Communication method and communication apparatus

Abstract

The present application provides a communication method. The communication method can be applied to WLAN systems supporting 802.11 series protocols such as IEEE 802.11ax (Wi-Fi 6 / HE), 802.11be (Wi-Fi 7 / EHT) or 802.11bn (Wi-Fi 8 / UHR), and can also be applied to other wireless protocols, standards and wireless communication systems such as IMMW protocols and IEEE 802.15 / U. The method comprises: at least one second station (STA) reports, to a first STA, DSO capability information comprising whether bandwidth adjustment is supported and the amount of data to be transmitted, used for the first STA to allocate a sub-channel to the at least one second STA. According to the method of embodiments of the present application, the first STA can comprehensively consider the respective channel requirements and the channel switching capability of different STAs, improving the channel switching success rate, and also improving the channel utilization efficiency.

Description

Communication method and communication device

[0001] This application claims priority to the Chinese patent application filed with the State Intellectual Property Office of China on March 8, 2024, with application number 202410268810.9 and application name “Communication Method and Communication Device”, the entire contents of which are incorporated by reference into this application. Technical Field

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

[0003] The maximum bandwidth supported by Wi-Fi technology is gradually increasing. In order to effectively utilize the full bandwidth supported by the AP, Wi-Fi8 proposes dynamic sub-band operation (DSO). DSO technology is that the AP indicates at least one sub-channel to at least one associated STA, and the at least one STA switches to the sub-channel indicated by the AP to transmit data with the AP. Generally speaking, the sub-channel to be switched indicated by the AP to the STA is only offset from the center frequency compared to the current channel of the STA. Therefore, the current DSO technology does not comprehensively consider the different channel requirements of different STAs associated with the AP, resulting in low channel utilization efficiency. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The present application provides a communication method and a communication device, in which a first site can allocate reasonable channel resources to each of at least one second site for data transmission, greatly improving the utilization efficiency of the channel.

[0005] In the first aspect, a communication method is provided, which can be executed by a first site, or by a module (such as a chip or circuit) in the first site, or by a logical node, logical module or software that can implement all or part of the first site. This application does not limit this.

[0006] The method includes: a first site receives at least one first information from at least one second site, the at least one first information corresponds one-to-one with the at least one second site, and the first information is used to indicate the DSO capability of the corresponding second site and the amount of data to be transmitted between the first site and the second site; the first site determines at least one first channel of the at least one second site based on the at least one first information, and the at least one first channel corresponds one-to-one with the at least one second site; the first site sends a first frame, and the first frame is used to indicate the at least one first channel to the at least one second site, and the at least one first channel is used for data transmission between the first site and the at least one second site.

[0007] Specifically, the first information includes at least one of the following information of the corresponding second site:

[0008] Whether DSO is supported, whether changes in channel bandwidth are supported, the initial bandwidth, the supported bandwidth, the amount of data to be transmitted, the number of spatial streams (NSS) to be switched, the modulation and coding scheme (MCS) to be switched, energy-saving requirements, at least one minimum duration of the first time period, etc. The energy-saving requirements include the energy-saving priority or energy-saving degree of the second site, whether the second site is allowed to be awakened when it is in low-power monitoring mode, and whether the channel bandwidth is allowed to be increased when the second site in low-power monitoring mode is awakened.

[0009] Exemplarily, the above-mentioned first information may be included in the basic DSO element (DSO element) in the association request frame or other fields in the association request frame, or the above-mentioned first information may be included in the basic DSO element in the reassociation request frame or other fields in the reassociation request frame, or the above-mentioned first information may be included in the DSO parameter field in the DSO mode start frame or other fields in the DSO mode start frame, or the above-mentioned first information may be included in the DSO parameter update field in the DSO mode notification frame or other fields in the DSO mode notification frame, or the above-mentioned first information may be included in other frames, and this application does not limit this.

[0010] Optionally, the first site can also determine at least one first channel of at least one second site based on at least one first information, channel contention situation and channel availability, that is, the first site determines whether to adjust the bandwidth (band width, BW) and / or unevenly distribute resource units (resource unit, RU) for at least one second site.

[0011] Through the above method, the first site can fully consider the DSO capability information and data volume information to be transmitted of at least one associated second site, and allocate reasonable channel resources for data transmission to each of the at least one second site, which not only improves the success rate of channel switching, but also greatly improves the utilization efficiency of the channel.

[0012] In combination with the first aspect, in certain implementations of the first aspect, the above-mentioned first information is also used to indicate at least one minimum duration of the first time period, and the above-mentioned method also includes: the first site determines the first time period based on the above-mentioned at least one first information, and the first time period includes the duration of the filling field of the first frame, and the first time period is used for the second site among the above-mentioned at least one second site that needs to perform DSO to switch the current channel to the corresponding first channel.

[0013] Through the above method, the second station that needs to perform DSO can switch channels during the duration of the fill field of the first frame, and the first station continues to send the fill field of the first frame to reserve a channel for the second station that needs to perform DSO, ensuring that the second station that needs to perform DSO can successfully switch to the corresponding first channel.

[0014] In conjunction with the first aspect, in certain implementations of the first aspect, when at least one minimum duration of the first time period indicated by the first information is multiple minimum durations of the first time period, the multiple minimum durations of the first time period are durations corresponding to changes in any one or more of the following parameters of the second site:

[0015] RU, BW, first physical layer parameters, etc., where the first physical layer parameters include NSS, MCS, etc.

[0016] Among them, when the RU of the second site changes, the channel center frequency of the second site may change or may not change, and this application does not limit this.

[0017] Specifically, each of the at least one first information may further include a mapping table indicating a plurality of mapping relationships, each of the plurality of mapping relationships indicating the minimum duration of the first time period corresponding to a change in one or more of RU, BW, NSS, and MCS, thereby indicating a plurality of minimum durations of the first time period. Exemplarily, the first site may select a mapping relationship from the plurality of mapping relationships that matches the adjustment of the RU, BW, first physical layer parameters, etc. allocated to the second site, and determine the minimum duration of the first time period corresponding to the mapping relationship. Similarly, the first site may determine the minimum duration of at least one first time period corresponding to the at least one second site. The duration of the first time period determined by the first site is greater than or equal to the maximum value of the minimum durations of the at least one first time period.

[0018] Through the above method, at least one second site can report the time required for adjusting various parameters to the first site, which can assist the first site in determining a reasonable time to reserve the channel and effectively balance channel resource utilization and channel switching.

[0019] In combination with the first aspect, in certain implementations of the first aspect, after the first site sends the first frame, the method further includes: the first site sends a second frame, which is a data frame of at least one second site that does not require DSO, and the first time period also includes the duration between the first site ending sending the first frame and the first site ending sending the second frame.

[0020] Among them, the above-mentioned first time period is used to ensure that the second site among the above-mentioned at least one second site that needs to perform DSO completes channel switching, and the duration of the filling field of the first frame included in the first time period is used to ensure that the second site among the above-mentioned at least one second site that does not need to perform DSO completes the adjustment of the first physical layer parameters.

[0021] Exemplarily, when the second site in the at least one second node does not need to perform DSO and does not need to adjust the first physical layer parameters, the duration of the padding field of the first frame included in the first time period can also be set to 0.

[0022] Through the above method, the second station that does not need to perform DSO can transmit data with the first station during the time when the second station that needs to perform DSO performs channel switching, thereby improving the utilization rate of channel resources.

[0023] In combination with the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the method further includes: the first site sends first indication information, where the first indication information is used to indicate to the at least one second site that the first site sends the second frame after sending the first frame.

[0024] Optionally, the first indication information may further indicate to the at least one second station whether to send a second frame after the first station sends the first frame.

[0025] In combination with the first aspect, in certain implementations of the first aspect, the above method also includes: the above first site receives at least one third frame from at least one second site on the above at least one first channel, the at least one second site corresponds one-to-one to the at least one third frame, and the at least one third frame is a response frame to the above first frame.

[0026] Through the above method, the above-mentioned first station can know that at least one second station is already in at least one first channel based on the above-mentioned at least one third frame received on at least one first channel, and can perform normal data transmission with at least one second station on at least one first channel, which can avoid the first station transmitting data without knowing whether the associated at least one second station is already in at least one first channel.

[0027] In combination with the first aspect, in certain implementations of the first aspect, the above method also includes: the first site sends second indication information, and the second indication information is used to instruct at least one second site to directly send the above at least one third frame after receiving the above first frame or the above second frame.

[0028] Optionally, the second indication information may further indicate whether the at least one second station directly sends the at least one third frame after receiving the first frame or the second frame.

[0029] In combination with the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the method further includes: the first site sends a fourth frame, where the fourth frame is used to request the at least one second site to send the at least one third frame on the at least one first channel.

[0030] In combination with the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the above method also includes: the first site sends third indication information, and the third indication information is used to indicate to at least one second site that the first site sends the above fourth frame after sending the first frame or the second frame.

[0031] Optionally, the third indication information may also be used to indicate to at least one second station whether to send the fourth frame after the first station sends the first frame or the second frame.

[0032] Specifically, the first information may further include at least one of the following information of the corresponding second site:

[0033] Whether the first station sends the second frame after sending the first frame, whether the first station directly receives the third frame after sending the first frame or the second frame, whether the first station sends the fourth frame after sending the first frame or the second frame, etc.

[0034] Exemplarily, the first site may determine the above-mentioned first indication information based on whether the first site sends the second frame after sending the first frame included in at least one first information, the first site may determine the above-mentioned second indication information based on whether the first site directly receives the third frame after sending the first frame or the second frame included in at least one first information, and the first site may determine the above-mentioned third indication information based on whether the first site sends the fourth frame after sending the first frame or the second frame included in at least one first information.

[0035] Exemplarily, the above-mentioned first indication information and / or the above-mentioned second indication information and / or the above-mentioned third indication information can be carried in the above-mentioned first frame and sent; or, the above-mentioned first indication information and / or the above-mentioned second indication information and / or the above-mentioned third indication information can be sent before the above-mentioned first frame, for example, the above-mentioned first indication information and / or the above-mentioned second indication information and / or the above-mentioned third indication information can be sent after the above-mentioned at least one second site reports at least one first information, or the above-mentioned first indication information and / or the above-mentioned second indication information and / or the above-mentioned third indication information can be sent during the capability signaling interaction of DSO.

[0036] In combination with the first aspect, in certain implementations of the first aspect, some or all of the at least one second site are in a low-power monitoring mode, and the first frame is also used to wake up the target second site in the at least one second site that is in a low-power monitoring mode.

[0037] Exemplarily, for a second station in a low-power monitoring mode, the first station may determine whether to wake up the second station in a low-power monitoring mode based on the energy-saving requirements included in the first information, and the first station may determine whether to increase the channel bandwidth of the second station when waking up the second station in a low-power monitoring mode based on the energy-saving requirements included in the first information.

[0038] In combination with the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the first frame may be an initial control frame (ICF), the second frame may be a follow-up frame (follow up frame), the third frame may be an initial control response frame (ICR), and the fourth frame may be a poll frame or a multi-user request to send frame (MU-RTS) or a buffer status report poll frame (BSRP).

[0039] On the second aspect, a communication method is provided, which can be executed by the second site, or by a module (such as a chip or circuit) in the second site, or by a logical node, logical module or software that can implement all or part of the second site. This application does not limit this.

[0040] The method includes: the second site sends first information to the first site, where the first information is used to indicate the DSO capability of the corresponding second site and the amount of data to be transmitted between the first site and the second site; the second site receives a first frame from the first site, where the first frame is used to indicate a first channel to the second site, where the first channel is determined by the first site based on the first information, and the first channel is used for data transmission between the first site and the second site.

[0041] In combination with the second aspect, in certain implementations of the second aspect, the above-mentioned first information is also used to indicate at least one minimum duration of the first time period. If the above-mentioned first channel is the same as the current channel of the second site, the second site does not need to perform DSO; if the above-mentioned first channel is different from the current channel of the second site, the above-mentioned method also includes: the second site switches the current channel to the first channel in the first time period, and the first time period includes the duration of the padding field of the above-mentioned first frame. The first time period is determined by the first site based on the first information.

[0042] In conjunction with the second aspect, in certain implementations of the second aspect, when at least one minimum duration of the first time period indicated by the first information is multiple minimum durations of the first time period, the multiple minimum durations of the first time period are durations corresponding to changes in any one or more of the following parameters of the second site:

[0043] RU, BW, first physical layer parameters, etc., where the first physical layer parameters include NSS, MCS, etc.

[0044] In combination with the second aspect, in certain implementations of the second aspect, if the above-mentioned first channel is the same as the current channel of the second site, after the second site receives the first frame from the first site, the above-mentioned method also includes: the second site receives the second frame from the first site, and the second frame is a data frame transmitted by the first site to the site that does not need to perform DSO; if the above-mentioned first channel is different from the current channel of the second site, the above-mentioned method also includes: the second site switches the current channel to the first channel during the first time period of the tree, and the first time period also includes the duration between the first site ends sending the first frame and the first site ends sending the second frame.

[0045] Among them, the above-mentioned first time period is used to ensure that the second site among the above-mentioned at least one second site that needs to perform DSO completes channel switching, and the duration of the filling field of the first frame included in the first time period is used to ensure that the second site among the above-mentioned at least one second site that does not need to perform DSO completes the adjustment of the first physical layer parameters.

[0046] In combination with the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, the method further includes: the second site receives first indication information, where the first indication information is used to indicate to the second site that the first site sends the second frame after sending the first frame.

[0047] In combination with the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, the method further includes: the second station sends a third frame to the first station on the first channel, where the third frame is a response frame to the first frame.

[0048] In combination with the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, the above method also includes: the second site receives second indication information from the first site, and the second indication information is used to instruct the second site to directly send the above third frame after receiving the above first frame or the above second frame.

[0049] In combination with the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, the method further includes: the second site receives a fourth frame from the first site, where the fourth frame is used to request the second site to send the third frame on the first channel.

[0050] In combination with the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, the above method also includes: the second site receives third indication information from the first site, and the third indication information is used to indicate to the second site that the first site sends the above fourth frame after sending the first frame or the second frame.

[0051] In combination with the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, the second station is in a low-power monitoring mode, and the first frame is also used to wake up the second station.

[0052] In combination with the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, the first frame may be an ICF, the second frame may be a follow-up frame, the third frame may be an ICR, and the fourth frame may be a poll frame, an MU-RTS frame, or a BSRP frame.

[0053] In a third aspect, a communication device is provided, which is configured to execute the communication method provided in the first aspect. Specifically, the device may include units and / or modules, such as a processing unit and / or a communication unit, configured to execute the method provided in any one of the above implementations of the first aspect.

[0054] Exemplarily, when the communication device is the first site in the above-mentioned first aspect, the communication unit is used to receive at least one first information from at least one second site; the processing unit is used to determine at least one first channel of at least one second site based on the at least one first information; and the communication unit is also used to send a first frame.

[0055] In one implementation, the communication unit may be a transceiver or an input / output interface; the processing unit may be at least one processor. Alternatively, the transceiver may be a transceiver circuit. Alternatively, the input / output interface may be an input / output circuit.

[0056] In another implementation, the device is a chip, chip system, or circuit used in the first site. When the device is a chip, chip system, or circuit used in the first site, the communication unit may be an input / output interface, interface circuit, output circuit, input circuit, pin, or related circuit on the chip, chip system, or circuit; and the processing unit may be at least one processor, processing circuit, or logic circuit.

[0057] In a fourth aspect, a communication device is provided, which is used to perform the method provided in the second aspect. Specifically, the device may include units and / or modules, such as a processing unit and / or a communication unit, for performing the method provided in any one of the above implementations of the second aspect.

[0058] Exemplarily, when the communication device is the second site in the second aspect described above, the communication unit is configured to send first information to the first site; and the communication unit is configured to receive a first frame from the first site.

[0059] In one implementation, the communication unit may be a transceiver or an input / output interface; the processing unit may be at least one processor. Alternatively, the transceiver may be a transceiver circuit. Alternatively, the input / output interface may be an input / output circuit.

[0060] In another implementation, the device is a chip, chip system, or circuit used in the second site. When the device is a chip, chip system, or circuit used in the second site, the communication unit may be an input / output interface, interface circuit, output circuit, input circuit, pin, or related circuit on the chip, chip system, or circuit; and the processing unit may be at least one processor, processing circuit, or logic circuit.

[0061] In a fifth aspect, a communication device is provided, which includes: a memory for storing programs; and at least one processor for executing computer programs or instructions stored in the memory to execute any one of the above-mentioned implementations of the first and second aspects, or the method provided by any one of the above-mentioned implementations of the first and second aspects.

[0062] In a sixth aspect, the present application provides a processor for executing the methods provided in the above aspects.

[0063] For the sending and receiving operations involved in the processor, unless otherwise specified, or if they do not conflict with their actual functions or internal logic in the relevant descriptions, they can be understood as processor output, reception, input and other operations, and can also be understood as sending and receiving operations performed by the radio frequency circuit and antenna. This application does not limit this.

[0064] In a seventh aspect, a computer-readable storage medium is provided, which stores a program code for execution by a device, wherein the program code includes a method provided by any one of the above-mentioned implementations of the first and second aspects.

[0065] In an eighth aspect, a computer program product comprising instructions is provided, which, when run on a computer, enables the computer to execute the method provided by any one of the above-mentioned implementations of the first and second aspects.

[0066] In the ninth aspect, a chip is provided, which includes a processor and a communication interface. The processor reads instructions stored in the memory through the communication interface and executes the method provided by any one of the above-mentioned implementation methods of the first and second aspects.

[0067] Optionally, as an implementation method, the chip also includes a memory, in which a computer program or instruction is stored, and the processor is used to execute the computer program or instruction stored in the memory. When the computer program or instruction is executed, the processor is used to execute the method provided in any one of the above implementation methods.

[0068] In a tenth aspect, a communication system is provided, comprising the first site and the second site described above.

[0069] For the relevant explanations and descriptions of the beneficial effects of the second to tenth aspects, reference can be made to the description of the first aspect. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0070] FIG1 is a schematic diagram of an application scenario to which an embodiment of the present application is applicable.

[0071] FIG2 is an exemplary flowchart of a communication method 200 provided in an embodiment of the present application.

[0072] FIG3 is a schematic diagram of an example of a communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application.

[0073] FIG4 is a schematic diagram of another example of the communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application.

[0074] FIG5 is another schematic diagram of a communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application.

[0075] FIG6 is a schematic diagram of another example of the communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application.

[0076] FIG7 is another schematic diagram of a communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application.

[0077] FIG8 is another schematic diagram of a communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application.

[0078] FIG9 is a schematic block diagram of a communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application.

[0079] FIG10 is a schematic diagram of another communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application.

[0080] FIG11 is a schematic diagram of a chip system provided in an embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0081] The technical solution in this application will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0082] The technical solution provided in the embodiments of the present application can be applicable to wireless local area network (WLAN) scenarios, for example, supporting the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11 related standards, such as IEEE 802.11a / b / g, 802.11n (Wi-Fi 4), 802.11ac (Wi-Fi 5), 802.11ax (Wi-Fi 6), 802.11be (Wi-Fi 7), 802.11bn (Wi-Fi 8), 802.11ad, 802.11ay or 802.11bf and other standards, and can also be applied to other wireless protocols or standards, such as future communication standards, 802.15 series standards based on ultra-wide band (UWB), integrated millimeter wave (IMW) protocols, etc. The 802.11n standard is known as the high throughput (HT) standard, the 802.11ac standard is known as the very high throughput (VHT) standard, the 802.11ax standard is known as the high efficiency (HE) standard, the 802.11be standard is known as the extremely high throughput (EHT) standard, and the 802.11bn standard is known as the ultra high reliability (UHR) standard. 802.11bf includes two major categories of standards: low-frequency (e.g., sub7 GHz) and high-frequency (e.g., 60 GHz). Sub7 GHz implementations primarily rely on 802.11ac, 802.11ax, 802.11be, and their next-generation standards, while 60 GHz implementations primarily rely on 802.11ad, 802.11ay, and their next-generation standards. 802.11ad may also be called a directional multi-gigabit (DMG) standard, and 802.11ay may also be called an enhanced directional multi-gigabit (EDMG) standard.

[0083] Although the embodiments of the present application are primarily described using the deployment of a WLAN network, particularly a network using the IEEE 802.11 system standard, as an example, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the various aspects of the embodiments of the present application can be extended to other networks using various standards or protocols, such as a high-performance wireless local area network (HIPERLAN), a wireless wide area network (WWAN), a wireless personal area network (WPAN), or other networks now known or developed in the future. Therefore, regardless of the coverage area and wireless access protocol used, the various aspects provided in the embodiments of the present application can be applied to any suitable wireless network.

[0084] The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application can also be applied to various wireless communication systems, such as: WLAN communication system, wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi) system, long term evolution (LTE) system, LTE frequency division duplex (FDD) system, LTE time division duplex (TDD), universal mobile telecommunication system (UMTS), world-wide interoperability for microwave access (WiMAX) communication system, fifth generation (5G) system or new radio (NR), future communication system, Internet of Things (IoT), vehicle to x (V2X) or ultra-wideband (UWB) communication system, etc.

[0085] 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.

[0086] FIG1 is a schematic diagram of an application scenario applicable to an embodiment of the present application. As shown in FIG1 , the communication method provided by the present application is applicable to data communication between an access point (AP) and a station (STA), wherein the station may be a non-AP station (non-AP STA), referred to as a non-AP station or STA. Specifically, the scheme of the present application is applicable to data communication between an AP and one or more non-AP stations (for example, data communication between AP1 and non-AP STA1, non-AP STA2, non-AP STA3, and non-AP STA4), as well as data communication between APs (for example, data communication between AP1 and AP2), and data communication between non-AP STAs and non-AP STAs (for example, data communication between non-AP STA4 and non-AP STA5).

[0087] An access point is a node that allows terminals (such as mobile phones) to access a wired (or wireless) network. It is primarily deployed in homes, buildings, and campuses, with a typical coverage radius of tens to hundreds of meters. It can also be deployed outdoors. An access point acts as a bridge between wired and wireless networks, connecting wireless network clients and then connecting the wireless network to the Ethernet.

[0088] Specifically, the access point can be a terminal or network device with a Wi-Fi chip, and the network device can be a server, a router, a switch, a bridge, a computer, a mobile phone, a relay station, an in-vehicle device, a wearable device, a network device in a 5G network, a network device in a future communication network, or a network device in a public land mobile network (PLMN), etc., and the embodiments of the present application are not limited thereto. The access point can be a device that supports the Wi-Fi standard. For example, the access point can also support one or more standards of the IEEE 802.11 series, such as 802.11a, 802.11b, 802.11g, 802.11n, 802.11ac, 802.11ax, 802.11be, 802.11bn, 802.11ad, 802.11ay, and 802.11bf.

[0089] A non-AP site may be a wireless communication chip, a wireless sensor, or a wireless communication terminal, and may also be referred to as a user, user equipment (UE), access terminal, subscriber unit, subscriber station, mobile station, mobile station, remote station, remote terminal, mobile device, user terminal, terminal, wireless communication device, user agent, or user device. A non-AP site may be a cellular phone, a cordless phone, a Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) phone, a wireless local loop (WLL) station, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a handheld device with wireless communication capabilities, a computing device or other processing device connected to a wireless modem, an in-vehicle device, an Internet of Things device, a wearable device, a terminal device in a 5G network, a terminal device in a future communication network, or a terminal device in a PLMN, and the embodiments of the present application are not limited thereto. A non-AP site may be a device that supports the WLAN standard. For example, a non-AP station may support one or more standards in the IEEE 802.11 series, such as 802.11a, 802.11b, 802.11g, 802.11n, 802.11ac, 802.11ax, 802.11be, 802.11ad, 802.11ay, 802.11bn, and 802.11bf.

[0090] For example, non-AP sites can be mobile phones, tablets, set-top boxes, smart TVs, smart wearable devices, in-vehicle communication devices, computers, Internet of Things (IoT) nodes, sensors, smart homes such as smart cameras, smart remote controls, smart water and electricity meters, and sensors in smart cities.

[0091] The above-mentioned AP or non-AP site may include a transmitter, a receiver, a memory, a processor, etc., wherein the transmitter and the receiver are used for sending and receiving packet structures respectively, the memory is used to store signaling information and store preset values ​​agreed in advance, etc., and the processor is used to parse signaling information, process related data, etc.

[0092] The maximum bandwidth supported by Wi-Fi technology is gradually increasing. In order to effectively utilize the full bandwidth supported by the AP, Wi-Fi8 proposes dynamic sub-band operation (DSO). DSO technology is that the AP indicates at least one sub-channel to at least one associated STA, and the at least one STA switches to the sub-channel indicated by the AP to transmit data with the AP. Generally speaking, the sub-channel to be switched indicated by the AP to the STA is only offset from the center frequency compared to the current channel of the STA. Therefore, the current DSO technology does not comprehensively consider the different channel requirements of different STAs associated with the AP, resulting in low channel utilization efficiency.

[0093] The embodiment of the present application provides a communication method that enables an AP to comprehensively consider the channel requirements of multiple STAs and reasonably allocate channel resources to multiple STAs, thereby improving channel utilization efficiency.

[0094] FIG2 is a schematic flow chart of a communication method 200 provided in an embodiment of the present application, the method comprising the following steps:

[0095] In step S210, at least one second station sends at least one first message to the first station. The at least one first message corresponds to the at least one second station, and the first message indicates the DSO capability of the corresponding second station and the amount of data to be transmitted between the first station and the second station. In response, the first station receives the at least one first message from the at least one second station.

[0096] Specifically, the first information includes at least one of the following information of the corresponding second site:

[0097] Whether DSO is supported, whether channel bandwidth changes are supported, initial bandwidth, supported bandwidth, amount of data to be transmitted, number of spatial streams (NSS) to be switched, modulation and coding scheme (MCS) to be switched, and energy-saving requirements. The energy-saving requirements include the energy-saving priority or priority level of the second station, whether the second station is allowed to be awakened when in low power listening (LP listening) mode, and whether the channel bandwidth is allowed to be increased when the second station in LP listening mode is awakened.

[0098] Optionally, the above-mentioned first information may be included in the basic DSO element (DSO element) in the association request frame or other fields in the association request frame, or the above-mentioned first information may be included in the basic DSO element in the reassociation request frame or other fields in the reassociation request frame, or the above-mentioned first information may be included in the DSO parameter field in the DSO mode start frame or other fields in the DSO mode start frame, or the above-mentioned first information may be included in the DSO parameter update field in the DSO mode notification frame or other fields in the DSO mode notification frame, or the above-mentioned first information may be included in other frames, and this application does not limit this.

[0099] Exemplarily, the above-mentioned first site can be AP1 in the application scenario diagram shown in Figure 1, and the above-mentioned at least one second site can be non-AP STA1, non-AP STA2, non-AP STA3, non-AP STA4, etc. in the application scenario diagram shown in Figure 1. This application does not limit this.

[0100] Step S212: The first site determines at least one first channel of at least one second site according to the at least one first information, where the at least one first channel corresponds to the at least one second site in a one-to-one manner.

[0101] In step S214, the first station sends a first frame, where the first frame is used to indicate the at least one first channel to the at least one second station. Accordingly, the at least one second station receives the first frame from the first station.

[0102] Through the above-mentioned communication method 200, the first site can fully consider the DSO capability information and the data volume information to be transmitted of at least one associated second site, and allocate reasonable channel resources for data transmission to each second site in at least one second site, thereby greatly improving the channel utilization efficiency.

[0103] The communication method 200 may further include steps S216 and S218:

[0104] Step S216: The first station determines a first time period according to the at least one first information, where the first time period includes the duration of the padding field of the first frame.

[0105] At this time, the first information is also used to indicate the minimum length of the first time period.

[0106] Step S218: The second station that needs to perform DSO among the at least one second station switches the current channel to the corresponding first channel during the first time period.

[0107] This application describes in detail a communication method 200 provided in an embodiment of the present application using FIG. 3 as an example, as shown in FIG. 3 , which is a schematic diagram of an example of channel switching.

[0108] Figure 3 describes an example in which a first site supports data transmission with at least one second site on a channel with a bandwidth of 320MHz. The present application does not limit the channel bandwidth for data transmission between the first site and at least one second site. For example, the channel bandwidth for data transmission between the first site and at least one second site can also be any bandwidth such as 20MHz, 40MHz, 80MHz, 160MHz, 640MHz, etc., and the present application does not limit this.

[0109] The 320 MHz bandwidth channel shown in Figure 3 can be divided into a 160 MHz primary channel and a 160 MHz secondary channel. The 160 MHz primary channel includes subchannel 1 and subchannel 2, and the 160 MHz secondary channel includes subchannel 3 and subchannel 4. For example, the number of subchannels included in the 160 MHz primary channel and / or the 160 MHz secondary channel is not limited to 2, but can also be other numbers. The channel bandwidths of the exemplary subchannels 1, 2, 3, and 4 can be any bandwidth, such as 20 MHz, 40 MHz, or 80 MHz, and this application does not impose any limitation on this.

[0110] FIG3 takes one of the at least one second site as an example to illustrate the channel switching situation, where the current channel of the second site is sub-channel 1 .

[0111] One implementation method is: in Figure 3 (a), the first site determines that the first channel corresponding to the second site is sub-channel 3 based on the first information; another implementation method is: in Figure 3 (b), the first site determines that the first channel corresponding to the second site is sub-channel 3+sub-channel 4 based on the first information; and yet another implementation method is: the first site determines that the first channel corresponding to the second site is the current channel based on the first information.

[0112] In the cases shown in Figures 3(a) and 3(b), the second station needs to switch channels, that is, perform DSO. Specifically, in the case shown in Figure 3(a), the second station adjusts the channel center frequency during the first time period to switch subchannel 1 to subchannel 3. In the case shown in Figure 3(b), the second station adjusts the channel center frequency and bandwidth simultaneously during the first time period to switch subchannel 1 to subchannels 3 and 4.

[0113] The first information reported by the second site may indicate at least one minimum duration of the first time period. When the first information indicates the minimum durations of multiple first time periods, the minimum durations of the multiple first time periods are the durations corresponding to changes in any one or more of the following parameters of the second site:

[0114] RU, BW, NSS, MCS, etc. This application uses the change of these four parameters of the second site as an example for illustration, and the technical solution of this application can also be applied to the case where other parameters of the second site change, and this application does not limit this.

[0115] It should be noted that in this application, when the RU of the second site changes, the channel center frequency of the second site may or may not change, and this application does not limit this. This application uses the example of the change of the channel center frequency of the second site when the RU of the second site changes as an example to illustrate, but the technical solution of this application is also applicable to the situation where the channel center frequency of the second site does not change when the RU of the second site changes.

[0116] Exemplarily, the second site may report the minimum durations of multiple first time periods in the form of a mapping table, as shown in Table 1 below. The mapping table shown in Table 1 includes four mapping relationships.

[0117] Table 1

[0118] According to Table 1 above, the first parameter change type is that both the RU and BW of the second site change. The time required for the second site to switch channels is longer, so the corresponding minimum length of the first period is also longer, recorded as d3; the second parameter change type is that the RU of the second site changes but the BW does not change. The time required for the second site to switch channels is also longer, and the corresponding minimum length of the first period is recorded as d2; the third parameter change type is that the RU and BW of the second site remain unchanged but the NSS and / or MCS change. The second site does not need to perform DSO, so the second site needs a shorter time to switch to the NSS and / or MCS to be switched. At this time, the corresponding minimum length of the first period is shorter, recorded as d1; the fourth parameter change type is that the RU, BW, NSS, and MCS of the second site remain unchanged. The corresponding minimum length of the first period defaults to 0. Optionally, when all parameters of the second site remain unchanged, the minimum length of the first period can be defaulted to 0, and there is no need to report it in the mapping table shown in Table 1. Optionally, d3 corresponding to the first parameter change type and d2 corresponding to the second parameter change type may be similar, so the first parameter change type and the second parameter change type can be combined into a parameter change type of RU change, and the minimum length of the first time period corresponding to this parameter change type can be recorded as d2.

[0119] Alternatively, the second site only needs to report d3, d2, and d1 in the first information, without reporting the parameter change types corresponding to d3, d2, and d1 respectively. The first site can determine the parameter change types corresponding to d3, d2, and d1 respectively according to the predefined mapping relationship.

[0120] It should be noted that the mapping table shown in Table 1 above is only an illustrative example. The mapping table reported by the second site in this application can further refine the changes in the parameters of the second site. The mapping table can also include more mapping relationships, which is not limited in this application.

[0121] The first station may determine the first time period according to Table 1. For example, when both the RU and the BW allocated by the first station to the second station change, the first station may determine that the duration of the first time period is greater than or equal to d3.

[0122] After the second station completes DSO, it sends a third frame to the first station on the switched first channel. This third frame is a response frame to the first frame. Accordingly, the first station receives the third frame from the second station on the first channel. Thereafter, the first station performs uplink or downlink data transmission with the second station on the first channel.

[0123] FIG3 above illustrates channel switching using one of the at least one second site as an example, and FIG4 below illustrates channel switching using multiple second sites in the at least one second site as an example. For example, FIG4 illustrates the first site as AP1 in the application scenario diagram shown in FIG1 , and the multiple second sites in the at least one second site as STA1, STA2, and STA3 in the application scenario diagram shown in FIG1 .

[0124] The first information reported by STA1, STA2, and STA3 may indicate at least one minimum duration of the first time period. When the first information reported by STA1, STA2, and STA3 indicates the minimum duration of multiple first time periods, the minimum duration of the multiple first time periods indicated by the first information reported by STA1 is the duration corresponding to a change in any one or more of the following parameters of STA1: RU, BW, NSS, MCS, etc.; the minimum duration of the multiple first time periods indicated by the first information reported by STA2 is the duration corresponding to a change in any one or more of the following parameters of STA2: RU, BW, NSS, MCS, etc.; the minimum duration of the multiple first time periods indicated by the first information reported by STA3 is the duration corresponding to a change in any one or more of the following parameters of STA3: RU, BW, NSS, MCS, etc.

[0125] Exemplarily, STA1 may report multiple minimum durations of the first time period in the form of a mapping table, as shown in Table 2 below. The mapping table shown in Table 2 includes four mapping relationships.

[0126] Table 2

[0127] According to Table 2 above, the first parameter change type is that both STA1's RU and BW change, and STA1 takes a long time to switch channels. Therefore, the corresponding minimum length of the first period is also long, recorded as d3'; the second parameter change type is that STA1's RU changes but BW remains unchanged, and STA1 takes a long time to switch channels. The corresponding minimum length of the first period is recorded as d2'; the third parameter change type is that STA1's RU and BW remain unchanged but NSS and / or MCS change. STA1 does not need to perform DSO, so STA1 needs a shorter time to switch to the NSS and / or MCS to be switched. At this time, the corresponding minimum length of the first period is shorter, recorded as d1'; the fourth parameter change type is that STA1's RU, BW, NSS, and MCS remain unchanged. The corresponding minimum length of the first period defaults to 0. Optionally, when all parameters of STA1 remain unchanged, the minimum length of the first period can be defaulted to 0, and there is no need to report it in the mapping table shown in Table 2 above. Optionally, d3' corresponding to the first parameter change type and d2' corresponding to the second parameter change type may be similar, so the first parameter change type and the second parameter change type can be combined into a parameter change type of RU change, and the minimum length of the first time period corresponding to this parameter change type can be recorded as d2'.

[0128] Alternatively, STA1 only needs to report d3', d2', and d1' in the first information, without reporting the parameter change types corresponding to d3', d2', and d1'. AP1 can determine the parameter change types corresponding to d3', d2', and d1' according to the predefined mapping relationship.

[0129] Exemplarily, STA2 may report multiple minimum durations of the first time period in the form of a mapping table, as shown in Table 3 below. The mapping table shown in Table 3 includes four mapping relationships.

[0130] Table 3

[0131] According to Table 3 above, the first parameter change type is that both STA2's RU and BW change, and STA2 takes a longer time to switch channels. Therefore, the minimum length of the corresponding first period is also longer, recorded as d3". The second parameter change type is that STA2's RU changes but BW remains unchanged. The time required for STA2 to switch channels is also longer, and the minimum length of the corresponding first period is recorded as d2". The third parameter change type is that STA2's RU and BW remain unchanged but NSS and / or MCS change. STA2 does not need to perform DSO, so STA2 needs a shorter time to switch to the NSS and / or MCS to be switched. At this time, the corresponding first period is d2". The minimum length of a time period is shorter, recorded as d1”; the fourth parameter change type is that the RU, BW, NSS, and MCS of STA2 remain unchanged, and the corresponding minimum length of the first time period defaults to 0. Optionally, when all parameters of STA2 remain unchanged, the minimum length of the first time period can be defaulted to 0, and there is no need to report in the mapping table shown in Table 3 above. Optionally, d3” corresponding to the above-mentioned first parameter change type and d2” corresponding to the above-mentioned second parameter change type may be similar, so the above-mentioned first parameter change type and the above-mentioned second parameter change type can be combined into a parameter change type of RU change, and the minimum length of the first time period corresponding to this parameter change type can be recorded as d2”.

[0132] Alternatively, STA2 only needs to report d3", d2", and d1" in the first information, without reporting the parameter change types corresponding to d3", d2", and d1". AP1 can determine the parameter change types corresponding to d3", d2", and d1" based on the predefined mapping relationship.

[0133] Exemplarily, STA3 may report multiple minimum durations of the first time period in the form of a mapping table, as shown in Table 4 below. The mapping table shown in Table 4 includes four mapping relationships.

[0134] Table 4

[0135] According to Table 4 above, the first parameter change type is that both STA3's RU and BW change, and STA3 takes a longer time to switch channels. Therefore, the minimum length of the corresponding first period is also longer, recorded as d3"'; the second parameter change type is that RU changes but BW remains unchanged, and the time required for STA3 to switch channels is also longer. The minimum length of the corresponding first period is recorded as d2"'; the third parameter change type is that STA3's RU and BW remain unchanged but NSS and / or MCS change. STA3 does not need to perform DSO, so STA3 needs a shorter time to switch to the NSS and / or MCS to be switched. At this time, the corresponding first period is The minimum duration is shorter, recorded as d1"'; the fourth parameter change type is that the RU, BW, NSS, and MCS of STA3 remain unchanged, and the corresponding minimum duration of the first time period defaults to 0. Optionally, when all parameters of STA3 remain unchanged, the minimum duration of the first time period can be defaulted to 0, and there is no need to report in the mapping table shown in Table 4 above. Optionally, the d3"' corresponding to the above-mentioned first parameter change type and the d2"' corresponding to the above-mentioned second parameter change type may be similar, so the above-mentioned first parameter change type and the above-mentioned second parameter change type can be combined into a parameter change type of RU change, and the minimum duration of the first time period corresponding to this parameter change type can be recorded as d2"'.

[0136] Alternatively, STA3 only needs to report d3', d2', and d1' in the first information, without reporting the parameter change types corresponding to d3', d2', and d1' respectively. AP1 can determine the parameter change types corresponding to d3', d2', and d1' respectively based on the predefined mapping relationship.

[0137] It should be noted that the mapping tables shown in Tables 2, 3, and 4 above are only exemplary examples. The mapping tables reported by STA1, STA2, and STA3 in this application can further refine the changes in the parameters of STA1, STA2, and STA3, that is, the mapping tables reported by STA1, STA2, and STA3 can also include more mapping relationships, which is not limited in this application.

[0138] As shown in Figure 4, the current channel for STA1, STA2, and STA3 is subchannel 1. AP1 determines the first channel for STA1, STA2, and STA3 based on the first information reported by each of these three channels. As shown in Figure 4, the first channel determined by AP1 for STA1 is subchannel 3 + subchannel 4, which is different from STA1's current channel. Therefore, STA1 needs to perform Disconnection and Smoothing (DSO). The first channel determined by AP1 for STA2 is subchannel 2, which is different from STA2's current channel. Therefore, STA2 needs to perform DSO. The first channel determined by AP1 for STA3 is subchannel 1, which is the same as STA3's current channel. Therefore, STA3 does not need to perform DSO.

[0139] One implementation method is: the RU of STA1 and STA2 shown in Figure 4 is changed, the RU and BW of STA3 remain unchanged, but the NSS and / or MCS changes; another implementation method is: the RU of STA1 and STA2 shown in Figure 4 is changed, and the RU, BW, NSS, and MCS of STA3 remain unchanged.

[0140] AP1 can determine the first time period based on Tables 2, 3, and 4. Specifically, AP1 allocates corresponding first channels to STA1, STA2, and STA3, respectively. AP1 can select a mapping relationship from the mapping tables reported by STA1, STA2, and STA3 based on the sub-channel allocation results. For example, if STA1's RU and BW are both changed based on the sub-channel allocation results, AP1 selects the minimum length of the first time period required for STA1 to perform DSO as the mapping relationship d3' in Table 2 above. If STA2's RU is changed but its BW remains unchanged based on the sub-channel allocation results, AP1 selects the minimum length of the first time period required for STA2 to perform DSO as the mapping relationship d2" in Table 3 above. If STA3's RU and BW remain unchanged based on the sub-channel allocation results, AP1 determines that STA3 does not need to perform DSO. If STA3's NSS and / or MCS changes, AP1 selects the minimum length of the first time period required for STA3 to perform NSS and / or MCS switching as the mapping relationship d1"' in Table 4 above. Finally, AP1 determines the duration of the first time period from the selected mapping relationship, that is, AP1 determines that the duration of the first time period is greater than or equal to the maximum value among d3', d2", and d1'".

[0141] After completing DSO, at least one second station transmits at least one third frame to the first station on at least one first channel. The at least one second station corresponds to the at least one third frame, and the at least one third frame is a response frame to the first frame. Accordingly, the first station receives the at least one third frame from the at least one second station on the at least one first channel. Thereafter, the first station performs uplink or downlink data transmission with the at least one second station on the at least one first channel. For downlink data transmission, the first station transmits data frames to the at least one second station on the at least one first channel using orthogonal frequency-division multiple access (OFDMA). For uplink data transmission, the first station transmits a trigger frame to the at least one second station, triggering the at least one second station to perform uplink data transmission. After receiving the trigger frame from the first station, the at least one second station transmits data frames to the first station on the corresponding first channel using OFDMA. After receiving the data frame from the sender, the receiver sends a block acknowledgement (BA) to the sender on the first channel to indicate to the sender that the data frame has been successfully received.

[0142] The purpose of the first station determining the first time period is to reserve the first channel for the second station that needs to perform DSO during the first time period and to enable the second station that needs to perform DSO to perform DSO during the first time period so that the second station that needs to perform DSO can successfully switch to the first channel. However, not all of the at least one second station associated with the first station needs to perform DSO (for example, STA3 shown in Figure 4 does not need to perform DSO). The second station that does not need to perform DSO cannot perform data transmission during the first time period, resulting in a waste of channel resources.

[0143] Based on this, the present application can provide a communication method that enables a second station that does not need to perform DSO to transmit data during the above-mentioned first time period, thereby improving the utilization efficiency of channel resources.

[0144] Specifically, as shown in a schematic diagram in Figure 5, after the first station sends the first frame, it continues to send the second frame. The second frame is a data frame sent to the second station among at least one second station that does not need to perform DSO. At this time, the first time period determined by the above-mentioned first station also includes the duration between the first station ending sending the first frame and the first station ending sending the second frame. Accordingly, the second station that does not need to perform DSO can continue to receive the second frame from the first station after receiving the first frame. Specifically, when the first station sends one second frame, the duration between the first station ending sending the first frame and the first station ending sending the second frame includes the short interframe space (SIFS) between the first frame and the second frame and the duration of the first station sending the second frame; when the first station sends multiple second frames, the duration between the first station ending sending the first frame and the first station ending sending the second frame includes the SIFS between the first frame and the first second frame, the SIFS between multiple second frames, and the duration of the first station sending multiple second frames.

[0145] Among them, whether the first site sends the second frame can be indicated in advance, for example, the first site sends first indication information, and the first indication information is used to indicate to at least one second site whether to send / use the second frame. Correspondingly, at least one second site receives the first indication information from the first site. Exemplarily, the first site can carry the first indication information in the first frame or the first site can send the first indication information during the acquisition of at least one first information of at least one second site, which is not limited in this application. Exemplarily, the first site can use a bit to indicate whether to send the second frame, and the bit is 1 to indicate that the second frame is sent and the bit is 0 to indicate that the second frame is not sent, or the bit is 0 to indicate that the second frame is sent and the bit is 1 to indicate that the second frame is not sent, which is not limited in this application.

[0146] Optionally, the first information may further include recommendation information on whether the first station sends the second frame after sending the first frame. The first station may determine the first indication information based on the first information.

[0147] FIG5 is explained by taking the example that the first station is AP1 in the application scenario diagram shown in FIG1 and the at least one second station is STA1, STA2, and STA3 in the application scenario diagram shown in FIG1 .

[0148] As shown in Figure 5, the current channel for STA1, STA2, and STA3 is subchannel 1. AP1 determines the first channel for STA1, STA2, and STA3 based on the first information reported by each of these three channels. As shown in Figure 5, the first channel determined by AP1 for STA1 is subchannel 3 + subchannel 4, which is different from STA1's current channel, so STA1 needs to perform Disconnection and Smoothing (DSO). The first channel determined by AP1 for STA2 is subchannel 2, which is different from STA2's current channel, so STA2 needs to perform DSO. The first channel determined by AP1 for STA3 is subchannel 1, which is the same as STA3's current channel, so STA3 does not need to perform DSO.

[0149] One implementation method is: the RU of STA1 and STA2 shown in Figure 5 is changed, the RU and BW of STA3 remain unchanged, but the NSS and / or MCS changes; another implementation method is: the RU of STA1 and STA2 shown in Figure 5 is changed, and the RU, BW, NSS, and MCS of STA3 remain unchanged.

[0150] STA1 and STA2 that need to perform DSO switch the current channel to the first channel in the first period; STA3 that does not need to perform DSO continues to receive the second frame after receiving the first frame, thereby realizing data transmission with AP1.

[0151] Furthermore, the STA associated with the first station that does not support DSO and / or the STA associated with the first station that has not reported the first information to the first station and / or the STA associated with the first station that has not received the above-mentioned first frame and / or the original STA on the different sub-channels corresponding to the first station can also detect and receive the above-mentioned second frame, thereby obtaining data information and improving the utilization efficiency of channel resources. The second frame sent by the first station can serve the STA associated with the first station that does not support DSO and / or the STA associated with the first station that has not reported the first information to the first station and / or the STA associated with the first station that has not received the above-mentioned first frame and / or the original STA on the different sub-channels corresponding to the first station, that is, the content of the second frame sent by the first station on different sub-channels can be different.

[0152] Specifically, AP1 can determine the first time period according to Table 2, Table 3 and Table 4 above. The method for AP1 to determine the first time period is the same as the method described in Figure 4 above, and will not be repeated here. The duration of the padding field (padding) of the first frame included in the first time period and the time between the first station finishing sending the first frame and the first station finishing sending the second frame can be flexibly set, and it is only necessary to ensure that the first station can continue to send the second frame in time until at least one second station completes DSO. Exemplarily, the duration of the first time period satisfies the following formula: ICF Padding time+T_PPDU+SIFS≥d_max

[0153] Among them, the above-mentioned d_max is the maximum value of the minimum length of the first time period corresponding to the change of the RU of at least one second site, the above-mentioned ICF Padding time is the duration of the padding field (padding) of the first frame, the above-mentioned T_PPDU is the duration of the first site sending the second frame, and the above-mentioned SIFS is the interval between the first frame and the second frame.

[0154] In one example, when the RU of STA1 and STA2 shown in Figure 5 changes, and the RU and BW of STA3 remain unchanged but the NSS and / or MCS change, AP1 selects the minimum length d1"' of the first time period corresponding to the change in RU and BW but NSS and / or MCS in Table 4 reported by STA3 without DSO, and the duration of the padding field (padding) of the first frame determined by AP1 is greater than or equal to d1"'. In addition, the duration of sending the second frame determined by AP1 = the duration of the first time period determined by AP1 - the duration of the padding field (padding) of the first frame determined by AP1 - SIFS. STA3 in this example can be a station in low-power monitoring mode.

[0155] It should be noted that the above-mentioned STA1, STA2, and STA3 represent a type of station respectively, and this application does not limit the number of stations of a type represented by STA1, STA2, and STA3. For example, STA3 represents a type of station in which the RU and BW remain unchanged but the NSS and / or MCS change. The duration of the padding field (padding) of the first frame determined by AP1 is greater than or equal to the maximum value of the minimum duration of the first time period reported by all stations in the type of station represented by STA3, thereby ensuring that all stations in the type of station represented by STA3 can adjust the NSS and / or MCS within the duration of the padding field (padding) of the first frame, and then all stations in the type of station represented by STA3 can detect the above-mentioned second frame sent by AP1, thereby obtaining data information and improving the utilization efficiency of channel resources.

[0156] In another example, when the RUs of STA1 and STA2 shown in FIG5 change and the RU, BW, NSS, and MCS of STA3 remain unchanged, AP1 selects the minimum length of the first time period 0 corresponding to the unchanged RU, BW, NSS, and MCS in Table 4 reported by STA3 that does not require DSO, and the duration of the padding field of the first frame determined by AP1 is greater than or equal to 0. In addition, the duration of sending the second frame determined by AP1 = the duration of the first time period determined by AP1 - the duration of the padding field of the first frame determined by AP1 - SIFS.

[0157] It can be seen that in the above formula, ICF Padding time ≥ 0. When ICF Padding time = 0, AP1 does not set a padding field in the first frame; when ICF Padding time > 0, AP1 sets a padding field in the first frame.

[0158] After completing DSO, at least one second station transmits at least one third frame to the first station on at least one first channel. The at least one second station corresponds to the at least one third frame, and the at least one third frame is a response frame to the first frame. Accordingly, the first station receives the at least one third frame from the at least one second station on the at least one first channel. The first station then performs uplink or downlink data transmission with the at least one second station on the at least one first channel. For downlink data transmission, the first station transmits data frames to the at least one second station on the at least one first channel using OFDMA. For uplink data transmission, the first station transmits a trigger frame to the at least one second station, triggering the at least one second station to perform uplink data transmission. After receiving the trigger frame from the first station, the at least one second station transmits data frames to the first station on the corresponding first channel using OFDMA. After receiving the data frame from the sender, the receiver sends a BA to the sender on the first channel to indicate that the data frame has been successfully received.

[0159] Among them, whether at least one second site directly sends at least one third frame on at least one first channel after receiving the first frame (the situation shown in Figure 3 or Figure 4 above) or the second frame (the situation shown in Figure 5 above) can be indicated in advance. For example, the first site sends a second indication message, and the second indication message is used to indicate whether the at least one second site directly sends the at least one third frame after receiving the first frame (the situation shown in Figure 3 or Figure 4 above) or the second frame (the situation shown in Figure 5 above). Accordingly, at least one second site receives the second indication message from the first site. Exemplarily, the first site can carry the second indication message in the first frame or the first site can send the second indication message during the acquisition of at least one first information of at least one second site, which is not limited in this application. Exemplarily, the first site may use a bit to indicate whether at least one second site directly sends the at least one third frame after receiving the second frame. The bit is 1, indicating that at least one second site directly sends the at least one third frame after receiving the second frame, and the bit is 0, indicating that at least one second site does not send the at least one third frame after receiving the second frame. Alternatively, the bit is 0, indicating that at least one second site directly sends the at least one third frame after receiving the second frame, and the bit is 1, indicating that at least one second site does not send the at least one third frame after receiving the second frame. This application does not limit this.

[0160] Optionally, the first information may further include recommendation information on whether the first station receives a third frame after sending the first frame or the second frame. The first station may determine the second indication information based on the first information.

[0161] In another implementation, after receiving the first frame (as shown in FIG. 3 or FIG. 4 ) or the second frame (as shown in FIG. 5 ), at least one second station does not need to send at least one third frame to the first station, but directly transmits data with the first station, as shown in FIG. 6 . This implementation can save signaling overhead, but may cause some of the at least one second station to transmit data with the first station without successfully switching channels, resulting in channel interference.

[0162] In another implementation, a first station transmits a fourth frame, which is used to request at least one second station to transmit at least one third frame on at least one first channel. Accordingly, the at least one second station receives the fourth frame from the first station. Based on the fourth frame, the at least one second station transmits at least one third frame to the first station, as shown in FIG7 .

[0163] Among them, whether the first site sends the fourth frame after sending the first frame (the situation shown in Figure 3 or Figure 4 above) or the second frame (the situation shown in Figure 5 above) can be indicated in advance. For example, the first site sends a third indication message, and the third indication message is used to indicate to the at least one second site whether the first site sends the fourth frame after sending the first frame (the situation shown in Figure 3 or Figure 4 above) or the second frame (the situation shown in Figure 5 above). Correspondingly, at least one second site receives the third indication message from the first site. Exemplarily, the first site can carry the third indication message in the first frame or the first site can send the third indication message during the acquisition of at least one first information of at least one second site. This application does not limit this. Exemplarily, the first site may use a bit to indicate whether the first site sends the fourth frame after sending the second frame. The bit is 1, indicating that the first site sends the fourth frame after sending the second frame, and the bit is 0, indicating that the first site does not send the fourth frame after sending the second frame. Alternatively, the bit is 0, indicating that the first site sends the fourth frame after sending the second frame, and the bit is 1, indicating that the first site does not send the fourth frame after sending the second frame. This application does not limit this.

[0164] Optionally, the first information may further include recommendation information on whether the first site sends a fourth frame after sending the first frame or the second frame. The first site may determine the third indication information based on the first information.

[0165] It should be noted that the first indication information, the second indication information, and the third indication information sent by the above-mentioned first site to at least one second site are independent and do not depend on each other. That is, the first site can indicate any one or more of the first indication information, the second indication information, and the third indication information to at least one second site according to actual needs, and this application does not limit this. The first indication information, the second indication information, and the third indication information sent by the first site to at least one second site can also be a partial or complete combination indication. For example, the first indication information and the second indication information can be combined to indicate, and the first site can use two bits to indicate to at least one second site whether to directly send at least one third frame after receiving the second frame. At this time, the first bit corresponds to the above-mentioned first indication information, indicating that the first site sends the second frame after sending the first frame, and the second bit corresponds to the above-mentioned second indication information, indicating whether to directly send at least one third frame after receiving the second frame. For another example, the first indication information, the second indication information, and the third indication information can be combined for indication. The options for the combined indication may include: not using the second frame and directly replying to the third frame after the first frame, using the second frame and requesting a reply to the third frame through the fourth frame, using the second frame and directly replying to the third frame after the second frame, using the second frame and not replying to the third frame, etc., which can be indicated by two bits. The first indication information, the second indication information, and the third indication information can also be partially or completely combined with other possible indication information. Generally, the more information that needs to be indicated, the more bits are used. It is also possible that the indication options are optimized after the combined indication and the number of bits is not increased. This application does not limit this.

[0166] For example, the first frame described above may be an ICF, the second frame described above may be a follow-up frame, the third frame described above may be an ICR, and the fourth frame described above may be a poll frame or an MU-RTS frame or a BSRP frame. This application does not limit the specific frame names of the first frame, the second frame, the third frame, and the fourth frame.

[0167] For the second station in low power monitoring mode, the first implementation method is: the first station can instruct the second station in low power monitoring mode to adjust the first physical layer parameters for data transmission; the second implementation method is: the first station can allocate a new sub-channel for the second station in low power monitoring mode for data transmission. Figure 8 takes the first station as AP1 in the application scenario diagram shown in Figure 1 and the second station in low power monitoring mode as STA3 in the application scenario diagram shown in Figure 1 as an example for explanation. The first implementation method can be shown in (a) of Figure 8. STA3 in LP monitoring mode can receive the first frame from AP1, and the first frame is also used to wake up the destination second station in LP monitoring mode. Exemplarily, the destination second station is STA3. STA3 adjusts the first physical layer parameters based on the first frame. For example, STA3 increases NSS and / or MCS. In the case where no padding is set in the first frame, AP1 may also send the second frame, and STA3 may adjust the first physical layer parameters during the first period. In this case, the first period is the time between when AP1 finishes sending the first frame and when AP1 finishes sending the second frame. In the case where a padding is set in the first frame, STA3 may adjust the first physical layer parameters during the duration of the padding of the first frame. In the case where a padding is set in the first frame and AP1 sends the second frame, STA3 may adjust the first physical layer parameters during the duration of the padding of the first frame. In the embodiment of the present invention, STA3 can detect the physical layer parameters of the first station and STA3 can detect the second frame sent by AP1 to obtain data information and improve the utilization efficiency of channel resources. When the padding field is set in the first frame and AP1 sends the second frame, STA3 can adjust the first physical layer parameters within the first time period. At this time, the STA associated with the first station that does not support DSO and / or the STA associated with the first station that has not reported the first information to the first station and / or the STA associated with the first station that has not received the above-mentioned first frame and / or the original STA on the different sub-channel corresponding to the first station can detect and receive the second frame to obtain data information and improve the utilization efficiency of channel resources. In addition, other STAs associated with AP1 (for example, STA4) can also detect the second frame sent by AP1 to obtain data information and improve the utilization efficiency of channel resources. The second implementation method can be shown in (b) of Figure 8. STA3 in LP monitoring mode can receive the first frame from AP1. The first frame is also used to wake up the target second station in LP monitoring mode. For example, the target second station is STA3. STA3 adjusts the channel bandwidth based on the first frame, for example, STA3 increases the channel bandwidth.STA3 can adjust the channel bandwidth during the first period, where the first period is the duration of the padding field of the first frame, or the duration of the padding field of the first frame and the time between when AP1 finishes sending the first frame and when AP1 finishes sending the second frame. Alternatively, other STAs associated with AP1 (e.g., STA4) can detect the second frame sent by AP1 to obtain data information, thereby improving channel resource utilization efficiency.

[0168] After adjusting the first physical layer parameters in the first implementation manner or adjusting the channel bandwidth in the second implementation manner, STA3 transmits subsequent signaling or data in a high power (HP) mode.

[0169] In the above-mentioned first implementation and the above-mentioned second implementation, whether AP1 sends the second frame can be indicated by the above-mentioned first indication information, which will not be repeated here; in the above-mentioned first implementation and the above-mentioned second implementation, whether the second station sends the third frame directly after receiving the first frame or the second frame can be indicated by the above-mentioned second indication information, which will not be repeated here; in the above-mentioned first implementation and the above-mentioned second implementation, whether the first station sends the fourth frame after sending the first frame or the second frame can be indicated by the above-mentioned third indication information, which will not be repeated here. The above-mentioned method of partially or completely combining the first indication information, the second indication information and the third indication information is also applicable to the second station in the low-power monitoring mode shown in Figure 8, which will not be repeated here.

[0170] It should be understood that 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 to each other, and the technical features in different embodiments can be combined to form new embodiments according to their internal logical relationships.

[0171] It should also be understood that in some of the above embodiments, devices in existing network architectures are mainly used as examples for illustrative purposes, and it should be understood that the embodiments of the present application do not limit the specific form of the devices. For example, devices that can achieve the same functions in the future are applicable to the embodiments of the present application.

[0172] It can be understood that in the above-mentioned various method embodiments, the methods and operations implemented by the device (such as the first site and at least one second site) can also be implemented by components that can be used in the device (such as chips or circuits).

[0173] It can also be understood that some optional features in the various embodiments of the present application may not depend on other features in certain scenarios, and may also be combined with other features in certain scenarios, without limitation.

[0174] The communication method provided in the embodiments of the present application is described in detail above with reference to Figures 2 to 8 . The communication method is primarily described from the perspectives of the first site and the second site. It is understood that, in order to implement the aforementioned functions, the first site and the second site include hardware structures and / or software modules that perform the respective functions.

[0175] Those skilled in the art should be aware that, in combination with the units and algorithm steps of each example described in the embodiments disclosed herein, the present application can be implemented in the form of hardware or a combination of hardware and computer software. Whether a function is performed in the form of hardware or computer software driving hardware depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution. Professional and technical personnel can use different methods to implement the described functions for each specific application, but such implementation should not be considered to be beyond the scope of this application.

[0176] The communication device provided in the embodiment of the present application is described in detail below with reference to Figures 9 to 11. It should be understood that the description of the device embodiment corresponds to the description of the method embodiment. Therefore, for matters not described in detail, reference can be made to the method embodiment above. For the sake of brevity, some contents are not repeated here.

[0177] In the embodiment of the present application, the functional modules of the transmitting device or the receiving device can be divided according to the above method example. For example, each functional module can be divided according to each function, or two or more functions can be integrated into one processing module. The above integrated modules can be implemented in the form of hardware or in the form of software functional modules. It should be noted that the division of modules in the embodiment of the present application is schematic and is only a logical functional division. There may be other division methods in actual implementation. The following is an example of dividing each functional module according to each function.

[0178] Figure 9 is a schematic block diagram of a communication device 10 provided in an embodiment of the present application. The device 10 includes a transceiver module 11 and a processing module 12. The transceiver module 11 can implement corresponding communication functions, and the processing module 12 is used to process data. In other words, the transceiver module 11 is used to perform operations related to receiving and sending, while the processing module 12 is used to perform operations other than receiving and sending. The transceiver module 11 can also be referred to as a communication interface or a communication unit.

[0179] Optionally, the device 10 may further include a storage module 13, which may be used to store instructions and / or data. The processing module 12 may read the instructions and / or data in the storage module so that the device implements the actions of the devices in the aforementioned method embodiments.

[0180] In one design, the device 10 may correspond to the first station in the above method embodiment, or a component (such as a chip) of the first station.

[0181] The device 10 can implement the steps or processes corresponding to those performed by the first site in the above method embodiment, wherein the transceiver module 11 can be used to perform the transceiver-related operations of the first site in the above method embodiment, and the processing module 12 can be used to perform the processing-related operations of the first site in the above method embodiment.

[0182] It should be understood that the specific process of each unit executing the above corresponding steps has been described in detail in the above method embodiment, and for the sake of brevity, it will not be repeated here.

[0183] In another design, the device 10 may correspond to the second site in the above method embodiment, or be a component of the second site (such as a chip).

[0184] The device 10 can implement the steps or processes corresponding to those performed by the second site in the above method embodiment, wherein the transceiver module 11 can be used to perform the transceiver-related operations of the second site in the above method embodiment, and the processing module 12 can be used to perform the processing-related operations of the second site in the above method embodiment.

[0185] It should be understood that the specific process of each unit executing the above corresponding steps has been described in detail in the above method embodiment, and for the sake of brevity, it will not be repeated here.

[0186] It should also be understood that the device 10 here is embodied in the form of a functional module. The term "module" here may refer to an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), an electronic circuit, a processor (such as a shared processor, a dedicated processor or a group processor, etc.) and a memory for executing one or more software or firmware programs, a combined logic circuit and / or other suitable components that support the described functions. In an optional example, those skilled in the art will understand that the device 10 may be specifically the mobile management network element in the above-mentioned embodiment, and may be used to execute the various processes and / or steps corresponding to the mobile management network element in the above-mentioned method embodiments; or, the device 10 may be specifically the terminal device in the above-mentioned embodiment, and may be used to execute the various processes and / or steps corresponding to the terminal device in the above-mentioned method embodiments. To avoid repetition, it will not be described here.

[0187] The apparatus 10 of each of the above-described solutions has the function of implementing the corresponding steps performed by the device (e.g., the first station) in the above-described method. This function can be implemented by hardware, or by hardware executing corresponding software implementations. The hardware or software includes one or more modules corresponding to the above-described functions; for example, the transceiver module can be replaced by a transceiver (e.g., the transmitting unit in the transceiver module can be replaced by a transmitter, and the receiving unit in the transceiver module can be replaced by a receiver), and other units, such as the processing module, can be replaced by a processor to respectively perform the transceiver operations and related processing operations in each method embodiment.

[0188] In addition, the transceiver module 11 may also be a transceiver circuit (for example, may include a receiving circuit and a sending circuit), and the processing module may be a processing circuit.

[0189] Figure 10 is a schematic diagram of another communication device 20 provided in an embodiment of the present application. Device 20 includes a processor 21, which is configured to execute computer programs or instructions stored in memory 22, or read data / signaling stored in memory 22, to perform the methods described in the above method embodiments. Optionally, there may be one or more processors 21.

[0190] Optionally, as shown in FIG10 , the device 20 further includes a memory 22 for storing computer programs or instructions and / or data. The memory 22 may be integrated with the processor 21 or may be separately provided. Optionally, there may be one or more memories 22.

[0191] Optionally, as shown in Figure 10, the device 20 further includes a transceiver 23, which is used to receive and / or send signals. For example, the processor 21 is used to control the transceiver 23 to receive and / or send signals.

[0192] As a solution, the device 20 is used to implement the operations performed by the first site or the second site in the above various method embodiments.

[0193] It should be understood that the processor mentioned 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), field programmable gate arrays (FPGA) or other programmable logic devices, discrete gate or transistor logic devices, discrete hardware components, etc. The general-purpose processor may be a microprocessor or any conventional processor, etc.

[0194] It should also be understood that the memory mentioned in the embodiments of the present application may be a volatile memory and / or a non-volatile memory. Among them, the non-volatile memory may be a read-only memory (ROM), a programmable read-only memory (PROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), or a flash memory. The volatile memory may be a random access memory (RAM). For example, RAM can be used as an external cache. By way of example and not limitation, RAM includes the following forms: static random access memory (SRAM), dynamic random access memory (DRAM), synchronous dynamic random access memory (SDRAM), double data rate synchronous dynamic random access memory (DDR SDRAM), enhanced synchronous dynamic random access memory (ESDRAM), synchronous link dynamic random access memory (SLDRAM), and direct rambus RAM (DR RAM).

[0195] It should be noted that when the processor is a general-purpose processor, DSP, ASIC, FPGA or other programmable logic device, discrete gate or transistor logic device, discrete hardware component, the memory (storage module) can be integrated into the processor.

[0196] It should also be noted that the memory described herein is intended to include, but is not limited to, these and any other suitable types of memory.

[0197] 11 is a schematic diagram of a chip system 30 provided in an embodiment of the present application. The chip system 30 (or also referred to as a processing system) includes a logic circuit 31 and an input / output interface 32.

[0198] The logic circuit 31 may be a processing circuit in the chip system 30. The logic circuit 31 may be coupled to a storage unit and call instructions in the storage unit so that the chip system 30 can implement the methods and functions of the various embodiments of the present application. The input / output interface 32 may be an input / output circuit in the chip system 30, outputting information processed by the chip system 30 or inputting data or signaling information to be processed into the chip system 30 for processing.

[0199] As a solution, the chip system 30 is used to implement the operations performed by the first site or the second site in the above various method embodiments.

[0200] For example, the logic circuit 31 is used to implement the processing-related operations performed by the first site or the second site in the above method embodiment; the input / output interface 32 is used to implement the sending and / or receiving-related operations performed by the terminal device in the above method embodiment.

[0201] An embodiment of the present application further provides a computer-readable storage medium on which computer instructions for implementing the methods executed by the device in the above-mentioned method embodiments are stored.

[0202] For example, when the computer program is executed by a computer, the computer can implement the method performed by the first site or the second site in each embodiment of the above method.

[0203] An embodiment of the present application further provides a computer program product comprising instructions, which, when executed by a computer, implement the method performed by the first site or the second site in the above-mentioned method embodiments.

[0204] An embodiment of the present application further provides a communication system, including the aforementioned first site and second site.

[0205] The explanation of the relevant contents and beneficial effects of any of the above-mentioned devices can be referred to the corresponding method embodiments provided above, which will not be repeated here.

[0206] In the several embodiments provided in this application, it should be understood that the disclosed devices and methods can be implemented in other ways. For example, the device embodiments described above are only schematic. For example, the division of the units is only a logical function division. In actual implementation, there may be other division methods, such as multiple units or components can be combined or integrated into another system, or some features can be ignored or not executed. In addition, the mutual coupling or direct coupling or communication connection shown or discussed can be through some interfaces, indirect coupling or communication connection of devices or units, which can be electrical, mechanical or other forms.

[0207] In the above embodiments, it can be implemented in whole or in part by software, hardware, firmware or any combination thereof. When implemented using software, it can be implemented in whole or in part in the form of a computer program product. The computer program product includes one or more computer instructions. When the computer program instructions are loaded and executed on a computer, the process or function described in the embodiment of the present application is generated in whole or in part. The computer can be a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a computer network, or other programmable device. For example, the computer can be a personal computer, a server, or a network device, etc. The computer instructions can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium or transmitted from one computer-readable storage medium to another computer-readable storage medium. For example, the computer instructions can be transmitted from one website, computer, server or data center to another website, computer, server or data center by wired (e.g., coaxial cable, optical fiber, digital subscriber line (DSL)) or wireless (e.g., infrared, wireless, microwave, etc.) mode. The computer-readable storage medium can be any available medium that a computer can access or a data storage device such as a server or data center that includes one or more available media integrations. The available medium may be a magnetic medium (e.g., a floppy disk, a hard disk, a magnetic tape), an optical medium (e.g., a DVD), or a semiconductor medium (e.g., a solid state disk (SSD)). For example, the aforementioned available medium includes, but is not limited to, various media that can store program code, such as a USB flash drive, a mobile hard disk, a read-only memory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM), a magnetic disk, or an optical disk.

[0208] The above description is merely a specific embodiment of the present application, but the scope of protection of the present application is not limited thereto. Any changes or substitutions that can be easily conceived by a person skilled in the art within the technical scope disclosed in this application should be included in the scope of protection of this application. Therefore, the scope of protection of this application should be based on the scope of protection of the claims.

Claims

1. A communication method, characterized in that: The method comprises: A first station receives at least one piece of first information from at least one second station, where the at least one piece of first information corresponds to the at least one second station, and the first piece of information is used to indicate a dynamic sub-channel operation (DSO) capability of the corresponding second station and an amount of data to be transmitted between the first station and the second station; The first site determines at least one first channel of the at least one second site according to the at least one first information, where the at least one first channel corresponds to the at least one second site in a one-to-one manner; The first station sends a first frame, where the first frame is used to indicate the at least one first channel to the at least one second station, and the at least one first channel is used for data transmission between the first station and the at least one second station.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that The first information is further used to indicate at least one minimum duration of the first time period. The method further includes: The first site determines the first time period based on the at least one first information, where the first time period includes the duration of the padding field of the first frame, and the first time period is used for the second site among the at least one second site that needs to perform DSO to switch the current channel to the corresponding first channel.

3. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that When the at least one minimum duration of the first time period indicated by the first information is multiple minimum durations of the first time period, the multiple minimum durations of the first time period are durations corresponding to changes in any one or more of the following parameters of the second site: Resource unit RU, channel bandwidth BW, and first physical layer parameters, where the first physical layer parameters include the number of spatial streams NSS and the modulation and coding strategy MCS.

4. The method according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that After the first site sends the first frame, the method also includes: the first site sends a second frame, the second frame is a data frame of the second site among the at least one second site that does not require DSO, and the first time period also includes the duration between the first site ending sending the first frame and the first site ending sending the second frame.

5. The method according to claim 4, characterized in that The duration of the padding field of the first frame is used to ensure that the second site of the at least one second site that does not need to perform DSO completes the adjustment of the first physical layer parameters.

6. The method according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that The method further comprises: The first station sends first indication information, where the first indication information is used to indicate to the at least one second station that the first station sends the second frame after sending the first frame.

7. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that The method further comprises: The first station receives at least one third frame from the at least one second station on the at least one first channel, the at least one second station has a one-to-one correspondence with the at least one third frame, and the at least one third frame is a response frame to the first frame.

8. The method according to claim 7, characterized in that The method further comprises: The first station sends second indication information, where the second indication information is used to instruct the at least one second station to directly send the at least one third frame after receiving the first frame or the second frame.

9. The method according to claim 7, characterized in that The method further comprises: The first station sends a fourth frame, where the fourth frame is used to request the at least one second station to send the at least one third frame on the at least one first channel.

10. The method according to claim 9, characterized in that The method further comprises: The first station sends third indication information, where the third indication information is used to indicate to the at least one second station that the first station sends the fourth frame after sending the first frame or the second frame.

11. The method according to any one of claims 6 to 10, characterized in that The first indication information and / or the second indication information and / or the third indication information are carried in the first frame and sent, or the first indication information and / or the second indication information and / or the third indication information are sent before the first frame.

12. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that Some or all of the at least one second site are in a low power monitoring mode, and the first frame is further used to wake up a target second site in the at least one second site that is in a low power monitoring mode.

13. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that The first information includes at least one of the following information of the corresponding second site: Whether DSO is supported, whether changes in channel bandwidth are supported, the initial bandwidth, the supported bandwidth, the amount of data to be transmitted, the NSS to be switched, the MCS to be switched, energy-saving requirements, at least one minimum duration of the first time period, whether the first station sends the second frame after sending the first frame, whether the first station directly receives the third frame after sending the first frame or the second frame, whether the first station sends the fourth frame after sending the first frame or the second frame. The energy-saving requirements include the energy-saving priority or energy-saving degree of the second station, whether the second station is allowed to be awakened when it is in low-power monitoring mode, and whether the channel bandwidth is allowed to be increased when the second station in low-power monitoring mode is awakened.

14. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that The first frame is an initial control frame ICF, and / or the second frame is a subsequent frame, and / or the third frame is an initial control response frame ICR, and / or the fourth frame is a poll frame or a multi-user request to send frame MU-RTS or a buffer status report polling frame BSRP.

15. A communication method, characterized in that: The method comprises: The second station sends first information to the first station, where the first information is used to indicate the dynamic sub-channel operation (DSO) capability of the second station and the amount of data to be transmitted between the first station and the second station; The second station receives a first frame from the first station, where the first frame is used to indicate a first channel to the second station. The first channel is determined by the first station according to the first information, and the first channel is used for data transmission between the first station and the second station.

16. The method according to claim 15, characterized in that The first information is further used to indicate at least a minimum duration of the first time period, If the first channel is the same as the current channel of the second station, the second station does not need to perform DSO; If the first channel is different from the current channel of the second site, the method also includes: the second site switches the current channel to the first channel during the first time period, the first time period includes the duration of the filling field of the first frame, and the first time period is determined by the first site based on the first information.

17. The method according to claim 16, characterized in that When the at least one minimum duration of the first time period indicated by the first information is multiple minimum durations of the first time period, the multiple minimum durations of the first time period are durations corresponding to changes in any one or more of the following parameters of the second site: Resource unit RU, channel bandwidth BW, and first physical layer parameters, where the first physical layer parameters include the number of spatial streams NSS and the modulation and coding strategy MCS.

18. The method according to claim 16 or 17, characterized in that If the first channel is the same as the current channel of the second station, after the second station receives the first frame from the first station, the method further includes: the second station receiving the second frame from the first station, where the second frame is a data frame transmitted by the first station to a station that does not need to perform DSO; If the first channel is different from the current channel of the second site, the method also includes: the second site switches the current channel to the first channel during the first time period, and the first time period also includes the duration between the first site ending sending the first frame and the first site ending sending the second frame.

19. The method according to claim 18, characterized in that The duration of the padding field of the first frame is used to ensure that the second site of the at least one second site that does not need to perform DSO completes the adjustment of the first physical layer parameters.

20. The method according to claim 18 or 19, characterized in that The method further comprises: The second station receives first indication information from the first station, where the first indication information is used to instruct the second station to send the second frame after the first station sends the first frame.

21. The method according to any one of claims 15 to 20, characterized in that The method further comprises: The second station sends a third frame to the first station on the first channel, where the third frame is a response frame to the first frame.

22. The method according to claim 21, characterized in that The method further comprises: The second station receives second indication information from the first station, where the second indication information is used to instruct the second station to directly send the third frame after receiving the first frame or the second frame.

23. The method according to claim 22, characterized in that The method further comprises: The second station receives a fourth frame from the first station, where the fourth frame is used to request the second station to send the third frame on the first channel.

24. The method according to claim 23, wherein The method further comprises: The second station receives third indication information from the first station, where the third indication information is used to instruct the first station to send the fourth frame after sending the first frame or the second frame.

25. The method according to any one of claims 20 to 24, characterized in that The first indication information and / or the second indication information and / or the third indication information are carried in the first frame and sent, or the first indication information and / or the second indication information and / or the third indication information are sent before the first frame.

26. The method according to any one of claims 15 to 25, characterized in that The second station is in a low power consumption monitoring mode, and the first frame is also used to wake up the second station.

27. The method according to any one of claims 15 to 26, characterized in that The first information includes at least one of the following information of the second site: Whether DSO is supported, whether changes in channel bandwidth are supported, the initial bandwidth, the supported bandwidth, the amount of data to be transmitted, the NSS to be switched, the MCS to be switched, energy-saving requirements, at least one minimum duration of the first time period, whether the first station sends the second frame after sending the first frame, whether the first station directly receives the third frame after sending the first frame or the second frame, whether the first station sends the fourth frame after sending the first frame or the second frame. The energy-saving requirements include the energy-saving priority or energy-saving degree of the second station, whether the second station is allowed to be awakened when it is in low-power monitoring mode, and whether the channel bandwidth is allowed to be increased when the second station in low-power monitoring mode is awakened.

28. The method according to any one of claims 15 to 27, characterized in that The first frame is an initial control frame ICF, and / or the second frame is a subsequent frame, and / or the third frame is an initial control response frame ICR, and / or the fourth frame is a poll frame, an MU-RTS frame, or a BSRP frame.

29. A communication device, characterized in that: include: A unit for executing the method according to any one of claims 1 to 14, or comprising a unit for executing the method according to any one of claims 15 to 28.

30. A communication device, characterized in that: include: A processor, configured to execute a computer program stored in a memory, so that the communication device performs the method according to any one of claims 1 to 14, or so that the device performs the method according to any one of claims 15 to 28.

31. The device according to claim 30, characterized in that The communication device further includes the memory.

32. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that The computer-readable storage medium stores a computer program, and when the computer program is run on a computer, the computer is caused to perform the method according to any one of claims 1 to 28.

33. A computer program product, characterized in that Contains instructions that, when executed on a computer, The method of any one of claims 1 to 14 is performed, or the method of any one of claims 15 to 28 is performed.

34. A communication system, characterized in that: include: A first site and a second site, wherein the first site is configured to perform the method according to any one of claims 1 to 14, and the second site is configured to perform the method according to any one of claims 15 to 28.

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