that three links, namely, a first link 601, a second link 602, and a third link 603, have been established between AP MLD 610 and non-AP MLD 620 through a multi-link establishment process.

[0240] In some embodiments, if the management frame to be generated by the first multi-link device 401 is an MLD-level management frame, the first multi-link device 401 may set the I / G bit (i.e., address indication information) of the MAC address in address 3 505 to a first value (e.g., 1) when generating the management frame. In this case, the first address in address 3 505 is the MAC address of the AP MLD. In this case, the first address in the management frame carries the address indication information. For example, in the example where the first value is "1," the first address is the MAC address of the AP MLD, but the I / G bit of the MAC address is set to "1" instead of "0."

[0241] For example, if the Address 3 field contains 48 bits and the I / G bit is located in bit B0 of the first byte, the AP MLD MAC address can be represented as a 48-bit string, bit B0 of the string is set to 1, and the string with bit B0 set to 1 is then carried in the Address 3 field.

[0242] It should be noted that in the current 802.11-2020 protocol, Address 2 (A2) in the management frame is the sender address and can only be a unicast address; Address 3 (A3) is the BSSID of the AP, which is generally also a unicast address. However, in the embodiment of the present disclosure in which the first address includes address indication information, it is required that the first address is not all "1". For some management frames such as probe request frames, if the A3 address is set to all "1", for example, a wildcard BSSID, all 48 bits of the A3 address are 1. At this time, the wildcard BSSID cannot carry address indication information. In other words, the embodiment in which the first address includes address indication information can only be applied when the address in Address 3 is not all 1.

[0243] In another implementation of the present disclosure, the address indication information may be located outside the first address. In this implementation, the link indication information includes the address indication information and the first address, and the address indication information is used to indicate whether the first address is the MAC address of the APMLD or the MAC address of the affiliated AP. That is, although the above example assumes that the address indication information is carried in the I / G bit of address 3, the embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited to this.

[0244] As an example, the address indication information can be carried in the I / G bit of address 3 of the management frame. Specifically, the address indication information is a first value (such as 1), indicating that the first address in address 3 is the MAC address of the AP MLD. The address indication information is a second value (such as 0), indicating that the first address in address 3 is the MAC address of the affiliated AP. That is, in the embodiment of the present disclosure, the I / G bit of the address carried in the address 2 field can be set to the value of the address indication information. The default value of the I / G bit of the address in the address 2 field can be 0. If the address indication information is the first value (1), then the I / G bit of the address in the address 2 field is reset to 1. If the address indication information is the second value (0), then the I / G bit of the address in the address 2 field is maintained at 0.

[0245] Taking the address indication information as a first value (e.g., 1) as an example, when generating the management frame, the first multi-link device 401 may carry the MAC address of the AP MLD in the Address 3 field. For the Address 2 field, the character string represented by the sender address (e.g., the MAC address of AP1 in FIG6 ) may be first determined, the I / G bit of the character string may be set to 1, and the character string with the I / G bit set to 1 may be carried in the Address 2 field.

[0246] As another example, the address indication information can be carried in the From DS and To DS fields of the frame control of the management frame. Specifically, if the address indication information has a first value (for example, the first value may be From DS = 1 and To DS = 0), it indicates that the first address in address 3 is the MAC address of the AP MLD. If the address indication information has a second value (for example, the second value may be From DS = 1 and To DS = 1), it indicates that the first address in address 3 is the MAC address of the affiliated AP.

[0247] It should be noted that the address indication information may also be carried by other fields or bits, and the present disclosure will not list the specific ones one by one.

[0248] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the address indication information is a first value (eg, 1), and the first address is the MAC address of the AP MLD. The link indication information may further include link identification information, or may not include link identification information.

[0249] As described above, the address indication information is the first value, and may also indicate that the management frame is an MLD level management frame.

[0250] In one example, the management frame may not carry link identification information to indicate that the management frame is to be applied to all associated links, specifically, to all links associated between the first multi-link device 401 and the second multi-link device 402. With reference to FIG6 , if the management frame is to be applied to all links, i.e., the first link 601, the second link 602, and the third link 603, then the management frame may not carry link identification information, thereby saving signaling overhead.

[0251] To further illustrate, the aforementioned "the management frame is to be applied to all associated links" applies when the Address 1 field (receiver address) of the management frame is a unicast address. If the Address 1 field (receiver address) of the management frame is a multicast address, then "the management frame is to be applied to all associated links" is replaced with "the management frame is to be applied to all links." For example, if the subordinate AP in the AP MLD sends a multicast management frame, then "the management frame is to be applied to all associated links" is replaced with "the management frame is to be applied to all links of the AP MLD." For example, a management frame may include at least one element. For example, the frame body 509 of the management frame may include one or more elements. Optionally, the elements in the frame body 509 may have the format 300 shown in FIG. 3 above. As an example, the elements may carry link identification information, such as the link identification information carried in the link ID field 33711 shown in FIG. 3 . However, it is understandable that the elements in the frame body 509 may also have a format different from that of FIG. 3 , and the present disclosure is not limited to this.

[0252] If an element of the management frame (such as the second element) is to be applied to all links associated between the first multi-link device 401 and the second multi-link device 402, then the second element may not carry any link identification information. In other words, the second element does not carry any link identification information to instruct the second multi-link device to apply the second element to all links. Another embodiment is that the second element does not carry any link identification information to instruct the second multi-link device to apply the second element to the link on which the element is transmitted. The link ID may also occupy other numbers of bits, such as 4 bits.

[0253] In another example, the management frame may carry link identification information of the link to which it is applied, indicating that the management frame is to be applied to at least one link. That is, in this example, the link indication information also includes link identification information. For example, the link identification information may be a link ID or a link ID bitmap. With reference to FIG6 , if the management frame is to be applied to the first link 601 and the second link 602,

[0254] As an example, the link identification information includes the link ID of the first link 601 and the link ID of the second link 602. For example, assuming that the link ID is carried using two bits, the link ID of the first link 601 is "00", the link ID of the second link 602 is "01", and the link ID of the third link 603 is "10". The link identification information may include "00" and "01", indicating that the management frame is applied to the first link 601 and the second link 602.

[0255] As another example, the link identification information may include a link identification bitmap, and the bits corresponding to the first link 601 and the second link 602 in the link identification bitmap are set to 1, and the other bits are set to 0. In this example, the number of bits included in the link identification bitmap can be equal to (or greater than) the number of all links or fixed to 8 bits or 16 bits, and the order of the bits included in the link identification bitmap can correspond to all links. For example, assuming that the bits included in the link identification bitmap correspond to the first link 601, the second link 602, and the third link 603 from high to low, then the link identification information may include "110", indicating that the management frame is to be applied to the first link 601 and the second link 602, so that fewer bits can be used to clearly indicate the links to be applied.

[0256] For example, the management frame may include at least one element, and the link identification information may be carried in an element (such as the first element) of the management frame. In other words, the first element of the management frame carries the link identification information to instruct the second multi-link device to apply the first element to one or more links indicated by the link identification information.

[0257] For example, a management frame may include at least one element, and the second element of the management frame is to be applied to all links. In this case, the second element may carry link identification information, and the link identification information indicates all links, such as through a link identification bit map, setting the corresponding bits of all associated links to a preset value or a first value, indicating that the second element is applied to all corresponding links.

[0258] It is understood that, in this example, if the link identification information carried in the first element indicates a single link, the second multi-link device will apply the first element to the single link. If the link identification information carried in the first element indicates multiple links (e.g., two links or all links), the second multi-link device will apply the first element to the multiple links.

[0259] The link identification information includes at least one of the following: one or more link identifications, or a link identification bitmap.

[0260] In other embodiments of the present disclosure, the address indication information is a second value (e.g., 0), and the first address is a MAC address of the subordinate AP. Specifically, the first address may be a BSSID of the subordinate AP, and the management frame may be applied by the second multi-link device to the link on which the subordinate AP operates.

[0261] As described above, the address indication information is the second value, and may also indicate that the management frame is a link-level management frame. For example, if the link-level management frame is targeted at a specific link, it can be applied to the specific link, or if the link-level management frame is targeted at a link, it can be applied to the link.

[0262] Regarding "Link-level management frames are link-specific and can be applied to that specific link":

[0263] In an example, the management frame may not carry link identification information to indicate that the management frame is to be applied to the link on which the AP indicated by the first address operates.

[0264] In another example, the management frame may carry link identification information of the link to which it is applied, indicating that the management frame is to be applied to at least one link. That is, in this example, the link indication information also includes link identification information. For example, the link identification information may be a link ID or a link ID bitmap. With reference to FIG6 , if the management frame is to be applied to the first link 601 and the second link 602,

[0265] As an example, the link identification information includes the link ID of the first link 601 and the link ID of the second link 602. For example, assuming that the link ID is carried using two bits, the link ID of the first link 601 is "00", the link ID of the second link 602 is "01", and the link ID of the third link 603 is "10". The link identification information may include "00" and "01", indicating that the management frame is applied to the first link 601 and the second link 602. The link ID may also occupy other bits, such as four bits.

[0266] As another example, the link identification information may include a link identification bitmap, and the bits corresponding to the first link 601 and the second link 602 in the link identification bitmap are set to 1, and the other bits are set to 0. In this example, the number of bits included in the link identification bitmap can be equal to (or greater than) the number of all links, or fixed to 8 bits or 16 bits, and the order of the bits included in the link identification bitmap can correspond to all links. For example, assuming that the bits included in the link identification bitmap correspond to the first link 601, the second link 602, and the third link 603 from high to low, the link identification information may include "110", indicating that the management frame is to be applied to the first link 601 and the second link 602. This allows fewer bits to clearly indicate the links to be applied.

[0267] Optionally, the link indicated by the link identification information includes a link identifier corresponding to the AP that transmits the management frame, or a corresponding bit in a link identification bitmap is set to 1.

[0268] For example, the management frame may include at least one element, and the link identification information may be carried in an element (such as the first element) of the management frame. In other words, the first element of the management frame carries the link identification information to instruct the second multi-link device to apply the first element to one or more links indicated by the link identification information.

[0269] For example, a management frame may include at least one element, and the second element of the management frame is to be applied to all links. In this case, the second element may carry link identification information, and the link identification information indicates all links, such as through a link identification bit map, setting the corresponding bits of all associated links to a preset value or a first value, indicating that the second element is applied to all corresponding links.

[0270] It is understood that, in this example, if the link identification information carried in the first element indicates a single link, the second multi-link device will apply the first element to the single link. If the link identification information carried in the first element indicates multiple links (e.g., two links or all links), the second multi-link device will apply the first element to the multiple links.

[0271] Regarding "a link-level management frame is targeted at a link and can be applied to the link", in this case, the management frame does not carry link identification information.

[0272] 6 , if it is a link-level management frame and is to be applied to the second link 602 , the first address is the BSSID of the subordinate AP (ie, AP2 ).

[0273] In one example, if downlink transmission is performed on the second link 602 and is to be applied to the second link 602, then address 1 carries the MAC address of non-AP STA2, address 2 carries the MAC address of AP2, and address 3 carries the BSSID of AP2. In another example, if downlink transmission is performed on the first link 601 and is to be applied to the second link 602, then address 1 carries the MAC address of non-AP STA1, address 2 carries the MAC address of AP1, and address 3 carries the BSSID of AP2. This management frame does not need to carry additional link information, which prevents duplicate signaling indications and saves signaling overhead.

[0274] Returning to the process 400 , at 420 , the first multi-link device 401 sends the management frame to the second multi-link device 402 .

[0275] The sending step may be performed in a unicast manner or a broadcast manner, which is not limited in the present disclosure.

[0276] Specifically, the first multi-link device 401 may send the management frame to the second multi-link device 402 on the link between address 1 and address 2 of the management frame.

[0277] In some examples, referring to FIG6 , address 1 of the management frame carries the MAC address of non-AP STA1, and address 2 of the management frame carries the MAC address of AP1. Then, AP MLD 610 may send the management frame to non-AP STA1 in non-AP MLD 620 via AP1 on the first link 601, as shown by dotted line 630 in FIG6 .

[0278] In other examples, referring to FIG6 , address 1 of the management frame carries the MAC address of non-AP STA2, and address 2 of the management frame carries the MAC address of AP2. Then, the AP MLD 610 can send the management frame to the non-AP STA2 in the non-AP MLD 620 via AP2 on the second link 602, as shown by the dotted line 640 in FIG6 .

[0279] Continuing back to process 400, at 430, the second multi-link device 402 applies the received management frame to the indicated one or more links.

[0280] As described above, the link indication information of the management frame includes the first address, and the first address includes the address indication information, that is, the address indication information is located within the first address. Alternatively, the link indication information of the management frame includes the first address and the address indication information.

[0281] In some embodiments, if the address indication information is a first value (eg, 1), the second multi-link device 402 may determine that the first address is the MAC address of the AP MLD. Optionally, the management frame may be determined to be an MLD-level management frame.

[0282] If the first address includes address indication information, the second multi-link device 402 can obtain the information carried by the Address 3 field in the management frame, reset the I / G bit therein to 0, and then read the first address in Address 3, that is, the MAC address of the AP MLD. In the scenario of Figure 6, the first address can be the MAC address of the AP MLD 610.

[0283] Furthermore, the second multi-link device 402 may determine whether the management frame carries link indication information.

[0284] If the management frame does not carry link identification information, the second multi-link device 402 may apply the management frame to all links (such as the first link 601, the second link 602, and the third link 603) associated with the first multi-link device 401 and the second multi-link device 402. As an example, the management frame may be an add block acknowledgment (ADD Block ACK, ADDBA) request frame or an add block acknowledgment response frame.

[0285] If the management frame carries link identification information, the second multi-link device 402 can apply the management frame to one or more links indicated by the link identification information. For example, in conjunction with Figure 6, if the management frame includes the link identification information of the first link 601 and the second link 602 (for example, the link identification information can include the link ID of the first link 601 and the link ID of the second link 602 through two link ID fields; or the link identification information can be represented by setting the corresponding 2 bits in the link identification bitmap to the first value), then the management frame can be applied to the first link 601 and the second link 602. As an example, the management frame can be a target wake time (TWT) establishment frame, wherein the TWT element in the TWT establishment frame carries link identification information, and the link identification information is used to indicate one or more links to be applied.

[0286] For example, the management frame includes at least one element. If the first element carries link identification information, the second multi-link device 402 may apply the first element to one or more links indicated by the link identification information. If the second element does not carry link identification information, the second multi-link device 402 may apply the second element to all links associated between the first multi-link device 401 and the second multi-link device 402. Alternatively, in another implementation, if the second element does not carry link identification information, the second multi-link device 402 may apply the second element only to the link on which the management frame is transmitted (i.e., the link on which the station indicated by the receiving end address or the station indicated by the sending end address operates).

[0287] In other embodiments, if the address indication information is a second value (e.g., 0), the second multi-link device 402 may determine that the first address is the MAC address of the subordinate AP. Alternatively, the management frame may be determined to be a link-level management frame. Furthermore, the second multi-link device 402 may apply the management frame to the link on which the subordinate AP operates. For example, the management frame may be a Notify Channel Width Frame Format frame.

[0288] The second multi-link device 402 can obtain the information of address 3 in the management frame and read the first address in address 3, that is, the BSSID of the affiliated AP. In conjunction with the scenario of Figure 6, it is assumed that the first address may be the BSSID of AP2. Then, the second multi-link device 402 can apply the management frame to the link associated with the first address (the BSSID of AP2) (that is, the second link 602).

[0289] It can be understood that, in this example, the link to which the management frame is applied is determined based on the first address (ie, the MAC address of the AP), and has nothing to do with the link that actually transmits the management frame.

[0290] For example, referring to Figure 6 , assume that address 1 of a management frame carries the MAC address of non-AP STA2, address 2 of the management frame carries the MAC address of AP2, and address 3 carries the BSSID of AP2. Then, the first multi-link device 401 sends the management frame to the second multi-link device 402 on the second link 602, and the second multi-link device 402 applies the management frame to the second link 602. As can be seen, in this example, the actual transmission link and the applied link are the same: the second link 602. For another example, assume that address 1 of a management frame carries the MAC address of non-AP STA1, address 2 of the management frame carries the MAC address of AP1, and address 3 carries the BSSID of AP2. Then, the first multi-link device 401 sends the management frame to the second multi-link device 402 on the first link 601, but the second multi-link device 402 applies the management frame to the second link 602. In other words, the second multi-link device 402 applies the management frame to a link (the second link 602) other than the link that transmitted the management frame (the first link 601) based on the first address. This allows the link that transmits the management frame to be the same as or different from the link on which it is applied, enabling cross-link transmission of the management frame, fully utilizing the multi-link feature and improving communication efficiency.

[0291] It should be noted that after receiving the management frame, the second multi-link device 402 can determine whether the addresses in Address 3 of the management frame are all 1s. If so, the second multi-link device 402 can determine that Address 3 is a wildcard BSSID and that Address 3 does not carry address indication information. Only when the addresses in Address 3 are not all 1s is the above-described determination of whether the first address is the MAC address of the AP MLD or the MAC address of the affiliated AP performed.

[0292] Returning to the process 400 , at 440 , the second multi-link device 402 sends a reply confirmation frame for the management frame to the first multi-link device 401 .

[0293] 6 , non-AP STA 1 of non-AP MLD 620 may send an acknowledgment frame to AP1 of AP MLD 610 over the first link 601. For example, the acknowledgment frame may include a positive acknowledgment (ACK).

[0294] In the examples described above with reference to Figures 4 to 6 , it is assumed that the first multi-link device 401 is an AP MLD and the second multi-link device 402 is a non-AP MLD. It is understood that the first multi-link device 401 can also be a non-AP MLD and the second multi-link device 402 can be an AP MLD. The corresponding descriptions are similar and will not be repeated here.

[0295] As described above in conjunction with Figures 4 to 6, in embodiments of the present disclosure, management frames can include link indication information to indicate the link to which the management frame is to be applied, thereby enabling the second multi-link device to apply the management frame to the correct link and avoid processing errors. Furthermore, the link indication information can include address indication information to indicate whether the first address is the MAC address of the AP MLD or the MAC address of the affiliated AP. This solution is applicable even when the MAC address of the MLD is the same as the MAC address of the affiliated station. This solution is more versatile and can save signaling overhead. Management frames in embodiments of the present disclosure can be transmitted across links, thereby fully utilizing the multi-link characteristics, achieving efficient resource utilization, improving resource utilization, and further enhancing communication efficiency.

[0296] It can be seen that the embodiments of the present disclosure provide a management frame mechanism for cross-link transmission, which can make full use of resources by taking advantage of the multi-link characteristics, and even in the case where the MAC address of the MLD is the same as the MAC of the subordinate site, there will be no processing exceptions due to the inability to determine the type of management frame. On the other hand, the cross-link transmission mechanism allows the MLD MAC address of the MLD to be the same as the MAC address of one of the subordinate sites, reducing the number of MAC address overheads and reducing the cost of the chip. Specifically, in the embodiments of the present disclosure, the first address is indicated by the address indication information, which can ensure normal processing while saving signaling overhead. Moreover, for link-level management frames, at least the first address is used to indicate which link the management frame is to be applied to, and it will not be applied to the wrong link due to cross-link transmission. For MLD-level management frames, additional link information can be used to indicate which parts of the link the management frame is to be applied to, thereby expanding the scope of application and ensuring communication performance.

[0297] In another embodiment, address 3 in a management frame always carries the MAC address of the AP; that is, address 3 in any management frame always carries the MAC address of the AP, and there is no possibility of carrying the MAC address of the AP MLD. The MAC address of the AP can be the MAC address of a subordinate AP or the MAC address of a single-link AP. The address indication information can be used to indicate the type of the management frame. Specifically, the address indication information is a first value to indicate that the management frame is an MLD-level management frame, and the address indication information is a second value to indicate that the management frame is a link-level management frame. The first value is different from the second value. For example, the first value is 1 and the second value is 0. Or, for example, the first value is 0 and the second value is 1.

[0298] To further explain: the MAC address of the AP is the MAC address of the AP that transmits the management frame or the MAC address of another AP in the same AP MLD except the MAC address of the AP that transmits the management frame.

[0299] The AP's MAC address is the MAC address of the AP that transmits the management frame. The link identification information carried by the management frame is consistent with the aforementioned description of "Link-level management frames are targeted at specific links and can be applied to the specific links" and is not repeated here.

[0300] The AP's MAC address is the MAC address of another AP in the same AP MLD, other than the AP transmitting the management frame. The link identification information carried in the management frame is consistent with the aforementioned description regarding "Link-level management frames are link-specific and can be applied to the specific link," and is not further described here. FIG. 7 illustrates another signaling interaction diagram of a data transmission process 700 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Process 700 involves a first multi-link device 701 and a second multi-link device 702. The first multi-link device 701 can be an AP MLD or a non-AP MLD. Accordingly, the second multi-link device 702 can be a non-AP MLD or an AP MLD.

[0301] For ease of description, it is assumed below that the first multi-link device 701 is the AP MLD 610 shown in Figure 6 , and the second multi-link device 702 is the non-AP MLD 620 shown in Figure 6 . It should be understood that the communication process shown in Figure 7 is merely exemplary and non-limiting. Embodiments of the present disclosure may include interactive signaling not shown in Figure 7 , or may omit certain signaling shown in Figure 7 .

[0302] At step 710 of process 700, the first multi-link device 701 may first generate a management frame. The management frame may be a robust management frame, or a protected management frame or an encrypted management frame, and may have a format as shown in FIG8 below.

[0303] 8 shows another schematic diagram of a management frame format 800 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Format 800 includes a frame control 801, a duration 802, an address 1 803, an address 2 804, an address 3 805, a sequence control 806, an address 4 807, a counter mode cipher-block chaining message authentication code (CBC-MAC) protocol (CCMP) header or a Galois / Counter Mode Protocol (GCMP) header 808, a frame body 809, a message integrity check (MIC) 812, and a frame check sequence (FCS) 810. The frame body 809 may include an MMPDU. Additionally or optionally, the format 800 may further include a high throughput control (HT Control) 811 .

[0304] Illustratively, the frame control 801 may include multiple subfields, such as protocol version (Protocol Version), frame type (Type), subtype (Subtype), from distributed system (From DS), to distributed system (To DS), retry (Retry), power management (Power Management), more data (More Data), etc. For example, the frame type "00" indicates a management frame.

[0305] For example, duration 802 may be used to indicate the duration of a transmission opportunity. Address 1 803, address 2 804, address 3 805, and address 4 807 may be collectively referred to as an address field. Frame body 509 may be used to carry specific information. FCS 810 may be used for error detection. For example, FCS 810 may include a 32-bit cyclic redundancy check (CRC). HT control 811 may include aggregated control (A-Control), further including a control list and padding.

[0306] It is understood that the elements with similar reference numerals in FIG. 8 may refer to the above description of the similar elements in FIG. 5 , which will not be repeated here.

[0307] The management frame may include a receiving end address, a transmitting end address, and link indication information, where the link indication information may be used to indicate at least one link to which the management frame is applied.

[0308] In some examples, the link indication information may include a first address and address indication information. In other examples, the link indication information may include the first address, the first address including the address indication information, i.e., the address indication information is located within the first address. The address indication information is used to indicate whether the first address is the MAC address of the AP MLD or the MAC address of a subordinate AP. Specifically, the address indication information is a first value to indicate that the first address is the MAC address of the AP MLD, and the address indication information is a second value to indicate that the first address is the MAC address of the subordinate AP.

[0309] When the address indication information is a first value and the first address is the MAC address of the AP MLD, the link indication information may further include link identification information, such as the link identification information being carried in an element of a management frame. Alternatively, the management frame may not carry any link identification information.

[0310] Specifically, regarding the specific embodiments of the receiving end address, the sending end address and the link indication information, reference may be made to the above description in conjunction with FIG. 4 , which will not be repeated here for the sake of brevity.

[0311] In one implementation, the MIC 812 in the management frame of format 800 shown in FIG8 may be generated based on additional authentication data (AAD) constructed by the first multi-link device 701. It should be understood that the ADD construction and / or parsing process, and the corresponding MIC generation and / or parsing process, provided in the embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented independently or may be coupled with the management frame generation and transmission process provided in the aforementioned embodiments.

[0312] 9 shows a schematic diagram of an AAD format 900 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The format 900 includes a frame control 901, an address 1 902, an address 2 903, an address 3 904, a sequence control 905, and an address 4 906.

[0313] For example, frame control 901 may be generated based on a portion of the subfields of frame control 801. For example, some subfields of frame control 801 (e.g., subtype, retry, more data, etc.) may be excluded before generating frame control 901. In other words, the excluded subfields are set (masked) to 0. For example, sequence control 905 may be consistent with sequence control 806, and address 4 906 may be consistent with address 4 807. As an implementation, the specific method for constructing AAD frame control 901, address 1 902, sequence control 905, and address 4 906 may also refer to the current 802.11-2021 protocol.

[0314] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the address carried in address 1 902 is the same as that in address 1 803 , the address carried in address 2 903 is the same as that in address 2 804 , and the address carried in address 3 904 is the same as that in address 3 805 .

[0315] Specifically, address 1 902 in format 900 can carry the receiving end address of the management frame, address 2 903 can carry the sending end address of the management frame, and address 3 904 can carry the second address. It is understood that the management frame here can be a management frame corresponding to AAD or the management frame described in the above embodiments. For example, if the management frame is sent from an AP MLD to a non-AP MLD (i.e., the transmission direction is downlink), address 1 902 can carry the MAC address of the non-AP STA, and address 2 903 can carry the MAC address of the AP. If the management frame is sent from a non-AP MLD to an AP MLD (i.e., the transmission direction is uplink), address 1 902 can carry the MAC address of the AP, and address 2 903 can carry the MAC address of the non-AP STA. Furthermore, address 3 904 carries the second address, regardless of whether the frame is in uplink or downlink mode.

[0316] Furthermore, during air interface transmission, if address 1 803 and address 2 804 of a management frame carry the address of the link on which the management frame is transmitted, then address 1 902 and address 2 903 in the AAD may also carry the address of the link on which the management frame is transmitted, as shown in Table 2 below.

[0317] Table 2

[0318]

[0319]

[0320] In other embodiments of the present disclosure, address 1 902 and address 2 903 in format 900 carry the MAC addresses of the corresponding MLDs and are not replaced with the corresponding link addresses even during air interface transmission. That is, in this embodiment, during air interface transmission, the addresses carried in address 1 902 and address 2 903 remain MAC addresses.

[0321] However, in this embodiment, the address carried in address 3 904 is the same as that carried in address 3 805, that is, the second address is the same as the first address.

[0322] Specifically, if the management frame is an MLD-level management frame, the first address is the MAC address of the AP MLD. When constructing the AAD, the second address in Address 3 904 is also the MAC address of the AP MLD. If the management frame is a link-level management frame, the first address is the BSSID of the AP, which can be the BSSID of an AP affiliated with or the BSSID of an AP not affiliated with the AP MLD. When constructing the AAD, the second address in Address 3 904 is also the BSSID of the AP, which can be the BSSID of an AP affiliated with or the BSSID of an AP not affiliated with the AP MLD. Accordingly, Address 1, Address 2, and Address 3 in the AAD can be as shown in Table 3 below.

[0323] Table 3

[0324]

[0325] As can be understood, in this embodiment, since Address 1 and Address 2 in the AAD are the MAC addresses of the corresponding MLDs, the corresponding management frames are allowed to be transmitted across links. Even if they are not transmitted on the target link, they do not need to be re-encrypted. This approach fully utilizes the multi-link feature and improves transmission flexibility, thereby effectively utilizing link resources and improving communication efficiency.

[0326] As described above with respect to the management frame, the management frame includes link indication information, and the link indication information includes address indication information.

[0327] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the address indication information is carried in the address 3 field of the management frame, that is, the first address includes the address indication information.

[0328] In one example, the address in address 3 904 of the AAD may be the same as the address in address 3 of the management frame, that is, the second address of the AAD also includes the address indication information.

[0329] In another example, the first address of the management frame is always set to the MAC address of the AP, and the second address is always set to the MAC address of the AP.

[0330] In another example, the address in Address 3 904 of the AAD is not necessarily identical to the address in Address 3 of the management frame. That is, the second address of the AAD does not include address indication information. Specifically, if the address indication information is a first value (e.g., 1), then when constructing the AAD, the address indication information in the Address 3 field of the management frame is reset to a default value (e.g., 0) and used as the second address in Address 3 904 of the AAD. If the address indication information is a second value (e.g., 0), then when constructing the AAD, the address indication information in the Address 3 field of the management frame is maintained at 0 and used as the second address in Address 3 904 of the AAD. It is understood that in this case, the meaning of the first address and, optionally, the type of the management frame can still be determined by the address indication information in the management frame. Optionally, in this example, the second address does not include address indication information, but the AAD can carry address indication information through other positions or bits. That is, the AAD includes address indication information, which is carried in the I / G bit of address 2 of the AAD or in the From DS and To DS of the frame control of the AAD.

[0331] In some other embodiments of the present disclosure, the address indication information is carried in the address 2 field of the management frame.

[0332] In one example, the address in the address 3 904 of the AAD is not necessarily exactly the same as the address in the address 3 of the management frame, that is, the second address of the AAD includes address indication information. Specifically, if the address indication information in the address 2 field of the management frame is a first value (such as 1), then when constructing the AAD, the address indication information in the address 3 field of the management frame is reset to 1 and used as the second address in the address 3 904 of the AAD. If the address indication information in the address 2 field of the management frame is a second value (such as 0), then when constructing the AAD, the address indication information in the address 3 field of the management frame is kept at 0 and used as the second address in the address 3 904 of the AAD. That is, in the embodiment of the present disclosure, the I / G bit of the second address carried in the address 3 field of the AAD can be set to the value of the address indication information. The default value of the I / G bit of the second address can be 0. If the address indication information is the first value (1), then the I / G bit of the second address is reset to 1. If the address indication information is the second value (0), then the I / G bit of the second address is kept at 0.

[0333] In another example, the address in Address 2 903 of the AAD can be exactly the same as the address in Address 2 of the management frame, that is, the AAD also includes this address indication information. In another example, the address in Address 2 903 of the AAD is not necessarily the same as the address in Address 2 of the management frame, that is, the AAD does not include address indication information. Specifically, if the address indication information in Address 2 of the management frame is a first value (e.g., 1), then when constructing the AAD, the address indication information in the Address 2 field of the management frame is reset to a default value (e.g., 0) and used as the address in Address 2 903 of the AAD. If the address indication information in Address 2 of the management frame is a second value (e.g., 0), then when constructing the AAD, the address indication information in the Address 2 field of the management frame is maintained at 0 and used as the address in Address 2 903 of the AAD. It is understood that in this case, the meaning of the first address and, optionally, the type of the management frame, can still be determined by the address indication information in Address 2 of the management frame.

[0334] Furthermore, the first multi-link device 701 may generate a MIC 812 using an encryption algorithm based on the constructed AAD and the frame body 809 .

[0335] Returning to process 700, at 720, the first multi-link device 701 sends the management frame to the second multi-link device 702. Specifically, the first multi-link device 701 may send the management frame to the second multi-link device 702 on the link between address 1 and address 2 of the management frame.

[0336] Regarding 720 in FIG. 7 , reference may be made to the description of 420 in FIG. 4 above, which will not be repeated here for the sake of brevity.

[0337] Returning to the process 700 , at 730 , the second multi-link device 702 performs security verification on the received management frame.

[0338] In some embodiments, the second multi-link device 702 may construct an AAD based on the received management frame, and then the second multi-link device 702 may generate a second MIC based on the constructed AAD and the frame body in the management frame, and verify the security of the received management frame based on the MIC in the management frame (referred to as the first MIC) and the second MIC.

[0339] It should be understood that the process of the second multi-link device 702 constructing the AAD to obtain the second MIC can be implemented independently, that is, it can be decoupled from the process of the second multi-link device 702 receiving the management frame. Alternatively, the process of the second multi-link device 702 constructing the AAD to obtain the second MIC can also be implemented in combination with the process of the second multi-link device 702 receiving the management frame and applying the management frame to at least one link.

[0340] The AAD constructed by the second multi-link device 702 may have a format similar to the format 900 shown in Figure 9. Specifically, the second multi-link device constructs the AAD in a manner similar to the manner in which the first multi-link device 701 constructs the AAD shown in Figure 9. For details, please refer to the above description and will not be repeated here for the sake of brevity.

[0341] After constructing the AAD, the second multi-link device 702 can generate a second MIC based on the constructed AAD and the frame body of the received management frame. The second multi-link device 702 can then compare the MIC of the received management frame (referred to as the first MIC) with the generated second MIC. If the two are the same, it indicates that the management frame has not been tampered with and can proceed to subsequent processing. On the contrary, if the two are different, it indicates that the management frame has been tampered with.

[0342] Continuing back to process 700, at 740, the second multi-link device 702 applies the received management frame to the indicated one or more links.

[0343] Specifically, if the security verification is passed at 730 , for example, the first MIC is consistent with the second MIC, the process proceeds to 740 .

[0344] As described above, the link indication information of the management frame includes the first address, and the first address includes the address indication information, that is, the address indication information is located within the first address. Alternatively, the link indication information of the management frame includes the first address and the address indication information.

[0345] In some embodiments, if the address indication information is a first value (eg, 1), the second multi-link device 402 may determine that the first address is the MAC address of the AP MLD. Optionally, the management frame may be determined to be an MLD-level management frame.

[0346] If the first address includes address indication information, the second multi-link device 402 can obtain the information carried by the Address 3 field in the management frame, reset the I / G bit therein to 0, and then read the first address in Address 3, that is, the MAC address of the AP MLD. In the scenario of Figure 6, the first address can be the MAC address of the AP MLD 610.

[0347] Furthermore, the second multi-link device 402 may determine whether the management frame carries link indication information.

[0348] If the management frame does not carry link identification information, the second multi-link device 402 may apply the management frame to all links (such as the first link 601, the second link 602, and the third link 603) associated with the first multi-link device 401 and the second multi-link device 402. As an example, the management frame may be an add block acknowledgment (ADD Block ACK, ADDBA) request frame or an add block acknowledgment response frame.

[0349] If the management frame carries link identification information, the second multi-link device 402 can apply the management frame to one or more links indicated by the link identification information. For example, in conjunction with Figure 6, if the management frame includes link identification information of the first link 601 and the second link 602, then the management frame can be applied to the first link 601 and the second link 602. As an example, the management frame can be a target wake time (TWT) establishment frame, wherein the TWT element in the TWT establishment frame carries link identification information, and the link identification information is used to indicate one or more links to be applied.

[0350] For example, the management frame includes at least one element. If the first element carries link identification information, the second multi-link device 402 may apply the first element to one or more links indicated by the link identification information. If the second element does not carry link identification information, the second multi-link device 402 may apply the second element to all links associated between the first multi-link device 401 and the second multi-link device 402. In another embodiment, if the second element does not carry link identification information, the second multi-link device 402 may apply the second element to the link on which the element is transmitted.

[0351] In other embodiments, if the address indication information is a second value (e.g., 0), the second multi-link device 402 may determine that the first address is the MAC address of the subordinate AP. Optionally, the management frame may be determined to be a link-level management frame. Furthermore, the second multi-link device 402 may apply the management frame to the link on which the subordinate AP operates. As an example, the management frame may be a notify channel width frame format frame. The second multi-link device 402 may obtain information about address 3 in the management frame and read the first address in address 3, i.e., the BSSID of the subordinate AP. In conjunction with the scenario of FIG. 6 , it is assumed that the first address may be the BSSID of AP2. Then, the second multi-link device 402 may apply the management frame to the link associated with the first address (BSSID of AP2) (i.e., the second link 602).

[0352] It can be understood that, in this example, the link to which the management frame is applied is determined based on the first address (ie, the MAC address of the AP), and has nothing to do with the link that actually transmits the management frame.

[0353] For example, referring to Figure 6 , assume that address 1 of a management frame carries the MAC address of non-AP STA2, address 2 of the management frame carries the MAC address of AP2, and address 3 carries the BSSID of AP2. Then, the first multi-link device 401 sends the management frame to the second multi-link device 402 on the second link 602, and the second multi-link device 402 applies the management frame to the second link 602. As can be seen, in this example, the actual transmission link and the applied link are the same: the second link 602. For another example, assume that address 1 of the management frame carries the MAC address of non-AP STA1, address 2 of the management frame carries the MAC address of AP1, and address 3 carries the BSSID of AP2. Then, the first multi-link device 401 sends the management frame to the second multi-link device 402 on the first link 601, but the second multi-link device 402 applies the management frame to the second link 602. In other words, the second multi-link device 402 applies the management frame to a link (the second link 602) other than the link that transmitted the management frame (the first link 601) based on the first address. In this way, the link that transmits the management frame and the link to which it is applied can be the same or different, enabling cross-link transmission of the management frame, fully utilizing the multi-link feature and improving communication efficiency.

[0354] Returning to process 700, at 750, the second multi-link device 702 sends a reply confirmation frame for the management frame to the first multi-link device 701. If the receiving end of the management frame is a single-link station, the single-link station replies to the first multi-link device 701 with a confirmation frame.

[0355] 6 , non-AP STA1 of non-AP MLD 620 may send an acknowledgment frame to AP1 of AP MLD 610 over the first link 601. For example, the acknowledgment frame may include a positive acknowledgment (ACK).

[0356] In the above example, it is assumed that the first multi-link device 701 is an AP MLD and the second multi-link device 702 is a non-AP MLD. It is understood that the first multi-link device 701 can also be a non-AP MLD and the second multi-link device 702 can be an AP MLD. The corresponding description is similar and will not be repeated here.

[0357] As described above, in the embodiments of the present disclosure, the management frame can include link indication information to indicate the link to which the management frame is to be applied, so that the second multi-link device can apply the management frame to the correct link, avoiding processing errors. In addition, the link indication information can include address indication information to indicate whether the first address is the MAC address of the AP MLD or the MAC address of the subordinate AP. This solution is applicable even when the MAC address of the MLD is the same as the MAC address of the subordinate station. This solution is more universal and can save signaling overhead. On the other hand, this cross-link transmission mechanism allows the MLD MAC address of the MLD to be the same as the MAC address of one of the subordinate stations, reducing the number of MAC addresses and reducing chip costs. The management frame of the embodiment of the present disclosure can be transmitted across links, which can fully utilize the multi-link characteristics, achieve effective resource utilization, improve resource utilization, and further enhance communication efficiency.

[0358] Figure 10 shows a schematic flow chart of a data transmission method 1000 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The method 1000 may be performed by a first multi-link device, which may be implemented as the AP MLD 610 or the non-AP MLD 620 in Figure 6 , for example.

[0359] Method 1000 starts at block 1010. At block 1010, a first multi-link device generates a management frame, the management frame including a receiver address, a transmitter address, and link indication information, the link indication information being used to indicate that the management frame is applied to at least one link corresponding to the link indication information.

[0360] For example, a management frame may have format 500 as shown in FIG5 , or, in a protected state, format 800 as shown in FIG8 . The link indication information may include a first address, which is carried in the Address 3 field of the management frame. In addition, the receiver address may be carried in the Address 1 field of the management frame, and the transmitter address may be carried in the Address 2 field of the management frame.

[0361] In some examples, the first address may include address indication information, for example, the address indication information is carried in the I / G bit of the MAC address of the address 3 field of the management frame.

[0362] In other examples, the link indication information may include the first address and address indication information, for example, the address indication information is carried in the I / G bit or other position of the MAC address of the address 2 field of the management frame.

[0363] In the embodiments of the present disclosure, the address indication information may be used to indicate whether the first address is the MLD MAC address of the AP MLD or the MAC address of the subordinate AP in the AP MLD. Specifically, if the address indication information is a first value (e.g., 1), it indicates that the first address is the MLD MAC address of the AP MLD. If the address indication information is a second value (e.g., 0), it indicates that the first address is the MAC address of the subordinate AP in the AP MLD, for example, the BSSID of the subordinate AP in the AP MLD.

[0364] In one scenario, the address indication information is a first value, and the first address is the MLD MAC address of the AP MLD. The link indication information may further include link identification information or may not include any link identification information.

[0365] Specifically, the link indication information includes link identification information, which is used to indicate the link to which the management frame is to be applied. The link indication information does not include link identification information, which is used to indicate that the management frame is to be applied to all links associated between the first multi-link device and the second multi-link device.

[0366] In the embodiments of the present disclosure, “applied to a link” may be understood as taking effect on a link (target at a link), or applied to sites at both ends of a link, and is hereinafter collectively described as applied to a link.

[0367] As an example, the management frame includes at least one element. The link identification information may be carried in the first element of the management frame, to indicate that the first element is applied to one or more links indicated by the link identification information.

[0368] As another example, the management frame includes at least one element. The second element of the management frame does not carry any link identification information, and is used to indicate that the second element is applied to all links associated between the first multi-link device and the second multi-link device.

[0369] Exemplarily, the link identification information may be at least one of the following: one or more link IDs, a link ID bitmap, and the like.

[0370] In another case, the address indication information is the second value, and the first address is the MAC address of the subordinate AP in the AP MLD. Then the management frame is applied to the link where the subordinate AP works.

[0371] In some embodiments, if a protected management frame as shown in FIG8 is to be generated, an AAD including a second address may be constructed when generating the management frame; a MIC may be generated based on the constructed AAD; and a management frame may be generated based on the MIC.

[0372] The constructed AAD may have a format 900 as shown in Figure 9. The second address may be carried in the Address 3 field of the AAD.

[0373] In one example, when constructing an AAD, the second address in the AAD can be consistent with the first address in the management frame. Specifically, if the first address is the MLD MAC address of the AP MLD, the second address is also the MLD MAC address of the AP MLD. If the first address is the MAC address of an AP belonging to the AP MLD, the second address is also the MAC address of the AP belonging to the AP MLD. If the first address is the MAC address of a single-link AP or an AP not belonging to any AP MLD, the second address is also the MAC address of the AP not belonging to any AP MLD.

[0374] In this example, if the first address includes address indication information, then the second address also includes address indication information. If the first address does not include address indication information, then the second address also does not include address indication information. In other words, the Address 3 field of the AAD remains consistent with the Address 3 field of the management frame transmitted over the air interface.

[0375] In another example, if the first address includes address indication information, then when constructing the AAD, the address indication information in the first address can be reset to a default value (such as 0) and used as the second address in the AAD.

[0376] In this example, although the first address includes address indication information, the second address does not include address indication information.

[0377] In another example, the AAD may include address indication information, which is carried in the I / G bit of the AAD's address 2 or address 3. Similar to the above embodiment of the management frame including the address indication information, details are not repeated here.

[0378] In this way, the first multi-link device can construct the AAD and then generate the MIC based on the AAD. Specifically, the management frame generated at 1010 includes the MIC.

[0379] It can be understood that the embodiments of the present disclosure do not limit the specific use of management frames. For example, it can be any of the following: adding a block confirmation request frame, adding a block confirmation response frame, notifying a channel width frame format frame, target wake-up time establishment frame, channel switching request frame, transmit power control (Transmit Power Control, TPC) request frame, etc.

[0380] Regarding 1010, please refer to the relevant description of 410 in Figure 4 and 710 in Figure 7 above. For the sake of brevity, it will not be repeated here.

[0381] At 1020, the first multi-link device sends a management frame on the link where the station indicated by the receiving end address or the station indicated by the sending end address works. For example, the management frame may be sent to the second multi-link device or to a single-link station.

[0382] Regarding 1020, please refer to the relevant description of 420 in Figure 4 and 720 in Figure 7 above. For the sake of brevity, it will not be repeated here.

[0383] Optionally, after 1020 , the first multi-link device may further receive a response to the management frame from the second multi-link device or the single-link station, such as a reply confirmation frame.

[0384] Thus, in the embodiment of the present disclosure, the management frame may include link indication information to indicate the link to which the management frame is to be applied, so that when the receiving device is a second multi-link device, the management frame can be applied to the correct link to avoid processing errors.

[0385] The link indication information may include address indication information to indicate whether the first address is the MLD MAC address of the AP MLD or the MAC address of the AP. In one implementation, the MAC address of the AP is the MAC address of the subordinate AP in the AP MLD. This solution is applicable even when the MAC address of the MLD is the same as the MAC address of the subordinate station. This solution is more universal and can save signaling overhead. The management frames of the embodiments of the present disclosure can be transmitted across links, thereby fully utilizing the multi-link characteristics, achieving effective resource utilization, improving resource utilization, and further enhancing communication efficiency. In another implementation, the MAC address of the AP is the MAC address of a single-link AP or the MAC address of an AP that is not affiliated with the AP MLD.

[0386] FIG11 shows another schematic flow chart of a data transmission method 1100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The method 1100 may be performed by a second multi-link device, which may be implemented as the AP MLD 610 or the non-AP MLD 620 in FIG6 , for example.

[0387] Method 1100 begins at block 1110. At block 1110, a second multi-link device receives a management frame from a first multi-link device on a link on which a station in the second multi-link device operates. The management frame includes a receiving end address, a sending end address, and link indication information. The receiving end address is the address of the station in the second multi-link device. The link indication information is used to indicate that the management frame is applied to at least one link indicated by the link indication information.

[0388] For example, a management frame may have format 500 as shown in FIG5 , or, in a protected state, format 800 as shown in FIG8 . The link indication information may include a first address, which is carried in the Address 3 field of the management frame. In addition, the receiver address may be carried in the Address 1 field of the management frame, and the transmitter address may be carried in the Address 2 field of the management frame.

[0389] In some examples, the first address may include address indication information, for example, the address indication information is carried in the I / G bit of the MAC address of the address 3 field of the management frame.

[0390] In other examples, the link indication information may include the first address and address indication information, for example, the address indication information is carried in the I / G bit or other position of the MAC address of the address 2 field of the management frame.

[0391] In embodiments of the present disclosure, the address indication information may be used to indicate whether the first address is the MLD MAC address of the AP MLD or the MAC address of the AP in the AP MLD, specifically the MAC address of the subordinate AP in the AP MLD. Specifically, if the address indication information is a first value (e.g., 1), it indicates that the first address is the MLD MAC address of the AP MLD. If the address indication information is a second value (e.g., 0), it indicates that the first address is the MAC address of the subordinate AP in the AP MLD, for example, the BSSID of the subordinate AP in the AP MLD.

[0392] In one scenario, the address indication information is a first value, the first address is not all 1s, and the first address is an MLD MAC address of an AP MLD. The link indication information may further include link identification information or may not include any link identification information.

[0393] Specifically, the link indication information includes link identification information, which is used to indicate the link to which the management frame is to be applied. The link indication information does not include link identification information, which is used to indicate that the management frame is to be applied to all links associated between the first multi-link device and the second multi-link device.

[0394] As an example, the management frame includes at least one element, wherein the first element of the management frame carries link identification information. As another example, the management frame includes at least one element, wherein the second element of the management frame does not carry any link identification information.

[0395] Exemplarily, the link identification information may be at least one of the following: one or more link IDs, a link ID bitmap, and the like.

[0396] In another case, the address indication information is the second value, and the first address is the MAC address of the AP, specifically the MAC address of the AP in the AP MLD.

[0397] In some embodiments, if the protected management frame as shown in FIG. 8 is received at 1110 , the management frame may further include a first MIC.

[0398] In one implementation, the embodiment of the management frame can refer to the relevant description in the above embodiment, and for the sake of brevity, it will not be repeated here.

[0399] At 1120 , the second multi-link device applies the management frame to at least one corresponding link based on the link indication information.

[0400] In some embodiments, if the received management frame includes the first MIC, the second multi-link device further performs security verification on the management frame before 1120. It should be understood that the following process of the second multi-link device constructing the ADD, obtaining the second MIC, and performing security verification can be implemented independently or in combination with the aforementioned process of receiving the management frame and applying the management frame to at least one corresponding link in 1120.

[0401] Specifically, the second multi-link device may construct an AAD based on the management frame, the AAD including the second address; generate a second MIC based on the AAD; and perform security verification on the management frame based on the first MIC and the second MIC.

[0402] In one example, when constructing an AAD, the second address in the AAD can be consistent with the first address in the management frame. Specifically, if the first address is the MLD MAC address of the AP MLD, the second address is also the MLD MAC address of the AP MLD. If the first address is the MAC address of the subordinate AP in the AP MLD, the second address is also the MAC address of the subordinate AP in the AP MLD.

[0403] If the first address is the MAC address of a single-link AP, or the MAC address of an AP that does not belong to or is not in any AP MLD, then the second address is also the MAC address of the single-link AP, or the MAC address of an AP that does not belong to any AP MLD.

[0404] In this example, if the first address includes address indication information, then correspondingly, the second address also includes address indication information. If the first address does not include address indication information, then correspondingly, the second address also does not include address indication information.

[0405] In another example, if the first address includes address indication information, then when constructing the AAD, the address indication information in the first address can be reset to a default value (such as 0) and used as the second address in the AAD.

[0406] In this example, although the first address includes address indication information, the second address does not include address indication information.

[0407] In this way, the second multi-link device can construct the AAD and then generate the second MIC based on it.

[0408] The second multi-link device can compare the generated second MIC with the first MIC in the received management frame to verify the security of the management frame. For example, if the first MIC and the second MIC are different, it means that the management frame has been tampered with. If the first MIC and the second MIC are the same, it means that the management frame has not been tampered with and can be processed further.

[0409] In some examples, if the security verification is passed, that is, if it is determined that the management frame has not been tampered with, then 1120 is executed.

[0410] In some embodiments, if the address indication information is a first value (eg, 1), the second multi-link device may determine that the first address is the MLD MAC address of the AP MLD. Optionally, the management frame may be determined to be an MLD-level management frame.

[0411] If the first address includes address indication information, the second multi-link device can obtain the information carried by the address 3 field in the management frame, reset the I / G bit therein to 0, and then read the first address in address 3, that is, the MLD MAC address of the AP MLD.

[0412] Furthermore, the second multi-link device may determine whether the management frame carries link indication information.

[0413] If the management frame does not carry link identification information, the second multi-link device may apply the management frame to all links associated with the first multi-link device and the second multi-link device. As an example, the management frame may be an add block acknowledgment request frame or an add block acknowledgment response frame.

[0414] If the management frame carries link identification information, the second multi-link device may apply the management frame to one or more links indicated by the link identification information. As an example, the management frame may be a TWT establishment frame, wherein the TWT element in the TWT establishment frame carries link identification information, and the link identification information is used to indicate the one or more links to be applied.

[0415] For example, the management frame includes at least one element. If the first element carries link identification information, the second multi-link device may apply the first element to one or more links indicated by the link identification information. If the second element does not carry link identification information, the second multi-link device may apply the second element to all links associated between the first multi-link device and the second multi-link device.

[0416] In other embodiments, if the address indication information is a second value (e.g., 0), the second multi-link device may determine that the first address is the MAC address of an AP in the AP MLD, or the MAC address of a single-link AP, or the MAC address of an AP not in any AP MLD. Optionally, the management frame may be determined to be a link-level management frame. Furthermore, the second multi-link device may apply the management frame to a link operated by an AP in the AP MLD, or to a link operated by a single-link AP or an AP not in any AP MLD. As an example, the management frame may be a frame in the notification channel width frame format.

[0417] Regarding 1120 , please refer to the relevant description of 430 in FIG. 4 and 740 in FIG. 7 . For the sake of brevity, details will not be repeated here.

[0418] Optionally, after 1120 , the second multi-link device may further send a response to the management frame to the first multi-link device, for example, a reply confirmation frame.

[0419] Specifically, the second multi-link device may send the reply confirmation frame on the link that receives the management frame. For example, the reply confirmation frame may be sent on the link between the receiving end address and the sending end address in the management frame.

[0420] Thus, in the embodiments of the present disclosure, the management frame received by the second multi-link device includes link indication information, which indicates the link to which the management frame is applied. This ensures that the management frame is applied to the correct link even in cross-link transmission scenarios, ensuring correct processing and avoiding communication errors.

[0421] It should be noted that although the above example describes in detail the address indication information being carried in the I / G bit of address 3 of a management frame, the present disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, the address indication information may also be carried in the I / G bit of address 2 of a management frame, or in the From DS and To DS fields of the frame control of a management frame, or in other locations or bits. Furthermore, those skilled in the art can similarly derive specific implementations of carrying the address indication information in other locations or bits, all of which fall within the scope of protection of the present disclosure.

[0422] It should be understood that in the embodiments of the present disclosure, the terms "first," "second," "third," etc. are merely intended to indicate that multiple objects may be different, but do not exclude the possibility that two objects are identical. The terms "first," "second," "third," etc. should not be construed as limiting the embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0423] It should also be understood that the division of the modes, situations, categories and embodiments in the embodiments of the present disclosure is only for the convenience of description and should not constitute a special limitation. The features in various modes, categories, situations and embodiments can be combined with each other when it is logical.

[0424] It should also be understood that the above content is only intended to help those skilled in the art better understand the embodiments of the present disclosure, and is not intended to limit the scope of the embodiments of the present disclosure. Those skilled in the art may make various modifications, variations, or combinations based on the above content. Such modifications, variations, or combinations are also within the scope of the embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0425] It should also be understood that the references to "one embodiment" or "an embodiment" throughout the specification mean that the specific features, structures, or characteristics associated with the embodiment are included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Therefore, the references to "in one embodiment" or "in an embodiment" throughout the specification do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment. In addition, these specific features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. In the various embodiments of the present invention, the sequence numbers of the above-mentioned processes do not imply a sequence of execution. The execution order of the processes should be determined by their functions and internal logic, and should not constitute any limitation on the implementation process of the embodiments of the present invention.

[0426] It should also be understood that the description of the above content focuses on emphasizing the differences between the various embodiments, and the same or similar points can be referenced or borrowed from each other. For the sake of brevity, they will not be repeated here.

[0427] 12 shows another schematic block diagram of a communication apparatus 1200 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Apparatus 1200 may be implemented at a first multi-link device, or may be implemented as a chip or chip system in the first multi-link device, and the scope of the present disclosure is not limited in this respect.

[0428] As shown in Figure 12, the apparatus 1200 includes a generating unit 1210 and a sending unit 1220. The generating unit 1210 may be configured to generate a management frame, wherein the management frame includes a receiving end address, a sending end address, and link indication information, where the link indication information is used to indicate at least one link to which the management frame is applied. The sending unit 1220 may be configured to send the management frame to the second multi-link device on the link between the receiving end address and the sending end address.

[0429] In some embodiments, the link indication information includes a first address, the first address includes address indication information, and the address indication information is used to indicate whether the first address is an MLD MAC address of an access point AP MLD or a MAC address of an AP. The MAC address of the AP is a MAC address of an AP belonging to the AP MLD, or a MAC address of a single-link AP, or a MAC address of an AP not belonging to any AP MLD.

[0430] Alternatively, the address indication information may be used to indicate the type of the management frame. Specifically, the address indication information may be a first value to indicate that the management frame is an MLD-level management frame, and a second value to indicate that the management frame is a link-level management frame. The first value is different from the second value. For example, the first value may be 1 and the second value may be 0. Alternatively, the first value may be 0 and the second value may be 1.

[0431] In some embodiments, the address indication information is carried in the unicast / multicast I / G bit of the MAC address in the Address 3 field of the management frame. In other embodiments, the address indication information may be carried in the From DS and To DS of the frame control of the management frame.

[0432] In some embodiments, the link indication information includes address indication information and a first address, the address indication information being used to indicate whether the first address is an MLD MAC address of an AP MLD or a MAC address of an AP. The MAC address of the AP is a MAC address of an AP belonging to the AP MLD, or a MAC address of a single-link AP, or a MAC address of an AP not belonging to any AP MLD.

[0433] In yet another implementation, the address indication information is used to indicate whether the management frame is an MLD level management frame or a link level management frame;

[0434] In some embodiments, the address indication information is carried in the I / G bit of the MAC address in the Address 2 field of the management frame.

[0435] In some embodiments, the address indication information is a first value, the first address is not all 1s, and the first address is an MLD MAC address of an AP MLD.

[0436] In some embodiments, the link indication information further includes link identification information, and the link identification information is used to indicate that the management frame is applied to one or more links.

[0437] In some embodiments, the link indication information further includes link identification information, which is carried in the first element of the management frame. The link identification information is used to indicate that the first element is applied to one or more links.

[0438] In some embodiments, the second element of the management frame does not carry link identification information, which is used to indicate that the second element is applied to all links associated between the first multi-link device and the second multi-link device.

[0439] In some embodiments, the link identification information includes at least one of the following: a link identification, or a link identification bitmap.

[0440] In some embodiments, wherein the address indication information is the second value, the first address is not all 1s and the first address is the MAC address of an AP, the MAC address of the AP is the MAC address of an AP belonging to an AP MLD, or the MAC address of a single-link AP, or the MAC address of an AP not belonging to any AP MLD, the management frame is applied to a link belonging to an AP in an AP MLD, or to a working link of a single-link AP or an AP not belonging to any AP MLD.

[0441] In some embodiments, the generating unit 1210 is configured to: construct an AAD, where the AAD includes a receiving end address, a transmitting end address, and a second address; generate a MIC based on the AAD; and generate a management frame based on the MIC.

[0442] In some embodiments, the second address is the same as the first address.

[0443] In some embodiments, where the first address includes address indication information, the address indication information in the first address is set to a default value and used as the second address.

[0444] In some embodiments, the receiving end address is carried in the address 1 field of the management frame, and the sending end address is carried in the address 2 field of the management frame.

[0445] In some embodiments, the apparatus 1200 may further include a receiving unit 1230 configured to receive a reply confirmation frame from the second multi-link device.

[0446] Illustratively, the apparatus 1200 in FIG. 12 can be used to implement the various processes described above in conjunction with the first multi-link device in FIG. 4 to FIG. 9 , which will not be described in detail here for the sake of brevity.

[0447] 13 shows another schematic block diagram of a communication apparatus 1300 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Apparatus 1300 may be implemented at the second multi-link device, or may be implemented as a chip or chip system in the second multi-link device, and the scope of the present disclosure is not limited in this respect.

[0448] As shown in Figure 13, the apparatus 1300 includes a receiving unit 1310 and a processing unit 1320. The receiving unit 1310 may be configured to receive a management frame from a first multi-link device on a link between a receiving end address and a transmitting end address. The management frame includes the receiving end address, the transmitting end address, and link indication information, where the link indication information is used to indicate at least one link to which the management frame is applied. The processing unit 1320 may be configured to apply the management frame to the corresponding at least one link based on the link indication information.

[0449] In some embodiments, the link indication information includes a first address. In one implementation, the first address includes address indication information, the address indication information being used to indicate whether the first address is an MLD MAC address of an AP MLD or a MAC address of a subordinate AP in the AP MLD. In another implementation, the address indication information is used to indicate whether the management frame is an MLD-level management frame or a link-level management frame.

[0450] In some embodiments, where the address indication information is carried in the unicast / multicast I / G bit of the MAC address in the Address 3 field of the management frame, the processing unit 1320 is further configured to: set the I / G bit in the Address 3 field of the management frame to a default value to obtain the first address in the Address 3 field of the management frame.

[0451] In some embodiments, the link indication information includes address indication information and a first address, the address indication information being used to indicate whether the first address is an MLD MAC address of an AP MLD or a MAC address of an AP. The MAC address of the AP is a MAC address of an AP belonging to the AP MLD, or a MAC address of a single-link AP or a MAC address of an AP not belonging to any AP MLD.

[0452] In another embodiment, the first address of a management frame is always set to the MAC address of the AP; wherein the MAC address of the AP is the MAC address of the AP belonging to the AP MLD, or the MAC address of a single-link AP, or the MAC address of an AP not belonging to any AP MLD. In this case, the address indication information is not used to indicate the type of address. Optionally, the address indication information can be used to indicate whether the management frame is an MLD-level management frame or a link-level management frame. In other words, the address indication information can be used to indicate whether the management frame includes link indication information.

[0453] In some embodiments, the address indication information is carried in the I / G bit of the MAC address in the Address 2 field of the management frame.

[0454] In some embodiments, the address indication information is a first value, the first address is not all 1s, and the first address is an MLD MAC address of an AP MLD.

[0455] In some embodiments, the processing unit 1320 is configured to: if the link indication information does not include link identification information, apply the management frame to all links associated between the first multi-link device and the second multi-link device; and if the link indication information includes link identification information, apply the management frame to one or more links indicated by the link identification information.

[0456] In some embodiments, the processing unit 1320 is configured to: if the link indication information also includes link identification information, and the link identification information is carried in the first element of the management frame, apply the first element to one or more links indicated by the link identification information.

[0457] In some embodiments, the processing unit 1320 is configured to: if the second element of the management frame does not carry link identification information, apply the second element to all links associated between the first multi-link device and the second multi-link device.

[0458] In some embodiments, the link identification information includes at least one of the following: a link identification, or a link identification bitmap.

[0459] In some embodiments, the address indication information is the second value, the first address is not all 1s, and the first address is the MAC address of an AP, the MAC address of the AP is the MAC address of an AP belonging to an AP MLD, or the MAC address of a single-link AP, or the MAC address of an AP not belonging to any AP MLD. Furthermore, the processing unit 1320 is configured to: apply the management frame to a link belonging to an AP; or apply the management frame to a link belonging to a single-link AP or an AP not belonging to any AP MLD.

[0460] In some embodiments, where the management frame also includes a first MIC, the processing unit 1320 is further configured to: construct an AAD, where the AAD includes a receiving end address, a sending end address, and a second address; generate a second MIC based on the AAD; and perform security verification on the management frame based on the first MIC and the second MIC.

[0461] In some embodiments, the second address is the same as the first address. In some further embodiments, the first address of the management frame is always set to the MAC address of the AP, and the second address is always set to the MAC address of the AP.

[0462] In some embodiments, where the first address includes address indication information, the address indication information in the first address is set to a default value and used as the second address.

[0463] In some embodiments, wherein the management frame further includes a first address, and all bits of the first address are 1, the processing unit 1320 is further configured to: the second multi-link device determines that the first address is a wildcarded BSSID.

[0464] In some embodiments, the receiving end address is carried in the address 1 field of the management frame, and the sending end address is carried in the address 2 field of the management frame.

[0465] In some embodiments, the apparatus 1300 may further include a sending unit 1330 configured to send a reply confirmation frame to the first multi-link device.

[0466] Exemplarily, the apparatus 1300 in FIG. 13 can be used to implement the various processes described above in conjunction with the second multi-link device in FIG. 4 to FIG. 9 , which will not be described in detail here for the sake of brevity.

[0467] FIG14 shows another schematic block diagram of a communication apparatus 1400 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Apparatus 1400 may be implemented at the first multi-link device or the second multi-link device, or may be implemented as a chip or chip system in the first multi-link device or the second multi-link device, and the scope of the present disclosure is not limited in this respect.

[0468] As shown in Figure 14, the apparatus 1400 includes a construction unit 1410 and a generation unit 1420. Construction unit 1410 is configured to construct an AAD, where the AAD includes a receiving end address, a transmitting end address, and a second address, where the second address is the MLD MAC address of the AP MLD or the MAC address of the AP. Generation unit 1420 is configured to generate a MIC based on the AAD. The AP MAC address is the MAC address of an AP in the AP MLD, or the MAC address of a single-link AP, or the MAC address of an AP that is not affiliated with any AP MLD.

[0469] In some embodiments, the apparatus 1400 may further include a verification unit 1430 configured to perform security verification on the received management frame based on the generated MIC and the MIC in the received management frame.

[0470] In some embodiments, the receiving end address is carried in the address 1 field of the AAD, the sending end address is carried in the address 2 field of the AAD, and the second address is carried in the address 3 field of the AAD.

[0471] In some embodiments, the second address is determined based on the first address to be carried in the Address 3 field of the management frame.

[0472] In some embodiments, the second address is the same as the first address. In some further embodiments, the first address of the management frame is always set to the MAC address of the AP, and the second address is always set to the MAC address of the AP.

[0473] In some embodiments, the first address includes address indication information, and the second address is obtained by setting the address indication information in the first address to 0.

[0474] In some embodiments, the first address does not include address indication information, and the second address is obtained by setting the I / G bit in the first address to the value of the address indication information. In this way, the second address can include address indication information to indicate whether the second address is the MLD MAC address of the AP MLD or the MAC address of the AP. The MAC address of the AP is the MAC address of an AP belonging to the AP MLD, or the MAC address of a single-link AP, or the MAC address of an AP not belonging to any AP MLD.

[0475] In some embodiments, the first address includes address indication information, the second address is obtained by setting the address indication information in the first address to 0, and the AAD includes address indication information, which is carried in the I / G bit of the Address 2 field of the AAD. In this way, the transmitting end address can include address indication information for indicating whether the second address is the MLD MAC address of the AP MLD or the MAC address of the AP. The MAC address of the AP is the MAC address of an AP belonging to the AP MLD, or the MAC address of a single-link AP, or the MAC address of an AP not belonging to any AP MLD.

[0476] In some embodiments, the sender address is determined based on the address to be carried in the Address 2 field of the management frame.

[0477] In some embodiments, the sender address is the same as the address in the Address 2 field of the management frame.

[0478] In some embodiments, the address in the address 2 field of the management frame includes address indication information, and the sender address is obtained by setting the address indication information in the address in the address 2 field of the management frame to 0.

[0479] In some embodiments, the address in the Address 2 field of the management frame does not include address indication information, and the sender address is obtained by setting the address indication information in the address in the Address 2 field of the management frame to the value of the address indication information. In this way, the sender address can include address indication information to indicate whether the second address is the MLD MAC address of the AP MLD or the MAC address of the AP. The AP MAC address is the MAC address of an AP in the AP MLD, or the MAC address of an AP that is not affiliated with any AP MLD.

[0480] In some embodiments, the address in the Address 2 field of the management frame includes address indication information, and the sender address is obtained by setting the address indication information in the address in the Address 2 field of the management frame to 0. The AAD also includes address indication information, which is carried in the I / G bit in the Address 3 field of the AAD.

[0481] Specifically, regarding the construction of AAD by the construction unit 1410, reference may be made to the description in conjunction with FIG9 above, which will not be repeated here for the sake of brevity.

[0482] It is understood that the apparatus 1400 can be implemented as a part of the apparatus 1200 described above, for example, the generation unit 1210 includes a construction unit 1410 and a generation unit 1420. The apparatus 1400 can also be implemented as a part of the apparatus 1300 described above, for example, the processing unit 1320 includes a construction unit 1410, a generation unit 1420, and a verification unit 1430. For the processes that can be implemented by the apparatus 1400, reference can be made to the relevant descriptions in the above embodiments.

[0483] Figure 15 shows a simplified block diagram of an example apparatus 1500 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Apparatus 1500 can be used to implement the first multi-link device and the second multi-link device in the above embodiments, for example, to implement AP MLD and non-AP MLD. As shown, apparatus 1500 includes one or more processors 1510, one or more memories 1520 coupled to processors 1510, and a communication module 1540 coupled to processors 1510.

[0484] The communication module 1540 can be used for two-way communication. The communication module 1540 can have at least one communication interface for communication. The communication interface can include any interface necessary for communicating with other devices.

[0485] Processor 1510 can be of any type suitable for the local technology network and can include, but is not limited to, at least one of the following: a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a microcontroller, a digital signal processor (DSP), or one or more of a controller-based multi-core controller architecture. Device 1500 can have multiple processors, such as application-specific integrated circuit chips, which are time-slave to a clock synchronized with a main processor.

[0486] The memory 1520 may include one or more non-volatile memories and one or more volatile memories. Examples of non-volatile memories include, but are not limited to, at least one of the following: read-only memory (ROM) 1524, erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), flash memory, hard disk, compact disc (CD), digital video disc (DVD), or other magnetic and / or optical storage. Examples of volatile memories include, but are not limited to, at least one of the following: random access memory (RAM) 1522, or other volatile memories that do not persist during a power outage.

[0487] Computer program 1530 includes computer executable instructions executed by associated processor 1510. Program 1530 may be stored in ROM 1524. Processor 1510 may perform any suitable actions and processes by loading program 1530 into RAM 1522.

[0488] The embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented with the aid of program 1530, so that apparatus 1500 may perform any of the processes discussed with reference to Figures 4 to 11. The embodiments of the present disclosure may also be implemented by hardware or by a combination of software and hardware.

[0489] In some embodiments, the program 1530 may be tangibly embodied in a computer-readable medium that may be included in the apparatus 1500 (such as in the memory 1520) or other storage device accessible by the apparatus 1500. The program 1530 may be loaded from the computer-readable medium into the RAM 1522 for execution. The computer-readable medium may include any type of tangible, non-volatile memory, such as ROM, EPROM, flash memory, hard disk, CD, DVD, etc.

[0490] In some embodiments, the communication module 1540 in the device 1500 may be implemented as a transmitter and a receiver (or a transceiver), which may be configured to send / receive system information, such as management frames, confirmation frames, etc. In addition, the device 1500 may further include one or more of a scheduler, a controller, and a radio frequency / antenna, which will not be elaborated in detail in this disclosure.

[0491] In another implementation, the radio frequency / antenna may be set independently from the processor performing baseband processing. For example, in a distributed scenario, the radio frequency / antenna may be independent from the device 1500 and arranged remotely.

[0492] For example, the apparatus 1500 in FIG. 15 may be implemented as a first multi-link device or a second multi-link device, or may be implemented as a chip or a chip system in the first multi-link device, or may be implemented as a chip or a chip system in the second multi-link device, which is not limited in the embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0493] For example, the apparatus 1500 in FIG. 15 may be implemented as an AP MLD or a non-AP MLD, or may be implemented as a chip or chip system in an AP MLD, or may be implemented as a chip or chip system in a non-AP MLD, and the embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited thereto.

[0494] The present disclosure also provides a chip that may include an input interface, an output interface, and a processing circuit. In the present disclosure, the input interface and the output interface may implement the aforementioned signaling or data interaction, while the processing circuit may implement the generation and processing of the signaling or data information.

[0495] Embodiments of the present disclosure also provide a chip system, including a processor configured to support a first multi-link device or a second multi-link device to implement the functions described in any of the aforementioned embodiments. In one possible design, the chip system may also include a memory configured to store necessary program instructions and data. When the processor executes the program instructions, the device incorporating the chip system implements the method described in any of the aforementioned embodiments. The chip system may consist solely of a chip or may include a chip and other discrete components.

[0496] An embodiment of the present disclosure further provides a processor, which is coupled to a memory. The memory stores instructions. When the processor executes the instructions, the processor executes the method and functions involving the first multi-link device or the second multi-link device in any of the above embodiments.

[0497] An embodiment of the present disclosure further provides a computer program product comprising instructions, which, when executed on a computer, enables the computer to execute the method and functions involving the first multi-link device or the second multi-link device in any of the above embodiments.

[0498] An embodiment of the present disclosure further provides a computer-readable storage medium having computer instructions stored thereon. When a processor executes the instructions, the processor executes the method and functions involving the first multi-link device or the second multi-link device in any of the above embodiments.

[0499] Embodiments of the present disclosure also provide a wireless communication system, the system including a first multi-link device and a second multi-link device. In some examples, the system may include an AP MLD and a non-AP MLD.

[0500] In general, various embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented in hardware or dedicated circuitry, software, logic, or any combination thereof. Some aspects may be implemented in hardware, while other aspects may be implemented in firmware or software, which may be executed by a controller, microprocessor, or other computing device. Although various aspects of the embodiments of the present disclosure are shown and described as block diagrams, flow charts, or using some other pictorial representation, it should be understood that the blocks, devices, systems, techniques, or methods described herein may be implemented as, by way of non-limiting example, hardware, software, firmware, dedicated circuitry or logic, general-purpose hardware or a controller or other computing device, or some combination thereof.

[0501] The present disclosure also provides at least one computer program product tangibly stored on a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium. The computer program product includes computer-executable instructions, such as instructions included in a program module, which are executed in a device on a real or virtual processor of the target to perform the process / method as described above with reference to Figures 4 to 11. Typically, a program module includes routines, programs, libraries, objects, classes, components, data structures, etc. that perform specific tasks or implement specific abstract data types. In various embodiments, the functions of the program modules can be combined or divided between program modules as needed. The machine-executable instructions for the program modules can be executed in local or distributed devices. In distributed devices, the program modules can be located in local and remote storage media.

[0502] The computer program code for implementing the disclosed method can be written in one or more programming languages. These computer program codes can be provided to the processor of a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer or other programmable data processing device so that the program code, when executed by the computer or other programmable data processing device, causes the functions / operations specified in the flow chart and / or block diagram to be implemented. The program code can be executed entirely on a computer, partially on a computer, as an independent software package, partially on a computer and partially on a remote computer or entirely on a remote computer or server.

[0503] In the context of the present disclosure, computer program code or related data may be carried by any suitable carrier to enable a device, apparatus, or processor to perform the various processes and operations described above. Examples of carriers include signals, computer-readable media, and the like. Examples of signals may include electrical, optical, radio, acoustic, or other forms of propagated signals, such as carrier waves, infrared signals, and the like.

[0504] A computer-readable medium may be any tangible medium that contains or stores a program for or in connection with an instruction execution system, apparatus, or device. A computer-readable medium may be a computer-readable signal medium or a computer-readable storage medium. A computer-readable medium may include, but is not limited to, an electronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared, or semiconductor system, apparatus, or device, or any suitable combination thereof. More detailed examples of computer-readable storage media include an electrical connection with one or more wires, a portable computer disk, a hard disk, a random access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM or flash memory), an optical storage device, a magnetic storage device, or any suitable combination thereof.

[0505] In addition, although the operations of the method of the present disclosure are described in a particular order in the accompanying drawings, this does not require or imply that these operations must be performed in this particular order, or that all the operations shown must be performed to achieve the desired result. On the contrary, the steps depicted in the flowchart can change the order of execution. Additionally or alternatively, certain steps can be omitted, multiple steps can be combined into one step, and / or one step can be decomposed into multiple steps. It should also be noted that the features and functions of two or more devices according to the present disclosure can be embodied in one device. Conversely, the features and functions of a device described above can be further divided into being embodied by multiple devices.

[0506] While various implementations of the present disclosure have been described above, the foregoing description is intended to be illustrative, non-exhaustive, and non-limiting to the disclosed implementations. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the described implementations. The terminology used herein is selected to facilitate explanation of the principles, practical applications, or improvements to existing technologies, or to enable others skilled in the art to understand the various implementations disclosed herein.

Claims

1. A communication method, characterized in that, include: The first multi-link device constructs additional authentication data (AAD), which includes address 1, address 2 and a second address; The first multi-link device generates a message integrity verification MIC based on the AAD; The first multi-link device generates a management frame, the management frame including a receiver address, a sender address, a first address, and the MIC; as well as The first multi-link device sends the management frame to the second multi-link device on the link operated by the station indicated by the receiving end address or the station indicated by the sending end address.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first address of the management frame is carried in the address 3 field of the management frame. The first address carries the media access control (MAC) address of the access point (AP) that transmits the management frame. The AP belongs to the AP multi-link device (MLD).

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The first address is the same as the second address.

4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, For downlink transmissions, the second address carries the Media Access Control (MAC) address of the Access Point (AP) that sent the management frame. For uplink transmissions, the second address carries the MAC address of the AP receiving the management frame. The AP belongs to the AP Multilink Device (MLD).

5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, For downlink transmission, the address carried by address 1 is the MAC address of the non-AP STA of the receiving end, and the address carried by address 2 is the MAC address of the access point (AP) of the sending end. For uplink transmission, the address carried by address 1 is the MAC address of the access point (AP) of the receiving end, and the address carried by address 2 is the MAC address of the non-AP STA of the sending end. The transmitting end is the first multi-link device, and the receiving end is the second multi-link device.

6. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, For downlink transmission, the address carried by address 1 is the MAC address of the non-access point multiple link device (non-AP MLD) at the receiving end, and the address carried by address 2 is the MAC address of the access point multiple link device (AP MLD) at the sending end. For uplink transmission, the address carried by address 1 is the MAC address of the access point multiple link device (AP MLD) at the receiving end, and the address carried by address 2 is the MAC address of the non-access point multiple link device (non-AP MLD) at the sending end. The transmitting end is the first multi-link device, and the receiving end is the second multi-link device.

7. A communication method, characterized in that, include: On the link where the station in the second multi-link device operates, the second multi-link device receives a management frame from the first multi-link device. The management frame includes a receiver address, a sender address, a first address, and a first message integrity verification MIC. The second multi-link device constructs additional authentication data (AAD), which includes address 1, address 2, and a second address; The second multi-link device generates a second MIC based on the AAD; The second multi-link device performs security verification on the management frame based on the second MIC and the first MIC in the received management frame.

8. The method according to claim 7, characterized in that, The first address of the management frame is carried in the address 3 field of the management frame. The first address carries the media access control (MAC) address of the access point (AP) that transmits the management frame. The AP belongs to the AP multi-link device (MLD).

9. The method according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that, The first address is the same as the second address.

10. The method according to any one of claims 7 to 9, characterized in that, For downlink transmissions, the second address carries the Media Access Control (MAC) address of the Access Point (AP) that sent the management frame. For uplink transmissions, the second address carries the MAC address of the AP receiving the management frame. The AP belongs to the AP Multilink Device (MLD).

11. The method according to any one of claims 7 to 10, characterized in that, For downlink transmission, the address carried by address 1 is the MAC address of the non-AP STA of the receiving end, and the address carried by address 2 is the MAC address of the access point (AP) of the sending end. For uplink transmission, the address carried by address 1 is the MAC address of the access point (AP) of the receiving end, and the address carried by address 2 is the MAC address of the non-AP STA of the sending end. The transmitting end is the first multi-link device, and the receiving end is the second multi-link device.

12. The method according to any one of claims 7 to 10, characterized in that, For downlink transmission, the address carried by address 1 is the MAC address of the non-access point multiple link device (non-AP MLD) at the receiving end, and the address carried by address 2 is the MAC address of the access point multiple link device (AP MLD) at the sending end. For uplink transmission, the address carried by address 1 is the MAC address of the access point multiple link device (AP MLD) at the receiving end, and the address carried by address 2 is the MAC address of the non-access point multiple link device (non-AP MLD) at the sending end. The transmitting end is the first multi-link device, and the receiving end is the second multi-link device.

13. A first multi-link device, characterized in that, Used to implement the method according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

14. A second multi-link device, characterized in that, Used to implement the method according to any one of claims 7 to 12.

15. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that, The computer-readable storage medium stores a computer program that, when executed by a processor, implements the method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, 7 to 12.

16. A chip, characterized in that, It includes processing circuitry and a communication interface, the processing circuitry being configured to perform the method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, 7 to 12.

17. A computer program product, characterized in that, The computer program product includes computer-executable instructions that, when executed, implement the method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, 7 to 12.

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