Modulation and coding scheme indication method and corresponding apparatus

Abstract

Disclosed in the embodiments of the present application are a modulation and coding scheme indication method and a corresponding apparatus. The present application is applied to a wireless local area network system supporting one or multiple of IEEE 802.11ax next-generation Wi-Fi protocols, IEEE 802.11be next-generation Wi-Fi protocols (such as 802.11bn, Wi-Fi 8 and UHR), Wi-Fi AI, millimeter waves, ultra-wideband and sensing. The method comprises: generating a trigger frame, the trigger frame comprising a first field and a second field, the first field being used for indicating a first MCS, the second field comprising a first indicator and a second indicator, and when the first indicator is used for indicating unequal modulation, the second indicator being used for indicating differences respectively between the first MCS and MCSs used by spatial streams of a first device for transmitting a first PPDU; and transmitting the trigger frame. By means of less bits, a plurality of spatial streams use different MCSs.

Description

Modulation coding strategy indication method and corresponding apparatus

[0001] This application claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 202410710045.1, filed with the China National Intellectual Property Administration on May 31, 2024, entitled “Modulation Coding Strategy Indication Method and Corresponding Apparatus”, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0002] This application relates to the field of communications, and in particular to modulation and coding strategy indication methods and corresponding apparatus. Background Technology

[0003] Wireless local area networks (WLANs) have evolved from the 802.11a / b / g standards to the 802.11n, 802.11ac, 802.11ax standards, and the still-under-discussion 802.11be standard. The 802.11a / b / g standards only support a single spatial stream and do not support multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO). The 802.11n standard supports MIMO for up to four space-time streams, and each space-time stream can employ a different modulation and coding scheme (MCS) to adapt to the different signal-to-noise ratios (SNR) of the space-time streams. This method is called unequal modulation (UEQM). Space-time streams simultaneously consider different spatial streams and space-time block coding (STBC) in the time dimension. When the sender does not use STBC, the space-time stream can also be called a space stream.

[0004] Today, an increasing number of terminals are using 2 or even 4 antennas. Access points (APs) and non-AP STAs can utilize more antennas for MIMO communication with a higher spatial stream number, making unbalanced modulation more important. Compared to the 802.11n standard, the current standard considers more spatial streams and more MCS (Multi-Channel System).

[0005] The 802.11n standard's method of simultaneously indicating spatial streams and their corresponding MCSs is suitable for situations with a small number of spatial streams and a limited number of MCS types. However, when the maximum number of spatial streams is likely eight or more, and the maximum modulation scheme is likely 4096QAM or higher, the signaling overhead of this method increases exponentially. Therefore, it is necessary to investigate how to implement multiple spatial streams using different MCSs with fewer bits (overhead). Summary of the Invention

[0006] This application discloses a modulation and coding strategy indication method and corresponding apparatus, which can enable multiple spatial streams to use different MCS with fewer bits (overhead).

[0007] In a first aspect, embodiments of this application provide a modulation and coding strategy indication method. This method is applied to a first device and is implemented by the first device or a component on the first device side. The following description uses an implementation on the first device as an example. The method includes: the first device generating a trigger frame, which triggers the first device to send a first physical layer protocol data unit (PPDU). The trigger frame includes a first field and a second field, whereby the first field indicates a first modulation and coding strategy. The second field includes a first indication and a second indication; when the first indication is used to indicate unbalanced modulation, the second indication is used to indicate the difference between the MCS used by each spatial stream of the first device transmitting the first PPDU and the first MCS; when the first indication is used to indicate equalized modulation, the second indication is used to indicate the number of spatial streams or the starting spatial stream used by the first device to transmit the first PPDU, where the number of spatial streams is the number of spatial streams used by the first device to transmit the first PPDU; or, the second field contains m first bits, where m is an integer greater than 1; when the first index represented by the values ​​of the m first bits is within the first index range, the first index is used to indicate the difference between the MCS used by each spatial stream of the first device to transmit the first PPDU and the first MCS; when the second index represented by the values ​​of the m first bits is within the second index range, the second index is used to indicate the number of spatial streams or the starting spatial stream used by the first device to transmit the first PPDU, where the first index range and the second index range are different, and the number of spatial streams is the number of spatial streams used by the first device to transmit the first PPDU; transmit trigger frame.

[0008] In this embodiment, when the first indication is used to indicate unbalanced modulation (i.e., when the trigger frame indicates that each spatial stream of the first device uses unbalanced modulation), the second indication is used to indicate the difference between the MCS used by each spatial stream transmitting the first PPDU and the first MCS. Compared to directly indicating the MCS used by each spatial stream transmitting the first PPDU, multiple spatial streams can use different MCSs with fewer bits (overhead). Similarly, when the first index represented by the values ​​of m first bits is within the range of the first index, the first index is used to indicate the difference between the MCS used by each spatial stream transmitting the first PPDU and the first MCS; multiple spatial streams can also use different MCSs with fewer bits (overhead).

[0009] Secondly, embodiments of this application provide a modulation and coding strategy indication method. This method is applied to a first device and is implemented by the first device or a component on the first device side. The following description uses an implementation on the first device as an example. The method includes: receiving a trigger frame, which triggers the first device to transmit a first PPDU. The trigger frame includes a first field and a second field. The first field indicates a first MCS; the second field includes a first indication and a second indication. When the first indication indicates unbalanced modulation, the second indication indicates the difference between the MCS used by each spatial stream of the first PPDU transmitted by the first device and the first MCS. When the first indication indicates equalized modulation, the second indication indicates the number of spatial streams or the starting spatial stream used by the first device to transmit the first PPDU, where the number of spatial streams is the number of spatial streams used by the first device to transmit the first PPDU; or, the second field... The segment contains m first bits, where m is an integer greater than 1; when the value of the m first bits represents a first index within the first index range, the first index is used to indicate the difference between the MCS used by each spatial stream of the first device to send the first PPDU and the first MCS; when the value of the m first bits represents a second index within the second index range, the second index is used to indicate the number of spatial streams or the starting spatial stream used by the first device to send the first PPDU. The first index range and the second index range are different, and the number of spatial streams is the number of spatial streams used by the first device to send the first PPDU; in response to a trigger frame, the first PPDU is sent on the spatial stream of the first device.

[0010] In this embodiment, when the first indication is used to indicate unbalanced modulation (i.e., when the trigger frame indicates that each spatial stream of the first device uses unbalanced modulation), the second indication is used to indicate the difference between the MCS used by each spatial stream transmitting the first PPDU and the first MCS. Compared to directly indicating the MCS used by each spatial stream transmitting the first PPDU, multiple spatial streams can use different MCSs with fewer bits (overhead). Similarly, when the first index represented by the values ​​of m first bits is within the range of the first index, the first index is used to indicate the difference between the MCS used by each spatial stream transmitting the first PPDU and the first MCS; multiple spatial streams can also use different MCSs with fewer bits (overhead).

[0011] In one possible implementation of the first or second aspect, when the first indication is used to indicate unbalanced modulation, the second indication is also used to indicate the number of spatial streams, thereby saving bit overhead; or, when the first index represented by the values ​​of the m first bits is within the range of the first index, the first index is also used to indicate the number of spatial streams, thereby saving bit overhead.

[0012] In one possible implementation of the first or second aspect, the second field includes a first indication and a second indication. When the first indication is used to indicate equalization modulation, the second indication is used to indicate the starting spatial stream. The second field also includes a third indication, which is used to indicate the number of spatial streams. This enables the first device to transmit PPDUs with one or more other devices using multiple user-multiple input multiple output (MU-MIMO). Alternatively, the second field contains m first bits. When the first indication is used to indicate equalization modulation, the second indication is used to indicate the starting spatial stream. The second field also contains n second bits, where the values ​​of the n second bits represent the number of spatial streams, and n is an integer greater than 0. This enables the first device to transmit PPDUs with one or more other devices using MU-MIMO.

[0013] In one possible implementation of the first or second aspect, the second field includes a first indication and a second indication. The second field is contained in a first user information field in the trigger frame. The first indication includes bits B29 of the first user information field, and the second indication includes bits B11, B20, B25, B26-B28, B30-B31 of the first user information field, or some or all of bits B5 in the user information based on the trigger frame type of the first user information field. The difference between the MCS used by each spatial stream of the first device transmitting the first PPDU and the first MCS, further expanded by utilizing reserved bits in the trigger frame, can introduce more UEQM combinations, thereby improving... The flexibility and throughput of link adaptation; or, the second field contains m first bits, the second field is contained in the first user information field in the trigger frame, the m first bits include B11, B20, B25, B26-B29, B30-B31 of the first user information field, or some or all of the bits in B5 of the user information based on the trigger frame type in the first user information field. This allows for the use of reserved bits in existing trigger frames in standards prior to 802.11bn to further expand the differences between the MCS used by each spatial stream of the first device sending the first PPDU and the first MCS, so as to introduce more UEQM combinations, thereby improving the flexibility and throughput of link adaptation. In addition, B29 of the user information field in the 802.11be standard is the most significant bit (MSB) of the 4-bit starting spatial stream. Since the 802.11be standard only introduces streams 1-8, the most significant bit is always 0. In the trigger frame, this bit can be set to 1 to introduce a new feature, used to indicate unbalanced modulation; or set to 0 to indicate equal modulation. This indication logic is more compatible with the logic of previous standards.

[0014] In one possible implementation of the first or second aspect, the second field includes a first indication and a second indication. The second field is bits B26 to B31 of the first user information field included in the trigger frame. The second indication includes bits B26 to B28 of the first user information field. The third indication includes bits B30 to B31 of the first user information field. The trigger frame is a further modification of the trigger frame based on 802.11ax and 802.11be, which is compatible with the logic of previous standards. Alternatively, the second field includes m first bits and n second bits, where the m first bits are bits B26 to B29 of the first user information field included in the trigger frame, and the n second bits are bits B30 to B31 of the first user information field.

[0015] In one possible implementation of the first or second aspect, the second field includes a first indication and a second indication, and the second field also includes a fourth indication for indicating the starting spatial stream. When the first indication is used to indicate equalization modulation, the second indication is used to indicate the number of spatial streams, thereby enabling the first device to transmit PPDUs with one or more other devices using MU-MIMO; or, the second field contains m first bits, and the second field also includes a fourth indication for indicating the starting spatial stream, and a second index for indicating the number of spatial streams, thereby enabling the first device to transmit PPDUs with one or more other devices using MU-MIMO.

[0016] In one possible implementation of the first or second aspect, the second field includes a first indication and a second indication. The second field is contained in the first user information field of the trigger frame. The first indication includes bits B29 of the first user information field, and the second indication includes bits B11, B20, B25, B30-B31 of the first user information field, or some or all of bits B5 in the user information based on the trigger frame type of the first user information field. This allows for the use of reserved bits in existing trigger frames in standards prior to 802.11bn to further expand the differences between the MCS used by each spatial stream of the first device transmitting the first PPDU and the first MCS, thereby introducing more UEQM combinations and improving link performance. The flexibility and throughput of the adaptive mechanism; or, the second field contains m first bits, the first indication contains bit B29 of the first user information field, the second field is contained in the first user information field in the trigger frame, the m first bits include B11, B20, B25, B29-B31 of the first user information field, or some or all of the bits in B5 of the user information based on the trigger frame type in the first user information field, thereby utilizing the reserved bits in the existing trigger frames in the standard prior to 802.11bn to further expand the difference between the MCS used by each spatial stream of the first device sending the first PPDU and the first MCS, so as to introduce more UEQM combinations, thereby improving the flexibility and throughput of the link adaptation.

[0017] In one possible implementation of the first or second aspect, the second field includes a first indication, a second indication, and a fourth indication. The second field is bits B26 to B31 of the first user information field included in the trigger frame. The second indication contains bits B30 to B31 of the first user information field. The fourth indication contains bits B26 to B28 of the first user information field. The trigger frame is a further modification of the trigger frame based on 802.11ax and 802.11be, which is compatible with the logic of previous standards. Alternatively, the second field includes m first bits and a fourth indication. The m first bits are bits B29 to B31 of the first user information field included in the trigger frame. The fourth indication contains bits B26 to B28 of the first user information field. The trigger frame is a further modification of the trigger frame based on 802.11ax and 802.11be, which is compatible with the logic of previous standards.

[0018] In one possible implementation of the first or second aspect, the trigger frame further includes a third field indicating that the resource unit allocated to the first device is a distributed resource unit (DRU). The second field further includes a fifth indication indicating the cyclic shift diversity (CSD) required for each spatial stream of the first device to transmit the first PPDU. When the first indication indicates equalization modulation, the second indication indicates the number of spatial streams. Thus, the trigger frame can be used to trigger the first device to transmit PPDUs for EQM or UEQM transmission via spatial streams supported by the RRU, or it can be used to trigger the first device to transmit PPDUs for EQM or UEQM transmission via spatial streams supported by the DRU. Alternatively, the trigger frame supports the first device to transmit PPDUs for EQM or UEQM transmission via spatial streams supported by the RRU, and it also supports the first device to transmit PPDUs for EQM or UEQM transmission via spatial streams supported by the DRU.

[0019] In one possible implementation of the first or second aspect, the second field includes a first indication and a second indication. The second field is contained in a first user information field in the trigger frame. The first indication includes bits B29 of the first user information field, and the second indication includes bits B11, B20, B25, B30-B31 of the first user information field, or some or all of bits B5 in the user information based on the trigger frame type of the first user information field. This allows for the use of reserved bits in the trigger frame prior to 802.11bn to further expand the differences between the MCS used by each spatial stream of the first device transmitting the first PPDU and the first MCS, thereby introducing more U... EQM combinations can be used to improve the flexibility and throughput of link adaptation; or, the second field contains m first bits, which are included in the first user information field in the trigger frame. The m first bits include some or all of the bits in B11, B20, B25, B29-B31 of the first user information field, or in the user information based on the trigger frame type in the first user information field. This allows for the use of reserved bits in the existing trigger frames in the standard prior to 802.11bn to further expand the differences between the MCS used by each spatial stream of the first device sending the first PPDU and the first MCS, so as to introduce more UEQM combinations and thus improve the flexibility and throughput of link adaptation.

[0020] In one possible implementation of the first or second aspect, the second field includes a first indication, a second indication, and a fifth indication. The second field is bits B26 to B31 of the first user information field included in the trigger frame. The second indication contains bits B30 or B30-B31 of the first user information field. The fifth indication contains bits B26 to B28 of the first user information field. The trigger frame is a further modification of the trigger frame based on 802.11ax and 802.11be, which is compatible with the logic of previous standards. Alternatively, the second field includes m first bits and a fifth indication. The m first bits are bits B30 or B30-B31 of the first user information field included in the trigger frame. The fifth indication is bits B26 to B28 of the first user information field. The trigger frame is a further modification of the trigger frame based on 802.11ax and 802.11be, which is compatible with the logic of previous standards.

[0021] Thirdly, embodiments of this application provide a communication device that has the function of implementing the behavior described in the first aspect method embodiment. The communication device can be a communication equipment, a component of a communication equipment (e.g., a processor, chip, or chip system), or a logic module or software capable of implementing all or part of the functions of the communication equipment. The function of the communication device can be implemented by hardware or by hardware executing corresponding software, the hardware or software including one or more modules or units corresponding to the above functions. In one possible implementation, the communication device includes a transceiver module and a processing module, wherein: the processing module is used to generate a trigger frame, the trigger frame being used to trigger a first device to send a first PPDU, the trigger frame including a first field and a second field, the first field being used to indicate a first MCS; the second field including a first indication and a second indication; when the first indication is used to indicate unbalanced modulation, the second indication is used to indicate the difference between the MCS used by each spatial stream of the first device sending the first PPDU and the first MCS; when the first indication is used to indicate equalized modulation, the second indication is used to indicate the number of spatial streams or the starting spatial stream used by the first device to send the first PPDU, the number of spatial streams being the number of spatial streams sent by the first device. The first PPDU uses the number of spatial streams; or, the second field contains m first bits, where m is an integer greater than 1; when the value of the m first bits represents a first index within a first index range, the first index is used to indicate the difference between the MCS used by each spatial stream of the first device sending the first PPDU and the first MCS; when the value of the m first bits represents a second index within a second index range, the second index is used to indicate the number of spatial streams or the starting spatial stream used by the first device to send the first PPDU, where the first index range and the second index range are different, and the number of spatial streams is the number of spatial streams used by the first device to send the first PPDU; the transceiver module is used to send the trigger frame.

[0022] For possible implementations of the communication device in the third aspect, please refer to the various possible implementations in the first aspect.

[0023] For the technical effects of the various possible implementations of the third aspect, please refer to the introduction of the technical effects of the first aspect or the various possible implementations of the first aspect.

[0024] Fourthly, embodiments of this application provide a communication device that has the function of implementing the behavior described in the second aspect of the method embodiment. The communication device can be a communication equipment, a component of a communication equipment (e.g., a processor, chip, or chip system), or a logic module or software capable of implementing all or part of the functions of the communication equipment. The function of the communication device can be implemented by hardware or by hardware executing corresponding software, the hardware or software including one or more modules or units corresponding to the above functions. In one possible implementation, the communication device includes a transceiver module and a processing module, wherein: the transceiver module is used to receive a trigger frame, the trigger frame being used to trigger a first device to send a first PPDU, the trigger frame including a first field and a second field, the first field being used to indicate a first MCS; the second field including a first indication and a second indication; when the first indication is used to indicate unbalanced modulation, the second indication is used to indicate the difference between the MCS used by each spatial stream of the first PPDU sent by the first device and the first MCS; when the first indication is used to indicate equalized modulation, the second indication is used to indicate the number of spatial streams or the starting spatial stream used by the first device to send the first PPDU, the number of spatial streams being the number of spatial streams used by the first device to send the first PPDU; or The second field contains m first bits, where m is an integer greater than 1; when the value of the m first bits represents a first index within the first index range, the first index is used to indicate the difference between the MCS used by each spatial stream of the first device to send the first PPDU and the first MCS; when the value of the m first bits represents a second index within the second index range, the second index is used to indicate the number of spatial streams or the starting spatial stream used by the first device to send the first PPDU. The first index range and the second index range are different, and the number of spatial streams is the number of spatial streams used by the first device to send the first PPDU; the processing module is used to parse the trigger frame; the transceiver module is also used to send the first PPDU on the spatial stream of the first device in response to the trigger frame.

[0025] For possible implementations of the communication device in the fourth aspect, please refer to the various possible implementations in the second aspect.

[0026] For the technical effects of the various possible implementations of the fourth aspect, please refer to the introduction of the technical effects of the second aspect or the various possible implementations of the second aspect.

[0027] Fifthly, embodiments of this application provide another communication device, which includes one or more processors for processing data and / or signaling to enable the methods described in any of the first to second aspects above to be implemented.

[0028] Optionally, the communication device further includes a memory that stores computer programs or instructions that, when executed by a processor, cause the communication device to perform the methods described in the first or second aspect above. For example, the communication device may be a chip, the processor may be a processing unit within the chip, and the memory may be random access memory or a cache within the chip.

[0029] In this embodiment of the application, during the execution of the above method, the process of sending information (or signals) can be understood as a process of outputting information based on a computer program or instruction of the processor. When outputting information, the processor outputs the information to the transceiver so that the transceiver can transmit it. After being output by the processor, the information may undergo further processing before reaching the transceiver. Similarly, when the processor receives input information, the transceiver receives the information and inputs it into the processor. Furthermore, after the transceiver receives the information, the information may undergo further processing before being input into the processor.

[0030] Unless otherwise specified, or unless it contradicts its actual function or internal logic in the relevant description, the sending and / or receiving operations involved by the processor can generally be understood as processor-based computer program or instruction output.

[0031] In implementation, the processor described above can be a processor specifically designed to execute these methods, or it can be a processor that executes computer programs or instructions stored in memory to execute these methods, such as a general-purpose processor. For example, the processor can also be used to execute programs stored in memory, which, when executed, cause the communication device to perform the methods as shown in the first aspect or any possible implementation thereof.

[0032] In one possible implementation, the memory is located outside the aforementioned communication device. In another possible implementation, the memory is located inside the aforementioned communication device.

[0033] In one possible implementation, the processor and memory may be integrated into a single device; that is, the processor and memory may be integrated together.

[0034] In one possible implementation, the communication device further includes a transceiver for receiving or transmitting signals, etc.

[0035] In a sixth aspect, this application provides another communication device, which includes a processing circuit and an interface circuit, the interface circuit being used to acquire data or output data; the processing circuit being used to perform the method as described in any one of the first to second aspects above.

[0036] In a seventh aspect, this application provides a computer-readable storage medium storing a computer program that, when executed, causes a computer to perform the method as described in any of the first to second aspects above.

[0037] Eighthly, this application provides a computer program product comprising a computer program that, when executed, causes a computer to perform the method as described in any of the first to second aspects above.

[0038] Ninthly, this application provides a chip, including a communication interface and a processor; the communication interface is used for signal transmission and reception of the chip; the processor is used to execute computer programs or instructions, causing the chip to perform the method as described in any one of the first to second aspects above.

[0039] In a tenth aspect, embodiments of this application provide a communication system, including the communication device described in the third aspect or any possible implementation thereof, and the communication device described in the fourth aspect or any possible implementation thereof. Attached Figure Description

[0040] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the architecture of the communication system provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0041] Figure 2 is an example of a scheduled uplink transmission method based on trigger frames provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0042] Figure 3 is an interactive flowchart of a modulation and coding strategy indication method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0043] Figure 4 is an example of a trigger frame format provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0044] Figure 5A shows examples of two spatial flow assignments and the UEQM QAM difference mode field;

[0045] Figure 5B is an example of another trigger frame format provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0046] Figure 6 shows examples of two spatial flow assignments and UEQM QAM difference mode fields;

[0047] Figure 7 shows an example of another trigger frame format provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0048] Figure 8 shows examples of two spatial flow assignments and the UEQM QAM difference mode field;

[0049] Figure 9 shows an example of another trigger frame format provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0050] Figure 10 shows examples of two spatial flow assignments and UEQM QAM difference mode fields;

[0051] Figure 11 is an example of another trigger frame format provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0052] Figure 12 shows examples of two spatial flow assignments and UEQM QAM difference mode fields;

[0053] Figure 13 is an example of another trigger frame format provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0054] Figure 14 shows examples of two spatial flow assignments and UEQM QAM difference mode fields;

[0055] Figure 15 is an example of another trigger frame format provided in the embodiments of this application;

[0056] Figure 16 is an example of the RRU / DRU and DRU discrete bandwidth indication fields provided in the embodiments of this application;

[0057] Figure 17 shows examples of two spatial flow assignments and UEQM QAM difference mode fields;

[0058] Figure 18 is an example of the format of the trigger frame provided in the embodiments of this application;

[0059] Figures 19A, 19B, and 19C are examples of the format of the trigger frame provided in the embodiments of this application;

[0060] Figure 20 is an example of another trigger frame format provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0061] Figure 21 is an example of another trigger frame format provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0062] Figure 22 is an example of another trigger frame format provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0063] Figure 23 is an example of another trigger frame format provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0064] Figure 24 is an example of another trigger frame format provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0065] Figure 25 is a structural schematic diagram of a communication device 2500 provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0066] Figure 26 is a schematic diagram of another communication device 260 provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0067] Figure 27 is a schematic diagram of another communication device 270 provided in an embodiment of this application. Detailed Implementation

[0068] The terms "first," "second," and various numerical designations (e.g., "#1," "#2," etc.) used in the specification, claims, and drawings of this application are only used to distinguish different objects and not to describe a specific order. It is understood that the various numerical designations involved in the embodiments of this application are merely for descriptive convenience and are not intended to limit the scope of the embodiments of this application. The order of the process numbers below does not imply the order of execution; the execution order of each process should be determined by its function and internal logic, and should not constitute any limitation on the implementation process of the embodiments of this application. 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.

[0069] The term "embodiment" as used herein means that a specific 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 mutually exclusive, independent, or alternative embodiment. Those skilled in the art will explicitly and implicitly understand that the embodiments described herein can be combined with other embodiments. Some steps in the embodiments described herein can serve as an independent embodiment. In this application, the naming of messages (frames) is only used to distinguish different messages (frames) and should not be construed as limiting. That is, the name of any message or frame in this application can be replaced with other names, and this application does not impose any limitations.

[0070] The terminology used in the following embodiments of this application is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of this application. As used in the specification and appended claims of this application, the singular expressions “a,” “an,” “the,” “the,” “the,” and “this” are intended to include the plural expressions as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It should also be understood that the term “and / or” as used in this application refers to and includes any or all possible combinations of one or more of the listed items. For example, “A and / or B” can mean: the presence of only A, the presence of only B, and the presence of both A and B, where A and B can be singular or plural. The term “multiple” as used in this application refers to two or more. In the textual description of this application, the character “ / ” generally indicates that the preceding and following objects are in an “or” relationship.

[0071] It is understood that in the various embodiments of this application, "B corresponding to A" means that there is a correspondence between A and B, and B can be determined based on A. However, it should also be understood that determining (or generating) B based on (or on) A does not mean that B is determined (or generated) solely based on (or on) A; B can also be determined (or generated) based on (or on) A and / or other information.

[0072] It should be understood that in this application, the indication includes direct indication (also known as explicit indication) and implicit indication. Direct indication information A refers to information A being included; implicit indication information A refers to information A being indicated through the correspondence between information A and information B, and through direct indication information B. The correspondence between information A and information B can be predefined, pre-stored, pre-burned, or pre-configured.

[0073] It should be understood that in this application, information C is used to determine information D, including both situations where information D is determined solely based on information C and situations where it is determined based on information C and other information. Furthermore, information C can also be used to determine information D indirectly, for example, where information D is determined based on information E, and information E is determined based on information C.

[0074] In this application, the terms "exemplary" or "for example" are used to indicate that something is an example, illustration, or description. Any embodiment or design described as "exemplary" or "for example" in this application should not be construed as being more preferred or advantageous than other embodiments or designs. Specifically, the use of terms such as "exemplary" or "for example" is intended to present the relevant concepts in a specific manner.

[0075] Furthermore, in the embodiments of this application, "network element A sends information A to network element B" can be understood as network element B being the destination of information A or an intermediate network element in the transmission path between the destination and network element B, which may include sending information directly or indirectly to network element B. "Network element B receives information A from network element A" can be understood as network element A being the source of information A or an intermediate network element in the transmission path between the source and network element A, which may include receiving information directly or indirectly from network element A. Information may undergo necessary processing between the source and destination, such as format changes, but the destination can understand the valid information from the source. Similar expressions in this application can be understood in a similar way and will not be elaborated further here.

[0076] In the accompanying drawings relating to message (frame) structures in this application, some examples of the lengths of fields in the message are provided. It should be understood that the field lengths shown in the accompanying drawings of this application are merely examples, and in actual applications, the length of any field may vary. The position of each field in the accompanying drawings relating to message (frame) structures in this application is not limited.

[0077] The accompanying drawings in this application involve message structures, and some provide examples of field names in the message. It should be understood that the field names shown in the accompanying drawings of this application are merely examples, and in actual applications, the name of any field may change.

[0078] The accompanying drawings of the message structure in the embodiments of this application indicate that some fields in the message have a length of 0 or are variable, meaning that the field is optional, i.e., when the field is not included in the message, its length is 0. If the field length is variable, it means that the length of the field is uncertain. In actual design, the specific length of the field can be indicated by other information, or the sender and receiver can negotiate the length of the field in advance, or the length of the field is predefined, or the receiver can determine the length of the field based on other auxiliary information when receiving a message carrying the field, and then parse the message. This application does not limit the method for determining the specific length of variable-length fields. The length of variable-length fields involved in the message will not be repeated below.

[0079] As described in the background section, there is a current need to investigate how to implement multiple spatial streams using different MCSs with fewer bits (overhead). This application provides a technical solution for implementing multiple spatial streams using different MCSs with fewer bits. The communication system to which the technical solution provided in this application is applicable is described below.

[0080] The technical solutions provided in this application can be applied to wireless local area network (WLAN) systems, such as Wi-Fi. For example, the technical solutions provided in this application can be applied to the IEEE 802.11 series of protocols (or standards), such as the 802.11be protocol, the 802.11bn protocol (or Wi-Fi 8, also known as ultra-high reliability (UHR) or ultra-high reliability and throughput (UHRT)), or next-generation protocols of the 802.11bn protocol, or protocols supporting ambient power (AMP), etc., and will not be listed exhaustively. The technical solutions provided in this application can also be applied to wireless personal area networks (WPANs) based on millimeter wave (MMW) and ultra-wideband (UWB) technologies. The technical solutions provided in the embodiments of this application can be applied to the IEEE 802.15 series protocols, such as the 802.15.4a, 802.15.4z, or 802.15.4ab protocols, or future UWB WPAN protocols, etc., and will not be listed one by one. The technical solutions provided in the embodiments of this application can also be applied to the Spark Link or NearLink standard protocol. The technical solutions provided in the embodiments of 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 that will emerge in the future development of communication, etc. For example, V2X can include vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V), vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2I), vehicle-to-pedestrian (V2P), or vehicle-to-network (V2N) communication.

[0081] 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.

[0082] 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.

[0083] In one possible implementation, the method provided in this application embodiment can be implemented by a communication device in a communication system. For example, the communication device can be an access point (AP) or a station (STA).

[0084] 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.

[0085] A Station-Style (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 station can be called a non-access point station (non-AP STA). For example, an STA is any user communication device that allows a user to communicate with an AP (Access Point) or sense or transmit power, and thus communicate with the WLAN. This wireless communication device can be a complete device, or it can be a chip, processing system, or functional module installed in 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, an 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, an 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, 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.

[0086] For example, the communication systems to which the methods provided in this application can be applied may include access points and stations. For instance, this application can be applied to scenarios of communication or sensing between APs and STAs, between APs, or between STAs in a WLAN, and this application does not limit this. Optionally, an AP can communicate or sense with a single STA, or an AP can communicate or sense with multiple STAs simultaneously. Specifically, communication or sensing between an AP and multiple STAs can be further divided into downlink transmission where the AP simultaneously sends signals to multiple STAs, and uplink transmission where multiple STAs send signals to the AP. The communication protocols between APs and STAs, between APs, and between STAs can support WLAN communication protocols, which may include IEEE 802.11 series protocols, such as the 802.11bn protocol, and of course, protocols after 802.11bn.

[0087] 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 APs and one or more STAs. Figure 1 shows two access points, such as AP1 and AP2, and three stations, such as STA1, STA2, and STA3. 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 STAs, such as the communication, sensing, or power transmission between AP1 and STA1 as shown in Figure 1, and the communication, sensing, or power transmission between AP1 and STA1 / STA2 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, sensing, or power transmission between AP1 and AP2 as shown in Figure 1. As yet another example, the method provided in this embodiment can be applied to communication, sensing, or power transmission between STAs, such as the communication, sensing, or power transmission between STA2 and STA3 as shown in Figure 1.

[0088] Figure 1 uses STA (Mobile Phone) and AP (Router) as an example, and does not imply a limitation on the types of APs and STAs in this application embodiment. Furthermore, the number of APs and STAs shown in Figure 1 is merely an example; in a specific implementation, the number of APs or STAs may be more or less, and this application embodiment does not limit this.

[0089] From the different perspectives of transmitting and receiving OFDM symbols, the first communication device described below can be understood as a communication device that transmits OFDM symbols, and the second communication device can be understood as a communication device that receives OFDM symbols. Alternatively, the first communication device can also be called the transmitter, and the second communication device can also be called the receiver.

[0090] From the perspective of different devices, as an example, the first communication device and the second communication device can be Wi-Fi chips, functional modules, or processing systems installed in different Wi-Fi devices. As another example, the first communication device can be an access point (AP), and the second communication device can be a non-AP STA. As yet another example, both the first and second communication devices can be non-AP STAs or both can be APs. As yet another example, the first communication device can be a non-AP STA, and the second communication device can be an AP. As yet another example, at least one of the first and second communication devices can be a multi-link device (MLD), etc., which will not be listed in detail in this application. For example, an MLD refers to a device that simultaneously has multiple sites (such as APs or non-AP STAs), each operating on different frequency bands or channels. A multi-link device includes multiple affiliated sites, which can be physical sites or logical sites, and each site can operate on a link, a frequency band, or a channel, etc. The aforementioned affiliated sites can be APs or non-AP STAs. Multilink devices (such as non-AP MLDs or AP MLDs) can be communication devices with wireless communication capabilities. This communication device can be a complete unit, or it can be a chip, processing system, or module installed within a complete unit. Devices with these chips, processing systems, or modules installed can implement the methods and functions of the embodiments of this application under the control of these chips, processing systems, or modules. Multilink devices can implement wireless communication by conforming to the 802.11 series of protocols, thereby enabling communication with other devices. Other devices shown herein may or may not be multilink devices. The operating frequency bands of multilink devices may include, but are not limited to, sub-1GHz, 2.4GHz, 5GHz, 6GHz, etc., and will not be listed here.

[0091] This application describes the method provided by the first communication device and the second communication device from both sides. However, during the transmission of signals, the first communication device and the second communication device can also forward the signals through other devices, such as forwarding the signals between the first communication device and the second communication device through a forwarding device. This application does not limit other devices besides the first communication device and the second communication device.

[0092] The first device described below can be understood as a communication device that transmits PPDUs, and the second device can be understood as a communication device that receives PPDUs. Alternatively, the first device can also be called the transmitter, and the second device can also be called the receiver.

[0093] From the perspective of different devices, as an example, the first device and the second device can be Wi-Fi chips, functional modules, or processing systems installed in different Wi-Fi devices. As another example, the first device can be an access point (AP), and the second device can be a non-AP STA. As yet another example, both the first and second devices can be non-AP STAs or both can be APs. As yet another example, the first device can be a non-AP STA, and the second device can be an AP. As yet another example, at least one of the first and second devices can be a multi-link device (MLD), etc., which will not be listed in detail in this application. For example, an MLD refers to a device that simultaneously has multiple sites (such as APs or non-AP STAs), each operating on different frequency bands or channels. A multi-link device includes multiple affiliated sites, which can be physical sites or logical sites, and each site can operate on a link, a frequency band, or a channel. The aforementioned affiliated sites can be APs or non-AP STAs. A multi-link device (such as a non-AP MLD or an AP MLD) can be a communication device with wireless communication capabilities. The communication device can be a complete device, or it can be a chip, processing system, or module installed in a complete device. Devices with these chips, processing systems, or modules installed can implement the methods and functions of the embodiments of this application under the control of these chips, processing systems, or modules. Multi-link devices can implement wireless communication by following the 802.11 series of protocols, thereby enabling communication with other devices. Other devices shown here may or may not be multi-link devices. The operating frequency bands of multi-link devices may include, but are not limited to, sub-1GHz, 2.4GHz, 5GHz, 6GHz, etc., and will not be listed here.

[0094] This application describes the method provided by the first device and the second device from both sides. However, during the transmission of signals, the first device and the second device can also forward the signals through other devices, such as forwarding the signals between the first device and the second device through a forwarding device. This application does not limit other devices besides the first device and the second device.

[0095] The following describes the terminology and technical features involved in the embodiments of this application.

[0096] 1. Resource unit, multiple resource unit (MRU), regular RU (RRU), distributed resource unit (DRU)

[0097] The 802.11ax standard introduced Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access (OFDMA) transmission, dividing the entire bandwidth into one or more RUs. The 802.11be standard further introduced MRUs composed of multiple RUs. The subcarriers of these RUs are typically continuous and are called regular RUs. In this application, a regular RU refers to an RU composed of multiple continuous subcarriers, or a regular RU composed of two groups of continuous subcarriers, where each group comprises multiple consecutive subcarriers, and the two groups are separated only by guard subcarriers, empty subcarriers, or DC subcarriers. Of course, a regular RU can also have other names, such as a continuous RU. "Continuous RU" and "regular RU" are interchangeable, and this application does not limit the name of the continuous RU.

[0098] The 802.11bn standard further introduces a distributed RU (Distributed RU) with discrete subcarriers, or DRU, to improve transmit power in low-power indoor scenarios with limited frequency spectral density. The DRU in this application includes multiple subcarriers discrete in the frequency domain, or multiple subcarriers with discrete indices (or index values), or multiple subcarriers with non-contiguous indices. These discrete subcarriers can be partially discrete or completely discrete. For example, the discrete subcarriers may include some subcarriers that are frequency-continuous, and some subcarriers that are frequency-discontinuous. Alternatively, the discrete subcarriers may be completely frequency-discontinuous. The phrase "frequency-continuous" can also be interpreted as "the subcarrier indices are continuous," and "frequency-discontinuous" can also be interpreted as "the subcarrier indices are discontinuous." In this application, "distributed RU" and "DRU" or "discrete RU" can be used interchangeably. It should also be understood that the DRU mentioned in this application refers to an RU in which the subcarriers are discrete in the frequency domain. That is, an RU with this characteristic is called a distributed RU or a discrete RU in this application, but in practice, an RU with this characteristic may have other names, and this application does not limit it. The distributed bandwidth (DBW) of a DRU refers to the bandwidth within which the DRU is discrete.

[0099] 2. Trigger-based transmission process

[0100] Triggered-based transmission procedures are typically used for uplink multi-user transmission, but can also schedule uplink transmission for only one user. Usually, the STA (Stationary Access Provider) wins the transmission right through channel contention before transmitting uplink data, such as through Enhanced Distributed Channel Access (EDCA). Starting with the 802.11ax standard, a trigger-based scheduled uplink transmission method was introduced, and 802.11be continues this method. This application's embodiments assume that the next-generation standard will continue this trigger-based scheduled uplink transmission method. Figure 2 shows an example of a trigger-based scheduled uplink transmission method flow provided by an embodiment of this application. As shown in Figure 2, the method includes the following steps:

[0101] Step 1: The AP first sends a trigger frame, which contains resource scheduling and other parameters (such as association identifier, encoding and modulation strategies, etc.) for one or more users (sites) to send uplink data. The entire trigger frame may contain a common information field and a user information list field. The common information field contains common information that all users need to read, while the user information list field consists of one or more user information fields. The first user information field is a special user information field, with the association identifier indicating 2007. The association identifier field in the special user information field carries some common information. Although the first user information field is a user information field, it carries common information; therefore, the first user information field is called a special user information field. Starting from the second user information field, each user information field contains information that each user needs to read. In the user information field, association identifier 12 (AID12, the lower 12 bits of AID) indicates the association identifier (AID) of a specific STA, usually simply referred to as the association identifier field. The Resource Unit Allocation (RU) subfield in the User Information field, together with the Primary 160 field, indicates the specific resource unit (RU) or multiple resource unit (MRU) location to which this user (the user corresponding to AID12) has been allocated.

[0102] Step 2: After receiving the trigger frame, the STA reads the common information field and the special user information field, parses out the user information field that matches its own AID, and then sends an Ultra-Reliable Trigger-Based Physical Layer Protocol Data Unit (UHR TB PPDU) on the RU or MRU indicated by the Resource Unit Allocation subfield in the user information field. The UHR TB PPDU (which may be named UHR PPDU) is only an example. The STA may send other types of trigger-based TB PPDUs on the RU or MRU indicated by the Resource Unit Allocation subfield in the user information field. This application does not limit this.

[0103] Step 3: After receiving UHR TB PPDUs from one or more sites, the AP replies with a multi-STA block acknowledgement frame.

[0104] Figure 2 illustrates the fields included in the UHR TB PPDU. As shown in Figure 2, the UHR PPDU includes: the legacy short training field (L-STF), the legacy long training field (L-LTF), the legacy signal field (L-SIG), the repeated legacy signal field (RL-SIG), the universal signal field (U-SIG), the ultra-high reliability signal field (UHR-SIG), the ultra-high reliability short training field (UHR-STF), the ultra-high reliability long training field (UHR-LTF), the data field, and the packet extension (PE). Table 1 shows the meaning of each field in the UHR PPDU.

[0105] Table 1

[0106] The technical solution provided in this application is applied to a trigger-based transmission process, which can be used for uplink multi-user transmission or uplink single-user transmission. The technical solution provided in this application employs a trigger-based scheduling uplink transmission method. The following section uses uplink single-user transmission as an example to introduce the trigger-based scheduling uplink transmission method used in the technical solution provided in this application.

[0107] In the uplink single-user transmission process, the AP sends a trigger frame to the station. This trigger frame contains resource scheduling information for a single user (the station) to transmit uplink data, as well as other parameters (such as association identifiers, coding and modulation strategies, etc.). The resource scheduling information for transmitting uplink data includes information indicating the RUs allocated to the station. Each RU supports multiple spatial streams. These spatial streams can be used to transmit to a single user (corresponding to non-multiple user-multiple input multiple output (MU-MIMO) transmission mode) or to transmit to multiple users (corresponding to MU-MIMO transmission mode). Each spatial stream corresponds to a MCS. The trigger frame needs to indicate the MCS corresponding to each spatial stream supported by the station's RUs. After receiving the trigger frame, the station sends PPDUs on each spatial stream supported by its RUs, using the corresponding MCS on different spatial streams.

[0108] As described above, in a trigger-based transmission process, the trigger frame needs to indicate the MCS corresponding to each spatial stream supported by the RU of the station. This application provides a technical solution that indicates the MCS corresponding to a spatial stream with fewer bits (overhead), which can be applied to a trigger-based transmission process.

[0109] This application provides a modulation and coding strategy indication method: by reasonably designing the trigger frame, the trigger frame is sent to allocate DRU and RRU to the site, and to indicate the MCS corresponding to each spatial stream supported by the RRU or DRU allocated to the site. Under the condition of limited bit number, there are enough bits to indicate the MCS corresponding to each spatial stream supported by the RRU or DRU allocated to the site, thus supporting more spatial streams.

[0110] In one technical solution provided in this application, the trigger frame includes a first field and a second field. The first field is used to indicate a first MCS, and the second field includes a first indication and a second indication. When the first indication is used to indicate unbalanced modulation, the second indication is used to indicate the number of spatial streams used by the first device to transmit the first PPDU and the difference between the MCS used by each spatial stream and the first MCS. When the first indication is used to indicate equalized modulation, the second indication is used to indicate the number of spatial streams or the starting spatial stream used by the first device to transmit the first PPDU. The number of spatial streams is the number of spatial streams used by the first device to transmit the first PPDU. Based on these two fields, the station can know the MCS corresponding to each of its spatial streams.

[0111] In another technical solution provided in this application, the trigger frame includes a first field and a second field. The first field is used to indicate the first MCS, and the second field contains m first bits, where m is an integer greater than 1. When the first index represented by the values ​​of the m first bits is within the range of the first index, the first index is used to indicate the number of spatial streams used by the first device to send the first PPDU and the difference between the MCS used by each spatial stream and the first MCS. When the second index represented by the values ​​of the m first bits is within the range of the second index, the second index is used to indicate the number of spatial streams. The range of the first index and the range of the second index are different. Based on these two fields, the station can know the MCS corresponding to each of its spatial streams.

[0112] The technical solution provided by this application will be described below with reference to Figure 3. Figure 3 is an interactive flowchart of a modulation and coding strategy indication method provided by an embodiment of this application. As shown in Figure 3, the method includes:

[0113] 301. The second device generates a trigger frame.

[0114] For example, the second device is one of an access point (AP) and a site, and the first device is the other of an AP and a site. For instance, the second device is an AP and the first device is a site. Or, the second device is a site and the first device is an AP. Or, both the first and second devices are either APs or sites. The number of first devices can be one or more, and this application embodiment does not limit this. This application embodiment describes one first device as an example. A trigger frame is used to trigger one or more devices (including the first device) to send a first PPDU for equal modulation (EQM) or unequal modulation (UEQM) transmission. The following description uses the example of a trigger frame triggering the first device to send a first PPDU.

[0115] Figure 4 shows an example of a trigger frame format provided in an embodiment of this application. As shown in Figure 4, the trigger frame includes: frame control, duration, receive address (RD), transmit address (TD), common info, user info list field, padding, and frame check sequence (FCS). The user information 2 (a user information field) in the user info list field includes: association identifier 12 (AID12) field, resource unit allocation field, uplink forward error correction coding type (UL FEC coding type), UL UHR-MCS (modulation and coding strategy) field (can be abbreviated as MCS field), UL MCS extension field, spatial stream allocation and UEQM QAM variation patterns field, uplink target received signal strength indication (UL target RSSI), primary and secondary 160 (PS160), and trigger dependent user info. The Spatial Stream Allocation and UEQM QAM Differential Mode fields are the second field described below, and the UL UHR-MCS field is the first field mentioned above. The meanings or functions of some fields in the trigger frame shown in Figure 4 are as follows: the Trigger Frame Type field indicates the type of trigger frame; the Uplink Length field indicates the length of the L-SIG field in the TB PPDU; More Trigger Frames indicates that more trigger frames will be sent subsequently; Uplink Bandwidth indicates the bandwidth of the TB PPDU; UHR Reservation indicates the reserved value in the U-SIG field of the TB PPDU; and the Spatial Stream Allocation and UEQM QAM Differential Mode fields are used to determine the number of spatial streams used by the first device to send the first PPDU and the MCS used by each spatial stream. The trigger frame shown in Figure 4 is only an example; the meanings of the trigger frame shown in Figure 4 can be found in relevant standards and will not be described here. In the accompanying drawings of this application, the number below each field indicates the length of that field (i.e., the number of bits it contains). If a field is marked "Variable Length," it indicates that the length of that field is variable.

[0116] The trigger frame may include a first field and a second field. The first field is used to indicate the first MCS. The first MCS can be any combination of modulation scheme and code rate. As an example, the first field is the MCS field in the trigger frame (e.g., the UL UHR-MCS field in Figure 4), which contains bits B21-B24 of the first user information field, as shown in Figure 4. In this application, Bn of a certain field represents the (n+1)th bit of that field, where n is an integer greater than or equal to 0. For example, B21 of the first user information field refers to the 22nd bit of the first user information field from left to right, and the first bit of the first user information field is B0. The second field is included in the first user information field in the trigger frame. The second field can be named the Spatial Stream Allocation and UEQM QAM Variation Patterns field, or other names, which are not limited in this application. QAM (quadrature amplitude modulation) refers to quadrature amplitude modulation. In this application, QAM refers to the modulation scheme. As another example, the spatial flow allocation and UEQM QAM difference mode fields include B26-B30, B11, B20 of the first user information field, and part or all of B5 of the user information field based on the trigger frame type.

[0117] In one possible implementation, the second field includes a first indication (which can be named first indication information) and a second indication; when the first indication is used to indicate unbalanced modulation, the second indication is used to indicate the difference between the MCS used by each spatial stream of the first device transmitting the first PPDU and the first MCS; when the first indication is used to indicate equalized modulation, the second indication is used to indicate the number of spatial streams or the starting spatial stream used by the first device to transmit the first PPDU, where the number of spatial streams is the number of spatial streams used by the first device to transmit the first PPDU. When the first device and one or more other devices transmit PPDUs using multiple user-multiple input multiple output (MU-MIMO), the first device and one or more other devices respectively use a portion of the spatial streams from the first spatial stream to the f-th spatial stream. The starting spatial stream used by the first device to transmit the first PPDU refers to the spatial stream with the highest order among the spatial streams used by the first device to transmit the first PPDU, where different devices use different spatial streams to transmit PPDUs, and f is an integer greater than 1. Alternatively, when the first device transmits PPDUs using MU-MIMO with one or more other devices, the starting spatial stream used by the first device to transmit the first PPDU refers to the starting spatial stream from which the first device begins transmitting the first PPDU. As an example, when the first device and device #1 transmit PPDUs using MU-MIMO, the first device and device #1 respectively use portions of the spatial streams from the first to the eighth spatial stream; if the starting spatial stream used by the first device to transmit the first PPDU is the fifth spatial stream and the number of spatial streams is 4, then the spatial streams used by the first device to transmit the first PPDU are the fifth to the eighth spatial streams. The first device can determine the MCS used by each spatial stream of the first PPDU based on the first MCS and the differences between the MCS used by each spatial stream of the first device and the first MCS. Optionally, when the first indication is used to indicate unbalanced modulation, the second indication is also used to indicate the number of spatial streams. That is, when the first indication is used to indicate unbalanced modulation, the second indication can simultaneously indicate the number of spatial streams and the differences between the MCS used by each spatial stream of the first device and the first MCS. The first indicator can be named the Equalized Modulation / Unequalized Modulation Indicator (EQM / UEQM flag) field, or any other name, which is not limited in this application. The first indicator may contain one or more bits, and the values ​​of the bits (i.e., the values ​​of the binary bits) are used to indicate equalized modulation or unequalized modulation. As an example, the first indicator contains one bit, where a value of 0 indicates equalized modulation and a value of 1 indicates unequalized modulation. As another example, the first indicator contains one bit, where a value of 1 indicates equalized modulation and a value of 0 indicates unequalized modulation.This application describes the first indication as an example of an EQM / UEQM flag field containing one bit. When EQM / UEQM flag = 0, it indicates EQM; when EQM / UEQM flag = 1, it indicates UEQM.

[0118] In one possible implementation, the first field (hereinafter referred to as the MCS field) contains bits with values ​​ranging from 0 to 2. m Different values ​​represent different indices, and each index corresponds to a MCS, which is a combination of a modulation scheme and a code rate; where each value corresponds to an index, or, 0-2 m Some values ​​in the range are not used (or are reserved), namely 0-2. m Some values ​​in the table do not correspond to the index. As an example, the index of the MCS field is the same as that of the 802.11be standard, as shown in Table 2 below, containing 16 entries. Indices 0 to 13 correspond to modulation schemes from binary phase shift keying (BPSK) to 4096-QAM, and also to different code rates. Index 14 is reserved for triggered transmissions, and index 15 is a special modulation scheme that uses dual-carrier BPSK modulation.

[0119] Table 2

[0120] In one possible implementation, several new MCSs can be introduced based on Table 2. As an example, the bits contained in the MCS field can be expanded to B21 to B25 to extend the number of MCS types from 16 to a maximum of 32. For instance, one or more of the following could be introduced: QPSK, 2 / 3 bitrate, 16-QAM, 2 / 3 bitrate, 256-QAM, 2 / 3 bitrate, and 16-QAM, 5 / 6 bitrate. This expansion method uses B21-B25 to indicate up to 32 MCS types. Other methods can also be used to expand the type of the MCS field; this application does not limit this approach.

[0121] The second indication, used to indicate the difference between the MCS used by each spatial stream of the first device sending the first PPDU and the first MCS, can be understood as follows: the second indication indicates a UEQMQAM difference mode, which represents the difference between the MCS used by each spatial stream of the first device sending the first PPDU and the first MCS, as well as the number of spatial streams (optional). The second indication can indicate any of a variety of UEQMQAM difference modes. As an example, the bit values ​​included in the second indication represent an index corresponding to a UEQMQAM difference mode. These multiple UEQMQAM difference modes can be predefined by the protocol, configured by the second device to the first device, or indicated by the first device to the second device; this application does not impose any limitations. Both the first device and the second device can store a UEQMQAM difference mode table, which contains multiple UEQMQAM difference modes and an index for each UEQMQAM difference mode. The bit values ​​included in the second indication can be any index (or index value) in the UEQMQAM difference mode table. Table 3 shows an example of a UEQMQAM difference mode table.

[0122] Table 3 (UEQM QAM Difference Mode - 3 bits)

[0123] As shown in Table 3, there are a total of 8 UEQMQAM difference modes. When the number of spatial streams is 2, 2 UEQMQAM difference modes (hereinafter referred to as modes) are supported; when the number of spatial streams is 3, 3 modes are supported; and when the number of spatial streams is 4, 3 modes are supported, for a total of 8 modes. The indices correspond to 0-7 respectively. As an example, the first field is B26-B28 of the first user information field. Up to 8 modes can be selected from Table 3, and the required number of bits corresponds exactly to the 3-bit spatial stream count in EQM. Assuming that the first spatial stream in Table 3 is the spatial stream with the highest signal-to-noise ratio, its QAM is the modulation scheme corresponding to the basic MCS (i.e., the first MCS), for example, the basic MCS is indicated by B21-B24 or B21-B25. Furthermore, the bit rate of each spatial stream is also indicated through the MCS field; for example, the bit rate of each spatial stream is the same as the bit rate corresponding to the first MCS. Furthermore, QAM-1 indicates that it differs from the QAM of the first spatial stream by one level. For example, if the first spatial stream is 4096-QAM, then the QAM-1 of the second spatial stream corresponds to 1024-QAM; if the first spatial stream is 1024-QAM, then the QAM-1 of the second spatial stream corresponds to 256-QAM; if the first spatial stream is 256-QAM, then the QAM-1 of the second spatial stream corresponds to 64-QAM; if the first spatial stream is 64-QAM, then the QAM-1 of the second spatial stream corresponds to 16-QAM; if the first spatial stream is 16-QAM, then the QAM-1 of the second spatial stream corresponds to QPSK; if the first spatial stream is QPSK, then the QAM-1 of the second spatial stream corresponds to BPSK. QAM-2 indicates that the second spatial stream differs from the QAM of the first spatial stream by two levels. For example, if the first spatial stream is 4096-QAM, then the QAM-2 of the second spatial stream corresponds to 256-QAM; if the first spatial stream is 1024-QAM, then the QAM-2 of the second spatial stream corresponds to 64-QAM; if the first spatial stream is 256-QAM, then the QAM-2 of the second spatial stream corresponds to 16-QAM; if the first spatial stream is 64-QAM, then the QAM-2 of the second spatial stream corresponds to QPSK; if the first spatial stream is 16-QAM, then the QAM-2 of the second spatial stream corresponds to BPSK. The specific difference of one level from the QAM of the first spatial stream can be set or changed according to actual needs. Similarly, the specific difference of two levels from the QAM of the first spatial stream can be set or changed according to actual needs.

[0124] In addition to the modes shown in Table 3, Table 3 can be further expanded by using reserved bits in the user information field, such as B11, B20, B25, and B30-B31, and some or all of the bits in B5 of the user information for the trigger frame type, to introduce more modes. For example, it can support QAM-3 (i.e., QAM differs from the first spatial stream by three levels) and support more spatial streams. Based on simulations of the probability of each combination occurring under specific channel conditions, some preferred modes are shown in Table 4 below.

[0125] Table 4

[0126] QAM-3 indicates that the second spatial stream differs from the first spatial stream by three levels of QAM. For example, if the first spatial stream is 4096-QAM, then the second spatial stream's QAM-3 corresponds to 64-QAM; if the first spatial stream is 1024-QAM, then the second spatial stream's QAM-2 corresponds to 16-QAM; if the first spatial stream is 256-QAM, then the second spatial stream's QAM-2 corresponds to 4-QAM; and if the first spatial stream is 64-QAM, then the second spatial stream's QAM-2 corresponds to QPSK. The specific level of difference between the second and first spatial streams can be set or changed according to actual needs.

[0127] In one possible implementation, the second indicator can indicate both the spatial stream count and the UEQMQAM difference mode simultaneously, or it can indicate the two fields separately. As an example, there could be one two-bit spatial stream count (i.e., two bits indicating the spatial stream count separately) and one two-bit UEQMQAM difference mode (i.e., two bits indicating the EQMQAM difference mode separately); this has the advantage of logical simplicity. As an example, the second indicator could include any two of the following bits as a whole: B26-B28 of the first user information field, B11 and B20 of the first user information field, and B5 of the user information field based on the trigger frame type, to indicate the spatial stream count.

[0128] In the above approach, the second field does not indicate the starting spatial stream, making it impossible to distinguish which spatial stream each user starts from. Therefore, it does not support uplink MU-MIMO transmission by multiple users. In other words, when the second indication does not indicate the starting spatial stream, the trigger frame does not support uplink MU-MIMO transmission by multiple users. The following describes a scheme where the second indication is used to indicate the starting spatial stream, and the trigger frame supports uplink MU-MIMO transmission by multiple users. Alternatively, the following describes two other UEQM modes that can simultaneously support MU-MIMO and non-MU-MIMO.

[0129] In one possible implementation, the second field includes a first indication, a second indication, and a fourth indication. The fourth indication is used to indicate the starting spatial stream, and when the first indication is used to indicate equalization modulation, the second indication is used to indicate the number of spatial streams. As an example, the second field consists of bits B26 to B31 of the first user information field included in the trigger frame, the first indication consists of bits B29 of the first user information field, the second indication consists of bits B30 to B31 of the first user information field, and the fourth indication consists of bits B26 to B28 of the first user information field. Table 5 shows an example of a UEQMQAM difference mode table. The bits included in the first indication can be any reserved bits, which is not limited in this application.

[0130] Table 5 (UEQMQAM Differential Pattern - 2 bits)

[0131] The bits included in the second indication may also include some or all of the bits in B11, B20, B25, B30-B31 of the first user information field, and in B5 of the user information based on the trigger frame type. Alternatively, Table 5 can be further expanded using some or all of the bits in B11, B20, B25, B30-B31 of the first user information field and in B5 of the user information based on the trigger frame type, extending the bits included in the second indication to 3 bits, and in cases of 4 bits or more.

[0132] In one possible implementation, the second field contains m first bits, where m is an integer greater than 1. When the values ​​of the m first bits represent a first index within the first index range, the first index indicates the difference between the MCS used by each spatial stream of the first device sending the first PPDU and the first MCS. When the values ​​of the m first bits represent a second index within the second index range, the second index indicates the number of spatial streams or the starting spatial stream used by the first device to send the first PPDU. The first index range and the second index range are different, and the number of spatial streams is the number of spatial streams used by the first device to send the first PPDU. That is, the values ​​of the m first bits can include indices within the first index range (e.g., the first index) and indices within the second index range (e.g., the second index). Alternatively, the values ​​of the m first bits can simultaneously include multiple indices corresponding to the UEQM (i.e., indices within the first index range) and multiple indices corresponding to the EQM (i.e., indices within the second index range). When the values ​​of the m first bits represent a second index within the second index range, each spatial stream used by the first device to send the first PPDU uses the first MCS. Optionally, when the values ​​of the m first bits represent a first index within a first index range, the first index is also used to indicate the number of spatial streams. That is, when the values ​​of the m first bits represent a first index within a first index range, the first index can simultaneously indicate the number of spatial streams and the difference between the MCS used by each spatial stream transmitting the first PPDU and the first MCS. The first index range and the second index range can be pre-configured, set, or changed according to actual needs. As an example, m is 4, the first index range is 0-7, and the second index range is 8-15. As another example, m is 5, the first index range is 0-7, and the second index range is 8-31.

[0133] In one possible implementation, when the first indication is used to indicate equalization modulation, the second indication is used to indicate the starting spatial stream. The second field also contains n second bits, where the values ​​of the n second bits represent the number of spatial streams, and n is an integer greater than 0. This allows the trigger frame to support the first device in transmitting PPDUs for EQM transmission via MU-MIMO and non-MU-MIMO. In another possible implementation, the m first bits include bits B11, B20, B25, B26-B29, B30-B31 of the first user information field, or some or all of bits B5 in the user information based on the trigger frame type within the first user information field. As an example, the m first bits are bits B26 to B29 of the first user information field included in the trigger frame, and the n second bits are bits B30 to B31 of the first user information field. These m first bits can be extended by one or more of bits B11, B20, B25 of the first user information field, or B5 in the user information based on the trigger frame type.

[0134] The first index, used to indicate the difference between the MCS used by each spatial stream of the first device transmitting the first PPDU and the first MCS, can be understood as follows: the first index indicates a UEQMQAM difference mode, which represents the difference between the MCS used by each spatial stream of the first device transmitting the first PPDU and the first MCS, as well as the number of spatial streams (optional). Table 6-1 shows an example of the UEQMQAM difference mode and the number of spatial streams (optional) corresponding to each index within the first index range, and the number of spatial streams corresponding to each index within the second index range.

[0135] Table 6-1

[0136] Referring to Table 6-1, the first index ranges from 8 to 15, and the second index ranges from 0 to 7. When the index is 0 to 7, the most significant bit (MSB) of the m first bits is 0, indicating the number of spatial streams under EQM, i.e., 1 to 8 spatial streams. When the index is 8 to 15, the MSB of the m first bits is 1, indicating various QAM difference mode combinations under different numbers of spatial streams under UEQM.

[0137] Table 6-2 shows an example of the UEQMQAM difference modes and spatial stream counts (optional) corresponding to each index in the first index range, and an example of the starting spatial streams corresponding to each index in the second index range.

[0138] Table 6-2

[0139] Furthermore, the first MCS and Table 3 can be combined to form a unified table index, which directly indicates the combination of various QAMs, as shown in Table 7 below. This method is similar to the 802.11bn table, except that the mode is filtered when more QAM types exist. Table 7 corresponds to multiple first MCSs. The aforementioned m first bits may include some or all of the bits in B11, B20, B25, B26-B29, B30-B31 of the first user information field, or in B5 of the user information based on the trigger frame type in the first user information field. Similarly, the first MCS and Table 4 (or Table 5) can be combined to form a unified table index, which directly indicates the combination of various QAMs.

[0140] Table 7 (UEQMQAM Differential Mode - 7 or 8 bits)

[0141] In one possible implementation, the spatial stream count in EQM mode and Table 7 can be combined into a single table index, encompassing both EQM and UEQM cases. This way, only one table is needed to determine the EQM and UEQM cases. Table 8 shows an example of the UEQMQAM difference mode and spatial stream count (optional) corresponding to each index within the first index range, and the spatial stream count corresponding to each index within the second index range. In Table 8, the rightmost column represents the index represented by the values ​​of the m first bits. Each index can represent both the first and second columns simultaneously, where the first column is the spatial stream count, and the second column describes one or more corresponding columns.

[0142] Table 8

[0143] 302. The second device sends a trigger frame.

[0144] Accordingly, the first device receives a trigger frame. The trigger frame is used to trigger one or more devices (e.g., communication devices) to send a PPDU. For example, when the trigger frame is for a single-user transmission, i.e., the trigger frame is used to trigger the first device (one device) to send a PPDU, the first device (i.e., the single user to which the trigger frame is intended) receives the trigger frame and parses it. For example, when the trigger frame is for a multi-user transmission, i.e., the trigger frame is used to trigger multiple devices (including the first device) to send a PPDU, the multiple devices (i.e., each user to which the trigger frame is intended) receive the trigger frame and parse it. The following describes the operations performed by the multiple devices after receiving the trigger frame, using the first device as an example.

[0145] The RU (i.e., the RU allocated to the first device) indicated by the resource unit allocation subfield and the primary and secondary 160MHz subfields in the trigger frame can be either a DRU or an RRU. For a DRU, the ultra-high reliability short training field (UHR-STF) of a certain DRU is transmitted within the largest RRU corresponding to the discrete bandwidth of that DRU (242-tone RRU for 20MHz DBW, 484-tone RRU for 40MHz DBW). Furthermore, the UHR-STF corresponding to each DRU or spatial stream will employ global cyclic shift diversity (CSD) to prevent unintentional beamforming (For UHR-STF corresponding to distribution bandwidth for DRU, STF sequence depends on PPDU BW. Occupied STF tones are the same as that of the largest RRU corresponding to the distribution BW within PPDU BW.). Currently, there are two methods for indicating the CSD (Common Resource Instance) used by a user for a specific spatial stream. One is explicit indication, which requires indicating the user's choice of one of several (e.g., eight) CSDs via bits in the trigger frame. The other is implicit indication, which does not require indication in the trigger frame but directly retrieves the corresponding CSD through the user's RU or MRU index, or through the order of the user information fields. Alternatively, a combination of both can be used, employing both explicit and implicit indications. When the RU indicated by the Resource Unit Allocation subfield and the Primary / Secondary 160MHz subfield in the trigger frame is a DRU, the trigger frame can implicitly indicate the CSD, for example, by directly retrieving the corresponding CSD through the user's RU or MRU index, or through the order of the user information fields; or, the trigger frame can explicitly indicate the CSD, i.e., include fields indicating the CSD.

[0146] To conserve limited frame types and subtypes, reuse previous trigger frame functionalities as much as possible, or simultaneously schedule multiple generations of users (e.g., sites supporting different Wi-Fi standards) to send PPDUs, one possible implementation is to further modify the 802.11bn trigger frame based on the 802.11ax and 802.11be trigger frames. In one possible implementation, relevant information is used to indicate which generation a specific user information field in the trigger frame belongs to. As an example, the common fields of the trigger frame contain an HE / EHT(+) P160 field indicator (e.g., B54), indicating whether the transmission within the primary 160MHz channel is high efficiency (HE) or EHT(+), where EHT stands for extremely high throughput. If present in the secondary 160MHz channel, it defaults to EHT(+) transmission. A special user information field is present to indicate its existence, implicitly indicating the presence of EHT(+) transmission. The physical layer version indicator in the special user information field is UHR, indicating that the EHT(+) transmission is a UHR transmission. The receiving end, considering the location of its scheduled RU or MRU (primary or secondary 160MHz), determines whether its user information field is UHR. Here, EHT(+) also indicates that it may be EHT or a later standard.

[0147] 303. In response to the trigger frame, the first device sends a first PPDU on its spatial stream.

[0148] The first PPDU sent by the first device can be triggered by a trigger frame. That is, the first device sends the first PPDU triggered by the trigger frame on its spatial stream. The first device can determine the MCS used on its different spatial streams when sending the first PPDU triggered by the trigger frame based on the first field and the second field in the trigger frame.

[0149] The first PPDU can be a UHR TB PPDU or an IMMW PPDU. The IMMW PPDU can support the IMMW standard or a PPDU supported by future WLAN standards. The IMMW PPDU may include: traditional short training sequence field, traditional long training sequence field, traditional signaling field, traditional signaling field repetition, general signaling field, integrated millimeter wave signaling (IMMW signaling field, IMMW-SIG) field (optional), integrated millimeter wave short training (IMMW short training field, IMMW-STF) field, integrated millimeter wave long training (IMMW long training field, IMMW-LTF) field, data field, and data packet extension (PE).

[0150] In this embodiment, when the first indication is used to indicate unbalanced modulation (i.e., when the trigger frame indicates that each spatial stream of the first device uses unbalanced modulation), the second indication is used to indicate the difference between the MCS used by each spatial stream of the first device transmitting the first PPDU and the first MCS; compared with directly indicating the MCS used by each spatial stream of the first device transmitting the first PPDU, bit overhead can be saved. Similarly, when the first index represented by the values ​​of m first bits is within the range of the first index, the first index is used to indicate the difference between the MCS used by each spatial stream of the first device transmitting the first PPDU and the first MCS; bit overhead can also be saved. This embodiment also designs to further expand the UEQMQAM difference mode by using more bits, making the mode supported by link adaptation more flexible, which helps to further improve throughput. In addition, the trigger frame can trigger the user to send PPDU for EQM transmission and also trigger the user to send PPDU for UEQM transmission.

[0151] Example 1: The trigger frame is used to trigger one or more devices (including the first device) to send PPDUs for EQM or UEQM transmission via the space stream supported by the RRU. The trigger frame is a further modification of the trigger frames based on the 802.11ax and 802.11be standards. Some possible designs of the trigger frame are described below.

[0152] One possible design for the trigger frame is as follows: The second field includes a first indication and a second indication. When the first indication is used to indicate equalization modulation, the second indication is used to indicate the start of the spatial stream. The second field also includes a third indication, which indicates the number of spatial streams. As an example, the bit values ​​included in the third indication represent the number of spatial streams. Figure 5A shows examples of two spatial stream allocations and the UEQM QAM difference mode field (i.e., the second field mentioned above). One corresponds to EQM, indicating that the spatial stream of the user (i.e., the first device) associated with the first user information field uses EQM, and the other corresponds to UEQM, indicating that the spatial stream of the user associated with the first user information field uses UEQM. As shown in Figure 5A, when EQM / UEQM flag = 0, i.e., the first indication is used to indicate equalized modulation, the second indication is used to indicate the starting spatial stream (i.e., the starting spatial stream in Figure 5A is the aforementioned second indication), and the third indication is used to indicate the number of spatial streams (i.e., the number of spatial streams in Figure 5A is the aforementioned third indication). When EQM / UEQM flag = 1, i.e., the first indication is used to indicate unbalanced modulation, the second indication is used to indicate a UEQM QAM difference mode (i.e., the UEQM QAM difference mode in Figure 5A is the aforementioned second indication). The second field contains one or more reserved bits, which correspond to the bits contained in the aforementioned third indication. When EQM / UEQM flag = 0, the trigger frame supports (or is applicable to) MU-MIMO and non-MU-MIMO, i.e., it supports users using MU-MIMO and non-MU-MIMO for uplink transmission. When EQM / UEQM flag = 1, the trigger frame only supports non-MU-MIMO. In one possible implementation, the first indication includes bit B29 of the first user information field, i.e., bit B29 of the first user information field is used for EQM / UEQM indication. The second indication includes bits B11, B20, B25, B26-B28, B30-B31 of the first user information field, or some or all of bits B5 of the user information based on the trigger frame type in the first user information field. The length and position of each field are not limited in this application. As an example, the second field is bits B26 to B31 of the first user information field contained in the trigger frame, the first indication includes bit B29 of the first user information field, the second indication includes bits B26 to B28 of the first user information field, and the third indication includes bits B30 to B31 of the first user information field. In the 802.11be standard, bit B29 of the user information field is a 4-bit MSB indicating the start of the spatial stream. Since the 802.11be standard only introduces streams 1-8, the highest bit is always 0. Therefore, in the new generation standard, this bit can be set to 1 to introduce a new feature for indicating UEQM; and set to 0 to indicate EQM. This indication logic is more compatible with the logic of previous standards.Of course, in actual design, it can also be reversed. Since the user already knows that the user information field is a UHR user information field, the meaning of the specific field can be redesigned. It is only necessary to ensure that the length of the user information field is the same in each version, ensuring that users of each generation can correctly parse the user information list. Figure 5B is an example of another trigger frame format provided by an embodiment of this application. The meaning of each field in Figure 5B can be found in relevant standards and will not be described here. The format of the spatial flow allocation and UEQM QAM difference mode fields in the trigger frame shown in Figure 5B is shown in Figure 5A.

[0153] Another possible design for the trigger frame is as follows: The second field includes a first indicator and a second indicator, and also includes a fourth indicator. The fourth indicator is used to indicate the initial spatial stream. When the first indicator is used to indicate equalization modulation, the second indicator is used to indicate the number of spatial streams. Figure 6 shows examples of two spatial stream allocations and UEQM QAM difference mode fields. One corresponds to EQM, indicating that the spatial stream of the user (i.e., the first device) associated with the first user information field uses EQM. The other corresponds to UEQM, indicating that the spatial stream of the user associated with the first user information field uses UEQM. As shown in Figure 6, when EQM / UEQM flag = 0, the second indicator is used to indicate the number of spatial streams, that is, the number of spatial streams in Figure 6 is the aforementioned second indicator, and the fourth indicator is used to indicate the initial spatial stream, that is, the initial spatial stream in Figure 6 is the aforementioned fourth indicator; when EQM / UEQM flag = 1, the second indicator is used to indicate a UEQM QAM difference mode, that is, the UEQM QAM difference mode in Figure 6 is the aforementioned second indicator, and the fourth indicator is used to indicate the initial spatial stream. Figure 6 shows the spatial stream allocation and UEQM QAM difference mode fields, which support MU-MIMO and non-MU-MIMO, meaning users can transmit PPDUs via both MU-MIMO and non-MU-MIMO. In one possible implementation, the first indication includes bits B29 of the first user information field, and the second indication includes bits B11, B20, B25, B30-B31 of the first user information field, or some or all of bits B5 in the user information based on the trigger frame type within the first user information field. As an example, the second field consists of bits B26 to B31 of the first user information field contained in the trigger frame, the first indication includes bits B29 of the first user information field, the second indication includes bits B30 to B31 of the first user information field, and the fourth indication includes bits B26 to B28 of the first user information field. Figure 7 shows an example of another trigger frame format provided by an embodiment of this application. The meanings of the fields in Figure 7 can be found in relevant standards and will not be described here. The trigger frame shown in Figure 7 differs from the trigger frame shown in Figure 5B in that the spatial flow allocation and the format of the UEQM QAM difference mode field corresponding to UEQM are different.

[0154] Another possible design for the trigger frame is as follows: The second field includes a first indicator and a second indicator. When the first indicator is used to indicate equalization modulation, the second indicator is used to indicate the number of spatial streams. Figure 8 shows examples of two spatial stream allocation and UEQM QAM difference mode fields. One corresponds to EQM, indicating that the spatial stream of the user (i.e., the first device) associated with the first user information field uses EQM, and the other corresponds to UEQM, indicating that the spatial stream of the user associated with the first user information field uses UEQM. As shown in Figure 8, when EQM / UEQM flag = 0, the second indicator is used to indicate the number of spatial streams, that is, the number of spatial streams in Figure 8 is the aforementioned second indicator; when EQM / UEQM flag = 1, the second indicator is used to indicate a UEQM QAM difference mode, that is, the UEQM QAM difference mode in Figure 8 is the aforementioned second indicator. The spatial stream allocation and UEQM QAM difference mode fields shown in Figure 8 only support non-MU-MIMO. In one possible implementation, the first indication includes bits B29 of the first user information field, and the second indication includes bits B11, B20, B25, B26-B28, B30-B31 of the first user information field, or some or all of bits B5 of the user information based on the trigger frame type in the first user information field. As an example, the second field is bits B26 to B31 of the first user information field included in the trigger frame, the first indication includes bits B29 of the first user information field, and the second indication includes bits B26 to B28 of the first user information field. The bits included in the second indication can be extended from bits B11, B20, B25, B26-B28, B30-B31 of the first user information field, or B5 of the user information based on the trigger frame type in the first user information field. Figure 9 shows an example of another trigger frame format provided by an embodiment of this application. The meaning of each field in Figure 9 can be found in relevant standards and will not be described here. The trigger frame shown in Figure 9 differs from the trigger frame shown in Figure 5B in the format of the spatial stream allocation and the UEQM QAM difference mode field.

[0155] Another possible design for the trigger frame is as follows: The second field contains m first bits and n second bits, where m is an integer greater than 1 and n is an integer greater than 0. When the first index represented by the m first bits is within the first index range, the first index is used to indicate the difference between the MCS used by each spatial stream of the first PPDU and the first MCS, and the n second bits are reserved bits. When the second index represented by the m first bits is within the second index range, the second index is used to indicate the starting spatial stream used by the first device to send the first PPDU, and the n second bits represent the number of spatial streams. The first index range and the second index range are different. When the first index represented by the m first bits is within the first index range, the spatial stream allocation and UEQM QAM difference mode field corresponds to UEQM; when the second index represented by the m first bits is within the first index range, the spatial stream allocation and UEQM QAM difference mode field corresponds to EQM. Figure 10 shows examples of the two spatial stream allocation and UEQM QAM difference mode fields. As shown in Figure 10, when the spatial stream allocation and UEQM QAM difference mode field correspond to EQM, m first bits are used to indicate the starting spatial stream, and n second bits are used to indicate the number of spatial streams; when the spatial stream allocation and UEQM QAM difference mode field correspond to UEQM, m first bits are used to indicate a UEQM QAM difference mode, and n second bits are reserved bits. In one possible implementation, the m first bits include bits B11, B20, B25, B26-B29, B30-B31 of the first user information field, or some or all of bits B5 in the user information based on the trigger frame type of the first user information field. As an example, the m first bits are bits B26 to B29 of the first user information field contained in the trigger frame, and the n second bits are bits B30 to B31 of the first user information field. The m first bits can be extended through B11, B20, B25, B26-B28, B30-B31 of the first user information field, or B5 of the user information based on the trigger frame type in the first user information field. Figure 11 is an example of another trigger frame format provided by an embodiment of this application. The meaning of each field in Figure 11 can be found in relevant standards and will not be described here. The format of the spatial stream allocation and UEQM QAM difference mode fields in the trigger frame shown in Figure 11 is shown in Figure 10.

[0156] Another possible design for the trigger frame is as follows: The second field contains m first bits and a fourth indicator, where m is an integer greater than 1; the fourth indicator is used to indicate the starting spatial stream; when the values ​​of the m first bits represent a first index within the first index range, the first index is used to indicate the difference between the MCS used by the first device to send the first PPDU and the first MCS, and the number of spatial streams (optional); when the values ​​of the m first bits represent a second index within the second index range, the second index is used to indicate the number of spatial streams used by the first device to send the first PPDU. The first index range and the second index range are different. Figure 12 shows examples of two spatial stream allocations and the UEQM QAM difference mode field. As shown in Figure 12, when the spatial stream allocation and UEQM QAM difference mode field correspond to EQM, m first bits are used to indicate the number of spatial streams, and the fourth indication is used to indicate the starting spatial stream, i.e., the starting spatial stream in Figure 12 is the aforementioned fourth indication; when the spatial stream allocation and UEQM QAM difference mode field correspond to UEQM, m first bits are used to indicate a UEQM QAM difference mode, and the fourth indication is used to indicate the starting spatial stream, i.e., the starting spatial stream in Figure 12 is the aforementioned fourth indication. In one possible implementation, the m first bits include bits B11, B20, B25, B29-B31 of the first user information field, or some or all of bits B5 in the user information based on the trigger frame type in the first user information field. As an example, the m first bits are bits B29 to B31 of the first user information field included in the trigger frame, and the bits included in the fourth indication are bits B26 to B28 of the first user information field. Figure 13 is an example of another trigger frame format provided by an embodiment of this application. The meaning of each field in Figure 13 can be found in relevant standards and will not be described here. Figure 13 shows the spatial stream allocation in the trigger frame, and Figure 12 shows the format of the UEQM QAM difference mode field.

[0157] Another possible design for the trigger frame is as follows: The second field contains m first bits, where m is an integer greater than 1; when the values ​​of the m first bits represent a first index within the first index range, the first index is used to indicate the difference between the MCS used by each spatial stream of the first device to send the first PPDU and the first MCS, and the number of spatial streams (optional); when the values ​​of the m first bits represent a second index within the second index range, the second index is used to indicate the number of spatial streams used by the first device to send the first PPDU. Figure 14 shows examples of two spatial stream allocation and UEQM QAM difference mode fields. As shown in Figure 14, when the spatial stream allocation and UEQM QAM difference mode field corresponds to EQM, the m first bits are used to indicate the number of spatial streams; when the spatial stream allocation and UEQM QAM difference mode field corresponds to UEQM, the m first bits are used to indicate a UEQM QAM difference mode. In one possible implementation, the m first bits include bits B11, B20, B25, B26-B31 of the first user information field, or some or all of bits B5 in the user information based on the trigger frame type within the first user information field. As an example, the m first bits are bits B26 to B29 of the first user information field included in the trigger frame. Figure 15 shows an example of another trigger frame format provided by an embodiment of this application. The m first bits can be extended using bits B11, B20, B25, B26-B28, B30-B31 of the first user information field, or B5 in the user information based on the trigger frame type within the first user information field. The meaning of each field in Figure 15 can be found in relevant standards and will not be described here. The format of the spatial flow allocation and UEQM QAM difference mode fields in the trigger frame shown in Figure 15 is shown in Figure 14.

[0158] Example 1 designs a trigger frame to trigger one or more devices (including a first device) to send PPDUs for EQM or UEQM transmission via RRU-supported spatial streams. Furthermore, it designs an extension of the UEQMQAM differential mode using more bits, making the link adaptive mode support more flexible and contributing to further improved throughput.

[0159] Example 2: The trigger frame is used by one or more devices (including the first device) to send PPDUs for EQM or UEQM transmission via a space stream supported by a DRU or RRU. The trigger frame is a further modification of the trigger frames based on the 802.11ax and 802.11be standards. Some possible designs of the trigger frame are described below.

[0160] One possible design for the trigger frame is as follows: The trigger frame includes a first field, a second field, and a third field. The third field indicates that the resource unit allocated to the first device is a DRU. The second field includes a first indication, a second indication, and a fifth indication. The fifth indication indicates the CSD required for each spatial stream of the first device transmitting the first PPDU. When the first indication is used to indicate equalization modulation, the second indication is used to indicate the number of spatial streams. As an example, the fifth indication is used to indicate the CSD required for one spatial stream within a DRU corresponding to the UHR-STF, or the initial CSD required for multiple streams.

[0161] The third field can be named RRU / DRU and DRU Discrete Bandwidth Indicator, or any other name, which is not limited in this application. The RRU / DRU and DRU Discrete Bandwidth Indicator field in the following text refers to the third field. The third field can include N subfields, each subfield indicating whether the RU type on some or all subchannels in the entire bandwidth is DRU or RRU. N is an integer greater than 0. The third field can be included in the common information field of the trigger frame. As an example, the bits included in the third field are B56-B63 of the common information field in the trigger frame. The following description uses N as an example of 4. Figure 16 shows an example of the RRU / DRU and DRU Discrete Bandwidth Indicator field provided in an embodiment of this application. As shown in Figure 16, the RRU / DRU and DRU Discrete Bandwidth Indicator field includes: RRU / DRU and DRU Discrete Bandwidth Indicator 1, RRU / DRU and DRU Discrete Bandwidth Indicator 2, RRU / DRU and DRU Discrete Bandwidth Indicator 3, and RRU / DRU and DRU Discrete Bandwidth Indicator 4. Different RRU / DRU and DRU Discrete Bandwidth Indicators correspond to different subchannels. As an example, with a total bandwidth of 320MHz, the fifth indicator contains four subfields, each corresponding to an 80MHz subchannel, used to indicate whether the RU corresponding to that subchannel is a DRU or an RRU. When the PPDU bandwidth is less than 320MHz (e.g., 160MHz), only the necessary fields (e.g., two) may exist, or four fields may still exist, exceeding the required number (e.g., the third and fourth are reserved); the granularity of the subchannels can also be reduced, for example, each field corresponding to a 40MHz subchannel. Furthermore, if it is a DRU, the DBW of that DRU can also be indicated. For example, the indication of each of the four subfields mentioned above is shown in Table 9 below.

[0162] Table 9

[0163] Table 9 also indicates whether the RU within an 80MHz subchannel is a DRU or an RRU, and if it is a DRU, the discrete bandwidth or combination of discrete bandwidths within each 80MHz subchannel. Furthermore, based on the resource unit allocation subfield and the primary / secondary 160MHz subfield in the user information field of the trigger frame, a user can obtain the index of the RU or MRU assigned to them. Combining this with the position of the subchannel corresponding to their RU or MRU index within the entire bandwidth, the user can determine whether their assigned RU is a DRU or an RRU, and the discrete bandwidth of the DRU. For example, if User 1 learns that their assigned RU or MRU is located in the 5th 20MHz sub-channel (e.g., the entire bandwidth is divided into the first 20MHz sub-channel to the 16th 20MHz sub-channel), and through the RRU / DRU and DRU discrete bandwidth indication (i.e., the third field mentioned above), they learn that the corresponding RRU / DRU and DRU discrete bandwidth indication value in the second 80MHz sub-channel (i.e., the 5th to the 8th 20MHz sub-channel) is 3, then they know that their assigned RU or MRU is a DRU, and the discrete bandwidth is 40MHz. Users (e.g., the first device) can also learn whether they are assigned a DRU or an RRU through other means, such as an indication in the user information list field indicating whether the user's assigned RU is a DRU or an RRU.

[0164] Figure 17 illustrates examples of two spatial stream allocation methods and the UEQM QAM difference mode field. As shown in Figure 17, when EQM / UEQM flag = 0, the second indicator is used to indicate the number of spatial streams, i.e., the number of spatial streams in Figure 17 is the aforementioned second indicator, and the fifth indicator is used to indicate CSD (for UHR-SFT), i.e., the CSD in Figure 17 is the aforementioned fifth indicator; when EQM / UEQM flag = 1, the second indicator is used to indicate a UEQM QAM difference mode (i.e., reduced UEQM QAM difference mode), i.e., the reduced UEQM QAM difference mode in Figure 17 is the aforementioned second indicator, and the fifth indicator is used to indicate CSD. The spatial stream allocation and UEQM QAM difference mode fields shown in Figure 17 only support non-MU-MIMO. In one possible implementation, the first indicator includes bits B29 of the first user information field, and the second indicator includes bits B11, B20, B25, B30-B31 of the first user information field, or some or all of the bits in B5 of the user information based on the trigger frame type in the first user information field. As an example, the second field consists of bits B26 to B31 of the first user information field included in the trigger frame, the second indication contains bits B30 or B30-B31 of the first user information field, and the fifth indication contains bits B26 to B28 of the first user information field. Figure 18 is an example of the format of the trigger frame provided in an embodiment of this application. The meaning of each field in Figure 18 can be found in relevant standards and will not be described here. The format of the spatial flow allocation and UEQM QAM difference mode fields in the trigger frame shown in Figure 18 is shown in Figure 17.

[0165] Another possible design for the trigger frame is as follows: The trigger frame includes a first field, a second field, and a third field. The third field indicates that the resource unit allocated to the first device is a DRU. The second field includes a first indication and a second indication. When the first indication is used to indicate equalized modulation, the second indication is used to indicate the starting spatial stream. The second field also includes a third indication, which indicates the number of spatial streams. When the first indication is used to indicate unbalanced modulation, the second indication indicates the difference between the MCS used by each spatial stream of the first device transmitting the first PPDU and the first MCS, and the number of spatial streams (optional). As shown in Figure 5A, when EQM / UEQM flag = 0, the second indication is used to indicate the starting spatial stream, i.e., the starting spatial stream in Figure 5A is the aforementioned second indication, and the third indication is used to indicate the number of spatial streams, i.e., the number of spatial streams in Figure 5A is the aforementioned third indication. When EQM / UEQM flag = 1, the second indication is used to indicate a UEQM QAM difference mode, i.e., the UEQM QAM difference mode in Figure 5A is the aforementioned second indication, and the bits included in the third indication are reserved bits. In one possible implementation, the first indication includes bits B29 of the first user information field, and the second indication includes bits B11, B20, B25, B26-B28 of the first user information field, or some or all of bits B5 of the user information based on the trigger frame type in the first user information field. As an example, the second field is bits B26 to B31 of the first user information field included in the trigger frame, the second indication includes bits B26-B28 of the first user information field, and the third indication includes bits B30-B31 of the first user information field.

[0166] In this design, the trigger frame does not need to explicitly indicate the CSD. The DRU can use a similar scheme as the RRU for indication, achieving uniformity between DRU and RRU indications. Figures 19A, 19B, and 19C are examples of the trigger frame format provided in this application embodiment. The meaning of each field in Figures 19A, 19B, and 19C can be found in relevant standards and will not be described here. The format of the spatial flow allocation and UEQM QAM difference mode fields in the trigger frame shown in Figure 19A is shown in Figure 5A. The format of the spatial flow allocation and UEQM QAM difference mode fields in the trigger frame shown in Figure 19B is shown in Figure 6. The format of the spatial flow allocation and UEQM QAM difference mode fields in the trigger frame shown in Figure 19C is shown in Figure 8. It should be noted that the format of the spatial flow allocation and UEQM QAM difference mode fields in the trigger frame shown in Figure 19A can be replaced with the formats shown in Figures 10, 12, or 14. If we assume that the DRU does not need to support ULMU-MIMO, then B30-B31 can be reserved bits. If it still needs to support ULMU-MIMO, then the same method as the RRU can be used, which will not be elaborated here.

[0167] One possible design for the trigger frame is as follows: The trigger frame includes a first field, a second field, and a third field. The third field indicates that the resource unit allocated to the first device is a DRU. The second field includes m first bits and a fifth indication. The fifth indication indicates the CSD required for each spatial stream of the first device to transmit the first PPDU. When the first index represented by the values ​​of the m first bits is within the range of the first index, the first index is used to indicate the difference between the MCS used by each spatial stream of the first device to transmit the first PPDU and the first MCS, as well as the number of spatial streams (optional). When the second index represented by the values ​​of the m first bits is within the range of the second index, the second index is used to indicate the number of spatial streams. Figure 20 is an example of another trigger frame format provided in an embodiment of this application. As shown in Figure 20, when the spatial stream allocation and UEQM QAM difference mode field correspond to EQM, the m first bits (i.e., B29-B30) are used to indicate the number of spatial streams, and the fifth indication is used to indicate CSD; when the spatial stream allocation and UEQM QAM difference mode field correspond to UEQM, the m first bits are used to indicate a UEQM QAM difference mode, and the fifth indication is used to indicate CSD. In one possible implementation, the m first bits include bits B11, B20, B25, and B29-B31 of the first user information field, or some or all of bits B5 in the user information based on the trigger frame type in the first user information field. As an example, the m first bits are bits B29-B30 or B29-B31 of the first user information field contained in the trigger frame, and the bits included in the fifth indication are bits B26-B28 of the first user information field. The meaning of each field in Figure 20 can be found in the relevant standards and will not be described here.

[0168] Another possible design for the trigger frame is as follows: B11, B20, B25 in the first user information field of the trigger frame, or B5 in the user information based on the trigger frame type in the first user information field, indicates whether the user (e.g., the first device) is assigned a DRU or an RRU. The trigger frame includes the aforementioned first and second fields, and the format of the second field can be the same as any of the aforementioned second field formats, such as the second field shown in Figures 5A, 6, or 8. As an example, when B11, B20, B25 in the first user information field, or B5 in the user information based on the trigger frame type in the first user information field, is 0, it indicates that the user is assigned an RRU; when B11, B20, B25, or B5 in the user information based on the trigger frame type in the first user information field, is 1, it indicates that the user is assigned a DRU.

[0169] In Example 2, signaling design was implemented for the DRU scenario, addressing both cases where a CSD indication is required and cases where it is not. When the trigger frame requires a CSD indication, it consumes more bits, necessitating design to allow for more UEQM QAM differential modes. When the trigger frame does not require a CSD indication, the design for both DRU and RRU is unified, simplifying signaling parsing.

[0170] Example 3: The trigger frame is used by one or more devices (including the first device) to transmit PPDUs for EQM or UEQM transmission via a space stream supported by a DRU or RRU. Example 3 employs a new control frame type to design a new trigger frame, or uses a new trigger frame type (one of 9-15) within the trigger frame and further introduces trigger frame subtypes to further identify the type of the newly designed trigger frame. In other words, Example 3 redesigns the trigger frame for 802.11bn, thus eliminating the restriction that the number of bits in the user information field must be the same as the previous generation. This allows the length of the user information field (excluding the user information field based on the trigger frame type) to exceed 40 bits, directly carrying more bits. Some possible designs for the trigger frame are described below.

[0171] One possible design for the trigger frame is as follows: The trigger frame includes a first field, a second field, and a third field. The third field indicates that the resource unit allocated to the first device is a DRU. The second field includes a first indication, a second indication, a fifth indication (optional), and a sixth indication. The fifth indication indicates the CSD required for each spatial stream of the first device to transmit the first PPDU, and the sixth indication indicates the starting spatial stream. When the first indication is used to indicate equalized modulation, the second indication indicates the number of spatial streams. When the first indication is used to indicate unequalized modulation, the second indication indicates the difference between the MCS used by each spatial stream of the first device to transmit the first PPDU and the first MCS, as well as the number of spatial streams (optional). Figure 21 is an example of another trigger frame format provided in an embodiment of this application. As shown in Figure 21, when EQM / UEQM flag = 0, the second indicator is used to indicate the number of spatial streams, i.e., the number of spatial streams in Figure 21 is the second indicator mentioned above; the fifth indicator is used to indicate the CSD, i.e., the CSD in Figure 21 is the fifth indicator mentioned above; and the sixth indicator is used to indicate the starting spatial stream, i.e., the starting spatial stream in Figure 21 is the sixth indicator mentioned above. When EQM / UEQM flag = 1, the second indicator is used to indicate a UEQM QAM difference mode, i.e., the UEQM QAM difference mode in Figure 21 is the second indicator mentioned above; the fifth indicator is used to indicate the CSD; and the sixth indicator is used to indicate the starting spatial stream. The spatial stream allocation and UEQM QAM difference mode fields shown in Figure 21 support both non-MU-MIMO and MU-MIMO. The position and length of each field in the spatial stream allocation and UEQM QAM difference mode fields in Figure 21 are not limited. In this application, Bn+ of a certain field represents the (n+1+h)th bit of that field, where h is an integer greater than 0. The value of h is not fixed, i.e., h can be any integer greater than 0. Taking the spatial flow allocation and UEQM QAM difference mode field in Figure 21 as an example, the bits contained in this field are B26-B31+ of the user information 2 (i.e., the first user information field) field, and this field contains 7 or more bits.

[0172] Another possible design for the trigger frame is as follows: The trigger frame includes a first field, a second field, and a third field. The third field indicates that the resource unit allocated to the first device is a DRU. The second field includes a first indication, a second indication, and a fifth indication (optional). The fifth indication indicates the CSD required for each spatial stream of the first device to transmit the first PPDU. When the first indication is used to indicate equalized modulation, the second indication indicates the number of spatial streams. When the first indication is used to indicate unbalanced modulation, the second indication indicates the difference between the MCS used by each spatial stream of the first device to transmit the first PPDU and the first MCS, as well as the number of spatial streams (optional). Figure 22 is an example of another trigger frame format provided in an embodiment of this application. As shown in Figure 22, when EQM / UEQM flag = 0, the second indicator is used to indicate the number of spatial flows (i.e., the number of spatial flows in Figure 22 is the aforementioned second indicator), and the fifth indicator is used to indicate the CSD (i.e., the CSD in Figure 22 is the aforementioned fifth indicator). When EQM / UEQM flag = 1, the second indicator is used to indicate a UEQM QAM difference mode (i.e., the UEQM QAM difference mode in Figure 22 is the aforementioned second indicator), and the fifth indicator is used to indicate the CSD. The spatial flow allocation and UEQM QAM difference mode fields shown in Figure 22 only support non-MU-MIMO. The position and length of each field in the spatial flow allocation and UEQM QAM difference mode fields in Figure 22 are not limited.

[0173] Another possible design for the trigger frame is as follows: The trigger frame includes a first field, a second field, and a third field. The third field indicates that the resource unit allocated to the first device is a DRU. The second field includes m first bits, a fifth indication (optional), and a sixth indication. The fifth indication indicates the CSD required for each spatial stream of the first device to send the first PPDU, and the sixth indication indicates the starting spatial stream. When the first index represented by the values ​​of the m first bits is within the first index range, the first index is used to indicate the difference between the MCS used by each spatial stream of the first device to send the first PPDU and the first MCS, as well as the number of spatial streams (optional). When the second index represented by the values ​​of the m first bits is within the second index range, the second index is used to indicate the number of spatial streams. Figure 23 is an example of another trigger frame format provided in an embodiment of this application. As shown in Figure 23, when the spatial stream allocation and UEQM QAM difference mode field corresponds to EQM, the m first bits are used to indicate the number of spatial streams, the fifth indicator is used to indicate the CSD (i.e., the CSD in Figure 23 is the aforementioned fifth indicator), and the sixth indicator is used to indicate the starting spatial stream (i.e., the starting spatial stream in Figure 23 is the aforementioned sixth indicator). When the spatial stream allocation and UEQM QAM difference mode field corresponds to UEQM, the m first bits are used to indicate a UEQM QAM difference mode, the fifth indicator is used to indicate the CSD, and the sixth indicator is used to indicate the starting spatial stream. The spatial stream allocation and UEQM QAM difference mode field shown in Figure 23 supports both non-MU-MIMO and MU-MIMO. The position and length of each field in the spatial stream allocation and UEQM QAM difference mode field in Figure 23 are not limited.

[0174] Another possible design for the trigger frame is as follows: The trigger frame includes a first field, a second field, and a third field. The third field indicates that the resource unit allocated to the first device is a DRU. The second field includes m first bits and a fifth indication (optional). The fifth indication indicates the CSD required for each spatial stream of the first device to send the first PPDU. When the first index represented by the values ​​of the m first bits is within the first index range, the first index is used to indicate the difference between the MCS used by each spatial stream of the first device to send the first PPDU and the first MCS, as well as the number of spatial streams (optional). When the second index represented by the values ​​of the m first bits is within the second index range, the second index is used to indicate the number of spatial streams. Figure 24 is an example of another trigger frame format provided in the embodiments of this application. As shown in Figure 24, when the spatial stream allocation and UEQM QAM difference mode field corresponds to EQM, the m first bits are used to indicate the number of spatial streams, and the fifth indicator is used to indicate the CSD; that is, the CSD in Figure 24 is the aforementioned fifth indicator. When the spatial stream allocation and UEQM QAM difference mode field corresponds to UEQM, the m first bits are used to indicate a UEQM QAM difference mode, and the fifth indicator is used to indicate the CSD. The spatial stream allocation and UEQM QAM difference mode field shown in Figure 24 only supports non-MU-MIMO. The position and length of each field in the spatial stream allocation and UEQM QAM difference mode field in Figure 24 are not limited.

[0175] Example 3 redesigned the trigger frame, breaking through the limitation of the length of the user information field, and reserved bits for future standard generation expansion.

[0176] It should be understood that, in the various embodiments of this application, unless otherwise specified or in case of logical conflict, the terms and / or descriptions of different embodiments are consistent and can be referenced by each other, and the technical features of different embodiments can be combined to form new embodiments according to their inherent logical relationships.

[0177] It should also be understood that in some embodiments, the examples are mainly based on devices in existing network architectures, and it should be understood that the specific form of the device is not limited in the embodiments of this application. For example, any device that can achieve the same function in the future is applicable to the embodiments of this application.

[0178] It is understood that, in the various method embodiments, the methods and operations implemented by the device (such as the first device, the second device) can also be implemented by components (such as chips or circuits) that can be used in the device.

[0179] It is also understood that some optional features in the various embodiments of this application may not depend on other features in some scenarios, or may be combined with other features in some scenarios, without limitation.

[0180] Those skilled in the art will recognize that, based on the units and algorithm steps described in conjunction with the embodiments disclosed herein, this application can be implemented in hardware or a combination of hardware and computer software. Whether a function is implemented in hardware or by computer software driving hardware depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution. Those skilled in the art can use different methods to implement the described functions for each specific application, but such implementation should not be considered beyond the scope of this application.

[0181] The communication device provided in the embodiments of this application will be described in detail below with reference to Figures 25 to 27. It should be understood that the description of the device embodiments corresponds to the description of the method embodiments. Therefore, for content not described in detail, please refer to the method embodiments above. For the sake of brevity, some content will not be repeated.

[0182] This application embodiment can divide the transmitting end device (i.e., the second device) or the receiving end device (i.e., the first device) into functional modules according to the method example. 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 module can be implemented in hardware or as a software functional module. It should be noted that the module division in this application embodiment is illustrative and only represents one logical functional division. In actual implementation, there may be other division methods. The following description uses the division of functional modules according to each function as an example.

[0183] Figure 25 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device 2500 provided in an embodiment of this application. The communication device 2500 can correspondingly implement the functions or steps implemented by the second device in the above-described method embodiments, and can also correspondingly implement the functions or steps implemented by the first device in the above-described method embodiments. The communication device may include a processing module 2510 and a transceiver module 2520. Optionally, it may also include a storage unit, which can be used to store instructions (code or program) and / or data. The processing module 2510 and the transceiver module 2520 can be coupled to the storage unit. For example, the processing module 2510 can read the instructions (code or program) and / or data in the storage unit to implement the corresponding method. The above modules can be set independently, or partially or completely integrated. For example, the transceiver module 2520 may include a sending module and a receiving module. The sending module can be a transmitter, and the receiving module can be a receiver. The entity corresponding to the transceiver module 2520 can be a transceiver or a communication interface.

[0184] In some possible implementations, the communication device 2500 can correspondingly implement the behavior and functions of the second device in the above method embodiments. For example, the communication device 2500 can be the second device or a component (e.g., a chip or circuit) applied in the second device. The transceiver module 2520 can be used, for example, to perform all the receive or transmit operations performed by the second device in the embodiment of FIG. 3, such as step 302 in the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, and / or to support other processes for the technology described herein. The processing module 2510 is used to perform all operations performed by the second device in the embodiment of FIG. 3 other than the receive and transmit operations, such as step 301 in the embodiment shown in FIG. 3.

[0185] In some possible implementations, the communication device 2500 can correspondingly implement the behavior and functions of the first device in the above method embodiments. For example, the communication device 2500 can be the first device or a component (e.g., a chip or circuit) applied in the first device. The transceiver module 2520 can be used, for example, to perform all the receive or transmit operations performed by the first device in the embodiment of FIG3, such as step 302 in the embodiment shown in FIG3, and / or other processes to support the technology described herein. The processing module 2510 is used to perform all operations performed by the first device other than the receive and transmit operations, such as step 303 in the embodiment shown in FIG3.

[0186] Figure 26 is a schematic diagram of another communication device 260 provided in an embodiment of this application. The communication device in Figure 26 can be either the second device or the first device described above.

[0187] As shown in Figure 26, the communication device 260 includes at least one processor 2610 and a transceiver 2620.

[0188] In some embodiments of this application, the processor 2610 and transceiver 2620 can be used to perform functions or operations performed by the second device. For example, the transceiver 2620 performs all the receive or transmit operations performed by the second device in the embodiment of FIG. 3. The processor 2610 is used, for example, to perform all operations performed by the second device in the embodiment of FIG. 3 other than the receive / transmit operations.

[0189] In some embodiments of this application, the processor 2610 and transceiver 2620 can be used to perform functions or operations performed by the first device. For example, the transceiver 2620 performs all the receive or transmit operations performed by the first device in the embodiment of FIG. 3. The processor 2610 is used to perform all operations performed by the first device other than the receive / transmit operations.

[0190] Transceiver 2620 is used to communicate with other devices / appliances via a transmission medium. Processor 2610 uses transceiver 2620 to send and receive data and / or signaling, and to implement the methods in the above-described method embodiments. Processor 2610 can implement the functions of processing module 2510, and transceiver 2620 can implement the functions of transceiver module 2520.

[0191] Optionally, the transceiver 2620 may include radio frequency (RF) circuitry and an antenna. The RF circuitry is primarily used for converting baseband signals to RF signals and processing RF signals. The antenna is primarily used for transmitting and receiving RF 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.

[0192] Optionally, the communication device 260 may further include at least one memory 2630 for storing program instructions and / or data. The memory 2630 is coupled to the processor 2610. The coupling in this embodiment is an indirect coupling or communication connection between devices, units, or modules, and can be electrical, mechanical, or other forms, for information exchange between devices, units, or modules. The processor 2610 may operate in conjunction with the memory 2630. The processor 2610 may execute program instructions stored in the memory 2630. At least one of the at least one memory may be included in the processor.

[0193] When the communication device 260 is powered on, the processor 2610 can read the software program in the memory 2630, 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 2610 performs baseband processing on the data to be transmitted and outputs the baseband signal to the radio frequency (RF) circuit. The RF circuit then performs RF processing on 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 2610. The processor 2610 converts the baseband signal into data and processes the data.

[0194] In another implementation, the aforementioned radio frequency circuits and antennas can be set up independently of the processor that performs baseband processing. For example, in a distributed scenario, the radio frequency circuits and antennas can be arranged in a remote manner, independent of the communication device.

[0195] This embodiment does not limit the specific connection medium between the transceiver 2620, processor 2610, and memory 2630. In Figure 26, the memory 2630, processor 2610, and transceiver 2620 are connected via a bus 2640, indicated by a thick line. The connection methods between other components are merely illustrative and not intended to be limiting. This bus can be an address bus, data bus, control bus, etc. For ease of illustration, only one thick line is used in Figure 26, but this does not indicate that there is only one bus or one type of bus.

[0196] In this application, processor systems, application processors, baseband processors, processor circuits, or processor cores can all be collectively referred to as processors. In the embodiments of this application, the processor can 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, or discrete hardware components, capable of implementing or executing the methods, steps, and logic block diagrams disclosed in the embodiments of this application. A general-purpose processor can be a microprocessor or any conventional processor, etc. The steps of the methods disclosed in the embodiments of this application can be directly manifested as being executed by a hardware processor, or executed by a combination of hardware and software modules within the processor.

[0197] 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.

[0198] Figure 27 is a schematic diagram of another communication device 270 provided in an embodiment of this application. As shown in Figure 27, the communication device includes a logic circuit 2701 and an interface 2702. The processing module 2510 in Figure 25 can be implemented using the logic circuit 2701, and the transceiver module 2520 in Figure 25 can be implemented using the interface 2702. The logic circuit 2701 can be a chip, processing circuit, integrated circuit, or system-on-chip (SoC) chip, etc., and the interface 2702 can be a communication interface, input / output interface, etc. 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.

[0199] In some embodiments of this application, the logic circuit and interface can be used to perform the functions or operations performed by the second device described above.

[0200] In some embodiments of this application, the logic circuit and interface can be used to perform the functions or operations performed by the first device described above.

[0201] This application also provides a computer-readable storage medium storing a computer program or instructions that, when run on a computer, cause the computer to perform the methods of the above embodiments.

[0202] This application also provides a computer program product, which includes instructions or a computer program that, when run on a computer, causes the methods in the above embodiments to be executed.

[0203] This application also provides a communication system, including the first device and the second device described above.

[0204] The explanations and beneficial effects of the relevant contents in any of the devices provided above can be found in the corresponding method embodiments provided above, and will not be repeated here.

[0205] Those skilled in the art will understand that embodiments of this application can be provided as methods, systems, or computer program products. Therefore, this application can take the form of a completely hardware embodiment, a completely software embodiment, or an embodiment combining software and hardware aspects. Furthermore, this application can take the form of a computer program product embodied on one or more computer-usable storage media (including, but not limited to, disk storage, optical storage, etc.) containing computer-usable program code.

[0206] This application is described with reference to flowchart illustrations and / or block diagrams of methods, apparatus (systems), and computer program products according to this application. It should be understood that each block of the flowchart illustrations and / or block diagrams, and combinations of blocks in the flowchart illustrations and / or block diagrams, can be implemented by computer program instructions. These computer program instructions can be provided to a processor of a general-purpose computer, special-purpose computer, embedded processor, or other programmable data processing apparatus to produce a machine, such that the instructions, which execute via the processor of the computer or other programmable data processing apparatus, create means for implementing the functions specified in one or more blocks of the flowchart illustrations and / or one or more blocks of the block diagrams.

[0207] These computer program instructions may also be stored in a computer-readable storage medium that can direct a computer or other programmable data processing device to function in a particular manner, such that the instructions stored in the computer-readable storage medium produce an article of manufacture including instruction means that implement the functions specified in one or more flowcharts and / or one or more block diagrams.

[0208] These computer program instructions may also be loaded onto a computer or other programmable data processing apparatus to cause a series of operational steps to be performed on the computer or other programmable apparatus to produce a computer-implemented process, such that the instructions, which execute on the computer or other programmable apparatus, provide steps for implementing the functions specified in one or more flowcharts and / or one or more block diagrams.

[0209] Obviously, those skilled in the art can make various modifications and variations to this application without departing from the scope of this application. Therefore, if such modifications and variations fall within the scope of the claims of this application and their equivalents, this application also intends to include such modifications and variations.

Claims

1. A modulation coding strategy indication method, characterized in that, include: A trigger frame is generated, which is used to trigger the first device to send a first physical layer protocol data unit (PPDU). The trigger frame includes a first field and a second field, and the first field is used to indicate a first modulation and coding strategy (MCS). The second field includes a first indication and a second indication; when the first indication is used to indicate unbalanced modulation, the second indication is used to indicate the difference between the MCS used by each spatial stream of the first device transmitting the first PPDU and the first MCS; when the first indication is used to indicate equalized modulation, the second indication is used to indicate the number of spatial streams or the starting spatial stream used by the first device to transmit the first PPDU, wherein the number of spatial streams is the number of spatial streams used by the first device to transmit the first PPDU; or, The second field contains m first bits, where m is an integer greater than 1; when the value of the m first bits represents a first index within a first index range, the first index is used to indicate the difference between the MCS used by each spatial stream of the first device sending the first PPDU and the first MCS; when the value of the m first bits represents a second index within a second index range, the second index is used to indicate the number of spatial streams or the starting spatial stream used by the first device to send the first PPDU, where the first index range and the second index range are different, and the number of spatial streams is the number of spatial streams used by the first device to send the first PPDU; Send the trigger frame.

2. A modulation and coding strategy indication method, characterized in that, include: A trigger frame is received, which is used to trigger the first device to send a first physical layer protocol data unit (PPDU). The trigger frame includes a first field and a second field, and the first field is used to indicate a first modulation and coding strategy (MCS). The second field includes a first indication and a second indication; when the first indication is used to indicate unbalanced modulation, the second indication is used to indicate the difference between the MCS used by each spatial stream of the first device transmitting the first PPDU and the first MCS; when the first indication is used to indicate equalized modulation, the second indication is used to indicate the number of spatial streams or the starting spatial stream used by the first device to transmit the first PPDU, wherein the number of spatial streams is the number of spatial streams used by the first device to transmit the first PPDU; or, The second field contains m first bits, where m is an integer greater than 1; when the value of the m first bits represents a first index within a first index range, the first index is used to indicate the difference between the MCS used by each spatial stream of the first device sending the first PPDU and the first MCS; when the value of the m first bits represents a second index within a second index range, the second index is used to indicate the number of spatial streams or the starting spatial stream used by the first device to send the first PPDU, where the first index range and the second index range are different, and the number of spatial streams is the number of spatial streams used by the first device to send the first PPDU; In response to the trigger frame, a first PPDU is transmitted on the spatial stream of the first device.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, When the first indication is used to indicate unbalanced modulation, the second indication is also used to indicate the spatial stream number; Alternatively, when the values ​​of the m first bits represent a first index within the range of the first index, the first index is also used to indicate the spatial stream number.

4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, The second field includes the first indication and the second indication. When the first indication is used to indicate equalization modulation, the second indication is used to indicate the starting spatial stream. The second field also includes a third indication, which is used to indicate the number of spatial streams. Alternatively, the second field may contain the m first bits, and when the first indication is used to indicate equalization modulation, the second indication is used to indicate the starting spatial stream. The second field may also contain n second bits, the values ​​of which represent the number of spatial streams, where n is an integer greater than 0.

5. The method according to claim 4, characterized in that, The second field includes the first indication and the second indication. The second field is contained in the first user information field of the trigger frame. The first indication includes bit B29 of the first user information field. The second indication includes bits B11, B20, B25, B26-B28, B30-B31 of the first user information field, or some or all of bits B5 in the user information based on the trigger frame type of the first user information field; or... The second field contains the m first bits, and the second field is included in the first user information field in the trigger frame. The m first bits include some or all of the bits in B11, B20, B25, B26-B29, B30-B31 of the first user information field, or in B5 of the user information based on the trigger frame type in the first user information field.

6. The method according to claim 5, characterized in that, The second field includes the first indication and the second indication, wherein the second field is bits B26 to B31 of the first user information field included in the trigger frame, the second indication includes bits B26 to B28 of the first user information field, and the third indication includes bits B30 to B31 of the first user information field; or, The second field contains the m first bits and the n second bits, wherein the m first bits are B26 to B29 of the first user information field contained in the trigger frame, and the n second bits are B30 to B31 of the first user information field.

7. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, The second field includes the first indication and the second indication, and further includes a fourth indication, which indicates the starting spatial stream; when the first indication indicates equalization modulation, the second indication indicates the number of spatial streams; or... The second field contains the m first bits, and the second field also includes a fourth indicator for indicating the starting space stream, and the second index for indicating the number of space streams.

8. The method according to claim 7, characterized in that, The second field includes the first indication and the second indication. The second field is contained in the first user information field of the trigger frame. The first indication includes bit B29 of the first user information field. The second indication includes bits B11, B20, B25, B30-B31 of the first user information field, or some or all of bits B5 of the user information based on the trigger frame type in the first user information field; or... The second field contains the m first bits, the first indication contains bit B29 of the first user information field, the second field is contained in the first user information field in the trigger frame, and the m first bits include bits B11, B20, B25, B29-B31 of the first user information field, or some or all of bits in bit B5 of the user information based on the trigger frame type in the first user information field.

9. The method according to claim 8, characterized in that, The second field includes the first indication, the second indication, and the fourth indication. The second field is bits B26 to B31 of the first user information field included in the trigger frame. The second indication includes bits B30 to B31 of the first user information field. The fourth indication includes bits B26 to B28 of the first user information field. Alternatively, The second field includes the m first bits and the fourth indication, wherein the m first bits are B29 to B31 of the first user information field included in the trigger frame, and the fourth indication includes bits B26 to B28 of the first user information field.

10. The method according to claim 1, 2, 3, or 7, characterized in that, The trigger frame further includes a third field, which is used to indicate that the resource unit allocated to the first device is a distributed resource unit (DRU). The second field further includes a fifth indication, which is used to indicate the cyclic shift diversity (CSD) required for each spatial stream of the first device to send the first PPDU. When the first indication is used to indicate equalization modulation, the second indication is used to indicate the number of spatial streams.

11. The method according to claim 10, characterized in that, The second field includes the first indication and the second indication. The second field is contained in the first user information field of the trigger frame. The first indication includes bit B29 of the first user information field. The second indication includes bits B11, B20, B25, B30-B31 of the first user information field, or some or all of bits B5 of the user information based on the trigger frame type in the first user information field; or... The second field contains the m first bits, and the second field is included in the first user information field in the trigger frame. The m first bits include B11, B20, B25, B29-B31 of the first user information field, or some or all of the bits in B5 of the user information based on the trigger frame type in the first user information field.

12. The method according to claim 11, characterized in that, The second field includes the first indication, the second indication, and the fifth indication. The second field is bits B26 to B31 of the first user information field included in the trigger frame. The second indication includes bits B30 or B30-B31 of the first user information field. The fifth indication includes bits B26 to B28 of the first user information field. Alternatively, The second field includes the m first bits and the fifth indication, wherein the m first bits are B30 or B30-B31 of the first user information field included in the trigger frame, and the fifth indication is B26 to B28 of the first user information field.

13. A communication device, characterized in that, Includes modules for implementing the method of any one of claims 1 to 12.

14. A communication device, characterized in that, The communication device includes one or more processors coupled to one or more memories for storing computer programs or instructions, and the one or more processors for executing the computer programs or instructions in the one or more memories, causing the communication device to perform the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 12.

15. A chip, characterized in that, The device includes a processor and a communication interface, wherein the processor reads instructions stored in a memory through the communication interface and executes them to cause the communication device including the chip to perform the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 12.

16. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that, The computer-readable storage medium stores a computer program or instructions that, when executed, cause the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 12 to be performed.

17. A computer program product, characterized in that, When the computer program product is run on a computer, the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 12 is performed.

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