Communication method and apparatus

Abstract

The present application provides a communication method and apparatus, for use in providing a solution for sharing a time in a TXOP of an STA with other STAs for uplink transmission. When the holder of a TXOP is a first terminal device, an access point device receives first indication information, the first indication information being used for indicating that a second terminal device has first uplink data to be transmitted; and the access point device sends second indication information to the second terminal device, the second indication information being used for indicating that the second terminal device sends the first uplink data within a first TXS time, and the first TXS time being a resource in the TXOP. When the holder of the TXOP is the first terminal device, when the second terminal device has uplink data to be transmitted, the access point device can schedule the second terminal device to perform uplink transmission within the first TXS time of the TXOP, thereby avoiding long waiting time, and improving the reliability of data transmission of the second terminal device.

Description

Communication method and device

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0002] This application claims priority to the Chinese patent application filed with the State Intellectual Property Office of the People's Republic of China on March 26, 2024, with application number 202410370341.1 and application name "A Communication Method and Device", the entire contents of which are incorporated by reference into this application. Technical Field

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

[0004] With the development of mobile Internet and the popularization of smart terminals, data traffic is growing rapidly. Wireless local area network (WLAN) has become one of the mainstream mobile broadband access technologies due to its advantages of high speed and low cost.

[0005] In wireless local area networks, transmission opportunities (TXOPs) are introduced to ensure the reliability of data transmission between devices. The holder of a TXOP can continuously transmit data within the TXOP without being interrupted by other devices. For example, when the holder of the TXOP is station (STA) 1, STA1 can continuously send uplink data to its associated access point (AP) within the TXOP, while other STAs associated with the AP cannot send uplink data to the AP during the TXOP. For another example, when the holder of the TXOP is an AP, the AP can continuously send downlink data to its associated STAs within the TXOP, while STAs associated with the AP cannot send uplink data to the AP during the TXOP.

[0006] To further improve transmission efficiency and increase network throughput, the TXOP sharing (TXS) mechanism has been introduced in wireless LANs. When the AP is the holder of a TXOP, the AP can use a portion of the TXOP time as the TXS time. During this time, the AP can schedule associated STAs for uplink transmission. However, related technologies only support sharing the TXS time specified in the TXOP with associated STAs when the AP is the holder of the TXOP. Currently, there is no solution for sharing a portion of a STA's TXOP time with other STAs for uplink transmission when the TXOP holder is the STA. Summary of the Invention

[0007] The present application provides a communication method and apparatus for providing a solution for sharing the time in a STA's TXOP with other STAs for uplink transmission.

[0008] In a first aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication method, which can be applied to an access point device side, such as an access point device or a communication module in an access point device, or a circuit or chip or chip system responsible for a communication function in an access point device. Taking the application of this method to an access point device as an example, in this method, when the holder of the TXOP is a first terminal device, the access point device receives first indication information, and the first indication information is used to indicate that the second terminal device has first uplink data to be transmitted; the access point device sends second indication information to the second terminal device, and the second indication information is used to instruct the second terminal device to send the first uplink data within a first TXS time, and the first TXS time is a resource in the TXOP.

[0009] Through the above method, when the holder of the TXOP is the first terminal device, the access point device can, upon determining that the second terminal device has uplink data to transmit, schedule the second terminal device to perform an uplink transmission within the first TXS time of the TXOP. This can avoid a long wait after the second terminal device generates uplink data to be transmitted, thereby improving the reliability of the data transmission from the second terminal device. For example, when the first uplink data to be transmitted by the second terminal device is low-latency service (LLT) data, the waiting time of the second terminal device can be reduced, thereby improving the reliability of the service transmission from the second terminal device.

[0010] In one possible design, the access point device sends a first request message to the first terminal device, where the first request message is used to request a first TXS time in the TXOP.

[0011] Through the above design, when the holder of the TXOP is the first terminal device, the access point device can request the first TXS time in the TXOP from the first terminal device, so that the first terminal device can determine the timing of sharing the TXOP.

[0012] In one possible design, the access point device receives the first indication information sent by the second terminal device through the first frequency domain resources; the first frequency domain resources are part of the frequency domain resources within the transmission bandwidth of the first terminal device, or the first frequency domain resources are frequency domain resources outside the transmission bandwidth of the first terminal device.

[0013] Optionally, the first frequency domain resources include multiple subcarrier sets corresponding to the second terminal device, and the multiple subcarrier sets include a first subcarrier set and a second subcarrier set; wherein the first subcarrier set is used to transmit first indication information; the second subcarrier set is used to transmit third indication information sent by the second terminal device to the access point device, and the third indication information is used to indicate that the second terminal device has no first uplink data to be transmitted.

[0014] Through the above design, the second terminal device can accurately report to the access point device whether there is first uplink data to be transmitted through different subcarrier sets.

[0015] In one possible design, the access point device receives first indication information sent by the first terminal device, and the first indication information is associated with a service indication frame sent by the second terminal device to the first terminal device, and the service indication frame is used to indicate the first uplink data to be transmitted by the second terminal device.

[0016] Through the above design, the first terminal device can accurately report to the access point device whether there is first uplink data to be transmitted based on the service indication frame sent by the second terminal.

[0017] Optionally, the first indication information is carried in an uplink PPDU frame.

[0018] In one possible design, the access point device sends a first request message to the first terminal device, where the first request message is used to request a second TXS time in the TXOP, where the second TXS time includes the first TXS time.

[0019] With the above design, when the holder of the TXOP is the first terminal device, the access point device can request the second TXS time including the first TXS time in the TXOP from the first terminal device, so that the first terminal device can determine the timing of sharing the TXOP.

[0020] Optionally, the second TXS time further includes a third TXS time, and the third TXS time is before the first TXS time;

[0021] In one possible design, within a third TXS time, the access point device sends a second request message to the second terminal device, where the second request message is used to request the second terminal device to report whether there is first uplink data to be transmitted.

[0022] Through the above design, a method is provided for the access point device to query the second terminal device whether there is first uplink data to be transmitted.

[0023] In one possible design, the access point device sends fourth indication information to the first terminal device, where the fourth indication information is used to instruct the first terminal device to stop sending the second uplink data within a third TXS time.

[0024] Through the above design, the first terminal device stops sending the second uplink data within the third TXS time, which can avoid affecting the access point device's query on whether the second terminal device has first uplink data to be transmitted.

[0025] Optionally, the second request message is carried in an NFRP frame, and the first indication information is carried in an NFR frame.

[0026] In one possible design, the access point device sends a downlink PPDU frame to the second terminal device, where the downlink PPDU frame is used to carry downlink data to be sent and a second request message.

[0027] Through the above design, the access point device can query the second terminal device whether there is first uplink data to be transmitted when sending a downlink PPDU frame, which can reduce the sending of unnecessary signaling and reduce signaling overhead.

[0028] Optionally, the first indication information is carried in a confirmation frame or a response frame, and the confirmation frame or the response frame corresponds to a downlink PPDU frame.

[0029] In one possible design, the access point device receives third indication information, which is used to indicate that the second terminal device has no first uplink data to be transmitted; and sends fifth indication information to the first terminal device, which is used to indicate the end of the TXS time. Alternatively, within the first TXS time, the access point device receives first uplink data sent by the second terminal device; and sends fifth indication information to the first terminal device, which is used to indicate the end of the TXS time.

[0030] Through the above design, since the current TXOP holder is the first terminal device, after the access point device schedules the second terminal device to perform uplink transmission, or when the second terminal device has no first uplink data to be transmitted, the access point device indicates that the first TXS time has ended, and the first terminal device can continue to transmit data, thereby ensuring the normal operation of the first terminal device's business.

[0031] Optionally, the first uplink data to be transmitted is LLT data.

[0032] In one possible design, the access point device sends sixth indication information to the first terminal device, and the sixth indication information is used to instruct the first terminal device not to transmit uplink data within the first TXS time; or, the access point device sends seventh indication information to the first terminal device, and the seventh indication information is used to instruct the first terminal device to transmit low-latency service data within the first TXS time.

[0033] Through the above design, the access point device can instruct the first terminal device to transmit low-latency service data within the first TXS time, or instruct the first terminal device not to transmit uplink data within the first TXS time.

[0034] Optionally, the first terminal device and the second terminal device are terminal devices in the same TXOP sharing terminal group.

[0035] In the second aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication method, which can be applied to the second terminal device side, such as the second terminal device or the communication module in the second terminal device, or the circuit or chip responsible for the communication function in the second terminal device (such as a modem chip, also known as a baseband chip, or a system on chip (SoC) chip or system in package (SIP) chip containing a modem core). Taking the application of this method to the second terminal device as an example, in this method, when the holder of the TXOP is the first terminal device, the second terminal device receives the second indication information sent by the access point device, and the second indication information is used to indicate the sending of the first uplink data within the first TXS time, and the first TXS time is the resource in the TXOP; the second terminal device sends the first uplink data within the first TXS time.

[0036] Through the above method, when the holder of the TXOP is the first terminal device, the second terminal device can perform uplink transmission within the first TXS time of the TXOP after receiving the second indication information sent by the access point device. This can avoid a long wait time after the second terminal device generates uplink data to be transmitted, thereby improving the reliability of the data transmission of the second terminal device. For example, when the first uplink data to be transmitted by the second terminal device is low-latency service (LLT) data, the waiting time of the second terminal device can be reduced, thereby improving the reliability of the service transmission of the second terminal device.

[0037] In one possible design, the second terminal device sends a first indication message to the access point device through the first frequency domain resource, and the first indication message is used to indicate that the second terminal device has first uplink data to be transmitted; wherein the first frequency domain resource is part of the frequency domain resource within the transmission bandwidth of the first terminal device, or the first frequency domain resource is the frequency domain resource outside the transmission bandwidth of the first terminal device.

[0038] Optionally, the first frequency domain resources include multiple subcarrier sets corresponding to the second terminal device, and the multiple subcarrier sets include a first subcarrier set and a second subcarrier set; wherein the first subcarrier set is used to transmit first indication information; the second subcarrier set is used to transmit third indication information sent by the second terminal device to the access point device, and the third indication information is used to indicate that the second terminal device has no first uplink data to be transmitted.

[0039] Through the above design, the second terminal device can accurately report to the access point device whether there is first uplink data to be transmitted through different subcarrier sets.

[0040] In one possible design, the second terminal device sends a service indication frame to the first terminal device, where the service indication frame is used to indicate that the second terminal device has first uplink data to be transmitted.

[0041] Through the above design, the first terminal device can accurately determine whether the second terminal device has first uplink data to be transmitted based on the service indication frame sent by the second terminal.

[0042] In one possible design, the second terminal device sends first indication information to the access point device, where the first indication information is used to indicate that the second terminal device has first uplink data to be transmitted.

[0043] Through the above design, the second terminal device can indicate the first uplink data to be transmitted to the access point device.

[0044] In one possible design, within a third TXS time, the second terminal device receives a second request message sent by the access point device, where the second request message is used to request the second terminal device to report whether there is first uplink data to be transmitted; wherein the third TXS time is before the first TXS time.

[0045] Through the above design, a method is provided for the access point device to query the second terminal device whether there is first uplink data to be transmitted.

[0046] Optionally, the second request message is carried in an NFRP frame, and the first indication information is carried in an NFR frame.

[0047] In one possible design, the second terminal device receives a downlink PPDU frame sent by the access point device, where the downlink PPDU frame is used to carry downlink data generated by the access point device and a second request message.

[0048] Optionally, the first indication information is carried in a confirmation frame or a response frame, and the confirmation frame or the response frame corresponds to a downlink PPDU frame.

[0049] Optionally, the first uplink data to be transmitted by the second terminal device is LLT data.

[0050] Optionally, the first terminal device and the second terminal device are terminal devices in the same TXOP sharing terminal group.

[0051] On the third aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication method, which can be applied to the first terminal device side, such as the first terminal device or the communication module in the first terminal device, or the circuit or chip responsible for the communication function in the first terminal device (such as a modem chip, also known as a baseband chip, or a SoC chip or SIP chip containing a modem core). Taking the application of this method to the first terminal device as an example, in this method, when the holder of the TXOP is the first terminal device, the first terminal device receives a first request message, and the first request message is used to request the first TXS time in the TXOP, and the first TXS time is used for the second terminal device to send the first uplink data; the first terminal device sends the second uplink data to the access point device using the resources in the TXOP.

[0052] Through the above method, when the holder of the TXOP is the first terminal device, part or all of the time in the TXOP can be used as the first TXS time, and the second terminal device can perform uplink transmission within the first TXS time. In this way, after the second terminal device generates uplink data to be transmitted, it can avoid a long waiting time, thereby improving the reliability of the data transmission of the second terminal device. For example, when the first uplink data to be transmitted by the second terminal device is low-latency service (LLT) data, the waiting time of the second terminal device can be reduced, thereby improving the reliability of the service transmission of the second terminal device.

[0053] In one possible design, the first terminal device receives first request information sent by the access point device.

[0054] Through the above design, when the holder of the TXOP is the first terminal device, the first terminal device can determine the timing of sharing the TXOP after receiving the first request message.

[0055] In one possible design, the first terminal device receives a service indication frame sent by the second terminal device, where the service indication frame is used to indicate that the second terminal device has first uplink data to be transmitted; the first terminal device sends first indication information to the access point device, where the first indication information is used to indicate that the second terminal device has first uplink data to be transmitted.

[0056] Through the above design, the first terminal device can accurately determine whether the second terminal device has first uplink data to be transmitted based on the service indication frame sent by the second terminal.

[0057] Optionally, the first indication information is carried in an uplink PPDU frame.

[0058] In one possible design, the first terminal device receives fifth indication information sent by the access point device, where the fifth indication information is used to indicate the end of the TXS time.

[0059] Through the above design, after the access point device indicates that the first TXS time has ended, the first terminal device can continue to transmit data, thereby ensuring the normal operation of the services of the first terminal device.

[0060] Optionally, the first uplink data to be transmitted is LLT data.

[0061] Optionally, the first terminal device and the second terminal device are terminal devices in the same TXOP sharing terminal group.

[0062] In a fourth aspect, the present application provides a communication device, which has the function of implementing the above-mentioned first aspect. The communication device may include a module or unit or means corresponding to the operation involved in the above-mentioned first aspect. The module or unit or means may be implemented by software, or by hardware, or by a combination of software and hardware. Exemplarily, the communication device includes a communication unit and a processing unit to perform any possible implementation of the above-mentioned first aspect. The communication unit is used to perform transceiver operations, such as functions related to sending and receiving; the communication unit may be called a transceiver unit; optionally, the communication unit includes a receiving unit and a sending unit. The processing unit is used to perform processing operations.

[0063] In one design, the communication device is a communication chip, the processing unit may be one or more processors or processor cores, and the communication unit may be an input / output circuit, an input / output interface, or an antenna port of the communication chip.

[0064] In another design, the communication unit may be a transmitter and a receiver, or the communication unit may be a transmitter and a receiver.

[0065] Optionally, the communication device further includes modules that can be used to execute any possible implementation of the first aspect above.

[0066] In a fifth aspect, the present application provides a communication device, which has the function of implementing the second aspect above. The communication device may include a module or unit or means corresponding to the operation involved in the second aspect above. The module or unit or means may be implemented by software, or by hardware, or by a combination of software and hardware. Exemplarily, the communication device includes a communication unit and a processing unit to perform any possible implementation of the second aspect above. The communication unit is used to perform transceiver operations, such as functions related to sending and receiving; the communication unit may be called a transceiver unit; optionally, the communication unit includes a receiving unit and a sending unit. The processing unit is used to perform processing operations.

[0067] In one design, the communication device is a communication chip, the processing unit may be one or more processors or processor cores, and the communication unit may be an input / output circuit, an input / output interface, or an antenna port of the communication chip.

[0068] In another design, the communication unit may be a transmitter and a receiver, or the communication unit may be a transmitter and a receiver.

[0069] Optionally, the communication device further includes modules that can be used to execute any possible implementation of the second aspect above.

[0070] In a sixth aspect, a communication device is provided, which may be the aforementioned access point device, the second terminal device, or the first terminal device. The communication device may include a processor and a memory to perform any of the aforementioned aspects from the first to the third aspect, or any possible implementation of the aforementioned aspects from the first to the third aspect. Optionally, a transceiver is further included, the memory being configured to store a computer program or instruction, and the processor being configured to retrieve and execute the computer program or instruction from the memory. When the processor executes the computer program or instruction in the memory, the communication device performs any of the aforementioned aspects from the first to the third aspect, or any possible implementation of the aforementioned aspects from the first to the third aspect.

[0071] Optionally, there are one or more processors and one or more memories.

[0072] Optionally, the memory may be integrated with the processor, or the memory may be provided separately from the processor.

[0073] Optionally, the transceiver may include a transmitter (transmitter) and a receiver (receiver).

[0074] In a seventh aspect, a communication device is provided. The communication device may be the aforementioned access point device, the second terminal device, or the first terminal device. The communication device may include a processor to perform any of the aforementioned aspects 1 to 3, or any possible implementation of the aspects 1 to 3. The processor is coupled to a memory. Optionally, the communication device also includes a memory. Optionally, the communication device also includes a communication interface, and the processor is coupled to the communication interface.

[0075] In one implementation, when the communication device is an access point device, a second terminal device, or a first terminal device, the communication interface may be a transceiver, or an input / output interface. Alternatively, the transceiver may be a transceiver circuit. Alternatively, the input / output interface may be an input / output circuit.

[0076] In another implementation, when the communication device is a chip or a chip system, the communication interface may be an input / output interface, an interface circuit, an output circuit, an input circuit, a pin, or related circuits on the chip or chip system. The processor may also be embodied as a processing circuit or a logic circuit.

[0077] In an eighth aspect, the present application provides a communication device, which includes a processor and may also include a storage medium, wherein the storage medium stores a computer program or instructions, and when the computer program or instructions are executed by the processor, is used to implement the method in any possible design of the first to third aspects above. The communication device can be a chip system. The chip system can be composed of a chip, or it can include a chip and other discrete devices.

[0078] In a ninth aspect, a communication system is provided, which includes the access point device described in the first aspect, the second terminal device described in the second aspect, and the first terminal device described in the third aspect.

[0079] In the tenth aspect, the present application also provides a chip, including a processor, which is coupled to a memory and is used to read and execute computer programs or instructions stored in the memory, so that the chip implements the method in any possible design of the first to third aspects above.

[0080] In the eleventh aspect, the present application provides a computer-readable storage medium, in which a computer program or instruction is stored. When a computer reads and executes the computer program or instruction, the computer executes the method in any possible design of the first to third aspects above.

[0081] In a twelfth aspect, the present application provides a computer program product, which, when read and executed by a computer, enables the computer to execute the method in any possible design of the first to third aspects above.

[0082] For each of the above-mentioned aspects 4 to 12 and the technical effects that may be achieved in each of the aspects, please refer to the above-mentioned description of the technical effects that can be achieved for any aspect of the first, second, and third aspects, or various possible solutions in each aspect, and no further details will be given here. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0083] FIG1 is a network architecture diagram of a WLAN provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0084] FIG2 is a flow chart of a communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0085] FIG3A is a schematic diagram of a plurality of second terminal devices multiplexing first frequency domain resources according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0086] FIG3B is a flowchart of a first terminal device sharing a TXOP according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0087] FIG4 is a schematic diagram of multiple second terminal devices transmitting LLT_IF frames according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0088] FIG5 is a flowchart of a first terminal device sharing a TXOP according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0089] FIG6 is a flowchart of a first terminal device sharing a TXOP according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0090] FIG7 is a flowchart of a first terminal device sharing a TXOP according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0091] FIG8 is a schematic structural diagram of a communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0092] FIG9 is a schematic structural diagram of a communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0093] In the embodiments of the present application, "at least one" refers to one or more, and "more" refers to two or more. "And / or" describes the association relationship of associated objects, indicating that three relationships may exist. For example, A and / or B can represent: the existence of A alone, the existence of A and B at the same time, and the existence of B alone, where A and B can be singular or plural. The character " / " generally indicates that the previous and next associated objects are in an "or" relationship. "At least one of the following" or similar expressions refers to any combination of these items, including any combination of single or plural items. For example, at least one of a, b or c can represent: a, b, c, a and b, a and c, b and c, or a, b and c, where each of a, b, c can be an element itself, or a set containing one or more elements.

[0094] Throughout this application, the terms "exemplary," "in some embodiments," and "in other embodiments" are used to indicate examples, illustrations, or descriptions. Any embodiment or design described in this application as "exemplary" should not be construed as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments or designs. Rather, the use of the word "exemplary" is intended to present concepts in a concrete manner.

[0095] In this application, the terms "of," "corresponding," and "relevant" may be used interchangeably. It should be noted that, unless the distinction is emphasized, the meanings they convey are the same. In the embodiments of this application, the terms "communication" and "transmission" may be used interchangeably. It should be noted that, unless the distinction is emphasized, the meanings they convey are the same. For example, "transmission" may include "send" and "receive" and may be either a noun or a verb.

[0096] It should be pointed out that the words "first", "second", etc. involved in the embodiments of the present application are only used for the purpose of distinguishing the description, and cannot be understood as indicating or implying relative importance, nor can they be understood as indicating or implying order.

[0097] The embodiments of the present application can be applied to local area networks (LANs), particularly WLANs, such as WLANs that use any one of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11 protocols. A WLAN can include one or more basic service sets (BSSs), where network nodes include access points (APs) and stations (STAs).

[0098] The embodiments of the present application may also be applicable to wireless local area networks such as the Internet of Things (IoT) network or the Vehicle to X (V2X) network. Of course, the embodiments of the present application may also be applicable to other possible communication systems, such as the Long Term Evolution (LTE) communication system, the LTE frequency division duplex (FDD) communication system, the LTE time division duplex (TDD) communication system, the universal mobile telecommunication system (UMTS), the world-wide interoperability for microwave access (WiMAX) communication system, the fifth generation (5G) communication system, and future evolution communication systems.

[0099] The following takes the embodiment of the present application as an example of a WLAN. Referring to Figure 1, a network architecture diagram of a WLAN to which the embodiment of the present application is applicable is shown. Figure 1 takes the WLAN as an example including 1 AP and 2 STAs. Among them, the STA associated with the AP can receive frames sent by the AP and can also send frames to the AP. The embodiment of the present application will be described using the communication between the AP and the STA as an example. It can be understood that the embodiment of the present application can also be applied to communication between APs, for example, each AP can communicate with each other through a distributed system (DS), and can also be applied to communication between STAs.

[0100] An AP can be an access point for a terminal device (such as a mobile phone) to enter a wired (or wireless) network. An AP is equivalent to a bridge connecting a wired network and a wireless network. Its main function is to connect various wireless network clients together and then connect the wireless network to the Ethernet. For example, an AP can be a terminal device (such as a mobile phone) or a network device (such as a router) with a WiFi chip. In an embodiment of the present application, the AP can be a device that supports the 802.11be standard, or it can be a device that supports multiple WLAN standards of the 802.11 series, such as 802.11ax, 802.11ay, 802.11ac, 802.11n, 802.11g, 802.11b, 802.11a, and the next generation of 802.11be.

[0101] A STA can be a wireless communication chip, wireless sensor, or wireless communication terminal, also known as a user. For example, a STA can be a mobile phone that supports Wi-Fi communication, a tablet that supports Wi-Fi communication, a set-top box that supports Wi-Fi communication, a smart TV that supports Wi-Fi communication, a smart wearable device that supports Wi-Fi communication, an in-vehicle communication device that supports Wi-Fi communication, or a computer that supports Wi-Fi communication. Optionally, a STA can support the 802.11be standard, or multiple WLAN standards in the 802.11 series, such as 802.11ax, 802.11ay, 802.11ac, 802.11n, 802.11g, 802.11b, 802.11a, and 802.11be next generation.

[0102] It is understandable that the number of APs and STAs shown in FIG1 is only an example, and may be more or less.

[0103] To facilitate understanding of the embodiments of the present application, several basic concepts involved in the embodiments of the present application are briefly explained.

[0104] 1. TXOP: A transmission opportunity in a wireless network. It refers to the opportunity for the TXOP holder (such as an AP or STA) to transmit data within a specific time period. The TXOP holder can continue to transmit data within the TXOP without being interrupted by other devices.

[0105] For example, when the holder of the TXOP is an AP, the AP can continuously send downlink data to the associated STAs within the TXOP, while the STAs associated with the AP cannot send uplink data to the AP within the TXOP; when the holder of the TXOP is STA1, STA1 can continuously send uplink data to the associated AP within the TXOP, while other STAs associated with the AP cannot send uplink data to the AP within the TXOP.

[0106] 2. TXOP Sharing: This refers to the sharing of the same TXOP by multiple devices in a wireless LAN or other wireless communication network. In traditional wireless LAN communications, a TXOP is typically allocated by an associated AP to a STA, allowing the STA to continuously transmit uplink data to the associated AP within the TXOP duration. TXOP Sharing can be understood as the AP using a portion of the TXOP duration as the TXS duration, during which the AP can schedule uplink transmissions from associated STAs.

[0107] 3. Reverse TXOP sharing: When the holder of the TXOP is a non-access point STA (non-AP STA), the STA shares part of the TXOP time (TXS time) with the associated AP for data transmission, or uses part of the TXOP time (TXS time) for the associated AP to schedule other STAs other than the TXOP holder STA to transmit uplink data.

[0108] Regarding the reverse TXOP sharing mechanism in wireless local area networks, when the TXOP holder is a STA that is not an access point, the STA can share part of the TXOP time as the TXS time with the associated AP or other STAs other than the TXOP holder STA to meet the transmission needs of the associated AP or other STAs. For example, within the TXS time of the STA's TXOP, the AP can schedule other STAs for uplink transmission (for example, when the TXOP holder is STA1, within the TXS time of the TXOP, the AP can send a trigger frame to schedule STA2 for uplink data transmission. If STA2 has cached uplink low latency traffic (LLT) data, STA2 can preemptively transmit the uplink LLT data within the TXS time of STA1's TXOP without waiting for STA1's TXOP to end, effectively reducing latency). Alternatively, the AP can perform downlink transmission within the TXS time of the STA's TXOP (for example, the AP can send a downlink multi-user physical protocol data unit (MU PPDU)). Alternatively, the AP can schedule other APs for AP collaboration within the TXS time of the STA's TXOP.

[0109] However, when the TXOP holder is a STA, if the TXS time in the STA's TXOP is shared with other STAs associated with the same AP, the associated AP can schedule other STAs for uplink transmission within the TXS time. However, if the AP is unsure whether other STAs have uplink data to transmit, it cannot accurately schedule them within the TXS time.

[0110] Based on this, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication method in which, when a TXOP holder is a first terminal device, an access point device can schedule the second terminal device to perform uplink transmission within the TXS time of the TXOP upon determining that the second terminal device has uplink data to transmit. The first terminal device and the second terminal device are associated with the access point device.

[0111] 2, a communication method according to an embodiment of the present application is described below. The method may include the following steps:

[0112] Step 200: When the holder of the TXOP is the first terminal device, the access point device receives first indication information, wherein the first indication information is used to indicate that the second terminal device has first uplink data to be transmitted.

[0113] The access point device in the embodiment of the present application may be an AP, and the first terminal device may be an STA. Exemplarily, the access point device is an AP associated with (or accessed by) the first terminal device, and the first terminal device may be a non-AP STA.

[0114] Optionally, the second terminal device may be a terminal device belonging to the same TXOP sharing terminal group as the first terminal device, wherein the second terminal device is associated with the access point device (it can also be understood that the first terminal device and the second terminal device access the same access point device).

[0115] In embodiments of the present application, multiple terminal devices (e.g., non-access point terminal devices) may form a TXOP-sharing terminal group. Terminal devices in the same TXOP-sharing terminal group may share a TXOP held by one or more terminal devices. Optionally, terminal devices in a TXOP-sharing terminal group may be associated with the same access point device.

[0116] Access points can manage members of a TXOP-sharing terminal group. For example, the access point and terminal devices exchange management frames carrying specified elements to negotiate the joining or exit of a terminal device from a TXOP-sharing terminal group. After obtaining a TXOP, any terminal device in the TXOP-sharing terminal group can enable reverse TXOP sharing by default. This allows any terminal device in the TXOP-sharing terminal group to share the TXOP of other terminal devices in the group for uplink transmission.

[0117] It can be understood that the TXOP in step 200 is a time interval allocated to the first terminal device for data transmission. Within the TXOP, a time period can be determined as the TXS time. The TXS time can be used for reverse TXOP sharing. Within the TXS time, the access point device can schedule the second terminal device other than the first terminal device among the terminal devices associated with the AP to perform uplink transmission.

[0118] In step 200, the access point device may receive first indication information sent by the second terminal device, or the access point device may receive first indication information sent by the first terminal device. The first indication information indicates that the second terminal device has first uplink data to be transmitted.

[0119] In an embodiment of the present application, the first terminal device or the second terminal device may send first indication information to the access point device if it is determined that the second terminal device has first uplink data to be transmitted; and may not notify the access point device if it is determined that the second terminal device has no first uplink data to be transmitted. Alternatively, in an embodiment of the present application, the first terminal device or the second terminal device may send first indication information to the access point device if it is determined that the second terminal device has first uplink data to be transmitted; and send third indication information to the access point device if it is determined that the second terminal device has no uplink data to be transmitted, where the third indication information is used to indicate that the second terminal device has no first uplink data to be transmitted.

[0120] As an optional application scenario, the first uplink data to be transmitted by the second terminal device can be LLT data (low latency data). When the holder of the current TXOP is the first terminal device, since the first uplink data to be transmitted by the second terminal device is low latency service data, in this case, the second terminal device can report the first uplink data to be transmitted to the access point device.

[0121] Step 201: The access point device sends second indication information to the second terminal device. Correspondingly, the second terminal device receives the second indication information sent by the access point device. The second indication information is used to instruct the second terminal device to send first uplink data within the first TXS time.

[0122] The first TXS time is a resource in the TXOP; for example, the first TXS time may be a part or all of the time in the TXOP.

[0123] In the embodiment of the present application, a first TXS time can be determined in the TXOP of the first terminal device, and the first TXS time can be used for the second terminal device to send the first uplink data.

[0124] Optionally, the access point device may send second indication information to the second terminal device within the first TXS time; for example, the second indication information may be a Trigger frame.

[0125] Step 202: The second terminal device sends first uplink data within the first TXS time.

[0126] Optionally, after receiving the second indication information sent by the access point device, the second terminal device can send the first uplink data to the access point device within the first TXS time; for example, the second terminal device transmits an uplink PPDU frame to the access point device, and the uplink PPDU frame carries the first uplink data.

[0127] The following describes the detailed process of the communication method according to the embodiment of the present application in combination with different embodiments.

[0128] Example 1:

[0129] When the holder of the TXOP is the first terminal device, the second terminal device may report to the access point device whether there is first uplink data to be transmitted.

[0130] The following describes a method in which the second terminal device reports to the access point device whether there is first uplink data to be transmitted.

[0131] The second terminal device may report the first indication information to the access point device when there is first uplink data to be transmitted, and may report the third indication information to the access point device when there is no first uplink data to be transmitted. In implementation, the second terminal device may periodically report the first indication information or the third indication information to the access point device. Alternatively, the second terminal device may report the first indication information to the access point device only when there is first uplink data to be transmitted. In implementation, the second terminal device may report the first indication information to the access point device in real time when the first uplink data is cached.

[0132] Optionally, the second terminal device may send first indication information to the access point device on the first frequency domain resource; accordingly, the access point device receives the first indication information sent by the second terminal device via the first frequency domain resource; wherein the first indication information is used to indicate that the second terminal device has first uplink data to be transmitted. Alternatively, the second terminal device may send third indication information to the access point device on the first frequency domain resource; accordingly, the access point device receives the third indication information sent by the second terminal device via the first frequency domain resource; wherein the third indication information is used to indicate that the second terminal device has no first uplink data to be transmitted.

[0133] The first frequency domain resource may be part of the frequency domain resource within the transmission bandwidth of the first terminal device, or the first frequency domain resource may be a frequency domain resource outside the transmission bandwidth of the first terminal device. For example, when the first frequency domain resource is part of the frequency domain resource within the transmission bandwidth of the first terminal device, part of the frequency domain resource may be designated as the first frequency domain resource within the transmission bandwidth of the first terminal device. For another example, when the first frequency domain resource is a frequency domain resource outside the transmission bandwidth of the first terminal device, part of the frequency domain resource may be designated as the first frequency domain resource outside the transmission bandwidth of the first terminal device.

[0134] In order to avoid other devices competing for the channel, after the first terminal device sends a request to send (RTS) frame to the access point device within the transmission bandwidth, the access point device can reply with a clear to send (CTS) frame on a wider bandwidth; for example, the first terminal device transmits RTS on an 80MHz bandwidth, and the access point device can reply with CTS on a 100MHz bandwidth, where 20MHz is used for the second terminal device to send the first indication information or the third indication information to report whether there is first uplink data to be transmitted.

[0135] When there are multiple second terminal devices, the multiple second terminal devices can report information (such as first indication information or third indication information) to the access point device through the first frequency domain resource. For example, the second terminal device can report information to the access point device in accordance with the high-efficiency (HE) based Trigger (TB) feedback (feedback) null data physical protocol data unit (null data PPDU, NDP) HE-LTF subcarrier mapping method. For example, when the first frequency domain resource is 20MHz, 18 second terminal devices can be supported to report information.

[0136] After the second terminal device caches the first uplink data, the second terminal device can report information on the subcarrier corresponding to the second terminal device on the first frequency domain resource in accordance with the HE-LTF subcarrier mapping method of the HE TB feedback NDP specified in the protocol. For example, the first frequency domain resource may include multiple subcarrier sets corresponding to the second terminal device, and the multiple subcarrier sets include a first subcarrier set and a second subcarrier set; wherein the first subcarrier set can be used to transmit the first indication information, and the second subcarrier set can be used to transmit the third indication information. In addition, the multiple subcarrier sets corresponding to the second terminal device may also include a third subcarrier set, and the second terminal device may also feedback the data volume of the first uplink data through the third subcarrier set.

[0137] When the number of second terminal devices is large, in an optional implementation, multiple second terminal devices can use time division multiple access (TDMA) to multiplex the first frequency domain resources. For example, as shown in FIG3A , multiple second terminal devices can multiplex the first frequency domain resources to report information in different time periods. In T1, the second terminal group group 1 reports information through the first frequency domain resources, and in T2, the second terminal group group 2 reports information through the first frequency domain resources, and so on. NWithin the time, the second terminal group groupN reports information through the first frequency domain resource; wherein N is the number of time slots of TDMA, or N is the number of orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) symbols; for example, when the bandwidth of the first frequency domain resource is 20MHz, the first frequency domain resource can support 18*N second terminal devices, and each second terminal group can include 18 second terminal devices. In another optional implementation, multiple second terminal devices can be grouped and divided into multiple second terminal groups, and each second terminal group corresponds to multiple subcarrier sets. When there is a second terminal device in the second terminal group that caches the first uplink data, the second terminal device sends a first indication information in the first subcarrier set of the multiple subcarrier sets corresponding to the second terminal group to which it belongs, indicating that there is a second terminal device in the second terminal group with first uplink data to be transmitted. In addition, the access point device and multiple second terminal devices can negotiate RU_TONE_SET_INDEX, group number, etc. through frame interaction outside the TXOP.

[0138] After the access point device receives the first indication information sent by the second terminal device, if it determines that the second terminal device has first uplink data to transmit, the access point device may request a first TXS time from the first terminal device. Specifically, the access point device may send a first request message to the first terminal device; in response, the first terminal device receives the first request message sent by the access point device. The first request message is used to request the first TXS time in the TXOP.

[0139] Exemplarily, the first request information may be carried in the first block acknowledgment (BlockAck) frame sent by the access point device to the first terminal device. After receiving the first indication information sent by the second terminal device, the access point device may send a first BlockAck frame to the first terminal device. The first BlockAck frame may carry the first request information for requesting the first TXS time. For example, the Reserved field in the first BlockAck frame may carry the first request information; the 1-bit Reserved subfield in the Control field of the first BlockAck frame is designated as the Preemption Request subfield. When the Preemption Request subfield is set to 1, it indicates a request for the first TXS time.

[0140] In this embodiment of the present application, after the first terminal device receives the first request information, it can determine to start reverse TXOP sharing. For example, the moment when the first terminal device receives the first request information can be used as the starting moment of the first TXS time; or the moment when the access point device sends the first request information to the first terminal device can be used as the starting moment of the first TXS time.

[0141] In an optional implementation, the access point device may send sixth indication information to the first terminal device, where the sixth indication information is used to instruct the first terminal device not to transmit uplink data within the first TXS time. Accordingly, the first terminal device receives the sixth indication information sent by the access point device.

[0142] The sixth indication information and the first request information mentioned above can be two independently sent messages; or the sixth indication information and the first request information can be carried in the same message and sent; or the sixth indication information can be carried in the first request information and sent. If the sixth indication information and the first request information are carried in the same message and sent to the first terminal device, then after receiving the information, the first terminal device can determine to start reverse TXOP sharing (starting from the first TXS time), and determine not to transmit uplink data within the first TXS time. If the sixth indication information is carried in the first request information and sent to the first terminal device, then after receiving the first request message, the first terminal device can also determine to start reverse TXOP sharing (starting from the first TXS time), and determine not to transmit uplink data within the first TXS time.

[0143] In another optional implementation, the access point device may send seventh indication information to the first terminal device, and the seventh indication information is used to instruct the first terminal device to transmit low-latency service data within the first TXS time. Accordingly, the first terminal device receives the seventh indication information sent by the access point device. Specifically, the seventh indication information can be used to instruct the first terminal device to transmit low-latency service data within the first TXS time, while for non-low-latency service data, it is necessary to wait until the first TXS time ends before transmission.

[0144] The seventh indication information and the first request information mentioned above can be two independently sent information; or the seventh indication information and the first request information can be carried in the same information and sent; or the seventh indication information can be carried in the first request information. If the seventh indication information and the first request information are carried in the same information and sent to the first terminal device, then after receiving the information, the first terminal device can determine to start reverse TXOP sharing (starting from the first TXS time), and determine that uplink data of low-latency services can be transmitted within the first TXS time. If the seventh indication information is carried in the first request information and sent to the first terminal device, then after receiving the first request message, the first terminal device can also determine to start reverse TXOP sharing (starting from the first TXS time), and determine that uplink data of low-latency services can be transmitted within the first TXS time.

[0145] During the first TXS time, the access point device sends the second indication information to the second terminal device; accordingly, the second terminal device receives the second indication information sent by the access point device. The second indication information is used to instruct the second terminal device to send the first uplink data within the first TXS time. Exemplarily, the access point device can send a Trigger frame to the second terminal device, and schedule the second terminal device to perform uplink transmission through the Trigger frame. After receiving the second indication information, the second terminal device can send the first uplink data to the access point device. For example, the second terminal device sends an uplink PPDU frame to the access point device, and the uplink PPDU frame can carry the first uplink data.

[0146] During the first TXS, the access point device can schedule the second terminal device to transmit first uplink data. Furthermore, during the first TXS, the first terminal device can also transmit second uplink data. For example, when the first terminal device buffers LLT data, the first terminal device can transmit the LLT data during the first TXS. To avoid resource conflicts, the first terminal device and the second terminal device can transmit uplink data on different time domain resources during the first TXS.

[0147] After receiving the first uplink data sent by the second terminal device, the access point device may further send a fifth indication message to the first terminal device, and the fifth indication message is used to indicate the end of the first TXS time. Optionally, the fifth indication message is carried in the second BlockAck frame sent by the access point device to the first terminal device. For example, the Reserved field in the second BlockAck frame can carry the fourth indication message; the 1-bit Reserved subfield in the Control field of the second BlockAck frame is designated as the Preemption Request subfield. When the Preemption Request subfield is set to 0, it indicates that the first TXS time has ended.

[0148] Since the current TXOP holder is the first terminal device, after the access point device schedules the second terminal device for uplink transmission, the access point device indicates the end of the first TXS time, and the first terminal device can continue data transmission. Therefore, when the second terminal device has low-latency service data, it can use the first TXS time within the first terminal device's TXOP for uplink transmission, improving the service reliability of the second terminal device. In addition, after the second terminal device transmits the low-latency service data, the first terminal device can continue to transmit data during the remaining time of the TXOP, which can also ensure the normal operation of the first terminal device's service.

[0149] Taking FIG. 3B as an example, the process of the first terminal device sharing the TXOP is introduced below.

[0150] In FIG. 3B , the first terminal device is STA1 and the two second terminal devices are STA2 and STA3 as an example for introduction.

[0151] When STA1 is the holder of the TXOP, within the TXOP, STA1 sends an RTS frame to request transmission of the second uplink data. After receiving the RTS frame from STA1, the AP (access point) sends a CTS frame or an NFRP frame to STA1. After receiving the CTS frame or NFRP frame, STA1 can send the second uplink data to the access point. For example, STA1 sends an uplink PPDU frame to the AP. The uplink PPDU frame can carry the second uplink data.

[0152] When STA2 buffers the first uplink data, STA2 sends a null data physical protocol data unit feedback report (NDP feedback report, NFR) frame to the AP. The NFR frame can carry first indication information for indicating that STA2 has the first uplink data to be transmitted. When STA3 buffers the first uplink data, STA3 sends an NFR frame to the AP. The NFR frame can carry first indication information for indicating that STA3 has the first uplink data to be transmitted.

[0153] After receiving the NFR frames from STA2 and STA3, the AP sends a first BlockAck frame (e.g., a BA w frame or a Preq (preemption request) frame) to STA1. The first BlockAck frame can carry the first request information, requesting the first TXS time within the TXOP of the first terminal device. After the AP sends the first BlockAck frame, the start of the first TXS time can be determined.

[0154] During the first TXS, the AP transmits a Trigger frame (which can carry the second indication information) to instruct STA2 and STA3 to transmit the first uplink data. STA2 transmits an uplink PPDU frame to the AP, which can carry STA2's first uplink data. STA3 transmits an uplink PPDU frame to the AP, which can carry STA3's first uplink data.

[0155] After receiving the first uplink data of STA2 and the first uplink data of STA3, the AP can transmit a second BlockAck frame, which carries the fifth indication information for indicating the end of the first TXS time; correspondingly, after receiving the second BlockAck frame, STA1 continues to transmit the second uplink data.

[0156] Example 2:

[0157] When the TXOP holder is a first terminal device, and a second terminal device has first uplink data to transmit, the second terminal device may send a service indication frame to the first terminal device. Accordingly, the first terminal device receives the service indication frame sent by the second terminal device. The service indication frame indicates that the second terminal device has first uplink data to transmit.

[0158] Exemplarily, when the second terminal device generates LLT data to be transmitted, the service indication frame sent by the second terminal device to the first terminal device may be a low-latency service indication frame (LLT indication frame, LLT_IF). When there are multiple second terminal devices, different second terminal devices use mutually orthogonal training sequences as LLT_IF frames, such as Golay sequences, Walsh codes, etc. As shown in Figure 4, multiple second terminal devices can transmit a specified sequence as an LLT_IF frame on a specified subcarrier.

[0159] In an embodiment of the present application, the second terminal device may send a service indication frame to the first terminal device via a set time-frequency domain resource. After receiving the service indication frame sent by the second terminal device, the first terminal device sends first indication information to the access point device. The first indication information is used to indicate the first uplink data to be transmitted by the second terminal device. Exemplarily, the first indication information may be carried in an uplink PPDU frame sent by the first terminal device to the access point device.

[0160] In an optional implementation, the first terminal device determines the start of the first TXS time after receiving the service indication frame. The access point device determines the start of the first TXS time after receiving the first indication information sent by the first terminal device.

[0161] In another optional implementation, after receiving the service indication frame, the first terminal device notifies the access point device via first indication information to request the first TXS time. After receiving the first indication information sent by the first terminal device, the access point device sends a first request message to the first terminal device; in response, the first terminal device receives the first request message sent by the access point device; the first request message is used to request the first TXS time in the TXOP. Exemplarily, the first request information can be carried in the first BlockAck frame sent by the access point device to the first terminal device.

[0162] In an embodiment of the present application, after receiving the first indication information sent by the second terminal device, the access point device may send a first BlockAck frame to the first terminal device. The first BlockAck frame may carry first request information for requesting a first TXS time. For example, the Reserved field in the first BlockAck frame may carry the first request information; the 1-bit Reserved subfield in the Control field of the first BlockAck frame is designated as a Preemption Request subfield. When the Preemption Request subfield is set to 1, it indicates a request for the first TXS time.

[0163] After receiving the first request information, the first terminal device may determine to start reverse TXOP sharing. For example, the moment the first terminal device receives the first request information may be used as the start time of the first TXS time; or the moment the access point device sends the first request information to the first terminal device may be used as the start time of the first TXS time.

[0164] In an optional implementation, the access point device may send sixth indication information to the first terminal device, where the sixth indication information is used to instruct the first terminal device not to transmit uplink data within the first TXS time. Accordingly, the first terminal device receives the sixth indication information sent by the access point device. The sixth indication information may be used to instruct the first terminal device not to transmit uplink data within the first TXS time. The relationship between the sixth indication information and the first request message can be found in the introduction to Example 1 and will not be repeated here.

[0165] In another optional implementation, the access point device may send a seventh indication message to the first terminal device, and the seventh indication message is used to instruct the first terminal device to transmit low-latency service data within the first TXS time. Accordingly, the first terminal device receives the seventh indication message sent by the access point device. The seventh indication message mentioned above can be used to instruct the first terminal device to transmit low-latency service data within the first TXS time, while for non-low-latency service data, it is necessary to wait until the first TXS time ends before transmission. Among them, the relationship between the seventh indication message and the first request message can be found in the introduction in Example 1 and will not be repeated here.

[0166] During the first TXS time, the access point device sends the second indication information to the second terminal device; accordingly, the second terminal device receives the second indication information sent by the access point device. The second indication information is used to instruct the second terminal device to send the first uplink data within the first TXS time. Exemplarily, the access point device can send a Trigger frame to the second terminal device, and schedule the second terminal device to perform uplink transmission through the Trigger frame. After receiving the second indication information, the second terminal device can send the first uplink data to the access point device. For example, the second terminal device sends an uplink PPDU frame to the access point device, and the uplink PPDU frame can carry the first uplink data.

[0167] During the first TXS, the access point device can schedule the second terminal device to transmit first uplink data. Furthermore, during the first TXS, the first terminal device can also transmit second uplink data. For example, if the first terminal device buffers LLT data, the first terminal device can transmit the LLT data during the first TXS. To avoid resource conflicts, the first and second terminal devices need to transmit uplink data on different time domain resources during the first TXS.

[0168] After receiving the first uplink data sent by the second terminal device, the access point device may send fifth indication information to the first terminal device, and the fifth indication information is used to indicate the end of the first TXS time. Exemplarily, the fifth indication information may be carried in the second BlockAck frame sent by the access point device to the first terminal device. For example, the Reserved field in the second BlockAck frame may carry the fifth indication information; the 1-bit Reserved subfield in the Control field of the second BlockAck frame is designated as the Preemption Request subfield. When the Preemption Request subfield is set to 0, it indicates that the first TXS time has ended.

[0169] Since the current TXOP holder is the first terminal device, after the access point device schedules the second terminal device for uplink transmission, the access point device indicates the end of the first TXS time, and the first terminal device can continue data transmission. Therefore, when the second terminal device has low-latency service data, it can use the first TXS time within the first terminal device's TXOP for uplink transmission, improving the reliability of the second terminal device's service. In addition, after the second terminal device transmits the low-latency service data, the first terminal device continues to transmit data during the remaining time of the TXOP, which can also ensure the normal operation of the first terminal device's service.

[0170] Taking FIG. 5 as an example, the process of the first terminal device sharing the TXOP is introduced below.

[0171] In FIG. 5 , the first terminal device is STA1 and the two second terminal devices are STA2 and STA3 as an example for introduction.

[0172] When the holder of TXOP is STA1, within TXOP, STA1 sends an RTS frame, which can be used to request the transmission of the second uplink data; after the AP (access point device) receives the RTS frame sent by STA1, it sends a CTS frame to STA1. After receiving the CTS frame, STA1 can send the second uplink data to the access point device, for example, STA1 sends an uplink PPDU frame to the AP, and the uplink PPDU frame can carry the second uplink data. In addition, when STA2 and STA3 cache the first uplink data, they transmit an LLT_IF frame to STA1 to indicate that STA2 and STA3 have the first uplink data to be transmitted. Accordingly, after receiving the LLT_IF frame, the AP can carry the first indication information through the uplink PPDU frame to indicate that STA2 and STA3 have the first uplink data to be transmitted.

[0173] After receiving the uplink PPDU frame sent by STA1, the AP can send a first BlockAck frame (for example, a BA w frame or a Preq (preemption request) frame) to STA1. The first BlockAck frame can carry the first request information for requesting the first TXS time within the TXOP of the first terminal device. After the AP sends the first BlockAck frame, it can be determined that the first TXS time starts. Alternatively, the AP can determine the start of the first TXS time after receiving the uplink PPDU frame and obtaining the first indication information included in the uplink PPDU frame.

[0174] During the first TXS, the AP transmits a Trigger frame (which can carry the second indication information) to instruct STA2 and STA3 to transmit the first uplink data. STA2 transmits an uplink PPDU frame to the AP, which can carry STA2's first uplink data. STA3 transmits an uplink PPDU frame to the AP, which can carry STA3's first uplink data.

[0175] After receiving the first uplink data of STA2 and the first uplink data of STA3, the AP can transmit a second BlockAck frame, which carries the fifth indication information for indicating the end of the first TXS time; correspondingly, after receiving the second BlockAck frame, STA1 continues to transmit the second uplink data.

[0176] Example 3:

[0177] When the holder of the TXOP is the first terminal device, the access point device may send a first request message to the first terminal device; correspondingly, the first terminal device receives the first request message sent by the access point device; wherein the first request message is used to request the TXS time in the TXOP.

[0178] Optionally, the access point device may periodically send the first request information to the first terminal device within a TXOP. Exemplarily, the first request information may be carried in a first BlockAck frame sent by the access point device to the first terminal device.

[0179] In an optional implementation, the access point device may periodically send a first BlockAck frame to the first terminal device. The first BlockAck frame may carry first request information for requesting the second TXS time. For example, the Reserved field in the first BlockAck frame may carry the first request information; the 1-bit Reserved subfield in the Control field of the first BlockAck frame is designated as the Preemption Request subfield. When the Preemption Request subfield is set to 1, it indicates a request for the TXS time.

[0180] After receiving the first request message, the first terminal device may determine to start reverse TXOP sharing. For example, the moment the first terminal device receives the first request message may be used as the start time of the second TXS time; or the moment the access point device sends the first request message to the first terminal device may be used as the start time of the second TXS time.

[0181] Optionally, the second TXS time in this embodiment of the present application includes the first TXS time and a third TXS time; wherein the third TXS time is before the first TXS time. During the third TXS time, the access point device may request and obtain whether the second terminal device has first uplink data to be transmitted; and within the first TXS time, if the second terminal device has first uplink data to be transmitted, the access point device may schedule the second terminal device to perform uplink transmission.

[0182] During the first TXS, the first terminal device suspends sending the second uplink data to the access point device. During the first TXS, the first terminal device may also transmit the second uplink data; for example, when the first terminal device buffers LLT data, the first terminal device may transmit the LLT data during the first TXS. To avoid resource conflicts, the first terminal device and the second terminal device may transmit uplink data on different time domain resources during the first TXS.

[0183] Optionally, the access point device may send fourth indication information to the first terminal device, where the fourth indication information is used to instruct the first terminal device to stop sending the second uplink data within the third TXS time. Correspondingly, the first terminal device receives the fourth indication information sent by the access point device.

[0184] The fourth indication information and the first request information mentioned above can be two independently sent information; or the fourth indication information and the first request information can be carried in the same information and sent; or the fourth indication information can be carried in the first request information and sent. If the fourth indication information and the first request information are carried in the same information and sent to the first terminal device, then after receiving the information, the first terminal device can determine to start reverse TXOP sharing (starting from the third TXS time), and determine to stop transmitting uplink data within the third TXS time. If the fourth indication information is carried in the first request information and sent to the first terminal device, then after receiving the first request message, the first terminal device can also determine to start reverse TXOP sharing (starting from the third TXS time), and determine to stop transmitting uplink data within the third TXS time.

[0185] After the access point device sends the first request message to the first terminal device, the access point device may also send a second request message to the second terminal device within the third TXS time; accordingly, the second terminal device receives the second request message sent by the access point device; wherein the second request message is used to request the second terminal device to report whether there is first uplink data to be transmitted. Exemplarily, the second request message may be carried in a Null Data Physical Protocol Data Unit Feedback Report Poll (NFRP) frame sent by the access point device to the second terminal device.

[0186] In the embodiment of the present application, the number of second terminal devices may be one or more. When there are multiple second terminal devices, the access point device may send a second request message to each second terminal device, requesting each second terminal device to report whether it has first uplink data to be transmitted. After receiving the second request message, the second terminal device may report to the access point device whether it has first uplink data to be transmitted.

[0187] When the second terminal device has first uplink data to be transmitted, the second terminal device sends first indication information to the access point device; accordingly, the access point device receives the first indication information sent by the second terminal device. When it is determined that the second terminal device has no first uplink data to be transmitted, the first indication information is sent without notifying the access point device. Alternatively, when the second terminal device has first uplink data to be transmitted, the second terminal device sends first indication information to the access point device; accordingly, the access point device receives the first indication information sent by the second terminal device. When the second terminal device has no first uplink data to be transmitted, the second terminal device sends third indication information to the access point device; accordingly, the access point device receives the third indication information sent by the second terminal device.

[0188] Exemplarily, the first indication information may be carried in an NFR frame sent by the second terminal device to the access point device. Alternatively, the third indication information may be carried in an NFR frame sent by the second terminal device to the access point device.

[0189] After the access point device receives the first indication information, the access point device determines that the second terminal device has first uplink data to transmit. The access point device can send second indication information to the second terminal device; accordingly, the second terminal device receives the second indication information sent by the access point device. The second indication information is used to instruct the second terminal device to transmit the first uplink data within the first TXS time. Exemplarily, the access point device can send a Trigger frame to the second terminal device, and schedule the second terminal device to perform uplink transmission through the Trigger frame.

[0190] After receiving the second indication information, the second terminal device may send the first uplink data to the access point device. For example, the second terminal device sends an uplink PPDU frame to the access point device, and the uplink PPDU frame may carry the first uplink data. After receiving the first uplink data sent by the second terminal device, the access point device sends fifth indication information to the first terminal device, and the fifth indication information is used to indicate the end of the first TXS time.

[0191] Optionally, the fifth indication information is carried in a second BlockAck frame sent by the access point device to the first terminal device. For example, the Reserved field in the second BlockAck frame can carry the fifth indication information; the 1-bit Reserved subfield in the Control field of the second BlockAck frame is designated as the Preemption Request subfield. When the Preemption Request subfield is set to 0, it indicates that the first TXS time has ended.

[0192] Since the current TXOP holder is the first terminal device, after the access point device schedules the second terminal device for uplink transmission, the access point device indicates the end of the first TXS time, and the first terminal device can continue data transmission. Therefore, when the second terminal device has low-latency service data, it can use the first TXS time within the first terminal device's TXOP for uplink transmission, improving the reliability of the second terminal device's service. In addition, after the second terminal device transmits the low-latency service data, the first terminal device continues to transmit data during the remaining time of the TXOP, which can also ensure the normal operation of the first terminal device's service.

[0193] The following takes FIG6 as an example to introduce the process of the first terminal device sharing TXOP.

[0194] In FIG. 6 , the first terminal device is STA1 and the two second terminal devices are STA2 and STA3 as an example for introduction.

[0195] Within STA1's TXOP, STA1 sends an RTS frame, which can be used to request the transmission of uplink data; after the AP (access point device) receives the RTS frame sent by STA1, it sends a CTS frame to STA1. After receiving the CTS frame, STA1 can perform uplink transmission, such as sending an uplink PPDU frame to the AP. The AP sends a first BlockAck frame to STA1 (for example, a BA w frame or a Preq (preemption request) frame). The first BlockAck frame can carry the first request information for requesting the second TXS time (the TXS time includes the first TXS time and the third TXS time); for example, the AP sends the first BlockAck frame carrying the first request information to STA1 at a set time interval (or a set number of PPDUs) after receiving the RTS frame or sending the CTS frame.

[0196] After the AP transmits the first BlockAck frame, it transmits an NFRP frame at an interval of SIFS (Short Interframe Space). The NFRP frame may include second request information for requesting STA2 and STA3 to report whether there is first uplink data to be transmitted.

[0197] After receiving the NFRP frame, STA2 transmits an NFR frame after a SIFS interval. If STA2 has first uplink data to transmit, the NFR frame includes the first indication information. After receiving the NFRP frame, STA3 transmits an NFR frame after a SIFS interval. If STA3 has first uplink data to transmit, the NFR frame includes the first indication information.

[0198] The period from when the AP transmits the first BlockAck frame to when the AP receives the NFR frames transmitted by STA2 and STA3 may be the second TXS period.

[0199] The AP receives the NFR frames transmitted by STA2 and STA3 and determines that STA2 and STA3 have the first uplink data to transmit. During the first TXS, the AP transmits a Trigger frame to instruct STA2 and STA3 to transmit the first uplink data. STA2 transmits an uplink PPDU frame to the AP, which carries STA2's first uplink data. STA3 then transmits an uplink PPDU frame to the AP, which carries STA3's first uplink data.

[0200] After receiving the first uplink data of STA2 and the first uplink data of STA3, the AP can transmit a second BlockAck frame, which carries the fifth indication information for indicating the end of the first TXS time; correspondingly, after receiving the second BlockAck frame, STA1 continues to transmit the second uplink data.

[0201] Example 4:

[0202] When the holder of the TXOP is the first terminal device, the access point device may send a first request message to the first terminal device; correspondingly, the first terminal device receives the first request message sent by the access point device; wherein the first request message is used to request the TXS time in the TXOP.

[0203] Optionally, the access point device may, within a TXOP, send the first request information to the first terminal device when the access point device generates downlink data to be sent. Exemplarily, after the access point device generates the downlink data to be sent, send a first BlockAck frame to the first terminal device, and the first BlockAck frame may carry the first request information.

[0204] In this embodiment, the access point device may periodically send a first BlockAck frame to the first terminal device. The first BlockAck frame may carry first request information for requesting the second TXS time. For example, the Reserved field in the first BlockAck frame may carry the first request information. The 1-bit Reserved subfield in the Control field of the first BlockAck frame may be designated as the Preemption Request subfield. When the Preemption Request subfield is set to 1, it indicates a request for the second TXS time.

[0205] After receiving the first request message, the first terminal device may determine to start reverse TXOP sharing. For example, the moment the first terminal device receives the first request message may be used as the start time of the second TXS time; or the moment the access point device sends the first request message to the first terminal device may be used as the start time of the second TXS time.

[0206] Optionally, in this embodiment of the present application, the second TXS time includes the first TXS time and a third TXS time; wherein the third TXS time is before the first TXS time. During the third TXS time, the access point device may request and obtain whether the second terminal device has first uplink data to be transmitted; and during the first TXS time, if the second terminal device has first uplink data to be transmitted, the access point device may schedule the second terminal device to perform uplink transmission.

[0207] During the first TXS, the first terminal device suspends sending the second uplink data to the access point device. During the first TXS, the first terminal device may also transmit the second uplink data; for example, when the first terminal device buffers LLT data, the first terminal device may transmit the LLT data during the first TXS. To avoid resource conflicts, the first terminal device and the second terminal device may transmit uplink data on different time domain resources during the first TXS.

[0208] Optionally, the access point device may send fourth indication information to the first terminal device, where the fourth indication information is used to instruct the first terminal device to stop sending the second uplink data within the third TXS time. Correspondingly, the first terminal device receives the fourth indication information sent by the access point device.

[0209] The relationship between the fourth indication information and the first request message can be found in the introduction of Example 3, which will not be repeated here.

[0210] After the access point device sends the first request message to the first terminal device, the access point device may also send a second request message to the second terminal device within the third TXS time; accordingly, the second terminal device receives the second request message sent by the access point device; wherein the second request message is used to request the second terminal device to report whether there is first uplink data to be transmitted.

[0211] Since the access point device generates downlink data to be sent, the access point device sends the downlink data within the second TXS time. For example, the access point device transmits a downlink PPDU frame, wherein the downlink PPDU frame can carry the downlink data and the second request information.

[0212] In the embodiment of the present application, the number of second terminal devices may be one or more. When there are multiple second terminal devices, the access point device may send second request information to each second terminal device, requesting each second terminal device to report whether there is first uplink data to be transmitted.

[0213] Exemplarily, the second request information may be a trigger frame or a management frame included in an aggregate medium access control (MAC) protocol data unit (A-MPDU) of a downlink PPDU frame.

[0214] When the shared terminal group where the first terminal device is located includes multiple second terminal devices, if the downlink data to be sent generated by the access point device is downlink data sent to some second terminal devices, in order to prevent the other second terminal devices from being unable to receive the second request information, the access point device in the embodiment of the present application allocates a small amount of resource units (RUs) to the other second terminal devices in the downlink PPDU frame for transmitting the second request information (for example, a Trigger frame or a management frame) sent to the other second terminal devices, so that the other second terminal devices can also receive the downlink PPDU frame and obtain the second request information. For example, the shared terminal group includes STA1, STA2, and STA3, and STA1 is the first terminal device; if the downlink data to be sent generated by the access point device is for STA2, a small amount of RUs is allocated to STA3 in the downlink PPDU frame sent by the access point device for transmitting the second request information sent to STA3.

[0215] After receiving the second request information, the second terminal device may report to the access point device whether there is first uplink data to be transmitted.

[0216] When the second terminal device has first uplink data to be transmitted, the second terminal device sends first indication information to the access point device; accordingly, the access point device receives the first indication information sent by the second terminal device. When it is determined that the second terminal device has no first uplink data to be transmitted, the first indication information is sent without notifying the access point device. Alternatively, when the second terminal device has first uplink data to be transmitted, the second terminal device sends first indication information to the access point device; accordingly, the access point device receives the first indication information sent by the second terminal device. When the second terminal device has no first uplink data to be transmitted, the second terminal device sends third indication information to the access point device; accordingly, the access point device receives the third indication information sent by the second terminal device.

[0217] Exemplarily, the first indication information may be carried in an acknowledgment frame or a response frame sent by the second terminal device to the access point device. Alternatively, the third indication information may be carried in an acknowledgment frame or a response frame sent by the second terminal device to the access point device. The acknowledgment frame or the response frame corresponds to a downlink PPDU frame transmitted by the access point device; it can be understood that the acknowledgment frame or the response frame is used to notify the access point device that the second terminal device has received the downlink PPDU.

[0218] Regarding the situation described above where the downlink data to be sent generated by the access point device is downlink data sent to some second terminal devices in the shared terminal group, after receiving the downlink PPDU frame, these second terminal devices can send a confirmation frame or a response frame to the access point device, and after receiving the second request information, the other second terminal devices report to the access point device whether there is first uplink data to be transmitted. For example, the shared terminal group includes STA1, STA2, and STA3, with STA1 being the first terminal device; if the downlink data to be sent generated by the access point device is for STA2, a small number of RUs are allocated to STA3 in the downlink PPDU frame sent by the access point device for transmitting the second request information sent to STA3; after STA2 receives the downlink PPDU frame and obtains the second request information, it sends a confirmation frame or a response frame to the access point device; after STA3 receives the second request information, it sends the first indication information on the designated RU.

[0219] After the access point device receives the first indication information, the access point device determines that the second terminal device has first uplink data to transmit. The access point device may send second indication information to the second terminal device; in response, the second terminal device receives the second indication information sent by the access point device. The second indication information is used to instruct the second terminal device to transmit the first uplink data within the first TXS time.

[0220] Exemplarily, the access point device may send a Trigger frame to the second terminal device, and schedule the second terminal device to perform uplink transmission through the Trigger frame.

[0221] After receiving the second indication information, the second terminal device may send the first uplink data to the access point device. For example, the second terminal device sends an uplink PPDU frame to the access point device, and the uplink PPDU frame may carry the first uplink data.

[0222] After receiving the first uplink data sent by the second terminal device, the access point device may send a fifth indication message to the first terminal device, where the fifth indication message is used to indicate the end of the first TXS time. Optionally, the fifth indication message is carried in a second BlockAck frame sent by the access point device to the first terminal device. For example, the Reserved field in the second BlockAck frame may carry the fifth indication message; the 1-bit Reserved subfield in the Control field of the second BlockAck frame is designated as the Preemption Request subfield. When the Preemption Request subfield is set to 0, it indicates that the first TXS time has ended.

[0223] Since the current TXOP holder is the first terminal device, after the access point device schedules the second terminal device for uplink transmission, the access point device indicates the end of the first TXS time, and the first terminal device can continue data transmission. Therefore, when the second terminal device has low-latency service data, it can use the first TXS time within the first terminal device's TXOP for uplink transmission, improving the reliability of the second terminal device's service. In addition, after the second terminal device transmits the low-latency service data, the first terminal device continues to transmit data during the remaining time of the TXOP, which can also ensure the normal operation of the first terminal device's service.

[0224] Taking FIG. 7 as an example, the process of the first terminal device sharing the TXOP is introduced below.

[0225] In FIG. 7 , the first terminal device is STA1 and the two second terminal devices are STA2 and STA3 as an example for introduction.

[0226] Within STA1's TXOP, STA1 sends an RTS frame, which can be used to request the transmission of uplink data. After receiving the RTS frame sent by STA1, the AP sends a CTS frame to STA1. After receiving the CTS frame, STA1 can perform uplink transmission, such as sending an uplink PPDU frame to the AP. If the AP generates downlink data to be sent, after receiving the uplink PPDU frame sent by STA1, the AP sends a first BlockAck frame (for example, a BA w frame or a Preq (preemption request) frame) to STA1 at an interval of SIFS. The first BlockAck frame can carry the first request information, which is used to request the second TXS time (the TXS time includes the first TXS time and the third TXS time).

[0227] After the AP transmits the first BlockAck frame, it transmits a downlink PPDU frame after a SIFS interval. The downlink PPDU frame can carry downlink data and the second request information. For example, if the downlink data generated by the AP is for STA2 and STA3, the A-MPDU of the downlink PPDU frame can include a Trigger frame or a management frame to request STA2 and STA3 to report whether there is uplink data to be transmitted.

[0228] After receiving a downlink PPDU frame, STA2 sends an acknowledgment frame (or response frame) to the AP at a SIFS interval. If STA2 has the first uplink data to be transmitted, the acknowledgment frame (or response frame) includes the first indication information. After receiving a downlink PPDU frame, STA3 sends an acknowledgment frame (or response frame) to the AP at a SIFS interval. If STA3 has the first uplink data to be transmitted, the acknowledgment frame (or response frame) includes the first indication information.

[0229] The AP receives the confirmation frames (or response frames) transmitted by STA2 and STA3 and determines that STA2 and STA3 have the first uplink data to transmit. During the first TXS, the AP transmits a Trigger frame to instruct STA2 and STA3 to transmit the first uplink data. STA2 transmits an uplink PPDU frame to the AP, which can carry STA2's first uplink data. STA3 transmits an uplink PPDU frame to the AP, which can carry STA3's first uplink data.

[0230] After receiving the first uplink data of STA2 and the first uplink data of STA3, the AP can transmit a second BlockAck frame, which carries the fifth indication information for indicating the end of the first TXS time; correspondingly, after receiving the second BlockAck frame, STA1 continues to transmit the second uplink data.

[0231] Based on the above-mentioned communication method provided in the embodiment of the present application, within the TXOP of the first terminal device, the access point device can send first request information to the first terminal device to request the TXS time, so that the first terminal device can determine the timing of sharing the TXOP based on the first request information. In addition, within the TXS time, the second terminal device can send first indication information to the access point device to indicate uplink data to be transmitted, so that the access point device can determine the need to schedule the second terminal device based on the first indication information sent by the second terminal device; illustratively, when the access point device determines that the second terminal device has uplink data to be transmitted, the access point device can schedule the second terminal device to transmit the uplink data within the TXS time.

[0232] FIG8 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device according to an embodiment of the present application. Referring to FIG8 , the communication device can be used to execute the process performed by the access point device in any of the above embodiments, or the communication device can be used to execute the process performed by the first terminal device or the second terminal device in any of the above embodiments. For details, please refer to the relevant description of the above method embodiments.

[0233] The communication device 800 includes a communication unit 801 and a processing unit 802. The processing unit 802 is used to perform data processing. The communication unit 801 can implement corresponding communication functions. The communication unit 801 can also be referred to as a communication interface, a communication module, a transceiver unit, or a transceiver module. Optionally, the communication device 800 can also include a storage unit 803, which can be used to store computer programs, instructions, and / or data. The processing unit 802 can read the computer programs, instructions, and / or data in the storage unit 803, so that the communication device 800 can implement the aforementioned method embodiments.

[0234] The communication device 800 may be a device on the access point device side in the above-mentioned embodiments, for example, an access point device or a communication module within the access point device, or a circuit or chip within the access point device responsible for communication functions. The processing unit 802 is configured to perform processing-related operations on the access point device side in the above-mentioned method embodiments. The communication unit 801 is configured to perform transmission-related operations on the access point device side in the above-mentioned method embodiments.

[0235] Alternatively, the communication device 800 may be a device on the second terminal device side in the above-mentioned embodiments, for example, the second terminal device or a communication module in the second terminal device, or a circuit or chip in the second terminal device responsible for communication functions. The processing unit 802 is configured to perform processing-related operations on the second terminal device side in the above-mentioned method embodiments. The communication unit 801 is configured to perform transmission-related operations on the second terminal device side in the above-mentioned method embodiments.

[0236] Alternatively, the communication device 800 may be a device on the first terminal device side in the above-described embodiment, for example, the first terminal device or a communication module in the first terminal device, or a circuit or chip in the first terminal device responsible for communication functions. The processing unit 802 is configured to perform processing-related operations on the first terminal device side in the above-described method embodiment. The communication unit 801 is configured to perform transmission-related operations on the first terminal device side in the above-described method embodiment.

[0237] Optionally, the communication unit 801 may include a sending unit and a receiving unit. The sending unit is configured to perform the sending operation in the above method embodiment. The receiving unit is configured to perform the receiving operation in the above method embodiment.

[0238] It should be noted that the communication unit 801 may include a sending unit but not a receiving unit. Alternatively, the communication device 800 may include a receiving unit but not a sending unit. The specific details may depend on whether the above solution executed by the communication device 800 includes a sending action and a receiving action.

[0239] It should be understood that the specific process of each module executing the above corresponding process has been described in detail in the above method embodiment, and for the sake of brevity, it will not be repeated here.

[0240] In one possible design, when the communication device 800 is an access point device or a communication module within an access point device, the functions of the processing unit 802 may be implemented by one or more processors. Specifically, the processor may include a modem chip, or a system-on-chip (SoC) chip or SIP chip containing a modem core. The functions of the communication unit 801 may be implemented by transceiver circuitry. In another possible design, when the communication device 800 is a circuit, chip, or chip system responsible for communication functions within an access point device, the functions of the processing unit 802 may be implemented by a circuit system including one or more processors or processor cores within such a chip. The functions of the communication unit 801 may be implemented by interface circuitry or data transceiver circuitry within such a chip.

[0241] In one possible design, when the communication device 800 is a second terminal device or a communication module in the second terminal device, or when the communication device 800 is a first terminal device or a communication module in the first terminal device, the functions of the processing unit 802 can be implemented by one or more processors. Specifically, the processor can include a modem chip, or a system-on-chip (SoC) chip or SIP chip containing a modem core. The functions of the communication unit 801 can be implemented by a transceiver circuit. In another possible design, when the communication device 800 is a circuit or chip responsible for communication functions in the second terminal device, or when the communication device 800 is a circuit or chip responsible for communication functions in the first terminal device, such as a modem chip or a system-on-chip (SoC) chip or SIP chip containing a modem core, the functions of the processing unit 802 can be implemented by a circuit system including one or more processors or processor cores in the aforementioned chip. The functions of the communication unit 801 can be implemented by an interface circuit or data transceiver circuit on the aforementioned chip.

[0242] It is understandable that the division of units in the above-mentioned device is merely a division of logical functions, and each function may correspond to a functional unit, or two or more functions may be integrated into one functional unit. In actual implementation, all or part of the units may be integrated into one physical entity, or distributed across different physical entities. In addition, the above-mentioned functional units may be implemented in the form of hardware, software, or a combination of hardware and software. Whether a function is executed in hardware or software depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution. Professional and technical personnel may use different methods to implement the described functions for each specific application, but such implementation should not be considered to be beyond the scope of this application.

[0243] In one example, the functional unit in any of the above devices can be one or more integrated circuits configured to implement the above method, such as: one or more application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), or, one or more central processing units (CPUs), one or more microcontroller units (MCUs), one or more digital signal processors (DSPs), or, one or more field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), or a combination of at least two of these integrated circuit forms.

[0244] In an example, the storage unit 803 may include a random access memory, a flash memory, a read-only memory, a programmable read-only memory, or an electrically erasable programmable memory and / or a register.

[0245] The present application also provides a communication device 900, as shown in FIG9 . The communication device 900 may be an access point device or a chip in the access point device, or the communication device 900 may be a second terminal device or a chip in the second terminal device, or the communication device 900 may be a first terminal device or a chip in the first terminal device. The communication device 900 includes a processor 901 and a communication interface 902, and optionally, may further include a memory 903.

[0246] The processor 901 may be a CPU, a digital processing unit, or the like. The communication interface 902 may be a transceiver, an interface circuit such as a transceiver circuit, or a transceiver chip, or the like. The apparatus further includes a memory 903 for storing programs executed by the processor 901. The memory 903 may be a non-volatile memory, such as a hard disk drive (HDD) or a solid-state drive (SSD), or a volatile memory (volatile memory), such as a random-access memory (RAM). The memory 903 is any other medium that can be used to carry or store desired program code in the form of instructions or data structures and can be accessed by a computer, but is not limited thereto.

[0247] The processor 901 is used to execute the program code stored in the memory 903, specifically to execute the actions of the processing unit 802. The communication interface 902 is specifically used to execute the actions of the communication unit 801, which will not be described in detail in this application.

[0248] The specific connection medium between the communication interface 902, processor 901, and memory 903 is not limited in the embodiments of the present application. In Figure 9, the embodiment of the present application shows that the memory 903, processor 901, and communication interface 902 are connected via bus 904. The bus is represented by a bold line in Figure 9. The connection method between other components is only for schematic illustration and is not limiting. Buses can be divided into address buses, data buses, control buses, etc. For ease of representation, only one bold line is used in Figure 9, but this does not mean that there is only one bus or one type of bus.

[0249] An embodiment of the present application further provides a computer-readable storage medium storing a computer program or instruction for implementing the method executed by the access point device, the second terminal device, or the first terminal device in the above method embodiment.

[0250] For example, when the computer program or instruction is executed by a computer, the computer can implement the method performed by the access point device, the second terminal device, or the first terminal device in the above method embodiment.

[0251] An embodiment of the present application further provides a computer program product comprising a computer program or instructions, which, when executed by a computer, enables the computer to implement the method performed by the access point device, the second terminal device, or the first terminal device in the above method embodiment.

[0252] An embodiment of the present application further provides a communication system, which includes the access point device in the above embodiment, the second terminal device in the above embodiment, and the first terminal device in the above embodiment.

[0253] An embodiment of the present application also provides a chip device, including a processor, configured to call a computer program or computer instruction stored in the memory so that the processor executes the method provided in any one of the above embodiments.

[0254] In a possible implementation, the input of the chip device corresponds to the receiving operation in any of the foregoing embodiments, and the output of the chip device corresponds to the sending operation in any of the foregoing embodiments.

[0255] Optionally, the processor is coupled to the memory via an interface.

[0256] Optionally, the chip device further includes a memory, in which computer programs or instructions are stored.

[0257] The processor mentioned in any of the above may be a general-purpose central processing unit, a microprocessor, an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or one or more integrated circuits for controlling the execution of the program of the method provided in any of the above embodiments. The memory mentioned in any of the above may be a read-only memory (ROM) or other type of static storage device that can store static information and instructions, a random access memory (RAM), etc.

[0258] Those skilled in the art can clearly understand that, for the sake of convenience and brevity of description, the explanation and beneficial effects of the relevant contents in any of the communication devices provided above can refer to the corresponding method embodiments provided above, and will not be repeated here.

[0259] In the several embodiments provided in this application, it should be understood that the disclosed systems, devices and methods can be implemented in other ways. For example, the device embodiments described above are merely schematic. For example, the division of the units is merely a logical function division. In actual implementation, there may be other division methods, such as multiple units or components can be combined or integrated into another system, or some features can be ignored or not executed. Another point is that the mutual coupling or direct coupling or communication connection shown or discussed can be an indirect coupling or communication connection through some interfaces, devices or units, which can be electrical, mechanical or other forms.

[0260] The units described as separate components may or may not be physically separate, and the components shown as units may or may not be physical units, that is, they may be located in one place or distributed across multiple network units. Some or all of these units may be selected to achieve the purpose of this embodiment according to actual needs.

[0261] In addition, the functional units in the various embodiments of the present application may be integrated into a single processing unit, or each unit may exist physically separately, or two or more units may be integrated into a single unit. The aforementioned integrated units may be implemented in the form of hardware or software functional units.

[0262] If the integrated unit is implemented in the form of a software functional unit and sold or used as an independent product, it can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium. Based on this understanding, the part that essentially contributes to the technical solution of the present application or all or part of the technical solution can be embodied in the form of a software product, and the computer software product is stored in a storage medium, including a number of instructions for enabling a computer device (which can be a personal computer, server, or network device, etc.) to execute all or part of the steps of the method described in each embodiment of the present application. The aforementioned storage medium includes: various media that can store program codes, such as a USB flash drive, a mobile hard disk, a ROM, a RAM, a magnetic disk, or an optical disk.

[0263] As described above, the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present application, rather than to limit them. Although the present application has been described in detail with reference to the above embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that they can still modify the technical solutions described in the above embodiments, or make equivalent replacements for some of the technical features therein. However, these modifications or replacements do not cause the essence of the corresponding technical solutions to deviate from the scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application.

Claims

1. A communication method, characterized in that: Applied to an access point device, the method includes: When the holder of the transmission opportunity TXOP is the first terminal device, first indication information is received, where the first indication information is used to indicate that the second terminal device has first uplink data to be transmitted; Send second indication information to the second terminal device, where the second indication information is used to instruct the second terminal device to send the first uplink data within the first TXOP shared TXS time, where the first TXS time is a resource in the TXOP.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein The method further comprises: A first request message is sent to the first terminal device, where the first request message is used to request the first TXS time in the TXOP.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The receiving first indication information includes: The first indication information sent by the second terminal device is received through the first frequency domain resource; the first frequency domain resource is part of the frequency domain resource within the transmission bandwidth of the first terminal device, or the first frequency domain resource is the frequency domain resource outside the transmission bandwidth of the first terminal device.

4. The method according to claim 3, wherein The first frequency domain resources include multiple subcarrier sets corresponding to the second terminal device, and the multiple subcarrier sets include a first subcarrier set and a second subcarrier set; The first subcarrier set is used to transmit the first indication information; the second subcarrier set is used to transmit the third indication information sent by the second terminal device to the access point device, and the third indication information is used to indicate that the second terminal device has no first uplink data to be transmitted.

5. The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The receiving first indication information includes: Receive the first indication information sent by the first terminal device, where the first indication information is associated with a service indication frame sent by the second terminal device to the first terminal device, and the service indication frame is used to indicate that the second terminal device has the first uplink data to be transmitted.

6. The method according to claim 5, wherein The first indication information is carried in an uplink physical protocol data unit PPDU frame.

7. The method according to claim 1, wherein The method further comprises: A first request message is sent to the first terminal device, where the first request message is used to request a second TXS time in the TXOP, where the second TXS time includes the first TXS time.

8. The method according to claim 7, wherein The second TXS time also includes a third TXS time, and the third TXS time is before the first TXS time; The method further comprises: Within the third TXS time, a second request message is sent to the second terminal device, where the second request message is used to request the second terminal device to report whether there is the first uplink data to be transmitted.

9. The method according to claim 8, wherein The method further comprises: Send fourth indication information to the first terminal device, where the fourth indication information is used to instruct the first terminal device to stop sending the second uplink data within the third TXS time.

10. The method according to claim 8, wherein The second request message is carried in a Null Data Physical Protocol Data Unit Feedback Report Polling (NFRP) frame, and the first indication information is carried in a Null Data Physical Protocol Data Unit Feedback Report (NFR) frame.

11. The method according to claim 8, wherein The sending a second request message to the first terminal device includes: A downlink PPDU frame is sent to the second terminal device, where the downlink PPDU frame is used to carry the downlink data to be sent and the second request message.

12. The method according to claim 11, wherein The first indication information is carried in a confirmation frame or a response frame, and the confirmation frame or the response frame corresponds to the downlink PPDU frame.

13. The method according to any one of claims 7 to 12, wherein: The method further comprises: receiving third indication information, where the third indication information is used to indicate that the second terminal device has no first uplink data to be transmitted; Send fifth indication information to the first terminal device, where the fifth indication information is used to indicate the end of the TXS time.

14. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein: The method further comprises: receiving, within the first TXS time, the first uplink data sent by the second terminal device; Send fifth indication information to the first terminal device, where the fifth indication information is used to indicate the end of the TXS time.

15. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein: The first uplink data to be transmitted is low-latency service LLT data.

16. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 15, wherein: The method further comprises: Sending sixth indication information to the first terminal device, where the sixth indication information is used to instruct the first terminal device not to transmit uplink data within the first TXS time; or Send seventh indication information to the first terminal device, where the seventh indication information is used to instruct the first terminal device to transmit low-latency service data within the first TXS time.

17. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 16, wherein: The first terminal device and the second terminal device are terminal devices in the same TXOP sharing terminal group.

18. A communication method, characterized in that: Applied to a second terminal device, the method includes: When the holder of the transmission opportunity TXOP is the first terminal device, receiving second indication information sent by the access point device, where the second indication information is used to instruct to send the first uplink data within the first TXOP shared TXS time, where the first TXS time is a resource in the TXOP; The first uplink data is sent within the first TXS time.

19. The method according to claim 18, wherein The method further comprises: A first indication message is sent to the access point device via a first frequency domain resource, where the first indication message is used to indicate that the second terminal device has first uplink data to be transmitted; wherein the first frequency domain resource is part of the frequency domain resource within the transmission bandwidth of the first terminal device, or the first frequency domain resource is a frequency domain resource outside the transmission bandwidth of the first terminal device.

20. The method according to claim 19, wherein The first frequency domain resources include multiple subcarrier sets corresponding to the second terminal device, and the multiple subcarrier sets include a first subcarrier set and a second subcarrier set; The first subcarrier set is used to transmit the first indication information; the second subcarrier set is used to transmit the third indication information sent by the second terminal device to the access point device, and the third indication information is used to indicate that the second terminal device has no first uplink data to be transmitted.

21. The method of claim 18, wherein: The method further comprises: A service indication frame is sent to the first terminal device, where the service indication frame is used to indicate the first uplink data to be transmitted to the second terminal device.

22. The method of claim 18, wherein: The method further comprises: Send first indication information to the access point device, where the first indication information is used to indicate the first uplink data to be transmitted by the second terminal device.

23. The method according to claim 22, wherein The method further comprises: Within a third TXS time, a second request message sent by the access point device is received, where the second request message is used to request the second terminal device to report whether there is the first uplink data to be transmitted; wherein the third TXS time is before the first TXS time.

24. The method according to claim 23, wherein The second request message is carried in an NFRP frame, and the first indication information is carried in an NFR frame.

25. The method of claim 23, wherein: The receiving a second request message sent by the access point device includes: A downlink PPDU frame sent by the access point device is received, where the downlink PPDU frame is used to carry downlink data generated by the access point device and the second request message.

26. The method of claim 25, wherein: The first indication information is carried in a confirmation frame or a response frame, and the confirmation frame or the response frame corresponds to the downlink PPDU frame.

27. The method according to any one of claims 18 to 26, wherein: The first uplink data to be transmitted is LLT data.

28. The method according to any one of claims 18 to 27, wherein: The first terminal device and the second terminal device are terminal devices in the same TXOP sharing terminal group.

29. A communication method, characterized in that: Applied to a first terminal device, the method includes: When the holder of a transmission opportunity TXOP is the first terminal device, receiving first request information, where the first request information is used to request a first TXS time in the TXOP, where the first TXS time is used for the second terminal device to send first uplink data; The second uplink data is sent to the access point device using resources within the TXOP.

30. The method of claim 29, wherein: The receiving of the first request information includes: Receive the first request information sent by the access point device.

31. The method of claim 30, wherein: The method further comprises: receiving a service indication frame sent by the second terminal device, where the service indication frame is used to indicate that the second terminal device has the first uplink data to be transmitted; Send first indication information to the access point device, where the first indication information is used to indicate the first uplink data to be transmitted by the second terminal device.

32. The method of claim 31, wherein The first indication information is carried in an uplink PPDU frame.

33. The method according to any one of claims 29 to 32, wherein: The method further comprises: Receive fifth indication information sent by the access point device, where the fifth indication information is used to indicate that the TXS time has ended.

34. The method according to any one of claims 29 to 33, wherein: The first uplink data is LLT data.

35. The method according to any one of claims 29 to 34, wherein: The first terminal device and the second terminal device are terminal devices in the same TXOP sharing terminal group.

36. A communication device, characterized in that The method comprises a module or unit for executing the method according to any one of claims 1 to 17, or a module or unit for executing the method according to any one of claims 18 to 28, or a module or unit for executing the method according to any one of claims 29 to 35.

37. A communication device, characterized in that: The device comprises one or more processors; the one or more processors are used to execute a computer program in a memory, so that the communication device performs the method according to any one of claims 1 to 17, or the communication device performs the method according to any one of claims 18 to 28, or the communication device performs the method according to any one of claims 29 to 35.

38. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that The storage medium stores a computer program or instruction. When the computer program or instruction is executed by a computer, the method according to any one of claims 1 to 17, or the method according to any one of claims 18 to 28, or the method according to any one of claims 29 to 35 is implemented.

39. A computer program product, characterized in that When a computer reads and executes the computer program product, the computer is caused to execute the method according to any one of claims 1 to 17, or the method according to any one of claims 18 to 28, or the method according to any one of claims 29 to 35.

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