Communication method and apparatus, device, and storage medium

Abstract

Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to the technical field of communications, and provided thereby are a communication method and apparatus, a device, and a storage medium. The method comprises: determining a first message frame, the first message frame being used for indicating a listening period of a first AP device; and sending the first message frame, the first message frame being further used for indicating a listening period of at least one second AP device, and the first AP device and the second AP device being affiliated AP devices of a first AP MLD. The embodiments of the present disclosure may provide a means of listening period indication.

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] In Ultra High Reliability (UHR) technology, device power conservation is a key research issue. Currently, station devices can achieve power conservation through mechanisms such as opportunistic power saving (OPS) and target wake time (TWT). In most cases, access points (APs) can also be kept in a listening state to conserve power. However, how APs communicate their listening periods to STAs remains a research topic.

[0003] Summary of the Invention

[0004] The embodiments of the present disclosure provide a communication method, an apparatus, a device, and a storage medium, which can provide a method for sending a listening period of an AP device.

[0005] In a first aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a communication method, the method comprising:

[0006] Determine a first message frame, where the first message frame is used to indicate a listening period of the first AP device;

[0007] Sending the first message frame;

[0008] The first message frame is further used to indicate a listening period of at least one second AP device, and the first AP device and the second AP device are subordinate AP devices of the first AP MLD.

[0009] In a second aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a communication method, the method comprising:

[0010] receiving a first message frame, where the first message frame is used to indicate a listening period of a first AP device;

[0011] The first message frame is further used to indicate a listening period of at least one second AP device, and the first AP device and the second AP device are subordinate AP devices of the first AP MLD.

[0012] In a third aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a communication device, the device comprising:

[0013] The first processing module is configured to: determine a first message frame, where the first message frame is used to indicate a listening period of a first AP device;

[0014] A first transceiver module is used to send the first message frame;

[0015] The first message frame is further used to indicate a listening period of at least one second AP device, and the first AP device and the second AP device are subordinate AP devices of the first AP MLD.

[0016] In a fourth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a communication device, the device comprising:

[0017] A second transceiver module is configured to receive a first message frame, where the first message frame is configured to indicate a listening period of the first AP device;

[0018] The first message frame is further used to indicate a listening period of at least one second AP device, and the first AP device and the second AP device are subordinate AP devices of the first AP MLD.

[0019] In a fifth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides an AP device, comprising one or more processors;

[0020] 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.

[0021] In a sixth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides an STA device, comprising one or more processors;

[0022] Among them, the above-mentioned STA device is used in the communication method provided in the second aspect of the embodiment of this disclosure.

[0023] 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.

[0024] In an eighth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure proposes a communication system, which includes an AP device and an STA device; wherein the AP device is configured to execute the method described in the first aspect, and the STA device is configured to execute the method described in the second aspect.

[0025] The communication method, apparatus, device, and storage medium provided in the embodiments of the present disclosure can be used by an AP device to indicate a listening period to a STA device.

[0026] 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

[0027] 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.

[0028] FIG1 is a schematic diagram of the architecture of a communication system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0029] FIG2 is one of the interactive schematic diagrams of the communication method shown in the embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0030] FIG3 is a second interactive schematic diagram of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0031] FIG4 is a flow chart showing one of the communication methods performed by the first AP device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0032] FIG5 is a second flow chart of a communication method performed by a first AP device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0033] FIG6 is a flow chart showing a communication method executed by a first STA device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0034] FIG7 is a second flow chart of a communication method performed by a first STA device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0035] 8a-8b are schematic structural diagrams of a communication device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0036] FIG9a is a schematic structural diagram of an AP device proposed in an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0037] FIG9 b is a schematic structural diagram of a STA device proposed in an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0038] FIG10 is a schematic structural diagram of a communication device proposed in an embodiment of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0039] The embodiments of the present disclosure provide a communication method, apparatus, device, and storage medium.

[0040] In a first aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a communication method, the method comprising:

[0041] Determine a first message frame, where the first message frame is used to indicate a listening period of the first AP device;

[0042] The first message frame is sent.

[0043] In the above embodiment, the cycle of the first AP device can be directly indicated through the first message frame, which can improve the indication mechanism of the listening cycle.

[0044] In combination with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the first message frame is further used to indicate a listening period of at least one second AP device, and the first AP device and the second AP device are subordinate AP devices of the first AP MLD.

[0045] In the above embodiment, when the first AP device is attached to the first AP MLD, the listening period of the first AP device can be indicated through the first message frame, and the listening period of other attached AP devices of the first AP MLD can also be indicated, thereby improving the indication mechanism of the listening period of the attached AP devices of the AP MLD and saving signaling resources.

[0046] In combination with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the above-mentioned first message frame includes at least one first information field, and each of the above-mentioned first information field is used to indicate the listening period of one AP device among the above-mentioned first AP device and the above-mentioned second AP device.

[0047] In the above embodiment, the first message frame can indicate the listening periods of different AP devices respectively through different first information fields, which is conducive to clear indication of the listening periods of multiple AP devices.

[0048] In combination with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the listening periods of any two AP devices among the first AP device and the second AP device are different.

[0049] In the above embodiment, different AP devices have different listening periods, which can reduce interference between AP devices and improve communication efficiency.

[0050] In combination with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the first information field corresponding to the above-mentioned first AP device includes the listening period of the above-mentioned first AP device, and each other first information field includes the time offset information of the listening period of the corresponding second AP device and the listening period of the above-mentioned first AP device.

[0051] In the above embodiment, the listening period of each second AP device can be indirectly indicated by time offset information relative to the listening period of the first AP device, thereby improving the convenience of indicating the listening period.

[0052] In combination with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the listening period of the above-mentioned first AP device and the above-mentioned second AP device is an integer multiple of the first period, and the above-mentioned first period is a DTIM period for transmitting service indication messages or a broadcast period for beacon frames.

[0053] In the above embodiment, the listening period of the AP device is an integer multiple of the existing time period, which is conducive to accurate calculation of the listening period by the AP device and the STA device.

[0054] In combination with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the first information field is a single-site STA device configuration field.

[0055] In the above embodiment, the first message frame can reuse the existing information field, which is beneficial to improving the transmission efficiency of the first message frame and the indication efficiency of the listening period.

[0056] In combination with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the above-mentioned first message frame is at least one of a beacon frame, a probe response frame, or an association response frame.

[0057] In the above embodiment, the first message frame may be existing signaling, which is beneficial to saving signaling resources.

[0058] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the first message frame is further used to indicate at least one of the following:

[0059] Delay information for the first AP device and / or the second AP device to switch from a listening state to an active state;

[0060] A third AP device that is always in an active state, the third AP device is attached to the first AP MLD, and the first AP device and the second AP device do not include the third AP device.

[0061] In the above embodiment, the first message frame can indicate the delay information of the AP device switching from the listening state to the active state and / or the AP device that is always in the active state while indicating the listening period, thereby saving signaling resources and indicating more content, thereby improving signaling utilization.

[0062] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the above method further includes:

[0063] Determine a second message frame, where the second message frame is used to indicate at least one of the following:

[0064] Delay information for the first AP device and / or the second AP device to switch from a listening state to an active state;

[0065] a third AP device that is always in an active state, the third AP device being attached to the first AP MLD, and the first AP device and the second AP device not including the third AP device;

[0066] The second message frame is sent.

[0067] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the above method further includes:

[0068] A third message frame is received, where the third message frame is used to indicate that the first STA device supports sending an initial control frame to the first AP device when the first AP device is in a listening state, and the initial control frame is used to trigger the first AP device to switch from a listening state to an active state.

[0069] In the above embodiment, the first AP device can determine through the third message frame that the first STA device supports sending the initial control frame when the first AP device is in the listening state, so that the first AP device can determine that it can receive the initial control frame to switch from the listening state to the active state, which is beneficial to the state switching of the first AP device and data transmission in the active state.

[0070] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the above method further includes:

[0071] An initial control frame is received, where the initial control frame is used to trigger the first AP device to switch from a listening state to an active state.

[0072] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the initial control frame further includes parameter information for data transmission, and the parameter information includes at least one of the following:

[0073] At least one of the following: number of spatial streams NSS information, modulation and coding strategy MCS information, bandwidth information BW, or data padding information.

[0074] In the above embodiment, the first AP device can determine the parameter information used for data transmission based on the initial control frame, which is conducive to the first AP device to transmit data normally in an active state, and the above parameter information can be transmitted through the initial control frame, which is conducive to saving signaling resources.

[0075] In combination with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the initial control frame includes a multi-user request to send MU-RTS frame or a buffer status report BSRP frame.

[0076] In the above embodiment, the initial control frame can reuse the existing message frame, which is beneficial to saving signaling resources.

[0077] In a second aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a communication method, the method comprising:

[0078] A first message frame is received, where the first message frame is used to indicate a listening period of a first AP device.

[0079] In the above embodiment, the listening period of the first AP device can be directly indicated through the first message frame, which can improve the indication mechanism of the listening period.

[0080] In combination with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the first message frame is further used to indicate a listening period of at least one second AP device, and the first AP device and the second AP device are subordinate AP devices of the first AP MLD.

[0081] In the above embodiment, when the first AP device is attached to the first AP MLD, the listening period of the first AP device can be indicated through the first message frame, and the listening period of other attached AP devices of the first AP MLD can also be indicated, thereby improving the indication mechanism of the listening period of the attached AP devices of the AP MLD and saving signaling resources.

[0082] In combination with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the above-mentioned first message frame includes at least one first information field, and each of the above-mentioned first information field is used to indicate the listening period of one AP device among the above-mentioned first AP device and the above-mentioned second AP device.

[0083] In the above embodiment, the first message frame can indicate the listening periods of different AP devices respectively through different first information fields, which is conducive to clear indication of the listening periods of multiple AP devices.

[0084] In combination with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the listening periods of any two AP devices among the first AP device and the second AP device are different.

[0085] In the above embodiment, different AP devices have different listening periods, which can reduce interference between AP devices and improve communication efficiency.

[0086] In combination with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the first information field corresponding to the above-mentioned first AP device includes the listening period of the above-mentioned first AP device, and each other first information field includes the time offset information of the listening period of the corresponding second AP device and the listening period of the above-mentioned first AP device.

[0087] In the above embodiment, the listening period of each second AP device can be indirectly indicated by time offset information relative to the listening period of the first AP device, thereby improving the convenience of indicating the listening period.

[0088] In combination with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the listening period of the above-mentioned first AP device and the above-mentioned second AP device is an integer multiple of the first period, and the above-mentioned first period is the transmission service indication message DTIM period or the broadcast period of the beacon frame.

[0089] In the above embodiment, the listening period of the AP device is an integer multiple of the existing time period, which is conducive to accurate calculation of the listening period by the AP device and the STA device.

[0090] In combination with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the first information field is a single-site STA device configuration field.

[0091] In the above embodiment, the first message frame can reuse the existing information field, which is beneficial to improving the transmission efficiency of the first message frame and the indication efficiency of the listening period.

[0092] In combination with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the above-mentioned first message frame is at least one of a beacon frame, a probe response frame, or an association response frame.

[0093] In the above embodiment, the first message frame may be existing signaling, which is beneficial to saving signaling resources.

[0094] In conjunction with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the first message frame is further used to indicate at least one of the following:

[0095] Delay information for the first AP device and / or the second AP device to switch from a listening state to an active state;

[0096] A third AP device that is always in an active state, the third AP device is attached to the first AP MLD, and the first AP device and the second AP device do not include the third AP device.

[0097] In the above embodiment, the first message frame may indicate the delay information of switching from the listening state to the active state and / or the AP device that is always in the active state while indicating the listening period, thereby indicating more content while saving signaling resources and improving signaling utilization.

[0098] In conjunction with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the above method further includes:

[0099] A second message frame is received, where the second message frame is used to indicate at least one of the following:

[0100] Delay information for the first AP device and / or the second AP device to switch from a listening state to an active state;

[0101] A third AP device that is always in an active state, the third AP device is attached to the first AP MLD, and the first AP device and the second AP device do not include the third AP device.

[0102] In conjunction with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the above method further includes:

[0103] Send a third message frame, where the third message frame is used to indicate that the first STA device supports sending an initial control frame to the first AP device when the first AP device is in the listening state, and the initial control frame is used to trigger the first AP device to switch from the listening state to the active state.

[0104] In the above embodiment, the third message frame can indicate support for sending the initial control frame when the first AP device is in the listening state, so that the first AP device can determine that it can receive the initial control frame to switch from the listening state to the active state, which is beneficial to the state switching of the first AP device and data transmission when in the active state.

[0105] In conjunction with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the above method further includes:

[0106] An initial control frame is sent, where the initial control frame is used to trigger the first AP device to switch from a listening state to an active state.

[0107] In conjunction with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the initial control frame further includes parameter information for data transmission, and the parameter information includes at least one of the following:

[0108] At least one of the following: number of spatial streams NSS information, modulation and coding strategy MCS information, bandwidth information BW, or data padding information.

[0109] In the above embodiment, the parameter information used for data transmission can be indicated through the initial control frame, which is conducive to normal data transmission with the first AP device in an active state, and the above parameter information can be transmitted through the initial control frame, which is conducive to saving signaling resources.

[0110] In combination with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the initial control frame includes a multi-user request to send MU-RTS frame or a buffer status report BSRP frame.

[0111] In the above embodiment, the initial control frame can reuse the existing message frame, which is beneficial to saving signaling resources.

[0112] In the third aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure proposes a communication device, which includes a first processing module and a first transceiver module; wherein the first processing module is used to determine a first message frame, and the first transceiver module is used to execute the first aspect of sending the first message frame and the optional implementation method of the first aspect.

[0113] In a fourth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure proposes a communication device, which includes a second transceiver module; wherein the second transceiver module is used to execute the second aspect and the optional implementation method of the second aspect.

[0114] 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.

[0115] In a sixth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure proposes a STA device, which includes: one or more processors; wherein the STA device is used to execute the second aspect and the optional implementation method of the second aspect.

[0116] In the seventh aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure proposes a communication system, an AP device and an STA device of the communication system; 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 STA device is configured to execute the method described in the second aspect and the optional implementation of the second aspect.

[0117] 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.

[0118] 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.

[0119] 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.

[0120] 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.

[0121] It is understandable that the above-mentioned communication devices, AP devices, STA 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.

[0122] 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.

[0123] 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.

[0124] 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.

[0125] 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.

[0126] In the embodiments of the present disclosure, “plurality” refers to two or more.

[0127] In some embodiments, the terms "at least one," "one or more," "a plurality of," "multiple," etc. may be used interchangeably.

[0128] 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.

[0129] 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.

[0130] 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.

[0131] 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.

[0132] 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.

[0133] 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.

[0134] In some embodiments, obtaining data, information, etc. may comply with the laws and regulations of the country where the data is obtained.

[0135] In some embodiments, data, information, etc. may be obtained with the user's consent.

[0136] 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.

[0137] FIG1 is a schematic diagram showing the architecture of a communication system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0138] As shown in FIG1 , a communication system 100 includes an AP device and a first STA device.

[0139] In some embodiments, the first STA device may be an independent STA device that is not attached to any non-AP multi-link device (Non-AP Multi-Link Device, Non-AP MLD), or an attached STA device of a Non-AP MLD, which is not limited here.

[0140] In some embodiments, the first AP device may be an independent AP device that is not attached to any multi-link access point device (AP Multi-Link Device, AP MLD), or may be an attached AP device of an AP MLD.

[0141] Optionally, the first AP device may be a master AP device of the AP MLD.

[0142] The multi-link device (Non-AP MLD or AP MLD) includes one or more affiliated devices, and the affiliated devices can work on one link.

[0143] Among them, Non-AP MLD and AP MLD can establish multi-link communication. A STA device attached to Non-AP MLD and an AP device attached to AP MLD communicate through one communication link.

[0144] The first STA device may be a wireless communication chip, a wireless sensor, or a wireless communication terminal. For example, a mobile phone supporting Wireless Fidelity (WiFi) communication, a tablet computer supporting WiFi communication, a set-top box supporting WiFi communication, a smart TV supporting WiFi communication, a smart wearable device supporting WiFi communication, an in-vehicle communication device supporting WiFi communication, and a computer supporting WiFi communication.

[0145] The first AP device is also referred to as a wireless access point or hotspot. The AP device is an access point for mobile users to access a wired network. It is primarily deployed in homes, buildings, and campuses, with a typical coverage radius of tens to hundreds of meters. It can also be deployed outdoors. The AP device acts as a bridge between wired and wireless networks. Its primary function is to connect wireless network clients and then connect the wireless network to the Ethernet. Specifically, the 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.

[0146] 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.

[0147] 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.

[0148] 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.

[0149] In the embodiments of the present disclosure, STA devices can timely implement device power saving through OPS, TWT, Enhanced Multi-link Single Radio (EMLSR), listen interval, etc. As for AP device power saving, currently only research is conducted on AP devices implementing device power saving based on the TWT mechanism. However, when the AP device implements power saving through the listening state, the AP device.

[0150] In most cases, the access point (AP) device can also be in the listening state to save power, but how the AP device notifies the STA device of the listening period remains to be studied.

[0151] To improve the above-mentioned listening cycle indication mechanism, the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present disclosure will be further described clearly and completely below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only part of the embodiments of the present disclosure, not all of them. Based on the embodiments of the present disclosure, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without creative work are within the scope of protection of the present disclosure.

[0152] FIG2 is one of the interactive schematic diagrams of the communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG2 , the embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a communication method, and the method includes:

[0153] Step S21: The first AP device sends a first message frame to the second AP device.

[0154] In some embodiments, when the first AP device is an independent AP device not affiliated with an AP MLD, the first message frame may be used to indicate the listening period of the first AP device. When the first AP device is an affiliated AP device of an AP MLD, the first message frame may be used to indicate the listening period of at least one affiliated AP device of the AP MLD.

[0155] In some embodiments, the first message frame is used to indicate a listening period of the first AP device.

[0156] In some embodiments, the first message frame is used to indicate a listening period of the first AP device and the at least one second AP device.

[0157] The first AP device and the second AP device are subordinate AP devices of the first AP MLD.

[0158] The first AP device and the second AP device may respectively establish an initial association with a subordinate STA device of the Non-AP MLD.

[0159] In some embodiments, when the first AP device is an independent AP device not affiliated with an AP MLD, the first AP device may send a first message frame to the first STA device to indicate the listening period of the first AP device through the first message frame.

[0160] If the first AP device sends the first message frame to multiple independent first STA devices, the listening period of the first AP device relative to each first STA device may be the same.

[0161] In some embodiments, when the first message frame is used to indicate the listening period of the first AP device and at least one second AP device, the listening periods of any two AP devices among the first AP device and the second AP device may be the same or different.

[0162] The first STA device is a STA device that establishes an initial association with the first AP device.

[0163] Among them, when the first AP device and the second AP device are attached to the first AP MLD and the listening periods of the first AP device and the second AP device are the same, the simultaneous transmission and reception (STR) or non-simultaneous transmission and reception (NSTR) status of the first AP device and the second AP device remains unchanged, for example, the corresponding indication bitmap does not change.

[0164] When the first AP device and the second AP device are attached to the first AP MLD and have different listening periods, the STR or NSTR status corresponding to the first AP device and the second AP device changes, such as the corresponding indication bitmap changes.

[0165] In some embodiments, when the first message frame is used to indicate a listening period of the first AP device to at least one second AP device, the first message frame includes at least one first information field.

[0166] Each first information field corresponds to one of the first AP device and the second AP device.

[0167] Each first information field includes a link identification (Link ID) subfield, and the link identification subfield is used to indicate a communication link associated with one of the first AP device and the second AP device.

[0168] Optionally, the STA Control (STA Control) field in each first information field includes a link identifier subfield.

[0169] Optionally, each first information field may include a listening period of one of the first AP device and the second AP device.

[0170] Optionally, each first information field may include a first indication information, which is used to indirectly indicate the listening period of one of the first AP device and the second AP device.

[0171] Optionally, each first information field includes a STA information (STA Info) field, and the sub-information field in the STA information field includes the listening period of one of the first AP device and the second AP device or first indication information for indirectly indicating the listening period of the AP device.

[0172] Optionally, the first information field may be a single STA configuration (per-STA profile) field.

[0173] As an example, the first information field includes at least one single STA configuration field, each single STA configuration field includes a link identifier of a communication link associated with one of the first AP device and the second AP device, and a listening period of the AP device or first indication information for indirectly indicating the listening period of the AP device.

[0174] Based on this, a single STA configuration field in the first message frame is used to directly or indirectly indicate the listening period of an AP device.

[0175] Optionally, the first indication information in each first information field may be time offset information between a listening period of the AP device corresponding to the first information field and a listening period of the first AP device.

[0176] As an example, the first message frame includes multiple single STA configuration fields, one of which includes the listening period of the first AP device, and each of the other single STA configuration fields includes a time offset information, which is used to indicate the time offset information between the listening period of the second AP device corresponding to the single STA configuration field and the listening period of the first AP device.

[0177] In some embodiments, the listening period of the first AP device may be an integer multiple of the first period, and the listening period of the second AP device may be an integer multiple of the first period.

[0178] Optionally, the first period may be a Delivery Traffic Indication Message (DTIM) period, or may be a beacon frame broadcast period.

[0179] In some embodiments, the first message frame is any message frame sent by the first AP device to the first STA device during the process of establishing an initial association between the first AP device and the first STA device.

[0180] Optionally, the first message frame is at least one of a beacon frame, a probe response frame, or an association response frame.

[0181] In some embodiments, the first message frame is further used to indicate delay information for the first AP device and / or the second AP device to switch from the listening state to the active state.

[0182] Optionally, when the first AP device is an independent AP device, the first message frame is further used to indicate delay information when the first AP device switches from a listening state to an active state.

[0183] Optionally, when the first AP device is attached to the first AP MLD, the first message frame is further used to indicate delay information for the first AP device and the second AP device to switch from a listening state to an active state.

[0184] The delay information for the first AP device to switch from the listening state to the active state is consistent with the delay information for each second AP device to switch from the listening state to the active state.

[0185] The above delay information is determined by the hardware function of the corresponding device, such as 8us, 16us, etc., which is not limited here.

[0186] In some embodiments, when the first AP device is attached to the first AP MLD, the first message frame is further used to indicate a third AP device that is always active in the first AP MLD, and the third AP device is different from the first AP device and the second AP device.

[0187] When the third AP device is in an active state, it can send cached downlink data frames to other devices, or establish initial associations with other STA devices.

[0188] The first message frame is not used to indicate the listening information of the third AP device, that is, the listening information of the third AP device does not exist.

[0189] Step S22: The first STA device sends a third message frame to the first AP device.

[0190] In some embodiments, the first STA device may further send a third message frame to the first AP device.

[0191] The third message frame is used to indicate that the first STA device supports sending an initial control frame to the first AP device when the first AP device is in a listening state.

[0192] The initial control frame is used to trigger the first AP device to switch from a listening state to an active state.

[0193] Optionally, the initial control frame may be a multi-user request to send (MU-RTS) frame or a buffer status report poll (Buffer Status Report Poll) frame.

[0194] Optionally, the first AP device may receive a third message frame during the process of establishing an initial association with the first STA device. The third message frame may be any message frame received by the first AP device during the process of establishing an initial association with the first STA device.

[0195] Step S23: The first STA device sends an initial control frame to the first AP device.

[0196] In some embodiments, the first STA device may send an initial control frame to the first AP device when the first AP device is in a listening state.

[0197] In some embodiments, the initial control frame includes parameter information used by the first STA device for uplink data transmission.

[0198] Optionally, the above parameter information includes but is not limited to at least one of the number of spatial streams (NSS) information, modulation and coding scheme (MCS) information, bandwidth information BW (Bandwith) or data padding information.

[0199] The data filling information is determined by the listening period of the first AP device.

[0200] Step S24: The first AP device receives the uplink data frame buffered by the first AP device within the listening period.

[0201] In some embodiments, the first AP device is in a listening state during the listening period. After establishing an initial association with the first STA device, the first AP device can receive uplink data frames sent by the first STA device and buffered by the first STA device while in the listening state.

[0202] In some embodiments, if the first AP device is attached to the first AP MLD, each attached AP device (such as the second AP device) with a listening period of the first AP MLD and the associated STA device can also implement the implementation method shown in steps S22 to S24, which will not be repeated here.

[0203] In some embodiments, step S21 and step S22 may be executed in an interchanged order or simultaneously, which is not limited here.

[0204] In some embodiments, the communication method involved in the embodiments of the present disclosure may include at least one of steps S21 to S24. For example, step S21 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, step S21 and step S22 can be implemented as independent embodiments, steps S21 to S23 can be implemented as independent embodiments, steps S21 to S24 can be implemented as independent embodiments, step S21 and step S23 can be implemented as independent embodiments, and steps S21, S23, and S24 can be implemented as independent embodiments.

[0205] In some embodiments, steps S21 to S24 are optional, and one or more of these steps may be omitted or replaced in different embodiments.

[0206] FIG3 is a second interactive diagram of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG3 , the embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a communication method, which includes:

[0207] Step S31: A first AP device sends a first message frame to a first STA device.

[0208] In some embodiments, the optional implementation of step S31 can refer to the optional implementation of step S21 in Figure 2, which will not be repeated here.

[0209] Step S32: The first AP device sends a second message frame to the second AP device.

[0210] In some embodiments, the first AP device may send a second message frame to the first STA device.

[0211] In some embodiments, the second message frame is further used to indicate delay information for the first AP device and / or the second AP device to switch from the listening state to the active state.

[0212] Optionally, when the first AP device is an independent AP device, the first message frame is further used to indicate delay information when the first AP device switches from a listening state to an active state.

[0213] Optionally, when the first AP device is attached to the first AP MLD, the first message frame is further used to indicate delay information for the first AP device and the second AP device to switch from a listening state to an active state.

[0214] The delay information for the first AP device to switch from the listening state to the active state is consistent with the delay information for each second AP device to switch from the listening state to the active state.

[0215] The above delay information is determined by the hardware function of the corresponding device, such as 8us, 16us, etc., which is not limited here.

[0216] In some embodiments, when the first AP device is attached to the first AP MLD, the second message frame is further used to indicate a third AP device that is always active in the first AP MLD, and the third AP device is different from the first AP device and the second AP device.

[0217] When the third AP device is in an active state, it can send cached downlink data frames to other devices, or establish initial associations with other STA devices.

[0218] The first message frame is not used to indicate the listening information of the third AP device, that is, the listening information of the third AP device does not exist.

[0219] Step S33: The first STA device sends a third message frame to the first AP device.

[0220] In some embodiments, the optional implementation of step S33 can refer to the optional implementation of step S22 in Figure 2, which will not be repeated here.

[0221] Step S34: The first STA device sends an initial control frame to the first AP device.

[0222] In some embodiments, the optional implementation of step S34 can refer to the optional implementation of step S23 in Figure 2, which will not be repeated here.

[0223] Step S35: The first AP device receives the uplink data frame buffered by the first AP device within the listening period.

[0224] In some embodiments, the optional implementation of step S35 can refer to the optional implementation of step S24 in Figure 2, which will not be repeated here.

[0225] In some embodiments, steps S31 to S33 may be performed in any order, and any two or all of steps S31 to S33 may be performed simultaneously, without limitation herein.

[0226] In some embodiments, the communication method involved in the embodiments of the present disclosure may include at least one of steps S31 to S35. For example, step S31 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, step S31 and step S32 can be implemented as independent embodiments, steps S31 to S33 can be implemented as independent embodiments, steps S31 to S34 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, steps S31 to S35 can be implemented as independent embodiments, steps S31 and step S33 can be implemented as independent embodiments, and steps S31, S33, and S35 can be implemented as independent embodiments.

[0227] In some embodiments, steps S31 to S35 are optional, and one or more of these steps may be omitted or replaced in different embodiments.

[0228] For Figures 2-3, 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.

[0229] In some embodiments, terms such as "send", "transmit", "report", "download", "transmit", "bidirectional transmission", "send and / or receive" can be used interchangeably.

[0230] In some embodiments, reference may be made to other optional implementations described before or after the description corresponding to FIG. 2-FIG . 3 .

[0231] 4 is a flow chart illustrating a communication method performed by a first AP device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The communication method illustrated in FIG4 may be performed by the first AP device, and the method includes the following steps:

[0232] Step S41: Send a first message frame.

[0233] In some embodiments, when the first AP device is an independent AP device not affiliated with an AP MLD, the first message frame may be used to indicate the listening period of the first AP device. When the first AP device is an affiliated AP device of an AP MLD, the first message frame may be used to indicate the listening period of at least one affiliated AP device of the AP MLD.

[0234] The first AP device may send a first message frame to the first STA device, and the first AP device and the first STA device may establish an initial association.

[0235] In some embodiments, the first message frame is used to indicate a listening period of the first AP device.

[0236] In some embodiments, the first message frame is used to indicate a listening period of the first AP device and the at least one second AP device.

[0237] The first AP device and the second AP device are subordinate AP devices of the first AP MLD.

[0238] The first AP device and the second AP device may respectively establish an initial association with a subordinate STA device of the Non-AP MLD.

[0239] In some embodiments, when the first AP device is an independent AP device not affiliated with an AP MLD, the first AP device may send a first message frame to the first STA device to indicate the listening period of the first AP device through the first message frame.

[0240] If the first AP device sends the first message frame to multiple independent first STA devices, the listening period of the first AP device relative to each first STA device may be the same.

[0241] The first STA device is a STA device that establishes an initial association with the first AP device.

[0242] In some embodiments, when the first message frame is used to indicate the listening period of the first AP device and at least one second AP device, the listening periods of any two AP devices among the first AP device and the second AP device may be the same or different.

[0243] The first STA device is a STA device that establishes an initial association with the first AP device.

[0244] Among them, when the first AP device and the second AP device are attached to the first AP MLD and the listening periods of the first AP device and the second AP device are the same, the simultaneous transmission and reception (STR) or non-simultaneous transmission and reception (NSTR) status of the first AP device and the second AP device remains unchanged, for example, the corresponding indication bitmap does not change.

[0245] When the first AP device and the second AP device are attached to the first AP MLD and have different listening periods, the STR or NSTR status corresponding to the first AP device and the second AP device changes, such as the corresponding indication bitmap changes.

[0246] In some embodiments, when the first message frame is used to indicate a listening period of the first AP device to at least one second AP device, the first message frame includes at least one first information field.

[0247] Each first information field corresponds to one of the first AP device and the second AP device.

[0248] Each first information field includes a link identification (Link ID) subfield, and the link identification subfield is used to indicate a communication link associated with one of the first AP device and the second AP device.

[0249] Optionally, the STA Control (STA Control) field in each first information field includes a link identifier subfield.

[0250] Optionally, each first information field may include a listening period of one of the first AP device and the second AP device.

[0251] Optionally, each first information field may include a first indication information, which is used to indirectly indicate the listening period of one of the first AP device and the second AP device.

[0252] Optionally, each first information field includes a STA information (STA Info) field, and the sub-information field in the STA information field includes the listening period of one of the first AP device and the second AP device or first indication information for indirectly indicating the listening period of the AP device.

[0253] Optionally, the first information field may be a single STA configuration (per-STA profile) field.

[0254] As an example, the first information field includes at least one single STA configuration field, each single STA configuration field includes a link identifier of a communication link associated with one of the first AP device and the second AP device, and a listening period of the AP device or first indication information for indirectly indicating the listening period of the AP device.

[0255] Based on this, a single STA configuration field in the first message frame is used to directly or indirectly indicate the listening period of an AP device.

[0256] Optionally, the first indication information in each first information field may be time offset information between a listening period of the AP device corresponding to the first information field and a listening period of the first AP device.

[0257] As an example, the first message frame includes multiple single STA configuration fields, one of which includes the listening period of the first AP device, and each of the other single STA configuration fields includes a time offset information, which is used to indicate the time offset information between the listening period of the second AP device corresponding to the single STA configuration field and the listening period of the first AP device.

[0258] In some embodiments, the listening period of the first AP device may be an integer multiple of the first period, and the listening period of the second AP device may be an integer multiple of the first period.

[0259] Optionally, the first period may be a Delivery Traffic Indication Message (DTIM) period, or may be a beacon frame broadcast period.

[0260] In some embodiments, the first message frame is any message frame sent by the first AP device to the first STA device during the process of establishing an initial association between the first AP device and the first STA device.

[0261] Optionally, the first message frame is at least one of a beacon frame, a probe response frame, or an association response frame.

[0262] In some embodiments, the first message frame is further used to indicate delay information for the first AP device and / or the second AP device to switch from the listening state to the active state.

[0263] Optionally, when the first AP device is an independent AP device, the first message frame is further used to indicate delay information when the first AP device switches from a listening state to an active state.

[0264] Optionally, when the first AP device is attached to the first AP MLD, the first message frame is further used to indicate delay information for the first AP device and the second AP device to switch from a listening state to an active state.

[0265] The delay information for the first AP device to switch from the listening state to the active state is consistent with the delay information for each second AP device to switch from the listening state to the active state.

[0266] The above delay information is determined by the hardware function of the corresponding device, such as 8us, 16us, etc., which is not limited here.

[0267] In some embodiments, when the first AP device is attached to the first AP MLD, the first message frame is further used to indicate a third AP device that is always active in the first AP MLD, and the third AP device is different from the first AP device and the second AP device.

[0268] When the third AP device is in an active state, it can send cached downlink data frames to other devices, or establish initial associations with other STA devices.

[0269] The first message frame is not used to indicate the listening information of the third AP device, that is, the listening information of the third AP device does not exist.

[0270] Step S42: Receive a third message frame.

[0271] In some embodiments, the first AP device may also receive a third message frame sent by the first STA device.

[0272] The third message frame is used to indicate that the first STA device supports sending an initial control frame to the first AP device when the first AP device is in a listening state.

[0273] The initial control frame is used to trigger the first AP device to switch from a listening state to an active state.

[0274] Optionally, the initial control frame may be a multi-user request to send (MU-RTS) frame or a buffer status report poll (Buffer Status Report Poll) frame.

[0275] Optionally, the first AP device may receive a third message frame during the process of establishing an initial association with the first STA device. The third message frame may be any message frame received by the first AP device during the process of establishing an initial association with the first STA device.

[0276] Step S43: Receive an initial control frame.

[0277] In some embodiments, when the first AP device is in a listening state, it may receive an initial control frame sent by the first STA device.

[0278] In some embodiments, the initial control frame includes parameter information used by the first STA device for uplink data transmission.

[0279] Optionally, the above parameter information includes but is not limited to at least one of the number of spatial streams (NSS) information, modulation and coding scheme (MCS) information, bandwidth information BW (Bandwith) or data padding information.

[0280] The data filling information is determined by the listening period of the first AP device.

[0281] Step S44: receiving an uplink data frame within the listening period.

[0282] In some embodiments, the first AP device is in a listening state during the listening period. After establishing an initial association with the first STA device, the first AP device can receive uplink data frames sent by the first STA device and buffered by the first STA device while in the listening state.

[0283] In some embodiments, if the first AP device is attached to the first AP MLD, each attached AP device (such as the second AP device) with a listening period of the first AP MLD and the associated STA device can also implement the implementation method shown in steps S42 to S44, which will not be repeated here.

[0284] In some embodiments, step S41 and step S42 may be executed in an interchanged order or simultaneously, which is not limited here.

[0285] In some embodiments, the communication method involved in the embodiments of the present disclosure may include at least one of steps S41 to S44. For example, step S41 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, step S41 and step S42 can be implemented as independent embodiments, steps S41 to S43 can be implemented as independent embodiments, steps S41 to S44 can be implemented as independent embodiments, step S41 and step S43 can be implemented as independent embodiments, and steps S41, S43, and S44 can be implemented as independent embodiments.

[0286] In some embodiments, steps S41 to S44 are optional, and one or more of these steps may be omitted or replaced in different embodiments.

[0287] 5 , which is a second flow chart of a communication method performed by a first AP device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The communication method shown in FIG5 can be performed by the first AP device, and the method includes the following steps:

[0288] Step S51: Send a first message frame.

[0289] In some embodiments, the optional implementation of step S51 can refer to the optional implementation of step S41 in Figure 4, which will not be repeated here.

[0290] Step S52: Send a second message frame.

[0291] In some embodiments, the first AP device may send a second message frame to the first STA device.

[0292] In some embodiments, the second message frame is further used to indicate delay information for the first AP device and / or the second AP device to switch from the listening state to the active state.

[0293] Optionally, when the first AP device is an independent AP device, the first message frame is further used to indicate delay information when the first AP device switches from a listening state to an active state.

[0294] Optionally, when the first AP device is attached to the first AP MLD, the first message frame is further used to indicate delay information for the first AP device and the second AP device to switch from a listening state to an active state.

[0295] The delay information for the first AP device to switch from the listening state to the active state is consistent with the delay information for each second AP device to switch from the listening state to the active state.

[0296] The above delay information is determined by the hardware function of the corresponding device, such as 8us, 16us, etc., which is not limited here.

[0297] In some embodiments, when the first AP device is attached to the first AP MLD, the second message frame is further used to indicate a third AP device that is always active in the first AP MLD, and the third AP device is different from the first AP device and the second AP device.

[0298] When the third AP device is in an active state, it can send cached downlink data frames to other devices, or establish initial associations with other STA devices.

[0299] The first message frame is not used to indicate the listening information of the third AP device, that is, the listening information of the third AP device does not exist.

[0300] Step S53: Receive the third message frame.

[0301] In some embodiments, the optional implementation of step S53 can refer to the optional implementation of step S42 in Figure 4, which will not be repeated here.

[0302] Step 554: Receive an initial control frame.

[0303] In some embodiments, the optional implementation of step S54 can refer to the optional implementation of step S43 in Figure 4, which will not be repeated here.

[0304] Step S55: receiving an uplink data frame within a listening period.

[0305] In some embodiments, the optional implementation of step S55 can refer to the optional implementation of step S44 in Figure 4, which will not be repeated here.

[0306] In some embodiments, steps S51 to S53 may be executed in any order, and any two or all of steps S51 to S53 may be executed simultaneously, without limitation herein.

[0307] In some embodiments, the communication method involved in the embodiments of the present disclosure may include at least one of steps S51 to S55. For example, step S51 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, step S51 and step S52 can be implemented as independent embodiments, steps S51 to S53 can be implemented as independent embodiments, steps S51 to S54 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, steps S51 to S55 can be implemented as independent embodiments, steps S51 and step S53 can be implemented as independent embodiments, and steps S51, S53, and S55 can be implemented as independent embodiments.

[0308] In some embodiments, steps S51 to S55 are optional, and one or more of these steps may be omitted or replaced in different embodiments.

[0309] 6, which is a flow chart of a communication method performed by a first STA device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The communication method shown in FIG6 can be performed by the first STA device, and the method includes the following steps:

[0310] Step S61: Receive a first message frame.

[0311] In some embodiments, when the first AP device is an independent AP device not affiliated with an AP MLD, the first message frame may be used to indicate the listening period of the first AP device. When the first AP device is an affiliated AP device of an AP MLD, the first message frame may be used to indicate the listening period of at least one affiliated AP device of the AP MLD.

[0312] The first STA device may receive the first message frame sent by the first AP device, and the first AP device may establish an initial association with the first STA device.

[0313] In some embodiments, the first message frame is used to indicate a listening period of the first AP device.

[0314] In some embodiments, the first message frame is used to indicate a listening period of the first AP device and the at least one second AP device.

[0315] The first AP device and the second AP device are subordinate AP devices of the first AP MLD.

[0316] The first AP device and the second AP device may respectively establish an initial association with a subordinate STA device of the Non-AP MLD.

[0317] In some embodiments, when the first AP device is an independent AP device not affiliated with an AP MLD, the first AP device may send a first message frame to the first STA device to indicate the listening period of the first AP device through the first message frame.

[0318] If the first AP device sends the first message frame to multiple independent first STA devices, the listening period of the first AP device relative to each first STA device may be the same.

[0319] The first STA device is a STA device that establishes an initial association with the first AP device.

[0320] In some embodiments, when the first message frame is used to indicate the listening period of the first AP device and at least one second AP device, the listening periods of any two AP devices among the first AP device and the second AP device may be the same or different.

[0321] Among them, when the first AP device and the second AP device are attached to the first AP MLD and the listening periods of the first AP device and the second AP device are the same, the simultaneous transmission and reception (STR) or non-simultaneous transmission and reception (NSTR) status of the first AP device and the second AP device remains unchanged, for example, the corresponding indication bitmap does not change.

[0322] When the first AP device and the second AP device are attached to the first AP MLD and have different listening periods, the STR or NSTR status corresponding to the first AP device and the second AP device changes, such as the corresponding indication bitmap changes.

[0323] In some embodiments, when the first message frame is used to indicate a listening period of the first AP device to at least one second AP device, the first message frame includes at least one first information field.

[0324] Each first information field corresponds to one of the first AP device and the second AP device.

[0325] Each first information field includes a link identification (Link ID) subfield, and the link identification subfield is used to indicate a communication link associated with one of the first AP device and the second AP device.

[0326] Optionally, the STA Control (STA Control) field in each first information field includes a link identifier subfield.

[0327] Optionally, each first information field may include a listening period of one of the first AP device and the second AP device.

[0328] Optionally, each first information field may include a first indication information, which is used to indirectly indicate the listening period of one of the first AP device and the second AP device.

[0329] Optionally, each first information field includes a STA information (STA Info) field, and the sub-information field in the STA information field includes the listening period of one of the first AP device and the second AP device or first indication information for indirectly indicating the listening period of the AP device.

[0330] Optionally, the first information field may be a single STA configuration (per-STA profile) field.

[0331] As an example, the first information field includes at least one single STA configuration field, each single STA configuration field includes a link identifier of a communication link associated with one of the first AP device and the second AP device, and a listening period of the AP device or first indication information for indirectly indicating the listening period of the AP device.

[0332] Based on this, a single STA configuration field in the first message frame is used to directly or indirectly indicate the listening period of an AP device.

[0333] Optionally, the first indication information in each first information field may be time offset information between a listening period of the AP device corresponding to the first information field and a listening period of the first AP device.

[0334] As an example, the first message frame includes multiple single STA configuration fields, one of which includes the listening period of the first AP device, and each of the other single STA configuration fields includes a time offset information, which is used to indicate the time offset information between the listening period of the second AP device corresponding to the single STA configuration field and the listening period of the first AP device.

[0335] In some embodiments, the listening period of the first AP device may be an integer multiple of the first period, and the listening period of the second AP device may be an integer multiple of the first period.

[0336] Optionally, the first period may be a Delivery Traffic Indication Message (DTIM) period, or may be a beacon frame broadcast period.

[0337] In some embodiments, the first message frame is any message frame sent by the first AP device to the first STA device during the process of establishing an initial association between the first AP device and the first STA device.

[0338] Optionally, the first message frame is at least one of a beacon frame, a probe response frame, or an association response frame.

[0339] In some embodiments, the first message frame is further used to indicate delay information for the first AP device and / or the second AP device to switch from the listening state to the active state.

[0340] Optionally, when the first AP device is an independent AP device, the first message frame is further used to indicate delay information when the first AP device switches from a listening state to an active state.

[0341] Optionally, when the first AP device is attached to the first AP MLD, the first message frame is further used to indicate delay information for the first AP device and the second AP device to switch from a listening state to an active state.

[0342] The delay information for the first AP device to switch from the listening state to the active state is consistent with the delay information for each second AP device to switch from the listening state to the active state.

[0343] The above delay information is determined by the hardware function of the corresponding device, such as 8us, 16us, etc., which is not limited here.

[0344] In some embodiments, when the first AP device is attached to the first AP MLD, the first message frame is further used to indicate a third AP device that is always active in the first AP MLD, and the third AP device is different from the first AP device and the second AP device.

[0345] When the third AP device is in an active state, it can send cached downlink data frames to other devices, or establish initial associations with other STA devices.

[0346] The first message frame is not used to indicate the listening information of the third AP device, that is, the listening information of the third AP device does not exist.

[0347] Step S62: Send a third message frame.

[0348] In some embodiments, the first STA device may further send a third message frame to the first AP device.

[0349] The third message frame is used to indicate that the first STA device supports sending an initial control frame to the first AP device when the first AP device is in a listening state.

[0350] The initial control frame is used to trigger the first AP device to switch from a listening state to an active state.

[0351] Optionally, the initial control frame may be a multi-user request to send (MU-RTS) frame or a buffer status report poll (Buffer Status Report Poll) frame.

[0352] Optionally, the first STA device may send a third message frame during the process of establishing an initial association with the first AP device. The third message frame may be any message frame sent by the first STA device during the process of establishing an initial association with the first AP device.

[0353] Step S63: Send an initial control frame.

[0354] In some embodiments, when the first AP device is in a listening state, the first STA device may send an initial control frame to the first AP device.

[0355] In some embodiments, the initial control frame includes parameter information used by the first STA device for uplink data transmission.

[0356] Optionally, the above parameter information includes but is not limited to at least one of the number of spatial streams (NSS) information, modulation and coding scheme (MCS) information, bandwidth information BW (Bandwith) or data padding information.

[0357] The data filling information is determined by the listening period of the first AP device.

[0358] Step S64: Send an uplink data frame when the first AP device is in the listening state.

[0359] In some embodiments, the first AP device is in a listening state during the listening period. After the first AP device establishes an initial association with the first STA device, the first STA device may send a cached uplink data frame to the first AP device when the first AP device is in the listening state.

[0360] In some embodiments, if the first AP device is attached to the first AP MLD, each attached AP device (such as the second AP device) with a listening period of the first AP MLD and the associated STA device can also implement the implementation method shown in steps S62 to S64, which will not be repeated here.

[0361] In some embodiments, step S61 and step S62 may be executed in an interchanged order or simultaneously, which is not limited here.

[0362] In some embodiments, the communication method involved in the embodiments of the present disclosure may include at least one of steps S61 to S64. For example, step S61 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, step S61 and step S62 can be implemented as independent embodiments, steps S61 to S63 can be implemented as independent embodiments, steps S61 to S64 can be implemented as independent embodiments, step S61 and step S63 can be implemented as independent embodiments, and steps S61, S63, and S64 can be implemented as independent embodiments.

[0363] In some embodiments, steps S61 to S64 are optional, and one or more of these steps may be omitted or replaced in different embodiments.

[0364] 7, which is a second flow chart of a communication method performed by a first STA device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The communication method shown in FIG7 can be performed by the first STA device, and the method includes the following steps:

[0365] Step S71: Receive a first message frame.

[0366] In some embodiments, when the first AP device is an independent AP device not affiliated with an AP MLD, the first message frame may be used to indicate the listening period of the first AP device. When the first AP device is an affiliated AP device of an AP MLD, the first message frame may be used to indicate the listening period of at least one affiliated AP device of the AP MLD.

[0367] The first STA device may receive the first message frame sent by the first AP device, and the first AP device may establish an initial association with the first STA device.

[0368] In some embodiments, the first message frame is used to indicate a listening period of the first AP device.

[0369] In some embodiments, the first message frame is used to indicate a listening period of the first AP device and the at least one second AP device.

[0370] The first AP device and the second AP device are subordinate AP devices of the first AP MLD.

[0371] The first AP device and the second AP device may respectively establish an initial association with a subordinate STA device of the Non-AP MLD.

[0372] In some embodiments, when the first AP device is an independent AP device not affiliated with an AP MLD, the first AP device may send a first message frame to the first STA device to indicate the listening period of the first AP device through the first message frame.

[0373] If the first AP device sends the first message frame to multiple independent first STA devices, the listening period of the first AP device relative to each first STA device may be the same.

[0374] The first STA device is a STA device that establishes an initial association with the first AP device.

[0375] In some embodiments, when the first message frame is used to indicate the listening period of the first AP device and at least one second AP device, the listening periods of any two AP devices among the first AP device and the second AP device may be the same or different.

[0376] In some embodiments, when the first message frame is used to indicate a listening period of the first AP device to at least one second AP device, the first message frame includes at least one first information field.

[0377] Each first information field corresponds to one of the first AP device and the second AP device.

[0378] Each first information field includes a link identification (Link ID) subfield, and the link identification subfield is used to indicate a communication link associated with one of the first AP device and the second AP device.

[0379] Optionally, the STA Control (STA Control) field in each first information field includes a link identifier subfield.

[0380] Optionally, each first information field may include a listening period of one of the first AP device and the second AP device.

[0381] Optionally, each first information field may include a first indication information, which is used to indirectly indicate the listening period of one of the first AP device and the second AP device.

[0382] Optionally, each first information field includes a STA information (STA Info) field, and the sub-information field in the STA information field includes the listening period of one of the first AP device and the second AP device or first indication information for indirectly indicating the listening period of the AP device.

[0383] Optionally, the first information field may be a single STA configuration (per-STA profile) field.

[0384] As an example, the first information field includes at least one single STA configuration field, each single STA configuration field includes a link identifier of a communication link associated with one of the first AP device and the second AP device, and a listening period of the AP device or first indication information for indirectly indicating the listening period of the AP device.

[0385] Based on this, a single STA configuration field in the first message frame is used to directly or indirectly indicate the listening period of an AP device.

[0386] Optionally, the first indication information in each first information field may be time offset information between a listening period of the AP device corresponding to the first information field and a listening period of the first AP device.

[0387] As an example, the first message frame includes multiple single STA configuration fields, one of which includes the listening period of the first AP device, and each of the other single STA configuration fields includes a time offset information, which is used to indicate the time offset information between the listening period of the second AP device corresponding to the single STA configuration field and the listening period of the first AP device.

[0388] In some embodiments, the listening period of the first AP device may be an integer multiple of the first period, and the listening period of the second AP device may be an integer multiple of the first period.

[0389] Optionally, the first period may be a Delivery Traffic Indication Message (DTIM) period, or may be a beacon frame broadcast period.

[0390] In some embodiments, the first message frame is any message frame sent by the first AP device to the first STA device during the process of establishing an initial association between the first AP device and the first STA device.

[0391] Optionally, the first message frame is at least one of a beacon frame, a probe response frame, or an association response frame.

[0392] Step S72: Receive a second message frame.

[0393] In some embodiments, the second message frame is any message frame sent by the first AP device to the first STA device during the process of establishing an initial association between the first AP device and the first STA device.

[0394] In some embodiments, the second message frame is further used to indicate delay information for the first AP device and / or the second AP device to switch from the listening state to the active state.

[0395] Optionally, when the first AP device is an independent AP device, the second message frame is further used to indicate delay information when the first AP device switches from a listening state to an active state.

[0396] Optionally, when the first AP device is attached to the first AP MLD, the second message frame is further used to indicate delay information for the first AP device and the second AP device to switch from the listening state to the active state.

[0397] The delay information for the first AP device to switch from the listening state to the active state is consistent with the delay information for each second AP device to switch from the listening state to the active state.

[0398] The above delay information is determined by the hardware function of the corresponding device, such as 8us, 16us, etc., which is not limited here.

[0399] In some embodiments, when the first AP device is attached to the first AP MLD, the second message frame is further used to indicate a third AP device that is always active in the first AP MLD, and the third AP device is different from the first AP device and the second AP device.

[0400] When the third AP device is in an active state, it can send cached downlink data frames to other devices, or establish initial associations with other STA devices.

[0401] The second message frame is not used to indicate the listening information of the third AP device, that is, the listening information of the third AP device does not exist.

[0402] Step S73: Send the third message frame.

[0403] In some embodiments, the first STA device may further send a third message frame to the first AP device.

[0404] The third message frame is used to indicate that the first STA device supports sending an initial control frame to the first AP device when the first AP device is in a listening state.

[0405] The initial control frame is used to trigger the first AP device to switch from a listening state to an active state.

[0406] Optionally, the initial control frame may be a multi-user request to send (MU-RTS) frame or a buffer status report poll (Buffer Status Report Poll) frame.

[0407] Optionally, the first STA device may send a third message frame during the process of establishing an initial association with the first AP device. The third message frame may be any message frame sent by the first STA device during the process of establishing an initial association with the first AP device.

[0408] Step S74: Send an initial control frame.

[0409] In some embodiments, when the first AP device is in a listening state, the first STA device may send an initial control frame to the first AP device.

[0410] In some embodiments, the initial control frame includes parameter information used by the first STA device for uplink data transmission.

[0411] Optionally, the above parameter information includes but is not limited to at least one of the number of spatial streams (NSS) information, modulation and coding scheme (MCS) information, bandwidth information BW (Bandwith) or data padding information.

[0412] The data filling information is determined by the listening period of the first AP device.

[0413] Step S75: Send an uplink data frame when the first AP device is in the listening state.

[0414] In some embodiments, the first AP device is in a listening state during the listening period. After the first AP device establishes an initial association with the first STA device, the first STA device may send a cached uplink data frame to the first AP device when the first AP device is in the listening state.

[0415] In some embodiments, if the first AP device is attached to the first AP MLD, each attached AP device (such as the second AP device) with a listening period of the first AP MLD and the associated STA device can also implement the implementation method shown in steps S62 to S64, which will not be repeated here.

[0416] In some embodiments, steps S71 to S73 may be executed in any order, and any two or all of steps S71 to S73 may be executed simultaneously, without limitation herein.

[0417] In some embodiments, the communication method involved in the embodiments of the present disclosure may include at least one of steps S71 to S75. For example, step S71 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, step S71 and step S72 can be implemented as independent embodiments, steps S71 to S73 can be implemented as independent embodiments, steps S71 to S74 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, steps S71 to S75 can be implemented as independent embodiments, steps S71 and step S73 can be implemented as independent embodiments, and steps S71, S73, and S75 can be implemented as independent embodiments.

[0418] In some embodiments, steps S71 to S75 are optional, and one or more of these steps may be omitted or replaced in different embodiments.

[0419] The present disclosure also provides an apparatus for implementing any of the above methods, such as the apparatus shown in FIG8a . The apparatus includes a processing module 81 and a first transceiver module 82 for implementing the steps performed by the first AP device in any of the above methods. Furthermore, the apparatus shown in FIG8b includes a second transceiver module 82 for implementing the steps performed by the first STA device in any of the above methods.

[0420] 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.

[0421] Figure 9a is a schematic diagram of the structure of an AP device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in Figure 9a, AP device 910 may include at least one of a transceiver module 911 and a processing module 912. In some embodiments, transceiver module 911 is configured to transmit a first message frame, and processing module 912 is configured to determine the first message frame.

[0422] Optionally, the above-mentioned transceiver module 911 is used to execute at least one of the communication steps such as sending and / or receiving (for example, steps S22-S23, steps S33-S34, steps S41-S44, steps S51-S55, but not limited to these) performed by the AP device 910 in any of the above methods, and the above-mentioned processing module 912 is used to execute the processing process (for example, step S24, step S35, step S44, step S55) performed by the AP device 910 in any of the above methods, which will not be repeated here.

[0423] Figure 9b is a schematic diagram of the structure of an STA device proposed in an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in Figure 9b, the STA device 920 may include at least one of a transceiver module 921 and a processing module 922. In some embodiments, the transceiver module 921 is configured to receive a first message frame.

[0424] Optionally, the above-mentioned transceiver module 921 is used to perform at least one of the communication steps such as sending and / or receiving performed by the STA device 920 in any of the above methods (for example, step S21, steps S31-S32, steps S61-S64, steps S71-S75, but not limited to this), and the above-mentioned processing module 922 is used to execute the processing process performed by the STA device 920 in any of the above methods (for example, step S64, step S75, but not limited to this), which will not be repeated here.

[0425] 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.

[0426] 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.

[0427] Figure 10 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device proposed in an embodiment of the present disclosure. Communication device 1000 can be an AP device or a STA 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.

[0428] As shown in Figure 10, the communication device 1000 includes one or more processors 1001. Processor 1001 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 1000 is used to perform any of the above methods.

[0429] In some embodiments, the communication device 1000 further includes one or more memories 1002 for storing instructions. Optionally, all or part of the memory 1002 may also be outside the communication device 1000.

[0430] In some embodiments, the communication device 1000 further includes one or more transceivers 1003. When the communication device 1000 includes one or more transceivers 1003, the transceiver 1003 performs at least one of the communication steps such as sending and / or receiving in the above method (for example, steps S21-S24, steps S31-S35, steps S41-S44, steps S51-S54, steps S61-S64, and steps S71-S75, but not limited thereto), and the processor 1001 performs at least one of the other steps (such as determining the first message frame, but not limited thereto).

[0431] 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.

[0432] In some embodiments, the communication device 1000 may include one or more interface circuits 1004. Optionally, the interface circuit 1004 is connected to the memory 1002. The interface circuit 1004 may be configured to receive signals from the memory 1002 or other devices, and may be configured to send signals to the memory 1002 or other devices. For example, the interface circuit 1004 may read instructions stored in the memory 1002 and send the instructions to the processor 1001.

[0433] The communication device 1000 described in the above embodiments may be an AP device or a STA device, but the scope of the communication device 1000 described in the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and the structure of the communication device 1000 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.

[0434] The present disclosure also provides a storage medium having instructions stored thereon. When the instructions are executed on the communication device 1000, the communication device 1000 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.

[0435] The present disclosure also provides a program product, which, when executed by the communication device 1000, enables the communication device 1000 to perform any of the above methods. Optionally, the program product is a computer program product.

[0436] 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 comprises: Determine a first message frame, where the first message frame is used to indicate a listening period of a first AP device; Sending the first message frame; The first message frame is also used to indicate a listening period of at least one second AP device, and the first AP device and the second AP device are subordinate AP devices of the first AP MLD.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that The first message frame includes at least one first information field, each of which is used to indicate the listening period of one of the first AP device and the second AP device; the listening periods of any two AP devices of the first AP device and the second AP device are different.

3. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that The first information field corresponding to the first AP device includes the listening period of the first AP device, and each of the other first information fields includes time offset information between the listening period of the corresponding second AP device and the listening period of the first AP device.

4. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that: The listening periods of the first AP device and the second AP device are integer multiples of a first period, where the first period is a DTIM period for transmitting a service indication message or a broadcast period for a beacon frame.

5. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that: The first information domain is a single-site STA device configuration domain.

6. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that The method further comprises: Determine a second message frame, where the second message frame is used to indicate at least one of the following: Delay information of the first AP device and / or the second AP device switching from a listening state to an active state; a third AP device that is always in an active state, the third AP device being attached to the first AP MLD, and the first AP device and the second AP device not including the third AP device; The second message frame is sent.

7. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that The method further comprises: A third message frame is received, where the third message frame is used to indicate that the first STA device supports sending an initial control frame to the first AP device when the first AP device is in a listening state, where the initial control frame is used to trigger the first AP device to switch from the listening state to the active state.

8. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that The method further comprises: An initial control frame is received, where the initial control frame is used to trigger the first AP device to switch from a listening state to an active state.

9. The method according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that: The initial control frame further includes parameter information for data transmission, and the parameter information includes at least one of the following: At least one of the number of spatial streams NSS information, modulation and coding strategy MCS information, bandwidth information BW or data filling information.

10. The method according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that: The initial control frame includes a multi-user request to send MU-RTS frame or a buffer status report BSRP frame.

11. A communication method, characterized in that: The method comprises: Receiving a first message frame, where the first message frame is used to indicate a listening period of a first AP device; The first message frame is also used to indicate a listening period of at least one second AP device, and the first AP device and the second AP device are subordinate AP devices of the first AP MLD.

12. The method according to claim 11, characterized in that The first message frame includes at least one first information field, each of which is used to indicate the listening period of one of the first AP device and the second AP device; the listening periods of any two AP devices of the first AP device and the second AP device are different.

13. The method according to claim 12, characterized in that The first information field corresponding to the first AP device includes the listening period of the first AP device, and each of the other first information fields includes time offset information between the listening period of the corresponding second AP device and the listening period of the first AP device.

14. The method according to claim 11, characterized in that The listening periods of the first AP device and the second AP device are integer multiples of a first period, where the first period is a DTIM period for transmitting a service indication message or a broadcast period for a beacon frame.

15. The method according to claim 12, characterized in that The first information domain is a single-site STA device configuration domain.

16. The method according to claim 11, characterized in that The method further comprises: A second message frame is received, where the second message frame is used to indicate at least one of the following: Delay information of the first AP device and / or the second AP device switching from a listening state to an active state; A third AP device that is always in an active state, the third AP device is attached to the first AP MLD, and the first AP device and the second AP device do not include the third AP device.

17. The method according to claim 11, characterized in that The method further comprises: Send a third message frame, where the third message frame is used to indicate that the first STA device supports sending an initial control frame to the first AP device when the first AP device is in a listening state, where the initial control frame is used to trigger the first AP device to switch from a listening state to an active state.

18. The method according to claim 11, characterized in that The method further comprises: An initial control frame is sent, where the initial control frame is used to trigger the first AP device to switch from a listening state to an active state.

19. The method according to claim 17 or 18, characterized in that The initial control frame further includes parameter information for data transmission, and the parameter information includes at least one of the following: At least one of the number of spatial streams NSS information, modulation and coding strategy MCS information, bandwidth information BW or data filling information.

20. The method according to claim 17 or 18, characterized in that The initial control frame includes a multi-user request to send MU-RTS frame or a buffer status report BSRP frame.

21. A communication device, characterized in that: The device comprises: A first processing module is used to: determine a first message frame, where the first message frame is used to indicate a listening period of a first AP device; A first transceiver module, used to: send the first message frame; The first message frame is also used to indicate a listening period of at least one second AP device, and the first AP device and the second AP device are subordinate AP devices of the first AP MLD.

22. A communication device, characterized in that: The device comprises: A second transceiver module is used to: receive a first message frame, where the first message frame is used to indicate a listening period of a first AP device; The first message frame is also used to indicate a listening period of at least one second AP device, and the first AP device and the second AP device are subordinate AP devices of the first AP MLD.

23. 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 1-10.

24. A STA device, characterized in that: include: one or more processors; The STA device is used to execute the communication method described in any one of claims 11-20.

25. A communication system, characterized in that: The invention comprises an AP device and a STA device, wherein the AP device is configured to implement the communication method according to any one of claims 1 to 10, and the STA device is configured to implement the communication method according to any one of claims 11 to 20.

26. 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 1-10 or 11-20.

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