Methods and devices for communication and storage media that are computer-readable.

Abstract

The invention relates to the field of communication and to a method and apparatus for communication and a computer-readable storage medium. The method in the invention's designation comprises the following steps: if the first condition is met, the station (STA) determines that the limited service time has ended, wherein this first condition includes any one or more of the following: receiving the first frame, wherein this first frame indicates that the limited service time has ended; not receiving the second frame within a predefined period; and receiving the frame used for communication of a not-low latency service in the local cell, wherein this local cell is the basic service set (BSS) to which the STA belongs. According to the invention's designation, communication resources can be stored when communicating in RTWT SP (restricted target wake time service period).

Description

Communication method, device and computer-readable storage medium

[0001] This application claims priority to the Chinese patent application filed with the China Patent Office on December 31, 2020, with application number 202011635867.6 and application name “A communication method, device and computer-readable storage medium”, the entire contents of which are incorporated by reference into this application. Technical Field

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

[0003] Target wake time (TWT) is a technology defined by WiFi 6 for energy conservation. It means that a station (STA) and an access point (AP) can agree on a service period (SP), remain active and communicate during that service period, and then sleep outside of the service period to achieve energy conservation. Depending on the method used to agree on the service period, TWT can be divided into unicast TWT and broadcast TWT.

[0004] Restricted TWT (R-TWT) SP is only used to serve low-latency services. Other non-low-latency services cannot communicate during this period. If the length of the R-TWT SP exceeds the actual communication time required for the current low-latency service, the R-TWT SP time after the current low-latency communication ends will be wasted, resulting in a waste of communication resources.

[0005] Summary of the Invention

[0006] The embodiments of the present application provide a communication method, device, and computer-readable storage medium, which can save communication resources in the case of R-TWT SP communication.

[0007] In the first aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication method, which includes: if a first condition is met, the STA determines that the restricted service time period has ended, and the first condition includes any one or more of the following: receiving a first frame, the first frame is used to indicate the end of the restricted service time period; not receiving a second frame within a preset time period; receiving a frame for non-low-latency service communication within this cell, and this cell is the basic service set (BSS) where the STA is located.

[0008] In the solution provided in this application, for a restricted service time period, a STA can prematurely end the restricted service time period if the first condition is met. Since a STA can only communicate for low-latency services during the restricted service time period, if any one or more of the first conditions are met, the STA determines that the restricted service time period has ended and prematurely ends the restricted service time period. This avoids wasting the remaining idle restricted service time after the low-latency service is completed, thereby conserving communication resources.

[0009] It is understandable that the restricted service time period is a period of time during which the AP and STA are only used to serve low-latency services. Optionally, the restricted service time period can be called R-SP (restricted service period, R-SP) or restricted TWT SP (restricted TWT SP). It is understandable that the restricted service time period can also have other names, which is not limited in the embodiments of the present application.

[0010] In conjunction with the first aspect, in a possible implementation, the first frame is an extremely high throughput (EHT) action frame, and an EHT action field in the EHT action frame indicates ending a restricted service time period.

[0011] In the solution provided in this application, the first frame may be an EHT action frame, a CF-end frame, or other frames.

[0012] In combination with the first aspect, in one possible implementation, when the first condition includes not receiving the second frame within a preset time period, before the STA determines that the restricted service time period ends, the communication method also includes: the STA receives a third frame, and the third frame carries a TWT element; the preset time period is determined by the nominal minimum TWT wake-up duration field and the wake-up time unit field in the TWT element.

[0013] In the solution provided in the present application, the preset time period may be obtained by the STA by receiving the third frame, or may be specified by the standard.

[0014] In combination with the first aspect, in a possible implementation, when the first condition includes receiving a frame of non-low-latency service communication within the cell, before the STA determines that the restricted service time period ends, the communication method also includes: the STA receives a fourth frame, and the fourth frame carries a TWT element; the TWT element carries the threshold access level (AC) of the non-low-latency service or the preset service identifier (TID) of the non-low-latency service, and the non-low-latency service is a service whose access level is lower than or equal to the threshold access level of the non-low-latency service, or the non-low-latency service is a service whose service identifier is a preset service identifier of the non-low-latency service.

[0015] In the solution provided in the present application, in order to meet the condition of receiving frames of non-low-latency service communications within the cell, the STA needs to obtain the threshold access level of the non-low-latency service or the preset service identifier of the non-low-latency service, and can determine whether the currently received service is a non-low-latency service, thereby determining whether the condition of receiving frames of non-low-latency service communications within the cell is met. If this condition is met, it can be determined that the restricted service time period has ended.

[0016] In combination with the first aspect, in one possible implementation, the threshold access level of the non-low-latency service or the preset service identifier of the non-low-latency service is determined by the broadcast TWT recommendation field in the TWT element.

[0017] In the solution provided in the present application, the threshold access level of non-low-latency services or the preset service identifier of non-low-latency services can be carried in the TWT element, and there is no need to set up a new element to specifically carry the threshold access level of non-low-latency services or the preset service identifier of non-low-latency services, so as to save communication resources.

[0018] In combination with the first aspect, in a possible implementation, the communication method further includes: after the STA determines that the restricted service time period has ended, initiating new channel access, or continuing the channel access that was suspended before the restricted service time period.

[0019] In the solution provided in the present application, when the STA determines that the restricted service time period has ended and ends the restricted service time period in advance, the channel access can be continued, which can minimize the waste of idle communication time.

[0020] In a second aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication method that can ensure that the transmission of a low-latency service in progress is not interrupted in the case of R-TWT SP communication. The communication method includes: a STA obtains a transmission opportunity (TXOP) before a restricted service time period arrives; if a second condition is met, the STA does not end the TXOP before the restricted service time period arrives, and the second condition includes any one or more of the following: the TXOP is used to transmit data frames of a first service; the transmission time of the service transmitted within the TXOP is less than or equal to a first threshold; and the restricted service time period is a time period for device-to-device (D2D) transmission.

[0021] In the solution provided by this application, while a STA is required to terminate its TXOP before the restricted service period, if any one or more of the exception conditions (second condition) are met, the STA does not need to terminate its transmission opportunity before the restricted service period. This ensures that the transmission of ongoing low-latency services is not interrupted, thereby ensuring the latency performance of the STA's own low-latency services.

[0022] The STA does not end the TXOP before the limited service time period arrives, which can be understood as the STA not ending the TXOP before the limited service time period arrives, or can be understood as the STA continuing the current service transmission when the limited service time period arrives.

[0023] In combination with the second aspect, in a possible implementation, when the second condition includes that the transmission time of the transmission service within the TXOP is less than or equal to the first threshold, before the STA ends the TXOP before the restricted service time period arrives, the communication method also includes: the STA receives the fifth frame, the fifth frame carries the TWT element, and the TWT element carries the first threshold.

[0024] In the solution provided in this application, before the condition that the transmission time of the transmission service within the TXOP is less than or equal to the first threshold is met, the STA needs to obtain information about the first threshold. The information about the first threshold can be obtained by the STA by receiving the TWT element carried by the fifth frame, or it can be specified by the standard.

[0025] In combination with the second aspect, in one possible implementation, the first service is a low-latency service; when the second condition includes a TXOP used to transmit data frames of the first service, before the STA ends the TXOP before the restricted service time period arrives, the communication method also includes: the STA receives the sixth frame, and the sixth frame carries a TWT element; the TWT element carries the threshold access level of the low-latency service or the preset service identifier of the low-latency service, and the low-latency service is a service whose access level is higher than or equal to the threshold access level of the low-latency service, or the low-latency service is a service whose service identifier is the preset service identifier of the low-latency service.

[0026] In the solution provided in the present application, the first service may be a low-latency service. To meet the condition that TXOP is used to transmit data frames of the first service, the STA needs to obtain the threshold access level of the low-latency service or the preset service identifier of the low-latency service, and can determine whether the currently received service is a low-latency service, thereby determining whether the condition that TXOP is used to transmit data frames of the first service is met. If this condition is met, the STA does not need to end its own transmission opportunity before the restricted service time period arrives. In this way, the transmission of the low-latency service being transmitted is not interrupted, thereby ensuring the latency performance of the STA's own low-latency service.

[0027] In combination with the second aspect, in one possible implementation, the threshold access level of the low-latency service or the preset service identifier of the low-latency service is determined by the broadcast TWT recommendation field in the TWT element.

[0028] In the solution provided in this application, the threshold access level of low-latency services or the preset service identifier of low-latency services can be carried in the TWT element, and there is no need to set up a new element to specifically carry the threshold access level of low-latency services or the preset service identifier of low-latency services, so as to save communication resources.

[0029] In combination with the second aspect, in a possible implementation, the first service is an exception service; when the second condition includes TXOP being used to transmit data frames of the first service, before the STA ends the TXOP before the restricted service time period arrives, the communication method also includes: the STA receives the seventh frame, and the seventh frame carries the TWT element; the TWT element carries the threshold access level of the exception service or the preset service identifier of the exception service, the exception service is a service whose access level is higher than or equal to the threshold access level of the exception service, or the exception service is a service whose service identifier is the preset service identifier of the exception service.

[0030] In the solution provided by this application, the first service can be an exceptional service. To meet the TXOP requirement for transmitting data frames for the first service, the STA needs to obtain the threshold access level of the exceptional service or the preset service identifier of the exceptional service. This allows the STA to determine whether the currently received service is exceptional service, and thus whether the TXOP requirement for transmitting data frames for the first service is met. If this condition is met, the STA does not need to terminate its transmission opportunity before the restricted service time period expires. This ensures that the transmission of the ongoing service is not interrupted, thereby ensuring the latency performance of the STA's own service.

[0031] In combination with the second aspect, in a possible implementation, the threshold access level of the exception service or the preset service identifier of the exception service is determined by the exception access level field in the TWT element.

[0032] In the solution provided in the present application, the threshold access level of the exception service or the preset service identifier of the exception service can be carried in the TWT element, and there is no need to set up a new element to specifically carry the threshold access level of the exception service or the preset service identifier of the exception service, so as to save communication resources.

[0033] In combination with the second aspect, in a possible implementation, the communication method further includes: when the restricted service time period arrives, when the transmission time of the transmission service in the TXOP is greater than a second threshold, the STA ends the TXOP.

[0034] In the solution provided herein, when a restricted service time period arrives, one possible implementation is to allow the STA to continue transmitting for only a period of time, but not exceeding a second threshold. The second threshold can be a value specified by the standard or sent by the AP to the STA, for example, carried in a TWT element. This can reduce the impact on the restricted service time period.

[0035] It can be understood that the second threshold may be equal to the first threshold, that is, the STA ends the TXOP only when the current service transmission of the TXOP is completed.

[0036] In combination with the second aspect, in a possible implementation, the communication method further includes: when the restricted service time period arrives, the STA continues to transmit at most one physical layer protocol data unit (PPDU) within the TXOP.

[0037] In the solution provided by this application, when the restricted service time period arrives, another possible implementation is that the STA can only transmit one PPDU when continuing to transmit within the TXOP. This can reduce the impact on the restricted service time period.

[0038] In combination with the second aspect, in a possible implementation manner, the communication method further includes: the STA receives an eighth frame, where the eighth frame is used to indicate an extension of the restricted service time period.

[0039] In the solution provided herein, when a restricted service time period arrives, another possible implementation method is for a STA to receive a frame indicating an extension of the restricted service time period. The STA can complete its current transmission before starting transmission in the restricted service time period. Extending the restricted service time period can reduce the impact on service transmissions during the restricted service time period.

[0040] In a third aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a first communication device, which can be applied to a STA, including:

[0041] a processing unit, configured to determine that the restricted service time period ends if a first condition is satisfied, where the first condition includes any one or more of the following:

[0042] receiving a first frame, the first frame being used to indicate an end of a restricted service time period;

[0043] The second frame is not received within a preset time period;

[0044] Receives frames for non-low-latency service communications within the cell, which is the BSS where the STA is located.

[0045] In conjunction with the third aspect, in a possible implementation, the first frame is an EHT action frame, and the EHT action field in the EHT action frame indicates ending the restricted service time period.

[0046] With reference to the third aspect, in one possible implementation, the first communication device further includes:

[0047] A transceiver unit is used to receive a third frame carrying a TWT element before the STA determines that the restricted service time period ends when the first condition includes not receiving the second frame within a preset time period; the preset time period is determined by the nominal minimum TWT wake-up duration field and the wake-up time unit field in the TWT element.

[0048] In conjunction with the third aspect, in one possible implementation, the transceiver unit may further be configured to: when the first condition includes receiving a frame for non-low-latency service communication within the cell, before the STA determines that the restricted service time period ends, receive a fourth frame, where the fourth frame carries a TWT element;

[0049] The TWT element carries the threshold access level of non-low-latency services or the preset service identifier of non-low-latency services. Non-low-latency services are services whose access level is lower than or equal to the threshold access level of non-low-latency services, or non-low-latency services are services whose service identifier is the preset service identifier of non-low-latency services.

[0050] In combination with the third aspect, in one possible implementation, the threshold access level of the non-low-latency service or the preset service identifier of the non-low-latency service is determined by the broadcast TWT recommendation field in the TWT element.

[0051] In combination with the third aspect, in a possible implementation, the processing unit may also be configured to: initiate new channel access after determining that the restricted service time period has ended, or continue the channel access that was suspended before the restricted service time period.

[0052] In a fourth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a second communication device, which can be applied to a STA, including:

[0053] A processing unit, configured to obtain a TXOP before a restricted service time period arrives;

[0054] The processing unit is further configured to, if a second condition is met, not end the TXOP before the restricted service time period arrives, where the second condition includes any one or more of the following:

[0055] TXOP is used to transmit data frames of the first service;

[0056] The transmission time of the transmission service in the TXOP is less than or equal to the first threshold;

[0057] The restricted service time period is a time period used for D2D transmission.

[0058] With reference to the fourth aspect, in one possible implementation, the second communication device further includes:

[0059] The transceiver unit is used to receive a fifth frame carrying a TWT element carrying the first threshold when the second condition includes that the transmission time of the transmission service within the TXOP is less than or equal to the first threshold, and before the TXOP is ended before the restricted service time period arrives.

[0060] In conjunction with the fourth aspect, in one possible implementation, the first service is a low-latency service; and the transceiver unit may further be configured to:

[0061] When the second condition includes a TXOP used to transmit data frames for a first service, a sixth frame is received before the TXOP ends before the restricted service time period arrives, and the sixth frame carries a TWT element; the TWT element carries the threshold access level of the low-latency service or the preset service identifier of the low-latency service, and the low-latency service is a service whose access level is higher than or equal to the threshold access level of the low-latency service, or the low-latency service is a service whose service identifier is the preset service identifier of the low-latency service.

[0062] In combination with the fourth aspect, in one possible implementation, the threshold access level of the low-latency service or the preset service identifier of the low-latency service is determined by the broadcast TWT recommendation field in the TWT element.

[0063] With reference to the fourth aspect, in one possible implementation, the first service is an exceptional service; and the transceiver unit is further configured to:

[0064] When the second condition includes TXOP being used to transmit data frames for the first service, the seventh frame is received before the TXOP ends before the restricted service time period arrives, and the seventh frame carries the TWT element; the TWT element carries the threshold access level of the exception service or the preset service identifier of the exception service, the exception service is a service whose access level is higher than or equal to the threshold access level of the exception service, or the exception service is a service whose service identifier is the preset service identifier of the exception service.

[0065] In combination with the fourth aspect, in a possible implementation, the threshold access level of the exception service or the preset service identifier of the exception service is determined by the exception access level field in the TWT element.

[0066] In conjunction with the fourth aspect, in a possible implementation, the processing unit may further be used to:

[0067] When the restricted service time period arrives and the transmission time of the transmission service in the TXOP is greater than the second threshold, the TXOP is ended.

[0068] In conjunction with the fourth aspect, in a possible implementation, the processing unit may further be used to:

[0069] When the restricted service time period arrives, at most one PPDU continues to be transmitted within the TXOP.

[0070] In conjunction with the fourth aspect, in one possible implementation, the transceiver unit may further be used to:

[0071] An eighth frame is received, where the eighth frame is used to indicate that the restricted service time period is extended.

[0072] In a fifth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a first communication device, which can be applied to a STA and includes a processor. Optionally, it also includes a transceiver that is internally connected to and communicates with the processor. The processor is configured to determine that a restricted service time period has ended if a first condition is met, where the first condition includes any one or more of the following:

[0073] receiving a first frame, the first frame being used to indicate an end of a restricted service time period;

[0074] The second frame is not received within a preset time period;

[0075] Receives frames for non-low-latency service communications within the cell, which is the BSS where the STA is located.

[0076] The first communication device provided in the fifth aspect is used to execute the above-mentioned first aspect or any possible implementation method of the first aspect. The specific details can be found in the above-mentioned first aspect or any possible implementation method of the first aspect, and will not be repeated here.

[0077] In a sixth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a second communication device, which can be applied to a STA, including a processor. Optionally, it also includes a transceiver connected to and communicating with the processor. The processor is configured to obtain a TXOP before a restricted service time period arrives;

[0078] The processing unit is further configured to, if a second condition is met, not end the TXOP before the restricted service time period arrives, where the second condition includes any one or more of the following:

[0079] TXOP is used to transmit data frames of the first service;

[0080] The transmission time of the transmission service in the TXOP is less than or equal to the first threshold;

[0081] The restricted service time period is a time period used for D2D transmission.

[0082] The second communication device provided in the sixth aspect is used to execute the above-mentioned second aspect or any possible implementation method of the second aspect. The specific details can be found in the above-mentioned second aspect or any possible implementation method of the second aspect, and will not be repeated here.

[0083] In a seventh aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a first communication device, which can be applied to a STA and includes a processing circuit. Optionally, it also includes an output interface for internal communication with the processing circuit. The processing circuit is configured to determine that a restricted service time period has ended if a first condition is met, where the first condition includes any one or more of the following:

[0084] receiving a first frame, the first frame being used to indicate an end of a restricted service time period;

[0085] The second frame is not received within a preset time period;

[0086] Receives frames for non-low-latency service communications within the cell, which is the BSS where the STA is located.

[0087] The first communication device provided in the seventh aspect is used to execute the above-mentioned first aspect or any possible implementation method of the first aspect. The specific details can be found in the above-mentioned first aspect or any possible implementation method of the first aspect, and will not be repeated here.

[0088] In an eighth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a second communication device, which can be applied to a STA, including a processing circuit. Optionally, it also includes an output interface connected to the internal communication of the processing circuit. The processing circuit is used to obtain a TXOP before the arrival of a restricted service time period;

[0089] The processing unit is further configured to, if a second condition is met, not end the TXOP before the restricted service time period arrives, where the second condition includes any one or more of the following:

[0090] TXOP is used to transmit data frames of the first service;

[0091] The transmission time of the transmission service in the TXOP is less than or equal to the first threshold;

[0092] The restricted service time period is a time period used for D2D transmission.

[0093] The second communication device provided in the eighth aspect is used to execute the above-mentioned second aspect or any possible implementation method of the second aspect. The specific details can be found in the above-mentioned second aspect or any possible implementation method of the second aspect, and will not be repeated here.

[0094] In a ninth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a computer-readable storage medium, which stores instructions. When the instructions are executed on a computer, the computer executes the method of the above-mentioned first aspect or any possible implementation of the first aspect.

[0095] In the tenth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a computer-readable storage medium, which stores instructions. When the instructions are executed on a computer, the computer executes the method of the above-mentioned second aspect or any possible implementation of the second aspect.

[0096] In the eleventh aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a computer program product comprising program instructions, which, when executed on a computer, enables the computer to execute the method of the above-mentioned first aspect or any possible implementation of the first aspect.

[0097] In the twelfth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a computer program product containing program instructions, which, when running on a computer, enables the computer to execute the method of the above-mentioned second aspect or any possible implementation of the second aspect.

[0098] In the thirteenth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication system, which includes the first communication device provided by the third aspect, the fifth aspect, or the seventh aspect, and the second communication device provided by the fourth aspect, the sixth aspect, or the eighth aspect. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0099] FIG1 is a schematic diagram of an implementation method of a TWT service stage in the prior art;

[0100] FIG2 is a schematic diagram of a communication system provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0101] FIG3 is a flow chart of a communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0102] FIG4 is a schematic diagram of a frame structure provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0103] FIG5A is a schematic diagram of a frame structure of a TWT element provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0104] FIG5B is a schematic diagram of a frame structure of an EHT operation element provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0105] FIG6A is a schematic diagram of a frame structure of another TWT element provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0106] FIG6B is a schematic diagram of a frame structure of another EHT operation element provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0107] FIG7 is a schematic diagram of a frame structure of another TWT element provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0108] FIG8 is a flow chart of another communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0109] FIG9A is a schematic diagram of a frame structure of another TWT element provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0110] FIG9B is a schematic diagram of a frame structure of another EHT operation element provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0111] FIG10 is a schematic diagram of another frame structure provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0112] FIG11 is a schematic structural diagram of a first communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0113] FIG12 is a schematic structural diagram of a second communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0114] The technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application will be described clearly and completely below in conjunction with the drawings in the embodiments of the present application.

[0115] In order to facilitate understanding of this application, the relevant technical knowledge involved in the embodiments of this application is first introduced here.

[0116] 1. TWT

[0117] TWT is a technology defined by WiFi 6 for energy conservation. The core idea is to set periodic time periods so that certain devices only need to remain active during these TWT service periods (TWT SPs) and can sleep during other times, thereby achieving energy conservation.

[0118] TWT is divided into unicast TWT (individual TWT) and broadcast TWT (broadcast TWT). In unicast TWT, each STA can establish a TWT protocol with the AP individually, so each STA can have its own active time period and sleep time period; in broadcast TWT, the AP can establish a common TWT protocol for a group of STAs, and multiple STAs work in the same active time period and sleep in other time periods.

[0119] Unicast TWT:

[0120] Unicast TWT means that the TWT requesting site (requesting) sends a TWT request message to the TWT responding site (responding), requesting to set a wake-up time. After receiving the TWT request message, the responding site sends a TWT response message to the requesting site. After the interaction is successful, a TWT protocol is established between the requesting site and the responding site. When the TWT protocol is reached, both the requesting site and the responding site should remain active during the agreed time period in order to send and receive data. Outside the above time period, the site can go into sleep mode to achieve the purpose of energy saving. Generally speaking, the STA sends a TWT protocol establishment request to the AP, that is, the STA is the requesting site and the AP is the responding site. Of course, the AP can also initiate a TWT protocol establishment request to the site. After the TWT protocol is established, the agreed active time period is called the TWT service phase. Please refer to Figure 1, which is a schematic diagram of an implementation method of a TWT service phase in the prior art. As shown in Figure 1, the STA sends a TWT request frame to the AP to request the TWT protocol, and the AP sends a TWT response frame to the STA. Each TWT protocol can contain multiple periodic TWT service phases of equal length.

[0121] Broadcast TWT:

[0122] Unlike unicast TWT, broadcast TWT provides a "batch management" mechanism whereby the AP can establish a series of periodic TWT service phases with multiple STAs. During the TWT service phase, the multiple STAs need to remain active to communicate with the AP.

[0123] The AP can carry information about one or more broadcast TWTs in a beacon frame. Each broadcast TWT is represented by a broadcast TWT identifier and the AP's media access control (MAC) address. After receiving the beacon frame, if the STA is willing to join the broadcast TWT, it can send a broadcast TWT establishment request message to the AP to join the broadcast TWT. When establishing a broadcast TWT, it is necessary to specify a broadcast TWT identifier to request to join a specific broadcast TWT. After joining the broadcast TWT, the STA can wake up according to the service phase indicated by the TWT parameter set to communicate with the AP. It should be noted that if the STA supports broadcast TWT but does not explicitly join a broadcast TWT ID, it will participate in the broadcast TWT with broadcast TWT ID = 0 by default.

[0124] Similar to unicast TWT, the parameter set for broadcast TWT also specifies the period during which TWT service phases occur and the duration of each TWT service phase. In addition, the broadcast TWT parameters also include the lifecycle of the broadcast TWT, which is expressed in beacon frame intervals and represents the duration of the established broadcast TWT.

[0125] 2. Low-latency communication

[0126] With the development of wireless networks and the continuous upgrade of wireless local area network (WLAN) technology, more and more application traffic is being carried by WiFi. At the same time, the ever-increasing number of mobile applications is placing increasingly stringent demands on WLAN latency performance. For example, applications such as wireless video, voice, gaming, and augmented reality (AR) / virtual reality (VR) have very high communication latency requirements.

[0127] To best meet the demands of diverse traffic types, WLANs prioritize different services. For example, during channel contention, each device has four different access levels, with transmission priorities prioritized using different contention parameters. Each access level can include two service identifiers corresponding to two different services. Typically, low-latency service data packets are generated periodically.

[0128] The restricted TWT service phase (R-TWT-SP) is only used to serve low-latency services. Other services cannot communicate during this period. In addition, if the STA has started communication before the R-TWT-SP, it must end the current communication before the R-TWT-SP starts.

[0129] The technical flaws of this mechanism include the following two aspects:

[0130] 1. The length of the R-TWT-SP may exceed the actual communication time required for low-latency services. However, according to regulations, no other communications are allowed within the R-TWT-SP, so the R-TWT-SP time after the low-latency communication ends will be wasted.

[0131] 2. Before the arrival of R-TWT-SP, the STA's ongoing communication may also be low-latency service communication. However, according to regulations, the STA must end its own transmission opportunity (TXOP) before the arrival of R-TWT-SP, which will affect the latency performance of the STA's own low-latency service.

[0132] Based on the problem that the R-TWT-SP time will be wasted after the low-latency communication ends, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication method that can save communication resources in the case of R-TWT SP communication. The communication method is specifically: if the first condition is met, the STA determines that the restricted service time period ends, and the first condition includes any one or more of the following: receiving the first frame, the first frame is used to indicate the end of the restricted service time period; not receiving the second frame within the preset time period; receiving a frame for non-low-latency service communication in this cell, and this cell is the BSS where the STA is located. Since the STA can only communicate low-latency services within the restricted service time period, when any one or more of the first conditions are met, the STA determines that the restricted service time period ends, and then ends the restricted service time period in advance. In this way, the waste of the remaining idle restricted service time after the low-latency service is completed can be avoided, thereby saving communication resources.

[0133] Based on the problem of affecting the latency performance of the STA's own low-latency services, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication method that can ensure that the transmission of the low-latency services being transmitted is not interrupted, thereby ensuring the latency performance of the STA's own low-latency services. The communication method is specifically as follows: the STA obtains a TXOP before the arrival of the restricted service time period; if the second condition is met, the STA does not end the TXOP before the arrival of the restricted service time period, and the second condition includes any one or more of the following: the TXOP is used to transmit data frames of the first service; the transmission time of the service transmitted within the TXOP is less than or equal to the first threshold; the restricted service time period is the time period for D2D transmission. Since the STA needs to end its own TXOP before the arrival of the restricted service time period, if any one or more of the exception conditions (second conditions) are met, the STA does not need to end its own transmission opportunity before the arrival of the restricted service time period. In this way, the transmission of the low-latency services being transmitted is not interrupted, thereby ensuring the latency performance of the STA's own low-latency services.

[0134] In order to better understand the communication method, device, and computer-readable storage medium provided in the embodiments of the present application, the communication system applied in the embodiments of the present application is described below.

[0135] It should be understood that the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application can be applied to various communication systems, such as: WIFI wireless communication system, global system of mobile communication (GSM) system, code division multiple access (CDMA) system, wideband code division multiple access (WCDMA) system, general packet radio service (GPRS) system, long term evolution (LTE) system, LTE frequency division duplex (FDD) system, LTE time division duplex (TDD) system, universal mobile telecommunication system (UMTS), world-wide interoperability for microwave access (WiMAX) communication system, other future evolution systems, or other various wireless communication systems using wireless access technology.

[0136] Please refer to Figure 2, which is a schematic diagram of a communication system provided by an embodiment of the present application. As shown in Figure 2, the communication system includes a network device and at least one terminal device located within the coverage area of ​​the network device. The network device can provide communication coverage for a specific geographical area and communicate with the terminal devices located within the coverage area. The network device can be a base transceiver station (BTS) in a GSM system or a code division multiple access (CDMA) system, a base station (node ​​B, NB) in a WCDMA system, an evolutionary node B (eNB or eNodeB) in an LTE system, a wireless controller in a cloud radio access network (CRAN), or a relay station, access point AP, vehicle-mounted device, wearable device, network-side device in a future network, etc. The terminal device can be mobile or fixed, and the terminal device can be a site STA, an access terminal, a user equipment (UE), a user unit, a user station, a mobile station, a mobile station, a remote station, a remote terminal, a mobile device, a user terminal, a wireless communication device, a user agent or a user device, etc.

[0137] It should be noted that the STA in the embodiment of the present application is a STA that supports R-TWT-SP. The STA can declare in advance whether it supports R-TWT-SP. If supported, the STA must end its ongoing non-low-latency service communication before the start of R-TWT-SP; if not supported, the STA can ignore the existence of R-TWT-SP. Since R-TWT-SP has a certain impact on the communication of non-low-latency services of STAs that support this feature, the R-TWT-SP in the embodiment of the present application can only serve STAs that support the R-TWT-SP feature.

[0138] It should be understood that the communication system shown in FIG2 is merely an example and does not constitute a limitation.

[0139] Figure 3 is a flow chart illustrating a communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application. The following uses a STA as an example to illustrate this method, but it should be understood that this method is not limited to STAs and can also be performed by an AP. The STA described herein includes various devices / equipment on the STA side, and the AP includes various devices / equipment on the AP side. As shown in Figure 3, the communication method includes, but is not limited to, the following steps.

[0140] 301. If the first condition is met;

[0141] 302. The STA determines that the restricted service time period ends.

[0142] The first condition includes any one or more of the following conditions:

[0143] Condition 1): The STA receives the first frame indicating the end of the restricted service time period;

[0144] Condition 2): The STA does not receive the second frame within a preset time period;

[0145] Condition 3): The STA receives a frame for non-low-latency service communication within the cell.

[0146] The restricted service time period is a period of time during which the AP and STA are only used to serve low-latency services. Optionally, the restricted service time period can be called R-SP (restricted service period, R-SP) or restricted TWT SP (restricted TWT SP). It is understandable that the restricted service time period can also have other names, which are not limited in the embodiments of the present application.

[0147] It is understood that in order to ensure that the restricted service time periods of multiple cells do not affect each other, the AP can send its own restricted service time period parameter value to other APs. When other APs set their own restricted service time period parameter values, they must ensure that the restricted service time periods of multiple APs do not overlap.

[0148] The first condition is described in detail below. It should be understood that the first condition includes but is not limited to the above three conditions.

[0149] For condition 1):

[0150] The AP indicates that the restricted service time period has ended, and sends a first frame for indicating the end of the restricted service time period to the STA. After receiving the first frame sent by the AP, the STA determines that the restricted service time period has ended.

[0151] Specifically, the AP indicating that the restricted service time period has ended can be divided into two situations:

[0152] Case 1: When the low-latency service communication within the restricted service time period has ended, the AP may send the first frame to the STA within the restricted service time period to indicate the end of the restricted service time period.

[0153] The second case: if there is no low-latency service communication within the restricted service time period, the AP may send a first frame to the STA before the restricted service time period arrives, indicating the end of the restricted service time period.

[0154] An implementation of the first frame: The first frame can be a type of EHT action frame. Please refer to Figure 4, which is a schematic diagram of a frame structure provided in an embodiment of the present application. As shown in Figure 4, the EHT action frame may include a frame control field, a duration field, a receiver address (RA) field, a sender address (TA) field, a basic service set identifier (BSS ID) field, a sequence control field, a high throughput control (HT control) field, a frame body field, and a frame check sequence (FCS) field. Among them, the frame body field includes a category subfield and an extremely high throughput action (EHT action) subfield. Among them, the value of the extremely high throughput action (EHT action) subfield indicates that the EHT action frame is used to terminate the current restricted service time period. For example, when the value of the Extremely High Throughput Action (EHT action) subfield is 0, it can be used to indicate the termination of the current restricted service time period. Alternatively, when the value of the Extremely High Throughput Action (EHT action) subfield is 1, it can be used to indicate the termination of the current restricted service time period. The value of the Extremely High Throughput Action (EHT action) subfield can also be a value such as 2 or 3 to indicate the termination of the current restricted service time period. It should be understood that the values ​​of the Extremely High Throughput Action (EHT action) subfield are merely illustrative and do not constitute a limitation.

[0155] Another implementation of the first frame: The first frame can be a contention free end (CF-End) frame. If a STA receives a CF-End frame sent by the AP within the restricted service time period, it determines that the restricted service time period has ended.

[0156] The first frame may be sent in a broadcast format.

[0157] For condition 2):

[0158] After the STA enters the restricted service time period, if it does not receive a second frame within a preset time period, it determines that the restricted service time period ends.

[0159] Among them, the preset time period can be sent by the AP to the STA, for example, carried in the TWT element or carried in the EHT operation element (EHT operation element). Specifically, it can be determined by the nominal minimum TWT wake duration field and the wake duration unit field of the TWT element, or it can be determined by the minimum restricted service period duration field in the EHT operation element. The preset time period may also be specified by the standard. For example, the preset time period may be 1ms (milliseconds), 100us (microseconds), etc. The preset time period is less than the restricted service period.

[0160] If the preset time period is sent by the AP to the STA, the STA may receive a third frame sent by the AP carrying a TWT element or an EHT operation element. The third frame may be a beacon frame or a TWT response frame.

[0161] Please refer to Figure 5A, which is a schematic diagram of the frame structure of a TWT element provided in an embodiment of the present application. As shown in Figure 5A, the TWT element may include an element identification (element ID) field, a length (length) field, a control (control) field, and a TWT parameter information (TWT parameter information) field. Among them, the TWT parameter information (TWT parameter information) field may include a nominal minimum TWT wake duration (nominal minimum TWT wake duration) subfield. The control (control) field may include a wake time unit (wake duration unit) subfield.

[0162] Please refer to Figure 5B, which is a schematic diagram of the frame structure of an EHT operation element provided in an embodiment of the present application. As shown in Figure 5B, the EHT operation element may include a minimum restricted service period duration field. It is understood that this field is used to indicate the length of the preset time period and may also have other names, and the name of this field is not limited.

[0163] The preset time period may be determined by the nominal minimum TWT wake duration field and the wake duration unit field in the TWT element of FIG5A :

[0164] Specifically, after receiving the third frame, the STA can determine the length of the restricted service time period based on the nominal minimum TWT wake duration field and the wake duration unit field. For example, when the value of the wake duration unit field specified in the standard is 0, it indicates that the unit is 256us (microseconds), and when the value of the wake duration unit field is 1, it indicates that the unit is 1024us (microseconds). The length of the preset time period is equal to the value represented by the nominal minimum TWT wake duration field multiplied by the time unit represented by the wake time unit field, and then multiplied by the first coefficient. The first coefficient can be a predefined value, for example, 0.1, 0.2, 0.5, 0.8, 1, etc. The first coefficient can be sent by the AP to the STA; specifically, the first coefficient can be carried in the TWT element.

[0165] The preset time period may also be determined by the minimum restricted service period duration field in the EHT operation element as shown in FIG5B :

[0166] Specifically, after receiving the third frame, the STA may determine the length of the preset time period according to the minimum restricted service period duration field.

[0167] The second frame may be a frame for low-latency service communication within the cell, a frame sent by an AP within the cell, or any other frame.

[0168] Among them, this cell can be understood as the BSS where the STA is located. The STA can obtain the value of the BSS color of the cell in advance. The STA can determine whether the received frame is a frame within the cell based on the physical layer frame header or MAC layer frame header of the received frame. Specifically, it can be judged by the BSS color field in the physical layer frame header. If the received BSS color field is the same as the value of the BSS color of the cell, then the received frame is determined to be a frame within the cell; it can also be judged by the receiving address or sending address field in the MAC layer frame header. If the value of the receiving address or sending address field is the same as the MAC address of the AP of the cell, then the received frame is determined to be a frame within the cell.

[0169] Low-latency services may be services whose access level is higher than or equal to certain specific access levels (threshold access level for low-latency services), or services whose service identifiers are certain specific identifiers (preset service identifiers for low-latency services). It can be understood that low-latency services may be services whose access level corresponds to a priority level higher than or equal to a priority level corresponding to certain specific access levels (threshold access level for low-latency services), or services whose service identifiers are certain specific identifiers (preset service identifiers for low-latency services). The threshold access level for low-latency services or the preset service identifier for low-latency services may be sent by the AP to the STA, for example, carried in a TWT element or carried in an EHT operation element (EHT operation element). The threshold access level for low-latency services or the preset service identifier for low-latency services may also be specified by the standard. For example, AC=AC_VO or AC=AC_VI; or TID=0 or 1. Optionally, the service identifier may be a specific service identifier name or a specific value.

[0170] If the threshold access level of the low-latency service or the preset service identifier of the low-latency service is sent by the AP to the STA, the STA can receive the sixth frame sent by the AP carrying the TWT element or the EHT operation element. The sixth frame can be a beacon frame or a TWT response frame.

[0171] Please refer to Figure 6A, which is a schematic diagram of the frame structure of another TWT element provided in an embodiment of the present application. As shown in Figure 6A, the TWT element may include an element identification (element ID) field, a length (length) field, a control (control) field, and a TWT parameter information (TWT parameter information) field. Among them, the TWT parameter information (TWT parameter information) field may include a request type (request type) subfield, a target wake time (target wake time) subfield, a nominal minimum TWT wake duration (nominal minimum TWT wake duration) subfield, a TWT wake interval fractional part (TWT wake interval mantissa) subfield and a broadcast TWT information (broadcast TWT Info) subfield. Among them, the request type (request type) subfield may include a broadcast TWT recommendation (broadcast TWT recommendation) subfield.

[0172] Please refer to Figure 6B, which is a schematic diagram of the frame structure of another EHT operation element provided in an embodiment of the present application. As shown in Figure 6B, the EHT operation element may include a threshold access level or preset service identification field. It is understood that the threshold access level or preset service identification field can be used to indicate the threshold access level of low-latency services or the preset service identification field of low-latency services, and may also have other names, and the name of this field is not limited.

[0173] The threshold access level for low-latency services or the preset service identifier for low-latency services can be determined by the broadcast TWT recommendation field in the TWT element as shown in FIG6A or by the threshold access level or preset service identifier field in the EHT operation element as shown in FIG6B. The following specifically describes the implementation method in which the threshold access level for low-latency services or the preset service identifier for low-latency services can be determined by the broadcast TWT recommendation field in the TWT element as shown in FIG6A:

[0174] In one possible implementation, the broadcast TWT recommendation field may indicate the threshold access level of the low-latency service or the preset service identifier of the low-latency service by means of an index. Specifically, the value of the broadcast TWT recommendation field may represent an index value, and the index value may correspond to the threshold access level of the low-latency service or the preset service identifier of the low-latency service. Specifically, the broadcast TWT recommendation field may indicate the threshold access level of the low-latency service or the preset service identifier of the low-latency service by means of an index value.

[0175] The correspondence between the value of the broadcast TWT recommendation field and the threshold access level of the low-latency service can be shown in the following Table 1.

[0176] Table 1

[0177]

[0178] In Table 1, when the value of the broadcast TWT recommendation field is the first value, the threshold access level of the low-latency service corresponding to the first value is AC_VO; when the value of the broadcast TWT recommendation field is the second value, the threshold access level of the low-latency service corresponding to the second value is AC_VO and AC_VI. It can be understood that the correspondence between the value of the broadcast TWT recommendation field and the threshold access level of the low-latency service shown in Table 1 is only an example. In actual applications, the correspondence between the value of the broadcast TWT recommendation field and the threshold access level of the low-latency service can be determined according to the actual application scenario. The embodiments of the present application do not limit this.

[0179] If the broadcast TWT recommendation field in the TWT element received by the STA is an index value, the threshold access level of the low-latency service corresponding to the index value can be determined according to the index value. Then, whether the service is a low-latency service is determined based on the access level of the currently received service. For example, the value of the broadcast TWT recommendation field is the first value, and the STA can determine whether the access level of the currently received service is AC_VO. If so, the currently received service is determined to be a low-latency service. The value of the broadcast TWT recommendation field is the second value, and the STA can determine whether the access level of the currently received service is AC_VO or AC_VI. If so, the currently received service is determined to be a low-latency service. When the STA determines that the currently received service is not a low-latency service of this cell, condition 2) is met, and the STA determines that the restricted service time period is over.

[0180] The correspondence between the value of the broadcast TWT recommendation field and the preset service identifier of the low-latency service can be shown in the following Table 2.

[0181] Table 2

[0182]

[0183] In Table 2, when the value of the broadcast TWT recommendation field is the first value, the preset service identifiers of the low-latency service corresponding to the first value are 6 and 7; when the value of the broadcast TWT recommendation field is the second value, the preset service identifiers of the low-latency service corresponding to the second value are 4, 5, 6 and 7; when the value of the broadcast TWT recommendation field is the third value (such as 3), the preset service identifier of the low-latency service corresponding to the third value is a value between the third value (such as 3) and 7. It can be understood that the correspondence between the value of the broadcast TWT recommendation field and the preset service identifier of the low-latency service shown in Table 2 is only an example. In actual applications, the correspondence between the value of the broadcast TWT recommendation field and the preset service identifier of the low-latency service can be determined according to the actual application scenario. The embodiments of the present application do not limit this.

[0184] If the broadcast TWT recommendation field in the TWT element received by the STA is an index value, the preset service identifier of the low-latency service corresponding to the index value can be determined according to the index value. Then, whether the service is a low-latency service is determined based on the service identifier of the currently received service. For example, the value of the broadcast TWT recommendation field is the first value, and the STA can determine whether the service identifier of the currently received service is 6 or 7. If so, the currently received service is determined to be a low-latency service; for another example, the value of the broadcast TWT recommendation field is the second value, and the STA can determine whether the service identifier of the currently received service is one of 4, 5, 6, and 7. If so, the currently received service is determined to be a low-latency service; for another example, the value of the broadcast TWT recommendation field is the third value, and the STA can determine whether the service identifier of the currently received service is one of the third value (such as 3) to 7. If so, the currently received service is determined to be a low-latency service. When the STA determines that the currently received service is not the low-latency service of the cell, condition 2) is met, and the STA determines that the restricted service time period ends.

[0185] In another possible implementation, the broadcast TWT recommendation field may directly indicate the threshold access level of the low-latency service or the preset service identifier of the low-latency service. Specifically, when the information of the broadcast TWT recommendation field is AC_VO, it can indicate that AC_VO is the threshold access level for low-latency services; when the information of the broadcast TWT recommendation field is AC_VO and AC_VI, it can indicate that AC_VO and AC_VI are the threshold access levels for low-latency services; or, when the information of the broadcast TWT recommendation field is 6 and 7, it can indicate that 6 and 7 are the preset service identifiers for low-latency services; when the information of the broadcast TWT recommendation field is 4, 5, 6 and 7, it can indicate that 4, 5, 6 and 7 are the preset service identifiers for low-latency services; when the information of the broadcast TWT recommendation field is the third value (such as 3), it can indicate that the values ​​between the third value (such as 3) and 7 are the preset service identifiers for low-latency services.

[0186] If the information in the broadcast TWT recommendation field in the TWT element received by the STA directly indicates the threshold access level of the low-latency service or the preset service identifier of the low-latency service, the STA can determine the threshold access level of the low-latency service or the preset service identifier of the low-latency service based on the information in the field. Determine whether the currently received service is a low-latency service by comparing the access level or service identifier of the currently received service with the information in the broadcast TWT recommendation field. When the STA determines that the currently received service is not a low-latency service of this cell, condition 2) is met, and the STA determines that the restricted service time period ends.

[0187] It can be understood that the threshold access level of low-latency services or the preset service identifier of low-latency services can also be determined by the threshold access level or preset service identifier field in the EHT operation element as shown in Figure 6B. The specific implementation method can refer to the method determined by the broadcast TWT recommendation field in the above-mentioned TWT element. To avoid repetition, it will not be repeated here.

[0188] Optionally, the TWT element carried by the sixth frame may also add a low-latency field, and the threshold access level of the low-latency service or the preset service identifier of the low-latency service is determined by the low-latency field.

[0189] Please refer to Figure 7, which is a schematic diagram of the frame structure of another TWT element provided in an embodiment of the present application. As shown in Figure 7, the TWT element may include an element ID field, a length field, a control field, and a TWT parameter information field. Among them, the control field may include a low latency subfield.

[0190] The threshold access level of the low-latency service or the preset service identifier of the low-latency service can be determined by the TWT element as shown in Figure 7:

[0191] In one possible implementation, the low latency field may indicate the threshold access level of the low latency service or the preset service identifier of the low latency service by means of an index. Specifically, the value of the low latency field may represent an index value, and the index value may correspond to the threshold access level of the low latency service or the preset service identifier of the low latency service. Specifically, the low latency field may indicate the threshold access level of the low latency service or the preset service identifier of the low latency service by means of an index value.

[0192] The correspondence between the value of the low latency field and the threshold access level of the low latency service can be shown in the following Table 3.

[0193] Table 3

[0194]

[0195] In Table 3, when the value of the low latency field is the first value, the threshold access level of the low latency service corresponding to the first value is AC_VO; when the value of the low latency field is the second value, the threshold access level of the low latency service corresponding to the second value is AC_VO and AC_VI. It can be understood that the correspondence between the value of the low latency field and the threshold access level of the low latency service shown in Table 3 is only an example. In actual applications, the correspondence between the value of the low latency field and the threshold access level of the low latency service can be determined according to the actual application scenario. The embodiments of the present application do not limit this.

[0196] If the low latency field in the TWT element or EHT operation element received by the STA is an index value, the threshold access level of the low latency service corresponding to the index value can be determined according to the index value. Then, whether the service is a low latency service is determined based on the access level of the currently received service. For example, the value of the low latency field is the first value, and the STA can determine whether the access level of the currently received service is AC_VO. If so, the currently received service is determined to be a low latency service. The value of the low latency field is the second value, and the STA can determine whether the access level of the currently received service is AC_VO or AC_VI. If so, the currently received service is determined to be a low latency service. When the STA determines that the currently received service is not a low latency service of this cell, condition 2) is met, and the STA determines that the restricted service time period ends.

[0197] The correspondence between the value of the low latency field and the preset service identifier of the low latency service can be shown in the following Table 4.

[0198] Table 4

[0199]

[0200] In Table 4, when the value of the low latency field is the first value, the preset service identifiers of the low latency service corresponding to the first value are 6 and 7; when the value of the low latency field is the second value, the preset service identifiers of the low latency service corresponding to the second value are 4, 5, 6, and 7. It can be understood that the correspondence between the value of the low latency field and the preset service identifier of the low latency service shown in Table 4 is only an example. In actual applications, the correspondence between the value of the low latency field and the preset service identifier of the low latency service can be determined according to the actual application scenario. The embodiments of the present application do not limit this.

[0201] If the low latency field in the TWT element or EHT operation element received by the STA is an index value, the preset service identifier of the low latency service corresponding to the index value can be determined according to the index value. Then, whether the service is a low latency service is determined based on the service identifier of the currently received service. For example, the value of the low latency field is the first value, and the STA can determine whether the service identifier of the currently received service is 6 or 7. If so, the currently received service is determined to be a low latency service; for another example, the value of the low latency field is the second value, and the STA can determine whether the service identifier of the currently received service is one of 4, 5, 6, and 7. If so, the currently received service is determined to be a low latency service. When the STA determines that the currently received service is not a low latency service of the cell, condition 2) is met, and the STA determines that the restricted service time period ends.

[0202] In another possible implementation, the low latency field can directly indicate the threshold access level of the low-latency service or the preset service identifier of the low-latency service. Specifically, when the information of the low latency field is AC_VO, it can indicate that AC_VO is the threshold access level of the low-latency service; when the information of the low latency field is AC_VO and AC_VI, it can indicate that AC_VO and AC_VI are the threshold access levels of the low-latency service; or, when the information of the low latency field is 6 and 7, it can indicate that 6 and 7 are the preset service identifiers of the low-latency service; when the information of the low latency field is 4, 5, 6 and 7, it can indicate that 4, 5, 6 and 7 are the preset service identifiers of the low-latency service.

[0203] If the information in the low latency field in the TWT element or EHT operation element received by the STA directly indicates the threshold access level of the low-latency service or the preset service identifier of the low-latency service, the STA can determine the threshold access level of the low-latency service or the preset service identifier of the low-latency service based on the information in the field. Determine whether the currently received service is a low-latency service by using the access level or service identifier of the currently received service and the information in the low latency field. When the STA determines that the currently received service is not a low-latency service of this cell, condition 2) is met, and the STA determines that the restricted service time period has ended.

[0204] Optionally, a special value of the low-latency field may indicate that the established TWT is not for low-latency communication, but for traditional TWT communication. Other values ​​indicate that it is used for low-latency communication and indicate the access level or service identifier corresponding to the low-latency communication. The values ​​are shown in Table 5 below.

[0205] Table 5

[0206] The meaning of the low latency field value

[0207] 0Non-Low latency1AC_VO2AC_VO and AC_VI……

[0208] It is understandable that the meanings of the values ​​shown in Table 5 are only examples, and in actual applications, the meanings of the values ​​can be determined according to the actual application scenario. This embodiment of the present application does not limit this.

[0209] For condition 3):

[0210] After the STA enters the restricted service time period, if it receives a frame of non-low-latency service (ie, normal service) communication in the cell, it determines that the restricted service time period has ended.

[0211] Among them, this cell can be understood as the BSS where the STA is located. The STA can obtain the value of the BSS color of the cell in advance. The STA can determine whether the received frame is a frame within the cell based on the physical layer frame header or MAC layer frame header of the received frame. Specifically, it can be judged by the BSS color field in the physical layer frame header. If the received BSS color field is the same as the value of the BSS color of the cell, then the received frame is determined to be a frame within the cell; it can also be judged by the receiving address or sending address field in the MAC layer frame header. If the value of the receiving address or sending address field is the same as the MAC address of the AP of the cell, then the received frame is determined to be a frame within the cell.

[0212] Non-low-latency services may be services whose access level is lower than certain specific access levels (threshold access level for non-low-latency services), or services whose service identifiers are certain specific identifiers (preset service identifiers for non-low-latency services). It can be understood that non-low-latency services may be services whose access level corresponds to a priority lower than the priority corresponding to certain specific access levels (threshold access level for non-low-latency services), or services whose service identifiers are certain specific identifiers (preset service identifiers for non-low-latency services). The threshold access level for non-low-latency services or the preset service identifier for non-low-latency services may be sent by the AP to the STA, for example, carried in a TWT element or an EHT operation element. The threshold access level for non-low-latency services or the preset service identifier for non-low-latency services may also be specified by the standard. Optionally, the service identifier may be a specific service identifier name or a specific value.

[0213] If the threshold access level of non-low-latency services or the preset service identifier of non-low-latency services is sent by the AP to the STA, the STA can receive the fourth frame sent by the AP carrying the TWT element or the EHT operation element. The fourth frame can be a beacon frame or a TWT response frame. The schematic diagram of the frame structure of the TWT element can be shown in Figure 6A, and the schematic diagram of the frame structure of the EHT operation element can be shown in Figure 6B. The broadcast TWT recommendation field in the TWT element or the threshold access level or preset service identifier field in the EHT operation element here can be used to indicate the threshold access level of non-low-latency services or the preset service identifier of non-low-latency services. The specific implementation method can refer to the broadcast TWT recommendation field in the TWT element in the above condition 2) or the threshold access level or preset service identifier field in the EHT operation element to indicate the threshold access level of low-latency services or the preset service identifier of non-low-latency services. To avoid repetition, it will not be repeated here. If the access level or service identifier of the current service received by the STA is the threshold access level for low-latency services or the preset service identifier for low-latency services indicated by the broadcast TWT recommendation field, the STA can determine that the current service is a non-low-latency service. When the STA determines that the current service is a non-low-latency service of the cell, condition 3) is met, and the restricted service time period is determined to have ended.

[0214] Optionally, the STA may receive the sixth frame. Since the TWT element or EHT operation element carried by the sixth frame indicates the threshold access level of the low-latency service or the preset service identifier of the low-latency service, when the STA receives the current service, it may determine whether the access level or service identifier of the current service is the threshold access level of the low-latency service or the preset service identifier of the low-latency service. If not, the STA may determine that the current service is a non-low-latency service. When the STA determines that the current service is a non-low-latency service of the cell, condition 3) is met, and it is determined that the restricted service time period has ended.

[0215] When the first condition includes condition 2), the AP needs to send the third and fourth frames to the STA. The third and fourth frames may be the same frame, and the TWT element or EHT operation element carried therein simultaneously indicates the preset time period and the threshold access level for non-low-latency services or the preset service identifier for low-latency services. Alternatively, the AP needs to send the third and sixth frames to the STA. The third and sixth frames may be the same frame, and the TWT element or EHT operation element carried therein simultaneously indicates the preset time period and the threshold access level for low-latency services or the preset service identifier for low-latency services.

[0216] When the first condition includes condition 3), the AP needs to send a fourth frame to the STA, then the above-mentioned third frame and fourth frame are different frames, the TWT element or EHT operation element carried by the third frame is used to indicate the preset time period, and the TWT element or EHT operation element carried by the fourth frame is used to indicate the threshold access level of non-low-latency services or the preset service identifier of low-latency services. Alternatively, the AP needs to send a sixth frame to the STA, the third frame and the sixth frame are different frames, the TWT element or EHT operation element carried by the third frame is used to indicate the preset time period, and the TWT element or EHT operation element carried by the sixth frame is used to indicate the threshold access level of low-latency services or the preset service identifier of low-latency services.

[0217] When the restricted service time period arrives, the STA's ongoing channel access process is suspended and the channel access within the restricted service time period is started. When any one or more of the above first conditions are met, the STA determines that the restricted service time period has ended. After the restricted service time period ends, the STA can initiate a new channel access or continue the channel access that was suspended before the restricted service time period. The channel access can be a channel access process based on carrier sense multiple access / collision avoidance (CSMA / CA) or enhanced distributed channel access (EDCA).

[0218] It can be understood that in the previous channel access rules, when the STA receives the trigger frame sent by the AP and sends the data frame, if the STA subsequently uses the EDCA access method for channel access, it is necessary to use the multi-user (MU) EDCA parameter set for channel competition. This is because the STA has already accessed the channel by responding to the trigger frame, and needs to use more conservative parameters (i.e., the MU EDCA parameter set) in subsequent channel access. In the embodiment of the present application, since the data frame sent by the trigger frame received by the STA during the restricted service time period is a data frame for low-latency services, it should not affect the channel access opportunity of the low-latency services. When the STA receives the trigger frame sent by the AP during the restricted service time period and sends the data frame, if the STA subsequently needs to use the EDCA access method for channel access, it may not use the MU EDCA parameter set, and may use the original EDCA parameter set for channel access.

[0219] It can be understood that since the STA must end its ongoing non-low-latency service communication before the start of the restricted service time period, if the STA completes the random backoff before the start of the restricted service time period but does not transmit before the restricted service time period, then after the restricted service time period ends, if the station subsequently needs to use the EDCA access method for channel access, the EDCA parameters used are the same as the EDCA parameters used in the random backoff before the start of the restricted service time period.

[0220] Figure 8 is a flow chart illustrating another communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application. This method is described below using a STA as an example, but it should be understood that this method is not limited to STAs and can also be performed by an AP. The STAs described herein include various devices / equipment on the STA side, and the APs include various devices / equipment on the AP side. As shown in Figure 8, this communication method includes, but is not limited to, the following steps.

[0221] S801. A STA obtains a TXOP before a restricted service time period arrives.

[0222] The STA may obtain a TXOP before the restricted service time period arrives. The services transmitted in the TXOP may include low-latency services, non-low-latency services, exceptional services, and other services.

[0223] S802: If the second condition is met, the STA does not end the TXOP before the limited service time period arrives.

[0224] The second condition includes any one or more of the following exceptions:

[0225] Exception condition 1): TXOP is used to transmit data frames of the first service;

[0226] Exception condition 2): the transmission time of the transmission service within the TXOP is less than or equal to the first threshold;

[0227] Exception condition 3): The restricted service time period is a time period used for D2D transmission.

[0228] The restricted service time period is a period of time during which the AP and STA are only used to serve low-latency services. Optionally, the restricted service time period can be called R-SP (restricted service period, R-SP) or restricted TWT SP (restricted TWT SP). It is understandable that the restricted service time period can also have other names, which are not limited in the embodiments of the present application.

[0229] The STA does not end the TXOP before the restricted service time period arrives. This can be understood as the STA not needing to end its TXOP before the restricted service time period arrives, or the STA does not end the TXOP before the restricted service time period arrives, or the STA continues the current service transmission when the restricted service time period arrives.

[0230] It is understood that in order to ensure that the restricted service time periods of multiple cells do not affect each other, the AP can send its own restricted service time period parameter value to other APs. When other APs set their own restricted service time period parameter values, they must ensure that the restricted service time periods of multiple APs do not overlap.

[0231] The second condition is described in detail below. It should be understood that the second condition includes but is not limited to the above three exception conditions.

[0232] For exception condition 1):

[0233] If the TXOP acquired by the STA before the limited service time period arrives is a data frame used to transmit the first service, the STA does not end the TXOP before the limited service time period arrives.

[0234] The first service may be a low-latency service or an exceptional service.

[0235] When the first service is a low-latency service, specifically:

[0236] Low-latency services may be services whose access level is higher than or equal to certain specific access levels (threshold access level for low-latency services), or services whose service identifiers are certain specific identifiers (preset service identifiers for low-latency services). It can be understood that low-latency services may be services whose access level corresponds to a priority level higher than or equal to the priority level corresponding to certain specific access levels (threshold access level for low-latency services), or services whose service identifiers are certain specific identifiers (preset service identifiers for low-latency services). The threshold access level for low-latency services or the preset service identifier for low-latency services may be sent by the AP to the STA, for example, carried in a TWT element or an EHT operation element. The threshold access level for low-latency services or the preset service identifier for low-latency services may also be specified by the standard. For example, AC=AC_VO or AC=AC_VI; or TID=0 or 1. Optionally, the service identifier may be a specific service identifier name or a specific value.

[0237] If the threshold access level for low-latency services or the preset service identifier for low-latency services is sent by the AP to the STA, the STA may receive the sixth frame sent by the AP carrying the TWT element or the EHT operation element. The sixth frame may be a beacon frame or a TWT response frame.

[0238] The threshold access level of low-latency services or the preset service identifier of low-latency services can be determined by the broadcast TWT recommendation field in the TWT element as shown in Figure 6A or the threshold access level or preset service identifier field in the EHT operation element as shown in Figure 6B. The threshold access level of low-latency services or the preset service identifier of low-latency services can also be determined by the low latency field in the TWT element as shown in Figure 7. The specific implementation method can refer to the specific description in the above condition 2). To avoid repetition, it will not be repeated here. When the TXOP obtained by the STA before the arrival of the restricted service time period is a data frame used to transmit low-latency services, then the exception condition 1) is met, and the STA does not end the TXOP before the arrival of the restricted service time period.

[0239] When the first service is an exceptional service, specifically:

[0240] The exception service may be the same service as the low-latency service, or may be a service different from the low-latency service. If the exception service is a service different from the low-latency service, the exception service may be a service whose access level is higher than or equal to the threshold access level of the exception service, or a service whose service identifier is the preset service identifier of the exception service. It can be understood that the exception service may be a service whose priority corresponding to the access level of the service is higher than or equal to the threshold access level of the exception service, or may be a service whose service identifier is the preset service identifier of the exception service. The threshold access level of the exception service or the preset service identifier of the exception service may be sent by the AP to the STA, for example, carried in a TWT element or an EHT operation element. The threshold access level of the exception service or the preset service identifier of the exception service may also be specified by the standard. Optionally, the service identifier may be a specific service identifier name or a specific value.

[0241] The threshold access level of the exception service or the preset service identifier of the exception service is sent by the AP to the STA, and the STA can receive the seventh frame sent by the AP carrying the TWT element or the EHT operation element. The seventh frame can be a beacon frame or a TWT response frame.

[0242] Please refer to Figure 9A, which is a schematic diagram of the frame structure of another TWT element provided in an embodiment of the present application. As shown in Figure 9A, the TWT element may include an element identification (element ID) field, a length (length) field, a control (control) field, and a TWT parameter information (TWT parameter information) field. Among them, the TWT parameter information (TWT parameter information) field may include a request type (request type) subfield, a target wake time (target wake time) subfield, a nominal minimum TWT wake duration (nominal minimum TWT wake duration) subfield, a TWT wake interval mantissa (TWT wake interval mantissa) subfield and a broadcast TWT information (broadcast TWT Info) subfield. Among them, the broadcast TWT information (broadcast TWT Info) subfield may include an exception access level (or exception service identifier) ​​(exception AC (or exception TID)) subfield.

[0243] Please refer to Figure 9B, which is a schematic diagram of the frame structure of another EHT operation element provided in an embodiment of the present application. As shown in Figure 9B, the EHT operation element may include an exception AC (or exception TID) field.

[0244] The threshold access level of the exception service or the preset service identifier of the exception service can be determined by the exception access level (or exception service identifier) ​​(exception AC (or exception TID)) field in the TWT element shown in Figure 9A or the EHT operation element shown in Figure 9B.

[0245] When the access level corresponding to the data frame transmitted by the TXOP obtained by the STA before the restricted service time period is higher than or equal to the threshold access level of the exception service indicated by the exception AC (or exception TID) field or the preset service identifier of the exception service, exception condition 1) is met, the STA does not end its TXOP before the restricted service time period.

[0246] For exception condition 2):

[0247] If the STA obtains a TXOP before the limited service time period arrives, and the transmission time of the transmission service within the TXOP is less than or equal to the first threshold, the STA does not end the TXOP before the limited service time period arrives.

[0248] The first threshold may be sent by the AP to the STA, for example, carried in a TWT element or an EHT operation element. The first threshold may also be specified by a standard. For example, the first threshold may be 1 ms (milliseconds), 100 us (microseconds), etc.

[0249] If the preset time period is sent by the AP to the STA, the STA may receive a fifth frame sent by the AP carrying a TWT element or an EHT operation element. The fifth frame may be a beacon frame or a TWT response frame. A field in the TWT element or the EHT operation element may indicate the first threshold.

[0250] For exception condition 3):

[0251] The restricted service time period can be used for low-latency service communication between the service AP and STAs, or for D2D service communication. D2D refers to service transmission between STAs and is also known as peer-to-peer communication. When the restricted service time period is used for D2D transmission, thus satisfying exception condition 3), the STA does not terminate the TXOP before the expiration of the restricted service time period.

[0252] When one or more of the exceptions in the second condition are met, the STA can perform any one or more of the following actions:

[0253] Behavior 1: STA may ignore the existence of the restricted service time period. This means that when the restricted service time period arrives, STA may not terminate the transmission of its current TXOP until the transmission of the TXOP is completed. Optionally, the transmission of the TXOP may end after the start time of the restricted service time period.

[0254] Behavior 2: When the restricted service period arrives, if the transmission time of the service transmitted within the TXOP exceeds the second threshold, the STA terminates the TXOP. Specifically, when the restricted service period arrives, the STA can only continue to transmit for a period of time, but not exceeding the second threshold. The second threshold can be a value specified by the standard or sent by the AP to the STA, for example, carried in a TWT element or an EHT action element.

[0255] Optionally, the second threshold may be equal to the first threshold, that is, the STA ends the TXOP only when the current service transmission of the TXOP is completed.

[0256] Behavior 3: When the restricted service time period arrives, the STA continues to transmit at most one PPDU within the TXOP.

[0257] Optionally, when the second condition is met, because a period of the restricted service time period is occupied by other nodes, the AP may send an eighth frame to the STA, and the eighth frame is used to indicate that the restricted service time period is extended. The eighth frame may be a type of EHT action frame. Please refer to Figure 10, which is a schematic diagram of another frame structure provided in an embodiment of the present application. As shown in Figure 10, the EHT action frame may include a frame control field, a duration field, a receiver address (RA) field, a sender address (TA) field, a basic service set identifier (BSS ID) field, a sequence control field, a high throughput control (HT control) field, a frame body field, and a frame check sequence (FCS) field. Among them, the frame body field includes a category subfield, an extremely high throughput action (EHT action) subfield, and an extra restricted SP duration subfield. The value of the extra restricted SP duration subfield can be used to indicate the extension of the restricted service period. For example, when the value of the extra restricted SP duration subfield is 10, it can be used to indicate that the restricted service period is extended by 10 ms.

[0258] The above content elaborates on the method provided by the present application. In order to facilitate better implementation of the above scheme of the embodiment of the present application, the embodiment of the present application also provides a corresponding device.

[0259] In the embodiment of the present application, the functional modules of the communication device can be divided according to the above method example. For example, each functional module can be divided according to each function, or two or more functions can be integrated into one processing module. The above integrated modules can be implemented in the form of hardware or in the form of software functional modules. It should be noted that the division of modules in the embodiment of the present application is schematic and is only a logical functional division. In actual implementation, there may be other division methods.

[0260] In the case of an integrated unit, please refer to Figure 11, which is a schematic diagram of the structure of a first communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application. The first communication device can be a STA or a module (e.g., a chip) in a STA. As shown in Figure 11, the first communication device 1100 includes at least: a processing unit 1101 and a transceiver unit 1102; wherein:

[0261] The processing unit 1101 is configured to determine that the restricted service time period ends if a first condition is met, where the first condition includes any one or more of the following:

[0262] receiving a first frame, the first frame being used to indicate an end of a restricted service time period;

[0263] The second frame is not received within a preset time period;

[0264] Receives frames for non-low-latency service communications within the cell, which is the BSS where the STA is located.

[0265] In one embodiment, the first frame is an EHT Action frame, and an EHT Action field in the EHT Action frame indicates ending the restricted service time period.

[0266] In one embodiment, the first communication device 1100 further includes:

[0267] The transceiver unit 1102 is used to receive a third frame carrying a TWT element before the STA determines that the restricted service time period ends when the first condition includes not receiving the second frame within a preset time period; the preset time period is determined by the nominal minimum TWT wake-up duration field and the wake-up time unit field in the TWT element.

[0268] In one embodiment, the transceiver unit 1102 may be further configured to: when the first condition includes receiving a frame for non-low-latency service communication within the cell, before the STA determines that the restricted service time period ends, receive a fourth frame, the fourth frame carrying a TWT element;

[0269] The TWT element carries the threshold access level of non-low-latency services or the preset service identifier of non-low-latency services. Non-low-latency services are services whose access level is lower than or equal to the threshold access level of non-low-latency services, or non-low-latency services are services whose service identifier is the preset service identifier of non-low-latency services.

[0270] In one embodiment, the threshold access level of the non-low-latency service or the preset service identifier of the non-low-latency service is determined by the broadcast TWT recommendation field in the TWT element.

[0271] In one embodiment, the processing unit 1101 may also be configured to: initiate a new channel access after determining that the restricted service time period has ended, or continue the channel access that was suspended before the restricted service time period.

[0272] For a more detailed description of the processing unit 1101 and the transceiver unit 1102 , reference may be made to the relevant description of the STA in the method embodiment shown in FIG3 , which will not be repeated here.

[0273] Please refer to Figure 12, which is a schematic diagram of the structure of a second communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application. The second communication device can be a STA or a module (e.g., a chip) within the STA. As shown in Figure 12, the second communication device 1200 includes at least: a processing unit 1201 and a transceiver unit 1202; wherein:

[0274] The processing unit 1201 is configured to obtain a TXOP before a restricted service time period arrives;

[0275] The processing unit 1201 is further configured to: if a second condition is met, not end the TXOP before the restricted service time period arrives, where the second condition includes any one or more of the following:

[0276] TXOP is used to transmit data frames of the first service;

[0277] The transmission time of the transmission service in the TXOP is less than or equal to the first threshold;

[0278] The restricted service time period is a time period used for D2D transmission.

[0279] In one embodiment, the second communication device 1200 further includes:

[0280] The transceiver unit 1202 is used to receive the fifth frame carrying the TWT element, which carries the first threshold, when the second condition includes that the transmission time of the transmission service within the TXOP is less than or equal to the first threshold and before the TXOP is ended before the restricted service time period arrives.

[0281] In one embodiment, the first service is a low-latency service; the transceiver unit 1202 may also be configured to:

[0282] When the second condition includes a TXOP used to transmit data frames for a first service, a sixth frame is received before the TXOP ends before the restricted service time period arrives, and the sixth frame carries a TWT element; the TWT element carries the threshold access level of the low-latency service or the preset service identifier of the low-latency service, and the low-latency service is a service whose access level is higher than or equal to the threshold access level of the low-latency service, or the low-latency service is a service whose service identifier is the preset service identifier of the low-latency service.

[0283] In one embodiment, the threshold access level of the low-latency service or the preset service identifier of the low-latency service is determined by the broadcast TWT recommendation field in the TWT element.

[0284] In one embodiment, the first service is an exceptional service; the transceiver unit 1202 is further configured to:

[0285] When the second condition includes TXOP being used to transmit data frames for the first service, the seventh frame is received before the TXOP ends before the restricted service time period arrives, and the seventh frame carries the TWT element; the TWT element carries the threshold access level of the exception service or the preset service identifier of the exception service, the exception service is a service whose access level is higher than or equal to the threshold access level of the exception service, or the exception service is a service whose service identifier is the preset service identifier of the exception service.

[0286] In one embodiment, the threshold access level of the exception service or the preset service identifier of the exception service is determined by the exception access level field in the TWT element.

[0287] In one embodiment, the processing unit 1201 may also be configured to:

[0288] When the restricted service time period arrives and the transmission time of the transmission service in the TXOP is greater than the second threshold, the TXOP is ended.

[0289] In one embodiment, the processing unit 1201 may also be configured to:

[0290] When the restricted service time period arrives, at most one PPDU continues to be transmitted within the TXOP.

[0291] In one embodiment, the transceiver unit 1202 may also be configured to:

[0292] An eighth frame is received, where the eighth frame is used to indicate that the restricted service time period is extended.

[0293] For a more detailed description of the processing unit 1201 and the transceiver unit 1202 , reference may be made to the relevant description of the STA in the method embodiment shown in FIG8 , which will not be repeated here.

[0294] The first communication device and the second communication device according to the embodiment of the present application are described above. The following describes possible product forms for the first communication device and the second communication device. It should be understood that any product having the features of the first communication device described in FIG11 and any product having the features of the second communication device described in FIG12 fall within the scope of protection of this application. It should also be understood that the following description is for illustrative purposes only and does not limit the product forms of the first communication device and the second communication device according to the embodiment of the present application to these.

[0295] As a possible product form, the first communication device and the second communication device described in the embodiment of the present application can be implemented by a general bus architecture.

[0296] A first communication device includes a processor. Optionally, it also includes a transceiver internally connected to and communicating with the processor. The processor is configured to determine that a restricted service time period has ended if a first condition is met, where the first condition includes any one or more of the following: receiving a first frame, where the first frame indicates the end of the restricted service time period; not receiving a second frame within a preset time period; or receiving a frame for non-low-latency service communication within a cell, where the cell is the BSS where the STA is located. Optionally, the first communication device may further include a memory, where the memory is configured to store instructions executed by the processor.

[0297] The second communication device includes a processor. Optionally, it also includes a transceiver internally connected to and communicating with the processor. The processor is configured to acquire a TXOP before the arrival of a restricted service time period. The processing unit is further configured not to terminate the TXOP before the arrival of the restricted service time period if a second condition is met, the second condition including any one or more of the following: the TXOP is used to transmit data frames of a first service; the transmission time of the service transmitted within the TXOP is less than or equal to a first threshold; the restricted service time period is a time period for D2D transmission. Optionally, the second communication device may further include a memory configured to store instructions executed by the processor.

[0298] As a possible product form, the first communication device and the second communication device described in the embodiment of the present application can be implemented by a chip.

[0299] The chip implementing the first communication device includes a processing circuit. Optionally, it also includes an output interface for internal communication with the processing circuit. The processing circuit is configured to determine the end of the restricted service time period if a first condition is met. The first condition includes any one or more of the following: receiving a first frame, the first frame indicating the end of the restricted service time period; not receiving a second frame within a preset time period; receiving a frame for non-low-latency service communication within the cell, where the cell is the BSS where the STA is located. Optionally, the chip may also include a storage medium for storing instructions executed by the processing circuit.

[0300] The chip implementing the second communication device includes a processing circuit. Optionally, it also includes an output interface connected to the internal communication of the processing circuit. The processing circuit is used to obtain a TXOP before the arrival of the restricted service time period; the processing unit is also used to not end the TXOP before the arrival of the restricted service time period if a second condition is met, the second condition including any one or more of the following: the TXOP is used to transmit data frames of the first service; the transmission time of the service transmitted within the TXOP is less than or equal to a first threshold; the restricted service time period is a time period for D2D transmission. Optionally, the second communication device may also include a memory, the memory being used to store instructions executed by the processor. Optionally, the chip may also include a storage medium, the storage medium being used to store instructions executed by the processing circuit.

[0301] As a possible product form, the first communication device and the second communication device described in the embodiments of the present application can also be implemented using the following: one or more FPGAs (field programmable gate arrays), PLDs (programmable logic devices), controllers, state machines, gate logic, discrete hardware components, any other suitable circuits, or any combination of circuits that can perform the various functions described throughout this application.

[0302] It should be understood that the first communication device and the second communication device in the various product forms mentioned above respectively have any functions of the first communication device and the second communication device in the above method embodiments, which will not be described in detail here.

[0303] An embodiment of the present application further provides a computer-readable storage medium, wherein the computer-readable storage medium stores instructions. When the instructions are executed on a computer, the computer executes the method in any of the aforementioned embodiments.

[0304] An embodiment of the present application further provides a computer program product, which, when executed on a computer, enables the computer to execute the method in any of the aforementioned embodiments.

[0305] An embodiment of the present application also provides a communication device, which can exist in the form of a chip product. The structure of the device includes a processor and an interface circuit. The processor is used to communicate with other devices through a receiving circuit, so that the device executes the method in any of the aforementioned embodiments.

[0306] The steps of the method or algorithm described in conjunction with the disclosure of this application can be implemented in hardware or by executing software instructions by a processor. The software instructions can be composed of corresponding software modules, which can be stored in random access memory (RAM), flash memory, erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), registers, hard disks, mobile hard disks, read-only compact disks (CD-ROMs), or any other form of storage medium known in the art. An exemplary storage medium is coupled to the processor so that the processor can read information from the storage medium and write information to the storage medium. Of course, the storage medium can also be an integral part of the processor. The processor and the storage medium can be located in an ASIC. In addition, the ASIC can be located in a core network interface device. Of course, the processor and the storage medium can also exist in the core network interface device as discrete components.

[0307] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that, in one or more of the examples above, the functions described herein can be implemented using hardware, software, firmware, or any combination thereof. When implemented using software, these functions can be stored in a computer-readable medium or transmitted as one or more instructions or codes on a computer-readable medium. Computer-readable media include computer-readable storage media and communication media, wherein communication media include any medium that facilitates the transmission of a computer program from one place to another. The storage medium can be any available medium that can be accessed by a general-purpose or special-purpose computer.

[0308] The specific implementation methods described above further illustrate the purpose, technical solutions and beneficial effects of this application. It should be understood that the above description is only the specific implementation methods of this application and is not intended to limit the scope of protection of this application. Any modifications, equivalent replacements, improvements, etc. made on the basis of the technical solutions of this application should be included in the scope of protection of this application.

Claims

1. A communication method, characterized in that, including: If a first condition is satisfied, the station STA determines that a restricted service time period ends. The first condition includes any one or more of the following: receiving a first frame, where the first frame is used to indicate the end of the restricted service time period; not receiving a second frame within a preset time period; receiving a frame of non-low-latency service communication within the cell, where the cell is the basic service set BSS where the STA is located.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first frame is an extremely high throughput EHT action frame, and the EHT action field in the EHT action frame indicates the end of the restricted service time period.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, When the first condition includes not receiving a second frame within a preset time period, before the STA determines that the restricted service time period ends, the method further includes: the STA receiving a third frame, where the third frame carries a target wake-up time TWT element; the preset time period is determined by the nominal minimum TWT wake-up duration field and the wake-up time unit field in the TWT element.

4. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, When the first condition includes receiving a frame of non-low-latency service communication within the cell, before the STA determines that the restricted service time period ends, the method further includes: the STA receiving a fourth frame, where the fourth frame carries a target wake-up time TWT element; the TWT element carries a threshold access class for non-low-latency services or a preset service identifier for non-low-latency services. The non-low-latency service is a service whose access class is lower than or equal to the threshold access class for non-low-latency services, or the non-low-latency service is a service whose service identifier is the preset service identifier for non-low-latency services.

5. The method according to claim 4, characterized in that, The threshold access class for non-low-latency services or the preset service identifier for non-low-latency services is determined by the broadcast TWT recommendation field in the TWT element.

6. The method according to any one of claims 1 - 5, characterized in that, The method further includes: after the STA determines that the restricted service time period ends, initiating a new channel access, or continuing the channel access that was paused before the restricted service time period.

7. A first communication device, characterized in that, The apparatus is applied to the station STA and includes: a processing unit configured to determine that a restricted service time period ends if a first condition is satisfied. The first condition includes any one or more of the following: receiving a first frame, where the first frame is used to indicate the end of the restricted service time period; not receiving a second frame within a preset time period; receiving a frame of non-low-latency service communication within the cell, where the cell is the basic service set BSS where the STA is located.

8. The device according to claim 7, characterized in that, The first frame is an extremely high throughput EHT action frame, and the EHT action field in the EHT action frame indicates the end of the restricted service time period.

9. The device according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that, The apparatus further includes: a transceiver unit configured to, when the first condition includes not receiving a second frame within a preset time period, receive a third frame, where the third frame carries a target wake-up time TWT element, before the STA determines that the restricted service time period ends; the preset time period is determined by the nominal minimum TWT wake-up duration field and the wake-up time unit field in the TWT element.

10. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The transceiver unit is further configured to: When the first condition includes receiving a frame of non-low-latency service communication within the cell, before the STA determines the end of the restricted service period, receive a fourth frame, where the fourth frame carries a Target Wake Time (TWT) element; The TWT element carries a threshold access class for non-low-latency services or a preset service identifier for non-low-latency services. The non-low-latency service is a service whose access class is lower than or equal to the threshold access class of the non-low-latency service, or the non-low-latency service is a service with a service identifier being the preset service identifier of the non-low-latency service.

11. The device according to claim 10, characterized in that, The threshold access class for non-low-latency services or the preset service identifier for non-low-latency services is determined by the broadcast TWT recommendation field in the TWT element.

12. The device according to claims 7 - 11, characterized in that, The processing unit is further configured to: After determining the end of the restricted service period, initiate a new channel access, or continue the channel access that was paused before the restricted service period.

13. A first communication device, characterized in that, Comprising a processor, the processor is configured to determine the end of the restricted service period if a first condition is met. The first condition includes any one or more of the following: Receiving a first frame that is used to indicate the end of the restricted service period; Not receiving a second frame within a preset period; Receiving a frame of non-low-latency service communication within the cell, where the cell is the Basic Service Set (BSS) where the STA is located.

14. A first communication device, characterized in that, Comprising a processing circuit, the processing circuit is configured to determine the end of the restricted service period if a first condition is met. The first condition includes any one or more of the following: Receiving a first frame that is used to indicate the end of the restricted service period; Not receiving a second frame within a preset period; Receiving a frame of non-low-latency service communication within the cell, where the cell is the Basic Service Set (BSS) where the STA is located.

15. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that, The computer-readable storage medium stores program instructions that, when run on a computer, cause the computer to execute the method according to any one of claims 1-6.

16. A computer program product comprising program instructions which, when run on a computer, cause the computer to execute the method according to any one of claims 1-6.

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