Communication methods, access devices, station equipment, and computer-readable storage media.

Abstract

The invention's designations relate to a method of communication, an access device, a station device, and a computer-readable storage medium. In the proposed method of communication, the first device generates a first physical layer protocol data unit (PPDU) and a second PPDU based on a first packet extension (PE) and a second PE period which is smaller than the first PE period. The first PE period indicates the additional PE period provided by the predefined PE field required for the first PPDU, and the second PE period indicates the PE period supported by the second PPDU. The first PPDU comprises the first padding bits and the destination PE field. The second PPDU comprises the second padding bits and this destination PE field. This destination PE field corresponds to a third PE period which does not exceed the second PE period.The first buffer bits and the destination PE field correspond to a time interval that is no less than the first PE interval. The first device sends an aggregate physical layer protocol data unit (A-PPDU) which includes the first PPDU and the second PPDU. In this way, the PE fields in the A-PPDU can provide appropriate additional processing time for the receiving device while maintaining alignment with the endpoints of these PE fields.

Description

Method, device, and storage medium for package expansion

[0001] This application claims priority to the Chinese patent application filed with the China Patent Office on March 30, 2021, with application number 202110343378.1 and invention name “Method, device and storage medium for package expansion”, the entire contents of which are incorporated by reference into this application. Technical Field

[0002] The present application relates to the field of communication technology, and more particularly, to a method, device, storage medium, and computer program product for packet expansion. Background Art

[0003] Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) technology has evolved through multiple generations, from 802.11a / g, 802.11n, 802.11ac, 802.11ax, and now 802.11be. This evolution has been accompanied by continuous increases in data throughput. In this regard, 802.11ax is also known as a high-efficiency (HE) wireless standard, and 802.11be is also known as an extremely high-throughput (EHT) wireless standard.

[0004] The physical layer protocol data unit (PHY Protocol Data Unit, PPDU) is a frame format widely used in WLAN systems. It can be used for data transmission between WLAN nodes such as access points (APs) and terminal devices (STAs). Nodes acting as receiving devices may have different processing capabilities for PPDUs. In existing WLAN systems, additional processing time for PPDUs can be provided to receiving devices through operations such as pre-forward error correction code padding (Pre-FEC padding), post-forward error correction code padding (post-FEC padding), and packet extension (PE). Specifically, the bits used for Pre-FEC padding are intended to occupy only approximately a multiple of one-quarter of the subcarriers in the last symbol of the PPDU's data field (e.g., an OFDM symbol) together with the remaining information bits. For example, it can be one-quarter, two-quarters, three-quarters, or all of the subcarriers. When the subcarriers occupied by Pre-FEC padding do not reach all of the subcarriers of the symbol, decoding can be faster. The remaining subcarriers in the symbol may be filled with post-FEC padding bits, which may provide additional processing time.

[0005] Summary of the Invention

[0006] In general, example embodiments of the present application provide methods, apparatuses, and computer-readable storage media for package expansion.

[0007] According to a first aspect of the present application, a communication method is proposed. In the method, a first device generates a first physical layer protocol data unit (PPDU) and a second physical layer protocol data unit (PPDU) based on a first packet extension duration and a second packet extension duration that is shorter than the first packet extension duration, wherein the first packet extension duration indicates the duration of a predetermined packet extension field required by the first PPDU, the second packet extension duration indicates the packet extension duration supported by the second PPDU, the first PPDU includes a first padding bit and a target packet extension field, the second PPDU includes a second padding bit and a target packet extension field, the target packet extension field corresponds to a third packet extension duration that does not exceed the second packet extension duration, and the first padding bit and the target packet extension field correspond to a duration that is not shorter than the first packet extension duration; and the first device transmits an aggregate physical layer protocol data unit (A-PPDU) including the first PPDU and the second PPDU.

[0008] In a first implementation manner of the first aspect, the first PPDU is a multi-user physical layer protocol data unit (Multi-User PHY Protocol Data Unit, MU PPDU), wherein the first filling bit is determined based on a first pre-forward error correction filling factor, and the second filling bit is determined based on a second pre-forward error correction filling factor, the first pre-forward error correction filling factor indicates the proportion of at least a portion of the first filling bit in the first symbol of the data field of the first PPDU, and the second pre-forward error correction filling factor indicates the proportion of the second filling bit in the second symbol of the data field of the second PPDU.

[0009] In a second implementation of the first aspect, the first symbol is the last symbol of the data field of the first PPDU, and the second symbol is the last symbol of the data field of the second PPDU.

[0010] In a third implementation of the first aspect, the third packet extension time and the first pre-forward error correction filling factor can be configured as one of the following: the third packet extension time is 16 μs, and the value of the first pre-forward error correction filling factor is one of 1, 2 and 3; or the third packet extension time is 12 μs, and the value of the first pre-forward error correction filling factor is one of 1 and 2; or the third packet extension time is 8 μs, and the value of the first pre-forward error correction filling factor is 1.

[0011] In a fourth implementation manner of the first aspect, a value of the second pre-FEC filling factor is one of 1, 2, 3 and 4.

[0012] In a fifth implementation of the first aspect, the third packet extension duration, the first pre-forward error correction filling factor and the second pre-forward error correction filling factor can be configured as one of the following: the third packet extension duration is 16 μs, the first pre-forward error correction filling factor is 3, and the second pre-forward error correction filling factor is 4; or the third packet extension duration is 12 μs, the first pre-forward error correction filling factor is 2, and the second pre-forward error correction filling factor is 3; or the third packet extension duration is 8 μs, the first pre-forward error correction filling factor is 1, and the second pre-forward error correction filling factor is 2 or 4.

[0013] In a sixth implementation of the first aspect, the first symbol is a symbol located before the last symbol of the data field of the first PPDU, the second symbol is the last symbol of the data field of the second PPDU, and the first padding bit includes a first part located in the first symbol and a second part located in the symbols from the first symbol to the last symbol.

[0014] In a seventh implementation manner of the first aspect, the first PPDU is an MU PPDU, and the first PPDU includes a first indicator for indicating that the transmitted PPDU is an A-PPDU.

[0015] In an eighth implementation manner of the first aspect, the third packet extension duration is one of 16μs, 12μs, 8μs, 4μs and 0μs, and the values ​​of the first pre-forward error correction filling factor and the second pre-forward error correction filling factor are one of 1, 2, 3 and 4 respectively.

[0016] In a ninth implementation manner of the first aspect, the number of bits included in at least one of the first padding bits and the second padding bits is zero.

[0017] According to the method proposed in the embodiment of the present application, an optimized packet extension mechanism can be implemented. In this mechanism, the PPDUs for HE devices and EHT devices included in the A-PPDU have PE fields of the same length, so that the end points of the PE fields of the A-PPDU can be aligned. At the same time, the A-PPDU can provide sufficient additional processing time for HE devices and EHT devices respectively by using post-FEC padding bits and PE fields. The optimized packet extension mechanism can flexibly configure the padding bits and PE fields in the data field of the PPDU as needed. The A-PPDU generated in this way can efficiently utilize the time and frequency resources of the WLAN network, significantly improve network performance, and provide communication quality.

[0018] According to a second aspect of the present application, a communication method is proposed. In this method, a first device determines a third packet extension duration for an aggregate physical layer protocol data unit (A-PPDU) to be triggered based on a first packet extension duration for a first physical layer protocol data unit (PPDU) and a second packet extension duration for a second PPDU, wherein the A-PPDU includes a first PPDU and a second PPDU, the third packet extension duration does not exceed the second packet extension duration and corresponds to a target packet extension field, the first packet extension duration indicates a duration of a predetermined packet extension field required for the first PPDU, the second packet extension duration is lower than the first packet extension duration and indicates a packet extension duration supported by the second PPDU, the first PPDU includes a first padding bit and a target packet extension field, the second PPDU includes a second padding bit and a target packet extension field, the first padding bit and the target packet extension field corresponding to a duration not less than the first packet extension duration; and the first device sends indication information for indicating the third packet extension duration.

[0019] In a first implementation manner of the second aspect, the first filling bit is determined based on a first pre-forward error correction filling factor, and the second filling bit is determined based on a second pre-forward error correction filling factor. The first pre-forward error correction filling factor indicates the proportion of at least a portion of the first filling bit in the first symbol of the data field of the first PPDU, and the second pre-forward error correction filling factor indicates the proportion of the second filling bit in the second symbol of the data field of the second PPDU.

[0020] In a second implementation of the second aspect, the first symbol is the last symbol of the data field of the first PPDU, and the second symbol is the last symbol of the data field of the second PPDU.

[0021] In a third implementation manner of the second aspect, the third packet extension duration and the first pre-forward error correction filling factor include one of the following: the third packet extension duration is 16 μs, and the value of the first pre-forward error correction filling factor is one of 1, 2 and 3; or the third packet extension duration is 12 μs, and the value of the first pre-forward error correction filling factor is one of 1 and 2; or the third packet extension duration is 8 μs, and the value of the first pre-forward error correction filling factor is 1.

[0022] In a fourth implementation manner of the second aspect, a value of the second pre-FEC filling factor is one of 1, 2, 3 and 4.

[0023] In a fifth implementation of the second aspect, the third packet extension duration, the first pre-forward error correction filling factor and the second pre-forward error correction filling factor include one of the following: the third packet extension duration is 16 μs, the value of the first pre-forward error correction filling factor is 3, and the value of the second pre-forward error correction filling factor is 4; or the third packet extension duration is 12 μs, the value of the first pre-forward error correction filling factor is 2, and the value of the second pre-forward error correction filling factor is 3; or the third packet extension duration is 8 μs, the value of the first pre-forward error correction filling factor is 1, and the value of the second pre-forward error correction filling factor is 2 or 4.

[0024] In a sixth implementation of the second aspect, the first symbol is a symbol located before the last symbol of the data field of the first PPDU, the second symbol is the last symbol of the data field of the second PPDU, and the first padding bit includes a first part located in the first symbol and a second part located in the symbols from the first symbol to the last symbol.

[0025] In a seventh implementation of the second aspect, the A-PPDU includes a trigger-based physical layer protocol data unit TB PPDU triggered by a trigger frame, the indication information is a trigger frame, and the trigger frame also indicates a first pre-forward error correction filling factor and a second pre-forward error correction filling factor.

[0026] In an eighth implementation manner of the second aspect, the trigger frame further indicates a position of the first padding bit in the data field of the first PPDU.

[0027] In a ninth implementation of the second aspect, the A-PPDU includes a trigger-based physical layer protocol data unit (TB) PPDU triggered by a trigger response schedule (TRS), the indication information includes extremely high throughput (EHT) operation parameters for the first PPDU, and the value of the first pre-forward error correction fill factor is a predefined value, which is one of 1, 2, and 3.

[0028] In the tenth implementation manner of the second aspect, the A-PPDU includes a trigger-based physical layer protocol data unit (TB PPDU) triggered by a trigger response schedule (TRS), the indication information includes extremely high throughput (EHT) operation parameters for the first PPDU, and the value of the first pre-forward error correction filling factor is a predefined value, which is one of 1, 2, 3, and 4.

[0029] In the eleventh implementation manner of the second aspect, the indication information also includes a second indicator for indicating a first pre-forward error correction filling factor, wherein the first value of the second indicator indicates that all the first filling bits are located in the last symbol of the data field of the first PPDU and the value of the first pre-forward error correction filling factor is 4, and the second value of the second indicator indicates that the value of the first pre-forward error correction filling factor is a predefined value.

[0030] In a twelfth implementation manner of the second aspect, the number of bits included in at least one of the first filling bits and the second filling bits is zero.

[0031] According to a third aspect of the present application, a communication method is provided. In this method, a first device receives a third physical layer protocol data unit (PPDU) carrying an extremely high throughput (EHT) operating parameter, where the EHT operating parameter includes a third indicator, the third indicator being used to indicate a packet extension duration; the first device determines the packet extension duration based on the EHT operating parameter; the first device generates a first PPDU based on the packet extension duration; and the first device transmits the first PPDU.

[0032] In a first implementation manner of the third aspect, the first indicator may be an indicator with a length of 1 bit, and a first value of the first indicator indicates that the packet extension duration is 20 μs.

[0033] In a second implementation manner of the third aspect, the first indicator may be an indicator having a length of 1 bit, and the first value of the first indicator indicates one of 16 μs and 20 μs.

[0034] In a third implementation of the third aspect, the packet extension duration is also determined based on a fourth PPDU carrying TRS, and the fourth PPDU indicates the bandwidth for the fourth PPDU or the aggregate physical layer protocol data unit A-PPDU including the fourth PPDU, wherein if the bandwidth is greater than the first threshold, the first device determines the packet extension duration to be 20 μs; or if the bandwidth is less than or equal to the first threshold, the first device determines the packet extension duration to be 16 μs.

[0035] In a fourth implementation of the third aspect, the packet extension duration is also determined based on a fourth PPDU carrying TRS, and the fourth PPDU indicates a resource unit RU size for the fourth PPDU, wherein if the RU size is greater than a second threshold size, the first device determines the packet extension duration as 20 μs; or if the RU size is less than or equal to the second threshold size, the first device determines the packet extension duration as 16 μs.

[0036] In a fifth implementation of the third aspect, the second value of the third indicator indicates that the packet extension duration is a duration specified by an efficient HE operation parameter, and the HE operation parameter is carried by a third PPDU, a fourth PPDU, or a PPDU other than the third and fourth PPDUs. The HE operation parameter and the EHT operation parameter may be carried in the same PPDU.

[0037] In a sixth implementation manner of the third aspect, the third indicator is an indicator having a length of more than 1 bit, and the third indicator indicates that the packet extension duration is one of 0 μs, 4 μs, 8 μs, 12 μs, 16 μs, and 20 μs.

[0038] According to the method proposed in the embodiments of the present application, in a triggering-based (TB) PPDU triggered by a TRS, the processing duration provided by the PE field can be flexibly set to 0μs, 4μs, 8μs, 12μs, 16μs, or 20μs as needed to meet the different requirements of different devices for additional processing duration. In addition, the method can also dynamically select a processing time of 16μs or 20μs based on network bandwidth or resource unit size, thereby improving the traditional packet extension mechanism and enhancing the performance of the WLAN system.

[0039] According to a fourth aspect of the present application, a communication device is proposed. The communication device includes a generation unit and a transceiver unit. The generation unit is configured to generate a first physical layer protocol data unit (PPDU) and a second PPDU based on a first packet extension duration and a second packet extension duration that is lower than the first packet extension duration, wherein the first packet extension duration indicates the duration of a predetermined packet extension field required by the first PPDU, the second packet extension duration indicates the packet extension duration supported by the second PPDU, the first PPDU includes a first padding bit and a target packet extension field, the second PPDU includes a second padding bit and a target packet extension field, the target packet extension field corresponds to a third packet extension duration that does not exceed the second packet extension duration, and the first padding bit and the target packet extension field correspond to a duration that is not lower than the first packet extension duration. The transceiver unit is configured to send an aggregate physical layer protocol data unit (A-PPDU) including the first PPDU and the second PPDU.

[0040] In a first implementation manner of the fourth aspect, the first PPDU is a multi-user physical layer protocol data unit (Multi-User PHY Protocol Data Unit, MU PPDU), wherein the first filling bit is determined based on a first pre-forward error correction filling factor, and the second filling bit is determined based on a second pre-forward error correction filling factor, the first pre-forward error correction filling factor indicates the proportion of at least a portion of the first filling bit in the first symbol of the data field of the first PPDU, and the second pre-forward error correction filling factor indicates the proportion of the second filling bit in the second symbol of the data field of the second PPDU.

[0041] In a second implementation manner of the fourth aspect, the first symbol is the last symbol of the data field of the first PPDU, and the second symbol is the last symbol of the data field of the second PPDU.

[0042] In a third implementation of the fourth aspect, the third packet extension time and the first pre-forward error correction filling factor can be configured as one of the following: the third packet extension time is 16μs, and the value of the first pre-forward error correction filling factor is one of 1, 2 and 3; or the third packet extension time is 12μs, and the value of the first pre-forward error correction filling factor is one of 1 and 2; or the third packet extension time is 8μs, and the value of the first pre-forward error correction filling factor is 1.

[0043] In a fourth implementation of the fourth aspect, a value of the second pre-forward error correction filling factor is one of 1, 2, 3 and 4.

[0044] In a fifth implementation of the fourth aspect, the third packet extension duration, the first pre-forward error correction filling factor and the second pre-forward error correction filling factor can be configured as one of the following: the third packet extension duration is 16 μs, the value of the first pre-forward error correction filling factor is 3, and the value of the second pre-forward error correction filling factor is 4; or the third packet extension duration is 12 μs, the value of the first pre-forward error correction filling factor is 2, and the value of the second pre-forward error correction filling factor is 3; or the third packet extension duration is 8 μs, the value of the first pre-forward error correction filling factor is 1, and the value of the second pre-forward error correction filling factor is 2 or 4.

[0045] In a sixth implementation of the fourth aspect, the first symbol is a symbol located before the last symbol of the data field of the first PPDU, the second symbol is the last symbol of the data field of the second PPDU, and the first padding bit includes a first part located in the first symbol and a second part located in the symbols from the first symbol to the last symbol.

[0046] In a seventh implementation manner of the fourth aspect, the first PPDU is an MU PPDU, and the first PPDU includes a first indicator for indicating that the transmitted PPDU is an A-PPDU.

[0047] In an eighth implementation of the fourth aspect, the third packet extension duration is one of 16μs, 12μs, 8μs, 4μs and 0μs, and the values ​​of the first pre-forward error correction filling factor and the second pre-forward error correction filling factor are one of 1, 2, 3 and 4 respectively.

[0048] In a ninth implementation manner of the fourth aspect, the number of bits included in at least one of the first filling bits and the second filling bits is zero.

[0049] According to a fifth aspect of the present application, a communication device is proposed. The communication device includes a determination unit and a transceiver unit. The determination unit is configured to determine a third packet extension duration for an aggregate physical layer protocol data unit (A-PPDU) to be triggered based on a first packet extension duration for a first physical layer protocol data unit (PPDU) and a second packet extension duration for a second PPDU. The A-PPDU includes a first PPDU and a second PPDU. The third packet extension duration does not exceed the second packet extension duration and corresponds to a target packet extension field. The first packet extension duration indicates the duration of a predetermined packet extension field required for the first PPDU. The second packet extension duration is less than the first packet extension duration and indicates a packet extension duration supported by the second PPDU. The first PPDU includes a first padding bit and a target packet extension field. The second PPDU includes a second padding bit and a target packet extension field. The first padding bit and the target packet extension field correspond to a duration not less than the first packet extension duration. The transceiver unit is configured to send indication information indicating the third packet extension duration.

[0050] In a first implementation manner of the fifth aspect, the first filling bit is determined based on a first pre-forward error correction filling factor, and the second filling bit is determined based on a second pre-forward error correction filling factor. The first pre-forward error correction filling factor indicates the proportion of at least a portion of the first filling bit in the first symbol of the data field of the first PPDU, and the second pre-forward error correction filling factor indicates the proportion of the second filling bit in the second symbol of the data field of the second PPDU.

[0051] In a second implementation manner of the fifth aspect, the first symbol is the last symbol of the data field of the first PPDU, and the second symbol is the last symbol of the data field of the second PPDU.

[0052] In a third implementation manner of the fifth aspect, the third packet extension duration and the first pre-forward error correction filling factor include one of the following: the third packet extension duration is 16 μs, and the value of the first pre-forward error correction filling factor is one of 1, 2 and 3; or the third packet extension duration is 12 μs, and the value of the first pre-forward error correction filling factor is one of 1 and 2; or the third packet extension duration is 8 μs, and the value of the first pre-forward error correction filling factor is 1.

[0053] In a fourth implementation of the fifth aspect, a value of the second pre-forward error correction filling factor is one of 1, 2, 3 and 4.

[0054] In a fifth implementation of the fifth aspect, the third packet extension duration, the first pre-forward error correction filling factor and the second pre-forward error correction filling factor include one of the following: the third packet extension duration is 16 μs, the value of the first pre-forward error correction filling factor is 3, and the value of the second pre-forward error correction filling factor is 4; or the third packet extension duration is 12 μs, the value of the first pre-forward error correction filling factor is 2, and the value of the second pre-forward error correction filling factor is 3; or the third packet extension duration is 8 μs, the value of the first pre-forward error correction filling factor is 1, and the value of the second pre-forward error correction filling factor is 2 or 4.

[0055] In a sixth implementation of the fifth aspect, the first symbol is a symbol located before the last symbol of the data field of the first PPDU, the second symbol is the last symbol of the data field of the second PPDU, and the first padding bit includes a first part located in the first symbol and a second part located in the symbols from the first symbol to the last symbol.

[0056] In the seventh implementation of the fifth aspect, the A-PPDU includes a trigger-based physical layer protocol data unit TB PPDU triggered by a trigger frame, the indication information is carried by the trigger frame, and the trigger frame also indicates a first pre-forward error correction filling factor and a second pre-forward error correction filling factor.

[0057] In an eighth implementation manner of the fifth aspect, the trigger frame further indicates a position of the first padding bit in the data field of the first PPDU.

[0058] In a ninth implementation of the fifth aspect, the A-PPDU includes a trigger-based physical layer protocol data unit (TB PPDU) triggered by a trigger response schedule (TRS), the indication information includes extremely high throughput (EHT) operation parameters for the first PPDU, and the value of the first pre-forward error correction fill factor is a predefined value, which is one of 1, 2, and 3.

[0059] In the tenth implementation manner of the fifth aspect, the A-PPDU includes a trigger-based physical layer protocol data unit (TB PPDU) triggered by a trigger response scheduling (TRS), the indication information includes extremely high throughput (EHT) operation parameters for the first PPDU, and the value of the first pre-forward error correction filling factor is a predefined value, which is one of 1, 2, 3, and 4.

[0060] In the eleventh implementation manner of the fifth aspect, the indication information also includes a second indicator for indicating a first pre-forward error correction filling factor, wherein the first value of the second indicator indicates that all the first filling bits are located in the last symbol of the data field of the first PPDU and the value of the first pre-forward error correction filling factor is 4, and the second value of the second indicator indicates that the value of the first pre-forward error correction filling factor is a predefined value.

[0061] In a twelfth implementation manner of the fifth aspect, the number of bits included in at least one of the first filling bits and the second filling bits is zero.

[0062] According to a sixth aspect of the present application, a communication device is provided. The communication device includes a transceiver unit, a determination unit, and a generation unit. The transceiver unit is configured to: receive a third physical layer protocol data unit (PPDU) carrying a third PPDU including an extremely high throughput (EHT) operation parameter, the EHT operation parameter including a third indicator for indicating a packet extension duration; and transmit a first PPDU. The determination unit is configured to determine the packet extension duration based on the EHT operation parameter. The generation unit is configured to generate the first PPDU based on the packet extension duration.

[0063] In a first implementation manner of the sixth aspect, the first indicator may be an indicator with a length of 1 bit, and a first value of the first indicator indicates that the packet extension duration is 20 μs.

[0064] In a second implementation manner of the sixth aspect, the first indicator may be an indicator having a length of 1 bit, and the first value of the first indicator indicates one of 16 μs and 20 μs.

[0065] In a third implementation of the sixth aspect, the packet extension duration is also determined based on the fourth PPDU carrying the TRS, and the fourth PPDU indicates the bandwidth for the fourth PPDU or the aggregate physical layer protocol data unit A-PPDU including the fourth PPDU, wherein the determination unit is further configured to: if the bandwidth is greater than the first threshold, determine the packet extension duration to 20μs; or if the bandwidth is less than or equal to the first threshold, determine the packet extension duration to 16μs.

[0066] In a fourth implementation of the sixth aspect, the packet extension duration is also determined based on a fourth PPDU carrying TRS, and the fourth PPDU indicates a resource unit RU size for the fourth PPDU, wherein the determination unit is further configured to: if the RU size is greater than a second threshold size, determine the packet extension duration to 20μs; or if the RU size is less than or equal to the second threshold size, determine the packet extension duration to 16μs.

[0067] In a fifth implementation of the sixth aspect, the second value of the third indicator indicates that the packet extension duration is the duration specified by the high-efficiency HE operation parameter, and the HE operation parameter is carried by the third PPDU, the fourth PPDU, or other PPDUs other than the third and fourth PPDUs.

[0068] In a sixth implementation of the sixth aspect, the third indicator is an indicator having a length greater than 1 bit, and the third indicator indicates that the packet extension duration is one of 0 μs, 4 μs, 8 μs, 12 μs, 16 μs, and 20 μs.

[0069] According to a seventh aspect of the present application, a communication device is provided. The communication device includes at least one processor and at least one memory including computer program code. The at least one memory and the computer program code, together with the at least one processor, can cause the communication device to perform the method according to the first aspect of the present application.

[0070] According to an eighth aspect of the present application, a communication device is provided. The communication device includes at least one processor and at least one memory including computer program code. The at least one memory and the computer program code, together with the at least one processor, can cause the communication device to perform the method according to the second aspect of the present application.

[0071] According to a ninth aspect of the present application, a communication device is provided. The communication device includes at least one processor and at least one memory including computer program code. The at least one memory and the computer program code, together with the at least one processor, can cause the communication device to perform the method according to the third aspect of the present application.

[0072] According to the tenth aspect of the present application, a communication device is proposed. The communication device includes a processor and a transceiver. The processor is used to generate a first physical layer protocol data unit PPDU and a second PPDU based on a first packet extension duration and a second packet extension duration that is lower than the first packet extension duration. The first packet extension duration indicates the duration of a predetermined packet extension field required by the first PPDU, the second packet extension duration indicates the packet extension duration supported by the second PPDU, the first PPDU includes a first padding bit and a target packet extension field, the second PPDU includes a second padding bit and a target packet extension field, the target packet extension field corresponds to a third packet extension duration that does not exceed the second packet extension duration, and the first padding bit and the target packet extension field correspond to a duration that is not lower than the first packet extension duration. The transceiver is used to send an aggregate physical layer protocol data unit A-PPDU including the first PPDU and the second PPDU.

[0073] In other implementations of the tenth aspect, the processor is further configured to execute the method according to the first aspect.

[0074] According to an eleventh aspect of the present application, a communication device is provided. The communication device includes a processor and a transceiver. The processor is configured to determine a third packet extension duration for an aggregate physical layer protocol data unit (A-PPDU) to be triggered based on a first packet extension duration for a first physical layer protocol data unit (PPDU) and a second packet extension duration for a second PPDU. The A-PPDU includes a first PPDU and a second PPDU, the third packet extension duration does not exceed the second packet extension duration and corresponds to a target packet extension field, the first packet extension duration indicates the duration of a predetermined packet extension field required for the first PPDU, the second packet extension duration is less than the first packet extension duration and indicates a packet extension duration supported by the second PPDU, the first PPDU includes a first padding bit and a target packet extension field, and the second PPDU includes a second padding bit and a target packet extension field, the first padding bit and the target packet extension field corresponding to a duration not less than the first packet extension duration. The transceiver is configured to send indication information indicating the third packet extension duration.

[0075] In other implementations of the eleventh aspect, the processor is further configured to execute the method according to the second aspect.

[0076] According to a twelfth aspect of the present application, a communication device is provided. The communication device includes a processor and a transceiver. The transceiver is configured to receive a third physical layer protocol data unit (PPDU) carrying extremely high throughput (EHT) operating parameters, the EHT operating parameters including a third indicator indicating a packet extension duration; and transmit a first PPDU. The processor is configured to determine a packet extension duration based on the EHT operating parameters; and generate the first PPDU based on the packet extension duration.

[0077] In other implementations of the twelfth aspect, the processor is further configured to execute the method according to the third aspect.

[0078] According to a thirteenth aspect of the present application, a computer-readable storage medium is provided, wherein computer-executable instructions are stored on the computer-readable storage medium, and when the computer-executable instructions are executed by a processor, the processor executes the method according to the first aspect of the present application.

[0079] According to a fourteenth aspect of the present application, a computer-readable storage medium is provided, wherein computer-executable instructions are stored on the computer-readable storage medium, and when the computer-executable instructions are executed by a processor, the processor executes the method according to the second aspect of the present application.

[0080] According to a fifteenth aspect of the present application, a computer-readable storage medium is provided, wherein computer-executable instructions are stored on the computer-readable storage medium, and when the computer-executable instructions are executed by a processor, the processor executes the method according to the third aspect of the present application.

[0081] According to a sixteenth aspect of the present application, a chip or a chip system is provided. The chip or chip system includes a processor and an interface circuit. The processor is configured to execute the method according to the first aspect.

[0082] According to the seventeenth aspect of the present application, a chip or chip system is provided. The chip or chip system includes a processor and an interface circuit. The processor is configured to execute the method according to the second aspect.

[0083] According to an eighteenth aspect of the present application, a chip or a chip system is provided. The chip or chip system includes a processor and an interface circuit. The processor is configured to execute the method according to the third aspect.

[0084] According to a nineteenth aspect of the present application, a computer program product is provided, which includes computer-executable instructions, which, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to perform the method according to the first, second, or third aspect of the present disclosure.

[0085] The packet extension mechanism proposed in the embodiments of the present application can be applied to various PPDUs transmitted between nodes in a WLAN system, such as MU PPDUs, TB PPDUs triggered by trigger frames, and TB PPDUs triggered by TRSs. This mechanism can meet different requirements for additional processing time by configuring appropriate padding factors and PE values. In addition, when using this mechanism to transmit A-PPDUs, the end points of the PE fields in the A-PPDUs can be aligned. Therefore, the optimized packet extension mechanism proposed in this application can efficiently utilize network time and frequency resources and significantly improve network performance. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0086] The above and other features, advantages and aspects of the various embodiments of the present application will become more apparent with reference to the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. In the accompanying drawings, the same or similar reference numerals represent the same or similar elements, wherein:

[0087] FIG1 shows a schematic diagram of a packet filling mechanism in a traditional WLAN network;

[0088] FIG2 illustrates a schematic diagram of an example network environment in which example embodiments of the present application may be implemented;

[0089] FIG3 shows a schematic diagram of an A-PPDU frame structure according to an exemplary embodiment of the present application;

[0090] FIG4 shows a schematic diagram of a mechanism for packet extension according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present application;

[0091] FIG5 shows a schematic diagram of another mechanism for packet extension according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present application;

[0092] FIG6 is a schematic diagram showing operation parameters of a TRS-based TB PPDU according to an exemplary embodiment of the present application;

[0093] FIG7 shows a signaling interaction diagram of a communication mechanism according to an example embodiment of the present application;

[0094] FIG8 shows a flow chart of a communication method according to an exemplary embodiment of the present application;

[0095] FIG9 shows a flow chart of a communication method according to an exemplary embodiment of the present application;

[0096] FIG10 shows a signaling interaction diagram of a communication mechanism according to an example embodiment of the present application;

[0097] FIG11 shows a flow chart of a communication method according to an exemplary embodiment of the present application;

[0098] 12A-12C are schematic diagrams showing a communication device according to an example embodiment of the present application; and

[0099] FIG13 shows a block diagram of a communication device according to an example embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0100] Some example embodiments will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Although the accompanying drawings illustrate example embodiments of the present application, it should be understood that the present application 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 application. It should be understood that the drawings and embodiments of the present application are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of protection of the present application.

[0101] The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application can be applied to wireless local area networks (WLAN) systems, and can also be applied to communication systems of other standards, such as: Long Term Evolution (LTE) systems, 5G systems, and other future communication systems. Taking the WLAN system as an example, the station (STA) and access point (AP) are the basic components of the WLAN system. Among them, the AP is the access point for mobile users to enter the wired network. It is mainly deployed in homes, buildings, and campuses. The typical coverage radius is tens of meters to hundreds of meters. Of course, it can also be deployed outdoors. The AP is equivalent to a bridge connecting the wired network and the wireless network. Its main function is to connect various wireless network clients together and then connect the wireless network to the Ethernet. Specifically, the AP can be a device with a WiFi (English: Wireless Fidelity, Chinese: Wireless Fidelity) chip, for example, a terminal device or network device with a WiFi chip. Optionally, the AP may be a device supporting the 802.11ax standard. Alternatively, the AP may be a device supporting multiple WLAN standards, such as 802.11ac, 802.11n, 802.11g, 802.11b, and 802.11a. Furthermore, the AP may be a device supporting 802.11be and other future 802.11 standards. The embodiments of the present application do not limit the types of standards supported by the AP.

[0102] A STA is generally a terminal device in a WLAN system. It can be mobile or fixed and is the most basic component of a wireless local area network. A STA can be a wireless communication chip, wireless sensor, or wireless communication terminal, such as a mobile phone with WiFi communication capabilities, a tablet computer with WiFi communication capabilities, a set-top box with WiFi communication capabilities, a smart TV with WiFi communication capabilities, a smart wearable device with WiFi communication capabilities, an in-vehicle communication device with WiFi communication capabilities, or a computer with WiFi communication capabilities. Similarly, a STA can be a device that supports the 802.11ax standard, or a device that supports multiple WLAN standards, such as 802.11ac, 802.11n, 802.11g, 802.11b, and 802.11a. Furthermore, a STA can also support 802.11be and other future 802.11 standards. The embodiments of this application do not limit the types of standards supported by STAs.

[0103] As used herein, the term "including" and its variations mean open inclusion, i.e., "including but not limited to." The term "or" means "and / or" unless otherwise stated. The term "based on" means "based, at least in part, on." The terms "example embodiment" and "certain embodiments" mean "at least one example embodiment." Additional explicit and implicit definitions may be included below.

[0104] In a traditional WLAN system, various frame structures, such as the physical layer frame format PPDU, can be transmitted between an access point and a station device. In order to reserve more time for the node acting as a receiving device to process the PPDU, the transmitting device usually uses packet padding technologies such as Pre-FEC padding, post-FEC padding, and PE. Figure 1 shows a schematic diagram of a packet padding mechanism for a traditional WLAN network. The information bits are scrambled and OFDM-encoded to obtain PPDU 120-126, where the Pre-FEC padding factor a represents the proportion of the Pre-FEC padding bits and the remaining bits in the symbols 110-116 of the data field after modulation. The remaining subcarriers in the symbol can be occupied by Post-FEC padding bits to make the number of data subcarriers reach N CBPS bits, where CBPS stands for coded bits per symbol. Therefore, the Pre-FEC padding factor a can also be used to indicate the proportion of Post-FEC padding bits in the symbols of the PPDU's data field. Post-FEC padding bits can provide additional processing time for the receiving device.

[0105] As shown in Figure 1, when the Pre-FEC filling factor a=1, Pre-FEC filling bits 101 occupy one-quarter of the subcarriers, while Post-FEC filling bits 102 occupy three-quarters of the subcarriers. After OFDM modulation, Post-FEC filling bits 102 can provide approximately 12 μs of additional processing time. When the Pre-FEC filling factor a=2, Pre-FEC filling bits 103 and Post-FEC filling bits 104 each occupy half of the subcarriers. After OFDM modulation, Post-FEC filling bits 104 can provide approximately 8 μs of additional processing time. When the Pre-FEC filling factor a=3, Pre-FEC filling bits 105 occupy three-quarters of the subcarriers, while Post-FEC filling bits 106 occupy one-quarter of the subcarriers. After OFDM modulation, Post-FEC filling bits 106 can provide approximately 4 μs of additional processing time. When the Pre-FEC filling factor a=4, the Pre-FEC filling bits 108 occupy all subcarriers, and the number of Post-FEC filling bits is zero. In this case, no additional processing time is provided.

[0106] Since the duration corresponding to the post-FEC padding bits is uncertain and is limited by the total duration, in order to ensure that the additional processing time provided can meet the requirements of the receiving device (for example, 8μs and 16μs), a PE field can be introduced after the last symbol to provide further processing time. As shown in Figure 1, assuming that the receiving device requires an additional processing time of no less than 8μs, when the Pre-FEC padding factor a = 1 or 2, since the post-FEC padding bits can already provide sufficient additional processing time, there is no need to add a PE field. When the Pre-FEC padding factor a = 3 or 4, a PE field 107 corresponding to 4μs and a PE field 109 corresponding to 8μs need to be added after the symbol, respectively.

[0107] With the advancement of wireless communication technology, EHT devices that require additional processing time exceeding 16μs (e.g., 20μs) have emerged. In this case, a node acting as a transmitting device may add a PE field corresponding to 20μs to the PPDU for EHT devices. When the transmitting device sends A-PPDUs to both HE devices and EHT devices in an aggregated manner, the traditional packet extension mechanism configures a PE field of no more than 16μs for the PPDU for HE devices and a PE field of 20μs for the PPDU for EHT devices. This results in unequal tail lengths for the two types of PPDUs, which is detrimental to both data transmission and reception.

[0108] To address the aforementioned and other potential issues facing current WLAN systems, embodiments of the present application provide an optimized packet extension mechanism. This packet extension mechanism flexibly configures the padding bits and PE field in the PPDU's data field as needed to meet the differing requirements for additional processing time between HE and EHT devices. Furthermore, in this mechanism, PPDUs for HE and EHT devices have PE fields of the same length, allowing the endpoints of the PE fields of their A-PPDUs to be aligned. This generated PPDU efficiently utilizes the time and frequency resources of the WLAN network, significantly improving network performance and enhancing communication quality.

[0109] An example mechanism for package extension according to an embodiment of the present application will be discussed below in conjunction with FIG. 2 to FIG. 10 .

[0110] FIG2 shows a schematic diagram of an example network environment 200 in which an example embodiment of the present application can be implemented. As shown in FIG2 , the network environment 200 includes an access device 210 and site devices 220 and 230. It should be understood that the network environment 200 is for exemplary purposes only and does not imply any limitation on the scope of the present application. The embodiments of the present application may also be embodied in other network environments or architectures. In addition, it should be understood that the network environment 200 may also include other elements or entities for achieving purposes such as communication connections, data transmission, and network security. To simplify the description, these elements or entities are not shown in FIG2 , but this does not mean that the embodiments of the present application do not have these elements or entities.

[0111] The access device 210 can provide wireless network coverage for the site devices 220 and 230 within a certain area. The access device 210 can communicate with one or more of the site devices 220 and 230, which is also called downlink data transmission. Downlink data transmission can be point-to-multipoint transmission or point-to-point transmission. For example, the access device 120 can send a downlink physical layer protocol data unit DL PPDU to the site devices 220 and 230, including but not limited to a downlink single-user physical layer protocol data unit (Downlink Single User PHY Protocol Data Unit, DL SU PPDU) or a downlink multi-user physical layer protocol data unit (Downlink Multi-User PHY Protocol Data Unit, DL MU PPDU). In an example embodiment of the present application, the TB PPDU may include a trigger frame-based PPDU, a TRS-based PPDU, or a combination of the two.

[0112] In an embodiment of point-to-multipoint transmission, access device 120 can transmit an A-PPDU to station devices 220 and 230. For example, the A-PPDU can be a PPDU for HE devices and a PPDU for EHT devices, sent simultaneously in a frequency-domain orthogonal manner. Figure 3 illustrates a schematic diagram of an A-PPDU frame structure according to an example embodiment of the present application. As shown in Figure 3 , for example, A-PPDU 300 can include a PPDU 310 for EHT devices and a PPDU 320 for HE devices. PPDU 310 and PPDU 320 correspond to different subcarriers in the frequency domain and utilize the same time-domain resources. The EHT device and HE device can receive PPDU 310 and PPDU 320, respectively, on the corresponding subcarriers.

[0113] Data transmission from site device 220 or site device 230 to access device 210 may be referred to as uplink data transmission. Site device 220 and site device 230 may communicate with each other. In an exemplary embodiment of the present application, site device 220 may correspond to an EHT device, while site device 230 may correspond to an HE device. When both serve as receiving devices for data transmission, different processing times may be required for the PPDU. In some exemplary embodiments of the present application, access device 210 may act as a transmitting device, while one or more of site device 220 and site device 230 may act as a receiving device. In other exemplary embodiments of the present application, access device 210 may act as a receiving device, while one or more of site device 220 and site device 230 may act as a transmitting device.

[0114] It should be understood that the terms "HE device" and "EHT device" used in this application correspond to the naming of devices in the current 802.11a / g, 802.11n, 802.11ac, 802.11ax to the current 802.11be, but the embodiments of this application are also applicable to equivalent or equivalent devices in future or subsequent standards. The scope of this application is not limited in this respect.

[0115] The network environment 200 according to an embodiment of the present application can be a wireless network that complies with any protocol currently known or to be developed in the future, including but not limited to WLAN based on standards such as 802.11ac, 802.11n, 802.11g, 802.11b and 802.11a, Narrow Band-Internet of Things (NB-IoT), Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM), Enhanced Data rate for GSM Evolution (EDGE), Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA), Code Division Multiple Access 2000 (CDMA2000), Time Division-Synchronization Code Division Multiple Access (TD-SCDMA), Long Term Evolution (LTE) and 5G NR network.

[0116] Example 1

[0117] Example embodiment 1 of the present application provides a packet extension mechanism for A-PPDU. This mechanism may involve access device 210 and station devices 220 and 230 as shown in Figure 2. Example embodiment 1 will be described below with reference to Figure 2, but it should be understood that this mechanism is also applicable to other communication scenarios and devices.

[0118] It should be noted that the A-PPDU involved in this application refers to at least two PPDUs sent on different frequency domain resources. For example, taking the A-PPDU including two PPDUs as an example, these two PPDUs can both be EHT PPDUs, both HE PPDUs, or EHT PPDUs and HE PPDUs. This application does not limit the specific combination of A-PPDUs and the number of PPDUs included. For ease of description, the first PPDU and the second PPDU involved in the A-PPDU below are described as follows: the first PPDU is an EHT PPDU, that is, a PPDU for an EHT device, and the second PPDU is an HE PPDU, that is, a PPDU for an HE device.

[0119] In the first embodiment, the access device 210 may transmit an A-PPDU with the station devices 220 and 230. As an example, the A-PPDU may include a first PPDU for the station device 220 and a second PPDU for the station device 230. In this example, the access device 210 acts as a transmitting device, the station devices 220 and 230 act as receiving devices, the first PPDU may be an MU PPDU, and the second PPDU may be a single-user physical layer protocol data unit (SU PPDU) or an MU PPDU.

[0120] As another example, the A-PPDU may be a triggering-based physical layer protocol data unit (TB PPDU), such as a TB PPDU triggered by a trigger frame. In this example, the access device 210 may send a PPDU carrying the trigger frame to the station device 220. In response to the trigger frame, the station device 220 may send an A-PPDU including the first PPDU and the second PPDU.

[0121] As previously described with respect to FIG. 2 , for example, station device 220 corresponds to an EHT device and station device 230 corresponds to an HE device, each requiring different additional processing times when receiving a PPDU. To provide sufficient processing time for station devices 220 and 230, access device 210 may include Post-FEC padding bits and a PE field of appropriate length in PPDUs for EHT and HE devices.

[0122] For example, the access device 210 may determine the Pre-FEC filling factor a and the nominal packet filling value based on the processing capabilities of the site devices 220 and 230. In the context of this application, the nominal packet filling value may indicate the minimum additional processing time required to process the corresponding PPDU, and may take values ​​of 0, 8, 16, or 20 μs. Based on the Pre-FEC filling factor a and the nominal packet filling value, the nominal PE time T required by the receiving device may be determined. norminal,PE , which is the minimum packet extension duration provided by the PE field. Table 1 below shows the nominal PE duration T determined based on different filling factors a and nominal packet filling values. norminal,PE .

[0123] Table 1-Nominal PE duration T norminal,PE

[0124]

[0125] Therefore, as long as the final selected PE duration T PE Not less than nominal PE duration T norminal,PE , which can meet the processing requirements of the receiving device.

[0126] In the scenario of transmitting A-PPDU, the maximum nominal packet filling value (also called predetermined PE duration) required by HE devices is 16 μs, while EHT devices may require a predetermined PE duration of up to 20 μs. In the example where the A-PPDU includes an MU PPDU, when the station device 220 requires a predetermined PE duration T of 20 μs, norminal,PE1 , it will exceed the predetermined PE duration of 16 μs supported by the site device 230 as a HE device. At this time, if the first PE duration T of 20 μs is still configured for the first PPDU for the site device 220 PE1 , and the second PPDU for the station device 230 is configured with a second PE duration T of 16 μs PE2Because the first and second PPDUs of the aggregated transmission include PE fields of different lengths, the end points of the PE fields of the A-PPDUs may be misaligned. It should be understood that the term "supported predetermined PE duration" used in this application may refer to a PE duration required by the HE device, such as 0μs, 8μs, or 16μs. For example, it may also refer to the maximum predetermined PE duration supported by the HE device, i.e., 16μs.

[0127] In order to avoid the problem of misalignment during A-PPDU transmission, the access device 210 can ensure that the first PPDU for the station device 220 and the second PPDU for the station device 230 include the same length of the target PE field, and appropriately configure the first Pre-FEC filling factor a1 for the first PPDU, the second Pre-FEC filling factor a2 for the second PPDU, and the target PE duration T PE In this way, the additional processing time provided by the target PE field and the Post-FEC padding bits can still meet the processing requirements of the site devices 220 and 230.

[0128] It should be noted that, in the context of this application, the scheduled PE duration T norminal,PE Refers to the additional processing time required by the receiving device; target PE time T PE It refers to the PE duration corresponding to the PE field actually included in the A-PPDU, that is, the PE duration actually corresponding to the PE field of the first PPDU and the second PPDU; the first filling bit refers to the Post-FEC filling bit of the first PPDU, which can be determined based on the first Pre-FEC filling factor a1, and the second filling bit refers to the Post-FEC filling bit of the second PPDU, which can be determined based on the second Pre-FEC filling factor a2.

[0129] Specifically, when transmitting the A-PPDU and the predetermined PE duration T required for the first PPDU of the station device 220 norminal,PE1 In the example of 20 μs, the access device 210 can determine the first Pre-FEC filling factor a1 and the target PE duration T for the first PPDU according to the following configuration: PE :

[0130] ●Target PE duration T PE is 16 μs, and the first Pre-FEC filling factor a1 is one of 1, 2 and 3; or

[0131] ●Target PE duration T PE is 12 μs, and the first Pre-FEC filling factor a1 is one of 1 and 2; or

[0132] ●Target PE duration TPE The first Pre-FEC filling factor a1 is 8 μs, and the value of the first Pre-FEC filling factor a1 is 1.

[0133] In the above configuration, the value of the second Pre-FEC filling factor a2 can be one of 1, 2, 3 and 4. For example, it can be based on the predetermined PE duration T required by the second PPDU. PE2’ A second Pre-FEC padding factor a2 is selected from predefined values ​​1, 2, 3, and 4. When the second Pre-FEC padding factor a2 is one of 1, 2, and 3, the symbols in the data field of the second PPDU also include Post-FEC padding bits, which are also referred to as second padding bits in the embodiments of the present application. In other words, when the second Pre-FEC padding factor a2 is 4, the data field of the second PPDU does not include Post-FEC padding bits, or there are no Post-FEC padding bits, or the number of Post-FEC padding bits is 0.

[0134] FIG4 shows a schematic diagram of a mechanism for packet extension according to an exemplary embodiment 1 of the present application. In the example of FIG4 , the first Pre-FEC filling factor a1 for the site device 220 is 2, and the generated first filling bit 412 is located in the last symbol 411 of the data field of the first PPDU 410, and provides a processing time 401 of approximately 8 μs. The second Pre-FEC filling factor a2 for the site device 230 is 4, so the number of second filling bits included in the last symbol 421 of the data field of the second PPDU 420 is zero. In addition, the first PPDU 410 and the second PPDU 420 also include PE fields 413 and 423 of equal length, which correspond to a processing time 402 of 12 μs. According to the above configuration, for the first PPDU, the sum of the processing times 401 and 402 meets the predetermined PE time T of 20 μs required by the site device 220. norminal,PE1 , while keeping the PE field of the A-PPDU aligned.

[0135] It should be understood that although in the example of Figure 4, the first Pre-FEC filling factor a1 and the second Pre-FEC filling factor a2 have different values, in other examples, the first Pre-FEC filling factor a1 can have the same value as the second Pre-FEC filling factor a2.

[0136] In the specific implementation process, the first Pre-FEC filling factor a1, the second Pre-FEC filling factor a2 and the target PE duration T can be flexibly determined according to needs. PE As an example, the target PE duration T may be determined based on the selected first Pre-FEC filling factor a1 and the second Pre-FEC filling factor a2.PE As another example, the target PE duration T can be selected from the predetermined value range of 8μs, 12μs, and 16μs. PE , then based on the selected target PE duration T PE Determine that the first predetermined PE duration T is met PE1’ The first Pre-FEC filling factor a1 and the second predetermined PE duration T PE2’ The second Pre-FEC filling factor a2.

[0137] In one possible implementation, the target PE duration T PE Equal to the scheduled PE duration T PE’ ,Right now,

[0138] T PE1 =T norminal,PE1 (1)

[0139] T PE2 =T norminal,PE2 (2)

[0140] Based on the above formulas (1) and (2), the first Pre-FEC filling factor a1, the second Pre-FEC filling factor a2 and the target PE duration T can be determined according to the following configuration: PE , that is, the first Pre-FEC filling factor a1, the second Pre-FEC filling factor a2 and the target PE duration T PE The following configuration can be used:

[0141] ●Target PE duration T PE is 16 μs, the first Pre-FEC filling factor a1 is 3, and the second Pre-FEC filling factor a2 is 4; or

[0142] ●Target PE duration T PE is 12 μs, the first Pre-FEC filling factor a1 is 2, and the second Pre-FEC filling factor a2 is 3; or

[0143] ●Target PE duration T PE The first Pre-FEC filling factor a1 is 1, and the second Pre-FEC filling factor a2 is 2 or 4.

[0144] In another possible implementation, the target PE duration T PE Equal to the predetermined PE duration T for HE norminal,PE2, and the scheduled PE duration T for EHT norminal,PE1 Not subject to this restriction, that is, the scheduled PE duration T for EHT norminal, PE1 It may not be equal to the scheduled PE duration T norminal,PE1 In this case, the following configuration can be used to determine the first Pre-FEC filling factor a1, the second Pre-FEC filling factor a2, and the target PE duration T PE , that is, the first Pre-FEC filling factor a1, the second Pre-FEC filling factor a2 and the target PE duration T PE The following configuration can be used:

[0145] The target PE duration is 16 μs, the first Pre-FEC fill factor is one of 1, 2, and 3, and the second Pre-FEC fill factor is 4; or

[0146] The target PE duration is 12 μs, the first Pre-FEC fill factor is one of 1 and 2, and the second Pre-FEC fill factor is 3; or

[0147] ●The target PE duration is 8 μs, the first Pre-FEC filling factor is 1, and the second Pre-FEC filling factor is 2 or 4.

[0148] Figure 5 illustrates another mechanism for packet extension according to a first exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. In the example of Figure 5 , the second Pre-FEC padding factor a2 for station device 230 is 2. The generated second padding bits 522 are located in the last symbol 521 of the data field 504 of the second PPDU 520, providing a processing time of approximately 8 μs. For the first PPDU 510, the first Pre-FEC padding factor a1 is 3. The generated first padding bits include a first portion 513 located in the first symbol 511 of the data field 503 of the first PPDU 510 and a second portion 514 located in the last symbol 512. The first portion 513 and the second portion 514 of the first padding bits together provide a processing time of approximately 20 μs. It should be understood that the first symbol shown in Figure 5 as the penultimate symbol of the data field of the first PPDU is merely exemplary; the first symbol may be any symbol before the last symbol of the data field of the first PPDU, and the present disclosure is not limited in this respect. In a configuration where the first symbol is the symbol before the last symbol, all symbols after the first symbol to the last symbol are filled with padding bits. That is, all symbols after the first symbol to the last symbol are Post-FEC padding bits, and in some cases, these bits can also become the PE field. In addition, the first PPDU 510 and the second PPDU 520 also include PE fields 515 and 525 of equal length, which correspond to the processing time 502 of 4 μs. Therefore, for the first PPDU, the sum of the processing times 501 and 502 exceeds the predetermined PE time T of 20 μs required by the station device 220. norminal,PE1 , which can meet the requirements of EHT devices. At the same time, this configuration can also keep the PE field of A-PPDU aligned.

[0149] In some examples, for an A-PPDU, a configuration in which the Pre-FEC padding factor a corresponds to the penultimate symbol of the data field of the PPDU for EHT devices, as shown in FIG. 5 , can be used. For other PPDUs, the conventional configuration in which the Pre-FEC padding factor corresponds to the last symbol of the data field of the corresponding PPDU can still be used. In such an example, the station device 220, acting as a receiving device, can determine the symbol in the data field corresponding to the Pre-FEC padding factor by determining whether the received PPDU is an A-PPDU, i.e., the position of the first padding bit in the data field of the first PPDU. That is, when the station device 220 determines that the received PPDU is an A-PPDU, it can determine the position of the first padding bit in the data field of the first PPDU. Whether the first padding bit is located at the penultimate symbol of the data field or at any symbol before the last symbol can be determined by protocol or communicated between the station device and the access device, and is not limited in this application.

[0150] In the above example, the first PPDU may further include a first indicator for indicating that the PPDU is an A-PPDU, for example, an indicator with a length of one bit. Furthermore, the station device 220 may determine, based on the first indicator, that the first Pre-FEC filling factor a1 corresponds to the last symbol of the data field or any symbol before the last symbol. Additionally or alternatively, since in a configuration in which the first Pre-FEC filling factor a1 corresponds to the second-to-last symbol of the data field, the last symbol of the data field can be used to provide approximately 16 μs of additional processing, the target PE duration T PE When the time is not less than 4 μs, the value of the first Pre-FEC padding factor a1 may be 4, that is, the second-to-last symbol of the data field does not have any padding bits (Post-FEC padding bits), and the penultimate symbol is all padding bits (Post-FEC padding bits). Therefore, the station device 220 can determine whether the value of the first Pre-FEC padding factor a1 is 4 based on whether the received PPDU is an A-PPDU.

[0151] In some examples, the maximum nominal packet padding value for the A-PPDU can be configured as 16 μs, so that when the access device 210 transmits the A-PPDU, it will not face the problem of misalignment of the PE field end point of the A-PPDU.

[0152] In the case where the A-PPDU is a TB PPDU triggered by a trigger frame, the same mechanism for packet extension described in Example Embodiment 1 of the present application applies. Specifically, in this example, the access device 210 determines information about the length of the PE field that the triggered TB PPDU should carry based on the packet extension described in Example Embodiment 1. The access device 210 can then send a trigger frame to the site devices 220 and 230. The common information fields of the trigger frame, such as the uplink length subfield (UL Length subfield) and the packet extension disambiguation subfield (PE Disambiguity), include information indicating the length of the PE field to be carried by the triggered TB PPDU.

[0153] In the example of a TB PPDU triggered by a trigger frame, the trigger frame may also indicate a first Pre-FEC filling factor a1 for the first PPDU and a second Pre-FEC filling factor a2 for the second PPDU. In the example of a PPDU scheduling a TRS based on a trigger response, the first Pre-FEC filling factor a1 for the first PPDU and the second Pre-FEC filling factor a2 for the second PPDU may follow default or predefined values. Therefore, the trigger frame carrying the TRS may not need to indicate the first Pre-FEC filling factor a1 and the second Pre-FEC filling factor a2. Station devices 220 and 230 are capable of transmitting a first PPDU for an EHT device and a second PPDU for an HE device, respectively. Furthermore, station devices 220 and 230 may determine the target PE duration based on these subfields in the trigger frame and, in response to the trigger frame, generate and transmit the first and second PPDUs. All features described above regarding an A-PPDU including an MU PPDU apply to an A-PPDU that is a triggered TB PPDU and are not further described here.

[0154] It should be understood that although the alignment of the A-PPDU is achieved by adjusting the Pre-FEC padding factor a and the PE field length in the example embodiment of the present application, this adjustment method is merely exemplary. The nominal packet padding value or PE field corresponding to 20 μs can also be provided in the A-PPDU by adding padding bits in other parts, such as padding bits in the MAC, padding fields in the trigger frame, post-EOF A-MPDU padding, aggregating other MPDUs in the A-MPDU, and the like.

[0155] According to the method proposed in the embodiment of the present application, an optimized packet extension mechanism can be implemented. In this mechanism, the PPDUs for HE devices and EHT devices included in the A-PPDU have PE fields of the same length, so that the end points of the PE fields of the A-PPDU can be aligned. At the same time, the A-PPDU can provide sufficient additional processing time for HE devices and EHT devices respectively by using post-FEC padding bits and PE fields. The optimized packet extension mechanism can flexibly configure the padding bits and PE fields in the data field of the PPDU as needed. The A-PPDU generated in this way can efficiently utilize the time and frequency resources of the WLAN network, significantly improve network performance, and provide communication quality.

[0156] Example 2

[0157] Triggered Response Scheduling (TRS) can be considered a simplified and efficient implementation of trigger frames, with many parameters set by default or simplified. Compared to TB PPDUs triggered by trigger frames, TB PPDUs triggered by TRS support fewer or fixed modulation modes and spatial streams. For example, the default setting for the Pre-FEC padding factor a in TRS-triggered TB PPDUs is 4. In other words, Post-FEC padding bits are not provided by default in TRS-triggered TB PPDUs.

[0158] Furthermore, in the scenario of transmitting a TB PPDU triggered by a TRS, the predetermined PE duration is specified by the operational parameters for the HE device and the EHT device. FIG6 illustrates a schematic diagram of the operational parameters for a TRS-based TB PPDU according to an exemplary embodiment of the present application. The access device 210 may set the predetermined PE duration by configuring the operational parameters for the HE device, for example, the Default PE Duration subfield 610 of the HE Operation Parameters Field 601 in the HE Operation Element for the HE device shown in FIG6 . The Default PE Duration subfield 610 comprises 3 bits, and when the values ​​are 0-4, they correspond to predetermined PE durations of 0, 4, 8, 12, and 16 μs, respectively. Values ​​5-7 are reserved. Therefore, when an EHT device requires a predetermined PE duration of up to 20 μs, the conventional TRS-based TB PPDU transmission mechanism cannot be used to transmit an A-PPDU including PPDUs for EHT devices and HE devices.

[0159] The second exemplary embodiment of the present application provides a packet extension mechanism for a TRS-based A-PPDU. This mechanism may involve access device 210 and station devices 220 and 230, as shown in Figure 2. For example, the second exemplary embodiment will be described below with reference to Figure 2, but it should be understood that this mechanism is also applicable to other communication scenarios and devices.

[0160] In the second exemplary embodiment, the A-PPDU transmitted by access device 210 and site devices 220 and 230 can be a TRS-based TB PPDU, or a TB PPDU triggered by a mixed transmission of TRS and a trigger frame. For a TB PPDU triggered by a mixed transmission of TRS and a trigger frame, the trigger frame settings should be consistent with the TRS settings and follow the TRS setting parameters. Therefore, if the following does not explicitly mention the mixed transmission of TRS and trigger frames, it can be understood that the design method for TRS described in the second exemplary embodiment is followed.

[0161] In one possible implementation, in order to adapt to the predetermined PE duration required by the EHT device, for example, 20 μs, the following default settings may be adopted in the TRS mechanism proposed in the second exemplary embodiment:

[0162] The Pre-FEC padding factor a corresponds to the last symbol of the data field of the PPDU and has a predefined value of one of 1, 2, and 3; or

[0163] ●The Pre-FEC padding factor a corresponds to the symbol before the last symbol of the data field of the PPDU and is predefined to be one of 1, 2, 3 and 4.

[0164] In the above setting, when the EHT device requires a predetermined PE duration of 20 μs, the default PE duration in the operation parameters (EHT Operation Parameters Field) for the EHT device may be set to no higher than 16 μs.

[0165] In the TRS mechanism proposed in Example 2, for an A-PPDU, a configuration may be adopted in which the Pre-FEC padding factor a corresponds to the last symbol of the PPDU's data field and has a predefined value of one of 1, 2, and 3, or the Pre-FEC padding factor a corresponds to any symbol before the last symbol of the PPDU's data field and has a predefined value of one of 1, 2, 3, and 4. For PPDUs other than the A-PPDU, the access device 210 may still adopt the conventional configuration in which the Pre-FEC padding factor a corresponds to the last symbol of the corresponding PPDU's data field and has a value of 4.

[0166] Additionally or alternatively, for the A-PPDU, whether the value of the Pre-FEC filling factor a of the PPDU for the EHT device is a predefined value or 4 may be determined based on a second indicator having a length of 1 bit. For example, the first value of the second indicator may indicate that the value of the Pre-FEC filling factor a is 4, and the second value of the second indicator may indicate that the Pre-FEC filling factor a uses the predefined value described above.

[0167] Additionally or alternatively, for the PPDU corresponding to the EHT device in the A-PPDU (that is, the first PPDU mentioned above), the same operating parameters as the PPDU corresponding to the HE device (that is, the second PPDU mentioned above) can be used by default.

[0168] According to a second exemplary embodiment of the present application, a packet extension mechanism for TRS-based TB PPDUs is provided. This mechanism can meet the different requirements for additional processing time between EHT and HE devices by configuring an appropriate padding factor a and PE duration. Furthermore, when utilizing this mechanism to transmit A-PPDUs, the endpoints of the PE fields within the A-PPDUs can be aligned. Therefore, the optimized packet extension mechanism proposed in this application can efficiently utilize network time and frequency resources and significantly improve network performance.

[0169] Example 3

[0170] Example 3 of the present application provides a packet extension mechanism for a TB PPDU triggered by a TRS. This mechanism may involve access device 210 and site device 220, as shown in Figure 2. Example 3 will be described below with reference to Figure 2, but it should be understood that this mechanism is also applicable to other communication scenarios and devices.

[0171] In the third exemplary embodiment, the first PPDU transmitted between the access device 210 and the site device 220 can be a TB PPDU triggered by a TRS, or a TB PPDU triggered by a mixed transmission of a TRS and a trigger frame. For a TB PPDU triggered by a mixed transmission of a TRS and a trigger frame, the trigger frame settings should be consistent with the TRS settings and follow the TRS setting parameters. Therefore, if the mixed transmission of a TRS and a trigger frame is not explicitly mentioned below, it can be understood by default that the design method for TRS described in the third exemplary embodiment is followed.

[0172] To accommodate the predetermined PE duration required by EHT devices, such as 20 μs, the access device 210 may indicate the PE duration for EHT devices using an EHT operation parameter element. For example, the access device 210 may send a third PPDU including the EHT operation parameter to the site device 220. The EHT operation parameter may include a third indicator for indicating the PE duration.

[0173] In some example embodiments, the third indicator may be a 1-bit indicator, for example, a first value of the third indicator (e.g., 1) indicates that the PE duration is 20 μs, and a second value of the third indicator (e.g., 0) indicates that the PE duration for EHT is the duration specified by the HE operation parameters, i.e., the PE duration follows the configuration in the Default PE Duration subfield in the HE Operation Parameters field.

[0174] In other example embodiments, the first value of the third indicator may indicate one of 16 μs and 20 μs, and the second value of the third indicator may indicate that the PE duration for EHT follows the configuration in the default PE duration subfield in the HE operation parameter field.

[0175] In such an embodiment, the third PPDU is a PPDU carrying EHT operation parameters, and the PE duration can also be determined based on the fourth PPDU carrying the trigger response scheduling TRS. In other words, the site device determines whether the PE duration is 16μs or 20μs based on the EHT operation parameters carried by the third PPDU, and further determines whether the PE duration is 16μs or 20μs based on the indication information carried by the fourth PPDU. For example, the access device 210 can send a fourth PPDU to the site device 220, and the fourth PPDU can indicate bandwidth information for the fourth PPDU. When the fourth PPDU is transmitted in the form of an A-PPDU, the fourth PPDU can also indicate the bandwidth for the A-PPDU. In other words, the fourth PPDU is part of the A-PPDU. In this case, the fourth PPDU can refer to the entire bandwidth of the A-PPDU. If the bandwidth of the fourth PPDU is greater than the first threshold (for example, 160MHz), the site device 220 can determine the PE duration as 20μs. Otherwise, if the bandwidth of the fourth PPDU is less than or equal to the first threshold, the site device 220 may determine the PE duration as 16 μs. That is, when the third indicator is the first value, the site device 220 needs to further determine whether the PE duration is 16 μs or 20 μs based on the bandwidth information in the fourth PPDU.

[0176] In some example embodiments, the EHT operation parameters and the HE operation parameters may be carried by the same PPDU or by different PPDUs. For example, the HE operation parameters may be carried by the third PPDU, the fourth PPDU, or other PPDUs other than the third and fourth PPDUs.

[0177] Additionally or alternatively, the PE duration may also be determined based on the resource allocation information indicated by the fourth PPDU carrying the trigger frame. For example, the fourth PPDU sent by the access device 210 to the site device 220 may indicate the resource unit RU size for the fourth PPDU. If the fourth PPDU indicates that the RU size is greater than the second threshold size (e.g., 2*996-tone RU), the site device 220 may determine the PE duration as 20μs. Otherwise, if the fourth PPDU indicates that the number of RUs is less than or equal to the second threshold size, the site device 220 may determine the PE duration as 16μs. That is, when the third indicator is the first value, the site device 220 needs to further determine whether the PE duration is 16μs or 20μs based on the RU size indicated in the fourth PPDU. In some example embodiments, the third PPDU may be the same PPDU as the fourth PPDU.

[0178] In some other embodiments, the third indicator may be an indicator having a length of more than 1 bit, and the third indicator indicates that the PE duration is one of 0 μs, 4 μs, 8 μs, 12 μs, 16 μs, and 20 μs. For example, the default PE duration subfield in the EHT operation parameter field includes 3 bits, and when the values ​​are 0 to 5, they correspond to PE durations of 0 μs, 4 μs, 8 μs, 12 μs, 16 μs, and 20 μs, respectively.

[0179] It should be understood that the specific settings of the first value and the second value of the third indicator in the third exemplary embodiment are merely illustrative. In other embodiments, the first value of the third indicator may be 0, and the second value may be 1. In addition, the indication information of the PE duration for EHT may be carried in other fields or subfields, for example, in B18-B23 of the HE operation parameter field.

[0180] According to the method proposed in the embodiments of the present application, the PPDU of the TB triggered by the TRS can flexibly set the processing time provided by the PE field to 0μs, 4μs, 8μs, 12μs, 16μs, or 20μs as needed to meet the different requirements of different devices for additional processing time. In addition, the method can also dynamically select a processing time of 16μs or 20μs based on network bandwidth or resource unit size, thereby improving the traditional packet extension mechanism and enhancing the performance of the WLAN system.

[0181] Figure 7 shows a signaling interaction diagram of a communication mechanism according to an example embodiment of the present application. This example interaction process 700 may involve the access device 210 and the station device 220 as shown in Figure 2. It should be understood that this process is also applicable to other communication scenarios and devices.

[0182] The following describes process 700 using an example in which the access device 210 acts as a first device 710, the station device 220 acts as a second device 720, and a TB PPDU is transmitted between the first device 710 and the second device 720. It should be understood that process 700 is also applicable to the case in which an A-PPDU including a PPDU for a HE device (SU PPDU or MU PPDU) and a MU PPDU for an EHT device is transmitted between the first device 710 and the second device 720.

[0183] At 702, the first device 710 determines a third PE duration for an A-PPDU to be triggered based on a first PE duration for a first PPDU and a second PE duration for a second PPDU. The A-PPDU to be triggered includes a first PPDU for an EHT device and a second PPDU for an HE device.

[0184] The first PE duration may indicate the duration of a predetermined PE field required for the first PPDU, and the second PE duration may be less than the first PE duration and indicate a PE duration supported by the second PPDU. When the first device 710 determines that the first PE duration exceeds the maximum PE duration supported by the second PPDU, the PE field lengths in the first PPDU and the second PPDU may be adjusted so that both include target PE fields of the same length to obtain an A-PPDU with aligned PE fields. The third PE duration corresponds to the target PE field and does not exceed the second PE duration.

[0185] Furthermore, to ensure that the generated first and second PPDUs still meet the additional processing time requirement, post-FEC padding can be used to ensure that the first and second PPDUs include a first padding field and a second padding field of a certain length, respectively. For example, the first PPDU generated by station device 220 will include at least the first padding bits and the target PE field, while the second PPDU generated by station device 230 will include at least the first padding bits and the target PE field. The first padding bits and the target PE field correspond to a duration no less than that of the first PE, thereby ensuring that the generated first PPDU provides sufficient additional processing time for the receiving device.

[0186] In some example embodiments, the first padding bits are determined based on a first Pre-FEC padding factor, and the second padding bits are determined based on a second Pre-FEC padding factor. The first Pre-FEC padding factor indicates the proportion of at least a portion of the first padding bits in a first symbol of a data field of a first PPDU, and the second Pre-FEC padding factor indicates the proportion of the second padding bits in a second symbol of a data field of a second PPDU. It should be understood that, depending on the specific settings of the Target PE field, the first Pre-FEC padding factor, and the second Pre-FEC padding factor, the number of bits of at least one of the first padding bits and the second padding bits may be zero.

[0187] In some example embodiments, the first symbol may be the last symbol of the data field of the first PPDU, and the second symbol may be the last symbol of the data field of the second PPDU.

[0188] In other example embodiments, the first symbol may be located before the last symbol in the data field of the first PPDU, and the second symbol may be the last symbol in the data field of the second PPDU. In such embodiments, the first padding bits include a first portion located in the first symbol and a second portion located from the symbol after the first symbol to the last symbol. In other words, the bits from the symbol after the first symbol to the last symbol are filled with the second portion of the first padding bits.

[0189] In an embodiment where the TB PPDU is triggered by a TRS, the first Pre-FEC filling factor and the second Pre-FEC filling factor may be default values ​​or predefined values. In an embodiment where the TB PPDU is triggered by a trigger frame, the first device 710 may further determine 704 the first Pre-FEC filling factor and the second Pre-FEC filling factor based on the first PE duration and the second PE duration.

[0190] At 706, the first device 710 generates indication information indicating the third packet extension duration. Furthermore, in an embodiment where a TB PPDU is triggered by a trigger frame, the indication information may be carried by the trigger frame, and the trigger frame may also indicate the first Pre-FEC padding factor and the second Pre-FEC padding factor. Furthermore, the trigger frame may also indicate the location of the first padding bits in the data field of the first PPDU, for example, whether they are located entirely in the last symbol or in all symbols from a symbol before the last symbol to the last symbol. In an embodiment where a TB PPDU is triggered by a TRS, the indication information is an EHT operation parameter for the first PPDU. For example, the third PE duration may be indicated by the PE value subfield in the EHT operation parameter field.

[0191] In an embodiment where a TB PPDU is triggered by a trigger frame, when the first symbol is located at the last symbol of the data field of the first PPDU, the first device 710 may determine the third PE duration and the first Pre-FEC filling factor as one of the following configurations:

[0192] ● The third PE duration is 16 μs, and the first Pre-FEC filling factor is one of 1, 2, and 3; or

[0193] The third PE duration is 12 μs, and the first Pre-FEC fill factor is one of 1 and 2; or

[0194] ●The third PE duration is 8 μs, and the first Pre-FEC filling factor is 1.

[0195] In the above embodiment, the first device 710 may determine the value of the second Pre-FEC filling factor to be one of 1, 2, 3, and 4.

[0196] In an embodiment where a TB PPDU is triggered by a trigger frame, when the first symbol is located at the last symbol of the data field of the first PPDU, the first device 710 may also determine the third PE duration, the first Pre-FEC filling factor, and the first Pre-FEC filling factor as the following configurations:

[0197] The third PE duration is 16 μs, the first Pre-FEC fill factor is 3, and the second Pre-FEC fill factor is 4; or

[0198] The third PE duration is 12 μs, the first Pre-FEC fill factor is 2, and the second Pre-FEC fill factor is 3; or

[0199] ●The third PE duration is 8 μs, the first Pre-FEC filling factor is 1, and the second Pre-FEC filling factor is 2 or 4.

[0200] In the above configuration, the target PE duration T PE Equal to the predetermined PE duration T for HE and EHT PE .

[0201] In an embodiment where a TB PPDU is triggered by a trigger frame, when the first symbol is located at the last symbol of the data field of the first PPDU, the first device 710 may also determine the third PE duration, the first Pre-FEC filling factor, and the second Pre-FEC filling factor as the following configurations:

[0202] The third PE duration is 16 μs, the first Pre-FEC filling factor is one of 1, 2, and 3, and the second Pre-FEC filling factor is 4; or

[0203] The third PE duration is 12 μs, the first Pre-FEC fill factor is one of 1 and 2, and the second Pre-FEC fill factor is 3; or

[0204] ●The third PE duration is 8 μs, the first Pre-FEC filling factor is 1, and the second Pre-FEC filling factor is 2 or 4.

[0205] In the above configuration, the target PE duration for HE is equal to the predetermined PE duration for HE.

[0206] It should be noted that, correspondingly, the second device can adopt the configuration mentioned in the above embodiment to send the TB PPDU.

[0207] In an embodiment where the first symbol is located at the last symbol of the data field of the first PPDU and the A-PPDU includes a TB PPDU triggered by a TRS, the value of the first Pre-FEC filling factor may be predefined as one of 1, 2, and 3.

[0208] In an embodiment where the A-PPDU includes a TB PPDU triggered by a trigger response scheduling (TRS), since the first Pre-FEC filling factor may be applied to the last symbol of the data field of the first PPDU or to symbols preceding that symbol, the indication information may further include a second indicator for indicating the first Pre-FEC filling factor. For example, the first value of the second indicator may indicate that all first padding bits are located in the last symbol of the data field of the first PPDU and that the first pre-FEC filling factor is 4, and the second value of the second indicator may indicate that the first pre-FEC filling factor is a predefined value. For example, when the first Pre-FEC filling factor may be applied to the last symbol of the data field of the first PPDU, the predefined value may be one of 1, 2, or 3; when the first Pre-FEC filling factor is applied to symbols preceding that symbol, the predefined value may be one of 1, 2, 3, or 4.

[0209] In this way, the access device can indicate the appropriate PE duration to the EHT device and the HE device through the indication information, so that the PE field in the triggered A-PPDU can not only provide sufficient additional processing duration, but also keep the end of the PE field aligned.

[0210] It should be understood that although the operations in process 700 are depicted in a particular order, this should not be interpreted as requiring that such operations be completed in the particular order shown or in a sequential order, or that all illustrated operations be performed to obtain the desired result. Sometimes, multitasking or parallel processing can be beneficial. Similarly, although the above discussion contains certain specific implementation details, this should not be interpreted as limiting the scope of any invention or claim, but rather as a description of a specific example embodiment that can be directed to a specific invention. Certain features described in this specification in the context of separate example embodiments may also be integrated and implemented in a single example embodiment. Conversely, the various features described in the context of a single example embodiment may also be implemented separately in multiple example embodiments or in any suitable subcombination.

[0211] Figure 8 shows a flow chart of a communication method 800 according to an example embodiment of the present application. Method 800 can be implemented at access device 210 shown in Figure 2. For ease of discussion, method 800 will be described below in conjunction with Figure 2. It should be understood that method 800 is also applicable to other communication scenarios and devices.

[0212] In method 800, access device 210 transmits an A-PPDU to site devices 220 and 230, the A-PPDU including a first PPDU for EHT and a second PPDU for HE. The first PPDU may be a MU PPDU, and the second PPDU may be a SU PPDU or a MU PPDU. At 810, access device 210 generates the first PPDU and the second PPDU based on a first PE duration and a second PE duration that is less than the first PE duration. The first PE duration may indicate the duration of a predetermined PE field required for the first PPDU, and the second PE duration may indicate the PE duration supported by the second PPDU. The first PPDU includes a first padding bit and a target PE field, and the second PPDU includes a second padding bit and a target PE field. The target PE field corresponds to a third PE duration that does not exceed the second PE duration, and the first padding bit and the target PE field correspond to a duration that is not less than the first PE duration.

[0213] It should be understood that the third PE duration is also the target PE duration, that is, the PE duration actually used to send the first PPDU and the second PPDU.

[0214] In some example embodiments, the first padding bits are determined based on a first Pre-FEC padding factor, and the second padding bits are determined based on a second Pre-FEC padding factor. The first Pre-FEC padding factor may indicate a ratio of at least a portion of the first padding bits to a first symbol of a data field of a first PPDU, and the second Pre-FEC padding factor may indicate a ratio of the second padding bits to a second symbol of a data field of a second PPDU. It should be understood that, depending on the specific settings of the Target PE field, the first Pre-FEC padding factor, and the second Pre-FEC padding factor, the number of bits of at least one of the first padding bits and the second padding bits may be zero.

[0215] In some example embodiments, the first symbol may be the last symbol of the data field of the first PPDU, and the second symbol may be the last symbol of the data field of the second PPDU. In this case, access device 210 may determine the third PE duration and the first Pre-FEC filling factor as one of the following:

[0216] ● The third PE duration is 16 μs, and the first Pre-FEC filling factor is one of 1, 2, and 3; or

[0217] The third PE duration is 12 μs, and the first Pre-FEC fill factor is one of 1 and 2; or

[0218] ●The third PE duration is 8 μs, and the first Pre-FEC filling factor is 1.

[0219] In the above embodiment, the value of the second Pre-FEC filling factor may be one of 1, 2, 3 and 4.

[0220] As an alternative to the above configuration, in another example embodiment, the access device 210 may determine the third PE duration, the first Pre-FEC filling factor, and the second Pre-FEC filling factor to be one of the following:

[0221] The third PE duration is 16 μs, the first Pre-FEC fill factor is 3, and the second Pre-FEC fill factor is 4; or

[0222] The third PE duration is 12 μs, the first Pre-FEC fill factor is 2, and the second Pre-FEC fill factor is 3; or

[0223] ●The third PE duration is 8 μs, the first Pre-FEC filling factor is 1, and the second Pre-FEC filling factor is 2 or 4.

[0224] In the above configuration, the target PE duration T PE Equal to the predetermined PE duration T for HE and EHT PE .

[0225] As another alternative to the above configuration, in some further example embodiments, the access device 210 may also determine the third PE duration, the first Pre-FEC filling factor, and the second Pre-FEC filling factor as the following configurations:

[0226] The third PE duration is 16 μs, the first Pre-FEC filling factor is one of 1, 2, and 3, and the second Pre-FEC filling factor is 4; or

[0227] The third PE duration is 12 μs, the first Pre-FEC fill factor is one of 1 and 2, and the second Pre-FEC fill factor is 3; or

[0228] ●The third PE duration is 8 μs, the first Pre-FEC filling factor is 1, and the second Pre-FEC filling factor is 2 or 4.

[0229] In the above configuration, the target PE duration for HE is equal to the predetermined PE duration for HE.

[0230] In some example embodiments, the first symbol may be a symbol located before the last symbol of the data field of the first PPDU, the second symbol may be the last symbol of the data field of the second PPDU, and the first padding bits include a first portion located in the first symbol and a second portion located in symbols from after the first symbol to the last symbol.

[0231] In some example embodiments, the first PPDU may include a first indicator indicating that the transmitted PPDU is an A-PPDU. For example, for an A-PPDU, a setting may be predetermined to include a first portion in the first symbol and a second portion extending from symbols subsequent to the first symbol to the last symbol using the first padding bits. Thus, based on the first indicator included in the first PPDU, station devices 220 and 230 may determine the specific setting to use for the first padding bits.

[0232] In some example embodiments, the third PE duration may be one of 16 μs, 12 μs, 8 μs, 4 μs, and 0 μs, and the first Pre-FEC filling factor and the second Pre-FEC filling factor may be one of 1, 2, 3, and 4, respectively.

[0233] At 820, access device 210 transmits an A-PPDU including the first PPDU and the second PPDU. For example, access device 210 may aggregate the first PPDU and the second PPDU into an A-PPDU in a frequency-domain orthogonal manner for transmission. In this manner, the PE field in the A-PPDU provides sufficient additional processing time for the receiving device while maintaining end-of-PE field alignment.

[0234] The site device 220 may then receive the A-PPDU from the access device 210 and decode the first PPDU on a frequency band for EHT devices.

[0235] Figure 9 shows a flow chart of a communication method 900 according to an example embodiment of the present application. Method 900 can be implemented at access device 210 shown in Figure 2. For ease of discussion, method 900 will be described below in conjunction with Figure 2. It should be understood that method 1100 is also applicable to other communication scenarios and devices.

[0236] In method 900, access device 210 may send indication information indicating a target PE duration for an A-PPDU to site devices 220 and 230. Subsequently, access device 210 may send a PPDU carrying a TRS to trigger the A-PPDU to site devices 220 and 230. In response to triggering the A-PPDU, site devices 220 and 230 respectively transmit a first PPDU and a second PPDU including the target PE duration in a frequency-domain orthogonal manner. In this example, the first PPDU and the second PPDU constitute the A-PPDU.

[0237] It should be understood that method 900 can trigger the A-PPDU by using a mixed transmission method of a trigger frame and a TRS. When using this mixed transmission method to trigger the A-PPDU, the setting of the trigger frame should be consistent with the setting of the TRS and follow the setting parameters of the TRS.

[0238] At 910, the access device 210 determines a third PE duration for an A-PPDU to be triggered based on a first PE duration for the first PPDU and a second PE duration for the second PPDU. The A-PPDU may include a first PPDU and a second PPDU that are orthogonal in frequency.

[0239] The first PE duration may indicate the duration of a predetermined PE field required for the first PPDU, and the second PE duration may indicate the PE duration supported by the second PPDU. In this example, the second PE duration is shorter than the first PE duration. To ensure that the A-PPDU includes aligned PE fields, access device 210 may set PE durations for the first PPDU and the second PPDU that do not exceed the second PE duration, and may provide additional processing time by setting first and second padding bits through Post-FEC padding.

[0240] The third PE duration determined in 910 corresponds to the target PE field and does not exceed the second PE duration. The first PPDU includes first padding bits and a target PE field, and the second PPDU includes second padding bits and a target PE field, and the first padding bits and the target PE field correspond to a duration that is not less than the first PE duration.

[0241] At 920, the access device 210 sends indication information indicating the third PE duration. The site devices 220 and 230 may respectively generate a first PPDU and a second PPDU based on the third PE duration, and then send the first PPDU and the second PPDU as A-PPDUs in a frequency-orthogonal manner.

[0242] In some example embodiments, the first padding bits are determined based on a first Pre-FEC padding factor, and the second padding bits are determined based on a second Pre-FEC padding factor. The first Pre-FEC padding factor may indicate a proportion of a first symbol of a data field of a first PPDU occupied by at least a portion of the first padding bits, and the second Pre-FEC padding factor may indicate a proportion of a second symbol of a data field of a second PPDU occupied by the second padding bits.

[0243] In an embodiment where the A-PPDU includes a TB PPDU triggered by a trigger frame, the indication information is carried by the trigger frame, and the trigger frame also indicates the first Pre-FEC filling factor and the second Pre-FEC filling factor. In an embodiment where the A-PPDU includes a TB PPDU triggered by trigger response scheduling, the indication information includes EHT operation parameters for the first PPDU. For example, the third PE duration may be indicated by the PE duration subfield in the EHT operation parameter field, and the values ​​of the first Pre-FEC filling factor and the second Pre-FEC filling factor may be default values ​​or predefined values.

[0244] In some example embodiments, the first symbol may be the last symbol of the data field of the first PPDU, and the second symbol may be the last symbol of the data field of the second PPDU. In another example embodiment, the first symbol may be a symbol before the last symbol of the data field of the first PPDU, the second symbol may be the last symbol of the data field of the second PPDU, and the first padding bits include a first portion located in the first symbol and a second portion located in symbols from the first symbol to the last symbol.

[0245] In an embodiment where the A-PPDU includes a TB PPDU triggered by a trigger frame and the first symbol is the last symbol of the data field of the first PPDU, the first device 210 may determine the third PE duration and the first Pre-FEC filling factor as one of the following configurations:

[0246] ● The third PE duration is 16 μs, and the first Pre-FEC filling factor is one of 1, 2, and 3; or

[0247] The third PE duration is 12 μs, and the first Pre-FEC fill factor is one of 1 and 2; or

[0248] ●The third PE duration is 8 μs, and the first Pre-FEC filling factor is 1.

[0249] In the above example embodiment, the first device 210 may determine the value of the second Pre-FEC filling factor to be one of 1, 2, 3, and 4.

[0250] As an alternative to the above configuration, the first device 210 may determine the third PE duration, the first Pre-FEC filling factor, and the second Pre-FEC filling factor as one of the following configurations:

[0251] The third PE duration is 16 μs, the first Pre-FEC fill factor is 3, and the second Pre-FEC fill factor is 4; or

[0252] The third PE duration is 12 μs, the first Pre-FEC fill factor is 2, and the second Pre-FEC fill factor is 3; or

[0253] ●The third PE duration is 8 μs, the first Pre-FEC filling factor is 1, and the second Pre-FEC filling factor is 2 or 4.

[0254] Because the first Pre-FEC fill factor can be applied to the last symbol or to symbols before the last symbol, the first fill bit can be located entirely in the last symbol or partially in the last symbol, with the remainder filling the symbols after the first symbol to the last symbol. In some example embodiments, the trigger frame may further indicate the location of the first fill bit in the data field of the first PPDU.

[0255] In an embodiment where the A-PPDU includes a TB PPDU triggered by a TRS and the first symbol is the last symbol of the data field of the first PPDU, the value of the first pre-FEC filling factor is a predefined value, and the predefined value is one of 1, 2, and 3.

[0256] In an embodiment where the A-PPDU includes a TB PPDU triggered by a TRS and the first symbol is the symbol before the last symbol, the value of the first pre-FEC padding factor is a predefined value, which is one of 1, 2, 3, and 4. In this embodiment, the indication information also includes a second indicator for indicating the first pre-FEC padding factor. Specifically, the first value of the second indicator may indicate that all first padding bits are located in the last symbol of the data field of the first PPDU and that the first pre-FEC padding factor is 4. The second value of the second indicator may indicate that the value of the first pre-FEC padding factor is a predefined value.

[0257] Figure 10 shows a signaling interaction diagram of a communication mechanism according to an example embodiment of the present application. This example interaction process 1000 may involve access device 210 and site device 220 as shown in Figure 2 , for example, with site device 220 acting as first device 1010 and access device 210 acting as second device 1020. It should be understood that this process is also applicable to other communication scenarios and devices.

[0258] In process 1000, a TB PPDU triggered by a TRS is transmitted between a first device 1010 and a second device 1020. At 1002, the first device 1010 receives a third PPDU carrying EHT operation parameters, where the EHT operation parameters include a third indicator for indicating a packet extension duration.

[0259] At 1004, the first device 1010 determines a PE duration based on the EHT operation parameter. The third indicator included in the EHT operation parameter for indicating the PE duration may have various forms. As an example, the third indicator may be a 1-bit indicator. In some example embodiments, a first value of the third indicator (e.g., 0) may indicate that the PE duration is 20 μs, and a second value of the third indicator (e.g., 1) may indicate that the PE duration is the duration specified by the HE operation parameter, i.e., the PE duration for EHT is set by reading the default PE value subfield in the HE operation parameter.

[0260] In other example embodiments, the first value of the third indicator may indicate that the PE duration is one of 16 μs and 20 μs. In such an embodiment, the PE duration for EHT may also be determined based on the fourth PPDU carrying the TRS. For example, the fourth PPDU may indicate the bandwidth for the fourth PPDU, where the fourth PPDU may be a DL EHT PPDU. In the case where the fourth PPDU is transmitted in the form of an A-PPDU, the fourth PPDU may also indicate the bandwidth for the A-PPDU including the fourth PPDU. If the bandwidth is greater than the first threshold (e.g., 160 MHz), the first device 1010 may determine the PE duration as 20 μs. Otherwise, if the bandwidth is less than or equal to the first threshold, the first device 1010 may determine the PE duration as 16 μs.

[0261] As another example, the PE duration may also be determined based on the resource unit RU size for the fourth PPDU indicated by the fourth PPDU. If the RU size for the fourth PPDU is greater than a second threshold size (e.g., 2*996-tone RUs), the first device 1010 may determine the PE duration to be 20 μs. Otherwise, if the RU size for the fourth PPDU is less than or equal to the second threshold size, the first device 1010 may determine the PE duration to be 16 μs.

[0262] In some further example embodiments, the third indicator may be an indicator having a length greater than 1 bit. For example, the third indicator may be a Default PE Duration subfield in the EHT Operation Parameters field, which includes 3 bits and, when values ​​are 0 to 5, corresponds to PE durations of 0 μs, 4 μs, 8 μs, 12 μs, 16 μs, and 20 μs, respectively.

[0263] At 1006, the first device 1010 generates a first PPDU based on the PE duration. At 1008, the first device 1020 sends the first PPDU.

[0264] According to the method proposed in the embodiment of the present application, in the triggering-based (TB) PPDU triggered by TRS, the processing time provided by the PE field can be flexibly set to 0μs, 4μs, 8μs, 12μs, 16μs, 20μs as needed to meet the different requirements of different devices for additional processing time. In addition, the method can also dynamically select 16μs or 20μs processing time based on network bandwidth or resource unit size, thereby improving the traditional packet extension mechanism and improving the performance of the WLAN system.

[0265] It should be understood that in the above process 1000, the third PPDU and the fourth PPDU can be the same PPDU or different PPDUs. Furthermore, the specific settings of the first and second values ​​of the third indicator in the above embodiment are merely illustrative. In other embodiments, the first value of the third indicator can be 0, and the second value can be 1. Furthermore, the indication information for the PE duration for EHT can be carried in other fields or subfields, for example, in fields B18-B23 of the HE Operation Parameters field.

[0266] Although the operations in process 1000 are depicted in a particular order, this should not be understood as requiring that such operations be performed in the particular order shown or in a sequential order, or that all illustrated operations be performed to obtain the desired result. Sometimes, multitasking or parallel processing can be beneficial. Similarly, although the above discussion contains certain specific implementation details, this should not be interpreted as limiting the scope of any invention or claim, but rather as a description of specific example embodiments that can be directed to a particular invention. Certain features described in this specification in the context of separate example embodiments can also be integrated and implemented in a single example embodiment. Conversely, various features described in the context of a single example embodiment can also be implemented separately in multiple example embodiments or in any suitable subcombination.

[0267] Figure 11 shows a flow chart of a communication method 1100 according to an example embodiment of the present application. Method 1100 can be implemented at the site device 220 shown in Figure 2. For ease of discussion, method 1100 will be described below in conjunction with Figure 2. It should be understood that method 1100 is also applicable to other communication scenarios and devices.

[0268] In method 1100, station device 220 transmits a second PPDU for EHT based on a TRS. At 1110, station device 220 receives a first PPDU. The first PPDU may include EHT operation parameters, and the EHT operation parameters may include a third indicator indicating a predetermined PE duration. In some examples, the first PPDU may be a PPDU sent by access device 210 that carries a TRS.

[0269] At 1120, site device 220 determines a PE duration based on the EHT operation parameters. In some example embodiments, a third indicator may be included in the EHT operation parameters field. The third indicator may be a 1-bit indicator. For example, a first value of the third indicator (e.g., 1) indicates that the PE duration is 20 μs, and a second value of the third indicator (e.g., 0) indicates that the PE duration for EHT is the duration specified by the HE operation parameters, i.e., the PE duration follows the configuration in the default PE duration subfield in the HE operation parameters field.

[0270] In other example embodiments, the first value of the third indicator may indicate one of 16 μs and 20 μs, and the second value of the third indicator may indicate that the PE duration for EHT follows the configuration in the default PE duration subfield in the HE operation parameter field. In such an embodiment, the first PPDU is a PPDU that triggers the scheduling of a TRS in response to the trigger, and the PE duration may also be determined based on the third PPDU carrying the trigger frame. For example, the third PPDU indicates a bandwidth for the third PPDU. If the third PPDU indicates that its bandwidth is greater than a first threshold (e.g., 160 MHz), the site device 220 determines the PE duration to be 20 μs. Otherwise, if the third PPDU indicates that its bandwidth is less than or equal to the first threshold, the site device 220 determines the PE duration to be 16 μs.

[0271] Additionally or alternatively, the PE duration may also be determined based on a fourth PPDU carrying a trigger frame. For example, the fourth PPDU may indicate a resource unit (RU) size for the second PPDU. If the fourth PPDU indicates that the RU size is greater than a second threshold size (e.g., 2*996-tone RUs), the site device 220 determines the PE duration as 20 μs. Otherwise, if the fourth PPDU indicates that the number of RUs is less than or equal to the second threshold size, the site device 220 determines the PE duration as 16 μs.

[0272] In some other embodiments, the third indicator may be an indicator having a length of more than 1 bit, and the third indicator indicates that the PE duration is one of 0 μs, 4 μs, 8 μs, 12 μs, 16 μs, and 20 μs. For example, the default PE duration subfield in the EHT operation parameter field includes 3 bits, and when the values ​​are 0 to 5, they correspond to PE durations of 0 μs, 4 μs, 8 μs, 12 μs, 16 μs, and 20 μs, respectively.

[0273] At 1130 , the station device 220 generates a second PPDU based on the PE duration. At 1140 , the station device 220 transmits the second PPDU.

[0274] It should be understood that the specific settings of the first value and the second value of the third indicator in the above embodiment are merely illustrative. In other embodiments, the first value of the third indicator may be 0, and the second value may be 1. In addition, the indication information for the PE duration of the EHT may be carried in other fields or subfields, for example, in fields B18-B23 of the HE operation parameter field segment.

[0275] According to the method proposed in the embodiments of the present application, the PPDU of the TB triggered by the TRS can flexibly set the processing time provided by the PE field to 0μs, 4μs, 8μs, 12μs, 16μs, or 20μs as needed to meet the different requirements of different devices for additional processing time. In addition, the method can also dynamically select a processing time of 16μs or 20μs based on network bandwidth or resource unit size, thereby improving the traditional packet extension mechanism and enhancing the performance of the WLAN system.

[0276] Figures 12A-12C show schematic diagrams of a communication device according to an example embodiment of the present application. The communication device 1201 shown in Figure 12A can be implemented at the access device 210 shown in Figure 2, or can be implemented using other suitable devices. It should be understood that the communication device 1201 is for exemplary purposes only and does not imply any limitation on the scope of the present disclosure. The embodiments of the present disclosure can also be embodied in different communication devices. It should also be understood that the communication device 1201 can also include other elements or entities, which are not shown for ease of description, but this does not mean that the embodiments of the present disclosure do not have these elements or entities.

[0277] As shown in Figure 12A, a communication device 1201 includes a generation unit 1202 and a transceiver unit 1204. Generation unit 1202 is configured to generate a first PPDU and a second PPDU based on a first PE duration and a second PE duration that is less than the first PE duration. The first PE duration indicates the duration of a predetermined packet extension field required for the first PPDU, and the second PE duration indicates the packet extension duration supported by the second PPDU. The generated first PPDU includes first padding bits and a target PE field, and the generated second PPDU includes second padding bits and a target PE field, the target PE field corresponding to a third PE duration that does not exceed the second PE duration. The first padding bits and the target PE field correspond to a duration that is not less than the first PE duration.

[0278] The transceiver unit 1204 is configured to transmit an A-PPDU including a first PPDU and a second PPDU. For example, the transceiver unit 1204 may transmit the first PPDU and the second PPDU on different frequency domain resources, and the first PPDU may be an MU PPDU. It should be understood that the first PPDU and the second PPDU may both be EHT PPDUs, both HE PPDUs, or a combination of EHT PPDUs and HE PPDUs. Furthermore, the A-PPDU may also include other PPDUs in addition to the first PPDU and the second PPDU. The present application is not limited in this respect.

[0279] The communication device 1210 shown in Figure 12B can be implemented at the access device 210 shown in Figure 2, or can be implemented using other suitable devices. It should be understood that the communication device 1210 is for exemplary purposes only and does not imply any limitation on the scope of the present disclosure. The embodiments of the present disclosure can also be embodied in different communication devices. It should also be understood that the communication device 1210 can also include other elements or entities, which are not shown for ease of description, but this does not mean that the embodiments of the present disclosure do not have these elements or entities.

[0280] As shown in Figure 12B, communication device 1210 includes a determination unit 1212 and a transceiver unit 1214. Determination unit 1212 is configured to determine a third packet extension duration for a to-be-triggered aggregate physical layer protocol data unit (A-PPDU) based on a first packet extension duration for a first physical layer protocol data unit (PPDU) and a second packet extension duration for a second PPDU. The A-PPDU includes a first PPDU and a second PPDU. The third packet extension duration does not exceed the second packet extension duration and corresponds to a target packet extension field. The first packet extension duration indicates the duration of a predetermined packet extension field required for the first PPDU, and the second packet extension duration is less than the first packet extension duration and indicates a packet extension duration supported by the second PPDU. The first PPDU includes first padding bits and a target packet extension field, while the second PPDU includes second padding bits and a target packet extension field. The first padding bits and the target packet extension field correspond to a duration that is not less than the first packet extension duration.

[0281] The transceiver unit 1214 is configured to send indication information for indicating the third packet extension duration. For example, the indication information may be a third PPDU carrying EHT operation parameters.

[0282] The communication device 1220 shown in FIG12C can be implemented at the site device 220 shown in FIG2 , or can be implemented using other suitable devices. It should be understood that the communication device 1220 is for exemplary purposes only and does not imply any limitation on the scope of the present disclosure. The embodiments of the present disclosure can also be embodied in different communication devices. It should also be understood that the communication device 1220 can also include other elements or entities, which are not shown for ease of description, but this does not mean that the embodiments of the present disclosure do not have these elements or entities.

[0283] As shown in FIG12B , communication device 1220 includes a transceiver unit 1222, a determination unit 1224, and a generation unit 1226. Transceiver unit 1222 is configured to receive a third physical layer protocol data unit (PPDU) carrying a third PPDU including extremely high throughput (EHT) operation parameters. The EHT operation parameters include a third indicator indicating a packet extension duration. Transceiver unit 1222 is also configured to transmit the first PPDU.

[0284] The determination unit 1224 is configured to determine the PE duration based on the EHT operation parameter. In some example embodiments, the determination unit 1224 further determines the PE duration based on the fourth PPDU carrying the TRS. As an example, the fourth PPDU may indicate a bandwidth for the fourth PPDU or an aggregate physical layer protocol data unit A-PPDU including the fourth PPDU, and the determination unit 1224 is further configured to: determine the packet extension duration to 20μs if the bandwidth is greater than a first threshold; or determine the packet extension duration to 16μs if the bandwidth is less than or equal to the first threshold. As another example, the fourth PPDU may indicate a resource unit RU size for the fourth PPDU, and the determination unit 1224 is further configured to: determine the packet extension duration to 20μs if the RU size is greater than a second threshold size; or determine the packet extension duration to 16μs if the RU size is less than or equal to the second threshold size.

[0285] The generating unit 1226 is configured to generate a first PPDU based on the PE duration.

[0286] It should also be understood that the operations and features described above in conjunction with Figures 4 to 11 are equally applicable to communication devices 1201 to 1203 and have the same effects, and the specific details are not repeated here. The units or modules included in the communication devices 1201 to 1203 can be implemented in various ways, including software, hardware, firmware, or any combination thereof. In some embodiments, one or more units can be implemented using software and / or firmware, such as machine executable instructions stored on a storage medium. In addition to or as an alternative to machine executable instructions, some or all of the units in the communication device 1201 can be implemented at least in part by one or more hardware logic components. As an example and not limitation, the exemplary types of hardware logic components that can be used include field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), application specific standard products (ASSPs), systems on chips (SOCs), complex programmable logic devices (CPLDs), and the like.

[0287] FIG13 shows a block diagram of a device 1300 in which certain embodiments of the present application may be implemented. Device 1300 can be used to implement access device 210 and site devices 220 and 230 shown in example FIG2 . It should be understood that device 1300 is for exemplary purposes only and does not imply any limitation on the scope of the present application. Embodiments of the present application may also be embodied in different devices. It should also be understood that device 1300 may also include other elements or entities, which are not shown for ease of description, but this does not mean that embodiments of the present application do not have these elements or entities.

[0288] As shown in FIG13 , device 1300 includes a processor 1310 that controls the operation and functionality of device 1300. For example, in certain example embodiments, processor 1210 may perform various operations with the aid of instructions 1330 stored in memory 1320 coupled thereto. Memory 1320 may be of any suitable type suitable for the local technical environment and may be implemented using any suitable data storage technology, including but not limited to semiconductor-based memory devices, magnetic memory devices and systems, and optical memory devices and systems. Although FIG13 shows only one memory unit, multiple physically distinct memory units may be present in device 1300.

[0289] The processor 1310 can be of any suitable type suitable for the local technical environment and can include, but is not limited to, one or more of a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a microcontroller, a digital signal controller (DSP), and a controller-based multi-core controller architecture. The device 1300 can also include multiple processors 1310. The processor 1310 is coupled to a communication unit 1340. The communication unit 1340 can receive and send information via radio signals or with the help of optical fibers, cables, and / or other components.

[0290] When the device 1300 functions as the access device 210 or the station device 220, the processor 1310 can implement the operations and actions described above with reference to Figures 7 to 11 by executing instructions. All features described above with reference to Figures 7 to 11 are applicable to the device 1300 and will not be repeated here.

[0291] These modules and models can be stored in the memory 1320 in the form of computer program code or instructions 1330, and the processor executes the program code or instructions in the memory 1320 to prompt the device 1300 to perform the processing implemented by the access device 210 or the site device 220 in Figures 8, 9 and 11 above.

[0292] In general, the various example embodiments of the present application can be implemented in hardware or dedicated circuits, software, logic, or any combination thereof. Certain aspects can be implemented in hardware, while other aspects can be implemented in firmware or software that can be executed by a controller, microprocessor or other computing device. When various aspects of the example embodiments of the present application are illustrated or described as block diagrams, flow charts, or using some other graphical representation, it will be understood that the blocks, devices, systems, techniques, or methods described herein can be implemented in hardware, software, firmware, dedicated circuits or logic, general-purpose hardware or controller or other computing device, or some combination thereof, as non-limiting examples.

[0293] As an example, the example embodiments of the present application can be described in the context of machine or computer executable instructions, such as in a program module executed in a device on a real or virtual processor included in a target. Generally speaking, a program module includes a routine, a program, a library, an object, a class, a component, a data structure, etc., which performs a specific task or implements a specific abstract data structure. In each example embodiment, the functions of the program modules can be merged or split between the described program modules. The machine executable instructions for the program modules can be executed in a local or distributed device. In a distributed device, the program modules can be located in both a local and a remote storage medium.

[0294] The computer program code for implementing the method of the present application can be written in one or more programming languages. These computer program codes can be provided to a processor of a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, or other programmable data processing device so that when the program code is executed by the computer or other programmable data processing device, the functions / operations specified in the flow chart and / or block diagram are 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.

[0295] In the context of this application, a machine-readable medium or 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 machine-readable medium may be a machine-readable signal medium or a machine-readable storage medium. A machine-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 machine-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.

[0296] In addition, although operations are depicted in a particular order, this should not be understood as requiring that such operations be performed in the particular order shown or in a sequential order, or that all illustrated operations be performed to obtain the desired result. In some cases, multitasking or parallel processing can be beneficial. Similarly, although the above discussion contains certain specific implementation details, this should not be interpreted as limiting the scope of any invention or claim, but rather as a description of specific example embodiments that can be directed to a particular invention. Certain features described in this specification in the context of separate example embodiments may also be integrated and implemented in a single example embodiment. Conversely, various features described in the context of a single example embodiment may also be implemented separately in multiple example embodiments or in any suitable subcombination.

[0297] Although the subject matter has been described in language specific to structural features and / or methodological acts, it should be understood that the subject matter defined in the appended claims is not limited to the specific features or acts described above. Rather, the specific features and acts described above are disclosed as example forms of implementing the claims.

Claims

1. A communication method, characterized in that, include: A first device generates a first Physical Layer Protocol Data Unit (PPDU) and a second PPDU based on a first packet extension duration and a second packet extension duration shorter than the first packet extension duration. The first packet extension duration indicates the duration of a predetermined packet extension field required by the first PPDU, and the second packet extension duration indicates the packet extension duration supported by the second PPDU. The first PPDU includes a first padding bit and a target packet extension field, and the second PPDU includes a second padding bit and the target packet extension field. The target packet extension field corresponds to a third packet extension duration not exceeding the second packet extension duration, and the first padding bit and the target packet extension field correspond to a duration not less than the first packet extension duration. The first device sends a Polymer Layer Protocol Data Unit A-PPDU that includes the first PPDU and the second PPDU.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first PPDU is a Multi-User Physical Layer Protocol Data Unit (MU PPDU), wherein the first padding bit is determined based on a first pre-forward error correction padding factor, and the second padding bit is determined based on a second pre-forward error correction padding factor. The first pre-forward error correction padding factor indicates the proportion of at least a portion of the first padding bit in the first symbol of the data field of the first PPDU, and the second pre-forward error correction padding factor indicates the proportion of the second padding bit in the second symbol of the data field of the second PPDU.

3. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that, The first symbol is the last symbol of the data field of the first PPDU, and the second symbol is the last symbol of the data field of the second PPDU.

4. The method according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that, The third packet extension duration and the first pre-forward correction fill factor include one of the following: The third packet extension duration is 16 μs, and the first pre-forward correction fill factor takes the value of one of 1, 2, or 3; or The third packet extension duration is 12 μs, and the first pre-forward correction fill factor takes the value of either 1 or 2; or The third packet extension duration is 8 μs, and the first pre-forward error correction fill factor is 1.

5. The method according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that, The second pre-forward error correction fill factor can be one of 1, 2, 3 and 4.

6. The method according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that, The third packet extension duration, the first pre-forward correction fill factor, and the second pre-forward correction fill factor include one of the following: The third packet extension duration is 16μs, the first pre-forward correction fill factor is 3, and the second pre-forward correction fill factor is 4. or The third packet extension duration is 12μs, the first pre-forward correction fill factor is 2, and the second pre-forward correction fill factor is 3. or The third packet extension duration is 8μs, the first pre-forward correction fill factor is 1, and the second pre-forward correction fill factor is 2 or 4.

7. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that, The first symbol is the symbol located before the last symbol in the data field of the first PPDU, the second symbol is the last symbol in the data field of the second PPDU, and the first padding bit includes a first part located in the first symbol and a second part located from the symbol after the first symbol to the last symbol.

8. The method according to claim 7, characterized in that, The first PPDU is a MU PPDU, and the first PPDU includes a first indicator for indicating that the transmitted PPDU is an A-PPDU.

9. The method according to claim 7, characterized in that, The duration of the third packet extension is one of 16μs, 12μs, 8μs, 4μs and 0μs, and the values ​​of the first pre-forward error correction fill factor and the second pre-forward error correction fill factor are one of 1, 2, 3 and 4, respectively.

10. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, At least one of the first padding bit and the second padding bit includes zero bits.

11. A communication device, characterized in that, The communication device includes: A generation unit is configured to generate a first physical layer protocol data unit (PPDU) and a second PPDU based on a first packet extension duration and a second packet extension duration shorter than the first packet extension duration. The first packet extension duration indicates the duration of a predetermined packet extension field required by the first PPDU, and the second packet extension duration indicates the packet extension duration supported by the second PPDU. The first PPDU includes a first padding bit and a target packet extension field, and the second PPDU includes a second padding bit and the target packet extension field. The target packet extension field corresponds to a third packet extension duration not exceeding the second packet extension duration, and the first padding bit and the target packet extension field correspond to a duration not less than the first packet extension duration. The transceiver unit is configured to transmit the Polymer Layer Protocol Data Unit (A-PPDU) of the first PPDU and the second PPDU.

12. The communication device according to claim 11, characterized in that, The first PPDU is a Multi-User Physical Layer Protocol Data Unit (MU PPDU), wherein the first padding bit is determined based on a first pre-forward error correction padding factor, and the second padding bit is determined based on a second pre-forward error correction padding factor. The first pre-forward error correction padding factor indicates the proportion of at least a portion of the first padding bit in the first symbol of the data field of the first PPDU, and the second pre-forward error correction padding factor indicates the proportion of the second padding bit in the second symbol of the data field of the second PPDU.

13. The communication device according to claim 12, characterized in that, The first symbol is the last symbol of the data field of the first PPDU, and the second symbol is the last symbol of the data field of the second PPDU.

14. The communication device according to claim 12 or 13, characterized in that, The third packet extension duration and the first pre-forward correction fill factor include one of the following: The third packet extension duration is 16 μs, and the first pre-forward correction fill factor takes the value of one of 1, 2, or 3; or The third packet extension duration is 12 μs, and the first pre-forward correction fill factor takes the value of either 1 or 2; or The third packet extension duration is 8 μs, and the first pre-forward error correction fill factor is 1.

15. The communication device according to claim 12 or 13, characterized in that, The second pre-forward error correction fill factor can be one of 1, 2, 3 and 4.

16. The communication device according to claim 12 or 13, characterized in that, The third packet extension duration, the first pre-forward correction fill factor, and the second pre-forward correction fill factor include one of the following: The third packet extension duration is 16μs, the first pre-forward correction fill factor is 3, and the second pre-forward correction fill factor is 4. or The third packet extension duration is 12μs, the first pre-forward correction fill factor is 2, and the second pre-forward correction fill factor is 3. or The third packet extension duration is 8μs, the first pre-forward correction fill factor is 1, and the second pre-forward correction fill factor is 2 or 4.

17. The communication device according to claim 12, characterized in that, The first symbol is the symbol located before the last symbol in the data field of the first PPDU, the second symbol is the last symbol in the data field of the second PPDU, and the first padding bit includes a first part located in the first symbol and a second part located from the symbol after the first symbol to the last symbol.

18. The communication device according to claim 17, characterized in that, The first PPDU is a MU PPDU, and the first PPDU includes a first indicator for indicating that the transmitted PPDU is an A-PPDU.

19. The communication device according to claim 17, characterized in that, The duration of the third packet extension is one of 16μs, 12μs, 8μs, 4μs and 0μs, and the values ​​of the first pre-forward error correction fill factor and the second pre-forward error correction fill factor are one of 1, 2, 3 and 4, respectively.

20. The communication device according to claim 11, characterized in that, At least one of the first padding bit and the second padding bit includes zero bits.

21. A communication device, comprising: At least one processor; At least one memory including computer program code, The at least one memory and the computer program code are configured together with the at least one processor to cause the communication device to perform the method according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

22. A computer-readable storage medium having stored thereon computer-executable instructions, which, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to perform the method according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

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