Communication method and device, and storage medium

Abstract

The embodiments of the present disclosure relate to the technical field of communications. Provided are a communication method and device, and a storage medium. The method is applied to an AP, and comprises: a first AP determining a first radio frame, wherein the first radio frame is used for indicating that a first channel between the first AP and an associated first STA has changed, and the first channel is a secondary channel or a non-primary channel; and the first AP sending the first radio frame. The embodiments of the present disclosure may provide a manner for indicating that a first channel has changed.

Description

Communication method, device, and storage medium TECHNICAL FIELD

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

[0002] In the prior art, when a primary channel is busy, an access point device (AP) and an associated station device (STA) need to switch to a secondary channel or a non-primary channel (NPC) to communicate. In this case, the AP needs to notify the associated STA of the change of the secondary channel or the non-primary channel.

[0003] SUMMARY

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

[0005] In a first aspect, embodiments of the present disclosure provide a communication method, which comprises:

[0006] A first AP determines a first radio frame, the first radio frame being used to indicate that a first channel between the first AP and an associated first STA changes, the first channel comprising a secondary channel or a non-primary channel.

[0007] The first AP transmits the first radio frame.

[0008] In a second aspect, embodiments of the present disclosure provide a communication method, which comprises:

[0009] A first STA receives a first radio frame, the first radio frame being used to indicate that a first channel between the first STA and an associated first AP changes, the first channel comprising a secondary channel or a non-primary channel.

[0010] In a third aspect, embodiments of the present disclosure provide an AP, which comprises:

[0011] A processing module is configured to determine a first radio frame, the first radio frame being used to indicate that a first channel between the AP and an associated first STA changes, the first channel comprising a secondary channel or a non-primary channel.

[0012] A transceiver module is configured to transmit the first radio frame.

[0013] In a fourth aspect, embodiments of the present disclosure provide a STA, which comprises:

[0014] A transceiver module is configured to receive a first radio frame, the first radio frame being used to indicate that a first channel between the STA and an associated first AP changes, the first channel comprising a secondary channel or a non-primary channel.

[0015] In a fifth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a communication device, comprising one or more processors; wherein the processor is configured to perform the communication method provided in the first aspect of the present disclosure when the communication device is a first AP, and the processor is configured to perform the communication method provided in the second aspect of the present disclosure when the communication device is a first STA.

[0016] In a sixth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a storage medium, which stores instructions, and when the instructions are executed on a communication device, the communication device performs the communication method provided in the first aspect or the second aspect of the present disclosure.

[0017] In a seventh aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a communication system, comprising a first AP and a first STA; wherein the first AP determines and sends a first wireless frame, the first wireless frame is used to indicate that a first channel between the first AP and the first STA changes, and the first channel comprises a secondary channel or a non-primary channel; and the first STA receives the first wireless frame.

[0018] Based on the communication method, device and storage medium provided in the embodiments of the present disclosure, a method for indicating the change of the secondary channel or the non-primary channel can be provided.

[0019] Additional aspects and advantages of the embodiments of the present disclosure will be in part apparent and in part pointed out hereinafter. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0020] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present disclosure, the following will briefly introduce the drawings needed to be used in the description of the embodiments of the present disclosure. Obviously, the drawings in the following description are only some embodiments of the present disclosure, and other drawings can be obtained by those skilled in the art without creative labor under the premise of the drawings.

[0021] FIG. 1 is an architecture schematic diagram of a communication system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0022] FIG. 2 is an interaction schematic diagram of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0023] FIG. 3 is a flow schematic diagram of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0024] FIG. 4 is another flow schematic diagram of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0025] FIG. 5 is a structure schematic diagram of an AP according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0026] FIG. 6 is a structural diagram of an STA according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0027] FIG. 7 is a structural diagram of a communication device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0028] FIG. 8 is a structural diagram of a chip according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0029] The present disclosure provides a communication method, device and storage medium.

[0030] In a first aspect, the present disclosure provides a communication method, comprising:

[0031] The first AP determines a first wireless frame, the first wireless frame being used to indicate that a first channel between the first AP and a first STA associated with the first AP changes, the first channel comprising a secondary channel or a non-primary channel;

[0032] The first AP transmits the first wireless frame.

[0033] In the above embodiment, the first AP can indicate the change of the first channel between the first AP and the first STA through the wireless frame, which is beneficial to the first AP and the first STA to switch the secondary channel or the non-primary channel in time, thereby improving the communication efficiency.

[0034] In some embodiments of the first aspect, the first wireless frame comprises a first identification field, the first identification field being used to indicate that the first channel between the first AP and the first STA changes.

[0035] The first identification field comprises at least one of the following:

[0036] a basic service set parameter change sequence field;

[0037] a check beacon identification bit.

[0038] In the above embodiment, the first wireless frame can indicate the change of the first channel between the first AP and the first STA through the existing information field or the identification bit, which is beneficial to saving signaling resources.

[0039] In some embodiments of the first aspect, the first wireless frame further comprises channel change information of the first channel between the first AP and the first STA, the channel change information of the first channel comprising at least one of the following:

[0040] the first channel after switching;

[0041] switching time information.

[0042] In the above embodiment, the first AP can indicate the switched first channel and / or the switching time information of the first channel when the first channel changes between the first AP and the first STA, thereby facilitating the first AP and the first STA to quickly implement the switching of the first channel and improving the communication efficiency.

[0043] In some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the first wireless frame comprises a second identification field, and the second identification field is used to indicate at least one of the following:

[0044] the switching time of the first channel;

[0045] the waiting time before the switching of the first channel.

[0046] In the above embodiment, the first AP can indicate the switching time of the first channel and / or the waiting time before the switching of the first channel through the first wireless frame, thereby indicating the first STA to perform the secondary channel or non-primary channel switching at the switching time of the first channel and / or indicating the first STA to perform the secondary channel or non-primary channel switching after the corresponding waiting time, thereby improving the switching efficiency of the first channel.

[0047] In some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, when the first AP belongs to a first multi-link access point device (AP MLD), the first wireless frame further comprises at least one of the following:

[0048] channel change information of the first channel between at least one affiliated AP of the first AP MLD and an associated STA;

[0049] a medium access control (MAC) address of the first AP MLD.

[0050] In the above embodiment, when the first AP indicates that the first channel changes between the first AP and the first STA, when the first AP is an affiliated AP of the first AP MLD, and when there is an affiliated AP whose first channel changes among the affiliated APs of the first AP MLD, the first AP can further indicate the channel change information of the first channel between the corresponding affiliated AP and the associated STA, thereby avoiding the first channel of other affiliated APs from interfering with the communication between the first AP and the first STA.

[0051] In some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the first wireless frame comprises a multi-link (ML) information element, and the ML information element comprises at least one per-STA profile field of a single station device configuration, and each per-STA profile comprises channel change information of the first channel between an affiliated AP and an associated STA.

[0052] In the above embodiment, the first wireless frame can indicate the channel change information of the first channel corresponding to the first AP MLD of the respective affiliated AP of the first AP through the existing per-STA profile field, which saves signaling resources and improves the indication efficiency of the channel change information.

[0053] In some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the first wireless frame further includes a reduced neighbor report (RNR) information element, and the RNR information element includes the channel change information of the first channel between the at least one neighbor AP of the first AP and the associated STA.

[0054] The RNR information element further includes at least one of the following:

[0055] The MAC address of the neighbor AP that does not support multi-link communication;

[0056] The AP MLD MAC address of the neighbor AP that supports multi-link communication.

[0057] In the above embodiment, when the first AP indicates that the first channel between the first STA changes, the first AP can also indicate the channel change information of the first channel between the respective neighbor AP and the associated STA when the first AP has a neighbor AP whose first channel changes, which helps to avoid the first channel of other neighbor APs from changing and interfering with the communication between the first AP and the first STA.

[0058] In some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, when the first AP needs to perform primary channel switching, the method further includes:

[0059] The first AP sends a second wireless frame, and the second wireless frame includes the channel change information of the first channel between the first AP and the first STA after the first AP performs primary channel switching.

[0060] The switching time of the primary channel corresponding to the first AP is the same as the switching time of the first channel, and the switched primary channel is the same as or different from the first channel before the primary channel switches.

[0061] In the above embodiment, when the first AP needs to perform primary channel switching, the first AP can also indicate the channel change information of the first channel between the first STA through the second wireless frame, and when the switching time of the primary channel corresponding to the first AP is the same as the switching time of the first channel, it is beneficial for both parties to perform primary channel and first channel switching. At the same time, the switched primary channel is the same as or different from the first channel before the primary channel switches, which helps to improve the switching diversity of the first channel and the primary channel.

[0062] In some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, a basic service set color (BSS Color) of a physical layer protocol data unit (PPDU) sent by the first AP on the first channel is the same as a BSS Color of a PPDU sent by the first AP on the primary channel.

[0063] In some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the first wireless frame is a beacon frame, a probe response frame, an association response frame, or a Reassociation response frame.

[0064] In a second aspect, a communication method is provided, and the method comprises:

[0065] The first STA receives a first wireless frame, and the first wireless frame is used to indicate that a first channel between the first STA and an associated first AP changes, and the first channel comprises a secondary channel or a non-primary channel.

[0066] In the above embodiments, the first AP can indicate the change of the first channel between the first AP and the associated first STA through the wireless frame, which is beneficial to the first AP and the first STA to switch the secondary channel or the non-primary channel in time, thereby improving the communication efficiency.

[0067] In some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the first wireless frame comprises a first identification field, and the first identification field is used to indicate that the first channel between the first STA and the first AP changes.

[0068] The first identification field comprises at least one of the following:

[0069] a basic service set parameter change sequence field;

[0070] a check beacon identification bit.

[0071] In the above embodiments, the first wireless frame can indicate the change of the first channel between the first AP and the first STA through an existing information field or an identification bit, which is beneficial to saving signaling resources.

[0072] In some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the first wireless frame further comprises channel change information of the first channel between the first STA and the first AP, and the channel change information comprises at least one of the following:

[0073] the switched first channel;

[0074] switching time information.

[0075] In the above embodiment, the first AP can indicate the switched first channel and / or the switching time information of the first channel when the first channel changes between the first AP and the first STA, thereby facilitating the first AP and the first STA to quickly implement the switching of the first channel, and facilitating the improvement of communication efficiency.

[0076] In some embodiments in combination with the second aspect, in some embodiments, the first wireless frame comprises a second identification field, and the second identification field is used to indicate at least one of the following:

[0077] the switching time of the first channel;

[0078] the waiting time before the switching of the first channel.

[0079] In some embodiments, the first AP can indicate the switching time of the first channel and / or the waiting time before the switching of the first channel through the first wireless frame, thereby indicating the first STA to perform the secondary channel or non-primary channel switching at the switching time of the first channel, and / or indicating the first STA to perform the secondary channel or non-primary channel switching after the corresponding waiting time, thereby improving the switching efficiency of the first channel.

[0080] In some embodiments in combination with the second aspect, in some embodiments, when the first AP belongs to a first multi-link enabled access point device (AP MLD), the first wireless frame further comprises at least one of the following:

[0081] channel change information of the first channel between at least one affiliated AP of the first AP MLD and an associated STA;

[0082] a medium access control (MAC) address of the first AP MLD.

[0083] In the above embodiment, when the first AP indicates that the first channel changes between the first AP and the first STA, when the first AP is an affiliated AP of the first AP MLD, and when there is an affiliated AP of the first AP MLD whose first channel changes, the first AP can further indicate the channel change information of the first channel between the corresponding affiliated AP and the associated STA, thereby facilitating the avoidance of the interference of the first channel changes of other affiliated APs on the communication between the first AP and the first STA.

[0084] In some embodiments in combination with the second aspect, in some embodiments, the first wireless frame comprises a multi-link (ML) information element, and the ML information element comprises at least one per STA profile field, and each per STA profile field comprises the channel change information of the first channel between the affiliated AP and the associated STA.

[0085] In some embodiments, the first wireless frame can indicate the channel change information of the first channel corresponding to the respective affiliated AP of the first AP MLD through an existing per-STA profile field, while saving signaling resources and improving the indication efficiency of the secondary channel information.

[0086] In combination with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the first wireless frame further includes a reduced neighbor report (RNR) information element, and the RNR information element includes the channel change information of the first channel between at least one neighbor AP of the first AP and an associated STA.

[0087] The RNR information element further includes at least one of:

[0088] a MAC address of a neighbor AP that does not support multi-link communication;

[0089] an AP MLD MAC address of a neighbor AP that supports multi-link communication.

[0090] In the above embodiments, when the first AP indicates that the first channel between the first STA changes, the first AP can also indicate the channel change information of the first channel between the respective neighbor AP and the associated STA when the first AP has a neighbor AP whose first channel changes, which helps to avoid the first channel of other neighbor APs from interfering with the communication between the first AP and the first STA.

[0091] In combination with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, when the first AP needs to perform primary channel switching, the method further includes:

[0092] The first STA receives a second wireless frame, and the second wireless frame includes the channel change information of the first channel between the first AP and the first STA after the first AP performs primary channel switching.

[0093] The switching time of the primary channel corresponding to the first AP is the same as the switching time of the first channel, and the switched primary channel is the same as or different from the first channel before the primary channel switches.

[0094] In the above embodiments, when the first AP needs to perform primary channel switching, the first AP can also indicate the channel change information of the first channel between the first STA through the second wireless frame, and when the switching time of the primary channel corresponding to the first AP is the same as the switching time of the first channel, it is beneficial for both parties to perform primary channel and first channel switching. At the same time, the switched primary channel is the same as or different from the first channel before the primary channel switches, which helps to improve the switching diversity of the first channel and the primary channel.

[0095] In some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, a basic service set color (BSS Color) of a physical layer protocol data unit (PPDU) sent by the first AP on the first channel is the same as a BSS Color of a PPDU sent by the first AP on the primary channel.

[0096] In some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the first wireless frame is a beacon frame, a probe response frame, an association response frame, or a Reassociation response frame.

[0097] In a third aspect, the embodiments of the present disclosure provide an AP, comprising:

[0098] a processing module configured to determine a first wireless frame, the first wireless frame being used to indicate that a first channel between the first AP and an associated first STA changes;

[0099] a transceiver configured to send the first wireless frame.

[0100] In a fourth aspect, the embodiments of the present disclosure provide a STA, comprising:

[0101] a transceiver configured to receive a first wireless frame, the first wireless frame being used to indicate that a first channel between the first STA and an associated first AP changes.

[0102] In a fifth aspect, the embodiments of the present disclosure provide a communication device, comprising one or more processors;

[0103] When the communication device is the first AP, the processor executes the communication method provided in the first aspect and the optional implementation of the first aspect, or when the communication device is the first STA, the processor executes the communication method provided in the second aspect and the optional implementation of the second aspect.

[0104] In a sixth aspect, the embodiments of the present disclosure provide a storage medium, which stores instructions, when the instructions are executed on a communication device, the communication device executes the method described in the first aspect, the second aspect, the optional implementation of the first aspect, and the optional implementation of the second aspect.

[0105] In a seventh aspect, the embodiments of the present disclosure provide a program product, when the program product is executed by a communication device, the communication device executes the method described in the first aspect, the second aspect, the optional implementation of the first aspect, and the optional implementation of the second aspect.

[0106] In an eighth aspect, the embodiments of the present disclosure provide a computer program which, when running on a computer, causes the computer to perform the method described in the first aspect, the second aspect, the optional implementation of the first aspect, and the optional implementation of the second aspect.

[0107] In a ninth aspect, the embodiments of the present disclosure provide a chip or chip system. The chip or chip system comprises processing circuitry configured to perform the method described in the first aspect, the second aspect, the optional implementation of the first aspect, and the optional implementation of the second aspect.

[0108] In a tenth aspect, the embodiments of the present disclosure provide a communication system. The communication system comprises a first AP and a first STA. The first AP determines and sends a first wireless frame, where the first wireless frame is used to indicate that a first channel between the first AP and the first STA changes. The first STA receives the first wireless frame.

[0109] It can be understood that the AP, the STA, the communication system, the communication device, the storage medium, the program product, the computer program, the chip or the chip system are used to perform the method proposed in the embodiments of the present disclosure. Therefore, the beneficial effects that can be achieved are referred to the beneficial effects in the corresponding method, which will not be described here.

[0110] The embodiments of the present disclosure propose a communication method, device, and storage medium. In some embodiments, the communication method and the information processing method can be replaced with each other, the communication device and the information processing device can be replaced with each other, and the information processing system and the communication system can be replaced with each other.

[0111] The embodiments of the present disclosure are not exhaustive, but only illustrate some embodiments, and are not specific limitations on the protection scope of the present disclosure. In the case of no contradiction, each step in an embodiment can be implemented as an independent embodiment, and the steps can be combined arbitrarily, for example, the scheme after removing some steps in an embodiment can also be implemented as an independent embodiment, and the order of the steps in an embodiment can be exchanged arbitrarily, in addition, the optional implementation in an embodiment can be combined arbitrarily; in addition, the embodiments can be combined arbitrarily, for example, the steps of different embodiments or some or all steps of different embodiments can be combined arbitrarily, and an embodiment can be combined with the optional implementation of other embodiments.

[0112] In the embodiments of the present disclosure, the terms and / or descriptions of the embodiments are consistent and can be referred to each other if there is no special description and logical conflict, and the technical features in different embodiments can be combined to form new embodiments according to their inherent logical relationship.

[0113] The terms used in the embodiments of the present disclosure are only for the purpose of describing particular embodiments and are not intended to be limiting of the present disclosure.

[0114] In the embodiments of the present disclosure, an element expressed in singular form, such as "a", "an", "the", "said", "the aforementioned", "the foregoing", "this", and the like, unless otherwise specified, can represent "one and only one", or can represent "one or more", "at least one", and the like. For example, in the case of using an article such as "a", "an", "the", and the like in English, the noun following the article can be understood as a singular expression, or can be understood as a plural expression.

[0115] In the embodiments of the present disclosure, "plurality" means two or more.

[0116] In some embodiments, the terms "at least one of", "one or more of", "a plurality of", "multiple", and the like can be replaced with each other.

[0117] In some embodiments, the description manner such as "at least one of A, B", "A and / or B", "A in one case, B in another case", "in response to a case A, in response to another case B", and the like can include the following technical solutions according to the case: A in some embodiments (A is executed regardless of B); B in some embodiments (B is executed regardless of A); A and B are selectively executed in some embodiments (A and B are selected from A and B); A and B are executed in some embodiments (A and B are executed). When there are more branches such as A, B, C, and the like, it is similar to the above.

[0118] In some embodiments, the description manner such as "A or B" and the like can include the following technical solutions according to the case: A in some embodiments (A is executed regardless of B); B in some embodiments (B is executed regardless of A); A and B are selectively executed in some embodiments (A and B are selected from A and B). When there are more branches such as A, B, C, and the like, it is similar to the above.

[0119] The prefix words of "first", "second" and the like in the embodiments of the present disclosure are merely used to distinguish different description objects, and do not constitute limitation on the position, order, priority, quantity or content of the description objects. The description of the description objects should refer to the description in the context of the claims or embodiments, and should not constitute redundant limitation because of the use of the prefix words. For example, the description objects are "fields", and the ordinal words before "fields" in "first field" and "second field" do not limit the position or order between "fields". "First" and "second" do not limit whether the "fields" modified thereby are in the same message, nor do they limit the order of "first field" and "second field". For another example, the description objects are "levels", and the ordinal words before "levels" in "first level" and "second level" do not limit the priority between "levels". For another example, the quantity of the description objects is not limited by the ordinal words, and can be one or more. For example, "first device", wherein the quantity of "devices" can be one or more. In addition, the objects modified by different prefix words can be the same or different. For example, the description objects are "devices", and "first device" and "second device" can be the same device or different devices, and their types can be the same or different. For another example, the description objects are "information", and "first information" and "second information" can be the same information or different information, and their contents can be the same or different.

[0120] In some embodiments, "including A", "containing A", "for indicating A", "carrying A" can be interpreted as directly carrying A, or indirectly indicating A.

[0121] In some embodiments, the terms of "in response to", "in response to determining", "in the case of", "when", "when", "if", "if" and the like can be replaced with each other.

[0122] In some embodiments, the terms of "greater than", "greater than or equal to", "not less than", "more than", "more than or equal to", "not less than", "higher than", "higher than or equal to", "not lower than", "above" and the like can be replaced with each other, and the terms of "less than", "less than or equal to", "not greater than", "less than", "less than or equal to", "not more than", "lower than", "lower than or equal to", "not higher than", "below" and the like can be replaced with each other.

[0123] In some embodiments, the acquisition of data, information and the like can comply with the laws and regulations of the place.

[0124] In some embodiments, data, information and the like can be acquired after obtaining the consent of the user.

[0125] In addition, each element, each row, or each column in the table of the embodiments of the present disclosure can be implemented as an independent embodiment, and any combination of any element, any row, or any column can also be implemented as an independent embodiment.

[0126] The technical solutions in the embodiments of the present disclosure will be described clearly and completely in combination with the drawings below. Obviously, the described embodiments are only part of the embodiments of the present disclosure, and not all the embodiments. Based on the embodiments in the present disclosure, all other embodiments obtained by a person of ordinary skill in the art without creative labor are within the protection scope of the present disclosure.

[0127] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an architecture of a communication system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0128] As shown in FIG. 1, the communication system 100 includes an AP 101 and a STA 102.

[0129] The AP 101 can be an independent AP or an affiliated AP of an AP Multi-Link Device (AP MLD), which is not limited herein.

[0130] The STA 102 can be an independent STA or an affiliated STA of a Non-AP MLD, which is not limited herein.

[0131] The AP 101 and the STA 102 are associated.

[0132] In some embodiments, the AP 101 and the STA 102 can be terminal devices or network devices with wireless fidelity chips.

[0133] The AP 101 and the STA 102 perform prior negotiation on a primary channel and a first channel. In a case where the AP 101 and / or the STA 102 determines that the number of conflicts of the first channel is too large or the channel quality cannot be guaranteed, the first channel used for communication between the AP 101 and the STA 102 can change. At this time, the AP 101 can determine and send a first wireless frame to indicate the change of the corresponding first channel to the STA 102.

[0134] The first channel includes a secondary channel or a non-primary channel.

[0135] When a basic service set (BSS) of a first bandwidth is formed between any AP and any STA, the channel of the first bandwidth corresponding to the BSS between the AP and the STA is a primary channel. The channels corresponding to other bandwidths are secondary channels or non-primary channels.

[0136] For example, the STA 102 establishes a BSS of 80MHz with the AP 101, and the primary channel between the STA 102 and the AP 101 is a channel used for primary information transmission in the BSS of 80MHz. When the primary channel is busy, the STA 102 and the AP 101 can switch to a secondary channel or a non-primary channel for communication. The bandwidth of the secondary channel and the non-primary channel between the STA 102 and the AP 101 can be another channel of the same bandwidth as but not overlapping with the primary channel, for example, can be 80MHz, or can be another channel of a different bandwidth from but not overlapping with the primary channel, for example, can be a 40MHz channel.

[0137] It can be understood that the communication system described in the embodiments of the present disclosure is for more clearly illustrating the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present disclosure, and does not constitute a limitation on the technical solutions proposed in the embodiments of the present disclosure. It can be known by those skilled in the art that, as the system architecture evolves and new service scenarios appear, the technical solutions proposed in the embodiments of the present disclosure are also applicable to similar technical problems.

[0138] The following embodiments of the present disclosure can be applied to the communication system 100 shown in FIG. 1 or part of the subjects, but are not limited thereto. The subjects shown in FIG. 1 are exemplary, and the communication system can include all or part of the subjects in FIG. 1, or other subjects other than FIG. 1. The number and form of each subject is arbitrary, each subject can be physical or virtual, and the link relationship between each subject is exemplary. The link can be in any way, can be a direct link or an indirect link, and can be a wired link or a wireless link.

[0139] Embodiments of the present disclosure can be applied to a wireless local area network (WLAN), such as can be applicable to IEEE 802.11 system standards, for example, 802.11a / b / g standards, 802.11n standards, 802.11ac standards, 802.11ax standards, 802.11bf, 802.11be standards, or the next generation thereof, for example, 802.11bn. Alternatively, embodiments of the present disclosure can also be applicable to a wireless local area network system such as an internet of things (IoT) network or a vehicle to X (V2X) network. Of course, embodiments of the present disclosure can also be applicable to other possible communication systems, for example, a long term evolution (LTE) system, an LTE frequency division duplex (FDD) system, an LTE time division duplex (TDD), a universal mobile telecommunication system (UMTS), a worldwide interoperability for microwave access (WiMAX) communication system, and a 5th generation (5G) communication system, etc.

[0140] FIG. 2 is an interaction diagram of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The communication method shown in FIG. 2 includes:

[0141] S21, the first AP sends a first wireless frame, the first wireless frame being used to indicate that the first channel between the first AP and the associated first STA changes.

[0142] In some embodiments, the first AP determines and sends the first wireless frame to indicate that the first channel between the first AP and the associated first STA changes in the case that the first channel between the first AP and the associated first STA changes.

[0143] In some embodiments, the first wireless frame can be a beacon frame, a probe response frame, an association response frame, a Reassociation response frame, or a predefined channel change notification frame (such as a secondary channel change notification frame or a non-primary channel change notification frame).

[0144] In some embodiments, the first wireless frame comprises a first identification field, and the first identification field is used to indicate that the first channel between the first AP and the first STA changes.

[0145] The first identification field can be at least one of a basic service set parameter change sequence field or a check beacon identification bit.

[0146] Optionally, the first identification field in the first wireless frame comprises an identification value different from an identification value of the same identification field in a last transmitted wireless frame, which is used to indicate that the first channel between the first AP and the first STA changes.

[0147] Based on this, the first AP can indicate that the first channel between the first AP and the first STA changes by changing the identification value of the first identification field in the first wireless frame.

[0148] Optionally, the first identification field in the first wireless frame comprises an identification value different from an identification value of the same identification field in a last transmitted wireless frame, which is used to indicate that the first channel between the first AP and the first STA changes.

[0149] Based on this, when the first identification field in the first wireless frame comprises an identification value different from an identification value of the same identification field in a last transmitted wireless frame, which is used to indicate that the first channel between the first AP and the first STA changes, the first AP can indicate that the first channel between the first AP and the first STA changes by the first wireless frame.

[0150] In other words, for the first STA, after receiving the first wireless frame, if the first STA determines that the first identification field in the first wireless frame comprises an identification value different from an identification value of the same identification field in a last transmitted wireless frame, which is used to indicate that the first channel between the first AP and the first STA changes, the first STA can determine that the first channel between the first AP and the first STA changes.

[0151] The first wireless frame comprises a BSS parameter change sequence field, and when the identification value of the BSS parameter change sequence field is a first value, it is used to indicate that the first channel between the first AP and the first STA changes.

[0152] As an example, when the identification value of the BSS parameter change sequence field in the first wireless frame is different from the identification value of the BSS parameter change sequence field in the last wireless frame sent by the first AP, or the difference between the identification value of the BSS parameter change sequence field in the first wireless frame and the identification value of the BSS parameter change sequence field in the last wireless frame sent by the first AP is greater than or equal to 1, the first wireless frame can indicate that the first channel between the first AP and the first STA changes through the BSS parameter change sequence field.

[0153] For the first STA, after the first STA receives the first wireless frame, if it is determined that the difference between the identification value of the BSS parameter change sequence field included in the first wireless frame and the identification value of the BSS parameter change sequence field in the last wireless frame sent by the first AP is greater than or equal to 1, the first STA can determine that the first channel between the first AP and the first STA changes.

[0154] As an example, the first wireless frame includes a check beacon identification bit, and when the identification value of the check beacon identification bit is the second value, it is used to indicate that the first channel between the first AP and the first STA changes.

[0155] As an example, when the identification value of the check beacon identification bit in the first wireless frame is different from the identification value of the check beacon identification bit in the last wireless frame sent by the first AP, or the difference between the identification value of the check beacon identification bit in the first wireless frame and the identification value of the check beacon identification bit in the last wireless frame sent by the first AP is greater than or equal to 1, the first wireless frame can indicate that the first channel between the first AP and the first STA changes through the check beacon identification bit.

[0156] For the first STA, after the first STA receives the first wireless frame, if it is determined that the difference between the identification value of the check beacon identification bit included in the first wireless frame and the identification value of the check beacon identification bit in the last wireless frame sent by the first AP is greater than or equal to 1, the first STA can determine that the first channel between the first AP and the first STA changes.

[0157] The first value and the second value can be determined according to actual needs, and are not limited herein.

[0158] In some embodiments, the first wireless frame further includes channel change information of the first channel between the first AP and the first STA.

[0159] wherein the channel change information of the first channel comprises at least one of the following:

[0160] wherein the switch time information comprises at least one of the following:

[0161] the switch time of the first channel;

[0162] the waiting time before the switch of the first channel, i.e. the time duration that needs to be experienced before the secondary channel or non-primary channel switch is performed.

[0163] In some embodiments, the first wireless frame comprises a second identification field, the second identification field being used to indicate at least one of the following:

[0164] the switch time of the first channel;

[0165] the waiting time before the switch of the first channel.

[0166] As an example, the second identification field can indicate the switch time of the first channel, which is used to indicate that the first AP and the first STA perform the secondary channel or non-primary channel switch at the indicated switch time.

[0167] As an example, the second identification field can indicate the waiting time before the switch of the first channel, which is used to indicate that the first AP and the first STA perform the secondary channel or non-primary channel switch after the waiting time.

[0168] Optionally, the second identification field comprises at least one bit.

[0169] Optionally, the second identification field can indicate the waiting time before the switch of the first channel, or indirectly indicate the waiting time before the switch of the first channel.

[0170] wherein the second identification field can be a count value information bit, and when the identification value of the count value information bit is n, it is used to indicate that the secondary channel or non-primary channel switch is performed after n broadcast periods of the beacon frame.

[0171] wherein n is a positive integer.

[0172] As an example, the second identification field can indicate a first time duration, which is the waiting time before the switch of the first channel.

[0173] Optionally, the waiting duration can be indicated by a TSF offset value. When the first AP is affiliated to the first AP MLD, the waiting duration before the first channel switching indicated by the second identification field can be a Timing Synchronization Function (TSF) offset value of a communication link where the first AP is located relative to a broadcast link of the first wireless frame. At this time, the first wireless frame can indicate, through the first AP and the first STA, that the first channel switching is performed after a waiting duration corresponding to the offset value based on a time corresponding to the TSF of the broadcast link of the first wireless frame.

[0174] In some embodiments, when the first AP is affiliated to the AP MLD, the first wireless frame can indicate, in addition to the channel change information of the first channel between the first AP and the first STA, a change in the first channel between other affiliated APs of the first AP MLD and associated STAs. In this case, the first wireless frame further includes at least one of:

[0175] channel change information of the first channel between at least one affiliated AP of the first AP MLD and an associated STA;

[0176] a Media Access Control (MAC) address of the first AP MLD.

[0177] wherein the first AP MLD is an AP MLD to which the first AP is affiliated, and the first AP is one of the affiliated APs of the first AP MLD.

[0178] When only the first channel between the first AP and the first STA changes among the affiliated APs of the first AP MLD, the first wireless frame includes the channel change information of the first channel between the first AP and the first STA. When the first channels between multiple affiliated APs (including the first AP) of the first AP MLD and associated STAs change, the first wireless frame includes the channel change information of the first channel between each affiliated AP and associated STA whose first channel changes.

[0179] As an example, if the first AP is affiliated to the first AP MLD, when the first channels corresponding to at least one other affiliated AP of the first AP MLD and associated STAs change, in the first wireless frame sent by the first AP, in addition to the channel change information of the first channel between the first AP and the first STA, the first wireless frame also includes the channel change information of the first channel between each second AP and associated STA.

[0180] wherein each second AP is an affiliated AP of the first AP MLD other than the first AP.

[0181] In some embodiments, when the first AP is affiliated to the first AP MLD, the first wireless frame comprises a Multi-Link (ML) information element, and the Multi-Link information element comprises at least one per-STA profile field.

[0182] Each per-STA profile field corresponds to a link ID of a communication link on which an affiliated AP of the first AP MLD (including the first AP) operates and a MAC address of the affiliated AP on the communication link, and each per-STA profile field comprises a link ID of a corresponding communication link on which an affiliated AP operates.

[0183] Each per-STA profile field comprises channel switching information of a first channel between the corresponding affiliated AP and the associated STA.

[0184] The channel switching information of the first channel between the corresponding affiliated AP and the associated STA comprises a switched first channel corresponding to the affiliated AP and the associated STA, and / or switching time information of the first channel corresponding to the affiliated AP and the associated STA.

[0185] Optionally, when the first wireless frame comprises the Multi-Link information element, the Multi-Link information element can further comprise a MAC address of the first AP MLD to which the first AP is affiliated.

[0186] Optionally, the switching time information of the first channel comprised in each per-STA profile field in the first wireless frame comprises switching time of the first channel corresponding to the affiliated AP and / or a waiting time before switching of the first channel.

[0187] Each per-STA profile field can comprise a count value information bit, and when an identification value of the count value information bit is n, it is used to indicate that the corresponding affiliated AP and the associated STA perform secondary channel or non-primary channel switching after n broadcast periods of the beacon frame.

[0188] n is a positive integer.

[0189] Each per-STA profile field can comprise a first time length, and the first time length is a waiting time before switching of the first channel corresponding to the affiliated AP and the associated STA.

[0190] In some embodiments, the first wireless frame can include the channel switch information of the first channel between the first AP and the first STA, and the channel switch information of the first channel between at least one neighbor AP of the first AP and an associated STA.

[0191] In some embodiments, the first wireless frame can include the channel switch information of the first channel between the first AP and the first STA, and the channel switch information of the first channel between at least one neighbor AP of the first AP and an associated STA.

[0192] As an example, the first wireless frame includes the channel switch information of the first channel between the first AP and the first STA, and the channel switch information of the first channel between at least one neighbor AP of the first AP and an associated STA.

[0193] As an example, when the first AP is affiliated to the first AP MLD, the first wireless frame includes the channel switch information of the first channel between the first AP and the first STA, and the channel switch information of the first channel between at least one other AP or AP MLD that is not affiliated to the first AP MLD and is a neighbor AP of the first AP and an associated STA.

[0194] In some embodiments, the first wireless frame includes a reduced neighbor report (RNR) information element, and the RNR information element includes the channel switch information of the first channel between at least one neighbor AP of the first AP and an associated STA.

[0195] In some embodiments, the channel switch information of the first channel between each neighbor AP and an associated STA includes the first channel after switching corresponding to the respective neighbor AP and the associated STA, and / or switching time information of the first channel corresponding to the respective neighbor AP and the associated STA.

[0196] Optionally, when the first wireless frame includes the channel switch information of the first channel between at least one neighbor AP and an associated STA, the first wireless frame can further include at least one of the following:

[0197] a MAC address of a neighbor AP that does not support multi-link communication;

[0198] a MAC address of a neighbor AP that supports multi-link communication;

[0199] identification information (such as an AP ID) of a neighbor AP that does not support multi-link communication;

[0200] identification information (such as an AP MLD ID) of a neighbor AP that supports multi-link communication.

[0201] In other words, the neighbor AP of the first AP can include a standalone AP or an AP MLD, and the first wireless frame can further include a MAC address or identification information of each neighbor AP.

[0202] For example, the identification information of the neighbor AP that does not support multi-link communication can be a specific value, and the identification information of the neighbor AP that supports multi-link communication can also be a specific value, such as the identification information of the AP that supports multi-link communication can be AP MLD 2.

[0203] The first wireless frame can include both the ML information element and the RNR information element, or only one of the information elements, which is not limited herein.

[0204] Optionally, when the first AP belongs to the first AP MLD, the RNR information element can further include channel change information of the first channel between at least one affiliated AP of the first AP MLD and the associated STA and / or a MAC address of the first AP MLD.

[0205] As an example, when the first AP belongs to the first AP MLD, the first wireless frame includes the ML information element and the RNR information element, the ML information element includes the channel change information of the first channel between at least one affiliated AP of the first AP MLD and the associated STA, and the RNR information element includes the channel change information of the first channel between at least one affiliated AP of the first AP MLD and the associated STA.

[0206] The ML information element and the RNR information element can further include a MAC address of the first AP MLD.

[0207] As an example, when the first AP belongs to the first AP MLD, the first wireless frame includes the RNR information element, the RNR information element includes the channel change information of the first channel between at least one affiliated AP of the first AP MLD and the associated STA, and / or the channel change information of the first channel between at least one affiliated AP of the first AP MLD and the associated STA.

[0208] The ML information element can further include a MAC address of the first AP MLD.

[0209] As an example, when the RNR element includes the channel change information of the first channel between the at least one affiliated AP of the first AP MLD and the associated STA, the RNR element can also include at least one single station device configuration per-STA profile field, each per-STA profile field corresponding to a link identification (Link ID) of a communication link on which an affiliated AP (including the first AP) of the first AP MLD operates and a MAC address of the affiliated AP under the communication link, wherein each per-STA profile field includes the Link ID of the corresponding affiliated AP and the channel change information of the first channel between the affiliated AP and the associated STA.

[0210] In some embodiments, the first AP can also send a second wireless frame when the first AP needs to perform the primary channel switching.

[0211] The second wireless frame includes channel change information of the first channel between the first AP and the first STA after the primary channel switching.

[0212] The channel change information of the first channel between the first AP and the first STA after the primary channel switching includes switching time information of the first channel between the first AP and the first STA after the primary channel switching, and / or the switched first channel.

[0213] The switching time information includes at least one of:

[0214] Switching time of the first channel;

[0215] Waiting time before the first channel switching, i.e., time duration to be experienced before the secondary channel or non-primary channel switching.

[0216] The second wireless frame can be the first wireless frame or another wireless frame different from the first wireless frame.

[0217] In other words, when the first AP determines that the first channel between the first AP and the first STA changes, the first AP can send the first wireless frame to indicate that the first channel between the first AP and the first STA changes through the first wireless frame, and include the switched first channel and / or the switching time information of the first channel. When the first AP needs to perform the primary channel switching, the first AP can also send the first wireless frame or the second wireless frame to indicate that the first channel between the first AP and the first STA changes through the first wireless frame or the second wireless frame, and include the switched first channel and / or the switching time information of the first channel.

[0218] Optionally, the switching time of the primary channel corresponding to the first AP is the same as the switching time of the first channel.

[0219] That is, the first AP can send the second wireless frame when the primary channel switching is needed, and the switching time of the first channel determined according to the channel change information of the first channel between the first AP and the first STA included in the second wireless frame is the same as the switching time of the primary channel switching of the first AP.

[0220] In other words, the first AP can send the second wireless frame when the primary channel switching is needed, and the second wireless frame is used to indicate the channel change information of the first channel corresponding to the first STA. And after the first AP sends the second wireless frame, the first AP and the first STA can perform the primary channel switching and the secondary channel switching at the same time.

[0221] Optionally, the primary channel of the first AP and the first STA after the primary channel switching can be the same as the first channel of the first AP and the first STA before the primary channel switching, or can be different, which is not limited herein.

[0222] In some embodiments, the basic service set color (BSS Color) of the physical layer protocol data unit (PPDU) sent by the first AP on the first channel is the same as the BSS Color of the PPDU sent by the first AP on the primary channel, so that the first STA can identify and receive the PPDU sent by the first AP on the primary channel or the secondary channel based on the same BSS Color.

[0223] S22, the first AP and the first STA perform the secondary channel or non-primary channel switching.

[0224] In some embodiments, the first AP and the first STA can determine the switching time of the first channel according to the switching time information of the first channel, and then perform the secondary channel or non-primary channel switching at the switching time of the first channel, and switch to the first channel after the switching indicated by the first AP.

[0225] Optionally, when the first AP needs to perform the primary channel switching, the first AP and the first STA can perform the secondary channel switching at the same time when performing the primary channel switching, so as to improve the channel switching efficiency.

[0226] The communication method related to the embodiments of the present disclosure can include the foregoing steps and at least one of the embodiments. For example, any one of steps S21-S22 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, and steps S21-S22 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, but are not limited thereto.

[0227] FIG. 3 is one of flow diagrams of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 3, the method is performed by a first AP, and the method includes:

[0228] S31, determine a first wireless frame, the first wireless frame being used to indicate that a first channel between the first AP and the associated first STA changes.

[0229] In some embodiments, the first AP determines the first wireless frame in case that the first channel between the first AP and the associated first STA changes, and the first wireless frame is used to indicate that the first channel between the first AP and the first STA changes.

[0230] In some embodiments, the first wireless frame can be a beacon frame, a probe response frame, an association response frame, a Reassociation response frame, or a predefined channel change notification frame (such as a secondary channel change notification frame or a non-primary channel change notification frame).

[0231] In some embodiments, the first wireless frame comprises a first identification field, and the first identification field is used to indicate that the first channel between the first AP and the first STA changes.

[0232] The first identification field can be at least one of a BSS parameter change sequence field or a check beacon identification bit.

[0233] As an example, the first wireless frame comprises a BSS parameter change sequence field, and when an identification value of the BSS parameter change sequence field is a first value, it is used to indicate that the first channel between the first AP and the first STA changes.

[0234] In some embodiments, the first wireless frame further comprises channel change information of the first channel between the first AP and the first STA.

[0235] The channel change information of the first channel comprises at least one of a switched first channel or switching time information.

[0236] The switching time information comprises at least one of:

[0237] a switching time of the first channel;

[0238] a waiting time before the first channel switches, i.e. a time length that needs to be experienced before the secondary channel or the non-primary channel switches.

[0239] In some embodiments, the first wireless frame comprises a second identification field, and the second identification field is used to indicate at least one of:

[0240] a switching time of the first channel;

[0241] a waiting time before the first channel switching.

[0242] As an example, the second identification field can indicate the switching time of the first channel, for indicating the first AP and the first STA to perform the secondary channel or non-primary channel switching at the indicated switching time.

[0243] As an example, the second identification field can indicate the waiting time before the first channel switching, for indicating the first AP and the first STA to perform the secondary channel or non-primary channel switching after the waiting time.

[0244] Optionally, the second identification field can indicate the waiting time before the first channel switching, or indirectly indicate the waiting time before the first channel switching.

[0245] As an example, the second identification field can be a count value information bit, and when the identification value of the count value information bit is n, it is used to indicate that the secondary channel or non-primary channel switching is performed after n broadcast periods of the beacon frame.

[0246] wherein n is a positive integer.

[0247] As an example, the second identification field can indicate a first time, and the first time is the waiting time before the first channel switching.

[0248] In some embodiments, when the first AP belongs to an AP MLD, the first wireless frame can indicate, in addition to the channel change information of the first channel between the first AP and the first STA, a change of the first channel between other affiliated APs and associated STAs belonging to the same AP MLD as the first AP. In this case, the first wireless frame further includes at least one of:

[0249] channel change information of the first channel between the at least one affiliated AP and the associated STA of the first AP MLD;

[0250] a media access control (MAC) address of the first AP MLD.

[0251] wherein the first AP MLD is an AP MLD to which the first AP belongs, and the first AP is one of the affiliated APs of the first AP MLD.

[0252] When only the first channel between the first AP and the first STA changes among the affiliated APs of the first AP MLD, the first wireless frame includes the channel change information of the first channel between the first AP and the first STA. When the first channel between the plurality of affiliated APs (including the first AP) of the first AP MLD and the associated STA changes, the first wireless frame includes the channel change information of the first channel between each affiliated AP and the associated STA whose first channel changes.

[0253] As an example, if the first AP is affiliated to the first AP MLD, when the first channel between the other at least one affiliated AP of the first AP MLD and the associated STA changes, in the first wireless frame sent by the first AP, in addition to the channel change information of the first channel between the first AP and the first STA, the channel change information of the first channel between each second AP and the associated STA is also included.

[0254] Each second AP is an affiliated AP of the first AP MLD other than the first AP.

[0255] In some embodiments, when the first AP is affiliated to the first AP MLD, the first wireless frame includes a multi-link (ML) information element, and the multi-link information element includes at least one per-STA profile field.

[0256] Each per-STA profile field corresponds to a link identification (link ID) of a communication link on which a corresponding affiliated AP operates and a MAC address of the corresponding affiliated AP on the communication link.

[0257] Each per-STA profile field includes channel change information of the first channel between the corresponding affiliated AP and the associated STA.

[0258] The channel change information of the first channel between each affiliated AP and the associated STA includes the switched first channel corresponding to the corresponding affiliated AP and the associated STA, and / or switching time information of the first channel corresponding to the corresponding affiliated AP and the associated STA.

[0259] Optionally, when the first wireless frame includes the multi-link information element, the multi-link information element can also include a MAC address of the first AP MLD to which the first AP is affiliated.

[0260] In some embodiments, the first wireless frame can include, in addition to the channel switch information of the first channel between the first AP and the first STA, the channel switch information of the first channel between at least one neighbor AP of the first AP and an associated STA.

[0261] As an example, the first wireless frame includes the channel switch information of the first channel between the first AP and the first STA, and the channel switch information of the first channel between at least one neighbor AP of the first AP and an associated STA.

[0262] As an example, when the first AP is affiliated to the first AP MLD, the first wireless frame includes the channel switch information of the first channel between the first AP and the first STA, and the channel switch information of the first channel between at least one other AP or AP MLD that is not affiliated to the first AP MLD and is a neighbor AP of the first AP and an associated STA.

[0263] wherein the first wireless frame includes a reduced neighbor report (RNR) information element, and the RNR information element includes the channel switch information of the first channel between at least one neighbor AP of the first AP and an associated STA.

[0264] wherein the channel switch information of the first channel between each neighbor AP and an associated STA includes a switched first channel corresponding to the respective neighbor AP and the associated STA, and / or switching time information of the first channel corresponding to the respective neighbor AP and the associated STA.

[0265] Optionally, when the first wireless frame includes the channel switch information of the first channel between at least one neighbor AP and an associated STA, the first wireless frame can further include at least one of:

[0266] a MAC address of a neighbor AP that does not support multi-link communication;

[0267] a MAC address of a neighbor AP that supports multi-link communication.

[0268] identification information (such as an AP ID) of a neighbor AP that does not support multi-link communication;

[0269] identification information (such as an AP MLD ID) of a neighbor AP that supports multi-link communication.

[0270] In other words, the neighbor APs of the first AP can include standalone APs or AP MLDs, and the first wireless frame can further include a MAC address or identification information of each neighbor AP.

[0271] For example, the identification information of the neighbor APs not supporting the multi-link communication can be a specific value, and the identification information of the neighbor APs supporting the multi-link communication can also be a specific value, such as the identification information of the AP MLD 2.

[0272] Optionally, the primary channel of the first AP and the first STA after the primary channel switching can be the same as or different from the first channel of the first AP and the first STA before the primary channel switching, which is not limited herein.

[0273] In some embodiments, the basic service set color (BSS Color) of a physical layer protocol data unit (PPDU) sent by the first AP on the first channel is the same as the BSS Color of a PPDU sent by the first AP on the primary channel, so that the first STA can identify and receive the PPDU sent by the first AP on the primary channel or the secondary channel based on the same BSS Color.

[0274] S32, sending the first wireless frame.

[0275] In some embodiments, the first AP can send the first wireless frame in a broadcast or unicast manner.

[0276] In some embodiments, when the first AP needs to perform the primary channel switching, the first AP can also send a second wireless frame.

[0277] The second wireless frame includes channel change information of the first channel between the first AP and the first STA after the primary channel switching.

[0278] The channel change information of the first channel between the first AP and the first STA after the primary channel switching includes switching time information of the first channel between the first AP and the first STA after the primary channel switching, and / or the switched first channel.

[0279] The switching time information includes at least one of the following:

[0280] The switching time of the first channel;

[0281] The waiting time before the switching of the first channel, that is, the time length experienced before the secondary channel or non-primary channel switching.

[0282] The second wireless frame can be the first wireless frame or other wireless frames different from the first wireless frame.

[0283] In other words, when the first AP determines that the first channel with the first STA changes, the first wireless frame can be sent to indicate the first channel with the first STA changes through the first wireless frame, and include the switched first channel and / or the switching time information of the first channel. When the first AP needs to perform the primary channel switching, the first AP can also send the first wireless frame or the second wireless frame to indicate the first channel with the first STA changes through the first wireless frame or the second wireless frame, and include the switched first channel and / or the switching time information of the first channel.

[0284] Optionally, the switching time of the primary channel corresponding to the first AP is the same as the switching time of the first channel.

[0285] That is, when the first AP needs to perform the primary channel switching, the first AP can send the second wireless frame, and the switching time of the first channel determined according to the channel change information of the first channel with the first STA included in the second wireless frame is the same as the switching time of the primary channel switching of the first AP.

[0286] In other words, when the first AP needs to perform the primary channel switching, the first AP can send the second wireless frame to indicate the channel change information of the first channel corresponding to the first STA. And after the first AP sends the second wireless frame, the first AP and the first STA can perform the primary channel switching and the secondary channel switching at the same time.

[0287] The communication method related to the embodiments of the present disclosure can include the foregoing steps and at least one of the embodiments. For example, any one of steps S31-S32 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, and steps S31-S32 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, but are not limited thereto.

[0288] FIG. 4 is a flow diagram of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 4, the method is performed by the first AP, and the method includes:

[0289] S41, receiving a first wireless frame, the first wireless frame being used to indicate that a first channel between a first AP and an associated first STA changes.

[0290] In some embodiments, the first wireless frame includes a first identification field, the first identification field being used to indicate that the first channel between the first STA and the first AP changes;

[0291] The first identification field includes at least one of the following:

[0292] a basic service set parameter change sequence field;

[0293] A check beacon identification bit.

[0294] In some embodiments, the first wireless frame further comprises channel change information of the first channel between the first STA and the first AP, the channel change information of the first channel comprising at least one of:

[0295] the first channel after switching;

[0296] switching time information.

[0297] In some embodiments, the first wireless frame comprises a second identification field, the second identification field being used to indicate at least one of:

[0298] switching time of the first channel;

[0299] waiting time length before switching of the first channel.

[0300] In some embodiments, when the first AP is attached to a first multi-link capable access point device (AP MLD), the first wireless frame further comprises at least one of:

[0301] channel change information of the first channel between at least one attached AP of the first AP MLD and an associated STA;

[0302] a medium access control (MAC) address of the first AP MLD.

[0303] In some embodiments, the first wireless frame comprises a multi-link (ML) information element, the ML information element comprising at least one per STA profile field, each per STA profile comprising channel change information of the first channel between an attached AP and an associated STA.

[0304] In some embodiments, the first wireless frame further comprises a reduced neighbor report (RNR) information element, the RNR information element comprising channel change information of the first channel between at least one neighbor AP of the first AP and an associated STA;

[0305] wherein the RNR information element further comprises at least one of:

[0306] a MAC address of a neighbor AP that does not support multi-link communication;

[0307] an AP MLD MAC address of a neighbor AP that supports multi-link communication.

[0308] In some embodiments, when the first AP needs to perform primary channel switching, the method further comprises:

[0309] The first STA receives a second wireless frame, the second wireless frame comprising channel change information of the first channel between the first AP and the first STA after the primary channel switch;

[0310] The switching time of the primary channel corresponding to the first AP is the same as the switching time of the first channel, and the switched primary channel is the same as or different from the first channel before the primary channel switch.

[0311] In some embodiments, the basic service set color (BSS Color) of a physical layer protocol data unit (PPDU) sent by the first AP on the first channel is the same as the BSS Color of a PPDU sent by the first AP on the primary channel.

[0312] In some embodiments, the first wireless frame is a beacon frame, a probe response frame, an association response frame, or a Reassociation response frame.

[0313] In some embodiments, the first STA can also receive a second wireless frame sent by the first AP when the primary channel switch is needed.

[0314] The second wireless frame comprises channel change information of the first channel between the first AP and the first STA after the primary channel switch.

[0315] The channel change information of the first channel between the first AP and the first STA after the primary channel switch comprises switching time information of the first channel between the first AP and the first STA after the primary channel switch, and / or the switched first channel.

[0316] The switching time information comprises at least one of the following:

[0317] The switching time of the first channel;

[0318] The waiting time before the switching of the first channel, i.e., the time length to be experienced before the switching of the secondary channel or the non-primary channel.

[0319] The second wireless frame can be the first wireless frame or other wireless frames different from the first wireless frame.

[0320] In other words, when the first AP determines that the first channel with the first STA changes, the first wireless frame can be sent to indicate the change of the first channel with the first STA and include the switched first channel and / or the switching time information of the first channel. When the first AP needs to perform the primary channel switching, the first AP can also send the first wireless frame or the second wireless frame to indicate the change of the first channel with the first STA and include the switched first channel and / or the switching time information of the first channel.

[0321] Therefore, the first STA can receive the first wireless frame and / or the second wireless frame to determine the change of the first channel with the first AP.

[0322] Optionally, the switching time of the primary channel corresponding to the first AP and the first STA is the same as the switching time of the first channel.

[0323] That is, when the first AP needs to perform the primary channel switching, the first AP can send the second wireless frame, and the first STA determines the switching time of the first channel according to the channel change information of the first channel with the first AP included in the second wireless frame, which is the same as the switching time of the primary channel switching of the first AP.

[0324] FIG. 5 is a structural schematic diagram of an AP according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 5, the AP 500 can include a processing module 510 and a transceiver module 520.

[0325] In some embodiments, the processing module 510 is configured to determine a first wireless frame, and the first wireless frame is used to indicate a change of a first channel with an associated first STA, and the first channel includes a secondary channel or a non-primary channel.

[0326] In some embodiments, the transceiver module 520 is configured to send the first wireless frame.

[0327] Optionally, the processing module 510 is configured to perform at least one of the processing steps performed by the first AP in any of the above methods (for example, steps S22 and S31, but not limited thereto), which will not be described herein again. The transceiver module 520 is configured to perform at least one of the transceiving steps performed by the first AP in any of the above methods (for example, steps S21 and S31, but not limited thereto), which will not be described herein again.

[0328] FIG. 6 is a structural schematic diagram of an STA according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 6, the STA 600 can include a transceiver module 610.

[0329] In some embodiments, the transceiver 610 is configured to receive a first wireless frame, the first wireless frame being used to indicate a change of a first channel between the first AP and the first STA.

[0330] Optionally, the transceiver 610 is configured to perform at least one of the receiving steps (e.g., step S31, but not limited thereto) performed by the first STA in any of the above methods, which will not be repeated here.

[0331] It should be understood that the division of the above units or modules is only a logical functional division, and in actual implementation, all or part of them can be integrated into one physical entity, or can be physically separated. In addition, the units or modules can be implemented in the form of processor calling software: for example, including a processor, a memory connected to the processor, and the memory storing instructions, and the processor calling the instructions stored in the memory to implement any of the above methods or to realize the functions of the above units or modules, wherein the processor is, for example, a general processor such as a central processing unit (CPU) or a microprocessor, and the memory is an internal or external memory of the device. Alternatively, the units or modules in the device can be implemented in the form of hardware circuit, and the functions of part or all of the units or modules can be realized by the design of the hardware circuit. The above hardware circuit can be understood as one or more processors; for example, in one implementation, the above hardware circuit is an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), and the functions of part or all of the above units or modules are realized by the design of the logical relationship between the elements in the circuit; for another example, in another implementation, the above hardware circuit is a programmable logic device (PLD), and a field programmable gate array (FPGA) is taken as an example, which can include a large number of logic gate circuits, and the connection relationship between the logic gate circuits is configured by a configuration file, so as to realize the functions of part or all of the above units or modules. All units or modules of the above device can be implemented in the form of processor calling software, or all units or modules can be implemented in the form of hardware circuit, or part of the units or modules are implemented in the form of processor calling software, and the remaining part is implemented in the form of hardware circuit.

[0332] In the embodiments of the present disclosure, the processor is a circuit with signal processing capability. In one implementation, the processor can be a circuit with instruction reading and running capability, such as a central processing unit (CPU), a microprocessor, a graphics processing unit (GPU) (which can be understood as a microprocessor), a digital signal processor (DSP), or the like. In another implementation, the processor can implement certain functions through a logical relationship of hardware circuits, and the logical relationship of the hardware circuits is fixed or can be reconfigured. For example, the processor is a hardware circuit implemented by an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) or a programmable logic device (PLD), such as an FPGA. In the reconfigurable hardware circuit, the processor loads a configuration document to implement the configuration of the hardware circuit. It can be understood that the processor loads instructions to implement the functions of the above part or all units or modules. In addition, it can also be a hardware circuit designed for artificial intelligence, which can be understood as an ASIC, such as a neural network processing unit (NPU), a tensor processing unit (TPU), a deep learning processing unit (DPU), and the like.

[0333] FIG. 7 is a structural schematic diagram of a communication device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The communication device 700 can be a first AP or a first STA, or a chip, a chip system, or a processor supporting implementation of the first AP or the first STA, and the like. The communication device can be used to implement the methods described in the above method embodiments, and specific implementation can be referred to the description in the above method embodiments.

[0334] As shown in FIG. 7, the communication device 700 includes one or more processors 701. The processor 701 can be a general-purpose processor or a special-purpose processor, such as a baseband processor or a central processing unit. The baseband processor can be used to process communication protocols and communication data, and the central processing unit can be used to control a communication device (such as a base station, a baseband chip, a terminal device, a terminal device chip, a DU or a CU, and the like), execute a program, and process data of the program. The communication device 700 is used to execute any of the above methods.

[0335] In some embodiments, the communication device 700 further includes one or more memories 702 for storing instructions. Optionally, all or part of the memories 702 can also be outside the communication device 700.

[0336] In some embodiments, the communication device 700 further includes one or more transceivers 703. When the communication device 700 includes one or more transceivers 703, the transceiver 703 performs at least one of the communication steps (for example, steps S21, steps S32, steps S41, but not limited to) in the above-described methods, and the processor 701 performs at least one of the other steps (for example, steps S22, steps S31, but not limited to).

[0337] In some embodiments, the transceiver can include a receiver and / or a transmitter, which can be separate or integrated together. Optionally, the terms of transceiver, transceiving unit, transceiver, transceiving circuit, etc. can be replaced with each other, the terms of transmitter, transmitting unit, transmitter, transmitting circuit, etc. can be replaced with each other, and the terms of receiver, receiving unit, receiver, receiving circuit, etc. can be replaced with each other.

[0338] In some embodiments, the communication device 700 can include one or more interface circuits 704. Optionally, the interface circuit 704 is connected with the memory 702, and the interface circuit 704 can be used to receive signals from the memory 702 or other devices, and can be used to send signals to the memory 702 or other devices. For example, the interface circuit 704 can read the instructions stored in the memory 702 and send the instructions to the processor 701.

[0339] The communication device 700 described in the above embodiments can be a first network device or a second network device, but the scope of the communication device 700 described in the present disclosure is not limited to this, and the structure of the communication device 700 can not be limited by Figure 7. The communication device can be a standalone device or can be part of a larger device. For example, the above-described communication device can be: 1) a standalone integrated circuit (IC), or a chip, or a chip system or subsystem; (2) a set of one or more ICs, optionally, the above-mentioned IC set can also include a storage component for storing data, programs; (3) an ASIC, such as a Modem; (4) a module that can be embedded in other devices; (5) a receiver, terminal device, intelligent terminal device, cellular phone, wireless device, handset, mobile unit, vehicle-mounted device, network device, cloud device, artificial intelligence device, etc.; (6) other, etc.

[0340] Figure 8 is a structural schematic diagram of a chip 800 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The chip 800 includes one or more processors 801, and the chip 800 is configured to execute any of the above methods.

[0341] In some embodiments, the chip 800 further comprises one or more interface circuits 803. Optionally, the interface circuits 803 are connected with the memory 802, the interface circuits 803 can be used to receive signals from the memory 802 or other devices, the interface circuits 803 can be used to send signals to the memory 802 or other devices. For example, the interface circuits 803 can read instructions stored in the memory 802 and send the instructions to the processor 801.

[0342] In some embodiments, the interface circuits 803 perform at least one of the communication steps (for example, step S21, step S32, step S41, but not limited thereto) in the above-described methods, and the processor 801 performs at least one of the other steps (for example, step S22, step S31, but not limited thereto).

[0343] In some embodiments, the terms of interface circuit, interface, transceiver pin, transceiver, etc. can be replaced with each other.

[0344] In some embodiments, the chip 800 further comprises one or more memories 802 for storing instructions. Optionally, all or part of the memory 802 can be outside the chip 800.

[0345] The disclosure also proposes a storage medium, and the above-mentioned storage medium stores instructions, when the above-mentioned instructions run on the communication device 700, the communication device 700 executes any one of the above methods. Optionally, the above-mentioned storage medium is an electronic storage medium. Optionally, the above-mentioned storage medium is a computer readable storage medium, but not limited thereto, it can also be a storage medium readable by other devices. Optionally, the above-mentioned storage medium can be a non-transitory storage medium, but not limited thereto, it can also be a transitory storage medium.

[0346] The disclosure also proposes a program product, and the above-mentioned program product is executed by the communication device 700, so that the communication device 700 executes any one of the above methods. Optionally, the above-mentioned program product is a computer program product.

[0347] The disclosure also proposes a computer program, when it runs on a computer, so that the computer executes any one of the above methods. The above description is only the preferred embodiments of the disclosure and the explanation of the applied technical principles. Those skilled in the art should understand that the disclosure range involved in the disclosure is not limited to the technical solutions formed by the specific combination of the above technical features, and also covers other technical solutions formed by any combination of the above technical features or their equivalent features without departing from the above disclosure concept. For example, the above-mentioned features and the technical features disclosed in the disclosure (but not limited to) with similar functions are replaced with each other to form a technical solution.

Claims

1. A communication method characterized by comprising: The method comprises: The first AP determines a first wireless frame, the first wireless frame being used to indicate that a first channel between the first AP and an associated first STA changes, the first channel comprising a secondary channel or a non-primary channel; The first AP sends the first wireless frame.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein, The first wireless frame comprises a first identification field, the first identification field being used to indicate that the first channel between the first AP and the first STA changes; The first identification field comprises at least one of the following: A basic service set parameter change sequence field; A check beacon identification bit.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein, The first wireless frame further comprises channel change information of the first channel between the first AP and the first STA, the channel change information of the first channel comprising at least one of the following: The first channel after switching; Switching time information.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein, The first wireless frame comprises a second identification field, the second identification field being used to indicate at least one of the following: Switching time of the first channel; Waiting time before the first channel switches.

5. The method of claim 3, wherein, When the first AP is attached to a first multi-link enabled access point device (AP MLD), the first wireless frame further comprises at least one of the following: Channel change information of the first channel between at least one attached AP of the first AP MLD and an associated STA; A medium access control (MAC) address of the first AP MLD.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein, The first wireless frame comprises a multi-link (ML) information element, the ML information element comprising at least one per-STA profile field, each per-STA profile comprising channel change information of the first channel between the attached AP and the associated STA.

7. The method according to claim 3 or 5, characterized in that, The first wireless frame further comprises a reduced neighbor report (RNR) information element, the RNR information element comprising channel change information of the first channel between at least one neighbor AP of the first AP and an associated STA; The RNR information element further comprises at least one of the following: A MAC address of a neighbor AP that does not support multi-link communication; An AP MLD MAC address of a neighbor AP that supports multi-link communication.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein, When the first AP needs to perform primary channel switching, the method further comprises: The first AP sends a second wireless frame, the second wireless frame comprising channel change information of the first channel between the first AP and the first STA after the first AP performs primary channel switching; The switching time of the primary channel corresponding to the first AP is the same as the switching time of the first channel.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein, A basic service set (BSS) color of a physical layer protocol data unit (PPDU) sent by the first AP on the first channel is the same as a BSS color of a PPDU sent by the first AP on the primary channel.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein, The first wireless frame is a beacon frame, a probe response frame, an association response frame, or a Reassociation response frame.

11. A communication method, comprising: The method comprises: The first STA receives a first wireless frame, and the first wireless frame is used to indicate that a first channel between the first STA and an associated first AP changes, and the first channel comprises a secondary channel or a non-primary channel.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein, The first wireless frame comprises a first identification field, and the first identification field is used to indicate that the first channel between the first STA and the first AP changes; The first identification field comprises at least one of the following: A basic service set parameter change sequence field; A check beacon identification bit.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein, The first wireless frame further comprises channel change information of the first channel between the first STA and the first AP, and the channel change information of the first channel comprises at least one of the following: The first channel after switching; Switching time information.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein, The first wireless frame comprises a second identification field, and the second identification field is used to indicate at least one of the following: Switching time of the first channel; Waiting time before the first channel switches.

15. The method of claim 13, wherein, When the first AP is attached to a first access point device supporting multi-link (AP MLD), the first wireless frame further comprises at least one of the following: Channel change information of the first channel between at least one attached AP of the first AP MLD and an associated STA; A medium access control (MAC) address of the first AP MLD.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein, The first wireless frame comprises a multi-link (ML) information element, and the ML information element comprises at least one per STA profile field, and each per STA profile field comprises channel change information of the first channel between the attached AP and the associated STA.

17. The method of claim 13 or 15, wherein, The first wireless frame further comprises a reduced neighbor report (RNR) information element, and the RNR information element comprises channel change information of the first channel between at least one neighbor AP of the first AP and an associated STA; The RNR information element further comprises at least one of the following: A MAC address of a neighbor AP that does not support multi-link communication; An AP MLD MAC address of a neighbor AP that supports multi-link communication.

18. The method of claim 11, wherein, When the first AP needs to perform primary channel switching, the method further comprises: The first STA receives a second wireless frame, and the second wireless frame comprises channel change information of the first channel between the first AP and the first STA after the first AP performs primary channel switching; The switching time of the primary channel corresponding to the first AP is the same as the switching time of the first channel. A basic service set color (BSS Color) of a physical layer protocol data unit (PPDU) sent by the first AP on the first channel is the same as a BSS Color of a PPDU sent by the first AP on the primary channel.

19. The method of claim 11, wherein, The first wireless frame is a beacon frame, a probe response frame, an association response frame, or a Reassociation response frame.

20. The method of claim 11, wherein, Comprise:

21. An AP, comprising: ​ The processing module is configured to determine a first wireless frame, the first wireless frame being used to indicate that a first channel between the first AP and the first STA changes, the first channel including a secondary channel or a non-primary channel. The transceiver module is configured to send the first wireless frame.

22. A STA, comprising: The transceiver module is configured to receive a first wireless frame, the first wireless frame being used to indicate that a first channel between the first AP and the first STA changes, the first channel including a secondary channel or a non-primary channel. The transceiver module is configured to receive a first wireless frame, the first wireless frame being used to indicate that a first channel between the first AP and the first STA changes, the first channel including a secondary channel or a non-primary channel.

23. A communications device, characterized by One or more processors; The processor is configured to perform the communication method in any one of claims 1-10 or claims 11-20. The storage medium stores instructions, when the instructions run on the communication device, cause the communication device to perform the communication method in any one of claims 1-10 or claims 11-20.

24. A storage medium characterized by The first AP determines and sends a first wireless frame, the first wireless frame being used to indicate that a first channel between the first AP and the first STA changes, the first channel including a secondary channel or a non-primary channel; and the first STA receives the first wireless frame.

25. A communication system comprising a first AP and a first STA; wherein, ​

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