Coordinated spatial reuse method and apparatus

Abstract

A coordinated spatial reuse (co-SR) method and apparatus, applicable to the technical field of communications. The present application supports IEEE protocols, such as the IEEE 802.11be / Wi-Fi 7 / EHT protocol, the IEEE 802.11bn / UHR / Wi-Fi 8 protocol, the integrated millimeter wave (IMMW) protocol, the IEEE 802.15 / UWB protocol, or the IEEE 802.11bf / sensing protocol, or the spark link protocol. A first station acquires a TXOP and then transmits a first control frame, so that a second station can know that the second station is allowed to contend for a channel within the TXOP acquired by the first station. Therefore, the first station can interact with other stations in this BSS, and once the channel has been successfully obtained, the second station also can interact with other stations in the BSS, thereby effectively realizing the purpose of co-SR, and improving the flexibility of co-SR.

Description

Cooperative spatial reuse method and apparatus

[0001] The present application claims priority to the Chinese patent application No. 202410704335.5, filed on May 31, 2024, with the State Intellectual Property Office of China, and the Chinese patent application No. 202410704335.5 has the title of “Cooperative spatial reuse method and apparatus”, the content of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. TECHNICAL FIELD

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

[0003] Increasing throughput is a continuous technical goal of the development and evolution of cellular networks and wireless local area networks (WLANs). The protocols of WLAN systems are mainly discussed in the institute of electrical and electronics engineers (IEEE) 802.11 standard group, and in previous standards, the throughput has been continuously improved. Currently, the next generation WLAN standard IEEE 802.11bn, also known as ultra high reliability (UHR), is under research. Transmission reliability is an important concern of UHR. Among them, multi-access point (AP) coordination technology can effectively improve transmission reliability, improve throughput, etc.

[0004] Due to the fact that APs in the traditional WLAN rarely coordinate with each other, the interference between basic service sets (BSSs) is large, and the conflict of data transmission is large, thereby the performance of the network (such as throughput, latency, etc.) is affected. Currently, multi-AP coordination technology has become one of the key features promoted by the IEEE 802.11bn standard and has attracted the attention of many companies and scholars. Multi-AP coordination technology is also known as multi-AP cooperation technology or multi-AP technology, etc., which aims to effectively control the interference and conflict between BSSs through the coordination between APs, thereby improving the network performance. There is a multi-AP coordination scheme in which the APs within the BSS and the center users interact within a fixed time period, and the APs and non-center users interact within another fixed time period.

[0005] However, the above scheme will cause the transmission latency to be inflexible, affecting the network performance. SUMMARY

[0006] Embodiments of the present application provide a coordinated spatial reuse (co-SR) method and device, which can effectively improve the flexibility of transmission delay, improve resource utilization, avoid resource waste, and improve network performance.

[0007] In a first aspect, embodiments of the present application provide a co-SR method, which can be applied to a first station. The first station can be an AP (may be referred to as a first AP) in a first basic service set (BSS), or a non-access point station (non-AP STA) in the first BSS that cooperates with a second BSS (may be referred to as a first non-AP STA). The first AP can include a WLAN device (including a Wi-Fi device, etc.), or a chip or functional module or processing system, etc. in the WLAN device. The first non-AP STA can include a WLAN device (including a Wi-Fi device, etc.), or a chip or functional module or processing system, etc. in the WLAN device. The method includes:

[0008] The first station generates a first control frame. The first station is a station in the first BSS that has obtained a transmission opportunity (TXOP) and cooperates with the second BSS. The first control frame includes cooperation BSS information, which is used to indicate that the second station is allowed to contend for a channel within the TXOP. The second station is a station in the second BSS that cooperates with the first BSS. The first station transmits the first control frame.

[0009] The station in the first BSS that has obtained the TXOP and cooperates with the second BSS can include the first AP or the first non-AP STA. The first AP or the first non-AP STA can also be referred to as a TXOP holder. The second station can be an AP (may be referred to as a second AP) in the second BSS, or a non-AP STA (may be referred to as a second non-AP STA) in the second BSS that cooperates with the first BSS. The second AP can include a WLAN device (including a Wi-Fi device, etc.), or a chip or functional module or processing system, etc. in the WLAN device. The second non-AP STA can include a WLAN device (including a Wi-Fi device, etc.), or a chip or functional module or processing system, etc. in the WLAN device. The coverage areas of the first BSS and the second BSS overlap.

[0010] The above-mentioned cooperative BSS information can implicitly indicate that the second station is allowed to contend for the channel within the TXOP obtained by the first station, or the cooperative BSS information can also explicitly indicate that the second station is allowed to contend for the channel within the TXOP obtained by the first station. Allowing the second station to contend for the channel within the TXOP can include: in a case where the second station receives a physical layer protocol data unit (PPDU) from a station within the first BSS, when a received power of the PPDU is less than a co-SR packet detection (PD) threshold, the second station does not update a network allocation vector (NAV) according to the PPDU; or when the received power of the PPDU is greater than or equal to the co-SR PD threshold, updating a NAV maintained by the second station according to the PPDU. The above-mentioned PPDU can include but is not limited to a PPDU used to carry the first control frame. The above-mentioned co-SR PD threshold can be defined by a standard, or a threshold sent by the second AP through a second management frame, and the like.

[0011] In the embodiments of the present application, the first station can send the first control frame after obtaining the TXOP, and the second station can contend for the channel within the TXOP obtained by the first station after receiving the first control frame. Thus, the first station can communicate within the TXOP, and the second station can also communicate after the backoff ends within the TXOP. In this way, there is no need to plan the transmission period in advance, and the flexibility of the transmission period is effectively improved, and the network performance is improved. At the same time, within the above-mentioned TXOP, the first station and the second station can both communicate, the resource utilization rate is improved, and the network performance is further improved.

[0012] In a possible implementation, the cooperative BSS information is indicated by a frame type of the first control frame and information of the first BSS in the first control frame; or the cooperative BSS information includes information of the second BSS.

[0013] Alternatively, the first control frame can further comprise information of the first BSS, and the information of the first BSS and the frame type of the first control frame can be used to indicate that the second station is allowed to contend for the channel in the TXOP obtained by the first station. Alternatively, the information of the first BSS in the first control frame and the frame type of the first control frame can be used to indicate that the second station is allowed to contend for the channel in the TXOP obtained by the first station. Alternatively, the information of the first BSS in the first control frame and the frame type of the first control frame can be used to implicitly indicate that the second station is allowed to contend for the channel in the TXOP obtained by the first station. Since the second station knows that the BSS cooperating with the second BSS is the first BSS, the second station can know that it is allowed to contend for the channel in the TXOP by the information of the first BSS in the first control frame. For example, the medium access control (MAC) address of the first AP can be the BSSID of the first BSS. In this way, the signaling overhead of the first control frame can be saved.

[0014] When the cooperation BSS information comprises the information of the second BSS, the second station can know that the first station allows the stations in the second BSS cooperating with the first station to contend for the channel by the information of the second BSS. Of course, the second station can also know the function of the first control frame by the frame type of the first control frame in addition to the information of the second BSS. In this way, the BSS to which the allowed station belongs can be explicitly indicated, and thus which BSSs can contend for the channel in the TXOP obtained by the first station can be flexibly indicated.

[0015] In a possible implementation, the information of the first BSS comprises at least one of the following: a basic service set identifier (BSSID) of the first BSS, or a BSS color of the first BSS, or a BSS associate identifier (BSS AID) of the first BSS, or an identifier of a cooperation group to which the first BSS and the second BSS belong.

[0016] In a possible implementation, the information of the second BSS comprises at least one of the following: a BSSID of the second BSS, or a BSS color of the second BSS, or a BSS AID of the second BSS, or an identifier of a cooperation group to which the first BSS and the second BSS belong.

[0017] In a possible implementation, the first control frame further comprises information of a co-SR time length, and the second station is allowed to contend for the channel in the co-SR time length.

[0018] When the information of the co-SR time length is not included in the first control frame, the co-SR time length can be defaulted as the duration of the TXOP. For example, the duration of the TXOP can be determined according to a duration field in the first control frame. The duration indicated by the duration field in the first control frame can be the duration of the TXOP. Alternatively, the duration indicated by the duration field in the first control frame can be less than the duration of the TXOP, in which case the first station can update the duration field by the wireless frame it sends subsequently (i.e., indicate the remaining duration in the TXOP by the subsequent wireless frame).

[0019] When the information of the co-SR time length is included in the first control frame, the second station is allowed to contend for the channel within the co-SR time length and send a physical layer protocol data unit (PPDU) (or physical layer convergence procedure protocol data unit) after the end of the backoff.

[0020] In a possible implementation, the co-SR time length is less than or equal to the duration of the TXOP.

[0021] In a possible implementation, the allowing the second station to contend for the channel within the TXOP includes: within the TXOP, allowing the second station to contend for the channel based on a co-SR packet detection (PD) threshold.

[0022] The specific manner in which the second station contends for the channel based on the co-SR PD threshold can refer to the second aspect.

[0023] In a possible implementation, the first station includes an access point (AP) in the first BSS (i.e., the first AP), and before the first station generates the first control frame, the method further includes: the first station sending a first management frame, the first management frame including at least one of the following: information of the second BSS, and an identifier of a non-AP station (non-AP STA) in the first BSS that cooperates with the second BSS.

[0024] The non-AP STA in the first BSS that cooperates with the second BSS can be referred to as a first non-AP STA, or a cooperative non-AP STA, or a co-SR cooperative STA, etc.

[0025] In the embodiments of the present application, the first station can make the non-AP STAs in the first BSS explicitly know whether they are the first non-AP STAs or the co-SR non-AP STAs (or co-SR STAs) cooperating with the second BSS by sending the first management frame. Thus, when the station in the second BSS obtains the TXOP, the non-AP STAs cooperating with the second BSS in the first BSS or the first AP can compete for the channel.

[0026] In a possible implementation, the first management frame further includes the number of non-AP STAs.

[0027] Alternatively, the first management frame can further include the number of first non-AP STAs. The number can be used to indicate the length of the field carrying the identifiers of the first non-AP STAs.

[0028] In a possible implementation, the first management frame further includes information of a co-SR packet detection (PD) threshold, which can be used by the AP or the non-AP station (non-AP STA) in the first BSS for packet detection.

[0029] In the embodiments of the present application, when the co-SR PD threshold is not included in the first management frame, the co-SR PD threshold used by the first AP or the first non-AP STA in the first BSS for packet detection can be a fixed value, such as -62 dBm. When the co-SR PD threshold is included in the first management frame, the threshold used by the first AP or the first non-AP STA for packet detection can be the co-SR PD threshold indicated in the first management frame.

[0030] In a possible implementation, the first station can include the AP (i.e., the first AP) in the first BSS, and the method further includes: the first station sending a spatial reuse cooperation request frame to the second AP, the spatial reuse cooperation request frame being used to request cooperation with the second BSS; and the first station receiving a spatial reuse cooperation response frame from the second AP, the spatial reuse cooperation response frame being a response frame of the spatial reuse cooperation request frame.

[0031] In a possible implementation, the first station can include the AP (i.e., the first AP) in the first BSS, and the method further includes: the first station receiving a spatial reuse cooperation request frame from the second AP, the spatial reuse cooperation request frame being used to request cooperation with the first BSS.

[0032] The first station sends a spatial reuse cooperation response frame to the second AP, the spatial reuse cooperation response frame being a response frame of the spatial reuse cooperation request frame.

[0033] In the embodiments of the present application, before the first AP sends the first management frame, the first AP can request cooperation with the second AP, or the second AP can request cooperation with the first AP. That is, the cooperation request can be initiated by the first AP, or the cooperation request can be initiated by the second AP, and the embodiments of the present application do not limit this.

[0034] In a possible implementation, the first control frame is a multiple user request to send (MU-RTS) frame, at least one bit in B4-B15 and B22-B63 in a common information field (common info field) in the MU-RTS frame has a predetermined value; or at least one bit in B29-B30 in a user information field (user info field) in the MU-RTS frame has a predetermined value.

[0035] For example, the B22 field (only as an example) in the common information field in the MU-RTS frame can be used to indicate the function of the MU-RTS frame, such as reuse of the MU-RTS frame to implement the function of the first control frame. The number of bits indicating that the first control frame reuses the MU-RTS frame can be 1 or more, and the embodiments of the present application do not limit this. The specific value of the predetermined value and the number of bits occupied by the predetermined value are not limited in the embodiments of the present application.

[0036] In a second aspect, the embodiments of the present application provide a cooperation spatial reuse method, which is applied to a second station. The second station can be an AP (referred to as a second AP) in a second BSS, or a non-AP STA (referred to as a second non-AP STA) in the second BSS cooperating with the first BSS. The second AP can include a WLAN device (including a Wi-Fi device, etc.), or can be a chip or a functional module or a processing system in the WLAN device, etc. The second non-AP STA can include a WLAN device (including a Wi-Fi device, etc.), or can be a chip or a functional module or a processing system in the WLAN device, etc. The method includes:

[0037] The second station receives a first control frame from a first station, the first station being a station in a first BSS that obtains a TXOP and cooperates with a second BSS, the first control frame including cooperation BSS information, the cooperation BSS information being used to indicate that the second station is allowed to contend for a channel within the TXOP, the second station being a station in the second BSS cooperating with the first BSS; and analyzing the first control frame.

[0038] In the embodiments of the present application, the second station can learn that the first station allows the second station to contend for the channel within the TXOP obtained by the first station by analyzing the first control frame. For example, the second station analyzes the first control frame, including that the second station analyzes the cooperative BSS information.

[0039] In the embodiments of the present application, the coverage areas of the first BSS and the second BSS overlap, and thus the first control frame sent by the first station, even if the receiving address of the first control frame does not indicate the second station, the second station can still detect the first control frame, and thus can learn the role of the first control frame. For the second aspect, refer to the first aspect, and details are not described herein.

[0040] In a possible implementation, the cooperative BSS information is indicated by the frame type of the first control frame and the information of the first BSS in the first control frame; or the cooperative BSS information includes the information of the second BSS.

[0041] In a possible implementation, the information of the first BSS includes at least one of the following: the BSSID of the first BSS, or the BSS color of the first BSS, or the BSS AID of the first BSS, or the identifier of the cooperative group in which the first BSS and the second BSS are located.

[0042] In a possible implementation, the information of the second BSS can include at least one of the following: the BSSID of the second BSS, or the BSS color of the second BSS, or the BSS AID of the second BSS, or the identifier of the cooperative group in which the first BSS and the second BSS are located.

[0043] In a possible implementation, the first control frame further includes information of the co-SR time length, and the second station is allowed to contend for the channel within the co-SR time length.

[0044] In a possible implementation, the second station is allowed to contend for the channel within the TXOP, including: in a case where the second station receives a physical layer protocol data unit (PPDU) from a station in the first BSS, in a case where the received power of the PPDU is less than a co-SR packet detection (PD) threshold, not updating a network allocation vector (NAV) according to the PPDU; or in a case where the received power of the PPDU is greater than or equal to the co-SR PD threshold, updating the NAV maintained by the second station according to the PPDU; wherein the PPDU includes a PPDU used to carry the first control frame.

[0045] In the embodiments of the present application, when the received power of the PPDU is less than the co-SR PD threshold, the second station can also determine that the physical carrier is idle, and the second station can perform backoff. When the received power of the PPDU is greater than or equal to the co-SR PD threshold, the second station can also determine that the physical carrier is busy.

[0046] In a possible implementation, the method further includes: sending, by the second station, the PPDU after the backoff ends.

[0047] In a possible implementation, the second station includes an AP (referred to as a second AP) in a second BSS, and before the second station receives the first control frame from the first station, the method further includes:

[0048] The second station sends a second management frame, and the second management frame includes at least one of the following: information of the first BSS, and an identifier of a non-AP station (referred to as a non-AP STA) in the second BSS that cooperates with the first BSS.

[0049] In a possible implementation, the second management frame further includes a number of the non-AP STAs.

[0050] In a possible implementation, the second management frame further includes information of a co-SR packet detection (PD) threshold, and the co-SR PD threshold is used for packet detection by an AP or a non-AP STA in the second BSS.

[0051] In a possible implementation, the second station can include an AP (referred to as a second AP) in a second BSS, and the method further includes: the second station receives a spatial multiplexing cooperation request frame from the first AP, and the spatial multiplexing cooperation request frame is used to request cooperation with the second BSS; and the second station sends a spatial multiplexing cooperation response frame to the first AP, and the spatial multiplexing cooperation response frame is a response frame of the spatial multiplexing cooperation request frame.

[0052] In a possible implementation, the second station can include an AP (referred to as a second AP) in a second BSS, and the method further includes: the second station sends a spatial multiplexing cooperation request frame to the first AP, and the spatial multiplexing cooperation request frame is used to request cooperation with the first BSS; and the second station receives a spatial multiplexing cooperation response frame from the first AP, and the spatial multiplexing cooperation response frame is a response frame of the spatial multiplexing cooperation request frame.

[0053] In a possible implementation, the first control frame is a multi-user request to send (MU-RTS) frame, and at least one bit in B4-B15 and B22-B63 in a common information field in the MU-RTS frame has a predetermined value; or at least one bit in B29-B30 in a user information field in the MU-RTS frame has a predetermined value.

[0054] In a third aspect, the embodiments of the present application provide a communication apparatus, which is configured to execute the method in any of the first aspect to the second aspect or any possible implementation manner thereof. The first communication apparatus comprises a module configured to execute the method in any of the first aspect to the second aspect or any possible implementation manner thereof.

[0055] In a fourth aspect, the embodiments of the present application provide a communication apparatus, which comprises a processor configured to execute the method in any of the first aspect to the second aspect or any possible implementation manner thereof. The processor is configured to execute a program stored in a memory, and the program is configured to execute the method in any of the first aspect to the second aspect or any possible implementation manner thereof when the program is executed.

[0056] In a possible implementation manner, the memory is located outside the communication apparatus.

[0057] In a possible implementation manner, the memory is located inside the communication apparatus.

[0058] In the embodiments of the present application, the processor and the memory can also be integrated into one device, i.e., the processor and the memory can also be integrated together. For example, the communication apparatus can be a chip.

[0059] In a possible implementation manner, the communication apparatus further comprises a transceiver configured to receive information or send information.

[0060] In a fifth aspect, the embodiments of the present application provide a communication apparatus, which comprises a logic circuit and an interface, the logic circuit and the interface are coupled; the interface is configured to input and / or output information, and the logic circuit is configured to execute the method in any of the first aspect to the second aspect or any possible implementation manner thereof.

[0061] In a sixth aspect, the embodiments of the present application provide a computer readable storage medium, which is configured to store a computer program, and the computer program is configured to execute the method in any of the first aspect to the second aspect or any possible implementation manner thereof when the computer program is executed on a computer.

[0062] In a seventh aspect, the embodiments of the present application provide a computer program product, which is configured to execute the method in any of the first aspect to the second aspect or any possible implementation manner thereof when the computer program product is executed on a computer.

[0063] In an eighth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication system, comprising a first station configured to perform the method of the first aspect or any possible implementation of the first aspect, and a second station configured to perform the method of the second aspect or any possible implementation of the second aspect. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0064] FIG. 1a is a schematic diagram of an architecture of a communication system according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0065] FIG. 1b is a schematic diagram of another architecture of a communication system according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0066] FIG. 2a is a schematic diagram of a co-SR based on a service period (SP) according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0067] FIG. 2b is a schematic diagram of a scenario of the co-SR based on the SP according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0068] FIG. 2c is a schematic diagram of a working principle of the co-SR based on the SP according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0069] FIG. 3a is a schematic diagram of another scenario of the co-SR based on the SP according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0070] FIG. 3b is a schematic diagram of another architecture of the co-SR based on the SP according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0071] FIG. 3c is a schematic diagram of yet another scenario of the co-SR based on the SP according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0072] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of a flow of a method of cooperative spatial reuse according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0073] FIG. 5a is a schematic diagram of a process of a co-SR based on a TXOP according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0074] FIG. 5b is a schematic diagram of another process of the co-SR based on the TXOP according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0075] FIG. 5c is a schematic diagram of yet another process of the co-SR based on the TXOP according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0076] FIG. 6a is a schematic diagram of a format of a MU-RTS frame according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0077] FIG. 6b is a schematic diagram of a format of a first control frame according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0078] FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of another flow of a method of cooperative spatial reuse according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0079] Figure 8a is a format of a co-SR information field in a first management frame according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0080] Figure 8b is a format of a co-SR coordination group information field and a co-SR information field in a first management frame according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0081] Figure 8c is a format of a co-SR coordination group information field and a co-SR information field in a first management frame according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0082] Figure 9 is a format of a spatial reuse parameter set element according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0083] Figure 10 is a structure of a communication apparatus according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0084] Figure 11 is another structure of a communication apparatus according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0085] Figure 12 is yet another structure of a communication apparatus according to an embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0086] In order to make the technical solution of the present application more comprehensible, the present application will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0087] The terms "first" and "second" and the like in the specification of the present application, claims, and accompanying drawings are used only to distinguish different objects, and are not intended to describe a particular order. In addition, the terms "include" and "have" and any variations thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion. For example, a process, method, system, product, or apparatus, and the like, which includes a series of steps or units, is not limited to the listed steps or units, but can optionally include other steps or units not listed, or can optionally include other steps or units inherent to the process, method, product, or apparatus.

[0088] "Embodiment" mentioned herein means that the specific features, structures, or characteristics described in connection with the embodiment can be included in at least one embodiment of the present application. The phrase appears at various places in the specification does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment, nor is it independent or alternative to other embodiments. It is explicitly and implicitly understood by those skilled in the art that the embodiments described herein can be combined with other embodiments.

[0089] In the present application, "at least one" means one or more, "multiple" means two or more, "at least two" means two or three and three or more, and "and / or" is used to describe the relationship between the associated objects, which means that there can be three relationships, for example, "A and / or B" can mean: only A, only B, and A and B exist at the same time, where A and B can be singular or plural. "Or" means there can be two relationships, such as only A, only B; when A and B are not mutually exclusive, it can also mean that there are three relationships, such as only A, only B, and A and B exist at the same time. The character " / " generally represents an "or" relationship between the associated objects before and after it. "At least one of the following" or similar expressions means any combination of these items. For example, at least one of a, b, or c can mean: a, b, c, "a and b", "a and c", "b and c", or "a and b and c".

[0090] In the present application, "indication" can include direct indication, indirect indication, display indication, and implicit indication. When describing that certain indication information is used to indicate A, it can be understood that the indication information carries A, directly indicates A, or indirectly indicates A.

[0091] In the present application, the information indicated by the indication information is referred to as the to-be-indicated information. In the specific implementation process, there are many ways to indicate the to-be-indicated information, for example, but not limited to, the to-be-indicated information can be directly indicated, such as the to-be-indicated information itself or the index of the to-be-indicated information. The to-be-indicated information can also be indirectly indicated by indicating other information, where the other information and the to-be-indicated information have an associated relationship. The to-be-indicated information can also be indicated only by a part of the to-be-indicated information, and the other part of the to-be-indicated information is known or agreed in advance. For example, the indication of a specific information can also be achieved by means of the pre-agreed (for example, the protocol stipulates) arrangement order of each information, thereby reducing the indication overhead to a certain extent. In addition, the to-be-indicated information can be sent as a whole, or can be sent separately in multiple sub-information, and the sending period and / or sending time of these sub-information can be the same or different.

[0092] In the present application, "sending" and "receiving" represent the direction of signal transmission. For example, "sending information to XX" can be understood as the destination of the information is XX, which can include direct sending through the air interface, and also includes indirect sending through the air interface by other units or modules. "Receiving information from YY" can be understood as the source of the information is YY, which can include direct receiving from YY through the air interface, and also includes indirect receiving from YY through the air interface from other units or modules. "Sending" can also be understood as the "output" of the chip interface, and "receiving" can also be understood as the "input" of the chip interface. In other words, sending and receiving can be between devices, such as between network devices and terminal devices, or within a device, such as between components, modules, chips, software modules or hardware modules within a device through a bus, wire or interface.

[0093] The following describes the communication system related to the present application.

[0094] The technical solutions provided in the embodiments of the present application can be applied to a wireless local area network (WLAN) system, such as Wi-Fi or ambient power (AMP). The method provided in the embodiments of the present application can be applicable to IEEE 802.11 series protocols, for example, 802.11a / b / g protocols, 802.11bf protocols, 802.11az protocols, 802.11bk protocols, 802.11n protocols, 802.11ac protocols, 802.11ax protocols, 802.11be protocols, 802.11bn protocols, or next-generation protocols, and the like. For example, 802.11ad protocols, 802.11ay or next-generation protocols, and the like, which are not listed one by one. The technical solutions provided in the embodiments of the present application can also be applied to a wireless personal area network (WPAN) based on ultra wideband (UWB) technology. The technical solutions provided in the embodiments of the present application can also be applied to millimeter wave (MMW) technology, including integrated MMW (IMMW). The method provided in the embodiments of the present application can be applicable to IEEE 802.15 series protocols, for example, 802.15.4a protocols, 802.15.4z protocols, or 802.15.4ab protocols, or a future generation UWB WPAN protocol, or star flash, and the like, which are not listed one by one. The technical solutions provided in the embodiments of the present application can also be applied to a communication system, for example, can be an internet of things (IoT) system, a vehicle to X (V2X) system, a narrow band IoT (NB-IoT) system, a long term evolution (LTE) system, a 5th-generation (5G) communication system, and a new communication system that appears in future communication development, and the like.

[0095] The WLAN system can provide high-rate and low-latency transmission. As the WLAN application scenarios evolve, the WLAN system 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, sports venues, exhibition halls, concert halls, hotel rooms, dormitories, hospital rooms, classrooms, supermarkets, squares, streets, manufacturing workshops, and warehouses. Of course, the devices (such as access points or stations) that support WLAN communication or sensing can be sensor nodes in smart cities (such as smart water meters, smart electricity meters, and smart air detection nodes), smart devices in smart homes (such as smart cameras, projectors, display screens, televisions, sound systems, refrigerators, washing machines, and the like), nodes in the Internet of Things, entertainment terminals (such as augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) wearable devices), smart devices in smart offices (such as printers, projectors, amplifiers, sound systems, and the like), Internet of Vehicles devices in the Internet of Vehicles, infrastructure in daily life scenarios (such as vending machines, self-service navigation stations in supermarkets, self-service checkout devices, and self-service ordering machines), and devices in large sports and music venues.

[0096] Although the embodiments of the present application mainly take WLAN as an example, especially the network applying to the IEEE 802.11 series standards. The various aspects involved in the embodiments of the present application can be extended to other networks using various standards or protocols. For example, Bluetooth, high performance radio LAN (HIPERLAN) (a wireless standard similar to the IEEE 802.11 standard, mainly used in Europe) and wide area network (WAN) or other now known or later developed networks.

[0097] In a possible implementation, the method provided by the embodiments of the present application can be implemented by a communication device in a communication system. For example, the communication device can be an access point (AP) or a non-access point station (non-AP STA).

[0098] The access point is a device with wireless communication function, which supports communication or sensing using WLAN protocol, has the function of communicating or sensing with other devices (such as non-AP STA or other access points) in the WLAN network, and of course, can also have the function of communicating or sensing with other devices. Alternatively, the access point is equivalent to a bridge connecting wired and wireless networks, and its main function is to connect various wireless network clients together and then access the wireless network to the Ethernet. In the WLAN system, the access point can be referred to as an access point station (AP STA). The device with wireless communication function can be a whole device, or a chip, processing system or functional module installed in the whole device, and the device installed with the chip or processing system or functional module can realize the method and function of the embodiments of the present application under the control of the chip or processing system or functional module. The AP in the embodiments of the present application is a device providing services for non-AP STA, which can support 802.11 series protocol or subsequent protocol, etc. For example, the access point can be an access point for terminals (such as mobile phones) to enter wired (or wireless) networks, which is mainly deployed in homes, buildings and parks, and the typical coverage radius is dozens of meters to hundreds of meters, and of course, it can also be deployed outdoors. For another example, the AP can be a communication server, a router, a switch, a network bridge and other communication entities; the AP can include various forms of macro base stations, micro base stations, relay stations, etc. Of course, the AP can also be a chip or processing system or module in the above various forms of devices, so as to realize the method and function of the embodiments of the present application. Of course, the AP can also include an AP belonging to a multi-link device (MLD), or a co-sited AP, etc.

[0099] The non-AP STA is a device with wireless communication function, supports communication or sensing using WLAN protocol, and has the capability of communicating or sensing with other non-AP STAs or access points in the WLAN network. For example, the non-AP STA is any user communication device that allows a user to communicate or sense with an AP and then communicate with the WLAN. The device with wireless communication function can be a whole device, or a chip or processing system or functional module installed in the whole device. The device in which the chip or processing system or functional module is installed can realize the method and function of the embodiments of the present application under the control of the chip or processing system or functional module. For example, the non-AP STA can be a wireless communication chip, a wireless sensor or a wireless communication terminal, and can also be referred to as a user. For another example, the non-AP STA can be a mobile phone supporting Wi-Fi communication function, a tablet computer supporting Wi-Fi communication function, a set-top box supporting Wi-Fi communication function, a smart television supporting Wi-Fi communication function, a smart wearable device supporting Wi-Fi communication function, a vehicle-mounted communication device supporting Wi-Fi communication function, and a computer supporting Wi-Fi communication function. Of course, the non-AP STA can also be a chip or processing system or module in the above various forms of devices, thereby realizing the method and function of the embodiments of the present application. Of course, the non-AP STA can also include a non-AP STA belonging to an MLD or a co-located STA.

[0100] For example, the method provided by the embodiments of the present application can be applied to the communication system including an AP and a non-AP STA. For example, the embodiments of the present application can be applied to the scenario of communication or sensing between an AP and a non-AP STA, between an AP and an AP, or between a non-AP STA and a non-AP STA in a WLAN, which is not limited by the embodiments of the present application. Optionally, the AP can communicate or sense with a single non-AP STA, or the AP can simultaneously communicate or sense with multiple non-AP STAs. Specifically, the communication or sensing between the AP and the multiple non-AP STAs can be divided into downlink transmission in which the AP simultaneously sends signals to multiple non-AP STAs, and uplink transmission in which multiple non-AP STAs send signals to the AP. The communication or sensing between the AP and the non-AP STA, between the AP and the AP, or between the non-AP STA and the non-AP STA can support a WLAN communication protocol, which can include IEEE 802.11 series protocols, such as 802.11n / 802.11ac / 802.11ax / 802.11be / 802.11bn protocols, and of course also applies to protocols after 802.11bn.

[0101] FIG. 1a is a schematic diagram of an architecture of a communication system according to an embodiment of the present application. The communication system can include one or more APs and one or more non-AP STAs. In FIG. 1a, one access point, e.g., AP1, and three stations, e.g., non-AP STA1, non-AP STA2 and non-AP STA3, are shown. For example, the method provided by the embodiments of the present application can be applied to data communication between one AP and one or more non-AP STAs (e.g., communication between AP1 and non-AP STA1 as shown in FIG. 1a, or communication between AP1 and non-AP STA1 and non-AP STA2), or between APs, or between non-AP STAs (e.g., communication between non-AP STA2 and non-AP STA3 as shown in FIG. 1a). The method provided by the embodiments of the present application can be applied to, but not limited to, single-user uplink / downlink transmission, multi-user uplink / downlink transmission, vehicle-to-everything (V2X, X can represent any thing), device-to-device (D2D), etc. For example, the V2X can include vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V), vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2I), vehicle-to-pedestrian (V2P) or vehicle-to-network (V2N) communication, etc.

[0102] It can be understood that, in FIG. 1a, the non-AP STA is a mobile phone and the AP is a router as an example, which does not limit the types of AP and non-AP STA in the embodiments of the present application. Meanwhile, FIG. 1a only shows one AP and three non-AP STAs as an example, but the number of APs or non-AP STAs can be more or less, which is not limited in the embodiments of the present application.

[0103] Fig. lb is another architecture of a communication system provided by the embodiments of the present application. As shown in Fig. lb, one basic service set (BSS) can include one AP and one or more non-AP STAs associated with or unassociated with the AP. The communication system can include multiple BSSs, and Fig. lb exemplarily shows two BSSs, which have overlapping coverage areas. Each BSS can correspond to one AP and multiple non-AP STAs. Within one BSS, the AP can communicate with one or more non-AP STAs. Of course, the AP#1 and the AP#2 can also communicate with each other. As shown in Fig. lb, the BSS#1 includes the AP#1, the non-AP STA11, the non-AP STA12 and the non-AP STA13, and the BSS#2 includes the AP#2, the non-AP STA21, the non-AP STA22 and the non-AP STA23.

[0104] The BSS1 and the BSS2 in Fig. lb are overlapping basic service sets (OBSSs). A BSS operating on the same channel as the STA’s BSS and within (either partly or wholly) its basic service area is an OBSS of the STA.

[0105] For each BSS, an ID can be used to identify the BSS, such as a BSSID. That is, one BSSID can correspond to one BSS. Generally, the BSSID can be carried in a MAC of a wireless frame. For example, the BSSID can be carried in a MAC layer preamble of the wireless frame, such as a MAC header. Generally, the AP can set the BSSID as its own MAC address.

[0106] For each BSS, a BSS color (or referred to as a BSS color value) can also be used to identify each BSS. For example, the BSS color can be carried in a physical layer preamble of a wireless frame, such as a PHY header.

[0107] Fig. lb shows that the two BSSs have a large interference with each other due to the overlapping coverage areas. However, the interference between the two BSSs can be effectively reduced by the multi-AP coordination technology. Fig. lb is shown by way of example of two BSSs. In a specific implementation, there can be a larger number of BSSs in the communication system, and for the larger number of BSSs, they are not listed one by one here.

[0108] The following introduces the terms related to the present application.

[0109] 1. Channel access

[0110] The WLAN system works in an unlicensed frequency band (or unlicensed spectrum), and the wireless channel is shared. Therefore, a station needs to perform channel access before transmitting a wireless frame. Before a station (e.g., station #1) transmits a wireless frame, it can first listen to whether other stations (e.g., station #2) are transmitting a wireless frame. When the channel listening result of station #1 is busy, the transmission will be temporarily suspended until the channel becomes idle. After the channel becomes idle, station #1 can also perform random backoff (or channel backoff) to reduce the collision between multiple potential transmitting stations as much as possible. After the random backoff process ends in the state of idle channel, the station #1 can transmit a wireless frame.

[0111] As a possible implementation, station #1 can also perform interaction of a short control frame with a receiving station before transmitting a wireless frame. The transmission time of the short control frame can be less than a time threshold, or the frame length of the short control frame is less than a length threshold. The specific value of the time threshold / length threshold is not limited in the embodiments of the present application. Exemplarily, the short control frame can include a request to send (RTS) frame / clear to send (CTS) frame.

[0112] After the collision of the short control frame interaction, station #1 can perform random backoff again and then access the channel again, so as to effectively avoid the situation that station #1 directly transmits a long data frame when a collision occurs, resulting in the failure of the entire long data frame transmission, and thereby the throughput loss caused by the collision can be reduced.

[0113] 2. Transmission opportunity (TXOP)

[0114] WLAN system is deployed in unlicensed spectrum, multiple stations compete to use channel resource. In the commonly used enhanced distributed channel access (EDCA) competition mechanism, after a station completes random backoff, it sends the first frame, if the first frame has a response frame, then the successful reception of the response frame means that the channel competition is successful, otherwise it needs to backoff again. If the first frame does not need a response frame, then the first frame transmission means that the channel competition is successful. After the channel competition is successful, the station can reserve a period of time for data transmission, this period of time is called a TXOP. The station that successfully reserves the TXOP is called TXOP holder.

[0115] As a possible implementation, only the TXOP holder can actively send data in the TXOP, and other stations can only receive data or send corresponding response frames.

[0116] As another possible implementation, in the TXOP, the TXOP holder can actively send data, and the stations cooperating with the BSS where the TXOP holder is located can also actively send data after random backoff. The description of this implementation can refer to the method shown in FIG. 4 below, which will not be described in detail here.

[0117] 3、Network allocation vector (NAV)

[0118] In the WLAN system, the station can perform listening before channel access, which includes physical carrier sensing and virtual carrier sensing. Generally, when both the physical carrier sensing and the virtual carrier sensing are idle, the station is allowed to access the channel and thus send wireless frames.

[0119] Physical carrier sensing: the station can determine whether the channel is busy or idle by sensing the energy or the strength of wireless frames on the channel. For example, when the energy is less than an energy threshold or the strength of the wireless frame is less than a strength threshold, the physical carrier sensing is idle, otherwise it is busy.

[0120] Virtual carrier sensing: the station can determine whether the channel is busy or idle by the NAV. The station can maintain the NAV, when the value of the NAV is not 0, the virtual carrier sensing is busy, and when the value of the NAV is 0, the virtual carrier sensing is idle.

[0121] As one possible implementation, a station can maintain a NAV. When station #1 receives wireless frame #1, it can update the NAV according to the duration field in wireless frame #1. As one example, when the station indicated by the receive address of wireless frame #1 is station #1, station #1 can not update the NAV (or ignore the NAV) according to wireless frame #1. As another example, when the station indicated by the receive address of wireless frame #1 is not station #1, when the value indicated by the duration field in wireless frame #1 is greater than the NAV maintained by station #1, station #1 can update the NAV according to the value indicated by the duration field in wireless frame #1. Of course, when the value indicated by the duration field in wireless frame #1 is less than or equal to the NAV maintained by station #1, station #1 can also not update the NAV according to wireless frame #1.

[0122] The NAV mechanism can effectively solve the collision problem caused by hidden nodes. A hidden node refers to a station other than the transmitting station and the receiving station that can receive the wireless frame transmitted by the transmitting station. The wireless frame transmitted by the hidden node can interfere with the receiving station or the transmitting station. During the transmission of the wireless frame by the transmitting station, the hidden node cannot sense the transmission by the transmitting station, and thus the hidden node simultaneously transmits a wireless frame, which causes the receiving station to be interfered and unable to correctly receive the wireless frame. After the introduction of virtual carrier sensing, when the transmitting station competes for the channel, it can first interact with the receiving station through short control frames. The duration field in both of the two short control frames causes non-target stations around them to set a NAV, so that the hidden node cannot compete for the channel and transmit a wireless frame during the NAV protection time. The time protected by the NAV is usually referred to as TXOP. In general, the duration field in the short control frame can be determined according to the duration of the TXOP.

[0123] As another possible implementation, a station can maintain at least two NAVs, such as an intra-basic service set (intra-BSS) NAV and a basic NAV. Illustratively, a station can update the intra-BSS NAV through intra-BSS PPDUs. A station can update the basic NAV through inter-BSS PPDUs, or PPDUs that cannot be distinguished as intra-BSS or inter-BSS. An inter-BSS PPDU can be understood as a PPDU transmitted from a STA outside the BSS, and an intra-BSS PPDU can be understood as a PPDU transmitted from a station within the BSS. The specific way to distinguish inter-BSS PPDUs and intra-BSS PPDUs can be found in IEEE 802.11 standards, which will not be described here.

[0124] When both the intra-BSS NAV and the basic NAV are equal to 0, the virtual carrier sensing is idle, and the station can contend for the channel. When a station is triggered by the associated AP to respond immediately, the station can only respond if the physical carrier sensing is idle and the basic NAV value is 0 (the intra-BSS NAV can not be 0). If the basic NAV is not 0, the station can not respond.

[0125] 4. Multi-AP Coordination

[0126] Multi-AP coordination techniques, also known as multi-AP cooperation techniques or multi-AP techniques, can effectively control the interference and conflict between BSSs through coordination between APs and APs, thereby improving network performance. Coordinated spatial reuse (co-SR) is one of the multi-AP coordination techniques. Spatial reuse: when a PPDU is detected, another PPDU can be transmitted on the medium under certain conditions, and the transmission of a physical layer (PHY) protocol data unit (PPDU) on the medium under certain conditions when a PPDU has been detected that would otherwise have prevented the transmission.

[0127] It can be understood that the cooperative spatial reuse shown in the present application can also be referred to as collaborative spatial reuse or coordinated spatial reuse, etc. The cooperative spatial reuse method shown in the present application can also be referred to as a cooperative method or a spatial reuse method or a coordinated spatial reuse method, etc.

[0128] FIG. 2a is a schematic diagram of an architecture of a co-SR based on a service period (SP) according to an embodiment of the present application. A plurality of BSSs can form a co-SR cooperation group (or referred to as a cooperation group) by coordinating with each other. As shown in FIG. 2a, BSS1 and BSS2 can form a co-SR cooperation group, that is, AP1 and AP2 constitute the co-SR cooperation group, AP1 is an AP in BSS1, and AP2 is an AP in BSS2. As shown in FIG. 2a, there is a central region in the coverage of each BSS in the co-SR cooperation group, and a region outside the central region is referred to as a non-central region. For example, the central region can be a region in which the distance from the AP is less than a distance threshold, or a region in which the signal strength from the AP is greater than a strength threshold, etc. The division of the central region is not limited in the present application.

[0129] FIG. 2a exemplarily shows a co-SR cooperation group formed by two BSSs. In a specific implementation, a larger number of BSSs can also form a co-SR cooperation group, such as three BSSs forming a co-SR cooperation group, etc. which will not be listed one by one here. FIG. 2a exemplarily shows a co-SR cooperation group. In a specific implementation, a larger number of co-SR cooperation groups can also exist, which will not be described in detail here.

[0130] FIG. 2b is a schematic diagram of a scenario of a co-SR based on an SP according to an embodiment of the present application. The APs in the co-SR cooperation group can negotiate a plurality of co-SR service periods, referred to as co-SR SPs. Each co-SR SP is determined by a starting time and a duration. The co-SR SP can be broadcast by the AP through a management frame (such as a beacon frame).

[0131] As shown in FIG. 2b, AP 1 and AP 2 negotiate four co-SR SPs (two co-SR SPs for BSS1 and two co-SR SPs for BSS2), in which the co-SR SPs of AP 1 and AP 2 are one-to-one corresponding. The one-to-one correspondence refers to that the start time and the duration of each co-SR SP are consistent. Within the co-SR SP, the APs in the co-SR cooperation group only interact with the respective center users, i.e., the APs are allowed to send packets to the center users, and the center users are also allowed to send packets to the APs (a concept of MAC layer), but the APs are not allowed to communicate with non-center users. Outside the co-SR SP, the APs in the co-SR cooperation group are only allowed to interact with the respective non-center users, but the APs are not allowed to communicate with the center users. The center user generally refers to a non-AP STA whose distance to the AP is less than a distance threshold and whose interference from other BSSs in the co-SR cooperation group is less than an interference threshold. The specific values of the distance threshold and the interference threshold are not limited in the embodiments of the present application.

[0132] The center user can also be referred to as a center area user, or a center area non-AP STA, or a center non-AP STA, or a center STA, and the specific name of the center user is not limited in the embodiments of the present application. Similarly, the non-center user can also be referred to as a non-center area user, or a non-center area non-AP STA, or a non-center non-AP STA, or a non-center STA, and the specific name of the non-center user is not limited in the embodiments of the present application.

[0133] In the present application, the packet or the wireless frame can be understood as being generated by a medium access control (MAC) layer, and after the packet or the wireless frame is delivered to a physical layer, a physical layer protocol data unit (PPDU) can be formed. Since the packet or the wireless frame can form a PPDU after being encapsulated in the physical layer, the related description about the packet or the wireless frame below can also be applicable to the PPDU, and the related description about the PPDU below is also applicable to the wireless frame or the packet.

[0134] Figure 2c is a schematic diagram of the working principle of the SP-based co-SR according to an embodiment of the present application. As shown in Figure 2c, within the co-SR SP, when the AP or the center user receives a packet from a BSS other than the BSS in the collaboration group, a detection threshold of -62 dBm is used. For example, when the AP or the center non-AP STA receives a packet from the above-mentioned BSS other than the BSS, and the received power of the packet is less than -62 dBm, the AP or the center non-AP STA allows the NAV not to be updated based on the packet from the above-mentioned BSS other than the BSS, and considers the physical carrier sensing as idle, continues to perform the backoff process, and transmits a packet after the backoff process ends. For another example, when the AP or the center non-AP STA receives a packet from a BSS outside the collaboration group, and the received power of the packet is less than -82 dBm, the AP or the center non-AP STA can allow the NAV not to be updated based on the packet from the above-mentioned BSS outside the collaboration group, and considers the physical carrier sensing as idle, and continues to perform the backoff process.

[0135] Through the above-mentioned SP-based co-SR, concurrent transmission of multiple communication links can be realized, so that the purpose of spatial multiplexing is achieved through coordination. The above-mentioned multiple communication links can include but are not limited to the communication link between the AP in the BSS1 and the center user in the BSS1, and the communication link between the AP in the BSS2 and the center user in the BSS2.

[0136] However, the above-mentioned SP-based co-SR has the following problems:

[0137] Problem 1: The transmission period is not flexible, resources are wasted, and network performance is low.

[0138] The co-SR SP is generally broadcast by the AP through a management frame, that is, the AP plans the co-SR SP in advance.

[0139] Figure 3a is another schematic diagram of the SP-based co-SR according to an embodiment of the present application. As shown in Figure 3a, within the co-SR SP, the AP and the center user have no traffic to be transmitted (such as the BSS1 in Figure 3a), or the amount of traffic to be transmitted by the AP and the center user is small, and there is still a distance from the end time of the co-SR SP after the transmission is completed (such as the BSS2 in Figure 3a). This will result in a waste of resources. As shown in Figure 3a, the center user has no traffic to be transmitted in the wasted time, and even if the non-center user has traffic, the non-center user cannot transmit (the non-center user is not allowed to transmit within the co-SR SP). In addition, the uplink and downlink traffic of the center user is not allowed to be transmitted outside the co-SR SP, and the uplink and downlink traffic of the non-center user is not allowed to be transmitted within the co-SR SP.

[0140] However, service arrival is flexible and random, while co-SR SP is planned in advance by the AP, which makes the transmission inflexible and affects network performance.

[0141] Question 2: Incompatibility with the legacy STA.

[0142] Figure 3b is a schematic diagram of another SP-based co-SR architecture provided in an embodiment of this application. Figure 3c is a schematic diagram of yet another SP-based co-SR scenario provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0143] As can be seen from the working principle of SP-based co-SR, non-central users are not allowed to transmit within the co-SR SP, but traditional sites are unaware of this rule. As shown in Figure 3b, traditional STAs located in non-central areas of BSS1 will still compete for the channel and transmit data within the co-SR SP. However, when the AP or central user in BSS2 receives a packet from a traditional STA in BSS1, it determines that the received power of the packet is less than -62dBm according to the -62dBm threshold, thus ignoring the NAV and assuming that the physical carrier sense is idle, continuing to back off and successfully accessing the channel to transmit data.

[0144] However, there is significant interference between traditional STAs in BSS1 and APs or central users in BSS2, which causes conflicts in their concurrent transmissions, thus affecting the transmission of both communication links.

[0145] In view of this, embodiments of this application provide a cooperative space reuse method and apparatus, which can improve the flexibility of transmission time periods and the flexibility of co-SR, thereby improving network performance.

[0146] Figure 4 is a schematic flowchart of a collaborative space reuse method provided in an embodiment of this application. In this method, a first BSS can form a co-SR collaborative relationship with at least one second BSS. Alternatively, a first BSS can collaborate with one second BSS, or a first BSS can collaborate with at least two second BSSs. For example, if BSS1 has established co-SR collaborative relationships with both BSS2 and BSS3, then BSS2 and BSS3 are respectively the second BSSs of BSS1. The method for establishing collaborative relationships between at least two BSSs is not limited in this embodiment.

[0147] The AP in the first BSS can be referred to as a first AP, and the AP in the second BSS can be referred to as a second AP. The first AP can learn non-AP STAs (or a set of non-AP STAs, or cooperating non-AP STAs) in the first BSS that cooperate with the second BSS. For example, the first AP can determine the non-AP STAs in the first BSS that cooperate with the second BSS by the size of the received power of wireless frames from the second AP. For example, if the received power of wireless frames from the second AP received by an associated station of the first AP is less than a power threshold, the associated station can be a non-AP STA in the first BSS that cooperates with the second BSS. For another example, if the ratio of the received power of wireless frames from the second AP received by an associated station of the first AP to the received power of wireless frames from the first AP received by the associated station is less than a threshold, the associated station can be a non-AP STA in the first BSS that cooperates with the second BSS. Of course, the first non-AP STA can also be determined by the difference between the two received powers, which will not be listed one by one here. The number of non-AP STAs in the first BSS that cooperate with the second BSS is not limited by the embodiments of the present application.

[0148] Similarly, the second AP can also learn non-AP STAs (or a set of non-AP STAs, or cooperating non-AP STAs) in the second BSS that cooperate with the first BSS. For the method of determining cooperating non-AP STAs, reference can be made to the description of the non-AP STAs in the first BSS that cooperate with the second BSS, which will not be described in detail here.

[0149] For ease of distinction, the non-AP STAs in the first BSS that cooperate with the second BSS will be referred to as first non-AP STAs, and the non-AP STAs in the second BSS that cooperate with the first BSS will be referred to as second non-AP STAs. The first non-AP STAs or the second non-AP STAs can also be referred to as cooperating non-AP STAs. For ease of description, the method shown in FIG. 4 will be described taking the first BSS or the first AP as an example. It can be understood that the method applicable to the first BSS or the first AP is also applicable to the second BSS or the second AP. The specific method for the second BSS or the second AP will not be described here.

[0150] The first station can be an AP or a non-AP STA in the first BSS, and the second station can be an AP or a non-AP STA in the second BSS. For example, the first station can be an AP or a non-AP STA in the first BSS that has obtained the TXOP and cooperates with the second BSS. That is, the first station can include a first AP or a first non-AP STA. Alternatively, the first station can also be referred to as a TXOP holder. For example, the second station can be an AP or a non-AP STA in the second BSS that cooperates with the first BSS. That is, the second station can include a second AP or a second non-AP STA. The first station and the second station can be described as above, and details are not described herein.

[0151] In the embodiments of the present application, for at least two BSSs having a cooperation relationship, when an AP or a cooperating non-AP STA in a first BSS of the at least two BSSs has obtained a TXOP, a station cooperating with the first BSS in other BSSs of the at least two BSSs can send a PPDU after the end of the backoff. That is, in the TXOP, the TXOP holder can send a PPDU, and the station cooperating with the first BSS in the other BSSs can also send a PPDU after the end of the backoff, thereby realizing cooperative spatial multiplexing. As shown in FIG. 4, the method includes the following steps.

[0152] In a possible implementation, the method shown in FIG. 4 can include step 401.

[0153] 401. The first station generates a first control frame, and the first control frame includes cooperation BSS information that can be used to indicate that the second station is allowed to contend for a channel in the TXOP.

[0154] Alternatively, the cooperation BSS information can be used to indicate that the second station is allowed to perform co-SR in the TXOP. In the TXOP obtained by the first station, the second station can send a PPDU after the end of the backoff, thereby achieving the purpose of co-SR. The channel contention shown in the present application can also be referred to as channel contention.

[0155] In the embodiments of the present application, the cooperation BSS information can have the following implementation.

[0156] As a possible implementation 1, the cooperative BSS information is indicated by the frame type of the first control frame, and information of the first BSS. The information of the first BSS can include at least one of the following: the BSSID of the first BSS, or the BSS color of the first BSS, or the BSS AID of the first BSS. In other words, the cooperative BSS information can be implemented by the frame type of the first control frame, and the at least one of the above. Of course, the information of the first BSS can also include the identification of the cooperative group to which the first BSS and the second BSS belong, and the description of the identification can refer to the description of the information of the second BSS below. Optionally, the cooperative BSS information can also be indicated by part or all of the following bits in the common information field of the first control frame: B4-B15, B22-B63; or part or all of the following bits in the user information list field: B29-B39. The description of the frame type can also refer to the description of the specific form of the first control frame below.

[0157] As an example, the station indicated by the receiving address or the sending address of the first control frame can be the first AP. The MAC address of the first AP can be the BSSID of the first BSS. The BSSID of the first BSS can be carried in the MAC header of the wireless frame.

[0158] As another example, the BSS corresponding to the BSS color in the first control frame is the first BSS. The BSS color of the first BSS can be carried in the physical layer header of the wireless frame. Of course, the positions of the BSSID and the BSS color of the first BSS are only examples, and the embodiments of the present application are not limited thereto.

[0159] As yet another example, the first control frame includes the BSS AID of the first BSS. The BSS AID of the first BSS can be carried in the physical layer header or the MAC header, or in the frame body, etc.

[0160] Through the BSSID or the BSS color or the BSS AID of the first BSS, the receiving station can know that the first control frame is sent by a station in the first BSS. Through the frame type of the first control frame, the receiving station can know the function of the first control frame, that is, the first control frame is used to indicate that the second station is allowed to contend for the channel in the TXOP. The receiving station can include but is not limited to the second station. As described above, the receiving station can include stations in the first BSS except the first station, or stations in the second BSS.

[0161] In the above implementation 1, the second station can learn that it is allowed to contend for the channel through the frame type of the first control frame and the BSSID or BSS color of the first BSS in the first control frame, so that the signaling overhead of the first control frame can be effectively saved. That is, for the implementation 1, the cooperative BSS information can allow the second station to perform channel contention within the TXOP by default.

[0162] For ease of reference, different numbers are used in the embodiments of the present application to distinguish different implementations.

[0163] As another possible implementation 2, the cooperative BSS information is indicated by the frame type of the first control frame, the indication information and the information of the first BSS. The information of the first BSS can include at least one of the following: the BSSID of the first BSS, or the BSS color of the first BSS, or the BSS AID of the first BSS, etc. The description of the frame type of the first control frame and the BSSID and BSS color of the first BSS can refer to the above implementation 1, and will not be described in detail here.

[0164] For the implementation 2, the cooperative BSS information can include the indication information, which can be used to indicate whether the second station is allowed to contend for the channel within the TXOP. For example, the indication information can occupy 1 bit, and the value of the 1 bit can be 1 to indicate that the second station is allowed to contend for the channel within the TXOP, and the value of the 1 bit can be 0 to indicate that the second station is not allowed to contend for the channel within the TXOP. Thus, the second station can learn that it is allowed to contend for the channel within the TXOP through the frame type of the first control frame, the BSSID or BSS color of the first BSS in the first control frame, and the indication information.

[0165] In the above implementation 2, the second station can also learn whether it is allowed to contend for the channel within the TXOP through the indication information, which is more flexible in indication and can also save the signaling overhead of the first control frame.

[0166] As still another possible implementation 3, the cooperative BSS information can include the information of the second BSS.

[0167] As an example, the information of the second BSS includes an identification of a protocol group in which the first BSS and the second BSS are located. The second station can learn, through the identification of the collaboration group, that it is allowed to contend for the channel within the TXOP obtained by the first station. For example, BSS1 establishes a co-SR collaboration relationship with BSS2 and BSS3, and BSS1 establishes a co-SR collaboration relationship with BSS4. When BSS1 is the first BSS, BSS2, BSS3, and BSS4 are all the second BSS. The identification of the collaboration group in which BSS1 and BSS2 are located can be the same as the identification of the collaboration group in which BSS1 and BSS3 are located. The identification of the collaboration group in which BSS1 and BSS4 are located can be different from the identification of the collaboration group in which BSS1 and BSS2 are located.

[0168] The collaboration BSS information includes the identification of the collaboration group, so that the second station can effectively learn that the BSSs collaborating with the BSS in which the second station is located allow the second station to contend for the channel within the TXOP. The length of the identification of the collaboration group can be smaller than the length of the BSSID, so that the collaboration BSS information can also save signaling overhead by including the identification of the collaboration group.

[0169] As another example, the information of the second BSS can include the BSSID of the second BSS.

[0170] As yet another example, the information of the second BSS can include the BSS color of the second BSS.

[0171] As yet another example, the information of the second BSS can include the BSS AID of the second BSS.

[0172] As an example, the BSSID or the BSS color or the BSS AID of the second BSS described above can be carried in the frame body of the first control frame. The BSS AID of the second BSS can be an identification allocated to the second BSS by the first AP, or an identification allocated to the second BSS by the station initiating the spatial multiplexing collaboration request frame, and the like. The allocation manner of the BSS AID of the second BSS is not limited in the embodiments of the present application. Similarly, the BSS AID of the first BSS can be an identification allocated to the first BSS by the station initiating the spatial multiplexing collaboration request frame, or an identification allocated to the first AP by the second AP, and the like. The BSS AID can also be referred to as an SR ID, and the like.

[0173] The collaboration BSS information includes at least one of the BSSID, the BSS color, or the BSS AID of the second BSS, so that the second station can learn, based on the collaboration BSS information, that the first station allows the second station to contend for the channel within the TXOP obtained by the first station.

[0174] The implementation manner 1 to the implementation manner 3 can also be combined with each other, for example, the implementation manner 1 and the implementation manner 3 can be combined, or the implementation manner 2 and the implementation manner 3 can also be combined, and details are not described herein again for the combined embodiments.

[0175] For the implementation manner 1 to the implementation manner 3, as a possible implementation manner, the first control frame can not include the information of the co-SR time length. At this time, the second station is allowed to contend for the channel in the entire TXOP. That is, the co-SR time length is defaulted as the time length of the TXOP. The time length field in the first control frame can be determined according to the time length of the TXOP. For example, the time length field in the first control frame can be equal to the time length of the TXOP (or referred to as a TXOP window, etc.). At this time, the co-SR time length can be defaulted as the length indicated by the time length field in the first control frame. For another example, the time length field in the first control frame can be less than the time length of the TXOP, at this time, the first station can indicate the remaining time length in the time length field of the subsequent sent wireless frame, and the remaining time length is the remaining time length of the time length of the TXOP except the time length indicated by the time length field in the first control frame. For example, the start time of the co-SR time length can be the end time of the sending of the first control frame.

[0176] For the implementation manner 1 to the implementation manner 3, as another possible implementation manner, the first control frame can include the information of the co-SR time length. In the co-SR time length, the second station is allowed to contend for the channel. The co-SR time length is less than or equal to the time length of the TXOP. Or, the co-SR time length is contained in the time length of the TXOP. For example, the start time of the co-SR time length can be the end time of the sending of the first control frame.

[0177] For example, the information of the co-SR time length can be carried in the allocation duration field in the first control frame. Of course, the name of the allocation duration field is only an example, and should not be understood as a limitation to the embodiments of the present application.

[0178] When the first control frame includes the information of the co-SR time length, the cooperative BSS information shown above can also be understood as: the cooperative BSS information is used to indicate that the second station is allowed to contend for the channel in the co-SR time length. Since the co-SR time length is a time period in the time length of the TXOP, the present application takes the TXOP as an example for description.

[0179] In the embodiments of the present application, the second station can contend for the channel in the co-SR time length, so that the first station can flexibly allocate the co-SR time length, and the time period for the second station to contend for the channel is more flexible.

[0180] The specific implementation of the first control frame can be referred to in the following, and will not be described here in detail.

[0181] 402, the first station sends the first control frame. Correspondingly, the receiving station receives the first control frame.

[0182] As a possible implementation manner 4, the first station can broadcast the first control frame. That is, the receiving address in the first control frame can be a broadcast address.

[0183] As another possible implementation manner 5, the first station can send the first control frame in a unicast manner.

[0184] As an example, the first station can be a first AP, and the station indicated by the receiving address in the first control frame can be a first non-AP STA. At this time, step 402 can be that the first AP sends the first control frame, and correspondingly, the first non-AP STA receives the first control frame.

[0185] As another example, the first station can be a first non-AP STA, and the station indicated by the receiving address in the first control frame can be a first AP. At this time, step 402 can be that the first non-AP STA sends the first control frame, and correspondingly, the first AP receives the first control frame.

[0186] For the above examples, even if the station indicated by the receiving address of the first control frame is not the second station, the second station can still detect the first control frame, so as to know the role of the first control frame.

[0187] As yet another example, the first station can be a first AP, and the station indicated by the receiving address in the first control frame can be a second AP. At this time, step 402 can be that the first AP sends the first control frame, and correspondingly, the second AP receives the first control frame.

[0188] FIG. 5a is a process diagram of a co-SR based on TXOP according to an embodiment of the present application. As shown in FIG. 5a, the AP in the first BSS can send a first control frame. Thus, after the station in the second BSS receives the first control frame, it can know that it is allowed to contend for the channel in the TXOP. The manner in which the second station contends for the channel can be referred to in the following step 403, and will not be described here in detail.

[0189] For implementation 4 and implementation 5, as a possible implementation, the receiving station can further send a second control frame, which is a response frame of the first control frame.

[0190] As an example, for implementation 4, the receiving stations can all reply to the second control frame, for example, the bits at the same position in the second control frame sent by each receiving station can be the same. For example, the second control frame occupies 2 bits, the value of the first bit sent by each receiving station is the same, and the value of the second bit sent by each receiving station is the same. For example, the second control frame can be a clear to send (CTS) frame.

[0191] As another example, for implementation 5, the content of the second control frame replied by the receiving stations is not limited in the embodiments of the present application. Of course, the second control frame replied by the second AP can also be a CTS frame.

[0192] FIG. 5b is another process diagram of the TXOP-based co-SR provided by the embodiments of the present application. FIG. 5b is an example in which the receiving stations reply to the second control frame. Other descriptions about FIG. 5b can be referred to FIG. 5a, which will not be described in detail here.

[0193] When the receiving stations reply to the second control frame, the stations in the second BSS can also detect the second control frame, so as to learn that it is allowed to contend for the channel in the TXOP obtained by the first station based on the interaction of the first control frame and the second control frame.

[0194] The sending manners listed in the above implementation 4 and implementation 5 are only examples, in the specific implementation, the first station can also send the first control frame in the manner of groupcast, or send the first control frame in other possible manners, etc., which are not limited in the embodiments of the present application. Whether the first control frame is sent in the manner of unicast, broadcast or groupcast, the stations in the second BSS can receive the first control frame, so as to learn the cooperative BSS information in the first control frame.

[0195] In the embodiments of the present application, the stations in the first BSS except the first station can receive the first control frame, and the stations in the other BSSs except the first BSS can also receive the first control frame. The steps after the stations in the second BSS cooperating with the first BSS (i.e., the second station) receive the first control frame can refer to step 403 below. The steps after the stations in the first BSS except the first station receive the first control frame can refer to examples a-c below. The steps after the stations in the second BSS not cooperating with the first BSS receive the first control frame can refer to example d below. The steps after the stations in the BSS not cooperating with the first BSS receive the first control frame can refer to example e below.

[0196] In the embodiments of the present application, the first control frame can be referred to as a co-SR initial frame (CSIF), or a spatial reuse initial frame (SRIF), or a spatial reuse initial coordination frame (SRICF). The second control frame can be referred to as a co-SR initial response frame (CSIRF), or a spatial reuse response frame (SRRF), or a spatial reuse initial response frame, etc. The specific name of the first control frame or the second control frame is not limited in the embodiments of the present application.

[0197] 403. The second station performs channel contention according to the co-SR PD threshold.

[0198] In other words, the second station contends for the channel according to the co-SR PD threshold. In other words, the second station performs co-SR according to the co-SR PD threshold.

[0199] As an example, when the second station receives a PPDU from a station within the first BSS, and the received power of the PPDU is less than the co-SR PD threshold, the second station does not update the NAV (e.g., the base NAV) based on the PPDU, and determines the physical carrier sensing as idle; when the received power of the PPDU is greater than or equal to the co-SR PD threshold, the second station updates the NAV based on the PPDU, and determines the physical carrier sensing as busy. The second station updating the NAV based on the PPDU can include: when the duration field in the PPDU indicates a duration that is greater than the NAV maintained by the second station, the second station updates the NAV; and when the duration field in the PPDU indicates a duration that is less than or equal to the NAV maintained by the second station, the second station can not update the NAV. The way the second station updates the NAV based on the PPDU when the received power of the PPDU is equal to the co-SR PD threshold is only an example, and the second station can not update the NAV based on the PPDU when the received power of the PPDU is equal to the co-SR PD threshold.

[0200] The PPDU can include, but is not limited to, a PPDU carrying the first control frame. The co-SR PD threshold for packet detection at the second station can be the co-SR PD threshold broadcast by the second AP through the second management frame, or the co-SR PD threshold for packet detection at the second station can be a fixed value, such as -62 dBm. The co-SR PD threshold can be described below.

[0201] The second station performs channel contention based on the co-SR PD threshold, and when the physical carrier sensing is idle and the virtual carrier sensing is 0, the second station can perform backoff. The five vertical lines shown in FIGS. 5a and 5b can represent the process of backoff of the second station, and after the backoff ends, the second station can transmit a PPDU. The transmission power of the PPDU can be determined by the co-SR PD threshold. The transmission power used by the second station when transmitting the PPDU can be as follows:

[0202] 1) The PPDU is transmitted using the backoff power, such as the current allowed maximum transmission power = the maximum transmission power allowed by regulations - (co-SR PD level + 82). The transmission power of the second station when transmitting the PPDU is less than or equal to the current allowed maximum transmission power, and less than or equal to the maximum transmission power allowed by regulations.

[0203] 2) No backoff power is needed, i.e., the current allowed maximum transmission power can use the maximum transmission power of the device.

[0204] 3) When the received power of the PPDU is less than the co-SR PD level corresponding to the spatial reuse group overlapping basic service set packet detection min offset (SRG-OBSS PD min offset) field, the power is not backed off. When the received power of the PPDU is greater than or equal to the co-SR PD level corresponding to the SRG-OBSS PD min offset field and less than the co-SR PD level corresponding to the SRG-OBSS PD max offset field, the power is backed off. For example, the current allowed maximum transmit power = regulatory maximum transmit power - (co-SR PD level + 82).

[0205] The co-SR PD level corresponding to the SRG-OBSS PD min offset field can be determined by the value of the SRG-OBSS PD min offset field plus -82 dBm, and the co-SR PD level corresponding to the SRG-OBSS PD max offset field can be determined by the value of the SRG-OBSS PD max offset field plus -82 dBm. For example, the value of the SRG-OBSS PD min offset field is 10, the co-SR PD level corresponding to the SRG-OBSS PD min offset field can be -82 dBm + 10 = -72 dBm. For another example, the value of the SRG-OBSS PD max offset field is 20, the co-SR PD level corresponding to the SRG-OBSS PD max offset field can be -82 dBm + 20 = -62 dBm. Other descriptions about the SRG-OBSS PD min offset field and the SRG-OBSS PD max offset field can be referred to FIG. 9.

[0206] The -82 dBm shown in the embodiments of the present application is only an example, and in the specific implementation, other values having the same function as -82 dBm can also be used.

[0207] As another example, when the second station receives a PPDU from a station in a non-cooperating BSS, the channel can be contended according to -82 dBm. For example, when the received power of the PPDU is less than -82 dBm, the second station can not update the NAV according to the PPDU, and determine that the physical carrier sensing is idle; when the received power of the PPDU is greater than or equal to -82 dBm, the second station can update the NAV according to the PPDU, and determine that the physical carrier sensing is busy.

[0208] In the embodiments of the present application, the first station can perform frame interaction with a station in the BSS, or with a second AP, or with a second non-AP STA.

[0209] The following describes steps after the other stations receive the first control frame:

[0210] As an example a, the first station is a first AP, and the first non-AP STA receives a PPDU. The first non-AP STA can reply to an acknowledgement frame. The PPDU includes, but is not limited to, a PPDU used to carry the first control frame.

[0211] As another example b, the first station is a first non-AP STA, and the first AP receives a PPDU. The first AP can reply to an acknowledgement frame. The PPDU includes, but is not limited to, a PPDU used to carry the first control frame.

[0212] As yet another example c, a non-AP STA other than the first AP and the first non-AP STA in the first BSS receives a PPDU from within the BSS. The non-AP STA can set an intra-BSS NAV and determine that the physical carrier is busy. For example, the non-AP STA can update the intra-BSS NAV and determine that the physical carrier is busy upon receiving the PPDU from within the BSS. Alternatively, the non-AP STA can perform packet detection according to a power threshold. For example, the PPDU includes a PPDU used to carry the first control frame. In a case where the received power of the first control frame is less than the power threshold, the non-AP STA can not update the intra-BSS NAV according to the duration field in the first control frame. In a case where the received power of the first control frame is greater than or equal to the power threshold, the non-AP STA can update the intra-BSS NAV according to the duration field in the first control frame. For example, the non-AP STA can not update the intra-BSS NAV when the duration indicated by the duration field in the first control frame is less than or equal to the intra-BSS NAV maintained by the non-AP STA. For another example, the non-AP STA can update the intra-BSS NAV when the duration indicated by the duration field in the first control frame is greater than the intra-BSS NAV maintained by the non-AP STA. For example, the power threshold can be -62 dBm, -82 dBm, or less than -82 dBm. The specific value of the power threshold is not limited in the embodiments of the present application.

[0213] In one possible implementation, in case the other non-AP STAs in the first BSS, except the first AP and the first non-AP STA, receive a PPDU from the other BSS, the channel can be contended according to -82 dBm. The specific way of contending the channel according to -82 dBm can refer to the above, and will not be described in detail here. The other BSS shown here can include but is not limited to the second BSS.

[0214] In another possible implementation, in case the other non-AP STAs receive a PPDU from the other BSS, the channel can be contended according to a co-SR PD threshold. The co-SR PD threshold can be the co-SR PD threshold broadcasted by the first AP through the first management frame, or can be a fixed value, such as -62 dBm. For example, in case the other non-AP STAs receive a PPDU from a station in the second BSS, the packet detection is performed according to the co-SR PD threshold. When the received power of the PPDU is less than the co-SR PD threshold, the other non-AP STAs can not update the basic NAV according to the duration field in the PPDU, and determine that the physical carrier sensing is idle. When the received power of the PPDU is greater than or equal to the co-SR PD threshold, the other non-AP STAs can update the basic NAV according to the duration field in the PPDU, and determine that the physical carrier sensing is busy.

[0215] As another example d, in case a station in the second BSS that is not cooperating with the first BSS receives a PPDU from the other BSS, the channel can be contended according to -82 dBm. The PPDU includes but is not limited to the PPDU used to carry the first control frame.

[0216] As another example e, in case a station in the BSS that is not cooperating with the first BSS receives a PPDU from the other BSS, the channel can be contended according to -82 dBm. The PPDU includes but is not limited to the PPDU used to carry the first control frame.

[0217] In the embodiments of the present application, when the station obtaining the TXOP is a legacy station, the legacy station can not send the first control frame. In the TXOP obtained by the legacy station, the stations in the other BSS can not be allowed to send the PPDU, that is, the stations in the other BSS can not be allowed to contend for the channel in the TXOP obtained by the legacy station.

[0218] In the embodiments of the present application, the first station can send the first control frame after obtaining the TXOP, and the second station can contend for the channel in the TXOP obtained by the first station after receiving the first control frame. Thus, the first station can communicate in the TXOP, and the second station can also communicate after the backoff ends in the TXOP. Therefore, the transmission period does not need to be planned in advance, the flexibility of the transmission period is effectively improved, and the network performance is improved. Meanwhile, the first station and the second station can communicate in the TXOP, the resource utilization rate is improved, and the network performance is further improved.

[0219] Compared with the method of the SP-based co-SR shown above, the AP does not need to plan the co-SR SP in advance, and the stations in the other BSSs in the cooperative BSSs can contend for the channel after the station in one of the BSSs obtains the TXOP (that is, the station has a service to be transmitted), which effectively improves the flexibility of transmission, improves the resource utilization rate, and improves the network performance.

[0220] Further, the TXOP holder can send the PPDU, and the stations in the BSSs having the cooperative relationship with the BSS where the TXOP holder is located can also send the PPDU after the backoff ends. In the TXOP, the legacy STA is not allowed to contend for the channel, which improves the interference problem between the legacy STA and other STAs, solves the problem that the legacy STA is not coordinated, and further improves the network performance. In addition, when the legacy STA obtains the TXOP, the legacy STA is not allowed to send the first control frame, so that other STAs do not contend for the channel in the TXOP obtained by the legacy STA, which improves the interference problem between the legacy STA and other STAs, solves the problem that the legacy STA is not coordinated, and further improves the network performance.

[0221] The specific form of the first control frame related to the embodiments of the present application is introduced below. The form of the first control frame shown below can also be applied to the method shown in FIG. 4.

[0222] As a possible implementation manner, the first control frame can be an MU-RTS frame. That is, the first control frame can be multiplexed with the MU-RTS frame. The MU-RTS frame can be considered as a special trigger frame (TF).

[0223] Figure 6a is a schematic diagram of a format of the MU-RTS frame according to an embodiment of the present application. As shown in Figure 6a, the MU-RTS frame can include at least one of the following: frame control, duration, receiver address (RA), transmitter address (TA), common info, user info list, padding, or frame check sequence (FCS).

[0224] The common info field can include a trigger type field, and a value of the trigger type field is a predetermined value indicating that the trigger frame is the MU-RTS frame. The predetermined value can be 3. In an embodiment of the present application, the first control frame can multiplex the MU-RTS, and a frame type of the first control frame can be 3. In addition, the reserved bits in the MU-RTS frame can be used as a co-SR field, and the co-SR field can be used to indicate that the trigger frame is the original MU-RTS or the first control frame. For example, the reserved bits can include, but are not limited to, B4-B15 and B22-B63 in the common info field, and B29-B39 in the user info list field. The reserved bits listed here are only examples, and the reserved bits can be different in different standards, which are not limited in the embodiments of the present application. For example, for the HE standard, B22 in the common info field is a multi-user multiple-input multiple-output high-efficiency long training field mode (MU-MIMO HE-LTF mode), but for the EHT standard, the MU-MIMO HE-LTF mode field is a reserved bit. Since B22 is a reserved bit, B22 can be used to indicate whether the MU-RTS is the original MU-RTS frame or the first control frame.

[0225] For example, the co-SR field occupies 1 bit, and a value of the 1 bit is 1 indicating that the MU-RTS frame is the first control frame, i.e., the first control frame multiplexes the MU-RTS; and the value of the 1 bit is 0 indicating that the MU-RTS frame is the original MU-RTS frame. The length of the co-SR field is not limited in the embodiments of the present application.

[0226] In the case that the co-SR field indicates that the MU-RTS frame is the first control frame, the following describes the cooperative BSS information in the MU-RTS frame by taking the above-mentioned implementation manner 3 as an example. The above-mentioned implementation manners 1 and 2 are not described here.

[0227] The co-BSS information can be carried in the user information list field. For example, the co-BSS information can be carried in one or more user information fields in the user information list field.

[0228] As an example, the value of the AID field in the user information field is a special value, for example, the AID can include AID 12, and the special value is 2044.

[0229] The user information field can also be referred to as a special user information field. The user information field can include a co-SR collaboration group identifier field, which can be used to carry the identifier of the collaboration group in which the first BSS and the second BSS are located. In the case where there are N BSSs cooperating with the first BSS, the user information list field can include N user information fields, each of which can correspond to the identifier of the collaboration group in which the second BSS is located. Alternatively, in the case where there are M collaboration groups in which the first BSS is located, the user information list field can include M user information fields, each of which can correspond to the identifier of a collaboration group. The above-mentioned M can be less than or equal to N. Both M and N are positive integers. For example, when BSS1, BSS2, and BSS3 cooperate, the first BSS is BSS1, BSS2 can correspond to one user information field, and BSS3 can correspond to one user information field; or BSS2 and BSS3 can correspond to the same user information field.

[0230] FIG. 6a exemplarily shows an allocation time length field, which can also not be included in the first control frame as shown above. Since the allocation time length field is optional, FIG. 6a is shown in dashed lines. FIG. 6a is an example in which B22 in the common information field is taken as the co-SR field, but the present application is not limited thereto.

[0231] As another example, the user information field can not include the co-SR collaboration group identifier field, the AID field in the user information field can correspond to an AID, which is the BSS AID of the second BSS, or the AID can be the AID of the second AP. In the case where there are N BSSs cooperating with the first BSS, the user information list field can include N user information fields, each of which can correspond to an AID.

[0232] As another possible implementation, the first control frame can be a new trigger frame type. Referring to FIG. 6a, the trigger frame type of the first control frame can be a reserved trigger frame type, which can indicate that the trigger frame is the first control frame. For example, when the value of the trigger frame type field is 9, it can indicate that the trigger frame is the first control frame. At this time, the description of the information about the second BSS in the user information list field can refer to the above description, which will not be described in detail here.

[0233] As yet another possible implementation, the first control frame can be a new control frame.

[0234] FIG. 6b is a format diagram of the first control frame according to an embodiment of the present application. As shown in FIG. 6b, the first control frame can include at least one of the following: frame control, duration, receiver address (RA), transmitter address (TA), co-SR coordination group information (or co-SR coordination BSS information).

[0235] The co-SR coordination group information field (or co-SR coordination BSS information field) described above can be used to carry information of the second BSS. As an example, the co-SR coordination group information field can include one or more co-SR coordination group identification fields, each of which can be used to carry an identification of a coordination group. As another example, the co-SR coordination BSS information field can include one or more coordination BSS identification fields, each of which can be used to carry a BSSID of a second BSS.

[0236] The specific form of the first control frame described above can be combined with the method shown in FIG. 4.

[0237] In an embodiment of the present application, when a BSSID is carried in a field, the entire BSSID can be carried in the field, or a partial BSSID can be carried in the field. The specific form of carrying a BSSID is not limited in the embodiments of the present application.

[0238] The above are all examples in which the first control frame is sent after the first station obtains the TXOP. As another possible implementation, the first control frame can also be sent after the first station ends the backoff. For example, if the first control frame has no response frame, the first station sending the first control frame indicates that the first station succeeds in contending for the channel. For another example, if the first control frame has a response frame, the first station receiving the response frame can indicate that the first station succeeds in contending for the channel. In FIGS. 5a and 5b of the present application, the first control frame is all examples within the duration of the TXOP. In a specific implementation, the first control frame can also be located outside the duration of the TXOP, as shown in FIG. 5c. The second control frame is not shown in FIG. 5c. The second control frame can be located within the duration of the TXOP or outside the duration of the TXOP, which is not limited in the embodiments of the present application. The content and specific form of the first control frame can be referred to the above, and will not be described in detail here.

[0239] As a possible implementation, in the method shown in Fig. 4, the AP (i.e., the first AP) in the first BSS is allowed to send the first control frame, the non-AP STA (i.e., the first non-AP STA) in the first BSS is not allowed to send the first control frame, and then the first AP can not send the first management frame. At this time, when the first AP obtains the TXOP, the first AP sends the first control frame, and the second AP can allow the channel to be contended within the TXOP obtained by the first AP. Alternatively, the central user in the second BSS can allow the channel to be contended within the TXOP obtained by the first AP.

[0240] As another possible implementation, in the method shown in Fig. 4, both the AP in the first BSS and the non-AP STA in the first BSS are allowed to send the first control frame.

[0241] Before receiving the first control frame, the second station can determine whether the second station is the second non-AP STA. In the case that the second station is the station in the second BSS cooperating with the first BSS, the second station allows the channel to be contended within the TXOP obtained by the first station. Thus, the embodiment of the present application further provides a cooperative spatial multiplexing method. Through the method, the second station can effectively determine whether it is the second non-AP STA, or in other words, through the method, the second station can effectively know whether the station indicated by the first control frame to allow the channel to be contended within the TXOP obtained by the first station includes itself.

[0242] Fig. 7 is another flowchart of the cooperative spatial multiplexing method provided by the embodiment of the present application. In the method, the descriptions about the first AP, the second AP, the first non-AP STA, the second non-AP STA, etc. can refer to the descriptions above, and will not be described in detail here. As shown in Fig. 7, the method includes:

[0243] 701. The first AP sends a first management frame, which can include at least one of the following: information of the second BSS, an identifier of the first non-AP STA, and a number of the first non-AP STA. Correspondingly, the non-AP STA in the first BSS receives the first management frame.

[0244] In a possible implementation, before the first AP sends the first management frame, the first AP can further generate the first management frame.

[0245] The non-AP STA in the first BSS in step 701 can include the first non-AP STA (or referred to as a cooperative non-AP STA), or can include a non-AP STA in the first BSS other than the first non-AP STA (or referred to as a non-cooperative non-AP STA in the first BSS). When the identification of the first non-AP STA in the first management frame indicates itself, the non-AP STA in the first BSS can determine itself as the first non-AP STA, or determine itself as a cooperative non-AP STA, or determine itself as a co-SR cooperative STA, etc. Optionally, the first non-AP STA can save part or all of the information in the first management frame, such as can save the information of the second BSS, or can save the co-SR PD threshold.

[0246] (1) Information of the second BSS:

[0247] The information of the second BSS can include at least one of the following: the BSSID of the second BSS, or the identification of the cooperative group in which the second BSS and the first BSS are located, or the BSS AID of the second BSS. The description of the information of the second BSS can refer to FIG. 4, which will not be described in detail here.

[0248] (2) Identification of the first non-AP STA:

[0249] The first AP can make the non-AP STA in the first BSS know whether it is the first non-AP STA by indicating the identification of the first non-AP STA to the non-AP STA in the first BSS. For example, when the identification of itself is included in the first management frame, the station can determine itself as a cooperative non-AP STA, or as the first non-AP STA. For example, the identification of the first non-AP STA can include the MAC address or AID of the first non-AP STA, etc.

[0250] When the information of the second BSS is included in the first management frame, the first non-AP STA can perform channel contention within the TXOP obtained by the station in the second BSS. The description of the related information after the second BSS obtains the TXOP can refer to the description of the first BSS obtaining the TXOP in FIG. 4, which will not be described in detail here.

[0251] (3) Number of the first non-AP STAs:

[0252] The number of the first non-AP STAs can be used to indicate the length of the first management frame, or in other words, to indicate the length of the field carrying the identification of the first non-AP STA.

[0253] As an example, the first management frame can comprise the BSSID of the second BSS and the identity of the first non-AP STA. As another example, the first management frame can comprise the identity of the second BSS and the first BSS belonging to a collaboration group, and the identity of the first non-AP STA. As yet another example, the first management frame can comprise the BSSID of the second BSS, the identity of the second BSS and the first BSS belonging to a collaboration group, and the identity of the first non-AP STA. For the above three examples, the first management frame can further comprise the number of the first non-AP STAs.

[0254] The BSSID of the second BSS, the identity of the collaboration group that the first BSS and the second BSS belong to, and the identity of the first non-AP STA can be carried in the same management frame, such as the first management frame described above, or the above three parameters can be carried in two management frames, such as the identity of the first non-AP STA and the identity of the collaboration group being carried in one management frame, the identity of the collaboration group and the BSSID of the second BSS being carried in another management frame, or the identity of the first non-AP STA and the BSSID of the second BSS being carried in the same management frame, the identity of the collaboration group being carried in a management frame, and so on, which will not be listed one by one here. The specific forms of the above three parameters are not limited by the embodiments of the present application. For the above (1)-(3), the embodiments of the present application further provide specific implementations of the above three parameters, such as FIGS. 8a-8c.

[0255] As a possible implementation, the first management frame can comprise one or more co-SR information fields, each of which can correspond to a second BSS. For example, BSS1, BSS2 and BSS3 have a collaboration relationship, for BSS1, BSS2 can correspond to a co-SR information field, and BSS3 also corresponds to a co-SR information field. BSS2 and BSS3 can both be referred to as a second BSS. The number of co-SR information fields can be equal to the number of second BSSs cooperating with the first BSS. As an example, each co-SR information field can comprise the information of the second BSS, the identity of the first non-AP STA, or the number of the first non-AP STAs.

[0256] Figure 8a is a format of a co-SR information field in a first management frame according to an embodiment of the present application. The first management frame can include, but is not limited to, the co-SR information field. As shown in Figure 8a, the co-SR information field can include a second BSS identification field, which can be used to indicate the BSSID of the second BSS, or the BSS color of the second BSS, or the BSS AID of the second BSS. The co-SR information field can also include a co-SR cooperating STA identification field, each of which can be used to indicate a first non-AP STA. For example, the co-SR cooperating STA identification field can be used to carry the MAC address of the first non-AP STA, or the AID, etc. The co-SR information field can also include a cooperating group identification field, which is used to indicate the identification of the cooperating group in which the first BSS and the second BSS are located. The co-SR information field can also include a co-SR cooperating STA number field, which can be used to indicate the number of first non-AP STAs, or the number of co-SR cooperating STA identification fields. For example, the value of the field starts from 0, and when the value of the co-SR cooperating STA number field is x, it means that the number of first non-AP STAs is x+1, and there are x+1 co-SR cooperating STA identification fields in the co-SR information field. Of course, when the value of the co-SR cooperating STA number field is x, the number of first non-AP STAs can also be x, and there are x co-SR cooperating STA identification fields in the co-SR information field. The correspondence between the value of the co-SR cooperating STA number field and the number of first non-AP STAs is not limited in the embodiment of the present application.

[0257] As another possible implementation, the first management frame can include a co-SR cooperating group information field and a co-SR information field. The co-SR cooperating group information field includes information of the second BSS. The co-SR information field can be used to indicate information of the first non-AP STA.

[0258] Figure 8b is a format of co-SR collaboration group information field and co-SR information field in a first management frame according to an embodiment of the present application. The first management frame can include but is not limited to co-SR collaboration group information field and co-SR information field. As shown in (1) of Figure 8b, the co-SR collaboration group information field can include collaboration group identification field, collaboration group BSS number field or BSS identification field. The collaboration group identification field can be used to identify the collaboration group. The collaboration group BSS number field can be used to indicate the number of second BSSs in the collaboration group. For example, if the value of the collaboration group BSS number field is x, then the number of second BSSs belonging to the collaboration group can be x+1 (or x), and the co-SR collaboration group information field includes x+1 BSS identification fields (or x BSS identification fields). For example, BSS1, BSS2 and BSS 3 have a collaboration relationship, then for BSS 1, the number of BSSs indicated by the collaboration group BSS number field is 2, and the co-SR collaboration group information field can include 2 BSS identification fields, which respectively indicate BSS2 and BSS 3. The collaboration group identification field can be used to indicate the identification of the collaboration group to which BSS1, BSS2 and BSS 3 belong. The description of the BSS identification field can refer to the description of the second BSS identification field in Figure 8a. As shown in (2) of Figure 8b, the co-SR information field can include collaboration group identification field, co-SR collaboration STA number field, co-SR collaboration STA identification field. The description of (2) of Figure 8b can refer to Figure 8a, which will not be described in detail here. The difference between Figure 8b and Figure 8a is that the co-SR collaboration identification field in Figure 8a carries the identification of the non-AP STA in the first BSS that collaborates with a second BSS, and the co-SR collaboration identification field in Figure 8b carries the identification of the non-AP STA in the first BSS that collaborates with the BSSs in the collaboration group to which the first BSS belongs.

[0259] Generally speaking, for the same collaboration group, the non-AP STAs in the first BSS that collaborate with different second BSSs can be the same. For example, BSS1, BSS2 and BSS 3 collaborate, and the first BSS is BSS1, then the non-AP STAs in the first BSS that collaborate with BSS2 can be the same as the non-AP STAs in the first BSS that collaborate with BSS2. Of course, for the same collaboration group, the non-AP STAs in the first BSS that collaborate with different second BSSs can be partially the same. At this time, through the format shown in Figure 8a, the non-AP STAs in the first BSS that collaborate with different second BSSs can be explicitly indicated.

[0260] FIG. 8c is a format of co-SR collaboration group information field and co-SR information field in the first management frame according to an embodiment of the present application. The co-SR collaboration group information field in FIG. 8c can refer to the description of FIG. 8b, and the co-SR information field can refer to the description of FIG. 8a, which will not be repeated here. Optionally, the co-SR information field in FIG. 8c can further include a collaboration group identification field.

[0261] The above-mentioned FIG. 8a to FIG. 8c exemplarily show part of the fields in the first management frame, which can further include other fields, which will not be listed one by one here.

[0262] As a possible implementation, the first management frame can not include the information of co-SR PD threshold. At this time, the co-SR PD threshold can be defined by the standard, or broadcasted by the AP through other management frames, etc. For example, the co-SR PD threshold can be -62dBm. When the co-SR PD threshold is defined by the standard, the co-SR PD threshold used by the stations in the first BSS when competing for the channel is the same as the co-SR PD threshold used by the stations in the second BSS when competing for the channel. When the co-SR PD threshold is broadcasted by the AP, for example, the first AP can broadcast the co-SR PD threshold to the non-AP STAs in the first BSS, and the second AP can broadcast the co-SR PD threshold to the non-AP STAs in the second BSS. At this time, the co-SR PD threshold used by the stations in different BSS when competing for the channel can be the same or different, which is not limited by the embodiments of the present application.

[0263] As another possible implementation, the first management frame can include the information of co-SR PD threshold. At this time, the co-SR PD threshold can have the following ways:

[0264] Way 1: unique co-SR PD threshold

[0265] The meaning of the manner 1 is that the first AP and all the first non-AP STAs in the first BSS use one unique co-SR PD threshold. The unique co-SR PD threshold can be a fixed co-SR PD threshold, and the first AP and the first non-AP STAs in the first BSS both contend for the channel through the fixed co-SR PD threshold. Alternatively, the unique co-SR PD threshold can be a maximum co-SR PD threshold, and the actual co-SR PD threshold used by the first AP and the first non-AP STAs when contending for the channel can be less than or equal to the maximum co-SR PD threshold. At this time, the actual co-SR PD threshold used by the first AP or the first non-AP STA in the first BSS can be determined by the first AP or the first non-AP STA itself, or determined by the first AP or the first non-AP STA according to the maximum co-SR PD threshold and the power backoff. The application embodiments do not limit the determination manner of the actual co-SR PD threshold used by the first AP or the first non-AP STA.

[0266] For example, the first management frame can further include a field, which can be used to indicate the co-SR PD threshold.

[0267] As an example, the name of the above-mentioned field can be a co-SR PD max offset field. For example, when the value of the field indicates that the co-SR PD max offset is x, the co-SR PD threshold can be determined based on x and a preset value. For example, the preset value can be equal to -82 dBm, and the co-SR PD threshold can be equal to -82+x, which is in units of decibel-milliwatts (dBm). When x=15, the co-SR PD threshold is equal to -82 dBm+15 dBm=-67 dBm. Alternatively, the maximum value of x can be 20 dBm. At this time, the maximum value of the co-SR PD threshold can be -62 dBm.

[0268] As another example, the name of the above-mentioned field can be a co-SR PD threshold field. The value of the co-SR PD threshold field can correspond to the co-SR PD threshold.

[0269] Manner 2: Multiple co-SR PD thresholds

[0270] As an example, each collaboration group can correspond to an independent co-SR PD threshold. As an example, co-SR information field can include co-SR PD threshold field or co-SR PD maximum offset field. For this example, different APs can set different co-SR PD thresholds for the same collaboration group. Alternatively, a first AP can negotiate the co-SR PD threshold for the collaboration group in which the first AP and a second AP are located before the first AP transmits the first management frame.

[0271] For example, collaboration group 1 corresponds to co-SR PD threshold 1 and collaboration group 2 corresponds to co-SR PD threshold 2. Collaboration group 1 includes BSS 1 and BSS 2 and collaboration group 2 includes BSS 1, BSS 3 and BSS 4. BSS 1 is the first BSS. Co-SR PD threshold 1 can be used for packet detection when a station in BSS 1 receives a PPDU from BSS 2 and co-SR PD threshold 2 can be used for packet detection when a station in BSS 2 receives a PPDU from BSS 3 or BSS 4.

[0272] As another example, each second BSS can correspond to an independent co-SR PD threshold. As an example, co-SR information field can include co-SR PD threshold field or co-SR PD maximum offset field.

[0273] As yet another example, multiplexing spatial reuse group (SRG) spatial reuse parameters. A first AP in the first BSS and all first non-AP STAs multiplex the spatial reuse parameters of the SRG.

[0274] Figure 9 is a schematic diagram of the format of the spatial reuse parameter set element provided in an embodiment of this application. The first management frame may include the spatial reuse parameter set element, which may include an SRG OBSS PD minimum offset field and an SRG OBSS PD maximum offset field. The aforementioned SRG-OBSS PD minimum offset field may correspond to a co-SR PD threshold, and the aforementioned SRG-OBSS PD maximum offset field may correspond to a co-SR PD threshold. The second station can determine its actual co-SR PD threshold based on the aforementioned two co-SR PD thresholds. For example, the second station can determine the actual co-SR PD threshold based on the aforementioned two co-SR PD thresholds and power backoff. For an explanation of power backoff, please refer to step 403 above. Explanations of other fields in Figure 9 can be found in the 802.11 standard, and will not be detailed here.

[0275] For example, the first management frame can be a beacon frame or a probe response frame, etc., which will not be listed here.

[0276] In one possible implementation, the method shown in Figure 7 may include step 702.

[0277] 702. The second AP sends a second management frame, which may include at least one of the following: information about the first BSS, the identifier of the second non-AP STA, and the number of the second non-AP STAs. Correspondingly, the non-AP STAs in the second BSS receive the second management frame.

[0278] In one possible implementation, the second management frame can be generated before the second AP sends the second management frame.

[0279] The non-AP STA in the second BSS in step 702 may include the second non-AP STA, or it may include non-AP STAs other than the second non-AP STA in the second BSS. For details regarding non-AP STAs in the second BSS, please refer to step 701; further details will not be provided here.

[0280] The information for the first BSS may include at least one of the following: the BSSID of the first BSS, or the identifier of the collaboration group to which the first BSS and the second BSS belong, or the BSS AID of the first BSS. For a description of the information for the first BSS, please refer to the description of the information for the second BSS above; it will not be elaborated upon here.

[0281] The identity of the second non-AP STA can refer to the description of the first non-AP STA above. The number of the second non-AP STA can refer to the description of the number of the first non-AP STA above. The identity of the second non-AP STA is different from the identity of the first non-AP STA in that the second non-AP STA is a non-AP STA in the second BSS that can cooperate with the first BSS, while the first non-AP STA is a non-AP STA in the first BSS that can cooperate with the second BSS. That is, the second non-AP STA is a non-AP STA in the second BSS, and the first non-AP STA is a non-AP STA in the first BSS.

[0282] The format of the second management frame can refer to the description of the format of the first management frame above, which will not be described in detail here. The description of the co-SR PD threshold can refer to the description of step 701, which will not be described in detail here. The order of the above steps 701 and 702 is not limited by the embodiments of the present application.

[0283] In a possible implementation, before step 701 or step 702, the method shown in FIG. 7 can further include:

[0284] The first AP sends a spatial multiplexing cooperation request frame to the second AP, and the second AP receives the spatial multiplexing cooperation request frame.

[0285] The second AP sends a spatial multiplexing cooperation response frame to the first AP, and the first AP receives the spatial multiplexing cooperation response frame.

[0286] The spatial multiplexing cooperation request frame can be used for the first AP to request cooperation from the second AP. The spatial multiplexing cooperation request frame can include information of the first BSS and / or information of the second BSS. The information of the first BSS can be used to indicate which BSS the second AP requests to cooperate, and the information of the second BSS can enable the second AP to know that the first BSS requests to cooperate with the BSS in which the second AP is located. The specific location of the information of the first BSS or the information of the second BSS in the spatial multiplexing cooperation request frame is not limited by the embodiments of the present application. For example, the sending address in the spatial multiplexing cooperation request frame can be the MAC address of the first AP, and the receiving address in the spatial multiplexing cooperation request frame can be the MAC address of the second AP. For another example, the payload in the spatial multiplexing cooperation request frame can include the MAC address of the second AP, and so on. Here, they will not be listed one by one.

[0287] Optionally, the spatial multiplexing cooperation request frame can further include information of the co-SR PD threshold.

[0288] The spatial multiplexing cooperation response frame is a response frame of the spatial multiplexing cooperation request frame. The spatial multiplexing cooperation response frame can include information of the first BSS and information of the second BSS. For example, a sending address in the spatial multiplexing cooperation response frame can be a MAC address of the second AP, and a receiving address in the spatial multiplexing cooperation response frame can be a MAC address of the first AP.

[0289] When the spatial multiplexing cooperation request frame includes information of the co-SR PD threshold, the second AP agrees to the co-SR PD threshold, and the spatial multiplexing cooperation response frame can not include the information of the co-SR PD threshold. Alternatively, the second AP refuses the co-SR PD threshold, and the spatial multiplexing cooperation response frame can also include the information of the co-SR PD threshold.

[0290] The information of the first BSS and the information of the second BSS can refer to the foregoing description, and details are not described herein. The names of the spatial multiplexing cooperation request frame and the spatial multiplexing cooperation response frame are only examples, and should not be construed as a limitation on the embodiments of the present application.

[0291] In a possible implementation, before the step 701 or the step 702, the method shown in FIG. 7 can further include:

[0292] The second AP sends the spatial multiplexing cooperation request frame to the first AP, and the first AP receives the spatial multiplexing cooperation request frame.

[0293] The first AP sends the spatial multiplexing cooperation response frame to the second AP, and the second AP receives the spatial multiplexing cooperation response frame.

[0294] The AP that initiates the cooperation request can be the first AP or the second AP, and the embodiments of the present application do not limit this. The spatial multiplexing cooperation request frame and the spatial multiplexing cooperation response frame can refer to the foregoing description, and details are not described herein.

[0295] In the embodiments of the present application, the first AP sends the first management frame, so that the non-AP STA in the first BSS where the first AP is located can know whether the non-AP STA can cooperate with the second BSS. Therefore, when a station in the second BSS obtains a TXOP, the non-AP STA that cooperates with the second BSS in the first BSS or the first AP can perform channel contention. In this way, the flexibility of the transmission period is improved.

[0296] The second AP sends the second management frame, so that the non-AP STA in the second BSS where the second AP is located can know whether the non-AP STA can cooperate with the first BSS. Therefore, when a station in the first BSS obtains a TXOP, the non-AP STA that cooperates with the first BSS in the second BSS or the second AP can perform channel contention. In this way, the flexibility of the transmission period is improved.

[0297] The above Fig. 4 and Fig. 7 can be separate embodiments, or Fig. 4 and Fig. 7 can be combined. The above Fig. 4 is illustrated by taking the station in the first BSS obtaining the TXOP as an example, in a specific implementation, the TXOP can also be obtained by the station in the second BSS. The method when the station in the second BSS obtains the TXOP is similar to the method when the station in the first BSS obtains the TXOP, which will not be described one by one here.

[0298] As a possible implementation, the method shown in Fig. 4 can be implemented alone. The method shown in Fig. 4 or Fig. 7 can not be combined with the co-SR SP.

[0299] As another possible implementation, the above-mentioned cooperative spatial reuse method (such as Fig. 4) can be combined with the co-SR SP. In the co-SR SP, after the first station obtains the TXOP, the first control frame can be sent. At the same time, in the co-SR SP, the second AP or the second non-AP STA can contend for the channel in the TXOP. The combination of the co-SR SP and Fig. 4 will not be described here.

[0300] As a possible implementation A, the above-mentioned first station can be a first AP. That is, the AP in the first BSS is allowed to contend for the channel, or send the first control frame. The description about the implementation A can refer to the implementation C below, which will not be described here.

[0301] As another possible implementation B, the above-mentioned first station can be a first AP or a first non-AP STA. That is, the AP in the first BSS or the non-AP STA in the first BSS cooperating with the second BSS is allowed to contend for the channel or send the first control frame. The description about the implementation B can refer to the above Fig. 4 or Fig. 7, etc., which will not be described here.

[0302] As an example, the description of the first control frame sent by the first non-AP STA can refer to the above implementation 1-implementation 3.

[0303] As another example, the description of the first control frame sent by the first non-AP STA can refer to the above implementation 1 or the implementation D below.

[0304] As yet another possible implementation C, in the co-SR SP, the AP in the first BSS is allowed to contend for the channel, and the non-AP STA in the first BSS is not allowed to contend for the channel.

[0305] The legacy STA does not have the function of cooperation, so the legacy STA can not be limited by the above rules and can contend for the channel.

[0306] In the co-SR SP, the first AP can allow the first non-AP STA within the BSS to communicate, so that no legacy STA or non-AP STA other than the first non-AP STA is involved in the communication.

[0307] In the co-SR SP, the first AP as the TXOP holder can send a first control frame, and the second non-AP STA or the second AP in the second BSS can contend for the channel based on the co-SR PD threshold within the TXOP obtained by the first AP after receiving the first control frame. The description of contending for the channel can be referred to the above, and will not be repeated here. In the embodiments of the present application, the second AP or the second non-AP STA in the second BSS can know that the first control frame is sent by the AP in the first BSS according to the sending address in the first control frame, so that the second AP or the second non-AP STA is allowed to contend for the channel within the TXOP. Since the second AP or the second non-AP STA contends for the channel based on the downlink TXOP, the communication of the legacy STA or the non-cooperative STA will not be interfered. The AP or the non-AP STA in the cooperative BSS only performs co-SR based on the downlink TXOP, so the communication of the legacy STA or the non-cooperative STA will not be interfered.

[0308] The description of the transmission power of the second non-AP STA or the second AP when sending the PPDU after contending for the channel based on the co-SR PD threshold can be referred to the description in step 403, and will not be repeated here.

[0309] As another possible implementation D, in the co-SR SP, the AP and the cooperative non-AP STA are allowed to contend for the channel. For example, in the co-SR SP, the first AP and the first non-AP STA are allowed to contend for the channel.

[0310] In the co-SR SP of the first BSS, the AP (i.e. the first AP) in the first BSS is allowed to contend for the channel, and the non-AP STA in the first BSS which cooperates with the second BSS is also allowed to contend for the channel. Of course, the legacy STA is not limited by the rule because it does not have the above function, and can also contend for the channel.

[0311] For example, when the first non-AP STA contends for the channel, the first non-AP STA can send an RTS frame to the first AP, and the first AP can send a CTS-to-self frame to the first non-AP STA. The receiver address in the CTS-to-self frame sent by the first AP can be the MAC address of the first AP. Through the interaction of the RTS frame and the CTS-to-self frame, the first AP and the first non-AP STA can make the AP or the non-AP STA in the second BSS identify, through the RTS / CTS-to-self process, that the current TXOP can be used for communication between the first AP and the first non-AP STA, and can also be used for communication between the second AP and the second non-AP STA. The RTS frame shown herein can correspond to the first control frame shown in the above implementation manner 1, and the CTS-to-self frame can correspond to the second control frame shown above.

[0312] When the legacy STA contends for the channel, since the RTS / CTS-to-self process is not involved, the AP or the non-AP STA in the other BSS does not contend for the channel in the TXOP obtained by the legacy STA. Thus, through the interaction of the RTS / CTS-to-self frame, the station that contends successfully in the TXOP does not communicate with the legacy STA or the non-collaborative STA.

[0313] The above implementation manners can be separate embodiments, or the above implementation manners can be combined with each other, for example, the above implementation manners can be combined with FIG. 4 or FIG. 7. For the combined description, details are not described herein.

[0314] To solve the problem of resource waste shown in FIG. 3a, the embodiment of the present application further provides a method for ending the co-SR in advance. After the co-SR is ended, all non-AP STAs (whether in the collaborative group or not) in the BSS can contend for the channel in the co-SR SP. The description of the first AP and the second AP below can refer to the above description, and details are not described herein.

[0315] As a possible implementation manner, the TXOP holder can send a co-SR end frame. For example, the AP sends the co-SR end frame. After any non-AP STA in the BSS receives the co-SR end frame, the non-AP STA can determine that the co-SR is ended. Thus, all STAs can contend for the channel in the remaining time of the co-SR SP. The all STAs shown herein can include the central user and the non-central user, or the collaborative non-AP STA and the non-collaborative non-AP STA.

[0316] As an example, after the second AP receives the co-SR end frame from the first AP, the second AP can transmit the co-SR end frame after a predetermined time interval, such as a short inter-frame space (SIFS). After the stations within the second BSS receive the co-SR end frame, the stations within the second BSS can learn that the co-SR is over. The co-SR being over can be understood as the stations within the second BSS can all contend for the channel for the remaining time of the co-SR SP. As an example, the AP within BSS1 can transmit the co-SR end frame, and the AP within BSS2 can receive the co-SR end frame and transmit the co-SR end frame to the non-AP STAs within the second BSS after a SIFS. Thus, the non-AP STAs (including the central users and non-central users) within BSS2 can learn that they are allowed to contend for the channel before the end of the co-SR SP. If the AP within BSS1 does not transmit the co-SR end frame, only the AP and the central users are allowed to interact during the remaining time of the co-SR SP, and the non-central users are not allowed to interact.

[0317] As another example, after the second AP receives the co-SR end frame, the second AP can transmit the co-SR end frame after contending for the channel to end the co-SR cooperation within the second BSS. It can be understood that the non-AP STAs within the first BSS and the second AP can all receive the co-SR end frame after the first AP transmits the co-SR end frame. Thus, the non-AP STAs within the first BSS and the second AP can all contend for the channel. In this example, it can be that the non-AP STAs within the first BSS contend for the channel, or it can be that the second AP contends for the channel.

[0318] As another possible implementation, after the co-SR SP is planned, a new parameter, a free contention protection time period T, can be added in the co-SR SP parameter when the AP broadcasts the co-SR SP parameter. The frame carrying the co-SR SP parameter can be a management frame (such as a beacon frame) or a control frame, which is not limited in the embodiments of the present application. The time period T can be less than or equal to the duration (denoted as D) of the SP, or T is within D. From the starting time t0 of the SP to the end of the free contention protection time period T (i.e., from t0 to t0+T), no non-AP STA except the AP and the cooperative non-AP STA is allowed to contend for the channel. From t0+T to t0+D, the non-AP STA except the AP and the cooperative non-AP STA is allowed to contend for the channel. Optionally, from t0+T to t0+D, the non-AP STA except the AP and the cooperative non-AP STA can use a new enhanced distributed channel access (EDCA) contention parameter, which can be specified by a standard or set by the AP, etc. The co-SR threshold in the new EDCA contention parameter can be different from the above.

[0319] The method for ending the co-SR in advance shown in the embodiments of the present application can be combined with other implementation manners or embodiments shown above, which will not be described in detail here.

[0320] In the embodiments of the present application, the AP can end the co-SR in time when there is no traffic transmission by sending the co-SR end frame, so that other stations can continue to contend for the channel, effectively improving the resource utilization.

[0321] The management frame or the control frame shown in the present application is only an example. In specific implementation, any wireless frame having a similar function to the first control frame or the first management frame belongs to the protection scope of the present application. For example, the control frame and the management frame can be distinguished by frame type, and the distinguishing method of the control frame or the management frame will not be described in detail.

[0322] For ease of description, the embodiments of the present application are illustrated by taking "field" as an example, and "field" or "subfield", "element" or "subelement" are not specifically distinguished. Although the embodiments of the present application do not specifically distinguish "field", "subfield", "element", "subelement", but those skilled in the art can adaptively distinguish the relationship between the fields shown in the embodiments of the present application.

[0323] The communication apparatus provided in the embodiments of the present application will be introduced below.

[0324] The present application divides the function modules of the communication apparatus according to the above-mentioned method embodiments. For example, each function module can be divided according to each function, or two or more functions can be integrated in one processing module. The integrated module can be realized in the form of hardware or in the form of a software function module. It should be noted that the division of the modules in the present application is illustrative, and is only a logical function division. In actual implementation, another division manner can be used. The communication apparatus of the embodiments of the present application will be described in detail below with reference to FIGS. 10 to 12.

[0325] FIG. 10 is a structural schematic diagram of a communication apparatus provided in an embodiment of the present application. As shown in FIG. 10, the communication apparatus includes a processing module 1001 and a transceiver module 1002. The transceiver module 1002 can realize corresponding communication functions, and the processing module 1001 is configured to realize corresponding processing functions. The transceiver module 1002 can also be referred to as an interface, a communication interface, or a communication module, etc.

[0326] In some embodiments of the present application, the communication apparatus can be configured to perform the actions performed by the first station in the above-mentioned method embodiments. At this time, the first station can be the Wi-Fi device itself or a chip or a function module configured in the device, etc. The transceiver module 1002 is configured to perform the transceiving related operations of the first station in the above-mentioned method embodiments, and the processing module 1001 is configured to perform the processing related operations of the first station in the above-mentioned method embodiments.

[0327] The processing module 1001 can be configured to generate the first control frame, and the transceiver module 1002 can be configured to send or output the first control frame.

[0328] The processing module 1001 can be configured to generate the first management frame, and the transceiver module 1002 can be configured to send or output the first management frame.

[0329] For example, the transceiver module 1002 can also be configured to input or receive the second control frame. The processing module 1001 can also be configured to analyze the second control frame.

[0330] For example, the transceiver module 1002 can also be configured to input or receive the second management frame. The processing module 1001 can also be configured to analyze the second management frame.

[0331] For example, the processing module 1001 can also be configured to generate a spatial multiplexing cooperation request frame, and the transceiver module 1002 can also be configured to send or output the spatial multiplexing cooperation request frame. The transceiver module 1002 can also be configured to receive or input a spatial multiplexing cooperation response frame, and the processing module 1001 can also be configured to analyze the response frame.

[0332] As another example, the transceiver 1002 can further be configured to receive or input a spatial reuse coordination request frame, and the processing module 1001 can further be configured to parse the spatial reuse coordination request frame. The processing module 1001 can further be configured to generate a spatial reuse coordination response frame, and the transceiver 1002 can further be configured to transmit or output the spatial reuse coordination response frame.

[0333] The transceiver 1002 can include, for example, a radio frequency module, an antenna module, etc. For example, the steps of transmitting or receiving shown in the above embodiments can be implemented by the radio frequency module and the antenna module. The transceiver 1002 can include, for example, an input / output module, etc. For example, the steps of outputting or inputting shown in the above embodiments can be implemented by the input / output module.

[0334] In some embodiments of the application, the communication apparatus can be configured to perform the actions performed by the second station in the above method embodiments. The transceiver 1002 can be configured to perform the operations related to transceiving of the second station in the above method embodiments, and the processing module 1001 can be configured to perform the operations related to processing of the second station in the above method embodiments.

[0335] The transceiver 1002 can be configured to receive or input the first control frame, and the processing module 1001 can be configured to parse the first control frame.

[0336] The processing module 1001 can be configured to generate the second management frame, and the transceiver 1002 can be configured to transmit or output the second management frame.

[0337] The processing module 1001 can be configured to generate the second control frame, and the transceiver 1002 can be configured to transmit or output the second control frame.

[0338] The transceiver 1002 can be configured to input or receive the first management frame, and the processing module 1001 can be configured to parse the first management frame.

[0339] As an example, the transceiver 1002 can further be configured to receive or input a spatial reuse coordination request frame, and the processing module 1001 can further be configured to parse the spatial reuse coordination request frame. The processing module 1001 can further be configured to generate a spatial reuse coordination response frame, and the transceiver 1002 can further be configured to transmit or output the spatial reuse coordination response frame.

[0340] As another example, the processing module 1001 can further be configured to generate a spatial reuse cooperation request frame; and the transceiver module 1002 can further be configured to transmit or output the spatial reuse cooperation request frame. The transceiver module 1002 can further be configured to receive or input a spatial reuse cooperation response frame; and the processing module 1001 can further be configured to parse the response frame.

[0341] For example, the transceiver module 1002 can include a radio frequency module, an antenna module, etc. For example, the steps of transmitting or receiving shown above can be implemented by the radio frequency module and the antenna module. For example, the transceiver module 1002 can include an input / output module, etc. For example, the steps of outputting or inputting shown above can be implemented by the input / output module.

[0342] Optionally, in each of the above embodiments, the communication apparatus can further include a storage module, which can be configured to store instructions and / or data, and the processing module 1001 can read the instructions and / or data in the storage module to enable the communication apparatus to implement the foregoing method embodiments. For example, the storage module can store the subcarrier planning shown above, etc.

[0343] In each of the above embodiments, the specific description of each term or name or step, etc. can refer to the description in the foregoing method embodiments, which will not be repeated here.

[0344] The specific description of the transceiver module and the processing module shown in each of the above embodiments is only an example. For the specific functions or executed steps of the transceiver module and the processing module, etc., please refer to the foregoing method embodiments, which will not be repeated here.

[0345] The communication apparatus of the embodiments of the present application is introduced above. The possible product forms of the communication apparatus are introduced below. Any product form with the functions of the communication apparatus shown in FIG. 10 above falls within the protection scope of the embodiments of the present application. The following introduction is only an example, and does not limit the product form of the communication apparatus of the embodiments of the present application.

[0346] In a possible implementation, in the communication apparatus shown in FIG. 10, the processing module 1001 can be one or more processors, and the transceiver module 1002 can be a transceiver, or the transceiver module 1002 can also be a sending module and a receiving module, the sending module can be a transmitter, and the receiving module can be a receiver, and the sending module and the receiving module are integrated in one device, for example, a transceiver. In the embodiments of the present application, the processor and the transceiver can be coupled, and the connection manner of the processor and the transceiver is not limited in the embodiments of the present application. In the process of executing the above method, the process of sending information in the above method can be the process of outputting the above information by the processor. When the above information is output, the processor outputs the above information to the transceiver, so that the transceiver transmits. After the above information is output by the processor, the above information can also need to be processed further, and then reach the transceiver. Similarly, the process of receiving information in the above method can be the process of receiving the input above information by the processor. When the processor receives the input information, the transceiver receives the above information and inputs it to the processor. Furthermore, after the transceiver receives the above information, the above information can need to be processed further, and then input to the processor.

[0347] As shown in FIG. 11, the communication apparatus 110 includes one or more processors 1120 and a transceiver 1110.

[0348] In some embodiments of the present application, the communication apparatus can be used to execute the steps or methods or functions performed by the first station, for example, the processor 1120 can be used to execute the functions or steps implemented by the processing module 1001 shown in FIG. 10, and the transceiver 1110 can be used to execute the functions or steps implemented by the transceiver module 1002 shown in FIG. 10. For specific description of the processor 1120 and the transceiver 1110, reference can be made to the method embodiments shown in FIG. 10 or the above description, which will not be repeated here.

[0349] In some embodiments of the present application, the communication apparatus can be used to execute the steps or methods or functions performed by the first station, for example, the processor 1120 can be used to execute the functions or steps implemented by the processing module 1001 shown in FIG. 10, and the transceiver 1110 can be used to execute the functions or steps implemented by the transceiver module 1002 shown in FIG. 10. For specific description of the processor 1120 and the transceiver 1110, reference can be made to the method embodiments shown in FIG. 10 or the above description, which will not be repeated here.

[0350] In each implementation of the communication apparatus shown in FIG. 11, the transceiver can include a receiver and a transmitter, the receiver is configured to perform the function (or operation) of receiving, and the transmitter is configured to perform the function (or operation) of transmitting. And the transceiver is configured to communicate with other devices / apparatuses through a transmission medium.

[0351] Optionally, the communication device 110 can further include one or more memories 1130 for storing program instructions and / or data. The memory 1130 is coupled to the processor 1120. The coupling between the communication device, unit or module in the embodiments of the present application is indirect coupling or communication connection between the communication device, unit or module, which can be electrical, mechanical or other forms, for information interaction between the communication device, unit or module. The processor 1120 can operate in cooperation with the memory 1130. The processor 1120 can execute the program instructions stored in the memory 1130. Optionally, at least one of the one or more memories can be included in the processor.

[0352] The embodiments of the present application do not limit the specific connection medium between the transceiver 1110, the processor 1120 and the memory 1130. In the embodiments of the present application, the memory 1130, the processor 1120 and the transceiver 1110 are connected through the bus 1140 in FIG. 11, and the bus is represented by a thick line in FIG. 11, and the connection mode between other components is only schematically illustrated and is not limited. The bus can be divided into an address bus, a data bus, a control bus, etc. For convenience of representation, only one thick line is used in FIG. 11, but it does not mean that there is only one bus or only one type of bus.

[0353] In the embodiments of the present application, the processor can be a general processor, a digital signal processor, an application specific integrated circuit, a field programmable gate array or other programmable logic device, a discrete gate or transistor logic device, a discrete hardware component, etc., which can implement or execute the disclosed methods, steps and logic block diagrams in the embodiments of the present application. The general processor can be a microprocessor or any conventional processor, etc. The steps of the method disclosed in conjunction with the embodiments of the present application can be directly embodied as execution completed by a hardware processor, or executed by a combination of hardware and software modules in the processor, etc.

[0354] The memory in the embodiments of the present application can include, but is not limited to, a non-volatile memory such as a hard disk drive (HDD) or a solid-state drive (SSD), a random access memory (RAM), an erasable programmable ROM (EPROM), a read-only memory (ROM), a compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), and the like. The memory is any storage medium that can be used to carry or store program codes in the form of instructions or data structures and can be read and / or written by a computer (such as the communication device shown in the present application and the like). The memory in the embodiments of the present application can also be a circuit or any other device capable of realizing a storage function, used for storing program instructions and / or data.

[0355] The processor 1120 is mainly used for processing communication protocols and communication data, controlling the whole communication device, executing software programs, and processing data of the software programs. The memory 1130 is mainly used for storing software programs and data. The transceiver 1110 can include a control circuit and an antenna, and the control circuit is mainly used for converting baseband signals and radio frequency signals and processing the radio frequency signals. The antenna is mainly used for receiving and transmitting radio frequency signals in the form of electromagnetic waves. The input and output device, such as a touch screen, a display screen, a keyboard, or a user interface, is mainly used for receiving user input data and outputting data to the user.

[0356] When the communication device is powered on, the processor 1120 can read the software program in the memory 1130, 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 1120 performs baseband processing on the data to be transmitted, and outputs the baseband signal to the radio frequency circuit. The radio frequency circuit converts the baseband signal into a radio frequency signal, and transmits the radio frequency signal in the form of electromagnetic waves through the antenna. When data is transmitted to the communication device, the radio frequency circuit receives the radio frequency signal through the antenna, converts the radio frequency signal into a baseband signal, and outputs the baseband signal to the processor 1120. The processor 1120 converts the baseband signal into data and processes the data.

[0357] In another implementation, the radio frequency circuit and the antenna can be arranged independently of the processor performing baseband processing, for example, in a distributed scenario, the radio frequency circuit and the antenna can be arranged remotely from the communication device.

[0358] The communication apparatus shown in the embodiments of the present application can also have more components than those shown in FIG. 11, which are not limited in the embodiments of the present application. The communication apparatus can also include at least one of a digital signal processor or a signal detector. The method performed by the processor and the transceiver shown above is only an example, and the steps actually performed by the processor and the transceiver can refer to the method described above. The dashed part in FIG. 11 represents an option.

[0359] In another possible implementation, in the communication apparatus shown in FIG. 10, the processing module 1001 can be one or more logic circuits, and the transceiving module 1002 can be an input / output interface, also referred to as a communication interface, or an interface circuit, or an interface, etc. Alternatively, the transceiving module 1002 can also be a sending module and a receiving module, the sending module can be an output interface, and the receiving module can be an input interface, which are integrated in one module, such as an input / output interface. As shown in FIG. 12, the communication apparatus shown in FIG. 12 includes a logic circuit 1201 and an interface 1202. That is, the processing module 1001 can be implemented by the logic circuit 1201, and the transceiving module 1002 can be implemented by the interface 1202. The logic circuit 1201 can be a chip, a processing circuit, an integrated circuit, or a system on chip (SoC) chip, etc., and the interface 1202 can be a communication interface, an input / output interface, a pin, etc. For example, FIG. 12 is a chip including the logic circuit 1201 and the interface 1202, which is taken as an example of the above communication apparatus.

[0360] In the embodiments of the present application, the logic circuit and the interface can also be coupled to each other. The specific connection manner of the logic circuit and the interface is not limited in the embodiments of the present application. For example, the logic circuit 1201 can be used to perform the functions or steps implemented by the processing module 1001 shown in FIG. 10, and the interface 1202 can be used to perform the functions or steps implemented by the transceiving module 1002 shown in FIG. 10. The specific description of the logic circuit 1201 and the interface 1202 can refer to the method embodiments shown in FIG. 10 or the above, which will not be described in detail here.

[0361] The communication apparatus shown in the embodiments of the present application can implement the method provided by the embodiments of the present application in the form of hardware, or implement the method provided by the embodiments of the present application in the form of software, etc., which is not limited in the embodiments of the present application.

[0362] In addition, the embodiments of the present application also provide a communication system, which includes a first station and a second station, and the first station and the second station can be used to perform the method in any of the preceding embodiments. Alternatively, the communication system includes an AP and a non-AP STA, and the AP and the non-AP STA can be used to perform the method in any of the preceding embodiments.

[0363] The application further provides a computer program for implementing the operations and / or processes performed by each station in the method provided by the application.

[0364] The application further provides a computer readable storage medium having computer code stored therein, which, when executed on a computer, causes the computer to perform the operations and / or processes performed by each communication device in the method provided by the application.

[0365] The application further provides a computer program product comprising computer code or a computer program, which, when executed on a computer, causes the operations and / or processes performed by each station in the method provided by the application to be performed.

[0366] In several embodiments provided by the application, it should be understood that the disclosed system, communication device and method can be implemented in other manners. For example, the embodiments of the communication device described above are merely schematic; for example, the division of the modules is merely a logical function division; an actual implementation can be a different division manner; for example, a plurality of modules or components can be combined or integrated into another system, or some features can be ignored or not executed. In addition, the displayed or discussed mutual couplings or direct couplings or communication connections between different modules can be indirect couplings or communication connections through some interfaces, communication devices or modules, and can be electric, mechanical or in other forms.

[0367] The modules illustrated as separated components can or can not be physically separated, and the components illustrated as modules can or can not be physical modules, i.e., can be located in one place, or can be distributed on a plurality of network modules. Part or all of the modules can be selected according to actual needs to achieve the technical effects of the scheme provided by the embodiments of the application.

[0368] In addition, each functional module in the embodiments of the application can be integrated in one processing module, or each module can be physically present alone, or two or more modules can be integrated in one module. The integrated module can be implemented in the form of hardware or in the form of a software functional module.

[0369] The integrated module, if implemented in the form of a software function module and sold or used as an independent product, can be stored in a computer readable storage medium. Based on such understanding, the technical solutions of the present application essentially or say the part that contributes to the prior art, or the whole or part of the technical solutions can be embodied in the form of a software product. The computer software product is stored in a readable storage medium, including a plurality of instructions to make a computer device (which can be a personal computer, a server, or a network device, etc.) execute all or part of the steps of the method described in various embodiments of the present application. The aforementioned readable storage medium includes: a U disk, a mobile hard disk, a read-only memory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM), a magnetic disk or an optical disk, and various media that can store program codes.

[0370] The above is only a specific implementation of the present application, but the protection scope of the present application is not limited thereto. Any person skilled in the art can easily think of changes or replacements within the technical scope disclosed in the present application, which should be covered within the protection scope of the present application. Therefore, the protection scope of the present application should be subject to the protection scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A collaborative space reuse (co-SR) method, characterized in that, The method includes: A first site generates a first control frame. The first site is a site that obtains a transmission opportunity (TXOP) in a first basic service set (BSS) and cooperates with a second BSS. The first control frame includes cooperative basic service set (BSS) information, which is used to indicate that a second site is allowed to compete for the channel within the TXOP. The second site is a site in the second BSS that cooperates with the first BSS. Send the first control frame.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The cooperative BSS information is indicated by the frame type of the first control frame and at least one of the following: the Basic Service Set Identifier (BSSID) of the first BSS in the first control frame, or the BSS color of the first BSS in the first control frame; or... The collaborative BSS information includes information from the second BSS.

3. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that, The information of the second BSS includes the identifiers of the collaboration groups to which the first BSS and the second BSS belong; or, The information of the second BSS includes the BSSID of the second BSS.

4. The method according to any one of claims 1-3, characterized in that, The first control frame also includes information on the co-SR time length, during which the second station is allowed to compete for the channel.

5. The method according to any one of claims 1-4, characterized in that, Allowing the second station to contend for the channel within the TXOP includes: allowing the second station to detect PD threshold contention based on co-SR packets within the TXOP.

6. The method according to any one of claims 1-5, characterized in that, The first site includes an access point (AP) within a first BSS. Before the first site generates the first control frame, the method further includes: The first site sends a first management frame, which includes at least one of the following: information about the second BSS, and an identifier of a non-AP STA that cooperates with the second BSS in the first BSS.

7. The method according to claim 6, characterized in that, The first management frame also includes the number of the non-AP STAs.

8. The method according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that, The first management frame also includes information on the co-SR packet detection PD threshold, which is used by APs or non-AP STAs in the first BSS for packet detection.

9. The method according to any one of claims 1-8, characterized in that, The first control frame is a multi-user request to send a MU-RTS frame, and the value of the B22 field in the common information field of the MU-RTS frame is a predetermined value.

10. A collaborative space reuse (co-SR) method, characterized in that, The method includes: The second station receives a first control frame from the first station, which is a station that has obtained a transmission opportunity TXOP in a first basic service set (BSS) and cooperates with the second BSS. The first control frame includes cooperative basic service set (BSS) information, which is used to indicate that the second station is allowed to compete for the channel within the TXOP. The second station is a station in the second BSS that cooperates with the first BSS. Parse the first control frame.

11. The method according to claim 10, characterized in that, The cooperative BSS information is indicated by the frame type of the first control frame and at least one of the following: the Basic Service Set Identifier (BSSID) of the first BSS in the first control frame, or the BSS color of the first BSS in the first control frame; or... The collaborative BSS information includes information from the second BSS.

12. The method according to claim 11, characterized in that, The information of the second BSS includes the identifiers of the collaboration groups to which the first BSS and the second BSS belong; or, The information of the second BSS includes the BSSID of the second BSS.

13. The method according to any one of claims 10-12, characterized in that, The first control frame also includes information on the co-SR time length, during which the second station is allowed to compete for the channel.

14. The method according to any one of claims 10-13, characterized in that, Within the TXOP, allowing the second site to contend for the channel includes: When the second station receives a Physical Layer Protocol Data Unit (PPDU) from a station within the first BSS, If the received power of the PPDU is less than the co-SR packet detection PD threshold, the network allocation vector NAV is not updated based on the PPDU; or, If the received power of the PPDU is greater than or equal to the co-SR PD threshold, the NAV maintained by the second site is updated according to the PPDU; The PPDU includes a PPDU for carrying the first control frame.

15. The method according to any one of claims 10-14, characterized in that, The second site includes an AP within the second BSS. Before the second site receives a first control frame from the first site, the method further includes: The second site sends a second management frame, which includes at least one of the following: information about the first BSS, and an identifier of a non-AP STA in the second BSS that cooperates with the first BSS.

16. The method according to claim 15, characterized in that, The second management frame also includes the number of the non-AP STAs.

17. The method according to claim 15 or 16, characterized in that, The second management frame also includes information on the co-SR packet detection PD threshold, which is used by the AP or non-AP STA in the second BSS for packet detection.

18. The method according to any one of claims 10-17, characterized in that, The first control frame is a multi-user request to send a MU-RTS frame, and the value of the B22 field in the common information field of the MU-RTS frame is a predetermined value.

19. A communication device, characterized in that, It includes a module for performing the method as described in any one of claims 1-9, or includes a module for performing the method as described in any one of claims 10-18.

20. A communication device, characterized in that, The method includes a processor configured to perform the method as described in any one of claims 1-9, or the processor configured to perform the method as described in any one of claims 10-18.

21. A communication device, characterized in that, Includes logic circuits and interfaces, wherein the logic circuits and interfaces are coupled; The interface is used for inputting and / or outputting information, and the logic circuit is used to perform the method as described in any one of claims 1-9, or the logic circuit is used to perform the method as described in any one of claims 10-18.

22. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that, The computer-readable storage medium is used to store a computer program, which, when executed, performs the method as described in any one of claims 1-9, or the method as described in any one of claims 10-18.

23. A computer program product, characterized in that, When the computer program product is executed, the method described in any one of claims 1-9 is executed, or the method described in any one of claims 10-18 is executed.

24. A communication system, characterized in that, It includes a first site and a second site, wherein the first site is used to perform the method as described in any one of claims 1-9, and the second site is used to perform the method as described in any one of claims 10-18.

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