Communication method, apparatus, and system

Abstract

Embodiments of the present application relate to the technical field of communications, and disclosed are a communication method, an apparatus, and a system, for use in establishing a sensing measurement session in a multi-link scenario. The method comprises: sending a multi-link sensing measurement request frame to a second multi-link device, wherein the multi-link sensing measurement request frame is used for requesting to establish a sensing measurement session, and the sensing measurement session comprises one or more links; and receiving a multi-link sensing measurement response frame from the second multi-link device.

Description

Communication method, device and system

[0001] This application claims priority to the Chinese patent application filed with the State Intellectual Property Office on September 28, 2023, with application number 202311287568.1 and application name “Communication Methods, Devices and Systems”, the entire contents of which are incorporated by reference into this application. Technical Field

[0002] The embodiments of the present application relate to the field of communication technologies, and in particular to communication methods, devices, and systems. Background Art

[0003] Wireless local area network (WLAN) sensing technology can be used to sense target characteristics, such as their location, speed, and motion. In WLAN sensing technology, sensing measurements are presented in the form of sessions. A sensing measurement session must be established between a sensing initiator and a sensing responder to perform sensing measurements on a target.

[0004] However, the current solution for establishing a perception measurement session is targeted at single-link scenarios, and there is no solution for establishing a perception measurement session in a multi-link scenario.

[0005] Summary of the Invention

[0006] The embodiments of the present application provide a communication method, apparatus, and system that can establish a perception measurement session in a multi-link scenario.

[0007] In a first aspect, a communication method is provided. The method can be performed by a first multi-link device, or by a component of the first multi-link device, such as a processor, chip, or chip system of the first multi-link device. The method can also be implemented by a logic module or software that implements all or part of the first multi-link device. The following description uses the method performed by the first multi-link device as an example. The communication method includes: sending a multi-link awareness measurement request frame to a second multi-link device; the multi-link awareness measurement request frame is used to request establishment of an awareness measurement session, where the awareness measurement session includes one or more links; and receiving a multi-link awareness measurement response frame from the second multi-link device.

[0008] Based on the communication method provided in the embodiment of the present application, a multi-link device can initiate the establishment of a perception measurement session, and another multi-link device responds, thereby establishing a measurement perception session in a multi-link scenario, filling the gap in the current multi-link scenario where there is no perception measurement session establishment solution.

[0009] In a second aspect, a communication method is provided. The method can be performed by a second multi-link device, or by a component of the second multi-link device, such as a processor, chip, or chip system of the second multi-link device. The method can also be implemented by a logic module or software that implements all or part of the second multi-link device. The following description uses the method performed by the second multi-link device as an example. The communication method includes: receiving a multi-link awareness measurement request frame from a first multi-link device; the multi-link awareness measurement request frame is used to request establishment of an awareness measurement session, where the awareness measurement session includes one or more links; and sending a multi-link awareness measurement response frame to the first multi-link device.

[0010] Based on the communication method provided in the embodiment of the present application, a multi-link device can initiate the establishment of a perception measurement session, and another multi-link device responds, thereby establishing a measurement perception session in a multi-link scenario, filling the gap in the current multi-link scenario where there is no perception measurement session establishment solution.

[0011] In combination with the first or second aspect above, in one possible implementation, the multi-link perception measurement request frame includes perception measurement parameters; the perception measurement parameters include common parameters and / or unique parameters; wherein the common parameters are parameters shared by one or more links, and the unique parameters are dedicated parameters for some of the one or more links.

[0012] Based on this solution, the perception measurement parameters can be divided into common parameters and unique parameters, which is more suitable for multi-link scenarios.

[0013] In combination with the first or second aspect above, in a possible implementation, the common parameter includes recommended reporting link information; the recommended reporting link information is used to indicate a link for reporting the perception data;

[0014] Based on this solution, the perception data can be reported through the recommended reporting link, which can improve the perception measurement performance in some scenarios.

[0015] In combination with the first aspect or the second aspect above, the common parameter includes session establishment condition information; the session establishment condition information is used to indicate the conditions for successful establishment of the perception session.

[0016] Based on this solution, the first multi-link device can instruct the second multi-link device to perceive the conditions for successful session establishment through the session condition information.

[0017] In combination with the first aspect or the second aspect above, the common parameter includes mandatory link information; the mandatory link information is used to indicate that the perception session successfully establishes a mandatory link.

[0018] Based on this solution, the mandatory link information can be used to indicate that the perception session has successfully established the mandatory link.

[0019] In combination with the first or second aspect above, the unique parameter includes identification information of the part of the link.

[0020] Based on this solution, the identification information of some links can be used to indicate which link it is.

[0021] In combination with the first or second aspect above, the multi-link perception measurement request frame includes a perception sub-element, which includes common parameters and / or unique parameters; wherein the common parameters are parameters shared by one or more links, and the unique parameters are dedicated parameters for some of the one or more links.

[0022] Based on this solution, common parameters and / or unique parameters can be carried in the perception sub-element.

[0023] In combination with the first or second aspect above, the common parameter includes reference time window information; the reference time window is used to determine a perception time window of each link in the one or more links; wherein the perception time window is used for perception measurement interaction.

[0024] Based on this solution, a common reference time window information can be configured, and the perception time window of each link can be determined based on the reference time window.

[0025] In combination with the first aspect or the second aspect above, the specific parameter includes: identification information of the part of links and perception time window information corresponding to each link in the part of links, wherein the perception time window is used for perception measurement interaction.

[0026] Based on this solution, a corresponding perception time window can be configured for each link.

[0027] In combination with the first or second aspect above, the common parameter includes reference time window information; the unique parameter includes: identification information and time window offset information of the partial link; the time window offset information is used to indicate the offset of the perception time window of the partial link compared to the reference time window.

[0028] Based on this solution, a perception time window that is offset from a reference time window can be configured for a link through time window offset information.

[0029] In combination with the first or second aspect above, the common parameter includes reference time window information; the unique parameter includes: identification information and time window mode information of the partial link; wherein, the time window mode information is used to indicate whether the perception time window of the partial link is the same as the reference time window.

[0030] Based on this solution, it is possible to determine whether the perception time window of the link is the same as the reference time window through the time window mode information, thereby configuring the corresponding perception time window for the link.

[0031] In combination with the first or second aspect above, the unique parameter includes: identification information of the part of the links and common time window indication information; the common time window indication information is used to indicate whether the perception time window of the first link can be used to determine the perception time windows of other links in the multiple links.

[0032] Based on this solution, the perception time window of a certain link can be used as the reference time window of other links through the common time window indication information.

[0033] In combination with the first or second aspect above, the multi-link perception measurement request frame includes recommended link information, where the recommended link information is used to indicate one or more links for the second multi-link device to send a perception measurement inquiry frame, wherein the perception measurement inquiry frame is used to indicate that the second multi-link device requests to participate in the perception measurement.

[0034] Based on this solution, the first multi-link device can instruct the second multi-link device to send one or more links of the perception measurement inquiry frame. This avoids the problem that, in certain scenarios, when the first multi-link device wants to close the link to which the second multi-link device previously sent the perception measurement inquiry frame, the second multi-link device still sends the perception measurement inquiry frame on the previous link, resulting in the inability to send the perception measurement inquiry frame.

[0035] In combination with the first or second aspect above, the recommended link information is carried in the perception backhaul information field.

[0036] In combination with the first or second aspect above, the multi-link perception measurement response frame includes first indication information and second indication information, wherein the first indication information indicates that some of the multiple links included in the second multi-link device support establishing the perception measurement session; and the second indication information includes identification information of some of the links supporting establishing the perception measurement session.

[0037] Based on this solution, the multi-link awareness measurement response frame may indicate the support status of the second multi-link device for the awareness measurement session.

[0038] In combination with the above-mentioned first aspect or second aspect, the first indication information is carried in a status code field.

[0039] In combination with the first or second aspect, the first multi-link device is an access point multi-link device, and the second multi-link device is a non-access point multi-link device; or, the first multi-link device is a non-access point multi-link device, and the second multi-link device is an access point multi-link device.

[0040] In a third aspect, a communication device is provided for implementing the various methods described above. The communication device may be the first multi-link device described in the first aspect, or any implementation of the first aspect, or a device including the first multi-link device, or a device included in the first multi-link device, such as a chip. Alternatively, the communication device may be the second multi-link device described in the second aspect, or any implementation of the second aspect, or a device including the second multi-link device, or a device included in the second multi-link device, such as a chip. The communication device includes modules, units, or means corresponding to implementing the methods described above. The modules, units, or means may be implemented in hardware, software, or by hardware executing corresponding software implementations. The hardware or software includes one or more modules or units corresponding to the functions described above.

[0041] In some possible designs, the communication device may include a transceiver module. The transceiver module, which may also be referred to as a transceiver unit, is configured to implement the sending and / or receiving functions described in the first aspect and any possible implementation thereof. The transceiver module may be comprised of a transceiver circuit, a transceiver, a transceiver, or a communication interface. In one possible design, the communication device may include a processing module, which may be configured to implement the processing functions described in the first aspect or the second aspect and any possible implementation thereof.

[0042] In some possible designs, the transceiver module includes a sending module and a receiving module, which are respectively used to implement the sending and receiving functions in the above-mentioned first aspect or second aspect and any possible implementation methods thereof.

[0043] In a fourth aspect, a communication device is provided, comprising: a processor and a memory; the memory is configured to store computer instructions, and when the processor executes the instructions, the communication device performs the method of any of the aforementioned aspects. The communication device may be the first multi-link device described in the first aspect, or any implementation of the first aspect, or a device including the first multi-link device, or a device included in the first multi-link device, such as a chip. Alternatively, the communication device may be the second multi-link device described in the second aspect, or any implementation of the second aspect, or a device including the second multi-link device, or a device included in the second multi-link device, such as a chip.

[0044] In a fifth aspect, a communication device is provided, comprising: a processor and a communication interface; the communication interface is configured to communicate with a module external to the communication device; and the processor is configured to execute a computer program or instruction to cause the communication device to perform the method of any of the aforementioned aspects. The communication device may be the first multi-link device described in the first aspect, or any implementation of the first aspect, or a device including the first multi-link device, or a device included in the first multi-link device, such as a chip. Alternatively, the communication device may be the second multi-link device described in the second aspect, or any implementation of the second aspect, or a device including the second multi-link device, or a device included in the second multi-link device, such as a chip.

[0045] In a sixth aspect, a communication device is provided, comprising: at least one processor; the processor is configured to execute a computer program or instruction stored in a memory, so that the communication device performs the method of any of the aforementioned aspects. The memory may be coupled to the processor, or may be independent of the processor. The communication device may be the first multi-link device described in the first aspect, or any implementation of the first aspect, or a device including the first multi-link device, or a device included in the first multi-link device, such as a chip. Alternatively, the communication device may be the second multi-link device described in the second aspect, or any implementation of the second aspect, or a device including the second multi-link device, or a device included in the second multi-link device, such as a chip.

[0046] In the seventh aspect, a computer-readable storage medium is provided, which stores a computer program or instruction. When the computer program or instruction is run on a communication device, the communication device can execute any of the above aspects or any of its implementation methods.

[0047] In an eighth aspect, a computer program product comprising instructions is provided, which, when executed on a communication device, enables the communication device to execute the method of any of the above aspects or any of its implementations.

[0048] In a ninth aspect, a communication device is provided (for example, the communication device may be a chip or a chip system), which includes a processor for implementing the functions involved in any of the above aspects or any of its implementation methods.

[0049] In some possible designs, the communication device includes a memory for storing necessary program instructions and data.

[0050] In some possible designs, when the device is a chip system, it can be composed of a chip or include a chip and other discrete devices.

[0051] It can be understood that when the communication device provided in any one of the third to sixth aspects is a chip, the above-mentioned sending action / function can be understood as output, and the above-mentioned receiving action / function can be understood as input.

[0052] Among them, the technical effects brought about by any implementation method of the third to ninth aspects can refer to the technical effects brought about by the corresponding implementation method of the first or second aspect, and will not be repeated here.

[0053] It should be noted that various possible implementations of any of the above aspects can be combined under the premise that the solutions are not contradictory.

[0054] In a tenth aspect, a communication system is provided, which includes a first multi-link device that executes the method of the first aspect and a second multi-link device that executes the method of the second aspect.

[0055] It should be noted that various possible implementations of any of the above aspects can be combined under the premise that the solutions are not contradictory. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0056] FIG1 is a schematic diagram of a public domain structure and a structure of a perception measurement parameter element of a perception measurement request frame provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0057] FIG2 is a schematic diagram of the action field structure of a perception measurement response frame provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0058] FIG3 is a schematic diagram of a perceived availability window structure provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0059] FIG4 is a schematic diagram of the frame structure of an RSTA availability window element provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0060] FIG5 is an exemplary schematic diagram of an MLD system provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0061] FIG6 is a schematic diagram of a communication system provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0062] FIG7 is a flow chart of a communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0063] FIG8 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a multi-link sensing measurement parameter element provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0064] FIG9 is a schematic diagram of a possible structure of each site information field provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0065] FIG10 is a schematic diagram of a possible structure of a common information field provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0066] FIG11 is a schematic diagram of another possible structure of the common information field provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0067] FIG12 is a schematic diagram of another possible structure of the common information field provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0068] FIG13 is a schematic diagram of the structure of another multi-link awareness measurement parameter element provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0069] FIG14 is a schematic diagram of another possible structure of each site data provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0070] FIG15 is a schematic diagram of a first embodiment of the present application showing a perception time window of a corresponding link window in which time window offset information is provided;

[0071] FIG16 is a schematic diagram of a second method of indicating a perception time window corresponding to a link window using time window offset information according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0072] FIG17 is a schematic diagram of a third method of indicating a perception time window corresponding to a link window using time window offset information according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0073] FIG18 is a schematic diagram of independently setting perception time windows for three links by using perception time window information according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0074] FIG19 is a schematic diagram of a possible structure of a TB-aware specific sub-element included in a multi-link awareness sub-element provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0075] FIG20 is a schematic diagram of another possible structure of a TB-aware specific sub-element included in a multi-link awareness sub-element provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0076] FIG21 is a schematic diagram of the structure of an exemplary TB perception sub-element provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0077] FIG22 is a schematic diagram of the structure of another exemplary TB perception sub-element provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0078] FIG23 is a schematic diagram of the structure of an exemplary non-TB perception specific sub-element provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0079] FIG24 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a multi-link awareness measurement parameter element provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0080] FIG25 is a schematic diagram of a possible structure of sensing backhaul information provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0081] FIG26 is a schematic diagram of another possible structure for sensing backhaul information provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0082] FIG27 is a schematic diagram of a possible structure of a multi-link awareness measurement request frame provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0083] FIG28 is a schematic diagram of an exemplary structure of a multi-link awareness measurement response frame provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0084] FIG29 is a schematic diagram of the composition of a communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0085] Figure 30 is a schematic diagram of the hardware structure of a communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0086] In order to facilitate understanding of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application, a brief introduction to the relevant technologies of the present application is first given as follows.

[0087] 1. WLAN sensing:

[0088] WLAN sensing is a technology in which devices with WLAN sensing capabilities use received wireless signals in a given environment to determine the characteristics of a target (such as an object, animal, or person). These characteristics include the target's distance, location, speed, movement, and behavior.

[0089] In the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11bf, a new generation of wireless standards for WLAN sensing, there are four roles:

[0090] Sensing initiator: The device that initiates sensing behavior.

[0091] Sensing responder: A device that responds to the sensing behavior initiated by the sensing initiator and participates in the sensing behavior.

[0092] Sensing transmitter (sensing TX): A device that sends sensing physical layer convergence protocol (PLCP) protocol data units (PPDUs).

[0093] Sensing receiver (sensing RX): A device that receives sensing PPDUs.

[0094] The following is an introduction to WLAN awareness.

[0095] Currently, WLAN sensing can be divided into two types: sensing procedure and sensing by proxy (SBP) procedure (SBP procedure). In the sensing procedure, if a device wants to initiate sensing measurement, then the device initiates the sensing measurement as the sensing initiator. In the SBP procedure, a device can request another device to initiate sensing measurement on its behalf and send the measurement report to it after the measurement is completed. For example, if device A initiates sensing measurement on behalf of device B, then device A is the sensing initiator (in the SBP procedure, the sensing initiator can also be called the SBP responder). Currently, an access point (AP) can initiate sensing measurement on behalf of a non-AP station (STA) (Non-AP STA means a STA that is not an AP), that is, in the SBP procedure, the AP is the sensing initiator.

[0096] In the IEEE 802.11bf standard, the sensing process includes sensing capability interaction, sensing measurement setup, sensing measurement exchange, and sensing measurement shutdown. Sensing measurement setup is performed in the form of a session, so the sensing measurement setup process is also referred to as the sensing measurement session phase.

[0097] Currently, the process of establishing perception measurements includes the following steps:

[0098] (1) The sensing initiator sends a sensing measurement request frame to the sensing responder to initiate the sensing measurement establishment. The sensing measurement request frame can set sensing measurement parameters, sensing type and corresponding parameters.

[0099] Sensing measurement parameters can be understood as operational parameters used during sensing measurement exchanges. These parameters must be set when establishing a sensing measurement. The IEEE standard defines specific sensing measurement parameters, such as the timer used during the sensing measurement exchange, the bandwidth for transmitting null data packets (NDPs), and the number of transmitted streams.

[0100] Currently, the public field structure of the sensing measurement request frame is shown in (1) of Figure 1, including: a category field, a public action / protected dual of public action field, a dialog token field, a sensing comeback information field, a measurement session ID indication field, and a sensing measurement parameters element. The specific definitions of these fields and elements can be found in existing standards and will not be elaborated here.

[0101] The fields and elements contained in the sensing measurement parameter element are shown in (2) in Figure 1, including: element ID field, length field, element ID extension field, sensing measurement parameters field, and sensing subelements. The specific definitions of these fields and elements can be referred to existing standards and will not be elaborated here.

[0102] Currently, the perception measurement parameters may be included in the perception measurement parameter field and the perception sub-element. For details, please refer to the standard and will not be elaborated here.

[0103] The sensing sub-element is divided into trigger-based (TB) sensing specific sub-element, non-trigger-based (Non-TB) sensing specific sub-element, and SBP specific sub-element. The sensing sub-elements carried by the sensing measurement parameter element are related to the type of sensing measurement interaction, which is described in detail below.

[0104] (2) After receiving the sensing measurement request frame, the sensing responder sends a sensing measurement response frame to the sensing initiator. The action field structure of the sensing measurement response frame is shown in Figure 2, including the fields: category, public action / protected dual of public action, dialog token, measurement session ID indication, and status code. In one possible implementation, it may also include the element: sensing measurement parameter element.

[0105] The perception measurement response frame varies depending on the situation in which the perception measurement is established:

[0106] If the perception responder accepts the perception measurement parameter element requested by the perception measurement request frame, the status code in the perception measurement setup response frame is set to SUCCESS, and the perception measurement setup is completed.

[0107] If the perception responder rejects the perception measurement parameter element requested by the perception measurement request frame, but provides the perception measurement establishment parameters preferred by the perception responder in the perception measurement response frame, the status code is set to REJECTED_WITH_SUGGESTED_CHANGES, and the perception measurement establishment fails. In one possible implementation, after receiving the perception measurement response frame, the perception initiator can re-initiate the perception measurement establishment based on the perception measurement establishment parameters provided by the perception responder.

[0108] If the perception responder rejects the perception measurement parameter element requested in the perception measurement request frame and does not provide the perception measurement establishment parameters preferred by the perception responder, the status code is set to REQUEST_DECLINED, and the perception measurement establishment fails. In one possible implementation, after receiving the perception measurement response frame, the perception initiator can initiate the perception measurement establishment again.

[0109] After the sensing measurement is established, the sensing initiator will initiate one or more sensing measurement interactions. Sensing measurement interactions can be divided into two types: trigger-based sensing measurement interaction (TB sensing measurement exchange) and non-trigger-based sensing measurement interaction (Non-TB sensing measurement exchange). Among them, TB sensing measurement interaction is initiated by AP as the sensing initiator, and Non-TB sensing measurement interaction is initiated by non-AP STA as the sensing initiator. In the sensing procedure, based on the type of sensing measurement interaction, the sensing measurement parameter element can carry the corresponding sensing sub-element. In the SBP procedure, the sensing measurement parameter element carries not only the TB sensing specific sub-element, but also the SBP specific sub-element to inform the sensing responder that the sensing measurement interaction is about SBP.

[0110] The sensing measurement interaction may also be referred to as a sensing measurement instance. In the embodiment of the present application, the sensing measurement instance and the sensing measurement interaction are the same concept that can be used interchangeably.

[0111] 2. Sensing Availability Window Technology:

[0112] The IEEE 802.11bf standard utilizes the Sensing Availability Window (SAW) technology. A SAW is a periodic time window allocated by an AP to non-AP STAs for TB sensing measurement interactions between the AP and non-AP STAs. This means that TB sensing measurements must occur within the SAW window. For example, as shown in Figure 3, a SAW window is a period of time encompassing two TB sensing measurement interactions.

[0113] Regarding the allocation of the perception availability window, the allocation process is completed during the perception measurement establishment process. In the current IEEE 802.11bf standard, the TB perception specific sub-element carries the availability window field, which carries the responding station (RSTA) availability window element to allocate the perception availability window to the non-AP STA. Currently, the frame structure of the RSTA availability window element is shown in Figure 4, including the element ID field, length field, element ID extension field, and RSTA availability information field. Among them, the RSTA availability information field includes information such as the duration and period of the perception availability window.

[0114] 3. Multi-link scenario:

[0115] The current IEEE 802.11be standard for wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi) 7 introduces the multi-link (ML) feature. If a communication device supports multi-link communication and has the ability to establish multiple links simultaneously, such as communicating simultaneously on different frequency bands or on different channels of the same frequency band, it is called a multi-link device (MLD).

[0116] An MLD can include multiple logically affiliated stations (hereinafter referred to as logical stations). Each logical station operates on a link, but multiple logical stations can operate on the same link. If a station within an MLD is an AP, it can be further referred to as an AP MLD. If a station within an MLD is a non-AP STA, it can be further referred to as a Non-AP STA MLD. Non-AP MLDs and AP MLDs can communicate after establishing multiple links.

[0117] It should be noted that, unless otherwise specified, Non-AP STA MLD is also referred to as STA MLD or non-AP MLD.

[0118] When transmitting data, AP MLD and non-AP MLD can use link identifiers to identify a link or a station on a link. Before communication, the AP MLD and non-AP MLD can negotiate or communicate the correspondence between the link identifier and the link or a station on the link. Therefore, during data transmission, there is no need to transmit a large amount of signaling information to identify the link or the station on the link; only the link identifier is required, reducing signaling overhead and improving transmission efficiency. For example, the link identifier can be a link ID.

[0119] Each logical site included in the MLD has its own media access control (MAC) address. The MLD itself has a MAC address.

[0120] For example, Figure 5 is an exemplary schematic diagram of an MLD system provided by the IEEE 802.11be standard. As shown in Figure 5, the AP MLD includes two logical sites: AP1 and AP2. The Non-STA MLD has two logical sites: STA1 and STA2. Among them, AP1 and STA1 can transmit data to each other through link 1, and AP2 and STA2 can transmit data to each other through link 2. The MAC address of AP1 is denoted as w, the MAC address of AP2 is denoted as x, the MAC address of STA1 is denoted as y, and the MAC address of STA2 is denoted as z. The MAC address of the AP MLD is denoted as M, and the MAC address of the Non-STA MLD is denoted as P. The AP MLD and the Non-STA MLD have their own MAC layer service access point (SAP) (i.e., the MAC SAP in Figure 5). The MAC SAP is the information transmission interface between the MAC layer and the upper layer.

[0121] The current 802.11bf standard defines perception technologies that focus on single-link scenarios, without considering multi-link scenarios. Based on this, the present application provides a communication method, device, storage medium, and chip system that can establish a perception measurement session in a multi-link scenario.

[0122] In the description of this application, unless otherwise specified, " / " indicates that the objects associated with each other are in an "or" relationship. For example, A / B can mean A or B. "And / or" in this application is merely a description of the association relationship of associated objects, indicating that three relationships can exist. For example, A and / or B can mean: A exists alone, A and B exists at the same time, and B exists alone. A and B can be singular or plural. In addition, in the description of this application, unless otherwise specified, "multiple" means two or more than two. "At least one of the following" or similar expressions refers to any combination of these items, including any combination of single or plural items. For example, at least one of a, b, or c can mean: a, b, c, ab, ac, bc, or abc, where a, b, and c can be single or multiple. In addition, to facilitate the clear description of the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application, in the embodiments of this application, words such as "first" and "second" are used to distinguish between identical or similar items with substantially the same functions and effects. Those skilled in the art will understand that words such as "first" and "second" do not limit the quantity and execution order, and words such as "first" and "second" do not necessarily limit differences. At the same time, in the embodiments of the present application, words such as "exemplary" or "for example" are used to indicate examples, illustrations or explanations. Any embodiment or design described as "exemplary" or "for example" in the embodiments of the present application should not be interpreted as being more preferred or more advantageous than other embodiments or design. Specifically, the use of words such as "exemplary" or "for example" is intended to present related concepts in a concrete way for easy understanding.

[0123] In the embodiment of the present application, "indication" may include direct indication and indirect indication, and may also include explicit indication and implicit indication. The information indicated by a certain information (such as the first indication information below) is called information to be indicated. In the specific implementation process, there are many ways to indicate the information to be indicated, such as but not limited to, the information to be indicated can be directly indicated, such as the information to be indicated itself or the index of the information to be indicated. The information to be indicated can also be indirectly indicated by indicating other information, wherein the other information and the information to be indicated have an association relationship. It is also possible to indicate only a part of the information to be indicated, while the other parts of the information to be indicated are known or agreed in advance. For example, the indication of specific information can be achieved by means of the arrangement order of each piece of information agreed in advance (such as specified in the protocol), thereby reducing the indication overhead to a certain extent. At the same time, the common parts of each piece of information can also be identified and indicated uniformly to reduce the indication overhead caused by indicating the same information separately.

[0124] In addition, the specific indication method can also be various existing indication methods, such as but not limited to the above-mentioned indication methods and various combinations thereof. The specific details of the various indication methods can be referred to the prior art and will not be repeated herein. As can be seen from the above, for example, when it is necessary to indicate multiple information of the same type, there may be a situation where the indication methods for different information are different. In the specific implementation process, the required indication method can be selected according to specific needs. The embodiment of the present application does not limit the selected indication method. In this way, the indication method involved in the embodiment of the present application should be understood to cover various methods that can enable the party to be indicated to obtain the information to be indicated.

[0125] It should be understood that the information to be indicated can be sent as a whole or divided into multiple sub-information and sent separately, and the sending period and / or sending time of these sub-information can be the same or different. The specific sending method is not limited in the embodiments of this application. The sending period and / or sending time of these sub-information can be predefined, for example, predefined according to a protocol, or can be configured by the transmitting device by sending configuration information to the receiving device.

[0126] In an embodiment of the present application, "pre-definition", "pre-defined", "pre-configured" or "pre-configured" can be implemented by pre-saving corresponding codes, tables or other methods that can be used to indicate relevant information in the device. For example, it can be burned into the device when the device leaves the factory. The embodiment of the present application does not limit its specific implementation method. Among them, "saving" can mean saving in one or more memories. The one or more memories can be set separately or integrated in an encoder or decoder, a processor, or a communication device. The one or more memories can also be partially set separately and partially integrated in a decoder, a processor, or a communication device. The type of memory can be any form of storage medium, which is not limited by the embodiment of the present application.

[0127] The "protocol" involved in the embodiments of the present application may refer to a protocol family in the communication field, a standard protocol with a similar protocol family frame structure, or a related protocol used in future communication systems. The embodiments of the present application do not make specific limitations on this.

[0128] In the embodiments of the present application, descriptions such as "when...", "in the case of...", "if" and "if" all mean that the device will perform corresponding processing under certain objective circumstances. It does not limit the time, nor does it require the device to perform judgment actions when implemented, nor does it mean that there are other limitations.

[0129] The method provided in this application can be applied to WLAN systems, such as wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi), etc. For example, the method provided in this application can be applicable to the IEEE802.11 series of protocols, wherein the 802.11 protocol can be a protocol that supports 802.11be or is compatible with 802.11be, such as 802.11ax next-generation Wi-Fi protocol, such as 802.11be, Wi-Fi 7 or extremely high throughput (EHT), and the next generation of 802.11be, Wi-Fi 8, etc., and 802.11bf and its next-generation standards, which are not listed here one by one. The method provided in this application can also be applied to future WLAN systems. The method provided in this application can also be applied to wireless personal area network systems and perception systems based on ultra wide band (UWB).

[0130] It should be noted that although this application is mainly described using a network deploying IEEE 802.11 as an example, those skilled in the art will readily understand that the various aspects of this application can be extended to other networks that adopt various standards or protocols, such as high-performance radio local area networks (HIPERLAN) (a wireless standard similar to the IEEE 802.11 standard, mainly used in Europe) and wide area networks (WANs), personal area networks (PANs), or other networks currently known or developed in the future.

[0131] It should be noted that the network architecture and business scenarios described in the embodiments of the present application are intended to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application, and do not constitute a limitation on the technical solutions provided in the embodiments of the present application. Ordinary technicians in this field can know that with the evolution of network architecture and the emergence of new business scenarios, the technical solutions provided in the embodiments of the present application are also applicable to similar technical problems.

[0132] Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of a possible, non-limiting communication system applicable to embodiments of the present application. As shown in Figure 6, the communication system 10 includes at least one AP MLD and at least one Non-AP MLD. The AP MLD and the Non-AP MLD can communicate with each other.

[0133] It should be noted that the number of AP MLDs and Non-AP MLDs shown in FIG6 is only exemplary. The number of AP MLDs or Non-AP MLDs in the wireless communication system may be more or less, and this application does not limit this.

[0134] Optionally, the communication system 10 may also include traditional stations that only support transmission on a single link.

[0135] FIG6 takes the AP MLD as a router and the Non-AP MLD as a mobile phone as an example, and does not limit the types of AP MLD and Non-AP MLD in this application.

[0136] The two multi-link devices that interact to perform the communication method provided in the embodiments of this application are referred to herein as a first multi-link device and a second multi-link device. The first multi-link device may be an AP MLD. The second multi-link device may be a non-AP MLD. Alternatively, the second multi-link device may be an AP MLD, and the first multi-link device may be a non-AP MLD.

[0137] Taking the interaction between a first multi-link device and a second multi-link device as an example, in the communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application, the first multi-link device sends a multi-link awareness measurement request frame to the second multi-link device. The multi-link awareness measurement request frame is used to request the establishment of an awareness measurement session, which includes multiple links. After receiving the multi-link awareness measurement request frame, the second multi-link device sends a multi-link awareness measurement response frame to the first multi-link device. In response, the first multi-link device receives the multi-link awareness measurement response frame. The specific implementation and technical effects of this solution will be described in detail in subsequent method embodiments and are not elaborated here.

[0138] In the embodiment of the present application, the frequency band in which the multi-link device operates may include one or more frequency bands of sub 1 GHz, 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, 6 GHz, and high frequency 60 GHz.

[0139] For example, the multi-link device in the embodiments of the present application can be a single-antenna device or a multi-antenna device. For example, it can be a device with two or more antennas. The embodiments of the present application do not limit the number of antennas included in the multi-link device.

[0140] Exemplarily, a multi-link device is a device with wireless communication capabilities. This device can be a complete device, or a chip or processing system installed in the complete device. Devices installed with these chips or processing systems can implement the methods and functions of the embodiments of the present application under the control of these chips or processing systems. For example, the first multi-link device or the second multi-link device in the embodiments of the present application has wireless transceiver capabilities, can support the 802.11 series protocols, and can communicate with other multi-link devices or other single-link devices.

[0141] Illustratively, a non-AP MLD is any user communication device that allows a user to communicate with an AP and, in turn, a WLAN, and that supports the 802.11 protocol family. For example, a non-AP MLD can be a tablet, desktop, laptop, notebook computer, ultra-mobile personal computer (UMPC), handheld computer, netbook, personal digital assistant (PDA), mobile phone, or other network-enabled user device; an IoT node in the Internet of Things (IoT); or an in-vehicle communication device in the Internet of Vehicles (IoV). A non-AP MLD can also be the chip and processing system within these terminals.

[0142] In one possible implementation, multi-link devices can support high-speed and low-latency transmission. With the continuous evolution of wireless LAN application scenarios, multi-link devices can also be applied to more scenarios, such as sensor nodes in smart cities (e.g., smart water meters, smart electricity meters, smart air detection nodes), smart devices in smart homes (e.g., smart cameras, projectors, displays, TVs, speakers, refrigerators, washing machines, etc.), nodes in the Internet of Things, entertainment terminals (e.g., wearable devices such as AR and VR), smart devices in smart offices (e.g., printers, projectors, etc.), Internet of Vehicles devices in the Internet of Vehicles, and some infrastructure in daily life scenarios (e.g., vending machines, self-service navigation counters in supermarkets, self-service cash registers, self-service ordering machines, etc.). The specific forms of non-AP MLD and AP MLD are not limited in the embodiments of this application and are only illustrative.

[0143] The communication method provided in the embodiment of the present application will be described below with reference to FIG. 1 to FIG. 6 , taking the interaction between the first multi-link device and the second multi-link device as an example.

[0144] In the embodiments of the present application, the term "communication" may also be described as "data transmission," "information transmission," or "transmission." The term "transmission" may generally refer to sending and receiving.

[0145] It should be noted that the message names between the devices or the names of the parameters and fields in the messages in the following embodiments of the present application are only examples. Other names may be used in specific implementations, and the embodiments of the present application do not specifically limit this.

[0146] It should be noted that the length of the fields appearing in the following embodiments of this application is only an example and may be other names in specific implementations. This embodiment of this application does not impose any specific limitations on this.

[0147] It should be noted that in the following embodiments of this application, if the length of a field is variable, it indicates that the length of the field is uncertain. In the actual design process, the specific length of the field can be indicated by other indication information, or the transceiver can negotiate the length of the field in advance, or the length of the field is predefined, or the receiving end can determine the length of the field based on other auxiliary information when receiving a message carrying the field and parse the message. This application does not impose any restrictions on the method for determining the specific length of a field with a variable length.

[0148] In addition, it can be understood that if a field is an optional field, then when the message does not include the field, the length of the field is 0.

[0149] It should be noted that in the following embodiments of this application, if the indication of specific information is achieved through the value of a field, then the value of the field is not specifically limited. For example, if a similar statement appears below: "When a field is set to "00", it represents...", the "00" value is only an exemplary value and can be replaced by other values ​​such as "01", "10", or "11" in different implementations.

[0150] As shown in Figure 7, a communication method is provided for an embodiment of the present application. Figure 7 illustrates the method by taking the first multi-link device and the second multi-link device as the execution subjects of the interaction diagram as an example, but the present application does not limit the execution subjects of the interaction diagram. For example, the first multi-link device in Figure 7 can also be a module such as a chip, a chip system, or a processor applied to the first multi-link device, or a logical node, a logical module, or software that can realize all or part of the functions of a network device node; the second multi-link device in Figure 7 can also be a module such as a chip, a chip system, or a processor applied to the second multi-link device, or a logical node, a logical module, or software that can realize all or part of the functions of the second multi-link device. The communication method includes the following steps:

[0151] S701: A first multi-link device sends a multi-link awareness measurement request frame to a second multi-link device. The multi-link awareness measurement request frame is used to request establishment of an awareness measurement session, where the awareness measurement session includes one or more links (i.e., the awareness measurement session includes at least one link). In response, the second multi-link device receives the multi-link awareness measurement request frame.

[0152] S702: The second multi-link device sends a multi-link awareness measurement response frame to the first multi-link device. Correspondingly, the first multi-link device receives the multi-link awareness measurement response frame.

[0153] The communication method provided in the embodiment of the present application can be applied to the sensing procedure scenario of WLAN perception. In this scenario, the first multi-link device requests to establish a perception measurement session by sending a multi-link perception measurement request frame to the second multi-link device. It can be understood that, since in the perception measurement process, the perception session stage is equivalent to the process of perception measurement establishment, the first multi-link device sending a multi-link perception measurement request frame to the second multi-link device can also be understood as the first multi-link device initiating the perception measurement establishment. Perception measurement is a type of perception behavior, therefore, the first multi-link device is the device that initiates the perception behavior, that is, the perception initiator. Correspondingly, the second multi-link device is a device that responds to the perception behavior initiated by the perception initiator, thereby participating in the perception behavior, that is, the perception responder.

[0154] In the sensing procedure scenario, if the first multi-link device is an AP MLD and the second multi-link device is a non-AP MLD, the sensing measurement initiated by the first multi-link device using a multi-link sensing measurement request frame can correspond to the TB sensing type. If the second multi-link device is an AP MLD and the first multi-link device is a non-AP MLD, the sensing measurement initiated by the first multi-link device using a multi-link sensing measurement request frame can correspond to the non-TB sensing type.

[0155] In a possible implementation, the communication method provided in the embodiment of the present application can be applied to the SBP procedure scenario of WLAN perception. In this scenario, the SBP initiator can be a Non-AP MLD, which requests the first multi-link device (the first multi-link device can be an AP MLD) to initiate perception measurement on its behalf, that is, to send a multi-link perception measurement request frame to the perception responder (that is, the second multi-link device, the second multi-link device can be a Non-AP MLD) on its behalf. Furthermore, if the perception measurement session requested by sending the multi-link perception measurement request frame is successfully established, the first multi-link device receives a measurement report from the second multi-link device, the first multi-link device can send the measurement report to the Non-AP MLD for which the perception measurement was initiated. In the SBP procedure scenario, the perception measurement establishment initiated by the first multi-link device through the multi-link perception measurement request frame and the subsequent perception measurement interaction can be used to meet the needs of the SBP initiator.

[0156] In one possible implementation, in an embodiment of the present application, a first multi-link device may send a multi-link awareness measurement request frame to one second multi-link device, or may send multi-link awareness measurement request frames to multiple second multi-link devices. If the first multi-link device sends multi-link awareness measurement request frames to multiple second multi-link devices, each multi-link awareness measurement request frame may be used to request establishment of a different awareness measurement session, or may be used to request establishment of the same awareness measurement session.

[0157] In one possible implementation, the multi-link perception measurement request frame may include identification information for identifying the perception measurement session, for example, it may include a perception measurement establishment identifier (MSID). If the first multi-link device sends multi-link perception measurement request frames to multiple second multi-link devices respectively to request the establishment of different perception measurement sessions, the MSIDs included in each multi-link perception measurement request frame may be different. If the first multi-link device sends multi-link perception measurement request frames to multiple second multi-link devices respectively to request the establishment of the same perception measurement session, the MSIDs included in each multi-link perception measurement request frame may be the same.

[0158] It should be noted that the multi-link sensing measurement request frame is an exemplary name given to the frame used to request the establishment of a sensing measurement session in a multi-link scenario in an embodiment of the present application. The frame may also have other names, such as a sensing measurement request frame, and the embodiment of the present application does not impose any specific restrictions on this.

[0159] The following is an introduction to S701-S702.

[0160] In the embodiment of the present application, unless otherwise specified, the links included in the perception measurement session can also be understood as links for performing perception measurement interaction. In S701, the perception measurement session includes one or more links, which means that after the perception measurement session is established, one or more links perform perception measurement interaction.

[0161] In a possible implementation, the link included in the perception measurement session may be a link between the first multi-link device and the second multi-link device, or a link between the second multi-link device and other perception responders.

[0162] In an embodiment of the present application, the multi-link perception measurement request frame sent by the first multi-link device may indicate one or more links requested by the first multi-link device. The one or more links requested by the first multi-link device may be understood as one or more links that the first multi-link device desires to participate in perception measurement interactions. After receiving the multi-link perception measurement request frame, the second multi-link device may determine whether to accept (or support) the links requested by the first multi-link device. The second multi-link device may accept each link in the links requested by the first multi-link device, may accept some of the links in the links requested by the first multi-link device, or may not accept each link requested by the first multi-link device.

[0163] Furthermore, the second multi-link device may send a multi-link awareness measurement response frame to the first multi-link device to indicate whether the second multi-link device has accepted the one or more links requested by the first multi-link device. The first multi-link device may determine whether the awareness measurement session can be successfully established based on the multi-link awareness measurement response frame. The specific implementation of this solution is described in S702 and will not be further elaborated here.

[0164] In this embodiment of the present application, a perception measurement session can be established when the second multi-link device accepts each link requested by the first multi-link device. In this case, each link included in the perception measurement session is each link requested by the first multi-link device. Alternatively, a perception measurement session can be established when the second multi-link device accepts some of the links requested by the first multi-link device. In this case, the links included in the perception measurement session are some of the links requested by the first multi-link device that the second multi-link device accepts.

[0165] Exemplarily, in the embodiment of the present application, the link of the first multi-link request, or the link included in the sensing measurement session, may also be referred to as a sensing link (Sensing link).

[0166] The following describes the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application by taking the perception measurement session including multiple links as an example. It can be understood that the solutions in the following embodiments can also be applied to the scenario where the perception measurement session includes one link after adaptive adjustment.

[0167] In one possible implementation, in S701, the multi-link perception measurement request frame sent by the first multi-link device may include perception measurement parameters configured by the first multi-link device for the requested link. The perception measurement parameters refer to parameters that need to be set when establishing a perception measurement session. Once the perception measurement session is established, each link included in the perception measurement session may perform perception measurement interaction according to the corresponding perception measurement parameters. Therefore, establishing a perception measurement session can also be understood as the process of setting corresponding perception measurement parameters for the links included in the perception measurement session.

[0168] It should be noted that, in the embodiment of the present application, the perception measurement parameter is an exemplary name for a parameter that needs to be set when establishing a perception measurement session. It may also be called a multi-link perception measurement parameter, etc., and the embodiment of the present application does not specifically limit this.

[0169] In a possible implementation, when the multi-link perception measurement request frame includes the perception measurement parameters configured by the first multi-link device for the requested link, the second multi-link device accepts the link requested by the first multi-link device. This can also be understood as the second multi-link device accepting the perception measurement parameters corresponding to the link, or in other words, the second multi-link device accepts the link and participates in the perception measurement interaction using the corresponding perception measurement parameters.

[0170] In one possible implementation, in S701, the perception measurement parameters may include common parameters and / or unique parameters. Common parameters are parameters shared by multiple links, and unique parameters are dedicated parameters for some links in the multiple links. In other words, common parameters are at the multi-link device level (MLD-level), and can be differentiated by multi-link device during configuration. The common parameters configured for a multi-link device are applicable to each link of the multi-link device. Unique parameters are at the link level (link-level), and the unique parameters of each link are independent. When configuring the unique parameters, they need to be differentiated according to the link. The unique parameters of different links may be the same or different.

[0171] If the perception measurement session is established, each link included in the perception measurement session can perform perception measurement interaction according to the common parameters and its corresponding unique parameters.

[0172] The following introduces several types of information that may be included in the common parameters and / or unique parameters provided in the embodiments of the present application.

[0173] In one possible implementation, the common parameters may include recommended report link information. The recommended report link information is used to indicate a link for reporting the sensing data. Exemplarily, the recommended report link information may be a field, such as a recommended report link field (Recommended report link).

[0174] The perception data refers to the data measured by multiple links during perception measurement interactions. The perception data must be reported to the first multi-link device. In other words, the recommended reporting link information indicates which link or links among the multiple links will report the perception data to the first multi-link device. Other links in the multiple links can send the measured data to the recommended reporting link, which will then transmit the data.

[0175] The embodiment of the present application does not limit the specific implementation of the link indicated by the recommended reporting link information. In a possible implementation, the recommended reporting link information may indicate identification information of the link, such as the link ID.

[0176] In one possible implementation, the recommended reporting link information may be a bitmap, and the length of the bitmap may be fixed, for example, 16 bits, or the length of the bitmap may be variable. For example, when the i-th bit in the bitmap is set to 1, the corresponding link ID is i, indicating that the link with link ID i reports the perception data report. For another example, when the i-th bit in the bitmap is set to 1, the bit position is i-1, and the corresponding link ID is i-1, indicating that the link with link ID i-1 reports the perception data report.

[0177] The solution of using recommended reporting link information to indicate the link for reporting perception data can improve perception measurement performance in certain scenarios. For example, high-speed mobility scenarios require a higher measurement frequency. Since sending reports on the current link for measuring perception data may affect the measurement frequency, the perception data measured on this link can be sent over other links. In addition, it can save air interface resources.

[0178] In a possible implementation, the common parameters may include session establishment condition information, wherein the session establishment condition information is used to indicate the conditions for successful establishment of the perception measurement session. Exemplarily, the session establishment condition information may be a field, such as a session setup condition field.

[0179] In one possible implementation, a condition for establishing a perception measurement session may be that the ratio and / or number of links that meet corresponding perception measurement parameters (e.g., common parameters and specific parameters corresponding to the link) meet certain requirements. In this implementation, the session establishment condition information may indicate the requirements for the ratio and / or number of links. When the number and / or ratio of links that meet the corresponding perception measurement parameters is not less than the number and / or ratio required by the session establishment condition information, the perception measurement session can be established; otherwise, it cannot be established.

[0180] In a possible implementation, the requirement on the ratio and / or number of links indicated by the session establishment condition information may be preset, protocol-defined, or pre-agreed between the first multi-link device and the second multi-link device.

[0181] For example, assume that the session establishment condition information is a 2-bit field. The first multi-link device and the second multi-link device can pre-agreed on different meanings for different values ​​of this field. For example, when this field is set to "00," it indicates that all links requested by the first multi-link device are necessary. In this case, the second multi-link device must accept all sensing measurement parameters corresponding to all links requested by the first multi-link device for the sensing measurement session to be successfully established. When this field is set to "01," it indicates that not all links requested by the first multi-link device are necessary. If sensing measurement parameters correspond to greater than or equal to 50% of all links requested by the first multi-link device, the second multi-link device can accept them, and the sensing measurement session can be successfully established. When this field is set to "10," it indicates that not all links requested by the first multi-link device are necessary. If sensing measurement parameters correspond to more than two links requested by the first multi-link device, the second multi-link device can accept them, and the sensing measurement session can be successfully established. When this field is set to "11", it means that not all links requested by the first multi-link device are necessary. If there are perception measurement parameters corresponding to more than one link among all the links requested by the first multi-link device, the second multi-link device can accept them and the perception measurement session can be successfully established.

[0182] In one possible implementation, the session establishment condition information may indicate a specific number of links.

[0183] Exemplarily, the session establishment condition information may be a 4-bit field, the value of which represents the number of requested links. For example, a multi-link sensing measurement request frame sent by a first multi-link device includes sensing measurement parameters configured by the first multi-link device for the four requested links, and the value of the session establishment condition information is 3. Therefore, if there are sensing measurement parameters corresponding to more than or equal to three of the four links requested by the first multi-link device, the second multi-link device can accept them, and the sensing measurement session can be successfully established.

[0184] In one possible implementation, the common parameters may further include mandatory link information. The mandatory link information is used to indicate the mandatory links required for the successful establishment of the perception session. In other words, the mandatory link information needs to meet the requirements for links participating in the perception measurement interaction indicated by the session establishment condition information. If the session establishment condition information indicates that the links participating in the perception measurement interaction meet the requirements for corresponding perception measurement parameters, then the information indicated by the mandatory link must meet the corresponding perception measurement parameters for the perception measurement session to be successfully established. If the session establishment condition information indicates a requirement for the number of links participating in the perception measurement interaction, then the mandatory link must be one of the links participating in the perception measurement interaction for the perception measurement session to be established.

[0185] In a possible implementation, the required link information may indicate identification information of a required link for successful establishment of a perception session, such as a link ID, or the address of a required link for successful establishment of a perception session, such as a MAC address of the link.

[0186] Exemplarily, the mandatory link information can be a bitmap, such as a mandatory link list field or a mandatory link bitmap field. Exemplarily, when the i-th bit in the bitmap is set to 1, it indicates that the link with link ID i is a mandatory link. For another example, when the i-th bit in the bitmap is set to 1, it can indicate that the link with link ID i-1 is a mandatory link.

[0187] For example, the mandatory link information may indicate a link ID of a mandatory link using 4 bits. If n link IDs are indicated, the mandatory link information occupies 4n bits.

[0188] For example, the mandatory link information may indicate a MAC address of a mandatory link using 6 bytes (octets). If n MAC addresses are indicated, the mandatory link information occupies 6n bytes.

[0189] In one possible implementation, the common parameters may further include optional link information. The optional link information may indicate the link on which the first multi-link device desires to perform perception measurement. If the second multi-link device can accept the link indicated by the optional link, perception measurement may be performed on the link indicated by the optional link. If the second multi-link device cannot accept the link indicated by the optional link, the perception measurement session establishment will not fail.

[0190] For how the optional link information indicates the optional link, reference may be made to the above introduction to the mandatory link information. For example, the optional link information may be a bitmap, which will not be elaborated here.

[0191] In one possible implementation, if the communication method provided in the embodiment of the present application is applied to an SBP scenario, the non-AP MLD may send a multi-link SBP request frame to the first multi-link device to request the first multi-link device to initiate perception measurement on its behalf. The multi-link SBP request frame may carry link indication information corresponding to each second multi-link device (the number of second multi-link devices may be one or more), as well as information indicating the corresponding second multi-link device (e.g., the address or identification information of the second multi-link device). After receiving the multi-link SBP request frame, the first multi-link device may send a multi-link perception measurement request frame to each second multi-link device, including the link indication information corresponding to the second multi-link device.

[0192] The link indication information may include at least one of mandatory link information, optional link information, and information indicating requirements on the number of links. For the mandatory link information and the information indicating requirements on the ratio and / or number of links, please refer to the above introduction to the session establishment condition information and will not be expanded here. The optional link information may indicate on which link the Non-AP MLD expects to perform perception measurement. If the second multi-link device can accept the link indicated by the optional link, the perception measurement can be performed on the link indicated by the optional link. If the second multi-link device cannot accept the link indicated by the optional link, it will not cause the perception measurement session establishment to fail. It can be understood that in the SBP scenario, the link indication information is equivalent to the session establishment condition information.

[0193] In one possible implementation, the unique parameter may include identification information of some links. When the multi-link awareness measurement request frame includes information about some links, the identification information of the some links may be used to indicate which links the multi-link awareness measurement request frame includes information about. For example, the identification information of the some links may indicate the ID of each link in the some links. Exemplarily, the identification information of the some links may be a Link ID field, which may be 4 bits in size.

[0194] In one possible implementation, the common parameters and / or unique parameters may be included in a multi-link sensing measurement parameters field. For example, the multi-link sensing measurement parameters field may include at least one of the recommended reporting link information, session establishment condition information, mandatory link information, and identification information of some links in the above-mentioned embodiment.

[0195] In one possible implementation, the multi-link perception measurement parameter domain may be included in a multi-link perception measurement parameter element (also referred to as a multi-link perception parameter element). For example, FIG8 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a multi-link perception measurement parameter element. As shown in FIG8 , the multi-link perception parameter measurement element includes a multi-link perception measurement parameter (i.e., a multi-link perception measurement parameter domain) field and a multi-link perception sub-element, wherein the multi-link perception measurement parameter domain includes a number of links field, a common information field, and a link information field.

[0196] In a possible implementation, in an embodiment of the present application, based on different sensing types, the multi-link sensing sub-element can be divided into a TB sensing specific sub-element (TB sensing specific subelement) and a Non-TB sensing specific sub-element.

[0197] In one possible implementation, the common information field may include common parameters, and the link information field may include specific parameters corresponding to some links.

[0198] In one possible implementation, the multi-link perception measurement parameter element may further include a multi-link control (Multi-Link Control) field. This field may include a type (Type) field, a reserved (Reserved) field, and a presence bitmap (Presence Bitmap) field. Among them, the Type field may indicate the type of perception measurement, such as TB, Non-TB, or SBP. The length of the Reserved field is variable and is used to control the total number of bits occupied by the multi-link perception measurement parameter element to be a multiple of 8 bits. The Presence Bitmap field is used to indicate whether certain fields in the common information exist.

[0199] For example, assuming that the value of the i-th bit in the Presence Bitmap field is 1, it can indicate whether the corresponding field is included in the common information. In one possible implementation, the field corresponding to the bit in the Presence Bitmap field can be preset, protocol-defined, or pre-agreed between the first multi-link device and the second multi-link device.

[0200] In one possible implementation, the unique parameters corresponding to each link in a portion of the links can be carried in the field / sub-element corresponding to the link. In this embodiment of the present application, the field / sub-element containing the unique parameters corresponding to the portion of the links can be referred to as a per-STA profile field / sub-element. Exemplarily, the per-STA profile field / sub-element can be carried in the link information field shown in Figure 8.

[0201] In a possible implementation, the link corresponding to which the specific parameters are included in each site information field / sub-element can be indicated by identification information of some links included in the site information field / sub-element.

[0202] For example, each site profile field may include the fields shown in Figure 9. The Link ID field contains identification information for a portion of the link. The other fields included in each site profile field contain the unique parameters for the link corresponding to the Link ID. If each site profile is a sub-element, each site profile sub-element may also include a Sub-element ID field, indicating the ID of each site profile as a sub-element.

[0203] In one possible implementation, in an embodiment of the present application, the length of a field or element can be a fixed value. This fixed value can be preset, protocol-defined, or pre-agreed upon by the first and second multi-link devices. For example, it can be n bits or n bytes. Alternatively, the length of a field or element can be variable. In one possible implementation, if the length of a field is variable, the field can include a field indicating the length of the field.

[0204] Exemplarily, in FIG9 , each site profile field includes a Per-STA Profile Length field, which indicates the length of the site profile (eg, the total number of bytes / bits occupied by the common information).

[0205] In a possible implementation, for the common parameters included in the common information field, in a possible implementation, the common information field may include at least one of recommended reporting link information, session establishment condition information, and mandatory link information.

[0206] An exemplary structure of the common information field may be shown in Figure 10. The Recommended Report Link Bitmap field is the recommended report link information, and the Session Setup Condition field is the session setup condition information.

[0207] Another exemplary structure of the common information field may be shown in Figure 11. Compared with the structure shown in Figure 10, the common information field shown in Figure 11 further includes a mandatory link bitmap (Mandatory Link Bitmap), that is, mandatory link information.

[0208] Another exemplary structure of the common information field may be shown in Figure 12. Compared to the structure shown in Figure 10, the common information field shown in Figure 12 further includes a common information length (Common Info Length) field, which may indicate the length of the common information (e.g., the total number of bytes / bits occupied by the common information).

[0209] Among them, the TBD field in Figures 10, 11, and 12 may be a field to be confirmed.

[0210] In the above embodiment, Figure 8 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a possible multi-link perception measurement parameter element. The following introduces the structure of another possible multi-link perception measurement parameter element. Figure 13 is a schematic diagram of the structure of another possible multi-link perception measurement parameter element. As shown in Figure 13, the multi-link perception measurement parameter field may not include the link number field. In this case, each site information included in the link information may be a sub-element. Figure 14 is a schematic diagram of a possible structure of each site information when each site information is a sub-element. As shown in Figure 14, each site information field includes a sub-element ID field and a length (Per-STA Profile Length) field. Among them, the sub-element ID field indicates the ID of each site information as a sub-element, and the length field indicates the length of each site information, such as the total number of bytes / bits occupied by each site information.

[0211] In a possible implementation, if the link information includes multiple perception link information sub-elements, the sub-element ID of each site information sub-element may be different.

[0212] In one possible implementation, the common parameters may include reference time window information. The reference time window information indicates a reference time window, which is used to determine a perception time window for each of the multiple links. The perception time window is used for perception measurement interaction. In other words, each of the multiple links needs to perform perception measurement interaction within the corresponding perception time window.

[0213] Exemplarily, the reference time window information may be a reference availability window (AW) field.

[0214] In a possible implementation, the reference time window information may indicate the duration, start time, and period of the reference time window.

[0215] In one possible implementation, if the common parameters include reference time window information, partial link identification information and time window offset information can be set for each link in the partial links. The partial link identification information indicates the identifier of the corresponding link. The time window offset information indicates the offset of the perception time window of the corresponding link compared to the reference time window. It is understood that the partial link identification information and time window offset information are unique parameter information.

[0216] The offset indicated by the time window offset information may be the start time of the perception time window of the corresponding link, relative to the start time of the reference time window. In one possible implementation, the perception time window of each link may reuse the duration and period of the reference time window. In other words, the perception time window of each link differs from the reference time window only in its start time.

[0217] Alternatively, the time window offset information may also indicate the offset of the duration and / or period of the perception time window of the corresponding link compared to the duration and / or period of the reference time window.

[0218] Several exemplary ways in which the time window offset information indicates the perception time window of the corresponding link window are introduced below.

[0219] Method 1: The time window offset information indicates different offset values ​​through different values. The unit of the offset indicated is 10 time units (TU), which means that based on the start time of the reference time window, the start time of the perception time window is a time increased by a multiple of 10TU. Since the duration of the reference time window is within 10TU, this method can prevent the perception time windows of different links from overlapping. If the operating frequencies of different links in an MLD are close, the perception time windows corresponding to the links are staggered, which can reduce interference between different links. Exemplarily, Method 1 can be shown in Figure 15.

[0220] Method 2: Time window offset information indicates different offset values ​​using different values, with units of 100 microseconds. This method indicates that the start time of the perception time window of the corresponding link is offset from the reference time window. If the offset is within the duration of the reference time window, the perception time windows of different links can partially overlap. This method allows for more flexible offset indication. For example, Method 2 can be shown in Figure 16.

[0221] Method 3: The offset indicated by the time window offset information is a fixed value. This fixed value may be predefined by a protocol, or may be pre-agreed upon by the first multi-link device and the second multi-link device, or the first multi-link device and the second multi-link device may be aligned with this fixed value by other means.

[0222] In one possible implementation, offset type information can be used to indicate whether the offset value indicated by the time window offset information adopts method 1 or method 2. Exemplarily, the offset type information can be a 1-bit field whose value is 0 or 1, representing whether the unit of the offset indicated by the time window offset information is 10 TU or 100 microseconds. In one possible implementation, the offset type information can also be understood as information included in the time window offset information. In this implementation, the time window offset information includes information indicating the offset value and offset type information.

[0223] In addition, the time window offset information may also indicate the start time of the perception time window of the corresponding link, with the offset relative to the start time of the reference time window being 0. For example, when the value of the time window offset information is 0, it may indicate that the start time of the perception time window of the corresponding link is not offset relative to the start time of the reference time window. It is understood that in this case, if the perception time window of the corresponding link reuses the duration and period of the reference time window, then the perception time window of the corresponding link is the same as the reference time window.

[0224] For example, Figure 17 shows a schematic diagram in which the time window offset information for three links is all set to 0, indicating that the start time of the perception time window of the corresponding link is offset by 0 compared to the start time of the reference time window. In this example, the timing of the perception measurement interaction between the three links is synchronized, which is helpful for applications that require synchronized measurement of multiple links.

[0225] If the common parameters include reference time window information, another possible implementation may be to set identification information and time window mode information for each link in the partial links. The time window mode information is used to indicate whether the perception time window of the corresponding link is the same as the reference time window.

[0226] If the time window mode information indicates something different, then time window offset information may be further set for the link to indicate the perception time window of the link.

[0227] If the time window mode information indicates the same, then the time window offset information may not be set for the link. Alternatively, if the time window offset information is set for the link, the second multi-link device may ignore the time window offset information corresponding to the link and still determine that the perception time window corresponding to the link is the same as the reference time window.

[0228] In another possible implementation, identification information and perception time window information for each link in the partial links can be set. The perception time window information indicates the perception time window for the corresponding link. In other words, in this implementation, the perception time window information can be used to independently set a perception time window for each link in the partial links. It will be appreciated that the identification information and perception time window information for the partial links are unique parameters. In this implementation, the common parameters may not include the reference time window information.

[0229] Optionally, the perception time window information may indicate the duration, period, and start time of the perception time window of the corresponding link.

[0230] For example, Figure 18 is a schematic diagram of independently setting sensing time windows for three links using sensing time window information. As shown in Figure 18, the start time and duration of the sensing time windows for the three links are different.

[0231] Exemplarily, when setting the identification information and perception time window information of the partial links for each link in the partial links, a possible structure of the TB perception specific sub-element included in the multi-link perception sub-element can be shown in Figure 19. Among them, the link information (Link Info) includes each site information (per-STAprofile). Each site information can be a field or a sub-element. If each site information is a sub-element, its structure can be as shown in Figure 19. Among them, the sub-element ID field is used to indicate the ID of each site information as a sub-element, and the length (Per-STA Profile Length) field is used to indicate the length of each site information, such as the number of bytes or bits occupied by each site information. If each site information is a field, the sub-element ID field may not be included. As shown in Figure 19, each site information can include a link ID field and an availability window field, wherein the link ID field is the partial link identification information, and the availability window field is the perception time window information, which is used to indicate the perception time window of the corresponding link.

[0232] For another example, when setting the identification information and perception time window information of the partial links for each link in the partial links, another possible structure of the TB perception specific sub-element included in the multi-link perception sub-element can be as shown in Figure 20. The TB perception specific sub-element can include an availability window field to indicate the perception time window of the corresponding link. In this example, the multi-link perception sub-element can be carried in each site data field / sub-element. In this case, each site data field / sub-element can include other unique parameters of the corresponding link, such as a link ID field, etc. A possible example of this situation can refer to the structure of each site data field as shown in Figure 24, which will be specifically introduced below.

[0233] In another possible implementation, identification information and common time window indication information for each link in the partial links can be set. The common time window indication information indicates whether the perception time window of the first link can be used to determine the perception time windows of other links in the multiple links. The first link can be any one of the multiple links for which a perception time window is configured.

[0234] In this implementation, if the common time window indication information indicates that the perception time window of the first link can be used to determine the perception time windows of other links in the multiple links, then for the other links, the perception time window of the first link is equivalent to the reference time window introduced above. On this basis, the perception time windows of other links can be determined based on the perception time window of the first link by setting time window offset information and / or time window mode information for other links. The specific implementation can refer to the above introduction and will not be expanded here. In a possible implementation method, in this case, if perception time window information is set for other links, the second multi-link device can ignore the perception time window information set for other links, and still determine the perception time windows of other links based on the perception time window of the first link.

[0235] In this implementation, if the common time window indication information indicates that the perception time window of the first link cannot be used to determine the perception time windows of other links in the multiple links, then the perception time window of the first link will only apply to the first link, or in other words, will only be meaningful to the first link. In this case, perception time window information can be set for the other links to indicate the perception time windows corresponding to the other links. Alternatively, in this case, the common parameters can include reference time window information, and time window offset information can be set for the other links. The time window offset information indicates the offset of the perception time window of the other links compared to the reference time window to determine the perception time window of the other links.

[0236] Exemplarily, the common time window indication information may be a 1-bit field, whose value is 0 or 1. When the value is 1, it indicates that the perception time window of the first link can be used to determine the perception time windows of other links in the multiple links. When the value is 0, it indicates that the perception time window of the first link cannot be used to determine the perception time windows of other links in the multiple links.

[0237] In one possible implementation, the common parameters and / or unique parameters may be included in a perception sub-element (which may also be referred to as a multi-link perception sub-element, or may have other names, which are not limited in the embodiments of the present application). For example, the multi-link perception sub-element may include at least one of the reference time window information, time window offset information, time window mode information, and common time window indication information in the above-mentioned embodiments.

[0238] In one possible implementation, the multi-link awareness sub-element may be included in the multi-link awareness measurement parameter element. For example, FIG8 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a multi-link awareness measurement parameter element. As shown in FIG8 , the multi-link awareness sub-element is a sub-element in the multi-link awareness measurement parameter element.

[0239] In one possible implementation, if the multi-link perception sub-element includes a TB perception specific sub-element, the above-mentioned reference time window information, time window offset information, time window mode information, and / or common time window indication information may be included in the TB perception specific sub-element.

[0240] The common parameters and / or unique parameters described above can be understood as parameters newly added compared to the perception measurement parameters currently defined in the standard. In one possible implementation, the perception measurement parameters currently defined in the standard can also be classified as common parameters or unique parameters based on whether they are shared by multiple links or specific to some links.

[0241] Exemplarily, Table 1 shows the common parameters and / or unique parameters according to their possible positions in the multi-link awareness measurement request frame.

[0242] Table 1

[0243] In Table 1, the link identification information, recommended reporting link information, session establishment condition information, mandatory link information, perception time window information, time window mode information, time window offset information, common time window indication information, and reference time window information are described above and are not further expanded here. The specific definitions of other parameters can be referred to the current standards and are not further expanded here.

[0244] If the multi-link perception sub-element includes a TB perception specific sub-element, Figure 21 is a schematic diagram of the structure of an exemplary TB perception sub-element. As shown in Figure 21, in the TB perception sub-element, if reference time window information (such as the Reference Availability Window field in Figure 21) is present, then the link information corresponding to some links (such as the per-STA profile 1 field included in the link information in Figure 21) may include time window mode information (such as the Availability Window Parameters Setup Mode field in Figure 21) and / or time window offset information (such as the Starting Time Offset Indication field in Figure 21).

[0245] As shown in FIG. 21 , the time window offset information may include information indicating an offset value (such as the Starting Time Offset Indication field in FIG. 21 ) and offset type information (such as the Offset Type field in FIG. 21 ).

[0246] As shown in Figure 21, if the reference time window information is not present in the TB perception sub-element, the link information corresponding to some links may contain perception time window information (such as the Availability Window field in Figure 21). In this example, how each link in some links determines the corresponding perception time window can be found in the previous section and will not be further elaborated here.

[0247] Among them, exemplarily, as shown in FIG21 , the multi-link control (Multi-link Control) field may include a reference availability window (Reference Availability Window Present) field, which may indicate that the TB perception sub-element includes a reference availability window field.

[0248] For another example, the STA Control field in each Site Profile 1 field may include a Link ID field, a Starting Time Offset Indication Present field, an Availability Window Present field, and an Availability Window Parameters Setup Mode Present field. The Link ID field is used to indicate the link corresponding to each Site Profile 1 field, the Starting Time Offset Indication Present field is used to indicate that each Site Profile 1 field includes a Starting Time Offset Indication field, the Availability Window Present field is used to indicate that each Site Profile 1 field includes an Availability Window field, and the Availability Window Parameters Setup Mode Present field is used to indicate that each Site Profile 1 field includes an Availability Window field.

[0249] If the multi-link perception sub-element includes a TB perception specific sub-element, FIG22 is a schematic diagram of the structure of another exemplary TB perception sub-element. As shown in FIG22, in the TB perception sub-element, the link information corresponding to the first link may contain common time window indication information (such as the common availability window indication (Common AW indication) field in FIG22) and perception time window information (such as the availability window (Availability Window) field in FIG22). Among them, the perception time window information is used to indicate the perception time window of the first link. Assuming that the common time window indication information indicates that the perception time window of the first link can be used to determine the perception time windows of other links in the multiple links, then at this time, the link information corresponding to the other links may contain time window offset information (the time window offset information may include information indicating an offset value (such as the starting time offset indication (Starting Time Offset Indication) field in FIG22) and an offset type (such as the offset type (Offset Type) field in FIG18) information), indicating the offset of the start time of the perception time window of the other links compared to the start time of the perception time window of the first link. Assuming that the common time window indication information indicates that the perception time window of the first link cannot be used to determine the perception time windows of other links in the multiple links, the link information corresponding to the other links may contain perception time window information, indicating the perception time windows of the other links.

[0250] For example, as shown in FIG22 , the STA Control field in each Site Profile 1 field may include a Link ID field, a Starting Time Offset Indication Present field, and an Availability Window Present field. The Link ID field is used to indicate the link corresponding to each Site Profile 1 field, the Starting Time Offset Indication Present field is used to indicate that each Site Profile 1 field includes a Starting Time Offset Indication field, and the Availability Window Present field is used to indicate that each Site Profile 1 field includes an Availability Window field.

[0251] In one possible implementation, each site data included in a TB-aware sub-element (e.g., each site data included in the TB-aware sub-element shown in FIG. 21 or FIG. 22 ) can be a field or a sub-element. If each site data is a sub-element, each site data can include a sub-element ID field and a length field. The sub-element ID field indicates the ID of each site data as a sub-element, and the length field indicates the length of each site data, such as the total number of bytes / bits occupied by each site data.

[0252] If the multi-link perception sub-element includes a non-TB perception specific sub-element, Figure 23 is a schematic diagram of the structure of an exemplary non-TB perception specific sub-element. The link identification information and the minimum time between measurements are unique parameters for each link in the partial link. Alternatively, the structure of the non-TB perception specific sub-element may be the same as that of the non-TB perception specific sub-element in the existing standard.

[0253] In one possible implementation, the multi-link perception sub-element and the multi-link perception measurement parameter field in the multi-link perception measurement request frame can be independent information in the multi-link perception measurement parameter element. Exemplarily, in this case, the structure of the multi-link perception measurement parameter element can be as shown in Figure 8. Alternatively, in the multi-link perception measurement parameter element, the multi-link perception sub-element can be included in the multi-link perception measurement parameter field. Exemplarily, in this case, the structure of the multi-link perception measurement parameter element can be as shown in Figure 24. Among them, the multi-link perception sub-element as a whole can be understood as a unique parameter, which is carried in the link information corresponding to each link in the partial links. The specific meaning of the fields or elements in Figure 24 can be referred to the above introduction and will not be expanded here.

[0254] In the structure shown in FIG8 or FIG24, the structure of the TB-awareness-specific sub-element included in the multi-link-awareness sub-element may be as shown in FIG21 or FIG22. The structure of the non-TB-awareness-specific sub-element included in the multi-link-awareness sub-element may be as shown in FIG23, or may be the same as the structure of the non-TB-awareness-specific sub-element in the existing standard.

[0255] In a possible implementation, in the structure shown in FIG24 , the multi-link awareness measurement parameter field may not include the number of links field.

[0256] In one possible implementation, as shown in the structure of FIG24 , the length of the common information field can be a fixed value. This fixed value can be preset, protocol-defined, or pre-agreed upon between the first multi-link device and the second multi-link device. For example, it can be 2 bytes (i.e., 16 bits). Alternatively, the length of the common information field can be variable. In this case, the common information can include a length field to indicate the length of the common information, such as the total number of bytes / bits occupied by the common information.

[0257] In one possible implementation, as shown in the structure of Figure 24 , each site data item included in the link information can be a field or a sub-element. If each site data item is a sub-element, each site data item can also include a sub-element ID field and a length field. The sub-element ID field indicates the ID of each site data item as a sub-element, and the length field indicates the length of each site data item, such as the total number of bytes / bits occupied by each site data item.

[0258] In a possible implementation, if the link information includes multiple perception link information sub-elements, the sub-element ID of each site information sub-element may be different.

[0259] In one possible implementation, the multi-link awareness measurement request frame may include recommended link information. The recommended link information is used to indicate one or more links for the second multi-link device to send the awareness measurement inquiry frame, wherein the awareness measurement inquiry frame is used to indicate that the second multi-link device requests to participate in the awareness measurement.

[0260] In this optional solution, the first multi-link device can be an AP MLD. The second multi-link device can be an unassociated non-AP MLD. The second multi-link device being an unassociated non-AP MLD means that the second multi-link device is unassociated with the first multi-link device and cannot receive certain information broadcast by the first multi-link device. In this case, the first multi-link device is unaware of the second multi-link device's sensing capabilities. Therefore, the second multi-link device must first send a sensing measurement query frame to the first multi-link device, informing the first multi-link device of its sensing capabilities and instructing the second multi-link device to request participation in sensing measurements. After receiving the sensing measurement query frame, the first multi-link device can decide whether to initiate sensing measurements based on the circumstances. If the first multi-link device does not currently want the second multi-link device to participate in sensing measurements or is unable to allow the second multi-link device to participate in sensing measurements, but wishes the second multi-link device to participate in sensing measurements after a period of time, the first multi-link device can send a multi-link sensing measurement request frame to the second multi-link device via the current link (i.e., the link over which the second multi-link device sent the sensing measurement query frame), including recommended link information. After receiving the multi-link awareness measurement request frame, the second multi-link device may again send an awareness measurement inquiry frame to the first multi-link device through the link indicated by the recommended link information to request participation in the awareness measurement again.

[0261] In a possible implementation, if the multi-link awareness measurement request frame sent by the first multi-link device does not include recommended link information, the second multi-link device may send the awareness measurement inquiry frame again through the link that previously sent the awareness measurement inquiry frame (i.e., the link that received the multi-link awareness measurement request frame from the first multi-link device).

[0262] For example, the recommended link information may be a Recommended Link ID field or a Recommended Link ID bitmap field. The number of bits occupied by the recommended link information may be a fixed value, such as 4 bits, or the number of bits occupied may be variable.

[0263] In one possible implementation, if the recommended link information is used to indicate one link, the recommended link information may occupy a fixed number of bits, for example, 4 bits. Alternatively, if the recommended link information is used to indicate multiple links, the recommended link information may occupy a variable number of bits.

[0264] In a possible implementation, the recommended link information may be carried in sensing comeback information. Exemplarily, the sensing comeback information may be a sensing comeback information (Sensing Comeback info) field.

[0265] For example, a possible structure of the perceived backhaul information may be shown in Figure 25. The recommended link information may be a 4-bit recommended link ID as shown in Figure 25. If n link IDs are indicated, the recommended link information occupies 4n bits.

[0266] Alternatively, another possible structure of the perceived backhaul information may be as shown in Figure 26. The recommended link information may be the recommended link bitmap shown in Figure 26, and its size may be 16 bits or may be variable.

[0267] For example, the recommended link information may indicate a MAC address of a recommended link using 6 bytes. If n MAC addresses are indicated, the recommended link information occupies 6n bytes.

[0268] In a possible implementation, the embodiment of the multi-link perception measurement request frame including recommended link information and the embodiment of the multi-link perception measurement request frame including common parameters and / or unique parameters introduced above can be applied in combination or independently. If applied in combination, a possible structure of the multi-link perception measurement request frame can be as shown in Figure 27, including perception backhaul information and multi-link perception measurement parameter elements. Among them, the perception backhaul information may include recommended link information. The multi-link perception measurement parameter element may include common parameters and / or unique parameters. For details, please refer to the above introduction and will not be expanded here.

[0269] In S702, after receiving the multi-link awareness measurement request frame from the first multi-link device, the second multi-link device may feed back a multi-link awareness measurement response frame to the first multi-link device. The multi-link awareness measurement response frame may indicate whether the second multi-link device supports establishing an awareness measurement session.

[0270] In one possible implementation, the multi-link perception measurement response frame may include first indication information. The first indication information may indicate that all of the multiple links included in the second multi-link device support establishing a perception measurement session. Alternatively, the first indication information may indicate that some of the multiple links included in the second multi-link device support establishing a perception measurement session. In this case, the multi-link perception measurement request frame may also include second indication information, and the second indication information includes identification information of some of the links that support establishing a perception measurement session, for example, it may include the ID of the link. Alternatively, the first indication information may indicate that the second multi-link device refuses to establish a perception measurement session, and the multi-link perception measurement response frame includes the multi-link perception measurement parameters expected by the second multi-link device. Alternatively, the first indication information may indicate that the second multi-link device refuses to establish a perception measurement session, and the multi-link perception measurement response frame does not include the multi-link perception measurement parameters expected by the second multi-link device.

[0271] In one possible implementation, the first indication information indicates that some of the multiple links included in the second multi-link device support establishing a perception measurement session. This may occur in the following scenario: a multi-link perception measurement request frame includes session establishment condition information. If some of the multiple links included in the second multi-link device can accept the conditions indicated by the session establishment condition information, the perception measurement session can be established. For example, assuming that the session establishment condition information indicates that not all links requested by the first multi-link device are necessary, if the second multi-link device can accept the corresponding perception measurement parameters for greater than or equal to 50% of all links requested by the first multi-link device, the perception measurement session can be successfully established. If more than 50% of the multiple links included in the second multi-link device can accept the corresponding perception measurement parameters, then in a multi-link perception measurement response frame fed back by the second multi-link device, the first indication information may indicate that some of the multiple links included in the second multi-link device support establishing a perception measurement session. Furthermore, the multi-link perception measurement response frame may also include second indication information, which includes identification information of each of the multiple links that can accept the corresponding perception measurement parameters.

[0272] Exemplarily, the first indication information may be carried in a status code field.

[0273] Exemplarily, the second indication information may be an Accepted Link ID bitmap field. This field may occupy a fixed number of bits, such as 2 bytes (i.e., 16 bits), or the number of bits occupied by this field may be variable, for example, the number of bits occupied by the second indication information may be changed according to the number of accepted links.

[0274] Exemplarily, when the status code field is set to SUCCESS, it may indicate that all of the multiple links included in the second multi-link device support establishing a perception measurement session. When the status code field is set to PARTIALLY_ACCEPTED, it may indicate that some of the multiple links included in the second multi-link device support establishing a perception measurement session. When the status code field is set to REJECTED_WITH_SUGGESTED_CHANGE, it may indicate that the second multi-link device refuses to establish a perception measurement session, and the multi-link perception measurement response frame includes the multi-link perception measurement parameters expected by the second multi-link device. When the status code field is set to REQUEST_DECLINED, the first indication information may indicate that the second multi-link device refuses to establish a perception measurement session, and the multi-link perception measurement response frame does not include the multi-link perception measurement parameters expected by the second multi-link device.

[0275] In S702, an exemplary structure of the multi-link awareness measurement response frame may be as shown in FIG28. The status code field indicates that some of the multiple links included in the second multi-link device support establishing an awareness measurement session. The accepted link ID bitmap field includes identification information for each of the links supporting establishing an awareness measurement session.

[0276] The above primarily describes the solutions provided by the embodiments of the present application from the perspective of interaction between various network elements. Accordingly, the embodiments of the present application also provide a communication device for implementing the various methods described above. The communication device may be the first multi-link device in the method embodiments described above, or a device including the first multi-link device, or a component usable for the first multi-link device; alternatively, the communication device may be the second multi-link device in the method embodiments described above, or a device including the second multi-link device, or a component usable for the second multi-link device. It is understood that, to implement the aforementioned functions, the communication device includes hardware structures and / or software modules corresponding to the respective functions. Those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that, in conjunction with the various exemplary units and algorithm steps described in the embodiments disclosed herein, the present application can be implemented in hardware or a combination of hardware and computer software. Whether a function is implemented in hardware or by computer software driving hardware depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution. Professionals may use different methods to implement the described functions for each specific application, but such implementations should not be considered beyond the scope of the present application.

[0277] In the embodiment of the present application, the communication device can be divided into functional modules according to the above method embodiment. For example, each functional module can be divided according to each function, or two or more functions can be integrated into one processing module. The above integrated modules can be implemented in the form of hardware or in the form of software functional modules. It should be understood that the division of modules in the embodiment of the present application is schematic and is only a logical functional division. In actual implementation, there may be other division methods.

[0278] Figure 29 shows a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device 2900. The communication device 2900 includes a transceiver module 2902, which in one possible implementation includes a processing module 2901. The transceiver module 2902, also known as a transceiver unit, is used to implement transceiver functions and can be, for example, a transceiver circuit, a transceiver, a transceiver, or a communication interface.

[0279] The communication device 2900 may be the first multi-link device in the above embodiment, wherein the processing module 2901 is configured to process data processing operations of the first multi-link device in the above embodiment, and the transceiver module 2902 is configured to process data transceiver operations of the first multi-link device in the above embodiment. Alternatively, the communication device 2900 may be the second multi-link device in the above embodiment, wherein the processing module 2901 is configured to process data processing operations of the second multi-link device in the above embodiment, and the transceiver module 2902 is configured to process data transceiver operations of the second multi-link device in the above embodiment.

[0280] Taking the communication device 2900 as the first multi-link device in the above embodiment as an example, in a possible implementation:

[0281] The transceiver module 2902 is configured to send a multi-link sensing measurement request frame to the second multi-link device; the multi-link sensing measurement request frame is used to request the establishment of a sensing measurement session, which includes one or more links. The transceiver module 2902 is also configured to receive a multi-link sensing measurement response frame from the second multi-link device.

[0282] Taking the communication device 2900 as the second multi-link device in the above embodiment as an example, in a possible implementation:

[0283] The transceiver module 2902 is configured to receive a multi-link awareness measurement request frame from a first multi-link device, wherein the multi-link awareness measurement request frame is used to request establishment of an awareness measurement session, where the awareness measurement session includes one or more links. The transceiver module 2902 is further configured to send a multi-link awareness measurement response frame to the first multi-link device.

[0284] Among them, all relevant contents of each step involved in the above method embodiment can be referred to the functional description of the corresponding functional module, and will not be repeated here.

[0285] In a possible implementation, the modules in FIG29 may also be referred to as units. For example, the processing module may be referred to as a processing unit, and the transceiver module may be referred to as a transceiver unit.

[0286] In addition, in the embodiment shown in FIG29 , the names of the various units may not be the names shown in the figure. For example, the transceiver module may also be called a communication module or a communication unit.

[0287] If the various units in Figure 29 are implemented in the form of software function modules and sold or used as independent products, they can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium. Based on this understanding, the technical solution of the embodiment of the present application is essentially or the part that contributes to the prior art or all or part of the technical solution can be embodied in the form of a software product, and the computer software product is stored in a storage medium, including a number of instructions for enabling a computer device (which can be a personal computer, a server, or a network device, etc.) or a processor (processor) to execute all or part of the steps of the method described in each embodiment of the present application. The storage medium for storing computer software products includes various media that can store program codes, such as a U disk, a mobile hard disk, a read-only memory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM), a magnetic disk or an optical disk.

[0288] In the embodiment of the present application, the communication device 2900 is presented in the form of various functional modules divided in an integrated manner. The "module" here can refer to a specific ASIC, circuit, processor and memory that executes one or more software or firmware programs, integrated logic circuit, and / or other devices that can provide the above functions. In a simple embodiment, those skilled in the art can imagine that the communication device 2900 can take the form of the communication device shown in Figure 30.

[0289] As shown in Figure 30, the communication device 3000 includes one or more processors 3001, a communication line 3002, and at least one communication interface (Figure 30 is only an example of including a communication interface 3004 and a processor 3001), and may optionally also include a memory 3003.

[0290] The processor 3001 can be a general-purpose central processing unit (CPU), a microprocessor, an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or one or more integrated circuits used to control the execution of the program of the present application.

[0291] The communication line 3002 may include a path for connecting different components.

[0292] The communication interface 3004 may be a transceiver module for communicating with other devices or communication networks, such as Ethernet, RAN, terminals, and wireless local area networks (WLANs). For example, the transceiver module may be a device such as a transceiver or a transceiver. Alternatively, the communication interface 3004 may be a transceiver circuit or input / output interface within the processor 3001, for implementing signal input and output to the processor.

[0293] The memory 3003 may be a device having a storage function. For example, it may be a read-only memory (ROM) or other types of static storage devices that can store static information and instructions, a random access memory (RAM) or other types of dynamic storage devices that can store information and instructions, or an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), a compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM) or other optical disc storage, optical disc storage (including compact disc, laser disc, optical disc, digital versatile disc, Blu-ray disc, etc.), a magnetic disk storage medium or other magnetic storage device, or any other medium that can be used to carry or store desired program code in the form of instructions or data structures and can be accessed by a computer, but is not limited thereto. The memory may exist independently and be connected to the processor via a communication line 3002. The memory may also be integrated with the processor.

[0294] The memory 3003 is used to store computer-executable instructions for executing the solution of the present application, and the execution is controlled by the processor 3001. The processor 3001 is used to execute the computer-executable instructions stored in the memory 3003, thereby implementing the communication method provided in the embodiment of the present application.

[0295] Alternatively, optionally, in an embodiment of the present application, the processor 3001 may also perform processing-related functions in the communication method provided in the following embodiments of the present application, and the communication interface 3004 is responsible for communicating with other devices or communication networks, which is not specifically limited in the embodiments of the present application.

[0296] Optionally, the computer-executable instructions in the embodiments of the present application may also be referred to as application code, which is not specifically limited in the embodiments of the present application.

[0297] In a specific implementation, as an embodiment, the processor 3001 may include one or more CPUs, such as CPU0 and CPU1 in Figure 30.

[0298] In a specific implementation, as an embodiment, the communication device 3000 may include multiple processors, such as the processor 3001 and the processor 3007 in Figure 30. Each of these processors may be a single-core processor or a multi-core processor. The processor here may include but is not limited to at least one of the following: a central processing unit (CPU), a microprocessor, a digital signal processor (DSP), a microcontroller unit (MCU), or an artificial intelligence processor, etc., and each computing device may include one or more cores for executing software instructions to perform calculations or processing.

[0299] In a specific implementation, as an embodiment, the communication device 3000 may further include an output device 3005 and an input device 3006. The output device 3005 communicates with the processor 3001 and can display information in a variety of ways. For example, the output device 3005 can be a liquid crystal display (LCD), a light emitting diode (LED) display device, a cathode ray tube (CRT) display device, or a projector. The input device 3006 communicates with the processor 3001 and can receive user input in a variety of ways. For example, the input device 3006 can be a mouse, a keyboard, a touch screen device, or a sensor device.

[0300] The communication device 3000 described above may also sometimes be referred to as a communication device, which may be a general-purpose device or a dedicated device. For example, the communication device 3000 may be a desktop computer, a portable computer, a network server, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a mobile phone, a tablet computer, a wireless terminal device, an embedded device, or a device having a structure similar to that shown in FIG30 . The embodiments of the present application do not limit the type of the communication device 3000.

[0301] In addition, the composition structure shown in Figure 30 does not constitute a limitation on the communication device. In addition to the components shown in Figure 30, the communication device 3000 may include more or fewer components than shown in the figure, or combine certain components, or arrange the components differently.

[0302] The processor 3001 in the communication device 3000 shown in FIG30 may call the computer-executable instructions stored in the memory 3003 to enable the communication device 3000 to execute the communication method in the above-mentioned method embodiment.

[0303] Specifically, the functions / implementation processes of the transceiver module 2902 and the processing module 2901 in FIG29 can be implemented by the processor 3001 in the communication device 3000 shown in FIG30 calling computer-executable instructions stored in the memory 3003. Alternatively, the functions / implementation processes of the processing module 2901 in FIG29 can be implemented by the processor 3001 in the communication device 3000 shown in FIG30 calling computer-executable instructions stored in the memory 3003, and the functions / implementation processes of the transceiver module 2902 in FIG29 can be implemented by the communication interface 3004 in the communication device 3000 shown in FIG30.

[0304] It should be understood that one or more of the above modules or units can be implemented by software, hardware, or a combination of the two. When any of the above modules or units is implemented in software, the software exists in the form of computer program instructions and is stored in a memory, and a processor can be used to execute the program instructions and implement the above method flow. The processor can be built into an SoC or ASIC, or it can be an independent semiconductor chip. In addition to the core used to execute software instructions to perform calculations or processing within the processor, it can further include necessary hardware accelerators, such as field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), programmable logic devices (PLDs), or logic circuits that implement dedicated logic operations.

[0305] When the above modules or units are implemented in hardware, the hardware can be any one or any combination of a CPU, a microprocessor, a digital signal processing (DSP) chip, a microcontroller unit (MCU), an artificial intelligence processor, an ASIC, a SoC, an FPGA, a PLD, a dedicated digital circuit, a hardware accelerator or a non-integrated discrete device, which can run the necessary software or not rely on the software to execute the above method flow.

[0306] Optionally, an embodiment of the present application further provides a communication device (for example, the communication device may be a chip or a chip system), which includes a processor for implementing the method in any of the above method embodiments. In one possible design, the communication device also includes a memory. The memory is used to store necessary program instructions and data, and the processor can call the program code stored in the memory to instruct the communication device to execute the method in any of the above method embodiments. Of course, the memory may not be in the communication device. When the communication device is a chip system, it may be composed of a chip, or it may include a chip and other discrete devices, which is not specifically limited in the embodiment of the present application.

[0307] In one possible implementation, an embodiment of the present application also provides a computer-readable storage medium, which stores a computer program or instruction. When the computer program or instruction is run on a communication device, the communication device can execute the method described in any of the above method embodiments or any of its implementations.

[0308] In a possible implementation, an embodiment of the present application further provides a communication system, which includes the second multi-link device described in the above method embodiment and the first multi-link device described in the above method embodiment.

[0309] In the above embodiments, all or part of the embodiments can be implemented by software, hardware, firmware, or any combination thereof. When implemented using a software program, all or part of the embodiments can be implemented in the form of a computer program product. The computer program product includes one or more computer instructions. When the computer program instructions are loaded and executed on a computer, all or part of the processes or functions according to the embodiments of the present application are generated. The computer can be a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a computer network, or other programmable device. The computer instructions can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium or transmitted from one computer-readable storage medium to another computer-readable storage medium. For example, the computer instructions can be transmitted from one website, computer, server, or data center to another website, computer, server, or data center via a wired (e.g., coaxial cable, optical fiber, digital subscriber line (DSL)) or wireless (e.g., infrared, wireless, microwave, etc.) method. The computer-readable storage medium can be any available medium that can be accessed by a computer or a data storage device such as a server or data center that includes one or more media integrated therein. The available media may be magnetic media (eg, floppy disks, hard disks, magnetic tapes), optical media (eg, DVDs), or semiconductor media (eg, solid state drives (SSDs)).

[0310] Although the present application is described herein in conjunction with various embodiments, in the process of implementing the claimed application, those skilled in the art may understand and implement other variations of the disclosed embodiments by reviewing the drawings, the disclosure, and the appended claims. In the claims, the word "comprising" does not exclude other components or steps, and "a" or "an" does not exclude multiple situations. A single processor or other unit may implement several functions listed in the claims. Certain measures are recorded in different dependent claims, but this does not mean that these measures cannot be combined to produce good results.

Claims

1. A communication method, characterized in that: Applied to a first multi-link device, the method comprises: Sending a multi-link awareness measurement request frame to a second multi-link device; the multi-link awareness measurement request frame is used to request establishment of an awareness measurement session, the awareness measurement session including one or more links; A multi-link awareness measurement response frame is received from the second multi-link device.

2. A communication method, characterized in that: Applied to a second multi-link device, the method comprises: Receiving a multi-link awareness measurement request frame from a first multi-link device; the multi-link awareness measurement request frame is used to request to establish an awareness measurement session, the awareness measurement session including one or more links; Send a multi-link awareness measurement response frame to the first multi-link device.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The multi-link perception measurement request frame includes perception measurement parameters; the perception measurement parameters include common parameters and / or unique parameters; wherein the common parameters are parameters shared by one or more links, and the unique parameters are dedicated parameters for some links in the one or more links.

4. The method according to claim 3, characterized in that The common parameters include recommended reporting link information; the recommended reporting link information is used to indicate a link for reporting perception data.

5. The method according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that: The common parameters include session establishment condition information; the session establishment condition information is used to indicate the conditions for successful establishment of the perception session.

6. The method according to claim 5, characterized in that The common parameters include mandatory link information; the mandatory link information is used to indicate that the perception session successfully establishes a mandatory link.

7. The method according to any one of claims 3 to 6, characterized in that: The specific parameters include identification information of the partial link.

8. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The multi-link perception measurement request frame includes a perception sub-element, and the perception sub-element includes a common parameter and / or a unique parameter; wherein the common parameter is a parameter shared by multiple links, and the unique parameter is a dedicated parameter for some links among the multiple links.

9. The method according to claim 8, characterized in that The common parameters include reference time window information; the reference time window is used to determine a perception time window of each link in the one or more links; wherein the perception time window is used to perform perception measurement interaction.

10. The method according to claim 8, characterized in that The specific parameters include: The identification information of the partial links and the perception time window information corresponding to each link in the partial links, wherein the perception time window is used for performing perception measurement interaction.

11. The method according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that: The common parameters include reference time window information; The specific parameters include: identification information and time window offset information of the partial link; the time window offset information is used to indicate the offset of the perception time window of the partial link compared to the reference time window.

12. The method according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that: The common parameters include reference time window information; The specific parameters include: identification information and time window mode information of the partial link; wherein the time window mode information is used to indicate whether the perception time window of the partial link is the same as the reference time window.

13. The method according to claim 8, characterized in that The specific parameters include: The identification information and common time window indication information of the partial links; the common time window indication information is used to indicate whether the perception time window of the first link can be used to determine the perception time windows of other links in the multiple links.

14. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that The multi-link perception measurement request frame includes recommended link information, where the recommended link information is used to indicate one or more links for the second multi-link device to send a perception measurement inquiry frame, wherein the perception measurement inquiry frame is used to indicate that the second multi-link device requests to participate in perception measurement.

15. The method according to claim 14, characterized in that The recommended link information is carried in the perceived backhaul information field.

16. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 15, characterized in that The multi-link perception measurement response frame includes first indication information and second indication information, wherein the first indication information indicates that some links among the multiple links included in the second multi-link device support establishing the perception measurement session; and the second indication information includes identification information of some links supporting establishing the perception measurement session.

17. The method according to claim 16, characterized in that The first indication information is carried in the status code field.

18. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 17, characterized in that The first multi-link device is an access point multi-link device, and the second multi-link device is a non-access point multi-link device; Alternatively, the first multi-link device is a non-access point multi-link device, and the second multi-link device is an access point multi-link device.

19. A communication device, characterized in that: include: A module for executing the method according to any one of claims 1 or 3-18.

20. A communication device, characterized in that: include: A module for executing the method according to any one of claims 2 or 3-18.

21. A communication device, characterized in that: The communication device comprises: a processor and a memory; the memory is used to store computer instructions, and when the processor executes the instructions, the communication device executes the method as described in any one of claims 1 or 3-18.

22. A communication device, characterized in that: The communication device comprises: a processor and a memory; the memory is used to store computer instructions, and when the processor executes the instructions, the communication device executes the method as described in any one of claims 2 or 3-18.

23. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that: The computer-readable storage medium includes a computer program or instructions. When the computer program or instructions are executed by a processor, the device including the processor executes the method according to any one of claims 1 to 18.

24. A computer program product, characterized in that The computer program product comprises instructions, and when the instructions are executed by a processor, a device comprising the processor is caused to execute the method according to any one of claims 1 to 18.

25. A chip, characterized in that: The chip includes: a processor, and the processor is used to execute instructions so that a device including the chip performs the method according to any one of claims 1-18.

Images