Decision-making information collection method and related device

Abstract

Provided in the embodiments of the present application are a decision-making information collection method and a related device, which are used for ensuring communication between STAs and APs during the process of collecting decision-making information in an inter-channel roaming scenario. The decision-making information collection method provided by the embodiments of the present application is applied to a first AP, a first working channel of the first AP being different from a second working channel of a station (STA), and the STA being in wireless connection with a second AP. The method comprises: the first AP receives a first notification message from an access controller (AC), the first notification message being used for instructing the first AP to acquire a received signal strength indicator (RSSI) of the STA on the first working channel, and the first notification message being sent by the AC when the AC is about to implement handover from the STA to the first working channel by means of the second AP; then, the first AP monitors a frame signal from the STA on the first working channel, so as to obtain a first RSSI between the first AP and the STA; and next, the first AP sends a first response message to the AC, the first response message comprising the first RSSI, and the first RSSI being used for achieving STA handover decision making.

Description

A method for collecting decision-making information and related equipment

[0001] This application claims priority to the Chinese patent application filed with the State Intellectual Property Office of China on January 30, 2024, with application number CN202410133309.1 and invention name “A method for collecting decision-making information and related equipment”, the entire contents of which are incorporated by reference into this application. Technical Field

[0002] The embodiments of the present application relate to the field of wireless communications, and in particular to a method for collecting decision information and related equipment. Background Art

[0003] In a wireless local area network (WLAN), an access point (AP) provides services to stations (STAs) through wireless connections. When the signal strength of the AP to which the STA is connected deteriorates, the STA needs to determine the signal strength between the STA and other APs to determine which AP to switch to. This action is called a STA handover decision.

[0004] The STA's handover decision requires obtaining the received signal strength indicator (RSSI) between the AP and the STA. In a heterogeneous channel scenario, the AP and the target STA operate on different channels. A common approach is for the AP to obtain the RSSI between itself and the target STA. The AP then determines the target STA's operating channel and switches to that channel to obtain the RSSI.

[0005] However, since data communication between other STAs and the AP is performed on the AP's working channel, when the AP switches to the target STA's channel for channel detection, other STAs cannot communicate with the AP, resulting in service interruption. Summary of the Invention

[0006] The embodiments of the present application provide a decision information collection method and related equipment for ensuring communication between STA and AP during the process of collecting decision information in a heterogeneous channel roaming scenario, and for quickly obtaining decision information, improving roaming decision speed, and improving user experience.

[0007] In a first aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a method for collecting decision information, which is applied to a first AP, wherein the first working channel of the first AP is different from the second working channel of the station STA, and the STA is wirelessly connected to the second AP. The method includes: the first AP receives a first notification message from an access controller AC, the first notification message is used to instruct the first AP to obtain the received signal strength indication RSSI of the STA on the first working channel, and the first notification message is sent by the AC when the AC is about to implement the switching of the STA to the first working channel through the second AP. Then, the first AP listens to the frame signal from the STA on the first working channel and obtains the first RSSI between the first AP and the STA. Then, the first AP sends a first response message to the AC, and the first response message includes the first RSSI. The first RSSI is used to implement the switching decision of the STA.

[0008] In this embodiment of the present application, the AC instructs the STA to switch to the first AP's operating channel. The first AP then obtains and reports the RSSI between the STA and the AC, making a roaming decision. While the first AP is obtaining the RSSI between the STA and the first AP (on a different channel), the AC instructs the STA to switch channels, allowing the first AP to remain on its own operating channel without affecting service data exchange between the first AP and other STAs.

[0009] In addition, this solution does not require STAs to report RSSI, nor does it require STAs to convert the RSSI format and report it to the AP they access using the 11K protocol. Therefore, it is not necessary to consider the STA's support for the 11K protocol. Any STA can use this solution, which has a wide range of applications.

[0010] Furthermore, in this solution, the first AP as a roaming candidate reports the RSSI. During the RSSI reporting process, the first AP can also report information such as its load and channel quality to the AC, ensuring that the AC can make roaming decisions based on more comprehensive information and optimize the roaming decision results. Therefore, the decision information collection method provided in the embodiments of the present application not only avoids the shortcomings of current off-channel decision information collection solutions (i.e., the aforementioned solutions 1 and 2), but also optimizes roaming decision results and selects a more optimal roaming AP for the STA.

[0011] In an optional implementation, after the first AP sends a first response message to the AC, the first AP sends a target channel switching frame to the STA, or communicates data with the STA, and the target channel switching frame is used to instruct the STA to switch back to the second AP or to the third AP.

[0012] In an embodiment of the present application, once the AC obtains the first RSSI, it immediately jumps back to the second AP that can perform data communication / immediately jumps to the first AP (that meets the roaming conditions) for data communication. After the signal detection is completed, the STA is immediately jumped to the AP that can communicate, thereby shortening the duration of communication interruption during the roaming decision process and reducing the impact of the roaming decision on the communication between the STA and the network.

[0013] Alternatively, once the AC obtains the first RSSI, it immediately switches to the next third AP for signal detection, thereby reducing the time the STA spends switching between APs and the total signal detection time. This shortens the duration of communication interruptions during the roaming decision process and reduces the impact of the roaming decision on communication between the STA and the network.

[0014] In an optional implementation, the target channel switching frame includes a first channel switching frame, the first channel switching frame includes the channel information and bandwidth information of the second AP, and the first channel switching frame is used to instruct the STA to jump back to the second working channel for data communication.

[0015] In an embodiment of the present application, once the AC obtains the first RSSI, it immediately jumps the STA back to the second AP where data communication can be performed through the first channel switching frame for data communication, thereby shortening the duration of communication interruption during the roaming decision process and reducing the impact of the roaming decision on the communication between the STA and the network.

[0016] In an optional implementation, the first AP sends a first channel switching frame to the STA, including: if the first AP receives a first target notification message from the AC, the first AP sends the first channel switching frame to the STA, and the second notification message includes the channel information and bandwidth information of the second AP.

[0017] In this embodiment of the present application, after completing the detection of the first AP, the AC decides to redirect the STA back to the second AP for data communication. Because the AC can obtain more information about the network (such as the load of the first and second APs), the decision is made based on the overall network situation and is more accurate.

[0018] In an optional implementation, the target channel switching frame includes a second channel switching frame. The second channel switching frame includes channel information and bandwidth information of a third AP, where the third AP has a different channel or bandwidth than the first AP, and the second channel switching frame is used to instruct the STA to jump to the channel where the third AP is located for signal detection.

[0019] In this embodiment of the present application, once the AC obtains the first RSSI, it immediately jumps to the next third AP for signal detection, thereby reducing the time the STA spends jumping between APs and the total signal detection time. This shortens the duration of communication interruption during the roaming decision process and reduces the impact of the roaming decision on communication between the STA and the network.

[0020] In an optional implementation, the first AP sends a second channel switching frame to the STA, including: if the first AP receives a second target notification message from the AC, sending the second channel switching frame to the STA, the second target notification message including the channel information and bandwidth information of the third AP.

[0021] In this embodiment of the present application, after completing the detection of the first AP, the AC decides to switch the STA back to the second AP for data communication. Because the AC stores information such as the load and topology of each AP, it can combine the performance of the first and second APs and switch the STA back to the second AP with a better overall performance for data communication.

[0022] In an optional implementation, after the first AP sends the first response message to the AC, the first AP communicates data with the STA. After the first AP sends the first response message to the AC and before the first AP communicates data with the STA, the first AP performs association authentication with the STA based on the STA's association information, where the association information is the STA's association information on the second AP to which the STA accesses.

[0023] In this embodiment of the present application, after determining to switch a STA to the first AP for data communication, the first AP can directly use the association information between the second AP (AP2) and the STA to perform association authentication and data communication with the STA, thereby simplifying the packet detection process and CSA frames between the first AP and the STA. In other words, the first AP masquerades as the second AP to interact with the STA. This allows the STA to communicate with the first AP more quickly after switching channels, quickly obtaining the RSSI between the first AP and the STA, reducing service data latency caused by the STA switching channels, and improving the user experience.

[0024] In an optional implementation, the first AP implements association authentication with the STA based on the association information of the STA, including: if the first AP receives a third target notification message from the AC, the first AP implements association authentication with the STA based on the association information of the STA, and the third target notification message is used to instruct the STA to switch to the first AP for data communication.

[0025] In this embodiment of the present application, after detecting the first AP, the AC decides to switch the STA to the first AP for data communication. Because the AC stores information such as the load and topology of each AP, it can combine the performance of the first and second APs and switch the STA to the first AP with the better overall performance for data communication.

[0026] In an optional implementation, the first AP implements association authentication with the STA based on the association information, including: the first AP implements association authentication with the STA based on the association information contained in the first notification message; or, the first AP sends a request message to the AC, where the request message is used to request to obtain the association information; the first AP receives the association information from the AC, and implements association authentication with the STA based on the association information.

[0027] In the embodiment of the present application, the first AP can obtain association information more quickly through the first notification message, thereby accelerating roaming switching. The request message can be used to obtain association information when needed (when switching to the first AP is required), without occupying additional computing resources such as memory of the first AP before determining to switch to the first AP for data communication.

[0028] In an optional implementation, the first notification message includes association information of the STA. The first AP obtains a first RSSI between the first AP and the STA, including: the first AP performs association authentication with the STA based on the association information, and communicates with the STA on a first working channel to obtain the first RSSI between the first AP and the STA.

[0029] In this embodiment of the present application, during signal detection, the first AP can directly use the association information between the second AP (AP2) and the STA to implement association authentication and data communication with the STA, thereby simplifying the packet detection process and CSA frames between the first AP and the STA. In other words, the first AP masquerades as the second AP to interact with the STA. This allows the STA to communicate with the first AP more quickly after switching channels, quickly obtaining the RSSI between the first AP and the STA, reducing service data latency caused by the STA switching channels, and improving the user experience.

[0030] In an optional implementation, after the first AP receives the first notification message from the access controller AC and before the first AP sends the first response message to the AC, it also includes: the first AP receives a service message from the AC, the destination address of the service message is STA; the first AP sends a service message to the STA.

[0031] In the embodiment of the present application, during the process of detecting the first AP, the AC switches the route to the first AP for data communication, thereby ensuring that service data is not interrupted while signal detection is being performed, thereby improving user experience.

[0032] In an optional implementation, after the first AP sends the first response message to the AC, the first AP receives a service message from the AC, where the destination address of the service message is the STA; and the first AP sends the service message to the STA.

[0033] In this embodiment of the present application, after the AC determines to switch the STA to the first AP for data communication, it then switches the route to the first AP for data communication. This ensures that the STA always communicates on the AP with a relatively good signal, ensuring communication quality and improving user experience. For example, if the communication quality between the first AP and the STA is worse than that of the second AP, then switching the route after the decision is made can ensure that the STA is connected to the second AP with better quality before the decision is made, preventing blind switching of the route to the first AP from causing a decrease in communication quality.

[0034] In an optional implementation, the first notification message includes the BSSID of the second AP; the first AP obtains the first RSSI between the first AP and the STA, including: the first AP uses the BSSID of the second AP to communicate with the STA to obtain the first RSSI.

[0035] In this embodiment of the present application, during signal detection, the first AP can directly use the association information between the second AP (AP2) and the STA to implement association authentication and data communication with the STA, thereby simplifying the packet detection process and CSA frames between the first AP and the STA. In other words, the first AP masquerades as the second AP to interact with the STA. This allows the STA to communicate with the first AP more quickly after switching channels, quickly obtaining the RSSI between the first AP and the STA, reducing service data latency caused by the STA switching channels, and improving the user experience.

[0036] In an optional implementation, the third AP has the same working channel as the first AP but a different channel bandwidth. Before the third AP interacts with the STA, the first AP receives a second notification message from the AC, and the second notification message is used to prohibit the first AP from responding to the frame signal from the STA.

[0037] In an embodiment of the present application, the first AP and the third AP are on the same working channel. In the process of obtaining the RSSI between the third AP and the STA (i.e., in the process of performing signal detection on the third AP), the first AP is prohibited from responding to the signal from the STA. This can prevent the signal from the first AP from interfering with the signal detection of the third AP, thereby ensuring the accuracy of the obtained RSSI information (i.e., roaming decision information).

[0038] In an optional implementation, before monitoring a frame signal from a STA on a first working channel, the first AP sends a unicast frame on the first working channel, where the destination address of the unicast frame is the MAC address of the STA; the first AP monitors a frame signal from the STA on the first working channel, including: the first AP monitors a reply ACK frame of the unicast frame on the first working channel.

[0039] In this embodiment of the present application, the unicast frame sent by the first AP to the STA can be a null data packet (also known as an empty frame). A null data packet contains only an 802.11 header and no other content, so a null data packet is shorter. Because the null data packet is shorter, the unicast frame from the first AP can reach the STA more quickly. Similarly, if the STA responds to the null data packet, the unicast frame responding to the first AP can also reach the first AP more quickly. This allows for faster interaction between the first AP and the STA on the first working channel, and faster acquisition of the first RSSI.

[0040] In an optional implementation, before the first AP monitors the frame signal from the STA on the first working channel, the first AP sends a broadcast frame on the first working channel; the first AP monitors the frame signal from the STA on the first working channel, including: the first AP monitors the reply frame of the broadcast frame on the first working channel, and filters the target frame whose sending address is the MAC address from the monitored reply frame, and the target frame is used to obtain the first RSSI.

[0041] In this embodiment of the present application, the first AP obtains a reply frame from the STA by broadcasting a frame, thereby obtaining a frame signal from the STA. This method can quickly obtain the frame signal from the STA and improve the efficiency of decision information collection (the efficiency of obtaining the first RSSI).

[0042] In an optional implementation, the first AP monitors a frame signal from the STA on the first working channel, including: the first AP monitors a WiFi frame from the STA on the first working channel, and filters a target frame whose sending address is a MAC address from the monitored WiFi frames, where the target frame is used to obtain a first RSSI.

[0043] In an optional implementation manner, the first notification message further includes service requirement information of the STA, and the AC is configured to implement a handover decision of the STA according to the first RSSI and the service requirement information.

[0044] In this embodiment of the present application, the AC comprehensively considers the first RSSI and the STA's service requirements to determine whether the first AP's currently available communication resources can meet the STA's service requirements, thereby determining whether to use the first AP as the STA's roaming AP. This solution selects an appropriate roaming AP based on the STA's service requirements, ensuring high-quality service for the STA's services.

[0045] In an optional implementation, the target channel switching frame is a CSA frame.

[0046] In this embodiment of the present application, the first AP switches the STA to the corresponding channel by sending a CSA frame to the STA. Because CSA frames are prioritized in the STA's handover decision, the detection method provided in this embodiment of the present application ensures that the speed at which the STA switches to the first working channel is not affected by other decision-making factors on the STA. This improves the STA's channel switching speed, which in turn improves the speed of roaming handover, thereby enhancing the user experience.

[0047] In the second aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a method for collecting decision information, which is applied to an access controller AC, and the AC is used to manage a first AP and a second AP. The working channel of the first AP is a first working channel, the station STA is wirelessly connected to the second AP, and the working channel of the second AP and the STA is a second working channel. The method includes: the AC sends a first notification message to the first AP, and the first notification message is used to instruct the first AP to obtain the received signal strength indication RSSI of the STA on the first working channel; the AC sends a second notification message to the second AP, and the second notification message includes the first working channel and the first bandwidth information of the first AP, and the second notification message is used to instruct the second AP to jump the STA to the first working channel for signal detection; the AC receives a first response message from the first AP, and the first response message includes the first RSSI, and the first RSSI is used to implement the switching decision of the STA.

[0048] In an optional implementation, after the AC receives the first response message from the first AP, the AC implements the STA's switching decision based on the first RSSI and sends a target notification message to the first AP. The target notification message is used to instruct the STA to switch back to the second AP for data communication, or to instruct the STA to jump to the third AP for signal detection, or to instruct the STA to switch to the first AP for data communication.

[0049] In an optional implementation, the target notification message includes a first target notification message, the first target notification message includes the channel information and bandwidth information of the second AP, and the first target notification message is used to instruct the first AP to switch the STA back to the second working channel for data communication.

[0050] In an optional implementation, the target notification message includes a second target notification message; the second target notification message includes the channel information and bandwidth information of the third AP, and the second target notification message is used to instruct the first AP to switch the STA to the channel where the third AP is located for signal detection.

[0051] In an optional implementation, the target notification message includes a third target notification message, where the third target notification message is used to instruct the first AP to switch the STA to the first AP for data communication.

[0052] In an optional implementation, the first notification message includes association information of the STA, which is the association information of the STA on the second AP accessed by the STA; the association information is used to implement association authentication between the first AP and the STA, and to implement data communication between the first AP and the STA.

[0053] In an optional implementation, after sending the first notification message to the first AP and before receiving the first response message from the first AP, the AC updates the AC's routing information and changes the STA's upstream routing node from the second AP to the first AP; the AC sends a service message to the first AP, and the destination address of the service message is STA.

[0054] In an optional implementation, after receiving the first response message from the first AP, the AC updates the AC's routing information and changes the STA's upstream routing node from the second AP to the first AP; the AC sends a service message to the first AP, and the destination address of the service message is the STA.

[0055] In one optional implementation, the third AP and the first AP operate on the same operating channel but have different channel bandwidths. Before the third AP interacts with a STA, the AC sends a second notification message to the first AP, prohibiting the first AP from responding to frame signals from the STA. The AC then sends a fourth notification message to the third AP, instructing the third AP to obtain the STA's second RSSI on the first operating channel. The AC receives the second RSSI from the third AP and makes a handover decision for the STA based on the second RSSI.

[0056] In a third aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a method for collecting decision information, the method being applied to a second AP wirelessly connected to a station STA, where the operating channel between the second AP and the STA is a second operating channel. The method comprises: the second AP receiving a third notification message from an access controller AC, the third notification message including information about the first operating channel and the first bandwidth of the first AP, the third notification message being used to instruct the second AP to switch the STA to the first operating channel for signal detection; the second AP sending a third channel switching frame to the STA based on the third notification message, the third channel switching frame including information about the first operating channel and the first bandwidth, the third channel switching frame being used to instruct the STA to jump to the first operating channel for signal detection; the second AP retaining the association authentication between the second AP and the STA and suspending sending data frames to the STA.

[0057] In an optional implementation, the third channel switching frame is a channel switching indication CSA frame.

[0058] In an optional implementation, after sending a third channel switching frame to the STA according to the third notification message, the second AP receives a fifth notification message, and the fifth notification message is used to indicate that the STA is about to switch back to the second working channel for data communication; the second AP listens to the frame signal from the STA on the second working channel and determines that the STA jumps back to the second working channel; the second AP resumes sending data frames to the STA on the second working channel.

[0059] In an optional implementation, before monitoring the frame signal from the STA on the second working channel, the second AP sends a unicast frame on the second working channel, and the destination address of the unicast frame is the MAC address of the STA; the second AP monitors the frame signal from the STA on the second working channel, including: the second AP monitors the reply ACK frame of the unicast frame on the second working channel.

[0060] In an optional implementation, before the second AP listens for a frame signal from the STA on the second working channel, the second AP sends a broadcast frame on the second working channel; the second AP listens for a reply frame to the broadcast frame on the second working channel, and filters a target frame whose source address is a MAC address from the listened reply frames, and the target frame is used to determine whether the STA returns to the second working channel.

[0061] In an optional implementation, the second AP monitors the frame signal from the STA on the second working channel, including: the second AP monitors the WiFi frames from the STA on the second working channel, and filters the target frame whose sending address is the MAC address from the monitored WiFi frames, and the target frame is used to determine whether the STA returns to the second working channel.

[0062] In the fourth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a first access point AP. The first working channel of the first AP is different from the second working channel of the station STA, and the STA is wirelessly connected to the second AP. The first AP includes: a transceiver module for receiving a first notification message from the access controller AC, the first notification message is used to instruct the first AP to obtain the received signal strength indication RSSI of the STA on the first working channel, and the first notification message is sent by the AC when the AC is about to switch the STA to the first working channel through the second AP; a processing module for monitoring the frame signal from the STA on the first working channel to obtain the first RSSI between the first AP and the STA; the transceiver module is also used to send a first response message to the AC, the first response message includes the first RSSI, and the first RSSI is used to implement the switching decision of the STA. The first AP is used to implement the decision information collection method of the first aspect, which will not be repeated here.

[0063] In an optional implementation, the transceiver module is further used to: send a target channel switching frame to the STA, or communicate data with the STA, the target channel switching frame is used to instruct the STA to switch back to the second AP for data communication or switch to the third AP for signal detection.

[0064] In an optional implementation, the transceiver module is used to: send a unicast frame on the first working channel, where the destination address of the unicast frame is the MAC address of the STA; the processing module is used to: monitor the reply ACK frame of the unicast frame on the first working channel.

[0065] In an optional implementation, the transceiver module is used to send a broadcast frame on a first working channel; the processing module is used to listen for reply frames to the broadcast frame on the first working channel, and filter out target frames whose sending addresses are MAC addresses from the listened reply frames, and the target frames are used to obtain a first RSSI.

[0066] In a fifth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides an access controller AC. The AC is used to manage a first AP and a second AP, the working channel of the first AP is a first working channel, the station STA is wirelessly connected to the second AP, and the working channel of the second AP and the STA is a second working channel. The AC includes a transceiver module, which is used to: send a first notification message to the first AP, the first notification message is used to instruct the first AP to obtain the STA's received signal strength indication RSSI on the first working channel; send a third notification message to the second AP, the third notification message includes the first working channel and the first bandwidth information of the first AP, the third notification message is used to instruct the second AP to jump the STA to the first working channel for signal detection; receive a first response message from the first AP, the first response message includes the first RSSI, and the first RSSI is used to implement the STA's switching decision. The AC is used to implement the decision information collection method of the second aspect, which will not be repeated here.

[0067] In an optional implementation, the AC also includes a decision module; the decision module is used to implement the STA's switching decision based on the first RSSI; the transceiver module is also used to send a target notification message to the first AP, and the target notification message is used to instruct the STA to switch back to the second AP for data communication, or to instruct the STA to jump to the third AP for signal detection, or to instruct the STA to switch to the first AP for data communication.

[0068] In the sixth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a second access point AP. The second AP is an AP wirelessly connected to the station STA, and the working channel of the second AP and the STA is the second working channel. The second AP includes: a transceiver module for receiving a third notification message from the access controller AC, the third notification message includes the first working channel of the first AP and the first bandwidth information of the first AP, and the third notification message is used to instruct the second AP to jump the STA to the first working channel for signal detection; the transceiver module is also used to send a third channel switching frame to the STA according to the third notification message, the third channel switching frame includes the first working channel and the first bandwidth information, and the third channel switching frame is used to instruct the STA to jump to the first working channel for signal detection; the processing module is used to retain the association authentication with the STA and suspend sending data frames to the STA. The second AP is used to implement the decision information collection method of the third aspect, which will not be repeated here.

[0069] In a seventh aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a computer-readable storage medium storing a computer program, which, when executed, implements the method according to any one of the first to third aspects.

[0070] The beneficial effects of the second to seventh aspects refer to the first aspect and will not be repeated here. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0071] FIG1a is a schematic diagram of the architecture of a distributed WLAN provided in this application;

[0072] FIG1b is a schematic diagram of the architecture of a WLAN of a MESH network provided in this application;

[0073] FIG2 is a flow chart of a method for collecting decision information provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0074] FIG3 is a schematic diagram of a process of switching back to a second AP for data communication after detection according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0075] FIG4 is a schematic diagram of a process of switching to a third AP for detection after detection according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0076] FIG5 is a flow chart of a third AP acquiring a second RSSI according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0077] FIG6 is a schematic diagram of a process of switching to a first AP for data communication after detection according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0078] FIG7 is a schematic diagram of a process for a first AP to obtain a first RSSI according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0079] FIG8 is a schematic diagram of a process of the second AP confirming that the STA switches back to the second working channel according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0080] FIG9 is a schematic diagram of an architecture of a WLAN provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0081] FIG10 is a schematic structural diagram of a first AP provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0082] FIG11 is a schematic structural diagram of an AC provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0083] FIG12 is a schematic structural diagram of a second AP provided in an embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0084] The embodiments of the present application are described below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that, with the development of technology and the emergence of new scenarios, the technical solutions provided in the embodiments of the present application are also applicable to similar technical problems.

[0085] The terms "first", "second", etc. in the specification and claims of this application and the above-mentioned drawings are used to distinguish similar objects and are not necessarily used to describe a specific order or sequential order. It should be understood that the terms used in this way are interchangeable when appropriate, and this is merely a way of distinguishing objects of the same attributes when describing the embodiments of the present application. In addition, the terms "including" and "having" and any of their variations are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusions, so that the process, method, system, product or device comprising a series of units need not be limited to those units, but may include other units that are not clearly listed or inherent to these processes, methods, products or devices. In addition, "at least one" refers to one or more, and "a plurality" refers to two or more. "and / or" describes the association relationship of associated objects and indicates that three relationships can exist. For example, A and / or B can represent: the situation where A exists alone, A and B exist simultaneously, and B exists alone, where A and B can be singular or plural. The character " / " generally indicates that the associated objects before and after are in an "or" relationship. "At least one of the following" or similar expressions refers to any combination of these items, including any combination of single or plural items. For example, at least one of a, b, or c can mean: a, b, c, ab, ac, bc, or abc, where a, b, and c can be single or plural.

[0086] A wireless local area network (WLAN) uses wireless communication technology to interconnect devices, forming a network system that enables communication and resource sharing. A WLAN consists of access points (APs) and stations (STAs). The AP is the point through which users access a wired network. Devices connected to the AP are called STAs. STAs can be mobile phones, computers, and other devices, though this application does not limit this.

[0087] The indoor coverage radius of a single AP is typically 20-30 meters, and the outdoor coverage radius is typically within 100 meters. Furthermore, wireless signals weaken after passing through walls, reducing the actual coverage area of ​​the AP. If a STA moves outside or to the edge of the AP's coverage area, communication quality deteriorates. To ensure STA communication quality, multiple APs are typically deployed in a WLAN to improve coverage, forming the multi-AP network architecture shown in Figure 1a.

[0088] The multi-AP networking architecture also includes an access controller (AC). The AC is responsible for aggregating data from different APs and connecting them to the wired network. It also manages AP configuration, management, broadband access, security, and other control functions. The AC typically has a wired connection to multiple APs (wireless connections are also possible), as shown in Figure 1a.

[0089] To avoid interference, adjacent APs typically operate on different channels. For example, as shown in Figure 1a, AP1 operates on channel 36, AP2 operates on channel 149, and AP3 operates on channel 165. A STA is currently wirelessly connected to AP2, which communicates with the wired network. AP2 is called the STA's associated AP.

[0090] If the STA moves, the signal strength between the STA and AP2 may weaken, necessitating a handover to another AP to maintain communication quality. When the signal strength of the AP the STA is connected to deteriorates, the signal strength between the STA and the other APs must be determined to determine which AP the STA should handover to. This process is called a handover decision. The signal strength between the STA and the other AP is called decision information. Because the STA and the other AP typically operate on different channels before handover, the process of collecting signal strength between the STA and the other AP is also called cross-channel decision information collection.

[0091] There are currently two mainstream solutions for collecting information for cross-channel decision making. Solution 1: Instructs the STA to switch to the backup AP's channel to obtain the RSSI, then returns the STA to its original operating channel and reports the RSSI in a converted format using the 11K protocol. This solution is unfeasible if the STA does not support the 11K protocol or has limited support. Solution 2: Instructs the roaming backup AP to switch to the STA's operating channel to obtain the RSSI, then returns the AP to its original operating channel to report the RSSI. However, the need for the backup AP to switch channels disrupts communication with other STAs connected to the backup AP. Both solutions have their drawbacks.

[0092] In order to solve the above problems, the embodiments of the present application provide a decision information collection method and related equipment for quickly obtaining the signal strength (RSSI) between the STA and the target AP in a heterogeneous channel scenario (i.e., multiple APs working on different channels), thereby improving the rate and accuracy of STA switching decisions.

[0093] The decision information collection method provided in the embodiment of the present application can be applied to the heterogeneous channel network architecture shown in Figure 1a, and can also be applied to the wireless mesh network mesh networking architecture shown in Figure 1b. As shown in Figure 1b, the wired network is connected to an AP (for example, AP1, called the central AP, and the other APs are called distributed APs) among multiple APs, and the working channels of the multiple APs are different. The AP connected to the wired network can replace the AC in the network shown in Figure 1a, aggregate data from different APs and access the wired network, and complete the configuration management of AP equipment, authentication, management and broadband access, security, etc. of wireless users.

[0094] In some embodiments, the central AP has the functions of a traditional AP (except for the radio frequency part) and adds some functions of a wireless controller, such as wireless terminal association control, switching within the central AP, etc. It also has the management function of distributed APs. In addition to the above functions, the central AP can also have the quality of service (QoS), access control list (ACL) and other broadband service-related functions and service forwarding-related functions of the traditional AP. The above wireless controller can be an access controller (AC) in the control and provisioning of wireless access points (CAPWAP) protocol.

[0095] In other embodiments, in addition to the above functions, the central AP may further have gateway functions, such as network access control (NAC), dynamic host configuration protocol (DHCP), etc.

[0096] A distributed AP is a remote radio module separated from a traditional AP. It processes WLAN air interface packets and communicates with the central AP through a wired network (such as Ethernet) tunnel. The central AP and distributed APs can communicate directly or through the CAPWAP protocol.

[0097] The CAPWAP control protocol provides a control channel between a wireless termination point (WTP) and an AC. In embodiments of the present application, when a distributed AP and a central AP communicate through a CAPWAP tunnel, the central AP acts as the AC in the CAPWAP control protocol, and the distributed AP acts as the WTP in the CAPWAP control protocol.

[0098] The embodiment of the present invention is applicable to the scenario where a wireless terminal jumps between different distributed APs under a central AP. The so-called jump is the process of jumping from the currently wirelessly accessed distributed AP to another distributed AP for signal detection.

[0099] A wireless terminal is any device with WLAN station (STA) functionality, such as a cell phone, smartphone, computer, tablet computer, personal digital assistant (PDA), mobile Internet device (MID), wearable device, and e-book reader.

[0100] As shown in FIG2 , the decision information collection method provided in the embodiment of the present application includes:

[0101] 201. An AC sends a first notification message to a first AP, where the first notification message is used to instruct the first AP to obtain a received signal strength indicator RSSI of a STA on a first working channel.

[0102] In this embodiment of the present application, the first AP and the second AP operate on different operating channels. The first AP operates on the first operating channel. The station STA is wirelessly connected to the second AP, and both the second AP and the station STA operate on the second operating channel. The AC is used to manage the first and second APs.

[0103] Taking Figure 1a as an example, AP1 is the first AP, operating on the first operating channel (CH 36); AP2 is the second AP, STAs are wirelessly connected to AP2, and both AP2 and STAs operate on the second operating channel (CH 149); the AC is used to manage AP1 and AP2. For ease of description, the following uses Figure 1a as an example to illustrate the actions performed by various components in the embodiments of the present application.

[0104] It is worth noting that the working channel described in the embodiment of the present application and all subsequent embodiments may be a channel in the 5.8G frequency band, a channel in the 2.4G frequency band, or a channel in other frequency bands that may appear in the future. This application does not limit this.

[0105] It is worth noting that if the embodiment of the present application is applied to the mesh network shown in Figure 1b, the AC can be any AP in the network, and this application does not limit this.

[0106] As previously described, the STA is wirelessly connected to AP2, which communicates with the wired network through AP2. If the STA moves or AP2 is overloaded, the signal strength and channel quality between the STA and AP2 may weaken, affecting the STA's communication quality. In this case, AP2 sends a roaming request to the AC. Based on this roaming request, the AC selects AP1 as the STA's backup roaming AP. The AC collects the signal strength between the STA and AP1 and, only after determining that the signal strength meets the roaming conditions, switches the STA to AP1 for data communication.

[0107] Then, the AC sends a first notification message to AP1, which instructs AP1 to stay on the first working channel (CH 36) of AP1 so that the STA can obtain the received signal strength indicator RSSI of the STA after the STA jumps to CH 36. In this embodiment of the present application, since RSSI is an indicator of signal strength, the action of obtaining the RSSI between the STA and AP1 is also called signal detection.

[0108] 202. The AC sends a third notification message to the second AP. The third notification message includes the first working channel and the first bandwidth information of the first AP. The third notification message is used to instruct the second AP to jump the STA to the first working channel for signal detection.

[0109] In step 201, the AC instructs AP1 to prepare to interact with the STA to obtain RSSI on the first working channel (CH 36) through a first notification message. However, the first AP and the STA are currently working on different working channels and thus cannot interact with each other.

[0110] Then, the AC sends a third notification message to the second AP, instructing the second AP to jump the STA to the first working channel (CH 36) where the first AP is located, so that the STA can subsequently interact with the first AP on the first working channel.

[0111] 203. The second AP sends a third channel switching frame to the STA according to the third notification message. The third channel switching frame includes the first working channel and the first bandwidth information. The third channel switching frame is used to instruct the STA to jump to the first working channel for signal detection.

[0112] After receiving the third notification message, AP2 can send a third channel switching frame to the STA via the air interface, instructing the STA to jump to the first working channel (CH36) where AP1 is located, so that AP1 and the STA can interact on the first working channel.

[0113] 204. The second AP retains the association authentication with the STA and suspends sending data frames to the STA.

[0114] After the AC sends the third channel switch frame to the STA, the STA may switch to channel 36, where AP1 is located, at any time. After the STA completes the switch, AP2, operating on channel 149, cannot continue to exchange service messages with the STA on channel 36. Therefore, AP2 suspends sending data frames to the STA to prevent loss of data frames (service frames) sent by AP2 to the STA, thereby ensuring service data integrity.

[0115] It is worth noting that in the embodiments of the present application, "jump" and "switch" are completely different concepts and should not be confused.

[0116] "Handover" means completely changing the STA's operating channel and / or bandwidth, thereby changing the AP to which the STA wirelessly connects. The handover process inevitably involves a change in the routing relationship. Within the routing relationship, the STA's upstream AP changes from the AP the STA previously connected to to the new AP the STA connects to after the handover.

[0117] "Redirection" means temporarily changing the STA's operating channel and / or bandwidth to ensure that the STA can interact with the new AP and complete signal detection. During the redirection process, the STA's routing relationship does not necessarily change; the STA's upstream AP may still be the same AP the STA previously connected to. Because the routing relationship does not necessarily change, after the redirection, the STA and the new AP may only exchange simple control messages, not service messages (i.e., data communication).

[0118] Because the STA is only temporarily switching channels and not switching its connected AP, after collecting decision information, the STA may switch back to the second operating channel to continue data communication through AP2. Therefore, AP2 retains the association authentication with the STA so that the STA can continue data communication with AP2 based on this association authentication after switching back to CH 149.

[0119] 205. The first AP monitors a frame signal from the STA on a first working channel to obtain a first RSSI between the first AP and the STA.

[0120] After receiving the first notification message in step 201, AP1 may monitor the frame signal from the STA on the first working channel (CH 36) of AP1.

[0121] After the STA receives the third channel switch frame in step 203, it can switch from the second operating channel (CH 149) to the first operating channel (CH 36) of the first AP based on the channel information and bandwidth information in the third channel switch frame. The STA can then send frame signals to the network on the first operating channel.

[0122] The frame signal is monitored by AP1, and AP1 can obtain the first RSSI between AP1 and the STA according to the frame signal.

[0123] Optionally, the message type of the frame signal sent by the STA on the first working channel may include: a management frame, a control frame, or a data frame. Among them, the management frame may include: a probe frame; the control frame may include: an acknowledgment frame (abbreviated as "ACk") or a block acknowledgment frame (abbreviated as "Block acknowledgment").

[0124] Optionally, the first AP can actively send a unicast frame to the STA on the first working channel to obtain a response frame from the STA on the first working channel (for example, as shown in Figure 4); or it can wait for the STA to actively send a WIFI frame on the first working channel. This application does not limit this.

[0125] In this embodiment of the present application, the order of steps 201 and 202 is not limited. The AC may execute step 201 before step 202 to prepare the first AP to monitor frame signals from the STA before the STA switches channels. Alternatively, the AC may execute step 202 before step 201, which is not limited in this application. It is certain that step 205 occurs after step 201 and after step 203.

[0126] 206. The first AP sends a first response message to the AC, where the first response message includes a first RSSI.

[0127] After obtaining the first RSSI between AP1 and the STA, AP1 can send a first response message including the first RSSI to the AC. The first RSSI enables the STA to make a roaming decision.

[0128] In this embodiment of the present application, the AC instructs the STA to switch to the first AP's operating channel. The first AP then obtains and reports the RSSI between the STA and the AC, making a roaming decision. While the first AP is obtaining the RSSI between the STA and the first AP (on a different channel), the AC instructs the STA to switch channels, allowing the first AP to remain on its own operating channel without affecting service data exchange between the first AP and other STAs.

[0129] In addition, this solution does not require STAs to report RSSI, and therefore does not need to consider the STA's support for the 11K protocol. Any STA can use this solution, and it has a wide range of applications.

[0130] In addition, in this solution, the first AP of the roaming candidate reports RSSI. During the RSSI reporting process, the first AP can also report the load, channel quality and other information of the first AP to the AC, ensuring that the AC can make roaming decisions based on more comprehensive information and optimize the roaming decision results.

[0131] Therefore, the decision information collection method provided by the embodiment of the present application can not only avoid the defects of the current different-channel decision information collection scheme (i.e., the aforementioned scheme one and scheme two), but also optimize the roaming decision results and select a better roaming AP for the STA.

[0132] Optionally, the third switching frame in step 203 may be a channel switching indication CSA frame. The STA can make its own channel switching decision. Among the many channel switching decision factors of the STA, the CSA frame has a higher processing priority.

[0133] In an embodiment of the present application, the second AP pretends to be about to switch channels by sending a CSA frame to the STA. The channel included in the CSA frame is actually the first working channel of the first AP. When the STA receives the CSA frame, it believes that the second AP is about to switch to the first working channel. Since the STA accesses the network through the second AP, in order to prevent the STA from being disconnected from the network, the STA will definitely switch to the first working channel switched to by the second AP. Therefore, the detection method provided in the embodiment of the present application can ensure that the speed at which the STA switches to the first working channel is not affected by other decision-making factors on the STA, thereby improving the speed of the STA switching channels, thereby improving the speed of collecting roaming decision information, and improving the speed of roaming switching, thereby improving the user experience.

[0134] Optionally, in step 205, in addition to RSSI, the first AP may also obtain other decision-making information such as the channel quality of the first channel, which is not limited in this application.

[0135] 207. The AC implements the STA's switching decision according to the first RSSI, and sends a target channel switching frame to the STA / communicates data with the STA.

[0136] Optionally, after step 206, the AC may make a STA handover decision based on the first RSSI, thereby deciding whether to hand the STA back to the second AP, to hand the STA to another AP for continued detection, or to keep the STA at the first AP to implement STA data communication through the first AP.

[0137] If it is decided to switch the STA back to the second AP, the AC sends a first channel switching frame to the first AP. The first channel switching frame includes the channel information and bandwidth information of the second AP. The first channel switching frame is used to instruct the STA to switch back to the second working channel for data communication.

[0138] If it is decided to switch the STA to another AP to continue detection, the AC sends a second channel switching frame to the first AP. The second channel switching frame includes the channel information and bandwidth information of the third AP. The third AP has a different channel or bandwidth from the first AP. The second channel switching frame is used to instruct the STA to switch to the channel where the third AP is located for signal detection.

[0139] If it is decided to keep the STA at the first AP, the AC implements data communication with the STA through the first AP.

[0140] In an embodiment of the present application, once the AC obtains the first RSSI, it immediately jumps back to the second AP that can perform data communication / immediately jumps to the first AP (that meets the roaming conditions) for data communication. After the signal detection is completed, the STA is immediately jumped to the AP that can communicate, thereby shortening the duration of communication interruption during the roaming decision process and reducing the impact of the roaming decision on the communication between the STA and the network.

[0141] Alternatively, once the AC obtains the first RSSI, it immediately switches to the next third AP for signal detection, thereby reducing the time the STA spends switching between APs and the total signal detection time. This shortens the duration of communication interruptions during the roaming decision process and reduces the impact of the roaming decision on communication between the STA and the network.

[0142] Optionally, in step 201, the first notification message may also include the STA's service requirement information, such as the STA's bandwidth requirement, rate requirement, etc. Then, in step 207, the AC may make a handover decision based on the first RSSI and the STA's service requirement information, and determine a roaming AP that meets the STA's service requirements.

[0143] In this embodiment of the present application, the AC comprehensively considers the first RSSI and the STA's service requirements to determine whether the first AP's currently available communication resources can meet the STA's service requirements, thereby determining whether to use the first AP as the STA's roaming AP. This solution selects an appropriate roaming AP based on the STA's service requirements, ensuring high-quality service for the STA's services.

[0144] In step 207 of the embodiment shown in FIG2 , the AC makes a roaming decision for the STA based on the first RSSI. The results of the roaming decision include the following situations:

[0145] a. Switch the STA back to the second working channel and perform data communication through the second AP.

[0146] In case a, in step 207, the AC decides to let the STA jump back to the second AP for data communication. The corresponding process is shown in Figure 3:

[0147] 301: The AC sends a first target notification message to the first AP. The first target notification message includes the channel information and bandwidth information of the second AP. The first target notification message is used to instruct the first AP to switch the STA back to the second working channel for data communication.

[0148] If the first RSSI is smaller than the RSSI between AP2 and the STA, or the first RSSI cannot meet the first threshold for STA roaming, the AC may decide to switch the STA back to the second working channel where AP2 is located, and continue to realize data communication between the STA and the network through AP2.

[0149] Then, the AC sends a first target notification message to AP1, where the message includes the channel information (ie, the second working channel CH 149) and bandwidth information of AP2.

[0150] 302: The first AP sends a first channel switching frame to the STA. The first channel switching frame includes the channel information and bandwidth information of the second AP. The first channel switching frame is used to instruct the STA to switch back to the second working channel for data communication.

[0151] After receiving the second notification message, AP1 may send a first channel switching frame to the STA through the air interface, instructing the STA to switch back to the second working channel so as to perform data communication through AP2.

[0152] 303: The AC sends a fifth notification message to the second AP. The fifth notification message is used to indicate that the STA is about to jump back to the second working channel for data communication and to instruct the second AP to receive the STA's signal on the second working channel.

[0153] The AC sends a fifth notification message to the second AP, indicating to AP2 that the STA is about to return to the channel CH 149 where AP2 is located.

[0154] 304: The second AP monitors the frame signal from the STA on the second working channel and determines that the STA returns to the second working channel.

[0155] After receiving the fifth notification message in step 303, AP2 monitors frame signals from the STA on AP1's second operating channel (CH 149). As long as the STA switches to the second operating channel (CH 149) and sends a frame signal to the network on the second operating channel, AP2 can monitor it and determine that the STA has returned to the second operating channel.

[0156] Optionally, the second AP can actively send unicast frames to the STA on the second working channel to obtain the STA's response frame on the second working channel (for example, as shown in Figure 5); or it can wait for the STA to actively send a WIFI frame on the second working channel. This application does not limit this.

[0157] In this embodiment of the present application, the order of steps 301 and 303 is not limited. The AC may execute step 303 before executing step 301 to prepare the second AP to receive frame signals from the STA before the STA switches back to the second working channel. Alternatively, the AC may execute step 301 before executing step 303, which is not limited in this application.

[0158] In an embodiment of the present application, once the AC obtains the first RSSI, it immediately jumps the STA back to the second AP where data communication can be performed through the first channel switching frame for data communication, thereby shortening the duration of communication interruption during the roaming decision process and reducing the impact of the roaming decision on the communication between the STA and the network.

[0159] Because the secondary AP retains its association authentication with the STA, once the STA completes collecting roaming decision information with the primary AP, it can simply switch back to the secondary working channel to resume data communication with the network through the secondary AP, eliminating the need for further association authentication. This allows the STA to quickly resume data communication with the network through the secondary AP, reducing service data transmission delays caused by collecting roaming decision information.

[0160] Optionally, in step 302, the first AP may also decide on its own to jump the STA back to the second AP. For example, if the first RSSI is less than the first threshold for STA roaming, or the load of the first AP is greater than or equal to the second threshold, the first AP may actively send a first channel switching frame to the STA, without the need for the AC to issue a first target notification message to instruct jumping back to the second AP for data communication (i.e., step 301).

[0161] In this embodiment of the present application, the decision to redirect a STA to a second AP for data communication can be made either proactively by the first AP or by the AC. If the decision is made by the AC, since the AC stores information about the load and topology of each AP, it can combine the performance of the first and second APs and redirect the STA to the second AP with a better overall performance for data communication. If the decision is made by the first AP, the response speed is faster, allowing for faster data communication back to the second AP.

[0162] b. Jump the STA to the channel where the third AP is located to perform signal detection and collect the RSSI between the STA and the third AP.

[0163] In case b, in step 207, the AC decides to let the STA jump to the third AP for signal detection. The corresponding process is shown in Figure 4:

[0164] 401: The AC sends a second target notification message to the first AP. The second target notification message includes the channel information and bandwidth information of the third AP. The second target notification message is used to instruct the first AP to jump the STA to the channel where the third AP is located for signal detection.

[0165] If the first RSSI is smaller than the RSSI between AP2 and the STA, or the first RSSI cannot meet the first threshold for STA roaming, the AC can decide to jump the STA to the working channel where AP3 is located, collect the RSSI between the STA and the third AP, so as to make the next roaming decision and determine whether to switch the STA to AP3 for data communication.

[0166] Then, the AC sends a second target notification message to AP1 (eg, AP1 in FIG1 a ), where the message includes the channel information (ie, the third working channel CH 165 ) and bandwidth information of AP3 .

[0167] 402: The first AP sends a second channel switching frame to the STA. The second channel switching frame includes the channel information and bandwidth information of the third AP. The second channel switching frame is used to instruct the STA to jump to the channel where the third AP is located to perform signal detection.

[0168] After receiving the second target notification message, AP1 can send a second channel switching frame to the STA through the air interface, instructing the STA to jump to the channel where AP3 is located (CH 165) for signal detection and collect the RSSI between the STA and AP3.

[0169] Optionally, the third AP can be, as shown in Figure 1a, operating on a different channel than the first AP, or it can be an AP operating on the same channel as the first AP but communicating with a different bandwidth, which is not limited in this application. If the third AP and the first AP are APs operating on the same channel but with different bandwidths, the corresponding decision information collection process is shown in Figure 6.

[0170] 403: The third AP performs signal detection on the working channel where the third AP is located, and obtains the RSSI between the third AP and the STA.

[0171] The process of AP3 performing signal detection (obtaining RSSI) can refer to steps 201-207 of the embodiment shown in Figure 2. Specifically, AP3 serves as the first AP in steps 201-207, and AP1 serves as the second AP in steps 201-207, and steps 201-207 are executed.

[0172] In this embodiment of the present application, once the AC obtains the first RSSI, it immediately jumps to the next third AP for signal detection, thereby reducing the time the STA spends jumping between APs and the total signal detection time. This shortens the duration of communication interruption during the roaming decision process and reduces the impact of the roaming decision on communication between the STA and the network.

[0173] Optionally, in step 402, the first AP may also decide to perform signal detection of AP3 on its own. For example, if the first RSSI is less than the first threshold, or the load of the first AP is greater than or equal to the second threshold, the first AP may actively send a second channel switching frame to the STA without the need for the AC to issue a third notification message to instruct signal detection of AP3.

[0174] In this embodiment of the present application, the decision to detect the RSSI signal between the next AP (third AP) and the STA can be made either proactively by the first AP or by the AC. If the decision is made by the AC, since the AC stores information such as the load and topology of each AP, it can determine a third AP that is physically closer and has a more adequate load, increasing the probability that the third AP meets roaming conditions and reducing the time required to collect roaming information and make roaming decisions. If the decision is made by the first AP, the response speed is faster, allowing faster switching to the next AP for signal detection.

[0175] Optionally, the third AP and the first AP can operate on different channels (as shown in FIG4 ), or they can operate on the same channel with different bandwidths. For example, in FIG5 , the first AP and the third AP both operate on channel CH 36, the first AP operates on a bandwidth of 20 MHz, and the third AP operates on a bandwidth of 40 MHz.

[0176] Then, the process of the STA switching to the third AP for signal detection is shown in Figure 5, including:

[0177] 501. The AC sends a second notification message to the first AP.

[0178] In some scenarios (for example, the first RSSI is less than the RSSI between AP2 and the STA, or the first RSSI cannot meet the first threshold for STA roaming), the AC decides to jump the STA to AP3 for signal detection and collect the RSSI between the STA and the third AP to make the next roaming decision and determine whether to switch the STA to AP3 for data communication.

[0179] Because the first and third APs operate on the same channel, the STA can receive signals from the first AP when interacting with the third AP. To prevent the first AP from interfering with the third AP's signal detection, the AC sends a second notification message to the first AP before the third AP interacts with the STA. The second notification message prohibits the first AP from responding to frame signals from the STA.

[0180] 502. The AC sends a fourth notification message to the third AP.

[0181] The fourth notification message is used to instruct the third AP to obtain the second RSSI of the STA on the first working channel.

[0182] 503: The AC sends a second target notification message to the first AP.

[0183] The AC sends a second target notification message to the first AP, where the second target notification message includes channel information and bandwidth information of the third AP. The second target notification message is used to instruct the first AP to switch the STA to the third AP for signal detection.

[0184] 504: The first AP sends a second channel switching frame to the STA.

[0185] Step 504 refers to step 402 of the embodiment shown in FIG. 4 , and will not be described in detail here.

[0186] 505. The third AP monitors the frame signal from the STA on the first working channel to obtain a second RSSI between the third AP and the STA.

[0187] After the third AP receives the fourth notification message in step 502, the third AP may start to monitor the frame signal from the STA.

[0188] After the STA receives the second channel switching frame in step 504, the STA may send a frame signal on CH 36 with a bandwidth of 40 MHz according to the channel information and bandwidth information in the second channel switching frame.

[0189] The frame signal is monitored by the third AP, and the third AP can obtain the second RSSI between the third AP and the STA according to the frame signal.

[0190] In an embodiment of the present application, the first AP and the third AP are on the same working channel. In the process of obtaining the RSSI between the third AP and the STA (i.e., in the process of performing signal detection on the third AP), the first AP is prohibited from responding to the signal from the STA. This can prevent the signal from the first AP from interfering with the signal detection of the third AP, thereby ensuring the accuracy of the obtained RSSI information (i.e., roaming decision information).

[0191] Similarly, during the process of performing signal detection on the first AP, the third AP may also be prohibited from responding to the signal from the STA, which will not be described in detail here.

[0192] c. Switch the STA to the first AP and perform data communication through the first AP.

[0193] In case c, the AC decides in step 207 to let the STA switch to the first AP for data communication. The corresponding process is shown in Figure 6:

[0194] 601: The AC sends a third target notification message to the first AP, where the third target notification message is used to instruct the first AP to switch the STA to the first AP for data communication.

[0195] If the first RSSI is stronger than the RSSI between AP2 and the STA, or the first RSSI is greater than the first threshold for STA roaming, the STA may be handed over to AP1 for data communication.

[0196] Then, the AC sends a third target notification message to AP1, instructing AP1 to switch the STA to AP1 for data communication.

[0197] 602: The first AP performs association authentication with the STA according to the association information of the STA, and performs data communication with the STA.

[0198] After receiving the third target notification message, AP1 can perform association authentication with the STA based on the STA's association information and conduct data communication with the STA. The association information is the STA's association information on AP2, to which the STA is connected. Optionally, AP1 can temporarily obtain the association information from AP2 in this step, or it can save the association information included in the first notification message in step 201 for use. This application does not limit this.

[0199] In an embodiment of the present application, a specific example of association authentication is as follows: upon receiving association information from a STA, the AP creates a context for the STA. The context is used to record data associated with the STA, such as the STA's terminal identifier and the corresponding virtual BSSID. If the association information also includes the STA's user key, the AP also configures the user key to the AP's encryption and decryption module upon receiving the association information.

[0200] Optionally, the association information may include the basic service set identifier (BSSID) of the second AP, i.e., the BSSID used by the second AP to communicate with the STA. After AP1 is associated and authenticated with the STA, AP1 can communicate data with the STA using the BSSID of the second AP (AP2).

[0201] Optionally, in step 502, the first AP may also decide on its own to switch the STA to the first AP for data communication. For example, if the first RSSI is greater than or equal to the third threshold of STA roaming, the first AP may actively implement association authentication with the STA without the need for the AC to issue a fourth notification message to indicate association authentication.

[0202] In this embodiment of the present application, the decision to switch a STA to the first AP for data communication can be made either proactively by the first AP or by the AC. If the decision is made by the AC, since the AC stores information about the load and topology of each AP, it can combine the performance of the first and second APs and switch the STA to the first AP with the better overall performance for data communication. If the decision is made by the first AP, the response speed is faster, allowing for faster data communication.

[0203] The results of the three roaming decisions mentioned above are all made by the AC based on the first RSSI. The first RSSI is obtained by the first AP based on the frame signal sent by the STA to the first AP. In the embodiment of the present application, the frame signal can be obtained by the first AP from the STA or it can be actively sent by the STA. The following will be described in detail:

[0204] If the first AP obtains a frame signal from a STA, the corresponding process is shown in FIG7 , including:

[0205] 701. The AC sends a first notification message to a first AP.

[0206] This step refers to step 201 of the embodiment shown in FIG2 , and will not be described again here.

[0207] 702. The first AP sends a unicast frame to the STA.

[0208] The first notification message indicates that the STA is about to jump to the first operating channel (CH 36) where the first AP is located. To ensure that the first AP can promptly obtain frame signals from the STA after the STA jumps to the first operating channel, the first AP may begin sending unicast frames to the STA after receiving the first notification message. The destination address of the unicast frame is the STA's MAC address, the receiving address is the STA's MAC address, the sending address is the BSSID of the first AP, and the source address is the first AP's MAC address, bridge (bridge0, br0) address, etc. This application does not limit this.

[0209] Optionally, the unicast frame sent by the first AP to the STA can be a null data packet (also known as a NULL frame). Null data packets contain only the 802.11 header and no other content, so null data packets are shorter. Because null data packets are shorter, unicast frames from the first AP can reach the STA more quickly. Similarly, if the STA responds to the null data packet, the unicast frame responding to the first AP can also reach the first AP more quickly. This allows for faster interaction between the first AP and the STA on the first working channel.

[0210] Optionally, in addition to the empty data packet, the unicast frame sent by the first AP to the STA may also be a management frame, a control frame, a data frame, etc., which is not limited in this application.

[0211] 703. The AC sends a third notification message to the second AP.

[0212] 704. The second AP sends a third channel switching frame to the STA.

[0213] Steps 703 and 704 refer to steps 202 and 203 of the embodiment shown in FIG2 , and are not described again here.

[0214] 705. The STA responds with an ACK frame to the first AP.

[0215] Since the first AP has been sending unicast frames on the first working channel since step 701 (i.e., the first AP has been executing step 702), the STA can receive the unicast frame once it switches to the first working channel. The STA then responds with an ACK frame to the first AP.

[0216] 706. The first AP monitors unicast frames from the STA on the first working channel to obtain a first RSSI between the first AP and the STA.

[0217] In the embodiment of the present application, the first AP obtains an ACK frame from the STA via a unicast frame, thereby obtaining a frame signal from the STA. This method can quickly obtain a frame signal from the STA and improve the efficiency of decision information collection.

[0218] Optionally, in step 702, the first AP may also send a broadcast frame (e.g., a probe req frame), and in step 706, filter a target frame whose source address is the MAC address of the STA from the monitored reply frames (e.g., a probe rsp frame), thereby obtaining the first RSSI through the target frame.

[0219] In the embodiment of the present application, the first AP obtains a reply frame from the STA by broadcasting a frame, thereby obtaining a frame signal from the STA. This method can quickly obtain the frame signal from the STA and improve the efficiency of decision information collection.

[0220] The above is the process of the first AP finding the STA to obtain the frame signal. If the frame signal is actively sent to the first AP by the STA after jumping to the first working channel, steps 702 and 705 in Figure 7 are both removed. After step 704, the process of the STA sending the frame signal includes:

[0221] 707. The STA sends a Wi-Fi frame.

[0222] After a STA switches channels, it typically sends a Wi-Fi frame to the network. The source address (SA) and transmitter address (TA) of the Wi-Fi frame are the STA's MAC address (or vice versa).

[0223] Then, in step 706, the first AP may filter target frames whose TA is the MAC address of the STA from the monitored WIFI frames, thereby obtaining the first RSSI through the target frames.

[0224] Optionally, the WIFI frame may be a unicast frame or a broadcast frame, which is not limited in this application.

[0225] Similarly, in step 403 of the embodiment shown in Figure 4 , when the STA switches from the first operating channel to the third AP's operating channel, the third AP can proactively send a frame signal to the STA to trigger the STA's response to confirm the STA's transition to the third operating channel. Alternatively, the STA can proactively send a frame signal. The specific process is described in the embodiment shown in Figure 7 and is not further described here.

[0226] The two aforementioned methods for acquiring frame signals from STAs (actively sending a frame signal to the STA to trigger a STA response, or the STA actively sending a frame signal) can also be applied to the embodiment shown in FIG3 . In step 304 of the embodiment shown in FIG3 , the STA switches from the first working channel back to the second working channel. The second AP needs to acquire a frame signal from the STA to confirm that the STA has returned to the second working channel. The process of the second AP acquiring a frame signal from the STA is shown in FIG8 , and includes:

[0227] 801: The AC sends a fifth notification message to the second AP.

[0228] This step refers to step 303 of the embodiment shown in FIG3 , and will not be described again here.

[0229] 802. The second AP sends a unicast frame to the STA.

[0230] The fifth notification message indicates that the STA is about to jump back to the second operating channel (CH 149) of the second AP. To ensure that the second AP can promptly obtain frame signals from the STA after the STA jumps to the second operating channel, the second AP may begin sending unicast frames to the STA after receiving the fifth notification message. The destination address of the unicast frame is the STA's MAC address, the receiving address is the STA's MAC address, the sending address is the BSSID of the second AP, and the source address is the second AP's MAC address and bridge (bridge0, br0) address, etc. This application does not limit this.

[0231] 803: The AC sends a first target notification message to the first AP.

[0232] 804. The first AP sends a second channel switching frame to the STA.

[0233] Steps 803 and 804 refer to steps 301 and 302 of the embodiment shown in FIG3 , and are not described again here.

[0234] 805. The STA sends an ACK frame to the second AP.

[0235] Since the second AP has been sending unicast frames on the second working channel since step 801 (i.e., the second AP has been executing step 802), the STA can receive the unicast frame once it switches to the second working channel. The STA then responds with an ACK frame to the second AP.

[0236] 806. The second AP determines that the STA returns to the second working channel.

[0237] The second AP receives a unicast frame from the STA on the second working channel and determines that the STA has returned to the second working channel.

[0238] 807. Resume sending data frames to the STA on the second working channel.

[0239] After determining that the STA has returned to the second working channel, the second AP can resume sending data frames to the STA.

[0240] In this embodiment of the present application, the second AP obtains an ACK frame from the STA via a unicast frame, thereby obtaining a frame signal from the STA. This method can quickly obtain a frame signal from the STA, allowing the STA to switch back to the second AP more quickly, thereby quickly resuming data communication with the STA.

[0241] Optionally, in step 802, the second AP may also send a broadcast frame (e.g., a probe req frame), and in step 806, filter the target frame whose source address is the MAC address of the STA from the monitored reply frames (e.g., a probe rsp frame), thereby determining that the STA returns to the second AP through the target frame.

[0242] In the embodiment of the present application, the second AP obtains a reply frame from the STA by broadcasting a frame, thereby obtaining a frame signal from the STA. This method can quickly obtain a frame signal from the STA and restore the STA's data communication more quickly.

[0243] The above is the process of the second AP finding the STA to obtain the frame signal. If the frame signal is actively sent to the second AP by the STA after jumping to the second working channel, steps 802 and 805 in Figure 8 are removed. The process of the STA sending the frame signal includes:

[0244] 808. The STA sends a WiFi frame.

[0245] After the STA switches channels, it typically sends a Wi-Fi frame to the network. The source address SA and transmitter address TA of the Wi-Fi frame are the STA's MAC address (or the TA of the Wi-Fi frame is the STA's MAC address). In step 806, the second AP can filter the monitored Wi-Fi frames for target frames whose source address is the STA's MAC address, thereby confirming that the STA has returned to the second operating channel based on the target frame.

[0246] Optionally, the WIFI frame may be a unicast frame or a broadcast frame, which is not limited in this application.

[0247] In an embodiment of the present application, the first notification message may also carry STA association information to achieve fast STA switching or increase the speed of acquiring the first RSSI, wherein the association information is the STA association information on the second AP accessed by the STA.

[0248] If the first notification message includes the association information of the STA, then in step 602 of the embodiment shown in FIG6 , AP1 may implement association authentication with the STA according to the association information included in the first notification message.

[0249] If the first notification message does not include the STA's association information, then in step 602 of the embodiment shown in Figure 6, AP1 can temporarily send a request message to the AC to request the association information. AP1 then receives the association information from the AC and performs association authentication with the STA based on the association information.

[0250] In this embodiment of the present application, the association information can be obtained by the first AP in advance from the first notification message, or it can be obtained temporarily by the first AP from the AC. Pre-acquiring the association information from the first notification message allows for efficient association and connection between the first AP and the STA, enabling rapid AP handoff for the STA and improving the user experience. Temporarily obtaining the association information from the AC ensures the accuracy of the obtained association information.

[0251] The STA association information included in the first notification message can not only quickly realize AP switching after the AC determines to switch the STA to the first AP as described above, but also improve the communication efficiency between the STA and the first AP during the signal detection (obtaining the first RSSI), thereby reducing the duration of signal detection.

[0252] For example, in any of the above embodiments, before the STA switches to the first operating channel (e.g., before step 203 in FIG. 2 or before step 704 in the embodiment of FIG. 7 ), the first AP may perform association authentication with the STA based on the association information, and communicate with the STA on the first operating channel based on the association authentication, thereby obtaining a first RSSI between the first AP and the STA. Optionally, the association information may include the BSSID of the second AP, i.e., the BSSID used by the second AP when communicating with the STA.

[0253] In one specific example, before step 702 in Figure 7 , the first AP performs association authentication with the STA based on the association information. In step 702, the first AP sends a unicast frame to the STA after association authentication. This unicast frame uses the association information between the second AP and the STA. In other words, the first AP masquerades as the second AP to interact with the STA (step 702), thereby rapidly acquiring the RSSI between the first AP and the STA and improving roaming information acquisition speed.

[0254] In one specific example, before step 802 in Figure 8 , the first AP performs association authentication with the STA based on the association information. In step 802, the first AP sends a unicast frame to the STA after association authentication. This unicast frame uses the association information between the second AP and the STA. In other words, the first AP masquerades as the second AP to interact with the STA (step 802), thereby rapidly acquiring the RSSI between the first AP and the STA and improving roaming information acquisition speed.

[0255] In this embodiment of the present application, during signal detection, the first AP can directly use the association information between the second AP (AP2) and the STA to implement association authentication and communication with the STA, thereby simplifying the packet detection process and CSA frames between the first AP and the STA. In other words, the first AP disguises itself as the second AP to interact with the STA. This allows the STA to communicate with the first AP more quickly after switching channels, thereby more quickly obtaining the RSSI between the first AP and the STA (reducing the signal detection time), reducing the service data latency caused by obtaining decision information, and improving the user experience.

[0256] If association authentication is performed on the first AP based on the association information, the AC can switch the STA's upper-level route to the first AP for data communication (i.e., exchange of service messages). Optionally, the AC can switch the route to the first AP for data communication during the detection of the first AP, thereby ensuring uninterrupted service data during signal detection.

[0257] In a specific example, using Figure 2 as an example, after step 201 (the AC sends a first notification message to the first AP) and before step 206 (the AC receives a first response message from the first AP), the AC can update its routing information, changing the STA's upstream routing node from the second AP to the first AP. The AC can then send service packets (with the destination address being the STA) to the first AP, enabling service packet exchange with the STA through the first AP.

[0258] It is worth noting that the AC updating routing information mentioned above can occur before step 203, so that after the STA jumps to the first working channel, the service message interaction between the STA and the network can be immediately realized through the first AP, which can ensure that the service is not interrupted during the signal detection process and the user experience is guaranteed.

[0259] Optionally, after completing detection of the first AP and making a roaming decision, the AC can switch the route to the first AP for data communication. In a specific example, using Figure 2 as an example, in step 207, the AC can update its routing information, changing the STA's upstream routing node from the second AP to the first AP. The AC can then send service packets (with the STA's destination address) to the first AP, enabling service packet exchange with the STA through the first AP.

[0260] Optionally, the first AP may not perform association authentication based on the association information, but may directly use the BSSID of the second AP to implement communication with the STA during communication with the STA, thereby obtaining the first RSSI.

[0261] For example, in step 702 of FIG. 7 , when the first AP sends a unicast frame (or a broadcast frame) to the STA, the first AP may use the BSSID of the second AP as a sending address to send a frame signal to the STA.

[0262] For example, in step 802 of FIG. 8 , the first AP may also directly use the BSSID of the second AP to send a unicast frame (or a broadcast frame) to the STA, thereby reducing system costs while increasing the speed of obtaining roaming information.

[0263] In this embodiment, the first AP directly uses the second AP's BSSID to communicate with the STA. This direct BSSID population method eliminates the need to update the first AP's internal data, minimizing system overhead. Using the second AP's BSSID also speeds up communication between the first AP and the STA, enabling faster acquisition of the first RSSI and improving the speed of decision-making information.

[0264] Optionally, the first AP may also send a unicast frame (or broadcast frame) to the STA using its own BSSID to obtain the first RSSI. For example, in step 702 of FIG7 , the first AP uses its BSSID as the sending address to send a unicast frame to the STA.

[0265] The decision information collection method provided in the embodiments of the present application is described above. The wireless communication device and system provided in the embodiments of the present application are described below.

[0266] Figure 9 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a wireless communication system WLAN provided in an embodiment of the present application. As shown in Figure 9, the system includes an AC 1000, a first AP 2000, a second AP 3000, and a station STA 4000. The AC 1000 is used to manage the first AP 2000 and the second AP 3000. The operating channel of the first AP 2000 is the first operating channel. The station STA 4000 is wirelessly connected to the second AP 3000. The operating channel of the second AP 3000 and the STA 4000 is the second operating channel.

[0267] Optionally, as shown in FIG9 , the WLAN may further include a third AP 5000 , where the third AP 5000 has a different working channel and / or bandwidth from the first AP.

[0268] FIG10 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a first AP 2000 provided in an embodiment of the present application. As shown in FIG10 , the first AP 2000 includes a transceiver module 2001 and a processing module 2002 .

[0269] The transceiver module 2001 is used to receive a first notification message from the AC 1000. The first notification message is used to instruct the first AP 2000 to obtain the received signal strength indication RSSI of the STA 4000 on the first working channel. The first notification message is sent by the AC 1000 when the STA 4000 is about to be switched to the first working channel through the second AP 3000.

[0270] The processing module 2002 is configured to monitor a frame signal from the STA 4000 on the first working channel to obtain a first RSSI between the first AP 2000 and the STA 4000.

[0271] The transceiver module 2001 is further configured to send a first response message to the AC 1000 . The first response message includes a first RSSI. The first RSSI is used to implement a handover decision of the STA 4000 .

[0272] The first AP 2000 is used to implement the actions performed by the first AP in the embodiments shown in FIG. 2 to FIG. 8 , which will not be described in detail here.

[0273] FIG11 is a schematic diagram of the structure of an AC 1000 provided in an embodiment of the present application. As shown in FIG11 , the AC 1000 includes a transceiver module 1001 .

[0274] The transceiver module 1001 is used to: send a first notification message to the first AP 2000, the first notification message is used to instruct the first AP 2000 to obtain the received signal strength indication RSSI of STA 4000 on the first working channel; send a third notification message to the second AP 3000, the third notification message includes the first working channel and the first bandwidth information of the first AP 2000, the third notification message is used to instruct the second AP to jump the STA to the first working channel for signal detection; receive a first response message from the first AP 2000, the first response message includes the first RSSI, and the first RSSI is used to implement the switching decision of STA 4000.

[0275] AC 1000 is used to implement the actions performed by the AC in the embodiments shown in FIG. 2 to FIG. 8 , which will not be described in detail here.

[0276] In an optional implementation, the AC also includes a decision module 1002; the decision module 1002 is used to implement the switching decision of STA 4000 based on the first RSSI. The transceiver module 1001 is also used to send a target notification message to the first AP 2000, and the target notification message is used to instruct STA 4000 to switch back to the second AP for data communication, or to instruct STA 4000 to jump to the third AP for signal detection, or to instruct STA 4000 to switch to the first AP for data communication.

[0277] FIG12 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a second AP 3000 provided in an embodiment of the present application. As shown in FIG10 , the second AP 3000 includes a transceiver module 3001 and a processing module 3002 .

[0278] The transceiver module 3001 is used to receive a third notification message from the AC 1000. The third notification message includes the first working channel of the first AP 2000 and the first bandwidth information of the first AP 2000. The third notification message is used to instruct the second AP 3000 to jump the STA 4000 to the first working channel for signal detection.

[0279] The transceiver module 3001 is also used to send a third channel switching frame to STA 4000 according to the third notification message. The third channel switching frame includes the first working channel and the first bandwidth information. The third channel switching frame is used to instruct STA 4000 to jump to the first working channel for signal detection.

[0280] The processing module 3002 is configured to retain the association authentication with the STA 4000 and suspend sending data frames to the STA 4000 .

[0281] The second AP 3000 is used to implement the actions performed by the second AP in the embodiments shown in FIG. 2 to FIG. 8 , which will not be described in detail here.

[0282] Those skilled in the art will clearly understand that, for the convenience and brevity of description, the specific working processes of the systems, devices and units described above can refer to the corresponding processes in the aforementioned method embodiments and will not be repeated here.

[0283] In the several embodiments provided in this application, it should be understood that the disclosed systems, devices and methods can be implemented in other ways. For example, the device embodiments described above are merely schematic. For example, the division of the units is merely a logical function division. In actual implementation, there may be other division methods, such as multiple units or components can be combined or integrated into another system, or some features can be ignored or not executed. Another point is that the mutual coupling or direct coupling or communication connection shown or discussed can be an indirect coupling or communication connection through some interfaces, devices or units, which can be electrical, mechanical or other forms.

[0284] The units described as separate components may or may not be physically separate, and the components shown as units may or may not be physical units, that is, they may be located in one place or distributed across multiple network units. Some or all of these units may be selected to achieve the purpose of this embodiment according to actual needs.

[0285] In addition, the functional units in the various embodiments of the present application may be integrated into a single processing unit, or each unit may exist physically separately, or two or more units may be integrated into a single unit. The aforementioned integrated units may be implemented in the form of hardware or software functional units.

[0286] If the integrated unit is implemented in the form of a software functional unit and sold or used as an independent product, it can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium. Based on this understanding, the technical solution of the present application is essentially or the part that contributes to the prior art or all or part of the technical solution can be embodied in the form of a software product, and the computer software product is stored in a storage medium, including a number of instructions for enabling a computer device (which can be a personal computer, a server, or a network device, etc.) to execute all or part of the steps of the method described in each embodiment of the present application. The aforementioned storage medium includes: various media that can store program codes, such as a USB flash drive, a mobile hard disk, a read-only memory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM), a magnetic disk or an optical disk.

Claims

1. A method for collecting decision information, characterized in that: Applied to a first AP, where a first operating channel of the first AP is different from a second operating channel of a station STA, and the STA is wirelessly connected to a second AP, the method includes: receiving a first notification message from an access controller AC, where the first notification message is used to instruct the first AP to obtain a received signal strength indicator (RSSI) of the STA on the first working channel, and the first notification message is sent by the AC when the AC is about to implement handover of the STA to the first working channel through the second AP; monitoring a frame signal from the STA on the first working channel to obtain a first RSSI between the first AP and the STA; A first response message is sent to the AC, where the first response message includes the first RSSI, and the first RSSI is used to implement a handover decision of the STA.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that After sending the first response message to the AC, the method further includes: Send a target channel switching frame to the STA, or perform data communication with the STA, where the target channel switching frame is used to instruct the STA to switch back to the second AP for data communication or switch to the third AP for signal detection.

3. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that After sending the first response message to the AC, the first AP performs data communication with the STA; After sending the first response message to the AC and before performing data communication with the STA, the method further includes: Association authentication with the STA is implemented according to the association information of the STA, where the association information is the association information of the STA on the second AP accessed by the STA.

4. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that The first notification message includes association information of the STA; The obtaining a first RSSI between the first AP and the STA includes: Association authentication with the STA is implemented according to the association information, and communication with the STA is performed on the first working channel to obtain a first RSSI between the first AP and the STA.

5. The method according to claim 4, characterized in that After receiving the first notification message from the access controller AC and before sending the first response message to the AC, the method further includes: receiving a service message from the AC, where the destination address of the service message is the STA; Send the service message to the STA.

6. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that The first notification message includes the BSSID of the second AP; The obtaining a first RSSI between the first AP and the STA includes: The BSSID of the second AP is used to communicate with the STA and obtain the first RSSI.

7. The method according to any one of claims 2 or 4 to 6, characterized in that The third AP and the first AP have the same operating channel but different channel bandwidth. Before the third AP interacts with the STA, the method further includes: A second notification message is received from the AC, where the second notification message is used to prohibit the first AP from responding to the frame signal from the STA.

8. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that Before monitoring the frame signal from the STA on the first working channel, the method further includes: Sending a unicast frame on the first working channel, where the destination address of the unicast frame is the MAC address of the STA; Monitoring a frame signal from the STA on the first working channel includes: Listening on the first working channel for a reply ACK frame of the unicast frame.

9. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that Before monitoring the frame signal from the STA on the first working channel, the method further includes: Sending a broadcast frame on the first working channel; Monitoring a frame signal from the STA on the first working channel includes: The reply frames of the broadcast frame are monitored on the first working channel, and the target frames whose sending address is the MAC address are filtered out from the monitored reply frames, where the target frames are used to obtain the first RSSI.

10. The method according to any one of claims 2 or 4 to 9, characterized in that The target channel switching frame is a channel switching indication CSA frame.

11. A method for collecting decision information, characterized in that: Applied to an access controller AC, the AC is used to manage a first AP and a second AP, the working channel of the first AP is a first working channel, a station STA is wirelessly connected to the second AP, and the working channel of the second AP and the STA is a second working channel, the method includes: Sending a first notification message to the first AP, where the first notification message is used to instruct the first AP to obtain a received signal strength indicator RSSI of the STA on the first working channel; Sending a third notification message to the second AP, where the third notification message includes the first working channel and the first bandwidth information of the first AP, and the third notification message is used to instruct the second AP to jump the STA to the first working channel for signal detection; A first response message is received from the first AP, where the first response message includes the first RSSI, and the first RSSI is used to implement a switching decision of the STA.

12. The method according to claim 11, characterized in that After receiving the first response message from the first AP, the method further includes: The switching decision of the STA is implemented according to the first RSSI, and a target notification message is sent to the first AP, where the target notification message is used to instruct the STA to switch back to the second AP for data communication, or to instruct the STA to jump to the third AP for signal detection, or to instruct the STA to switch to the first AP for data communication.

13. The method according to claim 11 or 12, characterized in that The first notification message includes association information of the STA, where the association information is association information of the STA on the second AP accessed by the STA; The association information is used to implement association authentication between the first AP and the STA, and to implement data communication between the first AP and the STA.

14. The method according to any one of claims 11 to 13, characterized in that After sending the first notification message to the first AP and before receiving the first response message from the first AP, the method further includes: Updating the routing information of the AC and changing the upstream routing node of the STA from the second AP to the first AP; Send a service message to the first AP, where the destination address of the service message is the STA.

15. The method according to any one of claims 12 to 14, characterized in that The third AP and the first AP have the same operating channel but different channel bandwidths, and the method further includes: Before the third AP interacts with the STA, sending a second notification message to the first AP, where the second notification message is used to prohibit the first AP from responding to a frame signal from the STA; Sending a fourth notification message to the third AP, where the fourth notification message is used to instruct the third AP to obtain a second RSSI of the STA on the first working channel; Receive the second RSSI from the third AP, and implement a switching decision of the STA according to the second RSSI.

16. A method for collecting decision information, characterized in that: A second AP is applied to a station STA for wireless connection, wherein a working channel between the second AP and the STA is a second working channel, and the method includes: receiving a third notification message from the access controller AC, where the third notification message includes information about a first working channel of the first AP and a first bandwidth of the first AP, and the third notification message is used to instruct the second AP to jump the STA to the first working channel for signal detection; Sending a third channel switching frame to the STA according to the third notification message, where the third channel switching frame includes the first working channel and the first bandwidth information, and is used to instruct the STA to jump to the first working channel for signal detection; The association authentication with the STA is retained, and sending data frames to the STA is suspended.

17. The method according to claim 16, characterized in that The third channel switching frame is a channel switching indication CSA frame.

18. The method according to claim 16 or 17, characterized in that After sending a third channel switching frame to the STA according to the third notification message, the method further includes: receiving a fifth notification message, where the fifth notification message is used to indicate that the STA is about to jump back to the second working channel for data communication; monitoring a frame signal from the STA on the second working channel, and determining that the STA jumps back to the second working channel; Resume sending data frames to the STA on the second working channel.

19. The method according to claim 18, characterized in that Before monitoring the frame signal from the STA on the second working channel, the method further includes: Sending a unicast frame on the second working channel, where the destination address of the unicast frame is the MAC address of the STA; Monitoring a frame signal from the STA on the second working channel includes: Listening on the second working channel for a reply ACK frame of the unicast frame.

20. The method according to claim 18, wherein Before monitoring the frame signal from the STA on the second working channel, the method further includes: Sending a broadcast frame on the second working channel; Listen for reply frames to the broadcast frame on the second working channel, and filter target frames whose source addresses are the MAC address from the monitored reply frames, wherein the target frames are used to determine that the STA returns to the second working channel.

21. A first access point AP, characterized in that: The first operating channel of the first AP is different from the second operating channel of the station STA, the STA is wirelessly connected to the second AP, and the first AP includes: a transceiver module, configured to receive a first notification message from an access controller (AC), wherein the first notification message is used to instruct the first AP to obtain a received signal strength indicator (RSSI) of the STA on the first working channel, and the first notification message is sent by the AC when the AC is about to implement handover of the STA to the first working channel through the second AP; a processing module, configured to monitor a frame signal from the STA on the first working channel to obtain a first RSSI between the first AP and the STA; The transceiver module is further configured to send a first response message to the AC, where the first response message includes the first RSSI, and the first RSSI is used to implement a switching decision of the STA.

22. The first AP according to claim 21, wherein: The transceiver module is also used for: Send a target channel switching frame to the STA, or perform data communication with the STA, where the target channel switching frame is used to instruct the STA to switch back to the second AP for data communication or switch to the third AP for signal detection.

23. The first AP according to claim 21 or 22, It is characterized by: The transceiver module is configured to: send a unicast frame on the first working channel, where the destination address of the unicast frame is the MAC address of the STA; The processing module is configured to monitor, on the first working channel, a reply ACK frame of the unicast frame.

24. The first AP according to claim 21 or 22, It is characterized by: The transceiver module is used to: send a broadcast frame on the first working channel; The processing module is used to monitor the reply frames of the broadcast frame on the first working channel, and filter the target frames whose sending address is the MAC address from the monitored reply frames, and the target frames are used to obtain the first RSSI.

25. An access controller AC, characterized in that: The AC is used to manage a first AP and a second AP, the working channel of the first AP is a first working channel, the station STA is wirelessly connected to the second AP, and the working channel of the second AP and the STA is a second working channel. The AC includes a transceiver module, and the transceiver module is used to: Sending a first notification message to the first AP, where the first notification message is used to instruct the first AP to obtain a received signal strength indicator RSSI of the STA on the first working channel; Sending a third notification message to the second AP, where the third notification message includes the first working channel and the first bandwidth information of the first AP, and the third notification message is used to instruct the second AP to jump the STA to the first working channel for signal detection; A first response message is received from the first AP, where the first response message includes the first RSSI, and the first RSSI is used to implement a switching decision of the STA.

26. The AC according to claim 25, characterized in that The AC also includes a decision module; The decision module is configured to implement a handover decision of the STA according to the first RSSI; The transceiver module is also used to send a target notification message to the first AP, where the target notification message is used to instruct the STA to switch back to the second AP for data communication, or to instruct the STA to jump to the third AP for signal detection, or to instruct the STA to switch to the first AP for data communication.

27. A second access point AP, characterized in that: The second AP is an AP to which the station STA is wirelessly connected, a working channel between the second AP and the STA is a second working channel, and the second AP includes: a transceiver module, configured to receive a third notification message from the access controller AC, the third notification message including information about the first working channel of the first AP and the first bandwidth of the first AP, the third notification message being used to instruct the second AP to jump the STA to the first working channel for signal detection; The transceiver module is further configured to send a third channel switching frame to the STA according to the third notification message, where the third channel switching frame includes the first working channel and the first bandwidth information, and the third channel switching frame is used to instruct the STA to jump to the first working channel for signal detection; The processing module is configured to retain the association authentication with the STA and suspend sending data frames to the STA.

28. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that The computer-readable storage medium stores a computer program, and when the computer program is executed, the method according to any one of claims 1 to 10, 11 to 15, or 16 to 20 is implemented.

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