Communication method, and device and storage medium

Abstract

The embodiments of the present disclosure relate to the technical field of communications. Provided are a communication method, and a device and a storage medium. The method comprises: a Non-AP MLD determining a multi-link operation update request frame under a first condition, wherein the multi-link operation update request frame comprises a first information domain, the first information domain is used for indicating state information of an enhanced multi-link mode of the Non-AP MLD, and the enhanced multi-link mode comprises an enhanced multi-link single radio (EMLSR) mode or an enhanced multi-link multi-radio (EMLMR) mode; and the Non-AP MLD sending the multi-link operation update request frame to an AP MLD. The embodiments of the present disclosure may provide a method for indicating state information of an enhanced multi-link mode.

Description

Communication method, device and storage medium Technical Field

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

[0002] To achieve higher throughput, lower network latency, and higher reliability, MLO technology uses Multi-Link Setup frames to negotiate between non-AP MLDs and AP MLDs to establish multiple communication links across frequency bands. Traffic-to-link mapping is then used to enable the established multiple links.

[0003] Considering the limited reception capability of the non-AP MLD, after the non-AP MLD and AP MLD successfully establish multi-link and enable communication links, the non-AP MLD and AP MLD negotiate the establishment of enhanced multi-link mode and the communication link in enhanced multi-link mode through EML Operation Mode Notification frames. The enhanced multi-link mode includes Enhanced Multi Link Single Radio (EMLSR) mode and Enhanced Multi-link Multi-radio (EMLMR) mode.

[0004] When AP MLD enables a new communication link or invalidates an existing one, the EMLSR or EMLMR link corresponding to the Non-AP MLD may change. Non-AP MLD must update the EMLSR or EMLMR link. Further research is underway to simplify the update process and reduce signaling overhead.

[0005] Summary of the Invention

[0006] Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a communication method, a device, and a storage medium, which can provide a method for indicating status information of an enhanced multi-link mode.

[0007] In a first aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a communication method, the method comprising:

[0008] The Non-AP MLD determines a multi-link operation update request frame under a first condition, wherein the multi-link operation update request frame includes a first information field, where the first information field is used to indicate state information of an enhanced multi-link mode of the Non-AP MLD, where the enhanced multi-link mode includes an enhanced multi-link single radio (EMLSR) mode or an enhanced multi-link multi-radio (EMLMR) mode.

[0009] The Non-AP MLD sends the multi-link operation update request frame to the AP MLD.

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

[0011] The AP MLD receives a multi-link operation update request frame, wherein the multi-link operation update request frame includes a first information field, where the first information field is used to indicate status information of an enhanced multi-link mode of the non-AP MLD, where the enhanced multi-link mode includes an EMLSR mode or an EMLMR mode; and the multi-link operation update request frame is determined and sent by the non-AP MLD under a first condition.

[0012] In a third aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a Non-AP MLD, including:

[0013] a processing module, configured to determine a multi-link operation update request frame under a first condition, wherein the multi-link operation update request frame includes a first information field, the first information field is used to indicate status information of an enhanced multi-link mode of a Non-AP MLD, and the enhanced multi-link mode includes an enhanced multi-link single radio (EMLSR) mode or an enhanced multi-link multi-radio (EMLMR) mode;

[0014] The transceiver module is configured to send the multi-link operation update request frame to the AP MLD.

[0015] In a fourth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides an AP MLD, including:

[0016] a transceiver module, configured to receive a multi-link operation update request frame, wherein the multi-link operation update request frame includes a first information field, the first information field is used to indicate status information of an enhanced multi-link mode of a Non-AP MLD, the enhanced multi-link mode including an EMLSR mode or an EMLMR mode; and the multi-link operation update request frame is determined and sent by the Non-AP MLD under a first condition.

[0017] In a fifth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a Non-AP MLD, comprising one or more processors;

[0018] The Non-AP MLD is used in the communication method provided in the first aspect of the embodiment of the present disclosure.

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

[0020] The AP MLD is used in the communication method provided in the second aspect of the embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0021] In a seventh aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a storage medium storing instructions. When the instructions are executed on a communication device, the communication device executes the communication method provided in the first aspect of the embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0022] In an eighth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure proposes a communication system, which includes an AP MLD and a Non-AP MLD; wherein the Non-AP MLD is configured to execute the method described in the first aspect, and the AP MLD is configured to execute the method described in the second aspect.

[0023] Based on the communication method, device, and storage medium provided in the embodiments of the present disclosure, a state information indication process for an enhanced multi-link mode can be provided.

[0024] Additional aspects and advantages of the embodiments of the present disclosure will be given in part in the following description, which will become apparent from the following description or be learned through practice of the present disclosure. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present disclosure, the following briefly introduces the drawings required for use in the description of the embodiments of the present disclosure. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present disclosure. For ordinary technicians in this field, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without any creative work.

[0026] FIG1 is a schematic diagram of the architecture of a communication system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0027] FIG2 is an interactive schematic diagram of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0028] FIG3 is a flow chart showing one of the communication methods according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0029] FIG4 is a second flow chart illustrating a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0030] FIG5 is a third flow chart illustrating a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0031] FIG6 is a fourth flow chart illustrating a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0032] FIG7 is a schematic diagram of the structure of the Non-AP MLD proposed in an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0033] FIG8 is a schematic diagram of the structure of the AP MLD proposed in an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0034] FIG9 is a schematic structural diagram of a communication device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0035] FIG10 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a chip proposed according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0036] The embodiments of the present disclosure provide a communication method, a device, and a storage medium.

[0037] In a first aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a communication method, the method comprising:

[0038] The Non-AP MLD determines a multi-link operation update request frame under a first condition, wherein the multi-link operation update request frame includes a first information field, where the first information field is used to indicate state information of an enhanced multi-link mode of the Non-AP MLD, where the enhanced multi-link mode includes an enhanced multi-link single radio (EMLSR) mode or an enhanced multi-link multi-radio (EMLMR) mode.

[0039] The Non-AP MLD sends the multi-link operation update request frame to the AP MLD.

[0040] In the above embodiment, the Non-AP MLD may indicate the state information of the EMLSR mode or the state information of the EMLMR mode through the multi-link operation update request frame under the first condition, thereby providing a method for indicating the state information of the multi-link operation mode.

[0041] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the first condition includes at least one of the following:

[0042] When the Non-AP MLD operates in the enhanced multi-link mode, a communication link is newly enabled between the Non-AP MLD and the AP MLD.

[0043] When the Non-AP MLD operates in the enhanced multi-link mode, at least one enabled communication link of the Non-AP MLD in the enhanced multi-link mode becomes invalid.

[0044] In the above embodiment, when the Non-AP MLD operates in enhanced multi-link mode, the multi-link operation update request frame may be sent when a new communication link is enabled or an enabled communication link in enhanced multi-link mode expires, thereby clarifying the sending conditions for the Non-AP MLD to send the multi-link operation update request frame.

[0045] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the above method further includes:

[0046] When the multi-link operation update response frame sent by the AP MLD is received within the conversion timeout period, or when the multi-link operation update response frame is not received within the conversion timeout period, the Non-AP MLD performs link update for the enhanced multi-link mode.

[0047] In the above embodiment, the Non-AP MLD may perform link update when a multi-link operation update response frame is received within the conversion timeout period, or when no multi-link operation update response frame is received within the conversion timeout period, thereby clarifying the conditions for the Non-AP MLD to perform link update.

[0048] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the multi-link operation update response frame includes the first information field, the first information field includes an enhanced multi-link control field, and the enhanced multi-link control field includes an EMLSR mode field and an EMLMR mode field;

[0049] The EMLSR mode field indicates that the Non-AP MLD operates in the EMLSR mode through a first value, and the EMLMR mode field indicates that the Non-AP MLD operates in the EMLMR mode through a second value.

[0050] In the above embodiment, the multi-link operation update request frame and the multi-link operation update response frame can jointly indicate the enhanced multi-link mode in which the Non-AP MLD operates through the EMLSR mode field and the EMLMR mode field in the first information field, thereby achieving rapid indication of the enhanced multi-link mode in which the Non-AP MLD and the Non-AP MLD operate.

[0051] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, when the Non-AP MLD operates in EMLSR mode, the enhanced multi-link control field further includes an EMLSR link bitmap field; when the Non-AP MLD operates in EMLMR mode, the enhanced multi-link control field further includes an EMLMR link bitmap field;

[0052] The EMLSR link bitmap field is used to indicate the EMLSR link when the Non-AP MLD operates in the EMLSR mode, and the EMLMR link bitmap field is used to indicate the EMLMR link when the Non-AP MLD operates in the EMLMR mode.

[0053] In the above embodiment, the multi-link operation update request frame and the multi-link operation update response frame can use the EMLSR link bitmap field or the EMLMR link bitmap field in the first information field to quickly indicate the communication link when the Non-AP MLD operates in the corresponding enhanced multi-link mode, thereby improving the link update efficiency.

[0054] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the enhanced multi-link control field further includes an EMLSR parameter update control field or an EMLMR parameter update control field;

[0055] The EMLSR parameter update control field indicates that the EMLSR parameters are updated through the third value, and the EMLMR parameter update control field indicates that the EMLMR parameters are updated through the fourth value.

[0056] In the above embodiment, the multi-link operation update request frame and the multi-link operation update response frame can implement a quick indication of parameter update for the corresponding enhanced multi-link mode operation through the EMLSR parameter update control field or the EMLMR parameter update control field in the first information field.

[0057] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, when the EMLSR parameter update control field is used to indicate that an EMLSR parameter update is to be performed, the multi-link operation update request frame and the multi-link operation update response frame further include a second information field, where the second information field is used to indicate the EMLSR parameters to be updated.

[0058] When the EMLMR parameter update control field is used to indicate that the EMLMR parameters are to be updated, the multi-link operation update request frame and the multi-link operation update response frame further include a third information field, and the third information field is used to indicate the EMLMR parameters to be updated.

[0059] In the above embodiment, the multi-link operation update request frame and the multi-link operation update response frame can quickly and conveniently indicate the EMLSR parameters or EMLMR parameters to be updated through the second information field or the third information field, which is conducive to improving the parameter update efficiency.

[0060] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the EMLSR parameter to be updated includes at least one of the following:

[0061] Minimum media access control padding delay for initial frames in EMLSR mode;

[0062] The shortest delay for the EMLSR link to switch from the frame exchange state to the listening state in EMLSR mode;

[0063] The second information field indicates the minimum media access control padding delay of the initial frame in the EMLSR mode through the third sub-information field, and indicates the shortest delay for the EMLSR link to switch from the frame exchange state to the listening state in the EMLSR mode through the fourth sub-information field;

[0064] The EMLMR parameters to be updated include at least one of the following:

[0065] Minimum medium access control padding delay for initial frames in EMLMR mode;

[0066] The shortest delay for the EMLMR link to switch from the frame exchange state to the listening state in EMLMR mode;

[0067] The third information field indicates the minimum media access control padding delay of the initial frame in the EMLMR mode through the first sub-information field, and indicates the shortest delay for the EMLMR link to switch from the frame exchange state to the listening state in the EMLMR mode through the second sub-information field.

[0068] In the above embodiment, the multi-link operation update request frame and the multi-link operation update response frame can quickly and conveniently indicate the specific EMLSR parameters or EMLMR parameters to be updated through the information subfield in the second information field or the third information field, which is conducive to improving the parameter update efficiency.

[0069] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the Non-AP MLD performs link update for the enhanced multi-link mode, including:

[0070] When the Non-AP MLD operates in EMLSR mode, the Non-AP MLD performs EMLSR link update according to the EMLSR link indicated by the EMLSR link bitmap field;

[0071] When the Non-AP MLD operates in the EMLMR mode, the Non-AP MLD performs EMLMR link update according to the EMLMR link indicated by the EMLMR link bitmap field.

[0072] In the above embodiment, the Non-AP MLD can perform EMLSR link update according to the EMLSR link indicated by the EMLSR link bitmap indication field, and perform EMLMR link update according to the EMLMR link information indicated by the EMLMR link bitmap field, which is beneficial to improving link update efficiency.

[0073] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the above method further includes:

[0074] The enhanced multi-link control field includes an EMLSR parameter update control field, and when the EMLSR parameter update control field indicates that an EMLSR parameter update is to be performed through a third value, the Non-AP MLD performs an EMLSR parameter update;

[0075] The enhanced multi-link control region includes an EMLMR parameter update control region, and when the EMLMR parameter update control region indicates to update the EMLMR parameters through a fourth value, the Non-AP MLD performs the EMLMR parameter update.

[0076] In the above embodiment, the Non-AP MLD can perform EMLSR parameter update when the EMLSR parameter update control domain indicates to perform EMLSR parameter update, and perform EMLMR parameter update when the EMLMR parameter update control domain indicates to perform EMLMR parameter update, providing an indication method for the Non-AP MLD to perform EMLSR parameter update or EMLMR parameter update, and clarifying the update timing of the Non-AP MLD to perform EMLSR parameter update or EMLMR parameter update.

[0077] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the above method further includes:

[0078] When the multi-link operation update response frame includes the second information field, the Non-AP MLD updates the EMLSR parameters according to the EMLSR parameters to be updated.

[0079] When the multi-link operation update response frame includes the third information field, the Non-AP MLD updates the EMLMR parameters according to the EMLMR parameters to be updated.

[0080] In the above embodiment, the Non-AP MLD may update the EMLSR parameters according to the EMLSR parameters to be updated indicated by the second information field, or may update the EMLMR parameters according to the EMLMR parameters to be updated indicated by the third information field, which is beneficial to improving the accuracy and efficiency of parameter updates.

[0081] In a second aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a communication method, the method comprising:

[0082] When the Non-AP MLD operates in the enhanced multi-link mode, a communication link is newly enabled between the Non-AP MLD and the AP MLD.

[0083] When the Non-AP MLD operates in the enhanced multi-link mode, at least one enabled communication link of the Non-AP MLD in the enhanced multi-link mode becomes invalid.

[0084] In the above embodiment, the AP MLD may determine that the Non-AP MLD indicates the EMLSR mode status information or the EMLMR mode status information through the multi-link operation update request frame under the first condition, thereby providing a method for obtaining the multi-link operation mode status information.

[0085] In conjunction with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the first condition includes at least one of the following:

[0086] When the Non-AP MLD operates in the enhanced multi-link mode, a communication link is newly enabled between the Non-AP MLD and the AP MLD.

[0087] When the Non-AP MLD operates in the enhanced multi-link mode, at least one enabled communication link of the Non-AP MLD in the enhanced multi-link mode becomes invalid.

[0088] In the above embodiment, when the Non-AP MLD operates in enhanced multi-link mode, the multi-link operation update request frame may be sent when a new communication link is enabled or an enabled communication link in enhanced multi-link mode expires, thereby clarifying the sending conditions for the Non-AP MLD to send the multi-link operation update request frame.

[0089] In conjunction with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the above method further includes:

[0090] The AP MLD sends a multi-link operation update response frame to the Non-AP MLD within the conversion timeout period;

[0091] Alternatively, the AP MLD does not send the multi-link operation update response frame within the conversion timeout period.

[0092] In the above embodiment, the AP MLD may send a multi-link operation update response frame to the Non-AP MLD within the conversion timeout period, or may not send a multi-link operation update response frame within the conversion timeout period, thereby providing a response method for the AP MLD to the multi-link operation update request frame.

[0093] In conjunction with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the multi-link operation update response frame includes the first information field, the first information field includes an enhanced multi-link control field, and the enhanced multi-link control field includes an EMLSR mode field and an EMLSR mode field;

[0094] The EMLSR mode field indicates that the Non-AP MLD operates in the EMLSR mode through a first value, and the EMLMR mode field indicates that the Non-AP MLD operates in the EMLMR mode through a second value.

[0095] In the above embodiment, the multi-link operation update request frame and the multi-link operation update response frame can jointly indicate the enhanced multi-link mode in which the Non-AP MLD operates through the EMLSR mode field and the EMLMR mode field in the first information field, thereby achieving rapid indication of the enhanced multi-link mode in which the Non-AP MLD and the Non-AP MLD operate.

[0096] In conjunction with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, when the Non-AP MLD operates in EMLSR mode, the enhanced multi-link control field further includes an EMLSR link bitmap field; when the Non-AP MLD operates in EMLMR mode, the enhanced multi-link control field further includes an EMLMR link bitmap field;

[0097] The EMLSR link bitmap field is used to indicate the EMLSR link when the Non-AP MLD operates in the EMLSR mode, and the EMLMR link bitmap field is used to indicate the EMLMR link when the Non-AP MLD operates in the EMLMR mode.

[0098] In the above embodiment, the multi-link operation update request frame and the multi-link operation update response frame can use the EMLSR link bitmap field or the EMLMR link bitmap field in the first information field to quickly indicate the communication link when the Non-AP MLD operates in the corresponding enhanced multi-link mode, thereby improving the link update efficiency.

[0099] In conjunction with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the enhanced multi-link control field further includes an EMLSR parameter update control field or an EMLMR parameter update control field;

[0100] The EMLSR parameter update control field indicates that the EMLSR parameters are updated through the third value, and the EMLMR parameter update control field indicates that the EMLMR parameters are updated through the fourth value.

[0101] In the above embodiment, the multi-link operation update request frame and the multi-link operation update response frame can implement a quick indication of parameter update for the corresponding enhanced multi-link mode operation through the EMLSR parameter update control field or the EMLMR parameter update control field in the first information field.

[0102] In conjunction with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, when the EMLSR parameter update control field is used to indicate that an EMLSR parameter update is to be performed, the multi-link operation update request frame and the multi-link operation update response frame further include a second information field, where the second information field is used to indicate the EMLSR parameters to be updated.

[0103] When the EMLMR parameter update control field is used to indicate that the EMLMR parameters are to be updated, the multi-link operation update request frame and the multi-link operation update response frame further include a third information field, and the third information field is used to indicate the EMLMR parameters to be updated.

[0104] In the above embodiment, the multi-link operation update request frame and the multi-link operation update response frame can quickly and conveniently indicate the EMLSR parameters or EMLMR parameters to be updated through the second information field or the third information field, which is conducive to improving the parameter update efficiency.

[0105] In conjunction with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the EMLSR parameter to be updated includes at least one of the following:

[0106] Minimum media access control padding delay for initial frames in EMLSR mode;

[0107] The shortest delay for the EMLSR link to switch from the frame exchange state to the listening state in EMLSR mode;

[0108] The second information field indicates the minimum media access control padding delay of the initial frame in the EMLSR mode through the third sub-information field, and indicates the shortest delay for the EMLSR link to switch from the frame exchange state to the listening state in the EMLSR mode through the fourth sub-information field;

[0109] The EMLMR parameters to be updated include at least one of the following:

[0110] Minimum medium access control padding delay for initial frames in EMLMR mode;

[0111] The shortest delay for the EMLMR link to switch from the frame exchange state to the listening state in EMLMR mode;

[0112] The third information field indicates the minimum media access control padding delay of the initial frame in the EMLMR mode through the first sub-information field, and indicates the shortest delay for the EMLMR link to switch from the frame exchange state to the listening state in the EMLMR mode through the second sub-information field.

[0113] In the above embodiment, the multi-link operation update request frame and the multi-link operation update response frame can quickly and conveniently indicate the specific EMLSR parameters or EMLMR parameters to be updated through the information subfield in the second information field or the third information field, which is conducive to improving the parameter update efficiency.

[0114] In a third aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a Non-AP MLD, including:

[0115] a processing module, configured to determine a multi-link operation update request frame under a first condition, wherein the multi-link operation update request frame includes a first information field, the first information field is used to indicate status information of an enhanced multi-link mode of a Non-AP MLD, and the enhanced multi-link mode includes an enhanced multi-link single radio (EMLSR) mode or an enhanced multi-link multi-radio (EMLMR) mode;

[0116] The transceiver module is configured to send the multi-link operation update request frame to the AP MLD.

[0117] In a fourth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a Non-AP MLD, including:

[0118] a transceiver module configured to receive a multi-link operation update request frame, wherein the multi-link operation update request frame includes a first information field, the first information field is used to indicate status information of an enhanced multi-link mode of a Non-AP MLD, the enhanced multi-link mode including an EMLSR mode or an EMLMR mode; and the multi-link operation update request frame is determined and sent by the Non-AP MLD under a first condition.

[0119] In a fifth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a Non-AP MLD, comprising one or more processors;

[0120] The Non-AP MLD is used to execute the communication method provided in the first aspect and the optional implementation manner of the first aspect.

[0121] In a sixth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides an AP MLD, comprising one or more processors;

[0122] The AP MLD is used to execute the communication method provided in the second aspect and the optional implementation manner of the second aspect.

[0123] In a seventh aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a communication device, comprising one or more processors;

[0124] The communication device may act as a Non-AP MLD to execute the communication method provided in the first aspect and its optional implementation manner, and the communication device may act as an AP MLD to execute the communication method provided in the second aspect and its optional implementation manner.

[0125] In an eighth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure proposes a storage medium, which stores instructions. When the instructions are executed on a communication device, the communication device executes the method described in the first aspect, the second aspect, the optional implementation of the first aspect, and the optional implementation of the second aspect.

[0126] In a ninth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure proposes a program product. When the program product is executed by a communication device, the communication device executes the method described in the first aspect, the second aspect, the optional implementation of the first aspect, and the optional implementation of the second aspect.

[0127] In a tenth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure proposes a computer program, which, when executed on a computer, enables the computer to execute the method described in the first aspect, the second aspect, the optional implementation of the first aspect, and the optional implementation of the second aspect.

[0128] In an eleventh aspect, embodiments of the present disclosure provide a chip or a chip system, wherein the chip or chip system includes a processing circuit configured to execute the method described in the first aspect, the second aspect, the optional embodiment of the first aspect, and the optional embodiment of the second aspect.

[0129] In the twelfth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure proposes a communication system, which includes an AP MLD and a Non-AP MLD; wherein the Non-AP MLD is configured to execute the method described in the first aspect and the optional implementation of the first aspect, and the AP MLD is configured to execute the method described in the second aspect and the optional implementation of the second aspect.

[0130] It is understood that the aforementioned non-AP MLD, AP MLD, communication system, communication device, storage medium, program product, computer program, chip, or chip system is used to perform the methods proposed in the embodiments of the present disclosure. Therefore, the beneficial effects achieved by these methods can be referenced to the beneficial effects of the corresponding methods and are not further described here.

[0131] The present disclosure provides a communication method, device, and storage medium. In some embodiments, the terms "communication method" and "information processing method" are interchangeable, the terms "communication device" and "information processing device" are interchangeable, and the terms "information processing system" and "communication system" are interchangeable.

[0132] The embodiments of the present disclosure are not exhaustive and are merely illustrative of some embodiments, and are not intended to be a specific limitation on the scope of protection of the present disclosure. In the absence of contradiction, each step in a certain embodiment can be implemented as an independent embodiment, and the steps can be arbitrarily combined. For example, a solution after removing some steps in a certain embodiment can also be implemented as an independent embodiment, and the order of the steps in a certain embodiment can be arbitrarily exchanged. In addition, the optional implementation methods in a certain embodiment can be arbitrarily combined; in addition, the embodiments can be arbitrarily combined. For example, some or all steps of different embodiments can be arbitrarily combined, and a certain embodiment can be arbitrarily combined with the optional implementation methods of other embodiments.

[0133] In each embodiment of the present disclosure, unless otherwise specified or provided for by logic, the terms and / or descriptions between the embodiments are consistent and can be referenced by each other. The technical features in different embodiments can be combined to form a new embodiment based on their inherent logical relationships.

[0134] The terms used in the embodiments of the present disclosure are only for the purpose of describing specific embodiments and are not intended to limit the present disclosure.

[0135] In the embodiments of the present disclosure, unless otherwise specified, elements expressed in the singular, such as "a", "an", "the", "above", "above", "the", etc., may mean "one and only one", or "one or more", "at least one", etc. For example, when using articles such as "a", "an", "the" in English in translation, the noun following the article may be understood as a singular expression or a plural expression.

[0136] In the embodiments of the present disclosure, “plurality” refers to two or more.

[0137] In some embodiments, the terms "at least one," "one or more," "a plurality of," "multiple," etc. may be used interchangeably.

[0138] In some embodiments, descriptions such as "at least one of A and B," "A and / or B," "A in one case, B in another case," or "in response to one case A, in response to another case B" may include the following technical solutions depending on the situation: in some embodiments, A (A is executed independently of B); in some embodiments, B (B is executed independently of A); in some embodiments, execution is selected from A and B (A and B are selectively executed); and in some embodiments, A and B (both A and B are executed). The above is also applicable when there are more branches such as A, B, and C.

[0139] In some embodiments, "A or B" and other descriptions may include the following technical solutions depending on the situation: in some embodiments, A (A is executed independently of B); in some embodiments, B (B is executed independently of A); in some embodiments, execution is selected from A and B (A and B are selectively executed). The above is also applicable when there are more branches such as A, B, C, etc.

[0140] The prefixes such as "first" and "second" in the embodiments of the present disclosure are only used to distinguish different description objects and do not constitute any restriction on the position, order, priority, quantity or content of the description objects. For the statement of the description object, please refer to the description in the context of the claims or embodiments, and no unnecessary restriction should be constituted due to the use of prefixes. For example, if the description object is a "field", the ordinal number before the "field" in the "first field" and the "second field" does not limit the position or order between the "fields". "First" and "second" do not limit whether the "fields" they modify are in the same message, nor do they limit the order of the "first field" and the "second field". For another example, if the description object is a "level", the ordinal number before the "level" in the "first level" and the "second level" does not limit the priority between the "levels". For another example, the number of description objects is not limited by the ordinal number and can be one or more. Taking "first device" as an example, the number of "devices" can be one or more. In addition, the objects modified by different prefixes can be the same or different. For example, if the description object is "device", then the "first device" and the "second device" can be the same device or different devices, and their types can be the same or different; for another example, if the description object is "information", then the "first information" and the "second information" can be the same information or different information, and their contents can be the same or different.

[0141] In some embodiments, “including A,” “comprising A,” “used to indicate A,” and “carrying A” can be interpreted as directly carrying A or indirectly indicating A.

[0142] In some embodiments, terms such as "in response to...", "in response to determining...", "in the case of...", "at the time of...", "when...", "if...", "if...", etc. can be used interchangeably.

[0143] In some embodiments, terms such as "greater than", "greater than or equal to", "not less than", "more than", "more than or equal to", "not less than", "higher than", "higher than or equal to", "not less than", and "above" can be replaced with each other, and terms such as "less than", "less than or equal to", "not greater than", "less than", "less than or equal to", "not more than", "lower than", "lower than or equal to", "not higher than", and "below" can be replaced with each other.

[0144] In some embodiments, obtaining data, information, etc. may comply with the laws and regulations of the country where the data is obtained.

[0145] In some embodiments, data, information, etc. may be obtained with the user's consent.

[0146] In addition, each element, each row, or each column in the table of the embodiment of the present disclosure can be implemented as an independent embodiment, and the combination of any elements, any rows, and any columns can also be implemented as an independent embodiment.

[0147] FIG1 is a schematic diagram showing the architecture of a communication system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0148] As shown in FIG1 , a communication system 100 includes a Non-AP MLD 101 and an AP MLD 102 .

[0149] Non-AP MLD101 and AP MLD102 support Multi-Link Operation (MLO) technology. To achieve higher throughput, lower network latency, and higher reliability, MLO technology enables the establishment of multiple communication links across frequency bands through Multi-Link Setup frames between the non-AP MLD101 and AP MLD102. The established multiple links are then enabled through the Traffic-to-link Mapping mechanism.

[0150] In some embodiments, each of the AP MLD 102's subordinate APs acts as a bridge between the wired and wireless networks, connecting wireless network clients and then connecting the wireless network to the Ethernet. Specifically, each of the AP MLD 102's subordinate APs can be a terminal device or network device equipped with a Wi-Fi chip.

[0151] In some embodiments, each attached STA of the non-AP MLD 101 is a device including a wireless communication chip supporting WiFi communication, a wireless sensor, or a wireless communication terminal. Optionally, the wireless communication terminal may be, for example, a mobile phone, a wearable device, an IoT device supporting WiFi communication, a car with WiFi communication, a smart car, a tablet computer, a computer with wireless transceiver capabilities, a virtual reality (VR) terminal device, an augmented reality (AR) terminal device, a wireless terminal device used in industrial control, a wireless terminal device used in self-driving, a wireless terminal device used in remote medical surgery, a wireless terminal device used in smart grids, a wireless terminal device used in transportation safety, a wireless terminal device used in smart cities, or a wireless terminal device used in smart homes, but is not limited thereto.

[0152] Considering the limited receiving capability of Non-AP MLD101, after Non-AP MLD101 and AP MLD102 successfully establish multi-link and enable the communication link, Non-AP MLD101 and AP MLD102 negotiate to establish the enhanced multi-link mode and the communication link in the enhanced multi-link mode through the EML Operation Mode Notification frame.

[0153] The enhanced multi-link mode includes the enhanced multi-link single radio (EMLSR) mode and the enhanced multi-link multi-radio (EMLMR) mode.

[0154] After a STA belonging to the Non-AP MLD 101 and working on an EMLSR link or an EMLMR link enters an active state or an awake state, it monitors the channel and receives an initial control frame sent by the AP MLD in an orthogonal frequency division multiplexing PPDU type and a non-high throughput repeated PPDU type.

[0155] When AP MLD102 enables a new communication link or invalidates an already enabled communication link, the EMLSR link or EMLMR link corresponding to Non-AP MLD101 may change. For example, when a new communication link is enabled, the STA attached to Non-AP MLD101 corresponding to the newly enabled communication link may intend to be in EMLSR mode or EMLMR mode; or, if one of the EMLSR or EMLMR links happens to be invalidated, Non-AP MLD101 also needs to update the EMLSR or EMLMR link. According to the existing mechanism, Non-AP MLD101 needs to negotiate the EMLSR or EMLMR link with AP MLD102 through the EML Operation Notification frame each time a new communication link is enabled or an already enabled communication link is invalidated. This approach not only brings additional signaling overhead, but also affects transmission efficiency.

[0156] It can be understood that the communication system described in the embodiment of the present disclosure is for the purpose of more clearly illustrating the technical solution of the embodiment of the present disclosure, and does not constitute a limitation on the technical solution proposed in the embodiment of the present disclosure. Ordinary technicians in this field can know that with the evolution of the system architecture and the emergence of new business scenarios, the technical solution proposed in the embodiment of the present disclosure is also applicable to similar technical problems.

[0157] The following embodiments of the present disclosure may be applied to the communication system 100 shown in FIG1 , or a portion thereof, but are not limited thereto. The entities shown in FIG1 are illustrative only. The communication system may include all or a portion of the entities shown in FIG1 , or may include other entities outside of FIG1 . The number and form of the entities are arbitrary, and the entities may be physical or virtual. The link relationships between the entities are illustrative only. The entities may be linked or unlinked, and the links may be of any type, including direct or indirect, wired or wireless.

[0158] The various embodiments of the present disclosure may be applied to wireless local area networks (WLANs), such as IEEE 802.11 system standards, such as 802.11a / b / g, 802.11n, 802.11ac, and 802.11ax, or their successors, such as 802.11bn, 802.11bf, and 802.11be. The 802.11be standard is also known as Wi-Fi 7 or the extremely high-throughput (EHT) standard, or even a later generation standard. Alternatively, the various embodiments of the present disclosure may also be applied to wireless local area network systems, such as Internet of Things (IoT) networks or Vehicle to X (V2X) networks. Of course, the embodiments of the present disclosure can also be applied to other possible communication systems, such as long term evolution (LTE) system, LTE frequency division duplex (FDD) system, LTE time division duplex (TDD) system, universal mobile telecommunication system (UMTS), world-wide interoperability for microwave access (WiMAX) communication system, and future fifth generation (5G) communication system.

[0159] To address the above issues, the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present disclosure are further described below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some of the embodiments of the present disclosure and do not represent all of the embodiments. All other embodiments derived by persons of ordinary skill in the art based on the embodiments of the present disclosure without inventive effort are within the scope of protection of the present disclosure.

[0160] FIG2 is a schematic diagram illustrating an interaction of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The communication method shown in FIG2 includes:

[0161] Step S21: The Non-AP MLD determines under a first condition and sends a multi-link operation update request frame to the AP MLD, wherein the multi-link operation update request frame includes a first information field, and the first information field is used to indicate status information of the enhanced multi-link mode of the Non-AP MLD.

[0162] In some embodiments, the enhanced multi-link mode includes an enhanced multi-link single radio EMLSR mode or an enhanced multi-link multi-radio EMLMR mode.

[0163] In some embodiments, the first condition includes at least one of the following:

[0164] When Non-AP MLD operates in enhanced multi-link mode, a communication link is newly enabled between Non-AP MLD and AP MLD.

[0165] When the Non-AP MLD operates in the enhanced multi-link mode, at least one enabled communication link of the Non-AP MLD in the enhanced multi-link mode fails.

[0166] As an example, when the Non-AP MLD operates in the EMLSR mode or the EMLMR mode, when a communication link is newly enabled between the Non-AP MLD and the AP MLD, the Non-AP MLD determines a multi-link operation update request frame.

[0167] As an example, when the Non-AP MLD operates in the EMLSR mode, when at least one enabled EMLSR link of the Non-AP MLD in the EMLSR mode fails, the Non-AP MLD determines a multi-link operation update request frame.

[0168] As an example, when the Non-AP MLD operates in the EMLMR mode, when at least one enabled EMLMR link of the Non-AP MLD in the EMLMR mode fails, the Non-AP MLD determines the multi-link operation update request frame.

[0169] In some embodiments, a multi-link operation update request (Multi-Link Operation Update Request) frame includes a first information field, the first information field includes an enhanced multi-link control (EML Control) field, the enhanced multi-link control field includes an EMLSR mode (EMLSR Mode) field and an EMLMR mode (EMLMR Mode) field.

[0170] The EMLSR mode field indicates that the Non-AP MLD operates in the EMLSR mode through a first value, and indicates that the Non-AP MLD does not operate in the EMLSR mode through other values.

[0171] The first value may be 1, which is not limited here.

[0172] The EMLMR mode field indicates that the Non-AP MLD operates in the EMLMR mode through the second value, and indicates that the Non-AP MLD does not operate in the EMLMR mode through other values.

[0173] The second value may be 1, which is not limited here.

[0174] As an example, the first information field includes an enhanced multi-link control field, which includes an EMLSR mode field and an EMLMR mode field. When the EMLSR mode field has an identification value of 1 and the EMLMR mode field has an identification value of 0, it indicates that the non-AP MLD operates in the EMLSR mode. When the EMLSR mode field has an identification value of 0 and the EMLMR mode field has an identification value of 1, it indicates that the non-AP MLD operates in the EMLSR mode.

[0175] In some embodiments, when the Non-AP MLD operates in EMLSR mode, the enhanced multi-link control field further includes an EMLSR link bitmap field; when the Non-AP MLD operates in EMLMR mode, the enhanced multi-link control field further includes an EMLMR link bitmap field;

[0176] The EMLSR link bitmap field is used to indicate the EMLSR link when the Non-AP MLD operates in the EMLSR mode, and the EMLMR link bitmap field is used to indicate the EMLMR link when the Non-AP MLD operates in the EMLMR mode.

[0177] As an example, the Non-AP MLD determines a multi-link operation update request frame under a first condition, where the multi-link operation update request frame includes a first information field, the first information field includes an enhanced multi-link control field, and the enhanced multi-link control field includes an EMLSR mode field and an EMLMR mode field.

[0178] When the identifier value of the EMLSR mode field is 1 and the identifier value of the EMLMR mode field is 0, it is used to indicate that the Non-AP MLD operates in the EMLSR mode. In this case, the enhanced multi-link control field also includes an EMLSR link bitmap field, which is used to indicate the EMLSR link when the Non-AP MLD operates in the EMLSR mode.

[0179] When the identifier value of the EMLMR mode field is 0 and the identifier value of the EMLMR mode field is 1, it is used to indicate that the non-AP MLD operates in the EMLMR mode. In this case, the enhanced multi-link control field also includes an EMLMR link bitmap field, which is used to indicate the EMLMR link when the non-AP MLD operates in the EMLMR mode.

[0180] In some embodiments, the enhanced multi-link control field further includes an EMLSR parameter update control (EMLSR Parameter Update Control) field or an EMLMR parameter update control (EMLMR Parameter Update Control) field.

[0181] The EMLSR parameter update control field indicates the EMLSR parameter update through the third value, that is, instructs the update of the EMLSR parameters carried by the Basic Multi-Link element field in the process of associating Non-AP MLD and AP MLD.

[0182] The EMLMR parameter update control field indicates updating of the EMLMR parameters through the fourth value, that is, instructing updating of the EMLMR parameters carried by the Basic Multi-Link element field in the process of associating the Non-AP MLD and the AP MLD.

[0183] The third value and the fourth value may be 1, and are not limited here.

[0184] As an example, when the Non-AP MLD operates in EMLSR mode, the multilink operation update request frame includes a first information field, the first information field includes an enhanced multilink control field, and the enhanced multilink control field includes an EMLSR parameter update control field. When the identifier value of the EMLSR parameter update control field is the third value, it is used to indicate an EMLSR parameter update, that is, to request an EMLSR parameter update.

[0185] As an example, when the Non-AP MLD operates in EMLMR mode, the multilink operation update request frame includes a first information field, the first information field includes an enhanced multilink control field, and the enhanced multilink control field includes an EMLMR parameter update control field. When the identifier value of the EMLMR parameter update control field is a fourth value, it indicates an EMLMR parameter update, i.e., requests an EMLMR parameter update.

[0186] In some embodiments, when the enhanced multi-link control field includes an EMLSR parameter update control field, when the EMLSR parameter update control field is used to indicate an EMLSR parameter update, the multi-link operation update request frame also includes a second information field, and the second information field is used to indicate the EMLSR parameters to be updated.

[0187] In the case where the enhanced multi-link control field includes an EMLMR parameter update control (EMLMR Parameter Update Control) field, when the EMLMR parameter update control field is used to indicate an EMLMR parameter update, the multi-link operation update request frame further includes a third information field, where the third information field is used to indicate the EMLMR parameters to be updated.

[0188] Optionally, the EMLSR parameter to be updated includes at least one of the following:

[0189] Minimum medium access control (MAC) padding delay for initial frames in EMLSR mode;

[0190] Minimum delay for an EMLSR link to switch from the frame exchange state to the listening state in EMLSR mode.

[0191] Among them, the second information field includes at least one item in the third sub-information field or the fourth sub-information field, the third sub-information field is used to indicate the minimum MAC filling delay of the initial frame in the EMLSR mode, and the fourth sub-information field is used to indicate the shortest delay for the EMLSR link to switch from the frame exchange state to the listening state in the EMLSR mode.

[0192] The minimum MAC padding delay of the initial frame in the EMLSR mode may be the EMLSR Padding Delay, and the shortest delay for the EMLSR link to switch from the frame exchange state to the listening state in the EMLSR mode may be the EMLSR Transition Delay.

[0193] Optionally, the EMLMR parameter to be updated includes at least one of the following:

[0194] Minimum medium access control (MAC) padding delay for initial frames in EMLMR mode;

[0195] The minimum delay for the EMLMR link to switch from the frame exchange state to the listening state in EMLMR mode.

[0196] The third information field includes at least one item of the first sub-information field or the second sub-information field. The first sub-information field is used to indicate the minimum MAC padding delay of the initial frame in the EMLMR mode. The second sub-information field is used to indicate the shortest delay for the EMLMR link to switch from the frame exchange state to the listening state in the EMLMR mode.

[0197] The minimum MAC padding delay of the initial frame in the EMLMR mode may be the EMLMR Padding Delay, and the shortest delay for the EMLMR link to switch from the frame exchange state to the listening state in the EMLMR mode may be the EMLMR Transition Delay.

[0198] Step S22: The AP MLD sends a multi-link operation update response frame to the Non-AP MLD within the conversion timeout period, or the AP MLD does not send a multi-link operation update response frame within the conversion timeout period.

[0199] In some embodiments, the AP MLD sends a multi-link operation update response frame to the non-AP MLD within a transition timeout period. The multi-link operation update response frame does not include the first information field.

[0200] The transition timeout is indicated by the Transition Timeout field when the Non-AP MLD and AP MLD establish an association. The message frame in the process of associating the Non-AP MLD and AP MLD includes the Basic Multi-Link element field, the Basic Multi-Link element field includes the EML Capabilities field, and the EML Capabilities field includes the Transition Timeout field.

[0201] In some embodiments, the AP MLD does not send a multi-link operation update response frame within the transition timeout period.

[0202] In some embodiments, the AP MLD sends a multi-link operation update response frame to the non-AP MLD within a transition timeout period. The multi-link operation update response frame includes a first information field.

[0203] Wherein, in the case where the first information field of the multi-link operation update request frame includes an enhanced multi-link control (EML Control) field, the first information field of the multi-link operation update response frame may include an enhanced multi-link control field.

[0204] As an example, the first information field in the multi-link operation update response frame may include an enhanced multi-link control field, and the enhanced multi-link control field may include an EMLSR mode field and an EMLMR mode field.

[0205] As an example, the first information field in the multi-link operation update response frame may include an enhanced multi-link control field, and when the Non-AP MLD operates in EMLSR mode, the enhanced multi-link control field may include an EMLSR link bitmap field.

[0206] As an example, the first information field in the multi-link operation update response frame may include an enhanced multi-link control field, and when the Non-AP MLD operates in the EMLMR mode, the enhanced multi-link control field may include an EMLMR link bitmap field.

[0207] As an example, the first information field in the multi-link operation update response frame may include an enhanced multi-link control field, and the enhanced multi-link control field may include an EMLSR parameter update control field.

[0208] As an example, the first information field in the multi-link operation update response frame may include an enhanced multi-link control field, and the enhanced multi-link control field may include an EMLMR parameter update control field.

[0209] As an example, the multi-link operation update response frame may further include a second information field. That is, when the first information field in the multi-link operation update response frame includes an enhanced multi-link control field, and the enhanced multi-link control field includes an EMLSR parameter update control field, when the EMLSR parameter update control field is used to indicate an EMLSR parameter update, the multi-link operation update response frame further includes a second information field for indicating the EMLSR parameters to be updated.

[0210] As an example, the multi-link operation update response frame may further include a third information field. That is, when the first information field in the multi-link operation update response frame includes an enhanced multi-link control field, and the enhanced multi-link control field includes an EMLMR parameter update control field, when the EMLMR parameter update control field is used to indicate an EMLMR parameter update, the multi-link operation update response frame may further include a third information field for indicating the EMLMR parameters to be updated.

[0211] Optionally, the EMLSR parameter to be updated includes at least one of the following:

[0212] Minimum medium access control (MAC) padding delay for initial frames in EMLSR mode;

[0213] Minimum delay for an EMLSR link to switch from the frame exchange state to the listening state in EMLSR mode.

[0214] Among them, the second information field includes at least one item in the third sub-information field or the fourth sub-information field, the third sub-information field is used to indicate the minimum MAC filling delay of the initial frame in the EMLSR mode, and the fourth sub-information field is used to indicate the shortest delay for the EMLSR link to switch from the frame exchange state to the listening state in the EMLSR mode.

[0215] The minimum MAC padding delay of the initial frame in the EMLSR mode may be the EMLSR Padding Delay, and the shortest delay for the EMLSR link to switch from the frame exchange state to the listening state in the EMLSR mode may be the EMLSR Transition Delay.

[0216] Optionally, the EMLMR parameter to be updated includes at least one of the following:

[0217] Minimum medium access control (MAC) padding delay for initial frames in EMLMR mode;

[0218] The minimum delay for the EMLMR link to switch from the frame exchange state to the listening state in EMLMR mode.

[0219] The second information field includes at least one item of the first sub-information field or the second sub-information field. The first sub-information field is used to indicate the minimum MAC padding delay of the initial frame in the EMLMR mode. The second sub-information field is used to indicate the shortest delay for the EMLMR link to switch from the frame exchange state to the listening state in the EMLMR mode.

[0220] The minimum MAC padding delay of the initial frame in the EMLMR mode may be the EMLMR Padding Delay, and the shortest delay for the EMLMR link to switch from the frame exchange state to the listening state in the EMLMR mode may be the EMLMR Transition Delay.

[0221] As an example, the multi-link operation update request frame includes a first information field and a second information field.

[0222] Among them, the first information field in the multi-link operation update request frame includes an enhanced multi-link control field, the enhanced multi-link control field includes an EMLSR mode field and an EMLMR mode field, and when the Non-AP MLD works in EMLSR mode, the enhanced multi-link control field also includes an EMLSR link bitmap (EMLSR Link Bitmap) field and an EMLSR parameter update control (EMLSR Parameter Update Control) field.

[0223] The multi-link operation update request frame response frame includes a second information field for indicating the EMLSR parameters to be updated. The second information field includes a third sub-information field and a fourth sub-information field. The third sub-information field indicates the minimum MAC padding delay for the initial frame in EMLSR mode, and the fourth sub-information field indicates the minimum delay for the EMLSR link to switch from the frame exchange state to the listening state in EMLSR mode.

[0224] In this case, the multi-link operation update response frame may include at least one of the first information field or the second information field.

[0225] Furthermore, the first information field in the multi-link operation update response frame may include an enhanced multi-link control field, and the enhanced multi-link control field may include an EMLSR mode field and an EMLMR mode field.

[0226] Furthermore, when the Non-AP MLD operates in EMLSR mode, the multi-link operation update response frame includes an enhanced multi-link control field, and the enhanced multi-link control field may include at least one of an EMLSR link bitmap field or an EMLSR parameter update control field.

[0227] Furthermore, when the multi-link operation update response frame includes the second information field, the second information field may include at least one of the third sub-information field or the fourth sub-information field.

[0228] As an example, the multi-link operation update request frame includes a first information field and a third information field.

[0229] Among them, the first information field in the multi-link operation update request frame includes an enhanced multi-link control field, the enhanced multi-link control field includes an EMLSR mode field and an EMLMR mode field, and when the Non-AP MLD works in EMLMR mode, the enhanced multi-link control field also includes an EMLMR link bitmap (EMLMR Link Bitmap) field and an EMLMR parameter update control (EMLMR Parameter Update Control) field.

[0230] The multilink operation update request frame response frame includes a third information field for indicating the EMLMR parameters to be updated. The third information field includes a first sub-information field and a second sub-information field. The first sub-information field indicates the minimum MAC padding delay for an initial frame in EMLMR mode, and the second sub-information field indicates the minimum delay for an EMLMR link to switch from a frame exchange state to a listening state in EMLMR mode.

[0231] In this case, the multi-link operation update response frame may include at least one of the first information field or the third information field.

[0232] Furthermore, the first information field in the multi-link operation update response frame may include an enhanced multi-link control field, and the enhanced multi-link control field may include an EMLSR mode field and an EMLMR mode field.

[0233] Furthermore, when the Non-AP MLD operates in the EMLMR mode, when the multi-link operation update response frame includes an enhanced multi-link control field, the enhanced multi-link control field may include at least one of an EMLMR link bitmap field or an EMLMR parameter update control field.

[0234] Furthermore, when the multi-link operation update response frame includes the third information field, the third information field may include at least one of the first sub-information field or the second sub-information field.

[0235] Step S23 : When the Non-AP MLD receives the multi-link operation update response frame within the conversion timeout period, or when the Non-AP MLD does not receive the multi-link operation update response frame within the conversion timeout period, the Non-AP MLD performs link update for the enhanced multi-link mode.

[0236] In some embodiments, if the Non-AP MLD does not receive a multi-link operation update response frame within a transition timeout period, the Non-AP MLD may perform a link update for the enhanced multi-link mode.

[0237] If the Non-AP MLD operates in EMLSR mode, the Non-AP MLD performs EMLSR link update. If the Non-AP MLD operates in EMLMR mode, the Non-AP MLD performs EMLMR link update.

[0238] Optionally, when the multi-link operation update request frame includes a first information field, the first information field includes an enhanced multi-link control field, and the enhanced multi-link control field includes an EMLSR link bitmap field, the Non-AP MLD can perform an EMLSR link update according to the EMLSR link indicated by the EMLSR link bitmap field.

[0239] Optionally, when the multi-link operation update request frame includes the first information field, the first information field includes the enhanced multi-link control field, and the enhanced multi-link control field includes the EMLMR link bitmap field, the Non-AP MLD can perform EMLMR link update according to the EMLMR link indicated by the EMLMR link bitmap field.

[0240] In some embodiments, if the Non-AP MLD receives a multi-link operation update response frame sent by the AP MLD within the transition time, the Non-AP MLD may perform a link update for the enhanced multi-link mode.

[0241] If the Non-AP MLD operates in EMLSR mode, the Non-AP MLD performs EMLSR link update. If the Non-AP MLD operates in EMLMR mode, the Non-AP MLD performs EMLMR link update.

[0242] Optionally, when the multi-link operation update request frame includes the first information field, the first information field includes the enhanced multi-link control field, and the enhanced multi-link control field includes the EMLSR link bitmap field, the Non-AP MLD may perform an EMLSR link update according to the EMLSR link indicated by the EMLSR link bitmap field. Alternatively, when the multi-link operation update response frame includes the first information field, the first information field includes the enhanced multi-link control field, and the enhanced multi-link control field includes the EMLSR link bitmap field, the Non-AP MLD may perform an EMLSR link update according to the EMLSR link indicated by the EMLSR link bitmap field.

[0243] Optionally, when the multi-link operation update request frame includes the first information field, the first information field includes the enhanced multi-link control field, and the enhanced multi-link control field includes the EMLMR link bitmap field, the non-AP MLD may perform an EMLMR link update based on the EMLMR link indicated by the EMLMR link bitmap field. Alternatively, when the multi-link operation update response frame includes the first information field, the first information field includes the enhanced multi-link control field, and the enhanced multi-link control field includes the EMLMR link bitmap field, the non-AP MLD may perform an EMLMR link update based on the EMLMR link indicated by the EMLMR link bitmap field.

[0244] Step S24 : The Non-AP MLD determines whether the multi-link operation update request frame and the multi-link operation update response frame include an enhanced multi-link mode parameter update control field.

[0245] The enhanced multi-link mode parameter update control field includes an EMLSR parameter update control field or an EMLMR parameter update control field.

[0246] That is, the Non-AP MLD determines whether the multi-link operation update request frame and the multi-link operation update response frame include one of the EMLSR parameter update control field or the EMLMR parameter update control field.

[0247] As an example, when the Non-AP MLD operates in EMLSR mode, the Non-AP MLD determines whether the multi-link operation update request frame and the multi-link operation update response frame include the EMLSR parameter update control field; when the Non-AP MLD operates in EMLMR mode, the Non-AP MLD determines whether the multi-link operation update request frame and the multi-link operation update response frame include the EMLMR parameter update control field.

[0248] If the multi-link operation update request frame and the multi-link operation update response frame include the enhanced multi-link mode parameter update control field, step S26 is executed; otherwise, step S25 is executed.

[0249] That is, when the Non-AP MLD operates in EMLSR mode, if the multi-link operation update request frame and the multi-link operation update response frame include the EMLSR parameter update control field, step S26 is executed; otherwise, step S25 is executed. When the Non-AP MLD operates in EMLMR mode, if the multi-link operation update request frame and the multi-link operation update response frame include the EMLMR parameter update control field, step S26 is executed; otherwise, step S25 is executed.

[0250] Step S25: Non-AP MLD does not update parameters for the enhanced multi-link mode.

[0251] In some embodiments, when the Non-AP MLD operates in EMLSR mode, the Non-AP MLD does not update EMLSR parameters. When the Non-AP MLD operates in EMLMR mode, the Non-AP MLD does not update EMLMR parameters.

[0252] Step S26 : The Non-AP MLD determines whether the enhanced multi-link mode update control field indicates to update parameters for the enhanced multi-link mode.

[0253] In some embodiments, if the multi-link operation update request frame and the multi-link operation update response frame include the EMLSR parameter update control field, the Non-AP MLD determines whether the EMLSR parameter update control field indicates EMLSR parameter update through a third value.

[0254] If the multi-link operation update request frame and the multi-link operation update response frame include the EMLMR parameter update control field, the Non-AP MLD determines whether the EMLSR parameter update control field indicates EMLSR parameter update through the fourth value.

[0255] If it is determined that the enhanced multi-link mode update control field is used to instruct parameter update for the enhanced multi-link mode, step S27 is executed; otherwise, step S25 is executed.

[0256] That is, when the Non-AP MLD operates in EMLSR mode, if the EMLSR Parameter Update Control field in the Multilink Operation Update Request frame and the Multilink Operation Update Response frame indicates that an EMLSR parameter update is to be performed using the third value, step S27 is executed; otherwise, step S25 is executed. When the Non-AP MLD operates in EMLMR mode, if the EMLMR Parameter Update Control field in the Multilink Operation Update Request frame and the Multilink Operation Update Response frame indicates that an EMLMR parameter update is to be performed using the fourth value, step S27 is executed; otherwise, step S25 is executed.

[0257] Step S27 : The Non-AP MLD determines whether the multi-link operation update request frame and the multi-link operation update response frame include an information field for indicating the enhanced multi-link mode parameters to be updated.

[0258] The information field for indicating the enhanced multi-link mode parameters to be updated includes a second information field for indicating the EMLSR parameters to be updated and a third information field for indicating the EMLMR parameters to be updated.

[0259] In some embodiments, when the Non-AP MLD operates in EMLSR mode, the Non-AP MLD determines whether the multi-link operation update request frame and the multi-link operation update response frame include the second information field. If the second information field is included, step S29 is executed; otherwise, step S28 is executed. When the Non-AP MLD operates in EMLMR mode, the Non-AP MLD determines whether the multi-link operation update request frame and the multi-link operation update response frame include the third information field. If the third information field is included, step S29 is executed; otherwise, step S28 is executed.

[0260] The second information field is used to indicate the EMLSR parameters to be updated, and the third information field is used to indicate the EMLMR parameters to be updated.

[0261] Step S28: Non-AP MLD updates the enhanced multi-link mode parameters carried in the basic multi-link element field.

[0262] In some embodiments, when Non-AP MLD operates in EMLSR mode, Non-AP MLD can update the EMLSR parameters carried in the Basic Multi-Link Element field of the message frames during the association process between Non-AP MLD and AP MLD. When Non-AP MLD operates in EMLMR mode, Non-AP MLD can update the EMLMR parameters carried in the Basic Multi-Link Element field of the message frames during the association process between Non-AP MLD and AP MLD.

[0263] In step S29 , the Non-AP MLD updates the parameters of the enhanced multi-link mode according to the enhanced multi-link mode parameters to be updated indicated by the corresponding information field.

[0264] In some embodiments, when the Non-AP MLD operates in the EMLSR mode, the Non-AP MLD may update the EMLSR parameters according to the EMLSR parameters to be updated indicated by the second information field.

[0265] Among them, when the second information field in the multi-link operation update request frame or the multi-link operation update response frame includes the third sub-information field, the Non-AP MLD can update the minimum MAC padding delay of the initial frame in the EMLSR mode indicated by the third sub-information field, such as updating the EMLSR Padding Delay parameter in the EMLSR mode.

[0266] Among them, when the second information field in the multi-link operation update request frame or the multi-link operation update response frame includes the fourth sub-information field, the Non-AP MLD can update the shortest delay for the EMLSR link to switch from the frame exchange state to the listening state in the EMLSR mode indicated by the fourth sub-information field, such as updating the EMLSR Transition Delay parameter in the EMLSR mode.

[0267] In some embodiments, when the Non-AP MLD operates in the EMLMR mode, the Non-AP MLD may configure the EMLMR parameters according to the EMLMR parameters indicated by the third information field.

[0268] When the third information field in the multilink operation update request frame or the multilink operation update response frame includes the first sub-information field, the Non-AP MLD may update the minimum MAC padding delay of the initial frame in the EMLMR mode indicated by the first sub-information field, such as updating the EMLMR Padding Delay parameter in the EMLMR mode.

[0269] When the third information field in the multi-link operation update request frame or the multi-link operation update response frame includes the second sub-information field, the Non-AP MLD may update the shortest delay for the EMLMR link to switch from the frame exchange state to the listening state in the EMLMR mode indicated by the second sub-information field, such as updating the EMLMR Transition Delay parameter in the EMLMR mode.

[0270] The communication method involved in the embodiments of the present disclosure may include at least one of the aforementioned steps and embodiments. For example, any one of steps S21-S23 may be implemented as an independent embodiment, steps S21-S22 may be implemented as an independent embodiment, and steps S21-S29 may be implemented as an independent embodiment, but are not limited thereto.

[0271] FIG3 is a flow chart of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG3 , the method is performed by a Non-AP MLD and includes:

[0272] Step S31 : determining a multi-link operation update request frame under a first condition, wherein the multi-link operation update request frame includes a first information field, and the first information field is used to indicate state information of an enhanced multi-link mode of the Non-AP MLD.

[0273] In some embodiments, the enhanced multi-link mode includes an enhanced multi-link single radio EMLSR mode or an enhanced multi-link multi-radio EMLMR mode.

[0274] In some embodiments, the first condition includes at least one of the following:

[0275] In some embodiments, the first condition includes at least one of the following:

[0276] When Non-AP MLD operates in enhanced multi-link mode, a communication link is newly enabled between Non-AP MLD and AP MLD.

[0277] When the Non-AP MLD operates in the enhanced multi-link mode, at least one enabled communication link of the Non-AP MLD in the enhanced multi-link mode fails.

[0278] As an example, when the Non-AP MLD operates in the EMLSR mode or the EMLMR mode, when a communication link is newly enabled between the Non-AP MLD and the AP MLD, the Non-AP MLD determines a multi-link operation update request frame.

[0279] As an example, when the Non-AP MLD operates in the EMLSR mode, when at least one enabled EMLSR link of the Non-AP MLD in the EMLSR mode fails, the Non-AP MLD determines a multi-link operation update request frame.

[0280] As an example, when the Non-AP MLD operates in the EMLMR mode, when at least one enabled EMLMR link of the Non-AP MLD in the EMLMR mode fails, the Non-AP MLD determines the multi-link operation update request frame.

[0281] In some embodiments, a multi-link operation update request (Multi-Link Operation Update Request) frame includes a first information field, the first information field includes an enhanced multi-link control (EML Control) field, the enhanced multi-link control field includes an EMLSR mode (EMLSR Mode) field and an EMLMR mode (EMLMR Mode) field.

[0282] The EMLSR mode field indicates that the Non-AP MLD operates in the EMLSR mode through a first value, and indicates that the Non-AP MLD does not operate in the EMLSR mode through other values.

[0283] The first value may be 1, which is not limited here.

[0284] The EMLMR mode field indicates that the Non-AP MLD operates in the EMLMR mode through the second value, and indicates that the Non-AP MLD does not operate in the EMLMR mode through other values.

[0285] The second value may be 1, which is not limited here.

[0286] As an example, the first information field includes an enhanced multi-link control field, which includes an EMLSR mode field and an EMLMR mode field. When the EMLSR mode field has an identification value of 1 and the EMLMR mode field has an identification value of 0, it indicates that the non-AP MLD operates in the EMLSR mode. When the EMLSR mode field has an identification value of 0 and the EMLMR mode field has an identification value of 1, it indicates that the non-AP MLD operates in the EMLSR mode.

[0287] In some embodiments, when the Non-AP MLD operates in EMLSR mode, the enhanced multi-link control field further includes an EMLSR link bitmap field; when the Non-AP MLD operates in EMLMR mode, the enhanced multi-link control field further includes an EMLMR link bitmap field;

[0288] The EMLSR link bitmap field is used to indicate the EMLSR link when the Non-AP MLD operates in the EMLSR mode, and the EMLMR link bitmap field is used to indicate the EMLMR link when the Non-AP MLD operates in the EMLMR mode.

[0289] As an example, the Non-AP MLD determines a multi-link operation update request frame under a first condition, where the multi-link operation update request frame includes a first information field, the first information field includes an enhanced multi-link control field, and the enhanced multi-link control field includes an EMLSR mode field and an EMLMR mode field.

[0290] When the identifier value of the EMLSR mode field is 1 and the identifier value of the EMLMR mode field is 0, it is used to indicate that the Non-AP MLD operates in the EMLSR mode. In this case, the enhanced multi-link control field also includes an EMLSR link bitmap field, which is used to indicate the EMLSR link when the Non-AP MLD operates in the EMLSR mode.

[0291] When the identifier value of the EMLMR mode field is 0 and the identifier value of the EMLMR mode field is 1, it is used to indicate that the non-AP MLD operates in the EMLMR mode. In this case, the enhanced multi-link control field also includes an EMLMR link bitmap field, which is used to indicate the EMLMR link when the non-AP MLD operates in the EMLMR mode.

[0292] In some embodiments, the enhanced multi-link control region further includes an EMLSR parameter update control region or an EMLMR parameter update control region.

[0293] The EMLSR parameter update control field indicates updating of the EMLSR parameters through the third value, that is, instructing updating of the EMLSR parameters carried by the Basic Multi-Link Element field in the process of associating Non-AP MLD with AP MLD.

[0294] The EMLMR parameter update control field indicates updating of the EMLMR parameters through the fourth value, that is, instructing updating of the EMLMR parameters carried by the Basic Multi-Link element field in the process of associating the Non-AP MLD and the AP MLD.

[0295] The third value and the fourth value may be 1, and are not limited here.

[0296] As an example, when the Non-AP MLD operates in EMLSR mode, the multilink operation update request frame includes a first information field, the first information field includes an enhanced multilink control field, and the enhanced multilink control field includes an EMLSR parameter update control field. When the identifier value of the EMLSR parameter update control field is the third value, it is used to indicate an EMLSR parameter update, that is, to request an EMLSR parameter update.

[0297] As an example, when the Non-AP MLD operates in EMLMR mode, the multilink operation update request frame includes a first information field, the first information field includes an enhanced multilink control field, and the enhanced multilink control field includes an EMLMR parameter update control field. When the identifier value of the EMLMR parameter update control field is a fourth value, it indicates an EMLMR parameter update, i.e., requests an EMLMR parameter update.

[0298] In some embodiments, when the enhanced multi-link control field includes an EMLSR parameter update control field, when the EMLSR parameter update control field is used to indicate an EMLSR parameter update, the multi-link operation update request frame also includes a second information field, and the second information field is used to indicate the EMLSR parameters to be updated.

[0299] In the case where the enhanced multi-link control field includes an EMLMR parameter update control (EMLMR Parameter Update Control) field, when the EMLMR parameter update control field is used to indicate an EMLMR parameter update, the multi-link operation update request frame further includes a third information field, where the third information field is used to indicate the EMLMR parameters to be updated.

[0300] Optionally, the EMLSR parameter to be updated includes at least one of the following:

[0301] Minimum medium access control (MAC) padding delay for initial frames in EMLSR mode;

[0302] Minimum delay for an EMLSR link to switch from the frame exchange state to the listening state in EMLSR mode.

[0303] Among them, the second information field includes at least one item in the third sub-information field or the fourth sub-information field, the third sub-information field is used to indicate the minimum MAC filling delay of the initial frame in the EMLSR mode, and the fourth sub-information field is used to indicate the shortest delay for the EMLSR link to switch from the frame exchange state to the listening state in the EMLSR mode.

[0304] The minimum MAC padding delay of the initial frame in the EMLSR mode may be the EMLSR Padding Delay, and the shortest delay for the EMLSR link to switch from the frame exchange state to the listening state in the EMLSR mode may be the EMLSR Transition Delay.

[0305] Optionally, the EMLMR parameter to be updated includes at least one of the following:

[0306] Minimum medium access control (MAC) padding delay for initial frames in EMLMR mode;

[0307] The minimum delay for the EMLMR link to switch from the frame exchange state to the listening state in EMLMR mode.

[0308] The third information field includes at least one item of the first sub-information field or the second sub-information field. The first sub-information field is used to indicate the minimum MAC padding delay of the initial frame in the EMLMR mode. The second sub-information field is used to indicate the shortest delay for the EMLMR link to switch from the frame exchange state to the listening state in the EMLMR mode.

[0309] The minimum MAC padding delay of the initial frame in the EMLMR mode may be the EMLMR Padding Delay, and the shortest delay for the EMLMR link to switch from the frame exchange state to the listening state in the EMLMR mode may be the EMLMR Transition Delay.

[0310] Step S32: Send a multi-link operation update request frame to the AP MLD.

[0311] FIG4 is a second flow chart of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG4 , the method is executed by a Non-AP MLD, and the method includes:

[0312] Step S41 : determining a multi-link operation update request frame under a first condition, wherein the multi-link operation update request frame includes a first information field, and the first information field is used to indicate state information of an enhanced multi-link mode of the Non-AP MLD.

[0313] Step S42: Send a multi-link operation update request frame to the AP MLD.

[0314] In some embodiments, the implementation of step S41 - step S42 can refer to the implementation shown in step S31 - step S32 in FIG3 , which will not be repeated here.

[0315] Step S43: When a multi-link operation update response frame is received from the AP MLD within the conversion timeout period, or when no multi-link operation update response frame is received from the AP MLD within the conversion timeout period, link update is performed for the enhanced multi-link mode.

[0316] In some embodiments, the multi-link operation update response frame is sent by the AP MLD to the Non-AP MLD within a transition timeout period (Transition Timeout), and the multi-link operation update response frame does not include the first information field.

[0317] The transition timeout is indicated by the Transition Timeout field when the Non-AP MLD and AP MLD establish an association. The message frame in the process of associating the Non-AP MLD and AP MLD includes the Basic Multi-Link element field, the Basic Multi-Link element field includes the EML Capabilities field, and the EML Capabilities field includes the Transition Timeout field.

[0318] In some embodiments, the multi-link operation update response frame is sent by the AP MLD to the Non-AP MLD within a transition timeout period, and the multi-link operation update response frame includes a first information field.

[0319] Wherein, in the case where the first information field of the multi-link operation update request frame includes an enhanced multi-link control (EML Control) field, the first information field of the multi-link operation update response frame may include an enhanced multi-link control field.

[0320] As an example, the first information field in the multi-link operation update response frame may include an enhanced multi-link control field, and the enhanced multi-link control field may include an EMLSR mode field and an EMLMR mode field.

[0321] As an example, the first information field in the multi-link operation update response frame may include an enhanced multi-link control field, and when the Non-AP MLD operates in EMLSR mode, the enhanced multi-link control field may include an EMLSR link bitmap field.

[0322] As an example, the first information field in the multi-link operation update response frame may include an enhanced multi-link control field, and when the Non-AP MLD operates in the EMLMR mode, the enhanced multi-link control field may include an EMLMR link bitmap field.

[0323] As an example, the first information field in the multi-link operation update response frame may include an enhanced multi-link control field, and the enhanced multi-link control field may include an EMLSR parameter update control field.

[0324] As an example, the first information field in the multi-link operation update response frame may include an enhanced multi-link control field, and the enhanced multi-link control field may include an EMLMR parameter update control field.

[0325] As an example, the multi-link operation update response frame may further include a second information field. That is, when the first information field in the multi-link operation update response frame includes an enhanced multi-link control field, and the enhanced multi-link control field includes an EMLSR parameter update control field, when the EMLSR parameter update control field is used to indicate an EMLSR parameter update, the multi-link operation update response frame further includes a second information field for indicating the EMLSR parameters to be updated.

[0326] As an example, the multi-link operation update response frame may further include a third information field. That is, when the first information field in the multi-link operation update response frame includes an enhanced multi-link control field, and the enhanced multi-link control field includes an EMLMR parameter update control field, when the EMLMR parameter update control field is used to indicate an EMLMR parameter update, the multi-link operation update response frame may further include a third information field for indicating the EMLMR parameters to be updated.

[0327] Optionally, the EMLSR parameter to be updated includes at least one of the following:

[0328] Minimum medium access control (MAC) padding delay for initial frames in EMLSR mode;

[0329] Minimum delay for an EMLSR link to switch from the frame exchange state to the listening state in EMLSR mode.

[0330] Among them, the second information field includes at least one item in the third sub-information field or the fourth sub-information field, the third sub-information field is used to indicate the minimum MAC filling delay of the initial frame in the EMLSR mode, and the fourth sub-information field is used to indicate the shortest delay for the EMLSR link to switch from the frame exchange state to the listening state in the EMLSR mode.

[0331] The minimum MAC padding delay of the initial frame in the EMLSR mode may be the EMLSR Padding Delay, and the shortest delay for the EMLSR link to switch from the frame exchange state to the listening state in the EMLSR mode may be the EMLSR Transition Delay.

[0332] Optionally, the EMLMR parameter to be updated includes at least one of the following:

[0333] Minimum medium access control (MAC) padding delay for initial frames in EMLMR mode;

[0334] The minimum delay for the EMLMR link to switch from the frame exchange state to the listening state in EMLMR mode.

[0335] The second information field includes at least one item of the first sub-information field or the second sub-information field. The first sub-information field is used to indicate the minimum MAC padding delay of the initial frame in the EMLMR mode. The second sub-information field is used to indicate the shortest delay for the EMLMR link to switch from the frame exchange state to the listening state in the EMLMR mode.

[0336] The minimum MAC padding delay of the initial frame in the EMLMR mode may be the EMLMR Padding Delay, and the shortest delay for the EMLMR link to switch from the frame exchange state to the listening state in the EMLMR mode may be the EMLMR Transition Delay.

[0337] As an example, the multi-link operation update request frame includes a first information field and a second information field.

[0338] Among them, the first information field in the multi-link operation update request frame includes an enhanced multi-link control field, the enhanced multi-link control field includes an EMLSR mode field and an EMLMR mode field, and when the Non-AP MLD works in EMLSR mode, the enhanced multi-link control field also includes an EMLSR link bitmap field and an EMLSR parameter update control field.

[0339] The multi-link operation update request frame response frame includes a second information field for indicating the EMLSR parameters to be updated. The second information field includes a third sub-information field and a fourth sub-information field. The third sub-information field indicates the minimum MAC padding delay for the initial frame in EMLSR mode, and the fourth sub-information field indicates the minimum delay for the EMLSR link to switch from the frame exchange state to the listening state in EMLSR mode.

[0340] In this case, the multi-link operation update response frame may include at least one of the first information field or the second information field.

[0341] Furthermore, the first information field in the multi-link operation update response frame may include an enhanced multi-link control field, and the enhanced multi-link control field may include an EMLSR mode field and an EMLMR mode field.

[0342] Furthermore, when the Non-AP MLD operates in the EMLSR mode, the multi-link operation update response frame includes an enhanced multi-link control field, and the enhanced multi-link control field may include at least one of an EMLSR link bitmap field and an EMLSR parameter update control field.

[0343] Furthermore, when the multi-link operation update response frame includes the second information field, the second information field may include at least one of the third sub-information field or the fourth sub-information field.

[0344] As an example, the multi-link operation update request frame includes a first information field and a third information field.

[0345] Among them, the first information field in the multi-link operation update request frame includes an enhanced multi-link control field, the enhanced multi-link control field includes an EMLSR mode field and an EMLMR mode field, and when the Non-AP MLD works in EMLMR mode, the enhanced multi-link control field also includes an EMLMR link bitmap field and an EMLMR parameter update control field.

[0346] The multilink operation update request frame response frame includes a third information field for indicating the EMLMR parameters to be updated. The third information field includes a first sub-information field and a second sub-information field. The first sub-information field indicates the minimum MAC padding delay for an initial frame in EMLMR mode, and the second sub-information field indicates the minimum delay for an EMLMR link to switch from a frame exchange state to a listening state in EMLMR mode.

[0347] In this case, the multi-link operation update response frame may include at least one of the first information field or the third information field.

[0348] Furthermore, the first information field in the multi-link operation update response frame may include an enhanced multi-link control field, and the enhanced multi-link control field may include an EMLSR mode field and an EMLMR mode field.

[0349] Furthermore, when the Non-AP MLD operates in the EMLMR mode, the multi-link operation update response frame includes an enhanced multi-link control field, and the enhanced multi-link control field may include at least one of an EMLMR link bitmap field or an EMLMR parameter update control field.

[0350] Furthermore, when the multi-link operation update response frame includes the third information field, the third information field may include at least one of the first sub-information field or the second sub-information field.

[0351] In some embodiments, if the Non-AP MLD does not receive a multi-link operation update response frame within a transition timeout period, the Non-AP MLD may perform a link update for the enhanced multi-link mode.

[0352] If the Non-AP MLD operates in EMLSR mode, the Non-AP MLD performs EMLSR link update. If the Non-AP MLD operates in EMLMR mode, the Non-AP MLD performs EMLMR link update.

[0353] Optionally, when the multi-link operation update request frame includes a first information field, the first information field includes an enhanced multi-link control field, and the enhanced multi-link control field includes an EMLSR link bitmap field, the Non-AP MLD can perform an EMLSR link update according to the EMLSR link indicated by the EMLSR link bitmap field.

[0354] Optionally, when the multi-link operation update request frame includes the first information field, the first information field includes the enhanced multi-link control field, and the enhanced multi-link control field includes the EMLMR link bitmap field, the Non-AP MLD can perform EMLMR link update according to the EMLMR link indicated by the EMLMR link bitmap field.

[0355] In some embodiments, if the Non-AP MLD receives a multi-link operation update response frame sent by the AP MLD within the transition time, the Non-AP MLD may perform a link update for the enhanced multi-link mode.

[0356] If the Non-AP MLD operates in EMLSR mode, the Non-AP MLD performs EMLSR link update. If the Non-AP MLD operates in EMLMR mode, the Non-AP MLD performs EMLMR link update.

[0357] Optionally, when the multi-link operation update request frame includes the first information field, the first information field includes the enhanced multi-link control field, and the enhanced multi-link control field includes the EMLSR link bitmap field, the Non-AP MLD may perform an EMLSR link update according to the EMLSR link indicated by the EMLSR link bitmap field. Alternatively, when the multi-link operation update response frame includes the first information field, the first information field includes the enhanced multi-link control field, and the enhanced multi-link control field includes the EMLSR link bitmap field, the Non-AP MLD may perform an EMLSR link update according to the EMLSR link indicated by the EMLSR link bitmap field.

[0358] Optionally, when the multi-link operation update request frame includes the first information field, the first information field includes the enhanced multi-link control field, and the enhanced multi-link control field includes the EMLMR link bitmap field, the non-AP MLD may perform an EMLMR link update based on the EMLMR link indicated by the EMLMR link bitmap field. Alternatively, when the multi-link operation update response frame includes the first information field, the first information field includes the enhanced multi-link control field, and the enhanced multi-link control field includes the EMLMR link bitmap field, the non-AP MLD may perform an EMLMR link update based on the EMLMR link indicated by the EMLMR link bitmap field.

[0359] Step S44 : The Non-AP MLD determines whether the multi-link operation update request frame and the multi-link operation update response frame include an enhanced multi-link mode parameter update control field.

[0360] The enhanced multi-link mode parameter update control field includes an EMLSR parameter update control field or an EMLMR parameter update control field.

[0361] That is, it is determined whether the multi-link operation update request frame and the multi-link operation update response frame include one of the EMLSR parameter update control field or the EMLMR parameter update control field.

[0362] As an example, when the Non-AP MLD operates in EMLSR mode, the Non-AP MLD determines whether the multi-link operation update request frame and the multi-link operation update response frame include the EMLSR parameter update control field; when the Non-AP MLD operates in EMLMR mode, the Non-AP MLD determines whether the multi-link operation update request frame and the multi-link operation update response frame include the EMLMR parameter update control field.

[0363] If the multi-link operation update request frame and the multi-link operation update response frame include the enhanced multi-link mode parameter update control field, step S46 is executed; otherwise, step S45 is executed.

[0364] That is, when the Non-AP MLD operates in EMLSR mode, if the multi-link operation update request frame and the multi-link operation update response frame include the EMLSR parameter update control field, step S46 is executed; otherwise, step S45 is executed. When the Non-AP MLD operates in EMLMR mode, if the multi-link operation update request frame and the multi-link operation update response frame include the EMLMR parameter update control field, step S46 is executed; otherwise, step S45 is executed.

[0365] Step S45: Non-AP MLD does not update parameters for the enhanced multi-link mode.

[0366] In some embodiments, when the Non-AP MLD operates in EMLSR mode, the Non-AP MLD does not update EMLSR parameters. When the Non-AP MLD operates in EMLMR mode, the Non-AP MLD does not update EMLMR parameters.

[0367] Step S46 : The Non-AP MLD determines whether the enhanced multi-link mode update control field indicates to update parameters for the enhanced multi-link mode.

[0368] In some embodiments, if the multi-link operation update request frame and the multi-link operation update response frame include the EMLSR parameter update control field, the Non-AP MLD determines whether the EMLSR parameter update control field indicates EMLSR parameter update through a third value.

[0369] If the multi-link operation update request frame and the multi-link operation update response frame include the EMLMR parameter update control field, the Non-AP MLD determines whether the EMLSR parameter update control field indicates EMLSR parameter update through the fourth value.

[0370] If it is determined that the enhanced multi-link mode update control field is used to instruct parameter update for the enhanced multi-link mode, step S47 is executed; otherwise, step S45 is executed.

[0371] That is, when the Non-AP MLD operates in EMLSR mode, if the EMLSR Parameter Update Control field in the Multilink Operation Update Request frame and the Multilink Operation Update Response frame indicates that an EMLSR parameter update is to be performed using the third value, step S47 is executed; otherwise, step S45 is executed. When the Non-AP MLD operates in EMLMR mode, if the EMLMR Parameter Update Control field in the Multilink Operation Update Request frame and the Multilink Operation Update Response frame indicates that an EMLMR parameter update is to be performed using the fourth value, step S47 is executed; otherwise, step S45 is executed.

[0372] Step S47 : The Non-AP MLD determines whether the multi-link operation update request frame and the multi-link operation update response frame include an information field for indicating the enhanced multi-link mode parameters to be updated.

[0373] The information field for indicating the enhanced multi-link mode parameters to be updated includes a second information field for indicating the EMLSR parameters to be updated and a third information field for indicating the EMLMR parameters to be updated.

[0374] In some embodiments, when the Non-AP MLD operates in EMLSR mode, the Non-AP MLD determines whether the multi-link operation update request frame and the multi-link operation update response frame include the second information field. If the second information field is included, step S49 is executed; otherwise, step S48 is executed. When the Non-AP MLD operates in EMLMR mode, the Non-AP MLD determines whether the multi-link operation update request frame and the multi-link operation update response frame include the third information field. If the third information field is included, step S49 is executed; otherwise, step S48 is executed.

[0375] The second information field is used to indicate the EMLSR parameters to be updated, and the third information field is used to indicate the EMLMR parameters to be updated.

[0376] Step S48: Non-AP MLD updates the enhanced multi-link mode parameters carried in the basic multi-link element field.

[0377] In some embodiments, when Non-AP MLD operates in EMLSR mode, Non-AP MLD can update the EMLSR parameters carried in the Basic Multi-Link Element field of the message frames during the association process between Non-AP MLD and AP MLD. When Non-AP MLD operates in EMLMR mode, Non-AP MLD can update the EMLMR parameters carried in the Basic Multi-Link Element field of the message frames during the association process between Non-AP MLD and AP MLD.

[0378] Step S49: The Non-AP MLD updates the parameters of the enhanced multi-link mode according to the enhanced multi-link mode parameters to be updated indicated by the corresponding information field.

[0379] In some embodiments, when the Non-AP MLD operates in the EMLSR mode, the Non-AP MLD may update the EMLSR parameters according to the EMLSR parameters to be updated indicated by the second information field.

[0380] Among them, when the second information field in the multi-link operation update request frame or the multi-link operation update response frame includes the third sub-information field, the Non-AP MLD can update the minimum MAC padding delay of the initial frame in the EMLSR mode indicated by the third sub-information field, such as updating the EMLSR Padding Delay parameter in the EMLSR mode.

[0381] Among them, when the second information field in the multi-link operation update request frame or the multi-link operation update response frame includes the fourth sub-information field, the Non-AP MLD can update the shortest delay for the EMLSR link to switch from the frame exchange state to the listening state in the EMLSR mode indicated by the fourth sub-information field, such as updating the EMLSR Transition Delay parameter in the EMLSR mode.

[0382] In some embodiments, when the Non-AP MLD operates in the EMLMR mode, the Non-AP MLD may configure the EMLMR parameters according to the EMLMR parameters indicated by the third information field.

[0383] When the third information field in the multilink operation update request frame or the multilink operation update response frame includes the first sub-information field, the Non-AP MLD may update the minimum MAC padding delay of the initial frame in the EMLMR mode indicated by the first sub-information field, such as updating the EMLMR Padding Delay parameter in the EMLMR mode.

[0384] When the third information field in the multi-link operation update request frame or the multi-link operation update response frame includes the second sub-information field, the Non-AP MLD may update the shortest delay for the EMLMR link to switch from the frame exchange state to the listening state in the EMLMR mode indicated by the second sub-information field, such as updating the EMLMR Transition Delay parameter in the EMLMR mode.

[0385] The communication method involved in the embodiments of the present disclosure may include at least one of the aforementioned steps and embodiments. For example, any one of steps S41-S43 may be implemented as an independent embodiment, and steps S41-S49 may be implemented as an independent embodiment, but are not limited thereto.

[0386] FIG5 is a third flow chart illustrating a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG5 , the method is executed by the AP MLD, and the method includes:

[0387] Step S51: receiving a multi-link operation update request frame sent by a Non-AP MLD, wherein the multi-link operation update request frame includes a first information field, and the first information field is used to indicate status information of an enhanced multi-link mode of the Non-AP MLD.

[0388] In some embodiments, the enhanced multi-link mode includes an enhanced multi-link single radio EMLSR mode or an enhanced multi-link multi-radio EMLMR mode.

[0389] In some embodiments, the multi-link operation update request frame is sent by the Non-AP MLD under a first condition, where the first condition includes at least one of the following:

[0390] When Non-AP MLD operates in enhanced multi-link mode, a communication link is newly enabled between Non-AP MLD and AP MLD.

[0391] When the Non-AP MLD operates in the enhanced multi-link mode, at least one enabled communication link of the Non-AP MLD in the enhanced multi-link mode fails.

[0392] As an example, when the Non-AP MLD operates in the EMLSR mode or the EMLMR mode, when a communication link is newly enabled between the Non-AP MLD and the AP MLD, the Non-AP MLD determines a multi-link operation update request frame.

[0393] As an example, when the Non-AP MLD operates in the EMLSR mode, when at least one enabled EMLSR link of the Non-AP MLD in the EMLSR mode fails, the Non-AP MLD determines a multi-link operation update request frame.

[0394] As an example, when the Non-AP MLD operates in the EMLMR mode, when at least one enabled EMLMR link of the Non-AP MLD in the EMLMR mode fails, the Non-AP MLD determines the multi-link operation update request frame.

[0395] In some embodiments, a multi-link operation update request (Multi-Link Operation Update Request) frame includes a first information field, the first information field includes an enhanced multi-link control (EML Control) field, the enhanced multi-link control field includes an EMLSR mode (EMLSR Mode) field and an EMLMR mode (EMLMR Mode) field.

[0396] The EMLSR mode field indicates that the Non-AP MLD operates in the EMLSR mode through a first value, and indicates that the Non-AP MLD does not operate in the EMLSR mode through other values.

[0397] The first value may be 1, which is not limited here.

[0398] The EMLMR mode field indicates that the Non-AP MLD operates in the EMLMR mode through the second value, and indicates that the Non-AP MLD does not operate in the EMLMR mode through other values.

[0399] The second value may be 1, which is not limited here.

[0400] As an example, the first information field includes an enhanced multi-link control field, which includes an EMLSR mode field and an EMLMR mode field. When the EMLSR mode field has an identification value of 1 and the EMLMR mode field has an identification value of 0, it indicates that the non-AP MLD operates in the EMLSR mode. When the EMLSR mode field has an identification value of 0 and the EMLMR mode field has an identification value of 1, it indicates that the non-AP MLD operates in the EMLSR mode.

[0401] In some embodiments, when the Non-AP MLD operates in EMLSR mode, the enhanced multi-link control field further includes an EMLSR link bitmap field; when the Non-AP MLD operates in EMLMR mode, the enhanced multi-link control field further includes an EMLMR link bitmap field;

[0402] The EMLSR link bitmap field is used to indicate the EMLSR link when the Non-AP MLD operates in the EMLSR mode, and the EMLMR link bitmap field is used to indicate the EMLMR link when the Non-AP MLD operates in the EMLMR mode.

[0403] As an example, the Non-AP MLD determines a multi-link operation update request frame under a first condition, where the multi-link operation update request frame includes a first information field, the first information field includes an enhanced multi-link control field, and the enhanced multi-link control field includes an EMLSR mode field and an EMLMR mode field.

[0404] When the identifier value of the EMLSR mode field is 1 and the identifier value of the EMLMR mode field is 0, it is used to indicate that the Non-AP MLD operates in the EMLSR mode. In this case, the enhanced multi-link control field also includes an EMLSR link bitmap field, which is used to indicate the EMLSR link when the Non-AP MLD operates in the EMLSR mode.

[0405] When the identifier value of the EMLMR mode field is 0 and the identifier value of the EMLMR mode field is 1, it is used to indicate that the non-AP MLD operates in the EMLMR mode. In this case, the enhanced multi-link control field also includes an EMLMR link bitmap field, which is used to indicate the EMLMR link when the non-AP MLD operates in the EMLMR mode.

[0406] In some embodiments, the enhanced multi-link control field further includes an EMLSR parameter update control (EMLSR Parameter Update Control) field or an EMLMR parameter update control (EMLMR Parameter Update Control) field.

[0407] The EMLSR parameter update control field indicates the EMLSR parameter update through the third value, that is, instructs the update of the EMLSR parameters carried by the Basic Multi-Link element field in the process of associating Non-AP MLD and AP MLD.

[0408] The EMLMR parameter update control field indicates updating of the EMLMR parameters through the fourth value, that is, instructing updating of the EMLMR parameters carried by the Basic Multi-Link element field in the process of associating the Non-AP MLD and the AP MLD.

[0409] The third value and the fourth value may be 1, and are not limited here.

[0410] As an example, when the Non-AP MLD operates in EMLSR mode, the multilink operation update request frame includes a first information field, the first information field includes an enhanced multilink control field, and the enhanced multilink control field includes an EMLSR parameter update control field. When the identifier value of the EMLSR parameter update control field is the third value, it is used to indicate an EMLSR parameter update, that is, to request an EMLSR parameter update.

[0411] As an example, when the Non-AP MLD operates in EMLMR mode, the multilink operation update request frame includes a first information field, the first information field includes an enhanced multilink control field, and the enhanced multilink control field includes an EMLMR parameter update control field. When the identifier value of the EMLMR parameter update control field is a fourth value, it indicates an EMLMR parameter update, i.e., requests an EMLMR parameter update.

[0412] In some embodiments, when the enhanced multi-link control field includes an EMLSR parameter update control field, when the EMLSR parameter update control field is used to indicate an EMLSR parameter update, the multi-link operation update request frame also includes a second information field, and the second information field is used to indicate the EMLSR parameters to be updated.

[0413] In the case where the enhanced multi-link control field includes an EMLMR parameter update control (EMLMR Parameter Update Control) field, when the EMLMR parameter update control field is used to indicate an EMLMR parameter update, the multi-link operation update request frame further includes a third information field, where the third information field is used to indicate the EMLMR parameters to be updated.

[0414] Optionally, the EMLSR parameter to be updated includes at least one of the following:

[0415] Minimum medium access control (MAC) padding delay for initial frames in EMLSR mode;

[0416] Minimum delay for an EMLSR link to switch from the frame exchange state to the listening state in EMLSR mode.

[0417] Among them, the second information field includes at least one item in the third sub-information field or the fourth sub-information field, the third sub-information field is used to indicate the minimum MAC filling delay of the initial frame in the EMLSR mode, and the fourth sub-information field is used to indicate the shortest delay for the EMLSR link to switch from the frame exchange state to the listening state in the EMLSR mode.

[0418] The minimum MAC padding delay of the initial frame in the EMLSR mode may be the EMLSR Padding Delay, and the shortest delay for the EMLSR link to switch from the frame exchange state to the listening state in the EMLSR mode may be the EMLSR Transition Delay.

[0419] Optionally, the EMLMR parameter to be updated includes at least one of the following:

[0420] Minimum medium access control (MAC) padding delay for initial frames in EMLMR mode;

[0421] The minimum delay for the EMLMR link to switch from the frame exchange state to the listening state in EMLMR mode.

[0422] The third information field includes at least one item of the first sub-information field or the second sub-information field. The first sub-information field is used to indicate the minimum MAC padding delay of the initial frame in the EMLMR mode. The second sub-information field is used to indicate the shortest delay for the EMLMR link to switch from the frame exchange state to the listening state in the EMLMR mode.

[0423] The minimum MAC padding delay of the initial frame in the EMLMR mode may be the EMLMR Padding Delay, and the shortest delay for the EMLMR link to switch from the frame exchange state to the listening state in the EMLMR mode may be the EMLMR Transition Delay.

[0424] FIG6 is a fourth flow chart of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG6 , the method is executed by the AP MLD, and the method includes:

[0425] Step S61: Receive a multi-link operation update request frame sent by a Non-AP MLD, wherein the multi-link operation update request frame includes a first information field, and the first information field is used to indicate status information of an enhanced multi-link mode of the Non-AP MLD.

[0426] In some embodiments, the implementation of step S61 can refer to the implementation shown in step S51 in Figure 5, and will not be repeated here.

[0427] Step S62: Send a multi-link operation update response frame to the Non-AP MLD within the conversion timeout period, or the AP MLD does not send a multi-link operation update response frame within the conversion timeout period.

[0428] In some embodiments, the AP MLD sends a multi-link operation update response frame to the non-AP MLD within a transition timeout period. The multi-link operation update response frame does not include the first information field.

[0429] The transition timeout is indicated by the Transition Timeout field when the Non-AP MLD and AP MLD establish an association. The message frame in the process of associating the Non-AP MLD and AP MLD includes the Basic Multi-Link element field, the Basic Multi-Link element field includes the EML Capabilities field, and the EML Capabilities field includes the Transition Timeout field.

[0430] In some embodiments, the AP MLD does not send a multi-link operation update response frame within the transition timeout period.

[0431] In some embodiments, the AP MLD sends a multi-link operation update response frame to the non-AP MLD within a transition timeout period. The multi-link operation update response frame includes a first information field.

[0432] Wherein, in the case where the first information field of the multi-link operation update request frame includes an enhanced multi-link control (EML Control) field, the first information field of the multi-link operation update response frame may include an enhanced multi-link control field.

[0433] As an example, the first information field in the multi-link operation update response frame may include an enhanced multi-link control field, and the enhanced multi-link control field may include an EMLSR mode field and an EMLMR mode field.

[0434] As an example, the first information field in the multi-link operation update response frame may include an enhanced multi-link control field, and when the Non-AP MLD operates in EMLSR mode, the enhanced multi-link control field may include an EMLSR link bitmap field.

[0435] As an example, the first information field in the multi-link operation update response frame may include an enhanced multi-link control field, and when the Non-AP MLD operates in the EMLMR mode, the enhanced multi-link control field may include an EMLMR link bitmap field.

[0436] As an example, the first information field in the multi-link operation update response frame may include an enhanced multi-link control field, and the enhanced multi-link control field may include an EMLSR parameter update control field.

[0437] As an example, the first information field in the multi-link operation update response frame may include an enhanced multi-link control field, and the enhanced multi-link control field may include an EMLMR parameter update control field.

[0438] As an example, the multi-link operation update response frame may further include a second information field. That is, when the first information field in the multi-link operation update response frame includes an enhanced multi-link control field, and the enhanced multi-link control field includes an EMLSR parameter update control field, when the EMLSR parameter update control field is used to indicate an EMLSR parameter update, the multi-link operation update response frame further includes a second information field for indicating the EMLSR parameters to be updated.

[0439] As an example, the multi-link operation update response frame may further include a third information field. That is, when the first information field in the multi-link operation update response frame includes an enhanced multi-link control field, and the enhanced multi-link control field includes an EMLMR parameter update control field, when the EMLMR parameter update control field is used to indicate an EMLMR parameter update, the multi-link operation update response frame may further include a third information field for indicating the EMLMR parameters to be updated.

[0440] Optionally, the EMLSR parameter to be updated includes at least one of the following:

[0441] Minimum medium access control (MAC) padding delay for initial frames in EMLSR mode;

[0442] Minimum delay for an EMLSR link to switch from the frame exchange state to the listening state in EMLSR mode.

[0443] Among them, the second information field includes at least one item in the third sub-information field or the fourth sub-information field, the third sub-information field is used to indicate the minimum MAC filling delay of the initial frame in the EMLSR mode, and the fourth sub-information field is used to indicate the shortest delay for the EMLSR link to switch from the frame exchange state to the listening state in the EMLSR mode.

[0444] The minimum MAC padding delay of the initial frame in the EMLSR mode may be the EMLSR Padding Delay, and the shortest delay for the EMLSR link to switch from the frame exchange state to the listening state in the EMLSR mode may be the EMLSR Transition Delay.

[0445] Optionally, the EMLMR parameter to be updated includes at least one of the following:

[0446] Minimum medium access control (MAC) padding delay for initial frames in EMLMR mode;

[0447] The minimum delay for the EMLMR link to switch from the frame exchange state to the listening state in EMLMR mode.

[0448] The second information field includes at least one item of the first sub-information field or the second sub-information field. The first sub-information field is used to indicate the minimum MAC padding delay of the initial frame in the EMLMR mode. The second sub-information field is used to indicate the shortest delay for the EMLMR link to switch from the frame exchange state to the listening state in the EMLMR mode.

[0449] The minimum MAC padding delay of the initial frame in the EMLMR mode may be the EMLMR Padding Delay, and the shortest delay for the EMLMR link to switch from the frame exchange state to the listening state in the EMLMR mode may be the EMLMR Transition Delay.

[0450] As an example, the multi-link operation update request frame includes a first information field and a second information field.

[0451] Among them, the first information field in the multi-link operation update request frame includes an enhanced multi-link control field, the enhanced multi-link control field includes an EMLSR mode field and an EMLMR mode field, and when the Non-AP MLD works in EMLSR mode, the enhanced multi-link control field also includes an EMLSR link bitmap (EMLSR Link Bitmap) field and an EMLSR parameter update control (EMLSR Parameter Update Control) field.

[0452] The multi-link operation update request frame response frame includes a second information field for indicating the EMLSR parameters to be updated. The second information field includes a third sub-information field and a fourth sub-information field. The third sub-information field indicates the minimum MAC padding delay for the initial frame in EMLSR mode, and the fourth sub-information field indicates the minimum delay for the EMLSR link to switch from the frame exchange state to the listening state in EMLSR mode.

[0453] In this case, the multi-link operation update response frame may include at least one of the first information field or the second information field.

[0454] Furthermore, the first information field in the multi-link operation update response frame may include an enhanced multi-link control field, and the enhanced multi-link control field may include an EMLSR mode field and an EMLMR mode field.

[0455] Furthermore, when the Non-AP MLD operates in EMLSR mode, the multi-link operation update response frame includes an enhanced multi-link control field, and the enhanced multi-link control field may include at least one of an EMLSR link bitmap field or an EMLSR parameter update control field.

[0456] Furthermore, when the multi-link operation update response frame includes the second information field, the second information field may include at least one of the third sub-information field or the fourth sub-information field.

[0457] As an example, the multi-link operation update request frame includes a first information field and a third information field.

[0458] Among them, the first information field in the multi-link operation update request frame includes an enhanced multi-link control field, the enhanced multi-link control field includes an EMLSR mode field and an EMLMR mode field, and when the Non-AP MLD works in EMLMR mode, the enhanced multi-link control field also includes an EMLMR link bitmap (EMLMR Link Bitmap) field and an EMLMR parameter update control (EMLMR Parameter Update Control) field.

[0459] The multilink operation update request frame response frame includes a third information field for indicating the EMLMR parameters to be updated. The third information field includes a first sub-information field and a second sub-information field. The first sub-information field indicates the minimum MAC padding delay for an initial frame in EMLMR mode, and the second sub-information field indicates the minimum delay for an EMLMR link to switch from a frame exchange state to a listening state in EMLMR mode.

[0460] In this case, the multi-link operation update response frame may include at least one of the first information field or the third information field.

[0461] Furthermore, the first information field in the multi-link operation update response frame may include an enhanced multi-link control field, and the enhanced multi-link control field may include an EMLSR mode field and an EMLMR mode field.

[0462] Furthermore, when the Non-AP MLD operates in the EMLMR mode, when the multi-link operation update response frame includes an enhanced multi-link control field, the enhanced multi-link control field may include at least one of an EMLMR link bitmap field or an EMLMR parameter update control field.

[0463] Furthermore, when the multi-link operation update response frame includes the third information field, the third information field may include at least one of the first sub-information field or the second sub-information field.

[0464] The communication method involved in the embodiments of the present disclosure may include at least one of the aforementioned steps and embodiments. For example, step S61 or step S62 may be implemented as an independent embodiment, and steps S61 and S62 may be implemented as independent embodiments, but are not limited thereto.

[0465] FIG7 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a Non-AP MLD proposed in an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG7 , the Non-AP MLD 700 may include: a processing module 701 and a transceiver module 702 .

[0466] In some embodiments, the processing module 701 is configured to: determine a multi-link operation update request frame under a first condition, wherein the multi-link operation update request frame includes a first information field, where the first information field is used to indicate status information of an enhanced multi-link mode of a Non-AP MLD, where the enhanced multi-link mode includes an enhanced multi-link single radio EMLSR mode or an enhanced multi-link multi-radio EMLMR mode;

[0467] The transceiver module 702 is configured to send the multi-link operation update request frame to the AP MLD.

[0468] Optionally, the transceiver module 702 is configured to execute at least one of the transceiver steps (e.g., step S21, step S32, and step S42, but not limited thereto) performed by the non-AP MLD in any of the above methods, which are not described in detail here. The processing module 701 is configured to execute at least one of the processing steps (e.g., steps S23 to S29, step S31, step S41, and steps S43 to S49, but not limited thereto) performed by the non-AP MLD in any of the above methods.

[0469] FIG8 is a schematic diagram of the structure of an AP MLD proposed in an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG8 , the AP MLD 800 may include: a transceiver module 801 .

[0470] In some embodiments, the transceiver module 801 is configured to: receive a multi-link operation update request frame, wherein the multi-link operation update request frame includes a first information field, and the first information field is used to indicate status information of an enhanced multi-link mode of a Non-AP MLD, where the enhanced multi-link mode includes an EMLSR mode or an EMLMR mode; and the multi-link operation update request frame is determined and sent by the Non-AP MLD under a first condition.

[0471] Optionally, the transceiver module 801 is configured to execute at least one of the transceiver steps (eg, step S22, step S51, step S61-step S62, but not limited thereto) executed by the AP MLD in any of the above methods, which will not be described in detail here.

[0472] It should be understood that the division of the above units or modules is merely a division of logical functions. In actual implementation, they may be fully or partially integrated into a single physical entity, or they may be physically separated. In addition, the units or modules may be implemented in the form of a processor calling software: for example, including a processor connected to a memory, the memory storing instructions, and the processor calling the instructions stored in the memory to implement any of the above methods or the functions of the above units or modules, where the processor is, for example, a general-purpose processor, such as a central processing unit (CPU) or a microprocessor, and the memory is a memory inside or outside the device. Alternatively, the units or modules in the device can be implemented in the form of hardware circuits, and the functions of some or all of the units or modules can be realized by designing the hardware circuits. The above-mentioned hardware circuits can be understood as one or more processors; for example, in one implementation, the above-mentioned hardware circuit is an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), and the functions of some or all of the above units or modules are realized by designing the logical relationship of the components in the circuit; for example, in another implementation, the above-mentioned hardware circuit can be realized by a programmable logic device (PLD). Taking a field programmable gate array (FPGA) as an example, it can include a large number of logic gate circuits, and the connection relationship between the logic gate circuits is configured by configuring the configuration file, thereby realizing the functions of some or all of the above units or modules. All units or modules of the above devices can be realized in the form of software called by the processor, or in the form of hardware circuits, or in part by the form of software called by the processor, and the remaining part by the form of hardware circuits.

[0473] In the embodiment of the present disclosure, the processor is a circuit with signal processing capability. In one implementation, the processor can be a circuit with instruction reading and execution capability, such as a central processing unit (CPU), a microprocessor, a graphics processing unit (GPU) (which can be understood as a microprocessor), or a digital signal processor (DSP); in another implementation, the processor can implement certain functions through the logical relationship of the hardware circuit, and the logical relationship of the above hardware circuit is fixed or reconfigurable, such as a hardware circuit implemented by a processor as an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) or a programmable logic device (PLD), such as an FPGA. In a reconfigurable hardware circuit, the process of the processor loading a configuration document and implementing the hardware circuit configuration can be understood as the process of the processor loading instructions to implement the functions of some or all of the above units or modules. In addition, it can also be a hardware circuit designed for artificial intelligence, which can be understood as an ASIC, such as a neural network processing unit (NPU), a tensor processing unit (TPU), a deep learning processing unit (DPU), etc.

[0474] Figure 9 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device proposed in an embodiment of the present disclosure. Communication device 900 can be an AP MLD or a non-AP MLD, or a chip, chip system, or processor that supports AP MLD or non-AP MLD to implement any of the above methods. The communication device can be used to implement the methods described in the above method embodiments. For details, please refer to the description of the above method embodiments.

[0475] As shown in Figure 9, the communication device 900 includes one or more processors 901. The processor 901 can be a general-purpose processor or a dedicated processor, for example, a baseband processor or a central processing unit. The baseband processor can be used to process communication protocols and communication data, and the central processing unit can be used to control the communication device (such as a base station, a baseband chip, a terminal device, a terminal device chip, a DU or a CU, etc.), execute programs, and process program data. The communication device 900 is used to perform any of the above methods.

[0476] In some embodiments, the communication device 900 further includes one or more memories 902 for storing instructions. Optionally, all or part of the memory 902 may also be outside the communication device 900.

[0477] In some embodiments, the communication device 900 further includes one or more transceivers 903. When the communication device 900 includes one or more transceivers 903, the transceiver 903 performs at least one of the communication steps such as sending and / or receiving in the above method (for example, steps S21-S22, step S32, step S42, step S51, and steps S61-S62, but not limited thereto), and the processor 901 performs at least one of the other steps (for example, steps S31, step S41, and steps S43-S49, but not limited thereto).

[0478] In some embodiments, a transceiver may include a receiver and / or a transmitter. The receiver and transmitter may be separate or integrated. Optionally, the terms transceiver, transceiver unit, transceiver, and transceiver circuit may be used interchangeably; the terms transmitter, transmitting unit, transmitter, and transmitting circuit may be used interchangeably; and the terms receiver, receiving unit, receiver, and receiving circuit may be used interchangeably.

[0479] In some embodiments, the communication device 900 may include one or more interface circuits 904. Optionally, the interface circuit 904 is connected to the memory 902. The interface circuit 904 may be configured to receive signals from the memory 902 or other devices, and may be configured to send signals to the memory 902 or other devices. For example, the interface circuit 904 may read instructions stored in the memory 902 and send the instructions to the processor 901.

[0480] The communication device 900 described in the above embodiment may be an AP MLD or a Non-AP MLD, but the scope of the communication device 900 described in the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and the structure of the communication device 900 may not be limited by FIG. 9 . The communication device may be an independent device or may be part of a larger device. For example, the communication device may be: 1) an independent integrated circuit IC, or a chip, or a chip system or subsystem; (2) a collection of one or more ICs, optionally, the above IC collection may also include a storage component for storing data and programs; (3) an ASIC, such as a modem; (4) a module that can be embedded in other devices; (5) a receiver, a terminal device, an intelligent terminal device, a cellular phone, a wireless device, a handheld device, a mobile unit, an in-vehicle device, a network device, a cloud device, an artificial intelligence device, etc.; (6) others, etc.

[0481] 10 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a chip 1000 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The chip 1000 includes one or more processors 1001, and the chip 1000 is configured to execute any of the above methods.

[0482] In some embodiments, chip 1000 further includes one or more interface circuits 1003. Optionally, interface circuit 1003 is connected to memory 1002. Interface circuit 1003 can be used to receive signals from memory 1002 or other devices, and interface circuit 1003 can be used to send signals to memory 1002 or other devices. For example, interface circuit 1003 can read instructions stored in memory 1002 and send the instructions to processor 1001.

[0483] In some embodiments, the interface circuit 1003 executes at least one of the communication steps such as sending and / or receiving in the above method (for example, step S21-step S22, step S32, step S42, step S51, step S61-step S62, but not limited to these), and the processor 1001 executes at least one of the other steps (for example, step S31, step S41, step S43-step S49, but not limited to these).

[0484] In some embodiments, terms such as interface circuit, interface, transceiver pin, and transceiver may be used interchangeably.

[0485] In some embodiments, the chip 1000 further includes one or more memories 1002 for storing instructions. Alternatively, all or part of the memory 1002 may be external to the chip 1000.

[0486] The present disclosure also provides a storage medium having instructions stored thereon. When the instructions are executed on the communication device 900, the communication device 900 executes any of the above methods. Optionally, the storage medium is an electronic storage medium. Optionally, the storage medium is a computer-readable storage medium, but is not limited thereto and may also be a storage medium readable by other devices. Optionally, the storage medium may be a non-transitory storage medium, but is not limited thereto and may also be a temporary storage medium.

[0487] The present disclosure also provides a program product, which, when executed by the communication device 900, enables the communication device 900 to perform any of the above methods. Optionally, the program product is a computer program product.

[0488] The present disclosure also proposes a computer program, which, when run on a computer, enables the computer to execute any of the above methods. The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present disclosure and an explanation of the technical principles used. Those skilled in the art should understand that the scope of disclosure involved in the present disclosure is not limited to the technical solutions formed by a specific combination of the above-mentioned technical features, but should also cover other technical solutions formed by any combination of the above-mentioned technical features or their equivalent features without departing from the above-mentioned disclosed concepts. For example, the above-mentioned features are replaced with the technical features with similar functions disclosed in the present disclosure (but not limited to) and the technical solutions formed.

Claims

1. A communication method, characterized in that: The method comprises: The Non-AP MLD determines a multi-link operation update request frame under a first condition, wherein the multi-link operation update request frame includes a first information field, and the first information field is used to indicate state information of an enhanced multi-link mode of the Non-AP MLD, and the enhanced multi-link mode includes an enhanced multi-link single radio EMLSR mode or an enhanced multi-link multi-radio EMLMR mode; The Non-AP MLD sends the multi-link operation update request frame to the AP MLD.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that The first condition also includes at least one of the following: When the Non-AP MLD works in the enhanced multi-link mode, a communication link is newly added between the Non-AP MLD and the AP MLD; In a case where the Non-AP MLD operates in the enhanced multi-link mode, at least one enabled communication link of the Non-AP MLD in the enhanced multi-link mode is disabled.

3. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that The method further comprises: When the multi-link operation update response frame sent by the AP MLD is received within the conversion timeout period, or when the multi-link operation update response frame is not received within the conversion timeout period, the Non-AP MLD performs link update for the enhanced multi-link mode.

4. The method according to claim 3, characterized in that: The multi-link operation update response frame includes the first information field, the first information field includes an enhanced multi-link control field, and the enhanced multi-link control field includes an EMLSR mode field and an EMLMR mode field; The EMLSR mode field indicates that the Non-AP MLD works in the EMLSR mode through a first value, and the EMLMR mode field indicates that the Non-AP MLD works in the EMLMR mode through a second value.

5. The method according to claim 4, characterized in that The enhanced multi-link control domain also includes an EMLSR parameter update control domain or an EMLMR parameter update control domain; The EMLSR parameter update control field indicates that the EMLSR parameters are updated through a third value, and the EMLMR parameter update control field indicates that the EMLMR parameters are updated through a fourth value.

6. The method according to claim 5, characterized in that The EMLSR parameter update control field is used to indicate that when an EMLSR parameter update is performed, the multi-link operation update request frame and the multi-link operation update response frame further include a second information field, and the second information field is used to indicate the EMLSR parameters to be updated; The EMLMR parameter update control field is used to indicate that the EMLMR parameters are to be updated. The multi-link operation update request frame and the multi-link operation update response frame further include a third information field, and the third information field is used to indicate the EMLMR parameters to be updated.

7. The method according to claim 6, characterized in that The EMLMR parameter to be updated includes at least one of the following: Minimum medium access control padding delay for initial frames in EMLMR mode; The shortest delay for the EMLMR link to switch from the frame exchange state to the listening state in EMLMR mode; The third information field indicates the minimum medium access control filling delay of the initial frame in the EMLMR mode through the first sub-information field, and indicates the shortest delay for the EMLMR link to switch from the frame exchange state to the listening state in the EMLMR mode through the second sub-information field.

8. The method according to claim 4, characterized in that The Non-AP MLD performs link updating for the enhanced multi-link mode, including: When the Non-AP MLD works in the EMLSR mode, the Non-AP MLD performs EMLSR link update according to the EMLSR link indicated by the EMLSR link bitmap field; When the Non-AP MLD works in the EMLMR mode, the Non-AP MLD performs EMLMR link update according to the EMLMR link indicated by the EMLMR link bitmap field.

9. The method according to claim 5, characterized in that The method further comprises: The enhanced multi-link control field includes an EMLSR parameter update control field, and when the EMLSR parameter update control field indicates to update the EMLSR parameters through a third value, the Non-AP MLD performs the EMLSR parameter update; The enhanced multi-link control field includes an EMLMR parameter update control field, and when the EMLMR parameter update control field indicates to update the EMLMR parameters through a fourth value, the Non-AP MLD updates the EMLMR parameters.

10. The method according to claim 6, characterized in that The method further comprises: When the multi-link operation update response frame includes the second information field, the Non-AP MLD updates the EMLSR parameters according to the EMLSR parameters to be updated; When the multi-link operation update response frame includes the third information field, the Non-AP MLD updates the EMLMR parameters according to the EMLMR parameters to be updated.

11. A communication method, characterized in that: The method comprises: The AP MLD receives a multi-link operation update request frame, wherein the multi-link operation update request frame includes a first information field, and the first information field is used to indicate status information of an enhanced multi-link mode of the Non-AP MLD, and the enhanced multi-link mode includes an EMLSR mode or an EMLMR mode; the multi-link operation update request frame is determined and sent by the Non-AP MLD under a first condition.

12. The method according to claim 11, characterized in that The first condition also includes at least one of the following: When the Non-AP MLD works in the enhanced multi-link mode, a communication link is newly added between the Non-AP MLD and the AP MLD; In a case where the Non-AP MLD operates in the enhanced multi-link mode, at least one enabled communication link of the Non-AP MLD in the enhanced multi-link mode is disabled.

13. The method according to claim 12, characterized in that The method further comprises: The AP MLD sends a multi-link operation update response frame to the Non-AP MLD within a conversion timeout period; Alternatively, the AP MLD does not send the multi-link operation update response frame within a conversion timeout period.

14. The method according to claim 13, characterized in that The multi-link operation update response frame includes the first information field, the first information field includes an enhanced multi-link control field, and the enhanced multi-link control field includes an EMLSR mode field and an EMLSR mode field; The EMLSR mode field indicates that the Non-AP MLD works in the EMLSR mode through a first value, and the EMLMR mode field indicates that the Non-AP MLD works in the EMLMR mode through a second value.

15. The method according to claim 14, characterized in that The enhanced multi-link control domain also includes an EMLSR parameter update control domain or an EMLMR parameter update control domain; The EMLSR parameter update control field indicates that the EMLSR parameters are updated through a third value, and the EMLMR parameter update control field indicates that the EMLMR parameters are updated through a fourth value.

16. The method according to claim 15, characterized in that The EMLSR parameter update control field is used to indicate that when an EMLSR parameter update is performed, the multi-link operation update request frame and the multi-link operation update response frame further include a second information field, and the second information field is used to indicate the EMLSR parameters to be updated; The EMLMR parameter update control field is used to indicate that the EMLMR parameters are to be updated. The multi-link operation update request frame and the multi-link operation update response frame further include a third information field, and the third information field is used to indicate the EMLMR parameters to be updated.

17. The method according to claim 16, characterized in that The EMLMR parameter to be updated includes at least one of the following: Minimum medium access control padding delay for initial frames in EMLMR mode; The shortest delay for the EMLMR link to switch from the frame exchange state to the listening state in EMLMR mode; The third information field indicates the minimum medium access control filling delay of the initial frame in the EMLMR mode through the first sub-information field, and indicates the shortest delay for the EMLMR link to switch from the frame exchange state to the listening state in the EMLMR mode through the second sub-information field.

18. A Non-AP MLD, characterized in that: include: a processing module, configured to determine a multi-link operation update request frame under a first condition, wherein the multi-link operation update request frame includes a first information field, the first information field is used to indicate state information of an enhanced multi-link mode of the Non-AP MLD, and the enhanced multi-link mode includes an enhanced multi-link single radio EMLSR mode or an enhanced multi-link multi-radio EMLMR mode; The transceiver module is used to send the multi-link operation update request frame to the AP MLD.

19. An AP MLD, characterized in that: include: A transceiver module is used to receive a multi-link operation update request frame, wherein the multi-link operation update request frame includes a first information field, and the first information field is used to indicate the status information of the enhanced multi-link mode of the Non-AP MLD, and the enhanced multi-link mode includes the EMLSR mode or the EMLMR mode; the multi-link operation update request frame is determined and sent by the Non-AP MLD under the first condition.

20. A Non-AP MLD, characterized in that: include: one or more processors; The Non-AP MLD is used to execute the communication method according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

21. An AP MLD, characterized in that: include: one or more processors; The AP MLD is used to execute the communication method described in any one of claims 11-17.

22. A communication system, characterized in that: The invention comprises a Non-AP MLD and an AP MLD, wherein the Non-AP MLD is configured to implement the communication method according to any one of claims 1 to 10, and the AP MLD is configured to implement the communication method according to any one of claims 11 to 17.

23. A storage medium storing instructions, characterized in that: When the instruction is executed on a communication device, the communication device is enabled to execute the communication method according to any one of claims 1 to 10 or claims 11 to 17.

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