Communication method, access point device, station device and communication system

Abstract

Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a communication method, an access point (AP) device, a station device and a communication system. The communication method comprises: a first AP MLD determines a first radio frame, wherein the first radio frame comprises first identification information, and the first identification information identifies: whether there is a first affiliated AP in a first capability state among affiliated APs of the first AP MLD, and transceiving capability information of the first affiliated AP in the first capability state, wherein at least one operating parameter of the affiliated AP in the first capability state is lower than that in a second capability state; and sending the first radio frame to a first non-AP MLD. The embodiments of the present disclosure can effectively reduce the energy consumption of an AP device supporting multi-link, improving the energy efficiency of a system.

Description

Communication methods, access point equipment, site equipment and communication systems Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to the field of communication technology, and in particular to a communication method, access point equipment, site equipment, 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 Network (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, the power-saving mechanism will be further enhanced to ensure the latency requirements of low-latency services.

[0004] Summary of the Invention

[0005] This disclosure provides a communication method, access point device, site device, and communication system to provide further enhanced power-saving mechanisms.

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

[0007] The first AP MLD determines the first radio frame; wherein the first radio frame includes first identification information, the first identification information identifying: whether there is a first auxiliary AP in a first capability state among the auxiliary APs of the first AP MLD, and the transmit / receive capability information of the first auxiliary AP in the first capability state;

[0008] Wherein, at least one of the operating parameters of the auxiliary AP is lower in the first capability state than in the second capability state;

[0009] The first radio frame is sent to the first non-AP MLD.

[0010] On the other hand, this disclosure also provides a communication method, the method comprising:

[0011] The first non-AP MLD receives the first radio frame sent by the first AP MLD; wherein the first radio frame includes first identification information, the first identification information identifying whether there is a first auxiliary AP in a first capability state among the auxiliary APs of the first AP MLD, and the transmit / receive capability information of the first auxiliary AP;

[0012] Wherein, at least one of the operating parameters of the auxiliary AP is lower in the first capability state than in the second capability state.

[0013] On the other hand, this disclosure also provides an access point device, which is a first AP MLD, the first AP MLD comprising:

[0014] A determining module is used to determine a first radio frame; wherein the first radio frame includes first identification information, the first identification information identifying whether there is a first auxiliary AP in a first capability state among the auxiliary APs of the first AP MLD, and the transmit / receive capability information of the first auxiliary AP in the first capability state;

[0015] Wherein, at least one of the operating parameters of the auxiliary AP is lower in the first capability state than in the second capability state;

[0016] The transmitting module is used to transmit the first wireless frame to the first non-AP MLD.

[0017] On the other hand, embodiments of this disclosure also provide a site device, the site device being a first non-AP MLD, the non-AP MLD comprising:

[0018] The receiving module is used to receive a first radio frame sent by the first AP MLD; wherein the first radio frame includes first identification information, the first identification information identifying whether there is a first auxiliary AP in a first capability state among the auxiliary APs of the first AP MLD, and the transmit / receive capability information of the first auxiliary AP;

[0019] Wherein, at least one of the operating parameters of the auxiliary AP is lower in the first capability state than in the second capability state.

[0020] On the other hand, this disclosure also provides an access point device, which is a first AP MLD, comprising:

[0021] One or more processors;

[0022] The first AP MLD is used to execute the communication method described in the embodiments of this disclosure.

[0023] On the other hand, embodiments of this disclosure also provide a site device, which is a first non-AP MLD, comprising:

[0024] One or more processors;

[0025] The first non-AP MLD is used to execute the communication method described in the embodiments of this disclosure.

[0026] This disclosure also provides a communication system, including a first AP MLD and a first non-AP MLD; wherein the first AP MLD determines a first radio frame; wherein the first radio frame includes first identification information, the first identification information identifying: whether there is a first auxiliary AP in a first capability state among the auxiliary APs of the first AP MLD, and the transmit / receive capability information of the first auxiliary AP in the first capability state;

[0027] Wherein, at least one of the operating parameters of the auxiliary AP is lower in the first capability state than in the second capability state;

[0028] Send the first radio frame to the first non-AP MLD;

[0029] The first non-AP MLD receives the first radio frame.

[0030] This disclosure also provides a storage medium storing instructions that, when executed on a communication device, cause the communication device to perform the communication method as described in this disclosure.

[0031] In this embodiment, the first AP MLD sends the first radio frame to the first non-AP MLD. The first radio frame carries first identification information, which identifies whether any of the affiliated APs of the first AP MLD are in a first capability state, and the transmit / receive capability information of the first affiliated AP in the first capability state. This enables multi-connection access point devices to keep some affiliated APs in a low-power, low-capability operating mode (i.e., the first capability state) and informs the non-AP MLD of the capability information of each affiliated AP operating in the first capability state. In the first capability state mode, the affiliated AP can receive control frames or management frames sent by its associated site device and can switch to a second capability state to complete frame exchange. After this frame exchange is completed, the affiliated AP enters the first capability state to reduce energy consumption. This embodiment can effectively reduce the energy consumption of access point devices supporting multiple connections and improve system energy efficiency.

[0032] 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

[0033] 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.

[0034] Figure 1 is an exemplary schematic diagram of the architecture of a communication system provided according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0035] Figure 2 is an exemplary interactive diagram of a method provided according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0036] Figure 3 is a flowchart illustrating one of the communication methods provided in this embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0037] Figure 4 is a second schematic flowchart of the communication method provided in this embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0038] Figure 5 is a structural schematic diagram of the access point device proposed in an embodiment of this disclosure;

[0039] Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of the structure of the site equipment proposed in the embodiment of this disclosure;

[0040] Figure 7 is a schematic diagram of the structure of the terminal proposed in the embodiment of this disclosure;

[0041] Figure 8 is a schematic diagram of the chip structure proposed in an embodiment of this disclosure. Detailed Implementation

[0042] This disclosure provides a communication method, access point device, site device, and communication system.

[0043] In a first aspect, embodiments of this disclosure provide a communication method, the method comprising:

[0044] The first AP MLD determines the first radio frame; wherein the first radio frame includes first identification information, the first identification information identifying: whether there is a first auxiliary AP in a first capability state among the auxiliary APs of the first AP MLD, and the transmit / receive capability information of the first auxiliary AP in the first capability state;

[0045] Wherein, at least one of the operating parameters of the auxiliary AP is lower in the first capability state than in the second capability state;

[0046] The first radio frame is sent to the first non-AP MLD.

[0047] In the above embodiments, in the first capability state mode, the auxiliary AP can receive control frames or management frames sent by its associated site equipment, and can switch to the second capability state to complete frame exchange; after this frame exchange is completed, the auxiliary AP enters the first capability state to reduce energy consumption. This embodiment of the present disclosure can effectively reduce the energy consumption of access point devices supporting multiple connections and improve system energy efficiency.

[0048] Secondly, embodiments of this disclosure provide a communication method, the method comprising:

[0049] The first non-AP MLD receives the first radio frame sent by the first AP MLD; wherein the first radio frame includes first identification information, the first identification information identifying whether there is a first auxiliary AP in a first capability state among the auxiliary APs of the first AP MLD, and the transmit / receive capability information of the first auxiliary AP;

[0050] Wherein, at least one of the operating parameters of the auxiliary AP is lower in the first capability state than in the second capability state.

[0051] Thirdly, embodiments of this disclosure also provide an access point device, which is a first AP MLD, the first AP MLD including at least one of a determining module and a sending module; wherein the first AP MLD is used to execute the optional implementation of the first aspect.

[0052] Fourthly, embodiments of this disclosure also provide a site device, which is a first non-AP MLD, comprising: a receiving module; wherein the first non-AP MLD is used to execute an optional implementation of the second aspect.

[0053] Fifthly, embodiments of this disclosure also provide an access point device, which is a first AP MLD, comprising:

[0054] One or more processors;

[0055] The first AP MLD is used to execute the optional implementation of the first aspect.

[0056] Sixthly, embodiments of this disclosure also provide a site device, said site device being a first non-AP MLD, comprising:

[0057] One or more processors;

[0058] The first non-AP MLD is used to implement the optional implementation of the second aspect.

[0059] In a seventh aspect, embodiments of this disclosure also provide a communication system, including a first AP MLD and a first non-AP MLD; wherein the first AP MLD is configured to perform the optional implementation as described in the first aspect, and the first non-AP MLD is configured to perform the optional implementation as described in the second aspect.

[0060] 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.

[0061] 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.

[0062] 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.

[0063] 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.

[0064] It is understood that the aforementioned first AP MLD, first non-AP MLD, 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.

[0065] This disclosure provides embodiments of a communication method, an access point device, a site device, and a communication system. In some embodiments, the terms "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."

[0066] 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.

[0067] 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.

[0068] 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.

[0069] In the embodiments disclosed herein, "multiple" refers to two or more.

[0070] In some embodiments, the terms “at least one of”, “one or more”, “a plurality of”, “multiple”, etc., may be used interchangeably.

[0071] 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.

[0072] 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.

[0073] 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.

[0074] In some embodiments, “including A,” “containing A,” “for indicating A,” and “carrying A” can be interpreted as directly carrying A or indirectly indicating A.

[0075] In some embodiments, the terms “in response to…”, “in response to determining…”, “in the case of…”, “when…”, “if…”, “if…”, etc., can be used interchangeably.

[0076] 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”.

[0077] 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.

[0078] In some embodiments, the acquisition of data, information, etc., may comply with the laws and regulations of the country where the location is situated.

[0079] In some embodiments, data, information, etc., may be obtained with the user's consent.

[0080] 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.

[0081] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the architecture of a communication system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0082] As shown in Figure 1, the communication system 100 includes a station (STA) 101 and an access point (AP) 102.

[0083] In some embodiments, site device 101 includes, 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, or a wireless terminal device in a smart home.

[0084] Specifically, site device 101 can be a terminal device or network device with a Wi-Fi chip. Optionally, site device 101 can support multiple 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.

[0085] In some embodiments, the access point device 102 can be an access point 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 with a wireless fidelity 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.

[0086] Optionally, in this embodiment of the disclosure, AP and STA can be devices that support multiple connections. 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 connection communication functions, and non-AP MLD can represent a site that supports multiple connection communication functions.

[0087] 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.

[0088] 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.

[0089] 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 APs 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.

[0090] Figure 2 is an interactive schematic diagram of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in Figure 2, the method includes:

[0091] Step 201, the first AP MLD determines the first radio frame; wherein, the first radio frame includes first identification information, the first identification information identifying: whether there is a first auxiliary AP in a first capability state among the auxiliary APs of the first AP MLD, and the transmit / receive capability information of the first auxiliary AP in the first capability state;

[0092] Wherein, at least one of the operating parameters of the auxiliary AP is lower in the first capability state than in the second capability state.

[0093] In wireless communication networks, a power-saving mechanism has been proposed to reduce the power consumption of communication equipment. The equipment can perform power management during communication to achieve power saving. Specifically, the power management modes mainly include Active Mode and Power Save Mode (PS Mode). Active Mode, or active state, is where the device does not enter power saving mode; all transceiver links operate normally, possessing transmission and reception capabilities, but consuming relatively high power. Power saving mode mainly includes Doze State and Awake State. In Doze State, the device shuts down its transceiver radio frequency links and does not perform any transmission or reception operations, resulting in extremely low power consumption. Devices operating in Doze State periodically wake up to check if their associated devices have cached data to send to them. In Awake State, the device enters Active State, possessing the transmission and reception capabilities of Active Mode, with power consumption the same as in Active Mode. Site equipment operating in power saving mode switches between Doze and Awake states, ensuring communication quality while reducing the duration of high power consumption, thus achieving power saving. For example, the site device indicates its power mode after completing the current frame exchange via the Power Management subfield of the Frame Control field in the radio frame. When the Power Management subfield is set to "0", it indicates that the site device is in active mode after completing the current frame exchange; when the Power Management subfield is set to "1", it indicates that the site device has entered power-saving mode. After entering sleep mode, the site device periodically wakes up and receives beacon frames to determine if its associated access point device has cached data to send to it. If the access point device has cached data to send, the site device switches to wake-up mode and sends a Power Saving Polling (PS-Poll) frame or other radio frames to notify the access point device that it is in wake-up mode to prepare to receive cached data sent by the access point device. In addition, related technologies also introduce a Target Wake Time (TWT) mechanism to further reduce Wi-Fi network power consumption. Specifically, the TWT mechanism allows the access point device and the site device to negotiate and set a specific wake-up schedule. In this schedule, site equipment switches from sleep mode to wake mode only during predetermined time periods to perform necessary data transmission. After the transmission is completed, the site equipment immediately returns to sleep mode, thereby minimizing unnecessary power consumption.

[0094] Currently, the main power-saving modes are primarily applied to site equipment. However, for access point equipment, once it enters sleep mode, surrounding site equipment may be unable to detect the sleep-state access point equipment, thus preventing normal communication. With the increasing mobility of access point equipment and its reliance on battery power, energy efficiency management of access point equipment has become particularly important. Simultaneously, the continuous development of wireless communication technology has introduced the Multi-Link Operation (MLO) mechanism. Devices supporting MLO are called Multi-Link Devices (MLDs), or simply multi-connection devices. Using MLO technology, multiple links can be established across frequency bands between multi-connection access point devices and multi-connection site equipment. While more links can provide more frequency resources and achieve higher throughput, when traffic load is low, multiple links or radio frequency (RF) links lead to wasted frequency resources and increased equipment power consumption. In particular, for multi-connection access point devices, keeping all auxiliary access point devices in an active state for extended periods increases the energy consumption at the access point device end, which is detrimental to optimizing system energy efficiency. Therefore, when access point devices and site devices use multi-link methods for data transmission, the power-saving mechanism needs to be further enhanced.

[0095] In this embodiment of the disclosure, the first AP MLD determines a first radio frame, which may be a beacon frame or a probe response frame. The first radio frame includes first identification information, which identifies whether any of the affiliated APs of the first AP MLD are in a first capability state; for example, it identifies whether each affiliated AP of the first AP MLD is in a first capability state, and the transmit / receive capability information of the first affiliated AP in the first capability state; the transmit / receive capability information includes, for example, spatial stream (SS), modulation and coding scheme (MCS), etc.

[0096] The communication parameter types of the first capability state and the second capability state can be the same, and at least one operating parameter of the first capability state is lower than that of the second capability state. For example, the first capability state can also be a listening state or a low-power communication phase, such as an operating parameter of 20MHz basic bandwidth, a number of SSs of 1, and an MCS mode of MCS0 to MCS6. The second capability state can have an operating parameter greater than or equal to 20MHz, a BW of 40 / 80 / 160 / 320MHz, a number of SSs of 2 or more, and an MCS mode of MCS6 to MCS14, etc.

[0097] Step 202: Send the first radio frame to the first non-AP MLD.

[0098] In this configuration, the first AP MLD sends the first radio frame to the first non-AP MLD. The first radio frame carries first identification information, which identifies whether any of the affiliated APs of the first AP MLD are in a first capability state, and the transmit / receive capabilities of the first affiliated AP in the first capability state. This allows multi-connection access point devices to maintain some affiliated APs in a low-power, low-capability operating mode (i.e., the first capability state) and inform the non-AP MLD of the capability information of each affiliated AP operating in the first capability state. In the first capability state mode, the affiliated AP can receive control frames or management frames sent by its associated site device and can switch to a second capability state to complete frame exchange. After this frame exchange, the affiliated AP enters the first capability state to reduce energy consumption. This embodiment of the present disclosure can effectively reduce the energy consumption of access point devices supporting multiple connections and improve system energy efficiency.

[0099] In some embodiments, the first wireless frame includes:

[0100] A first identifier, which indicates whether the first wireless frame includes the first identification information;

[0101] The first identifier is carried in the Presence Bitmap field of the Basic Multi-Link element in the first radio frame. Typically, the Basic Multi-Link element is used to carry information about the Multi-Link Device (MLD) and its associated devices during the multi-link discovery process. The first AP MLD can use the Basic Multi-Link element to identify whether the first radio frame includes the first identifier information.

[0102] Optionally, the first identifier includes an AP MLD (Advanced Management Low Capability Information Present) identifier;

[0103] As a first example, see Table 1 below. The format of the Presence Bitmap field in the Basic Multi-Link element is shown in Table 1 below:

[0104] Table 1:

[0105] The AP MLD Low Capability Information Present is set to a first parameter value, for example, the first parameter value is set to "1", indicating that the first radio frame includes the first identification information; and / or, for example, the first parameter value is set to "1", indicating that the Common Info field in the Basic Multi-Link element includes the AP MLD Low Capability Information field.

[0106] As a second example, see Table 2 below. The format of the Presence Bitmap field in the Basic Multi-Link element is shown in Table 2 below:

[0107] Table 2:

[0108] In some embodiments, the AP MLD Low Capability Information field includes:

[0109] A second identifier indicates whether at least one auxiliary AP in the first AP MLD is operating in the first capability state;

[0110] The second identifier includes the AP Low Capability Enable identifier;

[0111] The AP Low Capability Enable identifier is set to a second parameter value, for example, the second parameter value is set to "1", which indicates that at least one affiliated AP of the first AP MLD is working in the first capability state; and / or, the second parameter value is set to "1", and the first identification information includes the identification information of the first affiliated AP, which is used to identify the specific affiliated AP of the first AP MLD working in the first capability state.

[0112] In some embodiments, the AP MLD Low Capability Information field includes a first identification field;

[0113] The first identification field includes a Low Capability Mode Link Bitmap field. This Low Capability Mode Link Bitmap field is set to a third parameter value, for example, "1," indicating that the associated AP of the corresponding connection is operating in the first capability state. For example, the Low Capability Mode Link Bitmap field may be one byte or two bytes long, with each bit set to 1, indicating that the associated AP of the corresponding connection is operating in the first capability state. For example, the lowest bit corresponds to Link-0, and the highest bit corresponds to Link-7 or Link-15. The size of the Low Capability Mode Link Bitmap field is determined based on the number of associated APs of the first AP MLD.

[0114] In some embodiments, the AP Low Capability Enable identifier is set to the second parameter value, for example, the second parameter value is set to "1", indicating that the first identification information includes the transmit and receive capability information of the first AP MLD working in the first capability state; the transmit and receive capability information includes, for example, spatial stream (SS), modulation and coding scheme (MCS) method, etc.

[0115] The transmit / receive capability information is carried in the second identifier field of the AP MLD Low Capability Information field.

[0116] As a third example, see Table 3 below. The format of the AP MLD Low Capability Information field is shown in Table 3 below:

[0117] Table 3:

[0118] In some embodiments, the AP Low Capability Enable identifier is set to the second parameter value, for example, the second parameter value is set to "1", indicating that the first identification information contains: one or more of the third identifiers, and / or one or more third identifier fields;

[0119] The third identifier is set in the STA Control field of each STA profile (Per-STA Profile) sub-element in the Basic Multi-Link element of the first radio frame;

[0120] The third identifier is set to the fourth parameter value. For example, if the fourth parameter value is set to "1", the format of the STA Info field in the Per-STA Profile sub-element of the corresponding Basic Multi-Link element includes the third identifier field. For example, the third identifier field is the AP MLD Low Capability Supported MCS And NSS Set field, indicating that when the auxiliary AP in the first AP MLD is working in the first capability state, it supports a combination of MCS and spatial stream number for receiving and transmitting.

[0121] As a fourth example, taking the third identifier as STA Low Capability Parameter Present, see Table 4 below. The format of the STA Control field is shown in Table 4 below:

[0122] Table 4:

[0123] The format of the STA Info field in the Per-STA Profile sub-element of the Basic Multi-Link element is shown in Table 5 below:

[0124] Table 5:

[0125] In some embodiments, if the STA Info field of the Per-STA Profile sub-element corresponding to the auxiliary AP does not include the third identification field, then the auxiliary AP performs transmit / receive operations according to the capability information indicated by the second identification field when in the first capability state;

[0126] If the STA Info field in the Per-STA Profile sub-element corresponding to the affiliated AP includes the third identifier field, then the affiliated AP performs transmit / receive operations according to the capability information indicated by the third identifier field when in the first capability state.

[0127] In some embodiments, the method further includes:

[0128] Receive a second radio frame sent by the first affiliated STA of the first non-AP MLD; wherein the second radio frame is used to initialize TXOP and frame switching, and the second radio frame requests the AP associated with the first affiliated STA to switch from the first capability state to the second capability state;

[0129] The second wireless frame includes an RTS+HTC frame.

[0130] The RTS+HTC frame includes an Operating Mode (OM) Control field.

[0131] The OM Control field includes transmit / receive capability information for the second capability state.

[0132] The first affiliated STA, acting as the TXOP Holder, sends a second radio frame to its associated first AP. The second radio frame is used to initialize the TXOP and initialize the frame exchange, and requests the associated AP to switch from the first capability state to the second capability state, that is, from the low capability mode to the high capability mode.

[0133] The second radio frame includes an RTS+HTC frame (a control frame carried by a Control Wrapper frame). The RTS+HTC frame includes an OM Control field, which includes transmit / receive capability information of the second capability state. The transmit / receive capability information of the second capability state includes, for example, the maximum number of spatial streams (Tx NSTS) that the STA supports transmitting and the maximum number of spatial streams (Rx NSS) that it supports receiving.

[0134] In some embodiments, the method further includes:

[0135] After a short frame interval, a CTS frame is sent to the first auxiliary STA;

[0136] During the Duration field of the second radio frame, a frame exchange is performed with the first auxiliary STA.

[0137] The system enters the first capability state after the Duration field of the second radio frame indicates the time has elapsed.

[0138] In this configuration, the first non-AP MLD (first auxiliary AP) receives the second radio frame and, after a short frame interval, sends a CTS frame to the first auxiliary STA. During the duration indicated by the Duration field of the second radio frame, it exchanges frames with the first auxiliary STA and enters the first capability state after the Duration field of the second radio frame expires.

[0139] 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.

[0140] 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.”

[0141] In some embodiments, terms such as wireless access scheme and waveform can be used interchangeably.

[0142] 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.

[0143] 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.

[0144] 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.

[0145] The communication method involved in the embodiments of this disclosure may include the foregoing steps and at least one of the embodiments. For example, step 201 may be implemented as a separate embodiment, step 202 may be implemented as a separate embodiment, and the combination of step 201 and step 202 may be implemented as a separate embodiment, but is not limited thereto.

[0146] In some embodiments, other optional implementations described before or after the specification corresponding to FIG2 may be referred to.

[0147] Figure 3 is a schematic flowchart of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0148] As shown in Figure 3, the above method can be applied to the first AP MLD101, and the above method includes:

[0149] Step 301, the first AP MLD determines the first radio frame; wherein, the first radio frame includes first identification information, the first identification information identifying: whether there is a first auxiliary AP in a first capability state among the auxiliary APs of the first AP MLD, and the transmit / receive capability information of the first auxiliary AP in the first capability state;

[0150] Wherein, at least one of the operating parameters of the auxiliary AP is lower in the first capability state than in the second capability state.

[0151] Step 302: Send the first radio frame to the first non-AP MLD.

[0152] Optionally, in this embodiment of the disclosure, the first wireless frame includes:

[0153] A first identifier, which indicates whether the first wireless frame includes the first identification information;

[0154] The first identifier is carried in the Presence Bitmap field of the Basic Multi-Link element in the first wireless frame;

[0155] The first identifier includes the AP MLD Low Capability Information Present identifier;

[0156] The AP MLD Low Capability Information Present is set to a first parameter value to indicate that the first radio frame includes the first identification information; and / or to indicate that the Common Info field in the Basic Multi-Link element includes the AP MLD Low Capability Information field.

[0157] Optionally, in this embodiment of the disclosure, the AP MLD Low Capability Information field includes:

[0158] A second identifier indicates whether at least one auxiliary AP in the first AP MLD is operating in the first capability state;

[0159] The second identifier includes the AP Low Capability Enable identifier;

[0160] The AP Low Capability Enable identifier is set to a second parameter value to identify that at least one of the auxiliary APs of the first AP MLD is operating in a first capability state; and / or, the first identification information includes the identification information of the first auxiliary AP.

[0161] Optionally, in this embodiment of the disclosure, the AP MLD Low Capability Information field includes a first identification field;

[0162] The first identification field includes a Low Capability Mode Link Bitmap field, which is set to a third parameter value to identify that the associated AP connected to the working operation is working in the first capability state.

[0163] Optionally, in this embodiment of the disclosure, the AP Low Capability Enable identifier is set to the second parameter value, indicating that the first identification information includes the transmit / receive capability information of the first AP MLD working in the first capability state;

[0164] The transmit / receive capability information is carried in the second identifier field of the AP MLD Low Capability Information field.

[0165] Optionally, in this embodiment of the disclosure, the AP Low Capability Enable identifier is set to the second parameter value to indicate that the first identifier information contains: one or more of the third identifiers, and / or one or more third identifier fields;

[0166] The third identifier is set in the STA Control field of the Per-STA Profile sub-element in the Basic Multi-Link element of the first radio frame;

[0167] The third identifier is set to the fourth parameter value, indicating that the STA Info field format in the Per-STA Profile sub-element of the corresponding Basic Multi-Link element includes the third identifier field.

[0168] Optionally, in this embodiment of the disclosure, the STA Info field in the Per-STA Profile sub-element corresponding to the auxiliary AP does not include the third identification field. In this case, when the auxiliary AP is in the first capability state, it performs transmit / receive operations according to the capability information indicated by the second identification field.

[0169] If the STA Info field in the Per-STA Profile sub-element corresponding to the affiliated AP includes the third identifier field, then the affiliated AP performs transmit / receive operations according to the capability information indicated by the third identifier field when in the first capability state.

[0170] Optionally, in this embodiment of the disclosure, the method further includes:

[0171] Receive a second radio frame sent by the first DSTA of the first non-AP MLD; wherein the second radio frame is used to initialize TXOP and frame switching, and the second radio frame requests the AP associated with the first auxiliary STA to switch from the first capability state to the second capability state;

[0172] The second wireless frame includes an RTS+HTC frame.

[0173] The RTS+HTC frame includes an OM Control field;

[0174] The OM Control field includes transmit / receive capability information for the second capability state.

[0175] Optionally, in this embodiment of the disclosure, the method further includes:

[0176] After a short frame interval, a CTS frame is sent to the first auxiliary STA;

[0177] During the Duration field of the second radio frame, a frame exchange is performed with the first auxiliary STA.

[0178] The system enters the first capability state after the Duration field of the second radio frame indicates the time has elapsed.

[0179] The communication method involved in the embodiments of this disclosure may include the foregoing steps and at least one of the embodiments. For example, step 301 may be implemented as a separate embodiment, step 302 may be implemented as a separate embodiment, and the combination of step 301 and step 302 may be implemented as a separate embodiment, but is not limited thereto.

[0180] In some embodiments, other optional implementations may be described before or after the specification corresponding to FIG3.

[0181] Figure 4 is a second schematic flowchart illustrating a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0182] As shown in Figure 4, the above method can be applied to the first non-AP MLD102, and the above method includes:

[0183] Step 401: The first non-AP MLD receives the first radio frame sent by the first AP MLD; wherein, the first radio frame includes first identification information, the first identification information identifying: whether there is a first auxiliary AP in a first capability state among the auxiliary APs of the first AP MLD, and the transmit / receive capability information of the first auxiliary AP;

[0184] Wherein, at least one of the operating parameters of the auxiliary AP is lower in the first capability state than in the second capability state.

[0185] Optionally, in this embodiment of the disclosure, the method further includes:

[0186] The first affiliated STA of the first non-AP MLD sends a second radio frame to the AP associated with the first affiliated STA; wherein the second radio frame is used to initialize TXOP and frame switching, and the second radio frame requests the associated AP to switch from the first capability state to the second capability state;

[0187] The second wireless frame includes an RTS+HTC frame.

[0188] The RTS+HTC frame includes an OM Control field;

[0189] The OM Control field includes transmit / receive capability information for the second capability state.

[0190] Optionally, in this embodiment of the disclosure, the method further includes:

[0191] After a short frame interval, receive the CTS frame sent by the associated AP;

[0192] During the Duration field of the second wireless frame, frame exchange occurs with the associated AP.

[0193] 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.

[0194] 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.

[0195] 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).

[0196] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of the structure of the first AP MLD proposed in an embodiment of this disclosure. As shown in Figure 5, the first AP MLD 500 may include at least one of a determining module 501, a transmitting module 502, etc.

[0197] In some embodiments, the determining module 501 is used to determine a first wireless frame; wherein the first wireless frame includes first identification information, the first identification information identifying whether there is a first auxiliary AP in a first capability state among the auxiliary APs of the first AP MLD, and the transmit / receive capability information of the first auxiliary AP in the first capability state.

[0198] Wherein, at least one of the operating parameters of the auxiliary AP is lower than that of the second capability state in the first capability state; the transmitting module 502 is used to transmit the first radio frame to the first non-AP MLD.

[0199] Optionally, the determining module 501 is used to execute at least one of the communication steps (e.g., steps 201 and 301, but not limited thereto) executed by the first AP MLD101 in any of the above methods, which will not be described in detail here. The sending module 502 is used to execute at least one of the communication steps (e.g., steps 202 and 302, but not limited thereto) executed by the first AP MLD101 in any of the above methods, which will not be described in detail here.

[0200] Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of the structure of the first non-AP MLD proposed in an embodiment of this disclosure. As shown in Figure 6, the first non-AP MLD 600 may include: a receiving module 601.

[0201] In some embodiments, the receiving module 601 is configured to receive a first wireless frame sent by the first AP MLD; wherein the first wireless frame includes first identification information, the first identification information identifying whether there is a first auxiliary AP in a first capability state among the auxiliary APs of the first AP MLD, and the transmit / receive capability information of the first auxiliary AP.

[0202] Wherein, at least one of the operating parameters of the auxiliary AP is lower in the first capability state than in the second capability state.

[0203] Optionally, the receiving module 601 is used to perform at least one of the communication steps (e.g., step 401, but not limited thereto) performed by the first non-AP MLD102 in any of the above methods, which will not be described in detail here.

[0204] Figure 7 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a terminal 700 (e.g., a user equipment) proposed in an embodiment of this disclosure. The terminal 700 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 700 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.

[0205] As shown in Figure 7, terminal 700 includes one or more processors 701. Processor 701 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 700 is used to execute any of the above methods.

[0206] In some embodiments, terminal 700 further includes one or more memories 702 for storing instructions. Optionally, all or part of the memories 702 may be located outside of terminal 700.

[0207] In some embodiments, the terminal 700 further includes one or more transceivers 704. When the terminal 700 includes one or more transceivers 704, the transceivers 704 perform at least one of the communication steps such as sending and / or receiving in the above method (e.g., steps 202, 302, 401, but not limited thereto), and the processor 701 performs at least one of the other steps (e.g., steps 201, 301).

[0208] 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.

[0209] In some embodiments, terminal 700 may include one or more interface circuits 703. Optionally, interface circuit 703 is connected to memory 702, and interface circuit 703 can be used to receive signals from memory 702 or other devices, and can be used to send signals to memory 702 or other devices. For example, interface circuit 703 can read instructions stored in memory 702 and send the instructions to processor 701.

[0210] The terminal 700 described in the above embodiments may be a user equipment or other communication device, but the scope of the terminal 700 described in this disclosure is not limited thereto, and the structure of the terminal 700 may not be limited to FIG. 7. 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.

[0211] Figure 8 is a schematic diagram of the structure of the chip 800 proposed in an embodiment of this disclosure. For cases where the terminal 700 can be a chip or a chip system, please refer to the schematic diagram of the chip 800 shown in Figure 8, but it is not limited thereto.

[0212] Chip 800 includes one or more processors 801, which are used to perform any of the above methods.

[0213] In some embodiments, chip 800 further includes one or more 803s. Optionally, interface circuitry 803 is connected to memory 802, and interface circuitry 803 can be used to receive signals from memory 802 or other devices, and interface circuitry 803 can be used to send signals to memory 802 or other devices. For example, interface circuitry 803 can read instructions stored in memory 802 and send the instructions to processor 801.

[0214] In some embodiments, the interface circuit 803 performs at least one of the communication steps such as sending and / or receiving in the above method (e.g., steps 202, 302, 401, but not limited thereto), and the processor 801 performs at least one of the other steps (e.g., steps 201, 301).

[0215] In some embodiments, the terms interface circuit, interface, transceiver pin, transceiver, etc., can be used interchangeably.

[0216] In some embodiments, chip 800 further includes one or more memories 802 for storing instructions. Optionally, all or part of the memories 802 may be located outside of chip 800.

[0217] This disclosure also proposes a storage medium storing instructions that, when executed on a terminal 700, cause the terminal 700 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.

[0218] This disclosure also proposes a program product that, when executed by terminal 700, causes terminal 700 to perform any of the above methods. Optionally, the program product is a computer program product.

[0219] 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 communication method, characterized in that, The method includes: The first multi-link access point device (AP MLD) determines a first radio frame; wherein the first radio frame includes first identification information, the first identification information identifying whether there is a first auxiliary AP in a first capability state among the auxiliary APs of the first AP MLD, and the transmit / receive capability information of the first auxiliary AP in the first capability state; Wherein, at least one operating parameter of the auxiliary AP is lower in the first capability state than in the second capability state; The first radio frame is sent to the first multi-link site device (non-AP MLD).

2. The communication method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first wireless frame includes: A first identifier, which indicates whether the first wireless frame includes the first identification information; The first identifier includes the AP MLD Low Capability Information Present identifier; The AP MLD Low Capability Information Present is set to a first parameter value, indicating that the first radio frame includes the first identification information.

3. The communication method according to claim 2, characterized in that, The AP MLD Low Capability Information field includes: A second identifier indicates whether at least one auxiliary AP in the first AP MLD is operating in the first capability state; The second identifier includes the AP Low Capability Enable identifier; The AP Low Capability Enable identifier is set to a second parameter value to identify that at least one of the auxiliary APs of the first AP MLD is operating in a first capability state; and / or, the first identification information includes the identification information of the first auxiliary AP.

4. The communication method according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that, The AP MLD Low Capability Information field includes a first identification field; The first identification field includes a Low Capability Mode Link Bitmap field, which is set to a third parameter value to identify that the associated AP connected to the working operation is working in the first capability state.

5. The communication method according to claim 4, characterized in that, The AP Low Capability Enable identifier is set to the second parameter value, indicating that the first identifier information includes the transmit and receive capability information of the first AP MLD working in the first capability state; The transmit / receive capability information is carried in the second identifier field of the AP MLD Low Capability Information field.

6. The communication method according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that, The AP Low Capability Enable identifier is set to the second parameter value to indicate that the first identifier information contains: one or more third identifiers, and / or one or more third identifier fields; The third identifier is set to the fourth parameter value, indicating that the STA Info field format in the Per-STA Profile sub-element of the corresponding Basic Multi-Link element includes the third identifier field.

7. The communication method according to claim 6, characterized in that, If the STA Info field of the Per-STA Profile sub-element corresponding to the auxiliary AP does not include the third identifier field, then the auxiliary AP performs transmit and receive operations according to the capability information indicated by the second identifier field when in the first capability state. If the STAInfo field in the Per-STA Profile sub-element corresponding to the auxiliary AP includes the third identifier field, then the auxiliary AP performs transmit / receive operations according to the capability information indicated by the third identifier field when in the first capability state.

8. The communication method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that, The method further includes: Receive a second radio frame sent by a first affiliated STA of a first non-AP MLD; wherein the second radio frame is used to initialize TXOP and frame switching, and the second radio frame requests the AP associated with the first affiliated STA to switch from the first capability state to the second capability state; The second wireless frame includes an RTS+HTC frame. The RTS+HTC frame includes the Operation Mode Control (OM) field. The OM Control field includes transmit / receive capability information for the second capability state.

9. The communication method according to claim 8, characterized in that, The method further includes: After a short frame interval, a CTS frame is sent to the first auxiliary STA; During the duration field of the second wireless frame, a frame exchange is performed with the first auxiliary STA; The system enters the first capability state after the Duration field of the second radio frame indicates the time has elapsed.

10. A communication method, characterized in that, The method includes: The first non-AP MLD receives the first radio frame sent by the first AP MLD; wherein the first radio frame includes first identification information, the first identification information identifying whether there is a first auxiliary AP in a first capability state among the auxiliary APs of the first AP MLD, and the transmit / receive capability information of the first auxiliary AP; Wherein, at least one operating parameter of the auxiliary AP is lower in the first capability state than in the second capability state.

11. The communication method according to claim 10, characterized in that, The method further includes: The first affiliated STA of the first non-AP MLD sends a second radio frame to the AP associated with the first affiliated STA; wherein the second radio frame is used to initialize TXOP and frame switching, and the second radio frame requests the associated AP to switch from the first capability state to the second capability state; The second wireless frame includes an RTS+HTC frame. The RTS+HTC frame includes an OM Control field; The OM Control field includes transmit / receive capability information for the second capability state.

12. The communication method according to claim 11, characterized in that, The method further includes: After a short frame interval, receive the CTS frame sent by the associated AP; During the Duration field of the second wireless frame, frame exchange occurs with the associated AP.

13. An access point device, wherein the access point device is a first AP MLD, characterized in that, The first AP MLD includes: A determining module is used to determine a first radio frame; wherein the first radio frame includes first identification information, the first identification information identifying whether there is a first auxiliary AP in a first capability state among the auxiliary APs of the first AP MLD, and the transmit / receive capability information of the first auxiliary AP in the first capability state; Wherein, at least one operating parameter of the auxiliary AP is lower in the first capability state than in the second capability state; The transmitting module is used to transmit the first wireless frame to the first non-AP MLD.

14. A site device, said site device being a first non-AP MLD, characterized in that, The first non-AP MLD includes: The receiving module is used to receive a first radio frame sent by the first AP MLD; wherein the first radio frame includes first identification information, the first identification information identifying whether there is a first auxiliary AP in a first capability state among the auxiliary APs of the first AP MLD, and the transmit / receive capability information of the first auxiliary AP; Wherein, at least one operating parameter of the auxiliary AP is lower in the first capability state than in the second capability state.

15. An access point device, wherein the access point device is a first AP MLD, characterized in that, include: One or more processors; The first AP MLD is used to perform the communication method according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

16. A site device, said site device being a first non-AP MLD, characterized in that, include: One or more processors; Wherein, the first non-AP MLD is used to perform the communication method according to any one of claims 10 to 12.

17. A communication system, characterized in that, Includes a first AP MLD and a first non-AP MLD; wherein the first AP MLD determines a first radio frame; wherein the first radio frame includes first identification information, the first identification information identifying: whether there is a first auxiliary AP in a first capability state among the auxiliary APs of the first AP MLD, and the transmit / receive capability information of the first auxiliary AP in the first capability state; Wherein, at least one operating parameter of the auxiliary AP is lower in the first capability state than in the second capability state; Send the first radio frame to the first non-AP MLD; The first non-AP MLD receives the first radio frame.

18. A storage medium storing instructions, characterized in that, When the instruction is executed on the communication device, the communication device performs the communication method as described in any one of claims 1 to 9, or performs the communication method as described in any one of claims 10 to 12.

Images