Communication method, communication device, and communication system

Abstract

Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a communication method, an access point multi-link device (AP MLD), a non-AP MLD, and a communication system. The communication method comprises: within a response timeout duration, sending a first radio frame to a non-AP MLD; or, not responding to sleep state indication information sent by the non-AP MLD, wherein the first radio frame indicates whether an AP MLD accepts the sleep state indication information, and the sleep state indication information indicates a first sleep time at which at least one first non-AP STA affiliating with the non-AP MLD enters a sleep state in an enabled link where the first non-AP STA is located. A mechanism for further enhancing power saving is provided.

Description

Communication methods, communication equipment and communication systems Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to the field of communication technology, and in particular to a communication method, communication device and communication system. Background Technology

[0002] Currently, research on Wi-Fi technology includes topics such as Ultra High Reliability (UHR), with the vision of improving the reliability of Wireless Local Area Networks (WLAN) connections, reducing latency, improving manageability, increasing throughput at different signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) levels, and reducing device-level power consumption.

[0003] In UHR, the power-saving mechanism will be further enhanced to ensure the latency requirements of low-latency services.

[0004] Summary of the Invention

[0005] This disclosure provides a communication method, communication device, and communication system to further enhance power-saving mechanisms.

[0006] In a first aspect, embodiments of this disclosure provide a communication method executed by a multi-connection access point device (AP MLD), the method comprising:

[0007] During the response timeout period, send a first radio frame to the multi-connection non-access point device (non-AP MLD); or, do not respond to the sleep indication information sent by the non-AP MLD.

[0008] The first wireless frame indicates whether the AP MLD accepts the sleep state indication information.

[0009] The hibernation state indication information indicates that at least one first non-AP STA attached to the non-AP MLD enters a hibernation state for a first hibernation time under the enabled link where the first non-AP STA is located.

[0010] Secondly, embodiments of this disclosure also provide a communication method performed by a multi-connection non-access point device (non-AP MLD), the method comprising:

[0011] During the response timeout period, the first radio frame sent by the multi-connection access point device (AP MLD) is received; or, the first radio frame sent by the AP MLD is not received.

[0012] The first wireless frame indicates whether the AP MLD accepts the sleep state indication information sent by the non-AP MLD.

[0013] The hibernation state indication information indicates that at least one first non-AP STA attached to the non-AP MLD enters a hibernation state for a first hibernation time under the enabled link where the first non-AP STA is located.

[0014] Thirdly, embodiments of this disclosure also provide a communication device, which is a multiple access point device (AP MLD), comprising:

[0015] The transmitting module is configured to transmit a first radio frame to the multi-connection non-access point device (non-AP MLD) within the response timeout period; or, not to respond to the sleep indication information transmitted by the non-AP MLD.

[0016] The first wireless frame indicates whether the AP MLD accepts the sleep state indication information.

[0017] The hibernation state indication information indicates that at least one first non-AP STA attached to the non-AP MLD enters a hibernation state for a first hibernation time under the enabled link where the first non-AP STA is located.

[0018] Fourthly, embodiments of this disclosure also provide a communication device, which is a multi-connection non-access point device (non-AP MLD), comprising:

[0019] The receiving module is configured to receive a first radio frame sent by the multi-connection access point device (AP MLD) within the response timeout period; or, if the first radio frame sent by the AP MLD is not received.

[0020] The first wireless frame indicates whether the AP MLD accepts the sleep state indication information sent by the non-AP MLD.

[0021] The hibernation state indication information indicates that at least one first non-AP STA attached to the non-AP MLD enters a hibernation state for a first hibernation time under the enabled link where the first non-AP STA is located.

[0022] Fifthly, embodiments of this disclosure also provide a communication device, which is a multi-connection access point device, comprising:

[0023] One or more processors;

[0024] The multi-connection access point device is used to execute the communication method described in the first aspect of the embodiments of this disclosure.

[0025] Sixthly, embodiments of this disclosure also provide a communication device, which is a multi-connection non-access point device, comprising:

[0026] One or more processors;

[0027] The multi-connection non-access point device is used to execute the communication method described in the second aspect of the embodiments of this disclosure.

[0028] In a seventh aspect, embodiments of this disclosure also provide a communication system, including a multi-connection access point device and a multi-connection non-access point device;

[0029] The multi-connection access point device is configured to determine a first radio frame within the response timeout period and send the first radio frame to the multi-connection non-access point device; or, not respond to the sleep indication information sent by the multi-connection non-access point device.

[0030] The first radio frame includes a first identification field; the first identification field indicates whether the multi-connection access point device accepts the sleep state indication information; the sleep state indication information indicates the first sleep time when at least one first non-AP STA attached to the multi-connection non-access point device enters a sleep state under the enabled link where the first non-AP STA is located.

[0031] The multi-connection non-access point device is configured to receive the first radio frame sent by the multi-connection access point device within the response timeout period; or, if it does not receive the first radio frame sent by the multi-connection access point device.

[0032] Eighthly, embodiments of this disclosure also provide a storage medium storing instructions that, when executed on a communication device, cause the communication device to perform a communication method as described in embodiments of this disclosure, or to perform a communication method as described in embodiments of this disclosure.

[0033] In this embodiment, the AP MLD can respond to the sleep state indication information initiated by the non-AP MLD, taking into account whether there is interference such as coexisting activities within the device that prevent Wi-Fi communication. This enables the indication process of cross-link power saving mode based on multi-link devices, reducing the time for multi-link devices to enter sleep state and improving the power saving mode switching speed. At the same time, when the AP MLD receives the sleep state indication information, the corresponding first non-AP STA enters the first sleep state (power saving mode) under the enabled link where the first non-AP STA is located, reducing the power consumption of the non-AP MLD.

[0034] Additional aspects and advantages of embodiments of this disclosure will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and will become apparent from the description or may be learned by practice of this disclosure. Attached Figure Description

[0035] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this disclosure, the accompanying drawings required for the description of the embodiments are introduced below. The following drawings are only some embodiments of this disclosure and do not impose specific limitations on the protection scope of this disclosure.

[0036] Figure 1 is an exemplary schematic diagram of the architecture of the communication system provided in an embodiment of this disclosure;

[0037] Figure 2 is one of the interactive schematic diagrams of the communication method provided in the embodiments of this disclosure;

[0038] Figure 3 is a second interactive schematic diagram of the communication method provided in this embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0039] Figure 4 is the third interactive schematic diagram of the communication method provided in the embodiments of this disclosure;

[0040] Figure 5 is a flowchart illustrating one of the communication methods provided in this embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0041] Figure 6 is a second schematic flowchart of the communication method provided in this embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0042] Figure 7 is a third schematic flowchart of the communication method provided in this embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0043] Figure 8 is a fourth flowchart illustrating the communication method provided in this embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0044] Figure 9 is a fifth flowchart illustrating the communication method provided in this embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0045] Figure 10 is a sixth schematic flowchart of the communication method provided in this embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0046] Figure 11 is a structural schematic diagram of a multi-connection access point device proposed in an embodiment of this disclosure;

[0047] Figure 12 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a multi-connection non-access point device proposed in an embodiment of this disclosure;

[0048] Figure 13 is a schematic diagram of the structure of the terminal proposed in an embodiment of this disclosure;

[0049] Figure 14 is a schematic diagram of the chip structure proposed in an embodiment of this disclosure. Detailed Implementation

[0050] This disclosure presents a communication method, communication device, and communication system.

[0051] In a first aspect, embodiments of this disclosure provide a communication method executed by a multi-connection access point device (AP MLD), the method comprising:

[0052] During the response timeout period, send a first radio frame to the multi-connection non-access point device (non-AP MLD); or, do not respond to the sleep indication information sent by the non-AP MLD.

[0053] The first wireless frame indicates whether the AP MLD accepts the sleep state indication information.

[0054] The hibernation state indication information indicates that at least one first non-AP STA attached to the non-AP MLD enters a hibernation state for a first hibernation time under the enabled link where the first non-AP STA is located.

[0055] In the above embodiments, the AP MLD can respond to the sleep state indication information initiated by the non-AP MLD, taking into account whether there is interference such as coexisting activities within the device that prevent Wi-Fi communication. This enables the indication process of cross-link power saving mode based on multi-link devices, which can reduce the time for multi-link devices to enter sleep state and improve the power saving mode switching speed. At the same time, when the AP MLD receives the sleep state indication information, the corresponding first non-AP STA enters the first sleep state (power saving mode) under the enabled link where the first non-AP STA is located, reducing the power consumption of the non-AP MLD.

[0056] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the first wireless frame includes a first identification field, the first identification field indicating whether the AP MLD accepts the sleep state indication information.

[0057] In the above embodiments, the first identifier field carried by the first wireless frame can be used to indicate whether the AP MLD accepts the sleep state indication information.

[0058] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the method further includes:

[0059] Receive a second radio frame sent by the non-AP MLD; wherein the second radio frame includes a second identification field and / or a third identification field;

[0060] Wherein, the second identifier field indicates: the sleep state indication information; the third identifier field indicates: the response timeout time of the second wireless frame.

[0061] In the above embodiments, the non-AP MLD can indicate the sleep state indication information through the second identification field carried by the second radio frame, and indicate the response timeout time of the second radio frame through the third identification field carried by the second radio frame; in this way, the receiver of the second radio frame can be prompted to respond to the sleep state indication information within the response timeout time.

[0062] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the parameter value of the first identifier field is set to a first parameter value to identify that the AP MLD accepts the sleep state indication information.

[0063] In the above embodiments, when the parameter value of the first identifier field carried in the first radio frame is set to the first parameter value, it can be identified that the AP MLD receives sleep state indication information, that is, the AP MLD accepts the first sleep time of at least one first non-AP STA attached to the non-AP MLD entering the sleep state under the enabled link where the first non-AP STA is located.

[0064] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the first wireless frame further includes a fourth identification field;

[0065] The fourth identification field indicates the identification information of the second non-AP STA that enters a sleep state during the corresponding first sleep time; the identification information of the non-AP STA indicated by the fourth identification field is the same as the identification information of the non-AP STA indicated by the first radio frame.

[0066] In the above embodiments, when the AP MLD accepts that at least one first non-AP STA attached to the non-AP MLD has entered a sleep state for a first sleep time under the enabled link where the first non-AP STA is located, the fourth identification field carried by the fourth radio frame can also indicate the non-AP STA with the same identification information as the non-AP STA indicated by the first radio frame.

[0067] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the parameter value of the first identifier field is set to a second parameter value, identifying:

[0068] The AP MLD does not accept the sleep state indication information; and

[0069] The AP MLD recommends or suggests that the third non-AP STA enter a sleep state at the corresponding first sleep time, and / or the AP MLD recommends or suggests that the fourth non-AP STA enter a sleep state at the second sleep time;

[0070] The first non-AP STA includes the third non-AP STA and / or the fourth non-AP STA.

[0071] In the above embodiments, when the parameter value of the first identifier field carried in the first radio frame is set to the second parameter value, it can be identified that the AP MLD does not accept the sleep state indication information, and that the AP MLD recommends or suggests that the non-AP STA enter the sleep state at the corresponding first sleep time; or, the AP MLD does not accept the sleep state indication information, and the AP MLD recommends or suggests that the non-AP STA enter the sleep state at the second sleep time under the enabled link where the non-AP STA is located.

[0072] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the first wireless frame further includes a fifth identification field;

[0073] The fifth identification field indicates the identification information of the third non-AP STA.

[0074] In the above embodiments, when the AP MLD does not accept sleep state indication information, the identification information of the third non-AP STA that enters sleep state during the corresponding first sleep time can be indicated by the fifth identification field carried by the first radio frame.

[0075] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the first wireless frame further includes a sixth identification field and a seventh identification field;

[0076] The sixth identifier field indicates the second sleep time; the seventh identifier field indicates the identifier information of the fourth non-AP STA.

[0077] In the above embodiments, when the AP MLD does not accept sleep state indication information, the sixth identification field carried by the first radio frame can indicate the second sleep time when the fourth non-AP STA enters the sleep state under the enabled link where the fourth non-AP STA is located; and the seventh identification field carried by the first radio frame can indicate the identification information of the fourth non-AP STA that enters the sleep state during the corresponding second sleep time.

[0078] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the parameter value of the first identifier field is set to a third parameter value to indicate that the AP MLD does not accept the sleep state indication information.

[0079] In the above embodiments, when the parameter value of the first identifier field carried in the first radio frame is set to the third parameter value, it can be indicated that the AP MLD does not accept the sleep state indication information, that is, the AP MLD does not accept the first sleep time when any first non-AP STA attached to the non-AP MLD enters the sleep state under the enabled link where the first non-AP STA is located.

[0080] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the method further includes:

[0081] Receive a third radio frame sent by the non-AP MLD; the third radio frame indicates that the non-AP MLD has received the first radio frame.

[0082] In the above embodiment, the AP MLD can confirm that the non-AP MLD has received the first radio frame after receiving the third radio frame.

[0083] Secondly, embodiments of this disclosure provide a communication method performed by a multi-connection non-access point device (non-AP MLD), the method comprising:

[0084] During the response timeout period, the first radio frame sent by the multi-connection access point device (AP MLD) is received; or, the first radio frame sent by the AP MLD is not received.

[0085] The first wireless frame indicates whether the AP MLD accepts the sleep state indication information sent by the non-AP MLD.

[0086] The hibernation state indication information indicates that at least one first non-AP STA attached to the non-AP MLD enters a hibernation state for a first hibernation time under the enabled link where the first non-AP STA is located.

[0087] In conjunction with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the first wireless frame includes a first identification field, which indicates whether the AP MLD accepts the sleep state indication information.

[0088] In conjunction with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the method further includes:

[0089] A second radio frame is determined; wherein the second radio frame includes a second identification field and / or a third identification field; the second identification field indicates: the sleep state indication information; the second identification field indicates: the response timeout time of the second radio frame;

[0090] The second radio frame is sent to the AP MLD.

[0091] In conjunction with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the parameter value of the first identifier field is set to a first parameter value to identify that the AP MLD accepts the sleep state indication information.

[0092] In conjunction with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the first wireless frame further includes a fourth identification field;

[0093] The fourth identification field indicates the identification information of the second non-AP STA that enters a sleep state during the corresponding first sleep time; the identification information of the non-AP STA indicated by the fourth identification field is the same as the identification information of the non-AP STA indicated by the first radio frame.

[0094] In conjunction with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the parameter value of the first identifier field is set to a second parameter value, identifying:

[0095] The AP MLD does not accept the sleep state indication information; and

[0096] The AP MLD recommends or suggests that the third non-AP STA enter a sleep state at the corresponding first sleep time, and / or the AP MLD recommends or suggests that the fourth non-AP STA enter a sleep state at the second sleep time;

[0097] The first non-AP STA includes the third non-AP STA and / or the fourth non-AP STA.

[0098] In conjunction with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the first wireless frame further includes a fifth identification field;

[0099] The fifth identification field indicates the identification information of the third non-AP STA.

[0100] In conjunction with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the first wireless frame further includes a sixth identification field and a seventh identification field;

[0101] The sixth identifier field indicates the second sleep time; the seventh identifier field indicates the identifier information of the fourth non-AP STA.

[0102] In conjunction with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the parameter value of the first identifier field is set to a third parameter value to indicate that the AP MLD does not accept the sleep state indication information.

[0103] In conjunction with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, after receiving the first radio frame transmitted by the AP MLD, the method further includes:

[0104] After a short inter-frame interval, a third radio frame is sent to the AP MLD;

[0105] The third wireless frame indicates that the non-AP MLD has received the first wireless frame.

[0106] In conjunction with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, after sending the third radio frame to the AP MLD, the method further includes:

[0107] Each of the first non-AP STAs enters a sleep state during the corresponding first sleep time;

[0108] Wherein, the first wireless frame includes the first identifier field, and the parameter value of the first identifier field is set to a first parameter value; or, the first wireless frame includes the first identifier field and the fourth identifier field, and the parameter value of the first identifier field is set to a first parameter value.

[0109] In the above embodiments, when the AP MLD receives the sleep state indication information, each first non-AP STA can enter the sleep state when the corresponding first sleep time (i.e., the sleep time indicated by the first identifier field) arrives.

[0110] In conjunction with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, after sending the third radio frame to the AP MLD, the method further includes:

[0111] The third non-AP STA enters a sleep state when the corresponding first sleep time arrives;

[0112] The first wireless frame includes the first identifier field and the fifth identifier field, and the parameter value of the first identifier field is set to the second parameter value.

[0113] In the above embodiments, if the AP MLD does not accept the non-AP STA indicated in the sleep state indication information, and recommends or suggests that the third non-AP STA (i.e., the non-AP STA indicated by the fifth identifier field) enter the sleep state at the corresponding first sleep time, the third non-AP STA may enter the sleep state when the first sleep time (i.e., the sleep time indicated by the first identifier field) arrives.

[0114] In conjunction with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, after sending the third radio frame to the AP MLD, the method further includes:

[0115] The fourth non-AP STA enters a sleep state when the corresponding second sleep time arrives;

[0116] The first wireless frame includes the first identifier field, the sixth identifier field, and the seventh identifier field, and the parameter value of the first identifier field is set to the second parameter value.

[0117] In the above embodiments, if the AP MLD neither accepts the non-AP STA indicated in the sleep state indication information nor the first sleep time indicated in the sleep state indication information, and recommends or suggests that the fourth non-AP STA enter the sleep state under the enabled link where the fourth non-AP STA is located, the fourth non-AP MLD (i.e., the non-AP STA indicated by the seventh identifier field) may enter the sleep state when the second sleep time (i.e., the sleep time indicated by the sixth identifier field) arrives.

[0118] In conjunction with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, after sending the third radio frame to the AP MLD, the method further includes:

[0119] The fifth non-AP STA enters a sleep state when the corresponding first sleep time arrives;

[0120] The sixth non-AP STA maintains its current power mode when the corresponding first sleep time arrives;

[0121] Wherein, the fifth non-AP STA is the non-AP STA corresponding to the first enabled link; the sixth non-AP STA is the non-AP STA other than the fifth non-AP STA among the first non-AP STAs; the first enabled link is the link through which the non-AP MLD obtains the sleep state indication information from the AP MLD;

[0122] The first wireless frame includes the first identifier field, and the parameter value of the first identifier field is set to a third parameter value.

[0123] In the above embodiments, when the AP MLD does not accept sleep state indication information, the non-AP STA corresponding to the first enabled link (the fifth non-AP STA) can enter sleep state when the first sleep time indicated by the first identifier field for that non-AP STA arrives. Meanwhile, the first non-AP STA other than the fifth non-AP STA, i.e., the sixth non-AP STA, can maintain its current power mode when the first sleep time arrives.

[0124] In conjunction with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, when the sleep time indicated by the first identifier field is reached, the method further includes:

[0125] The first non-AP STA enters a sleep state; or, the first non-AP STA maintains its current power mode.

[0126] During the response timeout period, the non-AP MLD did not receive the first radio frame sent by the AP MLD.

[0127] In the above embodiments, if the AP MLD does not respond to the second radio frame, when the first sleep time indicated by the first identifier field corresponding to the first non-AP STA arrives, the first non-AP STA may enter a sleep state or maintain the current power mode.

[0128] Thirdly, embodiments of this disclosure also provide a communication device, which is a multi-connection access point device, including at least one of the transmitting modules; wherein the multi-connection access point device is used to execute the optional implementation of the first aspect.

[0129] Fourthly, embodiments of this disclosure also provide a communication device, which is a multi-connection non-access point device, including: a receiving module; wherein the multi-connection non-access point device is used to perform an optional implementation of the second aspect.

[0130] Fifthly, embodiments of this disclosure also provide a communication device, which is a multi-connection access point device, comprising:

[0131] One or more processors;

[0132] The multi-connection access point device is used to execute the optional implementation of the first aspect.

[0133] Sixthly, embodiments of this disclosure also provide a communication device, which is a multi-connection non-access point device, comprising:

[0134] One or more processors;

[0135] The multi-connection non-access point device is used to implement the optional implementation of the second aspect.

[0136] In a seventh aspect, embodiments of this disclosure also provide a communication system, including a multi-connection access point device and a multi-connection non-access point device; wherein the multi-connection access point device is configured to perform the optional implementation as described in the first aspect, and the multi-connection site device is configured to perform the optional implementation as described in the second aspect.

[0137] Eighthly, embodiments of this disclosure also provide a storage medium storing instructions that, when executed on a communication device, cause the communication device to perform the optional implementation described in the first or second aspect.

[0138] Ninthly, embodiments of this disclosure provide a program product that, when executed by a communication device, causes the communication device to perform the method as described in the optional implementations of the first or second aspect.

[0139] In a tenth aspect, embodiments of this disclosure provide a computer program that, when run on a computer, causes the computer to perform the methods described in an optional implementation of the first or second aspect.

[0140] Eleventhly, embodiments of this disclosure provide a chip or chip system. The chip or chip system includes processing circuitry configured to perform the methods described in the optional implementations of the first or second aspect above.

[0141] It is understood that the aforementioned multi-connection access point device, multi-connection non-access point device, communication system, storage medium, program product, computer program, chip, or chip system are all used to execute the methods proposed in the embodiments of this disclosure. Therefore, the beneficial effects that can be achieved can be referred to the beneficial effects in the corresponding methods, and will not be repeated here.

[0142] This disclosure provides embodiments of a communication method, a multi-connection access point device, a multi-connection non-access point device, and a communication system. In some embodiments, the terms "communication method" and "signal transmission method," "wireless frame transmission method," etc., can be used interchangeably, as can the terms "information processing system" and "communication system."

[0143] This disclosure is not exhaustive, but merely illustrative of some embodiments, and is not intended to limit the scope of protection of this disclosure. Unless otherwise specified, each step in a particular embodiment can be implemented as an independent embodiment, and the steps can be arbitrarily combined. For example, a solution after removing some steps in a particular embodiment can also be implemented as an independent embodiment, and the order of the steps in a particular embodiment can be arbitrarily interchanged. Furthermore, the optional implementation methods in a particular embodiment can be arbitrarily combined; moreover, the embodiments can be arbitrarily combined, for example, some or all steps of different embodiments can be arbitrarily combined, and a particular embodiment can be arbitrarily combined with the optional implementation methods of other embodiments.

[0144] In each of the disclosed embodiments, unless otherwise specified or in case of logical conflict, the terminology and / or descriptions of the embodiments are consistent and can be referenced by each other. Technical features in different embodiments can be combined to form new embodiments based on their inherent logical relationships.

[0145] The terminology used in the embodiments of this disclosure is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to limit the scope of this disclosure.

[0146] In the embodiments disclosed herein, "multiple" refers to two or more.

[0147] In some embodiments, the terms “at least one of”, “one or more”, “a plurality of”, “multiple”, etc., may be used interchangeably.

[0148] In some embodiments, the notation "at least one of A and B", "A and / or B", "A in one case, B in another", "in response to one case A, in response to another case B", etc., may include the following technical solutions depending on the situation: in some embodiments, A (execute A regardless of B); in some embodiments, B (execute B regardless of A); in some embodiments, execution is selected from A and B (A and B are selectively executed); in some embodiments, A and B (both A and B are executed). The same applies when there are more branches such as A, B, C, etc.

[0149] In some embodiments, the notation "A or B" may include the following technical solutions, depending on the situation: in some embodiments, A (execution of A regardless of B); in some embodiments, B (execution of B regardless of A); in some embodiments, execution is selected from A and B (A and B are selectively executed). The same applies when there are more branches such as A, B, C, etc.

[0150] The prefixes "first," "second," etc., used in the embodiments of this disclosure are merely for distinguishing different descriptive objects and do not impose restrictions on the position, order, priority, quantity, or content of the descriptive objects. The description of the descriptive objects is found in the claims or the context of the embodiments, and the use of prefixes should not constitute unnecessary restrictions. For example, if the descriptive object is a "field," the ordinal numbers preceding "field" in "first field" and "second field" do not restrict the position or order of the "fields." "First" and "second" do not restrict whether the "fields" they modify are in the same message, nor do they restrict the order of "first field" and "second field." Similarly, if the descriptive object is a "level," the ordinal numbers preceding "level" in "first level" and "second level" do not restrict the priority between "levels." Furthermore, the number of descriptive objects is not limited by ordinal numbers and can be one or more. For example, in "first device," the number of "devices" can be one or more. Furthermore, the objects modified by different prefixes can be the same or different. For example, if the object being described is "device", then "first device" and "second device" can be the same device or different devices, and their types can be the same or different. Similarly, if the object being described is "information", then "first information" and "second information" can be the same information or different information, and their content can be the same or different.

[0151] In some embodiments, “including A,” “containing A,” “for indicating A,” and “carrying A” can be interpreted as directly carrying A or indirectly indicating A.

[0152] In some embodiments, the terms “in response to…”, “in response to determining…”, “in the case of…”, “when…”, “if…”, “if…”, etc., can be used interchangeably.

[0153] In some embodiments, the terms “greater than”, “greater than or equal to”, “not less than”, “more than”, “more than or equal to”, “not less than”, “higher than”, “higher than or equal to”, “not lower than”, and “above” can be used interchangeably, as can the terms “less than”, “less than or equal to”, “not greater than”, “less than”, “less than or equal to”, “not more than”, “lower than”, “lower than or equal to”, “not higher than”, and “below”.

[0154] In some embodiments, the apparatus and device may be interpreted as physical or virtual, and their names are not limited to the names recorded in the embodiments. In some cases, they may also be understood as "equipment", "device", "circuit", "network element", "node", "function", "unit", "section", "system", "network", "chip", "chip system", "entity", "body", etc.

[0155] In some embodiments, "network" can be interpreted as devices included in the network, such as access network devices, core network devices, etc.

[0156] In some embodiments, the acquisition of data, information, etc., may comply with the laws and regulations of the country where the location is situated.

[0157] In some embodiments, data, information, etc., may be obtained with the user's consent.

[0158] Furthermore, each element, each row, or each column in the table of this disclosure can be implemented as an independent embodiment, and any combination of any element, any row, or any column can also be implemented as an independent embodiment.

[0159] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the architecture of a communication system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0160] As shown in Figure 1, the communication system 100 includes a multi-connection access point device 101 and a multi-connection non-access point device (i.e., a multi-connection site device) 102.

[0161] In some embodiments, the multi-connection access point device 101 is an access point (AP) device that supports multi-connection communication functionality. An AP acts as a bridge connecting wired and wireless networks, its main function being to connect various wireless network clients together and then connect the wireless network to the Ethernet. Specifically, an AP can be a terminal device or network device with a wireless fidelity chip. Optionally, the AP can support various WLAN standards such as 802.11ax, 802.11be, 802.11ac, 802.11n, 802.11g, 802.11b, 802.11a, 802.11bf, and 802.11bn, as well as the next-generation 802.11 protocol, but is not limited to these.

[0162] In some embodiments, the multi-connection station device 102 is a station (STA) that supports multi-connection communication functionality. A station device is, for example, an electronic device with wireless network access capabilities, providing frame delivery services to enable information transmission. Examples include wireless communication chips, wireless sensors, or wireless communication terminals that support Wi-Fi communication. Optionally, the wireless communication terminal may be at least one of, but is not limited to, a mobile phone, a wearable device, an IoT device supporting Wi-Fi communication, a car with Wi-Fi communication capabilities, a smart car, a tablet computer, a computer with wireless transceiver capabilities, a virtual reality (VR) terminal device, an augmented reality (AR) terminal device, a wireless terminal device in industrial control, a wireless terminal device in self-driving, a wireless terminal device in remote medical surgery, a wireless terminal device in a smart grid, a wireless terminal device in transportation safety, a wireless terminal device in a smart city, or a wireless terminal device in a smart home.

[0163] Specifically, repeater device 102 and site device 103 can be terminal devices or network devices equipped with Wi-Fi chips. Optionally, repeater device 102 and site device 103 can support various WLAN standards such as 802.11ax, 802.11be, 802.11ac, 802.11n, 802.11g, 802.11b, 802.11a, 802.11bf, and 802.11bn, as well as the next-generation 802.11 protocol, but are not limited to these.

[0164] Optionally, in this embodiment of the disclosure, AP and STA can be devices that support multiple connections. For example, they can be represented as Access Point Multi-Link Device (AP MLD) and Non-Access Point Multi-Link Device (Non-AP MLD), respectively. AP MLD can represent an access point that supports multiple connection communication functions, and non-AP MLD can represent a station that supports multiple connection communication functions.

[0165] It is understood that the communication system described in this disclosure is for the purpose of more clearly illustrating the technical solutions of this disclosure, and does not constitute a limitation on the technical solutions proposed in this disclosure. As those skilled in the art will know, with the evolution of system architecture and the emergence of new business scenarios, the technical solutions proposed in this disclosure are also applicable to similar technical problems.

[0166] The following embodiments of this disclosure can be applied to the communication system 100 shown in FIG1, or to some of the main bodies, but are not limited thereto. The main bodies shown in FIG1 are illustrative. The communication system may include all or some of the main bodies in FIG1, or may include other main bodies outside of FIG1. ​​The number and form of each main body are arbitrary. Each main body may be physical or virtual. The connection relationship between the main bodies is illustrative. The main bodies may not be connected or may be connected. The connection can be in any way, it can be a direct connection or an indirect connection, it can be a wired connection or a wireless connection.

[0167] The embodiments disclosed herein can be applied to Wireless Local Area Networks (WLANs), such as LANs using the 802.11 series of protocols. In a WLAN, a Basic Service Set (BSS) is a fundamental component. An BSS network consists of site devices with some association within a specific coverage area. One type of association is where sites communicate directly with each other in a self-organizing network; this is called an Independent Basic Service Set (IBSS). Another more common scenario is that in a BSS network, there is only one central site dedicated to managing the BSS, called an Access Point (AP) device, while other sites in the BSS network that are not APs are called terminals, also known as non-AP STAs. APs and non-AP STAs are collectively referred to as STAs. When describing STAs, it is not necessary to distinguish between APs and non-AP STAs. Within the same BSS network, due to distance, transmission power, etc., a STA cannot detect other STAs that are far away; they are each other's hidden nodes.

[0168] The channel access mechanism based on Transmission Opportunity (TXOP) as the basic unit allows access point equipment or site equipment that obtains a TXOP to continuously use the channel during the duration of the TXOP in order to meet the Quality of Service (QoS) requirements of different services.

[0169] When the AP acts as the TXOP holder, not all associated STAs need to receive data. To reduce power consumption, STAs can indicate their power mode after completing the current frame exchange via the Power Management subfield carried in the Frame Control field of the transmitted radio frame. When the Power Management subfield is set to 0, it indicates that the STA is in Active Mode after completing the current frame exchange. In this state, it can transmit or receive data, all RF links are active, and power consumption is relatively high. When the Power Management subfield is set to 1, it indicates that the STA enters Power Saving Mode (PS Mode) after completing the current frame exchange.

[0170] Optionally, PS Mode mainly includes an Awake state and a Doze state. In the Doze state, the STA consumes very little power but cannot perform transmit or receive operations. When the AP has data to send to a STA in the Doze state, it buffers the data. Even in the Doze state, the STA will periodically wake up (DTIM period) to receive Beacon frames. The STA determines whether the AP has buffered data to send to it by listening to the TIM (Traffic Indication Map) element and / or Multi-Link Traffic Indication element of the Beacon frame. If the AP has buffered data to send to the STA, the STA switches to the Awake state and sends PS-Poll frames to inform the AP that it is in the Awake state. In the Awake state, the STA consumes the same power as in the Active state and can receive or send data. After receiving the PS-Poll frames, the AP sends its buffered data to the STA.

[0171] To achieve higher throughput, devices supporting Multi-Link Operation (MLO) are called Multi-Link Devices (MLDs). With MLO technology, multiple links can be established across frequency bands between Multi-Link Access Point Devices (AP MLDs) and Multi-Link Site Devices (Non-AP MLDs). After establishing multiple links, a non-AP MLD can use multiple links to communicate with an AP MLD.

[0172] However, while more links can provide more frequency resources and achieve higher throughput, multiple links or RF (Radio Frequency) links can lead to wasted frequency resources and increased power consumption of non-AP MLD devices when traffic load is low. In multiple links established between non-AP MLDs and AP MLDs, the power-saving capabilities of each link are independent, and the non-AP MLD needs to instruct the non-AP STA power management mode of the corresponding non-AP MLD through each link. That is, when a non-AP MLD intends to enter PS mode on multiple or even all links, frame switching must be performed on each enabled link separately. This method of switching PS mode by switching frames link by link is inefficient and may also cause STAs attached to the non-AP MLD to enter sleep mode for excessively long periods.

[0173] The next-generation Wi-Fi technology, Ultra High Reliability (UHR), aims to improve the reliability of wireless LAN connections, reduce latency, and lower device-level power consumption. Since most UHRs are designed as MLD (Multi-Link Devices), the power-saving mechanism needs further enhancement when UHR APs and UHR STAs use multiple connections for data transmission. On the other hand, considering that wireless devices typically support multiple wireless communication technologies, the coexistence of these technologies within a device can cause mutual interference, and some wireless technologies even share RF links and antennas with Wi-Fi technologies. A UHR AP or UHR STA may be unable to conduct Wi-Fi communication for a period of time while performing some non-Wi-Fi communication. For example, if a UHR AP has non-Wi-Fi wireless activity within the device, its associated non-AP STA may remain in Active mode for an extended period without receiving data, leading to increased power consumption of the non-AP STA and decreased system energy efficiency. Therefore, a power-saving mechanism for multi-link devices is needed.

[0174] Figure 2 is one of the interactive schematic diagrams of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in Figure 2, the method includes:

[0175] Step 201: The multi-connection site device (non-AP MLD) sends a second radio frame to the multi-connection access point device (AP MLD); wherein the second radio frame includes a second identification field and / or a third identification field; the second identification field indicates: sleep state indication information; the third identification field indicates: the response timeout time of the second radio frame;

[0176] The sleep state indication information indicates the first sleep time when at least one first non-AP STA attached to the non-AP MLD enters a sleep state under the enabled link where the first non-AP STA is located.

[0177] Optionally, the second radio frame may include first identification information, which may include, but is not limited to, a second identification field and / or a third identification field.

[0178] Optionally, for different first non-AP STAs, the first sleep time for each first non-AP STA to enter sleep mode under the enabled link where the first non-AP STA is located can be the same or different, and this disclosure does not limit this.

[0179] Optionally, if the first sleep time corresponding to each first non-AP STA is the same, the second identifier field may indicate only one first sleep time; if the first sleep time corresponding to each first non-AP STA is different, the second identifier field needs to indicate the first sleep time corresponding to each non-AP STA separately.

[0180] Optionally, the response timeout for the second radio frame, i.e., the maximum time to respond to the second radio frame, can be implemented using a timer. For example, with a response timeout of 10ms, if no response is received within 10ms, it is considered a timeout; if a response is received within 10ms, it is considered a timeout.

[0181] Alternatively, a non-AP MLD can send a second radio frame to the AP MLD via any of the enabled links in the multi-link system established with the AP MLD.

[0182] Step 202: After receiving the second radio frame, the AP MLD responds to the second radio frame within the response timeout period; or it does not respond to the second radio frame.

[0183] Optionally, after receiving the second radio frame, the AP MLD determines that within the response timeout period indicated by the third identifier field in the second radio frame, the AP MLD has at least one enabled link in an available state, and can respond to the second radio frame within the response timeout period.

[0184] Optionally, the available state can be relative to the unavailable state; wherein, the unavailable state can include: interference caused by factors such as coexisting activities within the AP MLD, resulting in the current link being unavailable.

[0185] Optionally, the AP MLD may not respond to the second radio frame, which could include the AP MLD not responding to the second radio frame when the response timeout period arrives. For example, if the AP MLD, after receiving the second radio frame, determines that there is no available enabled link within the response timeout period indicated by the third identifier field in the second radio frame, it may not respond to the second radio frame.

[0186] In the communication method provided in this embodiment, the AP MLD can respond to the sleep state indication information initiated by the non-AP MLD, taking into account whether there is interference such as coexisting activities within the device, which may prevent Wi-Fi communication. This enables the indication process of cross-link power saving mode based on multi-link devices, reducing the time for multi-link devices to enter sleep state and improving the power saving mode switching speed. At the same time, when the AP MLD receives the sleep state indication information, the corresponding first non-AP STA enters the first sleep state (power saving mode) under the enabled link where the first non-AP STA is located, reducing the power consumption of the non-AP MLD.

[0187] The communication method involved in the embodiments of this disclosure may include the foregoing steps and at least one of the embodiments. For example, step 201 may be implemented as a separate embodiment, step 202 may be implemented as a separate embodiment, and the combination of step 201 and step 202 may be implemented as a separate embodiment, but is not limited thereto.

[0188] In some embodiments, other optional implementations may be described before or after the specification corresponding to FIG2.

[0189] The following sections describe the subsequent communication process in two scenarios: when the AP MLD responds to the second radio frame, and when the AP MLD does not respond to the second radio frame.

[0190] As shown in Figure 3, in some embodiments of this disclosure, the method includes:

[0191] Step 301: During the response timeout period, the AP MLD sends the first radio frame to the non-AP MLD of the multi-connection site device;

[0192] The first wireless frame indicates whether the AP MLD accepts the sleep state indication information.

[0193] Optionally, in some embodiments, the first wireless frame includes a first identification field; the first identification field indicates whether the AP MLD accepts the sleep state indication information.

[0194] Optionally, steps 201 and 202 described above may be included before step 301.

[0195] Optionally, after receiving the second radio frame, the AP MLD can send the first radio frame to the non-AP MLD through any one of the enabled links established with the non-AP MLD. This embodiment of the present disclosure does not limit this. For example, the AP MLD can send the first radio frame to the non-AP MLD through the enabled link that received the second radio frame.

[0196] Optionally, the AP MLD can be identified as accepting the sleep state indication information based on the parameter value of the first identifier field. Specifically:

[0197] 301A: Optionally, in some embodiments, the parameter value of the first identifier field is set to a first parameter value, indicating that the AP MLD accepts the sleep state indication information.

[0198] Optionally, the first parameter value can be a pre-configured parameter value or a pre-agreed parameter value, and this embodiment of the present disclosure does not limit this.

[0199] As an example, the first identifier field may include two bits, and when these two bits are set to "00", the parameter value of the first identifier field is the first parameter value.

[0200] Optionally, the AP MLD receives sleep state indication information, that is, the AP MLD accepts that each first non-AP STA enters sleep state under the enabled link where the first non-AP STA is located after the first sleep time corresponding to the first non-AP STA arrives.

[0201] Optionally, in some embodiments, the first wireless frame further includes a fourth identification field;

[0202] The fourth identifier field indicates the identifier information of the second non-AP STA that enters a sleep state during the corresponding first sleep time; the identifier information of the non-AP STA indicated by the fourth identifier field is the same as the identifier information of the non-AP STA indicated by the first radio frame.

[0203] Optionally, when the AP MLD receives sleep state indication information, the first radio frame may include only the first identifier field whose parameter value is set to the first parameter value, or it may include both the fourth identifier field and the first identifier field whose parameter value is set to the first parameter value.

[0204] 301B: Optionally, in some embodiments, the parameter value of the first identifier field is set to a second parameter value, identifier:

[0205] The AP MLD does not accept the sleep state indication information; and

[0206] The AP MLD recommends or suggests that the third non-AP STA enter a sleep state at the corresponding first sleep time, and / or the AP MLD recommends or suggests that the fourth non-AP STA enter a sleep state at the second sleep time;

[0207] The first non-AP STA includes the third non-AP STA and / or the fourth non-AP STA.

[0208] Optionally, the second parameter value can be a pre-configured parameter value or a pre-agreed parameter value, and this embodiment of the present disclosure does not limit it.

[0209] Referring to the example above, if the first identifier field may include two bits, and these two bits are set to "01", it simply indicates that the parameter value of the first identifier field is the second parameter value.

[0210] Optionally, when the parameter value of the first identifier field is set to the second parameter value, the indicated AP MLD does not accept the sleep state indication information, which may include, but is not limited to: the AP MLD does not accept the non-AP STA indicated in the sleep state indication information, or the AP MLD does not accept the first sleep time indicated in the sleep state indication information. This disclosure embodiment does not limit this.

[0211] Correspondingly, if the AP MLD does not accept the non-AP STA indicated in the hibernation state indication information, the AP MLD may recommend or suggest a non-AP STA (i.e., recommend or suggest a third non-AP STA that enters hibernation state at the corresponding first hibernation time).

[0212] If the AP MLD does not accept the first sleep time indicated in the sleep state indication information, the AP MLD may recommend or suggest a second sleep time (i.e., recommend or suggest a second sleep time for the first non-AP STA to enter the sleep state under the enabled link where the first non-AP STA is located);

[0213] If the AP MLD does not accept the non-AP STA indicated in the sleep state indication information, nor does it accept the first sleep time indicated in the sleep state indication information, the AP MLD may recommend either the non-AP STA or the sleep time (i.e., recommend or suggest the fourth non-AP STA to enter the sleep state at the corresponding second sleep time, and the second sleep time for the fourth non-AP STA to enter the sleep state under the enabled link where the fourth non-AP STA is located).

[0214] Optionally, the third non-AP STA can be a portion of the first non-AP STA. The fourth non-AP STA can be a portion of the first non-AP MLD, or it can be all of the first non-AP MLD.

[0215] Optionally, in some embodiments, the first wireless frame further includes a fifth identification field;

[0216] The fifth identification field indicates the identification information of the third non-AP STA.

[0217] Optionally, the fields corresponding to the fifth identifier field and the fourth identifier field can be the same.

[0218] Optionally, if the AP MLD does not accept the non-AP STA indicated in the sleep state indication information, and recommends or suggests that the third non-AP STA enter sleep state at the corresponding first sleep time, the first radio frame may include a first identification field and a fifth identification field whose parameter value is set to the second parameter value.

[0219] Optionally, in some embodiments, the first wireless frame further includes a sixth identification field and a seventh identification field;

[0220] The sixth identifier field indicates the second sleep time; the seventh identifier field indicates the identifier information of the fourth non-AP STA.

[0221] Optionally, the fields corresponding to the seventh, fifth, and fourth identifier fields can be the same.

[0222] Optionally, when the fourth non-AP STA is exactly the same as the first non-AP STA, the first radio frame may include a first identification field and a sixth identification field, and the parameter value of the first identification field is set to the second parameter value.

[0223] Optionally, if the AP MLD does not accept the non-AP STA indicated in the sleep state indication information, and recommends or suggests that the first non-AP STA enter sleep state for a second sleep time under the enabled link where the first non-AP STA is located, the first radio frame may include a first identification field and a sixth identification field whose parameter value is set to the second parameter value.

[0224] Optionally, if the AP MLD neither accepts the non-AP STA indicated in the sleep state indication information nor the first sleep time indicated in the sleep state indication information, and recommends or suggests that the fourth non-AP STA enter the sleep state for a second sleep time under the enabled link where the fourth non-AP STA is located, the first radio frame may include a first identifier field, a sixth identifier field, and a seventh identifier field whose parameter values ​​are set to the second parameter values.

[0225] 301C: Optionally, in some embodiments, the parameter value of the first identifier field is set to a third parameter value to indicate that the AP MLD does not accept the sleep state indication information.

[0226] Optionally, the third parameter value can be a pre-configured parameter value or a pre-agreed parameter value, and this embodiment of the present disclosure does not limit this.

[0227] Referring to the example above, the first identifier field may include two bits, and when these two bits are set to "11", the parameter value of the first identifier field indicates that the parameter value is the third parameter value.

[0228] Optionally, the AP MLD does not accept sleep state indication information, that is, the AP MLD rejects sleep state indication information. Specifically, the AP MLD rejects any first non-AP STA from entering sleep state under the enabled link where the first non-AP STA is located after the first sleep time corresponding to the first non-AP STA has arrived.

[0229] Optionally, the AP MLD does not accept sleep status indication information, and the first radio frame does not include the fourth, fifth, sixth, or seventh identification fields mentioned above.

[0230] Step 302: After a short inter-frame interval, the non-AP MLD sends a third radio frame to the AP MLD; wherein the third radio frame indicates that the non-AP MLD has received the first radio frame.

[0231] Optionally, the third radio frame can be an acknowledgment frame, for example, an ACK frame (Acknowledgment frame) or a Block ACK frame (Block Acknowledgment frame).

[0232] Step 303: After the non-AP MLD sends the third radio frame to the AP MLD, whether the non-AP STA attached to the non-AP MLD enters a sleep state varies depending on the type of the identification field included in the first radio frame and the content indicated by each identification field. Specifically:

[0233] 303A (corresponding to 301A above), optionally, in some embodiments, each of the first non-AP STAs enters a sleep state during the corresponding first sleep time;

[0234] Wherein, the first wireless frame includes the first identifier field, and the parameter value of the first identifier field is set to a first parameter value; or, the first wireless frame includes the first identifier field and the fourth identifier field, and the parameter value of the first identifier field is set to a first parameter value.

[0235] Optionally, if the AP MLD receives sleep state indication information, each first non-AP STA can enter sleep state when the corresponding first sleep time (i.e., the sleep time indicated by the first identifier field) arrives.

[0236] 303B (corresponding to 301B above), optionally, in some embodiments, the third non-AP STA enters a sleep state when the corresponding first sleep time arrives;

[0237] The first wireless frame includes the first identifier field and the fifth identifier field, and the parameter value of the first identifier field is set to the second parameter value.

[0238] Optionally, if the AP MLD does not accept the non-AP STA indicated in the hibernation state indication information, and recommends or suggests that the third non-AP STA (i.e., the non-AP STA indicated by the fifth identifier field) enter hibernation state at the corresponding first hibernation time, the third non-AP STA may enter hibernation state when the first hibernation time (i.e., the hibernation time indicated by the first identifier field) arrives.

[0239] Optionally, in some embodiments, the fourth non-AP STA enters a sleep state when the corresponding second sleep time arrives;

[0240] The first wireless frame includes the first identifier field, the sixth identifier field, and the seventh identifier field, and the parameter value of the first identifier field is set to the second parameter value.

[0241] Optionally, if the AP MLD does not accept the non-AP STA indicated in the sleep state indication information, and recommends or suggests that the first non-AP STA enter sleep state at the second sleep time under the enabled link where the first non-AP STA is located, the first non-AP STA may enter sleep state when the second sleep time (i.e., the sleep time indicated by the sixth identifier field) arrives.

[0242] Optionally, if the AP MLD neither accepts the non-AP STA indicated in the sleep state indication information nor the first sleep time indicated in the sleep state indication information, and recommends or suggests that the fourth non-AP STA enter sleep state under the enabled link where the fourth non-AP STA is located, the fourth non-AP MLD (i.e., the non-AP STA indicated by the seventh identification field) may enter sleep state when the second sleep time (i.e., the sleep time indicated by the sixth identification field) arrives.

[0243] 303C (corresponding to 301C above), optionally, in some embodiments, the fifth non-AP STA enters a sleep state when the corresponding first sleep time arrives;

[0244] The sixth non-AP STA maintains its current power mode when the corresponding first sleep time arrives;

[0245] Wherein, the fifth non-AP STA is the non-AP STA corresponding to the first enabled link; the sixth non-AP STA is the non-AP STA other than the fifth non-AP STA among the first non-AP STAs; the first enabled link is the link through which the non-AP MLD obtains the sleep state indication information from the AP MLD;

[0246] The first wireless frame includes the first identifier field, and the parameter value of the first identifier field is set to a third parameter value.

[0247] Optionally, if the AP MLD does not accept sleep state indication information, the non-AP STA (fifth non-AP STA) corresponding to the first enabled link can enter sleep state when the first sleep time corresponding to the non-AP STA indicated by the first identifier field arrives.

[0248] Meanwhile, the first non-AP STA, excluding the fifth non-AP STA, namely the sixth non-AP STA, can maintain its current power mode when the first sleep time arrives.

[0249] Optionally, the current power mode is maintained, i.e., the state when the non-AP MLD transmits the second radio frame is maintained.

[0250] The communication methods involved in the embodiments of this disclosure may include the foregoing steps and at least one of the embodiments. For example, step 301 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, step 302 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, and step 303 can be implemented as an independent embodiment; the combination of step 301 and step 302 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, and the combination of step 301, step 302, and step 303 can be implemented as an independent embodiment; wherein, regardless of whether step 301 and step 303 are implemented as independent embodiments or in combination with other steps as independent embodiments, when the parameter value and indicated content of the first identifier field in step 301 are as shown in 301A, the state of the first non-AP STA in step 303 is as shown in 303A; when the parameter value and indicated content of the first identifier field in step 301 are as shown in 301B, the state of the first non-AP STA in step 303 is as shown in 303B; when the parameter value and indicated content of the first identifier field in step 301 are as shown in 301C, the state of the first non-AP STA in step 303 is as shown in 303C; but not limited to this.

[0251] In some embodiments, other optional implementations may be described before or after the specification corresponding to FIG3.

[0252] As shown in Figure 4, in some embodiments of this disclosure, the method includes:

[0253] Step 401: If the non-AP MLD does not receive the second radio frame within the response timeout period (i.e., the AP MLD does not respond to the second radio frame), the first non-AP STA enters a sleep state when the sleep time indicated by the first identifier field arrives; or, the first non-AP STA maintains the current power mode.

[0254] Optionally, steps 201 and 202 described above may be included before step 401.

[0255] Optionally, if the AP MLD does not respond to the second radio frame, when the first sleep time indicated by the first identification field corresponding to the first non-AP STA arrives, the first non-AP STA may enter a sleep state or maintain its current power mode.

[0256] Figure 5 is a flowchart illustrating one of the communication methods according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in Figure 5, the above method is applied to an AP MLD and includes:

[0257] Step 501: AP MLD responds to the second radio frame within the response timeout period; or does not respond to the second radio frame.

[0258] Optionally, after receiving the second radio frame, the AP MLD determines that within the response timeout period indicated by the third identifier field in the second radio frame, the AP MLD has at least one enabled link in an available state, and can respond to the second radio frame within the response timeout period.

[0259] Optionally, the available state can be relative to the unavailable state; wherein, the unavailable state can include: interference caused by factors such as coexisting activities within the AP MLD, resulting in the current link being unavailable.

[0260] Optionally, the AP MLD may not respond to the second radio frame, which could include the AP MLD not responding to the second radio frame when the response timeout period arrives. For example, if the AP MLD, after receiving the second radio frame, determines that there is no available enabled link within the response timeout period indicated by the third identifier field in the second radio frame, it may not respond to the second radio frame.

[0261] Optionally, before step 501, the AP MLD may receive a second radio frame sent by a non-AP MLD; wherein the second radio frame includes a second identification field and / or a third identification field; the second identification field indicates: sleep state indication information; the third identification field indicates: the response timeout time of the second radio frame;

[0262] The sleep state indication information indicates the first sleep time when at least one first non-AP STA attached to the non-AP MLD enters a sleep state under the enabled link where the first non-AP STA is located.

[0263] The following sections describe the subsequent communication process in two scenarios: when the AP MLD responds to the second radio frame, and when the AP MLD does not respond to the second radio frame.

[0264] As shown in Figure 6, in some embodiments of this disclosure, the above method is applied to AP MLD, and the method includes:

[0265] Step 601: During the response timeout period, the AP MLD sends the first radio frame to the non-AP MLD of the multi-connection site device.

[0266] The first wireless frame indicates whether the AP MLD accepts the sleep state indication information.

[0267] Optionally, in some embodiments, the first wireless frame includes a first identification field; the first identification field indicates whether the AP MLD accepts the sleep state indication information.

[0268] Optionally, before step 601, the AP MLD may receive a second radio frame sent by a non-AP MLD; wherein the second radio frame includes a second identification field and / or a third identification field; the second identification field indicates: sleep state indication information; the third identification field indicates: the response timeout time of the second radio frame;

[0269] The sleep state indication information indicates the first sleep time when at least one first non-AP STA attached to the non-AP MLD enters a sleep state under the enabled link where the first non-AP STA is located.

[0270] Optionally, the AP MLD can be identified as accepting the sleep state indication information based on the parameter value of the first identifier field. Specifically:

[0271] 601A: Optionally, in some embodiments, the parameter value of the first identifier field is set to a first parameter value, indicating that the AP MLD accepts the sleep state indication information.

[0272] Optionally, in some embodiments, the first wireless frame further includes a fourth identification field;

[0273] The fourth identifier field indicates the identifier information of the second non-AP STA that enters a sleep state during the corresponding first sleep time; the identifier information of the non-AP STA indicated by the fourth identifier field is the same as the identifier information of the non-AP STA indicated by the first radio frame.

[0274] 601B: Optionally, in some embodiments, the parameter value of the first identifier field is set to a second parameter value, identifier:

[0275] The AP MLD does not accept the sleep state indication information; and

[0276] The AP MLD recommends or suggests that the third non-AP STA enter a sleep state at the corresponding first sleep time, and / or the AP MLD recommends or suggests that the fourth non-AP STA enter a sleep state at the second sleep time;

[0277] The first non-AP STA includes the third non-AP STA and / or the fourth non-AP STA.

[0278] Optionally, in some embodiments, the first wireless frame further includes a fifth identification field;

[0279] The fifth identification field indicates the identification information of the third non-AP STA.

[0280] Optionally, in some embodiments, the first wireless frame further includes a sixth identification field and a seventh identification field;

[0281] The sixth identifier field indicates the second sleep time; the seventh identifier field indicates the identifier information of the fourth non-AP STA.

[0282] 601C: Optionally, in some embodiments, the parameter value of the first identifier field is set to a third parameter value to indicate that the AP MLD does not accept the sleep state indication information.

[0283] Step 602, the AP MLD receives a third radio frame sent by the non-AP MLD; wherein the third radio frame indicates that the non-AP MLD has received the first radio frame.

[0284] The communication method involved in the embodiments of this disclosure may include the foregoing steps and at least one of the embodiments. For example, step 601 may be implemented as a separate embodiment, step 602 may be implemented as a separate embodiment, and the combination of step 601 and step 602 may be implemented as a separate embodiment, but is not limited thereto.

[0285] In some embodiments, other alternative implementations described before or after the specification corresponding to FIG6 may be referred to.

[0286] As shown in Figure 7, in some embodiments of this disclosure, the above method is applied to AP MLD, and the method includes:

[0287] Step 701: When the response timeout period arrives, the AP MLD does not respond to the second radio frame (i.e., it does not send the first radio frame to the non-AP MLD).

[0288] Optionally, before step 401, the AP MLD may receive a second radio frame sent by a non-AP MLD; wherein the second radio frame includes a second identification field and / or a third identification field; the second identification field indicates: sleep state indication information; the third identification field indicates: the response timeout time of the second radio frame;

[0289] The sleep state indication information indicates the first sleep time when at least one first non-AP STA attached to the non-AP MLD enters a sleep state under the enabled link where the first non-AP STA is located.

[0290] Alternatively, step 701 above may not be required.

[0291] Figure 8 is a fourth schematic flowchart illustrating a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in Figure 8, the above method is applied to a non-AP MLD, and the method includes:

[0292] Step 801: The multi-connection site device (non-AP MLD) receives the first radio frame sent by the AP MLD within the response timeout period, or does not receive the first radio frame sent by the AP MLD.

[0293] The first wireless frame indicates whether the AP MLD accepts the sleep state indication information.

[0294] Optionally, before step 801, the non-AP MLD sends a second radio frame to the AP MLD; wherein the second radio frame includes a second identification field and / or a third identification field; the second identification field indicates: sleep state indication information; the third identification field indicates: the response timeout time of the second radio frame;

[0295] The sleep state indication information indicates the first sleep time when at least one first non-AP STA attached to the non-AP MLD enters a sleep state under the enabled link where the first non-AP STA is located.

[0296] The following sections explain the subsequent communication process for two scenarios: whether the non-AP MLD receives the first radio frame sent by the AP MLD within the response timeout period.

[0297] As shown in Figure 9, in some embodiments of this disclosure, the above method is applied to non-AP MLD, and the method includes:

[0298] Step 901: The multi-connection site device (non-AP MLD) receives the first radio frame sent by the AP MLD within the response timeout period;

[0299] The first wireless frame indicates whether the AP MLD accepts the sleep state indication information.

[0300] Optionally, before step 901, the non-AP MLD sends a second radio frame to the AP MLD; wherein the second radio frame includes a second identification field and / or a third identification field; the second identification field indicates: sleep state indication information; the third identification field indicates: the response timeout time of the second radio frame;

[0301] The sleep state indication information indicates the first sleep time when at least one first non-AP STA attached to the non-AP MLD enters a sleep state under the enabled link where the first non-AP STA is located.

[0302] Optionally, different parameter values ​​in the first identifier field indicate whether the AP MLD accepts the sleep state indication information. Specifically:

[0303] 901A: Optionally, in some embodiments, the parameter value of the first identifier field is set to a first parameter value, indicating that the AP MLD accepts the sleep state indication information.

[0304] Optionally, in some embodiments, the first wireless frame further includes a fourth identification field;

[0305] The fourth identifier field indicates the identifier information of the second non-AP STA that enters a sleep state during the corresponding first sleep time; the identifier information of the non-AP STA indicated by the fourth identifier field is the same as the identifier information of the non-AP STA indicated by the first radio frame.

[0306] 901B: Optionally, in some embodiments, the parameter value of the first identifier field is set to a second parameter value, identifier:

[0307] The AP MLD does not accept the sleep state indication information; and

[0308] The AP MLD recommends or suggests that the third non-AP STA enter a sleep state at the corresponding first sleep time, and / or the AP MLD recommends or suggests that the fourth non-AP STA enter a sleep state at the second sleep time;

[0309] The first non-AP STA includes the third non-AP STA and / or the fourth non-AP STA.

[0310] Optionally, in some embodiments, the first wireless frame further includes a fifth identification field;

[0311] The fifth identification field indicates the identification information of the third non-AP STA.

[0312] Optionally, in some embodiments, the first wireless frame further includes a sixth identification field and a seventh identification field;

[0313] The sixth identifier field indicates the second sleep time; the seventh identifier field indicates the identifier information of the fourth non-AP STA.

[0314] 901C: Optionally, in some embodiments, the parameter value of the first identifier field is set to a third parameter value to indicate that the AP MLD does not accept the sleep state indication information.

[0315] Step 902: After a short inter-frame interval, the non-AP MLD sends a third radio frame to the AP MLD; wherein the third radio frame indicates that the non-AP MLD has received the first radio frame.

[0316] In step 903, after the non-AP MLD sends the third radio frame to the AP MLD, the type of the identification field included in the first radio frame and the content indicated by each identification field are different, which also affects whether the non-AP STA attached to the non-AP MLD enters a sleep state. Specifically:

[0317] 903A (corresponding to 901A above), optionally, in some embodiments, each of the first non-AP STAs enters a sleep state during the corresponding first sleep time;

[0318] Wherein, the first wireless frame includes the first identifier field, and the parameter value of the first identifier field is set to a first parameter value; or, the first wireless frame includes the first identifier field and the fourth identifier field, and the parameter value of the first identifier field is set to a first parameter value.

[0319] 903B (corresponding to 901B above), optionally, in some embodiments, the third non-AP STA enters a sleep state when the corresponding first sleep time arrives;

[0320] The first wireless frame includes the first identifier field and the fifth identifier field, and the parameter value of the first identifier field is set to the second parameter value.

[0321] Optionally, in some embodiments, the fourth non-AP STA enters a sleep state when the corresponding second sleep time arrives;

[0322] The first wireless frame includes the first identifier field, the sixth identifier field, and the seventh identifier field, and the parameter value of the first identifier field is set to the second parameter value.

[0323] 903C (corresponding to 901C above), optionally, in some embodiments, the fifth non-AP STA enters a sleep state when the corresponding first sleep time arrives;

[0324] The sixth non-AP STA maintains its current power mode when the corresponding first sleep time arrives;

[0325] Wherein, the fifth non-AP STA is the non-AP STA corresponding to the first enabled link; the sixth non-AP STA is the non-AP STA other than the fifth non-AP STA among the first non-AP STAs; the first enabled link is the link through which the non-AP MLD obtains the sleep state indication information from the AP MLD;

[0326] The first wireless frame includes the first identifier field, and the parameter value of the first identifier field is set to a third parameter value.

[0327] The communication methods involved in the embodiments of this disclosure may include the foregoing steps and at least one of the embodiments. For example, step 901 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, step 902 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, and step 903 can be implemented as an independent embodiment; the combination of steps 901 and 902 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, and the combination of steps 901, 902, and 903 can be implemented as an independent embodiment; wherein, regardless of whether steps 901 and 903 are implemented as independent embodiments or in combination with other steps as independent embodiments, when the parameter value and indicated content of the first identifier field in step 901 are as shown in 901A, the state of the first non-AP STA in step 903 is as shown in 903A; when the parameter value and indicated content of the first identifier field in step 901 are as shown in 901B, the state of the first non-AP STA in step 903 is as shown in 903B; when the parameter value and indicated content of the first identifier field in step 901 are as shown in 901C, the state of the first non-AP STA in step 903 is as shown in 903C; but not limited to this.

[0328] In some embodiments, other optional implementations may be described before or after the specification corresponding to FIG3.

[0329] As shown in Figure 10, in some embodiments of this disclosure, the above method is applied to non-AP MLD, and the method includes:

[0330] Step 1001: If the non-AP MLD does not receive the second radio frame within the response timeout period (i.e., the AP MLD does not respond to the second radio frame), the first non-AP STA enters a sleep state when the sleep time indicated by the first identifier field arrives; or, the first non-AP STA maintains the current power mode.

[0331] In some embodiments, the names of information, etc., are not limited to the names described in the embodiments. Terms such as "information", "message", "signal", "signaling", "report", "configuration", "indication", "instruction", "command", "channel", "parameter", "domain", "field", "symbol", "bit", "data", "program", and "chip" can be used interchangeably.

[0332] In some embodiments, terms such as “moment,” “point in time,” “time,” and “time location” can be used interchangeably, as can terms such as “duration,” “segment,” “time window,” “window,” and “time.”

[0333] In some embodiments, terms such as wireless access scheme and waveform can be used interchangeably.

[0334] In some embodiments, terms such as "certain," "preset," "default," "set," "indicated," "a certain," "any," and "first" can be used interchangeably. "Certain A," "preset A," "default A," "set A," "indicated A," "a certain A," "any A," and "first A" can be interpreted as A pre-defined in a protocol or the like, or as A obtained through setting, configuration, or instruction, or as specific A, a certain A, any A, or first A, but are not limited thereto.

[0335] In some embodiments, the determination or judgment can be made by a value represented by 1 bit (0 or 1), or by a true or false value (boolean), or by a comparison of numerical values ​​(e.g., a comparison with a predetermined value), but is not limited thereto.

[0336] In some embodiments, "not expecting to receive" can be interpreted as not receiving on time domain resources and / or frequency domain resources, or as not performing subsequent processing on the data after receiving it; "not expecting to send" can be interpreted as not sending, or as sending but not expecting the receiver to respond to the sent content.

[0337] This disclosure also provides an apparatus for implementing any of the above methods. For example, an apparatus is provided that includes units or modules for implementing the steps performed by the terminal in any of the above methods. Alternatively, another apparatus is provided that includes units or modules for implementing the steps performed by a network device (e.g., an access network device, a core network functional node, a core network device, etc.) in any of the above methods.

[0338] It should be understood that the division of units or modules in the above device is only a logical functional division. In actual implementation, they can be fully or partially integrated into a single physical entity, or they can be physically separated. Furthermore, the units or modules in the device can be implemented by a processor calling software: for example, the device includes a processor connected to a memory containing instructions. The processor calls the instructions stored in the memory to implement any of the above methods or to implement the functions of the units or modules in the above device. The processor can be, for example, a general-purpose processor, such as a Central Processing Unit (CPU) or a microprocessor, and the memory can be internal or external to the device. Alternatively, the units or modules in the device can be implemented in the form of hardware circuits. The functionality of some or all of the units or modules can be achieved through the design of these hardware circuits, which can be understood as one or more processors. For example, in one implementation, the hardware circuit is an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC). The functionality of some or all of the units or modules is achieved through the design of the logical relationships between the components within the circuit. In another implementation, the hardware circuit can be implemented using a programmable logic device (PLD). Taking a field-programmable gate array (FPGA) as an example, it can include a large number of logic gates. The connection relationships between the logic gates are configured through configuration files, thereby achieving the functionality of some or all of the units or modules. All units or modules of the above device can be implemented entirely through processor-called software, entirely through hardware circuits, or partially through processor-called software with the remaining parts implemented through hardware circuits.

[0339] In this embodiment, the processor is a circuit with signal processing capabilities. In one implementation, the processor can be a circuit with instruction read and execute capabilities, such as a Central Processing Unit (CPU), a microprocessor, a graphics processing unit (GPU) (which can be understood as a microprocessor), or a digital signal processor (DSP). In another implementation, the processor can implement certain functions through the logical relationships of hardware circuits. The logical relationships of the aforementioned hardware circuits are fixed or reconfigurable. For example, the processor is a hardware circuit implemented using an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) or a programmable logic device (PLD), such as an FPGA. In a reconfigurable hardware circuit, the process of the processor loading a configuration document and configuring the hardware circuit can be understood as the process of the processor loading instructions to implement the functions of some or all of the above units or modules. Furthermore, it can also be a hardware circuit designed for artificial intelligence, which can be understood as an ASIC, such as a Neural Network Processing Unit (NPU), a Tensor Processing Unit (TPU), or a Deep Learning Processing Unit (DPU).

[0340] Figure 11 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a multi-connection access point device according to an embodiment of this disclosure. As shown in Figure 6, the multi-connection access point device 1100 may include at least one of the following: a sending module 1101, etc.

[0341] In some embodiments, the sending module 1101 is configured to send a first radio frame to the multi-connection non-access point device (non-AP MLD) within the response timeout period; or, not to respond to the sleep indication information sent by the non-AP MLD.

[0342] The first wireless frame indicates whether the AP MLD accepts the sleep state indication information.

[0343] The hibernation state indication information indicates that at least one first non-AP STA attached to the non-AP MLD enters a hibernation state for a first hibernation time under the enabled link where the first non-AP STA is located.

[0344] Optionally, the sending module 601 is used to perform at least one of the sending and receiving steps (e.g., steps 202, 301, 501, 601, 602, 701, but not limited thereto) performed by the multi-connection access point device 101 in any of the above methods, which will not be described in detail here.

[0345] Figure 12 is a structural schematic diagram of a multi-connection non-access point device proposed in an embodiment of this disclosure. As shown in Figure 7, the multi-connection non-access point device 1200 may include a receiving module 1201.

[0346] In some embodiments, the receiving module 1201 is configured to receive a first wireless frame sent by the multi-connection access point device (AP MLD) during the response timeout period; or, if the first wireless frame sent by the AP MLD is not received.

[0347] The first wireless frame includes an indication of whether the AP MLD accepts the sleep state indication information sent by the non-AP MLD.

[0348] The hibernation state indication information indicates that at least one first non-AP STA attached to the non-AP MLD enters a hibernation state for a first hibernation time under the enabled link where the first non-AP STA is located.

[0349] Optionally, the receiving module 1201 is used to perform at least one of the sending and receiving steps (e.g., steps 201, 302, 303, 401, 801, 901, 902, 903, 1001, but not limited thereto) performed by the multi-connected non-access point device 102 in any of the above methods, which will not be described in detail here.

[0350] Figure 13 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a terminal 1300 (e.g., a user equipment) proposed in an embodiment of this disclosure. The terminal 1300 may be a chip, chip system, or processor that supports network devices in implementing any of the above methods, or it may be a chip, chip system, or processor that supports a terminal in implementing any of the above methods. The terminal 1300 can be used to implement the methods described in the above method embodiments; for details, please refer to the descriptions in the above method embodiments.

[0351] As shown in Figure 13, terminal 1300 includes one or more processors 1301. Processor 1301 can be a general-purpose processor or a dedicated processor, such as a baseband processor or a central processing unit (CPU). The baseband processor can be used to process communication protocols and communication data, while the CPU can be used to control communication devices (e.g., base stations, baseband chips, terminal devices, terminal device chips, DUs or CUs, etc.), execute programs, and process program data. Terminal 1300 is used to execute any of the above methods.

[0352] In some embodiments, terminal 1300 further includes one or more memories 1302 for storing instructions. Optionally, all or part of the memories 1302 may also be located outside of terminal 1300.

[0353] In some embodiments, terminal 1300 further includes one or more transceivers 1304. When terminal 1300 includes one or more transceivers 1304, transceivers 1304 perform at least one of the communication steps such as sending and / or receiving in the above method (e.g., steps 201, 202, 301, 302, 303, 401, 501, 601, 602, 701, 801, 901, 902, 903, 1001, but not limited thereto), while processor 1301 performs other steps.

[0354] In some embodiments, a transceiver may include a receiver and / or a transmitter, which may be separate or integrated. Optionally, the terms transceiver, transceiver unit, transceiver, transceiver circuit, etc., may be used interchangeably; the terms transmitter, transmitting unit, transmitter, transmitting circuit, etc., may be used interchangeably; and the terms receiver, receiving unit, receiver, receiving circuit, etc., may be used interchangeably.

[0355] In some embodiments, terminal 1300 may include one or more interface circuits 1303. Optionally, interface circuit 1303 is connected to memory 1302, and interface circuit 1303 can be used to receive signals from memory 1302 or other devices, and can be used to send signals to memory 1302 or other devices. For example, interface circuit 1303 can read instructions stored in memory 1302 and send the instructions to processor 1301.

[0356] The terminal 1300 described in the above embodiments may be a user equipment or other communication device, but the scope of the terminal 1300 described in this disclosure is not limited thereto, and the structure of the terminal 1300 may not be limited by FIG13. The communication device may be an independent device or a part of a larger device. For example, the communication device may be: (1) an independent integrated circuit IC, or chip, or chip system or subsystem; (2) a collection of one or more ICs, optionally, the IC collection may also include storage components for storing data and programs; (3) an ASIC, such as a modem; (4) a module that can be embedded in other devices; (5) a receiver, terminal device, smart terminal device, cellular phone, wireless device, handheld device, mobile unit, vehicle device, network device, cloud device, artificial intelligence device, etc.; (6) others, etc.

[0357] Figure 14 is a schematic diagram of the structure of the chip 1400 proposed in an embodiment of this disclosure. For cases where the terminal 1300 can be a chip or a chip system, please refer to the schematic diagram of the chip 1400 shown in Figure 14, but it is not limited thereto.

[0358] Chip 1400 includes one or more processors 1401, which are used to perform any of the above methods.

[0359] In some embodiments, chip 1400 further includes one or more 1403s. Optionally, interface circuitry 1403 is connected to memory 1402, and interface circuitry 1403 can be used to receive signals from memory 1402 or other devices, and interface circuitry 1403 can be used to send signals to memory 1402 or other devices. For example, interface circuitry 1403 can read instructions stored in memory 1402 and send the instructions to processor 1401.

[0360] In some embodiments, the interface circuit 1403 performs at least one of the communication steps such as sending and / or receiving in the above method (e.g., steps 201, 202, 301, 302, 303, 401, 501, 601, 602, 701, 801, 901, 902, 903, 1001, but not limited thereto), while the processor 1401 performs other steps.

[0361] In some embodiments, the terms interface circuit, interface, transceiver pin, transceiver, etc., can be used interchangeably.

[0362] In some embodiments, chip 1400 further includes one or more memories 1402 for storing instructions. Optionally, all or part of the memories 1402 may be located outside of chip 1400.

[0363] This disclosure also proposes a storage medium storing instructions that, when executed on terminal 1300, cause terminal 1300 to perform any of the above methods. Optionally, the storage medium is an electronic storage medium. Optionally, the storage medium is a computer-readable storage medium, but not limited thereto; it may also be a storage medium readable by other devices. Optionally, the storage medium may be a non-transitory storage medium, but not limited thereto; it may also be a temporary storage medium.

[0364] This disclosure also proposes a program product that, when executed by terminal 1300, causes terminal 1300 to perform any of the above methods. Optionally, the program product is a computer program product.

[0365] This disclosure also proposes a computer program that, when run on a computer, causes the computer to perform any of the above methods.

Claims

1. A communication method, characterized in that, Performed by a multi-connection access point device (AP MLD), the method includes: During the response timeout period, send a first radio frame to the multi-connection non-access point device (non-AP MLD); or, do not respond to the sleep indication information sent by the non-AP MLD. The first wireless frame indicates whether the AP MLD accepts the sleep state indication information. The hibernation state indication information indicates that at least one first non-AP STA attached to the non-AP MLD enters a hibernation state for a first hibernation time under the enabled link where the first non-AP STA is located.

2. The communication method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first wireless frame includes a first identification field, which indicates whether the AP MLD accepts the sleep state indication information.

3. The communication method according to claim 2, characterized in that, The method further includes: Receive a second radio frame sent by the non-AP MLD; wherein the second radio frame includes a second identification field and / or a third identification field; Wherein, the second identifier field indicates: the sleep state indication information; the third identifier field indicates: the response timeout time of the second wireless frame.

4. The communication method according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that, The parameter value of the first identifier field is set to a first parameter value, indicating that the AP MLD accepts the sleep state indication information.

5. The communication method according to claim 4, characterized in that, The first wireless frame also includes a fourth identifier field; The fourth identification field indicates the identification information of the second non-AP STA that enters a sleep state during the corresponding first sleep time; the identification information of the non-AP STA indicated by the fourth identification field is the same as the identification information of the non-AP STA indicated by the first radio frame.

6. The communication method according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that, The parameter value of the first identifier field is set to the second parameter value, identifier: The AP MLD does not accept the sleep state indication information; and The AP MLD recommends or suggests that the third non-AP STA enter a sleep state at the corresponding first sleep time, and / or the AP MLD recommends or suggests that the fourth non-AP STA enter a sleep state at the second sleep time; The first non-AP STA includes the third non-AP STA and / or the fourth non-AP STA.

7. The communication method according to claim 6, characterized in that, The first radio frame further includes a fifth identification field; wherein the fifth identification field indicates the identification information of the third non-AP STA; or, The first radio frame also includes a sixth identification field and a seventh identification field; The sixth identifier field indicates the second sleep time; the seventh identifier field indicates the identifier information of the fourth non-AP STA.

8. The communication method according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that, The parameter value of the first identifier field is set to the third parameter value, indicating that the AP MLD rejects the sleep state indication information.

9. The communication method according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that, The method further includes: Receive a third radio frame sent by the non-AP MLD; the third radio frame indicates that the non-AP MLD has received the first radio frame.

10. A communication method, characterized in that, Performed by a multi-connection non-access point device (non-AP MLD), the method includes: During the response timeout period, the first radio frame sent by the multi-connection access point device (AP MLD) is received; or, the first radio frame sent by the AP MLD is not received. The first wireless frame indicates whether the AP MLD accepts the sleep state indication signal sent by the non-AP MLD. interest; The hibernation state indication information indicates that at least one first non-AP STA attached to the non-AP MLD enters a hibernation state for a first hibernation time under the enabled link where the first non-AP STA is located.

11. The communication method according to claim 10, characterized in that, The first wireless frame includes a first identification field, which indicates whether the AP MLD accepts the sleep state indication information.

12. The communication method according to claim 11, characterized in that, The method further includes: A second radio frame is determined; wherein the second radio frame includes a second identification field and / or a third identification field; the second identification field indicates the sleep state indication information; the third identification field indicates the response timeout period of the second radio frame; The second radio frame is sent to the AP MLD.

13. The communication method according to claim 11 or 12, characterized in that, The parameter value of the first identifier field is set to a first parameter value, indicating that the AP MLD accepts the sleep state indication information.

14. The communication method according to claim 13, characterized in that, The first wireless frame also includes a fourth identifier field; The fourth identification field indicates the identification information of the second non-AP STA that enters a sleep state during the corresponding first sleep time; the identification information of the non-AP STA indicated by the fourth identification field is the same as the identification information of the non-AP STA indicated by the first radio frame.

15. The communication method according to claim 11 or 12, characterized in that, The parameter value of the first identifier field is set to the second parameter value, identifier: The AP MLD does not accept the sleep state indication information; and The AP MLD recommends or suggests that the third non-AP STA enter a sleep state at the corresponding first sleep time, and / or the AP MLD recommends or suggests that the fourth non-AP STA enter a sleep state at the second sleep time; The first non-AP STA includes the third non-AP STA and / or the fourth non-AP STA.

16. The communication method according to claim 15, characterized in that, The first radio frame further includes a fifth identification field; wherein the fifth identification field indicates the identification information of the third non-AP STA; or, The first radio frame also includes a sixth identification field and a seventh identification field; The sixth identifier field indicates the second sleep time; the seventh identifier field indicates the identifier information of the fourth non-AP STA.

17. The communication method according to claim 11 or 12, characterized in that, The parameter value of the first identifier field is set to the third parameter value, indicating that the AP MLD does not accept the sleep state indication information.

18. The communication method according to any one of claims 11 to 17, characterized in that, After receiving the first radio frame sent by the AP MLD, the method further includes: After a short inter-frame interval, a third radio frame is sent to the AP MLD; The third wireless frame indicates that the non-AP MLD has received the first wireless frame.

19. The communication method according to claim 18, characterized in that, After sending the third radio frame to the AP MLD, the method further includes: Each of the first non-AP STAs enters a sleep state during the corresponding first sleep time; Wherein, the first wireless frame includes the first identifier field, and the parameter value of the first identifier field is set to a first parameter value; or, the first wireless frame includes the first identifier field and the fourth identifier field, and the parameter value of the first identifier field is set to a first parameter value.

20. The communication method according to claim 18, characterized in that, After sending the third radio frame to the AP MLD, the method further includes: The third non-AP STA enters a sleep state when the corresponding first sleep time arrives; The first wireless frame includes the first identifier field and the fifth identifier field, and the parameter value of the first identifier field is set to the second parameter value.

21. The communication method according to claim 18, characterized in that, After sending the third radio frame to the AP MLD, the method further includes: The fourth non-AP STA enters a sleep state when the corresponding second sleep time arrives; The first wireless frame includes the first identifier field, the sixth identifier field, and the seventh identifier field, and the parameter value of the first identifier field is set to the second parameter value.

22. The communication method according to claim 18, characterized in that, After sending the third radio frame to the AP MLD, the method further includes: The fifth non-AP STA enters a sleep state when the corresponding first sleep time arrives; The sixth non-AP STA maintains its current power mode when the corresponding first sleep time arrives; Wherein, the fifth non-AP STA is the non-AP STA corresponding to the first enabled link; the sixth non-AP STA is the non-AP STA other than the fifth non-AP STA among the first non-AP STAs; the first enabled link is the link through which the non-AP MLD obtains the sleep state indication information from the AP MLD; The first wireless frame includes the first identifier field, and the parameter value of the first identifier field is set to a third parameter value.

23. The communication method according to claim 11, characterized in that, When the sleep time indicated by the first identifier field is reached, the method further includes: The first non-AP STA enters a sleep state; or, the first non-AP STA maintains its current power mode. During the response timeout period, the non-AP MLD did not receive the first radio frame sent by the AP MLD.

24. A communication device, wherein the communication device is a multi-connection access point device, characterized in that, The multi-connection access point device (AP MLD) includes: The transmitting module is configured to transmit a first radio frame to the multi-connection non-access point device (non-AP MLD) within the response timeout period; or, not to respond to the sleep indication information transmitted by the non-AP MLD. The first wireless frame indicates whether the AP MLD accepts the sleep state indication information. The hibernation state indication information indicates that at least one first non-AP STA attached to the non-AP MLD enters a hibernation state for a first hibernation time under the enabled link where the first non-AP STA is located.

25. A communication device, wherein the communication device is a multi-connection non-access point device, characterized in that, The multi-connection non-access point device (non-AP MLD) includes: The receiving module is configured to receive a first radio frame sent by the multi-connection access point device (AP MLD) within the response timeout period; or, if the first radio frame sent by the AP MLD is not received. The first wireless frame includes an indication of whether the AP MLD accepts the sleep state indication information sent by the non-AP MLD. The hibernation state indication information indicates that at least one first non-AP STA attached to the non-AP MLD enters a hibernation state for a first hibernation time under the enabled link where the first non-AP STA is located.

26. A communication device, wherein the communication device is a multi-connection access point device, characterized in that, include: One or more processors; The multi-connection access point device is used to perform the communication method according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

27. A communication device, wherein the communication device is a multi-connection non-access point device, characterized in that, include: One or more processors; The multi-connection non-access point device is used to perform the communication method according to any one of claims 10 to 23.

28. A communication system, characterized in that, This includes multi-connection access point devices and multi-connection non-access point devices; The multi-connection access point device is configured to send a first radio frame to the multi-connection non-access point device (non-AP MLD) within the response timeout period; or, not to respond to the sleep indication information sent by the non-AP MLD. The first wireless frame indicates whether the AP MLD accepts the sleep state indication information. The sleep state indication information indicates that at least one first non-AP STA attached to the non-AP MLD enters a sleep state for a first sleep time under the enabled link where the first non-AP STA is located; The multi-connection non-access point device is configured to receive the first radio frame sent by the multi-connection access point device within the response timeout period; or, if it does not receive the first radio frame sent by the multi-connection access point device.

29. A storage medium storing instructions, characterized in that, When the instruction is executed on the communication device, the communication device performs the communication method as described in any one of claims 1 to 9, or performs the communication method as described in any one of claims 10 to 23.

30. A program product, characterized in that, When the program product is executed by a communication device, the communication device performs the communication method as described in any one of claims 1 to 9, or performs the communication method as described in any one of claims 10 to 23.

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