Communication methods and devices, and storage medium

Abstract

The embodiments of the present disclosure relate to the technical field of communications. Provided are communication methods and devices, and a storage medium. A method is applied to a first device, and comprises: acquiring first parameter information, the first parameter information comprising periodic power saving information associated with a second device, the first device comprising an access point device (AP) or an access point multi-link device (AP MLD), the second device being an AP, and the first device and the second device forming an overlapping basic service set (OBSS); and, on the basis of the first parameter information, determining periodic power saving information of the first device. The embodiments of the present disclosure may provide a determination mode for periodic power saving information.

Description

Communication method, device, and storage medium TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present disclosure relates to the technical field of communication, and particularly relates to a communication method, device, and storage medium. BACKGROUND

[0002] In the prior art, an access point device (AP) or an AP multi-link device (AP MLD) can enter a power saving mode outside a target wake time (TWT) service period (SP) or a restricted-TWT (R-TWT) service period (SP). For the AP or the AP MLD, how to determine periodic power saving information to reduce communication interference needs further research.

[0003] SUMMARY

[0004] The embodiments of the present disclosure provide a communication method, device, and storage medium.

[0005] In a first aspect, the embodiments of the present disclosure provide a communication method applied to a first device, and the method comprises:

[0006] obtaining first parameter information, wherein the first parameter information comprises periodic power saving information associated with a second device, the first device comprises an access point device (AP) or an AP multi-link device (AP MLD), the second device is the AP, and the first device and the second device form an overlapping basic service set (OBSS);

[0007] determining, according to the first parameter information, periodic power saving information associated with the first device.

[0008] In a second aspect, the embodiments of the present disclosure provide a communication method applied to a second device, and the method comprises:

[0009] sending first parameter information, wherein the first parameter information comprises periodic power saving information associated with the second device, the first parameter information is used for a first device to determine periodic power saving information associated with the first device, the first device is the AP or the AP MLD, the second device is the AP, and the first device and the second device form the OBSS.

[0010] In a third aspect, the embodiments of the present disclosure provide a communication method applied to a third device, and the method comprises:

[0011] transmit first parameter information, the first parameter information including periodic power saving information associated with a second device, the first parameter information being used for a first device to determine periodic power saving information associated with the first device; the first device including an AP or an AP MLD, the second device being an AP, the first device and the second device forming an OBSS, and the third device being a STA associated with the first device.

[0012] In a fourth aspect, the embodiments of the present disclosure provide a communication device, the communication device being a first device, including:

[0013] a transceiver, configured to obtain first parameter information, the first parameter information including periodic power saving information associated with a second device, the first device including an AP or an AP MLD, the second device being an AP, and the first device and the second device forming an OBSS;

[0014] a processing module, configured to determine, according to the first parameter information, periodic power saving information associated with the first device.

[0015] In a fifth aspect, the embodiments of the present disclosure provide a communication device, the communication device being a second device, including:

[0016] a transceiver, configured to transmit first parameter information, the first parameter information including periodic power saving information associated with the second device, the first parameter information being used for a first device to determine periodic power saving information associated with the first device; the first device being an AP or an AP MLD, and the second device being an AP, the first device and the second device forming an OBSS.

[0017] In a sixth aspect, the embodiments of the present disclosure provide a communication device, the communication device being a third device, including:

[0018] a transceiver, configured to transmit first parameter information, the first parameter information including periodic power saving information associated with a second device, the first parameter information being used for a first device to determine periodic power saving information associated with the first device; the first device including an AP or an AP MLD, the second device being an AP, the first device and the second device forming an OBSS, and the third device being a STA associated with the first device.

[0019] In a seventh aspect, the embodiments of the present disclosure provide a communication device, including one or more processors.

[0020] The processor is configured to execute the communication method provided in the first aspect of the embodiments of the present disclosure when the communication device is the first device, the communication method provided in the second aspect of the embodiments of the present disclosure when the communication device is the second device, and the communication method provided in the third aspect of the embodiments of the present disclosure when the communication device is the third device.

[0021] In an eighth aspect, the embodiments of the present disclosure provide a storage medium storing instructions, which, when executed on a communication device, cause the communication device to perform the communication method provided in the first aspect, the second aspect or the third aspect of the embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0022] In a ninth aspect, the embodiments of the present disclosure provide a communication system, which includes a first device, a second device and a third device. The second device and the third device transmit first parameter information, the first parameter information including periodic power saving information associated with the second device, the first device including an AP or an AP MLD, the second device being an AP, the third device being a STA associated with the first device, and the first device and the second device forming an OBSS. The first device acquires the first parameter information, and determines the periodic power saving information associated with the first device according to the first parameter information.

[0023] The communication method, device and storage medium provided in the embodiments of the present disclosure can provide a determination manner of periodic power saving information.

[0024] Additional aspects and advantages of the embodiments of the present disclosure will be in part apparent and in part explicit from the following description. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0025] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present disclosure, the following will briefly introduce the drawings needed to be used in the description of the embodiments of the present disclosure. Obviously, the drawings in the following description are only some embodiments of the present disclosure, and other drawings can also be obtained by those skilled in the art without creative labor.

[0026] FIG. 1 is an architecture schematic diagram of a communication system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0027] FIG. 2a is an interaction schematic diagram of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0028] FIG. 2b is another interaction schematic diagram of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0029] FIG. 3 is a flow schematic diagram of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0030] FIG. 4 is a flowchart of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0031] FIG. 5 is a flowchart of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0032] FIG. 6a is a schematic diagram of a communication device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0033] FIG. 6b is a schematic diagram of a communication device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0034] FIG. 6c is a schematic diagram of a communication device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0035] FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of a communication device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0036] FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of a chip according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0037] The present disclosure provides a communication method, device and storage medium.

[0038] In a first aspect, the present disclosure provides a communication method, which is applied to a first device, and includes:

[0039] obtaining first parameter information, wherein the first parameter information comprises periodic power saving information associated with a second device, the first device comprises an access point device (AP) or a multi-link access point device (AP MLD), the second device is an AP, and the first device and the second device form an overlapping basic service set (OBSS);

[0040] determining periodic power saving information associated with the first device according to the first parameter information.

[0041] In the above embodiment, when the first device forms an OBSS with the second device, the first device can determine the periodic power saving information associated with itself according to the periodic power saving information associated with the second device, which is beneficial to data communication of the AP or the AP MLD not being interfered by other APs forming the OBSS with the AP or the AP MLD, and is beneficial to improving data throughput and data transmission performance.

[0042] In some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the periodic power saving information comprises at least one of the following:

[0043] periodic sleep information;

[0044] target wake time service period (TWT SP) or restricted target wake time service period (R-TWT SP).

[0045] In the above embodiments, the periodic power saving information can include periodic sleep information and / or periodic communication information (TWT SP or R-TWT SP), so that the first device can determine the periodic sleep information and / or periodic communication information associated with itself according to the periodic sleep information and / or periodic communication information associated with the periodic sleep information and / or periodic communication information of the second device, thereby improving the diversity of the determination manner of the periodic power saving information.

[0046] In some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the obtaining the first parameter information comprises at least one of:

[0047] obtaining the first parameter information from the second device;

[0048] receiving a first wireless frame, wherein the first wireless frame comprises the first parameter information, and the first wireless frame is sent by a third device, and the third device is a STA associated with the first device.

[0049] In the above embodiments, the first device can obtain the first parameter information from the second device and / or from the associated STA, which is beneficial for the first device to obtain as much first parameter information of other APs forming the OBSS as possible, so that the first device can more accurately determine its own periodic power saving information, thereby further reducing data transmission interference and improving data transmission performance.

[0050] In some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the obtaining the first parameter information from the second device comprises:

[0051] sending a first request frame, wherein the first request frame is used to request to obtain the first parameter information;

[0052] receiving a first response frame, wherein the first response frame comprises any one of:

[0053] the first parameter information;

[0054] a link identifier of a first link and a reason code;

[0055] wherein the first link is a communication link in which the second device is located, and the reason code is used to indicate that the second device is not associated with a STA;

[0056] wherein when the first response frame comprises the first parameter information, the first response frame is sent by the second device in a case where the second device is associated with a STA; and when the first response frame comprises the first link identifier and the reason code, the first response frame is sent by the second device in a case where the second device is not associated with a STA.

[0057] In the above embodiment, the second device can send the first parameter information to the first device in the case of establishing association with the STA, so that the first device can avoid interference of the second device to data transmission of the first device when determining the periodic power saving information associated with the first device. The second device does not need to send the first parameter information to the first device in the case of not establishing association with the STA, so that the first device does not need to consider the periodic power saving information associated with the second device when determining the periodic power saving information associated with the first device, thereby making the determination process of the periodic power saving information more flexible.

[0058] In combination with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, when the first device is an affiliated AP of an AP MLD, the first request frame includes a link identifier of a communication link in which the first device is located.

[0059] In combination with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, when the second device is affiliated to an AP MLD, the periodic power saving information associated with the second device includes periodic power saving information of the AP MLD to which the second device is affiliated in each communication link.

[0060] The first parameter information further includes at least one of the following:

[0061] A time synchronization function (TSF) parameter of the second device in the first link, the first link being a communication link in which the second device is located.

[0062] A TSF offset value of the second device in each second link, the second link being a communication link other than the first link among all communication links of the AP MLD to which the second device is affiliated.

[0063] In the above embodiment, in the case that the second device is affiliated to the AP MLD, the first device can obtain the TSF parameter and / or the TSF offset value of the second device in the corresponding communication link while obtaining the periodic power saving information associated with the second device, thereby facilitating the first device and the second device to achieve time synchronization and facilitating to improve the data transmission efficiency of the first device.

[0064] In a second aspect, the embodiments of the present disclosure provide a communication method, applied to a second device, the method comprising:

[0065] sending first parameter information, the first parameter information including periodic power saving information associated with the second device, the first parameter information being used for a first device to determine periodic power saving information associated with the first device; the first device being an AP or an AP MLD, the second device being an AP, and the first device and the second device forming an OBSS.

[0066] In the above embodiments, when the first device forms an OBSS with the second device, the second device can send the first parameter information to the first device, so that the first device can determine the periodic power saving information associated with itself according to the periodic power saving information associated with the second device, which is beneficial to the data communication of the AP or the AP MLD not being interfered by other APs forming an OBSS with the AP, and is beneficial to improving the data throughput and data transmission performance.

[0067] In some embodiments in combination with the second aspect, in some embodiments, the periodic power saving information includes at least one of the following:

[0068] Periodic sleep information;

[0069] A TWT SP or an R-TWT SP.

[0070] In the above embodiments, the periodic power saving information can include periodic sleep information and / or periodic communication information (a TWT SP or an R-TWT SP), so that the first device can determine the periodic sleep information and / or periodic communication information associated with itself according to the periodic sleep information and / or periodic communication information associated with the second device, thereby improving the diversity of the determination manner of the periodic power saving information.

[0071] In some embodiments in combination with the second aspect, in some embodiments, the sending of the first parameter information includes:

[0072] receiving a first request frame, the first request frame being used to request to obtain the first parameter information; or,

[0073] sending a first response frame, when the second device establishes an association with a STA, the first response frame including the first parameter information; when the second device does not establish an association with a STA, the first response frame including a link identifier of the first link and a reason code, the reason code being used to indicate that the second device does not establish an association with a STA;

[0074] The first link is a communication link in which the second device is located.

[0075] In the above embodiments, the second device can send the first parameter information to the first device when the second device establishes an association with a STA, so that the first device can avoid the data transmission of the first device being interfered by the second device when determining the periodic power saving information associated with itself. The second device does not need to send the first parameter information to the first device when the second device does not establish an association with a STA, so that the first device does not need to consider the periodic power saving information associated with the second device when determining the periodic power saving information associated with itself, thereby making the determination process of the periodic power saving information more flexible.

[0076] In some embodiments of the second aspect, when the first device is an affiliated AP of an AP MLD, the first request frame includes a link identifier of a communication link in which the first device is located.

[0077] In some embodiments of the second aspect, when the second device is affiliated to an AP MLD, the periodic power saving information associated with the second device includes periodic power saving information of the AP MLD to which the second device is affiliated in each communication link.

[0078] The first parameter information further includes at least one of:

[0079] a TSF parameter of the second device in the first communication link, the first link being a communication link in which the second device is located;

[0080] a TSF offset value of the second device in the second link, the second link being a communication link other than the first communication link among all communication links of the AP MLD to which the second device is affiliated.

[0081] In the above embodiments, when the second device is affiliated to an AP MLD, the first device can obtain the TSF parameter and / or the TSF offset value of the second device in the corresponding communication link while obtaining the periodic power saving information associated with the second device, thereby facilitating the time synchronization between the first device and the second device and improving the data transmission efficiency of the first device.

[0082] In a third aspect, the embodiments of the present disclosure provide a communication method, applied to a third device, the method comprising:

[0083] sending first parameter information, the first parameter information including periodic power saving information associated with a second device, the first parameter information being used by a first device to determine periodic power saving information associated with the first device; the first device including an AP or an AP MLD, the second device being an AP, the first device and the second device forming an OBSS, and the third device being a STA associated with the first device.

[0084] In the above embodiments, when the first device and the second device form an OBSS, the third device can send the first parameter information to the first device, so that the first device can determine the periodic power saving information associated with itself according to the periodic power saving information associated with the second device, thereby facilitating the data communication of the AP or the AP MLD to be free from the interference of other APs forming the OBSS with the AP or the AP MLD, and improving the data throughput and data transmission performance.

[0085] In some embodiments of the third aspect, in some embodiments, the periodic power saving information comprises at least one of the following:

[0086] periodic sleep information;

[0087] a TWT SP or an R-TWT SP.

[0088] In the above embodiments, the periodic power saving information can comprise the periodic sleep information and / or the periodic communication information (a TWT SP or an R-TWT SP), so that the first device can determine the periodic sleep information and / or the periodic communication information associated with the first device according to the periodic sleep information and / or the periodic communication information associated with the second device, thereby improving the diversity of the determination manner of the periodic power saving information.

[0089] In some embodiments of the third aspect, in some embodiments, the sending of the first parameter information comprises:

[0090] sending a first wireless frame, wherein the first wireless frame comprises the first parameter information.

[0091] In some embodiments of the third aspect, in some embodiments, when the second device is affiliated to an AP MLD, the periodic power saving information associated with the second device comprises periodic power saving information of the AP MLD to which the second device is affiliated under each communication link;

[0092] The first parameter information further comprises at least one of the following:

[0093] a TSF parameter of the second device under a first link, wherein the first link is a communication link in which the second device is located;

[0094] a TSF offset value of the second device under each second link, wherein the second link is a communication link other than the first link among all communication links of the AP MLD to which the second device is affiliated.

[0095] In the above embodiments, when the second device is affiliated to an AP MLD, the first device can obtain the TSF parameter and / or the TSF offset value of the second device under the corresponding communication link while obtaining the periodic power saving information associated with the second device, thereby facilitating the time synchronization between the first device and the second device and improving the data transmission efficiency of the first device.

[0096] In a fourth aspect, the embodiments of the present disclosure provide a communication device, which is a first device, comprising:

[0097] The transceiver module is configured to obtain first parameter information, wherein the first parameter information comprises periodic power saving information associated with a second device, the first device comprises an access point device (AP) or a multi-link access point device (AP MLD), the second device is an AP, and the first device and the second device form an overlapping basic service set (OBSS).

[0098] The processing module is configured to determine, according to the first parameter information, periodic power saving information associated with the first device.

[0099] In a fifth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a communication device, wherein the communication device is a second device, and the communication device comprises:

[0100] The transceiver module is configured to send first parameter information, wherein the first parameter information comprises periodic power saving information associated with the second device, the first parameter information is used by a first device to determine periodic power saving information associated with the first device, the first device is an AP or an AP MLD, the second device is an AP, and the first device and the second device form an OBSS.

[0101] In a sixth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a communication device, wherein the communication device is a third device, and the communication device comprises:

[0102] The transceiver module is configured to send first parameter information, wherein the first parameter information comprises periodic power saving information associated with a second device, the first parameter information is used by a first device to determine periodic power saving information associated with the first device, the first device comprises an AP or an AP MLD, the second device is an AP, the first device and the second device form an OBSS, and the third device is a STA associated with the first device.

[0103] In a seventh aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a communication device, comprising one or more processors.

[0104] When the communication device is a first device, the processor executes the communication method provided in the first aspect and the optional implementation of the first aspect, or when the communication device is a second device, the processor executes the communication method provided in the second aspect and the optional implementation of the second aspect, or when the communication device is a third device, the processor executes the communication method provided in the third aspect and the optional implementation of the third aspect.

[0105] In an eighth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a storage medium, wherein the storage medium stores instructions, and when the instructions run on a communication device, the communication device executes the method described in the first aspect, the second aspect, the third aspect, the optional implementation of the first aspect, the optional implementation of the second aspect, and the optional implementation of the third aspect.

[0106] In a ninth aspect, the embodiments of the present disclosure provide a program product, which, when executed by a communication device, causes the communication device to perform the method described in the first aspect, the second aspect, the third aspect, the optional implementation of the first aspect, the optional implementation of the second aspect, and the optional implementation of the third aspect.

[0107] In a tenth aspect, the embodiments of the present disclosure provide a computer program, which, when running on a computer, causes the computer to perform the method described in the first aspect, the second aspect, the third aspect, the optional implementation of the first aspect, the optional implementation of the second aspect, and the optional implementation of the third aspect.

[0108] In an eleventh aspect, the embodiments of the present disclosure provide a chip or a chip system. The chip or the chip system includes processing circuitry configured to perform the method described in the first aspect, the second aspect, the third aspect, the optional implementation of the first aspect, the optional implementation of the second aspect, and the optional implementation of the third aspect.

[0109] In a twelfth aspect, the embodiments of the present disclosure provide a communication system, which includes a first device and a second device; wherein the first device is configured to perform the method described in the first aspect, the second aspect, the third aspect, the optional implementation of the first aspect, the optional implementation of the second aspect, and the optional implementation of the third aspect.

[0110] It can be understood that the first device, the second device, the third device, the communication system, the communication device, the storage medium, the program product, the computer program, and the chip or the chip system are all used to perform the method proposed in the embodiments of the present disclosure. Therefore, the beneficial effects they can achieve can refer to the beneficial effects in the corresponding method, which will not be described here.

[0111] The embodiments of the present disclosure provide a communication method, device, and storage medium. In some embodiments, the terms of communication method and information processing method can be replaced with each other, the terms of communication device and information processing device can be replaced with each other, and the terms of information processing system and communication system can be replaced with each other.

[0112] The embodiments of the present disclosure are not exhaustive, but only illustrate some embodiments, and are not specific limitations on the protection scope of the present disclosure. In the case of no contradiction, each step in an embodiment can be implemented as an independent embodiment, and the steps can be combined arbitrarily, for example, the scheme after removing part of the steps in an embodiment can also be implemented as an independent embodiment, and the order of the steps in an embodiment can be exchanged arbitrarily, in addition, the optional implementation in an embodiment can be combined arbitrarily; in addition, the embodiments can be combined arbitrarily, for example, part or all steps of different embodiments can be combined arbitrarily, an embodiment can be combined with optional implementation of other embodiments.

[0113] In each embodiment of the present disclosure, the terms and / or descriptions between the embodiments are consistent if there is no special description and logical conflict, and can be referred to each other, and the technical features in different embodiments can be combined to form new embodiments according to their inherent logical relationship.

[0114] The terms used in the embodiments of the present disclosure are only for the purpose of describing the specific embodiments, and not as a limitation on the present disclosure.

[0115] In the embodiments of the present disclosure, unless otherwise specified, the elements expressed in singular form, such as "one", "a", "the", "the above", "the above", "the above", "this" and the like, can represent "one and only one", and can also represent "one or more", "at least one" and the like. For example, in the case of using articles such as "a", "an", "the" and the like in English, the noun after the article can be understood as singular expression, and can also be understood as plural expression.

[0116] In the embodiments of the present disclosure, "a plurality of" means two or more.

[0117] In some embodiments, the terms "at least one of", "one or more", "a plurality of", "multiple" and the like can be replaced with each other.

[0118] In some embodiments, "at least one of A, B", "A and / or B", "in one case A, in another case B", "responsive to case A, responsive to case B" and the like, can be interpreted to include both cases, A and B, in some embodiments, A (A is performed regardless of B), in some embodiments, B (B is performed regardless of A), in some embodiments, selected from the group consisting of A and B (the selection between A and B is an option), in some embodiments, A and B (both A and B are performed).

[0119] In some embodiments, "A or B" and the like, can be interpreted to include both cases, A and B, in some embodiments, A (A is performed regardless of B), in some embodiments, B (B is performed regardless of A), in some embodiments, selected from the group consisting of A and B (the selection between A and B is an option).

[0120] In some embodiments, the prefix words "first", "second" and the like in the disclosure do not limit the position, order, priority, number or content of the described objects, and the description of the described objects should be understood in the context of the claims or embodiments, and should not be construed as redundant limitations. For example, the described object is "field", and the ordinal words before "field" in "first field" and "second field" do not limit the position or order between "fields", and "first" and "second" do not limit whether the "fields" modified by them are in the same message or not, nor do they limit the order of "first field" and "second field". For another example, the described object is "level", and the ordinal words before "level" in "first level" and "second level" do not limit the priority between "levels". For another example, the number of described objects is not limited by ordinal words, and can be one or more. For example, "first device", where the number of "devices" can be one or more. In addition, the objects modified by different prefix words can be the same or different, for example, the described object is "device", and "first device" and "second device" can be the same device or different devices, and their types can be the same or different; for another example, the described object is "information", and "first information" and "second information" can be the same information or different information, and their contents can be the same or different.

[0121] In some embodiments, "including A", "containing A", "for indicating A", "carrying A" can be interpreted as directly carrying A, or indirectly indicating A.

[0122] In some embodiments, the terms "in response to", "in response to determining", "in the case of", "when", "when", "if", "if" and the like can be replaced with each other.

[0123] 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", "above", and the like can be replaced with each other, and the terms "less than", "less than or equal to", "not greater than", "fewer than", "fewer than or equal to", "not more than", "lower than", "lower than or equal to", "not higher than", "below", and the like can be replaced with each other.

[0124] In some embodiments, the data, information, and the like can be obtained in compliance with the laws and regulations of the country where the data, information, and the like are obtained.

[0125] In some embodiments, the data, information, and the like can be obtained after obtaining the consent of the user.

[0126] In addition, each element, each row, or each column in the table of the embodiments of the present 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.

[0127] The technical solutions in the embodiments of the present disclosure will be described clearly and completely in combination with the accompanying drawings below. Obviously, the described embodiments are only part of the embodiments of the present disclosure, and not all the embodiments. Based on the embodiments in the present disclosure, all other embodiments obtained by a person of ordinary skill in the art without creative labor are within the scope of protection of the present disclosure.

[0128] FIG. 1 is an architecture schematic diagram of a communication system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0129] As shown in FIG. 1, the communication system 100 includes a first device 101, a second device 102, and a third device 103.

[0130] The first device 101 can be an independent AP or an AP MLD, the second device 102 is an AP, and the third device is a STA.

[0131] The first device 101 and the second device 102 form an Overlapping Basic Service Set (OBSS).

[0132] The third device 103 is associated with the first device 101, and the third device 103 is located in the OBSS.

[0133] The first device 101 can obtain first parameter information, the first parameter information includes periodic power saving information associated with the second device 102, and determine periodic power saving information associated with the first device 101 according to the first parameter information.

[0134] In some embodiments, the first device 101, the second device 102 and the third device 103 can be terminal devices or network devices with wireless fidelity chips.

[0135] The first device 101 can obtain the first parameter information sent by the second device 102 and / or the third device 103, and determine the periodic power saving information associated with the first device 101 according to the periodic power saving information associated with the second device in the first parameter information.

[0136] It can be understood that the communication system described in the embodiments of the present disclosure is for more clearly illustrating the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present disclosure, and does not constitute a limitation on the technical solutions proposed in the embodiments of the present disclosure. It can be known by those skilled in the art that, as the system architecture evolves and new business scenarios appear, the technical solutions proposed in the embodiments of the present disclosure are also applicable to similar technical problems.

[0137] The following embodiments of the present disclosure can be applied to the communication system 100 shown in FIG. 1 or part of the subject, but are not limited thereto. The subjects shown in FIG. 1 are exemplary, and the communication system can include all or part of the subjects in FIG. 1, or other subjects other than FIG. 1. The number and form of each subject is arbitrary, each subject can be physical or virtual, and the link relationship between each subject is exemplary. The link can be in any way, can be a direct link or an indirect link, and can be a wired link or a wireless link.

[0138] Embodiments of the present disclosure can be applied to a wireless local area network (WLAN), such as can be applicable to IEEE 802.11 system standards, for example, 802.11a / b / g standards, 802.11n standards, 802.11ac standards, 802.11ax standards, 802.11bf, 802.11be standards, or the next generation thereof, for example, 802.11bn. Alternatively, embodiments of the present disclosure can also be applicable to a wireless local area network system such as an internet of things (IoT) network or a vehicle to X (V2X) network. Of course, embodiments of the present disclosure can also be applicable to other possible communication systems, for example, a long term evolution (LTE) system, an LTE frequency division duplex (FDD) system, an LTE time division duplex (TDD), a universal mobile telecommunication system (UMTS), a worldwide interoperability for microwave access (WiMAX) communication system, and a 5th generation (5G) communication system, etc.

[0139] FIG. 2a is one of the interaction diagrams of the communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The communication method shown in FIG. 2a includes:

[0140] S211, the first device sends a first request frame, the first request frame being used to request to obtain first parameter information, the first parameter information including periodic power saving information associated with the second device.

[0141] In some embodiments, the first device can be an AP or an AP MLD.

[0142] In some embodiments, the second device is an AP.

[0143] In some embodiments, the first device and the second device form an overlapping basic service set (OBSS).

[0144] It should be particularly noted that, in the case where the first device is an AP MLD, when at least one affiliated AP of the first device forms an OBSS with the second device, it can be determined that the first device and the second device form an OBSS. That is, when the first device is an AP MLD, the BSS of the second device overlaps with the BSS of at least one affiliated AP of the first device.

[0145] In some embodiments, when the first device is an affiliated AP of the AP MLD, the first request frame further includes a link identification of a communication link where the first device is located.

[0146] S212, when the second device establishes association with the STA, the second device sends a first response frame, and the first response frame includes first parameter information.

[0147] In some embodiments, the first parameter information includes periodic power saving information associated with the second device.

[0148] In some embodiments, the periodic power saving information can include periodic sleep information.

[0149] The periodic sleep information includes information such as sleep start time, sleep end time, and sleep period, which is not limited herein.

[0150] In some embodiments, the periodic power saving information can include a target wake time (TWT) service period (SP), or can include a restricted-TWT (R-TWT) service period SP.

[0151] As an example, the first parameter information includes periodic sleep information associated with the second device.

[0152] As an example, the first parameter information includes a TWT SP associated with the second device.

[0153] As an example, the first parameter information includes a R-TWT SP associated with the second device.

[0154] As an example, the first parameter information includes periodic sleep information associated with the second device and a TWT SP.

[0155] As an example, the first parameter information includes periodic sleep information associated with the second device and a R-TWT SP.

[0156] In the embodiments of the present disclosure, the TWT SP belongs to one of an individual target wake time (Individual TWT) or a broadcast target wake time (broadcast TWT), and the R-TWT SP belongs to one of the broadcast TWT.

[0157] In some embodiments, when the second device is not affiliated to the AP MLD, the periodic power saving information associated with the second device is periodic power saving information of the second device.

[0158] In some embodiments, when the second device is affiliated to the AP MLD, the periodic power saving information associated with the second device comprises the periodic power saving information of the AP MLD to which the second device is affiliated under each communication link, i.e., comprises the periodic power saving information of each AP to which the second device is affiliated.

[0159] In this case, the first parameter information can further comprise any one or more of a Time Synchronization Function (TSF) parameter of the second device under the first link, a TSF offset value of the second device under each second link, without limitation.

[0160] The first link is a communication link in which the second device is located, and the second link is any one of the communication links of the AP MLD to which the second device is affiliated, except for the first link.

[0161] The TSF parameter of the second device under the first link and the TSF offset value of the second device under each second link are used for time synchronization between the first device and the second device.

[0162] S213, when the second device is not associated with the STA, the second device sends a first response frame, and the first response frame comprises a link identifier of the first link and a reason code.

[0163] In some embodiments, when the second device is not associated with the STA, the second device can also send a first response frame to the first device after receiving the first request frame.

[0164] The first response frame comprises at least one of the link identifier of the first link or the reason code.

[0165] When the first response frame comprises the link identifier of the first link, it is used to indicate that the second device is not associated with the STA through the communication link corresponding to the link identifier.

[0166] When the first response frame comprises the reason code, the reason code is used to indicate that the second device is not associated with the STA.

[0167] As an example, when the device is not associated with the STA, the second device sends a first response frame after receiving the first request frame, and the first response frame comprises a link identifier of the first link and a reason code.

[0168] The first link is a communication link in which the second device is located.

[0169] In the present disclosure, in the case where the second device does not establish association with the STA, even if there is periodic power saving information of the association, the second device does not interfere with the communication of the first device because the second device does not communicate with other STAs. Therefore, in the case where the second device does not establish association with the STA, after the second device receives the first request frame, the second device does not need to reply the periodic power saving information of the association of the second device.

[0170] Optionally, in the case where the second device does not establish association with the STA, the second device can not respond to the first request frame.

[0171] S214, the first device determines the periodic power saving information of the association of the first device according to the first parameter information.

[0172] In some embodiments, the periodic power saving information comprises at least one of the following:

[0173] Periodic sleep information;

[0174] TWT SP or R-TWT SP.

[0175] As an example, the first device can determine the periodic sleep information of the association of the first device according to the first parameter information.

[0176] As an example, the first device can determine the TWT SP or R-TWT SP of the association of the first device according to the first parameter information.

[0177] As an example, the first device can determine the TWT SP and the periodic sleep information of the association of the first device according to the first parameter information.

[0178] As an example, the first device can determine the periodic sleep information and the R-TWT SP of the association of the first device according to the first parameter information.

[0179] Wherein, when the first device is an AP, the periodic power saving information of the association of the first device is the periodic power saving information of the first device. When the first device is an AP MLD, the periodic power saving information of the association of the first device is the periodic power saving information of the association of the first device.

[0180] Optionally, when part of the APs (first APs) of the association of the first device form an OBSS with the second device, the periodic power saving information of the association of the first device can be the periodic power saving information of the first APs.

[0181] In this case, the first device can determine the periodic power saving information of the first APs according to the periodic power saving information of the association of the second device, or can determine the periodic power saving information of all the APs, which is not limited herein.

[0182] The communication method related to the embodiments of the present disclosure can include the foregoing steps and at least one of the embodiments. For example, any one of steps S211 to S214 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, a combination of any of steps S211 to S212 and step S214 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. As an example, steps S211 to S212 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, steps S211 to S212 and step S214 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, and steps S212 and step S214 can be implemented as an independent embodiment.

[0183] Any one of steps S211, S213 to S214 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. As an example, steps S211, S213 to S214 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, and steps S211 and S213 can be implemented as an independent embodiment.

[0184] FIG. 2b is a second interaction diagram of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The communication method shown in FIG. 2b includes:

[0185] S221, the third device sends a first wireless frame, the first wireless frame including first parameter information, the first parameter information including periodic power saving information associated with the second device.

[0186] In some embodiments, the third device is associated with the first device.

[0187] In some embodiments, the first device can be an AP or an AP MLD.

[0188] In some embodiments, the second device is an AP.

[0189] In some embodiments, the first device and the second device form an overlapping basic service set (OBSS).

[0190] It should be particularly noted that when the first device is an AP MLD, the first device and the second device can be determined to form an OBSS when at least one affiliated AP of the first device forms an OBSS with the second device. That is, when the first device is an AP MLD, the BSS of the second device overlaps with the BSS of at least one affiliated AP of the first device.

[0191] In some embodiments, the third device is located within the OBSS range, so that after obtaining the first parameter information from the second device, the third device sends the first wireless frame including the first parameter information to the first device.

[0192] The third device can receive the first parameter information broadcast by the second device.

[0193] It should be particularly noted that when the first device is an AP MLD, there can be one or more third devices in the affiliated AP of the first device, and each third device can obtain the first parameter information of the second device and report it to the first device.

[0194] In some embodiments, the first wireless frame can be any wireless frame, for example, the first wireless frame can be a neighbor basic service set access point device information reporting frame.

[0195] In some embodiments, the first parameter information includes periodic power saving information associated with the second device when the second device establishes an association with the STA.

[0196] In some embodiments, the periodic power saving information can include periodic sleep information.

[0197] The periodic sleep information includes information such as sleep start time, sleep end time, and sleep period, which is not limited here.

[0198] In some embodiments, the periodic power saving information can include a target wake time (TWT) service period (SP), or can include a restricted-TWT (R-TWT) service period SP.

[0199] As an example, the first parameter information includes periodic sleep information associated with the second device.

[0200] As an example, the first parameter information includes a TWT SP associated with the second device.

[0201] As an example, the first parameter information includes a R-TWT SP associated with the second device.

[0202] As an example, the first parameter information includes periodic sleep information associated with the second device and a TWT SP.

[0203] As an example, the first parameter information includes periodic sleep information associated with the second device and a R-TWT SP.

[0204] In some embodiments, when the second device is not affiliated with the AP MLD, the periodic power saving information associated with the second device is the periodic power saving information of the second device.

[0205] In some embodiments, when the second device is affiliated to the AP MLD, the periodic power saving information associated with the second device includes the periodic power saving information of the AP MLD to which the second device is affiliated under each communication link, that is, includes the periodic power saving information of each AP to which the second device is affiliated.

[0206] In this case, the first parameter information can further include any one or more of a Time Synchronization Function (TSF) parameter of the second device under the first link, a TSF offset value of the second device under each second link, without limitation.

[0207] The first link is a communication link in which the second device is located, and the first link is the same as the communication link in which the third device transmits the first wireless frame; the second link is a communication link other than the first link among all communication links of the AP MLD to which the second device is affiliated.

[0208] The TSF parameter of the second device under the first link and the TSF offset value of the second device under each second link are used for time synchronization between the first device and the second device.

[0209] In some embodiments, when the second device is not associated with the STA, the third device does not need to transmit the first parameter information of the second device to the first device.

[0210] Optionally, the second device transmits a second wireless frame to the third device in the case of being associated with the STA, and the second wireless frame includes the first parameter information of the second device (such as transmitting the second wireless frame to the third device in a broadcast manner). In this case, the third device can transmit the first wireless frame to the first device, and the first wireless frame includes the first parameter information of the second device.

[0211] Optionally, the second device transmits a third wireless frame to the third device in the case of not being associated with the STA, and the third wireless frame includes a link identifier of the first link and a reason code.

[0212] When the third wireless frame includes the link identifier of the first link, the link identifier is used to indicate that the second device is not associated with the STA through the communication link corresponding to the link identifier.

[0213] When the third wireless frame includes the reason code, the reason code is used to indicate that the second device is not associated with the STA.

[0214] In the present disclosure, in the case that the second device does not establish association with the STA, even if there is periodic power saving information of association, the second device will not interfere with the communication of the first device because the second device does not communicate with other STAs. Therefore, the third device does not need to report the first parameter information to the first device in the case that the second device does not establish association with the STA.

[0215] S222, the first device determines the periodic power saving information of the association of the first device according to the first parameter information.

[0216] In some embodiments, the periodic power saving information comprises at least one of the following:

[0217] Periodic sleep information;

[0218] TWT SP or R-TWT SP.

[0219] As an example, the first device can determine the periodic sleep information of the association of the first device according to the first parameter information.

[0220] As an example, the first device can determine the TWT SP or R-TWT SP of the association of the first device according to the first parameter information.

[0221] As an example, the first device can determine the TWT SP and the periodic sleep information of the association of the first device according to the first parameter information.

[0222] As an example, the first device can determine the periodic sleep information and the R-TWT SP of the association of the first device according to the first parameter information.

[0223] When the first device is an AP, the periodic power saving information of the association of the first device is the periodic power saving information of the first device. When the first device is an AP MLD, the periodic power saving information of the association of the first device is the periodic power saving information of the affiliated AP of the first device.

[0224] Optionally, when part of the affiliated APs (first affiliated AP) of the first device form an OBSS with the second device, the periodic power saving information of the association of the first device can be the periodic power saving information of the first affiliated AP.

[0225] In this case, the first device can determine the periodic power saving information of the first affiliated AP according to the periodic power saving information of the association of the second device, or can determine the periodic power saving information of all affiliated APs, which is not limited herein.

[0226] The communication method related to the embodiments of the present disclosure can include the foregoing steps and at least one of the embodiments. For example, any one or combination of steps S221 to S222 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, but is not limited thereto. As an example, step S221 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, steps S221 to S222 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, and step S222 can be implemented as an independent embodiment.

[0227] It should be particularly pointed out that, in combination with FIGS. 2a and 2b, the first device can also obtain the first parameter information from the second device and the third device at the same time to determine the periodic power saving information associated with the first device according to the periodic power saving information associated with the second device.

[0228] FIG. 3 is one of flow diagrams of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 3, the method is performed by a first device, and the method includes:

[0229] S31, obtaining first parameter information, the first parameter information including periodic power saving information associated with a second device.

[0230] In some embodiments, the first device can be an AP or an AP MLD.

[0231] In some embodiments, the second device is an AP.

[0232] In some embodiments, the first device and the second device form an overlapping basic service set (OBSS).

[0233] It should be particularly pointed out that, in the case where the first device is an AP MLD, when at least one affiliated AP of the first device forms an OBSS with the second device, it can be determined that the first device forms an OBSS with the second device. That is, when the first device is an AP MLD, the BSS of the second device overlaps with the BSS of at least one affiliated AP of the first device.

[0234] In some embodiments, the periodic power saving information includes at least one of the following:

[0235] a periodic sleep time;

[0236] a TWT SP or an R-TWT SP.

[0237] In some embodiments, the first device can obtain the first parameter information from a third device and / or obtain the first parameter information from the second device. The above method further includes at least one of the following:

[0238] obtaining the first parameter information from the second device;

[0239] receive a first wireless frame, the first wireless frame comprising first parameter information, the first wireless frame being sent by a third device.

[0240] The third device is associated with the first device, and the second STA is located within a BSS range of the second device.

[0241] In some embodiments, the first parameter information is obtained from the second device, comprising:

[0242] send a first request frame, the first request frame being used to request to obtain the first parameter information of the second device;

[0243] receive a first response frame, the first response frame comprising any one of the following:

[0244] the first parameter information of the second device;

[0245] a link identifier of a first link and a reason code;

[0246] The first link is a communication link in which the second device is located, and the reason code is used to indicate that the second device is not associated with the STA;

[0247] When the first response frame comprises the first parameter information, the first response frame is sent by the second device in a case where the second device is associated with the STA; when the first response frame comprises the first link identifier and the reason code, the first response frame is sent by the second device in a case where the second device is not associated with the STA.

[0248] The first request frame can comprise first periodic power saving information, when the first device is an AP MLD, the first periodic power saving information can comprise current periodic power saving information of an affiliated AP which is affiliated to the first device and located within an OBSS formed by the second device, when the first device is an AP, the first periodic power saving information is current periodic power saving information of the first device. The first request frame can indicate, through the first periodic power saving information, that there is an overlap in communication time of the first device and the second device.

[0249] The periodic power saving information determined by the first device according to the first parameter information is periodic power saving information which is re-planned based on the first periodic power saving information.

[0250] That is, the current periodic power saving information needs to be re-planned according to the periodic power saving information of the second device.

[0251] In some embodiments, when the first device is an affiliated AP of an AP MLD, the first request frame comprises a link identifier of a communication link in which the first device is located.

[0252] In some embodiments, when the second device is affiliated to the AP MLD, the periodic power saving information associated with the second device comprises periodic power saving information of the AP MLD to which the second device is affiliated under each communication link.

[0253] The first parameter information further comprises at least one of:

[0254] a time synchronization function (TSF) parameter of the second device under the first link, the first link being a communication link in which the second device is located;

[0255] a TSF offset value of the second device under each second link, the second link being a communication link other than the first link among all communication links of the AP MLD to which the second device is affiliated.

[0256] S32, determining, according to the first parameter information, the periodic power saving information associated with the first device.

[0257] In some embodiments, the periodic power saving information comprises at least one of:

[0258] periodic sleep information;

[0259] a TWT SP or an R-TWT SP.

[0260] When the first device is an AP, the periodic power saving information associated with the first device is the periodic power saving information of the first device. When the first device is an AP MLD, the periodic power saving information associated with the first device is the periodic power saving information of the AP to which the first device is affiliated.

[0261] Optionally, when a part of the APs (a first affiliated AP) to which the first device is affiliated forms an OBSS with the second device, the periodic power saving information associated with the first device can be the periodic power saving information of the first affiliated AP.

[0262] In this case, the first device can determine the periodic power saving information of the first affiliated AP according to the periodic power saving information associated with the second device, or can determine the periodic power saving information of all the affiliated APs, which is not limited herein.

[0263] The communication method related to the embodiments of the present disclosure can comprise the foregoing steps and at least one of the embodiments. For example, any one of steps S31-S32 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, and steps S31-S32 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, but are not limited thereto.

[0264] FIG. 4 is a flow diagram of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 4, the method is performed by the second device, and the method comprises:

[0265] S41, send the first parameter information, the first parameter information including periodic power saving information associated with the second device.

[0266] In some embodiments, the first parameter information is used by the first device to determine the periodic power saving information associated with the first device.

[0267] In some embodiments, the first device can be an AP or an AP MLD.

[0268] In some embodiments, the second device is an AP.

[0269] In some embodiments, the first device forms an overlapping basic service set (OBSS) with the second device.

[0270] In some embodiments, the periodic power saving information can include periodic sleep information.

[0271] The periodic sleep information includes information such as sleep start time, sleep end time, and sleep period, without limitation.

[0272] In some embodiments, the periodic power saving information can include a TWT SP or an R-TWT SP.

[0273] In some embodiments, when the second device is not affiliated with an AP MLD, the periodic power saving information associated with the second device is the periodic power saving information of the second device.

[0274] In some embodiments, when the second device is affiliated with an AP MLD, the periodic power saving information associated with the second device includes the periodic power saving information of the AP MLD to which the second device is affiliated under each communication link, i.e., the periodic power saving information of each affiliated AP of the second device.

[0275] In some embodiments, sending the first parameter information includes:

[0276] Receiving a first request frame, the first request frame being used to request to obtain the first parameter information;

[0277] Sending a first response frame, the first response frame including the first parameter information when the second device establishes association with a STA, and the first response frame including a link identifier of a first link and a reason code when the second device does not establish association with the STA, the reason code being used to indicate that the second device does not establish association with the STA.

[0278] The first link is a communication link in which the second device is located.

[0279] In some embodiments, when the first device is an affiliated AP of an AP MLD, the first request frame includes a link identifier of a communication link in which the first device is located.

[0280] In some embodiments, when the second device is affiliated to the AP MLD, the periodic power saving information associated with the second device comprises periodic power saving information of the AP MLD to which the second device is affiliated under each communication link;

[0281] The first parameter information further comprises at least one of:

[0282] a TSF parameter of the second device under the first communication link, the first link being a communication link in which the second device is located;

[0283] a TSF offset value of the second device under the second link, the second link being a communication link other than the first communication link among all communication links of the AP MLD to which the second device is affiliated.

[0284] In the present disclosure, in the case where the second device is not associated with a STA, even if there is associated periodic power saving information, the second device will not interfere with the communication of the first device because the second device does not communicate with other STAs. Therefore, in the case where the second device is not associated with a STA, after the second device receives the first request frame, the second device can not need to reply the periodic power saving information associated with the second device.

[0285] Optionally, in the case where the second device is not associated with a STA, the second device can not respond to the first request frame.

[0286] In some embodiments, the second device can send a second wireless frame to a third device in a broadcast manner, the second wireless frame comprising the first parameter information of the second device, so that the third device sends a first wireless frame to the first device, the first wireless frame comprising the first parameter information of the second device.

[0287] Optionally, the second device can send a third wireless frame to the third device in the case where the second device is not associated with a STA, the third wireless frame comprising a link identifier of the first link and a reason code.

[0288] When the third wireless frame comprises the link identifier of the first link, the link identifier is used to indicate that the second device is not associated with a STA through the communication link corresponding to the link identifier.

[0289] When the third wireless frame comprises the reason code, the reason code is used to indicate that the second device is not associated with a STA.

[0290] In the present disclosure, in the case that the second device does not establish association with the STA, even if there is periodic power saving information of association, the second device will not interfere with the communication of the first device because the second device does not communicate with other STAs. Therefore, in the case that the second device does not establish association with the STA, the second device can not need to send the first parameter information to the third device.

[0291] FIG. 5 is a third flowchart of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 5, the method is performed by the third device, and the method comprises:

[0292] S51, sending first parameter information, the first parameter information comprising periodic power saving information of association of the second device.

[0293] In some embodiments, the first parameter information is used by the first device to determine periodic power saving information of the first device.

[0294] In some embodiments, the first device can be an AP or an AP MLD.

[0295] In some embodiments, the second device is an AP.

[0296] In some embodiments, the first device forms an overlapping basic service set (OBSS) with the second device.

[0297] In some embodiments, the periodic power saving information can comprise periodic sleep information.

[0298] The periodic sleep information comprises information such as sleep start time, sleep end time, and sleep period, which is not limited herein.

[0299] In some embodiments, the periodic power saving information can comprise a TWT SP or an R-TWT SP.

[0300] In some embodiments, when the second device is not affiliated with an AP MLD, the periodic power saving information of association of the second device is the periodic power saving information of the second device.

[0301] In some embodiments, when the second device is affiliated with an AP MLD, the periodic power saving information of association of the second device comprises periodic power saving information of the AP MLD to which the second device is affiliated under each communication link, i.e., periodic power saving information of each affiliated AP of the second device.

[0302] In some embodiments, the sending of the first parameter information comprises:

[0303] S51, sending a first wireless frame to the first device, the first wireless frame comprising the first parameter information.

[0304] In some embodiments, the periodic power saving information associated with the second device comprises periodic power saving information of the AP MLD to which the second device is affiliated, on each communication link;

[0305] The first parameter information further comprises at least one of:

[0306] a TSF parameter of the second device on the first link, the first link being a communication link in which the second device is located, and the first link being the same as a communication link on which the third device transmits the first wireless frame;

[0307] a TSF offset value of the second device on each second link, the second link being a communication link other than the first link among all communication links of the AP MLD to which the second device is affiliated.

[0308] In some embodiments, the third device is located in an OBSS range, so that after obtaining the first parameter information from the second device, the third device transmits the first wireless frame comprising the first parameter information to the first device.

[0309] The third device can receive the first parameter information transmitted by the second device in a broadcast manner.

[0310] In some embodiments, the first wireless frame can be any wireless frame, for example, the first wireless frame can be a Neighbor Basic Service Set Access Point Device Information Report frame.

[0311] The TSF parameter of the second device on the first link and the TSF offset value of the second device on each second link are used for time synchronization between the first device and the second device.

[0312] In some embodiments, when the second device establishes association with a STA, the third device can receive a second wireless frame transmitted by the second device, the second wireless frame comprising the first parameter information of the second device. In this case, the third device can transmit the first wireless frame comprising the first parameter information of the second device to the first device.

[0313] Optionally, when the second device does not establish association with a STA, a third wireless frame transmitted by the second device is received, the third wireless frame comprising a link identifier of the first link and a reason code.

[0314] When the third wireless frame comprises the link identifier of the first link, the link identifier is used to indicate that the second device does not establish association with a STA through a communication link corresponding to the link identifier.

[0315] When the third wireless frame comprises the reason code, the reason code is used to indicate that the second device does not establish association with a STA.

[0316] Embodiments of the present disclosure can also be summarized as follows:

[0317] The AP (AP MLD) can collect the periodic power saving information of other APs in the OBSS before setting its periodic power saving information (TWT SP (rTWT SP) and / or periodic sleep information), so as to better plan its periodic power saving period.

[0318] Specifically, the AP (AP MLD) can plan its periodic power saving information (TWT SP (rTWT SP) and / or periodic sleep information) according to the received periodic power saving information (TWT SP (rTWT SP) and / or periodic sleep information) of other APs in the OBSS. There are two methods:

[0319] Method one: the AP (AP MLD) (requesting AP) can send a request frame to the AP (requested AP) in the OBSS to request it to send its periodic power saving information, wherein the information contained in the request frame is the current periodic power saving information of the requesting AP, or the requesting AP includes the periodic power saving of the affiliated AP in the OBSS when it is an AP MLD.

[0320] If the requesting AP is affiliated to the AP MLD and establishes a multi-link with the non-AP MLD, the Link ID of the communication link where the requesting AP is located needs to be carried, and the requested AP replies a response frame to the requesting AP.

[0321] If the requested AP supports multi-link, the link identification of each communication link of the AP MLD to which the requested AP is affiliated and the corresponding periodic power saving information of each communication link, such as sleep start time, sleep end time and sleep period, etc. The corresponding frame also needs to carry the TSF parameter information under the reply link and the TSF offset value information under other links, which is used for time synchronization between the requesting AP and the requested AP. If the requested AP does not establish association with other STAs through the Link ID in the request frame, it is not necessary to reply the response frame or carry the Link ID of the reply link and the reason code in the response frame to identify that there is no link established with the STA.

[0322] Method two: the STA associated with the AP (AP MLD) actively reports the periodic power saving information of other APs in the OBSS. The associated STA can report through a predefined wireless frame, such as a neighbor BSS AP information report frame. The wireless frame for reporting the periodic power saving information of other APs contains the sleep state of other APs in the OBSS. If the other AP in the OBSS belongs to the AP MLD, the associated STA reports the periodic power saving information of all links of the AP MLD, and contains the TSF parameter information and TSF offset information of the AP MLD on the reporting link, which is consistent with method one.

[0323] Fig. 6a is a structural schematic diagram of a communication device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in Fig. 6a, the communication device 610 can be the first device described above, and includes a transceiver module 611 and a processing module 612.

[0324] In some embodiments, the transceiver module 611 is configured to obtain first parameter information, the first parameter information including periodic power saving information associated with a second device, the first device being an AP or an AP MLD, and the second device being an AP, the first device and the second device forming an OBSS.

[0325] In some embodiments, the processing module 612 is configured to determine, according to the first parameter information, periodic power saving information associated with the first device.

[0326] Optionally, the transceiver module 611 is configured to perform at least one of the receiving and / or transmitting steps performed by the first device in any of the methods described above (for example, steps S211 and S31, but not limited thereto), details of which are not described herein again. The processing module 612 is configured to perform at least one of the processing steps performed by the first device in any of the methods described above (for example, steps S214, S222 and S32, but not limited thereto), details of which are not described herein again.

[0327] Fig. 6b is a structural schematic diagram of a communication device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in Fig. 6b, the communication device 620 can be the second device described above, and includes a transceiver module 621.

[0328] In some embodiments, the transceiver module 621 is configured to send first parameter information, the first parameter information including periodic power saving information associated with the second device, the first parameter information being used by a first device to determine periodic power saving information associated with the first device, the first device being an AP or an AP MLD, and the second device being an AP, the first device and the second device forming an OBSS.

[0329] Optionally, the transceiver 621 is configured to perform at least one of the receiving steps performed by the second device in any of the above methods (for example, steps S212-S213, step S41, but not limited thereto), details are not repeated here.

[0330] FIG. 6c is a third structural schematic diagram of a communication device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 6c, the communication device 630 can be the third device described above, comprising a transceiver 631.

[0331] In some embodiments, the transceiver 631 is configured to transmit first parameter information, wherein the first parameter information comprises periodic power saving information associated with a second device, and the first parameter information is used by a first device to determine periodic power saving information associated with the first device; the first device comprises an AP or an AP MLD, the second device is an AP, the first device and the second device form an OBSS, and the third device is associated with the first device.

[0332] Optionally, the transceiver 631 is configured to perform at least one of the receiving steps performed by the third device in any of the above methods (for example, step S221, step S51, but not limited thereto), details are not repeated here.

[0333] It should be understood that the division of the above units or modules is only a logical function division, and all or part of them can be integrated into a physical entity or physically separated in actual implementation. In addition, the units or modules can be implemented in the form of processor calling software: for example, including a processor, a memory connected to the processor, and instructions stored in the memory, and the processor calls the instructions stored in the memory to implement any of the above methods or realize the functions of the above units or modules, wherein the processor is, for example, a general processor such as a central processing unit (CPU) or a microprocessor, and the memory is a memory inside or outside the device. Alternatively, the units or modules in the device can be implemented in the form of hardware circuit, and the functions of part or all of the units or modules can be realized by the design of the hardware circuit. The above hardware circuit can be understood as one or more processors; for example, in one implementation, the above hardware circuit is an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), and the functions of part or all of the above units or modules are realized by the design of the logical relationship between the elements in the circuit; for example, in another implementation, the above hardware circuit is realized by a programmable logic device (PLD), and a field programmable gate array (FPGA) is taken as an example, which can include a large number of logic gate circuits, and the connection relationship between the logic gate circuits is configured by a configuration file, so as to realize the functions of part or all of the above units or modules. All units or modules of the above device can be realized by processor calling software, or all units or modules can be realized by hardware circuit, or part of the units or modules can be realized by processor calling software, and the remaining part can be realized by hardware circuit.

[0334] In the embodiments of the present disclosure, the processor is a circuit with signal processing capability. In one implementation, the processor can be a circuit with instruction reading and running capability, such as a central processing unit (CPU), a microprocessor, a graphics processing unit (GPU) (which can be understood as a microprocessor), a digital signal processor (DSP), or the like. In another implementation, the processor can implement certain functions through a logical relationship of hardware circuits, and the logical relationship of the hardware circuits is fixed or reconfigurable. For example, the processor is a hardware circuit implemented by an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) or a programmable logic device (PLD), such as an FPGA. In the reconfigurable hardware circuit, the processor loads a configuration document to implement the configuration of the hardware circuit. It can be understood that the processor loads instructions to implement the functions of the above part or all units or modules. In addition, 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), a deep learning processing unit (DPU), or the like.

[0335] FIG. 7 is a fourth structural schematic diagram of a communication device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The communication device 700 can be a first device, a second device, or a third device, or can be a chip, a chip system, or a processor supporting the implementation of the above-mentioned methods by the first device, the second device, or the third device. The communication device 700 can be used to implement the methods described in the above method embodiments, and specific implementation can be referred to the description in the above method embodiments.

[0336] As shown in FIG. 7, the communication device 700 includes one or more processors 701. The processor 701 can be a general-purpose processor or a special-purpose processor, such as a baseband processor or a central processor. The baseband processor can be used to process communication protocols and communication data, and the central processor can be used to control a communication device (such as a base station, a baseband chip, a terminal device, a terminal device chip, a DU or a CU, etc.), execute programs, and process data of the programs. The communication device 700 is configured to execute any of the above methods.

[0337] In some embodiments, the communication device 700 further comprises one or more memories 702 for storing instructions. Optionally, all or part of the memories 702 can also be outside the communication device 700.

[0338] In some embodiments, the communication device 700 further comprises one or more transceivers 703. When the communication device 700 comprises one or more transceivers 703, the transceiver 703 performs at least one of the communication steps (e.g., steps S211-S213, step S221, step S32, step S41, step S51, but not limited to) in the above-described methods, and the processor 701 performs at least one of the other steps (e.g., step S214, step S222, step S32, but not limited to).

[0339] In some embodiments, the transceiver can comprise a receiver and / or a transmitter, which can be separate or integrated together. Optionally, the terms transceiver, transceiving unit, transceiver, transceiving circuit, etc. can be replaced by each other, the terms transmitter, transmitting unit, transmitter, transmitting circuit, etc. can be replaced by each other, and the terms receiver, receiving unit, receiver, receiving circuit, etc. can be replaced by each other.

[0340] In some embodiments, the communication device 700 can comprise one or more interface circuits 704. Optionally, the interface circuit 704 is connected with the memory 702, and the interface circuit 704 can be used to receive signals from the memory 702 or other devices, and can be used to send signals to the memory 702 or other devices. For example, the interface circuit 704 can read the instructions stored in the memory 702 and send the instructions to the processor 701.

[0341] The communication device 700 described in the above embodiments can be a first network device or a second network device, but the scope of the communication device 700 described in the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and the structure of the communication device 700 can not be limited by Figure 7. The communication device can be a standalone device or can be part of a larger device. For example, the above-described communication device can be: (1) a standalone integrated circuit (IC), or a chip, or a chip system or subsystem; (2) a set of one or more ICs, optionally, the above-mentioned IC set can also include a storage component for storing data, 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, handset, mobile unit, vehicle-mounted device, network device, cloud device, artificial intelligence device, etc.; (6) other, etc.

[0342] FIG. 8 is a structural schematic diagram of a chip 800 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The chip 800 comprises one or more processors 801, and the chip 800 is configured to execute any of the above methods.

[0343] In some embodiments, the chip 800 further comprises one or more interface circuits 803. Optionally, the interface circuit 803 is connected with the memory 802, and the interface circuit 803 can be configured to receive signals from the memory 802 or other devices, and the interface circuit 803 can be configured to send signals to the memory 802 or other devices. For example, the interface circuit 803 can read instructions stored in the memory 802 and send the instructions to the processor 801.

[0344] In some embodiments, the interface circuit 803 performs at least one of the communication steps (for example, steps S211-S213, step S221, step S32, step S41, step S51, but not limited thereto) in the above methods, and the processor 801 performs at least one of the other steps (for example, step S214, step S222, step S32, but not limited thereto).

[0345] In some embodiments, the terms interface circuit, interface, transceiver pin, and transceiver can be replaced with each other.

[0346] In some embodiments, the chip 800 further comprises one or more memories 802 configured to store instructions. Optionally, all or part of the memory 802 can be outside the chip 800.

[0347] The present disclosure further proposes a storage medium, and the above storage medium stores instructions, and when the above instructions are executed on the communication device 700, the communication device 700 executes any of the above methods. Optionally, the above storage medium is an electronic storage medium. Optionally, the above storage medium is a computer readable storage medium, but not limited thereto, and it can also be a storage medium readable by other devices. Optionally, the above storage medium can be a non-transitory storage medium, but not limited thereto, and it can also be a transitory storage medium.

[0348] The present disclosure further proposes a program product, and when the above program product is executed by the communication device 700, the communication device 700 executes any of the above methods. Optionally, the above program product is a computer program product.

[0349] The disclosure further provides a computer program which, when running on a computer, causes the computer to perform any of the above methods. The above description is merely preferred embodiments of the disclosure and a description of the principles of the technology applied. It should be understood by those skilled in the art that the disclosed scope of the disclosure is not limited to the technical solutions formed by the specific combinations of the above technical features, and should also cover other technical solutions formed by the combinations of the above technical features or equivalent features thereof without departing from the above disclosed concept. For example, the above features are replaced with the technical features disclosed in the disclosure (but not limited to) having similar functions to form a technical solution.

Claims

1. A communication method characterized by comprising: Applied to a first device, the method comprises: obtaining first parameter information, the first parameter information comprising periodic power saving information associated with a second device, the first device comprising an access point device AP or a multi-connection access point device AP MLD, the second device being an AP, the first device and the second device forming an overlapping basic service set OBSS; determining, according to the first parameter information, periodic power saving information associated with the first device.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein, The periodic power saving information comprises at least one of: periodic sleep information; target wake time service time TWT SP or restricted target wake time service time R-TWT SP.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein, The obtaining of the first parameter information comprises: obtaining the first parameter information from the second device; or receiving a first wireless frame, the first wireless frame comprising the first parameter information, the first wireless frame being sent by a third device, the third device being a STA associated with the first device.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein, The obtaining of the first parameter information from the second device comprises: sending a first request frame, the first request frame being used to request the obtaining of the first parameter information; receiving a first response frame, the first response frame comprising any one of: the first parameter information; a link identifier of a first link and a reason code; wherein the first link is a communication link in which the second device is located, and the reason code is used to indicate that the second device is not associated with a STA; wherein when the first response frame comprises the first parameter information, the first response frame is sent by the second device in a case where the second device is associated with a STA, and when the first response frame comprises the first link identifier and the reason code, the first response frame is sent by the second device in a case where the second device is not associated with a STA.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein, When the first device is a dependent AP of an AP MLD, the first request frame comprises a link identifier of a communication link in which the first device is located.

6. The method of claim 3, wherein, When the second device is attached to an AP MLD, the periodic power saving information associated with the second device comprises periodic power saving information of the AP MLD to which the second device is attached in each communication link; The first parameter information further comprises at least one of: a time synchronization function TSF parameter of the second device in a first link, the first link being a communication link in which the second device is located; a TSF offset value of the second device in each second link, the second link being a communication link other than the first link among all communication links of the AP MLD to which the second device is attached.

7. A communication method characterized by comprising: Applied to a second device, the method comprises: sending first parameter information, the first parameter information comprising periodic power saving information associated with the second device, the first parameter information being used for a first device to determine periodic power saving information associated with the first device; the first device being an AP or an AP MLD, the second device being an AP, the first device and the second device forming an OBSS.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein, The periodic power saving information comprises at least one of: periodic sleep information; TWT SP or R-TWT SP.

9. The method of claim 7, wherein, The sending the first parameter information comprises: receiving a first request frame, the first request frame being used for requesting to obtain first parameter information; or, sending a first response frame, when the second device establishes association with a STA, the first response frame comprising the first parameter information; when the second device does not establish association with a STA, the first response frame comprising a link identifier of the first link and a reason code, the reason code being used for indicating that the second device does not establish association with a STA; The first link is a communication link in which the second device is located.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein, When the first device is an affiliated AP of an AP MLD, the first request frame comprises a link identifier of a communication link in which the first device is located.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein, When the second device is affiliated to an AP MLD, the periodic power saving information associated by the second device comprises periodic power saving information of the AP MLD to which the second device is affiliated under each communication link. The first parameter information further comprises at least one of: a TSF parameter of the second device under a first communication link, the first link being a communication link in which the second device is located; a TSF offset value of the second device under a second link, the second link being a communication link other than the first communication link in all communication links of an AP MLD to which the second device is affiliated.

12. A communication method characterized by comprising: The method is applied to a third device, and the method comprises: sending first parameter information, the first parameter information comprising periodic power saving information associated by a second device, the first parameter information being used for a first device to determine periodic power saving information associated by the first device; the first device comprising an AP or an AP MLD, the second device being an AP, the first device and the second device forming an OBSS, and the third device being a STA associated with the first device.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein, The periodic power saving information comprises at least one of: periodic sleep information; a TWT SP or an R-TWT SP.

14. The method of claim 12, wherein, The sending the first parameter information comprises: sending a first wireless frame, the first wireless frame comprising first parameter information.

15. The method of claim 12, wherein, When the second device is affiliated to an AP MLD, the periodic power saving information associated by the second device comprises periodic power saving information of the AP MLD to which the second device is affiliated under each communication link. The first parameter information further comprises at least one of: a TSF parameter of the second device under a first link, the first link being a communication link in which the second device is located; a TSF offset value of the second device under each second link, the second link being a communication link other than the first link in all communication links of an AP MLD to which the second device is affiliated.

16. A communication device, characterized by The communication device is a first device, comprising: a transceiver module, configured to obtain first parameter information, the first parameter information comprising periodic power saving information associated by a second device, the first device comprising an access point device AP or a multi-connection access point device AP MLD, the second device being an AP, the first device and the second device forming an OBSS; the transceiver module is further configured to send the first parameter information to the third device. The processing module is configured to determine, according to the first parameter information, periodic power saving information associated with the first device.

17. A communication device, characterized by The communication device is a second device, and includes: The transceiver is configured to send first parameter information, the first parameter information including periodic power saving information associated with the second device, the first parameter information being used by a first device to determine periodic power saving information associated with the first device; the first device is an AP or an AP MLD, the second device is an AP, and the first device and the second device form an OBSS.

18. A communication device, characterized by The communication device is a third device, and includes: The transceiver is configured to send first parameter information, the first parameter information including periodic power saving information associated with a second device, the first parameter information being used by a first device to determine periodic power saving information associated with the first device; the first device includes an AP or an AP MLD, the second device is an AP, the first device and the second device form an OBSS, and the third device is a STA associated with the first device.

19. A communication device, characterized by The communication device includes: One or more processors; The processor is configured to perform the communication method in any one of claims 1-6, or claims 7-11, or claims 12-15.

20. A storage medium, characterized by The storage medium stores instructions, which, when executed on the communication device, cause the communication device to perform the communication method in any one of claims 1-6, or claims 7-11, or claims 12-15.

21. A communication system comprising a first device, a second device and a third device; wherein, The second device and the third device send first parameter information, the first parameter information including periodic power saving information associated with the second device, the first device including an AP or an AP MLD, the second device being an AP, the third device being a STA associated with the first device, and the first device and the second device forming an OBSS; the first device obtains the first parameter information, and determines, according to the first parameter information, periodic power saving information associated with the first device.

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