Secondary channel communication method, communication device, and communication system

Abstract

Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a secondary channel communication method, a communication device, and a communication system. The secondary channel communication method comprises: a sending end receives a first message frame in a secondary channel, wherein the first message frame comprises: a first identifier indicating the duration of the first message frame; and the first identifier is set as the duration, sensed by a receiving end, in which an overlapping basic service set physical protocol data unit (OBSS PPDU) occupies a primary channel, or is the same as the duration identified by a second identifier of a second message frame sent by the sending end, so as to ensure that the duration of communication in the secondary channel is not greater than a network allocation vector (NAV) timer duration sensed or set in the primary channel, so that both the sending end and the receiving end can perform communication in the secondary channel, thereby meeting UHR transmission requirements.

Description

Secondary channel communication methods, communication equipment and communication systems Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to the field of communication technology, and in particular to a secondary channel communication method, communication device and communication system. Background Technology

[0002] Currently, research on Wi-Fi technology includes topics such as Ultra High Reliability (UHR), with the vision of improving the reliability of Wireless Local Area Networks (WLAN) connections, reducing latency, improving manageability, increasing throughput at different signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) levels, and reducing device-level power consumption.

[0003] In UHR, a secondary / non-primary channel access method has been proposed to reduce access latency. Therefore, the communication mechanism in the primary and secondary channels needs to be further improved to meet the transmission requirements of UHR.

[0004] Summary of the Invention

[0005] This disclosure provides a secondary channel communication method, communication device, and communication system to improve the communication mechanism in the primary and secondary channels.

[0006] On one hand, embodiments of this disclosure provide a secondary channel communication method, the method comprising:

[0007] The transmitting end receives a first message frame on the secondary channel; wherein the first message frame includes: a first identifier indicating the duration of the first message frame; the first identifier is set to the duration of the Overlapping Basic Service Set Physical Layer Protocol Data Unit (OBSS PPDU) occupies the main channel as perceived by the receiving end, or the same duration as that indicated by the second identifier of the second message frame sent by the transmitting end.

[0008] On the other hand, embodiments of this disclosure also provide a secondary channel communication method, the method comprising:

[0009] The receiving end receives the second message frame in the secondary channel;

[0010] Based on the duration identified by the second identifier of the second message frame and the duration of the OBSS PPDU occupying the main channel as perceived by the receiver, the duration identified by the first identifier of the first message frame is determined.

[0011] The first message frame includes a first identifier indicating the duration of the first message frame; the first identifier is set to the duration of the OBSS PPDU occupies the main channel as sensed by the receiving end, or the same duration as the second identifier.

[0012] The first message frame is transmitted on the secondary channel.

[0013] On the other hand, this disclosure also provides a communication device, which is a transmitting end, and the transmitting end includes:

[0014] A first receiving module is configured to receive a first message frame on a secondary channel at the transmitting end; wherein the first message frame includes a first identifier indicating the duration of the first message frame; the first identifier is set to the duration of the Overlapping Basic Service Set Physical Layer Protocol Data Unit (OBSS PPDU) occupies the primary channel as perceived by the receiving end, or is the same as the duration indicated by the second identifier of the second message frame sent by the transmitting end.

[0015] On the other hand, this disclosure also provides a communication device, which is a receiving end, and the receiving end includes:

[0016] The second receiving module is used by the receiving end to receive the second message frame in the secondary channel;

[0017] The determining module is used to determine the duration identified by the first identifier of the first message frame based on the duration identified by the second identifier of the second message frame and the duration of the OBSS PPDU occupancy of the main channel perceived by the receiving end.

[0018] The first message frame includes a first identifier indicating the duration of the first message frame; the first identifier is set to the duration of the OBSS PPDU occupies the main channel as sensed by the receiving end, or the same duration as the second identifier.

[0019] A sending module is used to send the first message frame on the secondary channel.

[0020] On the other hand, this disclosure also provides a communication device, which is a transmitting end, comprising:

[0021] One or more processors;

[0022] The sending end is used to execute the secondary channel communication method described in the embodiments of this disclosure.

[0023] On the other hand, this disclosure also provides a communication device, which is a receiving end, comprising:

[0024] One or more processors;

[0025] The receiving end is used to execute the secondary channel communication method described in the embodiments of this disclosure.

[0026] This disclosure also provides a communication system, including a transmitter and a receiver;

[0027] The transmitting end receives a first message frame on the secondary channel; wherein the first message frame includes: a first identifier indicating the duration of the first message frame; the first identifier is set to the duration of the Overlapping Basic Service Set Physical Layer Protocol Data Unit (OBSS PPDU) occupies the main channel as perceived by the receiving end, or the same duration as that indicated by the second identifier of the second message frame sent by the transmitting end;

[0028] The receiving end receives the second message frame in the secondary channel;

[0029] Based on the duration identified by the second identifier of the second message frame and the duration of the OBSS PPDU occupying the main channel as perceived by the receiver, the duration identified by the first identifier of the first message frame is determined.

[0030] The first message frame includes a first identifier indicating the duration of the first message frame; the first identifier is set to the duration of the OBSS PPDU occupies the main channel as sensed by the receiving end, or the same duration as the second identifier.

[0031] The first message frame is transmitted on the secondary channel.

[0032] This disclosure also provides a storage medium storing instructions that, when executed on a communication device, cause the communication device to perform the secondary channel communication method as described in this disclosure.

[0033] In this embodiment of the disclosure, the transmitting end receives a first message frame on the secondary channel; wherein, the first message frame includes: a first identifier indicating the duration of the first message frame; the first identifier is set to the duration of the Overlapping Basic Service Set Physical Layer Protocol Data Unit (OBSS PPDU) occupies the primary channel as perceived by the receiving end, or the same duration as that indicated by the second identifier of the second message frame sent by the transmitting end, so as to ensure that the duration of communication on the secondary channel is not greater than the duration of the Network Allocation Vector Timer (NAV) sensed or set in the primary channel, so that both the transmitting end and the receiving end can communicate in the secondary channel to meet the UHR transmission requirements.

[0034] Additional aspects and advantages of embodiments of this disclosure will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and will become apparent from the description or may be learned by practice of this disclosure. Attached Figure Description

[0035] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this disclosure, the accompanying drawings required for the description of the embodiments are introduced below. The following drawings are only some embodiments of this disclosure and do not impose specific limitations on the protection scope of this disclosure.

[0036] Figure 1 is an exemplary schematic diagram of the architecture of a communication system provided according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0037] Figure 2 is an exemplary interactive diagram of a method provided according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0038] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of secondary channel contention and communication provided according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0039] Figure 4 is a flowchart illustrating one of the secondary channel communication methods provided in this embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0040] Figure 5 is a second schematic flowchart of the secondary channel communication method provided in the embodiments of this disclosure;

[0041] Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of the structure of the transmitting end proposed in an embodiment of this disclosure;

[0042] Figure 7 is a schematic diagram of the receiving end proposed in an embodiment of this disclosure;

[0043] Figure 8 is a schematic diagram of the structure of the terminal proposed in the embodiment of this disclosure;

[0044] Figure 9 is a schematic diagram of the chip structure proposed in the embodiments of this disclosure. Detailed Implementation

[0045] This disclosure presents a secondary channel communication method, communication device, and communication system.

[0046] In a first aspect, embodiments of this disclosure propose a secondary channel communication method, the method comprising:

[0047] The transmitting end receives a first message frame on the secondary channel; wherein the first message frame includes: a first identifier indicating the duration of the first message frame; the first identifier is set to the duration of the Overlapping Basic Service Set Physical Layer Protocol Data Unit (OBSS PPDU) occupies the main channel as perceived by the receiving end, or the same duration as that indicated by the second identifier of the second message frame sent by the transmitting end.

[0048] In the above embodiments, the transmitting end receives a first message frame in the secondary channel; wherein, the first message frame includes: a first identifier indicating the duration of the first message frame; the first identifier is set to the duration of the Overlapping Basic Service Set Physical Layer Protocol Data Unit (OBSS PPDU) occupies the main channel as perceived by the receiving end, or the same duration as that indicated by the second identifier of the second message frame sent by the transmitting end, so as to ensure that the duration of communication in the secondary channel is not greater than the duration of the Network Allocation Vector Timer (NAV) sensed or set in the main channel, so that both the transmitting end and the receiving end can communicate in the secondary channel to meet the UHR transmission requirements.

[0049] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, before the transmitting end receives the first message frame on the secondary channel, the method further includes:

[0050] The transmitting end detects that the primary channel is idle, switches to the secondary channel, and determines the second message frame; wherein, the second identifier of the second message frame is set to any one of the following:

[0051] The sum of the time required to send a data frame, the time required for the receiver to send an ACK frame in the secondary channel, and the duration of the short frame interval;

[0052] The sum of the duration of the first message frame and the duration of the short frame interval transmitted by the receiving end in the secondary channel;

[0053] Duration not specified;

[0054] The second message frame is transmitted in the secondary channel.

[0055] In the above embodiment, when the transmitting end is unaware that the primary channel is busy, but the receiving end is, the transmitting end switches to the secondary channel and determines the second message frame. The second message frame can be an RTS frame or a MU-RTS frame. When the transmitting end cannot perceive the duration of the OBSS PPDU occupying the primary channel, the transmitting end needs to determine the duration field of the RTS frame or MU-RTS frame to ensure that the duration of secondary channel communication is not greater than the duration of the first NAV timer in the primary channel.

[0056] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments,

[0057] If the duration identified by the second identifier is greater than or equal to the duration of the OBSS PPDU perceived by the receiver occupying the main channel, then the first identifier of the first message frame is set to: the duration of the OBSS PPDU perceived by the receiver occupying the main channel.

[0058] If the duration indicated by the second identifier is less than the duration of the OBSS PPDU occupies the main channel as perceived by the receiver, then the duration indicated by the first identifier of the first message frame is the same as the duration indicated by the second identifier.

[0059] In the above embodiments, when the duration identified by the second identifier is greater than the duration of the OBSS PPDU occupying the main channel, the first identifier is set to: the duration of the OBSS PPDU occupying the main channel sensed by the receiving end; during the duration of the OBSS PPDU occupying the main channel, the transmitting end 101 and the receiving end 102 communicate on the secondary channel; after the duration of the OBSS PPDU occupying the main channel ends, the transmitting end 101 and the receiving end 102 can switch back to the main channel for communication to improve data transmission efficiency. When the duration identified by the second identifier is less than the duration of the OBSS PPDU occupying the main channel, the first identifier is set to: the same duration as the duration identified by the second identifier; during the duration of the OBSS PPDU occupying the main channel, the transmitting end and the receiving end communicate without switching back to the main channel, and the communication duration on the secondary channel is not greater than the duration of the first NAV timer sensed (or set) in the main channel; after the duration of the OBSS PPDU occupying the main channel ends, the transmitting end and the receiving end can switch back to the main channel for communication to improve data transmission efficiency.

[0060] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, after the transmitting end receives the first message frame on the secondary channel, the method further includes:

[0061] Physical layer protocol data unit (PPDU) is transmitted in the secondary channel;

[0062] If the duration identified by the second identifier is greater than the duration identified by the first identifier, the duration of the third identifier of the PPDU is set to be the same as the duration identified by the first identifier;

[0063] If the duration identified by the second identifier is less than or equal to the duration identified by the first identifier, the duration of the third identifier of the PPDU is set to be the same as the duration identified by the first identifier, or the same as the duration set by the second identifier.

[0064] In the above embodiment, after receiving the first message frame, the transmitting end sends a PPDU in the secondary channel. If the duration identified by the second identifier is greater than the duration identified by the first identifier, then the duration of the third identifier of the PPDU will be set to the same duration as the first identifier, so as to ensure that the transmission duration of the transmitting end in the secondary channel is not greater than the duration of the first NAV timer, thus meeting the UHR transmission requirement.

[0065] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the second message frame further includes:

[0066] The communication parameters of the transmitting end in the secondary channel;

[0067] The communication parameters of the transmitting end in the secondary channel are the same as the communication parameters of the transmitting end in the primary channel.

[0068] The communication parameters include at least one of the following:

[0069] Modulation and coding strategy (MCS), number of spatial streams (SS).

[0070] In the above embodiment, the transmitting end sends a second message frame in the secondary channel, which includes the same communication parameters as the primary channel, such as the number of MCS or SS. This helps ensure that the data transmission quality on the secondary channel is consistent with that on the primary channel, thereby optimizing the resource utilization of the wireless network and improving transmission efficiency.

[0071] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, if the receiving end is a site device (STA) and the STA supports a Clear Transmission (CTS) mechanism or a Request Transmission Threshold (RTS) mechanism, then when the duration required for the sending end to transmit a data frame is greater than the duration specified by the CTS mechanism or the RTS threshold mechanism, the sending end determines the maximum transmission duration in the secondary channel based on the duration identified by the first identifier of the first message frame.

[0072] In the above embodiments, if the receiving end is a STA and the STA supports the CTS mechanism or the RTS threshold mechanism, then when the time required for the sending end to send a data frame exceeds the time specified by the CTS mechanism or the RTS threshold mechanism, the sending end will determine the maximum transmission time in the secondary channel according to the first identifier of the first message frame, thereby avoiding communication conflicts or channel idle waste caused by excessive transmission time.

[0073] Secondly, embodiments of this disclosure propose a secondary channel communication method, the method comprising:

[0074] The receiving end receives the second message frame in the secondary channel;

[0075] Based on the duration identified by the second identifier of the second message frame and the duration of the OBSS PPDU occupying the main channel as perceived by the receiver, the duration identified by the first identifier of the first message frame is determined.

[0076] The first message frame includes a first identifier indicating the duration of the first message frame; the first identifier is set to the duration of the OBSS PPDU occupies the main channel as sensed by the receiving end, or the same duration as the second identifier.

[0077] The first message frame is transmitted on the secondary channel.

[0078] In conjunction with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the second identifier of the second message frame is set to any one of the following:

[0079] The sum of the time required to send a data frame, the time required for the receiver to send an ACK frame in the secondary channel, and the duration of the short frame interval;

[0080] The sum of the duration of the first message frame and the duration of the short frame interval transmitted by the receiving end in the secondary channel;

[0081] Duration not specified.

[0082] In conjunction with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, determining the duration identified by the first identifier of the first message frame based on the duration identified by the second identifier of the second message frame and the duration of the OBSS PPDU occupies the main channel as perceived by the receiver includes:

[0083] If the duration identified by the second identifier is greater than or equal to the duration of the OBSS PPDU perceived by the receiver occupying the main channel, then the first identifier of the first message frame is set to: the duration of the OBSS PPDU perceived by the receiver occupying the main channel.

[0084] If the duration indicated by the second identifier is less than the duration of the OBSS PPDU occupies the main channel as perceived by the receiver, then the duration indicated by the first identifier of the first message frame is the same as the duration indicated by the second identifier.

[0085] In conjunction with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, after the receiving end transmits the first message frame on the secondary channel, the method further includes:

[0086] PPDU is received in the secondary channel;

[0087] If the duration identified by the second identifier is greater than the duration identified by the first identifier, the duration of the third identifier of the PPDU is set to be the same as the duration identified by the first identifier;

[0088] If the duration identified by the second identifier is less than or equal to the duration identified by the first identifier, the duration of the third identifier of the PPDU is set to be the same as the duration identified by the first identifier, or the same as the duration set by the second identifier.

[0089] In conjunction with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments,

[0090] If the receiving end is a site device (STA) that supports the CTS mechanism or the RTS threshold mechanism, then when the duration required for the sending end to transmit a data frame exceeds the duration specified by the CTS mechanism or the RTS threshold mechanism, the first identifier of the first message frame is used to indicate the maximum transmission duration of the sending end in the secondary channel.

[0091] Thirdly, this disclosure also provides a communication device, which is a transmitting end, and the transmitting end includes a first receiving module; wherein the transmitting end is used to execute the optional implementation of the first aspect.

[0092] Fourthly, this disclosure also provides a communication device, which is a receiving end, including at least one of a first receiving module, a second receiving module, and a transmitting module; wherein the receiving end is used to execute the optional implementation of the second aspect.

[0093] Fifthly, embodiments of this disclosure also provide a communication device, which is a transmitting end, comprising:

[0094] One or more processors;

[0095] The sending end is used to execute the optional implementation of the first aspect.

[0096] Sixthly, embodiments of this disclosure also provide a communication device, which is a receiving end, comprising:

[0097] One or more processors;

[0098] The receiving end is used to execute an optional implementation of the second aspect.

[0099] In a seventh aspect, embodiments of this disclosure also provide a communication system, including a transmitter and a receiver;

[0100] The transmitting end receives a first message frame on the secondary channel; wherein the first message frame includes: a first identifier indicating the duration of the first message frame; the first identifier is set to the duration of the Overlapping Basic Service Set Physical Layer Protocol Data Unit (OBSS PPDU) occupies the main channel as perceived by the receiving end, or the same duration as that indicated by the second identifier of the second message frame sent by the transmitting end;

[0101] The receiving end receives the second message frame in the secondary channel;

[0102] Based on the duration identified by the second identifier of the second message frame and the duration of the OBSS PPDU occupying the main channel as perceived by the receiver, the duration identified by the first identifier of the first message frame is determined.

[0103] The first message frame includes a first identifier indicating the duration of the first message frame; the first identifier is set to the duration of the OBSS PPDU occupies the main channel as sensed by the receiving end, or the same duration as the second identifier.

[0104] The first message frame is transmitted on the secondary channel.

[0105] Eighthly, embodiments of this disclosure also provide a storage medium storing instructions that, when executed on a communication device, cause the communication device to perform the optional implementations described in the first and second aspects.

[0106] Ninthly, embodiments of this disclosure provide a program product that, when executed by a communication device, causes the communication device to perform the method as described in the optional implementations of the first and second aspects.

[0107] In a tenth aspect, embodiments of this disclosure provide a computer program that, when run on a computer, causes the computer to perform the methods described in the optional implementations of the first and second aspects.

[0108] Eleventhly, embodiments of this disclosure provide a chip or chip system. The chip or chip system includes processing circuitry configured to perform the methods described according to optional implementations of the first and second aspects above.

[0109] It is understood that the aforementioned transmitting end, receiving end, communication system, storage medium, program product, computer program, chip, or chip system are all used to execute the methods proposed in the embodiments of this disclosure. Therefore, the beneficial effects that can be achieved can be referred to the beneficial effects in the corresponding methods, and will not be repeated here.

[0110] This disclosure provides a secondary channel communication method, communication device, and communication system. In some embodiments, the terms "secondary channel communication method" and "signal transmission method," "wireless frame transmission method," etc., can be used interchangeably, as can the terms "information processing system" and "communication system."

[0111] This disclosure is not exhaustive, but merely illustrative of some embodiments, and is not intended to limit the scope of protection of this disclosure. Unless otherwise specified, each step in a particular embodiment can be implemented as an independent embodiment, and the steps can be arbitrarily combined. For example, a solution after removing some steps in a particular embodiment can also be implemented as an independent embodiment, and the order of the steps in a particular embodiment can be arbitrarily interchanged. Furthermore, the optional implementation methods in a particular embodiment can be arbitrarily combined; moreover, the embodiments can be arbitrarily combined, for example, some or all steps of different embodiments can be arbitrarily combined, and a particular embodiment can be arbitrarily combined with the optional implementation methods of other embodiments.

[0112] In each of the disclosed embodiments, unless otherwise specified or in case of logical conflict, the terminology and / or descriptions of the embodiments are consistent and can be referenced by each other. Technical features in different embodiments can be combined to form new embodiments based on their inherent logical relationships.

[0113] The terminology used in the embodiments of this disclosure is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to limit the scope of this disclosure.

[0114] In the embodiments disclosed herein, "multiple" refers to two or more.

[0115] In some embodiments, the terms “at least one of”, “one or more”, “a plurality of”, “multiple”, etc., may be used interchangeably.

[0116] In some embodiments, the notation "at least one of A and B", "A and / or B", "A in one case, B in another", "in response to one case A, in response to another case B", etc., may include the following technical solutions depending on the situation: in some embodiments, A (execute A regardless of B); in some embodiments, B (execute B regardless of A); in some embodiments, execution is selected from A and B (A and B are selectively executed); in some embodiments, A and B (both A and B are executed). The same applies when there are more branches such as A, B, C, etc.

[0117] In some embodiments, the notation "A or B" may include the following technical solutions, depending on the situation: in some embodiments, A (execution of A regardless of B); in some embodiments, B (execution of B regardless of A); in some embodiments, execution is selected from A and B (A and B are selectively executed). The same applies when there are more branches such as A, B, C, etc.

[0118] The prefixes "first," "second," etc., used in the embodiments of this disclosure are merely for distinguishing different descriptive objects and do not impose restrictions on the position, order, priority, quantity, or content of the descriptive objects. The description of the descriptive objects is found in the claims or the context of the embodiments, and the use of prefixes should not constitute unnecessary restrictions. For example, if the descriptive object is a "field," the ordinal numbers preceding "field" in "first field" and "second field" do not restrict the position or order of the "fields." "First" and "second" do not restrict whether the "fields" they modify are in the same message, nor do they restrict the order of "first field" and "second field." Similarly, if the descriptive object is a "level," the ordinal numbers preceding "level" in "first level" and "second level" do not restrict the priority between "levels." Furthermore, the number of descriptive objects is not limited by ordinal numbers and can be one or more. For example, in "first device," the number of "devices" can be one or more. Furthermore, the objects modified by different prefixes can be the same or different. For example, if the object being described is "device", then "first device" and "second device" can be the same device or different devices, and their types can be the same or different. Similarly, if the object being described is "information", then "first information" and "second information" can be the same information or different information, and their content can be the same or different.

[0119] In some embodiments, “including A,” “containing A,” “for indicating A,” and “carrying A” can be interpreted as directly carrying A or indirectly indicating A.

[0120] In some embodiments, the terms “in response to…”, “in response to determining…”, “in the case of…”, “when…”, “if…”, “if…”, etc., can be used interchangeably.

[0121] In some embodiments, the terms “greater than”, “greater than or equal to”, “not less than”, “more than”, “more than or equal to”, “not less than”, “higher than”, “higher than or equal to”, “not lower than”, and “above” can be used interchangeably, as can the terms “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”, and “below”.

[0122] In some embodiments, the apparatus and device may be interpreted as physical or virtual, and their names are not limited to the names recorded in the embodiments. In some cases, they may also be understood as "equipment", "device", "circuit", "network element", "node", "function", "unit", "section", "system", "network", "chip", "chip system", "entity", "body", etc.

[0123] In some embodiments, the acquisition of data, information, etc., may comply with the laws and regulations of the country where the location is situated.

[0124] In some embodiments, data, information, etc., may be obtained with the user's consent.

[0125] Furthermore, each element, each row, or each column in the table of this 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] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the architecture of a communication system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0127] As shown in Figure 1, the communication system 100 includes a transmitter 101 and a receiver 102. The transmitter 101 can be a station (STA) or an access point (AP). When the transmitter 101 is a STA, the receiver 102 is an AP; when the transmitter 101 is an AP, the receiver 102 is a STA.

[0128] In some embodiments, the transmitting end 101 and the receiving end 102 include, for example, a wireless communication chip, a wireless sensor, or a wireless communication terminal that supports WiFi communication. Optionally, the wireless communication terminal may be at least one of, but is not limited to, a mobile phone, a wearable device, an IoT device that supports WiFi communication, a car with WiFi communication capabilities, a smart car, a tablet computer, a computer with wireless transceiver capabilities, a virtual reality (VR) terminal device, an augmented reality (AR) terminal device, a wireless terminal device in industrial control, a wireless terminal device in self-driving, a wireless terminal device in remote medical surgery, a wireless terminal device in a smart grid, a wireless terminal device in transportation safety, a wireless terminal device in a smart city, and a wireless terminal device in a smart home.

[0129] Specifically, the transmitter 101 and receiver 102 can be terminal devices or network devices equipped with Wi-Fi chips. The transmitter 101 and receiver 102 can support various WLAN standards such as 802.11ax, 802.11be, 802.11ac, 802.11n, 802.11g, 802.11b, 802.11a, 802.11bf, and 802.11bn, as well as the next-generation 802.11 protocol, but are not limited to these.

[0130] In some embodiments, the transmitter 101 and receiver 102 can be access points for mobile terminals to access a wired network. An AP acts as a bridge connecting wired and wireless networks, its main function being to connect various wireless network clients together and then connect the wireless network to an Ethernet network. Specifically, an AP can be a terminal device or network device equipped with a Wi-Fi chip. Optionally, the AP can support various WLAN standards such as 802.11ax, 802.11be, 802.11ac, 802.11n, 802.11g, 802.11b, 802.11a, 802.11bf, and 802.11bn, as well as the next-generation 802.11 protocol, but is not limited to these.

[0131] Optionally, in this embodiment of the disclosure, AP and STA can be devices that support multiple links. For example, they can be represented as Access Point Multi-Link Device (AP MLD) and Non-Access Point Multi-Link Device (Non-AP MLD), respectively. AP MLD can represent an access point that supports multiple link communication functions, and non-AP MLD can represent a site that supports multiple link communication functions.

[0132] It is understood that the communication system described in this disclosure is for the purpose of more clearly illustrating the technical solutions of this disclosure, and does not constitute a limitation on the technical solutions proposed in this disclosure. As those skilled in the art will know, with the evolution of system architecture and the emergence of new business scenarios, the technical solutions proposed in this disclosure are also applicable to similar technical problems.

[0133] The following embodiments of this disclosure can be applied to the communication system 100 shown in FIG1, or to some of the main bodies, but are not limited thereto. The main bodies shown in FIG1 are illustrative. The communication system may include all or some of the main bodies in FIG1, or may include other main bodies outside of FIG1. ​​The number and form of each main body are arbitrary. Each main body may be physical or virtual. The connection relationship between the main bodies is illustrative. The main bodies may not be connected or may be connected. The connection can be in any way, it can be a direct connection or an indirect connection, it can be a wired connection or a wireless connection.

[0134] The embodiments disclosed herein can be applied to Wireless Local Area Networks (WLANs), such as LANs using the 802.11 series of protocols. In a WLAN, a Basic Service Set (BSS) is a fundamental component. An BSS network consists of site devices with some association within a specific coverage area. One type of association is where sites communicate directly with each other in a self-organizing network; this is called an Independent Basic Service Set (IBSS). Another more common scenario is that in a BSS network, there is only one central site dedicated to managing the BSS, called the Access Point (AP) device, and all other STAs in the network are associated with it. Other sites in the BSS network that are not the central site are called terminals, also known as non-AP STAs; terminals and non-AP STAs are collectively referred to as STAs. When describing STAs, it is not necessary to distinguish between terminals and non-AP STAs. Within the same BSS network, due to distance, transmission power, etc., a STA cannot detect other STAs that are far away; they are each other's hidden nodes.

[0135] Figure 2 is an interactive schematic diagram of a secondary channel communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in Figure 2, the method includes:

[0136] Step 201: The sending end 101 detects that the main channel is idle, switches to the secondary channel, and determines the second message frame.

[0137] In Wireless Local Area Networks (WLANs), channels are typically divided into primary channels and secondary channels (or non-primary channels). To optimize channel utilization and reduce communication latency, secondary channels are sometimes used for data transmission. A secondary channel can contain one or more sub-channels. For example, if the basic bandwidth unit is 20MHz, when the channel bandwidth is 20MHz, there is only one primary channel with a bandwidth of 20MHz. When the channel bandwidth is greater than 20MHz, there is one primary channel with a bandwidth of 20MHz, and the remaining one or more 20MHz channels are secondary channels. The primary 20MHz channel is the common operating channel for stations belonging to a Basic Service Set (BSS). Stations in the BSS can compete for channel resources on the primary 20MHz channel.

[0138] To reduce access latency, a secondary channel access method is proposed. When both the receiving and receiving parties detect that a device from an Overlapping Basic Service Set (OBSS) or other BSS (basicserviceset) is transmitting Physical Protocol Data Units (PPDUs) on the primary channel, a first network allocation vector timer (NAV timer) is set in the primary channel. During the duration of the first NAV timer, the device will not attempt to access the channel, thus avoiding data transmission conflicts. As a baseline for primary and secondary channel communication, after setting the first NAV timer, the device switches to secondary channel communication, and the duration of secondary channel communication is no longer than the duration of the first NAV timer, i.e., the duration of the decoded OBSSPPDU transmission in the primary channel.

[0139] In this embodiment of the disclosure, the mechanism of obtaining Transmission Opportunity (TXOP) duration using RTS (or MU-RTS) / CTS is utilized to enable both the sending and receiving ends to communicate in the secondary channel, thereby meeting the UHR requirement. In this embodiment of the disclosure, the sending end can be the sender of data frames, and the receiving end can be the receiver of data frames.

[0140] Specifically, in a Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN), a TXOP refers to a bounded time period during which a device can transmit a specific type of communication. Devices compete for a TXOP, and once a TXOP is obtained, the device can transmit frames of a specific type of communication within the TXOP. These frames can specifically be data frames, control frames, and management frames, etc.

[0141] In this embodiment of the disclosure, as an example, as shown in FIG3, taking the case where the transmitting end 101 competes for the channel and the transmitting end 101 and the receiving end 102 perform data transmission, after the transmitting end 101 obtains TXOP, it starts the clear to send-to-self (CTS-to-self) mechanism and sends a request to send (RTS) frame or a multi-user request to send (MU-RTS) frame in a broadcast manner. The RTS frame sets a first NAV timer to instruct the transmitting end 101 to send a data frame to the receiving end 102 within the duration indicated by the first NAV timer. After receiving the RTS frame and performing a short interframe space (SIFS), receiver 102 broadcasts a clear to send (CTS) frame to acknowledge the transmission by sender 101. This CTS frame sets a second NAV timer to indicate the duration of channel usage. The start time of the duration indicated by the second NAV timer is the end time of the CTS frame, and the end times of the durations indicated by the first and second NAV timers are the same. Afterward, sender 101 sends a data frame to receiver 102, and receiver 102 replies with an acknowledgment (ACK) frame.

[0142] In a real-world communication environment, before sending an RTS frame or MU-RTS frame, the transmitter 101 may encounter the following situations: the transmitter 101 may be aware that the primary channel is busy, or the transmitter 101 may not be aware that the primary channel is busy, but the receiver 102 may be aware that the primary channel is busy. For example, after the transmitter 101 has secured a channel and switched to a secondary channel, its attention has shifted to the secondary channel, and it may not be able to directly perceive whether other OBSS PPDUs are being transmitted on the primary channel.

[0143] In this embodiment, when the transmitting end 101 is unaware that the primary channel is busy, but the receiving end 102 is, the transmitting end 101 switches to the secondary channel and determines a second message frame. The second message frame can be an RTS frame or a MU-RTS frame. When the transmitting end cannot perceive the duration of the OBSS PPDU occupying the primary channel, the transmitting end needs to determine the duration field of the RTS frame or MU-RTS frame to ensure that the duration of secondary channel communication is not greater than the duration of the first NAV timer in the primary channel.

[0144] In some embodiments, the second message frame includes a second identifier, for example, the second identifier is carried in the duration field of the second message frame to indicate the duration of the second message frame, and the second identifier is set to any one of the following parameters (1) to (3):

[0145] Parameter (1) is the sum of the time required to send a data frame, the time required for the receiver to send an ACK frame in the secondary channel, and the time of the short frame interval.

[0146] In this embodiment of the disclosure, by setting the second identification information to the sum of the time required for the sender to transmit the data frame, the time required for the receiver to transmit the ACK frame in the secondary channel, and the SIFS time, the sender can accurately calculate the total time required for communication in the secondary channel, ensuring that the data frame transmitted in the secondary channel can be correctly received. Furthermore, the receiver has sufficient time to transmit the ACK frame, avoiding data loss and transmission conflicts.

[0147] Parameter (2) is the sum of the duration of the first message frame sent by the receiving end in the secondary channel and the duration of the short frame interval;

[0148] In WLAN, after receiving an RTS frame and pausing at SIFS interval, the receiver broadcasts a CTS frame to acknowledge the sender's transmission. Therefore, setting the second flag to the total duration of the receiver's CTS frame and SIFS transmission on the secondary channel ensures the sender can successfully receive the CTS frame, guaranteeing the integrity and stability of the communication path. The duration of the receiver's CTS frame transmission on the secondary channel is standardized and can be pre-calculated, allowing the sender to calculate its transmission duration in advance.

[0149] Parameter (3), duration not specified;

[0150] In some embodiments, the second identifier is set to an unspecified duration, such as setting the parameter value of the second identifier to "0", which can prevent other devices from making decisions based on a fixed duration and reduce misjudgments of the channel state.

[0151] Step 202: The sending end 101 sends the second message frame in the secondary channel.

[0152] In this embodiment of the present disclosure, the transmitting end transmits the second message frame in the secondary channel. The second message frame may be an RTS frame or a MU-RTS frame.

[0153] In some embodiments, the second message frame further includes:

[0154] The communication parameters of the transmitting end in the secondary channel;

[0155] The communication parameters of the transmitting end in the secondary channel are the same as the communication parameters of the transmitting end in the primary channel.

[0156] The communication parameters include at least one of the following:

[0157] Modulation and Coding Scheme (MCS) and number of Spatial Streams (SS).

[0158] Specifically, the sending end transmits a second message frame in the secondary channel, which includes the same communication parameters as the primary channel, such as the number of MCS or SS. This helps ensure that the data transmission quality on the secondary channel is consistent with that on the primary channel, thereby optimizing the resource utilization of the wireless network and improving transmission efficiency.

[0159] Step 203: Receiver 102 receives the second message frame in the secondary channel.

[0160] In this embodiment of the disclosure, the receiving end receives a second message frame from the sending end in the secondary channel. A second identifier of the second message frame is used to indicate the duration of communication on the secondary channel. The receiving end can be an AP or a STA.

[0161] Step 204: The receiving end 102 determines the duration identified by the first identifier of the first message frame based on the duration identified by the second identifier of the second message frame and the duration of the OBSS PPDU occupying the main channel perceived by the receiving end 102. The first message frame may be a CTS frame, and the first identifier may be carried in the duration field of the CTS frame.

[0162] Specifically, within the duration identified by the first identifier (e.g., the duration of CTS), the transmitting end 101 sends a data frame to the receiving end 102 on the secondary channel. This can be understood as the duration identified by the first identifier being the duration during which the transmitting end 101 and the receiving end 102 occupy the main channel.

[0163] The duration identified by the second identifier (e.g., the duration of RTS / MU-RTS) is the NAV timer duration of the main channel.

[0164] During the duration that the OBSS PPDU occupies the main channel, the transmitter 101 and receiver 102 cannot switch back to the main channel for communication because the main channel is occupied. Therefore, the duration that the OBSS PPDU occupies the main channel can be understood as the main channel busy duration.

[0165] In this embodiment of the disclosure, when determining the duration for which the transmitting end 101 and the receiving end 102 occupy the main channel, it is necessary to determine the duration for which the transmitting end 101 and the receiving end 102 occupy the main channel based on the length of time between the duration indicated by the second identifier and the busy duration of the main channel. As shown in step 204 below, it may include two cases: step 2041 and step 2042.

[0166] Step 2041: If the duration identified by the second identifier is greater than or equal to the duration of the OBSS PPDU perceived by the receiver occupying the main channel, then the first identifier of the first message frame is set to: the duration of the OBSS PPDU perceived by the receiver occupying the main channel.

[0167] For ease of explanation, the following example uses CTS as the first message frame and RTS / MU-RTS as the second message frame.

[0168] When the duration identified by the second identifier is greater than or equal to the duration of the OBSS PPDU occupying the main channel, that is, the duration of RTS / MU-RTS is greater than or equal to the busy duration of the main channel, if the main channel is not switched back to the main channel for communication in a timely manner after the main channel is busy, on the one hand, it is impossible to meet the requirement that the duration of secondary channel communication is not greater than the duration of the first NAV timer sensed or set in the main channel; on the other hand, if the main channel communication can be returned but is not returned, the data transmission efficiency will inevitably be reduced.

[0169] Therefore, in this embodiment of the present disclosure, when the duration identified by the second identifier is greater than the duration of the OBSS PPDU occupying the main channel, the first identifier is set to: the duration of the OBSS PPDU occupying the main channel sensed by the receiving end; during the duration of the OBSS PPDU occupying the main channel, the transmitting end 101 and the receiving end 102 communicate on the secondary channel; after the duration of the OBSS PPDU occupying the main channel ends, the transmitting end 101 and the receiving end 102 can switch back to the main channel for communication to improve data transmission efficiency.

[0170] In this situation, if the time allotted for the OBSS PPDU to occupy the main channel ends and the transmitter 101 and receiver 102 do not switch back to the main channel for communication, other devices may attempt to use the main channel before the time indicated by the second identifier ends. This may lead to collisions and data loss, and the long time reserved for the main channel may increase the delay in data transmission.

[0171] Step 2042: If the duration identified by the second identifier is less than the duration of the OBSS PPDU occupies the main channel as perceived by the receiver, then the duration identified by the first identifier of the first message frame is the same as the duration identified by the second identifier.

[0172] For ease of explanation, the following example will still use CTS as the first message frame and RTS / MU-RTS as the second message frame.

[0173] When the duration indicated by the second identifier is less than the duration of the OBSS PPDU occupying the main channel, that is, the duration of RTS / MU-RTS is less than the busy duration of the main channel; that is, the main channel remains busy after the duration of RTS / MU-RTS ends. At this time, although the transmitter 101 and the receiver 102 cannot switch back to the main channel for communication, in order to meet the basic principle that the duration of secondary channel communication is not greater than the duration of the first NAV timer sensed (or set) in the main channel, the duration indicated by the first identifier is set to be the same as the duration indicated by the second identifier (or the duration indicated by the first identifier is not greater than the duration indicated by the second identifier).

[0174] Therefore, in this embodiment of the present disclosure, when the duration identified by the second identifier is less than the duration of the OBSS PPDU occupying the main channel, the first identifier is set to be the same as the duration identified by the second identifier; during the duration of the OBSS PPDU occupying the main channel, the transmitting end 101 and the receiving end 102 communicate without switching back to the main channel, and the communication duration on the secondary channel is not greater than the duration of the first NAV timer sensed (or set) in the main channel; after the duration of the OBSS PPDU occupying the main channel ends, the transmitting end 101 and the receiving end 102 can switch back to the main channel to communicate, so as to improve data transmission efficiency.

[0175] Step 205: The receiving end 102 sends the first message frame on the secondary channel.

[0176] In this embodiment of the present disclosure, the receiving end transmits a first message frame on the secondary channel. The first message frame includes a first identifier indicating the duration of the first message frame. If the duration indicated by the second identifier is greater than or equal to the duration of the OBSS PPDU perceived by the receiving end occupying the main channel, then the first identifier of the first message frame is set to: the duration of the OBSS PPDU perceived by the receiving end occupying the main channel.

[0177] In some embodiments, if the receiving end is a site device (STA) that supports a CTS mechanism or an RTS threshold mechanism, then when the duration required for the sending end to transmit a data frame is greater than the duration specified by the CTS mechanism or the RTS threshold mechanism, the sending end uses the first identifier of the first message frame to indicate the maximum transmission duration of the sending end in the secondary channel.

[0178] Specifically, if the receiving end is a STA and the STA supports the CTS mechanism or the RTS threshold mechanism, then when the time required for the sending end to send a data frame exceeds the time specified by the CTS mechanism or the RTS threshold mechanism, the sending end will determine the maximum transmission time in the secondary channel based on the first identifier of the first message frame, thereby avoiding communication conflicts or channel idle waste caused by excessive transmission time.

[0179] Step 206, the transmitting end 101 receives a first message frame on the secondary channel; wherein, the first message frame includes: a first identifier indicating the duration of the first message frame; the first identifier is set to the duration of the Overlapping Basic Service Set Physical Layer Protocol Data Unit (OBSS PPDU) occupies the main channel as perceived by the receiving end, or the same duration as that indicated by the second identifier of the second message frame sent by the transmitting end.

[0180] In some embodiments, when the second identifier of the second message frame is set to the sum of the duration required to send a data frame, the duration of the ACK frame sent by the receiver in the secondary channel, and the duration of SIFS, and the duration identified by the second identifier is greater than or equal to the duration of the OBSS PPDU perceived by the receiver occupying the main channel, the first identifier is set to the duration of the OBSS PPDU perceived by the receiver occupying the main channel; or when the second identifier of the second message frame is set to the sum of the duration of the CTS frame sent by the receiver in the secondary channel and the duration of SIFS, and the duration identified by the second identifier is greater than or equal to the duration of the OBSS PPDU perceived by the receiver occupying the main channel, the first identifier is set to the duration of the OBSS PPDU perceived by the receiver occupying the main channel; or when the second identifier of the second message frame is set to an unspecified duration, and the duration identified by the second identifier is greater than or equal to the duration of the OBSS PPDU perceived by the receiver occupying the main channel, the first identifier is set to the duration of the OBSS PPDU perceived by the receiver occupying the main channel.

[0181] In some embodiments, after step 206, the method further includes:

[0182] The transmitting end transmits PPDU in the secondary channel;

[0183] If the duration identified by the second identifier is greater than the duration identified by the first identifier, the duration of the third identifier of the PPDU is set to be the same as the duration identified by the first identifier;

[0184] The receiver receives PPDU in the secondary channel.

[0185] Specifically, after receiving the first message frame, the sending end transmits a PPDU in the secondary channel. If the duration identified by the second identifier is greater than the duration identified by the first identifier, then the duration of the third identifier of the PPDU will be set to the same duration as the first identifier, so as to ensure that the transmission duration of the sending end in the secondary channel is not greater than the duration of the first NAV timer, thus meeting the UHR transmission requirements.

[0186] In some embodiments, the names of information, etc., are not limited to the names described in the embodiments. Terms such as "information", "message", "signal", "signaling", "report", "configuration", "indication", "instruction", "command", "channel", "parameter", "domain", "field", "symbol", "codepoint", "bit", "data", "program", and "chip" can be used interchangeably.

[0187] In some embodiments, terms such as “moment,” “point in time,” “time,” and “time location” can be used interchangeably, as can terms such as “duration,” “segment,” “time window,” “window,” and “time.”

[0188] In some embodiments, terms such as wireless access scheme and waveform can be used interchangeably.

[0189] In some embodiments, terms such as "certain," "preset," "default," "set," "indicated," "a certain," "any," and "first" can be used interchangeably. "Certain A," "preset A," "default A," "set A," "indicated A," "a certain A," "any A," and "first A" can be interpreted as A pre-defined in a protocol or the like, or as A obtained through setting, configuration, or instruction, or as specific A, a certain A, any A, or first A, but are not limited thereto.

[0190] In some embodiments, the determination or judgment can be made by a value represented by 1 bit (0 or 1), or by a true or false value (boolean), or by a comparison of numerical values ​​(e.g., a comparison with a predetermined value), but is not limited thereto.

[0191] In some embodiments, "not expecting to receive" can be interpreted as not receiving on time domain resources and / or frequency domain resources, or as not performing subsequent processing on the data after receiving it; "not expecting to send" can be interpreted as not sending, or as sending but not expecting the receiver to respond to the sent content.

[0192] The secondary channel communication method disclosed in this embodiment may include the foregoing steps and at least one of the embodiments. For example, step 201 may be implemented as an independent embodiment, step 202 may be implemented as an independent embodiment, step 203 may be implemented as an independent embodiment, step 204 may be implemented as an independent embodiment, step 205 may be implemented as an independent embodiment, and step 206 may be implemented as an independent embodiment; the combination of step 201 and step 202 may be implemented as an independent embodiment, the combination of step 202 and step 203 may be implemented as an independent embodiment, the combination of step 203 and step 204 may be implemented as an independent embodiment, the combination of step 204 and step 205 may be implemented as an independent embodiment, and the combination of step 205 and step 206 may be implemented as an independent embodiment, but is not limited thereto.

[0193] In some embodiments, other optional implementations may be described before or after the specification corresponding to FIG2.

[0194] Figure 4 is a schematic flowchart of a secondary channel communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0195] As shown in Figure 4, the above method can be applied to the transmitter 101, and the method includes:

[0196] Step 401: The transmitting end receives a first message frame on the secondary channel; wherein, the first message frame includes: a first identifier indicating the duration of the first message frame; the first identifier is set to the duration of the Overlapping Basic Service Set Physical Layer Protocol Data Unit (OBSS PPDU) occupies the main channel as perceived by the receiving end, or the same duration as that indicated by the second identifier of the second message frame sent by the transmitting end.

[0197] Optionally, before step 401, the method further includes:

[0198] The transmitting end detects that the primary channel is idle, switches to the secondary channel, and determines the second message frame; wherein, the second identifier of the second message frame is set to any one of the following:

[0199] The sum of the time required to send a data frame, the time required for the receiver to send an ACK frame in the secondary channel, and the duration of the short frame interval;

[0200] The sum of the duration of the first message frame and the duration of the short frame interval transmitted by the receiving end in the secondary channel;

[0201] Duration not specified;

[0202] The second message frame is transmitted in the secondary channel.

[0203] Optionally, in this embodiment of the disclosure, if the duration identified by the second identifier is greater than or equal to the duration of the OBSS PPDU perceived by the receiver occupying the main channel, then the first identifier of the first message frame is set to: the duration of the OBSS PPDU perceived by the receiver occupying the main channel.

[0204] If the duration indicated by the second identifier is less than the duration of the OBSS PPDU occupies the main channel as perceived by the receiver, then the duration indicated by the first identifier of the first message frame is the same as the duration indicated by the second identifier.

[0205] Step 402: Transmit Physical Layer Protocol Data Unit (PPDU) in the secondary channel.

[0206] Optionally, in this embodiment of the disclosure, if the duration identified by the second identifier is greater than the duration identified by the first identifier, the duration of the third identifier of the PPDU is set to be the same as the duration identified by the first identifier;

[0207] If the duration identified by the second identifier is less than or equal to the duration identified by the first identifier, the duration of the third identifier of the PPDU is set to be the same as the duration identified by the first identifier, or the same as the duration set by the second identifier.

[0208] Optionally, in this embodiment of the disclosure, the second message frame further includes:

[0209] The communication parameters of the transmitting end in the secondary channel;

[0210] The communication parameters of the transmitting end in the secondary channel are the same as the communication parameters of the transmitting end in the primary channel.

[0211] The communication parameters include at least one of the following:

[0212] Modulation and coding strategy (MCS), number of spatial streams (SS).

[0213] Optionally, in this embodiment of the disclosure, if the receiving end is a site device (STA) and the STA supports a Clear Transmission (CTS) mechanism or a Request Transmission Threshold (RTS) mechanism, then when the duration required for the sending end to transmit a data frame is greater than the duration specified by the CTS mechanism or the RTS threshold mechanism, the sending end determines the maximum transmission duration in the secondary channel based on the duration identified by the first identifier of the first message frame.

[0214] The secondary channel communication method disclosed herein may include the foregoing steps and at least one of the embodiments. For example, step 401 may be implemented as a separate embodiment, and step 402 may be implemented as a separate embodiment; a combination of steps 401 and 402 may be implemented as a separate embodiment, but is not limited thereto.

[0215] In some embodiments, other optional implementations may be described before or after the specification corresponding to Figure 4.

[0216] Figure 5 is a second schematic flowchart illustrating a secondary channel communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0217] As shown in Figure 5, the above method can be applied to the receiver 102, and the method includes:

[0218] Step 501: The receiving end receives the second message frame in the secondary channel.

[0219] Step 502: Determine the duration identified by the first identifier of the first message frame based on the duration identified by the second identifier of the second message frame and the duration of the OBSS PPDU occupying the main channel as perceived by the receiver.

[0220] The first message frame includes a first identifier indicating the duration of the first message frame; the first identifier is set to the duration of the OBSS PPDU occupies the main channel as perceived by the receiving end, or the same duration as that indicated by the second identifier.

[0221] Step 503: The first message frame is transmitted on the secondary channel.

[0222] Optionally, in this embodiment of the disclosure, the second identifier of the second message frame is set to any one of the following:

[0223] The sum of the time required to send a data frame, the time required for the receiver to send an ACK frame in the secondary channel, and the duration of the short frame interval;

[0224] The sum of the duration of the first message frame and the duration of the short frame interval transmitted by the receiving end in the secondary channel;

[0225] Duration not specified.

[0226] Optionally, in this embodiment of the disclosure, determining the duration identified by the first identifier of the first message frame based on the duration identified by the second identifier of the second message frame and the duration of the OBSS PPDU occupies the main channel as perceived by the receiver includes:

[0227] If the duration identified by the second identifier is greater than or equal to the duration of the OBSS PPDU perceived by the receiver occupying the main channel, then the first identifier of the first message frame is set to: the duration of the OBSS PPDU perceived by the receiver occupying the main channel.

[0228] If the duration indicated by the second identifier is less than the duration of the OBSS PPDU occupies the main channel as perceived by the receiver, then the duration indicated by the first identifier of the first message frame is the same as the duration indicated by the second identifier.

[0229] Step 504: Receive PPDU in the secondary channel.

[0230] Optionally, in this embodiment of the disclosure, if the duration identified by the second identifier is greater than the duration identified by the first identifier, the duration of the third identifier of the PPDU is set to be the same as the duration identified by the first identifier;

[0231] If the duration identified by the second identifier is less than or equal to the duration identified by the first identifier, the duration of the third identifier of the PPDU is set to be the same as the duration identified by the first identifier, or the same as the duration set by the second identifier.

[0232] Optionally, in this embodiment of the disclosure, if the receiving end is a site device (STA) and the STA supports a CTS mechanism or an RTS threshold mechanism, then when the duration required for the sending end to send a data frame is greater than the duration specified by the CTS mechanism or the RTS threshold mechanism, the first identifier of the first message frame is used to indicate the maximum transmission duration of the sending end in the secondary channel.

[0233] The secondary channel communication method disclosed in this embodiment may include the foregoing steps and at least one of the embodiments. For example, step 501 may be implemented as an independent embodiment, step 502 may be implemented as an independent embodiment, step 503 may be implemented as an independent embodiment, and step 504 may be implemented as an independent embodiment; the combination of step 501 and step 502 may be implemented as an independent embodiment, the combination of step 502 and step 503 may be implemented as an independent embodiment, and the combination of step 503 and step 504 may be implemented as an independent embodiment, but is not limited thereto.

[0234] In some embodiments, other optional implementations described before or after the specification corresponding to Figure 5 may be referred to.

[0235] This disclosure also provides an apparatus for implementing any of the above methods. For example, an apparatus is provided that includes units or modules for implementing the steps performed by the terminal in any of the above methods. Alternatively, another apparatus is provided that includes units or modules for implementing the steps performed by a network device (e.g., an access network device, a core network functional node, a core network device, etc.) in any of the above methods.

[0236] It should be understood that the division of units or modules in the above device is only a logical functional division. In actual implementation, they can be fully or partially integrated into a single physical entity, or they can be physically separated. Furthermore, the units or modules in the device can be implemented by a processor calling software: for example, the device includes a processor connected to a memory containing instructions. The processor calls the instructions stored in the memory to implement any of the above methods or to implement the functions of the units or modules in the above device. The processor can be, for example, a general-purpose processor, such as a Central Processing Unit (CPU) or a microprocessor, and the memory can be internal or external to the device. Alternatively, the units or modules in the device can be implemented in the form of hardware circuits. The functionality of some or all of the units or modules can be achieved through the design of these hardware circuits, which can be understood as one or more processors. For example, in one implementation, the hardware circuit is an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC). The functionality of some or all of the units or modules is achieved through the design of the logical relationships between the components within the circuit. In another implementation, the hardware circuit can be implemented using a programmable logic device (PLD). Taking a field-programmable gate array (FPGA) as an example, it can include a large number of logic gates. The connection relationships between the logic gates are configured through configuration files, thereby achieving the functionality of some or all of the units or modules. All units or modules of the above device can be implemented entirely through processor-called software, entirely through hardware circuits, or partially through processor-called software with the remaining parts implemented through hardware circuits.

[0237] In this embodiment, the processor is a circuit with signal processing capabilities. In one implementation, the processor can be a circuit with instruction read and execute capabilities, such as a Central Processing Unit (CPU), a microprocessor, a graphics processing unit (GPU) (which can be understood as a microprocessor), or a digital signal processor (DSP). In another implementation, the processor can implement certain functions through the logical relationships of hardware circuits. The logical relationships of the aforementioned hardware circuits are fixed or reconfigurable. For example, the processor is a hardware circuit implemented using an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) or a programmable logic device (PLD), such as an FPGA. In a reconfigurable hardware circuit, the process of the processor loading a configuration document and configuring the hardware circuit can be understood as the process of the processor loading instructions to implement the functions of some or all of the above units or modules. Furthermore, 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), or a Deep Learning Processing Unit (DPU).

[0238] Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of the structure of the transmitting end proposed in an embodiment of this disclosure. As shown in Figure 6, the transmitting end 600 may include: a first receiving module 601.

[0239] In some embodiments, the first receiving module 601 is configured to receive a first message frame on a secondary channel; wherein the first message frame includes a first identifier indicating the duration of the first message frame; the first identifier is set to the duration of the Overlapping Basic Service Set Physical Layer Protocol Data Unit (OBSS PPDU) occupies the primary channel as perceived by the receiving end, or is the same as the duration identified by the second identifier of the second message frame sent by the sending end.

[0240] Optionally, the first receiving module 601 is used to perform at least one of the communication steps (such as step 206, step 401, but not limited thereto) performed by the sending end 101 in any of the above methods, which will not be described in detail here.

[0241] Figure 7 is a schematic diagram of the structure of the receiving end proposed in an embodiment of this disclosure. As shown in Figure 7, the receiving end 700 may include: a second receiving module 701, a determining module 702, and a sending module 703.

[0242] In some embodiments, the second receiving module 701 is configured to receive a second message frame in a secondary channel; the determining module 702 is configured to determine the duration indicated by the first identifier of the first message frame based on the duration indicated by the second identifier of the second message frame and the duration of the OBSS PPDU occupies the main channel as perceived by the receiving end; wherein the first message frame includes: a first identifier indicating the duration of the first message frame; the first identifier is set to the duration of the OBSS PPDU occupies the main channel as perceived by the receiving end, or is the same as the duration indicated by the second identifier; and the sending module 703 is configured to send the first message frame in the secondary channel.

[0243] Optionally, the second receiving module 701 is used to perform at least one of the communication steps (e.g., steps 203 and 501, but not limited thereto) performed by the receiving end 102 in any of the above methods, which will not be described in detail here. The determining module 702 is used to perform at least one of the communication steps (e.g., steps 204 and 502, but not limited thereto) performed by the receiving end 102 in any of the above methods, which will not be described in detail here. The sending module 703 is used to perform at least one of the communication steps (e.g., steps 205 and 503, but not limited thereto) performed by the receiving end 102 in any of the above methods, which will not be described in detail here.

[0244] Figure 8 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a terminal 800 (e.g., a user equipment) proposed in an embodiment of this disclosure. The terminal 800 may be a chip, chip system, or processor that supports network devices in implementing any of the above methods, or it may be a chip, chip system, or processor that supports a terminal in implementing any of the above methods. The terminal 800 can be used to implement the methods described in the above method embodiments; for details, please refer to the descriptions in the above method embodiments.

[0245] As shown in Figure 8, terminal 800 includes one or more processors 801. Processor 801 can be a general-purpose processor or a dedicated processor, such as a baseband processor or a central processing unit (CPU). The baseband processor can be used to process communication protocols and communication data, while the CPU can be used to control communication devices (e.g., base stations, baseband chips, terminal devices, terminal device chips, DUs or CUs, etc.), execute programs, and process program data. Terminal 800 is used to execute any of the above methods.

[0246] In some embodiments, terminal 800 further includes one or more memories 802 for storing instructions. Optionally, all or part of the memories 802 may be located outside of terminal 800.

[0247] In some embodiments, the terminal 800 further includes one or more transceivers 804. When the terminal 800 includes one or more transceivers 804, the transceivers 804 perform at least one of the communication steps such as sending and / or receiving in the above method (e.g., steps 202, 203, 205, 206, 401, 402, 501, 503, 504, but not limited thereto), and the processor 801 performs at least one of other steps (e.g., steps 201, 204, 502, but not limited thereto).

[0248] In some embodiments, a transceiver may include a receiver and / or a transmitter, which may be separate or integrated. Optionally, the terms transceiver, transceiver unit, transceiver, transceiver circuit, etc., may be used interchangeably; the terms transmitter, transmitting unit, transmitter, transmitting circuit, etc., may be used interchangeably; and the terms receiver, receiving unit, receiver, receiving circuit, etc., may be used interchangeably.

[0249] In some embodiments, terminal 800 may include one or more interface circuits 803. Optionally, interface circuit 803 is connected to memory 802, and interface circuit 803 can be used to receive signals from memory 802 or other devices, and can be used to send signals to memory 802 or other devices. For example, interface circuit 803 can read instructions stored in memory 802 and send the instructions to processor 801.

[0250] The terminal 800 described in the above embodiments may be a user equipment or other communication device, but the scope of the terminal 800 described in this disclosure is not limited thereto, and the structure of the terminal 800 may not be limited by FIG8. The communication device may be an independent device or a part of a larger device. For example, the communication device may be: (1) an independent integrated circuit IC, or chip, or chip system or subsystem; (2) a set of one or more ICs, optionally, the IC set may also include storage components for storing data and programs; (3) an ASIC, such as a modem; (4) a module that can be embedded in other devices; (5) a receiver, terminal device, smart terminal device, cellular phone, wireless device, handheld device, mobile unit, vehicle device, network device, cloud device, artificial intelligence device, etc.; (6) others, etc.

[0251] Figure 9 is a schematic diagram of the structure of the chip 900 proposed in an embodiment of this disclosure. For cases where the terminal 800 can be a chip or a chip system, please refer to the schematic diagram of the chip 900 shown in Figure 9, but it is not limited thereto.

[0252] Chip 900 includes one or more processors 901, which are used to perform any of the above methods.

[0253] In some embodiments, chip 900 further includes one or more 903s. Optionally, interface circuitry 903 is connected to memory 902, and interface circuitry 903 can be used to receive signals from memory 902 or other devices, and interface circuitry 903 can be used to send signals to memory 902 or other devices. For example, interface circuitry 903 can read instructions stored in memory 902 and send the instructions to processor 901.

[0254] In some embodiments, the interface circuit 903 performs at least one of the communication steps such as sending and / or receiving in the above method (e.g., steps 202, 203, 205, 206, 401, 402, 501, 503, 504, but not limited thereto), and the processor 901 performs at least one of other steps (e.g., steps 201, 204, 502, but not limited thereto).

[0255] In some embodiments, the terms interface circuit, interface, transceiver pin, transceiver, etc., can be used interchangeably.

[0256] In some embodiments, chip 900 further includes one or more memories 902 for storing instructions. Optionally, all or part of the memories 902 may be located outside of chip 900.

[0257] This disclosure also proposes a storage medium storing instructions that, when executed on a terminal 800, cause the terminal 800 to perform any of the methods described above. Optionally, the storage medium is an electronic storage medium. Optionally, the storage medium is a computer-readable storage medium, but not limited thereto; it may also be a storage medium readable by other devices. Optionally, the storage medium may be a non-transitory storage medium, but not limited thereto; it may also be a temporary storage medium.

[0258] This disclosure also proposes a program product that, when executed by terminal 800, causes terminal 800 to perform any of the above methods. Optionally, the program product is a computer program product.

[0259] This disclosure also proposes a computer program that, when run on a computer, causes the computer to perform any of the above methods.

Claims

1. A secondary channel communication method, characterized in that, The method includes: The transmitting end receives a first message frame on the secondary channel; wherein the first message frame includes: a first identifier indicating the duration of the first message frame; The first identifier is set to: the duration of the Overlapping Basic Service Set Physical Layer Protocol Data Unit (OBSS PPDU) occupies the main channel as perceived by the receiver, or the same duration as that identified by the second identifier of the second message frame sent by the sender.

2. The secondary channel communication method according to claim 1, characterized in that, Before the transmitting end receives the first message frame on the secondary channel, the method further includes: The transmitting end detects that the primary channel is idle, switches to the secondary channel, and determines the second message frame; wherein, the second identifier of the second message frame is set to any one of the following: The sum of the time required to send a data frame, the time required for the receiver to send an ACK frame in the secondary channel, and the duration of the short frame interval; The sum of the duration of the first message frame and the duration of the short frame interval transmitted by the receiving end in the secondary channel; Duration not specified; The second message frame is transmitted in the secondary channel.

3. The secondary channel communication method according to claim 2, characterized in that, If the duration identified by the second identifier is greater than or equal to the duration of the OBSS PPDU perceived by the receiver occupying the main channel, then the first identifier of the first message frame is set to: the duration of the OBSS PPDU perceived by the receiver occupying the main channel. If the duration indicated by the second identifier is less than the duration of the OBSS PPDU occupies the main channel as perceived by the receiver, then the duration indicated by the first identifier of the first message frame is the same as the duration indicated by the second identifier.

4. The secondary channel communication method according to claim 2, characterized in that, After the transmitting end receives the first message frame on the secondary channel, the method further includes: Physical layer protocol data unit (PPDU) is transmitted in the secondary channel; If the duration identified by the second identifier is greater than the duration identified by the first identifier, the duration of the third identifier of the PPDU is set to be the same as the duration identified by the first identifier; If the duration identified by the second identifier is less than or equal to the duration identified by the first identifier, the duration of the third identifier of the PPDU is set to be the same as the duration identified by the first identifier, or the same as the duration set by the second identifier.

5. The secondary channel communication method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The second message frame also includes: The communication parameters of the transmitting end in the secondary channel; The communication parameters of the transmitting end in the secondary channel are the same as the communication parameters of the transmitting end in the primary channel. The communication parameters include at least one of the following: Modulation and coding strategy (MCS), number of spatial streams (SS).

6. The secondary channel communication method according to claim 3, characterized in that, If the receiving end is a site device (STA), and the STA supports the Clear Transmission (CTS) mechanism or the Request Transmission Threshold (RTS) mechanism, then when the duration required for the sending end to transmit a data frame exceeds the duration specified by the CTS mechanism or the RTS threshold mechanism, the sending end determines the maximum transmission duration in the secondary channel based on the duration identified by the first identifier of the first message frame.

7. A secondary channel communication method, characterized in that, The method includes: The receiving end receives the second message frame in the secondary channel; Based on the duration identified by the second identifier of the second message frame and the duration of the OBSS PPDU occupying the main channel perceived by the receiving end, the duration identified by the first identifier of the first message frame is determined. The first message frame includes a first identifier indicating the duration of the first message frame; the first identifier is set to the duration of the OBSS PPDU occupies the main channel as sensed by the receiving end, or the same duration as the second identifier. The first message frame is transmitted on the secondary channel.

8. The secondary channel communication method according to claim 7, characterized in that, The second identifier of the second message frame is set to any one of the following: The sum of the time required to send a data frame, the time required for the receiver to send an ACK frame in the secondary channel, and the duration of the short frame interval; The sum of the duration of the first message frame and the duration of the short frame interval transmitted by the receiving end in the secondary channel; Duration not specified.

9. The secondary channel communication method according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that, The step of determining the duration identified by the first identifier of the first message frame based on the duration identified by the second identifier of the second message frame and the duration of the OBSS PPDU occupancy of the main channel sensed by the receiver includes: If the duration identified by the second identifier is greater than or equal to the duration of the OBSS PPDU perceived by the receiver occupying the main channel, then the first identifier of the first message frame is set to: the duration of the OBSS PPDU perceived by the receiver occupying the main channel. If the duration indicated by the second identifier is less than the duration of the OBSS PPDU occupies the main channel as perceived by the receiver, then the duration indicated by the first identifier of the first message frame is the same as the duration indicated by the second identifier.

10. The secondary channel communication method according to claim 8, characterized in that, After the receiving end transmits the first message frame via the secondary channel, the method further includes: PPDU is received in the secondary channel; If the duration identified by the second identifier is greater than the duration identified by the first identifier, the duration of the third identifier of the PPDU is set to be the same as the duration identified by the first identifier; If the duration identified by the second identifier is less than or equal to the duration identified by the first identifier, the duration of the third identifier of the PPDU is set to be the same as the duration identified by the first identifier, or the same as the duration set by the second identifier.

11. The secondary channel communication method according to claim 9, characterized in that, If the receiving end is a site device (STA) that supports the CTS mechanism or the RTS threshold mechanism, then when the duration required for the sending end to transmit a data frame exceeds the duration specified by the CTS mechanism or the RTS threshold mechanism, the first identifier of the first message frame is used to indicate the maximum transmission duration of the sending end in the secondary channel.

12. A communication device, wherein the communication device is a transmitting end, characterized in that, The sending end includes: A first receiving module is configured to receive a first message frame on a secondary channel at the transmitting end; wherein the first message frame includes a first identifier indicating the duration of the first message frame; the first identifier is set to the duration of the Overlapping Basic Service Set Physical Layer Protocol Data Unit (OBSS PPDU) occupies the primary channel as perceived by the receiving end, or is the same as the duration indicated by the second identifier of the second message frame sent by the transmitting end.

13. A communication device, wherein the communication device is a receiving end, characterized in that, The receiving end includes: The second receiving module is used by the receiving end to receive the second message frame in the secondary channel; The determining module is used to determine the duration identified by the first identifier of the first message frame based on the duration identified by the second identifier of the second message frame and the duration of the OBSS PPDU occupying the main channel perceived by the receiving end. The first message frame includes a first identifier indicating the duration of the first message frame; the first identifier is set to the duration of the OBSS PPDU occupies the main channel as sensed by the receiving end, or the same duration as the second identifier. A sending module is used to send the first message frame on the secondary channel.

14. A communication device, wherein the communication device is a transmitting end, characterized in that, include: One or more processors; The transmitting end is used to execute the secondary channel communication method according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

15. A communication device, wherein the communication device is a receiving end, characterized in that, include: One or more processors; The receiving end is used to execute the secondary channel communication method according to any one of claims 7 to 11.

16. A storage medium storing instructions, characterized in that, When the instruction is executed on the communication device, the communication device performs the secondary channel communication method as described in any one of claims 1 to 6, or performs the secondary channel communication method as described in any one of claims 7 to 11.

Images