Communication methods and apparatuses, and devices and storage medium

Abstract

The embodiments of the present disclosure relate to the technical field of communications. Provided are communication methods and apparatuses, and devices and a storage medium. A method comprises: receiving a tunneled direct link setup (TDLS) request frame transmitted by a TDLS initiation device; and transmitting the TDLS request frame to a TDLS response device according to an operation state of the TDLS response device. Provided in the embodiments of the present disclosure can be a method for transmitting a TDLS request frame.

Description

Communication method, device, equipment and storage medium Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to the field of communication technologies, and in particular to a communication method, apparatus, device, and storage medium. Background Art

[0002] During the Tunneled Direct Link Setup (TDLS) link establishment process, the TDLS initiator sends a TDLS Setup Request frame to the access point (AP). The AP then sends the TDLS Setup Request frame to the TDLS responder. The AP receives the TDLS Setup Response frame from the TDLS responder and forwards it to the TDLS initiator. During this process, the TDLS initiator may not receive the TDLS Setup Response frame, causing the TDLS link establishment to fail.

[0003] Summary of the Invention

[0004] Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a communication method, apparatus, device, and storage medium, which can provide a method for sending a TDLS establishment request frame.

[0005] In a first aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a communication method, which is performed by an AP device and includes:

[0006] Receive a TDLS establishment request frame sent by a TDLS initiator;

[0007] The TDLS establishment request frame is sent to the TDLS responding device.

[0008] In a second aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a communication method, which is performed by a TDLS responding device, and includes:

[0009] Send a TDLS setup request frame to the access point (AP).

[0010] In a third aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a communication device, the device comprising:

[0011] The first transceiver module is configured to:

[0012] Receive a TDLS establishment request frame sent by a TDLS initiator;

[0013] The TDLS establishment request frame is sent to the TDLS responding device.

[0014] In a fourth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a communication device, the device comprising:

[0015] The second transceiver module is configured to send a TDLS establishment request frame to an access point AP device.

[0016] In a fifth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides an AP device, comprising one or more processors;

[0017] Among them, the above-mentioned AP device is used in the communication method provided in the first aspect of the embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0018] In a sixth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a TDLS initiating device, comprising one or more processors;

[0019] The TDLS initiating device is used in the communication method provided in the second aspect of the embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0020] In a seventh aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a storage medium storing instructions. When the instructions are executed on a communication device, the communication device executes the communication method provided in the first aspect or the second aspect of the embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0021] In an eighth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure proposes a communication system, an AP device of the communication system and a TDLS initiating device; wherein the AP device is configured to execute the method described in the first aspect, and the TDLS initiating device is configured to execute the method described in the second aspect.

[0022] The communication method, apparatus, device, and storage medium provided by the embodiments of the present disclosure can improve the TDLS link establishment mechanism.

[0023] Additional aspects and advantages of the embodiments of the present disclosure will be given in part in the following description, which will become apparent from the following description or be learned through practice of the present disclosure. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present disclosure, the following briefly introduces the drawings required for use in the description of the embodiments of the present disclosure. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present disclosure. For ordinary technicians in this field, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without any creative work.

[0025] FIG1 is a schematic diagram of the architecture of a communication system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0026] FIG2 is a schematic diagram of a TDLS establishment interaction according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0027] FIG3 is a second schematic diagram of TDLS establishment interaction shown in an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0028] FIG4 is one of the interactive schematic diagrams of the communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0029] FIG5 is a second interactive schematic diagram of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0030] FIG6 is a third interactive schematic diagram of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0031] FIG7 is a fourth interactive schematic diagram of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0032] FIG8 is a flow chart showing one of the communication methods performed by an AP device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0033] FIG9 is a second flow chart of a communication method performed by an AP device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0034] FIG10 is a third flow chart of a communication method performed by an AP device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0035] FIG11 is a fourth flow chart of a communication method performed by an AP device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0036] FIG12 is a flow chart showing one of the communication methods performed by a TDLS responding device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0037] FIG13 is a second flow chart of a communication method performed by a TDLS response device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0038] FIG14 is a third flow chart of a communication method performed by a TDLS responding device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0039] FIG15 is a third schematic diagram of TDLS establishment interaction according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0040] 16a-16b are schematic structural diagrams of a communication device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0041] FIG17a is a schematic structural diagram of an AP device proposed in an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0042] FIG17 b is a schematic structural diagram of a TDLS response device proposed in an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0043] FIG18 is a schematic structural diagram of a communication device proposed in an embodiment of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0044] The embodiments of the present disclosure provide a communication method, apparatus, device, and storage medium.

[0045] In a first aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a communication method, which is performed by an AP device and includes:

[0046] Receive a TDLS establishment request frame sent by a TDLS initiator;

[0047] The TDLS establishment request frame is sent to the TDLS responding device.

[0048] In the above embodiment, the AP device may forward the TDLS setup request frame sent by the TDLS initiating device to the TDLS responding device, thereby sending the TDLS setup request frame when the TDLS responding device and the TDLS initiating device cannot communicate directly.

[0049] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, sending the TDLS establishment request frame to the TDLS response device includes at least one of the following:

[0050] When the TDLS response device is not in the enhanced multi-link single radio (EMLSR) working state, directly sending the TDLS establishment request frame to the TDLS response device;

[0051] When the TDLS response device operates in the transceiver operation mode in the EMLSR working state, directly sending a TDLS establishment request frame to the above-mentioned TDLS response device;

[0052] In a case where the TDLS response device operates in the listening operation mode in the EMLSR working state, when all first station devices STA in the EMLSR working state operate in the listening operation mode within a first time interval, an initial control frame and the TDLS establishment request frame are sent to the above-mentioned TDLS response device before the end of the first time interval, where the above-mentioned initial control frame is used to trigger the above-mentioned TDLS response device to switch from the listening operation mode to the transmitting and receiving operation mode;

[0053] The first STA includes the TDLS responding device, and the first STA is attached to the same multi-link device. The first time interval is a time interval corresponding to the current EMLSR conversion delay of the TDLS responding device.

[0054] In the above embodiment, the AP device can determine the method of sending the TDLS establishment request frame to the TDLS response device according to the working status of the TDLS response device, that is, the AP device can adopt the method of sending the TDLS establishment request frame in response when the TDLS response device is not in the EMLSR working state, works in the transceiver operation mode in the EMLSR working state, or works in the listening operation mode in the EMLSR working state, which is conducive to the TDLS response device to receive the TDLS establishment request frame in a timely manner.

[0055] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, when the TDLS response device operates in a listening mode of operation, the method further includes:

[0056] When the end time of the first time interval is later than the end time of the second time interval, sending a first message frame to the TDLS initiating device before the end of the second time interval, the first message frame being used to instruct the TDLS responding device to delay sending a TDLS establishment response frame;

[0057] The second time interval is a time interval corresponding to a TDLS response timeout of the TDLS initiating device.

[0058] In the above embodiment, when the end time of the first time interval is later than the end time of the second time interval, the TDLS responding device may switch from the listening mode to the transceiver mode outside the second time interval, and receive the TDLS setup request frame and reply with a TDLS setup response frame in the transceiver mode. By sending the first message frame before the end of the second time interval, the AP device can notify the TDLS initiating device that the TDLS responding device will delay sending the TDLS setup response frame. This allows the TDLS initiating device to receive the TDLS setup response frame outside the second time interval, thus avoiding a TDLS link establishment failure caused by failure to receive the TDLS setup response frame within the second time interval.

[0059] In combination with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the initial control frame includes a multi-user request sending trigger frame or a buffer status report polling trigger frame.

[0060] In the above embodiment, the initial control frame may be an existing trigger frame, thereby saving signaling resources.

[0061] In combination with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the above-mentioned first message frame includes a status code field, and when the identification value of the above-mentioned status code field is a first value, it is used to instruct the above-mentioned TDLS response device to delay sending the above-mentioned TDLS establishment response frame.

[0062] In the above embodiment, the first message frame can directly instruct the TDLS responding device to delay sending the TDLS establishment response frame through the identification value of the status code field, which is beneficial to saving the decision-making time of the TDLS initiating device.

[0063] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the first message frame includes a TDLS multilink element field, and the TDLS multilink element field includes at least one of a multilink device media access control address subfield or an enhanced multilink capability subfield;

[0064] The multi-link device media access control address subfield is used to indicate the media access control address of the multi-link device to which the TDLS responding device is attached, and the enhanced multi-link capability subfield is used to indicate the EMLSR switching delay initially negotiated by the TDLS responding device.

[0065] In the above embodiment, the AP device can indicate the media access control address of the multi-link device to which the TDLS responding device is attached or the EMLSR conversion delay initially negotiated by the TDLS responding device through the TDLS multi-link element field of the first message frame, which is conducive to saving signaling resources.

[0066] In combination with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the TDLS multilink element field includes a general information field, and the general information field includes at least one of the multilink device media access control subfield or the enhanced multilink capability subfield.

[0067] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the first message frame further includes an enhanced multi-link control field, and the enhanced multi-link control field includes an EMLSR parameter update control subfield;

[0068] Among them, when the identification value of the above-mentioned EMLSR parameter update control subfield is the second value, it is used to indicate that the EMLSR conversion delay of the above-mentioned TDLS response device is updated; when the identification value of the above-mentioned EMLSR parameter update control subfield is the third value, it is used to indicate that the EMLSR conversion delay of the above-mentioned TDLS response device is not updated.

[0069] In the above embodiment, when the EMLSR conversion delay of the TDLS responding device is updated, the AP device may simultaneously indicate whether the EMLSR conversion delay is updated through the first message frame, so as to save signaling resources.

[0070] In combination with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the first message frame further includes an EMLSR parameter update field, and the EMLSR parameter update field is used to indicate the updated EMLSR conversion delay of the TDLS responding device.

[0071] In the above embodiment, when the EMLSR conversion delay is updated, the AP device can simultaneously indicate the updated EMLSR conversion delay through the first message frame, which is conducive to maintaining the timeliness of the EMLSR conversion delay.

[0072] In combination with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the first message frame is a temporary TDLS establishment response frame.

[0073] In the above embodiment, when the TDLS responding device may not be able to send a TDLS establishment response frame within the second time interval, the AP device can inform the TDLS initiating device through a temporary TDLS establishment response frame to avoid the situation where the TDLS initiating device terminates the TDLS link establishment process due to failure to receive a TDLS establishment response frame within the second time interval.

[0074] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the above method further includes:

[0075] receiving a TDLS setup response frame sent by the TDLS response device;

[0076] Send the TDLS setup response frame to the TDLS initiating device.

[0077] In the above embodiment, the AP device may forward the TDLS setup response frame sent by the TDLS responding device to the TDLS initiating device, thereby sending the TDLS setup response frame when the TDLS responding device and the TDLS initiating device cannot communicate directly.

[0078] In a second aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a communication method, which is performed by a TDLS initiating device and includes:

[0079] Send a TDLS setup request frame to the access point (AP).

[0080] In conjunction with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the above method further includes at least one of the following:

[0081] When neither the first message frame nor the TDLS setup response frame is received within the second time interval, terminating the TDLS link setup process;

[0082] When a TDLS setup response frame is received within the second time interval, responding to the TDLS setup response frame;

[0083] When the first message frame is received within the second time interval and the TDLS establishment response frame is not received within the first time interval, terminating the TDLS link establishment process;

[0084] When the first message frame is received within the second time interval and the TDLS setup response frame is received within the first time interval, responding to the TDLS setup response frame;

[0085] The first time interval is the time interval corresponding to the current EMLSR conversion delay of the TDLS responding device, and the second time interval is the time interval corresponding to the TDLS response timeout of the TDLS initiating device;

[0086] The first message frame is used to instruct the TDLS response device to delay sending a TDLS setup response frame.

[0087] In the above embodiment, when the TDLS initiating device does not receive the first message frame and the TDLS setup response frame within the second time interval, it indicates that the TDLS response device did not respond to the TDLS setup request frame in a timely manner, or did not receive the TDLS setup request frame, or refused to respond to the TDLS setup request frame. Therefore, the TDLS initiating device can directly terminate the TDLS link establishment process in this case. When the TDLS initiating device receives the TDLS setup response frame within the second time interval, the TDLS initiating device can respond to the TDLS setup response frame. When the TDLS initiating device receives the first message frame within the second time interval, it indicates that the TDLS response device will delay sending the TDLS setup response frame, thereby responding to it when the TDLS setup response frame is received within the first time interval, and terminating the TDLS link establishment process when the TDLS setup response frame is not received within the first time interval.

[0088] Based on this approach, the subsequent processing method for the TDLS link establishment process can be determined according to the reception status of the first message frame and the TDLS establishment response frame, which is conducive to improving the TDLS link establishment mechanism.

[0089] In combination with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the above-mentioned first message frame includes a status code field, and when the identification value of the above-mentioned status code field is a first value, it is used to instruct the above-mentioned TDLS response device to delay sending the above-mentioned TDLS establishment response frame.

[0090] In conjunction with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the first message frame includes a TDLS multilink element field, and the TDLS multilink element field includes at least one of a multilink device media access control address subfield or an enhanced multilink capability subfield;

[0091] The multi-link device media access control address subfield is used to indicate the media access control address of the multi-link device to which the TDLS responding device is attached, and the enhanced multi-link capability subfield is used to indicate the EMLSR switching delay initially negotiated by the TDLS responding device.

[0092] In combination with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the above-mentioned TDLS multilink element field includes a general information field, and the above-mentioned general information field includes at least one of the above-mentioned multilink device media access control subfield or the above-mentioned enhanced multilink capability subfield.

[0093] In conjunction with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the first message frame further includes an enhanced multi-link control field;

[0094] Among them, when the identification value of the above-mentioned enhanced multi-link control domain is the second value, it is used to indicate that the EMLSR conversion delay of the above-mentioned TDLS response device is updated; when the identification value of the above-mentioned enhanced multi-link control domain is the third value, it is used to indicate that the EMLSR conversion delay of the above-mentioned TDLS response device is not updated.

[0095] In combination with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the first message frame further includes an EMLSR parameter update field, and the EMLSR parameter update field is used to indicate the updated EMLSR conversion delay of the TDLS responding device.

[0096] In combination with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the first message frame is a temporary TDLS establishment response frame.

[0097] In a third aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure proposes a communication device, wherein the above-mentioned AP device includes a first transceiver module; wherein the above-mentioned first transceiver module is used to execute the first aspect and the optional implementation method of the first aspect.

[0098] In a fourth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure proposes a communication device, wherein the TDLS initiating device includes a first transceiver module; wherein the second transceiver module is used to execute the second aspect and the optional implementation of the second aspect.

[0099] In a fifth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure proposes an AP device, which includes: one or more processors; wherein the AP device is used to execute the first aspect and the optional implementation method of the first aspect.

[0100] In a sixth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure proposes a TDLS initiating device, which includes: one or more processors; wherein the TDLS initiating device is used to execute the second aspect and the optional implementation of the second aspect.

[0101] In the seventh aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure proposes a communication system, an AP device of the communication system and a TDLS initiating device; wherein the AP device is configured to execute the method described in the first aspect and the optional implementation of the first aspect, and the TDLS initiating device is configured to execute the method described in the second aspect and the optional implementation of the second aspect.

[0102] In an eighth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure proposes a storage medium, wherein the storage medium stores instructions. When the instructions are executed on a communication device, the communication device executes the method described in the first and second aspects, and the optional implementation methods of the first and second aspects.

[0103] In a ninth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure proposes a program product. When the program product is executed by a communication device, the communication device executes the method described in the first and second aspects, and the optional implementation methods of the first and second aspects.

[0104] In a tenth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure proposes a computer program, which, when executed on a computer, enables the computer to execute the methods described in the first and second aspects, and the optional implementations of the first and second aspects.

[0105] In an eleventh aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a chip or a chip system, wherein the chip or chip system includes a processing circuit configured to execute the method described in accordance with the first and second aspects, and the optional implementations of the first and second aspects.

[0106] It is understandable that the above-mentioned communication devices, AP devices, TDLS initiating devices, communication systems, storage media, program products, computer programs, chips, or chip systems are all used to perform the methods proposed in the embodiments of the present disclosure. Therefore, the beneficial effects that can be achieved can refer to the beneficial effects of the corresponding methods and will not be repeated here.

[0107] The present disclosure provides a communication method, apparatus, device, and storage medium. In some embodiments, the terms "communication method" and "information processing method" and "communication method" are interchangeable, the terms "communication apparatus" and "information processing apparatus" are interchangeable, and the terms "information processing system" and "communication system" are interchangeable.

[0108] The embodiments of the present disclosure are not exhaustive and are merely illustrative of some embodiments, and are not intended to be a specific limitation on the scope of protection of the present disclosure. In the absence of contradiction, each step in a certain embodiment can be implemented as an independent embodiment, and the steps can be arbitrarily combined. For example, a solution after removing some steps in a certain embodiment can also be implemented as an independent embodiment, and the order of the steps in a certain embodiment can be arbitrarily exchanged. In addition, the optional implementation methods in a certain embodiment can be arbitrarily combined; in addition, the embodiments can be arbitrarily combined. For example, some or all steps of different embodiments can be arbitrarily combined, and a certain embodiment can be arbitrarily combined with the optional implementation methods of other embodiments.

[0109] In each embodiment of the present disclosure, unless otherwise specified or provided for by logic, the terms and / or descriptions between the embodiments are consistent and can be referenced by each other. The technical features in different embodiments can be combined to form a new embodiment based on their inherent logical relationships.

[0110] The terms used in the embodiments of the present disclosure are only for the purpose of describing specific embodiments and are not intended to limit the present disclosure.

[0111] In the embodiments of the present disclosure, unless otherwise specified, elements expressed in the singular, such as "a", "an", "the", "above", "said", "the", "the", etc., may mean "one and only one", or "one or more", "at least one", etc. For example, when using articles such as "a", "an", "the" in English in translation, the noun following the article may be understood as a singular expression or a plural expression.

[0112] In the embodiments of the present disclosure, “plurality” refers to two or more.

[0113] In some embodiments, the terms "at least one," "one or more," "a plurality of," "multiple," etc. may be used interchangeably.

[0114] In some embodiments, descriptions such as "at least one of A and B," "A and / or B," "A in one case, B in another case," or "in response to one case A, in response to another case B" may include the following technical solutions depending on the situation: in some embodiments, A (A is executed independently of B); in some embodiments, B (B is executed independently of A); in some embodiments, execution is selected from A and B (A and B are selectively executed); and in some embodiments, A and B (both A and B are executed). The above is also applicable when there are more branches such as A, B, and C.

[0115] In some embodiments, "A or B" and other descriptions may include the following technical solutions depending on the situation: in some embodiments, A (A is executed independently of B); in some embodiments, B (B is executed independently of A); in some embodiments, execution is selected from A and B (A and B are selectively executed). The above is also applicable when there are more branches such as A, B, C, etc.

[0116] The prefixes such as "first" and "second" in the embodiments of the present disclosure are only used to distinguish different description objects and do not constitute any restriction on the position, order, priority, quantity or content of the description objects. For the statement of the description object, please refer to the description in the context of the claims or embodiments, and no unnecessary restriction should be constituted due to the use of prefixes. For example, if the description object is a "field", the ordinal number before the "field" in the "first field" and the "second field" does not limit the position or order between the "fields". "First" and "second" do not limit whether the "fields" they modify are in the same message, nor do they limit the order of the "first field" and the "second field". For another example, if the description object is a "level", the ordinal number before the "level" in the "first level" and the "second level" does not limit the priority between the "levels". For another example, the number of description objects is not limited by the ordinal number and can be one or more. Taking "first device" as an example, the number of "devices" can be one or more. In addition, the objects modified by different prefixes can be the same or different. For example, if the description object is "device", then the "first device" and the "second device" can be the same device or different devices, and their types can be the same or different; for another example, if the description object is "information", then the "first information" and the "second information" can be the same information or different information, and their contents can be the same or different.

[0117] In some embodiments, “including A,” “comprising A,” “used to indicate A,” and “carrying A” can be interpreted as directly carrying A or indirectly indicating A.

[0118] In some embodiments, terms such as "in response to...", "in response to determining...", "in the case of...", "at the time of...", "when...", "if...", "if...", etc. can be used interchangeably.

[0119] In some embodiments, terms such as "greater than", "greater than or equal to", "not less than", "more than", "more than or equal to", "not less than", "higher than", "higher than or equal to", "not less than", and "above" can be replaced with each other, and terms such as "less than", "less than or equal to", "not greater than", "less than", "less than or equal to", "not more than", "lower than", "lower than or equal to", "not higher than", and "below" can be replaced with each other.

[0120] In some embodiments, obtaining data, information, etc. may comply with the laws and regulations of the country where the data is obtained.

[0121] In some embodiments, data, information, etc. may be obtained with the user's consent.

[0122] In addition, each element, each row, or each column in the table of the embodiment of the present disclosure can be implemented as an independent embodiment, and the combination of any elements, any rows, and any columns can also be implemented as an independent embodiment.

[0123] FIG1 is a schematic diagram showing the architecture of a communication system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0124] As shown in FIG1 , a communication system 100 includes an AP device and a TDLS initiating device.

[0125] In some embodiments, the TDLS initiating device may be a multi-link device (MLD), such as a subordinate STA device of a station device supporting multi-link (Non-AP Multi-Link Device, Non-AP MLD).

[0126] Among them, MLD includes one or more affiliated sites, and the affiliated sites can work on a link. Among them, the affiliated sites can be AP devices or STA devices. For the convenience of description, this disclosure refers to a multi-link device whose affiliated site is an AP device as an access point device supporting multi-link (AP Multi-Link Device, AP MLD), and a multi-link device whose affiliated site is a STA device can be called a site device supporting multiple connections (Non-AP MLD). A tunneled direct link setup (TDLS) link can be established between MLDs, and P2P communication between STAs does not need to be realized through an AP device, avoiding delays caused by network congestion.

[0127] STA devices can be wireless communication chips, wireless sensors, or wireless communication terminals. Examples include mobile phones that support Wireless Fidelity (WiFi), tablets that support WiFi, set-top boxes that support WiFi, smart TVs that support WiFi, smart wearable devices that support WiFi, in-vehicle communication devices that support WiFi, and computers that support WiFi.

[0128] AP devices are also referred to as wireless access points or hotspots. AP devices are access points for mobile users to access wired networks. They are primarily deployed in homes, buildings, and campuses, with a typical coverage radius of tens to hundreds of meters. They can also be deployed outdoors. AP devices act as a bridge between wired and wireless networks, connecting wireless network clients and then connecting the wireless network to the Ethernet. Specifically, an AP device can be a terminal device or network device equipped with a WiFi chip, or a communication device such as a base station, router, gateway, repeater, communication server, switch, or bridge equipped with a WiFi chip. The base station can include various forms of macro base stations, micro base stations, and relay stations.

[0129] In some embodiments, the AP device may be an independent AP device that is not affiliated with any MLD, or may be an affiliated AP device of an AP MLD.

[0130] Alternatively, the AP MLD can also be regarded as an AP device.

[0131] In some embodiments, the communication system shown in Figure 1 can be applied to a wireless local area network (WLAN). Currently, WLANs adopt the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11 series of standards. A WLAN may include multiple basic service sets (BSSs), each of which may include an access point (AP) and multiple STAs associated with the AP.

[0132] It can be understood that the communication system described in the embodiment of the present disclosure is for the purpose of more clearly illustrating the technical solution of the embodiment of the present disclosure, and does not constitute a limitation on the technical solution proposed in the embodiment of the present disclosure. Ordinary technicians in this field can know that with the evolution of the system architecture and the emergence of new business scenarios, the technical solution proposed in the embodiment of the present disclosure is also applicable to similar technical problems.

[0133] The following embodiments of the present disclosure may be applied to the communication system 100 shown in FIG1 , or a portion thereof, but are not limited thereto. The entities shown in FIG1 are illustrative only. The communication system may include all or part of the entities shown in FIG1 , or may include other entities outside of FIG1 . The number and form of the entities are arbitrary, and the entities may be physical or virtual. The connection relationships between the entities are illustrative only. The entities may be connected or disconnected, and the connection may be in any manner, including direct or indirect, wired or wireless.

[0134] In the disclosed embodiments, WLAN can improve throughput through Multi-Link (MLL) communication. Leveraging MLO technology, multiple links can be established across frequency bands between non-AP MLDs and AP MLDs, significantly improving throughput. Tunneled Direct Link Setup (TDLS) links can be established between MLDs, enabling peer-to-peer (P2P) communication between STA devices without requiring an AP, thus avoiding delays caused by network congestion.

[0135] When a non-AP MLD is in the Enhanced Multi-Link Single Radio (EMLSR) state, it only monitors the channel and receives initial control frames sent by the AP MLD in the form of Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing Protocol Data Unit (PPDU) and non-High Throughput Repeated PPDU types, such as multi-user request transmission trigger frames or buffer status report polling trigger frames. After a STA device affiliated with the non-AP MLD and its associated AP MLD request to enter the EMLSR state, the STA device affiliated with the non-AP MLD enters the active state (Active mode) or awake state (Awake mode) and enters the monitoring operation mode to receive initial control frames sent by the AP MLD.

[0136] As shown in Figure 2, after a TDLS-capable non-AP MLD discovers a TDLS device within its BSS (e.g., the BSS corresponding to BSSID1), the TDLS devices (non-AP MLD) negotiate to establish a TDLS link using a TDLS Setup Request frame, a TDLS Setup Response frame, and a TDLS Setup Confirm frame. During the setup process, all three frames must be forwarded by the AP. If the TDLS initiator does not receive a TDLS Setup Response frame from the TDLS responder within the time interval specified by dot11TDLSResponseTimeout (EMLSR response timeout), or if the status code field in the received TDLS Setup Response frame does not equal SUCCESS, the TDLS initiator terminates the TDLS link establishment process and discards the TDLS Setup Response frame. Otherwise, the TDLS initiator sends a TDLS Setup Confirm frame to the TDLS responder to acknowledge receipt of the TDLS Setup Response frame.

[0137] For any STA device attached to a Non-AP MLD in the EMLSR state, upon receiving an initial control frame, the STA device switches from listening mode to transceiver mode, enabling it to send and receive data on the corresponding link. While the STA device is operating in transceiver mode, other STA devices attached to the same Non-AP MLD and operating on the EMLSR link cannot send or receive data, and the AP device on the corresponding link cannot send data to the associated STA device.

[0138] As shown in Figure 3, when the TDLS initiator shown in Figure 3 identifies the TDLS response device identified by the BSSID (such as BSSID1) in the link identifier (Link Identifier) ​​field in the TDLS establishment request frame and operates in the listening operation mode of the EMLSR working state, the AP device associated with the TDLS response device cannot forward the TDLS establishment response frame to the TDLS response device. The TDLS response device can switch between the listening operation mode and the transceiver operation mode in the time interval corresponding to the current TDLS conversion delay. If the TDLS initiator does not receive the TDLS establishment response frame within the time interval corresponding to the TDLS response timeout dot11TDLSResponseTimeout of the TDLS initiator, the TDLS initiator will terminate the TDLS establishment process. In this process, the TDLS response device is likely to fail to receive the TDLS establishment request frame, and thus cannot return the TDLS establishment response frame to the TDLS initiator in a timely manner. In this regard, in order to improve the above-mentioned TDLS link establishment mechanism, the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present disclosure will be further described clearly and completely in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only part of the embodiments of the present disclosure, not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present disclosure, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative work shall fall within the scope of protection of the present disclosure.

[0139] FIG4 is one of the interactive schematic diagrams of the communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG4 , the embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a communication method, and the method includes:

[0140] Step S41: The AP device receives a TDLS establishment request frame sent by the TDLS initiating device.

[0141] In some embodiments, the TDLS establishment request frame is used to request establishment of a TDLS link with a TDLS responding device.

[0142] In some embodiments, the TDLS setup request frame includes identification information, where the identification information is used to directly or indirectly indicate a TDLS responding device that receives the TDLS setup request frame.

[0143] Among them, the above-mentioned identification information can be at least one of the device identification of the TDLS response device, the medium access control (MAC) address of the TDLS response device, the link identification of the link corresponding to the TDLS response device and the AP device, and the ID of the basic service set in which the TDLS response device is located. It can also be other information that can uniquely identify the TDLS response device, and there is no limitation here.

[0144] Optionally, the TDLS establishment request frame includes a link identifier (Link Identifier field) field, and the link identifier field is used to indicate a BSSID of a BSS where the TDLS responding device is located. The BSSID can be used to indicate the TDLS responding device.

[0145] Step S42: When the TDLS responder is not in the EMLSR working state, the AP device directly sends a TDLS establishment request frame.

[0146] In some embodiments, after receiving the TDLS setup request frame sent by the TDLS initiating device, the AP device may determine whether the TDLS responding device is in the EMLSR working state. If the TDLS responding device is not in the EMLSR working state, the AP device may directly send the TDLS setup request to the TDLS responding device.

[0147] In some embodiments, before entering the EMLSR working state, the TDLS response device requests the AP device to enter the EMLSR state through an enhanced multi-link mode notification frame (EML mode notification frame), and the corresponding link can be referred to as an EMLSR link. For the AP device, if the AP device has previously performed EMLSR link state negotiation with the TDLS response device, or has previously received an enhanced multi-link mode notification frame sent by the TDLS response device, it is determined that the TDLS response device is in the EMLSR working state. If the AP device has not previously performed EMLSR link state negotiation with the TDLS response device, or has not previously received an enhanced multi-link mode notification frame sent by the TDLS response device, it is determined that the TDLS response device is not in the EMLSR working state.

[0148] Step S43: The AP device receives the TDLS setup response frame sent by the TDLS responding device.

[0149] In some embodiments, the TDLS setup response frame is used to respond to the TDLS setup request frame, specifically to indicate whether the TDLS responding device agrees to establish a TDLS link with the TDLS initiating device.

[0150] After receiving the TDLS Setup Request frame, the TDLS Responder can determine whether to respond to the TDLS Setup Request frame. If it refuses to respond to the TDLS Setup Request frame, the TDLS Responder discards the TDLS Setup Request frame. If it responds to the TDLS Setup Request frame, the TDLS Responder can determine whether to respond to the TDLS Setup Request frame and send a TDLS Setup Response frame, indicating whether it agrees to or refuses to establish a TDLS link with the TDLS Initiator through the TDLS Setup Request frame.

[0151] When the TDLS responding device is not in the EMLSR working state, the TDLS responding device may not be restricted in sending and receiving data, so the AP device may receive a TDLS establishment response frame sent directly from the TDLS responding device to the AP device.

[0152] Optionally, the TDLS establishment request frame includes a status code field. When the field value of the status code field is a first preset field value (e.g., SUCCESS), it is used to indicate that the TDLS responding device agrees to establish a TDLS link with the TDLS initiating device. When the field value of the status code field is a second preset field value, it is used to indicate that the TDLS responding device refuses to establish a TDLS link with the TDLS initiating device.

[0153] Step S44: The AP device sends a TDLS setup response frame to the TDLS initiating device.

[0154] In some embodiments, after receiving the TDLS setup response frame sent by the TDLS responding device, the AP device may forward the TDLS setup response frame to the TDLS initiating device.

[0155] That is, the TDLS setup response frame sent by the TDLS responding device needs to be forwarded to the TDLS initiating device through the AP device.

[0156] Step S45: When the TDLS initiating device does not receive a TDLS setup response frame within the second time interval, the TDLS initiating device terminates the TDLS link establishment process; when the TDLS initiating device receives a TDLS setup response frame within the second time interval, the TDLS initiating device responds to the TDLS setup response frame.

[0157] In some embodiments, the second time interval is a time interval corresponding to a TDLS response timeout (dot11TDLSResponseTimeout) of the TDLS initiating device.

[0158] In some embodiments, after sending the TDLS setup request frame, the TDLS initiating device may receive a TDLS setup response frame within a second time interval.

[0159] In some embodiments, when the TDLS initiating device does not receive a TDLS setup response frame within the second time interval, the TDLS initiating device terminates the TDLS link establishment process.

[0160] In some embodiments, when the TDLS initiating device receives the TDLS setup response frame within the second time interval, the TDLS initiating device responds to the TDLS setup response frame.

[0161] Optionally, when the TDLS initiating device responds to the TDLS establishment response frame, if the TDLS establishment response frame indicates through the status code field that the TDLS responding device agrees to establish a TDLS link with the TDLS initiating device, the TDLS initiating device may send a TDLS establishment confirmation frame to the TDLS responding device to indicate confirmation of establishing a TDLS link with the TDLS responding device.

[0162] Optionally, when the TDLS initiating device responds to the TDLS setup response frame, if the TDLS setup response frame indicates through the status code field that the TDLS responding device refuses to establish a TDLS link with the TDLS initiating device, the TDLS initiating device terminates the TDLS link establishment process and discards the TDLS setup response frame.

[0163] FIG5 is a second interactive diagram of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG5 , the embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a communication method, and the method includes:

[0164] Step S51: The AP device receives a TDLS establishment request frame sent by the TDLS initiating device.

[0165] In some embodiments, the implementation of step S51 may be the same as that of step S41 in FIG. 4 , and will not be further described here.

[0166] Step S52: When the TDLS responding device operates in the transceiver operation mode under the EMLSR working state, the AP device directly sends a TDLS establishment request frame to the TDLS responding device.

[0167] In some embodiments, after receiving the TDLS setup request frame sent by the TDLS initiating device, the AP device may determine whether the TDLS responding device is in the EMLSR operating state. When the TDLS responding device is in the EMLSR operating state, it may further be determined whether the TDLS responding device is operating in a transceiver operating mode or a listening operating mode.

[0168] When the TDLS response device operates in the transceiver mode, it has the ability to receive and send data. When the TDLS response device operates in the monitoring mode, it does not have the ability to receive and send data. When the TDLS response device monitors the initial control frame sent by the AP device while operating in the monitoring mode, it can switch to the transceiver mode to operate.

[0169] In some embodiments, before entering the EMLSR working state, the TDLS response device requests the AP device to enter the EMLSR state through an enhanced multi-link mode notification frame (EML mode notification frame), and the corresponding link can be referred to as an EMLSR link. For the AP device, if the AP device has previously performed EMLSR link state negotiation with the TDLS response device, or has previously received an enhanced multi-link mode notification frame sent by the TDLS response device, it is determined that the TDLS response device is in the EMLSR working state. If the AP device has not previously performed EMLSR link state negotiation with the TDLS response device, or has not previously received an enhanced multi-link mode notification frame sent by the TDLS response device, it is determined that the TDLS response device is not in the EMLSR working state.

[0170] Furthermore, if the AP device determines that the TDLS response device is in the EMLSR operating state, it can determine whether an initial control frame has been sent to the TDLS response device. If the AP device has not sent an initial control frame to the TDLS response device, the AP device can determine that the TDLS response device is operating in the monitoring mode of the EMLSR operating state. If the AP device has sent an initial control frame to the TDLS response device and the frame exchange process with the TDLS response device has not yet completed, the AP device can determine that the TDLS response device is operating in the transceiver mode of the EMLSR operating state.

[0171] In some embodiments, when the AP device determines that the TDLS responding device operates in the transceiver operation mode in the EMLSR working state, the AP device may directly send a TDLS establishment request frame to the TDLS responding device.

[0172] Step S53: The AP device receives the TDLS setup response frame sent by the TDLS responding device.

[0173] In some embodiments, the TDLS setup response frame is used to respond to the TDLS setup request frame, specifically to indicate whether the TDLS responding device agrees to establish a TDLS link with the TDLS initiating device.

[0174] After receiving the TDLS Setup Request frame, the TDLS Responder can determine whether to respond to the TDLS Setup Request frame. If it refuses to respond to the TDLS Setup Request frame, the TDLS Responder discards the TDLS Setup Request frame. If it responds to the TDLS Setup Request frame, the TDLS Responder can determine whether to respond to the TDLS Setup Request frame and send a TDLS Setup Response frame, indicating whether it agrees to or refuses to establish a TDLS link with the TDLS Initiator through the TDLS Setup Request frame.

[0175] When the TDLS responding device operates in the transceiver operation mode under the EMLSR working state, the TDLS responding device has the ability to transmit and receive data, so the AP device can receive the TDLS establishment response frame sent directly by the TDLS responding device to the AP device.

[0176] Optionally, the TDLS establishment request frame includes a status code field. When the field value of the status code field is a first preset field value (e.g., SUCCESS), it is used to indicate that the TDLS responding device agrees to establish a TDLS link with the TDLS initiating device. When the field value of the status code field is a second preset field value, it is used to indicate that the TDLS responding device refuses to establish a TDLS link with the TDLS initiating device.

[0177] Step S54: The AP device sends a TDLS setup response frame to the TDLS initiating device.

[0178] Step S55 , when the TDLS initiating device does not receive a TDLS setup response frame within the second time interval, the TDLS initiating device terminates the TDLS link establishment process; when the TDLS initiating device receives a TDLS setup response frame within the second time interval, the TDLS initiating device responds to the TDLS setup response frame.

[0179] In some embodiments, the implementation of steps S54-S55 can refer to the implementation shown in steps S44-S45 in Figure 4, and will not be repeated here.

[0180] FIG6 is a third interactive diagram of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG6 , the embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a communication method, and the method includes:

[0181] Step S61: The AP device receives a TDLS establishment request frame sent by the TDLS initiating device.

[0182] In some embodiments, the implementation of step S61 may be the same as that of step S41 in FIG. 4 , and details thereof will not be repeated here.

[0183] Step S62, when the TDLS response device operates in the listening operation mode in the EMLSR working state and the end time of the second time interval is later than the end time of the first time interval, when all STAs in the EMLSR working state operate in the listening operation mode within the first time interval, the AP device sends an initial control frame and a TDLS establishment request frame to the TDLS response device before the end of the first time interval.

[0184] In some embodiments, after receiving the TDLS setup request frame sent by the TDLS initiating device, the AP device may determine whether the TDLS responding device is in the EMLSR operating state. When the TDLS responding device is in the EMLSR operating state, it may further be determined whether the TDLS responding device is operating in a transceiver operating mode or a listening operating mode.

[0185] When the TDLS response device operates in the transceiver mode, it has the ability to receive and send data. When the TDLS response device operates in the monitoring mode, it does not have the ability to receive and send data. When the TDLS response device monitors the initial control frame sent by the AP device while operating in the monitoring mode, it can switch to the transceiver mode to operate.

[0186] In some embodiments, before entering the EMLSR working state, the TDLS response device requests the AP device to enter the EMLSR state through an enhanced multi-link mode notification frame (EML mode notification frame), and the corresponding link can be referred to as an EMLSR link. For the AP device, if the AP device has previously performed EMLSR link state negotiation with the TDLS response device, or has previously received an enhanced multi-link mode notification frame sent by the TDLS response device, it is determined that the TDLS response device is in the EMLSR working state. If the AP device has not previously performed EMLSR link state negotiation with the TDLS response device, or has not previously received an enhanced multi-link mode notification frame sent by the TDLS response device, it is determined that the TDLS response device is not in the EMLSR working state.

[0187] Furthermore, if the AP device determines that the TDLS response device is in the EMLSR operating state, it can determine whether an initial control frame has been sent to the TDLS response device. If the AP device has not sent an initial control frame to the TDLS response device, the AP device can determine that the TDLS response device is operating in the monitoring mode of the EMLSR operating state. If the AP device has sent an initial control frame to the TDLS response device and the frame exchange process with the TDLS response device has not yet completed, the AP device can determine that the TDLS response device is operating in the transceiver mode of the EMLSR operating state.

[0188] In some embodiments, the AP device, when determining that the TDLS responding device is operating in the listening mode of operation in the EMLSR operating state, further determines whether the end time of the second time interval is later than the end time of the first time interval. If the end time of the second time interval is later than the end time of the first time interval, the AP device may send an initial control frame and a TDLS establishment request frame to the TDLS responding device before the end of the first time interval when all STAs in the EMLSR operating state (hereinafter referred to as first STAs for convenience of description) operate in the listening mode of operation within the first time.

[0189] In some embodiments, the AP device sends an initial control frame to the TDLS response device before the end of the first time interval, and then sends a TDLS setup request frame to the TDLS response device after the TDLS response device switches to the transceiver operation mode.

[0190] In some embodiments, the second time interval is a time interval corresponding to a TDLS response timeout (dot11TDLSResponseTimeout) of the TDLS initiating device.

[0191] In some embodiments, the first time interval is a time interval corresponding to a current EMLSR transition delay (Transition Delay) of the TDLS responding device.

[0192] In some embodiments, the initial control frame is used to trigger the TDLS responding device to switch from a listening mode of operation to a transceiver mode of operation.

[0193] In some embodiments, when the AP device determines that the TDLS responding device is operating in the listening mode of operation in the EMLSR operating state, it further determines whether the end time corresponding to the TDLS response timeout is later than the end time corresponding to the current EMLSR transition delay of the TDLS responding device. If the end time corresponding to the TDLS response timeout of the TDLS initiating device is later than the end time corresponding to the current EMLSR transition delay of the TDLS responding device, when any first STA in the EMLSR operating state in the MLD to which the TDLS responding device belongs is operating in the transceiver mode of operation, the other first STAs are in the listening mode of operation and are unable to send and receive data. Therefore, when all first STAs in the EMLSR operating state of the MLD to which the TDLS responding device belongs are operating in the listening mode of operation within the current EMLSR transition delay, the AP device may send an initial control frame to the TDLS responding device before the end of the current EMLSR transition delay to cause the TDLS responding device to switch from the listening mode of operation to the transceiver mode of operation, and after sending the initial control frame and within the current EMLSR transition delay, send a TDLS establishment request frame to the TDLS responding device.

[0194] In some embodiments, the first STAs include TDLS responding devices, and all first STAs belong to the same MLD.

[0195] In some embodiments, the AP device may determine a TDLS response timeout (dot11TDLSResponseTimeout) of the TDLS initiating device through a second message frame sent by the TDLS initiating device.

[0196] The second message frame may be any message frame sent by the TDLS initiating device to the AP device before sending the TDLS establishment request frame, and the second message frame carries the TDLS response timeout (dot11TDLSResponseTimeout) of the TDLS initiating device.

[0197] In some embodiments, the AP device may be determined through a message frame sent by the TDLS responding device during the EMLSR link state negotiation process. Optionally, the message frame may be an enhanced multi-link mode notification frame.

[0198] Among them, if the EMLSR conversion delay is updated after the TDLS response device establishes an EMLSR link with the AP device, the AP device can receive the message frame sent by the TDLS response device after the EMLSR conversion delay is updated. The message frame can indicate the updated EMLSR conversion delay through the EMLSR parameters update (emlsr parameters update) field.

[0199] Step S63: The AP device receives the TDLS setup response frame sent by the TDLS responding device.

[0200] In some embodiments, the TDLS setup response frame is used to respond to the TDLS setup request frame, specifically to indicate whether the TDLS responding device agrees to establish a TDLS link with the TDLS initiating device.

[0201] After receiving the TDLS Setup Request frame, the TDLS Responder can determine whether to respond to the TDLS Setup Request frame. If it refuses to respond to the TDLS Setup Request frame, the TDLS Responder discards the TDLS Setup Request frame. If it responds to the TDLS Setup Request frame, the TDLS Responder can determine whether to respond to the TDLS Setup Request frame and send a TDLS Setup Response frame, indicating whether it agrees to or refuses to establish a TDLS link with the TDLS Initiator through the TDLS Setup Request frame.

[0202] Among them, when the TDLS response device operates in the listening operation mode under the EMLSR working state, the TDLS response device has the ability to send and receive data, so the AP device can receive the TDLS establishment response frame sent by the TDLS response device to the AP device after switching to the sending and receiving operation mode.

[0203] Optionally, the TDLS establishment request frame includes a status code field. When the field value of the status code field is a first preset field value (e.g., SUCCESS), it is used to indicate that the TDLS responding device agrees to establish a TDLS link with the TDLS initiating device. When the field value of the status code field is a second preset field value, it is used to indicate that the TDLS responding device refuses to establish a TDLS link with the TDLS initiating device.

[0204] Step S64: The AP device sends a TDLS setup response frame to the TDLS initiating device.

[0205] Step S65: When the TDLS initiating device does not receive a TDLS setup response frame within the second time interval, the TDLS initiating device terminates the TDLS link establishment process; when the TDLS initiating device receives a TDLS setup response frame within the second time interval, the TDLS initiating device responds to the TDLS setup response frame.

[0206] In some embodiments, the implementation of steps S64-S65 can refer to the implementation shown in steps S44-S45 in Figure 4, and will not be repeated here.

[0207] FIG7 is a fourth interactive diagram of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG7 , the embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a communication method, and the method includes:

[0208] Step S71: The AP device receives a TDLS establishment request frame sent by the TDLS initiating device.

[0209] In some embodiments, the implementation of step S71 may be the same as that of step S41 in FIG. 4 , and will not be further described here.

[0210] Step S72, when the TDLS response device operates in the listening operation mode in the EMLSR working state and the end time of the first time interval is later than the end time of the second time interval, when all STAs in the EMLSR working state operate in the listening operation mode within the first time interval, the AP device sends an initial control frame and a TDLS establishment request frame to the TDLS response device before the end of the first time interval.

[0211] In some embodiments, after receiving the TDLS setup request frame sent by the TDLS initiating device, the AP device may determine whether the TDLS responding device is in the EMLSR operating state. When the TDLS responding device is in the EMLSR operating state, it may further be determined whether the TDLS responding device is operating in a transceiver operating mode or a listening operating mode.

[0212] When the TDLS response device operates in the transceiver mode, it has the ability to receive and send data. When the TDLS response device operates in the monitoring mode, it does not have the ability to receive and send data. When the TDLS response device monitors the initial control frame sent by the AP device while operating in the monitoring mode, it can switch to the transceiver mode to operate.

[0213] In some embodiments, before entering the EMLSR working state, the TDLS response device requests the AP device to enter the EMLSR state through an enhanced multi-link mode notification frame (EML mode notification frame), and the corresponding link can be referred to as an EMLSR link. For the AP device, if the AP device has previously performed EMLSR link state negotiation with the TDLS response device, or has previously received an enhanced multi-link mode notification frame sent by the TDLS response device, it is determined that the TDLS response device is in the EMLSR working state. If the AP device has not previously performed EMLSR link state negotiation with the TDLS response device, or has not previously received an enhanced multi-link mode notification frame sent by the TDLS response device, it is determined that the TDLS response device is not in the EMLSR working state.

[0214] Furthermore, if the AP device determines that the TDLS response device is in the EMLSR operating state, it can determine whether an initial control frame has been sent to the TDLS response device. If the AP device has not sent an initial control frame to the TDLS response device, the AP device can determine that the TDLS response device is operating in the monitoring mode of the EMLSR operating state. If the AP device has sent an initial control frame to the TDLS response device and the frame exchange process with the TDLS response device has not yet completed, the AP device can determine that the TDLS response device is operating in the transceiver mode of the EMLSR operating state.

[0215] In some embodiments, when the AP device determines that the TDLS responding device is operating in the transceiver operation mode in the EMLSR operating state, the AP device further determines whether the end time of the first time interval is later than the end time of the second time interval. If the end time of the first time interval is later than the end time of the second time interval, the AP device may send an initial control frame and a TDLS establishment request frame to the TDLS responding device before the end of the first time interval when all STAs in the EMLSR operating state (hereinafter referred to as first STAs for convenience of description) operate in the listening operation mode within the first time.

[0216] In some embodiments, the AP device sends an initial control frame to the TDLS response device before the end of the first time interval, and then sends a TDLS setup request frame to the TDLS response device after the TDLS response device switches to the transceiver operation mode.

[0217] In some embodiments, the second time interval is a time interval corresponding to a TDLS response timeout (dot11TDLSResponseTimeout) of the TDLS initiating device.

[0218] In some embodiments, the first time interval is a time interval corresponding to a current EMLSR transition delay (Transition Delay) of the TDLS responding device.

[0219] In some embodiments, the initial control frame is used to trigger the TDLS responding device to switch from a listening mode of operation to a transceiver mode of operation.

[0220] In some embodiments, when the AP device determines that the TDLS responding device is operating in the listening mode of operation in the EMLSR operating state, the AP device further determines whether the end time of the current EMLSR transition delay of the TDLS responding device is later than the end time corresponding to the TDLS response timeout of the TDLS initiating device. If the end time of the current EMLSR transition delay of the TDLS responding device is later than the end time corresponding to the TDLS response timeout of the TDLS initiating device, when any first STA in the EMLSR operating state in the MLD to which the TDLS responding device belongs is operating in the transceiver mode of operation, the other first STAs are in the listening mode of operation and cannot transmit or receive data. Therefore, when all first STAs in the EMLSR operating state of the MLD to which the TDLS responding device belongs are operating in the listening mode of operation within the current EMLSR transition delay, the AP device may send an initial control frame to the TDLS responding device before the end of the current EMLSR transition delay to cause the TDLS responding device to switch from the listening mode of operation to the transceiver mode of operation, and after sending the initial control frame and within the current EMLSR transition delay, send a TDLS setup request frame to the TDLS responding device.

[0221] In some embodiments, the first STAs include TDLS responding devices, and all first STAs belong to the same MLD.

[0222] In some embodiments, the AP device may determine a TDLS response timeout (dot11TDLSResponseTimeout) of the TDLS initiating device through a second message frame sent by the TDLS initiating device.

[0223] The second message frame may be any message frame sent by the TDLS initiating device to the AP device before sending the TDLS establishment request frame, and the second message frame carries the TDLS response timeout (dot11TDLSResponseTimeout) of the TDLS initiating device.

[0224] In some embodiments, the AP device may be determined through a message frame sent by the TDLS responding device during the EMLSR link state negotiation process. Optionally, the message frame may be an enhanced multi-link mode notification frame.

[0225] Among them, if the EMLSR conversion delay is updated after the TDLS response device establishes an EMLSR link with the AP device, the AP device can receive the message frame sent by the TDLS response device after the EMLSR conversion delay is updated. The message frame can indicate the updated EMLSR conversion delay through the EMLSR parameters update (emlsr parameters update) field.

[0226] Step S73: The AP device sends a first message frame to the TDLS initiating device before the end of the second time interval.

[0227] In some embodiments, when any first STA in the MLD to which the TDLS responding device belongs and is in the EMLSR operating state operates in a transceiver mode, the other first STAs are in a listening mode and are unable to send or receive data. Therefore, if the end time of the first time interval is later than the end time of the second time interval, the TDLS initiating device is likely unable to receive the TDLS setup response frame before the TDLS responding device switches to the transceiver mode. Based on this, the AP device may send a first message frame to the TDLS initiating device before the end of the second time interval to instruct the TDLS responding device to delay sending the TDLS setup response frame.

[0228] In this case, the TDLS initiating device may continue to receive TDLS setup response frames after the second time interval.

[0229] In some embodiments, the first message frame may be any message frame that the TDLS initiating device can receive in the second time interval.

[0230] In some embodiments, the first message frame may be a temporary TDLS setup response frame.

[0231] In some embodiments, the first message frame includes a state code (State Code) field. When the identification value of the state code field is a first value, it is used to instruct the TDLS responding device to delay sending a TDLS setup response frame.

[0232] Optionally, the first value may be a preset value such as 142, which is not limited here.

[0233] When the status code field value is 142, the corresponding field name is TDLS_Setup_Response_Delay_Due_To_E MLSR, which indicates that the TDLS setup response frame may be delayed because the TDLS responding device is in the EMLSR working state and cannot send data.

[0234] In some embodiments, the first message frame includes a TDLS Multi-Link element field, and the TDLS Multi-Link element field includes at least one of a multi-link device media access control address (MLD MAC Address) subfield or an enhanced multi-link capability (EML Capabilities) subfield.

[0235] The MLD MAC Address subfield is used to indicate the MAC address of the multi-link device MLD to which the TDLS responding device is attached. That is, the field content of the MLD MAC Address subfield is the MAC address of the multi-link device MLD to which the TDLS responding device is attached.

[0236] The EML Capabilities subfield is used to indicate the EMLSR status information of the TDLS responding device.

[0237] The EMLSR status information may be the EMLSR conversion delay initially negotiated by the EMLSR responding device, that is, the EMLSR conversion delay initially negotiated by the EMLSR responding device may be indicated in the EMLSR Capabilities subfield.

[0238] The EMLSR transition delay initially negotiated by the TDLS responding device is the EMLSR transition delay negotiated when the TDLS responding device initially enters the EMLSR state.

[0239] Optionally, the EML Capabilities subfield includes an EMLSR conversion delay (EMLSR delay) subfield, and the EMLSR conversion delay subfield is used to indicate the EMLSR conversion delay initially negotiated by the TDLS responding device.

[0240] Optionally, the first message frame includes a TDLS Multi-Link element field, and the TDLS Multi-Link element field includes an MLD MAC Address subfield.

[0241] Optionally, the first message frame includes a TDLS Multi-Link element field, and the TDLS Multi-Link element field includes an EML Capabilities subfield.

[0242] Optionally, the first message frame includes a TDLS Multi-Link element field, and the TDLS Multi-Link element field includes an MLD MAC Address subfield and an EML Capabilities subfield.

[0243] In some embodiments, the TDLS Multi-Link element field includes a common information (Common Info) field, and the common information field includes at least one of an MLD MAC Address subfield or an EML Capabilities subfield.

[0244] Optionally, the TDLS Multi-Link element field includes a Common Info field, and the Common Info field includes an MLD MAC Address subfield.

[0245] Optionally, the TDLS Multi-Link element field includes a Common Info field, and the Common Info field includes an EML Capabilities subfield.

[0246] Optionally, the TDLS Multi-Link element field includes a Common Info field, and the Common Info field includes an MLD MAC Address subfield and an EML Capabilities subfield.

[0247] As an example, the Common Info field format of the TDLS Multi-Link element field can be as follows:

[0248] The Common Info Length field indicates the length of the Common Info field, and the AP MLD MAC Address field indicates the MAC address of the MLD to which the AP belongs.

[0249] In some embodiments, the first message frame includes an enhanced multilink control (EML Control) field, the enhanced multilink control field includes an EMLSR parameter update control (EMLSR Parameter Update Control) subfield, and when the identifier value of the EMLSR Parameter Update Control subfield is a second value, it is used to indicate that the EMLSR conversion delay of the TDLS response device has been updated. When the identifier value of the EMLSR Parameter Update Control subfield is a third value, it is used to indicate that the EMLSR conversion delay of the TDLS response device has not been updated.

[0250] Optionally, the second value and the third value are different, for example, the second value may be 1 and the third value may be 0.

[0251] In some embodiments, the first message frame includes an EML Control field, the EML Control field includes an EMLSR Parameter Update Control subfield, and when the identification value of the EMLSR Parameter Update Control subfield is the second value, it is used to indicate that the EMLSR conversion delay of the TDLS responding device is updated.

[0252] In some embodiments, the first message frame further includes an EMLSR parameter update (EMLSR Parameter Update) field, where the EMLSR Parameter Update field is used to indicate the EMLSR switching delay after the TDLS responding device is updated.

[0253] In some embodiments, the first message frame includes an action field, and the action field includes at least one of a TDLS Multi-Link element field, an EML Control field, or an EMLSR Parameter Update field.

[0254] In some embodiments, the first message frame includes a Multiple User Request to Send (MU-RTS) trigger frame or a Buffer Status Report Poll (BSRP) trigger frame.

[0255] Step S74: The AP device receives the TDLS setup response frame sent by the TDLS responding device.

[0256] Step S75: The AP device sends a TDLS setup response frame to the TDLS initiating device.

[0257] In some embodiments, the implementation of step S74 may refer to the implementation shown in step S63 in FIG6 , and the implementation of step S75 may refer to the implementation shown in step S44 in FIG4 , which will not be repeated here.

[0258] Step S76: When the AP device does not receive the first message frame within the second time interval, the AP device terminates the TDLS link establishment process; when the AP device receives the first message frame within the second time interval and does not receive the TDLS establishment response frame within the first time interval, the AP device terminates the TDLS link establishment process; when the AP device receives the first message frame within the second time interval and receives the TDLS establishment response frame within the first time interval, the AP device responds to the TDLS establishment response frame.

[0259] In some embodiments, when the end time of the first time interval is later than the end time of the second time interval and the AP device sends the first message frame before the end of the second time interval, when the TDLS initiating device does not receive the first message frame for instructing the TDLS responding device to delay sending the TDLS establishment response frame within the second time interval, the TDLS initiating device may directly terminate the TDLS link establishment process.

[0260] In some embodiments, when the end time of the first time interval is later than the end time of the second time interval and the AP device sends the first message frame before the end of the second time interval, when the TDLS initiating device receives the first message frame within the second time interval and does not receive the TDLS establishment response frame within the first time interval, the TDLS initiating device may directly terminate the TDLS link establishment process.

[0261] In some embodiments, when the end time of the first time interval is later than the end time of the second time interval and the AP device sends the first message frame before the end of the second time interval, when the TDLS initiating device receives the first message frame within the second time interval and receives the TDLS establishment response frame within the first time interval, the TDLS initiating device responds to the TDLS establishment response frame.

[0262] Optionally, when the TDLS initiating device responds to the TDLS establishment response frame, if the TDLS establishment response frame indicates through the status code field that the TDLS responding device agrees to establish a TDLS link with the TDLS initiating device, the TDLS initiating device may send a TDLS establishment confirmation frame to the TDLS responding device to indicate confirmation of establishing a TDLS link with the TDLS responding device.

[0263] Optionally, when the TDLS initiating device responds to the TDLS setup response frame, if the TDLS setup response frame indicates through the status code field that the TDLS responding device refuses to establish a TDLS link with the TDLS initiating device, the TDLS initiating device terminates the TDLS link establishment process and discards the TDLS setup response frame.

[0264] If the TDLS establishment response frame indicates through the status code field that the TDLS responding device agrees to establish a TDLS link with the TDLS initiating device, the TDLS initiating device may send a TDLS establishment confirmation frame to the TDLS responding device; if the TDLS establishment response frame indicates through the status code field that the TDLS responding device refuses to establish a TDLS link with the TDLS initiating device, the TDLS initiating device terminates the TDLS link establishment process.

[0265] In some embodiments, the TDLS initiating device does not receive a TDLS setup response frame within the first time interval, indicating that the TDLS responding device does not send a TDLS setup response frame within the first time interval.

[0266] In some embodiments, step S72 and step S73 in FIG. 7 may be performed in an interchangeable order or simultaneously.

[0267] For Figures 4-7, in some embodiments, "obtain", "obtain", "get", "receive", "transmit", "bidirectional transmission", "send and / or receive" can be interchangeable, which can be interpreted as receiving from other entities, obtaining from protocols, obtaining from high levels, obtaining by self-processing, autonomous implementation, etc.

[0268] In some embodiments, terms such as "send", "transmit", "report", "download", "transmit", "bidirectional transmission", "send and / or receive" can be used interchangeably.

[0269] In some embodiments, the determination or judgment can be performed by a value represented by 1 bit (0 or 1), or by a true or false value (Boolean value) represented by true or false, or by comparison of numerical values ​​(for example, comparison with a predetermined value), but is not limited thereto.

[0270] In some embodiments, reference may be made to other optional implementations described before or after the description corresponding to FIG. 4 to FIG. 7 .

[0271] 8 is a flow chart illustrating a communication method performed by an AP device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The communication method illustrated in FIG8 can be performed by an AP device, and the method includes the following steps:

[0272] Step S81: The AP device receives a TDLS establishment request frame sent by the TDLS initiating device.

[0273] In some embodiments, the TDLS establishment request frame is used to request establishment of a TDLS link with a TDLS responding device.

[0274] In some embodiments, the TDLS setup request frame includes identification information, where the identification information is used to directly or indirectly indicate a TDLS responding device that receives the TDLS setup request frame.

[0275] Among them, the above-mentioned identification information can be at least one of the device identification of the TDLS response device, the medium access control (MAC) address of the TDLS response device, the link identification of the link corresponding to the TDLS response device and the AP device, and the ID of the basic service set in which the TDLS response device is located. It can also be other information that can uniquely identify the TDLS response device, and there is no limitation here.

[0276] Optionally, the TDLS establishment request frame includes a link identifier (Link Identifier field) field, and the link identifier field is used to indicate a BSSID of a BSS where the TDLS responding device is located. The BSSID can be used to indicate the TDLS responding device.

[0277] Step S82: When the TDLS responding device is not in the EMLSR working state, the AP device directly sends a TDLS establishment request frame to the TDLS responding device.

[0278] In some embodiments, after receiving the TDLS setup request frame sent by the TDLS initiating device, the AP device may determine whether the TDLS responding device is in the EMLSR working state. If the TDLS responding device is not in the EMLSR working state, the AP device may directly forward the TDLS setup request frame to the TDLS responding device.

[0279] In some embodiments, after receiving the TDLS setup request frame sent by the TDLS initiating device, the AP device may determine whether the TDLS responding device is in the EMLSR working state. If the TDLS responding device is not in the EMLSR working state, the AP device may directly send the TDLS setup request to the TDLS responding device.

[0280] In some embodiments, before entering the EMLSR working state, the TDLS response device requests the AP device to enter the EMLSR state through an enhanced multi-link mode notification frame (EML mode notification frame), and the corresponding link can be referred to as an EMLSR link. For the AP device, if the AP device has previously performed EMLSR link state negotiation with the TDLS response device, or has previously received an enhanced multi-link mode notification frame sent by the TDLS response device, it is determined that the TDLS response device is in the EMLSR working state. If the AP device has not previously performed EMLSR link state negotiation with the TDLS response device, or has not previously received an enhanced multi-link mode notification frame sent by the TDLS response device, it is determined that the TDLS response device is not in the EMLSR working state.

[0281] Step S83: The AP device receives the TDLS setup response frame sent by the TDLS responding device.

[0282] In some embodiments, after receiving the TDLS setup response frame sent by the TDLS responding device, the AP device may forward the TDLS setup response frame to the TDLS initiating device.

[0283] That is, the TDLS setup response frame sent by the TDLS responding device needs to be forwarded to the TDLS initiating device through the AP device.

[0284] In some embodiments, the TDLS setup response frame is used to respond to the TDLS setup request frame, specifically to indicate whether the TDLS responding device agrees to establish a TDLS link with the TDLS initiating device.

[0285] Optionally, the TDLS establishment request frame includes a status code field. When the field value of the status code field is a first preset field value (e.g., SUCCESS), it is used to indicate that the TDLS responding device agrees to establish a TDLS link with the TDLS initiating device. When the field value of the status code field is a second preset field value, it is used to indicate that the TDLS responding device refuses to establish a TDLS link with the TDLS initiating device.

[0286] Step S84: The AP device sends a TDLS setup response frame to the TDLS initiating device.

[0287] In some embodiments, after receiving the TDLS setup response frame sent by the TDLS responding device, the AP device may forward the TDLS setup response frame to the TDLS initiating device.

[0288] That is, the TDLS setup response frame sent by the TDLS responding device needs to be forwarded to the TDLS initiating device through the AP device.

[0289] 9, which is a second flow chart of a communication method performed by an AP device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The communication method shown in FIG9 can be performed by an AP device, and the method includes the following steps:

[0290] Step S91: The AP device receives a TDLS establishment request frame sent by the TDLS initiating device.

[0291] In some embodiments, the implementation of step S505 may refer to the implementation shown in step S501 in FIG5 a , and will not be described in detail here.

[0292] Step S92: When the TDLS responding device operates in the transceiver operation mode under the EMLSR working state, directly send a TDLS establishment request frame to the TDLS responding device.

[0293] In some embodiments, after receiving the TDLS setup request frame sent by the TDLS initiating device, the AP device may determine whether the TDLS responding device is in the EMLSR operating state. When the TDLS responding device is in the EMLSR operating state, it may further be determined whether the TDLS responding device is operating in a transceiver operating mode or a listening operating mode.

[0294] When the TDLS response device operates in the transceiver mode, it has the ability to receive and send data. When the TDLS response device operates in the monitoring mode, it does not have the ability to receive and send data. When the TDLS response device monitors an initial control frame while operating in the monitoring mode, it can switch to the transceiver mode to operate.

[0295] In some embodiments, when the AP device determines that the TDLS responding device operates in the transceiver operation mode in the EMLSR working state, the AP device may directly send a TDLS establishment request frame to the TDLS responding device.

[0296] In some embodiments, when the TDLS responding device operates in the transceiver operation mode of the EMLSR working state, it indicates that the TDLS responding device has received an initial control frame sent by any AP device and switched from the listening operation mode to the transceiver operation mode.

[0297] Step S93: The AP device receives the TDLS setup response frame sent by the TDLS responding device.

[0298] That is, the TDLS setup response frame sent by the TDLS responding device needs to be forwarded to the TDLS initiating device through the AP device.

[0299] Step S94: The AP device sends a TDLS setup response frame to the TDLS initiating device.

[0300] In some embodiments, the implementation of step S93 may refer to the implementation shown in step S83 in FIG8 , and the implementation of step S94 may refer to the implementation shown in step S84 in FIG8 , which will not be repeated here.

[0301] Referring to Figure 10, Figure 10 is a third flow chart of a communication method performed by an AP device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The communication method shown in Figure 10 can be performed by an AP device, and the method includes the following steps:

[0302] Step S101: The AP device receives a TDLS establishment request frame sent by a TDLS initiating device.

[0303] In some embodiments, the implementation of step S101 may refer to the implementation shown in step S81 in FIG8 , and will not be repeated here.

[0304] Step S102, when the TDLS response device operates in the listening operation mode in the EMLSR working state, when all STAs in the EMLSR working state operate in the listening operation mode within the first time interval, the AP device sends an initial control frame and a TDLS establishment request frame to the TDLS response device before the end of the first time interval.

[0305] In some embodiments, after receiving the TDLS setup request frame sent by the TDLS initiating device, the AP device may determine whether the TDLS responding device is in the EMLSR operating state. When the TDLS responding device is in the EMLSR operating state, it may further be determined whether the TDLS responding device is operating in a transceiver operating mode or a listening operating mode.

[0306] When the TDLS response device operates in the transceiver mode, it has the ability to receive and send data. When the TDLS response device operates in the monitoring mode, it does not have the ability to receive and send data. When the TDLS response device monitors the initial control frame sent by the AP device while operating in the monitoring mode, it can switch to the transceiver mode to operate.

[0307] In some embodiments, the AP device sends an initial control frame to the TDLS response device before the end of the first time interval, and then sends a TDLS setup request frame to the TDLS response device after the TDLS response device switches to the transceiver operation mode.

[0308] In some embodiments, when the AP device determines that the TDLS response device is operating in the listening operation mode in the EMLSR working state, the AP device may send an initial control frame and a TDLS establishment request frame to the TDLS response device before the end of the first time interval when all STAs in the EMLSR working state (hereinafter referred to as the first STA for convenience of description) are operating in the listening operation mode within the first time.

[0309] In some embodiments, before entering the EMLSR working state, the TDLS responding device requests the AP device to enter the EMLSR state through an enhanced multi-link mode notification frame, and the corresponding link can be referred to as an EMLSR link. For the AP device, if the AP device has previously conducted EMLSR link state negotiation with the TDLS responding device, or has previously received an enhanced multi-link mode notification frame sent by the TDLS responding device, it is determined that the TDLS responding device is in the EMLSR working state. If the AP device has not previously conducted EMLSR link state negotiation with the TDLS responding device, or has not previously received an enhanced multi-link mode notification frame sent by the TDLS responding device, it is determined that the TDLS responding device is not in the EMLSR working state.

[0310] Furthermore, if the AP device determines that the TDLS response device is in the EMLSR operating state, it can determine whether an initial control frame has been sent to the TDLS response device. If the AP device has not sent an initial control frame to the TDLS response device, the AP device can determine that the TDLS response device is operating in the monitoring mode of the EMLSR operating state. If the AP device has sent an initial control frame to the TDLS response device and the frame exchange process with the TDLS response device has not yet completed, the AP device can determine that the TDLS response device is operating in the transceiver mode of the EMLSR operating state.

[0311] In some embodiments, when the TDLS response device operates in the listening operation mode in the EMLSR working state and the end time of the second time interval is later than the end time of the first time interval, when all first STAs in the EMLSR working state operate in the listening operation mode within the first time interval, the AP device sends an initial control frame and a TDLS establishment request frame to the TDLS response device before the end of the first time interval.

[0312] In some embodiments, when the TDLS response device operates in the listening operation mode in the EMLSR working state and the end time of the second time interval is later than the end time of the first time interval, when all first STAs in the EMLSR working state operate in the listening operation mode within the first time interval, an initial control frame and a TDLS establishment request frame are sent to the TDLS response device before the end of the first time interval.

[0313] Furthermore, the AP device sends a first message frame to the TDLS initiating device before the second time interval ends.

[0314] The first message frame is used to instruct the TDLS responding device to delay sending a TDLS setup response frame.

[0315] The first message frame may be any message frame that the TDLS initiating device can receive in the second time interval. Optionally, the first message frame may be a temporary TDLS setup response frame.

[0316] In some embodiments, the relevant description of the first message frame can be found in the relevant description shown in step S73 in Figure 7, which will not be repeated here.

[0317] In some embodiments, the second time interval is a time interval corresponding to a TDLS response timeout (dot11TDLSResponseTimeout) of the TDLS initiating device.

[0318] In some embodiments, the first time interval is a time interval corresponding to a current EMLSR transition delay (Transition Delay) of the TDLS responding device.

[0319] In some embodiments, the initial control frame is used to trigger the TDLS responding device to switch from a listening mode of operation to a transceiver mode of operation.

[0320] In some embodiments, the first STAs include TDLS responding devices, and all first STAs belong to the same MLD.

[0321] In some embodiments, when the AP device determines that the TDLS responding device is operating in the listening mode of operation in the EMLSR operating state, and since any first STA in the EMLSR operating state in the MLD to which the TDLS responding device belongs is operating in the transceiver mode of operation, the other first STAs are in the listening mode of operation and are unable to send and receive data, the AP device may, when all first STAs in the EMLSR operating state of the MLD to which the TDLS responding device belongs are operating in the listening mode of operation within the current EMLSR transition delay, send an initial control frame to the TDLS responding device before the end of the current EMLSR transition delay to switch the TDLS responding device from the listening mode of operation to the transceiver mode of operation, and after sending the initial control frame and within the current EMLSR transition delay, send a TDLS establishment request frame to the TDLS responding device.

[0322] In some embodiments, the AP device may determine a TDLS response timeout (dot11TDLSResponseTimeout) of the TDLS initiating device through a second message frame sent by the TDLS initiating device.

[0323] The second message frame may be any message frame sent by the TDLS initiating device to the AP device before sending the TDLS establishment request frame, and the second message frame carries the TDLS response timeout (dot11TDLSResponseTimeout) of the TDLS initiating device.

[0324] In some embodiments, the AP device may be determined through a message frame sent by the TDLS responding device during the EMLSR link state negotiation process. Optionally, the message frame may be an enhanced multi-link mode notification frame.

[0325] Among them, if the EMLSR conversion delay is updated after the TDLS response device establishes an EMLSR link with the AP device, the AP device can receive the message frame sent by the TDLS response device after the EMLSR conversion delay is updated. The message frame can indicate the updated EMLSR conversion delay through the EMLSR parameters update (emlsr parameters update) field.

[0326] In some embodiments, the step of the AP device sending the first message frame to the TDLS initiating device and step S102 may be performed in an interchangeable order or simultaneously.

[0327] Step S103: The AP device receives a TDLS setup response frame sent by the TDLS responding device.

[0328] Step S104: The AP device sends a TDLS setup response frame to the TDLS initiating device.

[0329] In some embodiments, the implementation of step S103 may refer to the implementation shown in step S83 in FIG8 , and the implementation of step S104 may refer to the implementation shown in step S84 in FIG8 , which will not be repeated here.

[0330] Referring to Figure 11, Figure 11 is a fourth flow chart of a communication method performed by an AP device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The communication method shown in Figure 11 can be performed by a TDLS initiating device, and the method includes the following steps:

[0331] Step S111: The TDLS initiating device sends a TDLS establishment request frame to the AP device.

[0332] In some embodiments, the TDLS establishment request frame is used to request establishment of a TDLS link with a TDLS responding device.

[0333] In some embodiments, the TDLS setup request frame includes identification information, where the identification information is used to directly or indirectly indicate a TDLS responding device that receives the TDLS setup request frame.

[0334] Among them, the above-mentioned identification information can be at least one of the device identification of the TDLS response device, the MAC address of the TDLS response device, the link identification of the link corresponding to the TDLS response device and the AP device, and the ID of the basic service set in which the TDLS response device is located. It can also be other information that can uniquely identify the TDLS response device, and there is no limitation here.

[0335] Optionally, the TDLS establishment request frame includes a link identifier (Link Identifier field) field, and the link identifier field is used to indicate a BSSID of a BSS where the TDLS responding device is located. The BSSID can be used to indicate the TDLS responding device.

[0336] In some embodiments, the TDLS setup request frame is forwarded by the AP device to the TDLS responding device. When the TDLS responding device responds to the TDLS setup request frame, it may send a TDLS setup response frame to the AP device, and the AP device may send the TDLS setup response frame to the TDLS initiating device.

[0337] Step S112: When the first message frame and the TDLS establishment response frame are not received within the second time interval, the TDLS initiating device terminates the TDLS link establishment process.

[0338] In some embodiments, when the TDLS responding device is not in the EMLSR working state or is operating in the transceiver operation mode in the EMLSR working state, the AP device directly sends a TDLS setup request frame to the TDLS responding device and receives a TDLS setup response frame sent by the TDLS responding device. When the TDLS responding device is operating in the listening operation mode in the EMLSR working state and all first STAs in the EMLSR working state are operating in the listening operation mode within the first time interval, the AP device sends an initial control frame and a TDLS setup request frame to the TDLS responding device before the end of the first time interval, and when the end time of the first time interval is later than the end time of the second time interval, the AP device sends a first message frame to the TDLS initiating device before the end of the second time interval.

[0339] The second time interval is a time interval corresponding to a TDLS response timeout (dot11TDLSResponseTimeout) of the TDLS initiating device.

[0340] The first time interval is a time interval corresponding to the current EMLSR transition delay (Transition Delay) of the TDLS responding device.

[0341] The initial control frame is used to trigger the TDLS responding device to switch from the listening operation mode to the transceiver operation mode.

[0342] The first STAs include TDLS responding devices, and all first STAs belong to the same MLD.

[0343] In this case, when the TDLS initiating device does not receive the TDLS establishment response frame or the first message frame within the second time interval, it means that the TDLS responding device did not receive the TDLS establishment request frame in time or did not respond to the TDLS establishment request frame in any of the above situations. At this time, the TDLS initiating device can terminate the TDLS link establishment process.

[0344] Referring to Figure 12, Figure 12 is a flow chart illustrating a communication method performed by a TDLS responding device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The communication method illustrated in Figure 12 may be performed by a TDLS initiating device, and the method includes the following steps:

[0345] Step S121: The TDLS initiating device sends a TDLS setup request frame to the AP device.

[0346] In some embodiments, the implementation of step S121 can refer to the implementation shown in step S111 in Figure 11, and will not be repeated here.

[0347] Step S122: When a TDLS setup response frame is received within the second time interval, the TDLS initiating device responds to the TDLS setup response frame.

[0348] In some embodiments, when the TDLS responding device is not in the EMLSR working state or is operating in the transceiver operation mode in the EMLSR working state, the AP device directly sends a TDLS setup request frame to the TDLS responding device and receives a TDLS setup response frame sent by the TDLS responding device. When the TDLS responding device is operating in the listening operation mode in the EMLSR working state and all first STAs in the EMLSR working state are operating in the listening operation mode within the first time interval, the AP device sends an initial control frame and a TDLS setup request frame to the TDLS responding device before the end of the first time interval, and when the end time of the first time interval is later than the end time of the second time interval, the AP device sends a first message frame to the TDLS initiating device before the end of the second time interval.

[0349] The second time interval is a time interval corresponding to a TDLS response timeout (dot11TDLSResponseTimeout) of the TDLS initiating device.

[0350] The first time interval is a time interval corresponding to the current EMLSR transition delay (Transition Delay) of the TDLS responding device.

[0351] The initial control frame is used to trigger the TDLS responding device to switch from the listening operation mode to the transceiver operation mode.

[0352] The first STAs include TDLS responding devices, and all first STAs belong to the same MLD.

[0353] In this case, the TDLS initiating device receives the TDLS setup response frame within the second time interval, indicating that the TDLS responding device has responded to the TDLS setup request frame. At this time, the TDLS initiating device can respond to the TDLS setup response frame.

[0354] Optionally, when the TDLS initiating device responds to the TDLS establishment response frame, if the TDLS establishment response frame indicates through the status code field that the TDLS responding device agrees to establish a TDLS link with the TDLS initiating device, the TDLS initiating device may send a TDLS establishment confirmation frame to the TDLS responding device to indicate confirmation of establishing a TDLS link with the TDLS responding device.

[0355] Optionally, when the TDLS initiating device responds to the TDLS setup response frame, if the TDLS setup response frame indicates through the status code field that the TDLS responding device refuses to establish a TDLS link with the TDLS initiating device, the TDLS initiating device terminates the TDLS link establishment process and discards the TDLS setup response frame.

[0356] Referring to Figure 13, Figure 13 is a second flow chart of a communication method performed by a TDLS responding device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The communication method shown in Figure 13 can be applied to a TDLS initiating device, and the method includes the following steps:

[0357] Step S131: The TDLS initiating device sends a TDLS establishment request frame to the AP device.

[0358] In some embodiments, the implementation of step S131 can refer to the implementation shown in step S111 in Figure 11, and will not be repeated here.

[0359] Step S132: When the first message frame is received within the second time interval and no TDLS establishment response frame is received within the first time interval, the TDLS initiating device terminates the TDLS link establishment process.

[0360] In some embodiments, if the TDLS initiating device receives a first message frame within the second time interval, it indicates that the AP device sends an initial control frame and a TDLS establishment request frame to the TDLS response device before the end of the first time interval when the TDLS response device is operating in the listening operation mode in the EMLSR working state and all first STAs in the EMLSR working state are in the listening operation mode within the first time interval, and sends the first message frame to the TDLS initiating device before the end of the second time interval when the end time of the first time interval is later than the end time of the second time interval.

[0361] The second time interval is a time interval corresponding to a TDLS response timeout (dot11TDLSResponseTimeout) of the TDLS initiating device.

[0362] The first time interval is a time interval corresponding to the current EMLSR transition delay (Transition Delay) of the TDLS responding device.

[0363] The initial control frame is used to trigger the TDLS responding device to switch from the listening operation mode to the transceiver operation mode.

[0364] The first STAs include TDLS responding devices, and all first STAs belong to the same MLD.

[0365] In this case, if the TDLS initiating device receives the first message frame within the second time interval, it can determine that the TDLS responding device may delay sending the TDLS setup response frame before the end of the first time interval. The TDLS initiating device further determines the first time interval and waits to receive the TDLS setup response frame sent by the TDLS responding device before the end of the first time interval.

[0366] If the TDLS initiating device does not receive the TDLS setup response frame before the end of the first time interval, it means that the TDLS responding device has not received the TDLS setup request frame in time or has not responded to the TDLS setup request frame. At this time, the TDLS initiating device may terminate the TDLS link establishment process.

[0367] In some embodiments, the first message frame may be any message frame that the TDLS initiating device can receive in the second time interval.

[0368] In some embodiments, the first message frame may be a temporary TDLS setup response frame.

[0369] In some embodiments, the first message frame includes a state code (State Code) field. When the identification value of the state code field is a first value, it is used to instruct the TDLS responding device to delay sending a TDLS setup response frame.

[0370] Optionally, the first value may be a preset value such as 142, which is not limited here.

[0371] When the status code field value is 142, the corresponding field name is TDLS_Setup_Response_Delay_Due_To_E MLSR, which indicates that the TDLS setup response frame may be delayed because the TDLS responding device is in the EMLSR working state and cannot send data.

[0372] In some embodiments, the first message frame includes a TDLS Multi-Link element field, and the TDLS Multi-Link element field includes at least one of a multi-link device media access control address (MLD MAC Address) subfield or an enhanced multi-link capability (EML Capabilities) subfield.

[0373] The MLD MAC Address subfield is used to indicate the MAC address of the multi-link device MLD to which the TDLS responding device is attached. That is, the field content of the MLD MAC Address subfield is the MAC address of the multi-link device MLD to which the TDLS responding device is attached.

[0374] The EML Capabilities subfield is used to indicate the EMLSR status information of the TDLS responding device.

[0375] The EMLSR status information may be the EMLSR conversion delay initially negotiated by the EMLSR responding device, that is, the EMLSR conversion delay initially negotiated by the EMLSR responding device may be indicated in the EMLSR Capabilities subfield.

[0376] The EMLSR transition delay initially negotiated by the TDLS responding device is the EMLSR transition delay negotiated when the TDLS responding device initially enters the EMLSR state.

[0377] Optionally, the EML Capabilities subfield includes an EMLSR conversion delay (EMLSR delay) subfield, and the EMLSR conversion delay subfield is used to indicate the EMLSR conversion delay initially negotiated by the TDLS responding device.

[0378] Optionally, the first message frame includes a TDLS Multi-Link element field, and the TDLS Multi-Link element field includes an MLD MAC Address subfield.

[0379] Optionally, the first message frame includes a TDLS Multi-Link element field, and the TDLS Multi-Link element field includes an EML Capabilities subfield.

[0380] Optionally, the first message frame includes a TDLS Multi-Link element field, and the TDLS Multi-Link element field includes an MLD MAC Address subfield and an EML Capabilities subfield.

[0381] In some embodiments, the TDLS Multi-Link element field includes a common information (Common Info) field, and the common information field includes at least one of an MLD MAC Address subfield or an EML Capabilities subfield.

[0382] Optionally, the TDLS Multi-Link element field includes a Common Info field, and the Common Info field includes an MLD MAC Address subfield.

[0383] Optionally, the TDLS Multi-Link element field includes a Common Info field, and the Common Info field includes an EML Capabilities subfield.

[0384] Optionally, the TDLS Multi-Link element field includes a Common Info field, and the Common Info field includes an MLD MAC Address subfield and an EML Capabilities subfield.

[0385] As an example, the Common Info field format of the TDLS Multi-Link element field can be as follows:

[0386] The Common Info Length field indicates the length of the Common Info field, and the AP MLD MAC Address field indicates the MAC address of the MLD to which the AP belongs.

[0387] In some embodiments, the first message frame includes an enhanced multilink control (EML Control) field, the enhanced multilink control field includes an EMLSR parameter update control (EMLSR Parameter Update Control) subfield, and when the identifier value of the EMLSR Parameter Update Control subfield is a second value, it is used to indicate that the EMLSR conversion delay of the TDLS response device has been updated. When the identifier value of the EMLSR Parameter Update Control subfield is a third value, it is used to indicate that the EMLSR conversion delay of the TDLS response device has not been updated.

[0388] Optionally, the second value and the third value are different, for example, the second value may be 1 and the third value may be 0.

[0389] In some embodiments, the first message frame includes an EML Control field, the EML Control field includes an EMLSR Parameter Update Control subfield, and when the identification value of the EMLSR Parameter Update Control subfield is the second value, it is used to indicate that the EMLSR conversion delay of the TDLS responding device is updated.

[0390] In some embodiments, the first message frame further includes an EMLSR parameter update (EMLSR Parameter Update) field, where the EMLSR Parameter Update field is used to indicate the EMLSR switching delay after the TDLS responding device is updated.

[0391] In some embodiments, the first message frame includes an action field, and the action field includes at least one of a TDLS Multi-Link element field, an EML Control field, or an EMLSR Parameter Update field.

[0392] In some embodiments, the first message frame includes a Multiple User Request to Send (MU-RTS) trigger frame or a Buffer Status Report Poll (BSRP) trigger frame.

[0393] In some embodiments, after receiving the first message frame, the TDLS initiating device may determine the first time interval according to the first message frame.

[0394] In which, when the initial negotiated EMLSR conversion delay of the TDLS responding device is not updated, the TDLS initiating device may determine the time interval corresponding to the initial negotiated EMLSR conversion delay of the TDLS responding device in the first message frame as the first time interval.

[0395] In which case, when the initially negotiated EMLSR conversion delay of the TDLS responding device is updated, the TDLS initiating device may determine the time interval corresponding to the updated EMLSR conversion delay of the TDLS responding device in the first message frame as the first time interval.

[0396] Referring to Figure 14, Figure 14 is a third flow chart of a communication method performed by a TDLS responding device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The communication method shown in Figure 14 can be performed by a TDLS initiating device, and the method includes the following steps:

[0397] Step S141: The TDLS initiating device sends a TDLS establishment request frame to the AP device.

[0398] In some embodiments, the implementation of step S141 can refer to the implementation shown in step S111 in Figure 11, and will not be repeated here.

[0399] Step S142: When the first message frame is received within the second time interval and the TDLS setup response frame is received within the first time interval, the TDLS initiating device responds to the TDLS setup response frame.

[0400] In some embodiments, if the TDLS initiating device receives a first message frame within the second time interval, it indicates that the AP device sends an initial control frame and a TDLS establishment request frame to the TDLS response device before the end of the first time interval when the TDLS response device is operating in the listening operation mode in the EMLSR working state and all first STAs in the EMLSR working state are operating in the listening operation mode within the first time interval, and sends the first message frame to the TDLS initiating device before the end of the second time interval when the end time of the first time interval is later than the end time of the second time interval.

[0401] The second time interval is a time interval corresponding to a TDLS response timeout (dot11TDLSResponseTimeout) of the TDLS initiating device.

[0402] The first time interval is a time interval corresponding to the current EMLSR transition delay (Transition Delay) of the TDLS responding device.

[0403] The initial control frame is used to trigger the TDLS responding device to switch from the listening operation mode to the transceiver operation mode.

[0404] The first STAs include TDLS responding devices, and all first STAs belong to the same MLD.

[0405] In this case, if the TDLS initiating device receives the first message frame within the second time interval, it can determine that the TDLS responding device may delay sending the TDLS setup response frame before the end of the first time interval. The TDLS initiating device further determines the first time interval and waits to receive the TDLS setup response frame sent by the TDLS responding device before the end of the first time interval.

[0406] If the TDLS initiating device further receives a TDLS setup response frame before the end of the first time interval, it indicates that the TDLS responding device has responded to the TDLS setup request frame. At this time, the TDLS initiating device may respond to the TDLS setup response frame.

[0407] Optionally, when the TDLS initiating device responds to the TDLS establishment response frame, if the TDLS establishment response frame indicates through the status code field that the TDLS responding device agrees to establish a TDLS link with the TDLS initiating device, the TDLS initiating device may send a TDLS establishment confirmation frame to the TDLS responding device to indicate confirmation of establishing a TDLS link with the TDLS responding device.

[0408] Optionally, when the TDLS initiating device responds to the TDLS setup response frame, if the TDLS setup response frame indicates through the status code field that the TDLS responding device refuses to establish a TDLS link with the TDLS initiating device, the TDLS initiating device terminates the TDLS link establishment process and discards the TDLS setup response frame.

[0409] In some embodiments, the first message frame may be any message frame that the TDLS initiating device can receive in the second time interval.

[0410] In some embodiments, the first message frame may be a temporary TDLS setup response frame.

[0411] In some embodiments, the first message frame includes a state code (State Code) field. When the identification value of the state code field is a first value, it is used to instruct the TDLS responding device to delay sending a TDLS setup response frame.

[0412] Optionally, the first value may be a preset value such as 142, which is not limited here.

[0413] When the status code field value is 142, the corresponding field name is TDLS_Setup_Response_Delay_Due_To_E MLSR, which indicates that the TDLS setup response frame may be delayed because the TDLS responding device is in the EMLSR working state and cannot send data.

[0414] In some embodiments, the first message frame includes a TDLS Multi-Link element field, and the TDLS Multi-Link element field includes at least one of a multi-link device media access control address (MLD MAC Address) subfield or an enhanced multi-link capability (EML Capabilities) subfield.

[0415] The MLD MAC Address subfield is used to indicate the MAC address of the multi-link device MLD to which the TDLS responding device is attached. That is, the field content of the MLD MAC Address subfield is the MAC address of the multi-link device MLD to which the TDLS responding device is attached.

[0416] The EML Capabilities subfield is used to indicate the EMLSR status information of the TDLS responding device.

[0417] The EMLSR status information may be the EMLSR conversion delay initially negotiated by the EMLSR responding device, that is, the EMLSR conversion delay initially negotiated by the EMLSR responding device may be indicated in the EMLSR Capabilities subfield.

[0418] The EMLSR transition delay initially negotiated by the TDLS responding device is the EMLSR transition delay negotiated when the TDLS responding device initially enters the EMLSR state.

[0419] Optionally, the EML Capabilities subfield includes an EMLSR conversion delay (EMLSR delay) subfield, and the EMLSR conversion delay subfield is used to indicate the EMLSR conversion delay initially negotiated by the TDLS responding device.

[0420] Optionally, the first message frame includes a TDLS Multi-Link element field, and the TDLS Multi-Link element field includes an MLD MAC Address subfield.

[0421] Optionally, the first message frame includes a TDLS Multi-Link element field, and the TDLS Multi-Link element field includes an EML Capabilities subfield.

[0422] Optionally, the first message frame includes a TDLS Multi-Link element field, and the TDLS Multi-Link element field includes an MLD MAC Address subfield and an EML Capabilities subfield.

[0423] In some embodiments, the TDLS Multi-Link element field includes a common information (Common Info) field, and the common information field includes at least one of an MLD MAC Address subfield or an EML Capabilities subfield.

[0424] Optionally, the TDLS Multi-Link element field includes a Common Info field, and the Common Info field includes an MLD MAC Address subfield.

[0425] Optionally, the TDLS Multi-Link element field includes a Common Info field, and the Common Info field includes an EML Capabilities subfield.

[0426] Optionally, the TDLS Multi-Link element field includes a Common Info field, and the Common Info field includes an MLD MAC Address subfield and an EML Capabilities subfield.

[0427] As an example, the Common Info field format of the TDLS Multi-Link element field can be as follows:

[0428] The Common Info Length field indicates the length of the Common Info field, and the AP MLD MAC Address field indicates the MAC address of the MLD to which the AP belongs.

[0429] In some embodiments, the first message frame includes an enhanced multilink control (EML Control) field, the enhanced multilink control field includes an EMLSR parameter update control (EMLSR Parameter Update Control) subfield, and when the identifier value of the EMLSR Parameter Update Control subfield is a second value, it is used to indicate that the EMLSR conversion delay of the TDLS response device has been updated. When the identifier value of the EMLSR Parameter Update Control subfield is a third value, it is used to indicate that the EMLSR conversion delay of the TDLS response device has not been updated.

[0430] Optionally, the second value and the third value are different, for example, the second value may be 1 and the third value may be 0.

[0431] In some embodiments, the first message frame includes an EML Control field, the EML Control field includes an EMLSR Parameter Update Control subfield, and when the identification value of the EMLSR Parameter Update Control subfield is the second value, it is used to indicate that the EMLSR conversion delay of the TDLS responding device is updated.

[0432] In some embodiments, the first message frame further includes an EMLSR parameter update (EMLSR Parameter Update) field, where the EMLSR Parameter Update field is used to indicate the EMLSR switching delay after the TDLS responding device is updated.

[0433] In some embodiments, the first message frame includes an action field, and the action field includes at least one of a TDLS Multi-Link element field, an EML Control field, or an EMLSR Parameter Update field.

[0434] In some embodiments, the first message frame includes a Multiple User Request to Send (MU-RTS) trigger frame or a Buffer Status Report Poll (BSRP) trigger frame.

[0435] In some embodiments, after receiving the first message frame, the TDLS initiating device may determine the first time interval according to the first message frame.

[0436] In which, when the initial negotiated EMLSR conversion delay of the TDLS responding device is not updated, the TDLS initiating device may determine the time interval corresponding to the initial negotiated EMLSR conversion delay of the TDLS responding device in the first message frame as the first time interval.

[0437] In which case, when the initially negotiated EMLSR conversion delay of the TDLS responding device is updated, the TDLS initiating device may determine the time interval corresponding to the updated EMLSR conversion delay of the TDLS responding device in the first message frame as the first time interval.

[0438] Figure 15 is a third schematic diagram of TDLS establishment interaction according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The communication method shown in Figure 15 can be implemented by an AP device and a TDLS initiating device.

[0439] Step 1: The TDLS initiator sends a TDLS setup request frame to the AP (AP MLD).

[0440] Step 2: After receiving the TDLS setup request frame, the AP device determines whether the TDLS responding device (non-AP MLD) is in the EMLSR state and whether the BSSID carried in the Link Identifier field of the TDLS setup request frame corresponds to the AP device attached to the AP MLD. Whether the AP device can send data to the non-AP STA (TDLS responding device) in the EMLSR state and attached to the non-AP MLD. The following situations may occur:

[0441] Case A: The TDLS responding device is not in the EMLSR state, or the TDLS responding device is in the EMLSR state but the BSSID carried in the Link Identifier field in the TDLS Setup Request frame corresponds to a non-AP STA (TDLS responding device) attached to a non-AP MLD. The link where the device is located receives the initial control frame sent by the AP device and is in the transceiver operation mode. In this case, the AP device sends a TDLS Setup Request frame to the TDLS responding device.

[0442] Case B: If the AP cannot send data to the TDLS responder and the end time of dot11TDLSResponseTimeout is later than the end time of the TDLS responder's current EMLSR transition delay, the AP switches all ENLSR links to listening mode before the TDLS responder's EMLSR transition delay expires. The AP then sends an initial control frame on the link where the non-AP STA (TDLS responder) attached to the non-AP MLD is located, using the BSSID carried in the Link Identifier field of the TDLS Setup Request frame. The AP then sends a TDLS Setup Request frame.

[0443] Case C: If the AP device is unable to send data to the TDLS responding device, the AP device sends a temporary TDLS Setup Response frame (TDLS Setup Response frame) to the TDLS initiating device before the dot11TDLSResponseTimeout expires. The temporary TDLS Setup Response frame includes at least a State Code field, optionally a TDLS Multi-Link element, optionally an EML Control field, and optionally an EMLSR Parameter Update field. The State Code field includes a first value for identifying the TDLS response frame as a temporary response. Since the TDLS responding device is in EMLSR mode, the TDLS Setup Response frame it sends may be delayed.

[0444] The Common Info field of the TDLS Multi-Link element contains the MLD MAC Address subfield and the EML Capabilities subfield. The MLD MAC Address subfield is set to the MLD MAC address of the TDLS responding device, and the EML Capabilities subfield is used to inform the TDLS initiating device of the EMLSR status of the TDLS responding device, such as the EMLSR Transition Delay.

[0445] When the EMLSR Parameter Update Control subfield in the EML Control field is set to 1, the TDLS Setup Response frame includes an EMLSR Parameter Update field for identifying parameters of the EMLSR status update of the TDLS responding device, such as the updated EMLSR Transition Delay.

[0446] Step 3, corresponding to case A in step 2, if the TDLS initiating device does not receive the TDLS setup response frame for this session before the dot11TDLSResponseTimeout expires, the TDLS setup process is terminated; if a TDLS setup response frame is received for this session, a response is made according to the response frame identifier.

[0447] Step 4, corresponding to case B in step 2, if the TDLS initiating device does not receive the TDLS setup response frame for this session before the dot11TDLSResponseTimeout expires, the TDLS setup process is terminated; if a TDLS setup response frame is received for this session, a response is made according to the response frame identifier.

[0448] Step 5, corresponding to Case C in Step 2, after the TDLS responding device completes the current frame exchange and before the EMLSR transition delay expires, the AP sends an initial control frame to the link where the non-AP STA (TDLS responding device) associated with the non-AP MLD corresponds to the BSSID carried in the Link Identifier field of the TDLS Setup Request frame. Then, it sends a TDLS Setup Request frame. If the TDLS Initiating Device does not receive a Provisional TDLS Setup Response frame from the AP before the dot11TDLSResponseTimeout expires, the TDLS setup process is terminated. If the TDLS Initiating Device receives a Provisional TDLS Setup Response frame from the AP but still has not received a TDLS Setup Response frame for the current session before the EMLSR transition delay flag in the Provisional TDLS Setup Response frame sent by the AP expires, the TDLS setup process is terminated. If the TDLS Initiating Device receives a TDLS Setup Response frame for the current session before the EMLSR transition delay flag in the Provisional TDLS Setup Response frame sent by the AP expires, the TDLS setup process is terminated. If the TDLS Setup Response frame for the current session is received before the EMLSR transition delay flag in the Provisional TDLS Setup Response frame sent by the AP expires, the TDLS Setup process is responded to based on the flag in the response frame.

[0449] The present disclosure also provides an apparatus for implementing any of the above methods, such as the apparatus shown in FIG16a , which includes a first transceiver module 161 for implementing each step performed by an AP device in any of the above methods. Furthermore, the apparatus shown in FIG16b includes a second transceiver module 162 for implementing each step performed by a TDLS initiating device in any of the above methods.

[0450] It should be understood that the division of the various units or modules in the above device is merely a division of logical functions. In actual implementation, they may be fully or partially integrated into a physical entity, or they may be physically separated. In addition, the units or modules in the device may be implemented in the form of a processor calling software: for example, the device includes a processor, the processor is connected to a memory, and the memory stores instructions. The processor calls the instructions stored in the memory to implement any of the above methods or implement the functions of the various units or modules of the above device, wherein the processor is, for example, a general-purpose processor, such as a central processing unit (CPU) or a microprocessor, and the memory is a memory within the device or a memory outside the device. Alternatively, the units or modules in the device can be implemented in the form of hardware circuits, and the functions of some or all of the units or modules can be realized by designing the hardware circuits. The above-mentioned hardware circuits can be understood as one or more processors; for example, in one implementation, the above-mentioned hardware circuit is an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), which realizes the functions of some or all of the above units or modules by designing the logical relationship of the components in the circuit; for example, in another implementation, the above-mentioned hardware circuit can be realized by a programmable logic device (PLD). Taking a field programmable gate array (FPGA) as an example, it can include a large number of logic gate circuits, and the connection relationship between the logic gate circuits is configured by configuring the configuration file, thereby realizing the functions of some or all of the above units or modules. All units or modules of the above devices can be realized in the form of software called by the processor, or in the form of hardware circuits, or in part by the form of software called by the processor, and the rest by hardware circuits.

[0451] Figure 17a is a schematic diagram of the structure of an AP device proposed in an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in Figure 17a, AP device 1710 may include at least one of a transceiver module 1711 and a processing module 1712. In some embodiments, transceiver module 1711 is configured to receive a TDLS setup request frame sent by a TDLS initiating device for establishing a direct link; and to send the TDLS setup request frame to the TDLS responding device based on the operating status of the TDLS responding device.

[0452] Optionally, the above-mentioned transceiver module 1711 is used to execute at least one of the communication steps such as sending and / or receiving performed by the AP device 1710 in any of the above methods (for example, steps S41-S44, steps S51-S54, steps S61-S64, and steps S71-S75, but not limited to these), and the above-mentioned processing module 1712 is used to execute the processing process performed by the AP device 1710 in any of the above methods (such as determining whether the TDLS response device is in the EMLSR working state, determining the working mode of the TDLS response device, comparing the end time of the first time interval and the end time of the second time interval, etc.), which will not be repeated here.

[0453] Figure 17b is a schematic diagram of the structure of an AP device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in Figure 17b, TDLS initiating device 1720 may include at least one of a transceiver module 1721 and a processing module 1722. In some embodiments, transceiver module 1721 is configured to send a TDLS setup request frame to an access point (AP) device. The AP device then sends the TDLS setup request frame to the TDLS responding device based on the device's operating status.

[0454] Optionally, the above-mentioned transceiver module 1721 is used to execute at least one of the communication steps such as sending and / or receiving (for example, sending a TDLS establishment request frame, receiving a TDLS establishment response frame, etc., but not limited to this) performed by the TDLS initiator device 1720 in any of the above methods, and the above-mentioned processing module 1722 is used to execute the processing process performed by the TDLS initiator device 1720 in any of the above methods (for example, determining the receiving time of the first message frame and the TDLS establishment response frame, etc.), which will not be repeated here.

[0455] In some embodiments, the transceiver module may include a transmitting module and / or a receiving module, and the transmitting module and the receiving module may be separate or integrated. Optionally, the transceiver module may be interchangeable with the transceiver.

[0456] In some embodiments, the processing module can be a single module or can include multiple submodules. Optionally, the multiple submodules respectively execute all or part of the steps required to be executed by the processing module. Optionally, the processing module can be interchangeable with the processor.

[0457] Figure 18 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device proposed in an embodiment of the present disclosure. Communication device 180 can be an AP device or a TDLS responder device, or a chip, chip system, or processor that supports a network device implementing any of the above methods, or a chip, chip system, or processor that supports a terminal implementing any of the above methods. The communication device can be used to implement the methods described in the above method embodiments. For details, please refer to the description of the above method embodiments.

[0458] As shown in Figure 18, the communication device 180 includes one or more processors 181. The processor 181 can be a general-purpose processor or a dedicated processor, for example, a baseband processor or a central processing unit. The baseband processor can be used to process communication protocols and communication data, and the central processing unit can be used to control the communication device (such as a base station, baseband chip, terminal device, terminal device chip, DU or CU, etc.), execute programs, and process program data. The communication device 180 is used to perform any of the above methods.

[0459] In some embodiments, the communication device 180 further includes one or more memories 182 for storing instructions. Optionally, all or part of the memory 182 may also be outside the communication device 180.

[0460] In some embodiments, the communication device 180 further includes one or more transceivers 183. When the communication device 180 includes one or more transceivers 183, the transceiver 183 performs at least one of the communication steps (e.g., steps S41-S44, steps S51-S54, steps S61-S64, and steps S71-S75, but not limited thereto) in the above method, and the processor 8101 performs at least one of the other steps (e.g., determining the operating status of the TDLS responding device and determining the end times of the first time interval and the second time interval, but not limited thereto).

[0461] In some embodiments, a transceiver may include a receiver and / or a transmitter. The receiver and transmitter may be separate or integrated. Optionally, the terms transceiver, transceiver unit, transceiver, and transceiver circuit may be used interchangeably; the terms transmitter, transmitting unit, transmitter, and transmitting circuit may be used interchangeably; and the terms receiver, receiving unit, receiver, and receiving circuit may be used interchangeably.

[0462] In some embodiments, the communication device 180 may include one or more interface circuits 184. Optionally, the interface circuit 184 is connected to the memory 182 and may be configured to receive signals from the memory 182 or other devices, or to send signals to the memory 182 or other devices. For example, the interface circuit 184 may read instructions stored in the memory 182 and send the instructions to the processor 181.

[0463] The communication device 180 described in the above embodiment may be an AP device or a TDLS initiator device, but the scope of the communication device 180 described in the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and the structure of the communication device 180 may not be limited by FIG10 . The communication device may be an independent device or may be part of a larger device. For example, the communication device may be: 1) an independent integrated circuit IC, or a chip, or a chip system or subsystem; (2) a collection of one or more ICs, optionally, the above IC collection may also include a storage component for storing data and programs; (3) an ASIC, such as a modem; (4) a module that can be embedded in other devices; (5) a receiver, a terminal device, an intelligent terminal device, a cellular phone, a wireless device, a handheld device, a mobile unit, an in-vehicle device, a network device, a cloud device, an artificial intelligence device, etc.; (6) others, etc.

[0464] The present disclosure also provides a storage medium having instructions stored thereon. When the instructions are executed on the communication device 180, the communication device 180 executes any of the above methods. Optionally, the storage medium is an electronic storage medium. Optionally, the storage medium is a computer-readable storage medium, but is not limited thereto and may also be a storage medium readable by other devices. Optionally, the storage medium may be a non-transitory storage medium, but is not limited thereto and may also be a transient storage medium.

[0465] The present disclosure also provides a program product, which, when executed by the communication device 180, enables the communication device 180 to perform any of the above methods. Optionally, the program product is a computer program product.

[0466] The present disclosure also proposes a computer program, which, when run on a computer, enables the computer to execute any of the above methods. The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present disclosure and an explanation of the technical principles used. Those skilled in the art should understand that the scope of disclosure involved in the present disclosure is not limited to the technical solutions formed by a specific combination of the above-mentioned technical features, but should also cover other technical solutions formed by any combination of the above-mentioned technical features or their equivalent features without departing from the above-mentioned disclosed concepts. For example, the above-mentioned features are replaced with the technical features with similar functions disclosed in the present disclosure (but not limited to) and the technical solutions formed.

Claims

1. A communication method, characterized in that: The method is performed by an AP device, and the method includes: A TDLS establishment request frame sent by a TDLS initiator device for receiving a direct link establishment channel; The TDLS establishment request frame is sent to the TDLS responding device.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that The sending the TDLS establishment request frame to the TDLS response device includes at least one of the following: When the TDLS response device is not in the enhanced multi-link single radio EMLSR working state, directly sending the TDLS establishment request frame to the TDLS response device; When the TDLS responding device operates in the transceiver operation mode in the EMLSR working state, directly sending a TDLS establishment request frame to the TDLS responding device; In the case where the TDLS response device operates in the listening operation mode in the EMLSR working state, when all first station devices STA in the EMLSR working state operate in the listening operation mode within the first time interval, an initial control frame and the TDLS establishment request frame are sent to the TDLS response device before the end of the first time interval, and the initial control frame is used to trigger the TDLS response device to switch from the listening operation mode to the transceiver operation mode; The first STA includes the TDLS response device, and the first STA is attached to the same multi-link device, and the first time interval is a time interval corresponding to a current EMLSR conversion delay of the TDLS response device.

3. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that In case the TDLS responding device operates in a listening mode of operation, the method further comprises: When the end time of the first time interval is later than the end time of the second time interval, sending a first message frame to the TDLS initiating device before the end of the second time interval, wherein the first message frame is used to instruct the TDLS responding device to delay sending a TDLS establishment response frame; The second time interval is a time interval corresponding to a TDLS response timeout of the TDLS initiating device.

4. The method according to claim 3, characterized in that The initial control frame includes a multi-user request to send a trigger frame or a buffer status report polling trigger frame.

5. The method according to claim 3, characterized in that: The first message frame includes a status code field. When the identification value of the status code field is a first value, it is used to instruct the TDLS response device to delay sending the TDLS establishment response frame.

6. The method according to claim 3, characterized in that: The first message frame includes a TDLS multilink element field, and the TDLS multilink element field includes at least one of a multilink device media access control address subfield or an enhanced multilink capability subfield; The multi-link device media access control address subfield is used to indicate the media access control address of the multi-link device to which the TDLS responding device is attached, and the enhanced multi-link capability subfield is used to indicate the EMLSR conversion delay initially negotiated by the TDLS responding device.

7. The method according to claim 6, characterized in that The TDLS multilink element field includes a general information field, and the general information field includes at least one of the multilink device medium access control subfield or the enhanced multilink capability subfield.

8. The method according to claim 3, characterized in that The first message frame further includes an enhanced multi-link control field, and the enhanced multi-link control field includes an EMLSR parameter update control subfield; Among them, when the identification value of the EMLSR parameter update control subfield is the second value, it is used to indicate that the EMLSR conversion delay of the TDLS response device is updated; when the identification value of the EMLSR parameter update control subfield is the third value, it is used to indicate that the EMLSR conversion delay of the TDLS response device is not updated.

9. The method according to claim 8, characterized in that The first message frame further includes an EMLSR parameter update field, where the EMLSR parameter update field is used to indicate an updated EMLSR switching delay of the TDLS responding device.

10. The method according to claim 3, characterized in that The first message frame is a temporary TDLS establishment response frame.

11. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that: The method further comprises: Receiving a TDLS setup response frame sent by the TDLS response device; Send the TDLS setup response frame to the TDLS initiating device.

12. A communication method, characterized in that: The method is performed by a TDLS initiator device, and the method includes: Send a TDLS establishment request frame to the access point AP device.

13. The method according to claim 12, characterized in that The method further comprises at least one of the following: When the first message frame and the TDLS establishment response frame are not received within the second time interval, terminating the TDLS link establishment process; When a TDLS setup response frame is received within the second time interval, responding to the TDLS setup response frame; When the first message frame is received within the second time interval and the TDLS establishment response frame is not received within the first time interval, terminating the TDLS link establishment process; When the first message frame is received within the second time interval, and the TDLS setup response frame is received within the first time interval, responding to the TDLS setup response frame; The first time interval is a time interval corresponding to the current EMLSR conversion delay of the TDLS responding device, and the second time interval is a time interval corresponding to the TDLS response timeout of the TDLS initiating device; The first message frame is used to instruct the TDLS response device to delay sending a TDLS establishment response frame.

14. The method according to claim 13, characterized in that The first message frame includes a status code field. When the identification value of the status code field is a first value, it is used to instruct the TDLS response device to delay sending the TDLS establishment response frame.

15. The method according to claim 13, characterized in that The first message frame includes a TDLS multilink element field, and the TDLS multilink element field includes at least one of a multilink device media access control address subfield or an enhanced multilink capability subfield; The multi-link device media access control address subfield is used to indicate the media access control address of the multi-link device to which the TDLS responding device is attached, and the enhanced multi-link capability subfield is used to indicate the EMLSR conversion delay initially negotiated by the TDLS responding device.

16. The method according to claim 15, characterized in that The TDLS multilink element field includes a general information field, and the general information field includes at least one of the multilink device medium access control subfield or the enhanced multilink capability subfield.

17. The method according to claim 13, characterized in that The first message frame also includes an enhanced multi-link control field; Among them, when the identification value of the enhanced multi-link control domain is the second value, it is used to indicate that the EMLSR conversion delay of the TDLS response device is updated; when the identification value of the enhanced multi-link control domain is the third value, it is used to indicate that the EMLSR conversion delay of the TDLS response device is not updated.

18. The method according to claim 17, characterized in that The first message frame further includes an EMLSR parameter update field, where the EMLSR parameter update field is used to indicate an updated EMLSR switching delay of the TDLS responding device.

19. The method according to claim 13, characterized in that The first message frame is a temporary TDLS establishment response frame.

20. A communication device, characterized in that: The device comprises: The first transceiver module is used for: A TDLS establishment request frame sent by a TDLS initiator device for receiving a direct link establishment channel; The TDLS establishment request frame is sent to the TDLS responding device.

21. A communication device, characterized in that: The device comprises: The second transceiver module is used to send a TDLS establishment request frame to an access point AP device.

22. An AP device, characterized in that: include: one or more processors; The AP device is used to execute the communication method described in any one of claims 1-11.

23. A TDLS initiating device, characterized in that: include: one or more processors; The TDLS initiating device is used to execute the communication method described in any one of claims 12-19.

24. A communication system, characterized in that: The invention comprises an AP device and a TDLS initiating device, wherein the AP device is configured to implement the communication method according to any one of claims 1 to 11, and the TDLS initiating device is configured to implement the communication method according to any one of claims 12 to 19.

25. A storage medium storing instructions, characterized in that: When the instruction is executed on a communication device, the communication device is caused to execute the communication method according to any one of claims 1-11 or 12-19.

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