Power saving method and apparatus for access point, and device and storage medium

Abstract

The present application relates to the field of wireless communications, and relates to a power saving method and apparatus for an access point, and a device and a storage medium. The method comprises: sending a first frame, which is used for indicating that an access point has acquired a TXOP and has entered a power-saving state in the TXOP. With regard to a station which does not support a power-saving function, the station determines, on the basis of the first frame, that the access point has acquired the TXOP, and thus the station enters a silent state, such that communication between the station and the access point is prevented from being abnormal even if the station does not support the power-saving function. With regard to a station which supports the power-saving function, the station determines, on the basis of the first frame, that the access point has acquired the TXOP and has entered the power-saving state in the TXOP, and the station then supports related subsequent operation in the power-saving state.

Description

Access point power saving method, device, equipment and storage medium Technical Field

[0001] The embodiments of the present application relate to the field of communication technology, and in particular to a method, apparatus, device, and storage medium for saving power on an access point. Background Art

[0002] In the Basic Service Set (BSS), stations (STAs) and access points (APs) can communicate with each other.

[0003] In related power saving technologies, an access point schedules its own awake service period. Outside of the awake service period, the access point enters a sleep state to save power. The access point may use a target wake time (TWT) mechanism for scheduling.

[0004] However, the access point can use the power saving method only when all stations associated with the access point support the power saving method. Otherwise, communication between the access point and stations that do not support the power saving method will be affected.

[0005] Summary of the Invention

[0006] The present invention provides a method, apparatus, device, and medium for saving power at an access point. The technical solution is as follows:

[0007] According to one aspect of an embodiment of the present application, a method for saving power at an access point is provided. The method is performed by an access point and includes:

[0008] A first frame is sent, where the first frame is used to indicate that the access point obtains a transmission opportunity (TXOP) and enters a power saving state in the TXOP.

[0009] According to one aspect of an embodiment of the present application, a method for saving power at an access point is provided, where the method is performed by a third station and includes:

[0010] Receive the first frame sent by the access point;

[0011] A determination is made based on the first frame whether the access point enters a power save state in a TXOP.

[0012] According to one aspect of an embodiment of the present application, there is provided an access point power saving device, the method comprising: a sending module;

[0013] The sending module is configured to send a first frame, where the first frame is used to indicate that the access point has acquired a transmission opportunity and entered a power saving state in the TXOP.

[0014] According to one aspect of an embodiment of the present application, there is provided an access point power saving device, the method comprising: a receiving module and a processing module;

[0015] The receiving module is configured to receive a first frame sent by an access point;

[0016] The processing module is configured to determine whether the access point enters a power saving state in a TXOP based on the first frame.

[0017] According to one aspect of the present application, a wireless device is provided, comprising: a processor; a transceiver connected to the processor; and a memory for storing executable instructions of the processor; wherein the processor is configured to load and execute the executable instructions to implement the access point power saving method as described in the above aspects.

[0018] According to one aspect of the present application, a computer-readable storage medium is provided, wherein the computer-readable storage medium stores executable instructions, and the executable instructions are loaded and executed by a processor to implement the access point power saving method as described in the above aspect.

[0019] According to one aspect of the present application, a chip is provided, which includes a programmable logic circuit and / or program instructions. When the chip is running, it is used to implement the access point power saving method as described in the above aspects.

[0020] According to one aspect of the present application, a computer program product is provided, comprising computer instructions stored in a computer-readable storage medium. A processor of a wireless device reads the computer instructions from the computer-readable storage medium, and the processor executes the computer instructions, so that the wireless device executes to implement the access point power saving method as described in the above aspects.

[0021] According to one aspect of the present application, a computer program is provided, which includes computer instructions. A processor of a wireless device executes the computer instructions, so that the wireless device executes the access point power saving method as described in the above aspect.

[0022] The technical solutions provided by the embodiments of the present application include at least the following beneficial effects:

[0023] The first frame is sent to indicate that the access point has acquired a TXOP and entered a power-saving state during the TXOP. For stations that do not support the power-saving feature, the first frame determines that the access point has acquired a TXOP and therefore enters a silent state. This ensures that even if the station does not support the power-saving feature, communication anomalies between the station and the access point, such as packet loss or connection loss, will not occur. For stations that support the power-saving feature, the first frame determines that the access point has acquired a TXOP and entered a power-saving state during the TXOP, thereby supporting subsequent operations in the power-saving state. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

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

[0025] FIG1 shows a schematic diagram of a wireless system provided by some exemplary embodiments of the present application;

[0026] FIG2 is a schematic diagram showing a flow chart of a method for saving power at an access point provided in some exemplary embodiments of the present application;

[0027] FIG3 is a schematic diagram showing a flow chart of a method for saving power at an access point provided in some exemplary embodiments of the present application;

[0028] FIG4 is a schematic diagram showing a flow chart of a method for saving power at an access point provided in some exemplary embodiments of the present application;

[0029] FIG5 shows a schematic diagram of message interaction between an access point and a station provided by some exemplary embodiments of the present application;

[0030] FIG6 is a schematic diagram showing a flow chart of a method for saving power at an access point provided in some exemplary embodiments of the present application;

[0031] FIG7 shows a schematic diagram of message interaction between an access point and a station provided by some exemplary embodiments of the present application;

[0032] FIG8 is a schematic diagram showing a flow chart of a method for saving power at an access point provided in some exemplary embodiments of the present application;

[0033] FIG9 shows a schematic diagram of message interaction between an access point and a station provided by some exemplary embodiments of the present application;

[0034] FIG10 is a schematic diagram showing a flow chart of a method for saving power at an access point provided in some exemplary embodiments of the present application;

[0035] FIG11 shows a schematic diagram of message interaction between an access point and a station provided in some exemplary embodiments of the present application;

[0036] FIG12 is a schematic diagram showing a flow chart of a method for saving power at an access point provided in some exemplary embodiments of the present application;

[0037] FIG13 shows a schematic diagram of message interaction between an access point and a station provided in some exemplary embodiments of the present application;

[0038] FIG14 is a schematic diagram showing a flow chart of a method for saving power at an access point provided in some exemplary embodiments of the present application;

[0039] FIG15 shows a schematic diagram of message interaction between an access point and a station provided in some exemplary embodiments of the present application;

[0040] FIG16 shows a structural block diagram of an access point power saving device provided by some exemplary embodiments of the present application;

[0041] FIG17 shows a structural block diagram of an access point power saving device provided by some exemplary embodiments of the present application;

[0042] FIG18 shows a schematic structural diagram of a wireless device provided by some exemplary embodiments of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0043] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the present application more clear, the embodiments of the present application will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Exemplary embodiments will be described in detail herein, with examples shown in the accompanying drawings. When the following description refers to the drawings, unless otherwise indicated, the same numbers in different drawings represent the same or similar elements. The embodiments described in the following exemplary embodiments do not represent all embodiments consistent with the present application. Instead, they are merely examples of devices and methods consistent with certain aspects of the present application, as detailed in the appended claims.

[0044] The terms used in this disclosure are for the purpose of describing specific embodiments only and are not intended to limit the disclosure. As used in this disclosure and the appended claims, the singular forms "a," "an," "the," and "the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It should also be understood that the term "and / or" as used herein refers to and encompasses any and all possible combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

[0045] It should be understood that although the terms first, second, third, etc. may be used in this disclosure to describe various information, such information should not be limited to these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish information of the same type from each other. For example, without departing from the scope of this disclosure, first information may also be referred to as second information, and similarly, second information may also be referred to as first information. Depending on the context, the word "if" as used herein may be interpreted as "at the time of" or "when" or "in response to determining."

[0046] First, let’s introduce the relevant terms involved in this application:

[0047] Access point: A wireless access point is the creator of a wireless network and the central node of a wireless network. It can access the network wirelessly and is equivalent to a bridge connecting wired and wireless networks. For example, a router is an access point.

[0048] Station: A terminal connected to a wireless network, generally a client in a wireless local area network. It can be a computer equipped with a wireless network card or a smartphone with a WiFi module. It can be mobile or fixed.

[0049] TXOP: A media access control (MAC) feature used in wireless LANs based on Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11 standards. TXOP defines the duration, or maximum duration, of frames a station can send after acquiring the transmission medium.

[0050] The first version of the communication protocol refers to a version earlier than the current protocol version. Exemplarily, the first version of the communication protocol includes at least one of the 802.11n protocol, the 802.11ac protocol, the 802.11ax protocol, and the 802.11be protocol.

[0051] The second version of the communication protocol refers to the communication protocol supported by the current protocol version and subsequent versions of the current protocol version. Exemplarily, the second version of the communication protocol includes Ultra High Reliability (UHR) or 802.11bn.

[0052] First station: refers to a legacy station (legacy STA) that supports the first version of the communication protocol.

[0053] Second site: refers to a site that supports the second version of the communication protocol and does not support the power saving function of the access point (provided in the embodiment of the present application).

[0054] The third site refers to a site that supports the second version of the communication protocol and supports the power saving function of the access point (provided in the embodiment of the present application).

[0055] Fourth site: refers to at least one new site to be associated in this BSS. The fourth site can be a site that supports the first version of the communication protocol or a site that supports the second version of the communication protocol. The fourth site can support the power saving function provided in the embodiment of the present application or not.

[0056] Power saving state: also known as low-power transceiver state, low-power working state, power-saving transceiver state, and first state. In the power saving state, transmission is performed using the sub-channel and at least one spatial stream corresponding to the power saving state.

[0057] Awake state: Also known as the normal state, normal transceiver state, or second state, in the awake state, transmission uses the current maximum available bandwidth and at least one spatial stream. Specifically, the channel bandwidth used in the power-saving state is smaller than or equal to the channel bandwidth used in the awake state, and / or the spatial streams used in the power-saving state are smaller than or equal to the spatial streams used in the awake state.

[0058] Clear Channel Assessment (CCA): A channel monitoring mechanism. It is mainly divided into two methods, energy detection and carrier sense. Carrier sense: Carrier sense is used to detect the preamble of the physical layer protocol data unit (PPDU) and can identify the starting boundary of a data packet. Simply put, the preamble part in 802.11 is constructed using a specific sequence. This sequence is known to both the sender and the receiver. The monitoring node will continuously sample the channel signal and use it for correlation operations. The calculated value needs to be judged with a threshold. If it is greater than, it is considered that a signal is detected, and if it is less than, it is not detected. After identifying the data packet header, the node receives and demodulates the data packet, and identifies the end boundary of the data packet by demodulating the Length field inside the data packet.

[0059] Energy Detection: Energy detection uses hardware-integrated energy. It cannot identify packet boundaries, but it can identify energy within the data body, including energy from other heterogeneous networks (such as Bluetooth devices and microwave ovens). It directly uses the energy received at the physical layer to determine if a signal is available. If the signal strength is greater than the energy detection threshold (ED_threshold), the channel is considered busy. If it is less than the energy detection threshold, the channel is considered idle.

[0060] Short Interframe Space (SIFS): In 802.11 wireless LANs, SIFS is a fixed value. SIFS is the minimum interframe interval, so stations using SIFS have the highest priority for accessing the wireless link. It is greater than or equal to the time required for a node to switch from the sending state to the receiving state and correctly decode, or the time required to switch from the receiving state to the sending state. Data packets that may be sent after the SIFS expires include ACK and CTS frames. The SIFS value specified in different standards varies.

[0061] Priority Inter Frame Space (PIFS): PCF enables the AP to wait for PIFS instead of DIFS to access the channel. Since DIFS>PIFS>SIFS, the AP always has a higher priority in accessing the channel than ordinary nodes.

[0062] Distributed Inter-Frame Space (DIFS): In the DCF protocol, a node monitors the channel for idleness before starting to transmit data. If the channel is idle, the node must wait for the DIFS period before starting to transmit data. If the channel is detected as busy at any time during the DIFS period, the node is forced to postpone its data transmission.

[0063] Overlapping Basic Service Set (OBSS): This represents another BSS that overlaps with the current BSS channel. OBSSs can be on the same or different channels; OBSS helps alleviate network congestion. With older versions of Wi-Fi, stations attempting to connect to the network follow a "listen before talk" process, meaning they must first listen for noise on the channel before transmitting. If there is any noise on the channel, even if it comes from a distant network, the device must wait until the channel is clear before transmitting to avoid potential interference. OBSS allows access points to use "color" to uniquely identify a network. If other traffic is detected on the channel, but that traffic is a different color than the local network, the device can ignore that traffic and continue transmitting. This helps improve reliability and latency. OBSS enables more efficient communication on congested networks. As more and more devices utilize Wi-Fi, this helps maintain connection speeds and stability.

[0064] Channel Protection: In this BSS, stations can communicate with the access point but may not be able to hear other stations or be heard by other stations, increasing the probability of transmission collisions. To avoid collisions, listening stations set the Network Allocation Vector (NAV) timer for each transmission they hear (this is considered virtual carrier sense, virtual CS) and listen to the RF channel (this is considered physical carrier sense, physical CS) when they hear another station's transmission. The RTS / CTS mechanism helps avoid collisions by implementing NAV distribution, which reserves the transmission medium for a data frame before transmission begins.

[0065] Each time a station using the RTS / CTS mechanism prepares to send a frame, it must perform an RTS / CTS exchange before normal data transmission. Before transmitting a data frame, the sender first sends an RTS frame; all listening stations reset the NAV timer based on the duration value of this RTS frame and wait for the CTS frame, data frame, and acknowledgment frame to be transmitted. The receiver then sends a CTS frame, also used for NAV distribution: all listening stations reset the NAV timer based on the duration value of this CTS frame and wait for the data frame and acknowledgment frame to be transmitted.

[0066] For example, the duration value of the RTS frame (in microseconds) represents the time required to complete the exchange of the CTS frame, data frame, and confirmation frame, plus 3 short interframe spaces (SIFS); the duration value of the CTS frame (in microseconds) represents the time required to complete the exchange of the data frame and confirmation frame, plus 2 SIFS. Even if the station does not hear the RTS frame, it should be able to hear the CTS frame. Regardless of which frame is heard, the terminal will set the NAV timer according to the provided value. At this point, all stations in the BSS have set the NAV timer and are waiting for the entire data transmission to be completed. This implements a protection mechanism to avoid collisions.

[0067] CTS-to-self is also used to avoid collisions when different technologies are coexisting in the same BSS. The advantage of using CTS-to-self as a collision avoidance protection mechanism compared to RTS / CTS is that fewer frames are sent, resulting in improved throughput. When a station or access point using CTS-to-self is about to transmit data, it distributes the NAV by sending a CTS frame with its own address as the recipient (called a CTS-to-self frame). The CTS frame notifies all other stations that they must wait for the data frame and acknowledgment frame to complete transmission. All stations that hear the CTS frame set their NAV timers based on the value provided in the CTS frame.

[0068] Simply put, when the RTS / CTS interaction or CTS-to-self frame is the first frame transmitted, the Duration field in the RTS frame, CTS frame, and CTS-to-self frame indicates the total duration of the transmission, which is also used to set the NAV value to protect the channel.

[0069] Figure 1 shows a schematic diagram of a wireless communication system provided by an exemplary embodiment of the present application. The wireless communication system includes terminal devices, terminal devices and network devices, or access points (APs) and station stations (STAs), though this application does not limit this. This application uses the wireless communication system including AP 110 and station station 120 as an example for illustration.

[0070] In some scenarios, an AP may be referred to as an AP STA, that is, in a sense, an AP is also a type of STA.

[0071] In some embodiments, STAs may include AP STAs and STAs.

[0072] Communication in a wireless communication system may be between an AP and a STA, between STAs, or between a STA and a peer STA. A peer STA may refer to a device that communicates with a STA. For example, a peer STA may be an AP or a STA.

[0073] An AP acts as a bridge between wired and wireless networks, connecting wireless network clients together and then connecting the wireless network to the Ethernet. An AP can be a terminal device or network device equipped with a Wireless Fidelity (Wi-Fi) chip.

[0074] It should be understood that the role of STA in the communication system is not absolute. For example, in some scenarios, when a mobile phone is connected to a router, the mobile phone is a STA. When the mobile phone serves as a hotspot for other mobile phones, the mobile phone acts as an AP.

[0075] APs and STAs can be devices used in the Internet of Vehicles, IoT nodes and sensors in the Internet of Things (IoT), smart cameras, smart remote controls, smart water and electricity meters in smart homes, and sensors in smart cities.

[0076] In some embodiments, a STA may support various current and future 802.11 family wireless local area network (WLAN) standards, such as 802.11be, 802.11ax, 802.11ac, 802.11n, 802.11g, 802.11b, and 802.11a. The STA may also be used in a network environment supporting a next-generation WLAN system, which is an evolved WLAN system from the 802.11ax system and is backward compatible with the 802.11ax system. Next-generation Wi-Fi communication refers to any new generation of Wi-Fi communication after Wi-Fi 7 based on the IEEE 802.11be specification, such as Ultra High Reliability (UHR) communication. For example, the STA is a UHR STA.

[0077] In some embodiments, the AP may be a device that supports various current and future 802.11 family WLAN standards, such as 802.11be, 802.11ax, 802.11ac, 802.11n, 802.11g, 802.11b, and 802.11a. The AP may also be used in a network environment supporting a next-generation WLAN system, which is an evolved WLAN system from the 802.11ax system and is backward compatible with the 802.11ax system. Next-generation Wi-Fi communication refers to any new generation of Wi-Fi communication after Wi-Fi 7 based on the IEEE 802.11be specification, such as Ultra High Resolution (UHR) communication. For example, the AP is a Ultra High Resolution (UHR) AP.

[0078] In the embodiment of the present application, the STA may be a mobile phone, a tablet computer, an e-book reader, a laptop computer, a desktop computer, a television, a virtual reality (VR) device, an augmented reality (AR) device, a mixed reality (MR) device, an extended reality (XR) device, a baffle reality (BR) device, a cinematic reality (CR) device, a deceived reality (DR) device, a wireless device in industrial control, a set-top box, a wireless device in self-driving, an in-vehicle communication device, a wireless device in remote medical care, a wireless device in smart grid, a wireless device in transportation safety, a wireless device in smart city, or a wireless device in smart home, a wireless communication chip, an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a system on a chip (SoC), or a wireless communication chip. Chip, SoC) etc.

[0079] The wireless communication system in the embodiment of the present application can support frequency bands including but not limited to: millimeter wave frequency bands (such as 45GHz, 60GHz, etc., which belong to the frequency bands in the range of 30 to 300GHz), Sub-7GHz frequency bands (such as 2.4GHz, 5GHz, 6GHz, etc., which belong to the frequency bands in the range of 1 to 7.25GHz).

[0080] There may be one or more links between a STA and an AP.

[0081] In some embodiments, STAs and APs support multi-band communication, for example, simultaneously communicating in at least one of the 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, 6 GHz, 45 GHz, and 60 GHz frequency bands, or simultaneously communicating on different channels within the same frequency band or on different channels within different frequency bands, to improve the throughput and / or reliability of communication between devices. Such devices are typically referred to as multi-band devices, or MLDs, and are sometimes also referred to as multi-band entities or multi-link entities. An MLD can be either an AP or a STA. If the MLD is an AP, it contains one or more APs; if the MLD is a STA, it contains one or more STAs.

[0082] An MLD that includes one or more APs is called an AP MLD. An MLD that includes one or more STAs is called a non-AP third station or STA MLD.

[0083] In some embodiments, a device operating in a millimeter frequency band has a multi-link operation (MLO) capability, and in addition to a station (STA) / access point (AP) in a millimeter wave frequency band, has at least one subordinate STA / AP in a low-frequency band, and performs device association and discovery in the low-frequency band.

[0084] In some embodiments, STAs exist in the form of one or more Basic Service Sets (BSSs), which are a collection of STAs that can successfully synchronize to communicate with each other. A BSS may or may not include an AP.

[0085] In some embodiments, the AP MLD may include multiple APs, the STA MLD may include multiple STAs, multiple links may be formed between the APs in the AP MLD and the STAs in the STA MLD, and the APs in the AP MLD and the STAs in the STA MLD may communicate through corresponding links.

[0086] In some embodiments, an AP is a device deployed in a WLAN / Wi-Fi system to provide wireless communication capabilities for STAs. STAs may be: User Equipment (UE), Access Terminal, Subscriber Unit, Subscriber Station, Mobile Station, Mobile Station, Remote Station, Remote Terminal, Mobile Device, Wireless Device, User Agent, or User Equipment. STAs may also be cellular phones, cordless phones, Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) phones, Wireless Local Loop (WLL) stations, Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs), handheld devices with wireless communication capabilities, computing devices or other processing devices connected to a wireless modem, vehicle-mounted devices, or wearable devices, but the present application does not limit this.

[0087] In some embodiments, both the AP and the STA support the IEEE 802.11 standard, but are not limited to the IEEE 802.11 standard.

[0088] FIG2 is a flow chart showing a method for saving power at an access point according to some exemplary embodiments of the present application. Taking the method as performed by an access point as an example, the method includes at least some of the following steps:

[0089] Step 210: Send a first frame, where the first frame is used to indicate that the access point has acquired a TXOP and entered a power saving state in the TXOP.

[0090] In some embodiments, since the first station and / or the second station does not support the power saving function, the first frame is used to indicate to the first station and / or the second station that the access point has acquired the TXOP, so as to trigger the first / second station to enter the silent state; and if the third station supports the power saving function, the first frame is used to indicate that the access point has acquired the TXOP and entered the power saving state in the TXOP, and to limit the related operations between the third station and the access point in the power saving state.

[0091] In some embodiments, the first frame is further used to instruct the first station to remain silent for a first duration within a TXOP; wherein the first station supports a first version of the communication protocol, and the access point supports a second version of the communication protocol, where the second version is a subsequent evolution of the first version. Exemplarily, the first station is a legacy station that does not support the power saving function. The power saving function is the access point power saving function provided in an embodiment of the present application. In some embodiments, the access point power saving function is a power saving function at a per TXOP granularity.

[0092] In some embodiments, the first frame is further used to instruct the second station to remain silent for a first duration within the TXOP, where the second station supports the second version and does not support the power saving function.

[0093] In some embodiments, the first duration is indicated by a Duration field carried in the first frame. After receiving the first frame, each station sets the duration of the NAV timer according to the first duration indicated by the Duration field. During the first duration of the NAV timer, the first station and / or the second station that do not support the power saving function are in a silent state and do not actively perform uplink transmission.

[0094] The above-mentioned first frame is a frame that all stations mentioned in the embodiments of the present application support normal reception. After receiving the first frame, the first station and / or the second station that do not support the power saving function can at least know that the access point has obtained the indication of TXOP. Even if they cannot know the indication that the access point has entered the power saving state in TXOP due to not supporting the power saving function, they will remain silent for the first time period and will not perform upload transmission. After receiving the first frame, the third station that supports the power saving function can know that the access point has obtained the indication of TXOP, and can also know the indication that the access point has entered the power saving state in TXOP. In this TXOP, it can still transmit uplink data and / or downlink data with the access point.

[0095] In some embodiments, the first frame is a CTS-to-self frame. In some embodiments, the first frame is a trigger frame. For example, the first frame is a MU-RTS trigger frame.

[0096] There are at least three different implementations of the first frame that can indicate that the access point has entered a power saving state in the TXOP. In different embodiments, at least one of the three implementations can be used;

[0097] The first method (implicit indication): the access point does not perform downlink transmission within a preset period of time after the first frame;

[0098] In a non-power-saving scenario, the access point will perform downlink transmissions for a preset duration after obtaining a TXOP. However, in a power-saving scenario, the access point enters a power-saving state after obtaining a TXOP and does not perform downlink transmissions for a preset duration.

[0099] The second way (explicit indication): the value of the first bit in the first frame is the first value;

[0100] In some embodiments, the first frame is a CTS-to-self frame, and the first bit is a unicast or multicast bit. In some embodiments, the first frame is a trigger frame, and the first bit is a bit in a general information field.

[0101] In some embodiments, the first value is 1; in some embodiments, the first value is 0.

[0102] The third way (explicit indication): the first field in the first frame is empty.

[0103] In some embodiments, the first frame is a trigger frame, and the first field is a user information list field.

[0104] In some embodiments, the first frame is transmitted using the current maximum available bandwidth and at least one spatial stream; or, the first frame is transmitted using a subchannel corresponding to a power saving state and at least one spatial stream.

[0105] In some embodiments, the current maximum available bandwidth includes: a subchannel corresponding to the power saving state; and all or part of the subchannels that remain idle for a preset period of time before the first frame is sent. Exemplarily, the subchannel corresponding to the power saving state is one subchannel.

[0106] In some embodiments, the first frame is carried in a first PPDU of a first version. Exemplarily, the first PPDU of the first version is a non-HT PPDU or a non-HT duplicate PPDU.

[0107] In some embodiments, the first frame is sent in broadcast form.

[0108] In summary, in the embodiments of the present application, a first frame is sent to indicate that the access point has acquired a TXOP and entered a power-saving state during the TXOP. For stations that do not support the power-saving feature, the first frame determines that the access point has acquired a TXOP and therefore enters a silent state. This ensures that even if the station does not support the power-saving feature, communication anomalies between the station and the access point, such as packet loss or connection loss, will not occur. For stations that support the power-saving feature, the first frame determines that the access point has acquired a TXOP and entered a power-saving state during the TXOP, thereby supporting subsequent operations related to the power-saving state.

[0109] FIG3 shows a flow chart of a method for saving power at an access point provided by some exemplary embodiments of the present application. Taking the method performed by a third station as an example, the method includes at least some of the following steps:

[0110] Step 310: Receive the first frame sent by the access point;

[0111] In some embodiments, the third station refers to at least one station that supports a power saving function. In some embodiments, the third station supports a second version of the communication protocol.

[0112] In some embodiments, the first frame is used to instruct the access point to acquire a TXOP and enter a power saving state in the TXOP, and to define related operations between the third station and the access point in the power saving state, such as uplink data transmission and / or downlink data transmission.

[0113] For other characteristics of the first frame, please refer to the relevant description in step 210 and will not be repeated here.

[0114] Step 320: Determine whether the access point enters a power saving state in the TXOP based on the first frame.

[0115] There are at least three different implementations of the first frame that can indicate that the access point has entered a power saving state in the TXOP. In different embodiments, at least one of the three implementations can be used;

[0116] The first method (implicit indication): when the access point does not perform downlink transmission within a preset period of time after the first frame, it is determined that the access point enters the power saving state;

[0117] In a non-power-saving scenario, the access point will perform downlink transmissions for a preset duration after obtaining a TXOP. However, in a power-saving scenario, the access point enters a power-saving state after obtaining a TXOP and does not perform downlink transmissions for a preset duration.

[0118] If the monitoring result of the third station within the preset time period after the first frame is that the access point does not perform downlink transmission, the third station determines that the access point enters the power saving state.

[0119] The second way (explicit indication): the value of the first bit in the first frame is the first value;

[0120] In some embodiments, the first frame is a CTS-to-self frame, and the first bit is a unicast or multicast (Individual / Group) bit. Exemplarily, when the first frame is a CTS-to-self frame, the unicast or multicast bit in the Receiver Address (RA) of the CTS-to-self frame is set to 1 to indicate that the access point will enter a power saving state in this TXOP, and is set to 0 to indicate that the access point will not enter a power saving state in this transmission opportunity.

[0121] In some embodiments, the first frame is a trigger frame, and the first bit is a bit in the general information field. Exemplarily, a reserved bit in the general information field of the MU-RTS trigger frame is set to 1 to indicate that the access point will enter the power saving state in this transmission opportunity, and is set to 0 to indicate that the access point will not enter the power saving state in this transmission opportunity.

[0122] In some embodiments, the first value is 1. However, in some embodiments, the first value is 0.

[0123] When the third station parses and finds that the value of the first bit in the first frame is the first value, it determines that the access point enters the power saving state.

[0124] The third way (explicit indication): the first field in the first frame is empty.

[0125] In some embodiments, the first frame is a trigger frame, and the first field is a user information list field.

[0126] When the third station parses and finds that the first field in the first frame is empty, it determines that the access point enters the power saving state.

[0127] In summary, the method provided in the embodiment of the present application, for a third station that supports the power saving function, determines based on the first frame that the access point has obtained the TXOP and entered the power saving state in the TXOP. When the third station learns that the access point has entered the power saving state, it can support related subsequent operations in the power saving state (such as uplink data transmission and / or downlink data transmission).

[0128] For sites that do not support the power saving function:

[0129] FIG4 is a flow chart illustrating a method for saving power at an access point provided in some exemplary embodiments of the present application. Taking the method as performed by an access point and a station, where the station can be at least one of a first station, a second station, and a third station, the method includes at least some of the following steps:

[0130] Step 401: The access point sends a first frame to the station;

[0131] The access point may use a predefined Enhanced Distributed Channel Access (EDCA) parameter or any EDCA parameter to obtain a TXOP.

[0132] When the access point competes for a TXOP, it will send a first frame to each station. The first frame is used to indicate that the access point has acquired the TXOP and entered a power saving state in the TXOP.

[0133] Correspondingly, the station receives a first frame sent by the access point. The first frame carries the first duration. For example, the duration field of the first frame carries the first duration.

[0134] The introduction of the relevant characteristics of the first frame can be referred to the description of step 210 and will not be repeated here.

[0135] Step 402: The access point enters a power saving state;

[0136] After competing for / acquiring a TXOP, the access point may or may not choose to enter a power saving state. In some embodiments, the access point determines whether to enter a power saving state based on at least one of the following factors:

[0137] Factor 1: Whether there is downlink data to be sent;

[0138] Factor 2: Whether the business is busy in the current time period.

[0139] In some embodiments, the access point enters the power saving state when there is no downlink data to be sent; in some embodiments, the access point enters the power saving state when the traffic busyness of the current time period is less than a threshold; in some embodiments, the access point enters the power saving state when there is no downlink data to be sent and the traffic busyness of the current time period is less than a threshold.

[0140] The embodiment of the present application does not limit the implementation method of whether the access point enters the power saving state in the current TXOP. The implementation method can be agreed upon by the communication protocol, pre-configured by the user, or independently implemented by the manufacturer.

[0141] Step 403: The first / second station remains silent for the set NAV duration;

[0142] The first station and / or the second station sets the NAV duration according to the first duration, and remains silent during the NAV duration, and does not actively perform uplink transmission.

[0143] Step 404: The third station determines whether the access point enters a power saving state based on the first frame;

[0144] When the access point does not perform downlink transmission within a preset period of time after the first frame, or the first bit in the first frame is the first value, or the first field of the first frame is empty, the third station can confirm that the access point enters the power saving state.

[0145] Step 405: When the TXOP ends, the access point enters the awake state.

[0146] After the TXOP ends, the access point switches from the power saving state to the awake state. The first station and / or the second station also exit the silent mode.

[0147] With reference to Figure 5 , the first frame can be a CTS-to-self frame or a trigger frame. When the access point obtains a transmission opportunity, it sends a PPDU carrying the first frame to each station and then enters the power-saving state. In this basic service set, the first station 1 and the second station 2 that have established an association with the access point will remain silent for the NAV duration. During the NAV duration, the first station 1 and / or the second station 2 will not actively perform uplink transmissions to the access point. After the TXOP ends, the access point switches from the power-saving state to the awake state.

[0148] In summary, the method provided in this embodiment transmits a first frame that indicates to the access point that it has acquired a TXOP and entered a power-saving state during the TXOP. For stations that do not support the power-saving feature, the first frame determines that the access point has acquired a TXOP and therefore enters a silent state. This ensures that even if a station does not support the power-saving feature, communication anomalies between the station and the access point, such as packet loss or connection loss, will not occur.

[0149] For uplink transmission at sites that support the power saving function:

[0150] FIG6 shows a flow chart of a method for saving power at an access point provided by some exemplary embodiments of the present application. Taking the method performed by the access point and the third station as an example, the method includes at least some of the following steps:

[0151] Step 601: The access point sends a first frame to a third station;

[0152] The access point sends a first PPDU carrying a first frame to the third station. The first PPDU uses a first version of the PPDU format. The first frame can be a CTS-to-self frame or a trigger frame.

[0153] In some embodiments, the first PPDU is sent using the current maximum available bandwidth and at least one spatial stream (such as multi-stream); in some embodiments, the first PPDU is sent using the sub-bandwidth corresponding to the power saving state and at least one spatial stream (such as single stream).

[0154] Step 602: The access point enters a power saving state;

[0155] After sending the first frame, the access point switches from the awake state to the power save state.

[0156] With reference to Figure 7 , after transmitting the first frame, the access point enters a power-saving state. At this point, the access point uses the sub-bandwidth and at least one spatial stream corresponding to the power-saving state to receive and transmit non-HT PPDUs. The sub-bandwidth corresponding to the power-saving state uses a smaller bandwidth (20 MHz or 40 MHz).

[0157] Accordingly, the third station receives the first frame and determines whether the access point enters the power saving state based on the first frame. For related descriptions, please refer to step 320 and / or step 404, which will not be repeated here.

[0158] Step 603: The third station sends a second frame to the access point;

[0159] The third station is at least one station that supports power saving. When the access point is in power saving mode, the third station can still perform uplink transmissions with the access point. In a TXOP for which the access point has contended, the third station can send a second frame if it obtains the transmission medium or channel using the EDCA mechanism. The second frame is carried in the second PPDU of the first version.

[0160] In some embodiments, referring to the example of FIG7 , the second frame is a request-to-send (RTS) frame. In some embodiments, the second frame is a control frame. This embodiment uses the RTS frame as an example for explanation.

[0161] In some embodiments, the second PPDU is a first version PPDU, or adopts a first version PPDU format, such as a non-HT PPDU or a non-HT duplicate PPDU.

[0162] In some embodiments, the Duration field in the second frame indicates the expected transmission duration of the third station (denoted as the second duration). That is, the second frame carries the second duration, which is the expected transmission duration of the third station within the TXOP. The sum of the end time of the second frame and the second duration must not be later than the sum of the end time of the first frame and the first duration, meaning that the third station's expected transmission must be completed before the end of the TXOP.

[0163] Step 604: The access point switches from the power saving state to the awake state;

[0164] When the access point receives the second frame sent by the third station within the TXOP, it switches from the power saving state to the awake state.

[0165] In some embodiments, since it takes a certain amount of time for an access point to switch from a power-saving state to an awake state (depending on the performance of the access point), some access points require a longer time to transition from a power-saving state to an awake state. The access point may pre-indicate the required state transition time (switch delay) in a beacon frame and / or a probe response frame. Based on the state transition time, the third station may add padding (e.g., adding padding to a newly defined control frame) to the second frame and / or add padding (e.g., using a packet extension (PE) field of 4, 8, 12, or 16 microseconds) to the PPDU carrying the second frame.

[0166] That is, the second frame or the second PPDU carrying the second frame has a padding field, which is determined based on the state transition time of the access point. The state transition time is used to indicate the time required for the access point to switch from the power saving state to the normal state.

[0167] Step 605: The access point sends a third frame to the station;

[0168] The third frame is used to instruct the access point to switch from the power saving state to the awake state, and / or the third frame is used to indicate approval of uplink data transmission of the third station.

[0169] In some embodiments, referring to the example of FIG. 7 , the third frame is a CTS frame.

[0170] In some embodiments, the access point sends the third frame to the station after a SIFS interval of receiving the second frame.

[0171] In some embodiments, after the access point transitions from the power saving state to the awake state, the first PPDU sent (e.g., the third PPDU carrying the CTS frame) needs to use a non-HT duplicate PPDU and be sent using the current maximum available bandwidth and at least one stream. This is to occupy the transmission medium and ensure that subsequent transmissions in the awake state can use a larger transmission bandwidth.

[0172] In some embodiments, the current maximum available bandwidth is determined as follows: the subchannel used by the access point in the power saving state and the other subchannels that remain idle within the PIFS or DIFS time before sending the first PPDU constitute the channel with the largest bandwidth.

[0173] Step 606: The third station sends data to the access point;

[0174] In some embodiments, after receiving the third frame, the third station sends uplink data to the station at a predetermined interval. The predetermined interval may be any one of SIFS, PIFS, and DIFS. This embodiment uses SIFS as an example for illustration.

[0175] Step 607: The access point switches from the awake state to the power saving state;

[0176] Before the end of the TXOP, after the station completes the transmission of uplink data, the access point can switch from the awake state to the power saving state again.

[0177] Step 608: The TXOP ends and the access point enters the awake state.

[0178] After the TXOP ends, the access point switches from the power saving state to the awake state. The first station and / or the second station also exit the silent mode.

[0179] To summarize, the method provided in this embodiment, for a third station that supports the power saving function, determines based on the first frame that the access point has obtained the TXOP and entered the power saving state in the TXOP. When the third station learns that the access point has entered the power saving state, it can support related subsequent operations in the power saving state (such as uplink data transmission and / or downlink data transmission).

[0180] In the method provided in this embodiment, the third station restores the access point to the awake state through the second frame, and then the third station sends uplink data to the access point, which can realize uplink data transmission of the third station in the TXOP.

[0181] The method provided in this embodiment also ensures that the access point has sufficient time to switch from the power saving state to the awake state by adding a padding field in the second frame or the second PPDU.

[0182] To ensure that the access point has sufficient time to switch from the power saving state to the awake state, in an embodiment different from FIG6 , as shown in FIG8 , the above step 603 may be replaced by step 603-1:

[0183] Step 603-1: The third station sends a second frame to the access point;

[0184] The third station is at least one station that supports dynamic power saving. The third station can send a second frame when it obtains a transmission medium or channel through EDCA mechanism competition. In this embodiment, the second frame is at least two frames.

[0185] In some embodiments, in combination with reference Figure 9, taking at least two frames including two frames: a CTS-to-self frame and an RTS frame as an example, when the third station uses the EDCA mechanism to compete for the transmission medium or channel, it first sends a CTS-to-self frame; after waiting for the SIFS interval, it sends the RTS frame.

[0186] In some embodiments, when the second frame is at least two frames, all or part of the at least two frames (or the PPDU carrying the frames) further carry a padding field to further reserve time for the access point.

[0187] In summary, the method provided in this embodiment can provide the access point with "at least two frames + at least two SIFS intervals" of time for state switching, since the second frame is at least two frames, thereby ensuring that the access point has sufficient time to switch from the power saving state to the awake state.

[0188] In order to maintain the access point's scheduling of uplink and / or downlink within a transmission opportunity, in an embodiment different from FIG6 , as shown in FIG10 , the above step 605 may be alternatively implemented as the following step 605-1:

[0189] Step 605-1: The access point sends a third frame and a trigger frame to the third station in sequence;

[0190] The third frame is used to instruct the access point to switch from the power saving state to the awake state, and the trigger frame is used to trigger the third station to start uplink data transmission.

[0191] In some embodiments, in conjunction with reference to FIG11, after receiving the second frame, the access point first sends the third frame; waits for a SIFS interval, and then sends the trigger frame. Optionally, the third frame is a CTS frame. After receiving the trigger frame, the third station sends uplink data to the access point.

[0192] In summary, in the method provided in this embodiment, the access point can first send the third frame and then send the trigger frame, thereby maintaining the access point's scheduling of uplink and / or downlink within the transmission opportunity.

[0193] For downlink transmission at sites that support the power saving function:

[0194] FIG12 is a flow chart showing a method for saving power at an access point according to some exemplary embodiments of the present application. Taking the method performed by the access point and the third station as an example, the method includes at least some of the following steps:

[0195] Step 1201: The access point sends a first frame to a third station;

[0196] The access point sends a first PPDU carrying a first frame to the third station. The first PPDU uses a first version of the PPDU format. The first frame can be a CTS-to-self frame or a trigger frame.

[0197] In some embodiments, the first PPDU is sent using the current maximum available bandwidth and at least one spatial stream (such as multi-stream); in some embodiments, the first PPDU is sent using the sub-bandwidth corresponding to the power saving state and at least one spatial stream (such as single stream).

[0198] Step 1202: The access point enters a power saving state;

[0199] After sending the first frame, the access point switches from the awake state to the power save state.

[0200] Step 1203: The access point switches from the power saving state to the awake state;

[0201] In a case where there is downlink data to be sent within the TXOP, the access point switches from the power saving state to the awake state to perform downlink data transmission to the third station.

[0202] Step 1204: The access point sends a trigger frame to the third station;

[0203] The trigger frame is used to indicate to the third station that the access point is about to send downlink data to the third station. Optionally, the trigger frame further indicates a third duration, which is the expected transmission duration of the access point.

[0204] During a TXOP, when an access point receives downlink data (especially low-latency data) from the distribution system (DS), it can proactively transition from power-saving to awake and initiate downlink transmission. After the downlink transmission is complete, it can transition back to power-saving. To avoid OBSS interference, the access point must perform a CCA check before initiating downlink transmission and must wait for the channel to be idle for at least PIFS or DIFS before transmitting.

[0205] Step 1205: The access point sends data to the third station;

[0206] In some embodiments, with reference to Figure 13, the access point sends downlink data to the third station after a predetermined interval after sending the trigger frame. The predetermined interval can be any one of SIFS, PIFS, and DIFS. This embodiment uses SIFS as an example.

[0207] Step 1206: The access point switches from the awake state to the power saving state;

[0208] After the downlink data transmission is completed, the access point switches from the awake state to the power saving state.

[0209] Step 1207: The TXOP ends and the access point enters the awake state.

[0210] After the TXOP ends, the access point switches from the power saving state to the awake state. The first station and / or the second station also exit the silent mode.

[0211] To summarize, the method provided in this embodiment, for a third station that supports the power saving function, determines based on the first frame that the access point has obtained the TXOP and entered the power saving state in the TXOP. When the third station learns that the access point has entered the power saving state, it can support related subsequent operations in the power saving state (such as uplink data transmission and / or downlink data transmission).

[0212] In the method provided in this embodiment, the access point recovers from the power saving state to the awake state when there is downlink data, and then sends the downlink data to the third station, thereby enabling downlink data transmission of the third station in the TXOP.

[0213] For the site to be associated:

[0214] FIG14 is a flow chart showing a method for saving power at an access point according to some exemplary embodiments of the present application. Taking the method performed by the access point and the fourth station as an example, the method includes at least some of the following steps:

[0215] Step 1401: The access point sends a first frame to the fourth station;

[0216] The fourth station may or may not support the power saving function.

[0217] When the access point obtains the TXOP, if the fourth station is already within the service coverage of the access point, the fourth station will also receive the first frame when the access point broadcasts the first frame; if the fourth station is not within the service coverage of the access point, the fourth station will not receive the first frame when the access point broadcasts the first frame.

[0218] Step 1402: The access point enters a power saving state;

[0219] After sending the first frame, the access point switches from the awake state to the power save state.

[0220] Step 1403: The fourth station sends a fourth PPDU to the access point;

[0221] When the access point is in the power saving state, the fourth station can still complete operations such as detection, scanning, authentication, and association with the access point.

[0222] In some embodiments, with reference to FIG15 , in a TXOP, when at least one newly associated station (denoted as the fourth station) competes for a medium access opportunity using the EDCA mechanism, it sends a probe request frame using a non-HT PPDU or a non-HT duplicate PPDU. The access point responds with a non-HT PPDU carrying a probe response frame.

[0223] If the fourth station sends an authentication frame and / or an association request frame using a non-HT PPDU or a non-HT duplicate PPDU, the access point responds by sending an authentication frame and / or an association response frame using a non-HT PPDU or a non-HT duplicate PPDU. The access point then transitions from the power saving state to the awake state (the transition may occur before or after the response, as the response may occur much later than the SIFS, providing the access point with sufficient time to transition from the power saving state to the awake state). After transitioning from the power saving state to the awake state, the access point may use the currently available larger bandwidth and / or multiple streams for receiving and transmitting operations.

[0224] Optionally, during a TXOP, at least one third station and / or at least one fourth station in the BSS that supports dynamic power saving of access points can communicate with the access point using a non-HT PPDU or a non-HT duplicate PPDU when competing for a medium access opportunity using the EDCA mechanism. The access point does not transition to an awake state but remains in a power-saving state, communicating with the third station and / or the fourth station using a power-saving transceiver channel. This method has slightly lower transmission efficiency but saves more power.

[0225] Step 1404: The access point switches from the power saving state to the awake state;

[0226] In the case where the fourth station sends a probe request frame, the access point can reply with a probe response frame without switching from the power saving state to the awake state.

[0227] In case that the fourth station transmits an authentication frame or an association request frame, the access point switches from the power saving state to the awake state.

[0228] Step 1405: The access point sends a fifth PPDU to the fourth station;

[0229] Upon receiving a fourth PPDU of the first version sent by a fourth station within a TXOP, the access point replies with a fifth PPDU of the first version to the fourth station; wherein the fourth station is a station to be associated that supports the first version or the second version. The access point responds with a corresponding frame based on the frame sent by the fourth station. This includes at least one of the following situations:

[0230] The fourth PPDU carries a probe request frame, and the fifth PPDU carries a probe response frame.

[0231] The fourth PPDU carries an authentication frame, and the fifth PPDU carries an authentication response frame.

[0232] The fourth PPDU carries an association request frame, and the fifth PPDU carries an association response frame.

[0233] Step 1407: The access point switches from the awake state to the power saving state;

[0234] When the interaction with the fourth station is completed, the access point switches from the power saving state to the awake state.

[0235] Step 1408: The TXOP ends and the access point enters the awake state.

[0236] After the TXOP ends, the access point switches from the power saving state to the awake state. The first station and / or the second station also exit the silent mode.

[0237] Optionally, for AP MLD, one link may be kept in an awake state for interaction with a first station and / or a second station that does not support the access point dynamic power saving function and / or at least one newly arrived fourth station in the current BSS, while the access point dynamic power saving function is enabled on at least one other link. In this case, AP MLD may only process interaction with the third station on the other link, without processing interaction with the first station and / or the second station and / or the fourth station on the other link.

[0238] In summary, with the method provided in this embodiment, after entering the power saving state, the access point can still complete at least one of the operations of detection, scanning, authentication, and association with a new station to be associated.

[0239] Changes in channels, bandwidth, and flows during the above process:

[0240] In the power saving state, the subchannel and bandwidth corresponding to the power saving state used by the access point (called the power saving transceiver channel, the low power transceiver channel, the main 20Mhz subchannel or the main 40Mhz subchannel) are predefined by the communication protocol or pre-broadcasted by the access point in the beacon frame.

[0241] In option 1, the access point may use the current maximum available bandwidth and one spatial stream to transmit a non-HT PPDU carrying the first frame (when the bandwidth is 20 MHz) or a non-HT duplicate PPDU (when the bandwidth is greater than 20 MHz). A third station supporting version 2 of the dynamic power saving feature of the access point may use the subchannel corresponding to the power saving state to transmit a non-HT PPDU carrying the second frame (e.g., RTS).

[0242] Option 2: The access point may use only the subchannel corresponding to the power saving state and one spatial stream to transmit the non-HT PPDU carrying the first frame (when the bandwidth is 20 MHz) or the non-HT duplicate PPDU (when the bandwidth is greater than 20 MHz). A third station supporting the second version of the dynamic power saving feature of the access point uses the subchannel corresponding to the power saving state to transmit the non-HT PPDU carrying the second frame.

[0243] FIG16 shows a block diagram of a power saving device for an access point provided by some exemplary embodiments of the present application. The device includes at least some of the following modules: a sending module 1620, a processing module 1640, and a receiving module 1660:

[0244] The sending module 1620 is configured to send a first frame, where the first frame is used to instruct the access point to obtain a TXOP and enter a power saving state in the TXOP.

[0245] In some embodiments, since the first site and / or the second site does not support the power saving function, the first frame is used to indicate to the first site and / or the second site that the device has obtained the TXOP to trigger the first / second site to enter the silent state; and if the third site supports the power saving function, the first frame is used to indicate that the device has obtained the TXOP and entered the power saving state in the TXOP, and to limit the related operations between the third site and the device in the power saving state.

[0246] In some embodiments, the first frame is further used to instruct the first station to remain silent for a first duration within the TXOP; wherein the first station supports a first version of the communication protocol, and the apparatus supports a second version of the communication protocol, where the second version is a subsequent evolution of the first version. Exemplarily, the first station is a legacy station that does not support the power saving function. The power saving function is the power saving function provided in an embodiment of the present application. In some embodiments, the power saving function is a power saving function for a single TXOP granularity.

[0247] In some embodiments, the first frame is further used to instruct the second station to remain silent for a first duration within the TXOP, where the second station supports the second version and does not support the power saving function.

[0248] In some embodiments, the first duration is indicated by a duration field carried in the first frame. After receiving the first frame, each station sets the duration of the NAV timer according to the first duration indicated by the duration field. During the first duration of the NAV timer, the first station and / or the second station that do not support the power saving function remain in a silent state and do not actively perform uplink transmission.

[0249] The above-mentioned first frame is a frame that all the sites mentioned in the embodiments of the present application support normal reception. After receiving the first frame, the first site and / or the second site that do not support the power-saving function can at least know that the device has obtained the indication of TXOP. Even if they cannot know the indication that the device has entered the power-saving state in TXOP due to not supporting the power-saving function, they will remain silent for the first time period and will not perform upload transmission. After receiving the first frame, the third site that supports the power-saving function can know that the device has obtained the indication of TXOP, and can also know the indication that the device has entered the power-saving state in TXOP. It can still transmit uplink data and / or downlink data with the device in the TXOP.

[0250] In some embodiments, the first frame is a CTS-to-self frame. In some embodiments, the first frame is a trigger frame. For example, the first frame is a MU-RTS trigger frame.

[0251] There are at least three different implementations of the first frame that can indicate that the device has entered a power saving state in the TXOP. In different embodiments, at least one of the three implementations can be used;

[0252] The first method (implicit indication): the device does not perform downlink transmission within a preset period of time after the first frame;

[0253] In a non-power saving scenario, the device will perform downlink transmission within a preset time period after obtaining a TXOP. However, in a power saving scenario, the device enters a power saving state after obtaining a TXOP and does not perform downlink transmission within a preset time period.

[0254] The second way (explicit indication): the value of the first bit in the first frame is the first value;

[0255] In some embodiments, the first frame is a CTS-to-self frame, and the first bit is a unicast or multicast bit. In some embodiments, the first frame is a trigger frame, and the first bit is a bit in a general information field.

[0256] In some embodiments, the first value is 1; in some embodiments, the first value is 0.

[0257] The third way (explicit indication): the first field in the first frame is empty.

[0258] In some embodiments, the first frame is a trigger frame, and the first field is a user information list field.

[0259] In some embodiments, the first frame is transmitted using the current maximum available bandwidth and at least one spatial stream; or, the first frame is transmitted using a subchannel corresponding to a power saving state and at least one spatial stream.

[0260] In some embodiments, the current maximum available bandwidth includes: a subchannel corresponding to the power saving state; and all or part of the subchannels that remain idle for a preset period of time before the first frame is sent. Exemplarily, the subchannel corresponding to the power saving state is one subchannel.

[0261] In some embodiments, the first frame is carried in a first PPDU of a first version. Exemplarily, the first PPDU of the first version is a non-HT PPDU or a non-HT duplicate PPDU.

[0262] In some embodiments, the first frame is sent in broadcast form.

[0263] The receiving module 1660 is configured to receive a second frame sent by a third station;

[0264] The third station is at least one station that supports power saving. Even when the device is in power saving mode, the third station can still perform uplink transmissions with the device. In a TXOP for which the device has contended, the third station can send a second frame if it secures the transmission medium or channel using the EDCA mechanism. The second frame is carried in the second PPDU of the first version.

[0265] In some embodiments, referring to the example of FIG7 , the second frame is an RTS. In some embodiments, the second frame is a control frame. This embodiment is described by taking the second frame being an RTS as an example.

[0266] In some embodiments, the second PPDU is a first version PPDU, or adopts a first version PPDU format, such as a non-HT PPDU or a non-HT duplicate PPDU.

[0267] In some embodiments, the duration field in the second frame indicates the expected transmission duration of the third station. That is, the second frame carries a second duration, which is the expected transmission duration of the third station within the TXOP. The sum of the end time of the second frame and the second duration must not be later than the sum of the end time of the first frame and the first duration. That is, the third station's expected transmission must be completed before the end of the TXOP.

[0268] The processing module 1640 is configured to switch from the power saving state to the awake state when a second frame sent by a third station is received within the TXOP;

[0269] When the device receives a second frame sent by a third station within the TXOP, it switches from the power saving state to the awake state.

[0270] In some embodiments, it takes a certain amount of time for a device to switch from a power-saving state to an awake state. Some devices require a longer transition time from a power-saving state to an awake state. The device may indicate the required state transition time in advance in a beacon frame and / or a probe response frame. Based on this state transition time, the third station may add padding to the second frame and / or to the PPDU carrying the second frame.

[0271] That is, the second frame or the second PPDU carrying the second frame has a padding field, which is determined based on the state transition time of the device. The state transition time is used to indicate the time required for the device to switch from the power saving state to the normal state.

[0272] The third site is a site that supports the second version of the communication protocol and supports a power saving function.

[0273] In some embodiments, the second frame carries a second duration, which is the expected transmission duration of the third station within the TXOP. In some embodiments, the duration field in the second frame indicates the expected transmission duration of the third station. That is, the second frame carries a second duration, which is the expected transmission duration of the third station within the TXOP. The sum of the end time of the second frame and the second duration must not be later than the sum of the end time of the first frame and the first duration, meaning that the third station's expected transmission must complete before the end of the TXOP.

[0274] In some embodiments, the second frame is an RTS frame, or the second frame is a control frame. In some embodiments, referring to the example of FIG. 7 , the second frame is an RTS frame. In some embodiments, the second frame is a control frame. This embodiment is described by taking the second frame being an RTS frame as an example.

[0275] In some embodiments, the second frame is carried in a second PPDU of version 1. In some embodiments, the second PPDU is a PPDU of version 1, or adopts a PPDU format of version 1, such as a non-HT PPDU or a non-HT duplicate PPDU.

[0276] In some embodiments, the second frame or the second PPDU carrying the second frame has a padding field, and the padding field is determined based on the state transition time of the device, where the state transition time is the time required for the device to switch from the power saving state to the awake state.

[0277] The sending module 1620 is configured to send a beacon frame, where the beacon frame carries information indicating a state transition time.

[0278] In some embodiments, it takes a certain amount of time for a device to switch from a power-saving state to an awake state. Some devices require a longer transition time from a power-saving state to an awake state. The device may indicate the required state transition time in advance in a beacon frame and / or a probe response frame. Based on this state transition time, the third station may add padding to the second frame and / or to the PPDU carrying the second frame.

[0279] That is, the second frame or the second PPDU carrying the second frame has a padding field, which is determined based on the state transition time of the device. The state transition time is used to indicate the time required for the device to switch from the power saving state to the normal state.

[0280] In some embodiments, the second PPDU carrying the second frame is a sequence of at least two PPDUs.

[0281] The sending module 1620 is used to send a third frame to a third station, where the third PPDU is used to instruct the device to switch to the awake state.

[0282] The third frame is used to instruct the device to switch from the power saving state to the awake state, and / or the third frame is used to indicate approval of uplink data transmission of the third station.

[0283] In some embodiments, referring to the example of FIG. 7 , the third frame is a CTS frame.

[0284] In some embodiments, the device sends the third frame to the station a SIFS interval after receiving the second frame.

[0285] In some embodiments, after the device switches from a power saving state to an awake state, the first PPDU sent needs to use a non-HT duplicate PPDU and be sent using the current maximum available bandwidth and at least one stream. The purpose is to occupy the transmission medium and ensure that subsequent transmissions in the awake state can use a larger transmission bandwidth.

[0286] In some embodiments, the current maximum available bandwidth is determined as follows: the sub-channel used by the device in the power saving state and the other sub-channels that remain idle within the PIFS or DIFS time before sending the first PPDU constitute the channel with the largest bandwidth.

[0287] In some embodiments, the third frame is carried in a third PPDU of the first version.

[0288] The sending module 1620 is further configured to send a trigger frame to the third station, where the trigger frame is used to instruct the third station to send data.

[0289] The third frame is used to instruct the device to switch from the power saving state to the awake state, and the trigger frame is used to trigger the third station to start uplink data transmission.

[0290] In some embodiments, with reference to FIG11 , after receiving the second frame, the device first sends a third frame, waits for a SIFS interval, and then sends a trigger frame. Optionally, the third frame is a CTS frame. After receiving the trigger frame, the third station sends uplink data to the device.

[0291] The processing module 1640 is configured to switch from the awake state to the power saving state after the data transmission of the third station is completed.

[0292] Before the end of the TXOP, after the station completes the transmission of uplink data, the device can switch from the awake state to the power saving state again.

[0293] The sending module 1620 is further configured to switch from the power saving state to the awake state to transmit the downlink data when there is downlink data to be sent within the TXOP.

[0294] FIG12 is a flow chart showing a method for saving power of a device according to some exemplary embodiments of the present application. Taking the method executed by the device and the third station as an example, the method includes at least some of the following steps:

[0295] The device sends a first frame to a third station;

[0296] The device sends a first PPDU carrying a first frame to a third station. The first PPDU adopts a first version of the PPDU format. The first frame can be a CTS-to-self frame or a trigger frame.

[0297] In some embodiments, the first PPDU is sent using the current maximum available bandwidth and at least one spatial stream; in some embodiments, the first PPDU is sent using the sub-bandwidth corresponding to the power saving state and at least one spatial stream.

[0298] A sending module, used for the device to enter a power saving state;

[0299] After sending the first frame, the device switches from the awake state to the power saving state.

[0300] A sending module, used for switching the device from a power saving state to a wake-up state;

[0301] In a case where there is downlink data to be sent within the TXOP, the device switches from the power saving state to the awake state to perform transmission of the downlink data to the third station.

[0302] A sending module, configured to send a trigger frame to a third station;

[0303] The trigger frame is used to indicate to the third station that the device is about to send downlink data to the third station. Optionally, the trigger frame further indicates a third duration, which is the expected transmission duration of the device.

[0304] A sending module, used for the device to send data to a third site;

[0305] In some embodiments, with reference to Figure 13, the device sends downlink data to the third station after a predetermined interval after sending the trigger frame. The predetermined interval can be any one of SIFS, PIFS, and DIFS. This embodiment uses SIFS as an example.

[0306] A sending module, used for switching the device from a wake-up state to a power-saving state;

[0307] After the downlink data transmission is completed, the device switches from the awake state to the power saving state.

[0308] The sending module is used to complete TXOP and the device enters the awake state.

[0309] After the TXOP ends, the device switches from the power saving state to the awake state. The first station and / or the second station also exit the silent mode.

[0310] The sending module 1620 is further configured to perform CCA detection before transmitting downlink data.

[0311] During a TXOP, when a device receives data to be transmitted downlink from the distribution system, it can proactively transition from power-saving mode to awake mode and initiate downlink transmission. After the downlink transmission is complete, it can transition back to power-saving mode. To avoid OBSS interference, the device must perform a CCA check before initiating downlink transmission and must ensure the channel is idle for at least PIFS or DIFS before transmitting.

[0312] In some embodiments, the receiving module 1660 is further configured to receive a fourth PPDU of the first version sent by the fourth station within the TXOP; the sending module 1620 is further configured to reply a fifth PPDU of the first version to the fourth station upon receiving the fourth PPDU of the first version sent by the fourth station within the TXOP;

[0313] The fourth site is a site to be associated that supports the first version or the second version.

[0314] In some embodiments, the fourth PPDU carries a probe request frame and the fifth PPDU carries a probe response frame; or the fourth PPDU carries an authentication request frame and the fifth PPDU carries an authentication response frame; or the fourth PPDU carries an association request frame and the fifth PPDU carries an association response frame.

[0315] In some embodiments, the receiving module 1660 is further used to receive an authentication request frame or an association request frame sent by the fourth station within the TXOP; the processing module 1640 is used to switch from the power saving state to the awake state when the authentication request frame or the association request frame sent by the fourth station is received within the TXOP.

[0316] In some embodiments, the processing module 1640 is configured to switch from the power saving state to the awake state when the TXOP ends. After the TXOP ends, the access point switches from the power saving state to the awake state. The first station and / or the second station also exit the silent mode.

[0317] In some embodiments, the power saving state uses a subchannel corresponding to the power saving state and one spatial stream for transmission.

[0318] In some embodiments, the awake state utilizes the current maximum available bandwidth and at least one spatial stream transmission.

[0319] In some embodiments, the sending module 1620 is further configured to execute the sending steps performed by the apparatus in the above-mentioned various method embodiments.

[0320] The processing module 1640 is used to execute the determination-related steps, processing-related steps, and calculation-related steps executed by the receiving point in each of the above method embodiments.

[0321] The receiving module 1660 is configured to execute the receiving steps performed by the apparatus in each of the above method embodiments.

[0322] In some embodiments, the apparatus provided by the embodiments of the present application includes a sending module 1620, which supports executing all the sending steps performed by the apparatus in the above-mentioned various method embodiments.

[0323] In some embodiments, the apparatus provided by the embodiments of the present application includes multiple sending modules 1620, and the multiple sending modules 1620 respectively support executing part of the sending steps performed by the apparatus in each of the above method embodiments.

[0324] In some embodiments, the steps performed by different sending modules 1620 are exactly the same, partially the same, or completely different.

[0325] In some embodiments, the apparatus provided by the embodiments of the present application includes a processing module 1640, which supports the execution of all determination-related steps, processing-related steps, and calculation-related steps performed by the apparatus in the above-mentioned various method embodiments.

[0326] In some embodiments, the device provided by the embodiments of the present application includes multiple processing modules 1640, which respectively support the execution of some of the determination-related steps and / or processing-related steps and / or calculation-related steps performed by the device in the above-mentioned method embodiments.

[0327] In some embodiments, the steps performed by different processing modules 1640 are identical, partially identical, or completely different.

[0328] In some embodiments, the apparatus provided by the embodiments of the present application includes a receiving module 1660, which supports executing all the receiving steps performed by the apparatus in the above-mentioned various method embodiments.

[0329] In some embodiments, the apparatus provided by the embodiments of the present application includes multiple receiving modules 1660, and the multiple receiving modules 1660 respectively support executing part of the receiving steps performed by the apparatus in each of the above method embodiments.

[0330] In some embodiments, the steps performed by different receiving modules 1660 are completely the same, partially the same, or completely different.

[0331] In summary, the device provided in this application can also use the device power saving method when a traditional site and / or a site that does not support dynamic device power saving is associated with a device that supports the device power saving method, thereby improving the device power saving effect.

[0332] FIG17 shows a block diagram of a power saving device for an access point provided by some exemplary embodiments of the present application. The device includes at least some of the following modules: a receiving module 1720, a processing module 1740, and a sending module 1760:

[0333] Receiving module 1720, configured to receive a first frame sent by an access point;

[0334] In some embodiments, the device refers to at least one station that supports a power saving function. In some embodiments, the device supports a second version of the communication protocol.

[0335] In some embodiments, the first frame is used to instruct the access point to acquire a TXOP and enter a power saving state in the TXOP, and to define related operations between the device and the access point in the power saving state, such as uplink data transmission and / or downlink data transmission.

[0336] For other characteristics of the first frame, please refer to the relevant description in step 210 and will not be repeated here.

[0337] The processing module 1740 is configured to determine, based on the first frame, whether the access point enters a power saving state in the TXOP.

[0338] There are at least three different implementations of the first frame that can indicate that the access point has entered a power saving state in the TXOP. In different embodiments, at least one of the three implementations can be used;

[0339] The first method (implicit indication): when the access point does not perform downlink transmission within a preset period of time after the first frame, it is determined that the access point enters the power saving state;

[0340] In a non-power-saving scenario, the access point will perform downlink transmissions for a preset duration after obtaining a TXOP. However, in a power-saving scenario, the access point enters a power-saving state after obtaining a TXOP and does not perform downlink transmissions for a preset duration.

[0341] The processing module is configured to determine that the access point enters a power saving state when a monitoring result within a preset time period after the first frame indicates that the access point does not perform downlink transmission.

[0342] The second way (explicit indication): the value of the first bit in the first frame is the first value;

[0343] In some embodiments, the first frame is a CTS-to-self frame, and the first bit is a unicast or multicast bit. Exemplarily, when the first frame is a CTS-to-self frame, the unicast or multicast bit in the receiving address of the CTS-to-self frame is set to 1 to indicate that the access point will enter a power saving state in this TXOP, and is set to 0 to indicate that the access point will not enter a power saving state in this transmission opportunity.

[0344] In some embodiments, the first frame is a trigger frame, and the first bit is a bit in the general information field. Exemplarily, a reserved bit in the general information field of the MU-RTS trigger frame is set to 1 to indicate that the access point will enter the power saving state in this transmission opportunity, and is set to 0 to indicate that the access point will not enter the power saving state in this transmission opportunity.

[0345] In some embodiments, the first value is 1. However, in some embodiments, the first value is 0.

[0346] When the device parses and finds that the value of the first bit in the first frame is the first value, it determines that the access point enters the power saving state.

[0347] The third way (explicit indication): the first field in the first frame is empty.

[0348] In some embodiments, the sending module 1760 is configured to send a second frame, where the second frame is used to request data transmission.

[0349] The device is at least one station that supports power saving. Even when the access point is in power saving mode, the device can still perform uplink transmissions with the access point. In a TXOP for which the access point has contended, the device can transmit a second frame when it obtains the transmission medium or channel using the EDCA mechanism. The second frame is carried in the second PPDU of the first version.

[0350] In some embodiments, referring to the example of FIG7 , the second frame is an RTS. In some embodiments, the second frame is a control frame. This embodiment is described by taking the second frame being an RTS as an example.

[0351] In some embodiments, the second PPDU is a first version PPDU, or adopts a first version PPDU format, such as a non-HT PPDU or a non-HT duplicate PPDU.

[0352] In some embodiments, the duration field in the second frame indicates the device's expected transmission duration. That is, the second frame carries a second duration, which is the device's expected transmission duration within the TXOP. The sum of the second frame's end time and the second duration must not be later than the sum of the first frame's end time and the first duration, meaning the device's expected transmission must complete before the end of the TXOP.

[0353] In some embodiments, the second frame carries a second duration, where the second duration is the expected transmission duration of the device within the TXOP.

[0354] In some embodiments, the second frame is an RTS frame, or the second frame is a control frame.

[0355] In some embodiments, the second frame is carried in a second PPDU of the first version.

[0356] In some embodiments, the second frame or the second PPDU carrying the second frame has a padding field, and the padding field is determined based on the state transition time of the access point. The state transition time is the time required for the access point to switch from the power saving state to the awake state.

[0357] The receiving module 1720 is configured to receive a beacon frame, where the beacon frame carries information indicating a state transition time.

[0358] In some embodiments, it takes time for an access point to switch from a power-saving state to an awake state. Some access points require a longer transition time from a power-saving state to an awake state. The access point may indicate the required state transition time in advance in a beacon frame and / or a probe response frame. Based on this state transition time, the device may add padding to the second frame and / or to the PPDU carrying the second frame.

[0359] That is, the second frame or the second PPDU carrying the second frame has a padding field, which is determined based on the state transition time of the access point. The state transition time is used to indicate the time required for the access point to switch from the power saving state to the normal state.

[0360] In some embodiments, the second PPDU carrying the second frame is a sequence of at least two PPDUs.

[0361] The receiving module 1720 is further configured to receive a third frame, where the third PPDU is used to instruct the access point to switch to the awake state.

[0362] The third frame is used to instruct the access point to switch from the power saving state to the awake state, and / or the third frame is used to instruct the device to transmit uplink data.

[0363] In some embodiments, referring to the example of FIG. 7 , the third frame is a CTS frame.

[0364] In some embodiments, the access point sends the third frame to the station after a SIFS interval of receiving the second frame.

[0365] In some embodiments, after the access point transitions from the power-saving state to the awake state, the first PPDU sent needs to use a non-HT duplicate PPDU and be sent using the current maximum available bandwidth and at least one stream. The purpose is to occupy the transmission medium and ensure that subsequent transmissions in the awake state can use a larger transmission bandwidth.

[0366] In some embodiments, the current maximum available bandwidth is determined as follows: the subchannel used by the access point in the power saving state and the other subchannels that remain idle within the PIFS or DIFS time before sending the first PPDU constitute the channel with the largest bandwidth.

[0367] In some embodiments, the third frame is carried in a third PPDU of the first version.

[0368] The receiving module 1720 is further configured to receive a trigger frame, where the trigger frame is used to instruct the device to send data.

[0369] The trigger frame is used to indicate to the device that the access point is about to send downlink data to the device. Optionally, the trigger frame further indicates a third duration, which is the expected transmission duration of the access point.

[0370] During a TXOP, when an access point receives downlink data from the distribution system, it can proactively transition from power-saving to awake and initiate downlink transmission. After the downlink transmission is complete, it can transition back to power-saving. To avoid OBSS interference, the access point must perform a CCA check before initiating downlink transmission and must wait for the channel to be idle for at least PIFS or DIFS before transmitting.

[0371] The receiving module 1720 is further configured to receive data sent by an access point.

[0372] In some embodiments, referring to Figure 13, the access point sends downlink data to the device after a predetermined interval after sending the trigger frame. The predetermined interval can be any one of SIFS, PIFS, and DIFS. This embodiment uses SIFS as an example.

[0373] In some embodiments, the receiving module 1720 is further configured to receive a trigger frame before receiving data sent by the access point, where the trigger frame is configured to instruct the device to receive data.

[0374] In some embodiments, the power saving state uses the subchannel corresponding to the power saving state and one spatial stream for transmission. In some embodiments, the awake state uses the current maximum available bandwidth and at least one spatial stream for transmission.

[0375] In some embodiments, the second receiving module 1720 is further configured to execute the receiving steps performed by the various devices in the above-mentioned method embodiments.

[0376] The processing module 1740 is configured to execute the determination-related steps, the processing-related steps, and the calculation-related steps executed by the apparatus in each of the above method embodiments.

[0377] The sending module 1760 is configured to execute the sending steps performed by the apparatus in each of the above method embodiments.

[0378] In some embodiments, the apparatus provided by the embodiments of the present application includes a receiving module 1720, which supports executing all the receiving steps performed by the apparatus in the above-mentioned various method embodiments.

[0379] In some embodiments, the apparatus provided by the embodiments of the present application includes multiple receiving modules 1720, and the multiple receiving modules 1720 respectively support executing part of the receiving steps performed by the apparatus in each of the above method embodiments.

[0380] In some embodiments, the steps performed by different receiving modules 1720 are completely the same, partially the same, or completely different.

[0381] In some embodiments, the device provided by the embodiments of the present application includes a processing module 1740, which supports the execution of all determination-related steps, processing-related steps, and calculation-related steps performed by the device in the above-mentioned various method embodiments.

[0382] In some embodiments, the device provided by the embodiments of the present application includes multiple processing modules 1740, which respectively support the execution of some of the determination-related steps and / or processing-related steps and / or calculation-related steps performed by the device in the above-mentioned method embodiments.

[0383] In some embodiments, the steps performed by different processing modules 1740 are identical, partially identical, or completely different.

[0384] In some embodiments, the apparatus provided by the embodiments of the present application includes a sending module 1760, which supports executing all the sending steps performed by the apparatus in the above-mentioned various method embodiments.

[0385] In some embodiments, the apparatus provided by the embodiments of the present application includes multiple sending modules 1760, and the multiple sending modules 1760 respectively support the execution of part of the sending steps performed by the apparatus in each of the above method embodiments.

[0386] The device provided in this application can improve the power saving effect of the access point by using the access point power saving method when a traditional site and / or a site that does not support the access point power saving function is associated with an access point that supports the access point power saving method.

[0387] Figure 18 shows a schematic structural diagram of a wireless device (AP or STA) provided by some exemplary embodiments of the present application. The wireless device 1800 includes: a processor 1801, a receiver 1802, a transmitter 1803, a memory 1804 and a bus 1805.

[0388] The processor 1801 includes one or more processing cores, and the processor 1801 executes various functional applications and information processing by running software programs and modules. In some embodiments, the processor 1801 can be used to implement the functions and steps of the processing module 1340 and / or the second processing module 1740 described above.

[0389] Receiver 1802 and transmitter 1803 can be implemented as a communication component, which can be a communication chip. In some embodiments, receiver 1802 can be used to implement the functions and steps of receiving module 1360 and / or second receiving module 1720 as described above. In some embodiments, transmitter 1803 can be used to implement the functions and steps of transmitting module 1620 and / or second transmitting module 1760 as described above.

[0390] The memory 1804 is connected to the processor 1801 via a bus 1805. The memory 1804 may be used to store at least one instruction, and the processor 1801 may be used to execute the at least one instruction to implement each step in the above method embodiment.

[0391] In addition, the memory 1804 can be implemented by any type of volatile or non-volatile storage device or a combination thereof. Volatile or non-volatile storage devices include but are not limited to: magnetic disks or optical disks, electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), static random-access memory (SRAM), read-only memory (ROM), magnetic memory, flash memory, and programmable read-only memory (PROM).

[0392] In some embodiments, the receiver 1802 receives signals / data independently, or the processor 1801 controls the receiver 1802 to receive signals / data, or the processor 1801 requests the receiver 1802 to receive signals / data, or the processor 1801 cooperates with the receiver 1802 to receive signals / data.

[0393] In some embodiments, the transmitter 1803 independently sends signals / data, or the processor 1801 controls the transmitter 1803 to send signals / data, or the processor 1801 requests the transmitter 1803 to send signals / data, or the processor 1801 cooperates with the transmitter 1803 to send signals / data.

[0394] In an exemplary embodiment of the present application, a computer-readable storage medium is further provided, in which at least one program is stored. The at least one program is loaded and executed by a processor. The computer-readable storage medium is used to implement the access point power saving method provided by the above-mentioned various method embodiments.

[0395] In an exemplary embodiment of the present application, a chip is further provided. The chip includes a programmable logic circuit and / or program instructions. When the chip runs on a communication device, it is used to implement the access point power saving method provided by the above-mentioned various method embodiments.

[0396] In an exemplary embodiment of the present application, a computer program product is further provided. When the computer program product is executed on a processor of a wireless device, the wireless device executes the above-mentioned access point power saving method.

[0397] In an exemplary embodiment of the present application, a computer program is further provided. The computer program includes computer instructions. A processor of a wireless device executes the computer instructions, so that the wireless device executes the above-mentioned access point power saving method.

[0398] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that in one or more of the above examples, the functions described in the embodiments of the present application can be implemented using hardware, software, firmware, or any combination thereof. When implemented using software, these functions can be stored in a computer-readable medium or transmitted as one or more instructions or codes on a computer-readable medium. Computer-readable media include computer storage media and communication media, wherein communication media include any media that facilitates the transmission of computer programs from one place to another. The storage medium can be any available medium that can be accessed by a general-purpose or special-purpose computer.

[0399] It should be understood that the frame format and element format shown in the embodiments of the present application are exemplary cases. In different embodiments or different designs, it is not ruled out that at least one of the positions of the fields in the frame / element, the arrangement order with other fields, the number of bytes occupied, and the number of bits occupied may be changed. The present application does not limit the specific format of each frame or each element.

[0400] The above are only optional embodiments of the present application and are not intended to limit the present application. Any modifications, equivalent replacements, improvements, etc. made within the spirit and principles of the present application should be included in the scope of protection of the present application.

Claims

1. A method for saving power at an access point, characterized in that: The method is performed by an access point, and the method includes: A first frame is sent, where the first frame is used to indicate that the access point obtains a transmission opportunity TXOP and enters a power saving state in the TXOP.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that The first frame is also used to instruct the first station to remain silent for a first duration in the TXOP; The first station supports the first version of the communication protocol, the access point supports a second version of the communication protocol, and the second version is a subsequent evolution version of the first version.

3. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that The first frame is also used to instruct the second station to remain silent for a first duration in the TXOP; The access point supports a second version of the communication protocol, and the second station is a station that supports the second version and does not support a power saving function.

4. The method according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that: The first duration is indicated by a duration field carried by the first frame.

5. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that The first frame is a CTS-to-self frame, or the first frame is a trigger frame.

6. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that The first frame is carried in a first physical layer protocol data unit PPDU of a first version.

7. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that The method further comprises: Within a preset time period after the first frame, the access point does not perform downlink transmission.

8. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that The value of the first bit in the first frame is a first value; or, The first field in the first frame is empty.

9. The method according to claim 8, characterized in that The first frame is a CTS-to-self frame, and the first bit is a unicast or multicast bit; or, The first frame is a trigger frame, and the first bit is a bit in a general information field.

10. The method according to claim 8, characterized in that The first frame is the trigger frame, and the first field is a user information list field.

11. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that: The first frame is transmitted using the current maximum available bandwidth and at least one spatial stream; or, The first frame is transmitted using a subchannel and at least one spatial stream corresponding to the power saving state.

12. The method according to claim 11, characterized in that The current maximum available bandwidth includes: The sub-channel corresponding to the power saving state; and The sub-channel is kept idle for a preset time period before sending the first frame.

13. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that: The method further comprises: When a second frame sent by a third station is received within the TXOP, switching from the power saving state to the awake state; The third site is a site that supports the second version of the communication protocol and supports a power saving function.

14. The method according to claim 13, characterized in that The second frame carries a second duration, where the second duration is an expected transmission duration of the third station in the TXOP.

15. The method according to claim 13, characterized in that The second frame is an RTS frame, or the second frame is a control frame.

16. The method according to claim 13, characterized in that The second frame is carried in a second PPDU of the first version.

17. The method according to any one of claims 13 to 16, characterized in that: The second frame or the second PPDU carrying the second frame has a padding field, where the padding field is determined based on a state transition time of the access point, where the state transition time is the time required for the access point to switch from the power saving state to the awake state.

18. The method according to claim 17, characterized in that The method further comprises: A beacon frame is sent, wherein the beacon frame carries indication information of the state transition time.

19. The method according to any one of claims 13 to 16, characterized in that: The second PPDU carrying the second frame is a sequence of at least two PPDUs.

20. The method according to any one of claims 13 to 16, characterized in that: The method further comprises: A third frame is sent to the third station, where the third PPDU is used to instruct the access point to switch to the awake state.

21. The method according to claim 20, characterized in that The third frame is carried in a third PPDU of the first version.

22. The method according to any one of claims 13 to 16, characterized in that: The method further comprises: A trigger frame is sent to the third station, where the trigger frame is used to instruct the third station to send data.

23. The method according to any one of claims 13 to 16, characterized in that: The method further comprises: After the data transmission of the third station is completed, the awake state is switched to the power saving state.

24. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 23, characterized in that: The method further comprises: In the case that there is downlink data to be sent in the TXOP, the power saving state is switched to the awake state to perform transmission of the downlink data.

25. The method according to claim 22, characterized in that The method further comprises: Before transmitting the downlink data, a clear channel assessment CCA detection is performed.

26. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 25, characterized in that: The method further comprises: When receiving a fourth PPDU of the first version sent by a fourth station within the TXOP, replying a fifth PPDU of the first version to the fourth station; The fourth site is a site to be associated that supports the first version or the second version.

27. The method according to claim 26, characterized in that The fourth PPDU carries a probe request frame, and the fifth PPDU carries a probe response frame; or The fourth PPDU carries an authentication request frame, and the fifth PPDU carries an authentication response frame; or The fourth PPDU carries an association request frame, and the fifth PPDU carries an association response frame.

28. The method according to claim 27, characterized in that The method further comprises: When the authentication request frame or the association request frame sent by the fourth station is received within the TXOP, the power saving state is switched to the awake state.

29. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 28, characterized in that: The method further comprises: When the TXOP ends, the power saving state is switched to the awake state.

30. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 29, characterized in that: The power saving state is transmitted using a subchannel and a spatial stream corresponding to the power saving state.

31. The method according to any one of claims 13 to 25 and 28, characterized in that: The awake state adopts the current maximum available bandwidth and at least one spatial stream for transmission.

32. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 31, characterized in that: The first PPDU of the first version is a non-HT PPDU or a non-HT duplicate PPDU.

33. A method for saving power at an access point, characterized in that: The method is performed by a third site, and includes: Receive the first frame sent by the access point; A determination is made based on the first frame whether the access point enters a power saving state in a TXOP.

34. The method according to claim 33, characterized in that The determining, based on the first frame, whether the access point enters a power saving state comprises: When the access point does not perform downlink transmission within a preset time period after the first frame, it is determined that the access point enters the power saving state.

35. The method according to claim 33, characterized in that The determining, based on the first frame, whether the access point enters a power saving state comprises: When the value of the first bit in the first frame is a first value, determining that the access point enters the power saving state; or, In a case where the first field in the first frame is empty, it is determined that the access point enters the power saving state.

36. The method according to claim 35, characterized in that The first frame is a CTS-to-self frame, and the first bit is a unicast or multicast bit; or, The first frame is a trigger frame, and the first bit is a bit in a general information field.

37. The method according to claim 35, characterized in that The first frame is the trigger frame, and the first field is a user information list field.

38. The method according to any one of claims 33 to 37, characterized in that: The first frame is carried in a first version of the PPDU, and both the access point and the third station support a second version of the communication protocol, where the second version is a subsequent evolution version of the first version.

39. The method according to claim 38, characterized in that The first PPDU of the first version is a non-HT PPDU or a non-HT duplicate PPDU.

40. The method according to any one of claims 33 to 39, characterized in that: The power saving state is based on a TXOP unit.

41. The method according to any one of claims 33 to 39, characterized in that: The method further comprises: A second frame is sent, where the second frame is used to request to send data.

42. The method according to claim 40, characterized in that The second frame carries a second duration, where the second duration is an expected transmission duration of the third station in the TXOP.

43. The method according to claim 40, characterized in that The second frame is an RTS frame, or the second frame is a control frame.

44. The method according to claim 40, characterized in that The second frame is carried in a second PPDU of the first version.

45. The method according to any one of claims 40 to 43, characterized in that The second frame or the second PPDU carrying the second frame has a padding field, where the padding field is determined based on a state transition time of the access point, where the state transition time is the time required for the access point to switch from the power saving state to the awake state.

46. ​​The method according to claim 44, characterized in that The method further comprises: A beacon frame is received, where the beacon frame carries indication information of the state transition time.

47. The method according to any one of claims 40 to 43, characterized in that The second PPDU carrying the second frame is a sequence of at least two PPDUs.

48. The method according to any one of claims 40 to 43, characterized in that The method further comprises: A third frame is received, where the third PPDU is used to instruct the access point to switch to the awake state.

49. The method according to claim 47, characterized in that The third frame is carried in a third PPDU of the first version.

50. The method of claim 47, wherein: The method further comprises: A trigger frame is received, where the trigger frame is used to instruct the third station to send data.

51. The method according to any one of claims 33 to 49, characterized in that The method further comprises: Receive data sent by the access point.

52. The method according to claim 50, characterized in that Before receiving the data sent by the access point, the method further includes: A trigger frame is received, where the trigger frame is used to instruct the third station to receive data.

53. The method according to any one of claims 33 to 51, characterized in that The power saving state is transmitted using a subchannel and a spatial stream corresponding to the power saving state.

54. An access point power saving device, characterized in that: The device comprises: The sending module sends a first frame, where the first frame is used to indicate that the access point obtains a TXOP and enters a power saving state in the TXOP.

55. An access point power saving device, characterized in that: The device comprises: A receiving module, used for receiving a first frame sent by an access point; A processing module is used to determine whether the access point enters a power saving state in a TXOP based on the first frame.

56. A wireless device, characterized in that: The wireless device comprises: processor; a transceiver connected to the processor; a memory for storing executable instructions for the processor; The processor is configured to load and execute the executable instructions to implement the access point power saving method as described in any one of claims 1 to 52.

57. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that The readable storage medium stores executable instructions, and the executable instructions are loaded and executed by a processor to implement the access point power saving method as described in any one of claims 1 to 52.

58. A chip, characterized in that: The chip includes a programmable logic circuit or a program, and the chip is used to implement the access point power saving method as described in any one of claims 1 to 52.

59. A computer program product, characterized in that The computer program product includes computer instructions, which are stored in a computer-readable storage medium. The processor of the wireless device reads the computer instructions from the computer-readable storage medium, and the processor executes the computer instructions, so that the wireless device executes the access point power saving method as described in any one of claims 1 to 52.

60. A computer program, characterized in that The computer program includes computer instructions, and a processor of a wireless device executes the computer instructions, so that the wireless device performs the access point power saving method according to any one of claims 1 to 52.

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