Communication method and apparatus

Abstract

Embodiments of the present application disclose a communication method and apparatus. The method comprises: after being switched from a non-primary channel to a primary channel by using a non-primary channel access mode, an access point sends a transmission opportunity (TXOP) initial control frame to a station; and, on the basis of whether an acknowledgement frame is received, performs channel access. By using the embodiments of the present application, communication interference produced by changes in an OBSS TXOP on a primary channel is prevented, so that the time to resume normal channel contention after switching from a non-primary channel to a primary channel is opportunistically shortened, thereby improving communication efficiency.

Description

Communication method and device

[0001] This application claims priority to the Chinese patent application with application number 202410261084.8 filed with the State Intellectual Property Office of China on March 6, 2024, and priority to the Chinese patent application with the invention name “A Communication Method and Device”, all contents of which are incorporated by reference into this application. Technical Field

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

[0003] Channel access mechanisms include primary and non-primary channel access. In the non-primary channel access mechanism, stations are required to use non-primary channels for channel access when the primary channel is busy. Stations must switch to the primary channel before the overlapping basic service set (OBSS) transmission opportunity (TXOP) on the primary channel actually ends. However, after switching to a non-primary channel for non-primary channel access, stations are unaware of changes in the OBSS TXOP on the primary channel. This can disrupt communication after returning to the primary channel, increasing interference and reducing communication efficiency. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The embodiments of the present application provide a communication method and apparatus, which avoid communication interference caused by changes in OBSS TXOP on a primary channel and improve communication efficiency.

[0005] In a first aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication method, which is applied to an access point, or a chip or circuit configured in an access point, including:

[0006] After switching from a non-primary channel to a primary channel using the non-primary channel access method, a transmission opportunity TXOP initial control frame is sent to the station; channel access is performed based on whether a confirmation frame is received.

[0007] In scenarios where the OBSS TXOP on the primary channel may change while using a non-primary channel, after switching from a non-primary channel to the primary channel, the access point sends a TXOP initial control frame to stations not using the non-primary channel. Channel access is then determined based on whether an acknowledgment frame has been received. For example, if an acknowledgment frame is received, communication with the station on the primary channel can resume. This reduces communication interference caused by changes in the OBSS TXOP on the primary channel, opportunistically shortens the time required to resume normal channel contention after switching from a non-primary channel to the primary channel, and improves communication efficiency.

[0008] In one possible design, the station is a station that does not use the non-primary channel access method. By interactively probing with the station that does not use the non-primary channel access method, accurate information on the availability of the primary channel is indirectly obtained.

[0009] In one possible design, the station and the access point receive a physical layer protocol data unit (PPDU) simultaneously, and the station and the access point fail to receive the PPDU simultaneously.

[0010] In one possible design, the station is a non-access point station.

[0011] In one possible design, if the access point does not receive a confirmation frame sent by the station, it indicates that the OBSS TXOP of the primary channel has changed, and the first channel is used for contention until the primary channel is successfully synchronized, thereby avoiding communication failure caused by changes in the OBSS TXOP on the primary channel; if the access point receives a confirmation frame sent by the station, the OBSS TXOP on the primary channel has not changed, and communication is performed with the station on the primary channel, thereby shortening the time for resuming normal channel contention after switching from a non-primary channel to the primary channel, thereby improving communication efficiency.

[0012] In one possible design, the first channel contention includes at least one of the following: a idle channel detection CCA threshold different from that used in the second channel contention, or a maximum transmission number limit.

[0013] In one possible design, the successful synchronization of the main channel includes any one of the following: a media access control protocol data unit MPDU or a PPDU with a non-uncertain TXOP length is detected on the main channel within the timing range of the first timer; or, no MPDU or PPDU with a non-uncertain TXOP length is detected on the main channel, and the first timer times out.

[0014] In a second aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication method, which is applied to an access point, or a chip or circuit configured in an access point, including:

[0015] A first frame is received from a station, where the first frame is used to indicate a change in an overlapping basic service set (OBSS) transmission opportunity (TXOP) on a primary channel; and parameters and behaviors of a non-primary channel access method are determined based on the first frame.

[0016] By receiving the OBSS TXOP changes on the primary channel reported by the station, it is determined whether the OBSS TXOP on the primary channel has changed. Based on whether the OBSS TXOP on the primary channel has changed, the parameters and behavior of the non-primary channel access method are determined. This avoids communication interference and communication delay caused by changes in the OBSS TXOP on the primary channel, thereby improving communication efficiency.

[0017] In one possible design, the site is a site that does not use a non-primary channel access method.

[0018] In one possible design, the station and the access point receive a physical layer protocol data unit (PPDU) simultaneously, and the station and the access point fail to receive the PPDU simultaneously.

[0019] In one possible design, the station is a non-access point station.

[0020] In one possible design, the first frame includes a TXOP list field, where the TXOP list field is used to indicate changes in N OBSS TXOPs on the primary channel, where N is an integer greater than or equal to 1.

[0021] In one possible design, the TXOP list field includes N TXOP report fields, each of the TXOP report fields including at least one of the following: a TXOP identification field, a change field, or an actual duration field, wherein the TXOP identification field is used to identify the TXOP corresponding to the TXOP report, the change field is used to indicate whether the TXOP has changed, and the actual duration field is used to indicate the actual length of the TXOP.

[0022] In one possible design, the first frame includes a reported TXOP number field, where the reported TXOP number field is used to indicate the number N of TXOP reports included in the TXOP list.

[0023] In one possible design, a second frame is sent to the station, where the second frame is used to instruct the station to report the first frame. The second frame is sent to request the station to report the first frame.

[0024] In one possible design, a third frame is sent to the station, the third frame being used to request monitoring of OBSS TXOP changes on the primary channel, that is, requesting the station to report OBSS TXOP changes on the primary channel in a specified manner.

[0025] In one possible design, the third frame includes at least one of a start time field and a duration field, wherein the start time field is used to indicate the starting time point of the statistics of changes in the OBSS TXOP on the primary channel, and the duration field is used to indicate the duration of the statistics of changes in the OBSS TXOP on the primary channel.

[0026] In one possible design, after sending the third frame to the station, a fourth frame is received from the station, where the fourth frame indicates whether the station agrees to monitor OBSS TXOP changes on the primary channel. In other words, the station is requested to report OBSS TXOP changes on the primary channel through negotiation.

[0027] In one possible design, the fourth frame includes an accept field, where the accept field is used to indicate whether to agree to monitor changes in the OBSS TXOP on the primary channel.

[0028] In one possible design, the first frame is received and sent by the station according to a predetermined period. The predetermined period may be determined by a third frame. For example, the third frame includes an information field that includes the predetermined period. Alternatively, the predetermined period may be specified by a standard.

[0029] In one possible design, a fifth frame is sent to the station, the fifth frame being used to instruct the station to stop reporting changes in the OBSS TXOP on the primary channel. Alternatively, a fifth frame is received from the station, the fifth frame being used to notify the station to stop reporting changes in the OBSS TXOP on the primary channel.

[0030] In a third aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication method, which is applied to a site, or a chip or circuit configured in the site, including:

[0031] Generate a first frame, where the first frame is used to indicate changes in an overlapping basic service set (OBSS) transmission opportunity (TXOP) on a primary channel; and send the first frame to an access point, where the first frame is used to determine parameters and behaviors of a non-primary channel access method.

[0032] By reporting changes in the OBSS TXOP on the primary channel to the access point, the access point determines whether the OBSS TXOP on the primary channel has changed. Based on this, the access point determines the parameters and behavior of the non-primary channel access method. This avoids communication interference and communication delays caused by changes in the OBSS TXOP on the primary channel, thereby improving communication efficiency.

[0033] In one possible design, the site is a site that does not use a non-primary channel access method.

[0034] In one possible design, the station and the access point receive a physical layer protocol data unit (PPDU) simultaneously, and the station and the access point fail to receive the PPDU simultaneously.

[0035] In one possible design, the station is a non-access point station.

[0036] In one possible design, the first frame includes a TXOP list field, where the TXOP list field is used to indicate changes in N OBSS TXOPs on the primary channel, where N is an integer greater than or equal to 1.

[0037] In one possible design, the TXOP list field includes N TXOP report fields, each of the TXOP report fields including at least one of the following: a TXOP identification field, a change field, or an actual duration field, wherein the TXOP identification field is used to identify the TXOP corresponding to the TXOP report, the change field is used to indicate whether the TXOP has changed, and the actual duration field is used to indicate the actual length of the TXOP.

[0038] In one possible design, the first frame includes a reported TXOP number field, where the reported TXOP number field is used to indicate the number N of TXOP reports included in the TXOP list.

[0039] In one possible design, a second frame is received from an access point, where the second frame is used to instruct the station to report the first frame. The first frame is reported to the station by receiving the second frame.

[0040] In one possible design, a third frame is received from the access point, where the third frame is used to request monitoring of OBSS TXOP changes on the primary channel, that is, reporting OBSS TXOP changes on the primary channel in a specified manner.

[0041] In one possible design, the third frame includes at least one of a start time field and a duration field, wherein the start time field is used to indicate the starting time point of the statistics of changes in the OBSS TXOP on the primary channel, and the duration field is used to indicate the duration of the statistics of changes in the OBSS TXOP on the primary channel.

[0042] In one possible design, after receiving the third frame from the access point, a fourth frame is sent to the access point, where the fourth frame indicates whether to agree to monitor OBSS TXOP changes on the primary channel. In other words, OBSS TXOP changes on the primary channel are reported through negotiation.

[0043] In one possible design, the fourth frame includes an accept field, where the accept field is used to indicate whether to agree to monitor changes in the OBSS TXOP on the primary channel.

[0044] In one possible design, the first frame is sent to the access point according to a predetermined period. The predetermined period may be determined by a third frame. For example, the third frame includes an information field that includes the predetermined period. Alternatively, the predetermined period may be specified by a standard.

[0045] In one possible design, a fifth frame sent by the access point is received, where the fifth frame is used to instruct the station to stop reporting changes in the OBSS TXOP on the primary channel. Alternatively, a fifth frame is sent to the access point, where the fifth frame is used to notify the station to stop reporting changes in the OBSS TXOP on the primary channel.

[0046] In a fourth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication method, which is applied to an access point and / or station, or a chip or circuit configured in the access point and / or station, including:

[0047] After switching from the main channel to the non-main channel using the non-main channel access method, energy detection is performed on the main channel during the non-transmission period on the non-main channel; if it is detected that the overlapping basic service set OBSS transmission opportunity TXOP of the main channel ends prematurely, switching from the non-main channel to the main channel.

[0048] In scenarios where the OBSS TXOP on the primary channel may change under non-primary channel access, after switching from the primary channel to the non-primary channel, the access point or station performs energy detection on the primary channel during the non-transmission period on the non-primary channel. This allows the station to promptly switch back to the primary channel and initiate channel contention if the OBSS TXOP on the primary channel ends prematurely. This prevents missing primary channel status information (such as NAV) and interference caused by blindly accessing the channel, thereby improving communication efficiency.

[0049] In one possible design, the sixth frame is sent on the non-main channel; if a confirmation frame corresponding to the sixth frame is not received, the seventh frame is sent on the non-main channel; if a confirmation frame corresponding to the seventh frame is not received, the non-main channel is switched to the main channel; or, the seventh frame is retransmitted multiple times, and if no corresponding confirmation frame is received in the multiple retransmissions, the non-main channel is switched to the main channel; the number of retransmissions is a predefined value.

[0050] In one possible design, the sixth frame is a data frame or a management frame, and the seventh frame is a short frame.

[0051] In a fifth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication method, which is applied to an access point or station, or a chip or circuit configured in an access point or station, including:

[0052] Receive the eighth frame sent by a station or access point in an overlapping basic service set (OBSS), where the eighth frame is used to request a transmission opportunity (TXOP) on a primary channel. The eighth frame includes indication information, where the indication information is used to indicate whether the TXOP on the primary channel has changed. Communicate with the station or access point in the BSS to which it belongs based on the eighth frame.

[0053] By receiving the eighth frame sent by the station or access point in the OBSS, it is determined whether the TXOP on the main channel has changed. Based on whether the TXOP on the main channel has changed, it communicates with the station or access point in the BSS to which it belongs, thereby avoiding communication delays caused by changes in the OBSS TXOP on the main channel and improving communication efficiency.

[0054] In one possible design, the indication information is 1-bit information. For example, when the indication information is 1, it indicates that the TXOP on the primary channel has not changed, and when the indication information is 0, it indicates that the TXOP on the primary channel has changed. 0 and 1 can also indicate the opposite.

[0055] In one possible design, when the TXOP on the primary channel is initiated through the eighth frame and the indication information indicates that the TXOP on the primary channel will not change, after switching from the non-primary channel to the primary channel, second channel competition is performed; when the TXOP on the primary channel is initiated through the eighth frame and the indication information indicates that the TXOP on the primary channel will change, after switching from the non-primary channel to the primary channel, first channel competition is used until the primary channel synchronization is successful.

[0056] In one possible design, the first channel contention includes at least one of the following: a CCA threshold different from that used in the second channel contention, or a maximum transmission number limit.

[0057] In one possible design, the successful synchronization of the main channel includes any one of the following: a media access control protocol data unit MPDU or a PPDU with a non-uncertain TXOP length is detected on the main channel within the timing range of the first timer; or, no MPDU or PPDU with a non-uncertain TXOP length is detected on the main channel, and the first timer times out.

[0058] In a sixth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication device, including:

[0059] A sending module, configured to send a transmission opportunity TXOP initial control frame to a station after switching from a non-primary channel to a primary channel using a non-primary channel access mode;

[0060] The processing module is configured to perform channel access based on whether a confirmation frame is received.

[0061] In one possible design, the site is a site that does not use a non-primary channel access method.

[0062] In one possible design, the station and the access point receive a physical layer protocol data unit (PPDU) simultaneously, and the station and the access point fail to receive the PPDU simultaneously.

[0063] In one possible design, the station is a non-access point station.

[0064] In one possible design, the processing module is further used to use the first channel to compete until the main channel is successfully synchronized if the confirmation frame sent by the site is not received; if the confirmation frame sent by the site is received, communicate with the site on the main channel.

[0065] In one possible design, the first channel contention includes at least one of the following: a idle channel detection CCA threshold different from that used in the second channel contention, or a maximum transmission number limit.

[0066] In one possible design, the successful synchronization of the main channel includes any one of the following: a media access control protocol data unit MPDU or a PPDU with a non-uncertain TXOP length is detected on the main channel within the timing range of the first timer; or, no MPDU or PPDU with a non-uncertain TXOP length is detected on the main channel, and the first timer times out.

[0067] The operations and beneficial effects performed by the communication device can refer to the method and beneficial effects described in the first aspect above, and the repeated parts will be omitted.

[0068] In a seventh aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication device, including:

[0069] A receiving module, configured to receive a first frame from a station, where the first frame is used to indicate a change in an overlapping basic service set (OBSS) transmission opportunity (TXOP) on a primary channel;

[0070] The processing module is used to determine the parameters and behavior of the non-primary channel access method according to the first frame.

[0071] In one possible design, the site is a site that does not use a non-primary channel access method.

[0072] In one possible design, the station and the access point receive a physical layer protocol data unit (PPDU) simultaneously, and the station and the access point fail to receive the PPDU simultaneously.

[0073] In one possible design, the station is a non-access point station.

[0074] In one possible design, the first frame includes a TXOP list field, where the TXOP list field is used to indicate changes in N OBSS TXOPs on the primary channel, where N is an integer greater than or equal to 1.

[0075] In one possible design, the TXOP list field includes N TXOP report fields, each of the TXOP report fields including at least one of the following: a TXOP identification field, a change field, or an actual duration field, wherein the TXOP identification field is used to identify the TXOP corresponding to the TXOP report, the change field is used to indicate whether the TXOP has changed, and the actual duration field is used to indicate the actual length of the TXOP.

[0076] In one possible design, the first frame includes a reported TXOP number field, where the reported TXOP number field is used to indicate the number N of TXOP reports included in the TXOP list.

[0077] In one possible design, the sending module is used to send a second frame to the site, and the second frame is used to instruct the site to report the first frame.

[0078] In one possible design, the sending module is configured to send a third frame to the station, where the third frame is used to request monitoring of changes in the OBSS TXOP on the primary channel;

[0079] In one possible design, the receiving module is configured to receive a fourth frame from the station, where the fourth frame is used to indicate whether to agree to monitor changes in the OBSS TXOP on the primary channel.

[0080] In one possible design, the third frame includes at least one of a start time field and a duration field, wherein the start time field is used to indicate the starting time point of the statistics of changes in the OBSS TXOP on the primary channel, and the duration field is used to indicate the duration of the statistics of changes in the OBSS TXOP on the primary channel.

[0081] In one possible design, the fourth frame includes an accept field, where the accept field is used to indicate whether to agree to monitor changes in the OBSS TXOP on the primary channel.

[0082] In one possible design, the receiving module is used to receive the first frame sent by the site according to a predetermined period.

[0083] In one possible design, the sending module is used to send a fifth frame to the station, where the fifth frame is used to instruct the station to stop reporting changes in the OBSS TXOP on the primary channel.

[0084] In one possible design, the receiving module is used to receive the fifth frame sent by the site.

[0085] The operations and beneficial effects performed by the communication device can refer to the method and beneficial effects described in the second aspect above, and the repeated parts will be omitted.

[0086] In an eighth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication device, including:

[0087] A receiving module, configured to generate a first frame, where the first frame is used to indicate a change in an overlapping basic service set (OBSS) transmission opportunity (TXOP) on a primary channel;

[0088] The sending module is used to send a first frame to the access point, where the first frame is used to determine parameters and behaviors of the non-primary channel access mode.

[0089] In one possible design, the site is a site that does not use a non-primary channel access method.

[0090] In one possible design, the station and the access point receive a physical layer protocol data unit (PPDU) simultaneously, and the station and the access point fail to receive the PPDU simultaneously.

[0091] In one possible design, the station is a non-access point station.

[0092] In one possible design, the first frame includes a TXOP list field, where the TXOP list field is used to indicate changes in N OBSS TXOPs on the primary channel, where N is an integer greater than or equal to 1.

[0093] In one possible design, the TXOP list field includes N TXOP report fields, each of the TXOP report fields including at least one of the following: a TXOP identification field, a change field, or an actual duration field, wherein the TXOP identification field is used to identify the TXOP corresponding to the TXOP report, the change field is used to indicate whether the TXOP has changed, and the actual duration field is used to indicate the actual length of the TXOP.

[0094] In one possible design, the first frame includes a reported TXOP number field, where the reported TXOP number field is used to indicate the number N of TXOP reports included in the TXOP list.

[0095] In one possible design, the receiving module is used to receive a second frame from an access point, where the second frame is used to instruct the site to report the first frame.

[0096] In one possible design, the receiving module is configured to receive a third frame from an access point, where the third frame is used to request monitoring of OBSS TXOP changes on the primary channel;

[0097] In one possible design, the sending module is configured to send a fourth frame to the access point, where the fourth frame is used to indicate whether to agree to monitor changes in the OBSS TXOP on the primary channel.

[0098] In one possible design, the third frame includes at least one of a start time field and a duration field, wherein the start time field is used to indicate the starting time point of the statistics of changes in the OBSS TXOP on the primary channel, and the duration field is used to indicate the duration of the statistics of changes in the OBSS TXOP on the primary channel.

[0099] In one possible design, the fourth frame includes an accept field, where the accept field is used to indicate whether to agree to monitor changes in the OBSS TXOP on the primary channel.

[0100] In one possible design, the sending module is used to send the first frame to the access point according to a predetermined period.

[0101] In one possible design, the receiving module is used to receive a fifth frame sent by the access point, where the fifth frame is used to instruct the station to stop reporting changes in the OBSS TXOP on the primary channel.

[0102] In one possible design, the sending module is used to send the fifth frame to the receiving point.

[0103] The operations and beneficial effects performed by the communication device can refer to the method and beneficial effects described in the third aspect above, and the repeated parts will be omitted.

[0104] In a ninth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication device, including:

[0105] A processing module, configured to perform energy detection on the primary channel during a non-transmission period on the non-primary channel after switching from the primary channel to the non-primary channel using a non-primary channel access mode;

[0106] The processing module is further configured to switch from the non-primary channel to the primary channel if it is detected that the overlapping basic service set (OBSS) transmission opportunity (TXOP) of the primary channel ends prematurely.

[0107] In one possible design, the sending module is configured to send a sixth frame on the non-primary channel;

[0108] a sending module, configured to send the seventh frame on the non-primary channel if the confirmation frame corresponding to the sixth frame is not received;

[0109] A processing module is used to switch from the non-primary channel to the primary channel if the confirmation frame corresponding to the seventh frame is not received; or to switch from the non-primary channel to the primary channel if the confirmation frames corresponding to the multiple retransmissions of the seventh frame are not received.

[0110] In one possible design, the sixth frame is a data frame or a management frame, and the seventh frame is a short frame.

[0111] The operations and beneficial effects performed by the communication device can refer to the method and beneficial effects described in the fourth aspect above, and the repeated parts will be omitted.

[0112] In a tenth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication device, including:

[0113] a receiving module, configured to receive an eighth frame sent by a station or access point in an overlapping basic service set (OBSS), wherein the eighth frame is used to request a transmission opportunity (TXOP) on a primary channel, and the eighth frame includes indication information, wherein the indication information is used to indicate whether the TXOP on the primary channel changes;

[0114] The processing module is configured to communicate with a station or access point in the BSS to which the processing module belongs according to the eighth frame.

[0115] In one possible design, the indication information is 1-bit information.

[0116] In one possible design, the processing module is further used to, when the TXOP on the main channel is initiated through the eighth frame and the indication information indicates that the TXOP on the main channel will not change, perform second channel competition after switching from the non-main channel to the main channel; when the TXOP on the main channel is initiated through the eighth frame and the indication information indicates that the TXOP on the main channel will change, use the first channel competition after switching from the non-main channel to the main channel until the main channel is successfully synchronized.

[0117] In one possible design, the first channel contention includes at least one of the following: a CCA threshold different from that used in the second channel contention, or a maximum transmission number limit.

[0118] In one possible design, the primary channel synchronization success includes any one of the following:

[0119] A media access control protocol data unit MPDU or a PPDU whose TXOP length is not uncertain is detected on the primary channel within the timing range of the first timer; or, no MPDU or PPDU whose TXOP length is not uncertain is detected on the primary channel, and the first timer times out.

[0120] The operations and beneficial effects performed by the communication device can refer to the method and beneficial effects described in the fifth aspect above, and the repeated parts will be omitted.

[0121] In the eleventh aspect, the present application provides a communication device, which includes a processor and a memory, the memory being used to store a computer program; the processor being used to execute the computer program stored in the memory so that the communication device executes the method described in any one of the first aspect, the second aspect, the fourth aspect and the fifth aspect.

[0122] In the twelfth aspect, the present application provides a communication device, which includes a processor and a memory, the memory being used to store a computer program; the processor being used to execute the computer program stored in the memory so that the communication device executes the method described in any one of the third aspect, the fourth aspect and the fifth aspect.

[0123] In a thirteenth aspect, the present application provides a communication device, which may be an access point, a device in an access point, or a device that can be used in conjunction with an access point. The communication device may also be a chip system. The communication device may execute the methods described in the first, second, fourth, and fifth aspects. The functions of the communication device may be implemented by hardware, or by hardware executing corresponding software implementations. The hardware or software includes one or more modules corresponding to the above functions. The module may be software and / or hardware. The operations and beneficial effects performed by the communication device may refer to the methods and beneficial effects described in the first, second, fourth, and fifth aspects above, and any repetitions will not be repeated.

[0124] In a fourteenth aspect, the present application provides a communication device, which may be a site, a device in a site, or a device that can be used in conjunction with a site. The communication device may also be a chip system. The communication device may execute the methods described in the third, fourth, and fifth aspects. The functions of the communication device may be implemented by hardware, or by hardware executing corresponding software implementations. The hardware or software includes one or more modules corresponding to the above-mentioned functions. The module may be software and / or hardware. The operations and beneficial effects performed by the communication device may refer to the methods and beneficial effects described in the third, fourth, and fifth aspects above, and any repetitions will not be repeated.

[0125] In a fifteenth aspect, the present application provides a computer-readable storage medium for storing a computer program. When the computer program is executed, the method described in any one of the first to fifth aspects is implemented.

[0126] In a sixteenth aspect, the present application provides a computer program product comprising a computer program, which, when executed, enables the method described in any one of the first to fifth aspects to be implemented.

[0127] In the seventeenth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication system, which includes at least one site and at least one access point, the site is used to execute the steps in the above-mentioned first aspect, second aspect, fourth aspect and fifth aspect, and the access point is used to execute the steps in the above-mentioned third aspect, fourth aspect and fifth aspect.

[0128] In the eighteenth aspect, a chip is provided, which includes a processor and a communication interface, the communication interface is used to communicate with external devices or internal devices, and the processor is used to implement the methods of the above aspects.

[0129] In one possible design, the chip may further include a memory storing a computer program or instructions, and the processor is configured to execute the computer program or instructions stored in the memory, or other programs or instructions. When the computer program or instructions are executed, the processor is configured to implement the aforementioned various aspects of the method.

[0130] In one possible design, the chip can be integrated into a station or access point. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0131] FIG1 is a schematic diagram of a communication system provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0132] FIG2 is a schematic diagram of a CSMA / CA mechanism;

[0133] FIG3 is a schematic diagram of the division of channel bandwidth;

[0134] FIG4 is a schematic diagram of a MAC frame pattern;

[0135] FIG5 is a schematic diagram of a primary channel access;

[0136] FIG6 is a schematic diagram of another channel division;

[0137] FIG7 is a schematic diagram of a non-primary channel access;

[0138] FIG8 is a schematic diagram of using a CF-End frame to perform TXOP truncation;

[0139] FIG9 is a schematic diagram of an OBSS TXOP truncation scenario on a primary channel;

[0140] FIG10 is a schematic diagram of the behavior of a site recovery media synchronization state;

[0141] FIG11 is a schematic diagram of another behavior of a site recovery media synchronization state;

[0142] FIG12 is a flow chart of a communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0143] FIG13 is a frame interaction process of an AP in a scenario where the primary channel OBSS TXOP changes;

[0144] FIG14 is a frame interaction process of an AP in a scenario where the primary channel OBSS TXOP does not change;

[0145] FIG15 is a flow chart of another communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0146] FIG16 is a schematic diagram of a new element provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0147] FIG17 is a schematic diagram of frame interaction in the designated phase and the negotiation phase;

[0148] FIG18 is a schematic diagram of the format of a request frame;

[0149] FIG19 is a schematic diagram showing the format of the information field of a request frame;

[0150] FIG20 is a schematic diagram showing another format of the information field of a request frame;

[0151] FIG21 is a schematic diagram showing the format of the information field of a response frame;

[0152] Figure 22 is a schematic diagram of a one-time reporting scenario;

[0153] FIG23 is a schematic diagram of a periodic reporting scenario;

[0154] FIG24 is a flow chart of another communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0155] FIG25 is a schematic diagram of processing at each moment;

[0156] FIG26A is a schematic diagram of another processing at each moment;

[0157] FIG26B is a schematic diagram of another processing at each moment;

[0158] FIG27 is a flow chart of a communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0159] FIG28 is a schematic diagram of the format of an eighth frame;

[0160] FIG29 is a schematic structural diagram of a communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0161] FIG30 is a schematic structural diagram of another communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0162] FIG31 is a schematic structural diagram of an access point provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0163] Figure 32 is a structural diagram of a site provided in an embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0164] As shown in Figure 1, Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a communication system provided by an embodiment of the present application. The communication system includes at least one access point (AP) and at least one station (STA). The AP is a network element that provides services for the station and can be called an access point station (AP Station), for example, an access point that can support the 802.11 series of protocols. The station STA can be a station that supports the 802.11 series of protocols and can be called a non-AP station (non-AP STA), for example, an ultra-high reliability (UHR) station. It is worth noting that AP and non-AP stations can be collectively referred to as stations.

[0165] An AP is an access point for mobile users to access a wired 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 AP acts as a bridge between wired and wireless networks, connecting wireless network clients and then integrating the wireless network into the Ethernet network. Specifically, an AP can be a terminal device or network device equipped with a wireless fidelity (WiFi) chip. An AP can support 802.11a, 802.11g, and 802.11n, as well as various WLAN standards such as 802.11ac, 802.11ax, 802.11be, and 802.11bn. A STA can be a wireless communication chip, wireless sensor, or wireless communication terminal. Examples include mobile phones with WiFi communication capabilities, tablets with WiFi communication capabilities, set-top boxes with WiFi communication capabilities, smart TVs with WiFi communication capabilities, smart wearable devices with WiFi communication capabilities, in-vehicle communication devices with WiFi communication capabilities, and computers with WiFi communication capabilities. STAs can support 802.11a, 802.11g, and 802.11n. They can also support multiple WLAN standards, including 802.11ac, 802.11ax, 802.11be, and 802.11bn. STAs can be ultra-high reliability (UHR) stations or legacy STAs. For the current 802.11bn standard, existing stations under previous standards, such as 802.11ac / ax / be, are called legacy stations.

[0166] In this communication system, an access point (AP) can transmit data with multiple STAs. For example, the AP in Figure 1 can transmit uplink or downlink data with two STAs. The indication method provided in the embodiments of the present application can be applied not only to communication between APs, but also to communication between APs and STAs, and between STAs.

[0167] This application supports Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) protocols, such as IEEE 802.11be / Wi-Fi 7 / EHT protocol, IEEE 802.11bn / UHR / Wi-Fi 8 protocol, Integrated mmWave / Integrated Millimeter Wave / IMMW protocol, IEEE 802.15 / UWB protocol, or IEEE 802.11bf / sensing / perception protocol; this application may also support Star Flash / Spark Link / NearLink standard protocols.

[0168] (1) Carrier sense multiple access with collision avoidance (CSMA / CA)

[0169] Channel resources in wireless communications can be divided into frequency resources, time resources, and spatial resources. For stations that transmit and receive omnidirectionally (transmitting and receiving in all spatial directions rather than just in one direction), multiple stations within a space may have communication needs. If these stations transmit and receive within the same medium resources (for example, using the same frequency and the same time within a certain space), it is likely that multiple signals will be sent to the receiver simultaneously, causing excessive interference and preventing correct reception. Given the characteristics of the 802.11 wireless medium, the 802.11 protocol specifies the use of the CSMA / CA mechanism to avoid interference caused by multiple stations using the medium simultaneously. Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of the CSMA / CA mechanism. The CSMA / CA mechanism requires stations (stations 1, 2, and 3) to perform medium sensing before transmitting. If they determine that a packet (physical-layer protocol data unit (PPDU)) is currently being transmitted on the medium, they must wait until the current packet is transmitted and then perform the corresponding backoff action. Only when the station detects that the idle time of the air interface (wireless medium) meets the specified time limit can it transmit.

[0170] (2) Primary channel access

[0171] The wide-bandwidth channels used by current 802.11 devices (devices that use the 802.11 protocol for wireless communication) are logically divided into several sub-channels in 20MHz units. For example, Figure 3 shows a schematic diagram of the channel bandwidth division. An 80MHz channel has four 20MHz sub-channels, a 160MHz channel has eight 20MHz sub-channels, and so on. Within these sub-channels, devices will know which sub-channel is the primary channel based on the configuration information of the basic service set (BSS), and the remaining sub-channels are non-primary channels.

[0172] The primary channel plays a crucial role in 802.11 protocol communications. In the aforementioned CSMA / CA mechanism, devices need to determine whether the medium is idle, and this determination is largely based on the status of the primary channel. For example, devices need to perform energy detection (ED) on each subchannel and preamble detection (PD) on the primary channel.

[0173] It's important to note that energy detection measures the energy in the air interface (wireless medium) over a period of time. When the energy exceeds a certain threshold, the air interface is considered busy. However, ED detection doesn't guarantee that Wi-Fi packets are being transmitted. This is because data packets from other wireless technologies (such as Bluetooth, ZigBee, and cellular) and even radiated energy can be captured by ED. Therefore, while ED requires less hardware, it offers lower accuracy. PD, on the other hand, detects Wi-Fi packets based on the characteristics of Wi-Fi signals (the initial segment of a Wi-Fi packet is a fixed sequence with periodicity, allowing for autocorrelation and cross-correlation). Once captured, it decodes the captured Wi-Fi packets to extract the necessary information. For example, Figure 4 illustrates a Media Access Control (MAC) frame format. This MAC frame includes a duration field (part of the MAC header). The duration field indicates how long it will take for the frame exchange to complete after the PPDU. Non-target stations will not contend for the channel during the duration indicated by the duration field to protect the communication channel between the transmitting and receiving stations (from interference). Therefore, PD requires more hardware but accurately captures Wi-Fi packets.

[0174] As of Wi-Fi 7, the protocol requires PD on the primary channel. The duration field decoded from the primary channel is used to set the corresponding network allocation vector (NAV) timer (the NAV timer counts down, and stations are not allowed to compete for the channel before the countdown ends). Given the complexity of PD implementation, the protocol does not require PD on other sub-channels. Figure 5 shows a schematic diagram of primary channel access. Due to the importance of setting NAV for channel contention, as of Wi-Fi 7, the protocol requires that devices must use the primary channel for actual transmission and reception (while non-primary channels can be left unused due to excessive interference within sub-channels, which is referred to as non-primary channel puncturing). Transmissions that require the primary channel to participate are referred to as primary channel access.

[0175] (3) Non-primary channel access

[0176] Although the mechanism based on primary channel access has neat logic and simple operation, as device deployment becomes more and more dense and device bandwidth becomes larger and larger, the spectrum utilization efficiency caused by primary channel access is also decreasing. For example, Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of another channel division. At a 160MHz site, only the primary 20MHz channel is detected as busy, while the remaining sub-channels are detected as idle. According to the primary channel access mechanism, this device cannot use any channel and can only retreat. However, in fact, the remaining sub-channels are idle and can theoretically be used. Therefore, WiFi 8 is now discussing the method of non-primary channel access, that is, when the primary channel is busy, no retreat is performed and transmission is performed through idle non-primary sub-channels. At this time, the device (i.e., the site) jumps to a non-primary channel and performs PD channel competition on this non-primary channel.

[0177] The non-primary channel access mechanism can be used in an infrastructure basic service set (BSS). Its characteristic is that among a set of stations, one station, called an access point (AP), is responsible for accessing the larger distribution system (DS), while other stations access the DS through the AP. For example, if the AP and non-AP STAs in BSS1 detect an OBSS TXOP on the primary channel, such as the TXOP of BSS2, they can both switch to a non-primary channel to transmit and receive (i.e., perform PD on that non-primary channel to compete for the channel). Incidentally, for non-AP stations within the infrastructure BSS, if they detect a BSS TXOP on the primary channel, it indicates that the AP of the BSS is participating in the transmission of stations in the BSS. At this time, even if stations not participating in the transmission switch to non-primary channels, they will not be able to communicate with the AP.

[0178] Figure 7 shows a schematic diagram of non-primary channel access. Considering compatibility with legacy (previous and previous generations of Wi-Fi devices) and NAV settings, the mainstream design requires that devices only use idle sub-channels (jump to non-primary channels) for transmission if they detect that the primary channel is busy, and that they jump back to the primary channel from the non-primary channel before the primary channel becomes idle again (i.e., before the primary channel NAV countdown expires).

[0179] (4) TXOP changes

[0180] To improve transmission efficiency, devices in the wireless transmission space reserve time for the transmitting and receiving stations that compete for the channel, allowing them to efficiently transmit information in an interference-free environment. This reserved time period after competing for the channel is called a transmission opportunity (TXOP). The length of the TXOP is indicated by the value of the duration field (also used to set the NAV) in the PPDU frame sent by the station using the channel.

[0181] The duration of a device's TXOP can vary as needed and is not necessarily the same as the value of the Duration field initially declared in the TXOP. Figure 8 illustrates a schematic diagram of TXOP truncation using the CF-End frame. After competing for a TXOP, a device may not need to complete the entire TXOP to complete frame exchange. In this case, the TXOP holder (the device that competed for the TXOP) can send a Contention-Free Period End (CF-End) frame to prematurely end the TXOP. This means that after detecting the CF-End frame, the device in the air interface will reset the NAV timer and begin competing for the channel. Alternatively, after competing for a TXOP, the TXOP may not be sufficient to complete frame exchange. In this case, the TXOP can be extended if certain requirements are met. In short, the actual transmission time of a device (station) (the time the primary channel is busy) may differ from the value declared in the Duration field at the beginning of the TXOP.

[0182] (5) Impact of TXOP Changes in Non-Primary Channel Access Mechanisms

[0183] In the non-primary channel access mechanism, a station uses a non-primary channel for channel access only when the primary channel is busy. Before the NAV of the overlapping basic service set (OBSS) TXOP of the primary channel ends, the station must jump back to the primary channel (perform PD on the primary channel).

[0184] A station obtains the NAV of an OBSS TXOP by parsing the value of the initial Duration field of the OBSS TXOP. After parsing this value, the station begins performing PD on the non-primary channel, losing accurate awareness of the primary channel's status. If the OBSS TXOP on the primary channel changes after the station switches to the non-primary channel, the station will be unaware of this. If the station then switches back to the primary channel based on the parsed Duration field value, a series of problems may occur.

[0185] For example, Figure 9 illustrates a scenario where an OBSS TXOP is truncated on the primary channel. This scenario illustrates the potential impact of TXOP truncation. A 160MHz station detects an OBSS TXOP on the primary channel, parses the OBSS TXOP length, sets the NAV value (as indicated by the vertical dashed line on the right, where the duration field indicates the end of the NAV timer), and then switches to a non-primary channel, such as non-primary channel 6 in Figure 6. It then contends for a channel on non-primary channel 6 and begins a BSS TXOP. The OBSS TXOP on the primary channel is prematurely terminated by a CF-End frame. By the time the station switches back to the primary channel according to the NAV set at the beginning of the OBSS TXOP, another TXOP has already begun. This TXOP is missed by the station, and its NAV value (TXOP duration) is unknown to the station. Currently, in the WiFi 8 discussion, the behavior of stations accessing non-primary channels in this situation is undefined. However, this behavior must be defined to prevent disruptions to communication within the wireless system, resulting in increased interference and reduced communication efficiency.

[0186] According to the current discussion, in the non-primary channel access mechanism, although the station has set the NAV for the primary channel when jumping to the non-primary channel, this NAV value is actually unreliable because the primary channel OBSS TXOP may change. In other words, after jumping back to the primary channel from the non-primary channel, the station is actually in a state of losing medium synchronization (or blindness), meaning that the station is unaware of the availability status of the primary channel.

[0187] Since the station is in a state of losing media synchronization after jumping back to the main channel from the non-main channel, media synchronization recovery is required. The process of media synchronization recovery defined by the standard is as follows: As shown in Figure 10, Figure 10 is a schematic diagram of the behavior of a station recovering the media synchronization state. When the station enters the state of recovering media synchronization, the station sets the MediumSyncDelay timer according to the most recent relevant instruction of the AP and starts the countdown. During the countdown, if the station receives a medium access control protocol data unit (MPDU) or a PPDU whose TXOP length (TXOP_DURATION) is not unspecified, the countdown is immediately cleared, and the station competes for the channel normally after the NAV ends. As shown in Figure 11, Figure 11 is a schematic diagram of another behavior of a station recovering the media synchronization state. During the period when the MediumSyncDelay timer value is non-zero, the threshold for the station to perform CCA on the primary channel must be adjusted to dot11MSDOFDMEDthreshold. The number of times the station attempts to initiate TXOP must not exceed dot11MSDTXOPMax, and each initiation must be initiated through an RTS frame; otherwise, the station needs to continue performing CCA until the MediumSyncDelay timer expires, and then the station can initiate transmission.

[0188] The current standard does not define the operation of media synchronization during non-primary channel access. If the behavior of a station in a lost media synchronization state defined by the current standard is applied to channel contention after a station switches from a non-primary channel to a primary channel, the station will needlessly increase the TXOP restricted contention duration. After a station switches from a non-primary channel to a primary channel, if the primary channel is idle, the station must wait for the length of MediumSyncDelay before initiating normal channel contention. Or, if another station competes for a TXOP during the MediumSyncDelay time and its TXOP does not end until some time after the MediumSyncDelay countdown ends, the station will need to wait even longer before initiating normal channel contention, resulting in low communication efficiency.

[0189] In order to solve the above technical problems, the embodiments of the present application provide the following solutions.

[0190] As shown in FIG12 , FIG12 is a flow chart of a communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application. The method mainly includes the following steps:

[0191] S1201: After switching from a non-primary channel to a primary channel using a non-primary channel access mode, the access point sends a transmission opportunity TXOP initial control frame to a station.

[0192] The site is a site that does not use the non-primary channel access mode, that is, the site has the non-primary channel access function but is not enabled, or does not have the non-primary channel access function.

[0193] The station is highly synchronized with the access point, which means that there is no hidden node between the access point and the station, that is, the access point and the station receive the physical layer protocol data unit PPDU at the same time, and the station and the access point cannot receive the PPDU at the same time.

[0194] The site is a non-access point (non-AP) site.

[0195] Specifically, in a non-primary channel access mode, the OBSS TXOP on the primary channel may change, but the access point is unaware of the change. Therefore, after the AP switches to the primary channel according to the NAV end time set in the original OBSS TXOP, it sends a TXOP initial control frame to the station for a probe. The TXOP initial control frame can be a request to send (RTS) frame.

[0196] S1202: The access point performs channel access based on whether an acknowledgment frame is received.

[0197] The confirmation frame may be a clear to send (CTS) frame.

[0198] Specifically, if the access point receives a confirmation frame sent by the station, the access point determines that the OBSS TXOP on the primary channel has not changed, the primary channel is available, and communicates with the station on the primary channel. If the access point does not receive a confirmation frame sent by the station, the access point determines that the OBSS TXOP on the primary channel has changed. For example, the first OBSS TXOP on the primary channel is extended, or the first OBSS TXOP on the primary channel is truncated, and the second OBSS TXOP has been generated. The access point can use the first channel to compete until the primary channel is successfully synchronized, and then perform the second channel competition after the primary channel is successfully synchronized. The first channel competition can be considered as a restricted channel competition, and the first channel competition includes at least one of the following: a different idle channel detection CCA threshold from the second channel competition, or a maximum transmission number limit. The second channel competition can be considered as an unrestricted channel competition, and the second channel competition can be enhanced distributed channel access (EDCA). Successful synchronization of the primary channel includes any of the following: an MPDU or a PPDU with a non-indeterminate TXOP length is detected on the primary channel within the timing range of a first timer; or no MPDU or PPDU with a non-indeterminate TXOP length is detected on the primary channel and the first timer expires. The first timer is a timer that starts when the access point completes switching to the primary channel and has a duration of a predefined MediumSyncDelay.

[0199] Optionally, the station can switch to the primary channel according to the NAV end time set in the original OBSS TXOP. After switching to the primary channel, the station detects an MPDU or PPDU with a non-indeterminate TXOP length on the primary channel within the timing range of the first timer. If an MPDU or PPDU with a non-indeterminate TXOP length is detected on the primary channel within the timing range of the first timer, the station performs a second channel contention. If no MPDU or PPDU with a non-indeterminate TXOP length is detected on the primary channel within the timing range of the first timer, the station waits until the first timer times out to perform a second channel contention.

[0200] For example, Figure 13 illustrates the frame exchange process for an AP in a scenario where the primary channel OBSS TXOP changes. At a certain point, the AP detects an OBSS TXOP on the primary channel and sets the NAV according to the duration indicated by the OBSS TXOP, switching to non-primary channel 6. It then contends for a TXOP (i.e., a BSS TXOP) on the non-primary channel. While the AP is on non-primary channel 6, a CF-End frame is sent within the primary channel OBSS TXOP, prematurely ending the OBSS TXOP. Then, another OBSS TXOP begins on the primary channel. The AP switches to the primary channel at the end of the original NAV, but the other OBSS TXOP has not yet concluded. Due to a hidden node within the OBSS TXOP, the AP detects channel idleness at a certain point within the other OBSS TXOP and completes backoff, sending an RTS to a neighboring non-AP that is not using the non-primary channel access function. Because the other OBSS TXOP has not yet concluded, the NAV value of the neighboring non-AP is not 0 and cannot return a CTS frame. If the AP does not receive the CTS frame, it determines that the primary channel is occupied, and then the AP proceeds according to the process of media access recovery. The specific implementation method is the same as described above and will not be repeated here.

[0201] For another example, as shown in Figure 14, Figure 14 is a frame interaction process of an AP in a scenario where the OBSS TXOP of the primary channel has not changed. At a certain moment, the AP detects the OBSS TXOP on the primary channel, sets the NAV according to the duration indicated by the OBSS TXOP, switches to the non-primary channel 6, and competes for the TXOP (i.e., BSS TXOP) on the non-primary channel 6. The AP switches to the primary channel at the end time of the original NAV, and after monitoring that the channel has been idle for a period of time and completing the backoff, it sends an RTS frame to a neighboring non-AP station that does not use the non-primary channel access function; the neighboring non-AP station returns a CTS frame to the AP. After receiving the CTS frame, the AP can start data interaction with the neighboring non-AP station on the primary channel.

[0202] In an embodiment of the present application, in a scenario where the OBSS TXOP on the primary channel may change while accessing a non-primary channel, after switching from the non-primary channel to the primary channel, the access point sends an RTS frame to a station not using the non-primary channel, and then performs channel access based on whether a CTS frame has been received. For example, if a CTS frame is received, communication with the station on the primary channel can be resumed. This avoids communication interference caused by changes in the OBSS TXOP on the primary channel, opportunistically shortens the time required to resume normal channel contention after switching from a non-primary channel to the primary channel, and improves communication efficiency.

[0203] As shown in FIG15 , FIG15 is a flow chart of another communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application. The method mainly includes the following steps:

[0204] S1501: An access point receives a first frame from a station, where the first frame is used to indicate a change in an overlapping basic service set (OBSS) transmission opportunity (TXOP) on a primary channel.

[0205] The site is a site that does not use the non-primary channel access mode, that is, the site has the non-primary channel access function but is not enabled, or does not have the non-primary channel access function.

[0206] The station is highly synchronized with the access point, which means that there is no hidden node between the access point and the station, that is, the access point and the station receive the physical layer protocol data unit PPDU at the same time, and the station and the access point cannot receive the PPDU at the same time.

[0207] The site is a non-access point (non-AP) site.

[0208] Specifically, the station may monitor changes in the OBSS TXOP on the primary channel, and generate a first frame according to the monitored changes in the OBSS TXOP on the primary channel, and then send the first frame to the access point. The access point receives the first frame from the station.

[0209] The first frame includes a TXOP list field, which is used to indicate changes in N OBSS TXOPs on the primary channel, where N is an integer greater than or equal to 1. Optionally, the TXOP list field includes N TXOP report fields, each of which includes at least one of the following: a TXOP identification field, a change field, or a duration field, wherein the TXOP identification field is used to identify the TXOP corresponding to the TXOP report, the change field is used to indicate whether the TXOP has changed, and the actual duration field is used to indicate the actual length of the TXOP. Optionally, the first frame includes a reported TXOP number field, which is used to indicate the number N of TXOP reports included in the TXOP list.

[0210] The fields required for the first frame described above can be carried in a new element. For example, as shown in FIG16 , FIG16 is a schematic diagram of a new element provided in an embodiment of the present application. The element may include an element ID field, a length field, and an element ID extension field. The element ID field and the element ID extension field may jointly indicate that the element is used to report OBSS TXOP change statistics on the primary channel. The element may also include a control field and a TXOP list field. It should be noted that the control field and the TXOP list field may not be explicitly expressed, and the content contained in the control field and the TXOP list field may be integrated into other forms (for example, directly presented as subfields), but the subfields in the control field and the TXOP list field are required. The control field may include a reported TXOP number field, which is used to indicate the number N of TXOP reports contained in the TXOP list. For example, the field value may be N or N-1. The TXOP List field includes N TXOP Report fields, each of which includes a TXOP Identifier field, a Changed field, or an Actual Duration field. The TXOP Identifier field is used to identify the TXOP corresponding to the current TXOP report. The TXOP Identifier field may include the TXOP holder's address, an Association Identifier (AID), or other information. If the TXOP Identifier field indicates the TXOP holder's address, the TXOP Identifier field may be 6 bytes long. If the TXOP Identifier field indicates other information, the TXOP Identifier field may have another length. The Changed field indicates whether the corresponding OBSS TXOP has been changed (e.g., truncated or extended). If the Changed field indicates that the OBSS TXOP has changed, the TXOP List field also includes an Actual Duration field, which indicates the actual length of the corresponding TXOP. If the Changed field indicates that the OBSS TXOP has not changed, the TXOP Report field may not include the Actual Duration field.

[0211] The fields required for the first frame may also be directly carried in the new action frame. The meaning and usage of each field are the same and will not be described in detail here.

[0212] Optionally, the access point may send a second frame to the station, where the second frame is used to instruct the station to report the first frame. After receiving the second frame, the station sends the first frame to the access point.

[0213] The second frame can be a new inquiry frame or a frame with new elements added to an existing frame. If the second frame is a new inquiry frame, the type field and subtype field in the frame control field included in the second frame can indicate that it is a newly designed inquiry frame. Alternatively, a new category field and action field are used to jointly indicate that the second frame is a newly designed inquiry action frame. If the second frame is a frame with new elements added to an existing frame, a new element ID field and element ID extension field are used to jointly indicate that the second frame is a frame with new elements added.

[0214] Optionally, the access point may send a third frame to the station, where the third frame is used to request monitoring of OBSS TXOP changes on the primary channel. That is, the access point may specify that the station report OBSS TXOP changes on the primary channel. Optionally, after the access point sends the third frame to the station, the station may send a fourth frame to the access point, where the fourth frame is used to indicate whether to agree to monitor OBSS TXOP changes on the primary channel. That is, the access point and the station may determine whether to report OBSS TXOP changes on the primary channel through negotiation. The third frame may be a request frame, and the fourth frame may be a response frame.

[0215] As shown in Figure 17, Figure 17 is a schematic diagram of the frame interaction during the designation phase and the negotiation phase. During the designation phase, the AP sends a request frame to the station. The request frame is used to designate the station to monitor changes in the OBSS TXOP on the primary channel for itself. After the station sends an acknowledgment (ack) frame corresponding to the request frame, the designation is completed. Alternatively, during the negotiation phase, the AP sends a request frame to the station, and the station replies with an acknowledgment frame to the access point. The station sends a response frame based on its own situation. The response frame contains an approval message or a rejection message, and the AP replies with a corresponding acknowledgment frame to the station. If the response frame contains an approval message, the negotiation is successful after the AP replies with the corresponding acknowledgment frame. If the response frame contains a rejection message, the negotiation fails after the AP replies with the corresponding acknowledgment frame.

[0216] The third frame may include at least one of a start time field and a duration field, wherein the start time field is used to indicate a start time point for statistics on changes in the OBSS TXOP on the primary channel, and the duration field is used to indicate a duration for statistics on changes in the OBSS TXOP on the primary channel.

[0217] For example, as shown in Figure 18, Figure 18 is a schematic diagram of the format of a request frame. The request frame may include a category field, an action field, a dialog token field, and an information field. As shown in Figure 19, Figure 19 is a schematic diagram of the format of the information field of a request frame. The request frame may include an information field, and the information field may include a start time field and a duration field. The start time field is used to indicate the time when the statistics start. It can indicate several low bytes of the time synchronization function (TSF) of the statistical start time, or it can be based on the most recent target beacon transmission time (TBTT) to indicate an offset as an indication of the start time. The length of the start time field can be designed as needed (only 2 bytes are used as an example in the figure), and this application does not impose any restrictions. The duration field indicates the statistical duration, and the unit can be us or several us (such as 4us, 8us, etc.).

[0218] For another example, as shown in Figure 20, Figure 20 is another format diagram of the information field of a request frame. When the statistical start time or duration is the default value, the request frame may not include the start time field or the duration field. For example, the standard may specify that the statistical start time is the next TBTT, so that the information field in the request frame may include a duration field and a reserved field. For example, the duration field may include four values, indicating that the statistical duration is one beacon period, 1 / 2 beacon period, 1 / 4 beacon period, and 1 / 8 beacon period. Alternatively, the statistical start time may be the start time of the next target wake time (TWT) service period (SP). It should be noted that the design of the above-mentioned statistical start time and duration is only an example, and other options can be made, which is not limited by the present invention. Even the standard may clearly stipulate that the statistical start time and statistical duration do not require relevant information interaction.

[0219] The fourth frame includes an accept field, which is used to indicate whether the station agrees to monitor changes in the OBSS TXOP on the primary channel. As shown in Figure 21, Figure 21 is a schematic diagram of the format of the information field of a response frame. The response frame may include an information field, which may include an accept field and a reserved field. The accept field indicates whether the station agrees to the content of the AP's request.

[0220] Optionally, the station may send the first frame to the access point all at once, or may send the first frame to the access point at a predetermined period. The predetermined period may be determined by a request frame. For example, the information field of the request frame includes the predetermined period. Alternatively, the predetermined period may be specified by a standard. This is not limited herein. Furthermore, one-time reporting or periodic reporting may be specified by a standard. Alternatively, if the standard specifies that both one-time reporting and periodic reporting are possible, the AP may include additional information in the request frame, indicating whether the reporting method is one-time reporting or periodic reporting.

[0221] As shown in Figure 22, Figure 22 is a schematic diagram of a one-time reporting scenario. If the station sends the first frame to the access point once, the station automatically stops reporting after the report to the access point is completed. If the station needs to re-report the first frame, the access point needs to re-specify it to the station, or re-negotiate with the station. As shown in Figure 23, Figure 23 is a schematic diagram of a periodic reporting scenario. If the station sends the first frame to the access point according to a predetermined period, the access point can send the fifth frame to the station, and the fifth frame is used to instruct the station to stop reporting changes in the OBSS TXOP on the main channel. Alternatively, the station can also send the fifth frame to the access point, and the fifth frame is used to notify the access point to stop reporting changes in the OBSS TXOP on the main channel. Among them, the fifth frame can be initiated by either the access point or the station, and the fifth frame can be a teardown frame.

[0222] It should be noted that the request frame, response frame, and teardown frame can all be uniformly designed as an action frame. Figure 18 can also be shown as a schematic diagram of the format of an action frame. The action frame may include a category field, an action field, a dialog token field, and an information field. Among them, the category field, action field, and dialog token field are common to the request frame, response frame, and teardown frame. The teardown frame may not include the information field.

[0223] Among them, the category field is used to indicate that the action frame is used to indicate the notification of TXOP changes using a non-primary channel access method. The category field can reuse existing values ​​or use new values. The action field is used to indicate whether the action frame is a request frame, a response frame, or a teardown frame. When the category field reuses existing values, unused new values ​​should be assigned to the action fields in the request frame, response frame, and teardown frame respectively. When the category field uses a new value, it is only necessary to ensure that the values ​​of the action fields in the request frame, response frame, and teardown frame are different. The conversation tag field is used to identify a session. The value of this field in the request frame and the response frame in the same session should be the same.

[0224] S1502: The access point determines parameters and behaviors of a non-primary channel access method based on the first frame.

[0225] How an access point utilizes the information in the first frame after receiving it is implementation-dependent and not specified by the standard. For example, an implementation may process the information in the first frame by determining, based on statistical information, that the TXOP length for a particular OBSS station will not change. The access point may then switch from a non-primary channel to the primary channel based on the Duration field value of the corresponding OBSS TXOP and directly use the secondary channel to compete for access to the primary channel.

[0226] In an embodiment of the present application, an access point receives OBSS TXOP changes on a primary channel reported by stations that do not use non-primary channels for access, and uses this information to determine whether the OBSS TXOP on the primary channel has changed. Based on whether the OBSS TXOP on the primary channel has changed, the access point determines parameters and behavior for a non-primary channel access method. This avoids communication interference and delays caused by changes in the OBSS TXOP on the primary channel, thereby improving communication efficiency.

[0227] As shown in Figure 24, Figure 24 is a flow chart of another communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application. The execution subject of the method can be a station or an access point, and the method mainly includes the following steps:

[0228] S2401: After switching from a primary channel to a non-primary channel in a non-primary channel access mode, perform energy detection on the primary channel during a non-transmission period on the non-primary channel.

[0229] The site is a non-access point (non-AP) site.

[0230] S2402: If it is detected that the overlapping basic service set (OBSS) transmission opportunity TXOP of the primary channel ends prematurely, switching from the non-primary channel to the primary channel.

[0231] Specifically, after switching from the primary channel to the non-primary channel using the non-primary channel access method, the access point and all stations participating in the BSS TXOP may perform energy detection on the primary channel during the non-transmission period on the non-primary channel. If the access point detects that the OBSS TXOP on the primary channel has ended prematurely, it switches from the non-primary channel to the primary channel. If any station detects that the OBSS TXOP on the primary channel has ended prematurely, it switches from the non-primary channel to the primary channel. If the access point or station fails to detect the premature end of the OBSS TXOP on the primary channel because it is currently transmitting, it must transmit again to confirm whether the receiver has switched back to the primary channel. That is, the access point or station may send the sixth frame on the non-primary channel; if it does not receive an acknowledgment frame corresponding to the sixth frame, it may send the seventh frame on the non-primary channel; if it does not receive an acknowledgment frame corresponding to the seventh frame, it may switch from the non-primary channel to the primary channel. The sixth frame may be a data frame or a management frame, and the seventh frame may be a short frame or a retransmission of the sixth frame. Optionally, if the access point or station does not receive a response to the seventh frame, it may retransmit the seventh frame on a non-primary channel. After failing to receive a corresponding confirmation frame after multiple retransmissions, it may switch from the non-primary channel to the primary channel; wherein the number of retransmissions of the seventh frame may be a predetermined value.

[0232] It's important to note that frames exchanged on non-primary channels can be short frames and must use implicit ACKs (acknowledge frames must be returned after receiving a data frame). This reduces the delay in switching to the primary channel caused by stations missing TXOP changes on the primary channel. Furthermore, transmitting uplink data on non-primary channels increases the likelihood that access points will switch to the primary channel in a timely manner, minimizing the impact on stations that remain on the primary channel.

[0233] Optionally, for some stations switching to the non-primary channel, after determining that the TXOP on the non-primary channel is the BSS TXOP and they themselves are not TXOP holders and TXOP responders, they can switch from the non-primary channel to the primary channel.

[0234] For example, Figure 25 illustrates the processing at each moment. The shaded rectangles below the two horizontal axes in the figure represent energy detection performed by access points and stations on the primary channel during this period. At time 1, the AP and non-AP stations within the BSS detect an OBSS TXOP on the primary channel. They set NAVs and switch from the primary channel to non-primary channel 6 to compete for the channel. The AP secures the channel and sends an RTS to non-AP station 1 to initiate frame exchange. At time 2, other non-AP stations switched to non-primary channel 6 can switch to the primary channel upon detecting that the RTS frame is not destined for them. The RTS frame can also be any other frame, as long as it can initiate a TXOP. At time 3, while receiving uplink data from non-AP station 1, the AP detects the premature end of the OBSS TXOP on the primary channel through energy detection. It immediately stops receiving on non-primary channel 6 and switches to the primary channel. After transmitting uplink data, non-AP station 1 does not receive the corresponding ACK, so it sends a short frame for testing. However, if it still does not receive the corresponding ACK, it believes that the AP has switched to the primary channel, so non-AP station 1 also switches to the primary channel.

[0235] If non-AP station 2, which has uplink transmission requirements, wins a TXOP on a non-primary channel, the processing is similar to that in Figure 25 . For example, Figure 26A illustrates another example of processing at each time point. The shaded rectangles below the two horizontal axes in the figure represent energy detection performed by the access point and station on the primary channel during this time period. At time 1, the AP and non-AP stations in the BSS detect the OBSS TXOP on the primary channel, set NAVs, and switch from the primary channel to non-primary channel 6 to compete for channels. At time 2, when non-AP station 2 wins the TXOP on the non-primary channel, some non-AP stations switch to the primary channel upon detecting the RTS frame sent by non-AP station 2, while other non-AP stations not participating in the TXOP switch to the primary channel upon detecting the CTS frame sent by the AP. At time 3, while receiving uplink data from non-AP station 2, the AP detects the premature end of the OBSS TXOP on the primary channel through energy detection. It immediately stops receiving on non-primary channel 6 and switches to the primary channel. After transmitting uplink data, non-AP station 2 does not receive the corresponding ACK, so it sends a short frame for testing. However, if it still does not receive the corresponding ACK, it believes that the AP has switched to the primary channel, so non-AP station 2 also switches to the primary channel.

[0236] As shown in Figure 26B, which is another schematic diagram of processing at each moment, the processing is similar to that of Figure 26A, except that at time 2, all non-AP stations not participating in the TXOP switch to the primary channel upon detecting the CTS frame sent by the AP.

[0237] In an embodiment of the present application, in a scenario where the OBSS TXOP on the primary channel may change in a non-primary channel access mode, after switching from the primary channel to the non-primary channel, the access point and / or station performs energy detection on the primary channel during a non-transmission period on the non-primary channel, thereby returning to the primary channel from the non-primary channel in a timely manner to start channel contention when the OBSS TXOP on the primary channel ends prematurely, thereby avoiding missing primary channel status information (such as NAV) and blindly accessing the channel to cause interference, thereby improving communication efficiency.

[0238] As shown in Figure 27, Figure 27 is a flow chart of a communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application. The execution subject of the method can be a station or an access point, and the method mainly includes the following steps:

[0239] S2701, receiving an eighth frame sent by a station or access point in an overlapping basic service set (OBSS), wherein the eighth frame is used to request a transmission opportunity (TXOP) on a primary channel, and the eighth frame includes indication information, wherein the indication information is used to indicate whether the TXOP on the primary channel changes.

[0240] The site is a non-access point (non-AP) site.

[0241] The eighth frame may be a newly designed frame. For example, as shown in FIG28 , FIG28 is a schematic diagram of another format of the eighth frame. The eighth frame may include a frame control field, a duration field, a receiver address (RA) field, a transmitter address (TA) field, a TXOP change field, and a frame check sequence (FCS) field. The TXOP change field may include indication information, which is 1-bit information. For example, when the indication information is 1, it indicates that the TXOP on the primary channel has not changed; when the indication information is 0, it indicates that the TXOP on the primary channel has changed. 0 and 1 can also indicate the opposite.

[0242] S2702: Communicate with a station or access point in the BSS to which the mobile station belongs according to the eighth frame.

[0243] Specifically, when the TXOP on the primary channel is initiated via the eighth frame and the indication information indicates that the TXOP on the primary channel will not change, after switching from the non-primary channel to the primary channel, second channel contention is performed. When the TXOP on the primary channel is initiated via the eighth frame and the indication information indicates that the TXOP on the primary channel will change, after switching from the non-primary channel to the primary channel, first channel contention is used until the primary channel is successfully synchronized, after which second channel contention is performed. Alternatively, when the TXOP on the primary channel is initiated via the eighth frame and the indication information indicates that the TXOP on the primary channel will change, the non-primary channel access function may be disabled, and non-primary channel access may not be used to communicate with stations or access points within the BSS to which the user belongs.

[0244] Among them, the first channel contention can be considered as restricted channel contention, and the first channel contention includes at least one of the following: a different idle channel detection CCA threshold from that used by the second channel contention, or a maximum transmission number limit. The second channel contention can be considered as unrestricted channel contention, and the second channel contention can be EDCA. The successful synchronization of the main channel includes any one of the following: an MPDU or a PPDU with an uncertain TXOP length is detected on the main channel within the timing range of the first timer; or, no MPDU or a PPDU with an uncertain TXOP length is detected on the main channel, and the first timer times out. The first timer is a timer that starts at the moment when the access point completes switching to the main channel, and the duration of the timer is a predefined duration MediumSyncDelay.

[0245] In an embodiment of the present application, by receiving the eighth frame sent by a station or access point in the OBSS, it is determined whether the TXOP on the primary channel has changed. Based on whether the TXOP on the primary channel has changed, communication is performed with the station or access point in the BSS to which it belongs, thereby avoiding communication interference and communication delay caused by changes in the OBSS TXOP on the primary channel, and improving communication efficiency.

[0246] It can be understood that in the above-mentioned method embodiments, the methods and operations implemented by the access point can also be implemented by components (such as chips or circuits) that can be used for the access point, and the methods and operations implemented by the site can also be implemented by components (such as chips or circuits) that can be used for the site.

[0247] In the embodiments of the present application, the functional modules of an access point or station can be divided according to the above-mentioned method examples. For example, each functional module can be divided according to each function, or two or more functions can be integrated into a single processing module. The above-mentioned integrated modules can be implemented in the form of hardware or software functional modules. It should be noted that the division of modules in the embodiments of the present application is illustrative and only represents a logical functional division. In actual implementation, other division methods may be used. The following example uses the division of each functional module according to each function as an example.

[0248] The method provided in the embodiment of the present application is described in detail above with reference to Figures 29 and 30. Below, the communication device provided in the embodiment of the present application is described in detail with reference to Figures 29 and 30. 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, please refer to the method embodiment above. For the sake of brevity, it will not be repeated here.

[0249] 29 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application. The communication device may include a receiving module 2901, a processing module 2902, and a sending module 2903.

[0250] This communication device can implement the steps or processes corresponding to those performed by the access point in the above method embodiments. For example, it can be an access point, or a chip or circuit configured in the access point. Receiving module 2901 and transmitting module 2903 are used to perform the access point-side transceiver-related operations described in the above method embodiments, and processing module 2902 is used to perform the access point-related processing operations described in the above method embodiments.

[0251] In one embodiment:

[0252] A sending module 2903 is configured to send a transmission opportunity TXOP initial control frame to a station after switching from a non-primary channel to a primary channel using a non-primary channel access mode;

[0253] The processing module 2902 is configured to perform channel access based on whether a confirmation frame is received.

[0254] Optionally, the site is a site that does not use a non-primary channel access method.

[0255] Optionally, the station and the access point receive a physical layer protocol data unit PPDU at the same time, and the station and the access point cannot receive the PPDU at the same time.

[0256] Optionally, the site is a non-access point site.

[0257] Optionally, the processing module 2902 is further configured to, if the access point does not receive the TXOP initial control frame sent by the station, use the first channel to compete until the primary channel is successfully synchronized; if the access point receives a confirmation frame sent by the station, communicate with the station on the primary channel.

[0258] Optionally, the first channel contention includes at least one of the following: an idle channel detection CCA threshold different from that used in the second channel contention, or a maximum transmission number limit.

[0259] Optionally, the successful synchronization of the main channel includes any one of the following: a media access control protocol data unit MPDU or a PPDU with a non-uncertain TXOP length is detected on the main channel within the timing range of the first timer; or, no MPDU or PPDU with a non-uncertain TXOP length is detected on the main channel, and the first timer times out.

[0260] In another embodiment:

[0261] The receiving module 2901 is configured to receive a first frame from a station, where the first frame is used to indicate a change in an overlapping basic service set (OBSS) transmission opportunity (TXOP) on a primary channel.

[0262] The processing module 2902 is configured to determine parameters and behaviors of a non-primary channel access method according to the first frame.

[0263] Optionally, the site is a site that does not use a non-primary channel access method.

[0264] Optionally, the station and the access point receive a physical layer protocol data unit PPDU at the same time, and the station and the access point cannot receive the PPDU at the same time.

[0265] Optionally, the site is a non-access point site.

[0266] Optionally, the first frame includes a TXOP list field, where the TXOP list field is used to indicate changes in N OBSS TXOPs on the primary channel, where N is an integer greater than or equal to 1.

[0267] Optionally, the TXOP list field includes N TXOP report fields, each of the TXOP report fields including at least one of the following: a TXOP identification field, a change field, or an actual duration field, wherein the TXOP identification field is used to identify the TXOP corresponding to the TXOP report, the change field is used to indicate whether the TXOP has changed, and the actual duration field is used to indicate the actual length of the TXOP.

[0268] Optionally, the first frame includes a reported TXOP number field, where the reported TXOP number field is used to indicate the number N of TXOP reports included in the TXOP list.

[0269] Optionally, the sending module 2903 is configured to send a second frame to the site, where the second frame is used to instruct the site to report the first frame.

[0270] Optionally, the sending module 2903 is configured to send a third frame to the station, where the third frame is used to request monitoring of changes in the OBSS TXOP on the primary channel;

[0271] Optionally, the receiving module 2901 is configured to receive a fourth frame from the station, where the fourth frame is used to indicate whether to agree to monitor changes in the OBSS TXOP on the primary channel.

[0272] Optionally, the third frame includes at least one of a start time field and a duration field, wherein the start time field is used to indicate the starting time point of the statistics of changes in the OBSS TXOP on the primary channel, and the duration field is used to indicate the duration of the statistics of changes in the OBSS TXOP on the primary channel.

[0273] Optionally, the fourth frame includes an acceptance field, and the acceptance field is used to indicate whether to agree to monitor changes in the OBSS TXOP on the primary channel.

[0274] Optionally, the receiving module 2901 is configured to receive the first frame sent by the site according to a predetermined period.

[0275] Optionally, the sending module 2903 is configured to send a fifth frame to the station, where the fifth frame is used to instruct the station to stop reporting changes in the OBSS TXOP on the primary channel.

[0276] Optionally, the receiving module 2901 is configured to receive a fifth frame sent by the site.

[0277] In another embodiment:

[0278] A processing module 2902 is configured to perform energy detection on the primary channel during a non-transmission period on the non-primary channel after switching from the primary channel to the non-primary channel using the non-primary channel access mode;

[0279] The processing module 2902 is further configured to switch from the non-primary channel to the primary channel if it is detected that the overlapping basic service set (OBSS) transmission opportunity TXOP of the primary channel ends prematurely.

[0280] Optionally, a sending module 2903 is configured to send a sixth frame on the non-primary channel;

[0281] The sending module 2903 is configured to send the seventh frame or a retransmission of the seventh frame on the non-primary channel if the confirmation frame corresponding to the sixth frame is not received;

[0282] The processing module 2902 is configured to switch from the non-primary channel to the primary channel if the confirmation frame corresponding to the seventh frame or the confirmation frame corresponding to the retransmission of the seventh frame is not received.

[0283] Optionally, the sixth frame is a data frame or a management frame, and the seventh frame is a short frame.

[0284] In another embodiment:

[0285] a receiving module 2901, configured to receive an eighth frame sent by a station or access point in an overlapping basic service set (OBSS), the eighth frame being used to request a transmission opportunity (TXOP) on a primary channel, the eighth frame including indication information, the indication information being used to indicate whether the TXOP on the primary channel has changed;

[0286] The processing module 2902 is configured to communicate with a station or access point in the BSS to which the processing module belongs according to the eighth frame.

[0287] Optionally, the indication information is 1-bit information.

[0288] Optionally, the processing module 2902 is further used to, when the TXOP on the main channel is initiated through the eighth frame and the indication information indicates that the TXOP on the main channel will not change, perform second channel competition after switching from the non-main channel to the main channel; when the TXOP on the main channel is initiated through the eighth frame and the indication information indicates that the TXOP on the main channel will change, use the first channel competition after switching from the non-main channel to the main channel until the main channel is successfully synchronized.

[0289] Optionally, the first channel contention includes at least one of the following: a CCA threshold different from that used in the second channel contention, or a maximum transmission number limit.

[0290] Optionally, the primary channel synchronization success includes any one of the following:

[0291] A media access control protocol data unit MPDU or a PPDU whose TXOP length is not uncertain is detected on the primary channel within the timing range of the first timer; or, no MPDU or PPDU whose TXOP length is not uncertain is detected on the primary channel, and the first timer times out.

[0292] It should be noted that the implementation of each module may also correspond to the corresponding description of the method embodiment shown in Figure 12, Figure 15, Figure 24 or Figure 27, and execute the methods and functions executed by the access point in the above embodiments.

[0293] 30 , which is a schematic diagram of the structure of another communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application. The communication device may include a receiving module 3001 , a processing module 3002 , and a sending module 3003 .

[0294] This communication device can implement the steps or processes corresponding to those performed by the station in the above method embodiments. For example, it can be a station, or a chip or circuit configured in the station. The receiving module 3001 and the sending module 3003 are used to perform the station-side transmission and reception-related operations in the above method embodiments, and the processing module 3002 is used to perform the station-side processing-related operations in the above method embodiments.

[0295] In one embodiment:

[0296] The receiving module 3001 is configured to generate a first frame, where the first frame is used to indicate a change in an overlapping basic service set (OBSS) transmission opportunity (TXOP) on a primary channel.

[0297] The sending module 3003 is configured to send a first frame to the access point, where the first frame is used to determine parameters and behavior of the non-primary channel access mode.

[0298] Optionally, the site is a site that does not use a non-primary channel access method.

[0299] Optionally, the station and the access point receive a physical layer protocol data unit PPDU at the same time, and the station and the access point cannot receive the PPDU at the same time.

[0300] Optionally, the site is a non-access point site.

[0301] Optionally, the first frame includes a TXOP list field, where the TXOP list field is used to indicate changes in N OBSS TXOPs on the primary channel, where N is an integer greater than or equal to 1.

[0302] Optionally, the TXOP list field includes N TXOP report fields, each of the TXOP report fields including at least one of the following: a TXOP identification field, a change field, or an actual duration field, wherein the TXOP identification field is used to identify the TXOP corresponding to the TXOP report, the change field is used to indicate whether the TXOP has changed, and the actual duration field is used to indicate the actual length of the TXOP.

[0303] Optionally, the first frame includes a reported TXOP number field, where the reported TXOP number field is used to indicate the number N of TXOP reports included in the TXOP list.

[0304] Optionally, the receiving module 3001 is configured to receive a second frame from an access point, where the second frame is used to instruct the station to report the first frame.

[0305] Optionally, the receiving module 3001 is configured to receive a third frame from an access point, where the third frame is used to request monitoring of changes in the OBSS TXOP on the primary channel;

[0306] Optionally, the sending module 3003 is configured to send a fourth frame to the access point, where the fourth frame is used to indicate whether to agree to monitor changes in the OBSS TXOP on the primary channel.

[0307] Optionally, the third frame includes at least one of a start time field and a duration field, wherein the start time field is used to indicate the starting time point of the statistics of changes in the OBSS TXOP on the primary channel, and the duration field is used to indicate the duration of the statistics of changes in the OBSS TXOP on the primary channel.

[0308] Optionally, the fourth frame includes an acceptance field, and the acceptance field is used to indicate whether to agree to monitor changes in the OBSS TXOP on the primary channel.

[0309] Optionally, the sending module 3003 is configured to send the first frame to the access point according to a predetermined period.

[0310] Optionally, the receiving module 3001 is configured to receive a fifth frame sent by an access point, where the fifth frame is used to instruct the station to stop reporting changes in the OBSS TXOP on the primary channel.

[0311] Optionally, the sending module 3003 is configured to send a fifth frame to the access point.

[0312] In another embodiment:

[0313] A processing module 3002 is configured to perform energy detection on the primary channel during a non-transmission period on the non-primary channel after switching from the primary channel to the non-primary channel using the non-primary channel access mode;

[0314] The processing module 3002 is further configured to switch from the non-primary channel to the primary channel if it is detected that the overlapping basic service set (OBSS) transmission opportunity TXOP of the primary channel ends prematurely.

[0315] Optionally, a sending module 3003 is configured to send a sixth frame on the non-primary channel;

[0316] The sending module 3003 is configured to send the seventh frame or a retransmission of the seventh frame on the non-primary channel if the confirmation frame corresponding to the sixth frame is not received;

[0317] The processing module 3002 is configured to switch from the non-primary channel to the primary channel if the confirmation frame corresponding to the seventh frame or the confirmation frame corresponding to the retransmission of the seventh frame is not received.

[0318] Optionally, the sixth frame is a data frame or a management frame, and the seventh frame is a short frame.

[0319] In another embodiment:

[0320] a receiving module 3001, configured to receive an eighth frame sent by a station or access point in an overlapping basic service set (OBSS), the eighth frame being used to request a transmission opportunity (TXOP) on a primary channel, the eighth frame including indication information, the indication information being used to indicate whether the TXOP on the primary channel has changed;

[0321] The processing module 3002 is configured to communicate with a station or access point in the BSS to which the processing module belongs according to the eighth frame.

[0322] Optionally, the indication information is 1-bit information.

[0323] Optionally, the processing module 3002 is further used to, when the TXOP on the main channel is initiated through the eighth frame and the indication information indicates that the TXOP on the main channel will not change, perform second channel competition after switching from the non-main channel to the main channel; when the TXOP on the main channel is initiated through the eighth frame and the indication information indicates that the TXOP on the main channel will change, use the first channel competition after switching from the non-main channel to the main channel until the main channel is successfully synchronized.

[0324] Optionally, the first channel contention includes at least one of the following: a CCA threshold different from that used in the second channel contention, or a maximum transmission number limit.

[0325] Optionally, the primary channel synchronization success includes any one of the following:

[0326] A medium access control protocol data unit MPDU or a PPDU whose TXOP length is not uncertain is detected on the primary channel within the timing range of the first timer; or, no MPDU or PPDU whose TXOP length is not uncertain is detected on the primary channel, and the first timer times out.

[0327] It should be noted that the implementation of each module can also correspond to the corresponding description of the method embodiment shown in Figure 12, Figure 15, Figure 24 or Figure 27, and execute the methods and functions performed by the site in the above embodiments.

[0328] Figure 31 is a schematic diagram of the structure of an access point provided in an embodiment of the present application. The access point can be applied to the system shown in Figure 1 to perform the functions of the access point in the above method embodiment, or to implement the steps or processes performed by the access point in the above method embodiment.

[0329] As shown in Figure 31 , the access point includes a processor 3101 and a transceiver 3102. Optionally, the access point also includes a memory 3103. The processor 3101, transceiver 3102, and memory 3103 can communicate with each other via internal connection paths, transmitting control and / or data signals. The memory 3103 is used to store computer programs, and the processor 3101 is used to retrieve and execute the computer programs from the memory 3103 to control the transceiver 3102 to transmit and receive signals. Optionally, the access point may also include an antenna for transmitting uplink data or uplink control signaling output by the transceiver 3102 via wireless signals.

[0330] The processor 3101 and the memory 3103 may be combined into a processing device, and the processor 3101 is configured to execute program code stored in the memory 3103 to implement the aforementioned functions. In a specific implementation, the memory 3103 may also be integrated into the processor 3101 or independent of the processor 3101. The processor 3101 may correspond to the processing module in FIG29 .

[0331] The transceiver 3102 may correspond to the receiving module and transmitting module in FIG29 and may also be referred to as a transceiver unit or transceiver module. The transceiver 3102 may include a receiver (or receiver, receiving circuit) and a transmitter (or transmitter, transmitting circuit). The receiver is used to receive signals, and the transmitter is used to transmit signals.

[0332] It should be understood that the access point shown in FIG31 is capable of implementing the various access point-related processes in the method embodiments shown in FIG12 , FIG15 , FIG24 , or FIG27 . The operations and / or functions of the various modules in the access point are intended to implement the corresponding processes in the aforementioned method embodiments. For details, please refer to the descriptions of the aforementioned method embodiments; to avoid repetition, detailed descriptions are omitted here.

[0333] The processor 3101 can be used to execute the actions implemented within the access point described in the previous method embodiments, while the transceiver 3102 can be used to execute the actions of the access point sending to or receiving from the station described in the previous method embodiments. For details, please refer to the description of the previous method embodiments and will not be repeated here.

[0334] Processor 3101 may be a central processing unit (CPU), a general-purpose processor (GPOR), a digital signal processor (DSP), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), or other programmable logic device (PLD), a transistor logic device (TLD), a hardware component, or any combination thereof. It may implement or execute the various exemplary logic blocks, modules, and circuits described in conjunction with the disclosure of this application. Processor 3101 may also be a combination that implements computing functions, such as a combination of one or more microprocessors, a combination of a DSP and a microprocessor, and so on. Communication bus 3104 may be a Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) bus or an Extended Industrial Standard Architecture (EISA) bus. These buses may be categorized as address buses, data buses, control buses, and so on. For ease of illustration, FIG31 uses only a single bold line, but this does not imply that there is only one bus or type of bus. Communication bus 3104 is used to facilitate communication between these components. In this embodiment of the present application, transceiver 3102 is used to communicate signaling or data with other node devices. Memory 3103 may include volatile memory, such as nonvolatile dynamic random access memory (NVRAM), phase change RAM (PRAM), magnetoresistive RAM (MRAM), etc. It may also include non-volatile memory, such as at least one disk storage device, electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), flash memory devices, such as NOR flash memory or NAND flash memory, semiconductor devices, such as solid state disks (SSDs), etc. Memory 3103 may optionally be at least one storage device located remotely from the processor 3101. Memory 3103 may optionally also store a set of computer program code or configuration information. Optionally, processor 3101 may also execute a program stored in memory 3103. The processor may cooperate with the memory and transceiver to perform any of the methods and functions of the access point described in the aforementioned application embodiments.

[0335] Figure 32 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a site provided in an embodiment of the present application. The site can be applied to the system shown in Figure 1 to perform the functions of the site in the above method embodiment, or to implement the steps or processes performed by the site in the above method embodiment.

[0336] As shown in Figure 32, the station includes a processor 3201 and a transceiver 3202. Optionally, the station also includes a memory 3203. The processor 3201, transceiver 3202, and memory 3203 can communicate with each other via internal connection paths to transmit control and / or data signals. The memory 3203 is used to store computer programs, and the processor 3201 is used to call and execute the computer programs from the memory 3203 to control the transceiver 3202 to transmit and receive signals. Optionally, the station may also include an antenna for transmitting uplink data or uplink control signaling output by the transceiver 3202 via wireless signals.

[0337] The processor 3201 and the memory 3203 may be combined into a processing device, and the processor 3201 is configured to execute program code stored in the memory 3203 to implement the aforementioned functions. In a specific implementation, the memory 3203 may also be integrated into the processor 3201 or independent of the processor 3201. The processor 3201 may correspond to the processing module in FIG30 .

[0338] The transceiver 3202 may correspond to the receiving module and transmitting module in FIG30 , and may also be referred to as a transceiver unit or transceiver module. The transceiver 3202 may include a receiver (or receiver, receiving circuit) and a transmitter (or transmitter, transmitting circuit). The receiver is used to receive signals, and the transmitter is used to transmit signals.

[0339] It should be understood that the station shown in Figure 32 is capable of implementing the various processes related to the station in the method embodiments shown in Figures 12, 15, 24, or 27. The operations and / or functions of the various modules in the station are respectively for implementing the corresponding processes in the aforementioned method embodiments. For details, please refer to the descriptions of the aforementioned method embodiments; to avoid repetition, detailed descriptions are omitted here.

[0340] The processor 3201 can be used to execute the actions implemented by the station internally as described in the previous method embodiments, while the transceiver 3202 can be used to execute the actions of the station sending to or receiving from the access point as described in the previous method embodiments. For details, please refer to the description of the previous method embodiments and will not be repeated here.

[0341] The processor 3201 can be any of the aforementioned types of processors. The communication bus 3204 can be a PCI bus or an EISA bus, for example. These buses can be divided into address buses, data buses, and control buses. For ease of illustration, Figure 32 shows only one thick line, but this does not imply that there is only one bus or type of bus. The communication bus 3204 is used to enable communication between these components. The transceiver 3202 of the device in the embodiments of the present application is used to communicate signaling or data with other devices. The memory 3203 can be any of the aforementioned types of memory. The memory 3203 can optionally be at least one storage device located remotely from the processor 3201. The memory 3203 stores a set of computer program code or configuration information, and the processor 3201 executes the program in the memory 3203. The processor can cooperate with the memory and transceiver to perform any of the methods and functions of the station in the embodiments of the present application.

[0342] An embodiment of the present application also provides a chip system, which includes a processor for supporting a site or access point to implement the functions involved in any of the above embodiments, such as generating or processing the first frame involved in the above method.

[0343] In one possible design, the chip system may also include a memory for storing computer programs and data necessary for the station or access point. The chip system may consist solely of a chip or may include a chip and other discrete components. The inputs and outputs of the chip system correspond to the receive and transmit operations of the station or access point in the method embodiment, respectively.

[0344] According to the method provided in the embodiments of the present application, the present application also provides a computer program product, which includes: a computer program, which, when running on a computer, enables the computer to execute the method of any one of the embodiments shown in Figures 12, 15, 24 or 27.

[0345] According to the method provided in the embodiments of the present application, the present application also provides a computer-readable medium, which stores a computer program. When the computer program runs on a computer, the computer executes the method of any one of the embodiments shown in Figures 12, 15, 24 or 27.

[0346] According to the method provided in the embodiment of the present application, the present application also provides a communication system, which includes the aforementioned one or more sites and one or more access points.

[0347] In the above embodiments, all or part of the embodiments may be implemented by software, hardware, firmware, or any combination thereof. When implemented using software, all or part of the embodiments may be implemented in the form of a computer program product. The computer program product includes one or more computer instructions. When the computer instructions are loaded and executed on a computer, all or part of the processes or functions described in the embodiments of the present application are generated. The computer may be a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a computer network, or other programmable device. The computer instructions may 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 may be transmitted from one website, computer, server, or data center to another website, computer, server, or data center via a wired (e.g., coaxial cable, optical fiber, digital subscriber line (DSL)) or wireless (e.g., infrared, wireless, microwave, etc.) method. The computer-readable storage medium may 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 integrated therein. The available medium may be a magnetic medium (eg, a floppy disk, a hard disk, a magnetic tape), an optical medium (eg, a high-density digital video disc (DVD)), or a semiconductor medium (eg, a solid state disc (SSD)).

[0348] 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: After the access point switches from the non-primary channel to the primary channel using the non-primary channel access mode, it sends a transmission opportunity TXOP initial control frame to the station; The access point performs channel access based on whether the confirmation frame is received.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein The site is a site that does not use a non-primary channel access method.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The station and the access point receive a physical layer protocol data unit (PPDU) at the same time, and the station and the access point cannot receive the PPDU at the same time.

4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein The station is a non-access point station.

5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that The access point performing channel access based on whether a confirmation frame is received includes: If the access point does not receive the confirmation frame sent by the station, the access point uses the first channel to compete until the primary channel is successfully synchronized; If the access point receives the confirmation frame sent by the station, the access point communicates with the station on the primary channel.

6. The method according to claim 5, wherein The first channel contention includes at least one of the following: a CCA threshold different from that used by the second channel contention, or a maximum number of transmission times limit.

7. The method according to claim 5 or 6, wherein: Successful synchronization of the primary channel includes any of the following: A media access control protocol data unit MPDU or a PPDU with a non-indeterminate TXOP length is detected on the primary channel within the timing range of the first timer; or No MPDU or PPDU whose TXOP length is not uncertain is detected on the primary channel, and the first timer times out.

8. A communication method, characterized in that: The method comprises: The access point receives a first frame from the station, where the first frame is used to indicate a change in an overlapping basic service set (OBSS) transmission opportunity (TXOP) on a primary channel; The access point determines parameters and behaviors of a non-primary channel access mode according to the first frame.

9. The method according to claim 8, wherein The site is a site that does not use a non-primary channel access method.

10. The method according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that The station and the access point receive a physical layer protocol data unit (PPDU) at the same time, and the station and the access point cannot receive the PPDU at the same time.

11. The method according to any one of claims 8 to 10, characterized in that The station is a non-access point station.

12. The method according to any one of claims 8 to 11, characterized in that The first frame includes a TXOP list field, where the TXOP list field is used to indicate changes in N OBSS TXOPs on the primary channel, where N is an integer greater than or equal to 1.

13. The method according to claim 12, wherein: The TXOP list field includes N TXOP report fields, each of the TXOP report fields including at least one of the following: a TXOP identification field, a change field, or an actual duration field, wherein the TXOP identification field is used to identify the TXOP corresponding to the TXOP report, the change field is used to indicate whether the TXOP has changed, and the actual duration field is used to indicate the actual length of the TXOP.

14. The method according to claim 12 or 13, wherein: The first frame includes a reported TXOP number field, where the reported TXOP number field is used to indicate the number N of TXOP reports included in a TXOP list.

15. The method according to any one of claims 8 to 14, wherein: The method further comprises: The access point sends a second frame to the station, where the second frame is used to instruct the station to report the first frame.

16. The method according to any one of claims 8 to 15, wherein: The method further comprises: The access point sends a third frame to the station, where the third frame is used to request monitoring of changes in the OBSS TXOP on the primary channel; The access point receives a fourth frame from the station, where the fourth frame is used to indicate whether to agree to monitor changes in the OBSS TXOP on the primary channel.

17. The method according to claim 16, wherein The third frame includes at least one of a start time field and a duration field, wherein the start time field is used to indicate a start time point of statistics on changes in the OBSS TXOP on the primary channel, and the duration field is used to indicate a duration of statistics on changes in the OBSS TXOP on the primary channel.

18. The method according to claim 16 or 17, wherein: The fourth frame includes an accept field, where the accept field is used to indicate whether to agree to monitor the OBSS TXOP change on the primary channel.

19. The method according to any one of claims 8 to 18, wherein: The access point receiving a first frame from a station includes: The access point receives the first frame sent by the station according to a predetermined period.

20. The method according to claim 19, wherein The method further comprises: The access point sends a fifth frame to the station, where the fifth frame is used to instruct the station to stop reporting changes in the OBSS TXOP on the primary channel.

21. A communication device, characterized in that: The communication device comprises a memory and a processor, wherein the memory is used to store a computer program, and the processor runs the computer program to enable the communication device to perform the method according to any one of claims 1 to 7 or any one of claims 8 to 20.

22. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that The computer-readable storage medium includes a computer program. When the computer program is executed by a processor, the method according to any one of claims 1 to 7 or any one of claims 8 to 20 is implemented.

23. A chip, characterized in that: The chip includes a processor and a communication interface, wherein the communication interface is used to communicate with an external device or an internal device, and the processor is used to implement the method according to any one of claims 1 to 7 or any one of claims 8 to 20.

Images