Communication method and apparatus

Abstract

The present application is applied to the technical field of power line communications. Disclosed are a communication method and apparatus, which are used for improving the accuracy of bitloading training in assigned CSMA slots and also improving the communication performance. The method comprises: a first apparatus can acquire first information, wherein the first information comprises a first link identifier (LID) and configuration information, the first LID is used for indicating a first service, the configuration information is used for configuring a time window, and the time window is used for sending a signal of the first service; and the first apparatus can send a training frame in a first time domain unit within the time window on the basis of the configuration information, wherein the time window comprises one or more time domain units, the one or more time domain units comprise the first time domain unit, and the signal of the first service comprises the training frame.

Description

Communication method and device

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0002] This application claims priority to the Chinese patent application filed with the State Intellectual Property Office of the People's Republic of China on November 30, 2023, with application number 202311632769.0 and application name "A Communication Method and Device", the entire contents of which are incorporated by reference into this application. Technical Field

[0003] The present application relates to the field of power line communication technology, and in particular to a communication method and device. Background Art

[0004] In current power line communication (PLC), in order to carry low-order modulated data on carriers with low signal-to-interference-plus-noise-ratio (SNR) and high-order modulated data on carriers with high SNR, terminals can use different modulation schemes to transmit signals on different carriers based on the correspondence between carriers and modulation schemes in a bit assign table (BAT). For example, a transmitting terminal device (hereinafter referred to as a transmitting terminal device) can use a corresponding modulation scheme on a certain carrier based on the correspondence between carriers and modulation schemes in the BAT to send a signal to a receiving terminal device (hereinafter referred to as a receiving terminal device). Correspondingly, the receiving terminal device can receive the signal using the same modulation scheme.

[0005] BAT can be obtained by performing bitloading training on different carriers. Current bitloading schemes typically involve a transmitting terminal sending training frames on the carrier to be tested to a receiving terminal. The receiving terminal then evaluates the received training frames to determine the modulation scheme corresponding to the carrier.

[0006] Currently, the accuracy of bit loading training in bound CSMA time slots needs to be improved, resulting in reduced communication performance.

[0007] Summary of the Invention

[0008] The present application provides a communication method and apparatus for improving the accuracy of bit loading training for bound CSMA time slots and improving communication performance.

[0009] In a first aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication method, which can be applied to a first device. The first device can be applied to a communication system of PLC technology. For example, the first device can be a proxy coordinator (PCO) or a station (STA), or a module applied to a PCO or STA, such as a circuit, a chip, a chip system or a processor, or a logical node, a logical module or software that can implement all or part of the PCO or STA functions. The method may include: the first device can obtain first information. The first information includes a first link identifier LID and configuration information, the first LID is used to indicate a first service, the configuration information is used to configure a time window, and the time window is used to send a signal of the first service. The first device can send a training frame in the first time domain unit in the time window according to the configuration information. The time window includes one or more time domain units, the one or more time domain units include the first time domain unit, and the signal of the first service includes the training frame.

[0010] Through this method, the first information includes a first LID for indicating the first service and configuration information for configuring a time window. Thus, a corresponding time window can be configured for the first service based on the first information, and this time window is used to transmit signals for the first service. The first service can be a bitloading training service. In other words, a corresponding time window can be configured for the bitloading training service, so that this time window is only used to transmit signals related to the bitloading training service, thereby reducing the number of sites using this time window and lowering the probability of inter-site conflicts. Therefore, using this time window to transmit signals for bitloading training can improve the accuracy of bitloading training and enhance communication performance.

[0011] In one possible implementation, the first information also includes the identifiers of N devices. The N devices include the first device, and N is a positive integer. Based on this approach, the first information also includes the identifiers of the N devices, and the N devices may be devices that are allowed to use the time window. Therefore, the devices that use the time window can be restricted based on the first information. In other words, only the device corresponding to the device identifier included in the first information is allowed to use the time window, thereby reducing the number of devices competing for the time window, improving the accuracy of bit loading training in the time window, and improving communication performance.

[0012] In one possible implementation, the first information is also used to configure M. Here, M is the maximum number of devices allowed to use the time window. Based on this approach, the first information can also be used to configure the maximum number of devices allowed to use the time window. Therefore, the number of devices using the time window can be limited to ensure that the number of devices competing for use of the time window does not exceed the maximum number, thereby reducing the number of devices competing for use of the time window, improving the accuracy of bit loading training in the time window, and improving communication performance.

[0013] In one possible implementation, the N devices include a first device and a second device. The first device is configured to send a training frame, and the second device is configured to receive the training frame. The first device and the second device form a pair of transceivers, where the first device can send the training frame within a time window, and the second device can receive the training frame within the time window, thereby avoiding interference from other signal frames and improving the accuracy of bit loading training.

[0014] In one possible implementation, the N devices include the first device and the third device. The configuration information also includes first sub-window information and second sub-window information. The first sub-window corresponds to the first device, and the second sub-window corresponds to the third device. The time window includes the first sub-window and the second sub-window, so different sub-windows can be configured for different devices, further avoiding interference and ensuring proper utilization of the time window.

[0015] In one possible implementation, the first sub-window and the second sub-window do not overlap. In this way, the first device and the third device correspond to different sub-windows, respectively, reducing the number of devices competing for the same sub-window and improving the accuracy of bit loading training.

[0016] In one possible implementation, the first sub-window completely overlaps with the second sub-window. That is, the sub-window permitted for use by the first device and the third device is the same sub-window. Therefore, both the first device and the third device can send signals for the bitloading training service in the sub-window, thereby improving time window utilization and the efficiency of the bitloading training.

[0017] In a second aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication method, which can be applied to a second device. The second device can be applied to a communication system of PLC technology. For example, the second device can be a PCO or STA, or a module applied to a PCO or STA, such as a circuit, a chip, a chip system or a processor, or a logical node, a logical module or software that can implement all or part of the PCO or STA functions. The method may include: the second device can obtain first information. The first information includes a first link identifier LID and configuration information, the first LID is used to indicate a first service, the configuration information is used to configure a time window, and the time window is used to send the signal of the first service. The second device can receive a training frame in the first time domain unit in the time window according to the configuration information. The time window includes one or more time domain units, the one or more time domain units include the first time domain unit, and the signal of the first service includes the training frame.

[0018] In a possible implementation, the configuration information further includes identifiers of N devices, where the N devices include the second device, and N is a positive integer. And / or the configuration information is further used to configure M, where M is the maximum number of devices allowed to use the time window.

[0019] In a possible implementation, the N devices include a first device and a second device, and the first device is configured to send the training frame. Or,

[0020] The N devices include the second device and the third device, wherein the configuration information also includes first sub-window information and second sub-window information, the first sub-window corresponds to the second device, the second sub-window corresponds to the third device, and the time window includes the first sub-window and the second sub-window.

[0021] In a possible implementation, the first sub-window and the second sub-window do not overlap.

[0022] In a possible implementation, the first sub-window completely overlaps with the second sub-window.

[0023] In a third aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication method, which can be applied to a third device. The third device can be applied to a communication system of PLC technology. For example, the third device can be a CCO, or a module applied to a CCO, such as a circuit, a chip, a chip system or a processor, or a logical node, a logical module or software that can implement all or part of the CCO function. The method may include: the third device can obtain first information. The first information includes a first link identifier LID and configuration information, the first LID is used to indicate a first service, the configuration information is used to configure a time window, and the time window is used to send a signal of the first service. The third device can send the first information.

[0024] In a possible implementation, the third device may allocate the first LID according to the first service.

[0025] In a possible implementation, the first information further includes identifiers of N devices, where N is a positive integer, and / or the first information is further used to configure M, where M is the maximum number of devices allowed to use the time window.

[0026] In a possible implementation, the N devices include a first device and a second device, the first device is used to send a training frame, and the second device is used to receive the training frame. Or,

[0027] The N devices include the first device and the third device. The configuration information also includes first sub-window information and second sub-window information, the first sub-window corresponds to the first device, the second sub-window corresponds to the third device, and the time window includes the first sub-window and the second sub-window.

[0028] In a possible implementation, the first sub-window and the second sub-window do not overlap.

[0029] In a possible implementation, the first sub-window completely overlaps with the second sub-window.

[0030] In a fourth aspect, the present application provides a communication device, which may be the first device in the first aspect, and the communication device is capable of implementing the functions of the first aspect. For example, the communication device includes a module or unit or means corresponding to the operation involved in the first aspect, and the module or unit or means may be implemented by software, or by hardware, or the corresponding software may be implemented by hardware. For example, the first device may be a PCO or STA, or a module applied to a PCO or STA, such as a circuit, a chip, a chip system, or a processor.

[0031] In one possible design, the communication device includes a processing unit and an interface unit. The interface unit can be used to send and receive signals to enable communication between the communication device and other devices; the processing unit can be used to perform certain internal operations of the communication device. The functions performed by the processing unit and the interface unit can correspond to the operations described in the first aspect above.

[0032] In one possible design, the communication device includes a processor, which can be coupled to a memory. The memory can store the necessary computer programs or instructions for implementing the functions of the first aspect. The processor can execute the computer programs or instructions stored in the memory. When the computer programs or instructions are executed, the communication device implements the method of any possible design of the first aspect.

[0033] In one possible design, the communication device includes a processor and a memory, where the memory may store the necessary computer programs or instructions for implementing the functions of the first aspect. The processor may execute the computer program or instructions stored in the memory. When the computer program or instructions are executed, the communication device implements the method of any possible design of the first aspect.

[0034] In one possible design, the communication device includes a processor and an interface circuit, wherein the processor is used to communicate with other devices through the interface circuit and execute the method in any possible design of the first aspect above.

[0035] In a fifth aspect, the present application provides a communication device, which may be the second device in the second aspect and is capable of implementing the functions of the second aspect. For example, the communication device includes a module, unit, or means corresponding to performing the operations involved in the second aspect. The module, unit, or means may be implemented through software, or through hardware, or the corresponding software implementation may be executed through hardware. For example, the second device may be a PCO or STA, or a module applied to a PCO or STA, such as a circuit, chip, chip system, or processor.

[0036] In one possible design, the communication device includes a processing unit and an interface unit. The interface unit can be used to send and receive signals to enable communication between the communication device and other devices; the processing unit can be used to perform certain internal operations of the communication device. The functions performed by the processing unit and the interface unit can correspond to the operations described in the second aspect above.

[0037] In one possible design, the communication device includes a processor, which can be coupled to a memory. The memory can store the necessary computer programs or instructions for implementing the functions of the second aspect. The processor can execute the computer programs or instructions stored in the memory. When the computer programs or instructions are executed, the communication device implements the method of any possible design of the second aspect.

[0038] In one possible design, the communication device includes a processor and a memory, and the memory may store the necessary computer programs or instructions for implementing the functions involved in the second aspect. The processor may execute the computer program or instructions stored in the memory. When the computer program or instructions are executed, the communication device implements the method in any possible design of the second aspect.

[0039] In one possible design, the communication device includes a processor and an interface circuit, wherein the processor is used to communicate with other devices through the interface circuit and execute the method in any possible design of the second aspect above.

[0040] In a sixth aspect, the present application provides a communication device, which may be the third device in the third aspect and is capable of implementing the functions of the third aspect. For example, the communication device includes a module, unit, or means corresponding to performing the operations involved in the third aspect. The module, unit, or means may be implemented through software, or through hardware, or the corresponding software implementation may be executed by hardware. For example, the third device may be a CCO, or a module used in a CCO, such as a circuit, chip, chip system, or processor.

[0041] In one possible design, the communication device includes a processing unit and an interface unit. The interface unit can be used to send and receive signals to enable communication between the communication device and other devices; the processing unit can be used to perform certain internal operations of the communication device. The functions performed by the processing unit and the interface unit can correspond to the operations described in the third aspect above.

[0042] In one possible design, the communication device includes a processor, which can be coupled to a memory. The memory can store the necessary computer programs or instructions for implementing the functions of the third aspect. The processor can execute the computer programs or instructions stored in the memory. When the computer programs or instructions are executed, the communication device implements the method of any possible design of the third aspect.

[0043] In one possible design, the communication device includes a processor and a memory, where the memory may store the necessary computer programs or instructions for implementing the functions of the third aspect. The processor may execute the computer program or instructions stored in the memory. When the computer program or instructions are executed, the communication device implements the method of any possible design of the third aspect.

[0044] In one possible design, the communication device includes a processor and an interface circuit, wherein the processor is used to communicate with other devices through the interface circuit and execute the method in any possible design of the third aspect above.

[0045] It can be understood that in the fourth, fifth or sixth aspects above, the processor can be implemented by hardware or by software. When implemented by hardware, the processor can be a logic circuit, an integrated circuit, etc.; when implemented by software, the processor can be a general-purpose processor, which is implemented by reading the software code stored in the memory. In addition, the above processors can be one or more, and the memories can be one or more. The memory can be integrated with the processor, or the memory and the processor can be set separately. In the specific implementation process, the memory can be integrated with the processor on the same chip, or can be set on different chips respectively. The embodiment of the present application does not limit the type of memory and the setting method of the memory and the processor.

[0046] In a seventh aspect, the present application provides a communication system, which may include the communication device described in the fourth aspect, the communication device described in the fifth aspect, and the communication device described in the sixth aspect. For example, the communication system includes a first device, a second device, and a third device; wherein the first device is configured to execute the communication method provided in the first aspect, the second device is configured to execute the communication method provided in the second aspect, and the third device is configured to execute the communication method provided in the third aspect.

[0047] Alternatively, the communication system may include at least two devices for performing the method described in the first aspect and any possible implementation thereof, the method described in the second aspect and any possible implementation thereof, or the method described in the third aspect and any possible implementation thereof.

[0048] In an eighth aspect, the present application provides a computer-readable storage medium, which stores a computer program or instruction. When the computer program or instruction is executed, the method in any possible design of any aspect from the first to the third aspects mentioned above is implemented.

[0049] In a ninth aspect, the present application provides a computer-readable storage medium storing a computer program or instruction. When the computer program or instruction is executed, the method in any possible design of any aspect from the first to the third aspects is implemented.

[0050] In a tenth aspect, the present application provides a computer program product, which includes a computer program code. When the computer program code is executed, the method in any possible design of any aspect from the first to the third aspects mentioned above is implemented.

[0051] In an eleventh aspect, the present application provides a chip for reading a computer program stored in a memory to execute a method in any possible design of any one of the first to third aspects above.

[0052] The technical effects that can be achieved in any of the second to tenth aspects mentioned above can refer to the description of the technical effects that can be achieved in any possible design in any of the first aspects mentioned above, and the repetitions will not be discussed. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0053] FIG1 is an architecture diagram of a communication system provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0054] FIG2 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a beacon period provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0055] FIG3 is a flow chart of a communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0056] FIG4 is a schematic diagram of a time window allocation result provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0057] FIG5 is a schematic diagram of another time window allocation result provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0058] FIG6 is a schematic diagram of another time window allocation result provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0059] FIG7 is a schematic diagram of another time window allocation result provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0060] FIG8 is a flow chart of another communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0061] FIG9 is a structural diagram of a communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0062] FIG10 is a structural diagram of another communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0063] In order to make the purpose, technical solutions and advantages of the embodiments of the present application more clear, the embodiments of the present application will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the description of the embodiments of the present application, the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be understood as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly indicating the number of the indicated technical features. Therefore, the features defined as "first" and "second" may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of the features.

[0064] It should be understood that in the embodiments of the present application, "at least one" refers to one or more, and "more" refers to two or more. "And / or" describes the association relationship of associated objects, indicating that three relationships may exist. For example, A and / or B can represent: the existence of A alone, the existence of A and B at the same time, and the existence of B alone, where A and B can be singular or plural. The character " / " generally indicates that the previous and next associated objects are in an "or" relationship. "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 represent: a, b, c, a and b, a and c, b and c, or a, b and c, where a, b, c can be single or multiple.

[0065] PLC technology uses power lines as a communication medium, transmitting signals via carrier waves. A key advantage of PLC over other communication technologies is that it can leverage existing power lines, eliminating the need to build new lines, significantly reducing initial deployment costs. It also eliminates the need for separate line maintenance, further reducing ongoing maintenance costs. Due to the widespread deployment of power lines, power line communication has a wide range of applications. For example, PLC can be used in smart homes, remote meter reading, urban lighting, smart communities, parking management systems, security and anti-theft systems, and fire alarm systems.

[0066] Based on the State Grid's technical specifications for interconnection and interoperability of broadband carrier communications over low-voltage power lines, the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 1901.1 standard was officially released and implemented. This standard divides the PLC protocol stack into the following layers: application layer, transport layer, network layer, data link layer, and physical layer. The data link layer includes the network management sublayer and the medium access control (MAC) sublayer. The network management sublayer is responsible for aggregating and fragmenting application layer messages, network management, and updating and maintaining routes. The MAC sublayer is responsible for seizing physical channels to provide reliable communication. The physical layer is responsible for encoding and modulating data from the MAC sublayer and sending it to the power line, as well as demodulating and decoding signals received from the power line and transmitting them back to the MAC sublayer.

[0067] The PLC network is further introduced below. Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a PLC network provided in an embodiment of the present application. Referring to Figure 1, the roles of electronic devices communicating in the PLC network include CCO, PCO, and STA. CCO is the PLC gateway, responsible for network management, such as managing the online status of PCO and STA in the PLC network. PCO can assist STAs that are far away from the CCO in communicating with the PLC network to access the PLC network, and can also manage the device status of STAs under the PCO, and report the device status of STAs under the PCO to the CCO. In this application, PCO can be used as a special STA.

[0068] Optionally, in the embodiment of the present application, PCO can also be referred to as a proxy site, and STA can also be referred to as a discovery site. For example, referring to Figure 1, PCO1-PCO3 are proxy sites, and STA1-STA9 are discovery sites. In the PLC network shown in Figure 1, sites with a one-hop communication distance from the CCO are called first-level sites, for example, STA1, STA2, and STA3 are first-level sites; sites with a two-hop communication distance from the CCO are called second-level sites, for example, STA4 and STA5 are second-level sites; and so on, STA6, STA7, STA8, and STA9 are third-level sites. Among them, the level of site (for example, first-level site or second-level site) of the electronic device can be related to the physical distance in the line.

[0069] As shown in Figure 1, in the tree-type networking of the power line communication network in the low-voltage area of ​​the power grid, the CCO serves as the central control node of the entire network and can be used to determine the beacon period according to the network scale. Among them, the beacon period can refer to the time interval for sending the central beacon. Figure 2 is a structural schematic diagram of a beacon period provided in an embodiment of the present application. The beacon period may include one or more of a beacon slot, a time division multiple access (TDMA) slot, a carrier sense multiple access (CSMA) slot, or a bound CSMA slot.

[0070] The beacon slot refers to a time slice for sending a beacon frame that allocates a usable time slot to a STA. During the beacon slot, a beacon frame may be sent, for example, a beacon frame including one or more of a central beacon, a proxy beacon, or a discovery beacon.

[0071] A TDMA time slot is a time slot in which certain designated stations transmit signal frames according to the station sequence in the central beacon and / or proxy beacon.

[0072] The CSMA time slot refers to the time slot in which all stations can send signal frames through the contention mechanism.

[0073] The bound CSMA time slot refers to a time slot in which stations involved in a specified service can send signal frames through a contention mechanism.

[0074] Beacon slots, TDMA slots, CSMA slots, or bonded CSMA slots are not limited to the present application and may be explained in the art. The length of any of the beacon slots, TDMA slots, CSMA slots, or bonded CSMA slots may be the length of one or more slots.

[0075] At present, in the bit loading training technology, it is assumed that the noise in the target channel has a periodic variation law. Therefore, the target channel can be divided into channels of different periods according to the variation period of the noise in the channel, and the channel of one period can be divided into different sub-channels (sub-channels can also be called time domain units) according to the variation law of the noise. The transmitting terminal device can send a training frame to the receiving terminal device in a certain time domain unit, and the receiving terminal device evaluates the received training frame to determine the modulation and coding method corresponding to the time domain unit. The transmitting terminal device and the receiving terminal device can use the corresponding modulation and coding method to exchange data in subsequent time domain units. The time domain unit in this application may include one time slot or multiple time slots, one symbol or multiple symbols in the time domain, or a combination of one time slot and at least one symbol.

[0076] Since the bound CSMA time slot sends signal frames through a contention mechanism, if bit loading training is performed in the bound CSMA time slot, the contention mechanism may cause the training frame to fail to be sent, thereby reducing the accuracy of the bit loading training.

[0077] In order to solve the above technical problems, the present application provides a communication method for improving the accuracy of bit loading training in bound CSMA time slots. In the communication method provided in the embodiment of the present application, the first device can send a training frame in a corresponding time window according to the configuration information in the first information. The time window is used to send a signal of a first service, and the first service can be a service for bit loading training, and the signal of the first service includes a training frame. Using this method, a corresponding time window can be configured for the bit loading training service, and the time window is used to send the signal of the bit loading training service, thereby reducing the number of sites using the time window, thereby improving the accuracy of the bit loading training.

[0078] This method can be implemented by a first communication device and a second communication device. The first communication device can be a first device or a module or chip within the first device. The first device can be a device that sends training frames. The second communication device can be the first communication device or a module or chip within the first communication device. The second device can be a device that receives signal frames. The second device can also perform bit loading training based on the received signal. Exemplarily, the first device and / or the second device can be a PCO or a STA.

[0079] Optionally, the method may also be implemented by a third communication device and / or a fourth communication device. The third communication device may be a third device or a module or chip in the third device. The fourth communication device may be a fourth device or a module or chip in the fourth device. The third device may be a device other than the first device that sends or receives training frames (similar to the first device or the second device). The fourth device may be a CCO configured to configure the first information in this application.

[0080] The following is an introduction to a communication method provided by this application:

[0081] FIG3 is a flow chart of the communication method according to an embodiment of the present application. In the method shown in FIG3 , the first device is a signal frame sending device, and the second device is a signal frame receiving device. As shown in FIG3 , the method includes the following steps:

[0082] S101: A first device obtains first information. The first information includes a first link identification (LID) and configuration information. The first LID is used to indicate a first service, and the configuration information is used to configure a time window. The time window is used to transmit a signal of the first service. In this application, transmission may include sending and / or receiving.

[0083] The signal of the first service may include a training frame. The time window may be one or more time slots in the bound CSMA time slot.

[0084] Exemplarily, the first information may be configured by the fourth device and may be sent by the fourth device to the first device. Optionally, the fourth device may send the first information to one or more devices including the first device.

[0085] Optionally, the fourth device may obtain first information according to the first service request. The first information includes the first LID and configuration information.

[0086] S102: The first device sends a training frame in a first time domain unit of a time window according to configuration information. The time window includes one or more time domain units, and the one or more time domain units include the first time domain unit. The first time domain may be one or more time domain units within the time window. The signal of the first service includes a training frame. Accordingly, the second device receives the training frame in the first time domain unit of the time window according to the configuration information.

[0087] The first time domain unit may include a portion of the time domain positions in the time window. For example, FIG4 is a schematic diagram of a time window allocation result provided in an embodiment of the present application. As shown in FIG4, the first time domain unit may be the first time domain unit in the time window. In addition, other time domain units in the time window may be used to send interactive messages during the bit loading training process, such as a bit loading table feedback message or a bit loading table confirmation message.

[0088] By adopting this method, a corresponding time window can be configured for the bit loading training service. The time window is used to send the signal of the bit loading training service, thereby reducing the sites using the time window and improving the accuracy of the bit loading training.

[0089] The first LID and configuration information in S101 are described below respectively.

[0090] In this application, the first LID may be used to indicate a first service. The first service may be a service for bit loading training, such as a training service. That is, the first service supports or includes sending training frames and / or interactive information for bit loading training.

[0091] The first LID may be an identifier allocated to the first service, used to distinguish the first service from other services. For example, different LIDs may be used to represent different service types, for example, the first LID is not allocated to services other than the first service.

[0092] As shown in Table 1, the value of the LID can be an integer between 0 and 254. 0-3 represents the LID of a high-priority service, and 4-254 represents the LID of a low-priority service. As an example, if the number 253 is not used, the fourth device can set the LID of the first service to 253. As another example, if the number 0 is not used, the fourth device can set the LID of the first service to 0. In this case, the first LID is the LID of the high-priority service, so that the first device preferentially executes the first service.

[0093] Table 1

[0094] It is understandable that the byte sizes and valid ranges in Table 1 are examples provided in the embodiments of this application and are not specifically limited in this application.

[0095] In one or more embodiments, the fourth device may allocate a first LID for the first service. The fourth device may obtain the first LID based on a local configuration. For example, the local configuration may include an identifier for a service that is permitted to send training frames, and this identifier is the first LID. The local configuration may be a factory configuration or a configuration determined based on a PLC-related communication protocol.

[0096] The configuration information in S101 is described below.

[0097] In the present application, the configuration information may indicate the position information of the time window, such as the starting position, ending position, fragment length, period or time offset of the time window in the bound CSMA time slot. Therefore, based on the configuration information, the time domain position and fragment length of the time window corresponding to the first service can be determined.

[0098] Among them, one of the ways in which the configuration information indicates the location information of the time window, the configuration information carries the above information. The second way in which the configuration information indicates the location information of the time window, the configuration information can be used as confirmation information to confirm the location information of the alternative time window provided by the first device. At this time, the confirmation information can be an acknowledgment character (ACK), indicating acceptance of the information of the alternative time window proposed by the first device. Optionally, the information of the alternative time window can be sent by the second device to the first device, or can be sent by the first device to the second device, so that both the first device and the second device can obtain the information of the time window.

[0099] For example, any time domain unit in a bound CSMA time slot can be used as a time window. In this case, the configuration information can be a parameter indicating the time domain position of the bound CSMA time slot, such as the starting position, ending position, slice length, period, or time offset of the bound CSMA time slot. Alternatively, the configuration information can be information indicating a portion of the time domain units from the bound CSMA time slot, for example, the configuration information can be a parameter indicating the starting position, ending position, slice length, period, or time offset of the time domain unit.

[0100] Optionally, the first information may be carried in a central beacon sent by the fourth device. For example, if the fourth device is a CCO, the fourth device may send a central beacon during a beacon timeslot in a beacon period. The central beacon may indicate specific allocation parameters for the time window, such as the aforementioned configuration information.

[0101] As an example, the first information may be carried in beacon management information, or the first information may include beacon management information, or the beacon management information may be used as an example of the first information. The beacon management information includes time slot allocation information and bound CSMA time slot allocation information.

[0102] The time slot allocation information may include the content shown in Table 2, wherein the bound CSMA time slot link identifier field represents (or includes) the first LID.

[0103] Table 2

[0104] It can be understood that the byte numbers, bits and field sizes in Table 2 are examples provided in the embodiments of this application and are not specifically limited in this application.

[0105] Furthermore, the field of the bound CSMA time slot link identifier may have the content shown in Table 1. For example, if the fourth device can set the LID of the first service to 253, the information in the bound CSMA time slot link identifier field includes 253.

[0106] In one or more embodiments, the first information further includes N device identifiers, indicating the N devices permitted to send training frames within the time window. In other words, the present application permits the device corresponding to the device identifier in the configuration information to send training frames within the corresponding time window. The N devices include the first device, and N is a positive integer.

[0107] For example, the identifier of the device may be a terminal equipment identifier (TEI), or other identifiers that can be used to indicate a terminal device, such as a group identifier or an identifier allocated by a CCO.

[0108] In one or more embodiments, the first information further includes M, where M is used to indicate the maximum number of devices allowed to use the corresponding time window. M is a positive integer. In other words, a maximum of M devices are allowed to access the corresponding time window, or in other words, a maximum of M devices are allowed to send training frames in the corresponding time window.

[0109] It is understood that the first information may also include the identifiers of N devices and M. That is, the number of devices among the N devices that are allowed to simultaneously use the corresponding time window is M. If N is greater than M, then M of the N devices are allowed to use the time window. For example, when N is greater than M, then the first M devices among the N device identifiers in the first information are allowed to use the time window, or M devices may be determined from the N devices based on the order of the N device identifiers, so that M devices can use the time window.

[0110] Based on this embodiment, since the first information may include the identification of the device allowed to use the time window and / or the maximum number of devices allowed to access the time window, the devices and / or the number of devices using the time window can be restricted based on the first information, that is, the number of terminal devices competing for the use of the time window is reduced, thereby improving the accuracy of bit loading training for the time window.

[0111] In a possible embodiment, the N devices or the M devices may include a first device and / or a second device, wherein the first device is configured to send a training frame, and the second device is configured to receive the training frame and perform bit loading training according to the training frame.

[0112] For example, as shown in FIG4 , the first device and the second device may be configured with the same time period, which may be a bound CSMA time slot.

[0113] In another possible embodiment, the N devices or M devices may include a first device and a third device, wherein the configuration information also includes first sub-window information and second sub-window information, the first sub-window corresponding to the first device, and the second sub-window corresponding to the third device. The time window may include the first sub-window and the second sub-window, and may also include other sub-windows. The length of each sub-window may be one or more time domain units. For example, as shown in Figure 4, each grid in the figure is a time domain unit. For example, the first grid is the first time domain unit.

[0114] Optionally, the first subwindow and the second subwindow may not overlap. For example, as shown in Figure 4, the bound CSMA time slot includes the first subwindow and the second subwindow. The starting time slot of the first subwindow is time domain unit 0, and the ending time slot of the first subwindow is time domain unit 3. The starting time slot of the second subwindow is time domain unit 4, and the ending time slot of the second subwindow is time domain unit 7. In other words, the first subwindow and the second subwindow do not overlap.

[0115] Optionally, the first subwindow and the second subwindow can completely overlap. For example, Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of a time window allocation result provided in an embodiment of the present application, where each grid in the figure represents a time domain unit. As shown in Figure 5, the bound CSMA time slot includes a first subwindow and a second subwindow, wherein the starting time slot of the first subwindow is the same as the starting time slot of the second subwindow, and the ending time slot of the first subwindow is the same as the ending time slot of the second subwindow. That is, the first subwindow and the second subwindow completely overlap.

[0116] Optionally, the first sub-window and the second sub-window may partially overlap. For example, FIG6 is a schematic diagram of a time window allocation result provided in an embodiment of the present application, in which a grid is a time domain unit. As shown in FIG6, the bound CSMA time slot includes a first sub-window and a second sub-window, the starting time slot of the first sub-window is time domain unit 0, and the ending time slot of the first sub-window is time domain unit 3. The starting time slot of the second sub-window is time domain unit 2, and the ending time slot of the second sub-window is time domain unit 5. That is, the first sub-window and the second sub-window partially overlap.

[0117] Optionally, the identifiers of the N devices and / or the information of M may be carried in beacon information. The beacon information may include the content shown in Table 3.

[0118] Table 3

[0119] It can be understood that the corresponding beacon entry length field size in Table 3 is an example provided in the embodiment of the present application, and this application does not make any specific limitation.

[0120] The bound CSMA time slot allocation entry field may include the identifiers of the N devices and / or M. The bound CSMA time slot allocation entry field may also include a fragment size of the bound CSMA time slot.

[0121] Exemplarily, the bonded CSMA time slot allocation entry field may be included in the bonded CSMA time slot configuration information. The bonded CSMA time slot allocation information may include the content shown in Table 4.

[0122] Optionally, as shown in Table 4, the bound CSMA time slot fragment length field in Table 4 is used to indicate the size of the fragment, such as 10 milliseconds. The designated TEI indication field in Table 4 is used to indicate whether specific LID services of all devices are allowed to use the bound CSMA time slot. For example, the designated TEI indication field is used to indicate whether the first LID service of all devices is allowed to use the time window. The designated TEI quantity field in Table 4 is used to indicate the number of devices allowed to use the bound CSMA time slot. For example, the designated TEI quantity field is used to indicate the number of devices allowed to use the time window. The designated TEI list field in Table 4 may include first sub-window information and / or second sub-window information.

[0123] Table 4

[0124] It can be understood that the byte numbers, bits, and field sizes in Table 4 are examples provided in the embodiments of the present application and are not specifically limited in this application.

[0125] Taking the first sub-window information as an example, as shown in Table 5, the start time slot field can indicate the starting position of the first sub-window, and the end time slot field can indicate the ending position of the first sub-window, that is, the start time slot field and the end time slot field can be used as the first sub-window information.

[0126] In addition, the TEI field in Table 5 can indicate the device identifier using the bound CSMA time slot. For example, Figure 7 is a schematic diagram of a time window allocation result provided by an embodiment of the present application, in which a grid is a time slot slice. As shown in Figure 7, the starting time slot of the first sub-window is the first time domain slice in the bound CSMA time slot, that is, time slot slice 0, and the ending time slot of the first sub-window is the third time domain slice in the bound CSMA time slot, that is, time slot slice 2. The devices allowed to be used in the first sub-window include TEI1 and TEI2, then the starting time slot corresponding to TEI1 and TEI2 is time slot slice 0, and the ending time slot of TEI1 and TEI2 is time slot slice 2. It can be understood that Figure 7 is illustrated by taking TEI1 and TEI2 as an example, and does not mean that the devices allowed to be used in the first sub-window include only TEI1 and TEI2. That is, if Figure 7 also includes TEI5 and TEI6, where the starting time slot corresponding to TEI5 and TEI6 is time slot slice 0 and the ending time slot is time slot slice 2, then the devices allowed to be used in the first sub-window include TEI1, TEI2, TEI5 and TEI6.

[0127] Table 5

[0128] It can be understood that the byte numbers, bits, and field sizes in Table 5 are examples provided in the embodiments of the present application and are not specifically limited in this application.

[0129] Exemplarily, the first information is carried in the time slot allocation information. When the value of the bound CSMA time slot link identifier field in the time slot allocation information is the first LID, the device used to transmit the training frame needs to parse the beacon information carrying the identification of N devices and / or the information of M to obtain the specific bound CSMA time slot allocation information.

[0130] If the designated TEI indication field in the bound CSMA time slot allocation information is 0, all devices used to transmit training frames can use this time window.

[0131] If the designated TEI indication field in the bound CSMA time slot allocation information is 1, the device used to transmit the training frame uses the time window according to the start time slot and end time slot indicated in the designated TEI list.

[0132] It is understood that the second device can obtain the first information by referring to the way the first device obtains the first information. Therefore, the second device can obtain the time window based on the first information and receive the training frame sent by the first device in the time window based on the first information.

[0133] Optionally, the first device and / or the second device in the present application may send a first service request to the fourth device to request sending a training frame in the time window. The first service request may include the time window and / or the location information of the time domain unit carrying the training frame in the time window.

[0134] FIG8 is a flow chart of another communication method provided by an embodiment of the present application. As shown in FIG8 , with the first device, the second device, and the fourth device as the execution entities, the process includes:

[0135] The second device sends a first service request to the fourth device to initiate a bit loading training service, i.e., the first service. The first device forwards the first service request to the fourth device, so the first device receives the first service request. The fourth device generates a training slot allocation confirmation based on the first service request and sends the training slot allocation confirmation to the first device. The first device forwards the training slot allocation confirmation to the second device.

[0136] The first service request confirmation in Figure 8 may include confirmation information for confirming the location information of the alternative time window provided by the first device. In other words, this confirmation information can serve as an example of configuration information. Accordingly, the alternative time window can serve as the time window indicated by the configuration information. Furthermore, the training time slot allocation confirmation may also include the first LID. The first service request confirmation can serve as an example of the first information in S101.

[0137] In addition, the beacon frame may include location information of an alternative time window provided by the first device, and is used to broadcast a signal that the time window is used to send the first service.

[0138] Based on the same technical concept as the above-mentioned method embodiment, the embodiment of the present application provides a corresponding communication device that can be used to perform the functions of the relevant steps in the above-mentioned method embodiment. This function can be implemented by hardware, can be implemented by software, or can be implemented by hardware executing the corresponding software. The hardware or software includes one or more modules corresponding to the above-mentioned functions. The communication device can be in a communication system using PLC technology. For example, the communication device can be a CCO, PCO or STA, or a module applied to a CCO, PCO or STA, such as a circuit, chip, chip system or processor, or a logical node, logic module or software that can implement all or part of the CCO, PCO or STA functions.

[0139] In a possible implementation, the structure of the communication device provided in the embodiment of the present application is shown in FIG9 , and includes an interface unit 901 and a processing unit 902. The functions of each unit in the communication device 900 are introduced below.

[0140] The interface unit 901 is used to input and / or output information. Input information can be replaced by receiving information, and output information can be replaced by sending information. When outputting information, the interface unit 901 can output information to other devices outside the communication device 900, or it can output information to other units in the communication device 900. In some embodiments, the interface unit 901 can be implemented by at least one of a physical interface, a communication module, a communication interface, and an input / output interface. In other embodiments, the interface unit 901 can be implemented by an interface circuit, for example, a mobile communication module. The mobile communication module may include one or more of at least one antenna, at least one filter, a switch, a power amplifier, a low noise amplifier (LNA), etc.

[0141] The processing unit 902 can be used to support the communication device 900 in performing the processing actions in the above-mentioned method embodiment. The processing unit 902 can be implemented by one or more processors. For example, the processor can be a central processing unit (CPU), or other general-purpose processors, digital signal processors (DSP), application-specific integrated circuits (ASIC), field programmable gate arrays (FPGA), or other programmable logic devices, transistor logic devices, hardware components, or any combination thereof. The general-purpose processor can be a microprocessor or any conventional processor.

[0142] In one embodiment, the communication device 900 is applied to the first device in the embodiment of the present application shown in Figure 8. The specific functions of the interface unit 901 and the processing unit 902 in this embodiment are introduced below.

[0143] The interface unit 901 is configured to obtain first information, wherein the first information includes a first link identifier LID and configuration information, wherein the first LID is used to indicate a first service, and the configuration information is used to configure a time window for sending a signal of the first service.

[0144] The processing unit 902 is configured to send a training frame in a first time domain unit in the time window according to the configuration information, wherein the time window includes one or more time domain units, the one or more time domain units include the first time domain unit, and the signal of the first service includes the training frame.

[0145] In another embodiment, the communication device 900 is applied to the second device in the embodiment of the present application shown in Figure 8. The specific functions of the interface unit 901 and the processing unit 902 in this embodiment are introduced below.

[0146] The interface unit 901 is configured to obtain first information, wherein the first information includes a first link identifier LID and configuration information, wherein the first LID is used to indicate a first service, and the configuration information is used to configure a time window for sending a signal of the first service.

[0147] The processing unit 902 is configured to receive a training frame in a first time domain unit in the time window according to the configuration information, wherein the time window includes one or more time domain units, the one or more time domain units include the first time domain unit, and the signal of the first service includes the training frame.

[0148] In another embodiment, the communication device 900 is applied to the fourth device in the embodiment of the present application shown in Figure 8. The specific functions of the interface unit 901 in this embodiment are introduced below.

[0149] The interface unit 901 is configured to obtain first information, wherein the first information includes a first link identifier LID and configuration information, wherein the first LID is used to indicate a first service, and the configuration information is used to configure a time window for sending a signal of the first service. The interface unit 901 is also configured to send the first information.

[0150] A more detailed description of the processing unit 902 and the interface unit 901 can be directly obtained by referring to the relevant description in the above method embodiment, which is not repeated here.

[0151] It should be noted that the division of modules in the above embodiments of the present application is illustrative and is only a logical functional division. In actual implementation, there may be other division methods. In addition, the functional units in the various embodiments of the present application may be integrated into a processing unit, or may exist separately physically, or two or more units may be integrated into a single unit. The above-mentioned integrated units may be implemented in the form of hardware or in the form of software functional units.

[0152] If the above-mentioned integrated unit is implemented in the form of a software functional unit and sold or used as an independent product, it can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium. Based on this understanding, the technical solution of the present application, 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, which is stored in a storage medium and includes several instructions for enabling a computer device (which can be a personal computer, server, or network device, etc.) or a processor to execute all or part of the steps of the method described in each embodiment of the present application. The aforementioned storage medium includes various media that can store program codes, such as a USB flash drive, a mobile hard disk, a read-only memory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM), a magnetic disk or an optical disk.

[0153] In a possible implementation, the communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application is shown in FIG10 . The communication device 1000 includes a processor 1002. Optionally, the communication device 1000 further includes an interface circuit 1001 and a memory 1003. The interface circuit 1001, the processor 1002, and the memory 1003 are coupled to each other.

[0154] Optionally, the interface circuit 1001, the processor 1002, and the memory 1003 are coupled to each other via a bus 1004. Bus 1004 may be a Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) bus or an Extended Industry Standard Architecture (EISA) bus. Buses can be classified as address buses, data buses, control buses, etc. For ease of illustration, FIG10 shows only one thick line, but this does not mean that there is only one bus or only one type of bus.

[0155] Interface circuit 1001 is used to input and / or output information. Inputting information can be replaced by receiving information, and outputting information can be replaced by sending information. When outputting information, interface circuit 1001 can output information to other devices outside of communication device 1000, or to other units within communication device 1000. Exemplarily, interface circuit 1001 can be implemented via at least one of a physical interface, a communication module, a communication interface, an input / output interface, and a mobile communication module. The mobile communication module may include one or more of at least one antenna, at least one filter, a switch, a power amplifier, an LNA, and the like.

[0156] Processor 1002 can be used to support communication device 1000 in executing the processing actions in the above-described method embodiments. When communication device 1000 is used to implement the above-described method embodiments, processor 1002 can also be used to implement the functions of processing unit 902. Processor 1002 can be a CPU, other general-purpose processors, DSPs, ASICs, FPGAs, other programmable logic devices, transistor logic devices, hardware components, or any combination thereof. A general-purpose processor can be a microprocessor or any conventional processor.

[0157] In one embodiment, the communication apparatus 1000 is applied to the first device in the embodiment of the present application shown in Figure 8. The specific functions of the processor 1002 in this embodiment are described below.

[0158] The interface circuit 1001 is configured to obtain first information, wherein the first information includes a first link identifier LID and configuration information, wherein the first LID is used to indicate a first service, and the configuration information is used to configure a time window for sending a signal of the first service.

[0159] Processor 1002 is configured to send a training frame in a first time domain unit in the time window according to the configuration information, wherein the time window includes one or more time domain units, the one or more time domain units include the first time domain unit, and the signal of the first service includes the training frame.

[0160] In another embodiment, the communication apparatus 1000 is applied to the second device in the embodiment of the present application shown in Figure 8. The specific functions of the interface circuit 1001 and the processor 1002 in this embodiment are described below.

[0161] The interface circuit 1001 is configured to obtain first information, wherein the first information includes a first link identifier LID and configuration information, wherein the first LID is used to indicate a first service, and the configuration information is used to configure a time window for sending a signal of the first service.

[0162] Processor 1002 is configured to receive a training frame in a first time domain unit in the time window according to the configuration information, wherein the time window includes one or more time domain units, the one or more time domain units include the first time domain unit, and the signal of the first service includes the training frame.

[0163] In another embodiment, the communication device 1000 is applied to the fourth device in the embodiment of the present application shown in Figure 8. The specific functions of the interface circuit 1001 in this embodiment are introduced below.

[0164] The interface circuit 1001 is used to obtain first information. The first information includes a first link identifier LID and configuration information. The first LID is used to indicate a first service. The configuration information is used to configure a time window for sending a signal of the first service.

[0165] The interface circuit 1001 is further configured to send the first information.

[0166] A more detailed description of the processor 1002 and the interface circuit 1001 can be directly obtained by referring to the relevant description in the above method embodiment, which is not repeated here.

[0167] It is understood that the memory 1003 in FIG. 10 of the present application can be a volatile memory or a non-volatile memory, or can include both volatile and non-volatile memories. Among them, the non-volatile memory can be a ROM, a programmable read-only memory (PROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), or a flash memory. The volatile memory can be a RAM, which is used as an external cache. By way of example but not limitation, many forms of RAM are available, such as static random access memory (SRAM), dynamic random access memory (DRAM), synchronous dynamic random access memory (SDRAM), double data rate synchronous dynamic random access memory (DDR SDRAM), enhanced synchronous dynamic random access memory (ESDRAM), synchronous link dynamic random access memory (SLDRAM), and direct rambus RAM (DR RAM). It should be noted that memory of the systems and methods described herein is intended to comprise, but not be limited to, these and any other suitable types of memory.

[0168] Based on the above embodiments, an embodiment of the present application further provides a computer program product including computer-executable instructions. When the computer program product is run, the method provided in the above embodiments is executed.

[0169] Based on the above embodiments, an embodiment of the present application further provides a computer-readable storage medium, in which a computer program is stored. When the computer program is executed by a computer, the computer executes the method provided in the above embodiments.

[0170] The storage medium may be any available medium that can be accessed by a computer. By way of example and not limitation, computer-readable media may include RAM, ROM, EEPROM, CD-ROM or other optical disk storage, magnetic disk storage media or other magnetic storage devices, 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.

[0171] Based on the above embodiments, an embodiment of the present application further provides a chip, which is used to read a computer program stored in a memory to implement the method provided in the above embodiments.

[0172] Based on the above embodiments, embodiments of the present application provide a chip system, which includes a processor for supporting a computer device to implement the functions involved in each device in the above embodiments. In one possible design, the chip system also includes a memory for storing the necessary programs and data for the computer device. The chip system can be composed of a chip or can include a chip and other discrete devices.

[0173] In the various embodiments of the present application, unless otherwise specified or there is a logical conflict, the terms and / or descriptions between different embodiments are consistent and can be referenced by each other. The technical features in different embodiments can be combined to form new embodiments according to their inherent logical relationships.

[0174] The present application is described with reference to the flowcharts and / or block diagrams of the methods, devices (systems), and computer program products according to the present application. It should be understood that each flow and / or box in the flow chart and / or block diagram, as well as the combination of the flow chart and / or box in the flow chart and / or block diagram, can be implemented by computer program instructions. These computer program instructions can be provided to a processor of a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, an embedded processor, or other programmable data processing device to produce a machine, so that the instructions executed by the processor of the computer or other programmable data processing device produce a device for implementing the functions specified in one or more flow charts and / or one or more boxes in the block diagram.

[0175] These computer program instructions may also be stored in a computer-readable memory that can direct a computer or other programmable data processing device to operate in a specific manner, so that the instructions stored in the computer-readable memory produce a product including an instruction device that implements the functions specified in one or more processes in the flowchart and / or one or more boxes in the block diagram.

[0176] These computer program instructions can also be loaded onto a computer or other programmable data processing device so that a series of operating steps are executed on the computer or other programmable device to produce a computer-implemented process, so that the instructions executed on the computer or other programmable device provide steps for implementing the functions specified in one or more processes in the flowchart and / or one or more boxes in the block diagram.

[0177] In this application, "at least one" means one or more, and "more than one" means two or more. "And / or" describes the relationship between related objects, indicating that three possible relationships exist. For example, "A and / or B" can mean: A exists alone, A and B exist simultaneously, and B exists alone, where A and B can be singular or plural. In the text description of this application, the character " / " generally indicates that the related objects are in an "or" relationship.

[0178] It is understood that the various numbers used in the embodiments of this application are merely for ease of description and are not intended to limit the scope of the embodiments of this application. The order of the sequence numbers of the above-mentioned processes does not necessarily imply a specific order of execution; the order of execution of the processes should be determined by their functions and inherent logic.

[0179] Obviously, those skilled in the art may make various changes and modifications to the present application without departing from the scope of the present application. Thus, if these modifications and variations of the present application fall within the scope of the claims of the present application and their equivalents, the present application is intended to include these modifications and variations.

Claims

1. A communication method, characterized in that: include: Acquire first information, where the first information includes a first link identifier LID and configuration information, where the first LID is used to indicate a first service, and the configuration information is used to configure a time window, where the time window is used to send a signal of the first service; A training frame is sent in a first time domain unit in the time window according to the configuration information, the time window includes one or more time domain units, the one or more time domain units include the first time domain unit, and the signal of the first service includes the training frame.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that The first information further includes identifications of N devices, the N devices include the first device, and N is a positive integer; and / or The first information is also used to configure M, where M is the maximum number of devices allowed to use the time window.

3. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that The method is applied to the first device, the N devices include the first device and a second device, and the second device is used to receive the training frame; or, The N devices include the first device and a third device, wherein the configuration information also includes first sub-window information and second sub-window information, the first sub-window corresponds to the first device, the second sub-window corresponds to the third device, and the time window includes the first sub-window and the second sub-window.

4. The method according to claim 3, characterized in that The first sub-window does not overlap with the second sub-window; or, the first sub-window completely overlaps with the second sub-window.

5. A communication method, characterized in that: include: Acquire first information, where the first information includes a first link identifier LID and configuration information, where the first LID is used to indicate a first service, and the configuration information is used to configure a time window, where the time window is used to send a signal of the first service; A training frame is received in a first time domain unit in the time window according to the configuration information, the time window includes one or more time domain units, the one or more time domain units include the first time domain unit, and the signal of the first service includes the training frame.

6. The method according to claim 5, characterized in that The configuration information further includes identifications of N devices, where the N devices include the second device, and N is a positive integer; and / or The configuration information is also used to configure M, where M is the maximum number of devices allowed to use the time window.

7. The method according to claim 6, characterized in that The method is applied to the second device, the N devices include a first device and the second device, and the first device is used to send the training frame; or, The N devices include the second device and the third device, wherein the configuration information also includes first sub-window information and second sub-window information, the first sub-window corresponds to the second device, the second sub-window corresponds to the third device, and the time window includes the first sub-window and the second sub-window.

8. The method according to claim 7, characterized in that The first sub-window does not overlap with the second sub-window; or, the first sub-window completely overlaps with the second sub-window.

9. A communication method, characterized in that: include: Acquire first information, where the first information includes a first link identifier LID and configuration information, where the first LID is used to indicate a first service, and the configuration information is used to configure a time window, where the time window is used to send a signal of the first service; The first information is sent.

10. The method according to claim 9, characterized in that The method further comprises: The first LID is allocated according to the first service.

11. The method according to claim 9, characterized in that The first information also includes identifiers of N devices, where N is a positive integer; and / or The first information is also used to configure M, where M is the maximum number of devices allowed to use the time window.

12. The method according to claim 11, characterized in that The N devices include a first device and a second device, the first device is used to send a training frame, and the second device is used to receive the training frame; or, The N devices include the first device and a third device, wherein the configuration information also includes first sub-window information and second sub-window information, the first sub-window corresponds to the first device, the second sub-window corresponds to the third device, and the time window includes the first sub-window and the second sub-window.

13. The method according to claim 12, characterized in that The first sub-window does not overlap with the second sub-window; or, the first sub-window completely overlaps with the second sub-window.

14. A communication device, characterized in that: The method comprises a unit for executing the method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, or comprises a unit for executing the method according to any one of claims 5 to 8, or comprises a unit for executing the method according to any one of claims 9 to 13.

15. A communication device, characterized in that: The method comprises a processor, wherein the processor executes instructions so that the apparatus executes the method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, or the apparatus executes the method according to any one of claims 5 to 8, or the apparatus executes the method according to any one of claims 9 to 13.

16. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that: The computer-readable storage medium stores a computer program or instructions. When the computer program or instructions are executed, the method according to any one of claims 1 to 13 is implemented.

17. A computer program product, characterized in that The computer program product comprises: a computer program code, and when the computer program code is executed, the method according to any one of claims 1 to 13 is implemented.

18. A communication system, characterized in that: The method comprises a first device, a second device and a third device, wherein the first device is used to execute the method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, the second device is used to execute the method according to any one of claims 5 to 8, and the third device is used to execute the method according to any one of claims 9 to 13.

19. A chip, characterized in that: The chip is used to read a computer program stored in a memory to execute the method according to any one of claims 1 to 13.

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