Preamble detection method and communication apparatus

Abstract

The present application relates to the technical field of wireless communications, and in particular to a communication method and a communication apparatus. Upon detecting a PPDU of a second BSS on a primary channel of a first BSS, a first station in the first BSS switches a channel for PD from the primary channel to a non-primary channel within an SP of the second BSS; and on the basis of an end time of the SP of the second BSS, switches the channel for performing PD from the non-primary channel to the primary channel. In this way, the BSS selects an appropriate channel for PD. The present application may support IEEE protocols such as an IEEE 802.11be / Wi-Fi 7 / EHT protocol, an IEEE 802.11bn / UHR / Wi-Fi 8 protocol, an IEEE integrated millimeter wave protocol, an IEEE 802.15 / UWB protocol, or an IEEE 802.11bf / sensing protocol; or may be applied to a NearLink system and support a NearLink protocol.

Description

Preamble Detection Method and Communication Device

[0001] This application claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 202410571895.8, filed on May 9, 2024, entitled "Preamble Detection Method and Communication Device", the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0002] This application relates to the field of communication technology, and in particular to a preamble detection method and communication device. Background Technology

[0003] To conserve energy, stations within a basic service set (BSS) can interact with other stations during a service period (SP), and enter a power-saving mode (e.g., sleep) outside of that SP. Interactions between stations within a BSS are more frequent within a BSS SP than outside of it. Therefore, within a BSS SP, the BSS frequently uses the primary channel for transmitting physical layer protocol data units (PPDUs).

[0004] BSSs with overlapping coverage areas are called overlapping Basic Service Sets (OBSSs). In SP-based non-primary channel access (SP-based NPCA) mechanisms, when a BSS and its OBSS share the same primary channel, the BSS performs preamble detection (PD) on the non-primary channel within the OBSS's SP, and performs PD on the primary channel outside the OBSS's SP. In this way, the BSS can avoid competing for the channel with the OBSS during periods when the OBSS frequently uses the primary channel, thereby increasing the likelihood of successfully acquiring the channel.

[0005] However, in the SP-based NPCA mechanism, when the SPs of two BSSs that are each other (OBSSs) overlap, during the overlapping period of their SPs, both BSSs will perform PD on non-primary channels, while no BSS will perform PD on the primary channel. Therefore, how a BSS selects a suitable channel for PD is a problem that urgently needs to be solved. Summary of the Invention

[0006] This application provides a preamble detection method and communication device, which enables the BSS to select a suitable channel for PD, avoiding the situation where no BSS performs PD on the main channel.

[0007] In a first aspect, embodiments of this application provide a preamble detection method. This method is applied to a first station in a first BSS. The method can be executed by the first station itself, or by components of the first station (such as chips or circuits), without limitation. The method includes:

[0008] Within the SP of the second BSS, if a physical layer protocol data unit (PPDU) of the second BSS is detected on the main channel of the first BSS, the channel for PD will be switched from the main channel of the first BSS to a non-main channel of the first BSS; based on the end time of the SP of the second BSS, the channel for PD will be switched from the non-main channel of the first BSS to the main channel of the first BSS.

[0009] In this embodiment, the coverage areas of the first BSS and the second BSS overlap, and the first BSS and the second BSS are each other's OBSS. Within the SP of the second BSS, stations in the second BSS may frequently interact, and the second BSS may frequently occupy the main channel of the first BSS. If stations in the first BSS have a lower chance of competing for the channel through the main channel within the SP of the second BSS, then within the SP of the second BSS, the first BSS can first compete for the channel on the main channel, and upon detecting the PPDU of the second BSS, switch to the non-main channel of the first BSS to perform preamble detection, so that the first station can select a suitable channel for PD, thereby avoiding competing for the channel with the second BSS on the main channel and reducing the congestion of the main channel.

[0010] In conjunction with the first aspect, in one possible implementation, the frequency domain distance between the main channel of the first BSS and the main channel of the second BSS is less than or equal to a first threshold.

[0011] In this embodiment of the application, when the distance between the main channel of the first BSS and the main channel of the second BSS in the frequency domain is less than or equal to a first threshold, the second BSS is more likely to occupy the main channel of the first BSS within the SP of the second BSS. This makes the stations in the first BSS less likely to compete for the main channel of the first BSS within the SP of the second BSS. Therefore, the first station will switch the channel for PD from the main channel of the first BSS to the non-main channel of the first BSS to avoid competing with the second BSS for the channel on the main channel, and at the same time, it can reduce the congestion of the main channel.

[0012] In conjunction with the first aspect, in one possible implementation, the main channel of the first BSS is the same as the main channel of the second BSS.

[0013] In conjunction with the first aspect, in one possible implementation, before switching the channel for preamble detection (PD) from the primary channel of the first BSS to a non-primary channel of the first BSS, the method further includes:

[0014] Broadcast first indication information, which is used to instruct the second site in the first BSS to switch the PD channel from the main channel of the first BSS to a non-main channel of the first BSS.

[0015] In this embodiment, the second station is any station in the first BSS other than the first station. There may be stations in the first BSS that cannot detect the PPDU of the second BSS. Therefore, the first station broadcasts the first indication information to instruct other stations in the first BSS to switch from the primary channel of the first BSS to a non-primary channel of the first BSS, thereby unifying the behavior of the stations in the first BSS and preventing communication chaos between stations in the first BSS.

[0016] In conjunction with the first aspect, in one possible implementation, the time interval between the moment of switching from the primary channel of the first BSS to the non-primary channel of the first BSS and the end time of the second SP is greater than or equal to a second threshold.

[0017] In this embodiment, the moment when the first station switches from the primary channel of the first BSS to a non-primary channel of the first BSS can be the moment when the first station detects the PPDU of the second BSS on the primary channel, or the moment when the first station switches from the primary channel of the first BSS to a non-primary channel of the first BSS can be the moment when the first station completes broadcasting the first indication information. The duration for which the first station resides on the non-primary channel is greater than or equal to a second threshold. For example, if the expected duration for which the first station resides on the non-primary channel of the first BSS is less than the second threshold, the first station may not switch from the primary channel of the first BSS to a non-channel. If the expected duration for which the first station resides on the non-primary channel of the first BSS is greater than or equal to the second threshold, the first station may switch from the primary channel of the first BSS to a non-channel. This avoids the situation where the first station's duration on the non-primary channel is too short, preventing effective transmission of the PPDU.

[0018] In conjunction with the first aspect, in one possible implementation, the method further includes: when the first station performs PD on a non-primary channel of the first BSS, when the first station transmits PPDU, puncturing one or more sub-channels of the second BSS, the one or more sub-channels including the primary channel of the second BSS.

[0019] In this embodiment, when the first station performs PD on a non-primary channel of the first BSS, the first station can transmit PPDU via channel puncturing, wherein one or more sub-channels of the second BSS are punctured. These one or more sub-channels are the actual transmission channels when the second BSS performs PD using its primary channel, and include the primary channel of the second BSS. These one or more sub-channels may also include one or more non-primary channels of the second BSS. This implementation avoids mutual interference between the PPDU transmissions of the first station and other stations within the second BSS.

[0020] In conjunction with the first aspect, in one possible implementation, the start time of the SP of the second BSS is not within the SP of the first BSS, and a transmission opportunity (TXOP) exists for the first station before the start time of the SP of the second BSS. The method further includes:

[0021] The first station terminates the TXOP before the start time of the SP of the second BSS.

[0022] In this embodiment, the start time of the SP of the second BSS is not within the SP of the first BSS; that is, when the SP of the second BSS starts, the SP of the first BSS has not started or is not in progress. The start time of the TXOP is before the start time of the SP of the second BSS, and the end time of the TXOP is after the start time of the SP of the second BSS. The first station ends the TXOP before the start time of the SP of the second BSS to provide an idle main channel for the second BSS when its SP starts.

[0023] In conjunction with the first aspect, in one possible implementation, the method further includes:

[0024] When PD is performed on a non-primary channel of the first BSS, no beacon frames are transmitted on the non-primary channel of the first BSS during the target beacon transmission time (TBTT).

[0025] In this embodiment of the application, the first BSS may have stations that do not support access to non-main channels. The beacon frames are only broadcast on the main channel, which can be compatible with stations that do not support access to non-main channels and prevent these stations from not receiving the beacon frames.

[0026] Secondly, embodiments of this application provide a preamble detection method. This method can be executed by a first station, or by a component of the first station (such as a chip or circuit), without limitation. The method includes:

[0027] At the start of the first service period (SP), the channel for preamble detection (PD) is switched from the non-primary channel of the first BSS to the primary channel of the first BSS, where the first SP is the SP of the first BSS; within the first SP, PD is performed on the primary channel of the first BSS.

[0028] In this embodiment, all stations in the first BSS perform PD on the primary channel within the first SP. If the first station performs PD on a non-primary channel of the first BSS before the start of the first SP, the first station needs to switch from the non-primary channel of the first BSS to the primary channel of the first BSS at or before the start of the first SP. This allows the first station to perform PD on the primary channel of the first BSS within the first SP, enabling the first BSS to provide services to stations that do not support non-primary channel access. Simultaneously, it avoids the situation where no BSS performs PD on the primary channel of the first BSS during the overlapping period of the SPs of the first and second BSSs.

[0029] In conjunction with the second aspect, in one possible implementation, the first SP and the second SP overlap, the second SP is the SP of the second BSS, the end time of the first SP is before the end time of the second SP, and the method further includes:

[0030] Based on the end time of the first SP, the channel for PD will be switched from the main channel of the first BSS to the non-main channel of the first BSS.

[0031] In this embodiment of the application, the end time of the first SP is before the end time of the second SP. When the first SP ends, the second SP is still in progress. Therefore, when the first SP ends, the stations in the first BSS switch from the main channel of the first BSS to the non-main channel of the first BSS so as to provide an idle main channel for the second BSS.

[0032] In conjunction with the second aspect, in one possible implementation, after switching the channel for PD from the primary channel of the first BSS to a non-primary channel of the first BSS based on the end time of the first SP, the method further includes:

[0033] Based on the end time of the second SP, the channel for PD will be switched from the non-primary channel of the first BSS to the primary channel of the first BSS.

[0034] In this embodiment of the application, at the end of the second SP, the second SP ends, and the first BSS can switch back to the main channel of the first BSS so that PD can be performed on the main channel of the first BSS, so that the first BSS can provide services to sites that do not support access via non-main channel.

[0035] In conjunction with the second aspect, in one possible implementation, the first SP and the second SP overlap, the second SP is the SP of the second BSS, and the start time of the second SP is earlier than the start time of the first SP.

[0036] In conjunction with the second aspect, in one possible implementation, before switching the channel for preamble detection (PD) from the non-primary channel of the first BSS to the primary channel of the first BSS at the start time of the first service period (SP), the method further includes:

[0037] Based on the start time of the second SP, the channel for PD will be switched from the primary channel of the first BSS to the non-primary channel of the first BSS.

[0038] In this embodiment of the application, the start time of the second SP is earlier than the start time of the first SP. When the second SP starts, the first SP has not started or is not in progress. At this time, the stations in the first BSS switch from the main channel of the first BSS to the non-main channel of the first BSS, thereby providing the second BSS with an idle main channel in the second SP.

[0039] In conjunction with the second aspect, in one possible implementation, the distance in the frequency domain between the main channel of the first BSS and the main channel of the second BSS is less than or equal to a first threshold.

[0040] In conjunction with the second aspect, in one possible implementation, the main channel of the first BSS is the same as the main channel of the second BSS.

[0041] In conjunction with the second aspect, in one possible implementation, the duration of PD performed by the first station on the non-primary channel of the first BSS is greater than or equal to a second threshold, and / or the duration of PD performed by the first station on the primary channel of the first BSS is greater than or equal to a third threshold.

[0042] In this embodiment, the duration of the first station's stay on the non-primary channel is greater than or equal to the second threshold, or the duration of the first station's stay on the primary channel is greater than or equal to the third threshold, which can ensure that the first station can transmit effectively on the non-primary channel or the primary channel and avoid ineffective channel switching.

[0043] In conjunction with the second aspect, in one possible implementation, the method further includes:

[0044] When PD is performed on a non-primary channel of the first BSS, no beacon frame is transmitted on the non-primary channel of the first BSS during the target beacon transmission time TBTT.

[0045] Thirdly, embodiments of this application provide a preamble detection method. This method can be executed by a first station, or by a component of the first station (such as a chip or circuit), without limitation. The method includes:

[0046] Within the first SP, PD is performed on the primary channel of the first BSS; based on the end time of the first SP, the channel for PD is switched from the primary channel of the first BSS to a non-primary channel of the first BSS. The first SP is an SP of the first BSS, and the first SP overlaps with the second SP. The second SP is an SP of the second BSS, and the end time of the first SP is before the end time of the second SP.

[0047] In conjunction with the third aspect, in one possible implementation, the start time of the second SP is earlier than the start time of the first SP, and the method further includes: switching the channel for performing preamble detection PD from the non-primary channel of the first BSS to the primary channel of the first BSS based on the start time of the first service period SP.

[0048] In conjunction with the third aspect, in one possible implementation, before switching the channel for preamble detection (PD) from the non-primary channel of the first BSS to the primary channel of the first BSS at the start time of the first service period (SP), the method further includes:

[0049] Based on the start time of the second SP, the channel for PD will be switched from the primary channel of the first BSS to the non-primary channel of the first BSS.

[0050] In conjunction with the third aspect, in one possible implementation, after switching the channel for PD from the primary channel of the first BSS to a non-primary channel of the first BSS based on the end time of the first SP, the method further includes:

[0051] Based on the end time of the second SP, the channel for PD will be switched from the non-primary channel of the first BSS to the primary channel of the first BSS.

[0052] In conjunction with the third aspect, in one possible implementation, the distance in the frequency domain between the main channel of the first BSS and the main channel of the second BSS is less than or equal to a first threshold.

[0053] In conjunction with the third aspect, in one possible implementation, the main channel of the first BSS is the same as the main channel of the second BSS.

[0054] In conjunction with the third aspect, in one possible implementation, the duration of PD performed by the first station on the non-primary channel of the first BSS is greater than or equal to a second threshold, and / or the duration of PD performed by the first station on the primary channel of the first BSS is greater than or equal to a third threshold.

[0055] In conjunction with the third aspect, in one possible implementation, the method further includes:

[0056] When PD is performed on a non-primary channel of the first BSS, no beacon frame is transmitted on the non-primary channel of the first BSS during the target beacon transmission time TBTT.

[0057] Fourthly, embodiments of this application provide a preamble detection method. This method can be executed by a first station in a first BSS, or by a component of the first station (such as a chip or circuit), without limitation. The method includes:

[0058] Send a first request frame, which requests the second BSS to perform preamble detection (PD) on the corresponding non-primary channel within a first time period; receive a first response frame, which agrees to or rejects the first request frame.

[0059] In this embodiment, the first station is the AP in the first BSS. The first station can negotiate with the fourth station in the second BSS via a first request frame: the second BSS performs PD on the corresponding non-primary channel during the first time period, and / or the first BSS performs PD on the corresponding primary channel during the first time period. Through negotiation between the first station and the fourth station, the BSS performing PD on the corresponding non-primary channel during the first time period and the BSS performing PD on the corresponding primary channel during the first time period can be effectively controlled, thereby enabling the first BSS and the second BSS to select appropriate channels for PD and avoiding the situation where both the first BSS and the second BSS perform PD on non-primary channels.

[0060] In conjunction with the fourth aspect, in one possible implementation, the distance in the frequency domain between the main channel of the first BSS and the main channel of the second BSS is less than or equal to a first threshold.

[0061] In this embodiment of the application, when the primary channel of the first BSS and the primary channel of the second BSS are the same, if both the first BSS and the second BSS perform PD and PPDU transmissions on their respective primary channels, it will affect the transmission of PPDUs between the first BSS and the second BSS. For example, if the first BSS occupies the primary channel of the second BSS while transmitting PPDUs, it will affect the transmission of PPDUs of the second BSS. Therefore, in this case, the first station can negotiate with the fourth station in the second BSS and request the second BSS to perform PD on its non-primary channel through a first request frame to avoid mutual interference between the PPDU transmissions of the first BSS and the second BSS.

[0062] In conjunction with the fourth aspect, in one possible implementation, the main channel of the first BSS is the same as the main channel of the second BSS.

[0063] In this embodiment of the application, the main channel of the first BSS is the same as the main channel of the second BSS. If both the first BSS and the second BSS perform PD on the main channel, it will cause the main channel to be congested. Therefore, the first station can negotiate with the fourth station through the first request frame so that the second BSS performs PD on the corresponding non-main channel in the first time period to avoid the main channel congestion.

[0064] In conjunction with the fourth aspect, in one possible implementation, the first request frame includes at least one of the following: BSS indication information, the duration of the first time period, the start time of the first time period, and second indication information; wherein the BSS indication information indicates the second BSS, and the second indication information is used to instruct the second BSS to perform PD on the corresponding non-primary channel within the first time period.

[0065] In conjunction with the fourth aspect, in one possible implementation, the first request frame further includes non-primary channel information, which indicates that the second BSS performs PD on the non-primary channel during the first time period.

[0066] In conjunction with the fourth aspect, in one possible implementation, the first response frame includes third indication information, which is used to instruct the second BSS to perform PD on the primary channel of the second BSS in the second time period, or the third indication information is used to instruct the first BSS to perform PD on the corresponding non-primary channel in the second time period.

[0067] In this embodiment of the application, the fourth station can request or instruct the second BSS to perform PD on the main channel of the second BSS in the second time period through the first response frame, or the fourth station can request or instruct the first BSS to perform PD on the non-main channel of the first BSS in the second time period through the first response frame, thereby avoiding channel conflict between the first BSS and the second BSS performing PD in the second time period.

[0068] In conjunction with the fourth aspect, in one possible implementation, the first response frame is used to agree to the first request frame, and the method further includes:

[0069] Receive a second request frame from a third site in a third BSS, the second request frame being used to request the first BSS to perform PD on a corresponding non-primary channel during a third time period, the third time period being partially or completely overlapping with the first time period; send a second response frame to the indicated third site, the second response frame being used to reject the request of the second request frame.

[0070] In this embodiment, the first response frame is used to agree to the first request frame. The first BSS and the second BSS have already determined the negotiation result; therefore, both the first BSS and the second BSS perform PD on their respective channels according to the negotiation result. The request in the second request frame conflicts with the negotiation result; therefore, the first station rejects the negotiation request in the second request frame to avoid confusion.

[0071] In conjunction with the fourth aspect, in one possible implementation, the method further includes:

[0072] When PD is performed on a non-primary channel of the first BSS, no beacon frame is transmitted on the non-primary channel of the first BSS during the target beacon transmission time TBTT.

[0073] Fifthly, embodiments of this application provide a preamble detection method. This method is applied to a fourth station in a second BSS. The method can be executed by the fourth station itself, or by components of the fourth station (such as chips or circuits), without limitation. The method includes:

[0074] Receive a first request frame, which is used to request the second BSS to perform preamble detection (PD) on the corresponding non-primary channel in the first time period.

[0075] Send a first response frame, which is used to agree to or reject the first request frame.

[0076] In conjunction with the fifth aspect, in one possible implementation, the distance in the frequency domain between the main channel of the first BSS and the main channel of the second BSS is less than or equal to a first threshold.

[0077] In conjunction with the fifth aspect, in one possible implementation, the main channel of the first BSS is the same as the main channel of the second BSS.

[0078] In conjunction with the fifth aspect, in one possible implementation, the first request frame includes at least one of the following: BSS indication information, the duration of the first time period, the start time of the first time period, and second indication information; wherein the BSS indication information indicates the second BSS, and the second indication information is used to instruct the second BSS to perform PD on the corresponding non-primary channel within the first time period.

[0079] In conjunction with the fifth aspect, in one possible implementation, the first request frame further includes non-primary channel information, which indicates that the second BSS performs PD on the non-primary channel during the first time period.

[0080] In conjunction with the fifth aspect, in one possible implementation, the first response frame includes third indication information, which is used to instruct the second BSS to perform PD on the primary channel of the second BSS in the second time period, or the third indication information is used to instruct the first BSS to perform PD on the corresponding non-primary channel in the second time period.

[0081] Sixthly, embodiments of this application provide a communication device for executing the method in any one of the first aspects or any possible implementations thereof. The communication device includes a module having the capability to execute the method in any one of the first aspects or any possible implementations thereof.

[0082] For example, the communication device includes a processing module for switching the channel for performing PD from the main channel of the first BSS to a non-main channel of the first BSS when a PPDU of the second BSS is detected on the main channel of the first BSS during the SP of the second BSS; the processing module is further configured to switch the channel for performing PD from the non-main channel of the first BSS to the main channel of the first BSS based on the end time of the SP of the second BSS.

[0083] Optionally, the communication device further includes a transceiver module for receiving PPDUs from the second BSS.

[0084] In one possible implementation, the distance in the frequency domain between the main channel of the first BSS and the main channel of the second BSS is less than or equal to a first threshold.

[0085] In one possible implementation, the main channel of the first BSS is the same as the main channel of the second BSS.

[0086] In one possible implementation, the transceiver module is further configured to broadcast first indication information, which instructs a second station in the first BSS to switch the PD channel from the primary channel of the first BSS to a non-primary channel of the first BSS.

[0087] In one possible implementation, the time interval between the moment of switching from the primary channel of the first BSS to the non-primary channel of the first BSS and the end time of the second SP is greater than or equal to a second threshold.

[0088] In one possible implementation, the start time of the SP of the second BSS is not within the SP of the first BSS, and there is a transmission opportunity (TXOP) of the first station before the start time of the SP of the second BSS. The processing module is also used to terminate the TXOP before the start time of the SP of the second BSS.

[0089] In one possible implementation, the processing module is further configured to determine, during the target beacon transmission time TBTT, not to transmit beacon frames on the non-primary channel of the first BSS when PD is performed on the non-primary channel of the first BSS.

[0090] In a seventh aspect, embodiments of this application provide a communication device for performing the method in any of the aspects or any possible implementations of the second aspect described above. The communication device includes modules for performing the method in any of the aspects or any possible implementations of the second aspect.

[0091] For example, the communication device includes a processing module for switching the channel for performing preamble detection (PD) from a non-master channel of the first BSS to a master channel of the first BSS based on the start time of the first SP, wherein the first SP is the SP of the first BSS; the processing module is further configured to perform PD on the master channel of the first BSS within the first SP.

[0092] Optionally, the communication device further includes a transceiver module for receiving or transmitting PPDUs on the main channel of the first BSS. Exemplarily, the transceiver module can be a communication interface of the processing module, used for inputting or outputting PPDUs. The processing module is used to parse or generate the PPDU.

[0093] In one possible implementation, the first SP and the second SP overlap, the second SP is the SP of the second BSS, the end time of the first SP is before the end time of the second SP, and the processing module is further configured to switch the channel for PD from the main channel of the first BSS to the non-main channel of the first BSS based on the end time of the first SP.

[0094] In one possible implementation, the processing module is further configured to switch the channel for PD from the non-primary channel of the first BSS to the primary channel of the first BSS based on the end time of the second SP.

[0095] In one possible implementation, the first SP and the second SP overlap, the second SP is the SP of the second BSS, and the start time of the second SP is earlier than the start time of the first SP.

[0096] In one possible implementation, the processing module is further configured to switch the channel for PD from the primary channel of the first BSS to a non-primary channel of the first BSS based on the start time of the second SP.

[0097] In one possible implementation, the distance in the frequency domain between the main channel of the first BSS and the main channel of the second BSS is less than or equal to a first threshold.

[0098] In one possible implementation, the main channel of the first BSS is the same as the main channel of the second BSS.

[0099] In one possible implementation, the duration of PD performed by the first station on the non-primary channel of the first BSS is greater than or equal to a second threshold, and / or the duration of PD performed by the first station on the primary channel of the first BSS is greater than or equal to a third threshold.

[0100] In one possible implementation, the processing module is further configured to not transmit beacon frames on the non-primary channel of the first BSS when PD is performed on the non-primary channel of the first BSS and the target beacon transmission time TBTT occurs.

[0101] Eighthly, embodiments of this application provide a communication device for performing the method in any of the third aspects or any possible implementations thereof. The communication device includes a module having the capability to perform the method in any of the third aspects or any possible implementations thereof.

[0102] For example, the communication device includes a processing module for performing PD on the main channel of the first BSS within a first SP; the processing module is further configured to switch the channel for performing PD from the main channel of the first BSS to a non-main channel of the first BSS based on the end time of the first SP. Wherein, the first SP is an SP of the first BSS, the first SP overlaps with a second SP, the second SP is an SP of the second BSS, and the end time of the first SP is before the end time of the second SP.

[0103] Optionally, the communication device further includes a transceiver module for receiving or transmitting PPDUs on the main channel or a non-main channel of the first BSS. Exemplarily, the transceiver module can be a communication interface of the processing module for inputting or outputting PPDUs. The processing module is used to parse or generate the PPDU.

[0104] In one possible implementation, the processing module is further configured to switch the channel for performing preamble detection (PD) from the non-primary channel of the first BSS to the primary channel of the first BSS based on the start time of the first SP.

[0105] In one possible implementation, the processing module is further configured to switch the channel for PD from the primary channel of the first BSS to a non-primary channel of the first BSS based on the start time of the second SP.

[0106] In one possible implementation, the processing module is further configured to switch the channel for PD from the non-primary channel of the first BSS to the primary channel of the first BSS based on the end time of the second SP.

[0107] In one possible implementation, the distance in the frequency domain between the main channel of the first BSS and the main channel of the second BSS is less than or equal to a first threshold.

[0108] In one possible implementation, the main channel of the first BSS is the same as the main channel of the second BSS.

[0109] In one possible implementation, the duration of PD performed by the first station on the non-primary channel of the first BSS is greater than or equal to a second threshold, and / or the duration of PD performed by the first station on the primary channel of the first BSS is greater than or equal to a third threshold.

[0110] In one possible implementation, the processing module is further configured to determine, during the target beacon transmission time TBTT, not to transmit beacon frames on the non-primary channel of the first BSS when PD is performed on the non-primary channel of the first BSS.

[0111] Ninthly, embodiments of this application provide a communication apparatus for performing the method in any of the fourth aspects or any possible implementations thereof. The communication apparatus includes a module having the capability to perform the method in any of the fourth aspects or any possible implementations thereof.

[0112] For example, the communication device includes a transceiver module. The transceiver module is configured to send a first request frame, which requests a second BSS to perform preamble detection (PD) on a corresponding non-primary channel within a first time period; the transceiver module is also configured to receive a first response frame, which is configured to agree to or reject the first request frame.

[0113] Optionally, the communication device may further include a processing module for generating a first request frame and / or for parsing a first response frame.

[0114] In one possible implementation, the distance in the frequency domain between the main channel of the first BSS and the main channel of the second BSS is less than or equal to a first threshold.

[0115] In one possible implementation, the main channel of the first BSS is the same as the main channel of the second BSS.

[0116] In one possible implementation, the first request frame includes at least one of the following: BSS indication information, the duration of the first time period, the start time of the first time period, and second indication information; wherein the BSS indication information indicates the second BSS, and the second indication information is used to instruct the second BSS to perform PD on the corresponding non-primary channel within the first time period.

[0117] In one possible implementation, the first request frame further includes non-primary channel information, which indicates that the second BSS performs PD on the non-primary channel during the first time period.

[0118] In one possible implementation, the first response frame includes third indication information, which is used to instruct the second BSS to perform PD on the primary channel of the second BSS in a second time period, or the third indication information is used to instruct the first BSS to perform PD on the corresponding non-primary channel in the second time period.

[0119] In one possible implementation, the first response frame is used to agree to the first request frame. The transceiver module is also used to receive a second request frame from a third station in the third BSS. The second request frame is used to request the first BSS to perform PD on a corresponding non-primary channel in a third time period, the third time period being partially or completely overlapping with the first time period. The transceiver module is also used to send a second response frame to the indicated third station. The second response frame is used to reject the request of the second request frame.

[0120] In one possible implementation, the processing module is further configured to determine, during the target beacon transmission time TBTT, not to transmit beacon frames on the non-primary channel of the first BSS when PD is performed on the non-primary channel of the first BSS.

[0121] In a tenth aspect, embodiments of this application provide a communication apparatus for performing the method in any of the fifth aspects or any possible implementations thereof. The communication apparatus includes modules for performing the method in any of the fifth aspects or any possible implementations thereof.

[0122] For example, the communication device includes a transceiver module for receiving a first request frame, the first request frame being used to request a second BSS to perform preamble detection (PD) on a corresponding non-main channel within a first time period; the transceiver module is also used to send a first response frame, the first response frame being used to agree to or reject the first request frame.

[0123] Optionally, the communication device may further include a processing module for parsing the first request frame and / or for generating a first response frame.

[0124] In one possible implementation, the distance in the frequency domain between the main channel of the first BSS and the main channel of the second BSS is less than or equal to a first threshold.

[0125] In one possible implementation, the main channel of the first BSS is the same as the main channel of the second BSS.

[0126] In one possible implementation, the first request frame includes at least one of the following: BSS indication information, the duration of the first time period, the start time of the first time period, and second indication information; wherein the BSS indication information indicates the second BSS, and the second indication information is used to instruct the second BSS to perform PD on the corresponding non-primary channel within the first time period.

[0127] In one possible implementation, the first request frame further includes non-primary channel information, which indicates that the second BSS performs PD on the non-primary channel during the first time period.

[0128] In one possible implementation, the first response frame includes third indication information, which is used to instruct the second BSS to perform PD on the primary channel of the second BSS in a second time period, or the third indication information is used to instruct the first BSS to perform PD on the corresponding non-primary channel in the second time period.

[0129] Eleventhly, embodiments of this application provide a communication device including a processor for executing the methods shown in any one of the first to fifth aspects or any possible implementations thereof. The processor executes a program stored in a memory, and when the program is executed, the methods shown in any one of the first to fifth aspects or any possible implementations thereof are executed.

[0130] In one possible implementation, the memory is located outside the aforementioned communication device.

[0131] In one possible implementation, the memory is located within the aforementioned communication device.

[0132] In this embodiment, the processor and memory can also be integrated into a single device, that is, the processor and memory can be integrated together. For example, the communication device can be a chip.

[0133] In one possible implementation, the communication device further includes a transceiver for receiving or sending information.

[0134] In a twelfth aspect, embodiments of this application provide a communication device including a logic circuit and an interface, the logic circuit and the interface being coupled; the interface is used for inputting and / or outputting information, and the logic circuit is used for performing the method as described in any one of the first to fifth aspects or any possible implementation thereof.

[0135] In a thirteenth aspect, embodiments of this application provide a computer-readable storage medium for storing a computer program that, when run on a computer, causes the methods shown in any of the first to fifth aspects or any possible implementation thereof to be executed.

[0136] In a fourteenth aspect, embodiments of this application provide a computer program product that, when run on a computer, causes the methods shown in any of the first to fifth aspects or any possible implementations described above to be executed. Attached Figure Description

[0137] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a communication system provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0138] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of a distribution system provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0139] Figure 3A is an example of a signal interference scenario provided by an embodiment of this application;

[0140] Figure 3B is an example of a CSMA / CA mechanism provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0141] Figure 4A shows an example of a sub-channel provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0142] Figure 4B is an example of a transmission scenario provided by an embodiment of this application;

[0143] Figure 5 shows an example of a non-master channel access scenario provided by an embodiment of this application;

[0144] Figure 6 shows an example of an SP-based NPCA provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0145] Figure 7 is a flowchart illustrating a preamble detection method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0146] Figure 8A shows an example of a TXOP provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0147] Figure 8B is an example of a channel switching scenario provided by an embodiment of this application;

[0148] Figure 9 is a flowchart illustrating another preamble detection method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0149] Figure 10 shows an example of the SP of a first BSS and the SP of a second BSS provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0150] Figure 11A shows an example of a first SP and a second SP provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0151] Figure 11B shows another example of the first SP and the second SP provided in the embodiments of this application;

[0152] Figure 11C shows another example of a first SP and a second SP provided in the embodiments of this application;

[0153] Figure 11D shows another example of a first SP and a second SP provided in the embodiments of this application;

[0154] Figure 12 is a flowchart illustrating another preamble detection method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0155] Figure 13A is a schematic diagram of a multi-AP topology provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0156] Figure 13B is a schematic diagram of a negotiated target wake time (TWT) provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0157] Figure 14 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0158] Figure 15 is a schematic diagram of another communication device provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0159] Figure 16 is a schematic diagram of the structure of another communication device provided in an embodiment of this application. Detailed Implementation

[0160] The terms "first" and "second," etc., used in the specification, claims, and drawings of this application are only used to distinguish different objects and not to limit the order, sequence, priority, or importance of multiple objects. In the embodiments of this application, "multiple" refers to two or more. Furthermore, the terms "comprising" and "having," and any variations thereof, are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion. For example, a process, method, system, product, or device that includes a series of steps or units is not limited to the listed steps or units, but may optionally include steps or units not listed, or may optionally include other steps or units inherent to these processes, methods, products, or devices. Additionally, the character " / ," unless otherwise specified, generally indicates that the preceding and following objects are in an "or" relationship.

[0161] The term "embodiment" as used herein means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with an embodiment may be included in at least one embodiment of this application. The appearance of this phrase in various places throughout the specification does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment, nor is it a separate or alternative embodiment mutually exclusive with other embodiments. It will be explicitly and implicitly understood by those skilled in the art that the embodiments described herein can be combined with other embodiments.

[0162] In this application, "at least one (item)" refers to one or more, "more than one" refers to two or more, "at least two (items)" refers to two or three or more, and "and / or" is used to describe the relationship between related objects, indicating that there can be three relationships. For example, "A and / or B" can mean: only A exists, only B exists, and both A and B exist simultaneously, where A and B can be singular or plural. "Or" indicates that there can be two relationships, such as only A exists or only B exists; when A and B are not mutually exclusive, it can also mean that there are three relationships, such as only A exists, only B exists, or both A and B exist simultaneously. The character " / " generally indicates that the preceding and following related objects are in an "or" relationship. "At least one (item) of the following" or similar expressions refer to any combination of these items. For example, at least one (item) of a, b, or c can mean: a, b, c, "a and b", "a and c", "b and c", or "a and b and c".

[0163] In this application, "send" and "receive" indicate the direction of signal transmission. For example, "send information to XX" can be understood as the destination of the information being XX, which can include direct transmission via the air interface or indirect transmission via the air interface from other units or modules. "Receive information from YY" can be understood as the source of the information being YY, which can include direct reception from YY via the air interface or indirect reception from YY via the air interface from other units or modules. "Send" can also be understood as the "output" of a chip interface, and "receive" can also be understood as the "input" of a chip interface. In other words, sending and receiving can occur between devices, such as between network devices and terminal devices, or within a device, such as between components, modules, chips, software modules, or hardware modules within the device via buses, traces, or interfaces.

[0164] The technical solutions provided in this application can be applied to wireless local area network (WLAN) systems, supporting Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) protocols (or standards), such as IEEE 802.11be / Wi-Fi 7 / Extremely High-Throughput (EHT) protocol, IEEE 802.11bn / Ultra High Reliability (UHR) / Wi-Fi 8 protocol, IEEE Integrated mmWave / IMMW protocol, IEEE 802.15 / Ultra Wideband (UWB) protocol, or IEEE 802.11bf / sensing protocol; the technical solutions provided in this application can also be applied to Spark Link (SL) systems, supporting the Spark Link / NearLink standard protocols. The technical solutions provided in this application can also be applied to the following communication systems, such as Internet of Things (IoT) systems, vehicle-to-everything (V2X, where X can represent anything), device-to-device (D2D), narrowband Internet of Things (NB-IoT) systems, long-term evolution (LTE) systems, 5th-generation (5G) communication systems, and new communication systems emerging in future communication development. For example, V2X can include vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V), vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2I), vehicle-to-pedestrian (V2P), or vehicle-to-network (V2N) communication.

[0165] WLAN systems can provide high-speed, low-latency transmission. As WLAN application scenarios continue to evolve, WLAN systems will be applied to more scenarios or industries, such as the Internet of Things industry, the Internet of Vehicles industry, the banking industry, enterprise offices, stadiums and exhibition halls, concert halls, hotel rooms, dormitories, hospital wards, classrooms, shopping malls, squares, streets, production workshops and warehouses, etc. Of course, devices that support WLAN communication or sensing (such as access points or sites) can be sensor nodes in smart cities (such as smart water meters, smart electricity meters, and smart air monitoring nodes), smart devices in smart homes (such as smart cameras, projectors, displays, televisions, speakers, refrigerators, and washing machines), nodes in the Internet of Things (IoT), entertainment terminals (such as wearable devices for augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR), smart devices in smart offices (such as printers, projectors, loudspeakers, and speakers), vehicle-to-everything (V2X) devices, infrastructure in daily life scenarios (such as vending machines, self-service navigation kiosks in supermarkets, self-service checkout machines, and self-service ordering machines), and equipment in large sports and music venues.

[0166] Although the embodiments of this application primarily use WLAN as an example, especially networks applied to the IEEE 802.11 series of standards, the various aspects involved in the embodiments of this application can be extended to other networks employing various standards or protocols. For example, Bluetooth, high-performance radio LAN (HIPERLAN) (a wireless standard similar to the IEEE 802.11 standard), and wide area networks (WANs) or other networks now known or to be developed in the future.

[0167] In one possible implementation, the method provided in this application embodiment can be implemented by a station in a communication system. For example, the station can be an access point (AP) or a non-access point station (non-AP STA).

[0168] An Access Point (AP) is a device with wireless communication capabilities that supports communication, sensing, or power transmission using WLAN protocols. It has the function of communicating or sensing with other devices in a WLAN network (such as non-access point stations (non-AP STAs) or other access points), and can also have the function of communicating, sensing, or transmitting power with other devices. Alternatively, an access point acts as a bridge connecting wired and wireless networks, primarily connecting various wireless network clients together and then connecting the wireless network to an Ethernet network. In a WLAN system, an access point can be called an Access Point Station (AP STA). This wireless communication device can be a complete device or a chip, processing system, or functional module installed within a complete device. Devices with these chips, processing systems, or functional modules can implement the methods and functions of the embodiments in this application under the control of the chips, processing systems, or functional modules. The AP in the embodiments of this application is a device that provides services to non-AP STAs and can support 802.11 series protocols or subsequent protocols. For example, an access point can be an access point for a terminal (such as a mobile phone) to enter a wired (or wireless) network, mainly deployed in homes, buildings, and parks, with a typical coverage radius of tens to hundreds of meters. Of course, it can also be deployed outdoors. Another example is that an AP can be a communication entity such as a communication server, router, switch, or bridge; APs can include various forms of macro base stations, micro base stations, and repeater stations. Of course, an AP can also be a chip, processing system, or module within the above-mentioned devices, thereby implementing the methods and functions of the embodiments of this application.

[0169] A non-AP STA is a device with wireless communication capabilities that supports communication, sensing, or power transmission using the WLAN protocol. It has the ability to communicate, sense, or transmit power with other non-AP STAs or access points in a WLAN network. In a WLAN system, a non-AP STA is any user communication device that allows a user to communicate with an AP (Access Point) or sense or transmit power, thereby communicating with the WLAN. This wireless communication device can be a complete device, or it can be a chip, processing system, or functional module installed within a complete device. Devices with these chips, processing systems, or functional modules can implement the methods and functions of the embodiments of this application under the control of the chips, processing systems, or functional modules. For example, a non-AP STA can be a wireless communication chip, a wireless sensor, or a wireless communication terminal, and can also be referred to as a user. Furthermore, a non-AP STA can be a mobile phone supporting Wi-Fi communication, a tablet computer supporting Wi-Fi communication, a set-top box supporting Wi-Fi communication, a smart TV supporting Wi-Fi communication, a smart wearable device supporting Wi-Fi communication, an in-vehicle communication device supporting Wi-Fi communication, and a computer supporting Wi-Fi communication. Of course, the non-AP STA can also be a chip, processing system, or module in the various types of devices described above, thereby implementing the methods and functions of the embodiments of this application.

[0170] For example, the communication systems to which the methods provided in this application can be applied may include access points and sites. For instance, this application can be applied to scenarios of communication or sensing between an AP and a non-AP STA, between APs, or between non-AP STAs in a WLAN, and this application does not limit this. Optionally, an AP can communicate or sense a single non-AP STA, or an AP can communicate or sense multiple non-AP STAs simultaneously. Specifically, communication or sensing between an AP and multiple non-AP STAs can be further divided into downlink transmission where the AP simultaneously sends signals to multiple non-AP STAs, and uplink transmission where multiple non-AP STAs send signals to the AP. The communication protocols between the AP and non-AP STAs, between APs, and between non-AP STAs can support WLAN communication protocols, which may include protocols from the IEEE 802.11 series, such as the 802.11bn protocol, and also protocols after 802.11bn.

[0171] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the architecture of a communication system provided in an embodiment of this application. The communication system may include one or more access points (APs) and one or more non-AP STAs. Figure 1 shows two access points, such as AP1 and AP2, and three non-AP STAs, such as non-APSTA1, non-APSTA2, and non-APSTA3. As an example, the method provided in this embodiment can be applied to data communication, sensing, or power transmission between an AP and one or more non-AP STAs, such as the communication or sensing between AP1 and non-APSTA1 as shown in Figure 1, and the communication or sensing between AP1 and non-APSTA1 and non-APSTA2 as shown in Figure 1. As another example, the method provided in this embodiment can be applied to communication between APs, such as the communication or sensing between AP1 and AP2 as shown in Figure 1. As yet another example, the method provided in this embodiment can be applied to communication or sensing between non-AP STAs, such as the communication or sensing between STA2 and STA3 as shown in Figure 1.

[0172] Figure 1 uses a mobile phone as a non-AP STA and a router as an example, and does not imply a limitation on the types of APs and non-AP STAs in the embodiments of this application. Furthermore, the number of APs and non-AP STAs shown in Figure 1 is merely an example; in a specific implementation, the number of APs or non-AP STAs may be more or less, and this embodiment of the application does not limit this.

[0173] The following describes the terms or nouns used in the embodiments of this application.

[0174] (1) Basic Service Set (BSS)

[0175] A Base Station Controller (BSS) is a fundamental module of the IEEE 802.11 local area network (LAN), consisting of several stations (STAs). Different types of BSSs have different topologies. Based on their topology, functions, and other characteristics, BSSs can be categorized into Infrastructure BSSs (IBSSs) and Independent BSSs (IBSSs).

[0176] The infrastructure BSS includes access points (APs) that provide services for accessing the distribution system (DS). Other sites within the infrastructure BSS can be referred to as non-APSTA sites. Non-APSTAs in the infrastructure BSS need to access the DS through an AP. Non-APSTAs need to be associated with an AP. Figure 2 illustrates the three infrastructure BSSs in the distribution system (DS): BSS1, BSS2, and BSS3.

[0177] To reduce signal coverage dead zones, AP deployments may involve overlapping coverage areas between BSSs. BSSs with overlapping coverage areas form overlapping Basic Service Sets (OBSSs). As shown in Figure 2, BSS1 and BSS2 have overlapping coverage areas; BSS1 and BSS2 are each other's OBSSs, meaning BSS1 is an OBSS of BSS2, and BSS2 is an OBSS of BSS1. For example, non-APSTA 1 in BSS1 can receive signals from both AP 1 and AP 2.

[0178] (2) Carrier sense multiple access with collision avoidance (CSMA / CA)

[0179] Channel resources in wireless communication include frequency resources, time resources, and spatial resources. For omnidirectional transceivers (transmitting and receiving in all spatial directions rather than just in one direction), multiple stations may have communication needs within a given space. If these stations transmit and receive using the same medium resources (e.g., simultaneously on the same frequency within a given space), multiple signals may be sent to the receiver simultaneously, causing excessive interference and preventing correct reception. For example, as shown in Figure 3A, at a certain moment, AP 2 needs to transmit to non-AP STA 2, and non-AP STA 1 also needs to transmit to AP 1. If AP 2 and non-AP 1 use the same frequency resources to transmit simultaneously, AP 2 will cause excessive interference to AP 1, preventing AP 1 from receiving data from non-AP STA 1 correctly.

[0180] To address the interference issues caused by multiple stations simultaneously using the 802.11 wireless medium, the 802.11 protocol specifies the use of the CSMA / CA mechanism. The CSMA / CA mechanism requires stations to perform media listening before transmitting: if a packet (PPDU) is detected being transmitted on the medium, the station must wait for the current packet to complete before performing a backoff action, and then transmit. Transmission can only proceed after the station detects that the air interface (wireless medium) has been idle for the specified duration. As shown in Figure 3B, when stations 2 and 3 have transmission needs, station 1 is transmitting a PPDU on the medium. Stations 2 and 3 detect station 1's PPDU, determine that the air interface is busy, and therefore perform a backoff action. Station 2 transmits its PPDU after the backoff action. During the backoff process, station 3 detects station 2's PPDU, determines that the air interface is busy, pauses the backoff timer until station 2's PPDU transmission is complete, then continues the backoff action, and transmits its PPDU after the backoff is complete.

[0181] Site 1, Site 2 and Site 3 mentioned above can be in the same BSS or in different BSSs.

[0182] (3) Main channel access

[0183] In WLAN, channels can be divided into multiple sub-channels in 20MHz units. For example, an 80MHz channel may include four 20MHz sub-channels, and a 160MHz channel may include eight 20MHz sub-channels, and so on. These sub-channels include one primary channel and one or more non-primary channels. As shown in Figure 4A, taking a 160MHz channel as an example, the eight 20MHz sub-channels included in this 160MHz channel may include one primary channel and seven non-primary channels (non-primary channel 1 through non-primary channel 7). The site can determine the primary channel from these sub-channels based on the BSS configuration information; the remaining sub-channels are non-primary channels.

[0184] It is understood that, for ease of description, in the embodiments of this application, unless the bandwidth is explicitly specified, the "main channel" refers to the "main 20MHz channel", the "sub-channel" refers to "a certain 20MHz sub-channel", and the "non-main channel" refers to "a certain 20MHz sub-channel that is not the main 20MHz channel".

[0185] Main channel access refers to a station performing preamble detection (PD) on the main channel to determine if the main channel is idle. The station can also determine the idleness of the medium based on the state of the main channel. For example, when a station detects a preamble on the main channel, it indicates that there is PPDU transmission on the main channel, meaning the main channel is not idle, thus determining that the air interface is busy, and the station can perform backoff actions. When performing PD, the station can detect whether there is PPDU transmission on the main channel based on the characteristics of the PPDU (e.g., the PPDU may include a sequence, which is periodic and can be autocorrelated or cross-correlated). If there is a PPDU transmission, the station can extract relevant information from it. For example, relevant information includes a duration field (carried in the medium access control (MAC) header). The duration field indicates how long it will take for frame interaction to complete after the PPDU (i.e., the duration of the PPDU), informing the station receiving the PPDU not to compete for the channel during this time. The station does not compete for the channel during the detected duration of the PPDU to reduce interference with the current transmission.

[0186] For example, after parsing the value of the Duration field, the station sets a network allocation vector (NAV) timer based on that value to record the end time of the current transmission. The station does not compete for the channel until the NAV timer expires (or is reset to 0); after the NAV timer expires, the station can re-compete for the channel.

[0187] The station can also perform energy detection (ED) on both the primary and non-primary channels. When the energy detected by the station on a sub-channel exceeds a set threshold, it determines that PPDU transmission is occurring on that sub-channel. During PPDU transmission, the station can puncture the sub-channel where PPDU transmission is occurring, and then transmit the PPDU based on other sub-channels.

[0188] As shown in Figure 4B, the station can perform PD on the main channel to determine whether the air interface is busy based on the status of the main channel. If the air interface is busy, a backoff action is performed until the air interface is idle. When the main channel is idle, the air interface of non-main channel 4 is busy. The station can puncture non-main channel 4 and transmit PPDU on the main channel, non-main channel 1, non-main channel 2, non-main channel 3, non-main channel 5, non-main channel 6, and non-main channel 7.

[0189] (4) Non-primary channel access (NPCA)

[0190] While the primary channel access mechanism is logically sound and simple to operate, its spectrum utilization efficiency decreases as equipment deployments become denser and bandwidths increase. For example, on a 160MHz channel, if only the primary 20MHz channel is detected as busy, while all other sub-channels are detected as idle, the primary channel access mechanism prevents the station from using any channel and forces it to back off. However, the remaining sub-channels are idle, resulting in low spectrum utilization efficiency. Therefore, to improve spectrum efficiency, stations can access via non-primary channels. When the primary channel is busy, instead of backing off, the station transmits through an idle non-primary channel. In this case, the station switches to a non-primary channel and performs PD (Power-On-Demand) on that channel to compete for the channel.

[0191] For example, the non-primary channel access mechanism is used between BSSs. For instance, after the primary channel of a BSS is occupied by its OBSS, the BSS can use a non-primary channel for access to improve channel utilization. When a BSS detects a PPDU of an OBSS on the primary channel, it can use the non-primary channel access mechanism, i.e., perform PD on the non-primary channel. The BSS needs to switch the PD channel from the non-primary channel to the primary channel before the primary channel becomes idle again. As shown in Figure 5, when the BSS detects its OBSS's PPDU on the primary channel and obtains the duration of the PPDU or the duration of the OBSS's TXOP, the station can switch to the non-primary channel for PD and switch back to the primary channel before the duration or TXOP ends. Here, the OBSS's TXOP is the time period during which the OBSS transmits the PDDU over the air interface.

[0192] Understandably, when a station detects its own BSS PPDU on the main channel, the station does not use a non-main channel for access. This is because at this time, the AP of this BSS needs or is participating in the transmission of this BSS station on the main channel. Even if a non-AP station that is not participating in the transmission switches to a non-main channel, it cannot communicate with the AP.

[0193] It is understood that, in the embodiments of this application, switching (or hopping) from channel A to channel B can be understood as: changing from "using channel A for preamble detection" to "using channel B for preamble detection".

[0194] (5) Service Period-Based NPCA

[0195] To conserve energy, stations within a BSS can interact with other stations during a service period (SP), and enter a power-saving mode (e.g., sleep) outside of that SP. Interactions between stations within a BSS are more frequent within a SP than outside of it; therefore, within a BSS SP, the BSS will frequently occupy its primary channel for transmission. This SP can be a target wake time (TWT) SP, or other SPs, such as in-device non-Wi-Fi activity SPs.

[0196] As shown in Figure 6, in the SP-based NPCA mechanism, the BSS uses a non-primary channel for channel access within the SP of its OBSS, and uses the primary channel for channel access outside the SP of the OBSS. In this way, the BSS can avoid competing for the channel with the OBSS during periods when the OBSS frequently uses the primary channel, thereby increasing the likelihood of successfully acquiring the channel.

[0197] However, in the SP-based NPCA mechanism, when the SPs of two BSSs that are each other (OBSSs) overlap, during the overlapping period of their SPs, both BSSs will perform PD on non-primary channels, while no BSS will perform PD on the primary channel. Therefore, how a BSS selects a suitable channel for PD is a problem that urgently needs to be solved.

[0198] Therefore, embodiments of this application provide a preamble detection method and communication apparatus, enabling the BSS to perform PD on a suitable channel. The method provided in this application embodiment can be applied to a station in the communication system shown in FIG1. ​​Alternatively, the method provided in this application embodiment can be applied to a first station, which can be an AP or a non-APSTA in a WLAN.

[0199] The communication between different devices involved in the embodiments of this application can refer to direct communication between different devices (i.e., without the need for relaying or forwarding by other devices), or communication between different devices through other devices (i.e., requiring relaying or forwarding by other devices), or communication between a functional unit within a device and other devices through another functional unit. In other words, "sending information to…(terminal)" in this application can be understood as the destination of the information being the terminal. This can include sending information directly or indirectly to the terminal. "Receiving information from…(terminal)" can be understood as the source of the information being the terminal, and can include receiving information directly or indirectly from the terminal. Information may undergo necessary processing between the source and destination ends, such as format changes, digital-to-analog conversion, amplification, filtering, etc., but the destination end can understand the valid information from the source end. Similar expressions in this application can be understood in a similar way, and will not be elaborated further here.

[0200] In this embodiment of the application, "switching the channel for PD from channel A to channel B at a certain time" can be understood as "starting to switch the channel for PD from channel A to channel B at a certain time," or as "switching the channel for PD from channel A to channel B before a certain time, and completing the switch at a certain time." Channel A is a non-primary channel, and channel B is the primary channel. Alternatively, channel A is the primary channel, and channel B is a non-primary channel.

[0201] Please refer to Figure 7, which is a flowchart illustrating a preamble detection method provided in an embodiment of this application. This method can be applied to a first site, which can be an AP or non-APSTA as described above. As shown in Figure 7, the method includes, but is not limited to, the following steps.

[0202] Optionally, the method shown in Figure 7 includes step 701.

[0203] 701, the first station ends TXOP before the start time of the SP of the second BSS.

[0204] In this system, the first site is a site within the first BSS, such as an AP or non-AP STA within the first BSS. Both the first BSS and the first site have SP-based NPCA functionality enabled. The start time of the second SP is not within the SP of the first BSS. Before the start time of the SP of the second BSS, there exists a transmission opportunity (TXOP) for the first site, which is not located within the SP of the first BSS. The start time of this TXOP is before the start time of the SP of the second BSS, and the end time of this TXOP is after the start time of the SP of the second BSS. The first site ends this TXOP before the start time of the SP of the second BSS to provide an idle primary channel for the second BSS at the start of its SP.

[0205] For example, as shown in Figure 8A, the start time of the SP of the second BSS is before the start time of the SP of the first BSS. The first station has a TXOP before the SP of the second BSS. The TXOP ends after the start time of the second BSS. The first station ends the TXOP before the start time of the SP of the second BSS.

[0206] For example, the first station can send a contention-free-end (CF-End) frame to other stations in the first BSS. The station that receives the CF-End frame clears the corresponding NAV timer and can then re-compete for the channel.

[0207] It is understandable that if the start time of the SP of the second BSS is within the SP of the first BSS, the first station does not need to terminate the TXOP in advance.

[0208] 702, if the first station detects the PPDU of the second BSS on the main channel of the first BSS within the SP of the second BSS, it will switch the channel for PD from the main channel of the first BSS to the non-main channel of the first BSS.

[0209] For example, the coverage areas of the second BSS and the first BSS overlap, and the first BSS and the second BSS are each other's OBSS. Stations in the second BSS interact more frequently within the SP of the second BSS than outside the SP of the second BSS. For instance, if the SP is a broadcast TWT protocol for the second BSS, stations in the second BSS interact within the SP of this TWT protocol and enter power-saving mode outside the SP of this TWT protocol. Therefore, within the SP of the second BSS, stations in the second BSS have concentrated interactions, frequently occupying the main channel of the first BSS. The SP of the second BSS may include the target wake time (TWT) SP of the second BSS.

[0210] For example, the SP of the second BSS can also be understood as any time period during which the primary channel of the second BSS is known to be busy, congested, or unavailable. For instance, the SP of the second BSS may include the time period during which stations in the second BSS use the primary channel of the second BSS for non-Wi-Fi activity (in-device non-Wi-Fi activity SP).

[0211] After the start of the SP (Split-Send) of the second BSS, the first station can first perform PD (Power-On Disk Delivery) on the primary channel of the first BSS and compete for the channel through the primary channel of the first BSS. If the first station does not detect the PPDU (Power-On Disk Delivery) of the second BSS on the primary channel of the first BSS, then the first station competes for the channel on the primary channel of the first BSS and transmits the PPDU. If the first station detects the PPDU of the second BSS on the primary channel of the first BSS, the first station switches from the primary channel of the first BSS to a non-primary channel of the first BSS and performs PD on the non-primary channel of the first BSS.

[0212] For example, the frequency domain distance between the main channel of the first BSS and the main channel of the second BSS is less than or equal to a first threshold. For instance, the frequency domain distance (the distance between the center frequencies of the two main channels) between the main channels of the first and second BSS is less than or equal to 20 MHz. As an example, the first threshold can be determined by the actual transmission bandwidth of the second BSS. For example, the larger the actual transmission bandwidth of the second BSS, the larger the first threshold. When the frequency domain distance between the main channels of the first and second BSS is less than or equal to the first threshold, the second BSS may occupy the main channel of the first BSS when transmitting PPDUs. Therefore, in this case, stations in the first BSS can switch to a non-main channel of the first BSS to avoid competing with the second BSS for the main channel.

[0213] As an example, the primary channel of the first BSS is the same as the primary channel of the second BSS.

[0214] In one possible implementation, if the first station detects a PPDU of the second BSS on the main channel of the first BSS, it immediately switches the channel for PD from the main channel of the first BSS to a non-main channel of the first BSS.

[0215] In another possible implementation, before switching the channel for PD from the primary channel of the first BSS to a non-primary channel of the first BSS, the first station broadcasts a first indication message, which instructs a second station in the first BSS to switch the channel for PD from the primary channel of the first BSS to a non-primary channel of the first BSS.

[0216] For example, the second station is a station other than the first station in the first BSS. The first indication information may be carried in a communication frame defined by a standard or protocol, or the first indication information may be carried in a newly defined communication frame.

[0217] In some scenarios, some stations in the first BSS may be unable to detect PPDUs from the second BSS. Therefore, the first station broadcasts the first indication information to instruct other stations in the first BSS, besides itself, to switch from the primary channel of the first BSS to a non-primary channel of the first BSS. For example, if a third station in the first BSS is not within the coverage area of ​​the second BSS and cannot detect PPDUs from the second BSS on the primary channel, the first station can use the first indication information to instruct the third station to switch from the primary channel of the first BSS to a non-primary channel of the first BSS.

[0218] As shown in Figure 8B, at the start of the SP of the second BSS, the first station can compete for channel on the main channel. If it wins the TXOP on the main channel, it transmits the PPDU on the main channel. At some point, if the PPDU or TXOP of the second BSS is detected on the main channel, the first station competes for channel on the main channel to broadcast a first indication message. After broadcasting the first indication message, the first station switches from the main channel of the first BSS to a non-main channel of the first BSS.

[0219] In this implementation, the behavior of stations in the first BSS can be unified by broadcasting the first instruction information, thus avoiding communication chaos between stations in the first BSS.

[0220] In one possible implementation, when the first station performs PD on a non-primary channel of the first BSS, the transmission of the first station can puncture one or more sub-channels of the second BSS. These one or more sub-channels are the actual transmission channels used by the second BSS when performing PD on the primary channel, including the primary channel of the second BSS. Exemplarily, these one or more sub-channels may also include one or more non-primary channels of the second BSS. This implementation avoids mutual interference between the PPDU transmissions of the first station and stations within the second BSS.

[0221] For example, when the main channel of the first BSS is the same as the main channel of the second BSS, when the first station uses the non-main channel of the first BSS to perform PD and transmit PPDU on the non-main channel of the first BSS, the main channel of the first BSS can be punctured.

[0222] 703, at the end of the SP of the second BSS, the first site will switch the PD channel from the non-primary channel of the first BSS to the primary channel of the first BSS.

[0223] For example, the first station may switch from a non-primary channel of the first BSS to the primary channel of the first BSS at the end of the SP of the second BSS, or the first station may switch from a non-primary channel of the first BSS to the primary channel of the first BSS before the end of the SP of the second BSS, and complete the switch from a non-primary channel of the first BSS to the primary channel of the first BSS at the end of the SP of the second BSS.

[0224] It is understood that in this embodiment, a station in the first BSS will only switch to a non-primary channel when it detects a PPDU or TXOP of a BSS (such as the second BSS) that is currently performing an SP (Service Point). PPDUs or TXOPs of BSSs that are not currently performing an SP will not cause a switch. For example, if a PPDU of a third BSS is detected within an SP of the second BSS, and the third BSS is not performing an SP, then the first station does not need to switch to a non-primary channel.

[0225] As shown in Figure 8B, the first station switches to the main channel of the first BSS at the end of the SP of the second BSS and performs PD on the main channel of the first BSS.

[0226] In one possible implementation, the time interval between the moment the first station switches from the primary channel of the first BSS to a non-primary channel of the first BSS and the end time of the second SP is greater than or equal to a second threshold, that is, the time the first station stays on the non-primary channel of the first BSS is greater than or equal to the second threshold. The moment the first station switches from the primary channel of the first BSS to a non-primary channel of the first BSS can be the moment when the first station detects the PPDU of the second BSS on the primary channel, or the moment when the first station switches from the primary channel of the first BSS to a non-primary channel of the first BSS is the moment when the first station completes broadcasting the first indication information.

[0227] The second threshold can be negotiated between sites in the first BSS or specified by an AP in the first BSS. For example, the second threshold can be determined by an AP in the first BSS broadcasting a frame, or by interaction between an AP in the first BSS and a non-APSTA in the first BSS. Alternatively, the second threshold can be defined by a standard or protocol. Alternatively, a standard or protocol can define multiple second thresholds, which are negotiated by sites in the first BSS or determined by an AP in the first BSS from among these multiple second thresholds. After the second threshold is determined, a non-APSTA in the first BSS can perform a channel handover based on the second threshold and the channel handover conditions, without the AP in the first BSS needing to notify the non-APSTA in the first BSS whether a channel handover should be performed within the SP of the first BSS.

[0228] In this implementation, if the expected dwell time of the first station on the non-primary channel of the first BSS is less than the second threshold, the first station may not switch from the primary channel to the non-primary channel of the first BSS. If the expected dwell time of the first station on the non-primary channel of the first BSS is greater than or equal to the second threshold, the first station may switch from the primary channel to the non-primary channel of the first BSS. This implementation avoids the situation where the first station's dwell time on the non-primary channel is too short, resulting in ineffective PPDU transmission.

[0229] In one possible implementation, when PD is performed on a non-primary channel of the first BSS, the first station does not transmit beacon frames on the non-primary channel of the first BSS during the target beacon transmission time (TBTT). The first station can transmit beacon frames on the primary channel of the first BSS after switching back to the primary channel of the first BSS.

[0230] In this implementation, the first BSS may have a site that does not support access to the non-main channel (which can be called a previous generation site, such as devices corresponding to the 802.11be protocol and previous Wi-Fi protocols). The beacon frame is only broadcast on the main channel, which can be compatible with the previous generation site and avoid the previous generation site not receiving the beacon frame.

[0231] In this embodiment, within the SP of the second BSS, stations in the second BSS may frequently interact, and the second BSS may frequently occupy the main channel of the first BSS. Stations in the first BSS have a lower chance of competing for the channel through the main channel within the SP of the second BSS. Therefore, within the SP of the second BSS, the first BSS can first compete for the channel on the main channel, and when a PPDU of the second BSS is detected, it can switch to the non-main channel of the first BSS to perform preamble detection, so that the first station can select a suitable channel for PD, thereby avoiding competing for the channel with the second BSS on the main channel and increasing the probability of competing for the channel. At the same time, it can reduce the congestion of the main channel and reduce collisions.

[0232] The method provided in this application can avoid the problem of PD without a BSS on the main channel, and can also reduce the congestion of the main channel. For example, the method shown in Figure 7 can include the following situations:

[0233] Scenario 1: Within the SP of the second BSS, the first BSS preempts a TXOP (i.e., transmits a PPDU) on the primary channel of the first BSS. If the second BSS enables SP-based NPCA, stations within the second BSS switch from the primary channel to a non-primary channel of the second BSS, thus avoiding contention between the first and second BSS on the primary channel. In this case, stations within the first BSS will not detect the PPDU or TXOP of the second BSS on their primary channel, therefore the first BSS can continuously occupy the primary channel.

[0234] Scenario 2: Within the SP of the second BSS, the first BSS preempts a TXOP (i.e., sends a PPDU) on the primary channel of the first BSS. If the second BSS does not have SP-based NPCA enabled, it will continue to occupy the primary channel of the first BSS. The first BSS will detect the PPDU or TXOP of the second BSS on its primary channel. Upon detecting the PPDU or TXOP of the second BSS, the first BSS will switch to a non-primary channel of the first BSS to avoid the impact of primary channel congestion on communication.

[0235] Scenario 3: Within the SP of the second BSS, the first BSS fails to acquire the TXOP on the main channel of the first BSS but detects the PPDU or TXOP of the second BSS; even if it is currently within the SP of the first BSS, since the main channel of the first BSS has been occupied by the second BSS, or in other words, the right to use the main channel of the first BSS has been "claimed" by the second BSS, the first BSS needs to switch to a non-main channel of the first BSS to avoid further congestion of the main channel of the first BSS.

[0236] Please refer to Figure 9, which is a flowchart illustrating another preamble detection method provided in an embodiment of this application. As shown in Figure 9, the method includes, but is not limited to, the following steps.

[0237] Optionally, the method shown in FIG9 may include step 901.

[0238] 901. Based on the start time of the second SP, the first site switches the PD channel from the primary channel of the first BSS to a non-primary channel of the first BSS. The start time of the second SP is not within the first SP; the second SP is an SP of the second BSS, and the first SP is an SP of the first BSS, with overlap between them. The first site is a site within the first BSS; for example, the first site can be an AP or a non-APSTA within the first BSS. The coverage areas of the first BSS and the second BSS overlap, and they are each other's OBSSs. Both the first BSS and the first site have SP-based NPCA functionality enabled. The start time of the second SP is before the start time of the first SP; that is, when the second SP starts, the first SP has not started or is not in progress. At this time, the site in the first BSS switches from the primary channel of the first BSS to a non-primary channel of the first BSS, thereby providing the second BSS with an idle primary channel within the second SP.

[0239] For example, the frequency domain distance between the primary channel of the first BSS and the primary channel of the second BSS is less than or equal to a first threshold. For instance, the primary channel of the first BSS is the same as the primary channel of the second BSS.

[0240] For example, the first station may begin switching from the primary channel of the first BSS to a non-primary channel of the first BSS at the start time of the second SP, or the first station may switch from the primary channel of the first BSS to a non-primary channel of the first BSS before the start time of the second SP, and complete the switch at the start time of the second SP.

[0241] In one possible implementation, the method shown in Figure 9 includes step 902.

[0242] 902, the first site switches the PD channel from the non-primary channel of the first BSS to the primary channel of the first BSS based on the start time of the first SP. The start time of the second SP is prior to the start time of the first SP.

[0243] For example, at the start of the first SP, the first station switches the channel for PD (Power-On Distribution) from a non-primary channel of the first BSS to the primary channel of the first BSS; alternatively, the first station switches the channel for PD from a non-primary channel of the first BSS to the primary channel of the first BSS before the start of the first SP, and completes the switch at the start of the first SP. At the start of the first SP, the first station switches from a non-primary channel of the first BSS to the primary channel of the first BSS to perform PD on the primary channel of the first BSS.

[0244] 903, within the first SP, the first station performs PD on the main channel of the first BSS.

[0245] In this embodiment of the application, at the start of the first SP, the stations in the first BSS need to switch from the non-primary channel of the first BSS to the primary channel of the first BSS, so that the stations in the first BSS can perform PD on the primary channel of the first BSS within the first SP, so that the first BSS can provide services to the stations that do not support non-primary channel access, and at the same time, it can avoid the situation where no BSS performs PD on the primary channel of the first BSS during the overlapping period of the SPs of the first BSS and the second BSS.

[0246] In one possible implementation, the method shown in Figure 9 includes step 904.

[0247] 904. The first site will switch the PD channel from the primary channel of the first BSS to a non-primary channel of the first BSS based on the end time of the first SP. The end time of the first SP is prior to the end time of the second SP.

[0248] The end time of the first SP is before the end time of the second SP. When the first SP ends, the second SP is still in progress. Therefore, when the first SP ends, the stations in the first BSS switch from the primary channel of the first BSS to the non-primary channel of the first BSS in order to provide an idle primary channel for the second BSS.

[0249] Optionally, the method shown in Figure 9 further includes step 905.

[0250] 905, the first station will switch the PD channel from the non-primary channel of the first BSS to the primary channel of the first BSS based on the end time of the second SP.

[0251] At the end of the second SP, the second SP ends, and the first BSS can switch back to the main channel of the first BSS and perform PD on the main channel of the first BSS.

[0252] In this embodiment of the application, the condition for a station in the first BSS to switch from the primary channel of the first BSS to a non-primary channel of the first BSS is any one of the following:

[0253] The second SP begins, and the first SP has not yet begun or is not in progress; or,

[0254] The first SP has ended, while the second SP is still in progress.

[0255] The condition for a station in the first BSS to switch from a non-primary channel of the first BSS to a primary channel of the first BSS is any one of the following:

[0256] Starting with the first SP;

[0257] The second SP has ended.

[0258] In one possible implementation, the duration of PD performed by the first station on the non-primary channel of the first BSS is greater than or equal to a second threshold, and / or the duration of PD performed by the first station on the primary channel of the first BSS is greater than or equal to a third threshold.

[0259] As an example, the first station will only switch from the primary channel of the first BSS to the non-primary channel of the first BSS if the expected duration of its stay in the non-primary channel of the first BSS is greater than or equal to a second threshold.

[0260] For example, step 901 includes: if the time interval between the start time of the second SP and the start time of the first SP is greater than or equal to a second threshold, the first station switches the channel for PD from the main channel of the first BSS to the non-main channel of the first BSS based on the start time of the second SP.

[0261] For example, step 904 above includes: if the time interval between the end time of the first SP and the end time of the second SP is greater than or equal to the second threshold, the first station switches the channel for PD from the main channel of the first BSS to the non-main channel of the first BSS based on the end time of the first SP.

[0262] For example, after the second threshold is determined, the non-AP STA in the first BSS can determine whether to switch from the primary channel to the non-primary channel of the first BSS based on the condition of switching from the primary channel to the non-primary channel of the first BSS and the second threshold. The first SP can be periodic, and in each period of the first SP, the non-AP STA in the first BSS can determine whether to switch from the primary channel to the non-primary channel of the first BSS based on the condition of switching from the primary channel to the non-primary channel of the first BSS and the second threshold. The AP in the first BSS does not need to notify the non-AP STA in the first BSS whether to switch from the primary channel to the non-primary channel of the first BSS in each period.

[0263] It is understandable that further details regarding the second threshold can be found in the above description of the second threshold, which will not be elaborated upon here.

[0264] As another example, the first station will only switch from the non-primary channel of the first BSS to the primary channel of the first BSS when the expected duration of its stay in the primary channel of the first BSS is greater than or equal to a third threshold.

[0265] The second and third thresholds can be equal or different. The second and third thresholds can be negotiated between sites within the first BSS or specified by an AP within the first BSS. For example, the second and third thresholds can be determined by an AP in the first BSS broadcasting a broadcast frame in interaction with a non-AP STA in the first BSS. Alternatively, the second and third thresholds can be defined by a standard or protocol.

[0266] The third threshold can be negotiated between sites in the first BSS or specified by an AP in the first BSS. For example, the third threshold can be determined by an AP in the first BSS broadcasting a negotiation broadcast frame in interaction with a non-AP STA in the first BSS. Alternatively, the third threshold can be defined by a standard or protocol. Alternatively, a standard or protocol can define multiple third thresholds, which are negotiated by sites in the first BSS or determined by an AP in the first BSS, from which one third threshold is determined.

[0267] For example, after the third threshold is determined, the non-AP STA in the first BSS can determine whether to switch from the non-primary channel to the primary channel of the first BSS based on the conditions for switching from the non-primary channel to the primary channel of the first BSS and the third threshold. The first SP can be periodic. In each period of the first SP, the non-AP STA in the first BSS can determine whether to switch from the non-primary channel to the primary channel of the first BSS based on the conditions for switching from the non-primary channel to the primary channel of the first BSS and the third threshold. The AP in the first BSS does not need to notify the non-AP STA in the first BSS whether to switch from the non-primary channel to the primary channel of the first BSS in each period. For example, as shown in Figure 10, at time t1, the second SP starts, while the first SP has not started or is not in progress, satisfying the conditions for switching from the primary channel to the non-primary channel of the first BSS. At time t2, the first SP starts, satisfying the conditions for switching from the non-primary channel to the primary channel of the first BSS. Therefore, the stations in the first BSS expect to switch from the primary channel to a non-primary channel at time t1 and from the non-primary channel to the primary channel at time t2. However, since the time interval between t1 and t2 is less than the second threshold, at time t1, the stations in the first BSS do not switch to the channel for PD (Power-On) and continue to camp on the primary channel between t1 and t2. At time t3, the first SP (Power-On) ends, while the second SP is still in progress, satisfying the condition for switching from the primary channel to the non-primary channel of the first BSS. At time t4, the first SP begins, satisfying the condition for switching from the non-primary channel to the primary channel of the first BSS. The time interval between t3 and t4 is greater than or equal to the second threshold; therefore, at time t3, the stations in the first BSS switch from the primary channel to the non-primary channel.

[0268] In this embodiment, the first station will only switch from the primary channel to the non-primary channel of the first BSS when the expected duration of its stay on the non-primary channel of the first BSS is greater than or equal to a second threshold. Alternatively, the first station will only switch from the non-primary channel to the primary channel of the first BSS when the expected duration of its stay on the primary channel of the first BSS is greater than or equal to a third threshold. This avoids the first station's stay on the primary or non-primary channel being too short, resulting in ineffective PPDU transmission and invalid hops.

[0269] In one possible implementation, when performing PD on a non-primary channel of the first BSS, during TBTT, the first station does not transmit beacon frames on the non-primary channel of the first BSS. The first station can transmit beacon frames on the primary channel of the first BSS after switching back to the primary channel of the first BSS.

[0270] In this implementation, the first BSS may have a station that does not support access to non-main channels (which can be called a previous generation station). The beacon frame is only broadcast on the main channel, which can be compatible with the previous generation station and prevent the previous generation station from not receiving the beacon frame.

[0271] In one possible implementation, regarding the method shown in Figure 9, this application embodiment also provides the following examples, where "main channel" refers to the main channel of the first BSS, and "site of the first BSS" refers to the site within the first BSS that has enabled the SP-based NPCA function:

[0272] Example 1: The start time of the first SP is before the start time of the second SP, and the end time of the first SP is before the end time of the second SP. Based on the end time of the first SP, the first site will switch the PD channel from the main channel to the non-main channel of the first BSS.

[0273] As shown in Figure 11A, before the start of the first SP, the first BSS performs PD on the main channel. At the start of the first SP, the second SP has not yet started, and the stations in the first BSS perform PD on the main channel during the first SP. At the start of the second SP, the first SP is still in progress or has not yet ended, so the stations in the first BSS do not need to switch to the non-main channel of the first BSS. At the end of the first SP, the second SP has not yet ended, so the stations in the first BSS switch from the main channel to the non-main channel of the first BSS (PD is indicated by a gray box in Figure 11A) to provide an idle main channel for the second BSS. At the end of the second SP, the stations in the first BSS switch from the non-main channel to the main channel of the first BSS and perform PD on the main channel.

[0274] Example 2: The start time of the first SP is after the start time of the second SP, and the end time of the first SP is after the end time of the second SP. Based on the start time of the second SP, the first station will switch the PD channel from the main channel to the non-main channel of the first BSS, and based on the start time of the first SP, switch from the non-main channel to the main channel of the first BSS.

[0275] As shown in Figure 11B, before the start of the second SP, the stations in the first BSS perform PD on the primary channel. At the start of the second SP, the first SP has not yet started; therefore, the stations in the first BSS switch from the primary channel to a non-primary channel of the first BSS and perform PD on the non-primary channel to provide an idle primary channel for the second BSS. At the start of the first SP, the stations in the first BSS switch from the non-primary channel to the primary channel and perform PD on the primary channel. During the first SP, the stations in the first BSS perform PD on the primary channel. At the end of the first SP, since the second SP is not in progress, the stations in the first BSS do not need to switch to a non-primary channel of the first BSS.

[0276] Example 3: The start time of the first SP is after the start time of the second SP, and the end time of the first SP is before the end time of the second SP. The first station switches from the non-primary channel of the first BSS to the primary channel based on the start time of the first SP, and switches from the primary channel to the non-primary channel of the first BSS based on the end time of the first SP.

[0277] For example, the first station may also switch from the primary channel to the non-primary channel of the first BSS based on the start time of the second SP.

[0278] For example, the first station can also switch from the non-primary channel of the first BSS to the primary channel based on the end time of the second SP.

[0279] As shown in Figure 11C, before the start of the second SP, the stations in the first BSS perform PD on the primary channel. At the start of the second SP, before the first SP begins, the stations in the first BSS switch from the primary channel to a non-primary channel of the first BSS and perform PD on the non-primary channel to provide an idle primary channel for the second BSS. At the start of the first SP, the stations in the first BSS switch from the non-primary channel to the primary channel and perform PD on the primary channel. During the first SP, the stations in the first BSS perform PD on the primary channel. At the end of the first SP, before the second SP ends, the stations in the first BSS switch from the primary channel to a non-primary channel of the first BSS to provide an idle primary channel for the second BSS. At the end of the second SP, the stations in the first BSS switch from the non-primary channel to the primary channel and perform PD on the primary channel.

[0280] Example 4: If the start time of the first SP is before the start time of the second SP and the end time of the first SP is after the end time of the second SP, the first station may not need to switch to the PD channel.

[0281] As shown in Figure 11D, the second SP is contained within the first SP. Before the start of the first SP, stations in both the first and second BSS perform PD on the main channel. At the start of the first SP, the second SP has not yet started, so stations in the first BSS can continue performing PD on the main channel. Within the first SP, stations in the first BSS perform PD on the main channel. At the start of the second SP, the first SP is still in progress or has not yet ended, so stations in the first BSS do not need to switch to a non-main channel of the first BSS. At the end of the first SP, since the second SP has ended, stations in the first BSS do not need to switch the channel for PD.

[0282] In this example, the PD channel of the second BSS site can refer to the PD channel of the first BSS site in Example 3 above, which will not be described in detail here.

[0283] Please refer to Figure 12, which is a flowchart illustrating another preamble detection method provided in an embodiment of this application. As shown in Figure 12, the method includes, but is not limited to, the following steps.

[0284] 1201, the first station sends the first request frame, and the fourth station receives the first request frame accordingly.

[0285] For example, the first site is an AP in the first BSS, and the fourth site is an AP in the second BSS. The coverage areas of the first BSS and the second BSS overlap, and the second BSS and the first BSS are each other's OBSS. The first request frame is used to negotiate with the fourth site to perform PD on the corresponding non-primary channel in the first time period, or the first request frame is used to negotiate with the fourth site to perform PD on the corresponding primary channel in the first time period. For example, the first request frame is used to request the second BSS to perform PD on the corresponding non-primary channel (i.e., the non-primary channel of the second BSS) in the first time period. As another example, the first request frame is used to request the first BSS to perform PD on the corresponding primary channel (i.e., the primary channel of the first BSS) in the first time period.

[0286] For example, the first time period may include the SP of the first BSS (e.g., the TWT SP of the first BSS), during which the first BSS needs to frequently occupy the main channel of the first BSS.

[0287] For example, the duration of the first time period is greater than or equal to the second or third threshold. For a detailed explanation of the second or third threshold, please refer to the relevant description above; it will not be elaborated upon here.

[0288] For example, the frequency domain distance between the primary channel of the first BSS and the primary channel of the second BSS is less than or equal to a first threshold. For instance, the primary channel of the first BSS is the same as the primary channel of the second BSS.

[0289] For example, the first request frame includes at least one of the following: BSS indication information, duration of a first time period, start time of the first time period, and second indication information. For instance, the first request frame may include at least one of the following: a field for carrying BSS indication information, a field for carrying the duration of the first time period, a field for carrying the start time of the first time period, and a field for carrying the second indication information.

[0290] As an example, the first request frame requests the second BSS to perform PD on the corresponding non-primary channel within a first time period. The BSS indication information indicates the second BSS, and the second indication information indicates the second BSS to perform PD on the corresponding non-primary channel within the first time period. For example, the BSS indication information may include the basic service set identifier (BSSID) of the second BSS.

[0291] For example, the first request frame also includes non-primary channel information, which indicates the non-primary channel on which the second BSS performs PD within the first time period. For instance, the non-primary channel information includes information about a first non-primary channel, which is used to instruct the second BSS to perform PD on the first non-primary channel within the first time period.

[0292] As an example, the first non-primary channel may not be included in the multiple sub-channels occupied by the first BSS, or the frequency domain distance between the first non-primary channel and the primary channel of the first BSS may be greater than or equal to a fourth threshold. This increases the chances of the second BSS competing for a channel on the first non-primary channel within the first time period.

[0293] For example, the first request frame may include fields for carrying non-main channel information.

[0294] Optionally, the first request frame may further include information indicating the BSS that performs PD on the main channel during the first time period. Optionally, the sender of the first request frame (i.e., the first BSS) may be assumed to be the BSS that performs PD on the main channel during the first time period, so the first request frame may not need to carry information indicating the BSS that performs PD on the main channel during the first time period.

[0295] As another example, the first request frame requests the first BSS to perform PD on the corresponding primary channel within a first time period. BSS indication information indicates the first BSS, and second indication information indicates the first BSS to perform PD on the corresponding primary channel within the first time period. For example, the BSS indication information may include the BSSID of the first BSS. Optionally, it can be assumed that the sender of the first request frame (i.e., the first BSS) performs PD on the primary channel within the first time period; therefore, the first request frame may not include the BSS indication information.

[0296] 1202, the fourth station sends a first response frame, and the first station receives the first response frame accordingly. The first response frame is used to agree to or reject the first request frame.

[0297] For example, if the fourth station agrees to perform PD on the corresponding non-primary channel during the first time period, the first response frame is used to agree to the first request frame. If the fourth station does not agree to perform PD on the corresponding non-primary channel during the first time period, the first response frame is used to reject the first request frame.

[0298] For example, when the first response frame is used to reject the first request frame, the first response frame may further include a period of time during which the second BSS agrees to perform PD on the corresponding non-primary channel, the duration of which the second BSS agrees to perform PD on the corresponding non-primary channel is shorter than the first time period. For example, the period of time during which the second BSS agrees to perform PD on the corresponding non-primary channel is included within the first time period.

[0299] As an example, the fourth station can also negotiate with the first station via the first response frame whether to perform PD BSS on the corresponding primary channel or on the corresponding non-primary channel during the second time period. For example, the first response frame includes third indication information, which instructs the second BSS to perform PD on the primary channel of the second BSS during the second time period, or the third indication information instructs the first BSS to perform PD on the non-primary channel of the first BSS during the second time period.

[0300] For example, when the first response frame is used to agree to the first request frame, the first time period does not overlap with the second time period. When the first response frame is used to reject the first request frame, the second time period may or may not overlap with the first time period.

[0301] For example, the first and fourth stations can determine the coordinated TWT (or coordinated r-TWT) through the first request frame and the first response frame. The coordinated TWT can be the TWT of the first BSS or the TWT of the second BSS, or it can be a TWT shared by both the first and second BSSs (i.e., the TWTs of the first and second BSSs overlap). In the TWT of the first BSS, interactions between stations within the first BSS are more frequent than outside the TWT of the first BSS. In the TWT of the second BSS, interactions between stations within the second BSS are more frequent than outside the TWT of the second BSS. The first or second time period is included in the coordinated TWT. The coordinated TWT can be periodic, and the BSSs performing PD on the main channel can be the same or different in each period of the coordinated TWT.

[0302] When the negotiated TWT is a shared TWT for both the first BSS and the second BSS, the first time period is one time period within the negotiated TWT, and the second time period is another time period within the negotiated TWT. For example, if the negotiated TWT is periodic, the first time period and the second time period are in different periods of the negotiated TWT.

[0303] During a single negotiation process, the first station can negotiate with multiple APs in multiple BSSs simultaneously. For example, the first station can send a first request frame to the APs of multiple BSSs and receive first response frames sent by the APs of multiple BSSs. In this case, the first request frame can be a broadcast frame, meaning the first station broadcasts the first request frame. The BSS indication information included in the first request frame can instruct the multiple BSSs, and the aforementioned second indication information is used to instruct the multiple BSSs to perform PD on the corresponding non-primary channel within a first time period.

[0304] The first site can also participate in multiple negotiation processes, each with a different time period (or negotiation TWT), and the time periods for any two different negotiation processes do not overlap.

[0305] In one possible implementation, the method shown in Figure 12 further includes steps 1203 and 1204.

[0306] At 1203, the third station sends a second request frame, and correspondingly, the first station receives the second request frame. The second request frame is used to request the first BSS to perform PD on the corresponding non-primary channel during the third time period, which partially or completely overlaps with the first time period.

[0307] For example, the third site is an AP in a third BSS, the coverage of which partially overlaps with that of the first BSS, and the third BSS and the first BSS are each other's OBSS.

[0308] 1204, the first station sends a second response frame, and the third station receives the second response frame accordingly. This second response frame is used to reject the request in the second request frame.

[0309] For example, if the first response frame is used to agree to the first request frame, the first site sends the second response frame to reject the request of the second request frame.

[0310] In this implementation, when the first response frame agrees with the first request frame, it indicates that the first BSS and the second BSS have determined the negotiation result. Therefore, both the first BSS and the second BSS perform PD on the corresponding channel according to the negotiation result. The request in the second request frame conflicts with the negotiation result; therefore, the first station rejects the negotiation request in the second request frame to avoid confusion.

[0311] For example, as shown in Figures 13A and 13B, AP1 can send a first request frame to AP2 and AP3 to negotiate a Business Set Service (BSS) for PD on a non-primary channel within negotiated TWT 1. The negotiation result is that AP1 performs PD on the primary channel within negotiated TWT 1, while AP2 and AP3 perform PD on their respective non-primary channels within negotiated TWT 1. AP1 also negotiates with AP4. The negotiation result between AP1 and AP4 is that AP1 performs PD on the primary channel within negotiated TWT 2, while AP4 performs PD on a non-primary channel within negotiated TWT 2. At some point, AP5 sends a second request frame to AP1, requesting AP5 to perform PD on the corresponding primary channel within negotiated TWT 3. This negotiated TWT 3 overlaps with either negotiated TWT 1 or negotiated TWT 2. Therefore, AP1 can reject AP5's negotiation request to avoid confusion.

[0312] In one possible implementation, when PD is performed on a non-primary channel of the first BSS, during TBTT, the first station does not send beacon frames on a non-primary channel of the first BSS.

[0313] In this embodiment of the application, the first station can negotiate with the fourth station through the first request frame to perform PD on the corresponding non-primary channel in the first time period, so that the station in the first BSS can select a suitable channel for PD, avoiding the situation where both the first BSS and the second BSS perform PD on non-primary channels.

[0314] The following describes the communication device provided in the embodiments of this application.

[0315] This application divides the communication device into functional modules according to the above method embodiments. For example, each function can be divided into its own functional modules, or two or more functions can be integrated into one processing module. The integrated modules can be implemented in hardware or as software functional modules. It should be noted that the module division in this application is illustrative and only represents one logical functional division; other division methods may be used in actual implementation. The communication device of the embodiments of this application will be described in detail below with reference to Figures 14 to 16.

[0316] Figure 14 is a schematic diagram of a communication device provided in an embodiment of this application. As shown in Figure 14, the communication device includes a processing module 1401 and a transceiver module 1402. The transceiver module 1402 can implement corresponding communication functions, and the processing module 1401 is used to implement corresponding processing functions. The transceiver module 1402 can also be referred to as an interface, a communication interface, or a communication module, etc.

[0317] In some embodiments of this application, the communication device can be used to perform the actions performed by the first station in the above method embodiments. In this case, the first communication device can be the Wi-Fi device itself or a chip or functional module configurable in the device. The transceiver module 1402 is used to perform the transceiver-related operations of the first station in the above method embodiments, and the processing module 1401 is used to perform the processing-related operations of the first station in the above method embodiments.

[0318] As an example, the processing module 1401 is configured to, within the SP of the second BSS, when a PPDU of the second BSS is detected on the main channel of the first BSS, switch the channel for PD from the main channel of the first BSS to a non-main channel of the first BSS; and based on the end time of the SP of the second BSS, switch the channel for PD from the non-main channel of the first BSS to the main channel of the first BSS.

[0319] Optionally, the transceiver module 1402 is used to broadcast the first instruction information.

[0320] Optionally, the processing module 1401 is also configured to terminate TXOP before the start time of SP in the second BSS.

[0321] Optionally, the processing module 1401 is further configured to determine, during TBTT, not to transmit beacon frames on the non-primary channel of the first BSS when PD is performed on the non-primary channel of the first BSS.

[0322] It is understood that the specific implementation of the second BSS, the SP of the second BSS, the main channel of the first BSS, the non-main channel of the first BSS, TXOP, etc. can be referred to the relevant descriptions in the above method embodiments, and will not be detailed here.

[0323] For example, the processing module 1401 can detect the PPDU of the second BSS through the transceiver module 1402.

[0324] As another example, the processing module 1401 is used to switch the channel for PD from the non-primary channel of the first BSS to the primary channel of the first BSS based on the start time of the first SP; and to perform PD on the primary channel of the first BSS through the transceiver module 1402 within the first SP.

[0325] Optionally, the processing module 1401 is further configured to switch the channel for PD from the primary channel of the first BSS to a non-primary channel of the first BSS based on the end time of the first SP.

[0326] Optionally, the processing module 1401 is also configured to switch the channel for PD from the non-primary channel of the first BSS to the primary channel of the first BSS based on the end time of the second SP.

[0327] Optionally, the processing module 1401 is also configured to switch the channel for PD from the primary channel of the first BSS to a non-primary channel of the first BSS based on the start time of the second SP.

[0328] Optionally, the processing module 1401 is further configured to determine, during TBTT, not to transmit beacon frames on the non-primary channel of the first BSS when PD is performed on the non-primary channel of the first BSS.

[0329] It is understood that the specific implementation of the first BSS, second BSS, first SP, second SP, the main channel of the first BSS, and the non-main channel of the first BSS can be referred to the relevant descriptions in the above method embodiments, and will not be detailed here.

[0330] As another example, processing module 1401 is used to generate a first request frame; transceiver module 1402 is used to send the first request frame and receive a first response frame.

[0331] Optionally, the transceiver module 1402 is also used to receive a second request frame and send a second response frame.

[0332] It is understood that the specific implementation of the first request frame, the first response frame, the second request frame, and the second response frame can be referred to the relevant descriptions in the above method embodiments, and will not be detailed here.

[0333] For example, transceiver module 1402 may include radio frequency module, antenna module, etc. For example, transceiver module 1402 may include pin module, etc.

[0334] Reusing Figure 14, in some other embodiments of this application, the communication device can be used to perform the actions performed by the fourth station in the above method embodiments. In this case, the communication device can be the fourth station itself or a chip or functional module configurable in the fourth station. The transceiver module 1402 is used to perform the transceiver-related operations of the fourth station in the above method embodiments, and the processing module 1401 is used to perform the processing-related operations of the fourth station in the above method embodiments.

[0335] For example, the transceiver module 1402 is configured to receive a first request frame and send a first response frame. The processing module 1401 is configured to parse the first request frame.

[0336] It is understood that the specific implementation of the first request frame and the second request frame can be referred to the relevant description in the above method embodiment, and will not be described in detail here.

[0337] For example, transceiver module 702 may include radio frequency module, antenna module, etc. For example, transceiver module 702 may include pin module, etc.

[0338] Optionally, in the above embodiments, the communication device may further include a storage module, which can be used to store instructions and / or data. The processing module 1401 can read the instructions and / or data in the storage module to enable the communication device to implement the aforementioned method embodiments. For example, the storage module can store the radio frequency signal transmission strategy, etc., as shown above.

[0339] For details regarding the specific explanations of each term, noun, or step in the above embodiments, please refer to the descriptions in the above method embodiments; they will not be detailed here.

[0340] The specific descriptions of the transceiver module and processing module shown in the above embodiments are merely examples. For the specific functions or execution steps of the transceiver module and processing module, please refer to the above method embodiments, which will not be described in detail here.

[0341] The communication device of this application embodiment has been described above. The following describes possible product forms of the communication device. Any product possessing the functions of the communication device described in FIG. 6 above falls within the protection scope of this application embodiment. The following description is merely illustrative and does not limit the product form of the communication device of this application embodiment to this.

[0342] In one possible implementation, in the communication device shown in FIG14, the processing module 1401 may be one or more processors, and the transceiver module 1402 may be a transceiver, or the transceiver module 1402 may also be a transmitting module and a receiving module. The transmitting module may be a transmitter, and the receiving module may be a receiver. The transmitting module and the receiving module are integrated into one device, such as a transceiver. In the embodiments of this application, the processor and the transceiver may be coupled, etc., and the connection method of the processor and the transceiver is not limited in the embodiments of this application. In the process of executing the above method, the process of sending information in the above method may be the process of the processor outputting the above information. When outputting the above information, the processor outputs the above information to the transceiver so that the transceiver can transmit it. After the above information is output by the processor, it may need to undergo other processing before reaching the transceiver. Similarly, the process of receiving information in the above method may be the process of the processor receiving the input above information. When the processor receives the input information, the transceiver receives the above information and inputs it into the processor. Furthermore, after the transceiver receives the aforementioned information, the information may need to undergo further processing before being input into the processor.

[0343] As shown in Figure 15, the communication device 150 includes one or more processors 1520 and transceivers 1510.

[0344] In some embodiments of this application, the communication device can be used to execute the steps, methods, or functions performed by the first station described above. For example, the processor 1520 can be used to execute the functions or steps implemented by the processing module 1401 shown in FIG. 14, and the transceiver 1510 can be used to execute the functions or steps implemented by the transceiver module 1402 shown in FIG. 14. Detailed descriptions of the processor 1520 and transceiver 1510 can be found in FIG. 14 or the method embodiments shown above, and will not be elaborated further here.

[0345] In other embodiments of this application, the communication device is used to execute the steps, methods, or functions performed by the fourth station described above. For example, the processor 1520 can be used to execute the functions or steps implemented by the processing module 1401 shown in FIG. 14, and the transceiver 1510 can be used to execute the functions or steps implemented by the transceiver module 1402 shown in FIG. 14. Detailed descriptions of the processor 1520 and transceiver 1510 can be found in FIG. 14 or the method embodiments shown above, and will not be elaborated further here.

[0346] In various implementations of the communication device shown in Figure 15, the transceiver may include a receiver for performing a receiving function (or operation) and a transmitter for performing a transmitting function (or operation). The transceiver is also used to communicate with other devices / appliances via a transmission medium.

[0347] Optionally, the communication device 150 may further include one or more memories 1530 for storing program instructions and / or data. The memory 1530 is coupled to the processor 1520. The coupling in this embodiment is an indirect coupling or communication connection between communication devices, units, or modules, and can be electrical, mechanical, or other forms, used for information exchange between the communication devices, units, or modules. The processor 1520 may operate in conjunction with the memory 1530. The processor 1520 may execute program instructions stored in the memory 1530. Optionally, at least one of the above-mentioned memories may be included in the processor.

[0348] This embodiment does not limit the specific connection medium between the transceiver 1510, processor 1520, and memory 1530. In Figure 15, the memory 1530, processor 1520, and transceiver 1510 are connected via a bus 1540, indicated by a thick line. The connection methods between other components are merely illustrative and not intended to be limiting. The bus can be categorized as an address bus, data bus, control bus, etc. For ease of illustration, only one thick line is used in Figure 15, but this does not imply that there is only one bus or one type of bus.

[0349] In the embodiments of this application, the processor may be a general-purpose processor, a digital signal processor, an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), or other programmable logic devices, discrete gate or transistor logic devices, discrete hardware components, etc., and can implement or execute the various methods, steps, and logic block diagrams disclosed in the embodiments of this application. The general-purpose processor may be a microprocessor or any conventional processor. The steps of the methods disclosed in the embodiments of this application can be directly manifested as being executed by a hardware processor, or being executed by a combination of hardware and software modules within the processor.

[0350] In this application embodiment, the memory may include, but is not limited to, non-volatile memory such as hard disk drive (HDD) or solid-state drive (SSD), random access memory (RAM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), read-only memory (ROM), or compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), etc. Memory is any storage medium capable of carrying or storing program code having instruction or data structure forms, and capable of being read and / or written by a computer (such as the communication device shown in this application), but is not limited to this. The memory in this application embodiment may also be a circuit or any other device capable of implementing storage functions, used to store program instructions and / or data.

[0351] The processor 1520 is primarily used for processing communication protocols and data, controlling the entire communication device, executing software programs, and processing software program data. The memory 1530 is primarily used for storing software programs and data. The transceiver 1510 may include control circuitry and an antenna. The control circuitry is primarily used for converting baseband signals to radio frequency signals and processing radio frequency signals. The antenna is primarily used for transmitting and receiving radio frequency signals in the form of electromagnetic waves. Input / output devices, such as touchscreens, displays, and keyboards, are primarily used for receiving user input data and outputting data to the user.

[0352] When the communication device is powered on, the processor 1520 can read the software program in the memory 1530, interpret and execute the instructions of the software program, and process the data of the software program. When data needs to be transmitted wirelessly, the processor 1520 performs baseband processing on the data to be transmitted and outputs the baseband signal to the radio frequency (RF) circuit. The RF circuit processes the baseband signal and transmits the RF signal outward in the form of electromagnetic waves through the antenna. When data is sent to the communication device, the RF circuit receives the RF signal through the antenna, converts the RF signal into a baseband signal, and outputs the baseband signal to the processor 1520. The processor 1520 converts the baseband signal into data and processes the data.

[0353] In another implementation, the radio frequency circuitry and antenna can be set up independently of the processor performing baseband processing. For example, in a distributed scenario, the radio frequency circuitry and antenna can be arranged remotely, independent of the communication device.

[0354] The communication device shown in this application embodiment may also have more components than those in Figure 15, and this application embodiment does not limit this. The methods executed by the processor and transceiver shown above are only examples, and the specific steps executed by the processor and transceiver can be referred to the methods described above.

[0355] In another possible implementation, in the communication device shown in FIG14, the processing module 1401 can be one or more logic circuits, and the transceiver module 1402 can be an input / output interface, or a communication interface, or an interface circuit, or an interface, etc. Alternatively, the transceiver module 1402 can also be a transmitting module and a receiving module. The transmitting module can be an output interface, and the receiving module can be an input interface. The transmitting module and the receiving module are integrated into one module, such as an input / output interface. As shown in FIG16, the communication device shown in FIG16 includes a logic circuit 1601 and an interface 1602. That is, the above-mentioned processing module 1401 can be implemented using the logic circuit 1601, and the transceiver module 1402 can be implemented using the interface 1602. Among them, the logic circuit 1601 can be a chip, a processing circuit, an integrated circuit, or a system on chip (SoC) chip, etc., and the interface 1602 can be a communication interface, an input / output interface, pins, etc. For example, FIG16 illustrates the above-mentioned communication device as a chip, which includes a logic circuit 1601 and an interface 1602.

[0356] In this embodiment, the logic circuit and the interface can also be coupled to each other. The specific connection method of the logic circuit and the interface is not limited in this embodiment. For example, the logic circuit 1601 can be used to execute the functions or steps implemented by the processing module 1401 shown in FIG. 14, and the interface 1602 can be used to execute the functions or steps implemented by the transceiver module 1402 shown in FIG. 14. For a detailed description of the logic circuit 1601 and the interface 1602, please refer to FIG. 14 or the method embodiment shown above, which will not be detailed here.

[0357] The communication device shown in the embodiments of this application can implement the method provided in the embodiments of this application in hardware form, or it can implement the method provided in the embodiments of this application in software form, etc., and the embodiments of this application do not limit it in this way.

[0358] Furthermore, embodiments of this application also provide a communication system, which includes a first communication device and a second communication device, both of which can be used to perform the methods in any of the foregoing embodiments. Exemplarily, the communication system may further include a base station, and the first communication device, the second communication device, and the base station can be used to perform the methods in any of the foregoing embodiments.

[0359] This application also provides a computer program for implementing the operations and / or processes performed by various communication devices in the methods provided in this application.

[0360] This application also provides a computer-readable storage medium storing computer code that, when executed on a computer, causes the computer to perform the operations and / or processes performed by various communication devices in the methods provided in this application.

[0361] This application also provides a computer program product, which includes computer code or a computer program that, when run on a computer, causes the operations and / or processes performed by various communication devices in the method provided in this application to be executed.

[0362] In the embodiments provided in this application, it should be understood that the disclosed systems, communication devices, and methods can be implemented in other ways. For example, the communication device embodiments described above are merely illustrative. For instance, the division of modules is only a logical functional division, and in actual implementation, there may be other division methods. For example, multiple modules or components may be combined or integrated into another system, or some features may be ignored or not executed. In addition, the mutual coupling or direct coupling or communication connection shown or discussed may be indirect coupling or communication connection through some interfaces, communication devices, or modules, or it may be an electrical, mechanical, or other form of connection.

[0363] The modules described as separate components may or may not be physically separate. The components shown as modules may or may not be physical modules; that is, they may be located in one place or distributed across multiple network modules. Some or all of the modules can be selected according to actual needs to achieve the technical effects of the solutions provided in the embodiments of this application.

[0364] Furthermore, the functional modules in the various embodiments of this application can be integrated into one processing module, or each module can exist physically separately, or two or more modules can be integrated into one module. The integrated modules described above can be implemented in hardware or as software functional modules.

[0365] If the integrated module is implemented as a software functional module and sold or used as an independent product, it can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium. Based on this understanding, the technical solution of this application, in essence, or the part that contributes to the prior art, or all or part of the technical solution, can be embodied in the form of a software product. This computer software product is stored in a readable storage medium and includes several instructions to cause a computer device (which may be a personal computer, server, or network device, etc.) to execute all or part of the steps of the methods described in the various embodiments of this application. The aforementioned readable storage medium includes various media capable of storing program code, such as USB flash drives, portable hard drives, read-only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), magnetic disks, or optical disks.

[0366] The above description is merely a specific embodiment of this application, but the scope of protection of this application is not limited thereto. Any variations or substitutions that can be easily conceived by those skilled in the art within the scope of the technology disclosed in this application should be included within the scope of protection of this application. Therefore, the scope of protection of this application should be determined by the scope of the claims.

Claims

A preamble detection method, characterized in that, The method, applied to a first site of a first basic service set (BSS), includes: During the service period SP of the second BSS, if the physical layer protocol data unit (PPDU) of the second BSS is detected on the main channel of the first BSS, the channel for preamble detection (PD) will be switched from the main channel of the first BSS to the non-main channel of the first BSS. Based on the end time of the SP of the second BSS, the channel for PD will be switched from the non-primary channel of the first BSS to the primary channel of the first BSS. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The distance between the main channel of the first BSS and the main channel of the second BSS in the frequency domain is less than or equal to a first threshold. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that, The main channel of the first BSS is the same as the main channel of the second BSS. The method according to any one of claims 1-3, characterized in that, Before switching the channel for preamble detection (PD) from the primary channel of the first BSS to a non-primary channel of the first BSS, the method further includes: Broadcast first indication information, which is used to instruct the second site in the first BSS to switch the PD channel from the main channel of the first BSS to a non-main channel of the first BSS. The method according to any one of claims 1-4, characterized in that, The time interval between the moment when the first BSS switches from its primary channel to a non-primary channel and the end time of the second SP is greater than or equal to a second threshold. The method according to any one of claims 1-5, characterized in that, The start time of the SP of the second BSS is not within the SP of the first BSS, and there is a transmission opportunity (TXOP) of the first station before the start time of the SP of the second BSS. The method further includes: The first station terminates the TXOP before the start time of the SP of the second BSS. The method according to any one of claims 1-6, characterized in that, The method further includes: When PD is performed on a non-primary channel of the first BSS, no beacon frame is transmitted on the non-primary channel of the first BSS during the target beacon transmission time TBTT. A preamble detection method, characterized in that, The method, applied to a first site in a first basic service set (BSS), includes: Based on the start time of the first service period SP, the channel for preamble detection PD will be switched from the non-primary channel of the first BSS to the primary channel of the first BSS, and the first SP is the SP of the first BSS. Within the first SP, PD is performed on the main channel of the first BSS. The method according to claim 8, characterized in that, The first SP and the second SP overlap, the second SP is the SP of the second BSS, the end time of the first SP is before the end time of the second SP, and the method further includes: Based on the end time of the first SP, the channel for PD will be switched from the main channel of the first BSS to the non-main channel of the first BSS. The method according to claim 9, characterized in that, After switching the PD channel from the primary channel of the first BSS to a non-primary channel of the first BSS based on the end time of the first SP, the method further includes: Based on the end time of the second SP, the channel for PD will be switched from the non-primary channel of the first BSS to the primary channel of the first BSS. The method according to any one of claims 8-10, characterized in that, The first SP and the second SP overlap, the second SP is the SP of the second BSS, and the start time of the second SP is before the start time of the first SP. The method according to claim 11, characterized in that, Before the channel for preamble detection (PD) is switched from the non-primary channel of the first BSS to the primary channel of the first BSS at the start time of the first service period (SP), the method further includes: Based on the start time of the second SP, the channel for PD will be switched from the primary channel of the first BSS to the non-primary channel of the first BSS. The method according to any one of claims 9-12, characterized in that, The distance between the main channel of the first BSS and the main channel of the second BSS in the frequency domain is less than or equal to a first threshold. The method according to claim 13, characterized in that, The main channel of the first BSS is the same as the main channel of the second BSS. The method according to any one of claims 8-14, characterized in that, The duration of PD performed by the first station on the non-primary channel of the first BSS is greater than or equal to a second threshold, and / or the duration of PD performed by the first station on the primary channel of the first BSS is greater than or equal to a third threshold. The method according to any one of claims 8-15, characterized in that, The method further includes: When PD is performed on a non-primary channel of the first BSS, no beacon frame is transmitted on the non-primary channel of the first BSS during the target beacon transmission time TBTT. A preamble detection method, characterized in that, The method, applied to a first site in a first basic service set (BSS), includes: Send a first request frame, which is used to request the second BSS to perform preamble detection (PD) on the corresponding non-primary channel in the first time period. A first response frame is received, which is used to agree to or reject the first request frame. The method according to claim 17, characterized in that, The distance between the main channel of the first BSS and the main channel of the second BSS in the frequency domain is less than or equal to a first threshold. The method according to claim 18, characterized in that, The main channel of the first BSS is the same as the main channel of the second BSS. The method according to any one of claims 17-19, characterized in that, The first request frame includes at least one of the following: BSS indication information, the duration of the first time period, the start time of the first time period, and second indication information; wherein, the BSS indication information indicates the second BSS, and the second indication information is used to instruct the second BSS to perform PD on the corresponding non-primary channel within the first time period. The method according to claim 20, characterized in that, The first request frame also includes non-primary channel information, which indicates that the second BSS performs PD on the non-primary channel during the first time period. The method according to any one of claims 17-21, characterized in that, The first response frame includes third indication information, which is used to instruct the second BSS to perform PD on the main channel of the second BSS in the second time period, or the third indication information is used to instruct the first BSS to perform PD on the corresponding non-main channel in the second time period. The method according to any one of claims 17-22, characterized in that, The first response frame is used to agree to the first request frame, and the method further includes: Receive a second request frame from a third site in a third BSS. The second request frame is used to request the first BSS to perform PD on the corresponding non-primary channel in a third time period, the third time period being partially or completely overlapping with the first time period. A second response frame is sent to the third station, the second response frame being used to reject the request of the second request frame. The method according to any one of claims 17-23, characterized in that, The method further includes: When PD is performed on a non-primary channel of the first BSS, no beacon frame is transmitted on the non-primary channel of the first BSS during the target beacon transmission time TBTT. A communication device, characterized in that, Includes modules for performing the method according to any one of claims 1 to 24. A communication device, characterized in that, Includes a processor for performing the method as described in any one of claims 1-24. A communication device, characterized in that, Includes logic circuits and interfaces, wherein the logic circuits and interfaces are coupled; The interface is used for inputting and / or outputting information, and the logic circuit is used for performing the method as described in any one of claims 1-24. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that, The computer-readable storage medium is used to store a computer program, which, when executed, performs the method as described in any one of claims 1-24. A computer program product, characterized in that, When the computer program product is executed, the method as described in any one of claims 1-24 is performed.

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