Channel access method and device, and storage medium

Abstract

Provided in the present application are a channel access method and device, and a storage medium. The method comprises: combining access points in a pre-configured access point set that participate in a coordinated operation and channel resource contention to form a corresponding candidate access point set; and using as a first-type access point a candidate access point in the candidate access point set that first successfully preempts a channel resource, and sending a coordinated trigger frame to the other access points in the access point set by means of the first-type access point, such that the other access points in the access point set perform channel access.

Description

Channel access method, device and storage medium Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to the field of communication technology, and in particular to a channel access method, device, and storage medium. Background Art

[0002] During the collaborative operation of multiple access points (APs), channel utilization efficiency depends on the following three situations: First, whether the AP sharing the channel resources (referred to as sharing AP for short) detects that the primary channel (Primary Channel) is idle. Figure 1 is a channel status diagram of a sharing AP and a shared AP provided by the relevant technology. As shown in Figure 1, the sharing AP and the AP with shared channel resources (shared AP) both operate in the 6GHz frequency band and 320MHz bandwidth. The primary 20MHz (P20) of the sharing AP is in the high frequency band, while the P20 of the shared AP is in the low frequency band. When the sharing AP detects channel interference on P20, the sharing AP has to avoid and wait for the channel to be idle, causing a delay in this multi-AP collaboration; second, when the P20 channel is idle, the size of the sharing AP's random backoff window (Back off windows) directly determines the channel utilization efficiency. Figure 2 is an implementation diagram of a random backoff window and channel access provided by the relevant technology. As shown in Figure 2, the sharing AP sends a trigger frame (Trigger Frame) in the random window state of instance (case 1). Comparing the trigger frame sent in the random window state (Frame, TF) with that in case 2, it is clear that the larger the random window, the longer the waiting time for the sharing AP to access the channel, and the lower the channel utilization. Third, Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of the implementation of the channel access delay caused by detecting a busy channel during a random window fallback process provided by the related art. When the P20 channel is idle, the sharing AP randomly selects a fallback window and starts a countdown counter. According to the Carrier Sense Multiple Access / Collision Avoidance (CSMA / CA) channel access rules, during the fallback process, if an interference signal or other Wi-Fi signal is detected on P20, the sharing AP will stop channel detection and wait for the interference signal or other Wi-Fi signal to complete transmission before continuing to fallback. The channel access delay of the entire multi-AP collaborative process is shown in Figure 3. Therefore, how to improve the channel utilization efficiency during multi-AP collaborative operation is an urgent problem to be solved.

[0003] Summary of the Invention

[0004] In view of this, embodiments of the present application provide a channel access method, device, and storage medium to improve channel utilization efficiency.

[0005] This embodiment of the present application provides a channel access method, including:

[0006] Each access point in the pre-configured access point set that participates in cooperative operation and channel resource competition forms a corresponding candidate access point set;

[0007] The first candidate access point in the candidate access point set that successfully seizes channel resources is used as a first type access point, and a coordination trigger frame is sent to other access points in the access point set through the first type access point, so that other access points in the access point set can access the channel.

[0008] An embodiment of the present application provides a channel access device, including:

[0009] a generating module configured to form a corresponding candidate access point set from each access point in the pre-configured access point set that participates in the cooperative operation and the channel resource competition;

[0010] The channel access module is configured to select the first candidate access point in the candidate access point set that successfully seizes channel resources as a first-type access point, and send a coordination trigger frame to other access points in the access point set through the first-type access point, so that the other access points in the access point set can access the channel.

[0011] An embodiment of the present application provides a communication device, comprising: a memory, and one or more processors;

[0012] The memory is configured to store one or more programs;

[0013] When the one or more programs are executed by the one or more processors, the one or more processors implement the method described in any one of the above embodiments.

[0014] An embodiment of the present application provides a storage medium storing a computer program. When the computer program is executed by a processor, the method described in any one of the above embodiments is implemented. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] FIG1 is a schematic diagram of a channel state of a sharing AP and a shared AP provided by the related art;

[0016] FIG2 is a schematic diagram of an implementation of a random backoff window and channel access provided by the related art;

[0017] FIG3 is a schematic diagram of a channel access delay caused by detecting a busy channel during a random window backoff process provided by a related art;

[0018] FIG4 is a schematic diagram of an implementation of a multi-link connection establishment process provided by the related art;

[0019] FIG5 is a schematic diagram of an implementation of an AP MLD and NSTR non-AP MLD multi-link synchronous transmission mode provided by the related art;

[0020] FIG6 is a flow chart of a channel access method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0021] FIG7 is a schematic diagram illustrating a state transition relationship in a multi-AP collaboration process according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0022] FIG8 is a schematic diagram illustrating an implementation of two PAPs competing for channel resources simultaneously according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0023] FIG9 is a schematic diagram illustrating an implementation of two PAPs competing for channel resources non-simultaneously according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0024] 10 is a schematic diagram of an implementation of the present application providing a PAP using an uncleared backoff window to seize channel resources and transmit a PPDU;

[0025] FIG11 is a schematic diagram of an implementation of a PAP delay waiting to send a TF according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0026] FIG12 is a structural block diagram of a channel access device provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0027] FIG13 is a schematic structural diagram of a communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0028] The following describes the embodiments of the present application in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. The following describes the present application in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. The examples are only used to explain the present application and are not used to limit the scope of the present application.

[0029] In order to facilitate the understanding of the solution of this application, the channel access technology involved in this application is explained.

[0030] First, Fiber-To-The-Room (FTTR) technology uses optical fiber to connect APs (such as routers) in different rooms or locations in scenarios such as homes or small and medium-sized enterprises, thereby providing high-bandwidth and high-reliability connections between multiple APs. It can use a point-to-multipoint optical distribution network to achieve the connection between the master control AP and the slave AP.

[0031] Second, channel access technology based on Carrier Sense Multiple Access with Collision Avoidance (CSMA / CA): In a Wi-Fi network, the access point (AP) and connected devices share the same wireless medium for data communication. Wi-Fi's wireless medium access principle involves enabling each device to avoid each other, competing on an equal footing to gain access to the wireless medium and then transmit data.

[0032] Its basic principle is the CSMA / CA mechanism. That is, when multiple devices use a wireless channel to send data at the same time, each device first needs to listen to the channel. When it determines that the channel is idle, it randomly selects a backoff window and counts down after a frame interval to obtain the opportunity to send data to the wireless channel.

[0033] Third, the Wi-Fi 7 protocol introduces Multi-Link Operation (MLO) technology, which means that Multi-Link Devices (MLD), including network devices (AP MLD) and terminal devices (non-AP MLD), can transmit data simultaneously on multiple links, improving data transmission throughput and reducing latency.

[0034] After a four-way handshake on a link, the AP MLD and non-AP MLD generate an MLO-level temporary pairwise transient key (PTK) and a link-level group temporary key (GTK). These keys are used to encrypt and decrypt transmitted unicast data frames and anchor data frames, respectively, ensuring the security of data transmission. For example, Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of a multi-link connection establishment process provided by related art. As shown in Figure 4, both the AP MLD and non-AP MLD include three links operating at 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, and 6 GHz. The AP MLD and non-AP MLD complete authentication, connection, and the four-way handshake on the 2.4 GHz link. Once the multi-link connection is established, data can be transmitted on all three links.

[0035] Fourth, the Wi-Fi 7 protocol defines Non-Simultaneous Transmit and Receive (NSTR) devices. When physical layer protocol data units (PPDUs) need to be transmitted on two links, the time of sending and receiving PPDUs, especially the end time of the PPDUs, needs to be aligned.

[0036] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of an implementation of an AP MLD and NSTR non-AP MLD multi-link synchronous transmission mode provided by the related art. As shown in Figure 5, AP MLD and NSTR non-AP MLD establish a connection on two links. AP1 and AP2 simultaneously transmit data to Terminal 1 (Station1, STA1) and STA2 on the two links, and simultaneously receive confirmation frames replied by STA1 and STA2.

[0037] Fifth, the Wi-Fi 8 protocol uses ultra-high reliability (UHR) technology to improve transmission stability, including reducing latency, increasing throughput, and reducing packet loss rate.

[0038] One approach is to share transmission opportunities (TXOPs) between overlapping Basic Service Sets (BSSs), reducing conflicts between BSSs due to channel competition, which in turn reduces channel utilization. The general steps can be described as follows:

[0039] (1) Multiple APs negotiate to form a multi-AP collaborative group;

[0040] (2) Select an AP from the multi-AP collaboration group as the sharing AP and one or more APs as shared APs;

[0041] (3) The shared AP sends the channel resource requirements and / or cached data status to the sharing AP;

[0042] (4) After the sharing AP competes for channel resources, it allocates resource units (RUs) and / or TXOP time slices to one or more shared APs (including the sharing AP itself) in the Trigger frame according to the shared AP's requirements.

[0043] (5) After obtaining the RU, the shared AP transmits downlink data to the STAs in the BSS on the given RU and / or TXOP time slice;

[0044] (6) Repeat the above process.

[0045] The present invention proposes a solution for improving channel utilization during multi-AP collaboration. The solution is broadly described as follows: Multiple candidate access points (also known as Potential Sharing APs, PAPs) are selected to jointly seize the channel. The first AP to secure the channel resource serves as the actual sharing AP and sends a trigger frame for multi-AP collaboration, thereby improving channel utilization efficiency.

[0046] In one embodiment, FIG6 is a flow chart of a channel access method provided by an embodiment of the present application. This embodiment is applicable to a situation where multiple candidate access points jointly preempt channel resources. This embodiment can be executed by an access point. As shown in FIG6 , this embodiment includes: S110-S120.

[0047] S110: Each access point in the pre-configured access point set that participates in cooperative operation and channel resource competition is grouped into a corresponding candidate access point set.

[0048] The access point set can be understood as all access points participating in this collaborative operation; the candidate access point set can be understood as all access points participating in both this collaborative operation and channel resource competition. In one embodiment, the candidate access point set is a subset of the access point set, i.e., all candidate access points included in the candidate access point set are access points in the access point set. Each access point in the access point set can also be referred to as a participating access point, i.e., access points participating in this collaborative operation are referred to as participating access points. In one embodiment, multiple access points in the access point set can be made candidate access points through negotiation or configuration. In one embodiment, all access points participating in this collaborative operation can also be made candidate access points by default, i.e., the access points included in the candidate access point set are completely equivalent to the access points included in the access point set.

[0049] S120: The first candidate access point in the candidate access point set that successfully seizes channel resources is selected as a first-type access point, and a coordination trigger frame is sent to other access points in the access point set through the first-type access point, so that the other access points in the access point set can access the channel.

[0050] In one embodiment, a first-type access point refers to the first candidate access point that successfully seizes channel resources and engages in channel resource sharing. Each candidate access point in the candidate access point set participates in cooperative operation and channel resource competition, but the first candidate access point that successfully seizes channel resources serves as the first-type access point. The first-type access point sends a cooperative trigger frame to the other access points in the access point set, enabling each access point in the access point set to access the channel and transmit downlink data to terminal devices within the BSS using allocated resource units and / or TXOP time slices.

[0051] In one embodiment, the second type of access points in the access point set include at least one of the following: access points that participate in cooperative operation and do not participate in channel resource contention; access points that participate in cooperative operation and participate in channel resource contention but fail to successfully seize channel resources; and all access points in the candidate access point set that receive a cooperative trigger frame. In one example, access points in the access point set that participate in this cooperative operation but do not participate in channel resource contention are considered second type access points; in another example, access points in the access point set that participate in this cooperative operation and participate in channel resource contention but fail to successfully seize channel resources are considered second type access points; and candidate access points in the candidate access point set that receive a cooperative trigger frame sent by a first type access point become second type access points.

[0052] In one embodiment, after a coordinated operation between a second type access point and a first type access point is completed, the states of the first type access point and the second type access point are restored to their initial access point states. During multi-access point coordination, the initial state of each access point in the access point set is the initial access point state. In one example, after a coordinated operation between a first type access point and a second type access point is completed, the states of the first type access point and the second type access point are restored to their initial access point states.

[0053] In one embodiment, each candidate access point in the candidate access point set shares resource requirement information and its current channel state information. Each candidate access point in the candidate access point set shares its own resource requirement information and its own current channel state information; the current channel state information indicates whether the channel corresponding to each candidate access point is idle; and the resource requirement information indicates the channel resources required by each candidate access point.

[0054] In one embodiment, each candidate access point in the set of candidate access points records resource requirement information and current channel state information of each candidate access point in the set of candidate access points, so that when a candidate access point becomes a second-type access point, resource sharing can be performed on the candidate access point based on the resource requirement information, and channel allocation can be performed on the candidate access point based on the current channel state information.

[0055] In one embodiment, resource requirement information and current channel state information between each candidate access point in the candidate access point set are exchanged via a wired or wireless connection.

[0056] In one embodiment, each access point in the access point set participating in the collaborative operation selects the same or different primary channels. The primary channel refers to the P20 operating channel corresponding to each access point. In one example, each access point in the access point set participating in the collaborative operation may select the same primary channel or a different primary channel.

[0057] In one embodiment, each candidate access point in the candidate access point set randomly adopts a different backoff window and simultaneously initiates contention for channel resources. Simultaneously initiating contention for channel resources can be understood as initiating contention for channel resources at the same time.

[0058] In one embodiment, the reason why each candidate access point in the candidate access point set does not simultaneously initiate contention for channel resources includes one of the following: the current channel state of the primary channel corresponding to each candidate access point is different; or the internal scheduling state of each candidate access point is different. The current channel state indicates whether the primary channel corresponding to each candidate access point is occupied, and the current channel state includes: busy state; idle state. In one example, if the busy state and idle state of the primary channel corresponding to each candidate access point in the candidate access point set are different, multiple candidate access points in the candidate access point set will not simultaneously initiate contention for channel resources. In another example, if the internal scheduling state of each candidate access point in the candidate access point set is different, multiple candidate access points in the candidate access point set will not simultaneously initiate contention for channel resources.

[0059] In one embodiment, before a first-type access point sends a coordination trigger frame to other access points in the access point set, the first-type access point sends a control frame to preempt a channel. When a backoff window countdown for a candidate access point in the candidate access point set reaches 0, the candidate access point becomes a first-type access point and, before sending the coordination trigger frame, the candidate access point sends a control frame to preempt a channel and notifies the other access points and terminal devices in the access point set that the candidate access point has successfully preempted channel resources.

[0060] In one embodiment, the condition for a candidate access point to not immediately send a coordination trigger frame when its backoff window countdown reaches 0 includes at least one of the following: the current channel status of other candidate access points in the candidate access point set is busy; or other links belonging to the same multi-link access device as the candidate access point with the backoff window countdown reaching 0 are busy. In another example, the condition for a candidate access point in the candidate access point set to not immediately send a coordination trigger frame when its backoff window countdown reaches 0 may include: other candidate access points in the candidate access point set are busy; or other links belonging to the same multi-link access device as the candidate access point with the backoff window countdown reaching 0 are busy, making multi-link simultaneous transmission impossible.

[0061] In one embodiment, when a candidate access point is converted to a second-type access point, the remaining time of the backoff window corresponding to the second-type access point is cleared. When a candidate access point in the candidate access point set is converted to a second-type access point, the remaining time of the backoff window corresponding to the candidate access point is cleared.

[0062] In one embodiment, when a candidate access point is converted to a second-type access point, the remaining time of the backoff window corresponding to the second-type access point is not cleared, and the remaining time of the backoff window is used for channel resource contention after the current coordinated operation. When a candidate access point in the candidate access point set is converted to a second-type access point, the remaining time of the backoff window corresponding to the candidate access point is not cleared, and the remaining time of the backoff window is used for channel resource contention after the current multi-access point coordinated operation.

[0063] In one embodiment, FIG7 is a schematic diagram of a state transition relationship in a multi-AP collaboration process provided by an embodiment of the present application. As shown in FIG7 , in the multi-AP collaboration process, the initial state of each AP in the multi-AP collaboration group is an initial AP.

[0064] In step 1, the AP participating in this collaborative operation changes its status to Participant AP (abbreviated as Participator AP), which constitutes the corresponding access point set.

[0065] In step 2, the APs participating in the channel resource competition become candidate APs, also known as potential sharing APs (PAPs), forming the corresponding candidate access point set. Furthermore, the APs in the access point set that do not participate in the channel resource competition become shared APs.

[0066] In step 3, the Potential Sharing AP that successfully obtains channel resources and first sends a trigger frame changes its status to Sharing AP.

[0067] Step 4: The status of the Potential sharing AP that receives the collaboration trigger frame sent by the sharing AP changes to shared AP.

[0068] Step 5: When a collaborative operation of the Sharing AP and the Shared AP is completed (or the TXOP time ends), their states return to the initial AP.

[0069] In one embodiment, Figure 8 is a schematic diagram of the implementation of two PAPs competing for channel resources simultaneously provided by an embodiment of the present application. As shown in Figure 8, two candidate access points in the candidate access point set (PAP-1 and PAP-2, respectively) randomly adopt different backoff windows and count down at time T0. When the backoff window countdown of PAP-2 is 0 (that is, at time T1), PAP-2 sends a cooperation trigger frame to the multiple AP cooperation participants in the access point set including PAP-1. After a time interval of the short interframe space (SIFS), the multiple APs transmit PPDUs on their respective allocated RU resources and within the TXOP time.

[0070] In one embodiment, Figure 9 illustrates an implementation of two PAPs competing for channel resources non-simultaneously, as provided by an embodiment of the present application. As shown in Figure 9, two candidate access points (PAP-1 and PAP-2) in a candidate access point set select different P20 channels. At time T0, PAP-1 detects the channel is busy and falls back to wait. PAP-2 selects a random fallback window and counts down at time T0. At time T1, PAP-1 detects the channel is idle (including the IFS wait interval), and then selects a random fallback window and counts down. Meanwhile, during the countdown, PAP-2 detects the channel is busy and is forced to pause the countdown and wait for the channel to become idle. At time T2, the countdown resumes. At time T3, PAP-1's countdown reaches 0 and the channel becomes idle. PAP-1 sends a collaboration trigger frame to multiple AP collaboration participants in the access point set, including PAP-2. After a SIFS interval, the multiple APs transmit PPDUs on their assigned RU resources and within the TXOP duration.

[0071] In one embodiment, Figure 10 is a schematic diagram of an implementation of the PAP provided in an embodiment of the present application using an uncleared backoff window to seize channel resources and transmit PPDU. As shown in Figure 10, two candidate access points (PAP-1 and PAP-2) in the candidate access point set simultaneously randomly set different backoff windows and count down at time T0. When the PAP-2 backoff window countdown reaches 0 (i.e., time T1), PAP-2 becomes the owner of the transmission opportunity (TXOP owner), and PAP-2 sends a collaborative trigger frame to multiple AP collaborative participants including PAP-1. After the SIFS time interval, the multiple APs transmit the PPDU on their respective allocated RU resources and within the TXOP time.

[0072] After PAP-2 completes transmission as the TXOP owner, if there is still uplink or downlink data on PAP-1 after the DIFS or IFS interval, PAP-1 continues to back off based on the previous backoff window. When the countdown of its backoff window reaches 0 (i.e., time T2), PAP-1 becomes the owner of the transmission opportunity and can schedule uplink or downlink data transmission.

[0073] In one embodiment, Figure 11 illustrates a PAP delay wait for TF transmission, as provided in an embodiment of the present application. As shown in Figure 11, two candidate access points (PAP-1 and PAP-2) in the candidate access point set operate on different P20 channels. At time T0, PAP-2 randomly selects a backoff window and begins counting down. PAP-1 detects an ongoing PPDU, causing the channel to be busy and needs to wait for the channel to become idle. When the PAP-2 backoff window countdown reaches 0 (i.e., time T1), the primary channel on which PAP-1 resides is still busy, and PAP-2 delays its wait. At time T2, PAP-1's channel becomes idle, and PAP-2 transmits a coordination trigger frame and allocates channel resources to PAP-1.

[0074] In one embodiment, FIG12 is a block diagram of a channel access device provided by an embodiment of the present application. This embodiment is applied to an access point. As shown in FIG12 , the channel access device in this embodiment includes: a generation module 210 and a channel access module 220.

[0075] The generating module 210 is configured to form a corresponding candidate access point set from each access point in the pre-configured access point set that participates in the cooperative operation and the channel resource competition.

[0076] The channel access module 220 is configured to select the first candidate access point in the candidate access point set that successfully seizes channel resources as a first-type access point, and send a coordination trigger frame to other access points in the access point set through the first-type access point to enable other access points in the access point set to access the channel.

[0077] In one embodiment, the second type of access points in the access point set include at least one of the following: an access point that participates in cooperative operation and does not participate in channel resource competition; an access point that participates in cooperative operation and participates in channel resource competition but fails to successfully seize channel resources; and all access points in the candidate access point set that receive a cooperative trigger frame.

[0078] In one embodiment, after a coordinated operation between the second type access point and the first type access point is completed, the states of the first type access point and the second type access point are restored to initial access points.

[0079] In one embodiment, each candidate access point in the set of candidate access points shares resource requirement information and current channel state information thereof.

[0080] In one embodiment, each candidate access point in the candidate access point set records resource requirement information and current channel state information of each candidate access point in the candidate access point set.

[0081] In one embodiment, resource requirement information and current channel state information between each candidate access point in the candidate access point set are exchanged via a wired or wireless connection.

[0082] In one embodiment, each access point in the set of access points participating in the cooperative operation selects the same or different primary channels.

[0083] In one embodiment, each candidate access point in the set of candidate access points randomly adopts a different backoff window and simultaneously initiates contention for channel resources.

[0084] In one embodiment, the reason why each candidate access point in the candidate access point set does not initiate channel resource contention at the same time includes one of the following: the current channel state of the primary channel corresponding to each candidate access point is different; the internal scheduling state of each candidate access point is different.

[0085] In one embodiment, before sending the coordination trigger frame to other access points in the access point set through the first type access point, a control frame is sent through the first type access point to perform channel preemption.

[0086] In one embodiment, the condition that the backoff window countdown of the candidate access point is 0 and the coordination trigger frame is not sent includes at least one of the following: the current channel status of other candidate access points in the candidate access point set is busy; and other links belonging to the same multi-link access device as the candidate access point whose backoff window countdown is 0 are busy.

[0087] In one embodiment, when the candidate access point is converted to the second type access point, the remaining time of the backoff window corresponding to the second type access point is cleared.

[0088] In one embodiment, when the candidate access point is converted to the second type access point, the remaining time of the backoff window corresponding to the second type access point is not cleared, and the remaining time of the backoff window is used for channel resource contention after the current cooperative operation.

[0089] The channel access device provided in this embodiment is configured to implement the channel access method of the embodiment shown in FIG6 . The implementation principle and technical effects of the channel access device provided in this embodiment are similar and will not be described in detail here.

[0090] In one embodiment, Figure 13 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application. As shown in Figure 13, the device provided in this application includes: a processor 310, a memory 320, and a communication module 330. The number of processors 310 in the device can be one or more, and Figure 13 uses one processor 310 as an example. The number of memories 320 in the device can be one or more, and Figure 13 uses one memory 320 as an example. The processor 310, memory 320, and communication module 330 of the device can be connected via a bus or other means, and Figure 13 uses a bus connection as an example. In this embodiment, the device can be an access point.

[0091] The memory 320, as a computer-readable storage medium, can be configured to store software programs, computer executable programs, and modules, such as program instructions / modules corresponding to the device of any embodiment of the present application (for example, the generation module 210 and the channel access module 220 in the channel access device). The memory 320 may include a program storage area and a data storage area, wherein the program storage area may store an operating system, an application required for at least one function; the data storage area may store data created according to the use of the device, etc. In addition, the memory 320 may include a high-speed random access memory, and may also include a non-volatile memory, such as at least one disk storage device, a flash memory device, or other non-volatile solid-state storage device. In some instances, the memory 320 may further include a memory remotely located relative to the processor 310, and these remote memories may be connected to the device via a network. Examples of the above-mentioned network include, but are not limited to, the Internet, an intranet, a local area network, a mobile communication network, and combinations thereof.

[0092] The communication device provided above can be configured to execute the channel access method provided in any of the above embodiments, and have corresponding functions and effects.

[0093] An embodiment of the present application further provides a storage medium containing computer-executable instructions. When executed by a computer processor, the computer-executable instructions are used to perform a channel access method. The method includes: forming a corresponding candidate access point set from each access point in a pre-configured access point set that participates in collaborative operation and channel resource competition; defining the first candidate access point in the candidate access point set that successfully seizes channel resources as a first-type access point, and sending a collaborative trigger frame to other access points in the access point set via the first-type access point, so that the other access points in the access point set can access the channel.

[0094] It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the term user equipment encompasses any suitable type of wireless user equipment, such as a mobile phone, a portable data processing device, a portable web browser or a car-mounted mobile station.

[0095] In general, various embodiments of the present application may be implemented in hardware or dedicated circuits, software, logic, or any combination thereof. For example, some aspects may be implemented in hardware, while other aspects may be implemented in firmware or software that can be executed by a controller, microprocessor, or other computing device, although the present application is not limited thereto.

[0096] Embodiments of the present application may be implemented by executing computer program instructions by a data processor of a mobile device, for example, in a processor entity, or by hardware, or by a combination of software and hardware. The computer program instructions may be assembly instructions, instruction set architecture (ISA) instructions, machine instructions, machine-dependent instructions, microcode, firmware instructions, state setting data, or source code or object code written in any combination of one or more programming languages.

[0097] The block diagram of any logic flow in the drawings of the present application may represent program steps, or may represent interconnected logic circuits, modules and functions, or may represent a combination of program steps and logic circuits, modules and functions. A computer program may be stored on a memory. The memory may be of any type suitable for the local technical environment and may be implemented using any suitable data storage technology, such as, but not limited to, read-only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), optical storage devices and systems (digital versatile discs (DVD) or compact disks (CD)), etc. Computer-readable media may include non-transient storage media. A data processor may be of any type suitable for the local technical environment, such as, but not limited to, a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a microprocessor, a digital signal processor (DSP), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), and a processor based on a multi-core processor architecture.

[0098] The above are merely optional embodiments of the present application and are not intended to limit the present application. Various modifications and variations are possible for those skilled in the art. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc. made within the spirit and principles of the present application shall be included within the scope of protection of the present application.

Claims

1. A channel access method, comprising: forming a corresponding candidate access point set for each access point participating in cooperative operation and channel resource competition in a pre-configured access point set; taking the candidate access point that first successfully preempts channel resources in the candidate access point set as a first type of access point, and sending a cooperative trigger frame to other access points in the access point set through the first type of access point, so that other access points in the access point set perform channel access.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein The second type of access points in the access point set includes at least one of the following: an access point participating in cooperative operation and not participating in channel resource competition; a candidate access point participating in cooperative operation and participating in channel resource competition but not successfully preempting channel resources; all access points in the candidate access point set that receive the cooperative trigger frame.

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein After a cooperative operation is completed by the second type of access point and the first type of access point, the states of the first type of access point and the second type of access point are restored to the initial access points.

4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein, Resource requirement information and its current channel state information are shared among each candidate access point in the candidate access point set.

5. The method according to any one of claims 1-3, wherein, Each candidate access point in the candidate access point set records the resource requirement information of each candidate access point in the candidate access point set and its current channel state information.

6. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein The resource requirement information and the current channel state information among each candidate access point in the candidate access point set are interacted through a wired or wireless connection method.

7. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein, Each access point participating in cooperative operation in the access point set selects the same or different primary channels.

8. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein, Each candidate access point in the candidate access point set randomly adopts different backoff windows and simultaneously initiates channel resource competition.

9. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein The reasons why each candidate access point in the candidate access point set does not simultaneously initiate channel resource competition include one of the following: the current channel states of the primary channels corresponding to each candidate access point are different; the internal scheduling states of each candidate access point are different.

10. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein, Before sending a cooperative trigger frame to other access points in the access point set through the first type of access point, a control frame is sent through the first type of access point for channel preemption.

11. According to the method of any one of claims 1-3, wherein, The conditions for the backoff window countdown of the candidate access point to be 0 and not sending a cooperative trigger frame include at least one of the following: the current channel state of other candidate access points in the candidate access point set is a busy state; other links of the multi-link access device to which the candidate access point with a backoff window countdown of 0 belongs are in a busy state.

12. The method according to any one of claims 1-3, wherein, In the case where the candidate access point is converted into a second type of access point, the remaining time of the backoff window corresponding to the second type of access point is cleared.

13. The method according to any one of claims 1-3, wherein, In the case where the candidate access point is converted into a second type of access point, the remaining time of the backoff window corresponding to the second type of access point is not cleared, and the remaining time of the backoff window is used for channel resource competition after this cooperative operation.

14. A communication device, comprising: A memory, and one or more processors; The memory is configured to store one or more programs; When the one or more programs are executed by the one or more processors, the one or more processors implement the method according to any one of claims 1-13 above.

15. A storage medium storing a computer program which, when executed by a processor, implements the method according to any one of claims 1-13 above.

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