Communication method and related apparatus

Abstract

The present application provides a communication method and a communication apparatus, applied to the technical field of communications. For example, the technical solution provided by the present application can be applied to an IEEE protocol. In the technical solution provided by the present application, a communication device capable of learning about related information of a cellular network notifies a device in a WLAN of the related information of the cellular network, to provide the related information of the cellular network for the device in the WLAN to adjust a transmission policy, so as to provide a technical support for the device in the WLAN to adjust the transmission policy, thereby enabling the transmission policy adjusted by the device in the WLAN to be conducive to avoiding interference between cellular communications and WLAN communications.

Description

Communication method and related apparatus

[0001] This application claims priority from the Chinese patent application No. 202410469216.6 filed on April 17, 2024, and entitled "Communication method and related apparatus", the content of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] The present application relates to the field of communication technology, and in particular to a communication method and related apparatus. BACKGROUND

[0003] The communication between devices in a wireless local area network (WLAN) and the communication between devices in a cellular network can interfere with each other. How to avoid the interference between the communication between devices in a WLAN and the communication between devices in a cellular network becomes a technical problem to be solved urgently. SUMMARY

[0004] The present application provides a communication method and related apparatus, which helps to avoid the interference between the communication between devices in a WLAN and the communication between devices in a cellular network.

[0005] In a first aspect, the present application provides a communication method, the device to which the method is applied is referred to as a first communication device, the communication network of the first communication device comprises a cellular network and a WLAN, and the method comprises: determining first information, the first information indicating at least one of the following information: a working channel of the cellular network in which the first communication device is located, a sending time of the first information, an uplink period of the cellular network, a downlink period of the cellular network, a time period during which WLAN communication is allowed, a communication protection interval of the cellular network, or a communication device in the cellular network that is interfered with by the communication of the WLAN; and sending the first information to a second communication device, the communication network of the second communication device comprising a WLAN.

[0006] In the method, the first communication device sends the first information to the second communication device, which provides available reference information for the device in the WLAN where the second communication device is located to adjust its WLAN communication strategy to avoid interference of the WLAN communication on the cellular communication and / or avoid interference of the WLAN communication by the cellular communication. The technical solution of the present application provides technical support for the device in the WLAN where the second communication device is located to adjust its WLAN communication strategy to avoid interference of the WLAN communication on the cellular communication and / or avoid interference of the WLAN communication by the cellular communication, which helps the device in the WLAN where the second communication device is located to adjust its WLAN communication strategy to avoid interference of the WLAN communication on the cellular communication and / or avoid interference of the WLAN communication by the cellular communication, and improves the quality of the cellular communication and / or the WLAN communication.

[0007] In the second aspect, the present application provides a communication method, the device applying the method is referred to as a second communication device, and the communication network of the second communication device comprises a WLAN. The method comprises the following steps: receiving first information from a first communication device, wherein the communication network of the first communication device comprises a cellular network and a WLAN, and the first information indicates at least one of the following information: a working channel of the cellular network where the first communication device is located, a sending time of the first information, an uplink period of the cellular network, a downlink period of the cellular network, a time period during which WLAN communication is allowed, a communication protection interval of the cellular network, or a communication device in the cellular network that is interfered by WLAN communication; and sending second information to a third communication device, wherein the second information comprises all or part of the information in the first information, and the communication network of the third communication device comprises a WLAN.

[0008] In the method, after the second communication device as a WLAN device receives the first information from the first communication device, the second communication device sends all or part of the first information to a third communication device as a WLAN device, which provides available reference information for the third communication device to adjust its WLAN communication strategy in the WLAN where the third communication device is located to avoid interference of the WLAN communication on the cellular communication and / or avoid interference of the WLAN communication by the cellular communication. The technical solution of the present application provides technical support for the device in the WLAN where the third communication device is located to adjust its WLAN communication strategy to avoid interference of the WLAN communication on the cellular communication and / or avoid interference of the WLAN communication by the cellular communication, which helps the device in the WLAN where the third communication device is located to adjust its WLAN communication strategy to avoid interference of the WLAN communication on the cellular communication and / or avoid interference of the WLAN communication by the cellular communication, and improves the quality of the cellular communication and / or the WLAN communication.

[0009] In some possible implementation manners, the sending the second information to the third communication device comprises: sending the second information to the third communication device by a first manner, wherein the first manner comprises at least one of the following manners: sending the second information to the third communication device through a first PSDU, a transmission duration of the first PSDU is less than a first duration, the first duration is a transmission duration of a PSDU scheduled by the third communication device; sending the second information to the third communication device through a contention working channel; sending the second information to the third communication device using a first transmission power, the first transmission power is less than a transmission power of information sent to the third communication device before the second communication device receives the first information; sending the second information to the third communication device using a first link, the first link is a link other than a link of information sent to the third communication device before the second communication device receives the first information; sending the second information to the third communication device in an uplink time slot of the cellular network; or sending the second information to the third communication device through an information frame, a preamble in the information frame is punctured and / or a resource unit (RU) corresponding to the information frame comprises a first RU, a second RU and two third RUs, the third RU comprises 966 subcarriers, the second RU comprises 484 subcarriers, and the first RU comprises 242 subcarriers.

[0010] In this implementation manner, the transmission duration of the PSDU for sending the second information is less than the transmission duration scheduled by the third communication device, that is, the transmission duration of the PSDU for sending the second information by the second communication device is limited or shortened, so that the interference of the WLAN communication of the second communication device on the cellular communication can be reduced.

[0011] In this implementation manner, the second communication device sends the second information to the third communication device through a contention working channel, which helps to avoid the working channel for sending the second information being the same as the working channel of the cellular network, so as to help to avoid the interference between the WLAN communication and the cellular communication.

[0012] In this implementation manner, the second communication device sends the second information to the third communication device using a first transmission power, the first transmission power is less than a transmission power of information sent to the third communication device before the second communication device receives the first information, which can be understood as that the second communication device reduces or limits the transmission power of the second information, so as to reduce the interference of the WLAN communication on the cellular communication.

[0013] In this implementation manner, the second communication device sends the second information to the third communication device using a first link, the first link is a link other than a link of information sent to the third communication device before the second communication device receives the first information, which can be understood as that the second communication device adjusts the link for sending the second information, so as to avoid the interference between the WLAN communication and the cellular communication.

[0014] In the implementation, the second information is sent to the third communication device in an uplink time slot of the cellular network, and because the transmission time of the second information is staggered with the uplink communication time of the terminal device in the cellular network, interference between the WLAN communication and the cellular communication can be avoided.

[0015] In the implementation, the second information is sent to the third communication device in an information frame, and the preamble in the information frame is punctured. From one perspective, the transmission time of the information frame can be shortened to avoid interference between the WLAN communication and the cellular communication. From another perspective, when the transmission time of the information frame remains unchanged, the second information can contain more information in the first information, which helps the third communication device to adjust the WLAN communication strategy more accurately based on more information, and more effectively avoid interference between the WLAN communication and the cellular communication.

[0016] In some possible implementations, the second information can be sent through a working channel other than the working channel of the cellular network to avoid interference between the WLAN communication and the cellular communication.

[0017] In some possible implementations, if the second information contains a first part of information in the first information, the method further includes: sending third information to the third communication device, the third information containing a second part of information in the first information.

[0018] In the implementation, the information in the first information can be sent in batches, and the transmission time of the information is reduced to avoid interference between the WLAN communication and the cellular communication.

[0019] In some possible implementations, the third information is sent to the third communication device through a second manner, and the second manner includes at least one of the manners mentioned in the foregoing implementations.

[0020] In some possible implementations, the method further includes: sending fourth information to the third communication device, the fourth information indicating whether each piece of information in the first information is contained in the second information. Alternatively, the fourth information indicates which information in the first information is contained in the second information, or the fourth information indicates which information in the second information is contained in the first information.

[0021] The implementation can enable the third communication device to learn the length of the second information based on the fourth information, and facilitate reception of the second information.

[0022] In some possible implementations, the method further includes: sending fifth information to the third communication device, the fifth information indicating a link that is interfered by the cellular network. This helps the third communication device to adjust the WLAN communication strategy based on the fifth information to avoid the link interfered by the cellular network, and thus helps to avoid interference of the cellular communication on the WLAN communication.

[0023] In some possible implementation manners, the method further includes: receiving sixth information from the third communication device, the sixth information indicating at least one of the following: a time length for reducing data sent by the second communication device, a transmission power of the second communication device, a link of the third communication device removing a corresponding link of the second communication device, transmitting data in an uplink time slot of the cellular network, communicating through preamble puncturing, or switching to another operating channel different from the operating channel of the cellular network.

[0024] In this implementation manner, the indication of the sixth information can enable the second communication device to avoid interference between WLAN communication and cellular communication in a subsequent WLAN communication process.

[0025] In a third aspect, the present application provides a communication method, and a device applying the method can be referred to as a third communication device. The communication network of the third communication device includes a WLAN. The method includes: receiving second information from a second communication device, the communication network of the second communication device including a WLAN, and the second information indicating at least one of the following: an operating channel of a cellular network in which the first communication device is located, an uplink period of the cellular network, a downlink period of the cellular network, a time period in which WLAN communication is allowed, a communication protection interval of the cellular network, or a communication device in the cellular network that is interfered by WLAN communication.

[0026] In some possible implementation manners, the first communication device and the second communication device communicate through the WLAN.

[0027] In the method, the third communication device receives the second information, and adjusts a WLAN communication strategy of a device in the WLAN in which the third communication device is located, to avoid interference of WLAN communication on cellular communication and / or to avoid interference of WLAN communication by cellular communication, thereby providing available reference information for the third communication device to adjust the WLAN communication strategy of the device in the WLAN in which the third communication device is located, to avoid interference of WLAN communication on cellular communication and / or to avoid interference of WLAN communication by cellular communication. This helps the third communication device to adjust the WLAN communication strategy of the device in the WLAN in which the third communication device is located, to avoid interference of WLAN communication on cellular communication and / or to avoid interference of WLAN communication by cellular communication, and improves the quality of cellular communication and / or WLAN communication.

[0028] In some possible implementation manners, the method further includes: sending sixth information to the second communication device, the sixth information indicating at least one of the following information: reducing a time length of data sent by the second communication device, reducing a sending power of the second communication device, removing a link corresponding to the second communication device in a link of the third communication device, transmitting data in an uplink time slot of the cellular network, communicating through preamble puncturing, or switching to another operating channel different from an operating channel of the cellular network.

[0029] That is, the third communication device can adjust the communication parameter or the communication strategy of the second communication device and other WLAN communication devices in the above manner to avoid interference between WLAN communication and cellular communication.

[0030] In some possible implementation manners, the method can include sending data to the third communication device in a third manner, the communication network of the third communication device including a WLAN, wherein the third manner includes at least one of the following manners: sending data to the third communication device through a first PSDU, a transmission time length of the first PSDU being less than a first time length, the first time length being a transmission time length of a PSDU scheduled by the third communication device; sending data to the third communication device through a contended operating channel; sending data to the third communication device using a first sending power, the first sending power being less than a power used to send information to the third communication device before the second communication device receives the first information; sending data to the third communication device using a first link, the first link being another link other than a link used to send information to the third communication device before the second communication device receives the first information; sending data to the third communication device in an uplink time slot of the cellular network; or sending data to the third communication device through an information frame, a preamble in the information frame being punctured and / or a resource unit RU corresponding to the information frame including a first RU, a second RU and two third RUs, the third RU including 966 subcarriers, the second RU including 484 subcarriers, and the first RU including 242 subcarriers.

[0031] That is, the second communication device can adjust its own communication parameter or communication strategy based on the first information to avoid interference between WLAN communication and cellular communication.

[0032] In a fourth aspect, the present application provides a communication method, which is applied to a second communication device, and a communication network of the second communication device comprises a WLAN. The method comprises: receiving first information from a first communication device, a communication network of the first communication device comprises a cellular network and a WLAN, and the first information indicates at least one of the following information: an operating channel of a cellular network in which the first communication device is located, a sending time of the first information, an uplink period of the cellular network, a downlink period of the cellular network, a time period in which wireless local area network communication is allowed, a communication protection interval of the cellular network, or a communication device in the cellular network that is interfered by communication of the WLAN; and sending data to a third communication device by a third mode, a communication network of the third communication device comprises a WLAN, wherein the third mode comprises at least one of the following modes: sending data to the third communication device by a first PSDU, a transmission time length of the first PSDU is less than a first time length, and the first time length is a transmission time length of a PSDU scheduled by the third communication device; sending data to the third communication device by a contended operating channel; sending data to the third communication device by using a first sending power, the first sending power is less than a sending power of sending information to the third communication device before the second communication device receives the first information; sending data to the third communication device by using a first link, the first link is a link other than a link used by the second communication device to send information to the third communication device before the second communication device receives the first information; sending data to the third communication device in an uplink time slot of the cellular network; or sending data to the third communication device by an information frame, a preamble in the information frame is punctured and / or a resource unit RU corresponding to the information frame comprises a first RU, a second RU and two third RUs, the third RU comprises 966 subcarriers, the second RU comprises 484 subcarriers, and the first RU comprises 242 subcarriers.

[0033] In the method, after the second communication device receives the first information, the second communication device adjusts a communication parameter or a communication strategy of the second communication device based on the first information, so as to avoid interference between the WLAN communication and the cellular communication.

[0034] In a fifth aspect, the present application provides a communication apparatus. The apparatus can comprise a module corresponding to each of the methods / operations / steps / actions described in the first aspect, which can be a hardware circuit, software or a combination of hardware circuit and software.

[0035] In one design, the apparatus can comprise a processing module and a communication module. The communication module can be configured to perform the sending actions and the receiving actions in the method described in the first aspect, and the processing module can be configured to perform the actions related to processing (e.g., obtaining and determining) in the method described in the first aspect. The communication module can comprise a cellular communication module and a WLAN communication module.

[0036] In one design, the apparatus can be a terminal, or a device, module, circuit, or chip configured to be located in a terminal, or a device that can be used in conjunction with a terminal. The terminal can be capable of cellular communication and WLAN communication, or the terminal can include a cellular communication module and a WLAN communication module.

[0037] In one design, the apparatus can be a network device, or a device, module, circuit, or chip configured to be located in a network device, or a device that can be used in conjunction with a network device. The network device can be capable of cellular communication and WLAN communication, or the network device can include a cellular communication module and a WLAN communication module.

[0038] In a sixth aspect, the present application provides a communication apparatus. The apparatus can include a module corresponding to each of the steps of the method described in the second aspect. The module can be hardware, software, or a combination thereof.

[0039] In one design, the apparatus can include a processing module and a communication module. The communication module can be configured to perform the transmitting and receiving actions in the method described in the second aspect, and the processing module can be configured to perform the actions involving processing (e.g., obtaining and determining) in the method described in the second aspect. The communication module can include a WLAN communication module.

[0040] In one design, the apparatus can be a STA, or a device, module, circuit, or chip configured to be located in a STA, or a device that can be used in conjunction with a STA.

[0041] In a seventh aspect, the present application provides a communication apparatus. The apparatus can include a module corresponding to each of the steps of the method described in the third aspect. The module can be hardware, software, or a combination thereof.

[0042] In one design, the apparatus can include a processing module and a communication module. The communication module can be configured to perform the transmitting and receiving actions in the method described in the third aspect, and the processing module can be configured to perform the actions involving processing (e.g., obtaining and determining) in the method described in the third aspect. The communication module can include a WLAN communication module.

[0043] In one design, the apparatus can be an AP, or a device, module, circuit, or chip configured to be located in an AP, or a device that can be used in conjunction with an AP.

[0044] In an eighth aspect, the present application provides a communication apparatus. The apparatus can include a module corresponding to each of the method / operation / step / action described in the fourth aspect. The module can be a hardware circuit, a software, or a combination of hardware circuit and software.

[0045] In one design, the apparatus can include a processing module and a communication module. The communication module can be configured to perform the sending and receiving actions in the method described in the fourth aspect, and the processing module can be configured to perform the actions involving processing (e.g., obtaining and determining) in the method described in the fourth aspect. The communication module can include a WLAN communication module.

[0046] In one design, the apparatus can be a STA, or a device, module, circuit, or chip configured to be deployed in a STA, or a device that can be used in conjunction with a STA.

[0047] In a ninth aspect, a device is provided, which includes a processor and a storage medium. The storage medium stores instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the method in the first aspect to be implemented.

[0048] In a tenth aspect, a device is provided, which includes a processor and a storage medium. The storage medium stores instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the method in the second aspect to be implemented.

[0049] In an eleventh aspect, a device is provided, which includes a processor and a storage medium. The storage medium stores instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the method in the third aspect to be implemented.

[0050] In a twelfth aspect, a device is provided, which includes a processor and a storage medium. The storage medium stores instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the method in the fourth aspect to be implemented.

[0051] In a thirteenth aspect, a device is provided, which includes a processing circuit. The processing circuit is configured to process data and / or information, so that the method in the first aspect is implemented.

[0052] The processing circuit can include one or more processors, or all or a part of a circuit in one or more processors that is configured to perform processing functions.

[0053] Optionally, the device can further include a memory configured to store a program or instructions, and the processor is configured to execute the program or instructions, so that the method in the first aspect is implemented.

[0054] Optionally, the device can further include the transceiver, or an input / output interface.

[0055] In a fourteenth aspect, there is provided an apparatus comprising processing circuitry configured to process data and / or information to cause the method in the second aspect to be implemented.

[0056] The processing circuitry can comprise one or more processors, or all or part of one or more processors used for processing functions.

[0057] Optionally, the apparatus can further comprise a memory configured to store a program or instructions, and the processor is configured to execute the program or instructions to cause the method in the second aspect to be implemented.

[0058] Optionally, the apparatus can further comprise the transceiver circuitry, or an input / output interface.

[0059] In a fifteenth aspect, there is provided an apparatus comprising processing circuitry configured to process data and / or information to cause the method in the third aspect to be implemented.

[0060] The processing circuitry can comprise one or more processors, or all or part of one or more processors used for processing functions.

[0061] Optionally, the apparatus can further comprise a memory configured to store a program or instructions, and the processor is configured to execute the program or instructions to cause the method in the third aspect to be implemented.

[0062] Optionally, the apparatus can further comprise the transceiver circuitry, or an input / output interface.

[0063] In a sixteenth aspect, there is provided an apparatus comprising processing circuitry configured to process data and / or information to cause the method in the fourth aspect to be implemented.

[0064] The processing circuitry can comprise one or more processors, or all or part of one or more processors used for processing functions.

[0065] Optionally, the apparatus can further comprise a memory configured to store a program or instructions, and the processor is configured to execute the program or instructions to cause the method in the fourth aspect to be implemented.

[0066] Optionally, the apparatus can further comprise the transceiver circuitry, or an input / output interface.

[0067] In a seventeenth aspect, there is provided a chip comprising processing circuitry configured to execute a program or instructions to cause the method in the first aspect to be implemented.

[0068] Optionally, the chip further includes a memory for storing programs or instructions.

[0069] Optionally, the chip further includes a transceiver circuit, or an input / output interface.

[0070] In an eighteenth aspect, a chip is provided, including a processing circuit, the processing circuit being configured to execute programs or instructions, so that the method in the second aspect is implemented.

[0071] Optionally, the chip further includes a memory for storing programs or instructions.

[0072] Optionally, the chip further includes a transceiver circuit, or an input / output interface.

[0073] In a nineteenth aspect, a chip is provided, including a processing circuit, the processing circuit being configured to execute programs or instructions, so that the method in the third aspect is implemented.

[0074] Optionally, the chip further includes a memory for storing programs or instructions.

[0075] Optionally, the chip further includes a transceiver circuit, or an input / output interface.

[0076] In a twentieth aspect, a chip is provided, including a processing circuit, the processing circuit being configured to execute programs or instructions, so that the method in the fourth aspect is implemented.

[0077] Optionally, the chip further includes a memory for storing programs or instructions.

[0078] Optionally, the chip further includes a transceiver circuit, or an input / output interface.

[0079] In a twenty-first aspect, a computer readable storage medium is provided, the computer readable storage medium including instructions, when the instructions are executed by a processor, so that the method in the first aspect is implemented.

[0080] In a twenty-second aspect, a computer readable storage medium is provided, the computer readable storage medium including instructions, when the instructions are executed by a processor, so that the method in the second aspect is implemented.

[0081] In a twenty-third aspect, a computer readable storage medium is provided, the computer readable storage medium including instructions, when the instructions are executed by a processor, so that the method in the third aspect is implemented.

[0082] In a twenty-fourth aspect, a computer-readable storage medium is provided, the computer-readable storage medium comprising instructions that, when executed by a processor, cause the method in the fourth aspect to be implemented.

[0083] In a twenty-fifth aspect, a computer program product is provided, the computer program product comprising computer program code or instructions that, when executed by a processor, cause the method in the first aspect to be implemented.

[0084] In a twenty-sixth aspect, a computer program product is provided, the computer program product comprising computer program code or instructions that, when executed by a processor, cause the method in the second aspect to be implemented.

[0085] In a twenty-seventh aspect, a computer program product is provided, the computer program product comprising computer program code or instructions that, when executed by a processor, cause the method in the third aspect to be implemented.

[0086] In a twenty-eighth aspect, a computer program product is provided, the computer program product comprising computer program code or instructions that, when executed by a processor, cause the method in the fourth aspect to be implemented.

[0087] In a twenty-ninth aspect, a communication system is provided, the system comprising means for performing the method in the second aspect and means for performing the method in the third aspect. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0088] FIG. 1 is a system architecture diagram of one embodiment of the present application;

[0089] FIG. 2 is a structure diagram of a communication device of one embodiment of the present application;

[0090] FIG. 3 is a structure diagram of a communication device of another embodiment of the present application;

[0091] FIG. 4 is a structure diagram of a communication device of another embodiment of the present application;

[0092] FIG. 5 is a flow chart of a communication method of one embodiment of the present application;

[0093] FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of an indication method of one embodiment of the present application;

[0094] FIG. 7 is a flow chart of a communication method of one embodiment of the present application;

[0095] FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of a communication process of one embodiment of the present application;

[0096] FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram of an MLD system of one embodiment of the present application;

[0097] FIG. 10 is a structural diagram of a communication apparatus according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0098] FIG. 11 is a structural diagram of a communication apparatus according to an embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0099] The technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application will be described below with reference to the drawings in the embodiments of the present application.

[0100] In order to clearly describe the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application, in the embodiments of the present application, the same items or similar items with basically the same functions and effects are distinguished by using "first", "second", and the like. Those skilled in the art can understand that "first", "second", and the like do not limit the quantity and execution order, and "first", "second", and the like do not necessarily mean different.

[0101] It should be noted that in the embodiments of the present application, "exemplary" or "for example" is used to indicate an example, illustration, or description. Any embodiment or design solution described as "exemplary" or "for example" in the present application should not be interpreted as being more preferred or more advantageous than other embodiments or design solutions. Rather, "exemplary" or "for example" is used to present the relevant concept in a specific manner.

[0102] In the embodiments of the present application, "at least one" means one or more, and "multiple" means two or more. "And / or" describes the association between the associated objects, which means that there can be three relationships, for example, A and / or B, which can represent the following three cases: A exists alone, A and B exist together, and B exists alone, where A and B can be singular or plural. The character " / " generally represents an "or" relationship between the associated objects before and after it. "At least one of the following" or similar expressions means any combination of these items, including any combination of single item or multiple items. For example, at least one of a, b, or c can represent a, b, c, a-b, a-c, b-c, or a-b-c, where a, b, and c can be single or multiple.

[0103] The technical solutions provided by the present application can be applied to a communication system including a cellular network and a WLAN. In the present application, the cellular network is also referred to as a cellular system.

[0104] In this application, examples of cellular systems are as follows: a 5th generation (5G) or new radio (NR) system, a long term evolution (LTE) system, an LTE frequency division duplex (FDD) system, an LTE time division duplex (TDD) system, an open radio access network (ORAN), a satellite communication system, a future communication system such as a 6th generation (6G) mobile communication system, or a converged system of multiple systems described above, and the like.

[0105] The communication system in this application can be referred to as a device to device (D2D) communication system, a vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication system, a machine to machine (M2M) communication system, a machine type communication (MTC) system, an internet of things (IoT) communication system, or other names in some scenarios.

[0106] In the technical solutions provided in this application, the terminal device can also be referred to as a user equipment (UE), an access terminal, a user unit, a user station, a mobile station, a mobile station, a remote station, a remote terminal, a mobile device, a user terminal, a terminal, a wireless communication device, a user agent, or a user device.

[0107] WLAN refers to a wireless local area network constructed by wireless technology. The wireless technology here can include Wi-Fi. Through WLAN wireless technology, users can conveniently access the wireless network and freely move in the wireless network coverage area, avoiding the constraints of wired.

[0108] Wi-Fi communication includes two modes, namely, an access point (AP) mode and a station (STA) mode.

[0109] In the AP mode, the communication device acts as the central node of the wireless network, such as a wireless router or a hotspot, responsible for managing the wireless network, managing connected client devices, and providing a relay point for data transmission. The communication device acting as a client can connect to the communication device working in the AP mode to access the Internet or other network resources through the communication device working in the AP mode. The communication device in the AP mode usually has stronger processing capability and more stable network connection to support multiple client devices to connect and transmit data at the same time.

[0110] The STA mode refers to the communication device as a client node in the wireless network, that is, a common wireless terminal device. In the STA mode, the communication device connects to an existing wireless network (usually established by a device in the AP mode) to access network resources or the Internet. The communication device in the STA mode searches for and connects to available wireless networks and can transmit data according to the network configuration. The communication device in the STA mode usually focuses more on mobility and convenience and may not have advanced network management functions as the communication device in the AP mode.

[0111] In short, in the AP mode, the communication device acts as the creator and manager of the wireless network, and in the STA mode, the communication device acts as the user or client of the wireless network.

[0112] In some scenarios, the communication device working in the STA mode can be referred to as STA, and the communication device working in the AP mode can be referred to as AP.

[0113] In the technical solution of the present application, the terminal device or network device can work in the STA mode, and the terminal device or network device can also work in the AP mode.

[0114] In the technical solution of the present application, the communication device needs to include a Wi-Fi module to work in the STA mode or the AP mode, and needs to include a cellular module to communicate in the cellular network.

[0115] The Wi-Fi module, also known as Wi-Fi module or serial Wi-Fi module, is an electronic component that integrates Wi-Fi wireless communication functions. The main function of the Wi-Fi module is to convert serial or TTL level signals into signals that meet the Wi-Fi wireless network communication standards. This module has built-in wireless network protocols such as IEEE802.11b, IEEE802.11g, or IEEE802.11n protocol stack, and can also have built-in TCP / IP protocol stack, allowing hardware devices to connect to the Internet through Wi-Fi. Wi-Fi modules are commonly used in various Internet of Things devices and systems, such as smart homes, M2M communication, smart agriculture, industrial automation, and logistics tracking.

[0116] A cellular module, also referred to as a cellular module, is a circuit module integrating baseband chips, memory, and power amplifier devices. Such a module provides a standard interface, enabling various terminal devices (such as smartphones and the like) to achieve data transmission functions. Cellular modules can be divided into 2G, 3G, 4G, 5G, 6G, NB IoT and eMTC in LPWAN, and the like, mainly for specific network standards, such as 4G modules for accessing 4G networks, and NB IoT modules for accessing NB IoT networks.

[0117] A terminal device can be a device that provides voice / data, such as a handheld device with wireless connection capabilities, a vehicle-mounted device, and the like. Currently, some examples of terminals are: a mobile phone, a tablet computer, a notebook computer, a palm computer, a mobile internet device (MID), a wearable device, a virtual reality (VR) device, an augmented reality (AR) device, a wireless terminal in industrial control, a wireless terminal in self driving, a wireless terminal in remote medical surgery, a wireless terminal in a smart grid, a wireless terminal in transportation safety, a wireless terminal in a smart city, a wireless terminal in a smart home, a cellular phone, a cordless phone, a session initiation protocol (SIP) phone, a wireless local loop (WLL) station, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a handheld device with wireless communication capabilities, a computing device or other processing device connected to a wireless modem, a wearable device, a terminal device in a 5G network, or a terminal device in a future evolved public land mobile network (PLMN), and the like, which are not limited by embodiments of the present application.

[0118] As an example but not limitation, in the embodiments of the present application, the terminal device can also be a wearable device. The wearable device can also be referred to as a wearable smart device, which is a general term for devices that are designed and developed by applying wearable technology to daily wear, such as glasses, gloves, watches, clothing, and shoes. The wearable device is a portable device that is directly worn on the body or integrated into the clothes or accessories of the user. The wearable device is not only a hardware device, but also has powerful functions through software support and data interaction and cloud interaction. The general wearable smart device includes devices with full functions, large sizes, and the ability to realize complete or partial functions without relying on a smart phone, such as smart watches or smart glasses, and devices that focus on a certain type of application function and need to be used in cooperation with other devices, such as smart phones, such as various smart wristbands and smart jewelry for monitoring vital signs.

[0119] The network device in the embodiments of the present application can be referred to as an access network device or a radio access network device, for example, the network device can be a base station. The network device in the embodiments of the present application can refer to a radio access network (RAN) node (or device) that accesses a terminal device to a wireless network. The base station can broadly cover various names in the following or be replaced by the following names, such as: Node B (NodeB), evolved Node B (eNB), next generation Node B (gNB), relay station, access point, transmitting and receiving point (TRP), transmitting point (TP), primary station, secondary station, multi-standard radio (MSR) node, home base station, network controller, access node, wireless node, access point (AP), transmission node, transceiver node, baseband unit (BBU), remote radio unit (RRU), active antenna unit (AAU), remote radio head (RRH), central unit (CU), distributed unit (DU), radio unit (RU), positioning node, etc. The base station can be a macro base station, a micro base station, a relay node, a donor node or the like, or a combination thereof. The base station can also refer to a communication module, modem or chip used in the foregoing devices or apparatuses. The base station can also be a mobile switching center and a device assuming a base station function in D2D, V2X, M2M communication, a network side device in a 6G network, a device assuming a base station function in a future communication system, etc. The base station can support networks of the same or different access technologies. Optionally, the RAN node can also be a server, a wearable device, a vehicle or a vehicle-mounted device, etc. For example, the access network device in vehicle to everything (V2X) technology can be a roadside unit (RSU). The embodiments of the present application do not limit the specific technology and specific device form adopted by the network device.In some deployments, the network device mentioned in the embodiments of the present application can be a device including a CU, or a DU, or a device including a CU and a DU, or a control plane CU node (central unit-control plane (CU-CP)) and a user plane CU node (central unit-user plane (CU-UP)) and a DU node. For example, the network device can include a gNB-CU-CP, a gNB-CU-UP and a gNB-DU.

[0120] The technical solutions of the present application are applicable to IEEE protocols. The IEEE protocols herein can include at least one of the following protocols: IEEE 802.11be / Wi-Fi 7 / EHT protocol, IEEE 802.11bn / UHR / Wi-Fi 8 protocol, IEEE IntegratedmmWave / Integrated millimeter wave / IMMW protocol, IEEE 802.15 / UWB protocol, or IEEE 802.11bf / sensing / sensing protocol.

[0121] The technical solutions of the present application are also applicable to starlink / sparklink / nearlink standard protocols.

[0122] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an application scenario of a communication method suitable for the embodiments of the present application. As shown in FIG. 1, the application scenario can include a base station 110, a mobile phone 120, a mobile phone 130, a tablet computer 140, a tablet computer 150 and a router 160.

[0123] Among them, the base station 110 communicates with the mobile phone 120 through the cellular network, the base station 110 communicates with the mobile phone 130 through the cellular network, the mobile phone 120 communicates with the tablet computer 140 through WLAN, the tablet computer 140 communicates with the tablet computer 150 through WLAN, and the router 160 communicates with the mobile phone 130 and the tablet computer 150 through WLAN.

[0124] It can be understood that the base station 110, the mobile phone 120, the mobile phone 130, the tablet computer 140, the tablet computer 150 and the router 160 in the figure are only an example, and any one of them can be used to represent a device with the same or similar function as the device.

[0125] For example, the base station 110 represents a wireless access network device in a cellular network; the mobile phone 120 and the mobile phone 130 represent devices that can access the Internet through both a cellular network and a WLAN established by an AP; the tablet 140 and the tablet 150 represent devices that access the Internet through a WLAN established by an AP, which can be replaced by household appliances with wireless communication functions, etc.; and the router 160 represents an access point of the WLAN, which can be replaced by a switch, a bridge, a computer, or a communication server, etc.

[0126] It should be noted that FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram for ease of understanding, and in actual applications, the application scenario of the technical solution of the present application can include more or fewer communication devices. The number of communication devices included in the application scenario is not limited by the embodiments of the present application.

[0127] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a communication device according to an embodiment of the present application. As shown in FIG. 2, the communication device 200 includes a processor 211, a memory 212, a transceiver 213, and a Wi-Fi module 214. The transceiver 213 includes a transmitter 2131, a receiver 2132, and an antenna 2133.

[0128] The processor 211, the memory 212, the transceiver 213, and the Wi-Fi module 214 communicate with each other through internal connection paths. The receiver 2132 can be configured to receive transmission control information through the antenna 2133, and the transmitter 2131 can be configured to send transmission feedback information through the antenna 2133.

[0129] For example, the communication device 2 can be the tablet 140, the tablet 150, or the router 160 in FIG. 1.

[0130] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a communication device according to an embodiment of the present application. As shown in FIG. 3, the communication device 300 includes a processor 311, a memory 312, a transceiver 313, and a cellular module 314. The transceiver 313 includes a transmitter 3131, a receiver 3132, and an antenna 3133.

[0131] The processor 311, the memory 312, the transceiver 313, and the cellular module 314 communicate with each other through internal connection paths. The receiver 3132 can be configured to receive transmission control information through the antenna 3133, and the transmitter 3131 can be configured to send transmission feedback information through the antenna 3133.

[0132] One difference between the communication device 300 and the communication device 200 is that the communication device 300 includes a cellular module, and the communication device 200 includes a Wi-Fi module. For example, the communication device 300 can be the base station 110 in FIG. 1.

[0133] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of a communication device according to an embodiment of the application. As shown in Figure 4, the communication device 400 comprises a processor 411, a memory 412, a transceiver 413, a cellular module 414, and a Wi-Fi module 415. The transceiver 413 comprises a transmitter 4131, a receiver 4132, and an antenna 4133.

[0134] The processor 411, the memory 412, the transceiver 413, the Wi-Fi module 415, and the cellular module 414 communicate with each other via internal connection paths. The receiver 4132 can be configured to receive transmission control information via the antenna 4133, and the transmitter 4131 can be configured to transmit transmission feedback information via the antenna 4133.

[0135] The communication device 400 differs from the communication device 200 in that the communication device 400 further comprises a cellular module. As an example, the communication device 400 can be the mobile phone 120 or the mobile phone 130 in Figure 1.

[0136] As an example, the application scenario shown in Figure 1, the cellular communication of the mobile phone 120, the base station 110, and the mobile phone 130 interferes with the WLAN communication of the mobile phone 120, the mobile phone 130, the tablet computer 140, the tablet computer 150, and the router 160.

[0137] To solve the above problem, the application provides a new technical solution. In the technical solution, the devices in the WLAN are informed that there is a cellular network around them, so that the communication strategy in the WLAN is adjusted to prevent the WLAN communication from interfering with the cellular communication and / or to avoid the cellular communication from interfering with the WLAN communication.

[0138] Figure 5 is an exemplary flowchart of a communication method according to an embodiment of the application. As shown in Figure 5, the method comprises S510 and S520.

[0139] S510, a first communication device determines first information. The first information indicates at least one of the following: a working channel of a cellular network in which the first communication device is located, a transmission time of the first information, an uplink period of the cellular network, a downlink period of the cellular network, a time period during which wireless local area network (WLAN) communication is allowed, a communication protection interval, a communication device in the cellular network that is interfered with by the WLAN communication, or a number of communication devices in the cellular network that are interfered with by the WLAN communication.

[0140] The communication network of the first communication device comprises a cellular network and a WLAN, or in other words, the first communication device comprises a cellular module and a Wi-Fi module.

[0141] As an example, the first communication device can be the mobile phone 120 in Figure 1, or the first communication device can be the mobile phone 130 in Figure 1.

[0142] As an example, the structure of the first communication device is shown in FIG. 4.

[0143] S520, the first communication device sends the first information to the second communication device. Correspondingly, the second communication device receives the first information from the first communication device.

[0144] The communication network of the second communication device comprises a WLAN, or the second communication device comprises a Wi-Fi module. The first communication device and the second communication device can communicate through the WLAN.

[0145] The first communication device can send the first information to the second communication device through the WLAN. For example, the first communication device sends the first information to the second communication device through the Wi-Fi module, and the Wi-Fi module of the second communication device receives the first information.

[0146] As an example, when the first communication device is the mobile phone 120 in FIG. 1, the second communication device is the tablet computer 140 in FIG. 1. As an example, when the first communication device is the mobile phone 130 in FIG. 1, the second communication device is the router 130 in FIG. 1.

[0147] In the method, the first communication device sends the first information to the second communication device, which provides available reference information for the devices in the WLAN where the second communication device is located to adjust their WLAN communication strategies to avoid interference of the WLAN communication to the cellular communication and / or avoid interference of the WLAN communication by the cellular communication. The technical solution of the present application provides technical support for the devices in the WLAN where the second communication device is located to adjust their WLAN communication strategies to avoid interference of the WLAN communication to the cellular communication and / or avoid interference of the WLAN communication by the cellular communication, which helps the devices in the WLAN where the second communication device is located to adjust their WLAN communication strategies to avoid interference of the WLAN communication to the cellular communication and / or avoid interference of the WLAN communication by the cellular communication, and improves the quality of the cellular communication and / or the WLAN communication.

[0148] In the embodiment, the sending time of the first information is to provide a more accurate time reference point for the second communication device or other WLAN devices (for example, an AP), for example, a more accurate time reference point for the uplink period and the downlink period.

[0149] Optionally, if the sending time of the first information is not included in the first information, the second communication device or other WLAN devices (for example, an AP) can take the time of receiving the first information as a reference point.

[0150] In the embodiment, the uplink period and / or the downlink period are for the second communication device or other WLAN device (e.g., an AP) to acquire when transmission can not cause interference to the cellular device;

[0151] In some implementations, the first information can further indicate information that a cellular network exists in a periphery of the first communication device. Because the first communication device and the second communication device are in short-distance communication (i.e., WLAN), i.e., the distance between the first communication device and the second communication device is relatively short, the cellular network existing in the periphery of the first communication device can also be understood as the cellular network existing in the periphery of the second communication device, or can be understood as the cellular network existing in the periphery of the WLAN in which the second communication device is located, or can be understood as the cellular network existing in the periphery of the device in the WLAN in which the second communication device is located.

[0152] In some implementations, the sending time of the first information is understood as the sending time of the frame carrying the first information. The sending time of the first information frame can be referred to as the timestamp of the first information frame.

[0153] In some implementations, one or more of the uplink period and the downlink period are in time units (TUs). One TU can be 1024 microseconds, i.e., 1 millisecond.

[0154] In some implementations, the communication protection interval can be understood as a protection interval for downlink communication of the cellular network, i.e., a time interval for protecting downlink communication in the cellular network from interference.

[0155] The communication protection interval is to prevent errors caused by time jitter of the second communication device or other WLAN device (e.g., an AP). Within the communication protection interval, the WLAN device can be prohibited from transmitting on the channel on which the cellular device operates, or the WLAN device can be allowed to reduce transmission power, etc.

[0156] FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of a timestamp, an uplink period, a downlink period, and a communication protection interval. As shown in FIG. 6, the timestamp t0 of the first information frame is a reference point, t0-t1 to t0+t3 is an uplink period, t0+t3 to t0+t4 is a downlink period, and t0+t2 to t0+t3 is a protection interval. The “-” therein represents a subtraction operation.

[0157] In the time diagram shown in FIG. 6, the time period between t0-t1 and t0+t2 can be a transmission duration that can be used by the WLAN, or in other words, the WLAN can communicate within the time period to avoid interference between the WLAN and the cellular network.

[0158] As an example, the uplink period field in the first information can indicate t1 and t3, the downlink period field can indicate t4 and t4, and the communication protection interval field can indicate t2 and t3.

[0159] Alternatively, the first information can not indicate the uplink period, the downlink period and the communication protection interval, but directly indicate the transmission duration that can be used by the WLAN. For example, the first information can include a transmission duration field, in which t1 and t2 are indicated, so that the period of t0-t1 to t0+t1 can be determined as the transmission duration that can be used by the WLAN.

[0160] In some implementations, the information such as the operating channel of the cellular network in which the first communication device is located, the uplink period of the cellular network, the downlink period of the cellular network, the communication protection interval and the existence of the cellular network around the first communication device is informed by the cellular module of the first communication device to the Wi-Fi module of the first communication device.

[0161] In the embodiment, the frame carrying the first information is referred to as the first information frame. Table 1 is an example of the frame format of the first information frame. As shown in Table 1, the first information frame can include at least one of the following fields: Element ID, Length, Element ID Extension, the operating channel of the cellular network, the sending time of the first information, the uplink period of the cellular network, the downlink period of the cellular network, the communication protection interval, the communication device in the cellular network that is interfered by the communication of the WLAN, or the number of the communication devices in the cellular network that are interfered by the communication of the WLAN.

[0162] Table 1 Frame format of the first information frame

[0163] In Table 1, the Element ID and the Element ID Extension are used to indicate the type of the first information frame; the Length is used to indicate the length of the first information frame.

[0164] It can be understood that the position or order of the fields in Table 1 is only an example, and should not constitute a limitation on the first information frame proposed in the present application.

[0165] When the first communication device is a STA in the WLAN and the second communication device is an AP point of the WLAN, for example, the first communication device is the mobile phone 130 in Figure 1 and the second communication device is the router 160 in Figure 1, in some implementations, after the second communication device receives the first information, the second communication device can adjust the transmission strategy between the devices in the WLAN to avoid the interference between the WLAN and the cellular network.

[0166] As an example, the second communication device can limit the transmission duration of the devices (e.g., STAs) in the WLAN, or the second communication device can limit the transmission power of the devices (e.g., STAs) in the WLAN to reduce the interference of the WLAN on the cellular communication.

[0167] As an example, the multi-link device (MLD) in which the second communication device is located can drop the link in which the cellular network communication is located and use other links for communication.

[0168] As an example, the second communication device schedules the devices (e.g., STAs) in the WLAN to communicate in the uplink time slot of the cellular communication.

[0169] As an example, the second communication device communicates with the STAs in the WLAN using preamble puncturing.

[0170] As an example, the second communication device switches the channels between the devices (e.g., STAs) in the WLAN to other channels (which can be located in different frequency bands).

[0171] In some implementations, the transmission strategy adjusted by the second communication device can depend on how many first communication devices report the first information.

[0172] When the second communication device is a STA, e.g., the second communication device is the tablet 140 in FIG. 1, the second communication device can adjust its transmission strategy in the WLAN by itself after receiving the first information.

[0173] As an example, the second communication device limits the maximum physical layer protocol data unit (PPDU) duration of a single transmission of itself.

[0174] As an example, the second communication device reduces its transmission power to transmit data.

[0175] As an example, the second communication device transmits data in the uplink time slot of the cellular network.

[0176] As an example, the second communication device transmits through the AP in other links of the MLD in which the AP is located.

[0177] FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of a communication method according to another embodiment of the present application. As shown in FIG. 7, in addition to S510 and S520 in the embodiment shown in FIG. 5, the method can further include S530.

[0178] S530, the second communication device sends second information to a third communication device, the second information containing all or part of the first information. Correspondingly, the third communication device receives the second information.

[0179] The communication network of the third communication device contains a WLAN, or in other words, the third communication device is provided with a Wi-Fi module.

[0180] As an example, the Wi-Fi module in the second communication device transmits the second information, and the Wi-Fi module in the third communication device receives the second information.

[0181] As an example, the second communication device is the tablet 140 in FIG. 1, and the third communication device can be the router 160 in FIG. 1.

[0182] In the method, after the second communication device as a WLAN device receives the first information from the first communication device, the second communication device transmits all or part of the first information to the third communication device as an AP, and provides available reference information for the third communication device to adjust the WLAN communication strategy in the WLAN where the third communication device is located, so as to avoid interference of the WLAN communication on the cellular communication and / or avoid interference of the WLAN communication by the cellular communication. The technical solution of the present application provides technical support for devices in the WLAN where the third communication device is located to adjust their own WLAN communication strategies to avoid interference of the WLAN communication on the cellular communication and / or avoid interference of the WLAN communication by the cellular communication, which helps the devices in the WLAN where the third communication device is located to adjust their own WLAN communication strategies to avoid interference of the WLAN communication on the cellular communication and / or avoid interference of the WLAN communication by the cellular communication, and improves the quality of the cellular communication and / or the WLAN communication.

[0183] In some implementations, the frame carrying the second information can be referred to as a second information frame.

[0184] In an implementation, the second information frame can be the same as the first information frame, or can be different from the first information frame.

[0185] In some implementations, the second communication device transmits the second information frame to the third communication device through a first PSDU, and a transmission duration of the first PSDU is shorter than a first duration, and the first duration is a transmission duration of a PSDU scheduled by the third communication device. In other words, the second communication device transmits the second information frame by using a PSDU shorter than a PSDU scheduled by the third communication device, so as to reduce interference on the cellular communication.

[0186] For example, when the third communication device schedules the second communication device to transmit a trigger based (TB) PPDU, the second communication device transmits the second information frame by using a PSDU shorter than a PSDU scheduled by the third communication device.

[0187] In some implementations, the PSDU specifically refers to that the PPDU does not include a preamble part.

[0188] FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a duration of a PSDU carrying a second information frame. As shown in FIG. 8, the third communication device first transmits a trigger frame to schedule the second communication device to perform uplink single-user or multi-user transmission. The third communication device can specify a duration of transmission of the second communication device, a coding and modulation strategy, etc. For example, the target transmission duration in FIG. 8 is the duration of transmission scheduled by the third communication device.

[0189] The third communication device can also schedule other users at the same time. For example, when the third communication device is the router 160 in FIG. 1, the other user can be the tablet 150 in FIG. 1.

[0190] The second communication device can transmit a PSDU shorter than the target transmission duration to prevent interference with cellular communication. For example, an example of the duration of the shorter PSDU is the short frame transmission duration in FIG. 8.

[0191] After receiving the PPDU of the second communication device or the other user, the third communication device can reply with a multiple user block acknowledge (M-BA) frame.

[0192] The TB PPDU used by the second communication device to transmit the second information frame in FIG. 8 is described by taking an ultra high reliability (UHR) TB PPDU in the 802.11bn standard as an example. In the technical solutions of the present application, the TB PPDU used by the second communication device to transmit the second information frame can also be other PPDUs or names, which are not limited herein, such as applied to standards after 802.11bn.

[0193] Table 2: meanings of fields in UHR PPDU

[0194] In some possible implementation manners, if the duration of the second PSDU is shorter than the first PSDU but still sufficient to transmit all information in the first information, the second information can contain all information in the first information.

[0195] In some possible implementation manners, if the duration of the second PSDU is too short to transmit all information in the first information, the second information can contain part of the information in the first information, for example, the second information only indicates that there is cellular communication, or the second information only indicates that there is cellular communication and the operating channel in the cellular network.

[0196] The second information frame can be a fixed frame format defined by a standard, or a frame format in which various fields can appear flexibly according to requirements. As an example, the method further includes: the second communication device sending fourth information to the third communication device, the fourth information indicating whether each item of information in the first information is contained in the second information. Alternatively, the fourth information indicates which information in the first information is contained in the second information, or the fourth information indicates which information in the first information is contained in the second information.

[0197] For example, there is a bitmap of one bit indicating whether each item of information exists, so as to flexibly adjust the length of the second information frame, and thus adapt to different data rates indicated in the trigger frame.

[0198] In some implementations, the second communication device competes for the channel by itself, and sends the second information to the third communication device through the competed working channel.

[0199] In some implementations, the second communication device sends the second information to the third communication device using a first transmission power, which is smaller than the power used by the second communication device to send information to the third communication device before receiving the first information. Alternatively, the second communication device reduces the transmission power to transmit the second information frame.

[0200] In some implementations, the second communication device sends the second information frame to the third communication device in an uplink time slot of the cellular network.

[0201] In some implementations, the second communication device sends the second information frame to the third communication device by using a preamble puncturing manner.

[0202] Generally, the maximum bandwidth of cellular communication is 100 megahertz (MHz), and in some implementations, the maximum bandwidth of WLAN operation is 320 megahertz.

[0203] If the preamble puncturing manner is used, in some implementations, the WLAN can use a bandwidth of 220 megahertz for communication.

[0204] In some implementations, for a non-orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA) transmission mode of 220 megahertz, a corresponding multi-resource unit (MRU) type can be defined.

[0205] In some implementations, the defined MRU types are as follows: 2*996-tone+484-tone+242-tone MRU, where one 996-tone RU can correspond to one 80 megahertz channel, one 484-tone RU corresponds to one 40 megahertz channel, and one 242-tone RU corresponds to one 20 megahertz channel. Here, tone can represent a subcarrier.

[0206] In some implementations, to reduce the number of implementations and the corresponding complexity, the 484-tone RUs and the 242-tone RUs can be limited to be within one 80 megahertz channel.

[0207] When the RU or MRU size is larger than the 996-tone RU, in some implementations, segmentation is needed, and the corresponding segment parser parameters are defined.

[0208] As an example, the 2*996-tone+484-tone+242-tone MRU is distributed in three segments (i.e., the number of segments L=3). If the 484-tone+242-tone MRU is considered as a whole, there are three orders in total.

[0209] The 484-tone+242-tone MRU also has two different orders in one segment, but the parameters of the segmenter are not affected. Table 3 introduces the segmenter parameters with the 484-tone+242-tone order as an example. It can be understood that 242-tone+484-tone in Table 3 can be replaced by 484-tone+242-tone.

[0210] Table 3 Segmenter parameters N of 2*996-tone+484-tone+242-tone MRU CBPSS,l,u Value

[0211] N in Table 3 CBPSS,l,u (number of coded bits per symbol per stream) is the number of coded bits per OFDM symbol per spatial stream of user u in the lth 80 MHz frequency block, u=0, 1, …, N user,total-1 , l=0, 1, …, L-1; N BPSCS,u(number of coded bits per subcarrier per stream) is the number of coded bits per subcarrier per stream for user u. In dual carrier modulation (DCM), one bit is modulated onto two subcarriers, so the number of bits that can be carried is halved. Because there are 3 segments in total, the N CBPSS,3,u is empty, not applicable, not shown in Table 2.

[0212] When MRU is 2*996+484+242-tone MRU, in some implementations, an example diagram of segmenter parameter ml and the number of remaining bits for each fully occupied sub-frequency block is shown in Table 4.

[0213] Table 4 Segmenter parameter ml and the number of remaining bits for each fully occupied sub-frequency block for 2*996+484+242-tone MRU

[0214] In some implementations, first, the number of coded bits that each 80MHz frequency domain block needs to carry per symbol per spatial stream is obtained, then how to proportionally allocate to different blocks is further obtained, finally, the number of bits remaining in the two 996 parts after the (242+484) part of bits is filled is obtained, and further, the two 996 parts are alternately allocated.

[0215] In some implementations, N SD,short As shown in Table 5, N SD,short This parameter is used by the encoder to determine the number of bits that need to be encoded for the last symbol.

[0216] Table 5 N SD,short

[0217] In Table 5, BPSK is the English abbreviation of “binary phase shift keying”, which represents binary phase shift keying.

[0218] In some implementations, the second communication device sends the second information to the third communication device using a first link, the first link being a link other than the link through which the second communication device receives the first information to the third communication device.

[0219] In other words, the second communication device sends the second information frame through an AP on another link of the MLD in which the third communication device is located.

[0220] An example system diagram of MLD is shown in FIG. 9. It contains MLD A and MLD B, and there are N links between MLD A and MLD B, which are sequentially denoted as link 1 to link N, N is an integer greater than 1. MLD A contains N link transceivers, which are sequentially denoted as STAA1 to STAA N ; MLD B contains N link transceivers, which are sequentially denoted as STAB1 to STAB N ; STAAi and STABi communicate through link N, i is an integer and sequentially takes from 1 to N.

[0221] MLD can be divided into AP MLD and non-AP MLD. Different links of an AP MLD correspond to different APs, and different links of a non-AP MLD correspond to different non-AP STAs. Different links can be located in different frequency bands (such as 2.4GHz, 5GHz, 6GHz), or in the same frequency band, such as two links located in 6GL and 6GH respectively.

[0222] The STAs in the MLD shown in FIG. 9 can be AP STAs or non-AP STAs.

[0223] In some implementations, if the second information contains the first part of the information in the first information, the method further includes: sending third information to the third communication device, the third information containing the second part of the information in the first information.

[0224] In this implementation, the information in the first information can be sent in batches, reducing the transmission time of the information at one time, so as to avoid interference between WLAN communication and cellular communication

[0225] As an example, the non-intervention point multi-link device (non-AP MLD) where the second communication device is located can also send all or part of the information in the first information to the third communication device through one or more of the above methods of sending the second information frame by the second communication device.

[0226] In some implementations of the present embodiment, in some possible implementations, the method further includes: sending fifth information to the third communication device, the fifth information indicating the link that is interfered by the communication of the cellular network. This helps the third communication device to adjust the WLAN communication strategy based on the fifth information to avoid the link interfered by the cellular network, thereby helping to avoid the interference of cellular communication on WLAN communication.

[0227] For example, for the scenario of notifying the existence of cellular interference across links, the second communication device can additionally add a link identifier (Link ID) to indicate which link has the interference of cellular communication based on the above second information.

[0228] For example, for the scenario of notifying the existence of cellular interference across links, in some implementations, a bitmap can be used to indicate which link has the interference of cellular communication, and each bit corresponds to one link.

[0229] For example, according to the order of link frequency from low to high, one or more bits are set to 1 to indicate that one or more links have the interference of cellular communication.

[0230] In some implementations, the second information can indicate by default that the link where the 6GU is located, and no additional link identifier is needed for indication. Wherein, 6GU represents the upper half of the 6GHz bandwidth.

[0231] In some possible implementations, the method further includes: receiving, by the second communication device, sixth information from the third communication device, the sixth information indicating at least one of the following: a time length of data transmission by the second communication device, a transmission power of the second communication device, removal of a link corresponding to the second communication device in a link of the third communication device, transmission of data in an uplink time slot of the cellular network, communication through preamble puncturing, or switching to another operating channel different from the operating channel of the cellular network.

[0232] In this implementation, the indication of the sixth information can enable the second communication device to avoid interference between WLAN communication and cellular communication in subsequent WLAN communication.

[0233] That is, after receiving the first information, the third communication device can adjust the transmission strategy between devices in the WLAN to avoid interference between the WLAN and the cellular network.

[0234] For example, the third communication device can limit the time length of data transmission by a device (e.g., the second communication device) in the WLAN, or the third communication device can limit the transmission power of a device (e.g., the second communication device) in the WLAN to reduce the interference of the WLAN on the cellular communication.

[0235] For example, the MLD where the third communication device is located can remove the link where the cellular network communication is located and use other links for communication.

[0236] For example, the third communication device schedules a device (e.g., the second communication device) in the WLAN to communicate in the uplink time slot of the cellular communication.

[0237] As an example, the third communication device communicates with a device in the WLAN (e.g., the second communication device) in a preamble puncturing manner.

[0238] As an example, the third communication device switches the channel between the device in the WLAN (e.g., the second communication device) to another channel (which can be in a different frequency band).

[0239] In some implementations, the transmission strategy adjusted by the third communication device can depend on how many second communication devices report the second information.

[0240] It should be understood that, in this application, indication includes direct indication (also referred to as explicit indication) and implicit indication. Among them, direct indication of information A means including information A; implicit indication of information A means indicating information A through the corresponding relationship between information A and information B and directly indicating information B. Among them, the corresponding relationship between information A and information B can be predefined, pre-stored, pre-burned, or pre-configured.

[0241] It should be understood that, in this application, information C used for determination of information D includes that information D is determined based on information C only, and also includes that information D is determined based on information C and other information. In addition, information C used for determination of information D can also include the case of indirect determination, such as the case that information D is determined based on information E, and information E is determined based on information C.

[0242] The application also provides an apparatus which can be installed in a communication device or used with a communication device to enable the communication device to implement the functions implemented by the communication device in any of the preceding embodiments. For example, the apparatus can be a chip system. The chip system can be composed of a chip or include a chip and other discrete devices. For another example, the apparatus can be a computer program product. The communication device can be a terminal or a network device.

[0243] FIG. 10 is a structural schematic diagram of a communication apparatus according to an embodiment of the application. As shown in FIG. 10, the apparatus 900 can include a processing module 901 and a communication module 902.

[0244] As a first example, the apparatus 900 can be used to implement the communication method implemented by the first communication device in the embodiment shown in FIG. 5. For example, the processing module 901 is configured to implement S510, and the communication module 902 is configured to implement the sending and / or receiving performed by the first communication device in S520 and other steps.

[0245] As a second example, the apparatus 900 can be used to implement the communication method implemented by the second communication device in the embodiment shown in FIG. 5. For example, the processing module 901 is configured to implement the sending and / or receiving performed by the second communication device in S520, and the communication module 902 is configured to implement the processing-related steps performed by the second communication device in the embodiment shown in FIG. 5, such as adjusting the transmission strategy.

[0246] FIG. 11 is a structural diagram of a communication apparatus provided by another embodiment of the present application. As shown in FIG. 11, the apparatus 1000 includes a processing circuit 1001 and a communication circuit 1002. The processing circuit 1001 and the communication circuit 1002 are coupled to each other.

[0247] It can be understood that the processing circuit can be one or more processors, or can be all or part of the processing function of the circuit in the one or more processors.

[0248] It can be understood that the communication circuit 1002 can be a transceiver or an input / output interface.

[0249] Optionally, the apparatus 1000 can further include a memory 1003 configured to store instructions executed by the processing circuit 1001 or store input data required by the processing circuit 1001 to execute instructions or store data generated after the processing circuit 1001 executes instructions.

[0250] It can be understood that the memory 1003 can be located outside the processing circuit 1001, or located inside the processing circuit 1001.

[0251] As an example, the processing circuit 1001 is configured to implement the functions of the processing module 1001 described above, and the communication circuit 1002 is configured to implement the functions of the communication module 1002 described above.

[0252] As an example, the apparatus 1000 can be a communication device, or can be a chip applied to a communication device. The communication device can be the first communication device, the second communication device, or the third communication device described above.

[0253] From another perspective, the communication device can be a network device, or can be a terminal device. In some scenarios, the communication device can be an AP, or the communication device can be a STA.

[0254] When the apparatus 1000 is a communication device, the communication circuit can be a transceiver; when the apparatus 1000 is a chip, the communication circuit can be an input / output circuit, a bus, a pin, or other types of communication interfaces, wherein the input circuit in the input / output circuit can be used for receiving, and the output interface can be used for sending.

[0255] Some embodiments of the present application further provide a computer readable storage medium, wherein computer instructions are stored in the computer readable storage medium, and the computer instructions, when executed on a processor, can implement the method implemented by the first communication device, the second communication device or the third communication device in any of the above embodiments.

[0256] Some embodiments of the present application further provide a computer program product, wherein computer instructions are stored in the computer program product, and the computer instructions, when executed on a processor, can implement the method implemented by the first communication device, the second communication device or the third communication device in any of the above embodiments.

[0257] Some embodiments of the present application further provide a communication system, which can implement the method implemented by the first communication device, the second communication device or the third communication device in any of the above embodiments.

[0258] It can be understood that the processor in the embodiments of the present application can be all or part of the circuit of the following devices or the following devices for processing functions: central processing unit (CPU), and can also be other general-purpose processors, digital signal processors (DSP), field programmable gate arrays (FPGA) or other programmable logic devices, transistor logic devices, hardware components or any combination thereof. The general-purpose processor can be a microprocessor or any conventional processor.

[0259] The method steps in the embodiments of the present application can be realized by hardware or by the processor executing software instructions. The software instructions can be composed of corresponding software modules, and the software modules can be stored in random access memory, flash memory, read-only memory, programmable read-only memory, erasable programmable read-only memory, electrically erasable programmable read-only memory, register, hard disk, mobile hard disk, CD-ROM or any other form of storage medium well known in the art. An exemplary storage medium is coupled to the processor, so that the processor can read information from the storage medium and write information to the storage medium. Of course, the storage medium can also be an integral part of the processor. The processor and the storage medium can be located in a chip, such as an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or a chip system, such as a system on a chip (SOC). In addition, the chip or chip system can be located in a network device or a terminal device. Of course, the processor and the storage medium can also exist as discrete components in the network device or the terminal device.

[0260] In the above embodiments, all or part of the embodiments can be implemented by software, hardware, firmware or any combination thereof. When implemented by software, all or part of the embodiments can be implemented in the form of a computer program product. The computer program product includes one or more computer programs or instructions. When the computer programs or instructions are loaded and executed on a computer, all or part of the processes or functions described in the embodiments of the present application are performed. The computer can be a general purpose computer, a special purpose computer, a computer network, a network device, a user equipment or other programmable apparatus. The computer programs or instructions can be stored in a computer readable storage medium or transferred from one computer readable storage medium to another computer readable storage medium, for example, the computer programs or instructions can be transferred from one website site, computer, server or data center to another website site, computer, server or data center through wired or wireless manner. The computer readable storage medium can be any available medium accessible by a computer or a data storage device such as a server, data center and the like integrated with one or more available media. The available media can be a magnetic medium, such as a floppy disk, a hard disk, a magnetic tape; an optical medium, such as a digital video disc; and a semiconductor medium, such as a solid state disk.

[0261] In various embodiments of the present application, the terms and / or descriptions of different embodiments are consistent and can be referred to each other if there is no special description and logical conflict. The technical features in different embodiments can be combined to form new embodiments according to their inherent logical relationship.

[0262] It can be understood that various numerical numbers involved in the embodiments of the present application are only distinguished for convenience of description, and are not used to limit the scope of the embodiments of the present application. The size of the serial number of the above processes does not mean the execution order, and the execution order of the processes should be determined according to its function and inherent logic.

Claims

1. A communication method characterized by comprising: The method is applied to a first communication device, a communication network of the first communication device comprising a cellular network and a wireless local area network (WLAN), and the method comprises: determining first information, the first information indicating at least one of the following: an operating channel of a cellular network in which the first communication device is located, a transmission time of the first information, an uplink period of the cellular network, a downlink period of the cellular network, a time period during which wireless local area network communication is allowed, a communication protection interval of the cellular network, or a communication device in the cellular network that is interfered with by the WLAN; transmitting the first information to a second communication device, a communication network of the second communication device comprising the WLAN.

2. A communication method characterized by comprising: The method is applied to a second communication device, a communication network of the second communication device comprising a wireless local area network (WLAN), and the method comprises: receiving first information from a first communication device, a communication network of the first communication device comprising a cellular network and the WLAN, the first information indicating at least one of the following: an operating channel of a cellular network in which the first communication device is located, a transmission time of the first information, an uplink period of the cellular network, a downlink period of the cellular network, a time period during which wireless local area network communication is allowed, a communication protection interval of the cellular network, or a communication device in the cellular network that is interfered with by the WLAN; transmitting second information to a third communication device, the second information comprising all or part of the first information, a communication network of the third communication device comprising the WLAN.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein, The transmitting of the second information to the third communication device comprises transmitting the second information to the third communication device by a first mode, wherein the first mode comprises at least one of the following: transmitting the second information to the third communication device by a first protocol service data unit (PSDU), a transmission duration of the first PSDU being less than a first duration, the first duration being a transmission duration of a PSDU scheduled by the third communication device; transmitting the second information to the third communication device by a contention operating channel; transmitting the second information to the third communication device using a first transmission power, the first transmission power being less than a transmission power used by the second communication device to transmit information to the third communication device before the second communication device receives the first information; transmitting the second information to the third communication device using a first link, the first link being a link other than a link used by the second communication device to transmit information to the third communication device before the second communication device receives the first information; transmitting the second information to the third communication device in an uplink time slot of the cellular network; or transmitting the second information to the third communication device by an information frame, a preamble in the information frame being punctured and / or a resource unit (RU) corresponding to the information frame comprising a first RU, a second RU and two third RUs, each of the third RUs comprising 966 subcarriers, the second RU comprising 484 subcarriers, and the first RU comprising 242 subcarriers.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein, The second information comprises a first part of the first information, and the method further comprises: The third information is sent to the third communication device by a second mode, the second mode comprising at least one of the following modes, the third information comprising a second part of the first information.

5. The method according to any one of claims 2 to 5, characterized in that, The method further comprises: sending fourth information to the third communication device, the fourth information indicating whether each item of information in the first information is included in the second information.

6. The method according to any one of claims 2 to 5, characterized in that, The method further comprises: sending fifth information to the third communication device, the fifth information indicating that there is a communication interference of a cellular network on a link.

7. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that, The method further comprises: receiving sixth information from the third communication device, the sixth information indicating at least one of the following: reducing a time duration of data transmission by the second communication device, reducing a transmission power of the second communication device, removing a corresponding link of the second communication device from a link of the third communication device, transmitting data in an uplink time slot of the cellular network, communicating by preamble puncturing, or switching to another operating channel different from an operating channel of the cellular network.

8. A communication method characterized by comprising: The method is applied to a third communication device, a communication network of the third communication device comprising a wireless local area network (WLAN), and the method comprises: receiving second information from a second communication device, a communication network of the second communication device comprising the WLAN, the second information indicating at least one of the following: an operating channel of a cellular network in which the first communication device is located, an uplink period of the cellular network, a downlink period of the cellular network, a time period during which wireless local area network communication is allowed, a communication protection interval of the cellular network, or a communication device of the cellular network that is subject to communication interference from the WLAN.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein, The method further comprises: sending sixth information to the second communication device, the sixth information indicating at least one of the following: reducing a time duration of data transmission by the second communication device, reducing a transmission power of the second communication device, removing a corresponding link of the second communication device from a link of the third communication device, transmitting data in an uplink time slot of the cellular network, communicating by preamble puncturing, or switching to another operating channel different from an operating channel of the cellular network.

10. A communication method characterized by comprising: The method is applied to a second communication device, a communication network of the second communication device comprising a wireless local area network (WLAN), and the method comprises: receiving first information from a first communication device, a communication network of the first communication device comprising a cellular network and the WLAN, the first information indicating at least one of the following: an operating channel of a cellular network in which the first communication device is located, a time of transmission of the first information, an uplink period of the cellular network, a downlink period of the cellular network, a time period during which wireless local area network communication is allowed, a communication protection interval of the cellular network, or a communication device of the cellular network that is subject to communication interference from the WLAN; sending data to the third communication device by a third mode, a communication network of the third communication device comprising the WLAN, wherein the third mode comprises at least one of the following modes: transmitting data to the third communication device through a first protocol service data unit (PSDU), a transmission duration of the first PSDU being less than a first duration, the first duration being a transmission duration of a PSDU scheduled by the third communication device; transmitting data to the third communication device through a contention-based operating channel; transmitting data to the third communication device using a first transmission power, the first transmission power being less than a transmission power used to transmit information to the third communication device before the second communication device receives the first information; transmitting data to the third communication device using a first link, the first link being a link other than a link used to transmit information to the third communication device before the second communication device receives the first information; transmitting data to the third communication device in an uplink time slot of the cellular network; or transmitting data to the third communication device through an information frame, a preamble in the information frame being punctured and / or resource units (RUs) corresponding to the information frame including a first RU, a second RU and two third RUs, the third RU including 966 subcarriers, the second RU including 484 subcarriers, and the first RU including 242 subcarriers.

11. A communications device, characterized by comprising functional modules for implementing the method of any one of claims 1 to 10.

12. A communications device, characterized by comprising: one or more processors configured to implement the method of any one of claims 1 to 10.

13. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that, the computer-readable storage medium storing program code for computer execution, the program code comprising instructions for implementing the method of any one of claims 1 to 10.

14. A computer program product, characterised in that, comprising computer programs or instructions, which, when executed by a processor, implement the method of any one of claims 1 to 10.

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