Access point device, terminal device, and wireless frequency hopping method

Abstract

An access point device communicates with a terminal device by means of a wireless transmission channel. The access point device comprises a first data transmission module and a first channel detection module. The first data transmission module transmits service data and performs frequency hopping to an alternative channel when interference exists in a first channel. When no interference exists in a second channel, the alternative channel serves as the second channel. The first channel detection module monitors signals on the second channel to determine whether interference exists in the second channel. When the second channel is a DFS channel, the monitored signals comprise interference signals and radar signals. After the second channel is used as a new first channel, a target channel is selected as a new second channel for monitoring. Further disclosed in the present disclosure are a terminal device, a frequency hopping method for wireless transmission channels, etc. The present disclosure can avoid the impact of radar signal monitoring on the latency of service data transmission during channel frequency hopping.

Description

Access point device, terminal device, and wireless frequency hopping method Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to wireless frequency hopping technology, and in particular to an access point device, a terminal device, a frequency hopping method for a wireless transmission channel, a storage medium, and a computer program product. Background Art

[0002] Because wireless channels are sensitive to environmental interference, which can easily lead to increased bit error rates in transmitted service data, when a wireless device detects interference on its operating channel, it typically needs to hop to an idle channel without interference to ensure the transmission quality of service data.

[0003] Dynamic Frequency Selection (DFS) regulations allow unlicensed wireless devices to share the 5GHz frequency band allocated to radar systems without causing interference. This regulation enables DFS-enabled wireless devices to use DFS channels to transmit business data.

[0004] DFS regulations require that when wireless devices switch to a DFS channel, they first check for radar signals within a specified detection time, called the Channel Availability Check Time (CAC). This CAC detection time is set at a minimum of 60 seconds. During the CAC detection time, wireless devices can only receive signals and cannot transmit. Only when there is no radar signal for the entire CAC detection time can they transmit service data. This significantly impacts the timeliness of wireless communications. Furthermore, DFS regulations stipulate that when a wireless device is on a DFS channel, regardless of whether it is within the CAC detection time, if it detects a radar signal on that channel, it must randomly hop to another idle channel to avoid disrupting radar communications. If it happens to randomly hop to another DFS channel, it must initiate a radar signal detection period of at least 60 seconds, further degrading the timeliness of wireless communications. Therefore, wireless devices generally prefer to operate on non-DFS channels, as these channels are more susceptible to interference from other devices in the environment.

[0005] Summary of the Invention

[0006] In view of this, the present disclosure provides an access point device, a terminal device, a frequency hopping method for a wireless transmission channel, a storage medium, and a computer program product.

[0007] In a first aspect of the present disclosure, an access point device is provided for communicating with a terminal device using a wireless transmission channel. The access point device includes a first data transmission module and a first detection channel module. The wireless transmission channel includes a first channel and a second channel, wherein the first channel is a channel occupied by the first data transmission module and the second channel is a channel occupied by the first detection channel module. The first channel and the second channel are channels of different frequencies.

[0008] The first data transmission module is configured to transmit service data and, when interference exists on the first channel, frequency hop to an alternative channel to use the alternative channel as a new first channel; wherein whether interference exists on the first channel is determined based on a transmission quality assessment indicator of service data on the first channel, an interference signal, and / or a radar signal; and when interference does not exist on the second channel, the alternative channel is the second channel;

[0009] The first detection channel module is used to monitor the signal of the second channel to determine whether there is interference on the second channel; when the second channel is a DFS channel, the monitored signals include interference signals and radar signals; and after the second channel is used as the new first channel, a target channel is selected as the new second channel for monitoring; the DFS channel and the target channel are both selected based on the channel quality of each channel in the channel set that can transmit the service data.

[0010] A second aspect of the present disclosure provides a terminal device, comprising a second data transmission module, configured to transmit the service data with the first data transmission module through the first channel in the access point device of the first aspect; and to transmit the service data through the new first channel after the first channel is switched to a new first channel.

[0011] A third aspect of the present disclosure provides a frequency hopping method for a wireless transmission channel, wherein the wireless transmission channel is used to implement communication between an access point device and a terminal device; the method comprises the following steps:

[0012] The access point device determines whether there is interference on the first channel based on a transmission quality evaluation indicator of service data transmitted on the first channel, an interference signal and / or a radar signal;

[0013] The access point device monitors a signal on a second channel to determine whether interference exists on the second channel. If the second channel is a DFS channel, the access point device determines whether interference exists on the second channel based on an interference signal and a radar signal monitored on the second channel.

[0014] When there is interference on the first channel, frequency hopping to an alternative channel to use the alternative channel as a new first channel; wherein, when there is no interference on the second channel, the alternative channel is the second channel;

[0015] After the second channel is used as the new first channel, the access point device selects a target channel as the new second channel for monitoring; the DFS channel and the target channel are both selected based on the channel quality of each channel in the channel set capable of transmitting the service data.

[0016] A fourth aspect of the present disclosure provides a computer program product, comprising a computer program / instruction, which implements the method described in the third aspect when the computer program / instruction is executed.

[0017] A fifth aspect of the present disclosure provides a computer-readable storage medium having a computer program stored thereon, which implements the method described in the third part when the program is executed.

[0018] In various embodiments provided by the present disclosure, radar signals and interference signals are specifically monitored for a channel that is not transmitting service data. Based on the monitored signals, this channel is selected as the preferred channel for frequency hopping in the absence of interference. Since this channel has already undergone radar signal monitoring for the CAC detection duration, even if this channel is a DFS channel, when the first channel hops to this channel, it does not need to undergo radar monitoring within the CAC detection duration. This avoids the problem of not being able to send service data immediately after hopping to the DFS channel.

[0019] It is to be understood that the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictive of the disclosure. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments consistent with the present disclosure and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the present disclosure.

[0021] FIG1 is a partial flow chart of a method for implementing wireless channel frequency hopping, shown in some exemplary embodiments.

[0022] FIG. 2 is a flow related to a first channel in a workflow of an access point device shown in some exemplary embodiments.

[0023] FIG3 is a partial flow chart of monitoring the second channel according to some exemplary embodiments.

[0024] FIG. 4 a and FIG. 4 b are schematic structural diagrams of access point devices according to some exemplary embodiments.

[0025] FIG5a and FIG5b are schematic structural diagrams of terminal devices shown in some exemplary embodiments.

[0026] FIG6 is a system block diagram of the interaction between an access point device and a terminal device in an application scenario.

[0027] FIG7 is a signaling interaction diagram between an access point device and a terminal device in the application scenario of FIG6 .

[0028] FIG8 is another signaling interaction diagram between the access point device and the terminal device in the application scenario of FIG6 .

[0029] FIG9 is a hardware structure diagram of a computer device shown in some exemplary embodiments. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0030] Wireless communication systems use electromagnetic waves to transmit information, allowing data to be transferred between devices without a physical connection. A wireless channel refers to the path electromagnetic waves take from the transmitter to the receiver. This path may include air, buildings, and terrain, all of which can interfere with the propagation of radio waves. Furthermore, the wireless channel may also contain interference from other wireless devices, neighboring wireless networks, electronic devices, or natural phenomena.

[0031] Access Point (AP) devices can connect wireless devices to wired networks, acting as relay stations for wireless communications, converting wired network signals into wireless signals, thereby enabling wireless terminal devices (such as laptops, smartphones, tablets, etc.) to access wired networks wirelessly.

[0032] Whether access point or terminal, these wireless devices typically include a processor, a wireless communication module, and an antenna. The wireless communication module is responsible for modulating the data generated by the processor into wireless signals and transmitting them through the antenna. It also demodulates the wireless signals received by the antenna into raw data for processing by the processor.

[0033] Most wireless devices perform interference detection on all channels when they are powered on, and automatically select a channel with the best quality from a list of supported channels as the operating channel.

[0034] The wireless communication module may switch to a less-interfered channel based on signal interference to ensure communication quality. This channel switching involves frequency hopping, which changes the radio transmission frequency in a pattern at predetermined intervals to achieve signal transmission. This technology can improve communication security and interference resistance.

[0035] Some wireless devices have real-time interference detection capabilities. While these devices can monitor interference signals in real time, they typically avoid DFS channels or prioritize non-DFS channels when selecting operating channels. DFS channels are generally less susceptible to interference than non-DFS channels, so this channel selection method fails to effectively utilize DFS channel resources. Even if some wireless devices choose to use DFS channels in certain circumstances, switching to DFS channels cannot circumvent the CAC detection required by DFS regulations.

[0036] Different from the traditional frequency hopping method, the present disclosure provides a solution that can avoid CAC detection during frequency hopping. Figure 1 is a partial flow chart of a method for implementing wireless channel frequency hopping according to an embodiment.

[0037] In this embodiment, different channel switching capabilities are designed for the access point device and the terminal device, and a switching strategy for the access point device is used to avoid the CAC detection duration.

[0038] The channel on which the access point device transmits service data is referred to as the first channel. If interference exists on the first channel, the device must hop to another idle channel. To avoid waiting for radar detection for the CAC detection period when hopping from the first channel to the second idle channel, the access point device occupies another idle channel to monitor for interference and radar signals. This occupied idle channel, which is not used for service data transmission, is referred to as the second channel. If interference does not occur on this second channel, it is used as a backup channel and is the preferred channel to hop to when hopping to the first channel. Because the second channel has already been continuously monitored for radar signals, it meets the CAC detection period constraint of the DFS regulation. Therefore, after hopping from the first channel to the second channel, the access point device can transmit service data without further radar signal monitoring for the CAC detection period.

[0039] In this embodiment, whether the first channel is subject to interference can be assessed based on one or more of the following: the transmission quality of the service data, the value of the interference signal monitored on the first channel, and whether a radar signal is detected. For example, if the first channel is a non-DFS channel, radar signals may not be monitored. However, if the first channel is a DFS channel, radar signals must be monitored on the first channel to avoid affecting the normal operation of the radar equipment. The transmission quality of service data can be assessed based on actual design requirements using one or more of a variety of transmission quality assessment indicators. These indicators may include, for example, the packet loss rate, RSSI (Received Signal Strength Indicator) value, and chanload (channel load) value of service data transmitted via the first channel. The packet loss rate is the packet loss rate of the channel used by the terminal device to receive service data. RSSI is an indicator that measures wireless signal strength, i.e., the signal strength of the signal transmitted by the access point device when the terminal device receives it. This can be used to determine whether the abnormal packet loss rate is caused by the long distance between the terminal device and the access point device. Chanload indicates the real-time interference and load conditions of the access point device's current operating channel.

[0040] This embodiment is designed to implement the following steps through an access point device:

[0041] S101, the access point device determines whether there is interference on the first channel based on a transmission quality evaluation indicator of service data transmitted on the first channel, an interference signal and / or a radar signal;

[0042] In S102, the access point device monitors a signal on the second channel to determine whether there is interference on the second channel. If the second channel is a DFS channel, the access point device determines whether there is interference on the second channel based on the monitored interference signal on the second channel and the radar signal.

[0043] In S103, if there is interference on the first channel, frequency hopping is performed to the alternative channel, and the alternative channel is used as the new first channel; wherein, if there is no interference on the second channel, the alternative channel is the second channel;

[0044] In S104, after the second channel is used as the new first channel, the access point device selects a target channel as the new second channel for monitoring; both the DFS channel and the target channel are selected based on the channel quality of each channel in the channel set capable of transmitting service data.

[0045] When the access point device is powered on, in order to promptly enter the service data transmission state, a non-DFS channel may be selected as the first channel based on the channel quality of each channel in the channel set capable of transmitting service data. Of course, this is only one example and does not specifically exclude the possibility that the first channel selected at power-on is a DFS channel.

[0046] As an example, in step S101, multiple transmission quality assessment indicators can be monitored separately for abnormalities. After each transmission quality assessment indicator is abnormal, the number of abnormalities will be counted. When the statistical number reaches a predetermined value, the access point device confirms that there is interference on the first channel. In this example, interference is not immediately judged when any transmission quality assessment indicator is abnormal. The purpose is to avoid instantaneous interference scenarios as much as possible (such as excessive packet loss rate caused by instantaneous environmental changes). However, it is worth pointing out that this is only an example. Designers can adjust the monitoring method according to actual needs. For example, the monitoring method is designed to be considered as having a transmission quality problem as long as the statistical number of any indicator reaches a threshold, or multiple indicators are monitored to have an abnormality once.

[0047] FIG2 illustrates some steps related to the first channel in a workflow of an access point device in an example. Some of the steps in FIG2 can be used to understand the process of determining whether interference exists on the first channel. However, it should be noted that this process is only one way to determine whether interference exists on the first channel. The order of executing the steps, as well as the addition, deletion, and modification of the steps, can be determined based on the designer's actual needs.

[0048] S201: The access point device is powered on and selects a non-DFS channel with the best quality from a set of channels supporting service data transmission as a first channel.

[0049] S202, determining whether service data is being sent; if service data is being sent, continuing to send service data (S203); if service data is not being sent, determining whether the first channel is a DFS channel (S204);

[0050] When the first channel is a DFS channel, monitor and determine whether a radar signal is present (S205). If no radar signal is detected, execute step S206. If a radar signal is detected, determine whether the second channel is an alternative channel (S208). If the second channel is an alternative channel, synchronize the frequency hopping information of the new first channel to the terminal device (S210). If the second channel is not an alternative channel, select a non-DFS channel with the best quality in the channel set supporting service data transmission as the alternative channel (S209), and execute step S210. After executing S210, frequency hop to the alternative channel as the new first channel (S211), and execute step S202.

[0051] When the first channel is a non-DFS channel, obtain the packet loss rate, RSSI value, interference value of the interference signal, etc. of the first channel (S206); statistically calculate whether there is interference on the first channel (S207); if there is interference, execute step S208; if there is no interference, execute step S202.

[0052] The execution order of S101 and S102 is not fixed. It is understood that monitoring of the second channel can be continuous. For example, the access point device can select the best quality channel from all channels supporting service data transmission and continuously monitor it (of course, it is not ruled out that the selected channel is not the best quality, but the designer believes that it can meet the service data transmission quality requirements). Since DFS channels generally have less interference, the second channel will often be a DFS channel. Of course, in some cases, the second channel may also be a non-DFS channel.

[0053] You can distinguish the backup channel from other channels by marking the second channel. If interference or radar signals are detected after the second channel has been marked as a backup channel, clear the backup channel mark and then select a new channel with the best channel quality for continued monitoring.

[0054] The set of channels supported for transmitting service data can be stored in a list, and flags for candidate channels can also be stored in the list. When the access point device accesses the list, it can select the currently required channel. If the second channel is selected as the new first channel during S103, the candidate channel flag is first cleared, and then a new channel with the best channel quality is selected as the new second channel for continuous monitoring, so that a new candidate channel can be reselected.

[0055] The monitoring process differs when a DFS channel and a non-DFS channel are used as the second channel, as shown in the example in Figure 3. It should be noted that the example in Figure 3 is not the only implementation method, and different process designs can be implemented based on the designer's needs.

[0056] The access point device selects the best-quality channel from a set of channels supporting service data transmission as the second channel for monitoring (S301), and determines whether the second channel is a DFS channel (S302). If the monitored channel is a DFS channel, in addition to detecting interference signals, it also needs to detect radar signals. The presence of interference is determined based on whether a radar signal is detected within the CAC detection period and the value of the monitored interference signal. As shown in Figure 3, to meet the constraint of radar signal monitoring within the CAC detection duration, after monitoring the second channel, radar signals are monitored in real time to determine whether there is a radar signal on the second channel (S303). If no radar signal is detected, the current interference signal value on the second channel is obtained (S304a), and a determination is made as to whether the interference signal value exceeds a threshold (S305a). The radar signal monitoring time is accumulated to determine whether the CAC detection duration has been exceeded (S306). If the CAC detection duration has not been exceeded, step S303 is continued to monitor for radar signals. If the interference signal value does not reach the threshold, and no radar signal is detected after the radar signal monitoring time has reached the CAC detection duration, it is determined that there is no interference on the second channel and the second channel is selected as a candidate channel (S307a). At this point, the second channel can be marked as a candidate channel. If the result of step S303 is that a radar signal is detected, the candidate channel flag is cleared (S309a). Because DFS regulations require that a channel where a radar signal has been detected cannot be used for at least 30 minutes, as an example, the channel can be further marked as having a radar signal present to prevent it from being selected again within the time required by DFS regulations. Regardless of whether a radar signal is detected or the interference signal value obtained in S304a reaches the threshold, interference is considered to exist on the second channel. After executing S309a, the process returns to S301 and reselects a channel with the best channel quality from the list of supported service data transmission channels for continued monitoring.

[0057] When the second channel is a non-DFS channel, it is determined whether there is interference based on the monitored interference signal. Continuing with Figure 3, the current interference signal value of the second channel can be obtained (S304b); it is determined whether the value of the interference signal exceeds the threshold (S305b); if the obtained interference signal value reaches the threshold, it is considered that there is interference on the second channel, then after executing S309b to clear the alternative channel identifier, return to S301 and reselect a channel with the best channel quality from the channel set supported by the transmission service data for continuous monitoring. If no interference signal is detected or the value of the interference signal does not reach the threshold, the channel is marked as an alternative channel, and the alternative channel is continuously monitored (S307b).

[0058] After being marked as an alternative channel, the second channel as an alternative channel may be occupied by the first channel at any time, so it is necessary to determine whether the second channel is occupied (S308a); after the second channel as an alternative channel is occupied by the first channel, re-execute S309b and then restart step S301.

[0059] In order to be able to communicate normally with the terminal device after frequency hopping, the access point device can synchronize the frequency hopping information carrying the new first channel to the terminal device before the frequency hopping. The designer of the present disclosure took into account that due to the interference of the current first channel, the transmission quality may be affected. Therefore, before using the alternative channel as the new first channel, the access point device will notify the terminal device of the frequency hopping information carrying the alternative channel through a dedicated channel (hereinafter referred to as the third channel) with a frequency different from the first channel and the second channel, and the first channel, respectively, so that the terminal device can hop to the new first channel in time to transmit service data. It is worth noting that this is not the only way to synchronize frequency hopping information to the terminal device. For example, the designer can design it to send the frequency hopping information through one of the first channel or the third channel.

[0060] Furthermore, because the access point device is responsible for monitoring the second channel in real time for interference and using the first channel to monitor interference signals on the first channel when not transmitting service data, the present disclosure also designs the terminal device to have the following functionality: monitoring the channel quality of each channel in the channel set capable of transmitting service data and transmitting the monitoring results to the access point device. In this way, if the second channel cannot be used as a backup channel, the access point device selects a backup channel based on the monitoring results of the terminal device. As an embodiment, to enable immediate entry into service data transmission after frequency hopping, if interference exists on the second channel, the selected backup channel is a non-DFS channel.

[0061] With respect to the method for performing wireless frequency hopping using an access point device shown in FIG1 , FIG4 a shows a schematic structural diagram of an access point device.

[0062] The present disclosure designs the access point device 40 to include a first data transmission module 4021 and a first detection channel module 4022; the first data transmission module 4021 and the first detection channel module 4022 are usually integrated in the first wireless communication module 402, and the first wireless communication module 402 needs to exchange information with the processor 401 inside the access device 40.

[0063] The first data transmission module 4021 transmits service data using the first channel 403, and when interference occurs on the first channel 403, it frequency-hops to an alternative channel and uses the alternative channel as a new first channel. When there is no interference on the second channel 404, the second channel 404 becomes the alternative channel.

[0064] The first detection channel module 4022 monitors the signal of the second channel 404 to determine whether there is interference on the second channel 404. The second channel 404 is selected based on the channel quality of each channel in the channel set capable of transmitting business data. For example, it can be the channel with the best quality. Since DFS channels generally have less interference, the second channel 404 will most likely be a DFS channel. When the second channel 404 is a DFS channel, the monitored signals include interference signals and radar signals. An example of determining whether there is interference on the second channel 404 can be found in Figure 3 and the text corresponding to Figure 3 above. After the second channel 404 is used as the new first channel, a target channel is selected as the new second channel for monitoring. The target channel is also selected based on the channel quality of each channel in the channel set supported by the first data transmission module 4021. Similarly, the channel with the best quality can be selected as the second channel 404.

[0065] However, it is worth pointing out that if the designer has personalized requirements, it does not exclude the possibility of using a channel with suboptimal quality as the first channel, alternative channel, or target channel mentioned above.

[0066] As an example, the labels of the alternative channels may be stored in the channel table or in the first detection channel module 4022. In addition, any storage method that can obtain the labels of the alternative channels does not affect the implementation of the present disclosure.

[0067] In one example, the access point device 40 may further include a first state management module 4023. A schematic diagram of the structure of the access point device 40 can be seen in Figure 4b. The first state management module 4023 may be responsible for the exchange of management data and control data other than service data, such as connection status, bit error rate-related information, signal strength (RSSI), and synchronization information between the access point and terminal operating channels. This state management module may occupy the third channel 405 as the operating channel.

[0068] To reduce the impact of the first data transmission module 4021 transmitting service data, the first state management module 4023 can execute several processes to determine whether there is interference on the first channel 403. For example, the first state management module 4023 obtains the interference signal of the first channel 403 detected by the first data transmission module 4021 and the transmission quality assessment indicators of the first channel 403 (for example, the packet loss rate, RSSI, chanload, etc. returned by the terminal device) to determine whether there is interference on the first channel 403. In one example, these quality assessment indicators can be statistical results of the transmission quality assessment indicators of the service data transmitted on the first channel 403 by the terminal device. In addition, once the first data transmission module 4021 detects the presence of a radar signal on the first channel 403, it will also determine that there is interference on the first channel 403.

[0069] As an example, when there is interference on the first channel 403, the way in which the first data transmission module 4021 obtains the alternative channel can be that, no matter which of the first data transmission module 4021 and the first status management module 4023 first determines that there is interference on the first channel 403, the alternative channel is first obtained from the first detection channel module 4022 (or the location where the alternative channel mark is stored, such as the channel table). For example, if the first data transmission module 4021 detects a radar signal on the first channel 403, the alternative channel is obtained from the first detection channel module 4022; and when the first status management module 4023 determines that there is interference on the first channel 403 by comprehensively analyzing the value of the interference signal and the transmission quality evaluation index, the alternative channel is obtained from the first detection channel module 4022 and then forwarded to the first data transmission module 4021. If the first data transmission module 4021 and the first status management module 4023 fail to obtain the alternative channel from the first detection channel module 4022 (for example, there is interference on the second channel), the best quality non-DFS channel is obtained from the first status management module 4023 (for example, the first status management module 4023 may notify the first data transmission module 4021 of the monitoring result of the terminal device).

[0070] It is worth noting that the example here is not the only workflow for obtaining an alternative channel. Alternatively, the alternative channel can be obtained by the first state management module 4023 in any case, requesting the alternative channel from the first detection channel module 4022, which then forwards the alternative channel to the first data transmission module 4021. Alternatively, the alternative channel can be obtained from the first detection channel module 4022 after the first data transmission module 4021 detects a radar signal or obtains the result of the first state management module 4023's determination of interference with the first channel. These various possible methods are not listed here one by one.

[0071] In addition, the first state management module 4023 is also responsible for notifying the terminal device of frequency hopping information carrying the alternative channel before the first data transmission module 4021 performs frequency hopping. Because the first state management module 4023 and the first data transmission module 4021 respectively occupy the third channel 405 and the first channel 403, which have different frequencies, the process of synchronizing the frequency hopping information is more secure and less susceptible to interference from the first channel 403.

[0072] The first channel detection module 4022 can implement a process for determining whether interference exists on the second channel 404 by referring to the various examples described above in the frequency hopping process of the access point device. For example, if the second channel 404 is a non-DFS channel, the presence of interference is determined based on a monitored interference signal; if the second channel 404 is a DFS channel, the presence of interference is determined based on whether a radar signal is detected within the CAC detection period and based on the monitored interference signal. This is not further described here.

[0073] The first data transmission module 4021 can also implement the above-mentioned selection of the first channel 403 when the access point device is turned on, and when there is interference on the second channel 404, select other alternative channels other than the second channel 404. Please refer to the relevant description above and will not be repeated here.

[0074] In order to cooperate with the above functions designed for the access point device, the present disclosure provides a design solution for the terminal device, see Figure 5a.

[0075] The terminal device 50 may include a second data transmission module 5021. This second data transmission module 5021 shares the first channel 403 with the first data transmission module 4021 to transmit service data. After the first channel 403 is switched to a new first channel, the service data is transmitted via the new first channel. The second data transmission module 5021 and the second detection channel module 5022 are typically integrated into the second wireless communication module 502. The second wireless communication module 502 needs to exchange information with the processor 501 within the terminal device 50.

[0076] In addition, as shown in Figure 5b, the terminal device may further include a second detection channel module 5022. The channel occupied by the second detection channel module 5022 is called the fourth channel 406. The frequency of the fourth channel 406 is different from the frequencies of the first channel 403 and the third channel 405. On the fourth channel 406, the second detection channel module 5022 monitors the channel quality of each channel in the channel set capable of transmitting service data and transmits the monitoring result to the access point device 40. As an example, since the first detection channel module 4022 and the second detection channel module 5022 do not need to send signals, but rather monitor whether there is interference in the signals of the occupied channels, the fourth channel 406 can be a channel with the same frequency as the second channel 404, or a channel with a different frequency.

[0077] The terminal device 50 may be configured with a second state management module 5023, which shares the third channel 405 with the first state management module 4023. This module may also be responsible for exchanging management and control data in addition to service data, such as connection status, bit error rate-related information, signal strength (RSSI), and synchronization information between the access point and the terminal's operating channels. For example, the second data transmission module 5021 may also collect real-time bit error rate-related information on the first channel 403 and the RSSI of service data from the access point, and notify the second state management module 5023 of the statistical results, which are then transmitted to the first state management module 4023 via the third channel 405. The monitoring results for each channel sent by the second detection channel module 5022 to the access point device 400 may also be transmitted by the second state management module 5023 to the first state management module 4023 via the third channel 405. Furthermore, the channel information of the first channel occupied by the first data transmission module 4021 may also be synchronized to the second data transmission module 5021 by the first state management module 4023 and the second state management module.

[0078] The implementation of the access point device processes, the access point device structures designed to implement the access point device functions, and the terminal device structures in the various examples presented above are not limited to the limited examples presented above. The following is another example of the interaction process between an access point device and a terminal device in a practical application scenario. This example is merely a specific example that can solve the technical problem of the present disclosure and should not be construed as the only example that solves the technical problem of the present disclosure.

[0079] As shown in Figure 6 , the devices in the wireless transmission system include an access point device 40 and a terminal device 50, which communicate via a wireless channel. The first wireless communication module 402 of the access point device 40 is designed to include at least three modules: a first data transmission module 4021, a first detection channel module 4022, and a first state management module 4023. The second wireless communication module 502 of the terminal device 50 is designed to include at least a second data transmission module 5021, a second detection channel module 5022, and a second state management module 5023. The first and second data transmission modules 4021 and 5021 share the first channel 403, which transmits service data. The first and second state management modules 4023 and 5023 share the third channel 405. The first detection channel module 4022 monitors the second channel 404 in real time, while the second detection channel module 5022 monitors all channels supporting service data transmission using the fourth channel 406. For details, see the signaling interaction process in Figures 7 and 8 .

[0080] FIG. 7 describes the workflow when there is no interference on the second channel 404 .

[0081] S701 , when the access point device is powered on, the first data transmission module 4021 performs a full channel scan and selects a non-DFS channel with the best quality from a channel list as the first channel 403 . The channel list records all channels that support service data transmission.

[0082] S702 , the first channel detection module 4022 selects a channel with the best quality from the channel list as the second channel 404 , which is usually a DFS channel.

[0083] S703: First channel detection module 4022 monitors radar signals and interference signals. If the radar signal monitoring time reaches the CAC detection time limit, no radar channel is detected, and the interference signal value does not reach the threshold, second channel 404 is marked as a candidate channel. If a radar signal is detected, the second channel is marked as having a radar signal, and a new channel with the best quality is retrieved from the channel table as the new second channel. If the interference signal value exceeds the threshold, a new channel with the best quality is also retrieved from the channel table as the new second channel. In particular, if second channel 404 has already been marked as a candidate channel, the candidate channel mark is cleared.

[0084] S704 , after establishing a connection with the second data transmission module 5021 , the first data transmission module 4021 transmits service data to the second data transmission module 5021 through the first channel 403 .

[0085] S705, the first data transmission module 4021 also needs to monitor the interference signal of the first channel 403 when not sending service data;

[0086] S706, the second detection channel module 5022 occupies the fourth channel 406 as the working channel, monitors all channels in the channel list, and sends the monitoring results to the second status management module 5023 (S707a); in addition, the second status management module 5023 will also obtain the evaluation indicators related to the service data transmission quality of the second data transmission module 5021 (S707b), such as packet loss rate, RSSI value, chanload value, etc., and send the monitoring results and these transmission quality evaluation indicators to the first status management module 4023 through the third channel 405 (S707c).

[0087] S707d, when the first state management module 4023 evaluates that the packet loss rate is too high and there may be interference according to the evaluation index returned by the second state management module 5023, the first state management module 4023 obtains the interference signal monitored by the first data transmission module 4021 in S705;

[0088] S708, if the result of the combined interference signal value and the transmission quality assessment index indicates that interference exists in the first channel 403, then obtain the mark of the second channel 404 from the first detection channel module 4022;

[0089] S709: If the second channel 404 is marked as an alternative channel, the first channel 403 is notified to hop to the second channel 404; if the second channel 404 is marked as having a radar signal, or the alternative channel mark is cleared by the first detection channel module 4022 due to the presence of an interference signal, the first data transmission module 4021 is notified to select the non-DFS channel with the best quality from the channel monitoring results received from the terminal device 50 as an alternative channel (not shown in the figure).

[0090] S710, the first data transmission module 4021 and the first status management module 4023 synchronize the frequency hopping information of the new first channel to the terminal device 50 through their respective working channels, that is, the frequency hopping information can be sent to the second data transmission module 5021 (S710c) through the first channel 403, and sent to the second status management module 5023 (S710a) through the third channel 405, and then synchronized to the second data transmission module 5021 (S710b) by the second status management module 5023.

[0091] S711: After the first data transmission module 4021 frequency-hops to the second channel 404, it can directly begin transmitting service data without being constrained by the CAC detection time because, although the second channel 404 is a DFS channel, it has been monitored for radar signals for a long time. For DFS channels, both interference signals and radar signals can cause interference on the new first channel. Therefore, the first data transmission module 4021 monitors both interference signals and radar signals. Once a radar signal is detected, it obtains an alternative channel from the first channel detection module 4022.

[0092] After detecting that the second channel is occupied ( S712 ), the first channel detection module 4022 selects the best unoccupied channel from the channel list as a new second channel and monitors it ( S713 ).

[0093] The following describes the workflow when interference exists on the second channel 404 in conjunction with FIG8 . Partially overlapping steps in FIG7 are not shown in this figure, and reference may be made to the corresponding steps in FIG7 .

[0094] S801, when the first detection channel module 4022 detects interference on the second channel, it confirms whether the alternative channel has been marked. If it has been marked, it needs to clear the mark and then select a new second channel from the channel list (S805).

[0095] S802: When the first state management module 4023 determines that interference exists on the first channel 403, it obtains an identifier of an alternative channel.

[0096] S803: If the first state management module 4023 does not find the mark of the alternative channel, it returns the monitoring result returned by the second state management module 5023 to the first data transmission module 4021;

[0097] S804: The first data transmission module 4021 selects a non-DFS channel with the best quality from the monitoring result as a new first channel to avoid failure to send service data within the CAC detection time after switching channels.

[0098] After switching to the non-DFS channel, the working process of each module can refer to the steps described in Figures 7 and 8, and will not be repeated here.

[0099] The hardware configuration of the access point device 40 and terminal device 50 provided herein can be seen in FIG9 , which illustrates an exemplary hardware schematic diagram. For example, device 900 may be a mobile phone, a computer, a digital broadcast terminal, a messaging device, a game console, a tablet device, a medical device, a fitness device, a personal digital assistant, a router, or the like.

[0100] Device 900 may include one or more of the following components: a processing component 901 , a memory 902 , a power component 903 , a multimedia component 904 , an audio component 905 , an input / output (I / O) interface 906 , a sensor component 907 , and a communication component 908 .

[0101] The processing component 901 generally controls the overall operation of the device 900, such as operations associated with display, phone calls, data communications, camera operation, and recording operations. The processing component 901 may include one or more processors 909 to execute instructions to perform all or part of the steps of the above-described method. In addition, the processing component 901 may include one or more modules to facilitate interaction between the processing component 901 and other components. For example, the processing component 901 may include a multimedia module to facilitate interaction between the multimedia component 904 and the processing component 901.

[0102] The memory 902 is configured to store various types of data to support operations on the device 900. Examples of such data include instructions for any application or method operating on the device 900, contact data, phone book data, messages, pictures, videos, etc. The memory 902 can be implemented by any type of volatile or non-volatile storage device, or a combination thereof, such as static random access memory (SRAM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), programmable read-only memory (PROM), read-only memory (ROM), magnetic memory, flash memory, magnetic disk, or optical disk.

[0103] The power component 903 provides power to the various components of the device 900. The power component 903 may include a power management system, one or more power supplies, and other components associated with generating, managing, and distributing power to the device 900.

[0104] The multimedia component 904 includes a screen that provides an output interface between the device 900 and the user. In some embodiments, the screen may include a liquid crystal display (LCD) and a touch panel (TP). If the screen includes a touch panel, the screen can be implemented as a touch screen to receive input signals from the user. The touch panel includes one or more touch sensors to sense touch, sliding, and gestures on the touch panel. The touch sensor can not only sense the boundaries of the touch or sliding action, but also detect the duration and pressure associated with the touch or sliding operation. In some embodiments, the multimedia component 904 includes a front camera and / or a rear camera. When the device 900 is in an operating mode, such as a shooting mode or a video mode, the front camera and / or the rear camera can receive external multimedia data. Each front camera and rear camera can be a fixed optical lens system or have a focal length and optical zoom capability.

[0105] The audio component 905 is configured to output and / or input audio signals. For example, the audio component 905 includes a microphone (MIC), which is configured to receive external audio signals when the device 900 is in an operating mode, such as a call mode, a recording mode, and a voice recognition mode. The received audio signal can be further stored in the memory 902 or transmitted via the communication component 908. In some embodiments, the audio component 905 also includes a speaker for outputting audio signals.

[0106] The I / O interface 906 provides an interface between the processing component 901 and peripheral interface modules, such as a keyboard, a click wheel, buttons, etc. These buttons may include but are not limited to: a home button, a volume button, a start button, and a lock button.

[0107] The sensor assembly 907 includes one or more sensors for providing various aspects of status assessment for the device 900. For example, the sensor assembly 907 can detect the open / closed state of the device 900, the relative positioning of components, such as the display and keypad of the device 900. The sensor assembly 507 can also detect changes in the position of the device 900 or a component of the device 900, the presence or absence of user contact with the device 500, the orientation or acceleration / deceleration of the device 900, and temperature changes of the device 900. The sensor assembly 907 can also include a proximity sensor configured to detect the presence of nearby objects without any physical contact. The sensor assembly 907 can also include a light sensor, such as a CMOS or CCD image sensor, for use in imaging applications. In some embodiments, the sensor assembly 907 can also include an accelerometer, a gyroscope sensor, a magnetic sensor, a pressure sensor, or a temperature sensor.

[0108] The communication component 908 is configured to facilitate wired or wireless communication between the device 900 and other devices. The device 900 can access a wireless network based on a communication standard, such as WiFi, 2G or 3G, 4G or 5G or a combination thereof. In an exemplary embodiment, the communication component 908 receives a broadcast signal or broadcast-related information from an external broadcast management system via a broadcast channel. In an exemplary embodiment, the communication component 908 also includes a near field communication (NFC) module to facilitate short-range communication. For example, the NFC module can be implemented based on radio frequency identification (RFID) technology, infrared data association (IrDA) technology, ultra-wideband (UWB) technology, Bluetooth (BT) technology and other technologies.

[0109] In an exemplary embodiment, the device 900 can be implemented by one or more application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), digital signal processors (DSPs), digital signal processing devices (DSPDs), programmable logic devices (PLDs), field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), controllers, microcontrollers, microprocessors, or other electronic components to perform the touch scanning method of the above-mentioned computer device.

[0110] In an exemplary embodiment, the present disclosure further provides a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium including instructions, such as a memory 902 including instructions. The instructions may be executed by a processor 909 of a device 900 to implement the method for wireless frequency hopping implemented by the communication component 908. For example, the non-transitory computer-readable storage medium may be a ROM, a random access memory (RAM), a CD-ROM, a magnetic tape, a floppy disk, an optical data storage device, or the like.

[0111] The above describes specific embodiments of the present disclosure. Other embodiments are within the scope of the appended claims. In some cases, the actions or steps recorded in the claims can be performed in an order different from that in the embodiments and still achieve the desired results. In addition, the processes depicted in the drawings do not necessarily require the specific order or continuous order shown to achieve the desired results. In some embodiments, multi-tasking and parallel processing are also possible or may be advantageous. The technical solutions in the embodiments of the present disclosure will be clearly and completely described below in conjunction with the drawings in the embodiments of the present disclosure. Obviously, the embodiments described are only part of the embodiments of the present disclosure, not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments in the present disclosure, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without making creative work are within the scope of protection of the present disclosure.

Claims

1. An access point device that communicates with a terminal device using a wireless transmission channel, characterized in that: The access point device includes a first data transmission module and a first detection channel module; the wireless transmission channel includes a first channel and a second channel, the first channel is a channel occupied by the first data transmission module, and the second channel is a channel occupied by the first detection channel module; the first channel and the second channel are channels of different frequencies; The first data transmission module is configured to transmit service data and, when interference exists on the first channel, frequency hop to an alternative channel to use the alternative channel as a new first channel; wherein whether interference exists on the first channel is determined based on a transmission quality assessment indicator of service data on the first channel, an interference signal, and / or a radar signal; and when interference does not exist on the second channel, the alternative channel is the second channel; The first detection channel module is used to monitor the signal of the second channel to determine whether there is interference on the second channel; when the second channel is a DFS channel, the monitored signals include interference signals and radar signals; and after the second channel is used as the new first channel, a target channel is selected as the new second channel for monitoring; the DFS channel and the target channel are both selected based on the channel quality of each channel in the channel set that can transmit the service data.

2. The access point device according to claim 1, wherein: In the event that interference exists on the second channel, the alternative channel is a non-DFS channel selected by the first data transmission module, and the selected non-DFS channel is selected from the monitoring results of the terminal device, and the monitoring results are monitoring results of the channel quality of each channel in the channel set.

3. The access point device according to claim 2, wherein: The access point device further includes a first status management module, and whether there is interference on the first channel is determined by: The first state management module determines whether there is interference on the first channel based on a transmission quality evaluation index of service data of the first channel and an interference signal of the first channel detected by the first data transmission module; When there is interference on the first channel and no interference on the second channel, the first data transmission module is notified that the alternative channel is the second channel; and when there is interference on the second channel, the first data transmission module is notified to select the alternative channel.

4. The access point device according to claim 3, wherein: Whether interference exists on the first channel is further determined in the following manner: when the first data transmission module detects that a radar signal exists on the first channel, it is determined that interference exists on the first channel.

5. The access point device according to claim 3, wherein: Before the first data transmission module uses the alternative channel as the new first channel, the first status management module and the first data transmission module respectively notify the terminal device of the frequency hopping information carrying the alternative channel, so that the terminal device can transmit the service data through the new first channel; the channel occupied by the first status management module has a different frequency from both the first channel and the second channel. The access point device according to claim 1 , wherein: The first detection channel module determines whether there is interference on the second channel by: When the second channel is a non-DFS channel, determining whether interference exists based on the monitored interference signal; In the case where the second channel is a DFS channel, whether interference exists is determined based on whether a radar signal is monitored within the CAC detection duration and based on a monitored interference signal.

7. The access point device according to claim 1, wherein: When the access point device is powered on, the first data transmission module is further configured to select a non-DFS channel as the first channel based on the channel quality of each channel in the channel set.

8. A terminal device, characterized in that: It comprises a second data transmission module, used for transmitting the business data with the first data transmission module through the first channel described in any one of claims 1-7; and after the first channel is switched to a new first channel, transmitting the business data through the new first channel.

9. The terminal device according to claim 8, characterized in that The terminal device further includes a second detection channel module and a second state management module; the wireless transmission channel further includes a third channel and a fourth channel, the third channel is a channel occupied by the second state management module, the fourth channel is a channel occupied by the second detection channel module, and the frequency of the fourth channel is different from both the first channel and the third channel; The second channel detection module is used to monitor the channel quality of each channel in the channel set and send the monitoring result to the access point device through the second status management module; The second state management module is further configured to send the frequency hopping information sent by the first state management module to the second data transmission module after receiving the frequency hopping information sent by the first state management module.

10. A frequency hopping method for a wireless transmission channel, wherein the wireless transmission channel is used to implement communication between an access point device and a terminal device; characterized in that: Including steps: The access point device determines whether there is interference on the first channel based on a transmission quality evaluation indicator of service data transmitted on the first channel, an interference signal and / or a radar signal; The access point device monitors a signal on a second channel to determine whether interference exists on the second channel. If the second channel is a DFS channel, the access point device determines whether interference exists on the second channel based on an interference signal and a radar signal monitored on the second channel. When interference exists on the first channel, frequency hopping to an alternative channel to use the alternative channel as a new first channel; wherein, when interference does not exist on the second channel, the alternative channel is the second channel; After the second channel is used as the new first channel, the access point device selects a target channel as the new second channel for monitoring; the DFS channel and the target channel are both selected based on the channel quality of each channel in the channel set capable of transmitting the service data.

11. The method according to claim 10, characterized in that Also includes the steps: Before using the alternative channel as the new first channel, the frequency hopping information carrying the alternative channel is notified to the terminal device through the first channel and the third channel respectively, so that the terminal device can transmit the service data through the new first channel; the frequency of the third channel is different from that of the first channel and the second channel.

12. The method according to claim 11, characterized in that Determine whether there is interference on the second channel by: When the second channel is a non-DFS channel, determining whether interference exists based on a monitored interference signal of the second channel; In the case where the second channel is a DFS channel, whether interference exists is determined based on whether a radar signal is monitored within the CAC detection duration and based on a monitored interference signal.

13. The method according to claim 11, characterized in that When the access point device is powered on, a non-DFS channel is selected as the first channel based on the channel quality of each channel in the channel set.

14. The method according to claim 11, characterized in that It also includes the steps of: when there is interference in the second channel, selecting the alternative channel from the monitoring results returned by the terminal device, the selected alternative channel is a non-DFS channel, and the monitoring results are monitoring results based on the channel quality of each channel in the channel set.

15. The method according to claim 14, characterized in that The method further comprises the steps of: The terminal device monitors the channel quality of each channel in the channel set and sends the monitoring result to the access The access point device is configured to select the alternative channel when interference exists on the second channel.

16. A computer program product comprising a computer program / instructions, characterized in that When the computer program / instructions are executed, the method according to any one of claims 10 to 15 is implemented.

17. A computer-readable storage medium having a computer program stored thereon, characterized in that: When the program is executed, the method according to any one of claims 10 to 15 is implemented.

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