Communication method and apparatus

Abstract

Disclosed in the embodiments of the present application are a communication method and an apparatus. The method comprises: generating a radio frame, the radio frame comprising a control field and a padding field, the padding field being located behind the control field, the control field being used for indicating a first bandwidth, the first bandwidth being the bandwidth of the radio frame, and the minimum duration of the padding field being determined on the basis of the first bandwidth; and sending the radio frame to a station device. For different first bandwidths, different minimum durations of the padding fields are set, such that the station device can complete bandwidth switching within the minimum durations of the padding field, thereby ensuring successful bandwidth switching. Moreover, unnecessary switching time delay caused by setting unified time delay during the dynamic capability configuration or dynamic energy-saving process can be avoided, thus improving communication efficiency.

Description

Communication method and device

[0001] This application claims priority to the Chinese patent application filed with the State Intellectual Property Office of China on December 21, 2023, with application number 202311779519.X, and priority to the Chinese patent application entitled “A Communication Method and Device”, all contents of which are incorporated by reference into this application. Technical Field

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

[0003] The functional requirements of different wireless fidelity (WiFi) application scenarios change dynamically over time. Maintaining a consistent capability configuration that consistently meets these requirements will result in unnecessary power consumption. To reduce device power consumption, it is desirable to dynamically adjust capability configurations based on changing functional requirements. Setting a uniform delay when switching between different capability configuration states or different power-saving modes can result in unnecessary switching delays, making dynamic capability configuration adjustments less timely. When considering switching delay settings, it is desirable to ensure that the switching delay is sufficient to complete the capability configuration switch and to minimize the delay to achieve low-latency dynamic capability adjustment. For example, the IEEE 802.11be standard reduces the number of spatial streams (NSS) and modulation and coding scheme (MCS) in the low-power listening mode of the enhanced multi-link single radio (eMLSR), using a lower capability configuration to reduce power consumption. The NSS and MCS are then adjusted and increased when switching to data transmission mode. Existing standards do not introduce bandwidth adjustment when transitioning between low-power listening mode and data transmission mode. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The embodiments of the present application provide a communication method and apparatus that can not only ensure successful bandwidth switching, but also reduce latency and improve communication efficiency.

[0005] In a first aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication method, which is applied to an access point device, or a chip or circuit configured in the access point device, including:

[0006] Generate a wireless frame, the wireless frame including a control field and a padding field, the padding field is located after the control field, the control field is used to indicate a first bandwidth, the first bandwidth is the bandwidth of the wireless frame, and the minimum length of the padding field is determined according to the first bandwidth; send the wireless frame to the site device.

[0007] Taking into account the phase-locked loop (PLL) lock delay when adjusting bandwidth, different minimum padding field lengths are set for different first bandwidths. This allows site devices to complete bandwidth switching within the minimum padding field length, ensuring successful bandwidth switching. Furthermore, this avoids unnecessary switching delays during dynamic capability configuration or dynamic energy conservation, which can be caused by setting a uniform delay, thereby improving communication efficiency.

[0008] In one possible design, when the first bandwidth is less than or equal to the second bandwidth, the minimum length of the padding field is the first duration, or, when the first bandwidth is greater than the second bandwidth, the minimum length of the padding field is the second duration. That is, the access point device determines the first bandwidth to be switched based on the contention channel situation, determines the actual duration of the padding field based on the first bandwidth to be switched, and adds the padding field to the end of the initial control frame according to the actual duration of the padding field. If the first bandwidth to be switched is less than or equal to the second bandwidth, the actual duration of the padding field can be set to be greater than or equal to the first duration; if the first bandwidth to be switched is greater than the second bandwidth, the actual duration of the padding field can be set to be greater than or equal to the second duration. This not only ensures successful bandwidth switching, but also reduces latency and improves communication efficiency.

[0009] In one possible design, when the first bandwidth is less than or equal to the second bandwidth, the minimum length of the padding field is 0, or, when the first bandwidth is greater than the second bandwidth, the minimum length of the padding field is the third length. That is, the access point device determines the first bandwidth to be switched based on the contention channel situation, determines the actual length of the padding field based on the first bandwidth to be switched, and adds the padding field to the end of the initial control frame according to the actual length of the padding field. If the bandwidth of the wireless frame is less than or equal to the second bandwidth, the actual length of the padding field can be set to be greater than or equal to 0. If the bandwidth of the wireless frame is greater than the second bandwidth, the actual length of the padding field can be set to be greater than or equal to the third length. This not only ensures the success of bandwidth switching, but also reduces latency and improves communication efficiency.

[0010] In one possible design, the minimum duration of the padding field corresponds to one or more of the first bandwidths. That is, the access point device determines the first bandwidth to be switched based on channel contention, determines the actual duration of the padding field based on the first bandwidth to be switched, and adds the padding field to the end of the initial control frame according to the actual duration of the padding field. For example, if the first bandwidth to be switched is 20 MHz, the actual duration of the padding field added by the AP to the end of the initial control frame is D1, where the actual duration D1 is greater than or equal to the minimum duration d1. If the first bandwidth to be switched is 40 MHz, the actual duration of the padding field added by the AP to the end of the initial control frame is D2, where the actual duration D2 is greater than or equal to the minimum duration d2. If the first bandwidth to be switched is 80 MHz, the actual duration of the padding field added by the AP to the end of the initial control frame is D3, where the actual duration D3 is greater than or equal to the minimum duration d3. If the first bandwidth to be switched is 160 MHz, the actual duration of the padding field added by the AP to the end of the initial control frame is D4, where the actual duration D4 is greater than or equal to the minimum duration d4. Alternatively, a single minimum duration can correspond to multiple first bandwidths, appropriately reducing the number of possible minimum durations. For example, if the first bandwidth to be switched is 80 MHz or 160 MHz, the actual duration of the padding field added by the AP to the end of the initial control frame is D5, where the actual duration D5 is greater than or equal to the minimum duration d5. This ensures successful bandwidth switching while reducing latency and improving communication efficiency.

[0011] In one possible design, the minimum length of the padding field is determined based on at least two of the first bandwidth, the number of spatial streams (NSS) used by the station device, and the modulation and coding scheme (MCS). That is, the access point device determines the first bandwidth to be switched, and at least two of the NSS and MCS reported by the station device that need to be adjusted based on channel contention, determines the actual length of the padding field, and adds the padding field to the end of the initial control frame based on the actual length of the padding field. For example, if the first bandwidth to be switched is 20 MHz, the NSS reported by the STA is N1, and the MCS is mode 1, the actual length of the padding field added by the AP to the end of the initial control frame is D1, where the actual length D1 is greater than or equal to the minimum length d1. If the first bandwidth to be switched is 40 MHz, the NSS reported by the STA is N2, and the MCS is mode 2, the actual length of the padding field added by the AP to the end of the initial control frame is D2, where the actual length D2 is greater than or equal to the minimum length d2. By adjusting multiple parameters (bandwidth, NSS, MCS, etc.) in parallel and classifying the minimum length of the fill field in a refined manner, the delay can be reduced as much as possible and communication efficiency can be improved.

[0012] In one possible design, capability information sent by the site device is received, where the capability information indicates a minimum length of the padding field. Based on the capability information reported by the site device, the access point device can set different minimum lengths of the padding field for different first bandwidths. This not only ensures successful bandwidth switching, but also reduces latency and improves communication efficiency.

[0013] In one possible design, the capability information includes at least one of the following: a mapping between the first and second bandwidths and the minimum length of the padding field; a mapping between the first bandwidth and the minimum length of the padding field; and a mapping between the first bandwidth, the NSS, and the MCS used by the site device, and the minimum length of the padding field. The access point device can refer to this mapping and set different minimum lengths for the padding field based on different parameter values. This not only ensures successful parameter switching, but also reduces latency and improves communication efficiency.

[0014] In one possible design, the capability information includes a first duration and a second duration, where the first duration is the minimum duration of the padding field used when the first bandwidth is less than or equal to the second bandwidth, and the second duration is the minimum duration of the padding field used when the first bandwidth is greater than the second bandwidth; or

[0015] The capability information includes a third duration, where the third duration is a minimum duration of the padding field used when the first bandwidth is greater than the second bandwidth; or

[0016] The capability information includes multiple minimum durations of the padding field, and each minimum duration corresponds to one or more first bandwidths; or

[0017] The capability information includes multiple minimum durations of the padding fields, and one of the minimum durations corresponds to at least two of the first bandwidth and the NSS and MCS adopted by the site device.

[0018] By setting the minimum length of the padding field in different situations, the access point device can set different minimum lengths of the padding field for different parameter values. This not only ensures the successful switching of each parameter, but also reduces latency and improves communication efficiency.

[0019] In one possible design, the second bandwidth is the initial bandwidth used by the site device.

[0020] In one possible design, the first bandwidth is a bandwidth determined according to channel contention conditions.

[0021] In one possible design, the wireless frame further includes a frame check field, where the frame check field is located after the padding field, or the frame check field is located before the padding field and after the control field.

[0022] In one possible design, the wireless frame is an initial frame or an initial control frame.

[0023] In a second aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication method, which is applied to a site device, or a chip or circuit configured in the site device, including:

[0024] Receive a wireless frame sent by an access point device, the wireless frame including a control field and a padding field, the padding field being located after the control field, the control field being used to indicate a first bandwidth, the first bandwidth being the bandwidth of the wireless frame, and a minimum length of the padding field being determined based on the first bandwidth; and switch to the first bandwidth based on the wireless frame.

[0025] Taking into account the phase-locked loop (PLL) lock delay when adjusting bandwidth, different minimum padding field lengths are set for different first bandwidths. This allows site devices to complete bandwidth switching within the minimum padding field length, ensuring successful bandwidth switching. Furthermore, this avoids unnecessary switching delays during dynamic capability configuration or dynamic energy conservation, which can be caused by setting a uniform delay, thereby improving communication efficiency.

[0026] In one possible design, when the first bandwidth is less than or equal to the second bandwidth, the minimum length of the padding field is the first duration, or, when the first bandwidth is greater than the second bandwidth, the minimum length of the padding field is the second duration. That is, the access point device determines the first bandwidth to be switched based on the contention channel situation, determines the actual duration of the padding field based on the first bandwidth to be switched, and adds the padding field to the end of the initial control frame according to the actual duration of the padding field. If the first bandwidth to be switched is less than or equal to the second bandwidth, the actual duration of the padding field can be set to be greater than or equal to the first duration; if the first bandwidth to be switched is greater than the second bandwidth, the actual duration of the padding field can be set to be greater than or equal to the second duration. This not only ensures successful bandwidth switching, but also reduces latency and improves communication efficiency.

[0027] In one possible design, when the first bandwidth is less than or equal to the second bandwidth, the minimum length of the padding field is 0, or, when the first bandwidth is greater than the second bandwidth, the minimum length of the padding field is the third length. That is, the access point device determines the first bandwidth to be switched based on the contention channel situation, determines the actual length of the padding field based on the first bandwidth to be switched, and adds the padding field to the end of the initial control frame according to the actual length of the padding field. If the bandwidth of the wireless frame is less than or equal to the second bandwidth, the actual length of the padding field can be set to be greater than or equal to 0. If the bandwidth of the wireless frame is greater than the second bandwidth, the actual length of the padding field can be set to be greater than or equal to the third length. This not only ensures the success of bandwidth switching, but also reduces latency and improves communication efficiency.

[0028] In one possible design, the minimum duration of the padding field corresponds to one or more of the first bandwidths. That is, the access point device determines the first bandwidth to be switched based on channel contention, determines the actual duration of the padding field based on the first bandwidth to be switched, and adds the padding field to the end of the initial control frame according to the actual duration of the padding field. For example, if the first bandwidth to be switched is 20 MHz, the actual duration of the padding field added by the AP to the end of the initial control frame is D1, where the actual duration D1 is greater than or equal to the minimum duration d1. If the first bandwidth to be switched is 40 MHz, the actual duration of the padding field added by the AP to the end of the initial control frame is D2, where the actual duration D2 is greater than or equal to the minimum duration d2. If the first bandwidth to be switched is 80 MHz, the actual duration of the padding field added by the AP to the end of the initial control frame is D3, where the actual duration D3 is greater than or equal to the minimum duration d3. If the first bandwidth to be switched is 160 MHz, the actual duration of the padding field added by the AP to the end of the initial control frame is D4, where the actual duration D4 is greater than or equal to the minimum duration d4. Alternatively, a single minimum duration can correspond to multiple first bandwidths, appropriately reducing the number of possible minimum durations. For example, if the first bandwidth to be switched is 80 MHz or 160 MHz, the actual duration of the padding field added by the AP to the end of the initial control frame is D5, where the actual duration D5 is greater than or equal to the minimum duration d5. This ensures successful bandwidth switching while reducing latency and improving communication efficiency.

[0029] In one possible design, the minimum length of the padding field is determined based on at least two of the first bandwidth, the number of spatial streams (NSS) used by the station device, and the modulation and coding scheme (MCS). That is, the access point device determines the first bandwidth to be switched, and at least two of the NSS and MCS reported by the station device that need to be adjusted based on channel contention, determines the actual length of the padding field, and adds the padding field to the end of the initial control frame based on the actual length of the padding field. For example, if the first bandwidth to be switched is 20 MHz, the NSS reported by the STA is N1, and the MCS is mode 1, the actual length of the padding field added by the AP to the end of the initial control frame is D1, where the actual length D1 is greater than or equal to the minimum length d1. If the first bandwidth to be switched is 40 MHz, the NSS reported by the STA is N2, and the MCS is mode 2, the actual length of the padding field added by the AP to the end of the initial control frame is D2, where the actual length D2 is greater than or equal to the minimum length d2. By adjusting multiple parameters (bandwidth, NSS, MCS, etc.) in parallel and classifying the minimum length of the fill field in a refined manner, the delay can be reduced as much as possible and communication efficiency can be improved.

[0030] In one possible design, capability information is sent to the access point device, indicating the minimum length of the padding field. This allows the access point device to set different minimum lengths for the padding field for different first bandwidths based on the capability information reported by the site device. This not only ensures successful bandwidth switching but also reduces latency and improves communication efficiency.

[0031] In one possible design, the capability information includes at least one of the following: a mapping between the first and second bandwidths and the minimum length of the padding field; a mapping between the first bandwidth and the minimum length of the padding field; and a mapping between at least two of the first bandwidth, the NSS, and the MCS used by the site device, and the minimum length of the padding field. This allows the access point device to refer to the mapping and set different minimum lengths for the padding field based on different parameter values. This not only ensures successful parameter switching, but also reduces latency and improves communication efficiency.

[0032] In one possible design, the capability information includes a first duration and a second duration, where the first duration is the minimum duration of the padding field used when the first bandwidth is less than or equal to the second bandwidth, and the second duration is the minimum duration of the padding field used when the first bandwidth is greater than the second bandwidth; or

[0033] The capability information includes a third duration, where the third duration is a minimum duration of the padding field used when the first bandwidth is greater than the second bandwidth; or

[0034] The capability information includes multiple minimum durations of the padding field, and each minimum duration corresponds to one or more first bandwidths; or

[0035] The capability information includes multiple minimum durations of the padding fields, and one of the minimum durations corresponds to at least two of the first bandwidth and the NSS and MCS adopted by the site device.

[0036] By reporting the minimum padding lengths for different scenarios, access points can set different minimum padding lengths for different parameter values. This not only ensures successful switching of parameters, but also reduces latency and improves communication efficiency.

[0037] In one possible design, the second bandwidth is an initial bandwidth used by the site device.

[0038] In one possible design, the first bandwidth is a bandwidth determined according to channel contention conditions.

[0039] In one possible design, switching to the first bandwidth is performed within the minimum length of the padding field. By completing the bandwidth switching within the minimum length of the padding field, the bandwidth switching is ensured to be successful and the delay is reduced.

[0040] In one possible design, the wireless frame further includes a frame check field, where the frame check field is located after the padding field, or the frame check field is located before the padding field and after the control field.

[0041] In one possible design, the wireless frame is an initial frame or an initial control frame.

[0042] In a third aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication device, the device comprising:

[0043] a processing module, configured to generate a radio frame, the radio frame comprising a control field and a padding field, the padding field being located after the control field, the control field being used to indicate a first bandwidth, the first bandwidth being the bandwidth of the radio frame, and a minimum length of the padding field being determined based on the first bandwidth;

[0044] The sending module is configured to send the wireless frame to the site device.

[0045] In one possible design, when the first bandwidth is less than or equal to the second bandwidth, the minimum length of the padding field is the first length, or when the first bandwidth is greater than the second bandwidth, the minimum length of the padding field is the second length.

[0046] In one possible design, when the first bandwidth is less than or equal to the second bandwidth, the minimum length of the padding field is 0, or when the first bandwidth is greater than the second bandwidth, the minimum length of the padding field is a third length.

[0047] In one possible design, the minimum length of the padding field corresponds to one or more of the first bandwidths.

[0048] In one possible design, the minimum length of the padding field is determined based on at least two of the first bandwidth, the number of spatial streams NSS adopted by the site device, and the modulation and coding strategy MCS.

[0049] In one possible design, the device further includes:

[0050] The receiving module is used to receive capability information sent by the site device, where the capability information is used to indicate the minimum length of the padding field.

[0051] In one possible design, the capability information includes at least one of the following information: a mapping relationship between the size relationship between the first bandwidth and the second bandwidth and the minimum length of the padding field; a mapping relationship between the first bandwidth and the minimum length of the padding field; a mapping relationship between the first bandwidth, at least two of the NSS and MCS adopted by the site device and the minimum length of the padding field.

[0052] In one possible design, the capability information includes a first duration and a second duration, where the first duration is the minimum duration of the padding field used when the first bandwidth is less than or equal to the second bandwidth, and the second duration is the minimum duration of the padding field used when the first bandwidth is greater than the second bandwidth; or

[0053] The capability information includes a third duration, where the third duration is a minimum duration of the padding field used when the first bandwidth is greater than the second bandwidth; or

[0054] The capability information includes multiple minimum durations of the padding field, and each minimum duration corresponds to one or more first bandwidths; or

[0055] The capability information includes multiple minimum durations of the padding fields, and one of the minimum durations corresponds to at least two of the first bandwidth and the NSS and MCS adopted by the site device.

[0056] In one possible design, the second bandwidth is the initial bandwidth used by the site device.

[0057] In one possible design, the first bandwidth is a bandwidth determined according to channel contention conditions.

[0058] In one possible design, the wireless frame further includes a frame check field, where the frame check field is located after the padding field, or the frame check field is located before the padding field and after the control field.

[0059] In one possible design, the wireless frame is an initial frame or an initial control frame.

[0060] The operations and beneficial effects performed by the communication device can refer to the method and beneficial effects described in the first aspect above, and the repeated parts will be omitted.

[0061] In a fourth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication device, the device comprising:

[0062] a receiving module, configured to receive a radio frame sent by an access point device, the radio frame including a control field and a padding field, the padding field being located after the control field, the control field being used to indicate a first bandwidth, the first bandwidth being the bandwidth of the radio frame, and the minimum length of the padding field being determined based on the first bandwidth;

[0063] A processing module is configured to switch to the first bandwidth based on the wireless frame.

[0064] In one possible design, when the first bandwidth is less than or equal to the second bandwidth, the minimum length of the padding field is the first length, or when the first bandwidth is greater than the second bandwidth, the minimum length of the padding field is the second length.

[0065] In one possible design, when the first bandwidth is less than or equal to the second bandwidth, the minimum length of the padding field is 0, or when the first bandwidth is greater than the second bandwidth, the minimum length of the padding field is a third length.

[0066] In one possible design, the minimum length of the padding field corresponds to one or more of the first bandwidths.

[0067] In one possible design, the minimum length of the padding field is determined based on at least two of the first bandwidth, the number of spatial streams NSS adopted by the site device, and the modulation and coding strategy MCS.

[0068] In one possible design, the device further includes:

[0069] The sending module is configured to send capability information to an access point device, where the capability information is used to indicate a minimum length of the padding field.

[0070] In one possible design, the capability information includes at least one of the following information: a mapping relationship between the size relationship between the first bandwidth and the second bandwidth and the minimum length of the padding field; a mapping relationship between the first bandwidth and the minimum length of the padding field; a mapping relationship between the first bandwidth, at least two of the NSS and MCS adopted by the site device and the minimum length of the padding field.

[0071] In one possible design, the capability information includes a first duration and a second duration, where the first duration is the minimum duration of the padding field used when the first bandwidth is less than or equal to the second bandwidth, and the second duration is the minimum duration of the padding field used when the first bandwidth is greater than the second bandwidth; or

[0072] The capability information includes a third duration, where the third duration is a minimum duration of the padding field used when the first bandwidth is greater than the second bandwidth; or

[0073] The capability information includes multiple minimum durations of the padding field, and each minimum duration corresponds to one or more first bandwidths; or

[0074] The capability information includes multiple minimum durations of the padding fields, and one of the minimum durations corresponds to at least two of the first bandwidth, the NSS, and the MCS adopted by the site device.

[0075] In one possible design, the second bandwidth is an initial bandwidth used by the site device.

[0076] In one possible design, the first bandwidth is a bandwidth determined according to channel contention conditions.

[0077] In one possible design, the processing module is further configured to switch to the first bandwidth within a minimum duration of the padding field.

[0078] In one possible design, the wireless frame further includes a frame check field, where the frame check field is located after the padding field, or the frame check field is located before the padding field and after the control field.

[0079] In one possible design, the wireless frame is an initial frame or an initial control frame.

[0080] The operations and beneficial effects performed by the communication device can refer to the method and beneficial effects described in the second aspect above, and the repeated parts will be omitted.

[0081] In a fifth aspect, the present application provides a communication device, which includes a processor and a memory, wherein the memory is used to store a computer program; the processor is used to execute the computer program stored in the memory, so that the communication device performs the method as described in any one of the first aspects.

[0082] In a sixth aspect, the present application provides a communication device, comprising a processor and a memory, wherein the memory is used to store a computer program; the processor is used to execute the computer program stored in the memory so that the communication device performs a method as described in any one of the second aspects.

[0083] In a seventh aspect, the present application provides a communication device, which may be an access point device, a device within an access point device, or a device capable of being used in conjunction with an access point device. The communication device may also be a chip system. The communication device may execute the method described in the first aspect. The functions of the communication device may be implemented in hardware or by hardware executing corresponding software implementations. The hardware or software includes one or more modules corresponding to the above-mentioned functions. The modules may be software and / or hardware. The operations and beneficial effects performed by the communication device may refer to the methods and beneficial effects described in the first aspect above, and any repetitions will not be repeated.

[0084] In an eighth aspect, the present application provides a communication device, which may be a site device, a device within a site device, or a device capable of being used in conjunction with a site device. The communication device may also be a chip system. The communication device may execute the method described in the second aspect. The functions of the communication device may be implemented in hardware, or by hardware executing corresponding software implementations. The hardware or software includes one or more modules corresponding to the aforementioned functions. The modules may be software and / or hardware. The operations and beneficial effects performed by the communication device may refer to the methods and beneficial effects described in the second aspect above, and any repetitions will not be repeated.

[0085] In a ninth aspect, the present application provides a computer-readable storage medium for storing a computer program. When the computer program is executed, the method described in any one of the first and second aspects is implemented.

[0086] In a tenth aspect, the present application provides a computer program product comprising a computer program, which, when executed, enables the method described in any one of the first and second aspects to be implemented.

[0087] In an eleventh aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication system, which includes at least one site device and at least one access point device, wherein the access point device is used to execute the steps in the above-mentioned first aspect, and the site device is used to execute the steps in the above-mentioned second aspect.

[0088] In a twelfth aspect, a chip is provided, which includes a processor and a communication interface, wherein the communication interface is used to communicate with an external device or an internal device, and the processor is used to implement the methods in the above aspects.

[0089] In one possible design, the chip may further include a memory storing a computer program or instructions, and the processor is configured to execute the computer program or instructions stored in the memory, or other programs or instructions. When the computer program or instructions are executed, the processor is configured to implement the aforementioned various aspects of the method.

[0090] In one possible design, the chip can be integrated into a station device or an access point device. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0091] FIG1 is a schematic structural diagram of a communication system provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0092] FIG2 is a schematic diagram of bandwidth switching;

[0093] FIG3 is a flow chart of a communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0094] FIG4A is a schematic diagram of bandwidth switching;

[0095] FIG4B is a schematic diagram of another bandwidth switching;

[0096] FIG5A is a schematic diagram of bandwidth switching;

[0097] FIG5B is a schematic diagram of another bandwidth switching;

[0098] FIG6 is a schematic structural diagram of a communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0099] FIG7 is a schematic structural diagram of another communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0100] FIG8 is a schematic structural diagram of an access point device provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0101] FIG9 is a schematic structural diagram of a site device provided in an embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0102] As shown in Figure 1, Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication system provided in an embodiment of the present application. The communication system can be a wireless local area network, which includes at least one access point (AP) and at least one station (STA). The AP is a network element that provides services for the station and can be called an access point station (AP Station), for example, an access point that can support the 802.11 series of protocols. The station STA can be a station that supports the 802.11 series of protocols and can be called a non-AP station (non-AP STA), for example, an extremely high throughput (EHT) station, or a station that supports IEEE 802.11be, or a station that supports IEEE 802.11bn (WiFi 8).

[0103] In this communication system, an AP can be associated with multiple STAs, and one AP can transmit data with multiple STAs. For example, the AP in Figure 1 can transmit uplink or downlink data with three or more STAs. This communication system can be applied to communication between APs, between APs and STAs, and between STAs.

[0104] Currently, the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11 next-generation WiFi protocol devices can support multiple streams, multiple frequency bands (e.g., 2.4GHz, 5GHz, and 6GHz bands), and cooperation of multiple channels on the same frequency band to increase peak throughput and reduce service transmission latency. That is, the STA in the communication system shown in Figure 1 can transmit uplink or downlink data using multiple frequency bands or channels. That is, the STA can transmit uplink or downlink data using multiple links. The STA that transmits uplink or downlink data using multiple links can be called a multi-link STA. An IEEE 802.11 standard station that supports multiple links simultaneously can be called a multi-link device (MLD), and the internal entity responsible for any one link in the MLD is called an STA. An IEEE 802.11 standard station that supports only one link or an IEEE 802.11 standard station that only works on one link is called a single-link device (SLD). Since it only supports one link, it can also be called a single-link (SL) STA. If the MLD is an AP, it can be further referred to as a multi-link (ML) AP. If the MLD is a non-AP STA, it can be further referred to as an ML non-AP STA.

[0105] For example, the STA in the communication system shown in Figure 1 can be a multi-link STA, and the AP can also be a multi-link AP, that is, an AP that receives uplink data or sends downlink data through multiple links. A multi-link STA can include one or more STAs operating on multiple links; a multi-link AP can include one or more APs operating on multiple links.

[0106] For the aforementioned communication systems, when considering handover delay settings during communication between APs and STAs, it is important to ensure that the handover delay is sufficient to ensure the capability configuration switch is complete, while also minimizing the delay to achieve low-latency dynamic capability adjustment. For example, the IEEE 802.11be standard reduces the number of spatial streams (NSS) and modulation and coding scheme (MCS) in the low-power listening mode of the enhanced multi-link single radio (eMLSR), using a lower capability configuration to reduce power consumption. The NSS and MCS are then adjusted and increased when switching to data transmission mode.

[0107] The IEEE 802.11be (WiFi 7) standard does not introduce bandwidth adjustment when transitioning between low-power listening mode and data transmission mode. There is no dedicated latency design for bandwidth adjustment, which prevents clock switching from completing. Therefore, bandwidth adjustment is not supported. To introduce bandwidth adjustment, the latency required by STA bandwidth adjustment must be addressed. The latest solution is to add a padding field to the end of the initial control frame (ICF) sent by the AP. Figure 2 shows a schematic diagram of bandwidth switching. The duration of the padding field is used to cover the time required for STA bandwidth switching, allowing the STA to complete the bandwidth switch within the duration of the padding field. The STA then performs a clear channel assessment (CCA) within the short interframe space (SIFS) and, if the channel is clear, sends an ICF response to the AP. After receiving the ICF response, the AP can send data to the STA. The initial control frame can be a multi-user request to send (MU-RTS) frame, and the ICF response can be a clear to send (CTS) frame.

[0108] However, this technical solution has the following issues: First, the switching delay is not adjusted based on the actual bandwidth to be switched. Since a long switching delay is not required when the bandwidth remains unchanged, setting a uniform delay will result in unnecessary switching delay during dynamic capability configuration or dynamic energy conservation. Second, bandwidth depends on channel contention and is uncertain. Therefore, it is possible that the actual bandwidth obtained through contention and the initial bandwidth are consistent, which is not the case when adjusting the NSS and MCS parameters. The question of how to set different switching delays based on actual conditions is urgently needed.

[0109] In order to solve the above technical problems, the embodiments of the present application provide the following solutions.

[0110] As shown in FIG3 , FIG3 is a flow chart of a communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application. The method mainly includes the following steps:

[0111] S301. An access point device generates a wireless frame, where the wireless frame includes a control field and a padding field. The padding field is located after the control field. The control field is used to indicate a first bandwidth, which is the bandwidth of the wireless frame. The minimum length of the padding field is determined based on the first bandwidth.

[0112] Specifically, the access point device can add a padding field at the end of the control field. The actual duration of the padding field covers the time required for the phase-locked loop to generate the clock and wait for the clock to stabilize, allowing the station device to complete bandwidth switching within the actual duration of the padding field. The padding field can contain invalid data, and the actual duration of the padding field must be greater than or equal to the minimum padding field duration. In optimal scenarios, the actual duration of the padding field can be set to the minimum padding field duration to reduce latency.

[0113] Optionally, the wireless frame may further include a frame check field, which is located after the padding field, or before the padding field and after the control field. The frame check field is used to check the control field, and the frame check field may be a frame check sequence (FCS).

[0114] The wireless frame may be an initial frame or an initial control frame.

[0115] Optionally, the access point device may receive capability information sent by the site device, where the capability information is used to indicate the minimum length of the padding field. The access point device may determine the minimum length of the padding field based on the capability information reported by the site device and generate a radio frame. Optionally, when the site device establishes an association with the access point device, or when the dynamic energy saving mode is enabled, or when an update is required in the dynamic energy saving mode, the site device reports the capability information to the access point device. Optionally, the site device may report the capability information via an association request frame, a reassociation request frame, a dynamic energy saving mode enable frame, a dynamic energy saving mode notification frame, or other frames. The reported content may be included in a basic dynamic energy saving element in a (re)association request frame, a dynamic energy saving parameter field in a dynamic energy saving mode enable frame, a dynamic energy saving parameter update field in a dynamic energy saving mode notification frame, or other fields in these frames or other frames.

[0116] Specifically, the capability information may include a first duration and a second duration, wherein the first duration is the minimum duration of the padding field used when the first bandwidth is less than or equal to the second bandwidth, and the second duration is the minimum duration of the padding field used when the first bandwidth is greater than the second bandwidth. Alternatively, the capability information may include a third duration, wherein the third duration is the minimum duration of the padding field used when the first bandwidth is greater than the second bandwidth. Alternatively, the capability information may include multiple minimum durations of the padding field, with one minimum duration corresponding to one or more first bandwidths. Alternatively, the capability information includes multiple minimum durations of the padding field, with one minimum duration corresponding to at least two of the first bandwidth, the NSS, and the MCS adopted by the site device. The second bandwidth may be a specific value, or the second bandwidth may be the initial bandwidth used by the site device.

[0117] The capability information includes at least one of the following:

[0118] The first mapping relationship is a mapping relationship between the size relationship between the first bandwidth and the second bandwidth and the minimum length of the padding field. For example, when the first bandwidth is less than or equal to the second bandwidth, the minimum length of the padding field is d1; when the first bandwidth is greater than the second bandwidth, the minimum length of the padding field is d2, where d1 is less than d2. Alternatively, when the first bandwidth is less than or equal to the second bandwidth, the minimum length of the padding field is 0; when the first bandwidth is greater than the second bandwidth, the minimum length of the padding field is d3. In this way, when the AP sends an ICF, it refers to this mapping relationship to select the corresponding minimum length and add the padding field to the end of the control field.

[0119] The second mapping relationship is the mapping relationship between the first bandwidth and the minimum length of the padding field. For example, when the first bandwidth is 20MHz, the minimum length of the padding field is the first length d1; when the first bandwidth is 40MHz, the minimum length of the padding field is the second length d2; when the first bandwidth is 80MHz, the minimum length of the padding field is the third length d3; when the first bandwidth is 160MHz, the minimum length of the padding field is the fourth length d4. Of course, multiple first bandwidths can also correspond to one minimum length. For example, when the first bandwidth is 80MHz or 160MHz, the minimum length of the padding field is the fifth length d5. In this way, when the AP sends the ICF, it refers to the mapping relationship to select the corresponding minimum length and add the padding field at the end of the control field.

[0120] The third mapping relationship is the mapping relationship between the first bandwidth, at least two of the NSS and MCS adopted by the site device and the minimum duration of the padding field. Specifically, different values ​​of the same parameter combination (first bandwidth, NSS and MCS) correspond to different minimum durations of the padding field. For example, if the first bandwidth is 20MHz, the NSS is N1 and the MCS is mode 1, the minimum duration of the padding field is the first duration d1; if the first bandwidth is 40MHz, the NSS is N2 and the MCS is mode 2, the minimum duration of the padding field is the second duration d2; if the first bandwidth is 80MHz, the NSS is N3 and the MCS is mode 3, the minimum duration of the padding field is the third duration d3; if the first bandwidth is 160MHz, the NSS is N4 and the MCS is mode 4, the minimum duration of the padding field is the fourth duration d4. Alternatively, different values ​​of the same parameter combination (first bandwidth, NSS and MCS) correspond to the same minimum duration of the padding field. For example, when the first bandwidth is 80 MHz, the NSS is N5, and the MCS is mode 5, and when the first bandwidth is 160 MHz, the NSS is N6, and the MCS is mode 6, the minimum duration of the padding field is the fifth duration d5. Thus, when the AP sends an ICF, it refers to this mapping relationship and selects the corresponding minimum duration to add the padding field to the end of the control field.

[0121] It should be noted that adjusting any two or more of the multiple parameters falls within the scope of protection of this application. For example, the minimum length of the padding field may be set based on a combination of the first bandwidth and the MCS parameter, or the minimum length of the padding field may be set based on a combination of the first bandwidth and the NSS parameter, or the minimum length of the padding field may be set based on a combination of the NSS and the MCS parameter.

[0122] The control field in the radio frame is used to indicate a first bandwidth, which is the bandwidth of the radio frame, that is, the first bandwidth is the bandwidth used by the access point device to send the radio frame. Furthermore, the first bandwidth is the bandwidth to be switched determined by the access point device based on the contention channel situation. The access point device can determine the minimum length of the padding field based on the first bandwidth based on the above mapping relationship. Specifically, determining the minimum length of the padding field can include the following methods:

[0123] In one implementation, when the first bandwidth is less than or equal to the second bandwidth, the minimum duration of the padding field is the first duration, or, when the first bandwidth is greater than the second bandwidth, the minimum duration of the padding field is the second duration. The first duration is less than the second duration. That is, the access point device can determine the first bandwidth to be switched based on the contention channel situation, search the above-mentioned first mapping relationship based on the first bandwidth to be switched, determine the actual duration of the padding field, and add the padding field to the end of the initial control frame according to the actual duration of the padding field. If the first bandwidth to be switched is less than or equal to the second bandwidth, the actual duration of the padding field can be set to be greater than or equal to the first duration. If the first bandwidth to be switched is greater than the second bandwidth, the actual duration of the padding field can be set to be greater than or equal to the second duration.

[0124] As shown in Figure 4A, Figure 4A is a schematic diagram of bandwidth switching. When the STA is in low-power listening mode, an initial bandwidth of 20 MHz is used. If the first bandwidth to be switched is 20 MHz, the first bandwidth is equal to the initial bandwidth, and the actual duration of the padding field added by the access point device to the end of the initial control frame is D1, where the actual duration D1 is greater than or equal to the first duration d1. After the STA receives the control field from the AP, since the first bandwidth is equal to the initial bandwidth, there is no need to switch bandwidth.

[0125] As shown in Figure 4B, Figure 4B is a schematic diagram of another bandwidth switching. When the STA is in low-power listening mode, an initial bandwidth of 20 MHz is used. If the first bandwidth to be switched is 40 MHz or 80 MHz, the first bandwidth is greater than the initial bandwidth, and the actual duration of the padding field added by the AP at the end of the initial control frame is D2, where the actual duration D2 is greater than or equal to the second duration d2. After the STA receives the control field from the AP, it begins bandwidth switching within the actual duration D2 of the padding field according to the first bandwidth indicated by the control field. After completing the bandwidth switching, the STA performs a CCA and sends an ICF response.

[0126] In another implementation, when the first bandwidth is less than or equal to the second bandwidth, the minimum length of the padding field is 0, or, when the first bandwidth is greater than the second bandwidth, the minimum length of the padding field is a third length. That is, the access point device determines the first bandwidth to be switched based on the contention channel situation, searches the first mapping relationship described above based on the first bandwidth to be switched, determines the actual length of the padding field, and adds the padding field to the end of the initial control frame according to the actual length of the padding field. If the bandwidth of the radio frame is less than or equal to the second bandwidth, the actual length of the padding field can be set to be greater than or equal to 0. If the bandwidth of the radio frame is greater than the second bandwidth, the actual length of the padding field can be set to be greater than or equal to the third length.

[0127] Figure 5A illustrates bandwidth switching. When a STA is in low-power listening mode, it uses an initial bandwidth of 20 MHz. If the first bandwidth to be switched is 20 MHz, the first bandwidth equals the initial bandwidth, and the actual duration of the padding field added by the AP at the end of the initial control frame is zero. After the STA receives the control field from the AP, there is no need to switch bandwidth because the first bandwidth equals the initial bandwidth.

[0128] As shown in Figure 5B, Figure 5B is a schematic diagram of another bandwidth switching. When the STA is in low-power listening mode, an initial bandwidth of 20 MHz is used. If the first bandwidth to be switched is 40 MHz or 80 MHz, the first bandwidth is greater than the initial bandwidth, and the actual duration of the padding field added by the AP at the end of the initial control frame is D3, where the actual duration D3 is greater than or equal to the third duration d3. After the STA receives the control field from the AP, it begins bandwidth switching within the actual duration D3 of the padding field according to the first bandwidth indicated by the control field. After completing the bandwidth switching, the STA performs a CCA and sends an ICF response.

[0129] In another implementation, the minimum duration of the padding field corresponds to one or more of the first bandwidths. That is, the access point device determines the first bandwidth to be switched based on the contention channel situation, searches the second mapping relationship described above based on the first bandwidth to be switched, determines the actual duration of the padding field, and adds the padding field to the end of the initial control frame according to the actual duration of the padding field. For example, if the first bandwidth to be switched is 20 MHz, the actual duration of the padding field added by the AP to the end of the initial control frame is D1, where the actual duration D1 is greater than or equal to the first duration d1. If the first bandwidth to be switched is 40 MHz, the actual duration of the padding field added by the AP to the end of the initial control frame is D2, where the actual duration D2 is greater than or equal to the second duration d2. If the first bandwidth to be switched is 80 MHz, the actual duration of the padding field added by the AP to the end of the initial control frame is D3, where the actual duration D3 is greater than or equal to the third duration d3. If the first bandwidth to be switched is 160 MHz, the actual duration of the padding field added by the AP to the end of the initial control frame is D4, where the actual duration D4 is greater than or equal to the fourth duration d4. Alternatively, if the first bandwidth to be switched is 80 MHz or 160 MHz, the actual duration of the padding field added by the AP to the end of the initial control frame is D5, where the actual duration D5 is greater than or equal to the minimum duration d5.

[0130] In another implementation, the minimum length of the padding field is determined based on at least two of the first bandwidth, the NSS, and the MCS used by the station device. The station device can report the NSS and / or MCS that needs to be adjusted using an operating mode notification frame or similar frame in the existing standard (802.11be). That is, the access point device can determine the first bandwidth to be switched, at least two of the NSS and MCS reported by the station device based on the contention channel situation, search the third mapping relationship mentioned above, determine the actual length of the padding field, and add the padding field to the end of the initial control frame according to the actual length of the padding field. For example, if the first bandwidth to be switched is 20 MHz, the NSS reported by the STA is N1, and the MCS is mode 1, then the actual length of the padding field added by the AP to the end of the initial control frame is D1, where the actual length D1 is greater than or equal to the first length d1. If the first bandwidth to be switched is 40 MHz, the NSS reported by the STA is N2, and the MCS is mode 2, the actual duration of the padding field added by the AP to the end of the initial control frame is D2, where the actual duration D2 is greater than or equal to the second duration d2. Other cases are similar and are not listed here.

[0131] It should be noted that the above mapping relationship is only exemplary, and setting the minimum length of the corresponding padding field according to different rules is within the scope of protection of this application. By adjusting multiple parameters (bandwidth, NSS, MCS, etc.) in parallel and fine-tuning the minimum length of the padding field, the latency can be minimized.

[0132] S302: The access point device sends the wireless frame to the station device.

[0133] S303: The site device switches to the first bandwidth based on the wireless frame.

[0134] Specifically, after receiving the control field from the access point device, the station device starts bandwidth switching and switches to the first bandwidth within the minimum length of the padding field according to the first bandwidth indicated by the control field.

[0135] In this embodiment of the present application, taking into account the phase-locked loop (PLL) lock delay when adjusting bandwidth, different minimum padding field lengths are set for different first bandwidths. This allows site devices to complete bandwidth switching within the minimum padding field length, thereby ensuring successful bandwidth switching. Furthermore, this avoids unnecessary switching delays caused by setting a uniform delay during dynamic capability configuration or dynamic energy conservation, thereby improving communication efficiency.

[0136] It can be understood that in the above-mentioned method embodiments, the methods and operations implemented by the site device can also be implemented by components (such as chips or circuits) that can be used for the site device, and the methods and operations implemented by the access point device can also be implemented by components (such as chips or circuits) that can be used for the access point device.

[0137] In the embodiments of the present application, the functional modules of the site device or access point device can be divided according to the above-mentioned method examples. 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-mentioned integrated modules can be implemented in the form of hardware or software functional modules. It should be noted that the division of modules in the embodiments of the present application is schematic and is only a logical functional division. In actual implementation, other division methods can be used. The following is an example of dividing each functional module according to each function.

[0138] The method provided in the embodiment of the present application is described in detail above in conjunction with FIG3 . Below, the communication device provided in the embodiment of the present application is described in detail in conjunction with FIG6 and FIG7 . It should be understood that the description of the device embodiment corresponds to the description of the method embodiment. Therefore, for matters not described in detail, reference can be made to the method embodiment above. For the sake of brevity, they will not be repeated here.

[0139] 6 , which is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application. The communication device may include a receiving module 601 , a processing module 602 , and a sending module 603 .

[0140] This communication device can implement the steps or processes corresponding to those performed by the access point device in the above method embodiments. For example, it can be an access point device, or a chip or circuit configured in the access point device. Receiving module 601 and transmitting module 603 are used to perform the transmission and reception-related operations on the access point device side of the above method embodiments, and processing module 602 is used to perform the processing-related operations of the access point device in the above method embodiments.

[0141] a processing module 602, configured to generate a radio frame, the radio frame including a control field and a padding field, the padding field being located after the control field, the control field being used to indicate a first bandwidth, the first bandwidth being the bandwidth of the radio frame, and a minimum length of the padding field being determined based on the first bandwidth;

[0142] The sending module 603 is configured to send the wireless frame to the site device.

[0143] Optionally, when the first bandwidth is less than or equal to the second bandwidth, the minimum length of the padding field is the first length; or, when the first bandwidth is greater than the second bandwidth, the minimum length of the padding field is the second length.

[0144] Optionally, when the first bandwidth is less than or equal to the second bandwidth, the minimum length of the padding field is 0; or, when the first bandwidth is greater than the second bandwidth, the minimum length of the padding field is a third length.

[0145] Optionally, the minimum length of the padding field corresponds to one or more of the first bandwidths.

[0146] Optionally, the minimum length of the padding field is determined based on at least two of the first bandwidth, the number of spatial streams NSS adopted by the site device, and the modulation and coding strategy MCS.

[0147] Optionally, the receiving module 601 is configured to receive capability information sent by the site device, where the capability information is used to indicate a minimum length of the padding field.

[0148] Optionally, the capability information includes at least one of the following information: a mapping relationship between the size relationship between the first bandwidth and the second bandwidth and the minimum length of the padding field; a mapping relationship between the first bandwidth and the minimum length of the padding field; a mapping relationship between the first bandwidth, at least two of the NSS and MCS adopted by the site device and the minimum length of the padding field.

[0149] Optionally, the capability information includes a first duration and a second duration, the first duration being the minimum duration of the padding field used when the first bandwidth is less than or equal to the second bandwidth, and the second duration being the minimum duration of the padding field used when the first bandwidth is greater than the second bandwidth; or

[0150] The capability information includes a third duration, where the third duration is a minimum duration of the padding field used when the first bandwidth is greater than the second bandwidth; or

[0151] The capability information includes multiple minimum durations of the padding field, and each minimum duration corresponds to one or more first bandwidths; or

[0152] The capability information includes multiple minimum durations of the padding fields, and one of the minimum durations corresponds to at least two of the first bandwidth and the NSS and MCS adopted by the site device.

[0153] Optionally, the second bandwidth is an initial bandwidth used by the site device.

[0154] Optionally, the first bandwidth is a bandwidth determined according to channel contention conditions.

[0155] Optionally, the wireless frame further includes a frame check field, and the frame check field is located after the padding field, or the frame check field is located before the padding field and after the control field.

[0156] Optionally, the wireless frame is an initial frame or an initial control frame.

[0157] It should be noted that the implementation of each module may also correspond to the corresponding description of the method embodiment shown in FIG. 3 , and execute the method and functions executed by the access point device in the above embodiment.

[0158] 7 , which is a schematic diagram of the structure of another communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application. The communication device may include a receiving module 701 , a processing module 702 , and a sending module 703 .

[0159] This communication device can implement the steps or processes corresponding to those performed by the station device in the above method embodiments. For example, it can be a station device, or a chip or circuit configured in the station device. The receiving module 701 and the sending module 703 are used to perform the sending and receiving operations on the station device side of the above method embodiments, and the processing module 702 is used to perform the processing operations related to the station device in the above method embodiments.

[0160] A receiving module 701 is configured to receive a radio frame sent by an access point device, where the radio frame includes a control field and a padding field, where the padding field is located after the control field, the control field is used to indicate a first bandwidth, where the first bandwidth is the bandwidth of the radio frame, and a minimum length of the padding field is determined based on the first bandwidth;

[0161] The processing module 702 is configured to switch to the first bandwidth based on the radio frame.

[0162] Optionally, when the first bandwidth is less than or equal to the second bandwidth, the minimum length of the padding field is the first length; or, when the first bandwidth is greater than the second bandwidth, the minimum length of the padding field is the second length.

[0163] Optionally, when the first bandwidth is less than or equal to the second bandwidth, the minimum length of the padding field is 0; or, when the first bandwidth is greater than the second bandwidth, the minimum length of the padding field is a third length.

[0164] Optionally, the minimum length of the padding field corresponds to one or more of the first bandwidths.

[0165] Optionally, the minimum length of the padding field is determined based on at least two of the first bandwidth, the number of spatial streams NSS adopted by the site device, and the modulation and coding strategy MCS.

[0166] Optionally, the device further includes:

[0167] The sending module 703 is configured to send capability information to the access point device, where the capability information is used to indicate the minimum length of the padding field.

[0168] Optionally, the capability information includes at least one of the following information: a mapping relationship between the size relationship between the first bandwidth and the second bandwidth and the minimum length of the padding field; a mapping relationship between the first bandwidth and the minimum length of the padding field; a mapping relationship between the first bandwidth, at least two of the NSS and MCS adopted by the site device and the minimum length of the padding field.

[0169] Optionally, the capability information includes a first duration and a second duration, the first duration being the minimum duration of the padding field used when the first bandwidth is less than or equal to the second bandwidth, and the second duration being the minimum duration of the padding field used when the first bandwidth is greater than the second bandwidth; or

[0170] The capability information includes a third duration, where the third duration is a minimum duration of the padding field used when the first bandwidth is greater than the second bandwidth; or

[0171] The capability information includes multiple minimum durations of the padding field, and each minimum duration corresponds to one or more first bandwidths; or

[0172] The capability information includes multiple minimum durations of the padding fields, and one of the minimum durations corresponds to at least two of the first bandwidth, the NSS, and the MCS adopted by the site device.

[0173] Optionally, the second bandwidth is an initial bandwidth used by the site device.

[0174] Optionally, the first bandwidth is a bandwidth determined according to channel contention conditions.

[0175] Optionally, the processing module 702 is further configured to switch to the first bandwidth within the minimum duration of the padding field.

[0176] Optionally, the wireless frame further includes a frame check field, and the frame check field is located after the padding field, or the frame check field is located before the padding field and after the control field.

[0177] Optionally, the wireless frame is an initial frame or an initial control frame.

[0178] It should be noted that the implementation of each module may also correspond to the corresponding description of the method embodiment shown in FIG3 , and execute the method and functions executed by the site device in the above embodiment.

[0179] Figure 8 is a schematic diagram of the structure of an access point device provided in an embodiment of the present application. The access point device can be applied to the system shown in Figure 1 to perform the functions of the access point device in the above method embodiment, or to implement the steps or processes performed by the access point device in the above method embodiment.

[0180] As shown in Figure 8, the access point device includes a processor 801 and a transceiver 802. Optionally, the access point device also includes a memory 803. The processor 801, transceiver 802, and memory 803 can communicate with each other via internal connection paths to transmit control and / or data signals. The memory 803 is used to store computer programs, and the processor 801 is used to retrieve and execute the computer programs from the memory 803 to control the transceiver 802 to transmit and receive signals. Optionally, the access point device may also include an antenna for transmitting uplink data or uplink control signaling output by the transceiver 802 via wireless signals.

[0181] The processor 801 and the memory 803 may be combined into a processing device, and the processor 801 is configured to execute the program code stored in the memory 803 to implement the above functions. In a specific implementation, the memory 803 may also be integrated into the processor 801 or independent of the processor 801. The processor 801 may correspond to the processing module in FIG6 .

[0182] The transceiver 802 may correspond to the receiving module and transmitting module in FIG6 , and may also be referred to as a transceiver unit or transceiver module. The transceiver 802 may include a receiver (or receiver, receiving circuit) and a transmitter (or transmitter, transmitting circuit). The receiver is used to receive signals, and the transmitter is used to transmit signals.

[0183] It should be understood that the access point device shown in FIG8 is capable of implementing the various processes related to the access point device in the method embodiment shown in FIG3 . The operations and / or functions of the various modules in the access point device are respectively for implementing the corresponding processes in the aforementioned method embodiment. For details, please refer to the description of the aforementioned method embodiment; to avoid repetition, detailed descriptions are omitted here.

[0184] The processor 801 may be configured to execute the actions implemented within the access point device as described in the previous method embodiments, while the transceiver 802 may be configured to execute the actions of the access point device sending to or receiving from the station device as described in the previous method embodiments. For details, please refer to the description of the previous method embodiments and will not be repeated here.

[0185] The processor 801 may be a central processing unit (CPU), a general-purpose processor (GPOR), a digital signal processor (DSP), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), or other programmable logic device (PLD), a transistor logic device (TLD), a hardware component, or any combination thereof. It may implement or execute the various exemplary logic blocks, modules, and circuits described in conjunction with the disclosure of this application. The processor 801 may also be a combination that implements computing functions, such as a combination of one or more microprocessors, a combination of a DSP and a microprocessor, and so on. The communication bus 804 may be a Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) bus or an Extended Industrial Standard Architecture (EISA) bus. These buses may be categorized as address buses, data buses, control buses, and so on. For ease of illustration, FIG8 shows only one bold line, but this does not imply that there is only one bus or type of bus. The communication bus 804 is used to facilitate communication between these components. In the embodiment of this application, the transceiver 802 is used to communicate signaling or data with other node devices. Memory 803 may include volatile memory, such as nonvolatile dynamic random access memory (NVRAM), phase change RAM (PRAM), magnetoresistive RAM (MRAM), etc. It may also include non-volatile memory, such as at least one disk storage device, electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), flash memory devices, such as NOR flash memory or NAND flash memory, semiconductor devices, such as solid state drives (SSDs), etc. Memory 803 may optionally be at least one storage device located remotely from the processor 801. Memory 803 may optionally also store a set of computer program code or configuration information. Optionally, processor 801 may also execute a program stored in memory 803. The processor may cooperate with the memory and transceiver to perform any of the methods and functions of the access point device described in the aforementioned embodiments.

[0186] Figure 9 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a site device provided in an embodiment of the present application. The site device can be applied to the system shown in Figure 1 to perform the functions of the site device in the above method embodiment, or to implement the steps or processes performed by the site device in the above method embodiment.

[0187] As shown in Figure 9, the site device includes a processor 901 and a transceiver 902. Optionally, the site device also includes a memory 903. The processor 901, transceiver 902, and memory 903 can communicate with each other via internal connection paths to transmit control and / or data signals. The memory 903 is used to store computer programs, and the processor 901 is used to retrieve and execute the computer programs from the memory 903 to control the transceiver 902 to transmit and receive signals. Optionally, the site device may also include an antenna for transmitting uplink data or uplink control signaling output by the transceiver 902 via wireless signals.

[0188] The processor 901 and the memory 903 may be combined into a processing device, and the processor 901 is configured to execute the program code stored in the memory 903 to implement the above functions. In a specific implementation, the memory 903 may also be integrated into the processor 901 or independent of the processor 901. The processor 901 may correspond to the processing module in FIG7 .

[0189] The transceiver 902 may correspond to the receiving module and transmitting module in FIG7 , and may also be referred to as a transceiver unit or transceiver module. The transceiver 902 may include a receiver (or receiver, receiving circuit) and a transmitter (or transmitter, transmitting circuit). The receiver is used to receive signals, and the transmitter is used to transmit signals.

[0190] It should be understood that the site device shown in FIG9 is capable of implementing each process related to the site device in the method embodiment shown in FIG3 . The operations and / or functions of each module in the site device are respectively for implementing the corresponding processes in the above method embodiment. For details, please refer to the description of the above method embodiment; to avoid repetition, detailed description is omitted here.

[0191] The processor 901 can be used to execute the actions implemented within the station device described in the previous method embodiments, while the transceiver 902 can be used to execute the actions of the station device sending to or receiving from the access point device described in the previous method embodiments. For details, please refer to the description of the previous method embodiments and will not be repeated here.

[0192] The processor 901 may be any of the aforementioned types of processors. The communication bus 904 may be a PCI bus or an EISA bus, for example. These buses may be classified as address buses, data buses, and control buses. For ease of illustration, FIG9 shows a single thick line, but this does not imply a single bus or type of bus. The communication bus 904 is used to enable communication between these components. The transceiver 902 of the device in the embodiments of the present application is used to communicate signaling or data with other devices. The memory 903 may be any of the aforementioned types of memory. The memory 903 may optionally be at least one storage device located remotely from the processor 901. The memory 903 stores a set of computer program code or configuration information, and the processor 901 executes the program in the memory 903. The processor may cooperate with the memory and transceiver to perform any of the methods and functions of the station device in the embodiments of the present application.

[0193] An embodiment of the present application also provides a chip system, which includes a processor for supporting a site device or an access point device to implement the functions involved in any of the above embodiments, such as generating or processing the wireless frames involved in the above method.

[0194] In one possible design, the chip system may also include a memory for storing computer programs and data necessary for the station device or access point device. The chip system may consist solely of a chip or may include a chip and other discrete components. The inputs and outputs of the chip system correspond to the receive and transmit operations of the station device or access point device in the method embodiment, respectively.

[0195] According to the method provided in the embodiments of the present application, the present application also provides a computer program product, which includes: a computer program, which, when running on a computer, enables the computer to execute the method of any one of the embodiments shown in Figure 3.

[0196] According to the method provided in the embodiments of the present application, the present application also provides a computer-readable medium, which stores a computer program. When the computer program runs on a computer, the computer executes the method of any one of the embodiments shown in Figure 3.

[0197] According to the method provided in the embodiment of the present application, the present application also provides a communication system, which includes the aforementioned one or more site devices and one or more access point devices.

[0198] In the above embodiments, all or part of the embodiments may be implemented by software, hardware, firmware, or any combination thereof. When implemented using software, all or part of the embodiments may be implemented in the form of a computer program product. The computer program product includes one or more computer instructions. When the computer instructions are loaded and executed on a computer, all or part of the processes or functions described in the embodiments of the present application are generated. The computer may be a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a computer network, or other programmable device. The computer instructions may 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 may 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 may be any available medium that a computer can access or a data storage device such as a server or data center that includes one or more available media integrated therein. The available medium may be a magnetic medium (eg, a floppy disk, a hard disk, a magnetic tape), an optical medium (eg, a high-density digital video disc (DVD)), or a semiconductor medium (eg, a solid state disc (SSD)).

[0199] The above description is merely a specific embodiment of the present application, but the scope of protection of the present application is not limited thereto. Any changes or substitutions that can be easily conceived by a person skilled in the art within the technical scope disclosed in this application should be included in the scope of protection of this application. Therefore, the scope of protection of this application should be based on the scope of protection of the claims.

Claims

1. A communication method, characterized in that: The method comprises: Generate a radio frame, the radio frame comprising a control field and a padding field, the padding field is located after the control field, the control field is used to indicate a first bandwidth, the first bandwidth is the bandwidth of the radio frame, and the minimum length of the padding field is determined according to the first bandwidth; The wireless frame is sent to the station device.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that When the first bandwidth is less than or equal to the second bandwidth, the minimum length of the padding field is the first length, or, when the first bandwidth is greater than the second bandwidth, the minimum length of the padding field is the second length.

3. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that When the first bandwidth is less than or equal to the second bandwidth, the minimum length of the padding field is 0, or, when the first bandwidth is greater than the second bandwidth, the minimum length of the padding field is a third length.

4. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that The minimum length of the padding field corresponds to one or more of the first bandwidths.

5. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that The minimum length of the padding field is determined according to at least two of the first bandwidth, the number of spatial streams NSS adopted by the site device, and the modulation and coding strategy MCS.

6. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that: The method further comprises: Capability information sent by the site device is received, where the capability information is used to indicate a minimum length of the padding field.

7. The method according to claim 6, characterized in that The capability information includes at least one of the following information: a mapping relationship between the size relationship between the first bandwidth and the second bandwidth and the minimum length of the padding field; a mapping relationship between the first bandwidth and the minimum length of the padding field; a mapping relationship between the first bandwidth, at least two of the NSS and MCS adopted by the site device and the minimum length of the padding field.

8. The method according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that The capability information includes a first duration and a second duration, the first duration being a minimum duration of the padding field used when the first bandwidth is less than or equal to a second bandwidth, and the second duration being a minimum duration of the padding field used when the first bandwidth is greater than the second bandwidth; or The capability information includes a third duration, where the third duration is a minimum duration of the padding field used when the first bandwidth is greater than the second bandwidth; or The capability information includes a plurality of minimum durations of the padding field, and one of the minimum durations corresponds to one or more first bandwidths; or The capability information includes multiple minimum durations of the padding field, and one of the minimum durations corresponds to at least two of the first bandwidth and the NSS and MCS adopted by the site device.

9. The method according to claim 2, 3, 7 or 8, characterized in that The second bandwidth is an initial bandwidth used by the site device.

10. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that: The first bandwidth is a bandwidth determined according to channel contention conditions.

11. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that: The wireless frame further includes a frame check field, and the frame check field is located after the padding field, or the frame check field is located before the padding field and after the control field.

12. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that: The radio frame is an initial frame or an initial control frame.

13. A communication method, characterized in that: The method comprises: Receive a radio frame sent by an access point device, the radio frame comprising a control field and a padding field, the padding field being located after the control field, the control field being used to indicate a first bandwidth, the first bandwidth being the bandwidth of the radio frame, and the minimum length of the padding field being determined according to the first bandwidth; Based on the radio frame, switching to the first bandwidth is performed.

14. The method according to claim 13, characterized in that When the first bandwidth is less than or equal to the second bandwidth, the minimum length of the padding field is the first length, or, when the first bandwidth is greater than the second bandwidth, the minimum length of the padding field is the second length.

15. The method according to claim 13, characterized in that When the first bandwidth is less than or equal to the second bandwidth, the minimum length of the padding field is 0, or, when the first bandwidth is greater than the second bandwidth, the minimum length of the padding field is a third length.

16. The method according to claim 13, characterized in that The minimum length of the padding field corresponds to one or more of the first bandwidths.

17. The method according to claim 13, characterized in that The minimum length of the padding field is determined according to at least two of the first bandwidth, the number of spatial streams NSS adopted by the site device, and the modulation and coding strategy MCS.

18. The method according to any one of claims 13 to 17, characterized in that: The method further comprises: Capability information is sent to the access point device, where the capability information is used to indicate a minimum length of the padding field.

19. The method according to claim 18, characterized in that The capability information includes at least one of the following information: a mapping relationship between the size relationship between the first bandwidth and the second bandwidth and the minimum length of the padding field; a mapping relationship between the first bandwidth and the minimum length of the padding field; a mapping relationship between the first bandwidth, at least two of the NSS and MCS adopted by the site device and the minimum length of the padding field.

20. The method according to claim 18 or 19, characterized in that The capability information includes a first duration and a second duration, the first duration being a minimum duration of the padding field used when the first bandwidth is less than or equal to a second bandwidth, and the second duration being a minimum duration of the padding field used when the first bandwidth is greater than the second bandwidth; or The capability information includes a third duration, where the third duration is a minimum duration of the padding field used when the first bandwidth is greater than the second bandwidth; or The capability information includes a plurality of minimum durations of the padding field, and one of the minimum durations corresponds to one or more first bandwidths; or The capability information includes multiple minimum durations of the padding field, and one of the minimum durations corresponds to at least two of the first bandwidth, the NSS and the MCS adopted by the site device.

21. The method of claim 14, 15, 19 or 20, wherein: The second bandwidth is an initial bandwidth used by the site device.

22. The method according to any one of claims 13 to 21, characterized in that: The first bandwidth is a bandwidth determined according to channel contention conditions.

23. The method according to any one of claims 13 to 22, characterized in that The switching to the first bandwidth based on the radio frame includes: Within the minimum duration of the padding field, switch to the first bandwidth.

24. The method according to any one of claims 13 to 23, characterized in that The wireless frame further includes a frame check field, and the frame check field is located after the padding field, or the frame check field is located before the padding field and after the control field.

25. The method according to any one of claims 13 to 24, characterized in that The radio frame is an initial frame or an initial control frame.

26. A communication device, characterized in that: The communication device comprises a memory and a processor, wherein the memory is used to store a computer program, and the processor runs the computer program to enable the communication device to perform the method according to any one of claims 1 to 12.

27. A communication device, characterized in that: The device comprises a memory and a processor, wherein the memory is used to store a computer program, and the processor runs the computer program to enable the communication device to perform the method according to any one of claims 13 to 25.

28. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that: The computer-readable storage medium comprises a computer program, and when the computer program is executed by a processor, the method according to any one of claims 1 to 25 is implemented.

29. A chip, characterized in that: The chip includes a processor and a communication interface, wherein the communication interface is used to communicate with an external device or an internal device, and the processor is used to implement the method according to any one of claims 1-25.

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