Communication method and apparatus

Abstract

The present application relates to the technical field of communications, and in particular to a communication method and an apparatus, which aim to avoid the problem that a WPT link occupying a frequency range for a long time will affect the communication quality or communication efficiency of other data communication links. The method comprises: a first communication apparatus receives a WPT configuration from a second communication apparatus, the WPT configuration indicating a plurality of WPT time domain units, the WPT time domain units being used for WPT, and there being a time interval between any two adjacent WPT time domain units; and, on the basis of the WPT configuration, the first communication apparatus performs WPT.

Description

Communication method and device

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0002] This application claims priority to the Chinese patent application filed with the State Intellectual Property Office of the People's Republic of China on February 4, 2024, with application number 202410163203.6 and application name "A Communication Method and Device", the entire contents of which are incorporated by reference into this application. Technical Field

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

[0004] Currently, wireless local area network (WLAN) applications based on the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11 technology have been deployed in many market segments, including the traditional consumer electronics market and the booming Internet of Things market.

[0005] To reduce the deployment and maintenance costs of wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi) IoT, the IEEE 802.11 working group is discussing an IoT device that supports energy harvesting. This new project is named the Ambient Power (AMP) project. The project introduces radio frequency (RF) wireless power transfer (WPT) and uses capacitors that support RF WPT to replace traditional batteries, solving the bottleneck problem caused by traditional batteries. The AMP project authorization request (PAR) has currently passed the following requests: (1) at least one data communication mode in the sub-1 GHz band; (2) at least one data communication mode in the 2.4 GHz band, with the communication access category (AC) set to background (AC_BK); (3) at least one WPT mode in the sub-1 GHz band to indicate RF energy harvesting.

[0006] As can be seen from Articles (1) and (3) of the PAR, there are coexistence issues between WPT and data communication in the Sub-1 GHz frequency range. If a WPT link occupies a certain frequency range for a long time, the communication quality or efficiency of other data communication links in the overlapping frequency range will be greatly affected. Summary of the Invention

[0007] The embodiments of the present application provide a communication method and apparatus to avoid the problem that a WPT link occupies a certain frequency range for a long time, thereby affecting the communication quality or efficiency of other data communication links.

[0008] In a first aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication method, the method comprising: a first communication device receives a WPT configuration from a second communication device, the WPT configuration indicates multiple WPT time domain units, wherein the WPT time domain units are used for WPT, and there is a time interval between any two adjacent WPT time domain units; the first communication device performs WPT according to the WPT configuration.

[0009] In the above communication method, the second communication device can be an access point (AP) / relay node, a component of an AP / relay node (such as a processor, chip, or chip system, etc.), or a device used in conjunction with an AP / relay node; the first communication device can be a station (STA), a component of an STA (such as a processor, chip, or chip system, etc.), or a device used in conjunction with a STA, etc.

[0010] Through the above method, the WPT time required by the first communication device can be divided into multiple WPT time domain units, and there is a time interval that can be used for data communication between any two adjacent WPT time domain units. This can avoid the WPT link occupying a long time within a frequency range, affecting the communication quality (such as delay, etc.) or communication efficiency of other data communication links.

[0011] In one possible design, the WPT configuration may include one or more of the following: WPT start time, WPT time domain unit duration, WPT time domain unit interval, number of WPT time domain units, total WPT duration, or WPT time domain unit cycle duration. With this design, multiple WPT time domain units can be indicated using one or more of these parameters to meet different requirements for indicating multiple WPT time domain units.

[0012] In one possible design, before the first communication device receives the WPT configuration from the second communication device, the method further includes: the first communication device sends a WPT configuration request to the second communication device, where the WPT configuration request includes a WPT configuration recommendation value. Optionally, the WPT configuration recommendation value may include one or more of the following: a WPT start time recommendation value, a WPT time domain unit duration recommendation value, a WPT time domain unit interval recommendation value, a WPT time domain unit number recommendation value, a WPT total duration recommendation value, or a WPT time domain unit cycle duration recommendation value. Through the above design, the second communication device can send the WPT configuration to the first communication device based on the WPT configuration recommendation value from the first communication device, thereby improving the reliability of the WPT configuration sending.

[0013] In one possible design, the method further includes: when the first communication device enters an abnormal state, the first communication device sends a WPT suspension request to the second communication device, where the WPT suspension request is used to request the suspension of WPT. The abnormal state may include one or more of the following: excessive voltage, excessive current, excessive temperature, or a circuit self-protection mechanism being triggered. This design allows the second communication device to suspend (or pause) WPT when the first communication device enters an abnormal state, such as excessive voltage, to prevent damage to the first communication device.

[0014] In one possible design, the method further includes: the first communication device receiving a WPT suspension response from the second communication device; and the first communication device resuming WPT. This design allows the first communication device to resume WPT power transmission after returning to a normal state from an abnormal state without having to go through the WPT configuration process, thereby improving WPT efficiency.

[0015] In one possible design, the WPT suspension request indicates a WPT suspension duration. With the above design, the second communication device can suspend WPT according to the WPT suspension duration required by the first communication device, so that the first communication device has enough time to recover from the abnormal state to the normal state.

[0016] In one possible design, the WPT suspend response indicates a WPT resumption time or a WPT resumption time domain unit, and the first communication device resumes WPT, including: the first communication device resumes WPT based on the WPT resumption time or the WPT resumption time domain unit. This design enables the first communication device and the second communication device to align their understanding of the time or time domain unit for resuming WPT.

[0017] In one possible design, the WPT configuration further includes a WPT sub-time-domain unit pattern, where the WPT sub-time-domain unit pattern is used to indicate that the WPT time-domain unit is divided into multiple WPT sub-time-domain units, where the multiple WPT sub-time-domain units include WPT sub-time-domain units for WPT and WPT sub-time-domain units for data communication. Optionally, the WPT configuration recommended value may further include a WPT sub-time-domain unit recommended value.

[0018] When the WPT link and data communication link of the first communication device and the second communication device overlap in the frequency domain, the first communication device sends a WPT suspend request to the second communication device, including: when the WPT configuration does not include a WPT sub-time domain unit pattern, the first communication device sends a WPT suspend request to the second communication device after the WPT time domain unit entering the abnormal state ends; or, when the WPT configuration includes a WPT sub-time domain unit pattern, the first communication device sends a WPT suspend request to the second communication device in the WPT sub-time domain unit used for data communication after the WPT sub-time domain unit entering the abnormal state.

[0019] Through the above design, when the WPT link and the data communication link overlap in the frequency domain, the second communication device can indicate the WPT sub-time domain unit pattern, so that when the first communication device enters an abnormal state such as excessive voltage, it can quickly send a WPT suspend request in the WPT sub-time domain unit used for data communication, requesting to suspend WPT, thereby avoiding damage to the first communication device.

[0020] In the second aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication method, which includes: a second communication device sends a WPT configuration to a first communication device, the WPT configuration indicates multiple WPT time domain units, wherein the WPT time domain units are used for WPT, and there is a time interval between any two adjacent WPT time domain units; the second communication device performs WPT with the first communication device according to the WPT configuration.

[0021] In the above communication method, the second communication device can be an AP / relay node, a component of an AP / relay node (such as a processor, chip, or chip system, etc.), or a device used in conjunction with an AP / relay node; the first communication device can be an STA, a component of an STA (such as a processor, chip, or chip system, etc.), or a device used in conjunction with an STA, etc.

[0022] In one possible design, the WPT configuration includes one or more of the following: WPT start time, WPT time domain unit duration, WPT time domain unit interval, number of WPT time domain units, WPT total duration, or WPT time domain unit cycle duration.

[0023] In one possible design, the WPT configuration also includes a WPT sub-time domain unit pattern; wherein the WPT sub-time domain unit pattern is used to indicate that the WPT time domain unit is divided into multiple WPT sub-time domain units, and the multiple WPT sub-time domain units include WPT sub-time domain units for WPT and WPT sub-time domain units for data communication.

[0024] In one possible design, before the second communication device sends the WPT configuration to the first communication device, the method further includes: the second communication device receives a WPT configuration request from the first communication device, where the WPT configuration request includes a WPT configuration recommended value.

[0025] In one possible design, the WPT configuration recommended value includes one or more of the following: a WPT start time recommended value, a WPT time domain unit duration recommended value, a WPT time domain unit interval recommended value, a WPT time domain unit number recommended value, a WPT total duration recommended value, a WPT time domain unit cycle duration recommended value, or a WPT sub-time domain unit pattern recommended value.

[0026] In one possible design, the WPT configuration recommendation value also includes a WPT sub-time domain unit pattern recommendation value.

[0027] In one possible design, the method also includes: the second communication device receives a WPT suspend request from the first communication device, where the WPT suspend request is used to request suspending the WPT; and the second communication device suspends the WPT.

[0028] In one possible design, the WPT suspension request indicates the WPT suspension duration, and the second communication device suspends the WPT, including: the second communication device suspends the WPT according to the WPT suspension duration.

[0029] In one possible design, the method also includes: the second communication device sending a WPT suspend response to the first communication device; and the second communication device resuming WPT.

[0030] In one possible design, the WPT suspension response indicates a WPT recovery time or a WPT recovery time domain unit, and the second communication device recovers WPT, including: the second communication device recovers WPT according to the WPT recovery time or the WPT recovery time domain unit.

[0031] In a third aspect, embodiments of the present application provide a communication device having the functionality to implement the method of the first or second aspect described above. The functionality may be implemented through hardware or through hardware executing corresponding software. The hardware or software includes one or more modules corresponding to the functionality, such as an interface unit and a processing unit.

[0032] In one possible design, the device may be a chip or an integrated circuit.

[0033] In one possible design, the device includes a memory and a processor, the memory is used to store instructions executed by the processor, and when the instructions are executed by the processor, the device can perform the method of the first aspect or the second aspect.

[0034] In a fourth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication device, comprising an interface circuit and a processor, wherein the processor and the interface circuit are coupled to each other. The processor implements the method of the first or second aspect described above through a logic circuit or executing instructions. The interface circuit is configured to receive signals from other communication devices outside the communication device and transmit them to the processor, or to transmit signals from the processor to other communication devices outside the communication device. It will be understood that the interface circuit may be a transceiver, a transceiver, a transceiver, or an input / output interface.

[0035] Optionally, the communication device may further include a memory for storing instructions executed by the processor, or storing input data required by the processor to execute instructions, or storing data generated after the processor executes instructions. The memory may be a physically independent unit, or may be coupled to the processor, or the processor may include the memory (i.e., the processor and memory are integrated together).

[0036] In a possible implementation, the communication device is a chip.

[0037] In a fifth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication system, which includes a first communication device and a second communication device. The first communication device can be used to implement the method of the first aspect above, and the second communication device can be used to implement the method of the second aspect above.

[0038] In a sixth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a computer-readable storage medium, in which a computer program or instruction is stored. When the computer program or instruction is executed by a processor, the method of the first or second aspect mentioned above can be implemented.

[0039] In the seventh aspect, an embodiment of the present application further provides a computer program product, including a computer program or instructions, which, when executed by a processor, can implement the method of the first or second aspect above.

[0040] In the eighth aspect, an embodiment of the present application also provides a chip system, which includes a processor, the processor is used to couple with a memory, and the memory is used to store computer programs or instructions. When the computer program or instructions are executed by the processor, the method of any one of the first or second aspects above can be implemented.

[0041] The technical effects that can be achieved in the second to eighth aspects mentioned above can refer to the technical effects that can be achieved in the first aspect mentioned above, and will not be repeated here. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0042] FIG1 is a schematic diagram of a network architecture provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0043] FIG2 is a schematic diagram of one of the application scenarios provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0044] FIG3 is a second schematic diagram of an application scenario provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0045] FIG4 is a third schematic diagram of an application scenario provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0046] FIG5 is a schematic diagram of a process of data link-assisted WPT energy transmission according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0047] FIG6 is a schematic diagram of the WPT configuration and WPT reporting process provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0048] FIG7 is a schematic diagram of a communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0049] FIG8 is a schematic diagram of a WPT time domain unit distribution according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0050] FIG9 is a second schematic diagram of WPT time domain unit distribution according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0051] FIG10 is a schematic diagram of the action field format provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0052] FIG11 is a schematic diagram of a WPT suspension process according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0053] FIG12 is a second schematic diagram of the WPT suspension process provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0054] FIG13 is a schematic diagram of a WPT sub-time domain unit pattern provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0055] FIG14 is a schematic diagram of a structure of a communication device according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0056] FIG15 is a second schematic diagram of the structure of the communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0057] The embodiments of the present application may be applicable to local area networks (LANs), in particular wireless local area networks (WLANs), for example, WLANs that adopt any one of the 802.11 series standards of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE). For example, WLANs that adopt 802.11a, 802.11ab, 802.11g, 802.11n, 802.11ac, 802.11ax, 802.11be, 802.11ad, 802.11ay, Wi-Fi 8, or a later generation standard. A WLAN may include one or more basic service sets (BSSs), and network nodes in the basic service set include access points (APs) and stations (STAs).

[0058] Although the embodiments of the present application are mainly described by taking the deployment of a WLAN network, in particular a network using the IEEE 802.11 system standard as an example, it will be readily understood by those skilled in the art that the various aspects of the present application can be extended to other networks using various standards or protocols, such as BLUETOOTH, high performance radio LAN (HIPERLAN) (a wireless standard similar to the IEEE 802.11 standard, mainly used in Europe), as well as wide area networks (WANs), personal area networks (PANs), or other networks now known or developed in the future. Therefore, regardless of the coverage range and wireless access protocol used, the various aspects provided in the present application can be applied to any suitable wireless network.

[0059] The embodiments of the present application may also be applicable to wireless local area networks such as the Internet of Things (IoT) network or the Vehicle to X (V2X) network. Of course, the embodiments of the present application may also be applicable to other possible communication systems, such as the Long Term Evolution (LTE) communication system, the Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX) communication system, the fifth generation (5G) communication system, the sixth generation (6G) communication system, or future evolved communication systems.

[0060] The above-mentioned communication system applicable to the present application is only an example, and the communication system applicable to the present application is not limited to this. It is described uniformly here and will not be repeated below.

[0061] The following uses the embodiments of the present application as an example of a WLAN. See Figure 1, which shows a network architecture diagram of a WLAN applicable to the embodiments of the present application. Figure 1 illustrates a WLAN comprising one AP and two STAs, with the STAs being mobile phones. The STAs can both receive data from the AP and send data to the AP.

[0062] An AP can be an access point for a terminal device to enter a wired (or wireless) network. The AP is equivalent to a bridge connecting a wired network and a wireless network. Its main function is to connect various wireless network clients together and then connect the wireless network to the Ethernet. For example, an AP can be a terminal device (such as a mobile phone) or a network device (such as a router, switch, bridge, communication server, etc.) with a mobile hotspot (Wi-Fi) chip. Optionally, the AP can be a device that supports WLAN standards of the 802.11 family such as 802.11ax, 802.11ac, 802.11n, 802.11g, 802.11b, 802.11a and 802.11be Wi-Fi 7, Wi-Fi 8 or its next generation. The AP in this application can be a high-efficiency (HE) AP or an extremely high throughput (EHT) AP, or it can be an AP applicable to a future generation of Wi-Fi standards. It is understandable that "Wi-Fi" is also often written as "WiFi" or "Wifi".

[0063] A STA can be a wireless communication chip, wireless sensor, or wireless communication terminal, and can also be called a user. For example, a STA can be a mobile phone that supports Wi-Fi communication, a tablet that supports Wi-Fi communication, a set-top box that supports Wi-Fi communication, a smart TV that supports Wi-Fi communication, a smart wearable device that supports Wi-Fi communication, an in-vehicle communication device that supports Wi-Fi communication, or a computer that supports Wi-Fi communication. Optionally, a STA can also support WLAN standards within the 802.11 family, such as 802.11ax, 802.11ac, 802.11n, 802.11g, 802.11b, 802.11a, 802.11be, Wi-Fi 7, Wi-Fi 8, or their successors.

[0064] Currently, WLAN applications based on IEEE 802.11 technology have been deployed in many market segments, including the traditional consumer electronics market and the booming Internet of Things (IoT) market. However, traditional IoT devices are typically powered by batteries with limited lifespans, which poses the following challenges:

[0065] (1) Unable to work in harsh communication environments (such as high temperature, extremely low temperature, high humidity, high pressure, high radiation or high-speed movement environment, etc.);

[0066] (2) It is impossible to minimize the size of the equipment;

[0067] (3) It is impossible to achieve extremely low equipment costs;

[0068] (4) There are labor maintenance costs such as battery replacement;

[0069] (5) The battery recycling rate is low, which damages the earth's ecosystem;

[0070] (6) Batteries may have risks such as leakage and spontaneous combustion, posing a safety hazard.

[0071] In order to reduce the deployment and operation and maintenance costs of Wi-Fi IoT, the IEEE 802.11 working group is discussing an IoT device that supports energy harvesting. The new project is named the ambient power (AMP) project. The project introduces RF wireless power transfer (WPT) and uses capacitors that support RF WPT to replace traditional batteries to solve the bottleneck problems caused by traditional batteries. The AMP topic interest group (TIG) and study group (SG) were established in May 2022 and March 2023, respectively. The AMP task group (TG) is expected to be established in May 2024 and will initiate the formulation of AMP standard specifications. The application scenarios of AMP include but are not limited to smart homes, smart farms, smart factories, logistics / warehousing, supermarket distribution, indoor positioning, data centers, etc. The AMP project authorization request (PAR) has currently passed the following requests:

[0072] (1) At least one data communication mode in the sub-1 GHz frequency band;

[0073] (2) There is at least one data communication mode in the 2.4 GHz band, and the communication access category (AC) is set to background (AC_BK);

[0074] (3) There is at least one WPT mode in the Sub-1 GHz band to indicate RF energy harvesting.

[0075] Based on the communication system architecture shown in Figure 1, Figure 2 exemplifies an application scenario applicable to an embodiment of the present application, including an AP and a STA. The AP and the STA can directly perform AMP communication (including uplink (UL) communication and downlink (DL) communication); the AP provides WPT wireless energy transmission to the STA.

[0076] Based on the communication system architecture shown in Figure 1, Figure 3 exemplifies another application scenario applicable to the embodiment of the present application, including an AP, a STA, and an energizer. The AP and the STA can directly perform AMP communication, and the energizer provides WPT wireless energy transmission for the STA.

[0077] Based on the communication system architecture shown in Figure 1, Figure 4 exemplifies another application scenario applicable to the embodiment of the present application, including AP, STA and relay node. The relay node and STA can directly perform AMP communication, and the relay node can provide WPT wireless energy transmission for the STA.

[0078] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of a possible data link-assisted WPT energy transfer process, provided in an embodiment of the present application, which is applicable to the three aforementioned application scenarios. This process may include a WPT capability exchange phase, a WPT configuration or setup phase, a WPT report phase, and a WPT teardown phase. The WPT capability exchange phase, WPT configuration phase, WPT report phase, and WPT teardown phase can be transmitted via a communication link (e.g., a data communication link). That is, the AP / activator / relay node and the STA can perform the above phases via a data communication mode.

[0079] First, the AP / stimulator / relay node exchanges WPT capabilities with the STA (e.g., whether WPT is supported). Then, the two exchange WPT configurations (e.g., the WPT start time). If WPT configuration succeeds, the AP / stimulator / relay node begins transmitting WPT power to the STA, establishing a WPT link. The AP / stimulator / relay node and the STA then transmit WPT power over the WPT link. If WPT configuration fails, the AP / stimulator / relay node does not transmit WPT power to the STA. During the WPT transmission phase, the STA can report WPT-related information to the AP / stimulator / relay node (including WPT power adjustment, full charge status, and one or more of the following: STA voltage, current, temperature, or circuit self-protection mechanism triggering). When WPT transmission ends, the WPT disassembly phase begins, during which the AP / stimulator / relay node stops transmitting power and the WPT link is terminated.

[0080] Specifically, during the WPT configuration and reporting phases, as shown in Figure 6, the STA first sends a WPT setup request to the AP / stimulator / relay node. The WPT setup request may include the duration of WPT transmission (e.g., A milliseconds (ms) required). The AP / stimulator / relay node may reply with a WPT setup response, which may include the start time of WPT transmission (e.g., WPT transmission will start in X microseconds (μs)). When the WPT transmission start time is reached, the AP / stimulator / relay node competes for the channel and, upon successful contention, begins WPT transmission (the rectangular portion in Figure 6 indicates WPT transmission during this period).

[0081] During WPT, a STA may encounter abnormal conditions such as overvoltage, overcurrent, overtemperature, or circuit self-protection mechanisms being triggered. During WPT transmission, the AP / stimulator / relay node can send a WPT report request at any time. The STA reports its status by replying with a WPT report. (The STA can also proactively report its status when it enters an abnormal state or faces a face alert.) The WPT report can include information such as WPT power adjustments, full charge status, any WPT anomalies, and the specific anomalies. If the STA reports an anomaly, the AP / stimulator / relay node will stop WPT transmission (equivalent to an implicit WPT teardown).

[0082] If the STA wants to continue WPT power transmission after returning to normal, it must go through the WPT configuration process again and re-establish the WPT link, which results in very low WPT efficiency.

[0083] It should be noted that in the scenario where the exciter provides WPT energy transmission to the STA as shown in Figure 3, the WPT capability interaction phase, WPT configuration phase, WPT reporting phase, or WPT disassembly phase shown in Figures 5 and 6 can be performed by the AP and the STA. After the WPT configuration is successful, the AP can control the exciter to start WPT energy transmission to the STA.

[0084] In addition, as can be seen from Articles (1) and (3) of the PAR, there are coexistence issues between WPT and data communication in the Sub-1 GHz frequency range. If the WPT link occupies a certain frequency range for a long time, the communication quality (such as increased latency) or communication efficiency (such as the need to wait for WPT to end before communicating) of other data communication links in the overlapping frequency range will be greatly affected.

[0085] For example, if the STA's energy storage unit is a 20 microfarad (μF) capacitor, the received voltage is 3V, and the stimulator transmits energy to the STA at a distance of 5m at 910 MHz, the STA's received power is P = 100 microwatts (μW). Then the energy E required to fully charge the capacitor is:

[0086] Under these conditions, the WPT transmission time is E / P = 0.9s, which significantly affects the communication quality or efficiency of other data communication links within the frequency range overlapping with the WPT link within this 0.9s.

[0087] Based on this, embodiments of the present application provide a communication method and apparatus to avoid the problem of WPT links occupying a certain frequency range for an extended period of time, which can affect the communication quality or efficiency of other data communication links. Furthermore, embodiments of the present application also introduce a WPT suspension process to avoid the problem of WPT link re-negotiation and re-establishment after power transmission is stopped, which can lead to low WPT efficiency. The embodiments of the present application are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0088] Furthermore, it should be understood that ordinal numbers such as "first" and "second" in the embodiments of this application are used to distinguish between multiple objects and are not used to define the size, content, sequence, timing, priority, or importance of the multiple objects. For example, "a first communication device" and "a second communication device" do not indicate a difference in priority or importance between the two communication devices.

[0089] In the embodiments of the present application, the number of nouns, unless otherwise specified, means "singular noun or plural noun", that is, "one or more". "At least one" means one or more, and "plural" means two or more. "And / or" describes the association relationship of associated objects, indicating that there may be three relationships. For example, A and / or B can mean: A exists alone, A and B exist at the same time, and B exists alone, where A and B can be singular or plural. The character " / " generally indicates that the previous and next associated objects are in an "or" relationship. For example, A / B means: A or B. "At least one of the following items" or similar expressions refers to any combination of these items, including any combination of single items or plural items. For example, at least one of a, b, or c means: a, b, c, a and b, a and c, b and c, or a and b and c, where a, b, c can be single or multiple.

[0090] Figure 7 is a schematic diagram of a communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application. The method can be implemented by a first communication device and a second communication device, wherein the second communication device can be the AP / relay node shown in Figures 1-4, or a component of the AP / relay node (such as a processor, chip, or chip system, etc.), or a device used in conjunction with the AP / relay node, etc.; the first communication device can be the STA shown in Figures 1-4, or a component of the STA (such as a processor, chip, or chip system, etc.), or a device used in conjunction with the STA, etc.

[0091] The method includes:

[0092] S701: The second communication device sends a WPT configuration to the first communication device. Accordingly, the first communication device receives the WPT configuration, where the WPT configuration indicates a plurality of WPT time domain units.

[0093] The WPT time domain unit is used for WPT, and there is a time interval between any two adjacent WPT time domain units.

[0094] In an embodiment of the present application, the second communication device can divide the total WPT duration (also referred to as WPT time) configured for the first communication device into multiple WPT time domain units, and there is a time interval between any two adjacent WPT time domain units that can be used for data communication, etc., so as to avoid the problem that WPT (or WPT link) occupies a long time and affects the communication quality or communication efficiency of other data communication links.

[0095] It can be understood that the above-mentioned time domain unit can be a time slot, a micro time slot, a symbol, a subframe, or a half frame, etc., and the WPT time domain unit can be a WPT time slot, a WPT micro time slot, a WPT symbol, a WPT subframe, or a WPT half frame, etc.

[0096] Referring to the WPT time domain unit distribution diagram shown in Figure 8, taking the total WPT duration configured for the first communication device as 3A'ms as an example, referring to (B) in Figure 8, the WPT configuration sent by the second communication device to the first communication device can indicate 3 WPT time domain units, namely WPT time domain unit 1, WPT time domain unit 2 and WPT time domain unit 3. The duration corresponding to each WPT time domain unit is A'ms, and the time interval between any two adjacent WPT time domain units (such as WPT time domain unit 1 and WPT time domain unit 2) is B'ms. Compared with (A) in Figure 8, the first communication device occupies 3 continuous A'ms to perform WPT. If WPT and data communication overlap in the frequency domain (for example, there is overlap under Sub-1GHz), data communication cannot be performed within the 3A'ms when the first communication device performs WPT; using (B) in Figure 8, the first communication device performs WPT in WPT time domain unit 1, WPT time domain unit 2 and WPT time domain unit 3, and there is a time interval between WPT time domain unit 1, WPT time domain unit 2 and WPT time domain unit 3. Even if WPT and data communication overlap in the frequency domain (for example, there is overlap under Sub-1GHz), other devices can perform data communication in the time interval between the WPT time domain units, which can avoid the problems of large data communication delay and poor communication quality.

[0097] It should be noted that the durations of the multiple WPT time domain units indicated by the WPT configuration may be the same or different; the time intervals between any two adjacent WPT time domain units may be the same or different, and this application does not limit this.

[0098] In a possible implementation, the WPT configuration may include one or more of the following: a WPT start time, a WPT time domain unit duration, a WPT time domain unit interval, a number of WPT time domain units, a total WPT duration, or a WPT time domain unit cycle duration. The WPT start time may indicate the start time of the first WPT time domain unit or the start time of WPT; the WPT time domain unit duration may indicate the time occupied by each WPT time domain unit; the WPT time domain unit interval may indicate the interval between two adjacent WPT time domain units, specifically, the interval between the start times of two adjacent WPT time domain units, or the interval between the end time of the previous WPT time domain unit and the start time of the next WPT time domain unit; the number of WPT time domain units may indicate the number of WPT time domain units or the number of WPT time domain units into which the total WPT duration is divided; the total WPT duration may indicate the duration of WPT transmission; and the WPT time domain unit cycle duration may indicate the sum of the WPT time domain unit duration and the WPT time domain unit interval.

[0099] As an example: referring to the WPT time domain unit distribution diagram shown in FIG9 , the WPT configuration includes a WPT start time of XX μs (such as XX μs after the first communication device receives the WPT configuration), a WPT time domain unit duration of A'ms, a WPT time domain unit interval of B'ms (taking the WPT time domain unit interval as an example, which refers to the interval from the end time of the previous WPT time domain unit to the start time of the next WPT time domain unit), and a total WPT duration of 3A'ms. The first communication device can determine that XX μs after receiving the WPT configuration is WPT. The start time of PT time domain unit 1 (i.e., the first WPT time domain unit), the duration of WPT time domain unit 1 is A'ms; the start time of WPT time domain unit 2 (i.e., the second WPT time domain unit) is B'ms after the end of WPT time domain unit 1, and the duration of WPT time domain unit 2 is A'ms; the start time of WPT time domain unit 3 (i.e., the third WPT time domain unit) is B'ms after the end of WPT time domain unit 2, and the duration of WPT time domain unit 3 is A'ms. WPT time domain unit 1, WPT time domain unit 2, and WPT time domain unit 3 are used for WPT.

[0100] The action field in the current Wi-Fi protocol provides a mechanism for specifying extended management actions. Referring to the action field format diagram in the Wi-Fi protocol shown in Figure 10, the category specifies the category of the action frame, and the action details further specify the relevant subfields of the action frame. The category field can occupy 1 octet, and the action details field can occupy a variable number of octets. For example, the value of the category field can be as shown in Table 1.

[0101] Table 1

[0102] As shown in Table 1, the category field value in the range 128-255 is currently unassigned. As shown in Table 2, a value X (e.g., X = 128) can be selected from the range 128-255 as the WPT action frame. It is understood that WPT can be replaced with another name to indicate the wireless power transmission action frame.

[0103] Table 2

[0104] As shown in Table 2, the value of the category field corresponding to the WPT action frame can be X. The value of the category field being X indicates that the corresponding action frame is a WPT action frame. The format of the WPT action field specified in the subclause can refer to the WPT action field shown in Table 3.

[0105] Table 3

[0106] As shown in Table 3, the WPT Operation field value of 0 indicates that the WPT Action frame is used for a WPT configuration request, i.e., a WPT Configuration Request frame; a WPT Operation field value of 1 indicates that the WPT Action frame is used for a WPT configuration response, i.e., a WPT Configuration Response frame; a WPT Operation field value of 2 indicates that the WPT Action frame is used for a WPT Report Request, i.e., a WPT Report Request frame; a WPT Operation field value of 3 indicates that the WPT Action frame is used for a WPT Report, i.e., a WPT Report frame; and a WPT Operation field value of 4 indicates that the WPT Action frame is used for a WPT Teardown, i.e., a WPT Teardown frame. The WPT Operation field values ​​of 5-255 are reserved.

[0107] It should be noted that Tables 2 and 3 are merely examples of extended WPT action frames, and this application does not limit the specific implementation of WPT action frames. For example, in actual applications, only some of the WPT action frames in Table 3 may appear, and the order of the WPT operation field values ​​corresponding to the WPT action frames in Table 3 may be changed.

[0108] In a possible implementation, the WPT configuration may be sent by the second communication device to the first communication device via a WPT setup response.

[0109] Taking the time domain unit as a time slot as an example, Table 4 illustrates a possible action field format (WPT setup response action field format) in a WPT configuration response (or WPT configuration response frame).

[0110] Table 4

[0111] The first column of Table 4 indicates the field number, the second column indicates the field information, and the third column indicates the field comments. As shown in Table 4, the WPT configuration response (or WPT configuration response frame) may include multiple fields, such as category, WPT action, status code, WPT start time, WPT frequency range, WPT modulation, WPT transmission duration (also known as WPT total duration), WPT status control, number of WPT time slots, WPT time slot duration, and WPT time slot interval.

[0112] The number of WPT time slots may indicate how many WPT time slots the WPT transmission duration (i.e., the total WPT duration) is divided into. For example, this field may occupy 1 byte and may indicate that no more than 256 WPT time slots are divided.

[0113] The WPT slot duration can indicate the time each WPT slot occupies. For example, this field can be represented by 2 bytes and can indicate the WPT slot duration within 2^16 microseconds or milliseconds.

[0114] The WPT time slot interval may indicate the interval time between WPT time slots. For example, this field may be represented by 2 bytes and may indicate a WPT time slot interval within 2^16 microseconds or milliseconds.

[0115] It should be noted that Table 4 is only an example of fields that may be included in a WPT configuration response (or WPT configuration response frame). In specific applications, the WPT configuration response (or WPT configuration response frame) may include all or part of the fields in Table 4; it may also include part or all of Table 4 and other fields; it may also include fields different from those in Table 4, and this application does not limit this.

[0116] For example, the WPT slot interval field in Table 4 may be replaced with a WPT slot period duration field. The WPT slot period duration may represent the sum of the WPT slot duration and the WPT slot interval. Alternatively, when the WPT transmission duration (i.e., total WPT duration) field and the WPT slot number field are included, the WPT slot duration field may not be included. The WPT slot duration may be determined based on the ratio of the WPT transmission duration (i.e., total WPT duration) to the number of WPT slots.

[0117] In some implementations, before the second communication device sends a WPT configuration to the first communication device (e.g., sends a WPT configuration response carrying the WPT configuration), the second communication device may also receive a WPT configuration request from the first communication device. The WPT configuration request may include a WPT configuration recommendation value. The second communication device may also determine the WPT configuration to be sent to the first communication device based on the WPT configuration recommendation value, thereby improving the reliability of WPT configuration sending. The WPT configuration recommendation value may include one or more of a WPT start time recommendation value, a WPT time domain unit duration recommendation value, a WPT time domain unit interval recommendation value, a WPT time domain unit number recommendation value, a WPT total duration recommendation value, or a WPT time domain unit cycle duration recommendation value.

[0118] Still taking the WPT time domain unit as a WPT time slot as an example, Table 5 illustrates a possible operation field format (WPT setup request action field format) in a WPT configuration request (or WPT configuration request frame).

[0119] Table 5

[0120] The first column of Table 5 indicates the field number, the second column indicates the field information, and the third column indicates the field comments. As shown in Table 5, the WPT configuration request (or WPT configuration request frame) may include multiple fields, such as category, WPT action, WPT frequency range, WPT modulation, WPT transmission duration (also known as WPT total duration), WPT state control, number of WPT time slots, WPT time slot duration, and WPT time slot interval.

[0121] Among them, the meanings of fields such as the number of WPT time slots, the length of WPT time slots, or the interval of WPT time slots are the same as those in the WPT configuration response, but the difference is that the values ​​of fields such as the number of WPT time slots, the length of WPT time slots, or the interval of WPT time slots in the WPT configuration request only represent recommended values. The second communication device can adjust or determine the values ​​of fields such as the number of WPT time slots, the length of WPT time slots, or the interval of WPT time slots in the WPT configuration response based on the recommended values ​​of fields such as the number of WPT time slots, the length of WPT time slots, or the interval of WPT time slots in the WPT configuration request.

[0122] It should be noted that Table 5 is only an example of fields that may be included in a WPT configuration request (or WPT configuration request frame). In specific applications, the WPT configuration request (or WPT configuration request frame) may include all or part of the fields in Table 5; it may also include part or all of Table 5 and other fields; it may also include fields different from those in Table 5, and this application does not limit this.

[0123] For example, the WPT time slot interval field in Table 5 can also be replaced with a WPT time slot cycle duration field. The WPT time slot cycle duration can represent the sum of the WPT time slot duration and the WPT time slot interval. Alternatively, when the WPT transmission duration (i.e., total WPT duration) field and the number of WPT time slots field are included, the WPT time slot duration field can also be excluded. The WPT time slot duration can be determined based on the ratio of the WPT transmission duration (i.e., total WPT duration) to the number of WPT time slots, etc.

[0124] S702: The first communication device and the second communication device perform WPT according to the WPT configuration.

[0125] After the second communication device sends the WPT configuration to the first communication device, the first communication device and the second communication device may perform WPT in a plurality of WPT time domain units indicated by the WPT configuration.

[0126] As an example: for an application scenario where the first communication device is a STA and the second communication device is an AP (such as the application scenario shown in Figure 2), the AP and the STA can perform WPT in multiple WPT time domain units indicated by the WPT configuration to achieve STA power transmission.

[0127] As an example: for the application scenario where the first communication device is a STA, the second communication device is an AP, and there is also an exciter (such as the application scenario shown in Figure 3), the AP can control the exciter to perform WPT with the STA in multiple WPT time domain units indicated by the WPT configuration, thereby realizing energy transmission for the STA.

[0128] As an example: for an application scenario where the first communication device is a STA and the second communication device is a relay node (such as the application scenario shown in Figure 4), the relay node and the STA can perform WPT in multiple WPT time domain units indicated by the WPT configuration to achieve STA power transmission.

[0129] Furthermore, to prevent the first communication device from entering an abnormal state (e.g., an abnormal state such as excessive voltage) and suspending WPT transmission, re-negotiation of the WPT configuration process is required to resume WPT transmission after returning to normal state, thus affecting WPT efficiency. In this embodiment of the present application, a WPT suspension process can also be introduced to improve WPT efficiency.

[0130] In one possible implementation, two WPT action frames, WPT suspend request and WPT suspend response, can be introduced for suspending and resuming WPT. See the WPT action field shown in Table 6. Compared to the WPT action field shown in Table 3, two WPT action fields corresponding to the WPT suspend request and WPT suspend response are added. A WPT action field value of 5 indicates that the WPT action frame is used for a WPT suspend request, i.e., a WPT suspend request frame; a WPT action field value of 6 indicates that the WPT action frame is used for a WPT suspend response, i.e., a WPT suspend response frame.

[0131] It should be noted that Table 6 is only an example of an extended WPT action frame, and this application does not limit the specific implementation of the WPT action frame. For example, in actual applications, only some of the WPT action frames in Table 6 may appear, and the order of the WPT operation field values ​​corresponding to the WPT action frames in Table 6 may be changed.

[0132] Table 6

[0133] For example, when a first communication device enters an abnormal state, it will take some time for the first communication device to return to a normal state. The first communication device may send a WPT suspension request to the second communication device, requesting the second communication device to suspend WPT. The abnormal state of the first communication device may refer to one or more of the following abnormal conditions: excessive voltage, excessive current, excessive temperature, or a circuit self-protection mechanism being triggered.

[0134] In addition, the WPT suspend request may further indicate a WPT suspend duration, so that the second communication device can know how much time (eg, milliseconds or microseconds) is required for the first communication device to recover to a normal state.

[0135] Table 7 illustrates a possible action field format (WPT suspend request action field format) in a WPT suspend request (or WPT suspend request frame).

[0136] Table 7

[0137] The first column of Table 7 indicates the field sequence number, the second column indicates the field information, and the third column indicates the field annotations. As shown in Table 7, a WPT suspend request (or WPT suspend request frame) can include multiple fields, such as the category, WPT action, and WPT suspend duration. The WPT suspend duration, also known as the WPT suspend time, indicates the number of milliseconds or microseconds required to return to normal operation. For example, it can be represented by 2 bytes, which can represent a maximum of 2^16 microseconds or milliseconds.

[0138] After receiving the WPT request from the first communication device, the second communication device may suspend WPT and stop transmitting energy to the first communication device.

[0139] As an example: For an application scenario where the first communication device is a STA and the second communication device is an AP (such as the application scenario shown in Figure 2), after receiving a WPT suspend request from the STA, the AP can suspend the WPT corresponding to the STA (i.e., suspend WPT with the STA) and suspend power transmission to the STA. For an application scenario where the first communication device is a STA, the second communication device is an AP, and there is also an exciter (such as the application scenario shown in Figure 3), after receiving a WPT suspend request from the STA, the AP can control the exciter to suspend the WPT corresponding to the STA (i.e., suspend WPT with the STA) and suspend power transmission to the STA.

[0140] In some implementations, the second communication device may also reply to the first communication device with a WPT suspension response, which may indicate a WPT recovery time or a WPT recovery time domain unit, and the first communication device may also resume WPT according to the WPT recovery time or the WPT recovery time domain unit.

[0141] Taking the time domain unit as a time slot as an example, Table 8 illustrates a possible operation field format (WPT suspend response action field format) in a WPT suspend response (or WPT suspend response frame).

[0142] Table 8

[0143] The first column of Table 8 indicates the field sequence number, the second column indicates the field information, and the third column indicates the field annotation. As shown in Table 8, a WPT suspend response (or WPT suspend response frame) can include multiple fields, such as the category, WPT action, and WPT recovery time slot. The WPT recovery time slot can indicate the WPT time slot at which WPT is resumed. For example, it can be represented by 1 byte, representing a maximum of 2^8 WPT time slots.

[0144] Table 9 illustrates another possible action field format (WPT suspend response action field format) in a WPT suspend response (or WPT suspend response frame).

[0145] Table 9

[0146] The first column of Table 9 indicates the field number, the second column indicates the field information, and the third column indicates the field annotation. As shown in Table 9, a WPT suspend response (or WPT suspend response frame) can include multiple fields, such as category, WPT action, and WPT recovery time. The WPT recovery time can indicate the time when WPT is resumed.

[0147] As an example, consider a STA as the first communication device, an AP as the second communication device, and a time slot as the time domain unit. Referring to the WPT suspension process diagram shown in Figure 11, when a STA enters an abnormal state, it can send a WPT suspension request to the AP, which can specify the WPT suspension duration. Upon receiving the WPT suspension request, the AP suspends the WPT corresponding to the STA. For example, the AP may suspend WPT during the WPT time slot in which the WPT suspension request was received. Figure 11 illustrates the AP suspending the STA's WPT at the time corresponding to point L.

[0148] The AP may also send a WPT suspend response to the STA. The WPT suspend response may indicate the WPT resumption time or WPT resumption timeslot. For example, if the WPT suspend response includes the WPT resumption timeslot as WPT timeslot 2, the AP and STA may resume WPT at the start time of WPT timeslot 2 (i.e., the time corresponding to point M). Alternatively, if the WPT suspend response includes the WPT resumption time as the time corresponding to point N in WPT timeslot 2, the AP and STA may resume WPT at the time corresponding to point N.

[0149] It is understandable that suspending WPT may cause some WPT time slots and / or WPT time slot intervals to change. Still taking the example of the AP suspending WPT for the STA at the time corresponding to point L in WPT time slot 1 in Figure 11, and the AP and STA resuming WPT at the time corresponding to point N, as shown in the WPT time slot distribution diagram in Figure 12, it can be seen that the AP and STA do not perform WPT after the time corresponding to point L in WPT time slot 1, and do not perform WPT between the time corresponding to point M and the time corresponding to point N. Consequently, the actual WPT time slot interval between WPT time slot 1 and WPT time slot 2 is shortened, and the actual WPT time slot interval between WPT time slot 1 and WPT time slot 2 is increased.

[0150] In one possible implementation, the WPT resumption time or WPT resumption time domain unit may not be indicated in the WPT suspension response. As an example, the second communication device may determine the WPT suspension duration to be used based on the WPT suspension duration indicated in the WPT suspension request sent by the first communication device (the WPT suspension duration may be the same as or different from the WPT suspension duration indicated in the WPT suspension request), and suspend WPT based on the determined WPT suspension duration. After the WPT suspension duration is reached, the second communication device may send a WPT suspension response to the first communication device and resume WPT. The first communication device may immediately resume WPT upon receiving the WPT suspension response.

[0151] In another possible implementation, the WPT suspension response may not be introduced. After receiving the WPT request from the first communication device, the second communication device suspends the WPT according to the WPT suspension duration indicated by the WPT request. After the WPT suspension duration is reached, the second communication device resumes the WPT.

[0152] In some implementations, considering that when a WPT link and a data communication link overlap in the frequency domain, there is a situation where the first communication device may need to wait for the end of the WPT time domain unit before sending a WPT suspend request because the frequency domain resources are occupied by WPT. In this embodiment of the present application, the WPT configuration sent by the second communication device to the first communication device may also include a WPT sub-time domain unit pattern. The WPT sub-time domain unit pattern can be used to indicate that the WPT time domain unit is divided into multiple WPT sub-time domain units, and the multiple WPT sub-time domain units include a WPT sub-time domain unit for WPT and a WPT sub-time domain unit for data communication. It should be understood that a sub-time domain unit is a time domain unit that is less than or equal to a time domain unit, and a time domain unit can include multiple sub-time domain units.

[0153] Figure 13 shows an example of a WPT sub-time-domain unit pattern provided by an embodiment of the present application. Each small rectangle represents a WPT sub-time-domain unit, the shaded portion represents a WPT sub-time-domain unit used for WPT, and the unshaded portion represents a WPT sub-time-domain unit used for data communication. This demonstrates that by introducing the WPT sub-time-domain unit pattern, when the WPT link and the data communication link overlap in the frequency domain, the first communications device can send a WPT suspend request in the WPT sub-time-domain unit used for data communication, eliminating the need to wait for the WPT time-domain unit to end before sending the WPT suspend request.

[0154] Taking the time domain unit as a time slot and the sub-time domain unit as a sub-time slot as an example, Table 10 illustrates a possible action field format in a WPT configuration response (or WPT configuration response frame). It can be seen that Table 10 adds a WPT sub-slot pattern field to the WPT configuration response compared to Table 4. This field can indicate the WPT sub-slot pattern. As an example: different values ​​of the WPT sub-slot pattern field can be mapped to different WPT sub-slot patterns. The first communication device or the second communication device can determine the corresponding WPT sub-slot pattern based on the value of the WPT sub-slot pattern field.

[0155] Table 10

[0156] In some implementations, the WPT configuration request sent by the first communication device to the second communication device may further include a WPT sub-time-domain unit pattern recommendation value.

[0157] Still taking the time domain unit as a time slot and the sub-time domain unit as a sub-time slot as an example, Table 11 illustrates a possible format of the action field in a WPT configuration request (or WPT configuration request frame). It can be seen that Table 11, compared to Table 5, adds a WPT sub-slot pattern field to the WPT configuration request. This field can indicate the WPT sub-slot pattern suggested by the first communication device. The second communication device can determine the WPT sub-slot pattern in the WPT configuration response based on the WPT sub-slot pattern suggested by the first communication device.

[0158] Table 11

[0159] It can be understood that if there is no overlap between the WPT link and the data communication link in the frequency domain, the data communication between the first communication device and the second communication device (for example, the first communication device sends a WPT suspend request to the second communication device) is not restricted, and the second communication device may not send WPT sub-slot pattern information to the first communication device, such as not including the WPT sub-slot pattern field in the WPT configuration response sent to the first communication device.

[0160] The following describes the communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application. Please refer to Figure 14, which is a schematic diagram of the structure of the communication device in an embodiment of the present application. The communication device may include units or modules corresponding to all or part of the steps in the above-mentioned method embodiment, and may be used to execute the steps performed by the first communication device or the second communication device in the above-mentioned method embodiment. For details, please refer to the relevant description of the above-mentioned method embodiment.

[0161] As shown in Figure 14, communication device 1400 includes a processing unit 1410 and an interface unit 1420. Processing unit 1410 may be a processor or processing circuit, and interface unit 1420 may be a transceiver unit or an input / output interface. Communication device 1400 may be used to implement the steps performed by the first communication device or the second communication device in the above embodiments.

[0162] When the communication device 1400 is used to implement the steps performed by the first communication device in the above embodiment:

[0163] The interface unit 1420 is configured to receive a WPT configuration from the second communication device, where the WPT configuration indicates a plurality of WPT time domain units, where the WPT time domain units are used for WPT, and there is a time interval between any two adjacent WPT time domain units;

[0164] The processing unit 1410 is configured to perform WPT according to the WPT configuration.

[0165] In one possible design, the WPT configuration may include one or more of the following: WPT start time, WPT time domain unit duration, WPT time domain unit interval, number of WPT time domain units, WPT total duration, or WPT time domain unit cycle duration.

[0166] In one possible design, the WPT configuration also includes a WPT sub-time domain unit pattern, wherein the WPT sub-time domain unit pattern is used to indicate that the WPT time domain unit is divided into multiple WPT sub-time domain units, and the multiple WPT sub-time domain units include WPT sub-time domain units for WPT and WPT sub-time domain units for data communication.

[0167] In one possible design, the interface unit 1420, before receiving the WPT configuration from the second communication device, is further used to send a WPT configuration request to the second communication device, where the WPT configuration request includes a WPT configuration recommended value.

[0168] In one possible design, the WPT configuration recommended value may include one or more of the following: a WPT start time recommended value, a WPT time domain unit duration recommended value, a WPT time domain unit interval recommended value, a WPT time domain unit number recommended value, a WPT total duration recommended value, or a WPT time domain unit cycle duration recommended value.

[0169] In one possible design, the WPT configuration recommendation value also includes a WPT sub-time domain unit pattern recommendation value.

[0170] In one possible design, when the first communication device enters an abnormal state, the interface unit 1420 is further used to send a WPT suspension request to the second communication device, where the WPT suspension request is used to request to suspend WPT.

[0171] In one possible design, when the WPT link and data communication link of the first communication device and the second communication device overlap in the frequency domain, the interface unit 1420 sends a WPT suspend request to the second communication device, specifically for sending a WPT suspend request to the second communication device after the WPT time domain unit that enters the abnormal state ends when the WPT configuration does not include a WPT sub-time domain unit pattern; or, when the WPT configuration includes a WPT sub-time domain unit pattern, the WPT sub-time domain unit used for data communication after the WPT sub-time domain unit that enters the abnormal state sends a WPT suspend request to the second communication device; wherein the WPT sub-time domain unit pattern is used to indicate that the WPT time domain unit is divided into multiple WPT sub-time domain units, and the multiple WPT sub-time domain units include WPT sub-time domain units for WPT and WPT sub-time domain units for data communication.

[0172] In a possible design, the abnormal state may include one or more of the following: excessive voltage, excessive current, excessive temperature, or a self-protection mechanism of the circuit being triggered.

[0173] In one possible design, the WPT suspension request indicates the WPT suspension duration.

[0174] In one possible design, the interface unit 1420 is further used to receive a WPT suspension response from the second communication device; and the processing unit 1410 is further used to resume WPT.

[0175] In one possible design, the WPT suspension response indicates a WPT recovery time or a WPT recovery time domain unit. When the processing unit 1410 recovers WPT, it is specifically used to recover WPT according to the WPT recovery time or the WPT recovery time domain unit.

[0176] When the communication device 1400 is used to implement the steps performed by the second communication device in the above embodiment:

[0177] The interface unit 1420 is configured to send a WPT configuration to the first communication device, where the WPT configuration indicates a plurality of WPT time domain units, where the WPT time domain units are used for WPT, and there is a time interval between any two adjacent WPT time domain units;

[0178] The processing unit 1410 is configured to perform WPT with the first communication device according to the WPT configuration.

[0179] In one possible design, the WPT configuration may include one or more of the following: WPT start time, WPT time domain unit duration, WPT time domain unit interval, number of WPT time domain units, WPT total duration, or WPT time domain unit cycle duration.

[0180] In one possible design, the WPT configuration also includes a WPT sub-time domain unit pattern, wherein the WPT sub-time domain unit pattern is used to indicate that the WPT time domain unit is divided into multiple WPT sub-time domain units, and the multiple WPT sub-time domain units include WPT sub-time domain units for WPT and WPT sub-time domain units for data communication.

[0181] In one possible design, the interface unit 1420 is further configured to receive a WPT configuration request from the first communication device before sending the WPT configuration to the first communication device, where the WPT configuration request includes a WPT configuration recommendation value.

[0182] In one possible design, the WPT configuration recommended value may include one or more of the following: a WPT start time recommended value, a WPT time domain unit duration recommended value, a WPT time domain unit interval recommended value, a WPT time domain unit number recommended value, a WPT total duration recommended value, or a WPT time domain unit cycle duration recommended value.

[0183] In one possible design, the WPT configuration recommendation value also includes a WPT sub-time domain unit pattern recommendation value.

[0184] In one possible design, the interface unit 1420 is further used to receive a WPT suspension request from the first communication device, where the WPT suspension request is used to request to suspend the WPT; the processing unit 1410 is further used to suspend the WPT.

[0185] In one possible design, the WPT suspension request indicates the WPT suspension duration, and when the processing unit 1410 suspends the WPT, it is specifically used to suspend the WPT according to the WPT suspension duration.

[0186] In one possible design, the interface unit 1420 is further used to send a WPT suspension response to the first communication device; and the processing unit 1410 is further used to resume WPT.

[0187] In one possible design, the WPT suspension response indicates a WPT recovery time or a WPT recovery time domain unit. When the processing unit 1410 recovers WPT, it is specifically used to recover WPT according to the WPT recovery time or the WPT recovery time domain unit.

[0188] As shown in Figure 15, the present application also provides a communication device 1500, which includes a processor 1510 and may also include a communication interface 1520. The processor 1510 and the communication interface 1520 are coupled to each other. It is understandable that the communication interface 1520 can be a transceiver, an input / output interface, an input interface, an output interface, an interface circuit, etc. Optionally, the communication device 1500 may further include a memory 1530 for storing instructions executed by the processor 1510 or storing input data required by the processor 1510 to execute instructions or storing data generated after the processor 1510 executes instructions. The memory 1530 may be a physically independent unit, or may be coupled to the processor 1510, or the processor 1510 may include the memory 1530.

[0189] When the communication device 1500 is used to implement the steps performed by the first communication device and the second communication device in the above embodiments, the processor 1510 can be used to implement the functions of the above processing unit 1410, and the communication interface 1520 can be used to implement the functions of the above interface unit 1420.

[0190] It is understood that the processor in the embodiments of the present application may be a central processing unit (CPU), or may be other general-purpose processors, digital signal processors (DSP), application-specific integrated circuits (ASIC), logic circuits, field programmable gate arrays (FPGA) or other programmable logic devices, transistor logic devices, hardware components, or any combination thereof. The general-purpose processor may be a microprocessor or any conventional processor.

[0191] The method steps in the embodiments of the present application can be implemented by hardware or by a processor executing software instructions. The software instructions can be composed of corresponding software modules, and the software modules can be stored in a random access memory, a flash memory, a read-only memory, a programmable read-only memory, an erasable programmable read-only memory, an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory, a register, a hard disk, a mobile hard disk, a CD-ROM or any other form of storage medium well known in the art. An exemplary storage medium is coupled to the processor so that the processor can read information from the storage medium and write information to the storage medium. Of course, the storage medium can also be an integral part of the processor. The processor and the storage medium can be located in an ASIC. In addition, the ASIC can be located in a network device or a terminal device. Of course, the processor and the storage medium can also be present in a network device or a terminal device as discrete components.

[0192] In the above embodiments, all or part of the embodiments can be implemented using software, hardware, firmware, or any combination thereof. When implemented using software, all or part of the embodiments can be implemented in the form of a computer program product. The computer program product includes one or more computer programs or instructions. When the computer program or instructions are loaded and executed on a computer, the processes or functions described in the embodiments of the present application are performed in whole or in part. The computer can be a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a computer network, a network device, a user device, or other programmable device. The computer program or instructions can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium or transmitted from one computer-readable storage medium to another. For example, the computer program or instructions can be transmitted from one network device, terminal, computer, server, or data center to another network device, terminal, computer, server, or data center via wired or wireless means. The computer-readable storage medium can be any available medium that can be accessed by a computer or a data storage device such as a server or data center that integrates one or more available media. The available medium can be a magnetic medium, such as a floppy disk, hard disk, or magnetic tape; it can also be an optical medium, such as a digital video disk; or it can be a semiconductor medium, such as a solid-state drive. The computer-readable storage medium may be a volatile or nonvolatile storage medium, or may include both volatile and nonvolatile types of storage media.

[0193] In the various embodiments of the present application, unless otherwise specified or there is a logical conflict, the terms and / or descriptions between different embodiments are consistent and can be referenced by each other. The technical features in different embodiments can be combined to form new embodiments according to their inherent logical relationships.

[0194] Furthermore, it should be understood that in the embodiments of this application, the word "exemplary" is used to indicate an example, illustration, or description. Any embodiment or design described in this application as "exemplary" should not be construed as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments or designs. Rather, the use of the word "exemplary" is intended to present concepts in a concrete manner.

[0195] It is understood that the various numbers used in the embodiments of this application are merely for ease of description and are not intended to limit the scope of the embodiments of this application. The order of the sequence numbers of the above-mentioned processes does not necessarily imply a specific order of execution; the order of execution of the processes should be determined by their functions and inherent logic.

Claims

1. A communication method, characterized in that: include: The first communication device receives a wireless power transmission (WPT) configuration from the second communication device, where the WPT configuration indicates a plurality of WPT time domain units, where the WPT time domain units are used for WPT, and there is a time interval between any two adjacent WPT time domain units; The first communication device performs WPT according to the WPT configuration.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein The WPT configuration includes one or more of the following: WPT start time, WPT time domain unit duration, or WPT time domain unit interval.

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein The WPT configuration may further include one or more of the following: Number of WPT time domain units, total WPT duration, WPT time domain unit cycle duration, or WPT sub-time domain unit pattern; The WPT sub-time domain unit pattern is used to indicate that the WPT time domain unit is divided into multiple WPT sub-time domain units, and the multiple WPT sub-time domain units include WPT sub-time domain units for WPT and WPT sub-time domain units for data communication.

4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein Before the first communication device receives the WPT configuration from the second communication device, the method further includes: The first communication device sends a WPT configuration request to the second communication device, where the WPT configuration request includes a WPT configuration recommendation value.

5. The method according to claim 4, wherein The WPT configuration recommendation value includes one or more of the following: Recommended values for WPT start time, WPT time domain unit duration, or WPT time domain unit interval.

6. The method according to claim 5, wherein The WPT configuration recommendation value may also include one or more of the following: Recommended values for the number of WPT time domain units, the total WPT duration, the periodic duration of the WPT time domain unit, or the pattern of the WPT sub-time domain unit.

7. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein The method further comprises: When the first communication device enters an abnormal state, the first communication device sends a WPT suspension request to the second communication device, where the WPT suspension request is used to request to suspend the WPT.

8. The method according to claim 7, wherein When the WPT link and the data communication link of the first communication device and the second communication device overlap in the frequency domain, the first communication device sends a WPT suspension request to the second communication device, including: When the WPT configuration does not include a WPT sub-time domain unit pattern, the first communication device sends a WPT suspend request to the second communication device after the WPT time domain unit that enters the abnormal state ends; or, When the WPT configuration includes a WPT sub-time-domain unit pattern, the first communication device sends a WPT suspend request to the second communication device in a WPT sub-time-domain unit used for data communication after entering a WPT sub-time-domain unit in an abnormal state; The WPT sub-time domain unit pattern is used to indicate that the WPT time domain unit is divided into multiple WPT sub-time domain units, and the multiple WPT sub-time domain units include WPT sub-time domain units for WPT and WPT sub-time domain units for data communication.

9. The method according to claim 7 or 8, wherein The abnormal state includes one or more of the following: The voltage is too high, the current is too high, the temperature is too high, or the circuit's self-protection mechanism is triggered.

10. The method according to any one of claims 7 to 9, wherein The WPT suspension request indicates the WPT suspension duration.

11. The method according to any one of claims 7 to 10, wherein: The method further comprises: The first communication device receives a WPT suspend response from the second communication device; The first communication device resumes the WPT.

12. The method according to claim 11, wherein The WPT suspension response indicates a WPT resumption time or a WPT resumption time domain unit, and the first communication device resumes the WPT, including: The first communication device restores the WPT according to the WPT recovery time or the WPT recovery time domain unit.

13. A communication method, characterized in that: include: The second communication device sends a wireless power transmission WPT configuration to the first communication device, where the WPT configuration indicates a plurality of WPT time domain units, where the WPT time domain units are used for WPT, and there is a time interval between any two adjacent WPT time domain units; The second communication device performs WPT with the first communication device according to the WPT configuration.

14. The method according to claim 13, wherein The WPT configuration includes one or more of the following: WPT start time, WPT time domain unit duration, or WPT time domain unit interval.

15. The method according to claim 14, wherein The WPT configuration may further include one or more of the following: Number of WPT time domain units, total WPT duration, WPT time domain unit cycle duration, or WPT sub-time domain unit pattern; The WPT sub-time domain unit pattern is used to indicate that the WPT time domain unit is divided into multiple WPT sub-time domain units, and the multiple WPT sub-time domain units include WPT sub-time domain units for WPT and WPT sub-time domain units for data communication.

16. The method according to any one of claims 13 to 15, wherein: Before the second communication device sends the WPT configuration to the first communication device, the method further includes: The second communication device receives a WPT configuration request from the first communication device, where the WPT configuration request includes a WPT configuration recommendation value.

17. The method according to claim 16, wherein The WPT configuration recommendation value includes one or more of the following: Recommended values for WPT start time, WPT time domain unit duration, or WPT time domain unit interval.

18. The method according to claim 17, wherein The WPT configuration recommendation value may also include one or more of the following: Recommended values for the number of WPT time domain units, the total WPT duration, the periodic duration of the WPT time domain unit, or the pattern of the WPT sub-time domain unit.

19. The method according to any one of claims 13 to 18, wherein The method further comprises: The second communication device receives a WPT suspension request from the first communication device, where the WPT suspension request is used to request suspension of the WPT; The second communication device suspends the WPT.

20. The method of claim 14, wherein: The WPT suspension request indicates a WPT suspension duration, and the second communication device suspends the WPT, including: The second communication device suspends the WPT according to the WPT suspension duration.

21. The method according to claim 19 or 20, wherein: The method further comprises: The second communication device sends a WPT suspend response to the first communication device; The second communication device resumes the WPT.

22. The method according to claim 21, wherein The WPT suspension response indicates a WPT resumption time or a WPT resumption time domain unit, and the second communication device resumes the WPT, including: The second communication device restores the WPT according to the WPT recovery time or the WPT recovery time domain unit.

23. A communication device, characterized in that: The method comprises a unit or module for performing the method according to any one of claims 1 to 22.

24. A communication device, characterized in that: It includes a processor and an interface circuit, wherein the interface circuit is used to receive signals from other communication devices outside the communication device and transmit them to the processor, or send signals from the processor to other communication devices outside the communication device, and the processor is used to implement the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 22 through a logic circuit or execution instruction.

25. A computer program product, characterized in that The method comprises a computer program or an instruction, and when the computer program or the instruction is executed by a processor, the method according to any one of claims 1 to 22 is implemented.

26. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that The storage medium stores a computer program or instructions, and when the computer program or instructions are executed by a processor, the method according to any one of claims 1 to 22 is implemented.

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