Communication method and apparatus

Abstract

A communication method and apparatus, related to the technical field of communications, and capable of preventing the problem of inconsistent understanding of network devices and a terminal device regarding a channel state due to hidden nodes, mitigating the negative impact caused by hidden nodes, and improving communication reliability. The method comprises: a terminal device receiving first indication information from a network device; when it is determined, on the basis of the first indication information, that a channel state of a first channel occupied by the terminal device is idle, sending to the network device acknowledgement information corresponding to the first indication information; or, when it is determined, on the basis of the received first indication information, that the channel state of the first channel occupied by the terminal device is busy, switching to a second channel at a first preset time point. The first indication information is used to indicate that the channel state of the first channel occupied by the network device is idle, and the second channel is a preset anchor channel.

Description

Communication method and device

[0001] This application claims priority to the Chinese patent application filed with the State Intellectual Property Office on August 28, 2023, with application number 202311097360.3 and application name “Communication Method and Device,” the entire contents of which are incorporated by reference into this application. Technical Field

[0002] The present application relates to the field of communication technology, and in particular to a communication method and device. Background Art

[0003] In a communication system, when a network device and a terminal device communicate, they need to detect the channel status of the channel. When the channel status is idle, they can occupy the channel for communication.

[0004] However, the problem of hidden nodes may cause communication failure between network devices and terminal devices. For example, taking the case where the terminal device is within the coverage of two network devices (i.e., network device 1 and network device 2), and the distance between the two network devices is relatively far or there is an obstacle between the two network devices, when network device 1 detects that the channel status of the first channel is idle, it can occupy the first channel to communicate with the terminal device; because the distance between network device 1 and network device 2 is relatively far or there is an obstacle between network device 1 and network device 2, network device 2 may not be able to detect that network device 1 is occupying the first channel; network device 2 will occupy the first channel to communicate with the terminal device when it detects that the channel status of the first channel is idle, resulting in network device 1 and network device 2 occupying the first channel to send messages at the same time, causing a message collision, and the terminal device cannot correctly receive the message from network device 1, resulting in communication failure. Among them, network device 1 is a hidden node for network device 2. Similarly, network device 2 is also a hidden node for network device 1.

[0005] Therefore, how to avoid the problem of inconsistent understanding of channel status between network devices and terminal devices due to hidden nodes and improve the communication reliability between network devices and terminal devices has become an urgent problem to be solved.

[0006] Summary of the Invention

[0007] This application provides a communication method and apparatus that can avoid the problem of inconsistent understanding of channel status between network devices and terminal devices due to hidden nodes, reduce the negative impact of hidden nodes, and improve communication reliability. The network device can be an access point (AP) and the terminal device can be a non-AP station (non-AP STA).

[0008] In the first aspect, a communication method is provided, which can be executed by a terminal device, or by a component of the terminal device, such as a processor, chip, or chip system of the terminal device, or by a logic module or software that can realize all or part of the functions of the terminal device. The following takes the method executed by a terminal device as an example, and the method includes: the terminal device receives a first indication message from a network device; when it is determined that the channel state of the first channel occupied by the terminal device is idle based on the received first indication message, the terminal device sends a confirmation message corresponding to the first indication message to the network device; or, when it is determined that the channel state of the first channel occupied by the terminal device is busy based on the received first indication message, the terminal device switches the channel to a second channel at a first preset time point. The first indication message is used to indicate that the channel state of the first channel occupied by the network device is idle. Among them, when the number of retransmissions of the channel availability test of the first channel occupied by the terminal device is allowed, the second channel is the first channel; when the number of retransmissions of the channel availability test of the first channel occupied by the terminal device has reached the upper limit, but there are still preset anchor channels that have not been tested, the second channel is the next preset anchor channel; when the number of retransmissions of the channel availability test of the first channel occupied by the terminal device has reached the upper limit and all preset anchor channels have been tested, the second channel is the main channel.

[0009] Based on the first aspect, the terminal device can determine that the channel status of the first channel occupied by the network device is idle based on the first indication information; when it is determined that the channel status of the first channel occupied by the terminal device is idle, the terminal device can send confirmation information corresponding to the first indication information to the network device, so that the network device determines that the channel status of the first channel occupied by the terminal device is idle, and then the network device can communicate with the terminal device on the first channel, avoiding the problem of inconsistent understanding of the channel status between the network device and the terminal device due to hidden nodes, reducing the negative impact of hidden nodes, and ensuring the reliability of communication; when it is determined that the channel status of the first channel occupied by the terminal device is busy, the terminal device can switch to the second channel at a first preset time point, and the network device can also switch to the second channel at the first preset time point at the same time as the terminal device without receiving the confirmation information corresponding to the first indication information.

[0010] That is, the network device and the terminal device can test whether they can communicate through the first channel. If both the network device and the terminal device determine that the channel status of the first channel is idle, they can communicate through the first channel. Otherwise, both devices switch to the second channel and continue to test whether they can communicate through the second channel. This avoids the problem of network devices and terminal devices having inconsistent understanding of channel status due to hidden nodes, reduces the negative impact of hidden nodes, and improves communication reliability.

[0011] In one possible implementation, the terminal device determines a second preset duration; and completes reception of the first indication information from the network device within the second preset duration.

[0012] Based on this possible implementation, by determining the second preset time length, the terminal device does not need to wait for receiving the first indication information within a time period other than the second preset time length, which can reduce communication overhead and improve the efficiency of information interaction between the terminal device and the network device.

[0013] On the second aspect, a communication method is provided, which can be executed by a terminal device, or by a component of the terminal device, such as a processor, chip, or chip system of the terminal device, or by a logic module or software that can realize all or part of the terminal device functions. The following takes the method being executed by a terminal device as an example, and the method includes: the terminal device determines a second preset duration; if the first indication information from the network device is not received within the second preset duration, the channel is switched to the second channel at a first preset time point; wherein the first indication information is used to indicate that the channel state of the first channel occupied by the network device is idle. wherein, when the number of channel availability test retransmissions of the first channel occupied by the terminal device is allowed, the second channel is the first channel; when the number of channel availability test retransmissions of the first channel occupied by the terminal device has reached the upper limit, but there are still preset anchor channels that have not been tested, the second channel is the next preset anchor channel; when the number of channel availability test retransmissions of the first channel occupied by the terminal device has reached the upper limit, and all preset anchor channels have been tested, the second channel is the main channel.

[0014] Based on the second aspect, the network device and the terminal device can test whether they can communicate via the first channel. If the terminal device does not receive the first indication information within the second preset time period, it can be determined that the channel status of the first channel occupied by the network device is busy. At the same time, the terminal device switches the channel to the second channel at the first preset time point, ensuring that it switches to the second channel at the same time as the network device, and the network device and the terminal device can continue to test whether they can communicate via the second channel. This avoids the problem of inconsistent understanding of the channel status between the network device and the terminal device due to hidden nodes, reduces the negative impact of hidden nodes, and improves communication reliability.

[0015] Based on the first and second aspects, in one possible implementation, a terminal device receives second indication information from a network device; and periodically performs channel availability detection based on parameters associated with a survival monitoring (SM) mode to determine the channel state of a first channel occupied by the terminal network device. The second indication information is used to indicate initiation of entry into SM mode or initiation of an update of parameters associated with SM mode; SM mode is a mode for periodically determining the channel state of a channel; and the second indication information includes parameters associated with SM mode.

[0016] Based on this possible implementation, the terminal device can enter the SM mode according to the second indication information, and periodically perform channel availability detection according to the parameters associated with the SM mode, providing a feasible solution for the terminal device to perform channel availability detection.

[0017] Based on the first and second aspects, in one possible implementation, the terminal device sends third indication information to the network device based on the second indication information; the parameters associated with the SM mode take effect on the terminal device. The third indication information is used to indicate approval of the parameters associated with the SM mode; the time when the parameters associated with the SM mode take effect on the terminal device is the moment when the terminal device receives confirmation information corresponding to the third indication information.

[0018] Based on this possible implementation, the terminal device may send a third indication message to the network device, so that the network device determines that the terminal device agrees with the parameters associated with the SM mode of the second indication message.

[0019] Based on the first and second aspects, in one possible implementation, the terminal device sends third indication information to the network device based on the second indication information; the parameters associated with the SM mode are not effective on the terminal device. The second indication information includes the parameters associated with the SM mode; and the third indication information is used to indicate that the parameters associated with the SM mode are not approved.

[0020] Based on this possible implementation, the terminal device may send a third indication message to the network device, so that the network device determines that the terminal device disagrees with the parameters associated with the SM mode of the second indication message.

[0021] Based on the first and second aspects, in a possible implementation, the terminal device sends a second indication message to the network device; based on the parameters associated with the SM mode, the channel availability detection is periodically performed to determine the channel state of the first channel occupied by the network device; wherein the second indication information is used to indicate the initiation of entry into the SM mode or the initiation of an update of the parameters associated with the SM mode, and the second indication information includes the parameters associated with the SM mode; the SM mode is a mode for periodically determining the channel state of the channel.

[0022] Based on this possible implementation, the terminal device can send a second indication information to the network device, so that the network device can enter the SM mode according to the second indication information, and periodically perform channel availability detection according to the parameters associated with the SM mode, providing a feasible solution for the network device to perform channel availability detection; or, update the parameters associated with the SM mode, so that the network device can update the SM mode according to the second indication information, and periodically perform channel availability detection according to the new parameters associated with the SM mode.

[0023] Based on the first and second aspects, in one possible implementation, a terminal device receives third indication information from a network device; parameters associated with the SM mode take effect on the terminal device. The third indication information is used to indicate approval of the parameters associated with the SM mode; and the time when the parameters associated with the SM mode take effect on the terminal device is the moment when the confirmation information corresponding to the third indication information sent by the terminal device is sent.

[0024] Based on this possible implementation, the terminal device can determine, based on the third indication information, the parameters associated with the SM mode that the network device agrees with the second indication information.

[0025] Based on the first aspect and the second aspect, in a possible implementation, the terminal device sends a second indication message to the network device; receives a fourth indication message from the network device; periodically performs channel availability detection based on the parameters associated with the SM mode to determine the channel state of the first channel occupied by the network device; wherein the second indication message is used to indicate the initiation of entry into the SM mode or the initiation of an update of parameters associated with the SM mode; the second indication message includes parameters associated with the SM mode; the SM mode is a mode for periodically determining the channel state of the channel; the fourth indication message is used to indicate disagreement with the parameters associated with the SM mode; the fourth indication message includes new parameters associated with the SM mode.

[0026] Based on this possible implementation, the terminal device can send a second indication message to the network device, so that the network device can determine the parameters associated with the SM mode of the terminal device based on the second indication message; when the terminal device does not receive the information sent by the network device agreeing to the parameters associated with the SM mode, the network device can send a fourth indication message, so that the terminal device can determine the new parameters associated with the SM mode that can be currently used, providing a feasible solution for the terminal device to perform channel availability detection.

[0027] Based on the first and second aspects, in a possible implementation, the terminal device sends a second indication message to the network device; receives a fourth indication message from the network device; periodically performs channel availability detection based on parameters associated with the SM mode to determine the channel state of the first channel occupied by the network device; wherein the second indication information is used to indicate the initiation of entry into the SM mode or the initiation of an update of parameters associated with the SM mode; the second indication information does not include parameters associated with the SM mode; the SM mode is a mode for periodically determining the channel state of a channel; and the fourth indication information includes parameters associated with the SM mode.

[0028] Based on this possible implementation, when the terminal device cannot determine the parameters associated with the SM mode, the terminal device can send a second indication message that does not include the parameters associated with the SM mode to the network device, so that the network device can send a fourth indication message; the terminal device can enter the SM mode according to the fourth indication message, and periodically perform channel availability detection according to the parameters associated with the SM mode, providing a feasible solution for the terminal device to perform channel availability detection.

[0029] Based on the first and second aspects, in one possible implementation, a terminal device receives fourth indication information from a network device; the terminal device sends third indication information to the network device; and parameters associated with the SM mode take effect on the terminal device. The fourth indication information includes the parameters associated with the SM mode; the third indication information is used to indicate approval of the parameters associated with the SM mode; and the time when the parameters associated with the SM mode take effect on the terminal device is the moment when the confirmation information corresponding to the third indication information sent by the terminal device is completed.

[0030] Based on this possible implementation, the terminal device sends the third indication information to the network device, which can enable the network device to determine that the terminal device agrees with the parameters associated with the SM mode of the fourth indication information.

[0031] Based on the first and second aspects, in one possible implementation, the terminal device receives fourth indication information from the network device; the terminal device sends third indication information to the network device; and parameters associated with the SM mode are not effective on the terminal device. The fourth indication information includes the parameters associated with the SM mode; and the third indication information is used to indicate that the parameters associated with the SM mode are not approved.

[0032] Based on this possible implementation, the terminal device sends the third indication information to the network device, which can enable the network device to determine that the terminal device does not agree with the parameters associated with the SM mode of the fourth indication information.

[0033] Based on the first and second aspects, in one possible implementation, the indication information includes a control field, and the control field includes one or more of the following: a teardown subfield, an initiation subfield, and a success subfield; wherein the teardown subfield is used to indicate whether to exit the SM mode; the initiation subfield is used to indicate whether to initiate entry into the SM mode or initiate an update of parameters associated with the SM mode; and the success subfield is used to indicate whether the parameters associated with the SM mode are agreed to.

[0034] Based on this possible implementation, the dismantling subfield can indicate whether to exit the SM mode, and can determine whether the indication information is the fifth indication information; the initiation subfield can indicate whether to initiate entry into the SM mode or initiate an update of the parameters associated with the SM mode, and can determine whether the indication information is the second indication information; the success subfield is used to indicate whether the parameters associated with the SM mode are agreed, and can be used together with the dismantling subfield and the initiation subfield for the third indication information, or the fourth indication information.

[0035] Based on the first aspect and the second aspect, in a possible implementation, the second indication information and the fourth indication information further include a non-primary channel selection parameters (NPCS Parameters) field, where the non-primary channel selection parameters field is used to indicate parameters associated with the SM mode.

[0036] Based on this possible implementation, the main channel selection parameter field can indicate the parameters associated with the SM mode, and the terminal device can periodically detect the channel status of the channel according to the main channel selection parameter field.

[0037] Based on the first aspect and the second aspect, in a possible implementation, the non-main channel selection parameter field includes one or more of the following: a first target survival transmission time (First TSTT) subfield, a timeout subfield, a period subfield, a duration subfield, or an anchor channel (Anchor Channels) subfield; wherein, the first target survival transmission time subfield is used to indicate the start time of the first channel availability detection; the timeout subfield is used to indicate the maximum duration of the first indication information sent by the network device to the terminal device and the maximum duration of the channel availability detection; the time interval subfield is used to indicate the period of the channel availability detection; the duration subfield is used to indicate the duration of the SM mode starting from the first target survival transmission time subfield; the anchor channel subfield is used to indicate the parameters associated with the preset anchor channel.

[0038] Based on this possible implementation, the terminal device can periodically perform channel availability detection based on the first target survival transmission time subfield and the time interval subfield; the terminal device can determine the time to receive the first indication information based on the timeout subfield, and can also determine whether to switch to the second channel based on the timeout subfield; the terminal device can determine the duration of the SM mode based on the duration subfield, and can also determine whether to send the fifth indication information based on the duration subfield; the terminal device can determine the second channel to be switched to based on the anchor channel subfield, and can switch to the same second channel at the same time as the network device.

[0039] Based on the first aspect and the second aspect, in a possible implementation, the Anchor Channels subfield includes one or more of the following: a number of anchor channels (Number Of AnCHs) subfield, a retransmission subfield, a primary channel (Primary) subfield, and an identification information subfield of one or more preset anchor channels; wherein the number of anchor channels subfield is used to indicate the number of preset anchor channels; the retransmission subfield is used to indicate the maximum number of times that the first indication information can be attempted to be sent or received on the same preset anchor channel in a cycle of channel availability detection; the first indication information is used to indicate that the channel status of the first channel occupied by the network device is idle; the primary channel subfield is used to indicate the identification information of the primary channel; and the identification information subfield of each preset anchor point is used to indicate the identification information of the preset anchor channel.

[0040] Based on this possible implementation, the terminal device can determine the number of preset anchor channels, the number of retransmissions, the identification information of the main channel, the order of multiple preset anchor channels and the identification information of each preset anchor channel according to the anchor channel subfield, and determine the second channel that can be switched.

[0041] Based on the first aspect and the second aspect, in a possible implementation, the control field also includes one or more of the following: a first target survival transmission time (Firest TSTT Present) subfield, a timeout (Timeout Present) subfield, a time interval (Period Present) subfield, an anchor channel (Anchor Channels Present) subfield, and a duration (Duration Present) subfield; wherein the first target survival transmission time subfield is used to indicate whether the first target survival transmission time subfield appears; the timeout subfield is used to indicate whether the timeout subfield appears; the time interval subfield is used to indicate whether the time interval subfield appears; the anchor channel subfield is used to indicate whether the anchor channel subfield appears; and the duration subfield is used to indicate whether the duration subfield appears.

[0042] Based on this possible implementation, the terminal device can determine whether the first target survival transmission time subfield, timeout subfield, time interval subfield, duration subfield, or anchor channel field in the non-main channel selection parameter field appears according to the first target survival transmission time subfield, timeout subfield, time interval subfield, anchor channel subfield, and duration subfield in the control field.

[0043] Based on the first and second aspects, in one possible implementation, the terminal device determines the second preset duration and the first preset time point based on the timeout subfield in the parameters associated with the SM mode. The second preset duration is the sum of the duration carried by the timeout subfield and the duration of the frame in which the first indication information is carried; and the first preset time point is the moment when the secondary terminal device needs to jump to the second channel because it fails to complete reception of the first indication information within the second preset duration.

[0044] Based on this possible implementation, since the parameters associated with the SM mode are determined according to the actual communication situation, the terminal device can dynamically determine the second preset duration and the first preset time point according to the parameters associated with the SM mode. At the same time, the terminal device can determine different SM mode-associated parameters according to different situations, which can effectively improve the communication performance of the terminal device and the network device.

[0045] Based on the first and second aspects, in one possible implementation, the terminal device sends a fifth indication message to the network device; receives confirmation information corresponding to the fifth indication message from the network device; exits the SM mode according to the confirmation information corresponding to the fifth indication message; wherein the fifth indication message is used to indicate the exit from the SM mode; the time of exiting the SM mode is the moment when the terminal device completes receiving the corresponding confirmation information.

[0046] Based on this possible implementation, the terminal device chooses whether to exit the SM mode according to the actual situation. If the terminal device needs to exit the SM mode, it can send a fifth indication message to the network device, so that the network device can determine that the terminal device exits the SM mode based on the fifth indication message; the terminal device receives the confirmation information of the fifth indication message, so it can be determined that the network device agrees to exit the SM mode, and the terminal device and the network device can exit the SM mode.

[0047] Based on the first aspect and the second aspect, in a possible implementation, the terminal device determines the duration of the SM mode according to parameters associated with the SM mode; and exits the SM mode after the duration.

[0048] Based on this possible implementation, the terminal device exits the SM mode according to the parameters associated with the SM mode, which can reduce the transmission overhead compared to the above-mentioned terminal device sending the fifth indication information.

[0049] Based on the first and second aspects, in one possible implementation, the terminal device receives fifth indication information from the network device; sends confirmation information corresponding to the fifth indication information from the network device; and exits SM mode based on the fifth indication information. The fifth indication information is used to indicate exiting SM mode; and the time of exiting SM mode is the moment when the terminal device completes sending the corresponding confirmation information.

[0050] Based on this possible implementation, the terminal device receives the fifth indication information from the network device, and can determine that the network device is to exit the SM mode based on the fifth indication information, so that the terminal device and the network device can exit the SM mode.

[0051] Based on the first aspect and the second aspect, in one possible implementation, the fifth indication information includes a control field, and the control field includes one or more of the following: a dismantling subfield, an initiation subfield, or a success subfield; wherein the dismantling subfield is used to indicate whether to exit the SM mode; the initiation subfield is used to indicate whether to initiate entry into the SM mode or initiate an update of parameters associated with the SM mode; the success subfield is used to indicate whether to agree with the parameters associated with the SM mode.

[0052] Based on this possible implementation, the dismantling subfield can indicate whether to exit the SM mode, and can determine whether the indication information is the fifth indication information; the initiation subfield can indicate whether to initiate entry into the SM mode or initiate an update of the parameters associated with the SM mode, and can determine whether the indication information is the second indication information; the success subfield is used to indicate whether the parameters associated with the SM mode are agreed, and can be used together with the dismantling subfield and the initiation subfield for the third indication information, or the fourth indication information.

[0053] In a third aspect, a communication method is provided. The method can be executed by a network device, or by a component of the network device, such as a processor, chip, or chip system of the network device, or by a logic module or software that can realize all or part of the network device functions. The following takes the method executed by a network device as an example. The method includes: the network device determines the channel status of the first channel occupied by the network device; when the channel status is idle, sends a first indication message to the terminal device; receives a confirmation message corresponding to the first indication message from the terminal device; or, at a first preset time point, switches the channel to a second channel. The first indication message is used to indicate that the channel status of the first channel occupied by the network device is idle. When the number of channel availability test retransmissions of the first channel occupied by the network device is allowed, the second channel is the first channel; when the number of channel availability test retransmissions of the first channel occupied by the network device has reached the upper limit, but there are still preset anchor channels that have not been tested, the second channel is the next preset anchor channel; when the number of channel availability test retransmissions of the first channel occupied by the network device has reached the upper limit, and all preset anchor channels have been tested, the second channel is the main channel.

[0054] Based on the third aspect, when the channel status of the first channel occupied by the network device is idle, the network device sends a first indication message to the terminal device, so that the terminal device can determine that the channel status of the first channel occupied by the network device is idle based on the first indication message; when the network device receives confirmation information corresponding to the first indication information from the terminal device, the network device can determine that the channel status of the first channel occupied by the terminal device is idle, and then the network device can communicate with the terminal device on the first channel, avoiding the problem of inconsistent understanding of the channel status between the network device and the terminal device due to hidden nodes, and ensuring the reliability of communication; when the network device does not receive confirmation information corresponding to the first indication information from the terminal device, the network device can switch the channel to the second channel at a first preset time point.

[0055] That is, the network device and the terminal device can test whether they can communicate through the first channel. If both the network device and the terminal device determine that the channel status of the first channel is idle, they can communicate through the first channel. Otherwise, both devices switch to the second channel and continue to test whether they can communicate through the second channel. This avoids the problem of network devices and terminal devices having inconsistent understanding of channel status due to hidden nodes, reduces the negative impact of hidden nodes, and improves communication reliability.

[0056] In one possible implementation, the network device determines a second preset duration; and completes sending the first indication information to the terminal device within the second preset duration.

[0057] Based on this possible implementation, by determining the second preset time length, the network device can complete sending the first indication information to the terminal device within the second preset time length, and the terminal device does not need to wait for receiving the first indication information outside the second preset time length, which can reduce communication overhead and improve the efficiency of information interaction between the terminal device and the network device.

[0058] In a fourth aspect, a communication method is provided, which can be executed by a network device, or by a component of the network device, such as a processor, chip, or chip system of the network device, or by a logic module or software that can realize all or part of the network device functions. The following takes the method executed by a network device as an example, and the method includes: the network device determines the channel status of the first channel occupied by the network device; determines a second preset time length; when the channel status is busy, at a first preset time point, switches the channel to the second channel. Among them, when the number of retransmissions of the channel availability test of the first channel occupied by the network device is allowed, the second channel is the first channel; when the number of retransmissions of the channel availability test of the first channel occupied by the network device has reached the upper limit, but there are still preset anchor channels that have not been tested, the second channel is the next preset anchor channel; when the number of retransmissions of the channel availability test of the first channel occupied by the network device has reached the upper limit, and all preset anchor channels have been tested, the second channel is the main channel.

[0059] Based on this possible implementation, the network device and the terminal device can test whether they can communicate via the first channel. If the network device does not send the first indication information within the second preset duration, the terminal device can determine that the channel status of the first channel occupied by the network device is busy. At the same time, the network device switches the channel to the second channel at the first preset time point, ensuring that the terminal device and the network device switch to the second channel at the same time, and then the network device and the terminal device can continue to test whether they can communicate via the second channel. This avoids the problem of inconsistent understanding of the channel status between the network device and the terminal device due to hidden nodes, can reduce the negative impact of hidden nodes, and improve communication reliability.

[0060] Based on the third and fourth aspects, in one possible implementation, the network device sends second indication information to the terminal device, periodically performs channel availability detection based on parameters associated with the SM mode, and determines the channel state of a first channel occupied by the terminal device. The second indication information is used to indicate initiation of entry into SM mode or initiation of an update of parameters associated with the SM mode; the SM mode is a mode for periodically determining the channel state of a channel; and the second indication information includes parameters associated with the SM mode.

[0061] Based on this possible implementation, the network device sends a second indication information to the terminal device, which can enable the terminal device to enter the SM mode according to the second indication information, and periodically perform channel availability detection according to the parameters associated with the SM mode, providing a feasible solution for the terminal device to perform channel availability detection.

[0062] Based on the third and fourth aspects, in one possible implementation, the network device receives third indication information from the terminal device; the parameters associated with the SM mode take effect on the network device. The third indication information is used to respond to the second indication information sent by the network device; the second indication information includes the parameters associated with the SM mode; and the third indication information is used to indicate approval of the parameters associated with the SM mode.

[0063] Based on this possible implementation, the network device can determine, based on the third indication information, the parameters associated with the SM mode that the terminal device agrees with the second indication information.

[0064] Based on the third and fourth aspects, in one possible implementation, the network device receives third indication information from the terminal device; the parameters associated with the SM mode are not effective on the network device. The third indication information is used to respond to a second indication information sent by the network device; the second indication information includes the parameters associated with the SM mode; and the third indication information is used to indicate that the parameters associated with the SM mode are not effective.

[0065] Based on this possible implementation, the network device can determine, based on the third indication information, that the terminal device disagrees with the parameters associated with the SM mode of the second indication information.

[0066] Based on the third and fourth aspects, in one possible implementation, the network device receives second indication information from the terminal device and, based on parameters associated with the SM mode, periodically performs channel availability detection to determine the channel state of a first channel occupied by the terminal device. The second indication information is used to indicate initiation of entry into the SM mode or initiation of an update of parameters associated with the SM mode, and the second indication information includes parameters associated with the SM mode. The SM mode is a mode for periodically determining the channel state of a channel.

[0067] Based on this possible implementation, the network device can enter the SM mode according to the second indication information, and periodically perform channel availability detection according to the parameters associated with the SM mode, providing a feasible solution for the network device to perform channel availability detection; or, update the parameters associated with the SM mode, so that the network device can update the SM mode according to the second indication information, and periodically perform channel availability detection according to the new parameters associated with the SM mode.

[0068] Based on the third and fourth aspects, in one possible implementation, the network device sends third indication information to the terminal device; the SM mode-associated parameters take effect on the network device. The third indication information is used to indicate approval of the SM mode-associated parameters; the SM mode-associated parameters take effect on the network device at the time when the network device completes receiving confirmation information corresponding to the third indication information.

[0069] Based on this possible implementation, the network device sends the third indication information to the terminal device, which can enable the terminal device to determine the parameters associated with the SM mode of the second indication information that the network device agrees with based on the third indication information.

[0070] Based on the third and fourth aspects, in one possible implementation, the network device receives second indication information from the terminal device; sends fourth indication information to the terminal device; and periodically performs channel availability detection based on parameters associated with the SM mode to determine the channel state of a first channel occupied by the network device. The second indication information is used to indicate initiation of entry into SM mode or initiation of an update of parameters associated with the SM mode; the second indication information includes parameters associated with the SM mode; the SM mode is a mode for periodically determining the channel state of a channel; and the fourth indication information includes new parameters associated with the SM mode.

[0071] Based on this possible implementation, when the network device receives the second indication information including parameters associated with the SM mode, the network device may disagree with the parameters associated with the SM mode sent by the terminal device, and send a fourth indication information including new parameters associated with the SM mode to the terminal device, so that the terminal device can enter the SM mode according to the fourth indication information, and periodically perform channel availability detection according to the new parameters associated with the SM mode, providing a feasible solution for the terminal device to perform channel availability detection.

[0072] Based on the third and fourth aspects, in one possible implementation, the network device receives second indication information from the terminal device; sends fourth indication information to the terminal device; and periodically performs channel availability detection based on parameters associated with the SM mode to determine the channel state of a first channel occupied by the network device. The second indication information is used to indicate initiation of entry into the SM mode or initiation of an update of parameters associated with the SM mode; the second indication information does not include parameters associated with the SM mode; the SM mode is a mode for periodically determining the channel state of a channel; and the fourth indication information includes parameters associated with the SM mode.

[0073] Based on this possible implementation, when the network device receives a second indication message that does not include parameters associated with the SM mode, the network device can send a fourth indication message including parameters associated with the SM mode to the terminal device, so that the terminal device can enter the SM mode according to the fourth indication message, and periodically perform channel availability detection according to the parameters associated with the SM mode, providing a feasible solution for the terminal device to perform channel availability detection.

[0074] Based on the third and fourth aspects, in one possible implementation, the network device sends fourth indication information to the terminal device; the network device receives the third indication information from the terminal device; and the parameters associated with the SM mode take effect on the network device. The fourth indication information includes the parameters associated with the SM mode; the third indication information is used to indicate approval of the parameters associated with the SM mode; and the time when the parameters associated with the SM mode take effect on the network device is the moment when the terminal device completes receipt of confirmation information corresponding to the third indication information.

[0075] Based on this possible implementation, the network device can determine, based on the third indication information, the parameters associated with the SM mode that the terminal device agrees with the fourth indication information.

[0076] Based on the third and fourth aspects, in one possible implementation, the network device sends fourth indication information to the terminal device; the network device receives the third indication information from the terminal device; and the parameters associated with the SM mode are not effective on the network device. The fourth indication information includes the parameters associated with the SM mode; and the third indication information is used to indicate that the parameters associated with the SM mode are not approved.

[0077] Based on this possible implementation, the network device can determine, based on the third indication information, that the terminal device disagrees with the parameters associated with the SM mode of the fourth indication information.

[0078] Based on the third and fourth aspects, in one possible implementation, the indication information includes a control field, and the control field includes one or more of the following: a dismantling subfield, an initiation subfield, or a success subfield; wherein the dismantling subfield is used to indicate whether to exit the SM mode; the initiation subfield is used to indicate whether to initiate entry into the SM mode or initiate an update of parameters associated with the SM mode; the success subfield is used to indicate whether to agree with the parameters associated with the SM mode.

[0079] Based on this possible implementation, the dismantling subfield can indicate whether to exit the SM mode, and can determine whether the indication information is the fifth indication information; the initiation subfield can indicate whether to initiate entry into the SM mode or initiate an update of the parameters associated with the SM mode, and can determine whether the indication information is the second indication information; the success subfield is used to indicate whether the parameters associated with the SM mode are agreed, and can be used together with the dismantling subfield and the initiation subfield for the third indication information, or the fourth indication information.

[0080] Based on the third aspect and the fourth aspect, in a possible implementation, the second indication information and the fourth indication information further include a non-primary channel selection parameter field, where the non-primary channel selection parameter field is used to indicate parameters associated with the SM mode.

[0081] Based on this possible implementation, the main channel selection parameter field can indicate the parameters associated with the SM mode, and the terminal device can periodically detect the channel status of the channel according to the main channel selection parameter field.

[0082] Based on the third aspect and the fourth aspect, in a possible implementation, the non-main channel selection parameter field includes one or more of the following: a first target survival transmission time subfield, a timeout subfield, a time interval subfield, a duration subfield, or an anchor channel subfield; wherein the first target survival transmission time subfield is used to indicate the start time of the first channel availability detection; the timeout subfield is used to indicate the maximum value of the duration of the first indication information sent by the network device to the terminal device; the time interval subfield is used to indicate the period of the channel availability detection; the duration subfield is used to indicate the duration of the SM mode starting from the first target survival transmission time subfield; the anchor channel subfield is used to indicate the parameters associated with the preset anchor channel.

[0083] Based on this possible implementation, the terminal device can periodically perform channel availability detection based on the first target survival transmission time subfield and the time interval subfield; the terminal device can determine the time to receive the first indication information based on the timeout subfield, and can also determine whether to switch to the second channel based on the timeout subfield; the terminal device can determine the duration of the SM mode based on the duration subfield, and can also determine whether to send the fifth indication information based on the duration subfield; the terminal device can determine the second channel to be switched to based on the anchor channel subfield, and can switch to the same second channel at the same time as the network device.

[0084] Based on the third and fourth aspects, in one possible implementation, the Anchor Channels subfield includes one or more of the following: a subfield for the number of anchor channels, a retransmission subfield, a primary channel subfield, and an identification information subfield of one or more preset anchor channels; wherein the subfield for the number of anchor channels is used to indicate the number of preset anchor channels; the retransmission subfield is used to indicate the maximum number of times that the first indication information can be attempted to be sent or received on the same preset anchor channel in a cycle of channel availability detection; the first indication information is used to indicate that the channel status of the first channel occupied by the network device is idle; the primary channel subfield is used to indicate the identification information of the primary channel; and the identification information subfield of each preset anchor channel is used to indicate the identification information of the preset anchor channel.

[0085] Based on this possible implementation, the terminal device can determine the number of preset anchor channels, the number of retransmissions, the identification information of the main channel, the order of multiple preset anchor channels and the identification information of each preset anchor channel according to the anchor channel subfield, and determine the second channel that can be switched.

[0086] Based on the third and fourth aspects, in a possible implementation, the control field also includes one or more of the following: a first target survival transmission time subfield, a timeout subfield, a time interval subfield, an anchor channel subfield, and a duration subfield; wherein the first target survival transmission time subfield is used to indicate whether the first target survival transmission time subfield appears; the timeout subfield is used to indicate whether the timeout subfield appears; the time interval subfield is used to indicate whether the time interval subfield appears; the anchor channel subfield is used to indicate whether the anchor channel subfield appears; and the duration subfield is used to indicate whether the duration subfield appears.

[0087] Based on this possible implementation, the terminal device can determine whether the first target survival transmission time subfield, timeout subfield, time interval subfield, duration subfield, or anchor channel field in the non-main channel selection parameter field appears according to the first target survival transmission time subfield, timeout subfield, time interval subfield, anchor channel subfield, and duration subfield in the control field.

[0088] Based on the third and fourth aspects, in one possible implementation, the network device determines the second preset duration and the first preset time point based on the Timeout subfield in the parameters associated with the SM mode. The second preset duration is the sum of the duration carried by the Timeout subfield and the duration of the frame in which the first indication information is carried; and the first preset time point is the moment when the secondary terminal device needs to jump to the second channel because it fails to complete reception of the first indication information within the second preset duration.

[0089] Based on this possible implementation, since the parameters associated with the SM mode are determined according to the actual communication situation, the network device can dynamically determine the second preset duration and the first preset time point according to the parameters associated with the SM mode. At the same time, the terminal device can determine different SM mode-associated parameters according to different situations, which can effectively improve the communication performance of the terminal device and the network device.

[0090] Based on the third and fourth aspects, in one possible implementation, the network device receives fifth indication information from the terminal device; the network device sends confirmation information corresponding to the fifth indication information to the terminal device; and the SM mode is exited. The fifth indication information is used to indicate the exit from the SM mode; the time of exiting the SM mode is the moment when the network device completes sending the corresponding confirmation information.

[0091] Based on this possible implementation, the network device can determine whether the terminal device exits the SM mode according to the fifth indication information; the network device sends confirmation information corresponding to the fifth indication information to the terminal device, which can enable the terminal device to determine that the network device agrees to exit the SM mode, and can enable the network device and the terminal device to exit the SM mode.

[0092] Based on the third aspect and the fourth aspect, in a possible implementation, the network device determines the duration of the SM mode according to parameters associated with the SM mode; and exits the SM mode after the duration.

[0093] Based on this possible implementation, the network device exits the SM mode according to the parameters associated with the SM mode, which can reduce the transmission overhead compared to the above-mentioned terminal device sending the fifth indication information.

[0094] Based on the third and fourth aspects, in one possible implementation, the network device sends fifth indication information to the terminal device; and exits the SM mode according to the fifth indication information. The fifth indication information is used to indicate the exit from the SM mode; the time of exiting the SM mode is the moment when the network device completes receiving the corresponding confirmation information.

[0095] Based on this possible implementation, when the network device needs to exit the SM mode, it can send a fifth indication message to the terminal device, so that the terminal device can determine that the network device exits the SM mode based on the fifth indication message, and can make the network device and the terminal device exit the SM mode.

[0096] Based on the third and fourth aspects, in one possible implementation, the network device sends fifth indication information to the terminal device; receives confirmation information corresponding to the fifth indication information from the terminal device; and exits SM mode based on the confirmation information corresponding to the fifth indication information. The fifth indication information is used to instruct the exit from SM mode; the time of exiting SM mode is the moment when the network device completes receiving the corresponding confirmation information.

[0097] Based on this possible implementation, when the network device needs to exit the SM mode, it can send a fifth indication message to the terminal device, so that the terminal device can determine that the network device has exited the SM mode based on the fifth indication message; the terminal device can send a confirmation message corresponding to the fifth indication message to the network device, so that the network device can determine that the terminal device agrees to exit the SM mode, and the network device and the terminal device can exit the SM mode.

[0098] Based on the third and fourth aspects, in one possible implementation, the fifth indication information includes a control field, and the control field includes one or more of the following: a dismantling subfield, an initiation subfield, or a success subfield; wherein the dismantling subfield is used to indicate whether to exit the SM mode; the initiation subfield is used to indicate whether to initiate entry into the SM mode or initiate an update of parameters associated with the SM mode; the success subfield is used to indicate whether to agree with the parameters associated with the SM mode.

[0099] Based on the first, second, third, and fourth aspects, in one possible implementation, the network device and the terminal device may complete channel availability detection without exchanging first indication information when a first preset condition is met. The first preset condition is that the network device and the terminal device are communicating.

[0100] Based on this possible implementation, the network device and the terminal device can directly confirm that they can communicate on the current channel, avoiding invalid tests and reducing overhead.

[0101] Based on the first, second, third, and fourth aspects, in one possible implementation, when a second preset condition is met, the network device and the terminal device may complete channel availability detection without exchanging first indication information. The second preset condition is one or more of the following: the network device and the terminal device are communicating; the terminal device can detect that the network device is communicating with another device; or the network device can detect that the terminal device is communicating with another device.

[0102] Based on this possible implementation, the network device and the terminal device can directly confirm that all primary channels and preset anchor channels are unavailable for communication between the two, thereby avoiding invalid testing and reducing overhead.

[0103] Based on the first aspect, the second aspect, the third aspect, and the fourth aspect, in a possible implementation, the behavior of the network device and the terminal device switching from the first channel to the second channel should be interpreted as the network device and the terminal device communicating using the second channel as a temporary main channel.

[0104] In a fifth aspect, a communication device is provided for implementing the method of the first aspect. The communication device may be the terminal device of the first aspect, or a device or component included in the terminal device, such as a chip.

[0105] The communication device includes modules, units, or means corresponding to the above-mentioned method, which can be implemented by hardware, software, or hardware executing corresponding software implementation. The hardware or software includes one or more modules or units corresponding to the above-mentioned functions.

[0106] In some possible implementations, the communication device may include a processing module and a transceiver module. The transceiver module may include a sending module and a receiving module, which are respectively used to implement the sending and receiving functions in the above-mentioned first aspect and any possible implementation thereof. The processing module may be used to implement the processing functions in the above-mentioned first aspect and any possible implementation thereof. Exemplarily, the transceiver module is used to receive a first indication message from a network device; wherein the first indication message is used to indicate that the channel status of the first channel occupied by the network device is idle. The transceiver module is also used to send confirmation information corresponding to the first indication message to the network device when it is determined that the channel status of the first channel occupied by the terminal device is idle based on the first indication message. The processing module is used to switch the channel to the second channel at a first preset time point when it is determined that the channel status of the first channel occupied by the terminal device is busy based on the first indication message.

[0107] Optionally, the transceiver module and processing module of the communication device in the fifth aspect can also perform the corresponding functions in the above-mentioned first aspect or any possible implementation of the first aspect. Please refer to the detailed description in the method example for details. The beneficial effects that can be achieved can also be referred to the above-mentioned related content.

[0108] In a sixth aspect, a communication device is provided for implementing the method of the second aspect. The communication device may be the terminal device of the second aspect, or a device or component included in the terminal device, such as a chip.

[0109] The communication device includes modules, units, or means corresponding to the above-mentioned method, which can be implemented by hardware, software, or hardware executing corresponding software implementation. The hardware or software includes one or more modules or units corresponding to the above-mentioned functions.

[0110] In some possible implementations, the communication device may include a processing module and a transceiver module. The transceiver module may include a sending module and a receiving module, respectively used to implement the sending and receiving functions in the above-mentioned second aspect and any possible implementation thereof. The processing module may be used to implement the processing functions in the above-mentioned first aspect and any possible implementation thereof. Exemplarily, the processing module is used to determine a second preset duration. The processing module is also used to switch the channel to the second channel at a first preset time point if the first indication information from the network device is not received within the second preset duration; wherein the first indication information is used to indicate that the channel state of the first channel occupied by the network device is idle.

[0111] Optionally, the transceiver module and processing module of the communication device in the sixth aspect can also perform the corresponding functions in the above-mentioned second aspect or any possible implementation of the second aspect. Please refer to the detailed description in the method example for details. The beneficial effects that can be achieved can also be referred to the above-mentioned related content.

[0112] In a seventh aspect, a communication device is provided for implementing the method of the third aspect. The communication device may be the network device of the third aspect, or a device or component included in the network device, such as a chip.

[0113] The communication device includes modules, units, or means corresponding to the above-mentioned method, which can be implemented by hardware, software, or hardware executing corresponding software implementation. The hardware or software includes one or more modules or units corresponding to the above-mentioned functions.

[0114] In some possible implementations, the communication device may include a processing module and a transceiver module. The transceiver module may include a sending module and a receiving module, which are respectively used to implement the sending and receiving functions in the above-mentioned second aspect and any possible implementation thereof. The processing module may be used to implement the processing functions in the above-mentioned third aspect and any possible implementation thereof. Exemplarily, the processing module is used to determine the channel status of the first channel occupied by the network device. The transceiver module is used to send a first indication message to the terminal device when the channel status is idle; wherein the first indication message is used to indicate that the channel status of the first channel occupied by the network device is idle. The transceiver module is also used to receive confirmation information corresponding to the first indication message from the terminal device. The processing module is also used to switch the channel to the second channel at a first preset time point according to the first indication message.

[0115] Optionally, the transceiver module and processing module of the communication device in the seventh aspect can also perform the corresponding functions in the above-mentioned third aspect or any possible implementation of the third aspect. Please refer to the detailed description in the method example for details. The beneficial effects that can be achieved can also be referred to the above-mentioned related content.

[0116] In an eighth aspect, a communication device is provided for implementing the method of the fourth aspect. The communication device may be the network device of the fourth aspect, or a device or component included in the network device, such as a chip.

[0117] The communication device includes modules, units, or means corresponding to the above-mentioned method, which can be implemented by hardware, software, or hardware executing corresponding software implementation. The hardware or software includes one or more modules or units corresponding to the above-mentioned functions.

[0118] In some possible implementations, the communication device may include a processing module and a transceiver module. The transceiver module may include a sending module and a receiving module, respectively used to implement the sending and receiving functions in the fourth aspect and any possible implementation thereof. The processing module may be used to implement the processing functions in the fourth aspect and any possible implementation thereof. Exemplarily, the processing module is used to determine the channel status of a first channel occupied by a network device. The processing module is also used to determine a second preset duration. The processing module is also used to switch the channel to a second channel at a first preset time point when the channel status is busy.

[0119] Optionally, the transceiver module and processing module of the communication device in the eighth aspect can also perform the corresponding functions in the above-mentioned fourth aspect or any possible implementation of the fourth aspect. Please refer to the detailed description in the method example for details. The beneficial effects that can be achieved can also be found in the above-mentioned related content.

[0120] In a ninth aspect, a communication device is provided, comprising: at least one processor, the processor being configured to cause the communication device to execute any one of the above aspects or any possible implementation of any one of the aspects by executing computer instructions stored in a memory or through a logic circuit. The communication device may be a terminal device in the first aspect or any possible implementation of the first aspect, or a device or component included in the terminal device, such as a chip; or the communication device may be a terminal device in the second aspect or any possible implementation of the second aspect, or a device or component included in the terminal device, such as a chip; or the communication device may be a network device in the third aspect or any possible implementation of the third aspect, or a device or component included in the network device, such as a chip; or the communication device may be a network device in the fourth aspect or any possible implementation of the fourth aspect, or a device or component included in the network device, such as a chip.

[0121] In some possible implementations, the communication device further includes a memory for storing computer instructions and / or configuration files of logic circuits. Optionally, the memory is integrated with the processor, or the memory is independent of the processor.

[0122] In a tenth aspect, a communication device is provided, comprising: a processor and a communication interface; the communication interface is used to input and / or output signals; and the processor is used to execute computer programs or instructions so that the communication device performs the method of any of the above aspects. The communication device can be a terminal device in the first aspect or any possible implementation of the first aspect, or a device or component included in the terminal device, such as a chip; or the communication device can be a terminal device in the second aspect or any possible implementation of the second aspect, or a device or component included in the terminal device, such as a chip; or the communication device can be a network device in the third aspect or any possible implementation of the third aspect, or a device or component included in the network device, such as a chip; or the communication device can be a network device in the fourth aspect or any possible implementation of the fourth aspect, or a device or component included in the network device, such as a chip.

[0123] In some possible implementations, the communication interface is an interface circuit for reading and writing computer instructions. For example, the interface circuit is used to receive computer execution instructions (computer execution instructions are stored in a memory, may be read directly from the memory, or may pass through other devices) and transmit them to the processor.

[0124] In some possible implementations, the communication interface is used to communicate with a module outside the communication device.

[0125] In some possible implementations, the communication device may be a chip or a chip system. When the device is a chip system, the chip system may include the chip, or may include the chip and other discrete devices.

[0126] In an eleventh aspect, a communication device is provided, comprising: a logic circuit and an interface circuit; the interface circuit is used to input information and / or output information; the logic circuit is used to execute the method of any of the above aspects, and process and / or generate output information based on the input information. The communication device can be a terminal device in the first aspect or any possible implementation of the first aspect, or a device or component included in the terminal device, such as a chip; or the communication device can be a terminal device in the second aspect or any possible implementation of the second aspect, or a device or component included in the terminal device, such as a chip; or the communication device can be a network device in the third aspect or any possible implementation of the third aspect, or a device or component included in the network device, such as a chip; or the communication device can be a network device in the fourth aspect or any possible implementation of the fourth aspect, or a device or component included in the network device, such as a chip.

[0127] In a twelfth aspect, a computer-readable storage medium is provided, in which a computer program or instruction is stored. When the computer program or instruction is executed by a processor, the method of any of the above aspects is executed.

[0128] In a thirteenth aspect, a computer program product is provided, which, when executed by a processor, enables the method of any of the above aspects to be executed.

[0129] It can be understood that when the communication device provided in any one of the fifth to eleventh aspects is a chip, the above-mentioned sending action / function can be understood as output information, and the above-mentioned receiving action / function can be understood as input information.

[0130] Among them, the technical effects brought about by any implementation method of the fifth to thirteenth aspects can refer to the technical effects brought about by the above-mentioned first aspect or any possible implementation of the first aspect, or refer to the technical effects brought about by the above-mentioned second aspect or any possible implementation of the second aspect, or refer to the technical effects brought about by the above-mentioned third aspect or any possible implementation of the third aspect, or refer to the technical effects brought about by the above-mentioned fourth aspect or any possible implementation of the fourth aspect, and no further details will be given here.

[0131] In the fourteenth aspect, a communication system is provided, which includes the terminal device described in the first aspect or any possible implementation of the first aspect, and the network device described in the third aspect or any possible implementation of the third aspect, or the communication system includes the terminal device described in the second aspect or any possible implementation of the second aspect, and the network device described in the fourth aspect or any possible implementation of the fourth aspect. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0132] FIG1 is a schematic diagram of a channel state provided by the present application;

[0133] FIG2 is a schematic diagram of a communication system provided by the present application;

[0134] FIG3 is a schematic structural diagram of a communication device provided by the present application;

[0135] FIG4 is an interactive diagram of a communication method provided by the present application;

[0136] FIG5 is an interactive diagram of a communication method provided by the present application;

[0137] FIG6 is a schematic diagram of a process of receiving a survival frame by a terminal device provided in the present application;

[0138] FIG7 is a schematic diagram of a flow chart of a network device sending a survival frame provided by the present application;

[0139] FIG8 is an interactive diagram of a communication method provided by the present application;

[0140] FIG9 is an interactive diagram of a communication method provided by the present application;

[0141] FIG10 is an interactive diagram of a communication method provided by the present application;

[0142] FIG11 is a schematic diagram of a flow chart of a network device sending second indication information provided by the present application;

[0143] FIG12 is a schematic diagram of a process of sending second indication information by a terminal device provided in the present application;

[0144] FIG13 is a schematic diagram of a control field provided by the present application;

[0145] FIG14 is a schematic diagram of a non-primary channel selection parameter field provided by the present application;

[0146] FIG15 is a schematic diagram of an anchor channel subfield provided by the present application;

[0147] FIG16 is a schematic diagram of a survival monitoring action frame provided by the present application;

[0148] FIG17 is a schematic diagram of a management frame of a survival monitoring element provided by the present application;

[0149] FIG18 is a schematic structural diagram of a terminal device provided by the present application;

[0150] FIG19 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a network device provided by the present application;

[0151] FIG20 is a schematic structural diagram of another communication device provided in the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0152] The following describes in detail the implementation of the embodiments of the present application in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0153] In the description of this application, unless otherwise specified, " / " indicates that the objects associated before and after are in an "or" relationship, for example, A / B can represent A or B; "and / or" in this application is merely a description of the association relationship of associated objects, indicating that three relationships may exist, for example, A and / or B can represent: A exists alone, A and B exist at the same time, and B exists alone, where A and B can be singular or plural.

[0154] In the description of this application, unless otherwise specified, "plurality" means two or more than two. "At least one of the following" or similar expressions refers to any combination of these items, including any combination of single or plural items. For example, at least one of a, b, or c can mean: a, b, c, ab, ac, bc, or abc, where a, b, and c can be single or plural.

[0155] In addition, to facilitate a clear description of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application, in the embodiments of the present application, the words "first" and "second" are used to distinguish between identical or similar items with substantially the same functions and effects. Those skilled in the art will understand that the words "first" and "second" do not limit the quantity or execution order, and the words "first" and "second" do not necessarily mean different.

[0156] In the embodiments of this application, words such as "exemplary" or "for example" are used to indicate examples, illustrations, or descriptions. Any embodiment or design described as "exemplary" or "for example" in the embodiments of this application should not be construed as being preferred or advantageous over other embodiments or designs. Rather, the use of words such as "exemplary" or "for example" is intended to present the relevant concepts in a concrete manner to facilitate understanding.

[0157] It will be understood that the “embodiment” mentioned throughout the specification means that the specific features, structures or characteristics related to the embodiment are included in at least one embodiment of the present application. Therefore, the various embodiments throughout the specification do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment. In addition, these specific features, structures or characteristics can be combined in one or more embodiments in any suitable manner. It will be understood that in the various embodiments of the present application, the size of the sequence number of each process does not mean the order of execution. The execution order of each process should be determined by its function and internal logic, and should not constitute any limitation on the implementation process of the embodiment of the present application.

[0158] It is understood that some optional features in the embodiments of the present application may, in certain scenarios, be implemented independently to solve corresponding technical problems and achieve corresponding effects without relying on other features, such as the solutions on which they are based. They may also be combined with other features as needed in certain scenarios. Accordingly, the devices provided in the embodiments of the present application may also implement these features or functions accordingly, which will not be described in detail here.

[0159] In this application, unless otherwise specified, the same or similar parts between the various embodiments can be referenced to each other. In the various embodiments of this application, unless otherwise specified and there is no logical conflict, the terms and / or descriptions between different embodiments are consistent and can be referenced to each other. The technical features in different embodiments can be combined to form new embodiments based on their inherent logical relationships. The following description of the embodiments of this application does not constitute a limitation on the scope of protection of this application.

[0160] In order to facilitate understanding of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application, a brief introduction to the relevant technologies of the present application is first given as follows.

[0161] 1) Carrier sense multiple access / collision avoidance (CSMA / CA)

[0162] CSMA / CA is a basic method used by the IEEE 802.11 protocol to support non-AP STAs (such as terminal devices) or APs (such as network devices) to access channels.

[0163] For example, when a communication device (which can be a network device or a terminal device) initiates transmission, it needs to first detect whether the channel status of the channel is idle. When the channel status is idle, the communication device can communicate through the channel; when the channel status is busy, the communication device needs to back off and cannot communicate through the channel.

[0164] For example, taking the communication device as a network device, if the network device communicates through the channel when the channel status is busy (that is, there are other communication devices communicating on the channel), it will interfere with the communication of other communication devices and the STA's own communication, resulting in communication failure.

[0165] Optionally, the channel detection may be divided into two parts, namely, physical channel detection and virtual channel detection. When the results of the physical channel detection and the virtual channel detection are both idle, the result of the channel detection may be idle.

[0166] 2) Clear channel assessment (CCA) mechanism

[0167] The CCA mechanism is a process for detecting whether a channel is idle or busy, and belongs to physical channel detection.

[0168] When performing channel detection based on the CCA mechanism, the communication device may detect channels in sequence.

[0169] For example, the maximum bandwidth capability supported by the network where the communication device is located is 160 MHz. The 160 MHz bandwidth is divided into 8 channels based on 20 MHz. The communication device can first detect whether the main 20 MHz channel is idle. If the main 20 MHz channel is busy, the communication device can issue an indication that the main 20 MHz channel is "busy". At this time, the communication device has no available channel for communication and performs a backoff.

[0170] If the primary 20MHz channel is idle, the communication device continues to detect whether the secondary 20MHz channel is idle; if the secondary 20MHz channel is busy, the communication device can directly issue an indication that the secondary 20MHz channel is "busy", and the communication device can use the primary 20MHz channel as the available channel;

[0171] If the secondary 20MHz channel is idle, the communication device continues to detect the secondary 30MHz channel. If the secondary 40MHz channel is busy, the communication device directly issues an indication that the secondary 40MHz channel is "busy," and the communication device's available channel is the primary 40MHz channel.

[0172] If the secondary 40 MHz channel is idle, the communication device continues to detect the secondary 80 MHz channel; if the secondary 80 MHz channel is busy, the communication device issues an indication that the secondary 80 MHz channel is "busy" and the communication device uses the primary 80 MHz channel as the available channel.

[0173] If the secondary 80 MHz channel is idle, the communication device sends an indication that the secondary 80 MHz channel is “idle”, and the available channels for the communication device are the entire 160 MHz channel.

[0174] Based on the above, when performing physical channel detection through the CCA mechanism, the communication device can only use continuous idle channels.

[0175] 3) Punching

[0176] Because the CCA mechanism allows communication devices to use only continuous idle channels for communication, if only a few discontinuous 20MHz channels are occupied in a 160MHz bandwidth channel, the communication device still needs to back off, which may result in reduced channel utilization.

[0177] In order to solve the problem of channel discontinuity, a puncturing mechanism is proposed, which can puncture channels with busy status through the puncturing mechanism. That is, busy channels are not used, and idle channels are used to achieve communication.

[0178] For example, as shown in Figure 1 below, in a primary 80MHz channel, only the secondary 20MHz channel is busy, while all other channels are idle. If puncturing is not used, only the primary 20MHz channel is available based on the CCA mechanism. When puncturing is introduced, the primary 80MHz channel is punctured, eliminating the secondary 20MHz channel, reducing the actual channel bandwidth to 60MHz, thereby improving channel utilization.

[0179] The communication device can decode the physical protocol data unit (PPDU) to extract the transmitted information. However, frequency synchronization is required before the PPDU is transmitted. However, frequency synchronization can only be achieved through the main 20MHz channel, so the main 20MHz channel cannot be punctured.

[0180] Therefore, once the channel status of the primary 20 MHz channel is busy, even if the channel status of all non-primary channels is idle, the communication device will back off, resulting in a certain degree of resource waste.

[0181] 4) Non-primary channel selection

[0182] In order to improve channel utilization, a non-primary channel selection method is proposed for communication, that is, when the channel status of the primary channel is busy, the communication device can use a non-primary channel with an idle channel status for communication instead of the primary channel.

[0183] 5) Anchor channel

[0184] The anchor channel may be a non-primary channel, that is, the anchor channel may be a substitute for the primary 20 MHz channel.

[0185] Optionally, the anchor channel may be referred to as an anchor channel, an anchor channel, or a backup main channel, without limitation.

[0186] For example, taking the case where the channel status of the main 20 MHz channel is busy, the communication device may use the anchor channel as the main 20 MHz channel and may communicate through the anchor channel, thereby improving channel utilization.

[0187] In one possible implementation, taking the transmitting device as a network device and the receiving device as a terminal device as an example, the anchor channel can be determined based on the form of high-efficiency subchannel selective transmission (HE SST) through unicast target wait time (TWT) negotiation and broadcast TWT negotiation.

[0188] As an exemplary embodiment, taking the unicast TWT negotiation method as an example, the network device can determine the information associated with the target waiting time service period (TWT SP) when negotiating HE SST, and at the same time negotiate the information associated with the anchor channel (such as, according to the bitmap indicating the anchor channel that can participate in the resource unit (RU) allocation), so that the network device can use the negotiated anchor channel other than the main 20MHz channel within the TWT SP, and communicate with the terminal device through the main 20MHz channel and the anchor channel.

[0189] If the channel status of the primary 20 MHz channel is busy, the network device still needs to back off, resulting in a waste of resources.

[0190] Another exemplary method, taking the broadcast (TWT) negotiation method as an example, the network device can establish HE SST through the broadcast TWT negotiation method, allowing the network device and the terminal device to use the improved HE SST, thereby allowing the network device and the terminal device to use the designated anchor channel as the temporary main 20 channel in the designated TWT SP.

[0191] Among them, the broadcast type (TWT) negotiation method solves the problem that the network device needs to retreat when the channel status of the main 20MHz channel is busy, but there is a problem of hidden nodes, which may cause communication failure between the network device and the terminal device.

[0192] For example, however, the problem of hidden nodes may cause communication failure between the network device and the terminal device. For example, taking the case where the terminal device is within the coverage of two network devices (i.e., network device 1 and network device 2), and the distance between the two network devices is relatively far or there is an obstacle between the two network devices, when network device 1 detects that the channel state of the first channel is idle, it may occupy the first channel to communicate with the terminal device; because the distance between network device 1 and network device 2 is relatively far or there is an obstacle between network device 1 and network device 2, network device 2 may not be able to detect that network device 1 is occupying the first channel to communicate with the terminal device. When network device 2 detects that the channel state of the first channel is idle, it will occupy the first channel to communicate, causing the message sent by network device 1 to the terminal device to collide with the message sent by network device 2, and communication fails.

[0193] The network device 1 is a hidden node relative to the network device 2, and the network device 2 is also a hidden node relative to the network device 1.

[0194] In summary, how to avoid the inconsistent understanding of channel status between network devices and terminal devices due to hidden nodes and improve the communication reliability between network devices and terminal devices has become an urgent problem to be solved.

[0195] In order to solve the above-mentioned technical problem, the present application provides a communication method, which includes: a terminal device receiving first indication information from a network device; upon receiving the first indication information and determining that the channel status of a first channel occupied by the terminal device is idle, sending confirmation information corresponding to the first indication information to the network device; or upon receiving the first indication information and determining that the channel status of the first channel occupied by the terminal device is busy, switching the channel to a second channel at a first preset time point. The first indication information is used to indicate that the channel status of the first channel occupied by the network device is idle.

[0196] In an embodiment of the present application, the terminal device can determine that the channel status of the first channel occupied by the network device is idle based on the first indication information; when it is determined that the channel status of the first channel occupied by the terminal device is idle, the terminal device can send confirmation information corresponding to the first indication information to the network device, so that the network device determines that the channel status of the first channel occupied by the terminal device is idle, and then the network device can communicate with the terminal device on the first channel, avoiding the problem of inconsistent understanding of the channel status between the network device and the terminal device due to hidden nodes, and ensuring the reliability of communication; when it is determined that the channel status of the first channel occupied by the terminal device is busy, the terminal device can switch to the second channel at a first preset time point, and the network device can also switch to the second channel at the first preset time point at the same time as the terminal device without receiving the confirmation information corresponding to the first indication information.

[0197] That is, the network device and the terminal device can test whether they can communicate through the first channel. If both the network device and the terminal device determine that the channel status of the first channel is idle, they can communicate through the first channel. Otherwise, both devices switch to the second channel and continue to test whether they can communicate through the second channel. This avoids the problem of network devices and terminal devices having inconsistent understanding of channel status due to hidden nodes, reduces the negative impact of hidden nodes, and improves communication reliability.

[0198] The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application can be used in various communication systems, which may be a third generation partnership project (3GPP) communication system, for example, a fourth generation (4G), long term evolution (LTE), a fifth generation (5G) mobile communication system, a new radio (NR), or a system of hybrid networking of LTE and 5G, or a non-terrestrial network (NTN) system, or a mobile communication system evolved after 5G such as the sixth generation (6G), a vehicle to everything (V2X) system, or a device-to-device (D2D) communication system, a machine to machine (M2M) communication system, the Internet of Things (IoT), a narrowband Internet of Things (NB-IoT), other next-generation communication systems, integrated perception and communication systems, satellite communication systems, and the like. The communication system may also be a non-3GPP communication system, such as a wireless local area network (WLAN) system such as wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi), without limitation.

[0199] Exemplarily, taking a non-3GPP system as an example, the embodiments of the present application can be used in a wireless LAN system that supports the IEEE 802.11ax next-generation Wi-Fi protocol (such as 802.11be, Wi-Fi 7 or EHT), or, can be used in a wireless LAN system that supports the IEEE 802.11be next-generation Wi-Fi protocol (such as Wi-Fi 8, UHR), or, can be used in a wireless LAN system that supports Wi-Fi AI, or, can be used in a wireless LAN system that supports millimeter wave (mmWave), or, can be used in a wireless LAN system that supports ultra-wideband (UWB), or, can also be used in a wireless LAN system that supports sensing.

[0200] The communication system used in this application may be as shown in FIG2 below. The communication system may include one or more terminal devices and one or more network devices.

[0201] This application can be applied to various communication scenarios, such as beam measurement, channel estimation, signal detection, etc.

[0202] The above-mentioned communication systems and communication scenarios applicable to the present application are merely examples. The communication systems and communication scenarios applicable to the present application are not limited thereto, and the above description does not impose any limitation on the solutions of the present application.

[0203] Among them, the terminal device in the embodiment of the present application can be located within the beam / cell coverage of the network device, and the network device can provide communication services for the terminal device.

[0204] The terminal device in the embodiments of the present application may be a device with wireless transceiver functions or a chip or chip system that can be set in the device, which can allow a user to access the network and is a device for providing voice and / or data connectivity to the user. The terminal device may also be referred to as user equipment (UE), subscriber unit (subscriber unit), terminal (terminal), mobile station (MS), or mobile terminal (MT).

[0205] Optionally, the terminal device in the embodiment of the present application may be a user-side device for implementing wireless communication functions, such as a terminal or a chip that can be used in a terminal. The terminal may be a UE, user unit, access terminal, terminal unit, terminal station, mobile station, mobile station, remote station, remote terminal, mobile device, wireless communication device, terminal agent, or terminal device in a 5G network or a public land mobile network (PLMN) evolved after 5G. The access terminal may be a cellular phone, a smart phone, a cordless phone, a Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) phone, a wireless data card, a wireless local loop (WLL) station, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a handheld device with wireless communication capabilities, a laptop computer, a tablet computer, a computing device or other processing device connected to a wireless modem, an in-vehicle device, a drone, a robot, a smart point of sale (POS) machine, customer-premises equipment (CPE) or a wearable device, a virtual reality (VR) terminal device, an augmented reality (AR) terminal device, a wireless terminal in industrial control, a wireless terminal in self-driving, a wireless terminal in remote medical care, a wireless terminal in smart grid, a wireless terminal in transportation safety, a wireless terminal in machine type communication (MTC), a wireless terminal in smart city, or a wireless terminal in industrial control. These include wireless terminals in smart cities, wireless terminals in smart homes (such as smart cameras, projectors, display screens, televisions, speakers, refrigerators, washing machines, etc.), sensor nodes in smart cities (such as smart water meters, smart electricity meters, and smart air quality monitoring nodes), smart devices in smart offices (such as printers and projectors), and infrastructure in daily life (such as vending machines, self-service navigation kiosks in supermarkets, self-service checkout devices, and self-service ordering machines). Alternatively, terminals can be terminals with communication capabilities in the IoT, such as terminals in V2X (for example, connected vehicle devices), terminals in D2D communication, or terminals in M2M communication. Terminals can be mobile or fixed.

[0206] The network device in the embodiments of the present application can be any device deployed in an access network that can communicate wirelessly with a terminal device, or a chip or chip system that can be provided in the above-mentioned device, or a logical node or a logical module or a function implemented in software, and can be used to implement wireless physical control functions, resource scheduling and wireless resource management, wireless access control, and mobility management functions. Specifically, the network device can be a device that supports wired access or a device that supports wireless access.

[0207] Optionally, the network device in the embodiment of the present application is a device that connects a terminal device to a wireless network. The network device may be a node in a radio access network (RAN), or may be a base station, which may be referred to as a radio access network node (or device).

[0208] For example, the network device may include a base transceiver station (BTS) in a global system for mobile communication (GSM) or a code division multiple access (CDMA) network. Alternatively, the network device may include a NodeB in a wideband code division multiple access (WCDMA) network. Alternatively, the network device may include an evolved base station (NodeB or eNB or e-NodeB, evolutionary Node B) in an LTE system or an enhanced LTE (LTE-advanced, LTE-A) system, such as a traditional macro base station eNB and a micro base station eNB in ​​a heterogeneous network scenario. Alternatively, the network device may include a next generation node B (gNB) in an NR system. Alternatively, the network device may be a network device in a future evolved PLMN. Alternatively, the network device may include a transmission reception point (TRP), a home base station (e.g., a home evolved NodeB, or HNB), a baseband unit (BBU), a baseband pool, or a wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi) access point (AP). Alternatively, the network device may include a base station in an NTN, which can be deployed on an aircraft or satellite. In the NTN, the network device may function as a Layer 1 (L1) relay, a base station, or an integrated access and backhaul (IAB) node. Alternatively, the network device may be a device that implements base station functions in the IoT, such as a device that implements base station functions in drone communications, vehicle-to-everything (V2X), device-to-device (D2D), or machine-to-machine (M2M). Alternatively, the network device may be a wireless controller in a cloud radio access network (CRAN) scenario. Alternatively, the network device may be a wearable device or an in-vehicle device.

[0209] A network device may also be a module or unit that implements some of the functions of a base station. For example, a network device may be a centralized unit (CU), a distributed unit (DU), a CU-control plane (CP), a CU-user plane (UP), or a radio unit (RU). The CU and DU may be configured separately or included in the same network element, such as a baseband unit (BBU). The RU may be included in a radio frequency device or radio frequency unit, such as a remote radio unit (RRU), an active antenna unit (AAU), or a remote radio head (RRH).

[0210] In different systems, CU (or CU-CP and CU-UP), DU or RU may also have different names, but those skilled in the art can understand their meanings. For example, the network device may be a network device or a module of a network device in an open radio access network (open RAN, ORAN) system. In the ORAN system, CU may also be referred to as open (open, O)-CU, DU may also be referred to as O-DU, CU-CP may also be referred to as O-CU-CP, CU-UP may also be referred to as O-CU-UP, and RU may also be referred to as O-RU. Any of the CU (or CU-CP, CU-UP), DU and RU in this application may be implemented by a software module, a hardware module, or a combination of a software module and a hardware module.

[0211] Optionally, the base station in the embodiment of the present application may include various forms of base stations, such as: macro base stations, micro base stations (also called small stations), relay stations, APs, home base stations, TRPs, transmitting points (TPs), or mobile switching centers, etc. The embodiment of the present application does not make specific limitations on this.

[0212] For example, taking the network device as an AP and the terminal device as a non-AP STA as an example, the AP and the non-AP STA can support the 802.11 series protocols (the 802.11 series protocols may include: 802.11be, 802.11ax, 802.11a / b / g / n / ac, etc.).

[0213] For example, the AP can be a communication entity such as a communication server, router, switch, bridge, etc., or the AP can include various forms of macro base stations, micro base stations, relay stations, etc., or the AP can also be a chip and processing system in various forms of network equipment.

[0214] It should be noted that the communication system described in the embodiment of the present application is intended to more clearly illustrate the technical solution of the embodiment of the present application, and does not constitute a limitation on the technical solution provided in the embodiment of the present application. Ordinary technicians in this field can know that with the evolution of network architecture and the emergence of new business scenarios, the technical solution provided in the embodiment of the present application is also applicable to similar technical problems.

[0215] In specific implementations, each terminal device and network device shown in Figure 2 may adopt the structure shown in Figure 3, or include the components shown in Figure 3. Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device 30 provided in an embodiment of the present application. The communication device 30 may be a terminal device or a chip or system-on-chip in a terminal device; it may also be a network device or a chip or system-on-chip in a network device.

[0216] As shown in FIG3 , the communication device 30 includes one or more processors 301. Furthermore, the communication device 30 may also include a communication bus 302 and at least one communication interface ( FIG3 is merely exemplary, illustrating the communication device 30 including a communication interface 304 and one processor 301). Optionally, the communication device 30 may also include a memory 303.

[0217] Processor 301 can be a general-purpose central processing unit (CPU), a microprocessor, an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or one or more integrated circuits for controlling the execution of the program of the present application, or a processing core for processing data (e.g., computer program instructions). The processor can be a single-core (single-CPU) processor or a multi-core (multi-CPU) processor.

[0218] In a specific implementation, as an embodiment, the processor 301 may include one or more CPUs, such as CPU0 and CPU1 in FIG. 3 .

[0219] Communication bus 302 may be a Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) bus or an Extended Industry Standard Architecture (EISA) bus, for example. This bus can be classified as an address bus, a data bus, a control bus, and the like. For ease of illustration, FIG3 shows only one thick line, but this does not imply a single bus or type of bus. Communication bus 302 is used to connect the various components within communication device 30, enabling communication and interaction between the various components within communication device 30.

[0220] The communication interface 304 may be a transceiver module for communicating with other devices or a communication network, such as Ethernet, RAN, or wireless local area network (WLAN). For example, the communication interface 304 may be a device such as a transceiver or a transceiver. Alternatively, the communication interface 304 may be a transceiver circuit within the processor 301, used to implement signal input and output to the processor.

[0221] The memory 303 may be a device having a storage function. For example, it may be a read-only memory (ROM) or other types of static storage devices that can store static information and instructions, a random access memory (RAM) or other types of dynamic storage devices that can store information and instructions, or an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), a compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM) or other optical disc storage, optical disc storage (including compact discs, laser discs, optical discs, digital versatile discs, Blu-ray discs, etc.), a magnetic disk storage medium or other magnetic storage device, or any other medium that can be used to carry or store desired program code in the form of instructions or data structures and can be accessed by a computer, but is not limited thereto. The memory may exist independently and be connected to the processor via the communication bus 302. The memory may also be integrated with the processor.

[0222] Exemplarily, the memory 303 is used to store computer-executable instructions for executing the solution of the present application, and the execution is controlled by the processor 301. The processor 301 is used to execute the computer-executable instructions stored in the memory 303, thereby implementing the method provided in the embodiment of the present application.

[0223] Alternatively, optionally, in an embodiment of the present application, the processor 301 may also perform processing-related functions in the method provided in the following embodiments of the present application, and the communication interface 304 is responsible for communicating with other devices or communication networks, which is not specifically limited in the embodiments of the present application.

[0224] Optionally, the computer-executable instructions in the embodiments of the present application may also be referred to as application code, which is not specifically limited in the embodiments of the present application.

[0225] In a specific implementation, as an embodiment, the communication device 30 may further include an output device 305 and an input device 306. The output device 305 communicates with the processor 301 and can display information in a variety of ways. For example, the output device 305 can be a liquid crystal display (LCD), a light emitting diode (LED) display device, a cathode ray tube (CRT) display device, or a projector. The input device 306 communicates with the processor 301 and can receive user input in a variety of ways. For example, the input device 306 can be a mouse, a keyboard, a touch screen device, or a sensor device.

[0226] It should be noted that the composition structure shown in Figure 3 does not constitute a limitation on the communication device. In addition to the components shown in Figure 3, the communication device may include more or fewer components than shown in the figure, or combine certain components, or arrange the components differently.

[0227] The communication method provided by the embodiment of the present application will be described below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. It will be understood that in the embodiment of the present application, the terminal device or the network device can perform some or all of the steps in the embodiment of the present application, and these steps or operations are only examples. The embodiment of the present application can also perform other operations or variations of various operations. In addition, the various steps can be performed in different orders presented in the embodiment of the present application, and it is possible that not all operations in the embodiment of the present application need to be performed.

[0228] As shown in FIG4 below, it is an interactive diagram of a communication method provided by the present application. Referring to FIG4, the communication method includes the following steps:

[0229] S401: A network device determines a channel status of a first channel occupied by the network device.

[0230] Exemplarily, the network device can monitor whether there are other nodes transmitting information on the first channel occupied by the network device to determine the channel status. When other nodes transmitting information are monitored, it indicates that the channel status is busy; when no other nodes transmitting information are monitored, it indicates that the channel status is idle.

[0231] S402: When it is determined that the channel status of the first channel occupied by the network device is idle, the network device sends first indication information to the terminal device; correspondingly, the terminal device receives the first indication information from the network device.

[0232] The first indication information is used to indicate that the channel status of the first channel occupied by the network device is idle.

[0233] Optionally, the network device may send the first indication information to the terminal device within a second preset time period; correspondingly, the terminal device may receive the first indication information from the network device within the second preset time period.

[0234] The second preset duration may be determined based on the following timeout subfield and the duration of the first indication information.

[0235] For example, the second preset duration is equal to the sum of the duration indicated by the timeout subfield and the duration of the first indication information.

[0236] The timeout subfield is described in the following content and will not be repeated here.

[0237] Optionally, the first indication information may be a survival frame.

[0238] The Survival frame may be a robust short management frame (such as a request to send (RTS) frame).

[0239] After receiving the first indication information, the terminal device can detect the channel status of the first channel occupied by the terminal device. When the channel status is idle, the following S403 can be executed; when the channel status is busy, the following S404 can be executed. Accordingly, the network device can also execute the following S405.

[0240] S403. When the terminal device receives the first indication information and determines that the channel status of the first channel occupied by the terminal device is idle, it sends confirmation information corresponding to the first indication information to the network device; accordingly, the network device receives the confirmation information corresponding to the first indication information from the terminal device.

[0241] The confirmation information corresponding to the first indication information may be an acknowledgement (ACK) frame or a clear to send (CTS) frame, without limitation.

[0242] Exemplarily, when the first indication information is a Survival frame, and the Survival frame is an RTS frame, the confirmation information corresponding to the first indication information is a CTS frame.

[0243] Optionally, after receiving the first indication information, the terminal device can detect the channel status of the first channel occupied by the terminal device, and when the channel status is idle, it can send confirmation information corresponding to the first indication information to the network device.

[0244] S404: When the terminal device receives the first indication information and determines that the channel status of the first channel occupied by the terminal device is busy, the terminal device switches the channel to the second channel at a first preset time point.

[0245] Among them, the first preset time point is the moment when the terminal device fails to complete the reception of the first indication information within the second preset time length and needs to jump to the second channel. It can be determined based on the duration information carried by the timeout subfield, the duration of the frame carried by the first indication information, the short inter frame space (SIFS), the duration of the confirmation information corresponding to the first indication information, and the attempt to interact with the first indication information on the currently occupied first channel.

[0246] For example, the first preset time point is the time point corresponding to the sum of the duration carried by the timeout subfield, the duration of the frame in which the first indication information is carried, the short interframe space, and the duration of the confirmation information corresponding to the first indication information, calculated from the start time of the attempt to exchange the first indication information on the currently occupied first channel. The start time of the attempt to exchange the first indication information on the currently occupied first channel is also the time point when the duration corresponding to the timeout subfield begins to be calculated.

[0247] Among them, when the number of retransmissions of the channel availability test of the first channel occupied by the terminal device is allowed, the second channel is the first channel; when the number of retransmissions of the channel availability test of the first channel occupied by the terminal device has reached the upper limit, but there are still preset anchor channels that have not been tested, the second channel is the next preset anchor channel; when the number of retransmissions of the channel availability test of the first channel occupied by the terminal device has reached the upper limit and all preset anchor channels have been tested, the second channel is the main channel.

[0248] It should be noted that the information associated with the number of attempts, retransmissions and the preset anchor channel is described in subsequent content and will not be repeated here.

[0249] It is understandable that the terminal device and the network device may switch the channel to the second channel at the same time.

[0250] Exemplarily, taking the first preset time point as the time point corresponding to the sum of the duration carried by the timeout subfield, the duration of the frame in which the first indication information is carried, the short inter-frame interval, and the duration of the confirmation information corresponding to the first indication information as an example, when the channel status of the first channel occupied by the terminal device is busy, the terminal device can switch the channel to the second channel at the first preset time point.

[0251] S405: The network device switches the channel to the second channel at a first preset time point according to the first instruction information.

[0252] Among them, the network device can start by sending a first indication message to the terminal device. If the reception of the confirmation message corresponding to the first indication message from the terminal device is not completed after the duration of the first indication message, SIFS and the duration of the confirmation message corresponding to the first indication message, the network device can switch the channel to the second channel at a first preset time point.

[0253] Optionally, after the terminal device and the network device switch to the second channel, a channel availability detection may be performed on the second channel to determine whether the channel state of the channel is consistent with that of the first channel.

[0254] For example, taking the case where the channel status of the first preset anchor channel is idle, after the terminal device and the network device switch to the first preset anchor channel, the network device detects that the channel status of the first preset anchor channel is idle, and the network device can send a first indication message to the terminal device. The terminal device receives the first indication message and detects that the channel status of the first preset anchor channel is idle. The terminal device can send a confirmation message corresponding to the first indication message to the network device. Then, the terminal device and the network device can communicate on the first preset anchor channel.

[0255] Based on the communication method shown in Figure 4 above, the terminal device can determine that the channel status of the first channel occupied by the network device is idle based on the first indication information; when it is determined that the channel status of the first channel occupied by the terminal device is idle, the terminal device can send confirmation information corresponding to the first indication information to the network device, so that the network device determines that the channel status of the first channel occupied by the terminal device is idle, and then the network device can communicate with the terminal device on the first channel, avoiding the problem of inconsistent understanding of the channel status between the network device and the terminal device due to hidden nodes, reducing the negative impact of hidden nodes, and ensuring the reliability of communication; when it is determined that the channel status of the first channel occupied by the terminal device is busy, the terminal device can switch to the second channel at a first preset time point, and the network device can also switch to the second channel at the first preset time point at the same time as the terminal device without receiving the confirmation information corresponding to the first indication information.

[0256] That is, the network device and the terminal device can test whether they can communicate through the first channel. If both the network device and the terminal device determine that the channel status of the first channel is idle, they can communicate through the first channel. Otherwise, they both switch to the second channel and continue to test whether they can communicate through the second channel. This avoids the problem of inconsistent understanding of channel status between the network device and the terminal device due to hidden nodes, and improves communication reliability.

[0257] Different from the communication method described in FIG4 , the present application further proposes a communication method in which a terminal device switches a channel to a second channel when the terminal device does not receive the first indication information from the network device, as shown in FIG5 below:

[0258] S501: A network device determines a channel status of a first channel occupied by the network device.

[0259] Exemplarily, the network device can monitor whether there are other nodes transmitting information on the first channel occupied by the network device to determine the channel status. When other nodes transmitting information are monitored, it indicates that the channel status is busy; when no other nodes transmitting information are monitored, it indicates that the channel status is idle.

[0260] S502: The terminal device determines a second preset duration.

[0261] The second preset duration may be determined based on the following timeout subfield and the duration of the first indication information.

[0262] For example, the second preset duration is equal to the sum of the duration indicated by the timeout subfield and the duration of the first indication information.

[0263] The timeout subfield is described in the following content and will not be repeated here.

[0264] S503: The network device determines a second preset duration.

[0265] Optionally, the network device may detect the channel status of the first channel occupied by the network device within a second preset time period. When the channel status is busy, the network device does not send the first indication information to the terminal device.

[0266] It should be noted that there is no absolute order among S501, S502 and S503.

[0267] S504: If the terminal device does not receive the first indication information from the network device within the second preset time period, the terminal device switches the channel to the second channel at the first preset time point after the second preset time period.

[0268] The first preset time point is as described above and will not be described in detail herein. The first indication information is used to indicate that the channel status of the first channel occupied by the network device is idle.

[0269] S505: After the second preset time period, at the first preset time point, the network device switches the channel to the second channel.

[0270] If the network device detects that the channel status of the first channel occupied by the network device is busy within the second preset time period, the network device switches the channel to the second channel at the first preset time point after the second preset time period.

[0271] It should be noted that there is no absolute order between S504 and S505.

[0272] Optionally, after the terminal device and the network device switch to the second channel, a channel availability detection may be performed on the second channel to determine whether the channel state of the channel is consistent with that of the first channel.

[0273] Based on the communication methods shown in FIG4 and FIG5 , the present application proposes two possible embodiments:

[0274] In one possible embodiment, taking the first indication information as a Survival frame and the confirmation information corresponding to the first indication information as an ACK frame as an example, for the terminal device, as shown in Figure 6 below, when the terminal device receives a Survival frame from the network device within the second preset time period and sends an ACK frame to the network device, it indicates that the channel status of the first channel occupied by the terminal device and the first channel occupied by the network device are both idle, and the terminal device can communicate with the network device through the first channel; when the terminal device does not receive a Survival frame from the network device within the second preset time period, it indicates that the channel status of the first channel occupied by the network device is busy, and the terminal device can switch the channel to the second channel at the first preset time point after the second preset time period; when the terminal device receives a Survival frame from the network device within the second preset time period and does not send an ACK frame to the network device, it indicates that the channel status of the first channel occupied by the terminal device is busy, and the terminal device switches the channel to the second channel at the first preset time point.

[0275] Another possible embodiment, taking the first indication information as a Survival frame and the confirmation information corresponding to the first indication information as an ACK frame as an example, for the network device, as shown in Figure 7 below, when the network device sends a Survival frame to the terminal device within the second preset time length, it indicates that the channel state of the first channel occupied by the network device is idle, and when the network device receives an ACK frame from the terminal device, it indicates that the channel state of the first channel occupied by the terminal device is idle, and the network device can communicate with the terminal device through the first channel; when the network device does not receive an ACK frame from the terminal device, it indicates that the channel state of the first channel occupied by the terminal device is busy, and the network device can switch the channel to the second channel at the first preset time point after the second preset time length; when the network device does not send a Survival frame to the terminal device within the second preset time length, it indicates that the channel state of the first channel occupied by the network device is busy, and the network device can switch the channel to the second channel at the first preset time point.

[0276] The terminal device and the network device can be in the survival confirmation phase according to the communication method shown in Figures 4 to 7 above, that is, the network device and the terminal device confirm the channel status of the first channel with each other, avoiding the problem of inconsistent understanding of the channel status by the network device and the terminal device due to hidden nodes, reducing the negative impact of hidden nodes, and improving the reliability of communication.

[0277] Optionally, when the first preset condition is met, the network device and the terminal device can complete the channel availability detection without interacting with the first indication information.

[0278] Among them, the first preset condition is that the network device and the terminal device are communicating.

[0279] For example, taking the network device and the terminal device performing periodic channel availability detection as an example, when a period starts, the network device and the terminal device are communicating, then the network device and the terminal device can skip the channel availability detection of this period and continue to communicate through the currently occupied channel.

[0280] Optionally, when the second preset condition is met, the network device and the terminal device can complete the channel availability detection without interacting with the first indication information.

[0281] Among them, the second preset condition is one or more of the following: the network device and the terminal device are communicating; the terminal device can detect that the network device and other devices are communicating; the network device can detect that the terminal device and other devices are communicating.

[0282] For example, taking the network device and terminal device performing periodic channel availability detection as an example, when a cycle starts, the terminal device detects that the network device is communicating with other devices, or the network device detects that the terminal device is communicating with other devices, then the network device and the terminal device can skip the channel availability detection of this cycle, and the network device and the terminal device cannot communicate through any channel at this time.

[0283] Based on the communication methods shown in Figures 4 to 7 above, the present application also proposes a communication method that enables the terminal device and the network device to periodically perform channel availability detection and dynamically determine the channel status. The specific steps are shown in Figure 8 below:

[0284] S801. The network device sends second indication information to the terminal device; correspondingly, the terminal device receives the second indication information from the network device.

[0285] The second indication information is used to indicate initiation of entry into the SM mode; the second indication information includes parameters associated with the SM mode.

[0286] The SM mode is a mode for periodically determining the channel state of a channel.

[0287] The second indication information is also used to update parameters associated with the SM mode.

[0288] In one possible implementation, in SM mode, when the terminal device and the network device perform periodic channel availability detection, within each cycle, the terminal device and the network device will perform channel availability detection on the main channel and each preset anchor channel in turn until a channel on which the terminal device and the network device can communicate is detected, or the channel availability detection of the main channel and each preset anchor channel is completed; when performing channel availability detection on the main channel or a preset anchor channel, the terminal device and the network device will attempt to interact with the first indication information within the range allowed by the information carried by the retransmission subfield in the parameters associated with the SM mode, until the result of an attempt is that the terminal device and the network device can communicate on the currently occupied first channel, or until the number of attempts on the currently occupied first channel in the current cycle reaches the upper limit; in a certain attempt to interact with the first indication information, the terminal device performs availability detection on the currently occupied first channel according to the process shown in Figure 6, and the network device performs availability detection on the currently occupied first channel according to the process shown in Figure 7.

[0289] The terminal device and the network device may perform channel availability detection on the main channel and all preset anchor channels within a cycle. If no available channel is detected, the terminal device and the network device will no longer perform channel availability detection within the cycle.

[0290] Among them, the retransmission subfield in the parameters associated with the SM mode is described in subsequent content and will not be repeated here.

[0291] Exemplarily, the parameters associated with the SM mode may include one or more of the following: the start time of the periodic channel availability detection, the time interval of the periodic channel availability detection, the duration of the periodic channel availability detection, the information associated with the second channel, or the duration of the channel availability detection.

[0292] Among them, the parameters associated with the SM mode can be described in detail in the following fields and will not be repeated here.

[0293] S802: The terminal device periodically performs channel detection and channel availability detection according to parameters associated with the SM mode to determine the channel status of the first channel occupied by the terminal device.

[0294] S803: The network device periodically performs channel detection and channel availability detection according to parameters associated with the SM mode to determine the channel status of the first channel occupied by the network device.

[0295] It should be noted that there is no order of precedence for S802 and S803.

[0296] Optionally, after receiving the second indication information from the network device, the terminal device may further send third indication information to the network device as shown in S801a in FIG8 :

[0297] S801a. The terminal device sends third indication information to the network device according to the second indication information; correspondingly, the network device receives the third indication information from the terminal device.

[0298] The third indication information is used to indicate the parameters associated with the SM mode.

[0299] Among them, the terminal device sends the third indication information to the network device, which can enable the network device to determine that the terminal device agrees with the parameters associated with the SM mode.

[0300] Optionally, the third indication information sent by the terminal device to the network device can be used to indicate that the terminal device disagrees with the parameters associated with the SM mode of the second indication information. At this time, the terminal device and the network device do not periodically perform channel availability detection based on the parameters associated with the SM mode of the second indication information.

[0301] For example, when the third indication information is used to indicate that the terminal device disagrees with the parameters associated with the SM mode of the second indication information, the network device and the terminal device do not perform steps S802 and S803.

[0302] Based on the communication method shown in Figures 4 to 7 above, unlike the network device sending the second indication information to the terminal device in Figure 8, the terminal device can also send the second indication information to the network device, so that the terminal device and the network device periodically perform channel availability detection based on the second indication information, and the channel status can be dynamically determined. This application proposes two possible implementations:

[0303] In one possible implementation, as shown in FIG9 below, the second indication information sent by the terminal device to the network device includes parameters associated with the SM mode.

[0304] S901. The terminal device sends second indication information to the network device; correspondingly, the network device may receive the second indication information from the terminal device.

[0305] The second indication information is used to indicate initiation of entry into SM mode.

[0306] The second indication information is also used to update parameters associated with the SM mode.

[0307] S902: The network device periodically performs channel detection and channel availability detection according to parameters associated with the SM mode to determine the channel status of the first channel occupied by the network device.

[0308] S903: The terminal device periodically performs channel detection and channel availability detection according to the parameters associated with the SM mode to determine the channel status of the first channel occupied by the terminal device.

[0309] It should be noted that there is no order of precedence between S902 and S903.

[0310] Optionally, after receiving the second indication information from the terminal device, the network device may further send third indication information to the terminal device as shown in S901a in FIG. 9 :

[0311] S901a. The network device sends third indication information to the terminal device; correspondingly, the terminal device receives the third indication information from the network device.

[0312] The third indication information is used to indicate the parameters associated with the SM mode.

[0313] Among them, the network device sends the third indication information to the terminal device, which can enable the terminal device to determine that the network device agrees with the parameters associated with the SM mode.

[0314] Optionally, the third indication information sent by the network device to the terminal device can also be used to indicate that the network device disagrees with the parameters associated with the SM mode of the second indication information. At this time, the terminal device and the network device do not periodically perform channel detection and channel availability detection based on the parameters associated with the SM mode of the second indication information.

[0315] For example, when the third indication information is used to indicate that the terminal device disagrees with the parameters associated with the SM mode of the second indication information, the network device and the terminal device do not perform steps S902 and S903.

[0316] In another possible implementation, as shown in FIG10 below, the second indication information sent by the terminal device to the network device includes or does not include parameters associated with the SM mode.

[0317] S1001. The terminal device sends second indication information to the network device; correspondingly, the network device can receive the second indication information from the terminal device.

[0318] The second indication information is used to indicate initiation of entry into the SM mode, or the second indication information may also be used to indicate update of parameters associated with the SM mode.

[0319] S1002. The network device sends fourth indication information to the terminal device; correspondingly, the terminal device receives the fourth indication information from the network device.

[0320] Among them, the fourth indication information is used to indicate disagreement with entering the SM mode, and / or disagreement with the SM mode-associated parameters in the second indication information when the second indication information includes SM mode-associated parameters; the fourth indication information includes SM mode-associated parameters or new SM mode-associated parameters.

[0321] Among them, the network device sends the fourth indication information to the terminal device, which can enable the terminal device to determine that the network device does not agree to enter the SM mode immediately or update the parameters associated with the SM mode, and enable the terminal device to receive the SM mode-associated parameters recommended by the network device.

[0322] S1003: The network device periodically performs channel detection and channel availability detection according to parameters associated with the SM mode to determine the channel status of the first channel occupied by the network device.

[0323] S1004. The terminal device periodically performs channel detection and channel availability detection according to the parameters associated with the SM mode to determine the channel status of the first channel occupied by the terminal device.

[0324] It should be noted that there is no order of precedence for S1003 and S1004.

[0325] Optionally, after receiving the fourth indication information from the network device, the terminal device may further send third indication information to the network device as shown in S1002a in FIG10 :

[0326] S1002a. The terminal device sends third indication information to the network device; correspondingly, the network device receives the third indication information from the terminal device.

[0327] Among them, the terminal device sends the third indication information to the network device, which can enable the network device to determine that the terminal device agrees with the parameters associated with the SM mode.

[0328] It can be understood that the terminal device sending the third indication information to the network device can also be used to indicate that the terminal device does not agree with the parameters associated with the SM mode of the fourth indication information. At this time, the terminal device and the network device do not periodically perform channel availability detection based on the parameters associated with the SM mode of the fourth indication information.

[0329] For example, when the third indication information is used to indicate that the terminal device disagrees with the parameters associated with the SM mode of the second indication information, the network device and the terminal device do not perform steps S1003 and S1004.

[0330] Among them, the network device and the terminal device can be in a negotiation phase based on the communication method of Figures 8-10 above, that is, the network device and the terminal device negotiate the parameters associated with the SM mode, and if the negotiation is successful, enter the SM mode.

[0331] Optionally, the terminal device or network device can determine the second preset duration and the first preset time point based on parameters associated with the SM mode.

[0332] Among them, the terminal device or network device can determine the second preset duration and the first preset time point based on the channel availability detection timeout subfield in the parameters associated with the SM mode and the duration of the first indication information.

[0333] Based on the communication methods shown in Figures 8 to 10 above, this application proposes two possible embodiments:

[0334] In a first possible embodiment, as shown in FIG11 below, for a network device, the second indication information sent by the network device to the terminal device includes parameters associated with the SM mode. When the terminal device agrees with the parameters associated with the SM mode, a third indication information for indicating agreement is sent to the network device, indicating that the negotiation is successful and the two enter the SM mode; when the terminal device disagrees with the parameters associated with the SM mode, a third indication information for indicating disagreement is sent to the network device, indicating that the negotiation fails and the two do not enter the SM mode.

[0335] In a second possible embodiment, as shown in Figure 12 below, for the terminal device, if the second indication information sent by the terminal device to the network device includes parameters associated with the SM mode, when the network device agrees to the parameters associated with the SM mode, a third indication information for indicating agreement is sent to the terminal device, indicating that the negotiation is successful and the two enter the SM mode; when the network device disagrees with the parameters associated with the SM mode, a fourth indication information including the parameters associated with the SM mode is sent to the terminal device; when the terminal device agrees to the parameters associated with the SM mode, a third indication information for indicating agreement is sent to the network device, indicating that the negotiation is successful and the two enter the SM mode; when the terminal device disagrees with the parameters associated with the SM mode, a third indication information for indicating disagreement is sent to the network device, indicating that the negotiation fails and the two do not enter the SM mode.

[0336] If the second indication information sent by the terminal device to the network device does not include parameters associated with the SM mode, the network device may send a fourth indication information to the terminal device indicating that the negotiation failed and including parameters associated with the SM mode. When the terminal device agrees to the parameters associated with the SM mode, the third indication information for indicating agreement is sent to the network device, indicating that the negotiation is successful and the two enter the SM mode; when the terminal device disagrees with the parameters associated with the SM mode, the third indication information for indicating disagreement is sent to the network device, indicating that the negotiation failed and the two do not enter the SM mode.

[0337] It can be understood that the terminal device and the network device can update the parameters associated with the SM mode in the second indication information according to the actual communication situation.

[0338] For example, taking the case where the network device updates the parameters associated with the SM mode and sends a second indication message, if the terminal device agrees to the updated parameters associated with the SM mode after receiving the second indication message, the terminal device may send a third indication message to the network device to indicate agreement, then the updated parameters associated with the SM mode will take effect at both the terminal device and the network device; if the terminal device disagrees with the updated parameters associated with the SM mode after receiving the second indication message, the terminal device sends a third indication message to the network device to indicate disagreement, so that the network device determines that the terminal device disagrees with the updated parameters associated with the SM mode, then the updated parameters associated with the SM mode will not take effect at both the terminal device and the network device.

[0339] Based on the communication methods shown in Figures 4 to 12 above, this application also proposes a communication method for exiting SM mode:

[0340] In a first possible implementation, the terminal device sends the fifth indication information to the network device; correspondingly, the network device receives the fifth indication information from the terminal device.

[0341] Among them, the fifth indication information is used to instruct the terminal device to exit SM mode.

[0342] The network device may send confirmation information corresponding to the fifth indication information to the terminal device, to indicate that the network device agrees to exit the SM mode; correspondingly, the terminal device receives confirmation information corresponding to the fifth indication information from the network device.

[0343] The confirmation information corresponding to the fifth indication information may be an ACK frame or a CTS frame, without limitation.

[0344] Among them, the terminal device can exit the SM mode when completing the reception of the confirmation information corresponding to the fifth indication information; correspondingly, the network device exits the SM mode when completing the sending of the confirmation information corresponding to the fifth indication information.

[0345] In a second possible implementation, the network device and the terminal device may determine the duration of the SM mode according to parameters associated with the SM mode, and exit the SM mode after the duration.

[0346] Among them, the network device and the terminal device can determine the duration of the SM mode based on the duration subfield in the second indication information or the fourth indication information.

[0347] The duration subfield in the second indication information or the fourth indication information is described in detail in the following content and will not be repeated here.

[0348] In a third possible implementation, the network device sends the fifth indication information to the terminal device; correspondingly, the terminal device receives the fifth indication information from the network device.

[0349] Among them, the fifth indication information is used to instruct the network device to exit the SM mode.

[0350] Optionally, the terminal device may send confirmation information corresponding to the fifth indication information to the network device, to indicate that the terminal device agrees to exit the SM mode; accordingly, the network device receives confirmation information corresponding to the fifth indication information from the terminal device.

[0351] The confirmation information corresponding to the fifth indication information may be an ACK frame or a CTS frame, without limitation.

[0352] Among them, the network device can exit the SM mode when completing the reception of the confirmation information corresponding to the fifth indication information; correspondingly, the terminal device network device exits the SM mode when completing the sending of the confirmation information corresponding to the fifth indication information.

[0353] Among them, the network device and the terminal device can exit the SM mode based on the above-mentioned method of exiting the SM mode, or the network device and the terminal device can exit the SM mode according to the duration of the SM mode.

[0354] Based on the indication information shown in Figures 8 to 12, the present application also proposes that the second indication information, the third indication information, the fourth indication information, and the fifth indication information may include a control field.

[0355] The second indication information and the fourth indication information may be collectively referred to as indication information.

[0356] It should be noted that the first indication information is different from the above indication information.

[0357] The control field may include one or more of the following: a removal subfield, an initiation subfield, or a success subfield.

[0358] The demolition subfield is used to indicate exiting the SM mode.

[0359] For example, when the demolition subfield is 1, the other subfields of the control field are reserved, indicating exiting the SM mode, and the demolition subfield is 0, indicating not exiting the SM mode; or, when the demolition subfield is 0, the other subfields of the control field are reserved, indicating exiting the SM mode, and the demolition subfield is 1, indicating not exiting the SM mode.

[0360] For example, when the demolition subfield is 1, indicating exiting the SM mode, the indication information may be the fifth indication information; or, when the demolition subfield is 0, indicating exiting the SM mode, the indication information may be the fifth indication information.

[0361] The initiation subfield is used to indicate initiation of entry into the SM mode, or the initiation subfield is used to indicate initiation of updating of parameters associated with the SM mode.

[0362] For example, when the initiation subfield is 1, it indicates initiating entry into SM mode or initiating an update of parameters associated with SM mode, the success subfield is reserved, and the initiation subfield is 0, indicating that the frame in which this field is located is not used to initiate entry into SM mode or initiating an update of parameters associated with SM mode; or, when the initiation subfield is 0, it indicates initiating entry into SM mode, the success subfield is reserved, and the initiation subfield is 1, indicating that the frame in which this field is located is not used to initiate entry into SM mode or initiating an update of parameters associated with SM mode.

[0363] For example, when the initiation subfield is 1 to initiate entry into SM mode or to initiate parameter update of SM mode, the indication information may be the second indication information; or, when the initiation subfield is 0 to initiate entry into SM mode or to initiate parameter update of SM mode, the indication information may be the second indication information.

[0364] The success subfield is used to indicate whether the parameters associated with the SM mode are approved.

[0365] For example, if the Success subfield is 1, it indicates that the negotiation is successful and the SM mode parameters are effective; if the Success subfield is 0, it indicates that the negotiation failed and the SM mode parameters are not effective. Alternatively, if the Success subfield is 0, it indicates that the negotiation is successful and the SM mode parameters are effective; if the Success subfield is 1, it indicates that the negotiation failed and the SM mode parameters are not effective.

[0366] Optionally, the control field may further include one or more of the following: a first target survival transmission time subfield, a timeout subfield, a time interval subfield, an anchor channel subfield, or a duration subfield.

[0367] The first target survival transmission time subfield is used to indicate whether the first target survival transmission time subfield in the non-primary channel selection parameter field appears.

[0368] Exemplarily, when the First Existing Target Survival Transmission Time subfield is 1, it indicates that the First Target Survival Transmission Time subfield in the Non-Primary Channel Selection Parameters field is present; when the First Existing Target Survival Transmission Time subfield is 0, it indicates that the First Target Survival Transmission Time subfield in the Non-Primary Channel Selection Parameters field is not present. Alternatively, when the First Existing Target Survival Transmission Time subfield is 0, it indicates that the First Target Survival Transmission Time subfield in the Non-Primary Channel Selection Parameters field is present; when the First Existing Target Survival Transmission Time subfield is 1, it indicates that the First Target Survival Transmission Time subfield in the Non-Primary Channel Selection Parameters field is not present.

[0369] The existence of the timeout subfield is used to indicate whether the timeout subfield in the non-primary channel selection parameter field appears.

[0370] Exemplarily, when the Timeout subfield is 1, it indicates that the Timeout subfield in the non-primary channel selection parameter field is present; when the Timeout subfield is 0, it indicates that the Timeout subfield in the non-primary channel selection parameter field is not present. Alternatively, when the Timeout subfield is 0, it indicates that the Timeout subfield in the non-primary channel selection parameter field is present; when the Timeout subfield is 1, it indicates that the Timeout subfield in the non-primary channel selection parameter field is not present.

[0371] The existence of the time interval subfield is used to indicate whether the time interval subfield in the non-primary channel selection parameter field appears.

[0372] Illustratively, when the Time Interval subfield is 1, it indicates that the Time Interval subfield in the non-primary channel selection parameter field is present; when the Time Interval subfield is 0, it indicates that the Time Interval subfield in the non-primary channel selection parameter field is not present. Alternatively, when the Time Interval subfield is 0, it indicates that the Time Interval subfield in the non-primary channel selection parameter field is present; when the Time Interval subfield is 1, it indicates that the Time Interval subfield in the non-primary channel selection parameter field is not present.

[0373] The presence of the anchor channel subfield is used to indicate whether the anchor channel subfield in the non-primary channel selection parameter field appears.

[0374] Exemplarily, when the Anchor Channel Subfield is 1, it indicates that the Anchor Channel subfield in the Non-Primary Channel Selection Parameters field is present; when the Anchor Channel Subfield is 0, it indicates that the Anchor Channel subfield in the Non-Primary Channel Selection Parameters field is not present. Alternatively, when the Anchor Channel Subfield is 0, it indicates that the Anchor Channel subfield in the Non-Primary Channel Selection Parameters field is present; when the Anchor Channel Subfield is 1, it indicates that the Anchor Channel subfield in the Non-Primary Channel Selection Parameters field is not present.

[0375] The presence of the duration subfield is used to indicate whether the duration subfield in the non-primary channel selection parameter field appears.

[0376] For example, when the value of the Duration subfield is 1, it indicates that the Duration subfield in the non-primary channel selection parameter field is present; when the value of the Duration subfield is 0, it indicates that the Duration subfield in the non-primary channel selection parameter field is not present. Alternatively, when the value of the Duration subfield is 0, it indicates that the Duration subfield in the non-primary channel selection parameter field is present; when the value of the Duration subfield is 1, it indicates that the Duration subfield in the non-primary channel selection parameter field is not present.

[0377] It should be noted that the above-mentioned non-primary channel selection parameter field is described in the following content and will not be repeated here.

[0378] In one possible embodiment, the control field may be as shown in FIG13 below, that is, the control field may include: a dismantling subfield, an initiation subfield, a success subfield, a first target survival transmission time subfield, a timeout subfield, a time interval subfield, an anchor channel subfield, and a duration subfield.

[0379] Exemplarily, each subfield in the control field may be 1 bit.

[0380] Optionally, the second indication information and the fourth indication information may further include a non-primary channel selection parameter field.

[0381] Among them, the non-main channel selection parameter field is used to indicate the parameters associated with the SM mode, and the non-main channel selection parameter field may include one or more of the following: first target survival transmission time subfield, timeout subfield, time interval subfield, duration subfield, or anchor channel subfield.

[0382] The first target survival transmission time subfield is used to indicate the start time of the first channel availability detection.

[0383] Exemplarily, the network device or the terminal device may determine the start time for periodically detecting the channel availability based on the time indicated by the first target survival transmission time subfield, thereby ensuring that the network device and the terminal device detect the channel status of the channel at the same time.

[0384] The timeout subfield is used to indicate the maximum duration for the network device to send the first indication information to the terminal device.

[0385] It can be understood that the second preset duration is the sum of the value of the timeout subfield and the duration of the frame carried by the first indication information.

[0386] Exemplarily, the network device detects the channel status of the first channel occupied by the network device within the second preset duration indicated by the timeout subfield. If the channel status is idle, the network device can send a first indication message to the terminal device; accordingly, the terminal device can also receive the first indication message within the duration indicated by the timeout subfield and the duration of the first indication message.

[0387] The time interval subfield is used to indicate the period of channel availability detection;

[0388] Exemplarily, the terminal device or the network device may perform periodic channel availability detection based on the first target survival transmission time subfield and the time interval subfield.

[0389] The duration subfield is used to indicate the duration of the SM mode starting from the time value carried by the first target survival transmission subfield.

[0390] Exemplarily, the terminal device or network device may determine the duration of the SM mode based on the duration indicated by the duration subfield, and actively exit the SM mode after the duration of the SM mode.

[0391] The anchor channel subfield is used to indicate parameters associated with the preset anchor channel.

[0392] Exemplarily, the network device and the terminal device may simultaneously switch channels to the same preset anchor channel (ie, the second channel) according to the parameters in the anchor channel subfield, to ensure that the terminal device and the network device are in the same preset anchor channel.

[0393] In one possible embodiment, the non-primary channel selection parameter field may be as shown in FIG14 below, that is, the non-primary channel selection parameter field may include a first target survival transmission time subfield, a timeout subfield, a time interval subfield, a duration subfield, and an anchor channel subfield.

[0394] Exemplarily, when a network device or terminal device enters SM mode, the first target survival transmission time subfield, timeout subfield, time interval subfield, duration subfield, and anchor channel subfield may appear at the same time, or may not appear at the same time, depending on whether they appear or not, as indicated by the control field.

[0395] Among them, when the first target survival transmission time subfield, timeout subfield, time interval subfield, duration subfield, and anchor channel subfield appear at the same time, the first target survival transmission time subfield, timeout subfield, time interval subfield, duration subfield, and anchor channel subfield are all 2 8-bit bytes.

[0396] The anchor channel subfield may include one or more of the following: an anchor channel quantity subfield, a retransmission subfield, a primary channel subfield, or identification information subfields of one or more preset anchor channels.

[0397] The anchor channel number subfield is used to indicate the number of preset anchor channels.

[0398] Exemplarily, the network device or the terminal device may determine which preset anchor channel identification information subfields are valid and which preset anchor channel identification information subfields are invalid based on the anchor channel quantity subfield.

[0399] For example, taking the anchor channel number subfield as 2, only the identification information of two preset anchor channels is valid, and the identification information subfields of other preset anchor channels are reserved.

[0400] The retransmission subfield is used to indicate the maximum number of times that the first indication information can be attempted to be sent or received on the same preset anchor channel in a cycle of channel availability detection.

[0401] The first indication information is used to indicate that the channel status of the first channel occupied by the network device is idle.

[0402] Regarding the concept of an attempt, the attempt in which a network device sends first indication information to a terminal device and receives confirmation information from the terminal device can be referred to as an attempt. For example, the network device and the terminal device can perform an attempt on a first channel to determine whether the channel status of the first channel is idle.

[0403] Illustratively, the network device and the terminal device may perform multiple attempts based on the number of retransmissions indicated by the retransmission subfield, where the upper limit of the number of attempts is the number of retransmissions indicated by the retransmission subfield plus one. When the upper limit of the number of attempts is reached, the channel status of the first channel is determined to be busy, and the first channel is considered unavailable. The network device and the terminal device then switch to the next preset anchor channel, perform multiple attempts on the next preset anchor channel, and determine an available preset anchor channel.

[0404] It is understandable that the terminal device or the network device may also make multiple attempts based on the retransmission subfield on the preset anchor channel.

[0405] In one possible implementation, assuming the number of retransmissions is three and the first channel is the primary channel, after four attempts on the primary channel, the terminal device and the network device determine that the channel status of the primary channel is busy, and then switch the channel to the second channel (such as the preset anchor channel 1). Similarly, after four attempts on the preset anchor channel 1, the terminal device determines that the channel status of the preset anchor channel 1 is busy, and then switches the channel to the preset anchor channel 2. The above operations are continued until the preset anchor channel status is determined to be idle. If the terminal device and the network device determine that the channel status is busy after four attempts on all preset anchor channels, the terminal device and the network device return to the primary channel.

[0406] The identification information subfield of each preset anchor channel is used to indicate identification information of the preset anchor channel.

[0407] Optionally, the identification information subfields of the multiple preset anchor channels may be identification information 1 subfield of the preset anchor channel, identification information 2 subfield of the preset anchor channel, identification information 3 subfield of the preset anchor channel, and identification information 4 subfield of the preset anchor channel.

[0408] Exemplarily, the terminal device or the network device may determine the preset anchor channel to be switched based on the order of the identification information subfields of one or more anchor channels.

[0409] For example, when the network device and the terminal device determine that the channel status of the first channel is busy after multiple attempts, they can switch to the first preset anchor channel associated with the identification information 1 subfield of the anchor channel. Similarly, the network device and the terminal device can make multiple attempts on the first preset anchor channel. If the channel status of the first preset anchor channel is busy after multiple attempts, the network device and the terminal device can switch to the second preset anchor channel associated with the identification information 2 subfield of the anchor channel, and so on, to determine the preset anchor channel whose channel status is idle.

[0410] It is understandable that if all attempts to preset anchor channels are unsuccessful, that is, the channel statuses of all preset anchor channels are busy, the network device and the terminal device will switch the channel to the primary channel.

[0411] The primary channel subfield is used to indicate identification information of the primary channel.

[0412] For example, the identification information of the primary channel may be location identification information (identity, ID) of the primary channel.

[0413] Optionally, the network device or the terminal device may determine the position of the preset anchor channel in the channel according to the main channel subfield and the identification information field of each preset anchor channel.

[0414] For example, taking a total of 8 sub-channels with a bandwidth of 20MHz, the main channel subfield is 3, and the identification information 1 subfield of the preset anchor channel is 5, the position of the preset anchor channel associated with the identification information 1 subfield of the preset anchor channel in the channel is the second 20MHz bandwidth sub-channel at the high frequency of the main channel.

[0415] In one possible embodiment, the anchor channel subfield can be as shown in Figure 15 below, where the anchor channel subfield includes: an anchor channel quantity subfield, a retransmission subfield, a primary channel subfield, an identification information 1 subfield of a preset anchor channel, an identification information 2 subfield of a preset anchor channel, an identification information 3 subfield of a preset anchor channel, and an identification information 4 subfield of a preset anchor channel.

[0416] Among them, the anchor channel number subfield and the retransmission subfield are both 2 bits, the primary channel subfield, the preset anchor channel identification information 1 subfield, the preset anchor channel identification information 2 subfield, the preset anchor channel identification information 3 subfield, and the preset anchor channel identification information 4 subfield are all 4 bits.

[0417] Optionally, the indication information may include an SM frame or any other type of frame without limitation.

[0418] In one possible embodiment, the presence of any subfield of the non-primary channel selection parameter field is deemed to be the presence of the non-primary channel selection parameter field. When the second indication information and the fourth indication information are used to indicate entry into SM mode, all subfields of the non-primary channel selection parameter field may appear or none may appear. When the second indication information is used to indicate an update of parameters associated with the SM mode, subfields of the non-primary channel selection parameter field may appear selectively, i.e., subfields corresponding to the SM parameters that need to be updated appear. In this case, the non-primary channel selection parameter field of the corresponding fourth indication information includes and only includes the subfields included in the non-primary channel selection parameter field of the second indication information.

[0419] The SM frame may be an SM action frame or a management frame of an SM element.

[0420] In a possible embodiment, taking the SM frame as an SM action frame as an example, the frame structure of the SM action frame can be as shown in Figure 16 below. The SM action frame may include: a category field, a dialog token field, a control field, and a non-primary channel selection parameter field.

[0421] Among them, the category field needs to be reassigned a new category value to indicate that the action frame is an SM action frame, which serves as an identifier of the SM action frame; the dialogue tag field is used to indicate the corresponding negotiation process; the control field and the non-primary channel selection parameter field are consistent with the description of the above-mentioned control field and non-primary channel selection parameter field, and are not repeated here.

[0422] Among them, the category field and the dialogue tag field are both 1 8-bit byte; the control field is 1 8-bit byte; and the number of bits in the non-primary channel selection parameter field is variable.

[0423] For example, taking the second indication information and the third indication information as an example, when the second indication information and the third indication information are the same negotiation process and both include SM action frames, the value of the dialogue tag field of the second indication information and the dialogue tag field of the third indication information can be the same value.

[0424] In another possible embodiment, taking the SM frame as an SM element frame as an example, the frame structure of the SM element can be as shown in Figure 17 below. The SM element frame may include: element identification information (element identity, Element ID) field, length (Length) field, additional element identification information (Element ID Extension) field, control field and non-primary channel selection parameter field.

[0425] Among them, the element identification information field and the additional element identification information field need to be reallocated with new element values ​​to indicate that the element frame is an SM element frame; the length field is used to indicate the length of the SM element frame, and the control field and the non-main channel selection parameter field are consistent with the description of the above-mentioned control field and non-main channel selection parameter field, and will not be repeated here.

[0426] Among them, the element identification information identification number field, length field, and additional element identification information field are all 1 8-bit byte; the control field is 1 8-bit byte; and the number of bits of the non-primary channel selection parameter field is variable.

[0427] It should be noted that the various embodiments of this application can be implemented independently or in combination, without limitation. Unless otherwise specified or there is a logical conflict, the terms and / or descriptions of the different embodiments provided in this application are consistent and can be referenced by each other. The technical features in different embodiments can be combined to form new embodiments based on their inherent logical relationships.

[0428] It is understood that in the embodiments of the present application, the execution subject may perform some or all of the steps in the embodiments of the present application. These steps or operations are merely examples, and the embodiments of the present application may also perform other operations or variations of various operations. In addition, the various steps may be performed in a different order than those presented in the embodiments of the present application, and it is possible that not all operations in the embodiments of the present application need to be performed.

[0429] The above mainly introduces the solution provided by this application from the perspective of interaction between various devices. Accordingly, this application also provides a communication device, which is used to implement the various methods described above. The communication device can be the terminal device involved in the above method embodiments, or a device including the terminal device, or a component that can be used for the terminal device; or the communication device can be the network device involved in the above method embodiments, or a device including the network device, or a component that can be used for the network device; or the communication device can be the terminal device in the above method embodiments, or a device including the above terminal device, or a component that can be used for the terminal device.

[0430] It is understandable that, in order to realize the above functions, the communication device includes hardware structures and / or software modules corresponding to the execution of each function. It should be easily appreciated by those skilled in the art that, in combination with the units and algorithm steps of each example described in the embodiments disclosed herein, the present application can be implemented in the form of hardware or a combination of hardware and computer software. Whether a function is executed in the form of hardware or computer software driving hardware depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution. Professional and technical personnel can use different methods to implement the described functions for each specific application, but such implementation should not be considered to be beyond the scope of this application.

[0431] The embodiment of the present application can divide the functional modules of the communication device according to the above method embodiment. For example, each functional module can be divided according to each function, or two or more functions can be integrated into one processing module. The above integrated modules can be implemented in the form of hardware or in the form of software functional modules. It should be noted that the division of modules in the embodiment of the present application is schematic and is only a logical functional division. In actual implementation, there may be other division methods.

[0432] In one implementation scenario, taking the communication device as the terminal device in the above method embodiment as an example, FIG18 shows a schematic structural diagram of a terminal device 180. The terminal device 180 includes a processing module 1801 and a transceiver module 1802.

[0433] In some embodiments, the terminal device 180 may further include a storage module (not shown in FIG. 18 ) for storing program instructions and data.

[0434] In some embodiments, the transceiver module 1802, which may also be referred to as a transceiver unit, is configured to implement a transmitting and / or receiving function. The transceiver module 1802 may be composed of a transceiver circuit, a transceiver, a transceiver, or a communication interface.

[0435] In some embodiments, the transceiver module 1802 may include a receiving module and a sending module, which are respectively used to execute the receiving and sending steps performed by the terminal device in the above method embodiments, and / or used to support other processes of the technology described herein; the processing module 1801 may be used to execute the processing steps (such as determination, generation, etc.) performed by the terminal device in the above method embodiments, and / or used to support other processes of the technology described herein.

[0436] In an exemplary embodiment, the transceiver module 1802 is used to receive a first indication message from a network device; wherein the first indication message is used to indicate that the channel status of the first channel occupied by the network device is idle; the transceiver module 1802 is also used to determine, based on the first indication message, that the channel status of the first channel occupied by the terminal device is idle, and send confirmation information corresponding to the first indication message to the network device; the processing module 1801 is used to switch the channel to the second channel at a first preset time point when it is determined, based on the first indication message, that the channel status of the first channel occupied by the terminal device is busy.

[0437] In a possible implementation, the processing module 1801 is further configured to determine a second preset duration; and the transceiver module 1802 is further configured to receive first indication information from the network device within the second preset duration.

[0438] Another exemplary embodiment is that the processing module 1801 is used to determine a second preset time length; the processing module 1801 is used to switch the channel to the second channel at a first preset time point after the second preset time length if the first indication information is not received from the network device within the second preset time length; wherein the first indication information is used to indicate that the channel state of the first channel occupied by the network device is idle.

[0439] Based on the above two examples, in one possible implementation, the transceiver module 1802 is further used to receive a second indication information from the network device; wherein the second indication information is used to indicate the initiation of entry into the SM mode; the SM mode is a mode for periodically determining the channel status of a channel; the second indication information includes parameters associated with the SM mode; the processing module 1801 is further used to periodically perform channel availability detection based on the parameters associated with the SM mode to determine the channel status of the first channel occupied by the terminal device.

[0440] Based on the above two examples, in a possible implementation, the transceiver module 1802 is also used for the second indication information to send third indication information to the network device; wherein the third indication information is used to indicate the parameters for agreeing to the SM mode association.

[0441] Based on the above two examples, in one possible implementation, the transceiver module 1802 is also used to send a second indication information to the network device; wherein the second indication information is used to indicate the initiation of entry into the SM mode, and the second indication information includes parameters associated with the SM mode; the SM mode is a mode for periodically determining the channel status of the channel; the processing module 1801 is also used to periodically perform channel availability detection based on the parameters associated with the SM mode to determine the channel status of the first channel occupied by the terminal device.

[0442] Based on the above two examples, in a possible implementation, the transceiver module 1802 is further configured to receive third indication information from the network device; wherein the third indication information is used to indicate the parameters for agreeing to associate with the SM mode.

[0443] Based on the above two examples, in one possible implementation, the transceiver module 1802 is also used to send a second indication message to the network device; wherein the second indication message is used to indicate the initiation of entry into the SM mode; the second indication message does not include parameters associated with the SM mode; the SM mode is a mode for periodically determining the channel state of a channel; the transceiver module 1802 is also used to receive a fourth indication message from the network device; wherein the fourth indication message includes parameters associated with the SM mode; the processing module 1801 is also used to periodically perform channel availability detection based on the parameters associated with the SM mode to determine the channel state of the first channel occupied by the terminal device.

[0444] Based on the above two examples, in a possible implementation, the transceiver module 1802 is further configured to send third indication information to the network device; wherein the third indication information is used to indicate the parameters for agreeing to associate with the SM mode.

[0445] Based on the above two examples, in a possible implementation, the processing module 1801 is further configured to determine a second preset duration according to parameters associated with the SM mode.

[0446] Based on the above two examples, in one possible implementation, the indication information includes a control field, and the control field includes one or more of the following: a dismantling subfield, an initiation subfield, or a success subfield; wherein the dismantling subfield is used to indicate whether to exit the SM mode; the initiation subfield is used to indicate whether to initiate entry into the SM mode or initiate an update of the SM parameters; the success subfield is used to indicate whether to agree with the parameters associated with the SM mode.

[0447] Based on the above two examples, in a possible implementation, the indication information further includes a non-primary channel selection parameter field, where the non-primary channel selection parameter field is used to indicate parameters associated with the SM mode.

[0448] Based on the above two examples, in one possible implementation, the non-main channel selection parameter field includes one or more of the following: a first target survival transmission time subfield, a timeout subfield, a time interval subfield, a duration subfield, or an anchor channel subfield; wherein, the first target survival transmission time subfield is used to indicate the start time of the first channel availability detection; the timeout subfield is used to indicate the maximum duration of the network device to complete sending the first indication information to the terminal device in combination with the duration of the frame carried by the first indication information; the time interval subfield is used to indicate the period of channel availability detection; the duration subfield is used to indicate the duration of the SM mode starting from the moment value carried by the first target survival transmission subfield; the anchor channel subfield is used to indicate the parameters associated with the preset anchor channel.

[0449] Based on the above two examples, in one possible implementation, the anchor channel subfield includes one or more of the following: an anchor channel quantity subfield, a retransmission subfield, a primary channel subfield, or one or more preset anchor channel identification information subfields; wherein, the anchor channel quantity subfield is used to indicate the number of preset anchor channels; the retransmission subfield is used to indicate the maximum number of attempts to send or receive first indication information on the same preset anchor channel in one cycle of channel availability detection; the first indication information is used to indicate that the channel status of the first channel occupied by the network device is idle; the primary channel subfield is used to indicate the identification information of the primary channel; and the identification information subfield of each preset anchor channel is used to indicate the identification information of the preset anchor channel.

[0450] Based on the above two examples, in one possible implementation, the control field also includes one or more of the following: a first target survival transmission time subfield, a timeout subfield, a time interval subfield, an anchor channel subfield, and a duration subfield; wherein the first target survival transmission time subfield is used to indicate whether the first target survival transmission time subfield appears; the timeout subfield is used to indicate whether the timeout subfield appears; the time interval subfield is used to indicate whether the time interval subfield appears; the anchor channel subfield is used to indicate whether the anchor channel subfield appears; and the duration subfield is used to indicate whether the duration subfield appears.

[0451] Based on the above two examples, in one possible implementation, the transceiver module 1802 is also used to send a fifth indication message to the network device; wherein the fifth indication message is used to indicate exiting the SM mode; the transceiver module 1802 is also used to receive confirmation information corresponding to the fifth indication message from the network device; and the processing module 1801 is also used to exit the SM mode according to the confirmation information corresponding to the fifth indication message.

[0452] Based on the above two examples, in a possible implementation, the processing module 1801 is further configured to determine the duration of the SM mode according to parameters associated with the SM mode; and the processing module 1801 is further configured to exit the SM mode after the duration.

[0453] Based on the above two examples, in one possible implementation, the transceiver module 1802 is further used to receive fifth indication information from the network device; wherein the fifth indication information is used to indicate exiting the SM mode; and the processing module 1801 is further used to exit the SM mode according to the fifth indication information.

[0454] Based on the above two examples, in one possible implementation, the fifth indication information includes a control field, and the control field includes one or more of the following: a dismantling subfield, an initiation subfield, or a success subfield; wherein the dismantling subfield is used to indicate whether to exit the SM mode; the initiation subfield is used to indicate whether to initiate entry into the SM mode or update the parameters of the SM mode; the success subfield is used to indicate whether to agree to the parameters associated with the SM mode.

[0455] In this application, the terminal device 180 is presented in the form of various functional modules divided in an integrated manner. The "module" here can refer to an ASIC, a circuit, a processor and memory that executes one or more software or firmware programs, an integrated logic circuit, and / or other devices that can provide the above functions.

[0456] In some embodiments, in terms of hardware implementation, those skilled in the art may conceive that the terminal device 180 may take the form of the communication device 30 shown in FIG. 3 .

[0457] As an example, the functions / implementation process of the processing module 1801 in FIG18 can be implemented by the processor 301 in the communication device 30 shown in FIG3 calling the computer-executable instructions stored in the memory 303. The functions / implementation process of the transceiver module 1802 in FIG18 can be implemented by the communication interface 304 in the communication device 30 shown in FIG3.

[0458] In some embodiments, when the terminal device 180 in Figure 18 is a chip or a chip system, the function / implementation process of the transceiver module 1802 can be implemented through the input and output interface (or communication interface) of the chip or chip system, and the function / implementation process of the processing module 1801 can be implemented through the processor (or processing circuit) of the chip or chip system.

[0459] Since the terminal device 180 provided in this embodiment can execute the above method, the technical effects that can be obtained can refer to the above method embodiments and will not be repeated here.

[0460] In another implementation scenario, taking the communication device as the network device in the above method embodiment as an example, FIG19 shows a schematic structural diagram of a network device 190. The network device 190 includes a processing module 1901 and a transceiver module 1902.

[0461] In some embodiments, the network device 190 may further include a storage module (not shown in FIG. 19 ) for storing program instructions and data.

[0462] In some embodiments, the transceiver module 1902, which may also be referred to as a transceiver unit, is configured to implement a transmitting and / or receiving function. The transceiver module 1902 may be composed of a transceiver circuit, a transceiver, a transceiver, or a communication interface.

[0463] In some embodiments, the transceiver module 1902 may include a receiving module and a sending module, which are respectively used to execute the receiving and sending steps performed by the network device in the above method embodiments, and / or used to support other processes of the technology described herein; the processing module 1901 may be used to execute the processing steps (such as determination, generation, etc.) performed by the network device in the above method embodiments, and / or used to support other processes of the technology described herein.

[0464] In an exemplary embodiment, a processing module 1901 is used to determine the channel status of a first channel occupied by a network device; a transceiver module 1902 is used to send a first indication message to a terminal device when the channel status is idle; wherein the first indication message is used to indicate that the channel status of the first channel occupied by the network device is idle; the transceiver module 1902 is also used to receive confirmation information corresponding to the first indication information from the terminal device; the processing module 1901 is also used to switch the channel to a second channel at a first preset time point according to the first indication information.

[0465] In one possible implementation, the processing module 1901 is further used to determine a second preset duration; the transceiver module 1902 is further used to send the first indication information to the terminal device within the second preset duration.

[0466] In another exemplary embodiment, processing module 1901 is used to determine the channel status of a first channel occupied by a network device; processing module 1901 is also used to determine a second preset time length; processing module 1901 is also used to switch the channel to a second channel at a first preset time point after the second preset time length when the channel status is busy.

[0467] Based on the above two examples, in one possible implementation, the transceiver module 1902 is further used to send a second indication information to the terminal device; wherein the second indication information is used to indicate the initiation of entry into the SM mode; the SM mode is a mode for periodically determining the channel status of a channel; the second indication information includes parameters associated with the SM mode; the processing module 1901 is further used to periodically perform channel availability detection based on the parameters associated with the SM mode to determine the channel status of the first channel occupied by the network device.

[0468] Based on the above two examples, in a possible implementation, the transceiver module 1902 is further used to receive third indication information from the terminal device; wherein the third indication information is used to indicate the parameters for agreeing to the SM mode association.

[0469] Based on the above two examples, in one possible implementation, the transceiver module 1902 is further used to receive a second indication information from the terminal device; wherein the second indication information is used to indicate the initiation of entry into the SM mode; the SM mode is a mode for periodically determining the channel status of a channel; the second indication signal includes parameters associated with the SM mode; the processing module 1901 is further used to periodically perform channel availability detection based on the parameters associated with the SM mode to determine the channel status of the first channel occupied by the network device.

[0470] Based on the above two examples, in one possible implementation, the transceiver module 1902 is further used to send a third indication information to the terminal device; wherein the third indication information is used to indicate the parameters for agreeing to the SM mode association.

[0471] Based on the above two examples, in one possible implementation, the transceiver module 1902 is further used to receive a second indication information from the terminal device; wherein the second indication information is used to indicate the initiation of entry into the SM mode; the second indication information does not include parameters associated with the SM mode; the SM mode is a mode for periodically determining the channel state of a channel; the transceiver module 1902 is further used to send a fourth indication information to the terminal device; wherein the fourth indication information includes parameters associated with the SM mode; the processing module 1901 is further used to periodically perform channel availability detection based on the parameters associated with the SM mode to determine the channel state of the first channel occupied by the network device.

[0472] Based on the above two examples, in a possible implementation, the transceiver module 1902 is further used to receive third indication information from the terminal device; wherein the third indication information is used to indicate the parameters for agreeing to the SM mode association.

[0473] Based on the above two examples, in a possible implementation, the processing module 1901 is further configured to determine a second preset duration according to parameters associated with the SM mode.

[0474] Based on the above two examples, in one possible implementation, the indication information includes a control field, and the control field includes one or more of the following: a dismantling subfield, an initiation subfield, or a success subfield; wherein the dismantling subfield is used to indicate whether to exit the SM mode; the initiation subfield is used to indicate whether to initiate entry into the SM mode; and the success subfield is used to indicate whether to agree to the parameters associated with the SM mode.

[0475] Based on the above two examples, in a possible implementation, the indication information further includes a non-primary channel selection parameter field, where the non-primary channel selection parameter field is used to indicate parameters associated with the SM mode.

[0476] Based on the above two examples, in one possible implementation, the non-main channel selection parameter field includes one or more of the following: a first target survival transmission time subfield, a timeout subfield, a time interval subfield, a duration subfield, or an anchor channel subfield; wherein, the first target survival transmission time subfield is used to indicate the start time of the first channel availability detection; the timeout subfield is used to indicate the maximum duration of the network device to complete sending the first indication information to the terminal device in combination with the duration of the frame carried by the first indication information; the time interval subfield is used to indicate the period of channel availability detection; the duration subfield is used to indicate the duration of the SM mode starting from the moment value carried by the first target survival transmission subfield; the anchor channel subfield is used to indicate the parameters associated with the preset anchor channel.

[0477] Based on the above two examples, in one possible implementation, the anchor channel subfield includes one or more of the following: an anchor channel quantity subfield, a retransmission subfield, a primary channel subfield, or one or more preset anchor channel identification information subfields; wherein, the anchor channel quantity subfield is used to indicate the number of preset anchor channels; the retransmission subfield is used to indicate the maximum number of attempts to send or receive first indication information on the same preset anchor channel in one cycle of channel availability detection; the first indication information is used to indicate that the channel status of the first channel occupied by the network device is idle; the primary channel subfield is used to indicate the identification information of the primary channel; and the identification information subfield of each preset anchor channel is used to indicate the identification information of the preset anchor channel.

[0478] Based on the above two examples, in one possible implementation, the control field also includes one or more of the following: a first target survival transmission time subfield, a timeout subfield, a time interval subfield, an anchor channel subfield, and a duration subfield; wherein the first target survival transmission time subfield is used to indicate whether the first target survival transmission time subfield appears; the timeout subfield is used to indicate whether the timeout subfield appears; the time interval subfield is used to indicate whether the time interval subfield appears; the anchor channel subfield is used to indicate whether the anchor channel subfield appears; and the duration subfield is used to indicate whether the duration subfield appears.

[0479] Based on the above two examples, in one possible implementation, the transceiver module 1902 is also used to receive the fifth indication information from the terminal device; wherein the fifth indication information is used to indicate the exit from the SM mode; the transceiver module 1902 is also used to send confirmation information corresponding to the fifth indication information to the terminal device; the processing module 1901 is also used to exit the SM mode according to the confirmation information corresponding to the fifth indication information.

[0480] Based on the above two examples, in a possible implementation, the processing module 1901 is further configured to determine the duration of the SM mode according to parameters associated with the SM mode; and the processing module 1901 is further configured to exit the SM mode after the duration.

[0481] Based on the above two examples, in one possible implementation, the transceiver module 1902 is further used to send a fifth indication message to the terminal device; wherein the fifth indication message is used to indicate exiting the SM mode; and the processing module 1901 is further used to exit the SM mode.

[0482] Based on the above two examples, in one possible implementation, the fifth indication information includes a control field, and the control field includes one or more of the following: a dismantling subfield, an initiation subfield, or a success subfield; wherein the dismantling subfield is used to indicate whether to exit the SM mode; the initiation subfield is used to indicate whether to initiate entry into the SM mode; and the success subfield is used to indicate whether to agree to the parameters associated with the SM mode.

[0483] In this application, the network device 190 is presented in the form of various functional modules divided in an integrated manner. The "module" here can refer to an ASIC, a circuit, a processor and memory that executes one or more software or firmware programs, an integrated logic circuit, and / or other devices that can provide the above functions.

[0484] In some embodiments, in terms of hardware implementation, those skilled in the art may conceive that the network device 190 may take the form of the communication apparatus 30 shown in FIG. 3 .

[0485] As an example, the functions / implementation process of the processing module 1901 in FIG19 can be implemented by the processor 301 in the communication device 30 shown in FIG3 calling the computer-executable instructions stored in the memory 303. The functions / implementation process of the transceiver module 1902 in FIG19 can be implemented by the communication interface 304 in the communication device 30 shown in FIG3.

[0486] In some embodiments, when the network device 190 in Figure 19 is a chip or a chip system, the function / implementation process of the transceiver module 1902 can be implemented through the input and output interface (or communication interface) of the chip or chip system, and the function / implementation process of the processing module 1901 can be implemented through the processor (or processing circuit) of the chip or chip system.

[0487] Since the network device 190 provided in this embodiment can execute the above method, the technical effects that can be obtained can refer to the above method embodiments and will not be repeated here.

[0488] As a possible product form, the terminal device or network device described in the embodiments of the present application can also be implemented using the following: one or more field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), programmable logic devices (PLDs), controllers, state machines, gate logic, discrete hardware components, any other suitable circuits, or any combination of circuits that can perform the various functions described throughout this application.

[0489] As another possible product form, the terminal device or network device described in the embodiment of the present application can be implemented by a general bus architecture. For ease of explanation, refer to Figure 20, which is a structural diagram of a communication device 200 provided in an embodiment of the present application. The communication device 200 includes a processor 2001 and a transceiver 2002. The communication device 200 can be a terminal device, or a chip or module therein; or, the communication device 200 can be a network device, or a chip or module therein. Figure 8 only shows the main components of the communication device 200. In addition to the processor 2001 and the transceiver 2002, the communication device may further include a memory 2003.

[0490] Optionally, processor 2001 is primarily used to process communication protocols and communication data, control the entire communication device, execute software programs, and process software program data. Memory 2003 is primarily used to store software programs and data. Transceiver 2002 may include a radio frequency circuit and an antenna. The radio frequency circuit is primarily used to convert baseband signals into radio frequency signals and process radio frequency signals. The antenna is primarily used to transmit and receive radio frequency signals in the form of electromagnetic waves.

[0491] Optionally, the processor 2001, the transceiver 2002, and the memory 2003 may be connected via a communication bus.

[0492] When the communication device is powered on, processor 2001 can read the software program in memory 2003, interpret and execute the instructions of the software program, and process the data of the software program. When data needs to be sent wirelessly, processor 2001 performs baseband processing on the data to be transmitted and outputs the baseband signal to the radio frequency circuit. The radio frequency circuit performs radio frequency processing on the baseband signal and then transmits the radio frequency signal to the outside in the form of electromagnetic waves via the antenna. When data is sent to the communication device, the radio frequency circuit receives the radio frequency signal via the antenna, converts the radio frequency signal into a baseband signal, and outputs the baseband signal to processor 2001. Processor 2001 converts the baseband signal into data and processes the data.

[0493] In another implementation, the RF circuit and antenna may be provided independently of the processor performing baseband processing. For example, in a distributed scenario, the RF circuit and antenna may be remotely arranged independent of the communication device.

[0494] In some embodiments, the present application also provides a communication device, which includes a processor, configured to implement the method in any of the above method embodiments. The communication device may be a terminal device or a network device in the above method embodiments.

[0495] As a possible implementation, the communication device further includes a memory. The memory is used to store necessary computer programs and data. The computer program may include instructions, and the processor may invoke the instructions in the computer program stored in the memory to instruct the communication device to perform any of the above-described method embodiments. Of course, the memory may not be located in the communication device.

[0496] As another possible implementation, the communication device also includes an interface circuit, which is a code / data read / write interface circuit, and the interface circuit is used to receive computer execution instructions (computer execution instructions are stored in a memory, may be read directly from the memory, or may pass through other devices) and transmit them to the processor.

[0497] As another possible implementation, the communication device further includes a communication interface, where the communication interface is used to communicate with a module outside the communication device.

[0498] It can be understood that the communication device can be a chip or a chip system. When the communication device is a chip system, it can be composed of chips or include chips and other discrete devices. The embodiments of the present application do not specifically limit this.

[0499] The present application also provides a computer-readable storage medium having a computer program or instruction stored thereon, which implements the functions of any of the above method embodiments when executed by a computer.

[0500] The present application also provides a computer program product, which implements the functions of any of the above method embodiments when executed by a computer.

[0501] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that, for the sake of convenience and brevity of description, the specific working processes of the above-described systems, devices, and units may refer to the corresponding processes in the aforementioned method embodiments and will not be repeated here.

[0502] It is understood that the systems, devices, and methods described in this application may also be implemented in other ways. For example, the device embodiments described above are merely illustrative. For example, the division of the units is merely a logical function division. In actual implementation, there may be other division methods, such as multiple units or components can be combined or integrated into another system, or some features can be ignored or not executed. In addition, the coupling or direct coupling or communication connection shown or discussed may be through some interface, indirect coupling or communication connection of devices or units, and may be electrical, mechanical, or other forms.

[0503] The units described as separate components may or may not be physically separate, i.e., they may be located in one place or distributed across multiple network units. Components shown as units may or may not be physical units. Some or all of these units may be selected to achieve the objectives of this embodiment as needed.

[0504] In addition, each functional unit in each embodiment of the present application may be integrated into one processing unit, or each unit may exist physically separately, or two or more units may be integrated into one unit.

[0505] In the above embodiments, it can be implemented in whole or in part by software, hardware, firmware or any combination thereof. When implemented using a software program, it can be implemented in whole or in part in the form of a computer program product. The computer program product includes one or more computer instructions. When the computer program instructions are loaded and executed on a computer, all or part of the processes (or functions) described in the embodiments of the present application are implemented. The computer can be a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a computer network, or other programmable device. The computer instructions can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium or transmitted from one computer-readable storage medium to another computer-readable storage medium. For example, the computer instructions can be transmitted from one website, computer, server or data center to another website, computer, server or data center via a wired (e.g., coaxial cable, optical fiber, digital subscriber line (DSL)) or wireless (e.g., infrared, wireless, microwave, etc.) method. The computer-readable storage medium can be any available medium that can be accessed by a computer or a data storage device such as a server or data center that contains one or more media that can be integrated. The available medium may be a magnetic medium (eg, a floppy disk, a hard disk, a magnetic tape), an optical medium (eg, a DVD), or a semiconductor medium (eg, a solid state drive (SSD)). In the embodiment of the present application, the computer may include the aforementioned device.

[0506] Although the present application is described herein in conjunction with various embodiments, in the process of implementing the claimed application, those skilled in the art can understand and implement other changes to the disclosed embodiments by reviewing the drawings, the disclosure, and the appended claims. In the claims, the word "comprising" does not exclude other components or steps, and "a" or "an" does not exclude multiple situations. A single processor or other unit can implement several functions listed in the claims. Certain measures are recorded in different dependent claims, but this does not mean that these measures cannot be combined to produce good results.

[0507] Although the present application has been described with reference to specific features and embodiments thereof, it is apparent that various modifications and combinations may be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the present application. Accordingly, this specification and the drawings are merely illustrative of the present application as defined by the appended claims and are deemed to cover any and all modifications, variations, combinations or equivalents within the scope of the present application. Obviously, those skilled in the art may make various modifications and variations to the present application without departing from the spirit and scope of the present application. Thus, the present application is intended to include such modifications and variations as fall within the scope of the claims of the present application and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A communication method, characterized in that: include: Receiving first indication information from a network device; wherein the first indication information is used to indicate that a channel state of a first channel occupied by the network device is idle; When it is determined that the channel state of the first channel occupied by the terminal device is idle according to the received first indication information, sending confirmation information corresponding to the first indication information to the network device; or, When it is determined that the channel state of the first channel occupied by the terminal device is busy based on the received first indication information, the channel is switched to a second channel at a first preset time point; wherein the second channel is a preset anchor channel.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that The receiving first indication information from the network device includes: Determining a second preset duration; Within the second preset time period, the first indication information is received from the network device.

3. A communication method, characterized in that: include: Determining a second preset duration; If the first indication information is not received from the network device within the second preset time period, after the second preset time period, at a first preset time point, the channel is switched to a second channel; wherein the first indication information is used to indicate that the channel state of the first channel occupied by the network device is idle; wherein the second channel is a preset anchor channel.

4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: The method further comprises: Receiving second indication information from the network device; wherein the second indication information is used to indicate initiation of entering into a survival monitoring SM mode; the second indication information includes parameters associated with the SM mode; the SM mode is a mode for periodically determining a channel state of a channel; According to the parameters associated with the SM mode, channel availability detection is periodically performed to determine the channel status of the first channel occupied by the terminal device.

5. The method according to claim 4, characterized in that The method further comprises: According to the second indication information, third indication information is sent to the network device; wherein the third indication information is used to indicate the parameters of agreeing to the SM mode association.

6. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: The method further comprises: Sending second indication information to the network device; wherein the second indication information is used to indicate initiation of entry into SM mode; the second indication information includes parameters associated with the SM mode; the SM mode is a mode for periodically determining a channel state of a channel; According to the parameters associated with the SM mode, channel availability detection is periodically performed to determine the channel status of the first channel occupied by the terminal device.

7. The method according to claim 6, characterized in that Before periodically performing channel availability detection according to the parameters associated with the SM mode, the method further includes: Receive third indication information from the network device; wherein the third indication information is used to indicate the parameters of agreeing to the SM mode association.

8. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: The method further comprises: Sending second indication information to the network device; wherein the second indication information is used to indicate initiation of entering the SM mode; the SM mode is a mode for periodically determining the channel state of a channel; Receiving fourth indication information from the network device; wherein the fourth indication information includes parameters associated with the SM mode; According to the parameters associated with the SM mode, channel availability detection is periodically performed to determine the channel status of the first channel occupied by the terminal device.

9. The method according to claim 8, characterized in that The method further comprises: Sending third indication information to the network device; wherein the third indication information is used to indicate approval of parameters associated with the SM mode.

10. The method according to any one of claims 4 to 9, characterized in that: A second preset duration is determined according to the parameters associated with the SM mode.

11. The method according to any one of claims 4 to 10, characterized in that: The indication information includes a control field, The control field includes one or more of the following: a teardown subfield, an initiation subfield, or a success subfield; The demolition subfield is used to indicate whether to exit the SM mode; the initiation subfield is used to indicate whether to initiate entry into the SM mode. The SM mode; the success subfield is used to indicate whether the parameters associated with the SM mode are agreed.

12. The method according to claim 11, characterized in that The indication information also includes a non-primary channel selection parameter field, The non-primary channel selection parameter field is used to indicate parameters associated with the SM mode.

13. The method according to claim 12, characterized in that The non-primary channel selection parameter field includes one or more of the following: a first target survival transmission time subfield, a timeout subfield, a time interval subfield, a duration subfield, or an anchor channel subfield; The first target survival transmission time subfield is used to indicate the start time of the first channel availability detection; The timeout subfield is used to indicate the maximum duration of the network device sending the first indication information to the terminal device; The time interval subfield is used to indicate the period of channel availability detection; The duration subfield is used to indicate the duration of the SM mode starting from the first target survival transmission time subfield; The anchor channel subfield is used to indicate parameters associated with the second channel.

14. The method according to claim 13, characterized in that The anchor channel subfield includes one or more of the following: Anchor channel number subfield, retransmission subfield, primary channel subfield, or identification information subfield of one or more preset anchor channels; The number of anchor channels subfield is used to indicate the number of preset anchor channels; The retransmission subfield is used to indicate the maximum number of times that the first indication information can be attempted to be sent or received on the same preset anchor channel in a cycle of channel availability detection; the first indication information is used to indicate that the channel state of the first channel occupied by the network device is idle; The primary channel subfield is used to indicate identification information of the primary channel; The identification information subfield of each anchor channel is used to indicate the identification information of the preset anchor channel.

15. The method according to claim 13 or 14, characterized in that The control field further includes one or more of the following: a first existence target survival transmission time subfield, an existence timeout subfield, an existence time interval subfield, an existence anchor channel subfield, or an existence duration subfield; The first target survival transmission time subfield is used to indicate whether the first target survival transmission time subfield appears; The existence of the timeout subfield is used to determine whether the timeout subfield exists; The existence time interval subfield is used to indicate whether the time interval subfield appears; The anchor channel existence subfield is used to indicate whether the anchor channel subfield exists; The presence duration subfield is used to indicate whether the duration subfield appears.

16. The method according to any one of claims 4 to 15, characterized in that: The method further comprises: Sending fifth indication information to the network device; wherein the fifth indication information is used to indicate exiting the SM mode; Receiving confirmation information corresponding to the fifth indication information from the network device; Exit the SM mode according to the confirmation information corresponding to the fifth indication information.

17. The method according to any one of claims 4 to 15, characterized in that: The method further comprises: Determining the duration of the SM mode according to the parameters associated with the SM mode; After the duration, exit the SM mode.

18. The method according to any one of claims 4 to 15, characterized in that: The method further comprises: Receiving fifth indication information from the network device; wherein the fifth indication information is used to indicate exiting the SM mode; According to the fifth indication information, exit the SM mode.

19. The method according to any one of claims 16 to 18, characterized in that: The fifth indication information includes a control field, The control field includes one or more of the following: a teardown subfield, an initiation subfield, or a success subfield; The removal subfield is used to indicate whether to exit the SM mode; the initiation subfield is used to indicate whether to initiate entry into the SM mode; and the success subfield is used to indicate whether to agree to the parameters associated with the SM mode.

20. A communication method, characterized in that: include: determining a channel state of a first channel occupied by a network device; When the channel state is idle, sending first indication information to the terminal device; wherein the first indication information is used to indicate that the channel state of the first channel occupied by the network device is idle; receiving confirmation information corresponding to the first indication information from the terminal device; or, According to the first indication information, at a first preset time point, the channel is switched to a second channel; wherein the second channel is a preset anchor channel.

21. The method according to claim 20, characterized in that The sending the first indication information to the terminal device includes: Determining a second preset duration; Within the second preset time period, the first indication information is sent to the terminal device.

22. A communication method, characterized in that: include: determining a channel state of a first channel occupied by a network device; Determining a second preset duration; When the channel state is busy, after the second preset time period, at a first preset time point, the channel is switched to a second channel; wherein the second channel is a preset anchor channel.

23. A communication device, characterized in that: include: A transceiver module, configured to receive first indication information from a network device; wherein the first indication information is used to indicate that a channel state of a first channel occupied by the network device is idle; The transceiver module is further configured to send confirmation information corresponding to the first indication information to the network device when determining, based on the first indication information, that the channel state of the first channel occupied by the terminal device is idle; The processing module is used to switch the channel to a second channel at a first preset time point when determining, based on the first indication information, that the channel state of the first channel occupied by the terminal device is busy.

24. A communication device, characterized in that: include: A processing module, used for determining a second preset duration; The processing module is also used to switch the channel to the second channel at a first preset time point after the second preset time period if the first indication information is not received from the network device within the second preset time period; wherein the first indication information is used to indicate that the channel state of the first channel occupied by the network device is idle.

25. A communication device, characterized in that: include: A processing module, configured to determine a channel state of a first channel occupied by a network device; A transceiver module, configured to send first indication information to a terminal device when the channel state is idle; wherein the first indication information is used to indicate that the channel state of the first channel occupied by the network device is idle; The transceiver module is further used to receive confirmation information corresponding to the first indication information from the terminal device; The processing module is further configured to switch the channel to a second channel at a first preset time point according to the first indication information.

26. A communication device, characterized in that: include: A processing module, configured to determine a channel state of a first channel occupied by a network device; The processing module is further used to determine a second preset duration; The processing module is further configured to switch the channel to a second channel at a first preset time point after the second preset time period when the channel status is busy.

27. A communication device, characterized in that: The communication device includes a processor; the processor is used to run a computer program or instruction, or to use a logic circuit to enable the communication device to perform a communication method as described in any one of claims 1-2, 4-19, or to enable the communication device to perform a communication method as described in any one of claims 3-19, or to enable the communication device to perform a communication method as described in claim 20 or 21, or to enable the communication device to perform a communication method as described in claim 22.

28. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that: The computer-readable storage medium stores computer instructions or programs, which, when executed on a computer, cause the communication device to execute a communication method as described in any one of claims 1-2, 4-19, or cause the communication device to execute a communication method as described in any one of claims 3-19, or cause the communication device to execute a communication method as described in claim 20 or 21, or cause the communication device to execute a communication method as described in claim 22.

29. A computer program product, characterized in that The computer program product includes computer instructions; when part or all of the computer instructions are executed, the communication method as described in any one of claims 1-2, 4-19 is executed, or the communication method as described in any one of claims 3-19 is executed, or the communication method as described in claim 20 or 21 is executed, or, or the communication method as described in claim 22 is executed.

30. A communication system, characterized in that: The communication system includes a terminal device and a network device; wherein the terminal device is used to execute the communication method as described in any one of claims 1-2 and 4-19, the terminal device is used to execute the communication method as described in any one of claims 3-19, the network device is used to execute the communication method as described in claim 20 or 21, and the network device is used to execute the communication method as described in claim 22.

Images