Information indication method and apparatus for secondary channel, device, and storage medium

Abstract

The present application relates to the field of wireless local area networks, and discloses an information indication method and apparatus for a secondary channel, a device, and a storage medium. The method comprises: receiving first signaling, the first signaling being used for indicating related information of a secondary channel in an idle state within a protected transmission opportunity (TXOP). By receiving first signaling used for indicating related information of a secondary channel in an idle state, a station can know the secondary channel in the idle state within a protected TXOP in a timely manner, so that the secondary channel in the idle state within the protected TXOP can be effectively utilized on the basis of the received first signaling, thereby improving the utilization rate of secondary channels.

Description

Information indication method, apparatus, equipment and storage medium for secondary channels Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of wireless local area networks, and particularly to a method, apparatus, device, and storage medium for indicating information in a secondary channel. Background Technology

[0002] In related technologies, the frequency band of Wireless Local Area Networks (WLANs) is extended to a maximum of 160MHz. That is, it can occupy up to eight 20MHz channels in the frequency domain, including one primary channel and multiple secondary channels. Among them, secondary channels refer to all channels other than the primary channel.

[0003] In some communication scenarios, only the primary channel may be used for data transmission, without occupying other secondary channels. That is, all secondary channels other than the primary channel are idle.

[0004] How to utilize idle secondary channels while ensuring communication on the primary channel, in order to improve channel utilization, remains an unsolved problem.

[0005] Summary of the Invention

[0006] This application provides a method, apparatus, device, and storage medium for indicating information in a secondary channel. The technical solution is as follows:

[0007] According to one aspect of the embodiments of this application, a method for indicating information in a secondary channel is provided, the method comprising:

[0008] Receive a first signaling message, which is used to indicate relevant information of the secondary channel in the protected transmission opportunity (TXOP) that is in an idle state.

[0009] According to another aspect of the embodiments of this application, a method for indicating information in a secondary channel is provided, the method comprising:

[0010] Send a first signaling message, which is used to indicate relevant information about the secondary channel that is in an idle state in the protected TXOP.

[0011] According to another aspect of the embodiments of this application, a secondary channel information indication device is provided, the device comprising:

[0012] The receiving module is used to receive a first signaling, which is used to indicate relevant information of the secondary channel in the protected TXOP that is in an idle state.

[0013] According to another aspect of the embodiments of this application, a secondary channel information indication device is provided, the device comprising:

[0014] The transmitting module is used to transmit a first signaling, which is used to indicate relevant information of the secondary channel in the protected TXOP that is in an idle state.

[0015] According to another aspect of the embodiments of this application, a communication device is provided, the communication device comprising:

[0016] processor;

[0017] A transceiver connected to the processor;

[0018] Memory used to store the processor's executable instructions;

[0019] The processor is configured to load and execute executable instructions to implement the subchannel information indication method as described above.

[0020] According to another aspect of the embodiments of this application, a computer-readable storage medium is provided, which stores a computer program that is loaded and executed by a communication device to implement the subchannel information indication method as described in the various aspects above.

[0021] According to another aspect of the embodiments of this application, a computer program product or computer program is provided, which includes computer instructions stored in a computer-readable storage medium; a communication device reads the computer instructions from the computer-readable storage medium, and a processor executes the computer instructions to implement the information indication method for the secondary channel as described in the various aspects above.

[0022] The technical solutions provided in this application embodiment may include the following beneficial effects:

[0023] By receiving a first signaling message indicating the relevant information of a secondary channel that is in an idle state, the current station can promptly learn about the secondary channels in the protected TXOP that are in an idle state. This enables the current station to effectively utilize the secondary channels in the protected TXOP that are in an idle state based on the received first signaling message, thereby improving the utilization rate of the secondary channels. Attached Figure Description

[0024] Figure 1 shows a schematic diagram of a communication system provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0025] Figure 2 shows a schematic diagram of a secondary channel information indication method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0026] Figure 3 shows a schematic diagram of a secondary channel information indication method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0027] Figure 4 shows a flowchart of a secondary channel information indication method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0028] Figure 5 shows a schematic diagram of a secondary channel information indication method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0029] Figure 6 shows a flowchart of a secondary channel information indication method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0030] Figure 7 shows a schematic diagram of a secondary channel information indication method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0031] Figure 8 shows a schematic diagram of the format of the first frame / second frame provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0032] Figure 9 shows a schematic diagram of the format of the first PPDU / second PPDU provided in the embodiments of this application;

[0033] Figure 10 shows a schematic diagram of a secondary channel information indication method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0034] Figure 11 shows a schematic diagram of a secondary channel information indication method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0035] Figure 12 shows a schematic diagram of a secondary channel information indication method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0036] Figure 13 shows a schematic diagram of a secondary channel information indication method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0037] Figure 14 shows a schematic diagram of a secondary channel information indication method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0038] Figure 15 shows a structural block diagram of a secondary channel information indication device provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0039] Figure 16 shows a structural block diagram of a secondary channel information indication device provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0040] Figure 17 shows a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device provided in an embodiment of this application. Detailed Implementation

[0041] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of this application clearer, the embodiments of this application will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Exemplary embodiments will be described in detail here, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. When the following description refers to the accompanying drawings, unless otherwise indicated, the same numbers in different drawings represent the same or similar elements. The embodiments described in the following exemplary embodiments do not represent all embodiments consistent with this application. Rather, they are merely examples of apparatuses and methods consistent with some aspects of this application as detailed in the appended claims. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art with respect to the embodiments of this application without inventive effort are within the scope of protection of this application.

[0042] The terminology used in this disclosure is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the disclosure. The singular forms “a,” “the,” and “the” used in this disclosure and the appended claims are also intended to include the plural forms unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It should also be understood that the term “and / or” as used herein refers to and includes any or all possible combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. It should be understood that although the terms first, second, third, etc., may be used in this disclosure to describe various information, such information should not be limited to these terms. These terms are used only to distinguish information of the same type from one another. For example, first information may also be referred to as second information without departing from the scope of this disclosure, and similarly, second information may also be referred to as first information. Depending on the context, the word “if,” as used herein, can be interpreted as “when,” “in response to a determination,” or “when…”.

[0043] First, the relevant technologies involved in the embodiments of this application will be introduced:

[0044] The proposal in the related technology puts forward a method for indicating information on a secondary channel, which allows a station to send data only on the secondary channel after detecting that the primary channel is busy.

[0045] Another proposal in the related technology puts forward a Non-Primary Channel Access (NPCA) method, which is a secondary channel information indication method. It mentions that the site needs to record the bandwidth information of the primary channel network allocation vector (NAV).

[0046] Neither of the above two schemes mentions the NPCA rules when the bandwidth of the Physical Layer Protocol Data Unit (PPDU) on the main channel changes.

[0047] The 802.11 standard's specifications for the bandwidth of a PPDU within a Transmission Opportunity (TXOP) can be summarized as follows:

[0048] 1. If a protection mechanism is used for a TXOP, meaning all stations (STAs) can understand the bandwidth (BW) information of the first PPDU in the TXOP, then subsequent PPDUs in the same TXOP can use the same or narrower BW as the first PPDU. The carriers of BW information are of the following two types:

[0049] The first type: Non-HT duplicated PPDU in the 2.4 / 5 / 6GHz band;

[0050] The second type: the TXOP field in the High Efficiency (HE) PPDU's High Efficiency Signaling-A (HE-SIG-A) field in the 6GHz band.

[0051] 2. The BW of a non-first PPDU in a TXOP is the same as or narrower than the BW of the previous PPDU in the same TXOP.

[0052] In other words, once the TXOP on the main channel is protected, the bandwidth of the PPDU during the TXOP period can vary between 20MHz and the bandwidth of the first PPDU.

[0053] In this situation, the bandwidth of the PPDU on the protected primary channel is not always equal to the bandwidth of the first PPDU, meaning that the secondary channel may still be idle at times.

[0054] The reasons for PPDU bandwidth changes include, but are not limited to, the following scenarios: predictable low-latency data occurring in the middle or at the end of a TXOP, STA low-power mode adjustment, avoiding interference signals located on some sub-channels, and access points (APs) sending PPDUs to sites with different operating bandwidths.

[0055] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a communication system 10 provided in an exemplary embodiment of this application. The communication system 10 includes terminals with terminals, terminals with network devices, or access points (APs) with stations (STAs), and this application does not limit the specific examples. In this application, the communication system 10 is illustrated using an AP 110 and an STA 120 as an example.

[0056] In some scenarios, an AP can also be called an AP STA, meaning that in a sense, an AP is also a type of STA. In other scenarios, a STA can also be called a non-AP STA.

[0057] In some embodiments, a STA may include an AP STA and a non-AP STA. Communication in the communication system can be between an AP and a non-AP STA, between two non-AP STAs, or between a STA and a peer STA. A peer STA can refer to a device communicating with the STA from the other end; for example, a peer STA may be an AP or a non-AP STA. Exemplarily, there are two communication scenarios between a STA and an AP: uplink communication and downlink communication. Uplink communication refers to the STA sending signals to the AP; downlink communication refers to the AP sending signals to the STA. 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 the Ethernet. An AP device can be a terminal device (such as a mobile phone) or a network device (such as a router) with a Wireless Fidelity (WiFi) chip.

[0058] In some embodiments, different communication devices may use different DRUs when transmitting wireless signals.

[0059] It should be understood that the role of a STA in a communication system is not absolute. For example, in some scenarios, when a mobile phone connects to a router, it acts as a non-AP STA; when the phone serves as a hotspot for other mobile phones, it acts as an AP. APs and non-AP STAs can be devices used in vehicle-to-everything (V2X) networks, IoT nodes and sensors in the Internet of Things (IoT), smart cameras, smart remote controls, smart water and electricity meters in smart homes, and sensors in smart cities.

[0060] In some embodiments, the non-AP STA may support, but is not limited to, the 802.11bf standard. The non-AP STA may also support various current and future 802.11 family of Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) standards, such as 802.11ax, 802.11ac, 802.11n, 802.11g, 802.11b, and 802.11a. In some embodiments, the AP may be a device that supports the 802.11bf standard. The AP may also be a device that supports various current and future 802.11 family of WLAN standards, such as 802.11ax, 802.11ac, 802.11n, 802.11g, 802.11b, and 802.11a.

[0061] In this application embodiment, the STA can be a mobile phone, tablet computer, computer, virtual reality (VR) device, augmented reality (AR) device, communication device in industrial control, set-top box, communication device in autonomous driving, vehicle communication device, communication device in telemedicine, communication device in smart grid, communication device in transportation safety, communication device in smart city, or communication device in smart home, wireless communication chip, etc. WLAN technology can support frequency bands including but not limited to: low frequency band (2.4GHz, 5GHz, 6GHz) and high frequency band (60GHz).

[0062] One or more links exist between a site and an access point. In some embodiments, the site and access point support multi-band communication, for example, communicating simultaneously on the 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, 6 GHz, and 60 GHz bands, or simultaneously communicating on different channels within the same (or different) bands, improving communication throughput and / or reliability between devices. Such devices are commonly referred to as multi-band devices, and may also be called multi-link devices (MLDs), sometimes also called multi-link entities or multi-band entities. A multi-link device can be an access point device or a site device. If the multi-link device is an access point device, it includes one or more access points (APs); if the multi-link device is a site device, it includes one or more non-AP STAs. A multi-link device including one or more APs can also be called an AP, and a multi-link device including one or more non-AP STAs can also be called a Non-AP. In this embodiment, a Non-AP can be called a STA.

[0063] In this embodiment of the application, an AP may include multiple APs, and a Non-AP may include multiple STAs. Multiple links may be formed between the multiple APs in the AP and the multiple STAs in the Non-AP. Data communication may be performed between the APs in the AP and the corresponding STAs in the Non-AP through the corresponding links.

[0064] An AP is a device deployed in a wireless local area network to provide wireless communication functions for a STA. A STA may include: User Equipment (UE), access terminal, user unit, user station, mobile station, mobile station, remote station, remote terminal, mobile device, wireless communication equipment, user agent, or user device. Optionally, a STA may also be a cellular phone, cordless phone, Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) phone, Wireless Local Loop (WLL) station, Personal Digital Assistant (PDA), handheld device with wireless communication functions, computing device, or other processing device connected to a wireless modem, vehicle-mounted device, or wearable device. This application embodiment does not limit the scope of the application.

[0065] In the embodiments of this application, both STA and AP support the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11 standard, but are not limited to the IEEE 802.11 standard.

[0066] In some communication scenarios of related technologies, only the primary channel is used for data transmission, without occupying other secondary channels. That is, all secondary channels except the primary channel are idle. For example, as shown in Figure 2, during the idle period, only the primary channel is used for data transmission, without occupying the idle secondary channel 11. How to utilize the idle secondary channels while ensuring primary channel communication to improve channel utilization remains an unsolved problem. Furthermore, since the idle period of an idle secondary channel is limited, data transmission must be ensured within the idle period when it is necessary to use an idle secondary channel for data transmission. For example, as shown in Figure 3, when the first data 12 needs to be transmitted beyond the idle period, it will conflict with other data transmissions and is therefore not allowed.

[0067] Based on the above-mentioned deficiencies, this application proposes a method for indicating information about secondary channels. By sending a first signaling message to relevant stations, the relevant stations can promptly obtain information about the secondary channels in the protected TXOP that are in an idle state.

[0068] Figure 4 illustrates a flowchart of a secondary channel information indication method provided in an exemplary embodiment of this application. The method is executed by a TXOP responder device, which can be an AP or a STA; this application describes the method using an STA as an example. The method includes:

[0069] Step 220: Receive the first signaling, which is used to indicate the relevant information of the secondary channel in the protected transmission opportunity TXOP that is in an idle state.

[0070] In some embodiments, the relevant information includes time-domain information and / or frequency-domain information of the idle secondary channel. For example, as shown in FIG2, the relevant information includes time-domain information and / or frequency-domain information of the idle secondary channel 11.

[0071] In some embodiments, the relevant information includes: time-domain information of the secondary channel in an idle state. The time-domain information includes: the duration of the secondary channel in an idle state. For example, as shown in FIG2, the time-domain information of the idle secondary channel 11 includes the idle duration.

[0072] In some embodiments, the relevant information includes: frequency domain information of the secondary channel in an idle state. The frequency domain information includes: a first bandwidth of the secondary channel in an idle state; or, a second bandwidth of the primary channel in an occupied state. The sum of the first bandwidth and the second bandwidth equals the total channel bandwidth used by the protected TXOP. The relevant information corresponding to the total channel bandwidth used by the protected TXOP is indicated by relevant fields or signaling of the TXOP. For example, as shown in FIG2, the frequency domain information of the idle secondary channel 11 includes the bandwidth corresponding to the secondary channel in an idle state or the bandwidth corresponding to the primary channel in an occupied state.

[0073] In some embodiments, the first signaling is broadcast. For example, the first signaling is directed to all sites within the signal range of the access point. Alternatively, the first signaling is directed to a target site. For example, assuming the signal range of the access point includes a first site and a second site, the first signaling is directed to the first site. That is, the first signaling is directed to the first site.

[0074] In some embodiments, a protected TXOP refers to a TXOP protected in a Request to Send (RTS) frame and / or a Multi-User (MU) RTS frame and / or a Clear to Send (CTS) frame and / or a CTS-to-self frame and / or a non-HT duplicate frame that does not contain a Power Saving Poll (PS-Poll) frame.

[0075] In summary, the method provided in this embodiment enables the current station to promptly learn about the idle secondary channels in the protected TXOP by receiving a first signaling message indicating relevant information about the secondary channels in an idle state. This allows the current station to effectively utilize the idle secondary channels in the protected TXOP based on the received first signaling message, thereby improving the utilization rate of the secondary channels.

[0076] In an optional embodiment based on Figure 4, after receiving the first signaling, the current station can choose to access the secondary channel in the protected TXOP that is in an idle state, as indicated by the first signaling. Figure 5 shows a flowchart of a secondary channel information indication method provided in an exemplary embodiment of this application. This method is executed by a TXOP responder device, which can be an AP or a STA; this application uses a STA as an example for illustration. The method further includes:

[0077] Step 240: If the first signaling is received and the access conditions are met, access the secondary channel that is in an idle state.

[0078] In some embodiments, the access condition includes: the transmission duration of at least one data unit is less than the duration of the secondary channel in an idle state.

[0079] In some embodiments, upon receiving a first signaling instruction, the secondary channel that is idle in the protected TXOP is considered accessible. In this case, the current station can choose to access the idle secondary channel in the protected TXOP indicated by the first signaling instruction and transmit at least one data unit on the idle secondary channel.

[0080] In some embodiments, the transmission duration corresponding to at least one data unit is less than or equal to the idle time of the secondary channel. That is, at least one data unit needs to be transmitted within the idle time of the secondary channel indicated by the first signaling. Alternatively, it can be understood that at least one data unit needs to complete transmission before the end of the idle time of the secondary channel. In other words, the data transmission process of at least one data unit is completed before the end of the idle time of the secondary channel.

[0081] In some embodiments, the transmission bandwidth corresponding to at least one data unit is less than or equal to the bandwidth of the secondary channel in an idle state.

[0082] In summary, the method provided in this embodiment, by accessing the idle secondary channel in the protected TXOP indicated by the first signaling after receiving the first signaling, can effectively utilize the idle secondary channel in the protected TXOP, thereby improving the utilization rate of the secondary channel.

[0083] Figure 6 illustrates a flowchart of a secondary channel information indication method provided in an exemplary embodiment of this application. The method is executed by a TXOP owner device, which can be an AP or a STA; this application describes the method using an AP as an example. The method includes:

[0084] Step 320: Send the first signaling, which is used to indicate the relevant information of the secondary channel in the protected TXOP that is in an idle state.

[0085] In some embodiments, the relevant information includes time-domain information and / or frequency-domain information of the idle secondary channel. For example, as shown in FIG2, the relevant information includes time-domain information and / or frequency-domain information of the idle secondary channel 11.

[0086] In some embodiments, the relevant information includes: time-domain information of the secondary channel in an idle state. The time-domain information includes: the duration of the secondary channel in an idle state. For example, as shown in FIG2, the time-domain information of the idle secondary channel 11 includes the idle duration.

[0087] In some embodiments, the relevant information includes frequency domain information of a secondary channel in an idle state. The frequency domain information includes: a first bandwidth of the secondary channel in an idle state; or, a second bandwidth of the primary channel in an occupied state. The sum of the first bandwidth and the second bandwidth equals the total channel bandwidth used by the protected TXOP. For example, as shown in FIG2, the frequency domain information of the idle secondary channel 11 includes the bandwidth corresponding to the secondary channel or the bandwidth corresponding to the primary channel.

[0088] In some embodiments, the first signaling is broadcast. For example, the first signaling is directed to all sites within the signal range of the access point. Alternatively, the first signaling is directed to a target site. For example, assuming the signal range of the access point includes a first site and a second site, the first signaling is directed to the first site. That is, the first signaling is directed to the first site.

[0089] In some embodiments, a protected TXOP refers to a TXOP protected in an RTS frame and / or MURTS frame and / or CTS frame and / or CTS-to-self frame and / or a non-HT duplicate frame that does not contain a power-saving polling (PS-Poll) frame.

[0090] In summary, the method provided in this embodiment enables the station to promptly obtain information about the idle secondary channels in the protected TXOP by sending a first signaling message indicating relevant information about the idle secondary channels. This allows the station to effectively utilize the idle secondary channels in the protected TXOP based on the received first signaling message, thereby improving the utilization rate of the secondary channels.

[0091] In an optional embodiment based on Figure 6, after receiving the first signaling, the current station can choose to access a secondary channel in an idle state within the protected TXOP indicated by the first signaling. Figure 7 shows a flowchart of a secondary channel information indication method provided in an exemplary embodiment of this application. This method is executed by the TXOP owner device, which can be an AP or a STA; this application uses an AP as an example for illustration. The method further includes:

[0092] Step 340: Receive at least one data unit transmitted on a secondary channel that is in an idle state.

[0093] In some embodiments, when the current station receives the first signaling, it is considered that the secondary channel in the protected TXOP that is idle is accessible. In this case, the current station can choose to access the secondary channel in the protected TXOP that is idle, as indicated by the first signaling, and transmit at least one data unit on the idle secondary channel. The access point also needs to receive at least one data unit on the idle secondary channel.

[0094] In some embodiments, the transmission duration corresponding to at least one data unit is less than or equal to the idle time of the secondary channel. That is, at least one data unit needs to be transmitted within the idle time of the secondary channel indicated by the first signaling. Or, it can be understood that at least one data unit needs to complete the transmission before the end of the idle time of the secondary channel.

[0095] In some embodiments, the transmission bandwidth corresponding to at least one data unit is less than or equal to the bandwidth of the secondary channel in an idle state.

[0096] In summary, the method provided in this embodiment can effectively utilize the idle secondary channel in the protected TXOP by receiving at least one data unit on the secondary channel in an idle state, thereby improving the utilization rate of the secondary channel.

[0097] In an optional embodiment based on Figure 4 or Figure 6, the first signaling is carried in the following two ways:

[0098] Method 1: The first signaling is carried in the first frame / second frame; for example, the first frame / second frame is a Secondary Channel Contention Free-end (SCCF-end) frame.

[0099] Method 2: The first signaling is carried in the first PPDU / second PPDU; for example, the first PPDU / second PPDU is an Ultra High Reliability (UHR) MU PPDU.

[0100] Regarding method one:

[0101] In some embodiments, the first signaling is carried in the first frame. The first frame is used to indicate the time-domain information of the secondary channel in an idle state.

[0102] In some embodiments, the first frame is a new Media Access Control (MAC) based control frame. Optionally, the first frame is an SCCF-end frame.

[0103] For example, the frame format of the first frame is shown in Figure 8. The first frame includes a Frame Control field, a Duration field, a Receiver Address (RA) field, a Block Started by Symbol (BSS) Identity Document (ID) field, an Available Time field, a Primary Bandwidth field, and a Frame Check Sequence (FCS) field.

[0104] It is worth noting that the above fields are only used as examples in this application embodiment. In other possible embodiments, the order, number, hierarchical relationship between fields, and number of bits corresponding to each field may be other situations, and this application embodiment does not limit them.

[0105] In some embodiments, the Frame Control field is used to indicate basic information such as the frame type of the first frame. The Duration field is used to indicate the duration of the current TXOP. The RA field is used to indicate broadcast address information. The BSSID field is used to indicate the BSS identification information associated with the current TXOP. The Available Time field is used to indicate the duration of the secondary channel in an idle state as described in this embodiment. The Primary Bandwidth field is used to indicate the secondary bandwidth of the primary channel in an occupied state as described in this embodiment.

[0106] In some embodiments, the first frame includes a first field, which is used to indicate time-domain information.

[0107] In this embodiment of the application, the first field is the Available Time field shown in Figure 8, for example.

[0108] In some embodiments, when the first field takes the first value, the first field is used to indicate the duration of the secondary channel in an idle state. For example, assuming the Available Time field takes the value of 5, it means that the duration of the secondary channel in an idle state is 5 microseconds or milliseconds.

[0109] In some embodiments, when the value of the first field is non-zero, the value of the first field is used to indicate the duration of the secondary channel in an idle state. That is, when the value of the first field is greater than 0, the value of the first field is used to indicate the duration of the secondary channel in an idle state.

[0110] In some embodiments, when the value of the first field is zero, the value of the first field is used to instruct other sites to suspend the use of the idle secondary channel until the protected TXOP ends. For example, assuming the value of the Available Time field is 0, it means that the idle secondary channel is available from the current time until the protected TXOP ends.

[0111] In some embodiments, the first signaling is carried in the second frame. The second frame is used to indicate the frequency domain information of the secondary channel in an idle state.

[0112] In some embodiments, the second frame is a new Media Access Control (MAC) based control frame. Optionally, the second frame is an SCCF-end frame. Optionally, the second frame and the first frame described above are the same frame.

[0113] In some embodiments, the second frame includes a second field for indicating frequency domain information.

[0114] In this embodiment of the application, the second field is the primary bandwidth field shown in Figure 8, as an example.

[0115] In some embodiments, the value or code point of the second field has a one-to-one correspondence with the first bandwidth; or, the value or code point of the second field has a one-to-one correspondence with the second bandwidth.

[0116] For example, assuming the value or code point of the second field is used to indicate the second bandwidth of the main channel in an occupied state, the correspondence between the value or code point of the second field and the second bandwidth is shown in Table 1 below:

[0117] Table 1

[0118] Specifically, when the value of the second field is 0, it indicates that the second bandwidth of the main channel in a occupied state is 20MHz; when the value of the second field is 1, it indicates that the second bandwidth of the main channel in a occupied state is 40MHz; when the value of the second field is 2, it indicates that the second bandwidth of the main channel in a occupied state is 80MHz; when the value of the second field is 3, it indicates that the second bandwidth of the main channel in a occupied state is 160MHz; when the value of the second field is any integer value other than 0 to 3, it indicates that the second field is a reserved field.

[0119] In some embodiments, the sum of the first bandwidth of the idle secondary channel and the second bandwidth of the occupied primary channel is equal to the total channel bandwidth used by the protected TXOP. That is, if the first bandwidth of the idle secondary channel is known, the second bandwidth of the occupied primary channel can be known. Or, if the second bandwidth of the occupied primary channel is known, the first bandwidth of the idle secondary channel can be known.

[0120] In summary, the method provided in this embodiment enables the station to promptly obtain information about the idle secondary channels in the protected TXOP by using a new MAC-based control frame to carry the first signaling. This allows the station to effectively utilize the idle secondary channels in the protected TXOP based on the received first signaling, thereby improving the utilization rate of the secondary channels.

[0121] Regarding method two:

[0122] In some embodiments, the first signaling is carried in a first PPDU. The first PPDU is used to indicate the time-domain information of the secondary channel in an idle state. Specifically, the first PPDU carries a first signaling field, which is used to indicate the time-domain information of the secondary channel in an idle state.

[0123] In some embodiments, the first PPDU is a PPDU transmitted within a protected TXOP and before a secondary channel that is in an idle state. The first signaling field includes the general signaling field in the first PPDU. For example, as shown in FIG9, taking a UHR MU PPDU as an example, the first signaling field is the general signaling field shown in FIG9, and the first signaling is carried using the reserved field in its general signaling field.

[0124] In some embodiments, the first signaling field includes the following subfields:

[0125] The first subfield is used to indicate the meaning of the second subfield;

[0126] The second subfield is used to indicate time-domain information.

[0127] In this embodiment of the application, the first subfield is the TXOP flag field shown in Figure 9, and the second subfield is the TXOP field shown in Figure 9, as an example.

[0128] In some embodiments, when the first subfield takes the value of the second value, the second subfield is used to indicate the duration of the secondary channel in an idle state. For example, when the TXOP Flag field is set to 1, the TXOP field is used to indicate the duration of the secondary channel in an idle state.

[0129] In some embodiments, when the time length is less than a time threshold, the second sub-field takes a third value. The third value is an even number. The third value is determined based on the time length, the time threshold, and the maximum value of the second sub-field (hereinafter referred to as the maximum value). The third value is equal to twice the first target value, which is determined based on the time length, the time threshold, and the maximum value.

[0130] In some embodiments, the first target value is equal to the floor value of the quotient of the time length and the first value. The first value is equal to twice the quotient of the time threshold and the maximum value. For example, assuming the time length of the secondary channel in the idle state is T1, if T1 is less than 512 microseconds / milliseconds, then the value of the TXOP field is... in, This indicates rounding down. T1 / 8 represents the first target value, and (512 / 128)*2=8 represents the first value.

[0131] In some embodiments, when the time length is greater than or equal to a time threshold, the second sub-field takes a fourth value. The fourth value is an odd number. The fourth value is equal to twice the second target value plus one, and the second target value is determined based on the time length, the time threshold, and the maximum value of the second sub-field.

[0132] In some embodiments, the second target value is equal to the floor value of the quotient of the second value and the maximum value. The second value is equal to the difference between the time length and the time threshold. For example, assuming the time length of the secondary channel in the idle state is T1, if T1 is greater than or equal to 512 microseconds / milliseconds, then the value of the TXOP field is... in, This indicates rounding down. This represents the second target value. (T1-512) represents the third target value, and (T1-512) represents the second value.

[0133] In some embodiments, when the first subfield is set to the fifth value, the second subfield is used to indicate the duration of the protected TXOP. For example, when the TXOP Flag field is set to 0, the TXOP field is used to indicate the duration of the protected TXOP.

[0134] If the TXVECTOR parameter TXOP_DURATION is UNSPECIFIED, the TXOP field will have a value of 127, indicating that there is no duration information for the current TXOP. If the TXVECTOR parameter TXOP_DURATION is an integer value, the TXOP field will have a value less than 127 to represent the duration information for NAV settings and TXOP protection, as follows:

[0135] If the TXVECTOR parameter TXOP_DURATION is less than 512, then the value of the TXOP field is... in, This indicates rounding down to the nearest integer.

[0136] If the TXVECTOR parameter TXOP_DURATION is greater than or equal to 512, then the value of the TXOP field is... in, This indicates rounding down to the nearest integer.

[0137] In some embodiments, the first signaling is carried in a second PPDU. The second PPDU is used to indicate the frequency domain information of the secondary channel in an idle state. Specifically, the second PPDU carries a second signaling field, which is used to indicate the frequency domain information of the secondary channel in an idle state.

[0138] In some embodiments, the second PPDU is a PPDU transmitted within a protected TXOP and before a secondary channel that is in an idle state. The second signaling field includes the general signaling field in the second PPDU. For example, as shown in FIG9, taking a UHR MU PPDU as an example, the second signaling field is the general signaling field shown in FIG9, which carries the first signaling using a reserved field in its general signaling field.

[0139] In some embodiments, the second PPDU and the first PPDU described above are the same PPDU.

[0140] In some embodiments, when the second PPDU and the first PPDU are the same PPDU, the second signaling field and the first signaling field are the same signaling field.

[0141] In some embodiments, the second signaling field includes the following subfields:

[0142] The first subfield is used to indicate the meaning of the third subfield;

[0143] The third subfield is used to indicate frequency domain information.

[0144] In this embodiment of the application, the first subfield is the TXOP flag field shown in Figure 9, and the third subfield is the primary bandwidth field shown in Figure 9, as an example.

[0145] In some embodiments, when the first subfield takes the second value, the third subfield is used to indicate the first bandwidth of the secondary channel in an idle state, or the third subfield is used to indicate the second bandwidth of the primary channel in an occupied state. For example, when the TXOP Flag field is 1, the Primary Bandwidth field is used to indicate the second bandwidth of the primary channel in an occupied state.

[0146] In some embodiments, the value or code point of the third sub-field has a one-to-one correspondence with the first bandwidth; or, the value or code point of the third sub-field has a one-to-one correspondence with the second bandwidth.

[0147] For example, as shown in Table 1 above. When the value of the third subfield is 0, it indicates that the second bandwidth of the main channel in a occupied state is 20MHz; when the value of the third subfield is 1, it indicates that the second bandwidth of the main channel in a occupied state is 40MHz; when the value of the third subfield is 2, it indicates that the second bandwidth of the main channel in a occupied state is 80MHz; when the value of the third subfield is 3, it indicates that the second bandwidth of the main channel in a occupied state is 160MHz; when the value of the third subfield is any integer value other than 0 to 3, it indicates that the third subfield is a reserved field.

[0148] In some embodiments, when the first subfield takes the fifth value, the third subfield is a reserved subfield. For example, when the TXOP Flag field takes the value of 0, the Primary Bandwidth field is a reserved subfield.

[0149] In summary, the method provided in this embodiment, by utilizing existing signaling fields to carry the first signaling, helps reduce the waste of signaling resources and improves the utilization rate of existing signaling. Furthermore, it enables stations to promptly identify idle secondary channels within the protected TXOP, thereby achieving effective utilization of idle secondary channels within the protected TXOP based on the received first signaling, thus improving the utilization rate of secondary channels.

[0150] In some embodiments, depending on the operating frequency band of the site, the rules for a site to access a secondary channel that is in an idle state are as follows:

[0151] 1. For the 2.4 / 5 / 6GHz frequency band:

[0152] In a BSS, if a TXOP on the primary channel is protected by RTS frames and / or MU RTS frames and / or CTS frames and / or CTS-to-self frames and / or non-HT duplicate frames that do not contain power-saving polling (PS-Poll) frames, overlapping BSS (OBSS) sites cannot access the channel during the protected TXOP, except in the following cases:

[0153] 1.1 An OBSS station may access an idle secondary channel if it receives an SCCF-end frame or a UHR PPDU with a TXOP Flag field value of 1 during the protected TXOP period, and the total time spent transmitting at least one data unit on the idle secondary channel is less than the length of the idle secondary channel. Furthermore, the OBSS station must ensure that any transmission or reception operation is completed on the idle secondary channel before the end of the idle secondary channel's duration.

[0154] A secondary channel in an idle state refers to one or more 20MHz secondary channels within the protected TXOP bandwidth, excluding the primary channels indicated by the Primary Bandwidth field that are in use, and including anchor channels. An anchor channel is a channel that is only allowed to be accessed by sites within a certain range corresponding to the access point.

[0155] 1.2 In contrast to 1.1, OBSS sites may access the channel on an idle secondary channel during the protected TXOP.

[0156] 2. For the 6GHz band:

[0157] In a BSS, if a TXOP on the primary channel does not contain a non-HT duplicate PPDU, but the TXOP is protected by the TXOP field in the signaling field of the first HE PPDU, the OBSS site cannot access the channel during the protected TXOP, except in the following cases:

[0158] 2.1 An OBSS station may access an idle secondary channel if it receives an SCCF-end frame or a UHR PPDU with a TXOP Flag field value of 1 during the protected TXOP period, and the total time spent transmitting at least one data unit on the idle secondary channel is less than the duration of the idle secondary channel. Furthermore, the OBSS station must ensure that any transmission or reception operation is completed on the idle secondary channel before the duration of the idle secondary channel expires.

[0159] A secondary channel in an idle state refers to one or more 20MHz secondary channels within the protected TXOP bandwidth, excluding the primary channels indicated by the Primary Bandwidth field that are in use, and including anchor channels. An anchor channel is a channel that is only allowed to be accessed by sites within a certain range corresponding to the access point.

[0160] 2.2 In contrast to 2.1, OBSS sites may access the channel on an idle secondary channel during the protected TXOP.

[0161] Next, this application also provides several interactive embodiments jointly executed by the TXOP owner device and the TXOP responder device.

[0162] The first type: The TXOP owner device is the AP, and the TXOP responder devices are STA1 and STA2. STA1 has an operating bandwidth of 160MHz, and STA2 has an operating bandwidth of 80MHz. The operating frequency band is 2.4GHz, 5GHz, or 6GHz.

[0163] In some embodiments, as shown in FIG10, the method includes the following steps:

[0164] Step 1: The AP broadcasts a CTS-to-self frame 21 across the entire 160MHz channel, thereby obtaining a protected TXOP. The CTS-to-self frame is carried in a non-HT duplicate PPDU.

[0165] Step 2: The AP transmits the first data frame 22 to STA1 using the entire 160MHz channel. Optionally, the AP receives an acknowledgment frame (ACK) from STA1. STA1 may or may not send an acknowledgment frame. This acknowledgment frame indicates that STA1 has received the first data frame 22 sent by the AP.

[0166] Step 3: Since the next data frame 23 that the AP is going to send to STA1 has not yet arrived, the AP sends a data frame with a bandwidth of 80MHz to STA2 between the first data frame 22 and the next data frame 23.

[0167] According to the provisions of the 802.11 related protocols, in a TXOP protected by CTS-to-self frames, the AP, as the TXOP owner device, can use bandwidth less than or equal to that of the CTS-to-self frames for data transmission. That is, the AP can use bandwidth less than or equal to 160MHz for data transmission.

[0168] In some embodiments, the estimated transmission time for the AP to transmit data to STA2 on the primary 80MHz channel is T1. Since the AP only needs to use the primary 80MHz channel for the next T1 time period, in order to improve spectrum utilization, the AP can broadcast SCCF-end frames across the entire 160MHz channel. This is to inform nearby stations that they can compete for access and use secondary channels other than the primary 80MHz channel for the next T1 time period, thereby expanding bandwidth. The SCCF-end frames are carried in non-HT duplicate PPDUs.

[0169] That is, in this embodiment, the value of the Available Time field in the SCCF-end frame is used to indicate the duration of T1; the value of the Primary Bandwidth field is 2, which is used to indicate the primary 80MHz.

[0170] Step 4: After the T1 duration ends, the AP continues to use the entire 160MHz channel to send the next data frame 23 to STA1.

[0171] The second scenario: The TXOP owner device is a non-AP STA, and the TXOP responder device is an AP with an operating bandwidth of 160MHz and an operating frequency band of 2.4GHz, 5GHz, or 6GHz.

[0172] In some embodiments, as shown in FIG11, the method includes the following steps:

[0173] Step 11: The non-AP STA broadcasts an RTS frame across the entire 160MHz channel, thereby obtaining a protected TXOP. The RTS frame is carried in a non-HT duplicate PPDU.

[0174] Step 12: Non-AP STAs use the entire 160MHz channel to send data frames to the AP.

[0175] Step 13: Since the next data frame sent by the non-AP STA to the AP has not yet arrived, the non-AP STA only needs to send a data frame with a bandwidth of 80MHz on the primary 80MHz channel. The estimated transmission time of the data frame sent by the non-AP STA on the primary 80MHz channel is T1.

[0176] Since non-AP STAs only need to use the primary 80MHz channel during the next T1 time period, in order to improve spectrum utilization, non-AP STAs can broadcast SCCF-end frames across the entire 160MHz channel. The purpose is to inform nearby stations that they can compete for access and use secondary channels other than the primary 80MHz channel during the next T1 time period, thereby expanding bandwidth. The SCCF-end frame is carried in a non-HT duplicate PPDU.

[0177] However, since the signal coverage of non-AP STAs differs from that of APs, the AP also needs to send an identical SCCF-end frame after the non-AP STA sends the SCCF-end frame. This is to ensure that stations within a wider range can successfully receive the SCCF-end frame, thereby avoiding the problem of hidden nodes.

[0178] Step 14: After the T1 duration ends, non-AP STAs continue to use the entire 160MHz channel to transmit data frames.

[0179] The third type: The TXOP owner device is the AP, and the TXOP responder devices are STA1 and STA2. STA1 has a working bandwidth of 160MHz, and STA2 has a working bandwidth of 80MHz. The working frequency band is 2.4GHz, 5GHz, or 6GHz.

[0180] In some embodiments, as shown in Figure 12, the main implementation steps of this method are consistent with the first interaction method described above. The main difference is:

[0181] In this embodiment, the AP transmits SCCF-end frames only on the secondary 80MHz channel using Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access (OFDMA). That is, the SCCF-end frames transmitted on the secondary 80MHz channel and the data frames transmitted on the primary 80MHz channel are transmitted simultaneously. In this embodiment, it is not necessary to transmit SCCF-end frames separately on the entire 160MHz channel; instead, the entire 160MHz channel can be utilized simultaneously to transmit both SCCF-end frames and data frames, which helps reduce signaling overhead and save TXOP resources.

[0182] The fourth type: The TXOP owner device is the AP, and the TXOP responder devices are STA1 and STA2, where STA1 has a working bandwidth of 160MHz and STA2 has a working bandwidth of 80MHz, and the working frequency band is 6GHz.

[0183] In some embodiments, as shown in Figure 13, the main implementation steps of this method are consistent with the first interaction method described above. The main difference is:

[0184] In this embodiment, the AP obtains a protected TXOP by sending an HE PPDU.

[0185] The fifth type: The TXOP owner device is the AP, and the TXOP responder devices are STA1 and STA2. STA1 has a working bandwidth of 160MHz, and STA2 has a working bandwidth of 80MHz. The working frequency band is 2.4GHz, 5GHz, or 6GHz.

[0186] In some embodiments, as shown in Figure 14, the main implementation steps of this method are consistent with the first interaction method described above. The main difference is:

[0187] In this embodiment, the AP informs nearby sites via the general signaling field in the UHR PPDU that they can compete for access and use secondary channels (excluding the primary 80MHz channel) within the entire 160MHz channel during the next T1 time period, thereby expanding bandwidth. This is done instead of sending SCCF-end frames.

[0188] In this embodiment, the UHR PPDU is used for both data transmission and transmission of information related to the idle secondary channel. Therefore, it is possible to transmit data and information related to the idle secondary channel simultaneously. By multiplexing the transmission resources used for data transmission, signaling overhead is reduced and TXOP resources are saved.

[0189] Figure 15 shows a structural block diagram of a secondary channel information indication device provided in an exemplary embodiment of this application. The device includes:

[0190] The receiving module 1210 is used to receive a first signaling, which is used to indicate the relevant information of the secondary channel in the protected transmission opportunity TXOP that is in an idle state.

[0191] In some embodiments, the relevant information includes: time-domain information and / or frequency-domain information of the secondary channel in an idle state.

[0192] In some embodiments, the relevant information includes: time-domain information of the secondary channel in an idle state. The time-domain information includes: the duration of the secondary channel in an idle state.

[0193] In some embodiments, the relevant information includes: frequency domain information of the secondary channel in an idle state. The frequency domain information includes: a first bandwidth of the secondary channel in an idle state; or, a second bandwidth of the primary channel in an occupied state. The sum of the first bandwidth and the second bandwidth equals the total channel bandwidth used by the protected TXOP. The relevant information corresponding to the total channel bandwidth used by the protected TXOP is indicated by relevant fields or signaling of the TXOP.

[0194] In some embodiments, the first signaling is broadcast. For example, the first signaling is directed to all sites within the signal range of the access point. Alternatively, the first signaling is directed to a target site. For example, assuming the signal range of the access point includes a first site and a second site, the first signaling is directed to the first site. That is, the first signaling is directed to the first site.

[0195] In some embodiments, a protected TXOP refers to a TXOP protected in an RTS frame and / or MU RTS frame and / or CTS frame and / or CTS-to-self frame and / or a non-HT duplicate frame that does not contain a power-saving polling (PS-Poll) frame.

[0196] In some embodiments, the first signaling is carried based on the following two methods:

[0197] Method 1: The first signaling is carried in the first frame / second frame; for example, the first frame / second frame is an SCCF-end frame.

[0198] Method 2: The first signaling is carried in the first PPDU / second PPDU; for example, the first PPDU / second PPDU is a UHR MU PPDU.

[0199] Regarding method one:

[0200] In some embodiments, the first signaling is carried in the first frame. The first frame is used to indicate the time-domain information of the secondary channel in an idle state.

[0201] In some embodiments, the first frame is a new Media Access Control (MAC) based control frame. Optionally, the first frame is an SCCF-end frame.

[0202] For example, the frame format of the first frame is shown in Figure 8. The first frame includes a Frame Control field, a Duration field, a Receiver Address (RA) field, a Block Started by Symbol (BSS) Identity Document (ID) field, an Available Time field, a Primary Bandwidth field, and a Frame Check Sequence (FCS) field.

[0203] It is worth noting that the above fields are only used as examples in this application embodiment. In other possible embodiments, the order, number, hierarchical relationship between fields, and number of bits corresponding to each field may be other situations, and this application embodiment does not limit them.

[0204] In some embodiments, the Frame Control field is used to indicate basic information such as the frame type of the first frame. The Duration field is used to indicate the duration of the current TXOP. The RA field is used to indicate broadcast address information. The BSSID field is used to indicate the BSS identification information associated with the current TXOP. The Available Time field is used to indicate the duration of the secondary channel in an idle state as described in this embodiment. The Primary Bandwidth field is used to indicate the secondary bandwidth of the primary channel in an occupied state as described in this embodiment.

[0205] In some embodiments, the first frame includes a first field, which is used to indicate time-domain information.

[0206] In this embodiment of the application, the first field is the Available Time field shown in Figure 8, for example.

[0207] In some embodiments, when the first field takes the first value, the first field is used to indicate the duration of the secondary channel in an idle state. For example, assuming the Available Time field takes the value of 5, it means that the duration of the secondary channel in an idle state is 5 microseconds or milliseconds.

[0208] In some embodiments, when the value of the first field is non-zero, the value of the first field is used to indicate the duration of the secondary channel in an idle state. That is, when the value of the first field is greater than 0, the value of the first field is used to indicate the duration of the secondary channel in an idle state.

[0209] In some embodiments, when the value of the first field is zero, the value of the first field is used to instruct other sites to suspend the use of the idle secondary channel until the protected TXOP ends. For example, assuming the value of the Available Time field is 0, it means that the idle secondary channel is available from the current time until the protected TXOP ends.

[0210] In some embodiments, the first signaling is carried in the second frame. The second frame is used to indicate the frequency domain information of the secondary channel in an idle state.

[0211] In some embodiments, the second frame is a new MAC-based control frame. Optionally, the second frame is an SCCF-end frame. Optionally, the second frame and the first frame described above are the same frame.

[0212] In some embodiments, the second frame includes a second field for indicating frequency domain information.

[0213] In this embodiment of the application, the second field is the primary bandwidth field shown in Figure 8, as an example.

[0214] In some embodiments, the value or code point of the second field has a one-to-one correspondence with the first bandwidth; or, the value or code point of the second field has a one-to-one correspondence with the second bandwidth.

[0215] In some embodiments, the sum of the first bandwidth of the idle secondary channel and the second bandwidth of the occupied primary channel is equal to the total channel bandwidth used by the protected TXOP. That is, if the first bandwidth of the idle secondary channel is known, the second bandwidth of the occupied primary channel can be known. Or, if the second bandwidth of the occupied primary channel is known, the first bandwidth of the idle secondary channel can be known.

[0216] Regarding method two:

[0217] In some embodiments, the first signaling is carried in a first PPDU. The first PPDU is used to indicate the time-domain information of the secondary channel in an idle state. Specifically, the first PPDU carries a first signaling field, which is used to indicate the time-domain information of the secondary channel in an idle state.

[0218] In some embodiments, the first PPDU is a PPDU transmitted within a protected TXOP and before a secondary channel that is in an idle state. The first signaling field includes the general signaling field in the first PPDU. For example, as shown in FIG9, taking a UHR MU PPDU as an example, the first signaling field is the general signaling field shown in FIG9, and the first signaling is carried using the reserved field in its general signaling field.

[0219] In some embodiments, the first signaling field includes the following subfields:

[0220] The first subfield is used to indicate the meaning of the second subfield;

[0221] The second subfield is used to indicate time-domain information.

[0222] In this embodiment of the application, the first subfield is the TXOP flag field shown in Figure 9, and the second subfield is the TXOP field shown in Figure 9, as an example.

[0223] In some embodiments, when the first subfield takes the value of the second value, the second subfield is used to indicate the duration of the secondary channel in an idle state. For example, when the TXOP Flag field is set to 1, the TXOP field is used to indicate the duration of the secondary channel in an idle state.

[0224] In some embodiments, when the time length is less than a time threshold, the second sub-field takes a third value. The third value is an even number. The third value is determined based on the time length, the time threshold, and the maximum value of the second sub-field (hereinafter referred to as the maximum value). The third value is equal to twice the first target value, which is determined based on the time length, the time threshold, and the maximum value.

[0225] In some embodiments, the first target value is equal to the floor value of the quotient of the time length and the first value. The first value is equal to twice the quotient of the time threshold and the maximum value. For example, assuming the time length of the secondary channel in the idle state is T1, if T1 is less than 512 microseconds / milliseconds, then the value of the TXOP field is... in, This indicates rounding down. T1 / 8 represents the first target value, and (512 / 128)*2=8 represents the first value.

[0226] In some embodiments, when the time length is greater than or equal to a time threshold, the second sub-field takes a fourth value. The fourth value is an odd number. The fourth value is equal to twice the second target value plus one, and the second target value is determined based on the time length, the time threshold, and the maximum value of the second sub-field.

[0227] In some embodiments, the second target value is equal to the floor value of the quotient of the second value and the maximum value. The second value is equal to the difference between the time length and the time threshold. For example, assuming the time length of the secondary channel in the idle state is T1, if T1 is greater than or equal to 512 microseconds / milliseconds, then the value of the TXOP field is... in, This indicates rounding down. This represents the second target value. (T1-512) represents the third target value, and (T1-512) represents the second value.

[0228] In some embodiments, when the first subfield is set to the fifth value, the second subfield is used to indicate the duration of the protected TXOP. For example, when the TXOP Flag field is set to 0, the TXOP field is used to indicate the duration of the protected TXOP.

[0229] If the TXVECTOR parameter TXOP_DURATION is UNSPECIFIED, the TXOP field will have a value of 127, indicating that there is no duration information for the current TXOP. If the TXVECTOR parameter TXOP_DURATION is an integer value, the TXOP field will have a value less than 127 to represent the duration information for NAV settings and TXOP protection, as follows:

[0230] If the TXVECTOR parameter TXOP_DURATION is less than 512, then the value of the TXOP field is... in, This indicates rounding down to the nearest integer.

[0231] If the TXVECTOR parameter TXOP_DURATION is greater than or equal to 512, then the value of the TXOP field is... in, This indicates rounding down to the nearest integer.

[0232] In some embodiments, the first signaling is carried in a second PPDU. The second PPDU is used to indicate the frequency domain information of the secondary channel in an idle state. Specifically, the second PPDU carries a second signaling field, which is used to indicate the frequency domain information of the secondary channel in an idle state.

[0233] In some embodiments, the second PPDU is a PPDU transmitted within a protected TXOP and before a secondary channel that is in an idle state. The second signaling field includes the general signaling field in the second PPDU. For example, as shown in FIG9, taking a UHR MU PPDU as an example, the second signaling field is the general signaling field shown in FIG9, which carries the first signaling using a reserved field in its general signaling field.

[0234] In some embodiments, the second PPDU and the first PPDU described above are the same PPDU.

[0235] In some embodiments, when the second PPDU and the first PPDU are the same PPDU, the second signaling field and the first signaling field are the same signaling field.

[0236] In some embodiments, the second signaling field includes the following subfields:

[0237] The first subfield is used to indicate the meaning of the third subfield;

[0238] The third subfield is used to indicate frequency domain information.

[0239] In this embodiment of the application, the first subfield is the TXOP flag field shown in Figure 9, and the third subfield is the primary bandwidth field shown in Figure 9, as an example.

[0240] In some embodiments, when the first subfield takes the second value, the third subfield is used to indicate the first bandwidth of the secondary channel in an idle state, or the third subfield is used to indicate the second bandwidth of the primary channel in an occupied state. For example, when the TXOP Flag field is 1, the Primary Bandwidth field is used to indicate the second bandwidth of the primary channel in an occupied state.

[0241] In some embodiments, the value or code point of the third sub-field has a one-to-one correspondence with the first bandwidth; or, the value or code point of the third sub-field has a one-to-one correspondence with the second bandwidth.

[0242] For example, as shown in Table 1 above. When the value of the third subfield is 0, it indicates that the second bandwidth of the main channel in a occupied state is 20MHz; when the value of the third subfield is 1, it indicates that the second bandwidth of the main channel in a occupied state is 40MHz; when the value of the third subfield is 2, it indicates that the second bandwidth of the main channel in a occupied state is 80MHz; when the value of the third subfield is 3, it indicates that the second bandwidth of the main channel in a occupied state is 160MHz; when the value of the third subfield is any integer value other than 0 to 3, it indicates that the third subfield is a reserved field.

[0243] In some embodiments, when the first subfield takes the fifth value, the third subfield is a reserved subfield. For example, when the TXOP Flag field takes the value of 0, the Primary Bandwidth field is a reserved subfield.

[0244] In some embodiments, the above-described apparatus further includes:

[0245] Access module 1220 is used to access a secondary channel that is in an idle state when it receives the first signaling and meets the access conditions.

[0246] In some embodiments, the access condition includes: the transmission duration of at least one data unit is less than the duration of the secondary channel in an idle state.

[0247] In some embodiments, upon receiving a first signaling instruction, the secondary channel that is idle in the protected TXOP is considered accessible. In this case, the current station can choose to access the idle secondary channel in the protected TXOP indicated by the first signaling instruction and transmit at least one data unit on the idle secondary channel.

[0248] In some embodiments, the transmission duration corresponding to at least one data unit is less than or equal to the idle time of the secondary channel. That is, at least one data unit needs to be transmitted within the idle time of the secondary channel indicated by the first signaling. Alternatively, it can be understood that at least one data unit needs to complete transmission before the end of the idle time of the secondary channel. In other words, the data transmission process of at least one data unit is completed before the end of the idle time of the secondary channel.

[0249] In some embodiments, the transmission bandwidth corresponding to at least one data unit is less than or equal to the bandwidth of the secondary channel in an idle state.

[0250] In some embodiments, the above-described apparatus further includes:

[0251] The transmitting module 1230 is used to transmit at least one data unit on a secondary channel that is in an idle state.

[0252] In some embodiments, the transmission duration corresponding to at least one data unit is less than or equal to the duration of the secondary channel in an idle state.

[0253] Figure 16 shows a structural block diagram of a secondary channel information indication device provided in an exemplary embodiment of this application. The device includes:

[0254] The transmitting module 1310 is used to transmit a first signaling, which is used to indicate relevant information of the secondary channel in the protected TXOP that is in an idle state.

[0255] In some embodiments, the relevant information includes: time-domain information and / or frequency-domain information of the secondary channel in an idle state.

[0256] In some embodiments, the relevant information includes: time-domain information of the secondary channel in an idle state. The time-domain information includes: the duration of the secondary channel in an idle state.

[0257] In some embodiments, the relevant information includes: frequency domain information of the secondary channel in an idle state. The frequency domain information includes: a first bandwidth of the secondary channel in an idle state; or, a second bandwidth of the primary channel in an occupied state. The sum of the first bandwidth and the second bandwidth is equal to the total channel bandwidth used by the protected TXOP.

[0258] In some embodiments, the first signaling is broadcast. For example, the first signaling is directed to all sites within the signal range of the access point. Alternatively, the first signaling is directed to a target site. For example, assuming the signal range of the access point includes a first site and a second site, the first signaling is directed to the first site. That is, the first signaling is directed to the first site.

[0259] In some embodiments, a protected TXOP refers to a TXOP protected in an RTS frame and / or MURTS frame and / or CTS frame and / or CTS-to-self frame and / or a non-HT duplicate frame that does not contain a power-saving polling (PS-Poll) frame.

[0260] In some embodiments, the first signaling is carried based on the following two methods:

[0261] Method 1: The first signaling is carried in the first frame / second frame; for example, the first frame / second frame is an SCCF-end frame.

[0262] Method 2: The first signaling is carried in the first PPDU / second PPDU; for example, the first PPDU / second PPDU is a UHR MU PPDU.

[0263] Regarding method one:

[0264] In some embodiments, the first signaling is carried in the first frame. The first frame is used to indicate the time-domain information of the secondary channel in an idle state.

[0265] In some embodiments, the first frame is a new Media Access Control (MAC) based control frame. Optionally, the first frame is an SCCF-end frame.

[0266] For example, the frame format of the first frame is shown in Figure 8. The first frame includes a Frame Control field, a Duration field, a Receiver Address (RA) field, a Block Started by Symbol (BSS) Identity Document (ID) field, an Available Time field, a Primary Bandwidth field, and a Frame Check Sequence (FCS) field.

[0267] It is worth noting that the above fields are only used as examples in this application embodiment. In other possible embodiments, the order, number, hierarchical relationship between fields, and number of bits corresponding to each field may be other situations, and this application embodiment does not limit them.

[0268] In some embodiments, the Frame Control field is used to indicate basic information such as the frame type of the first frame. The Duration field is used to indicate the duration of the current TXOP. The RA field is used to indicate broadcast address information. The BSSID field is used to indicate the BSS identification information associated with the current TXOP. The Available Time field is used to indicate the duration of the secondary channel in an idle state as described in this embodiment. The Primary Bandwidth field is used to indicate the secondary bandwidth of the primary channel in an occupied state as described in this embodiment.

[0269] In some embodiments, the first frame includes a first field, which is used to indicate time-domain information.

[0270] In this embodiment of the application, the first field is the Available Time field shown in Figure 8, for example.

[0271] In some embodiments, when the first field takes the first value, the first field is used to indicate the duration of the secondary channel in an idle state. For example, assuming the Available Time field takes the value of 5, it means that the duration of the secondary channel in an idle state is 5 microseconds or milliseconds.

[0272] In some embodiments, when the value of the first field is non-zero, the value of the first field is used to indicate the duration of the secondary channel in an idle state. That is, when the value of the first field is greater than 0, the value of the first field is used to indicate the duration of the secondary channel in an idle state.

[0273] In some embodiments, when the value of the first field is zero, the value of the first field is used to instruct other sites to suspend the use of the idle secondary channel until the protected TXOP ends. For example, assuming the value of the Available Time field is 0, it means that the idle secondary channel is available from the current time until the protected TXOP ends.

[0274] In some embodiments, the first signaling is carried in the second frame. The second frame is used to indicate the frequency domain information of the secondary channel in an idle state.

[0275] In some embodiments, the second frame is a new MAC-based control frame. Optionally, the second frame is an SCCF-end frame. Optionally, the second frame and the first frame described above are the same frame.

[0276] In some embodiments, the second frame includes a second field for indicating frequency domain information.

[0277] In this embodiment of the application, the second field is the primary bandwidth field shown in Figure 8, as an example.

[0278] In some embodiments, the value or code point of the second field has a one-to-one correspondence with the first bandwidth; or, the value or code point of the second field has a one-to-one correspondence with the second bandwidth.

[0279] In some embodiments, the sum of the first bandwidth of the idle secondary channel and the second bandwidth of the occupied primary channel is equal to the total channel bandwidth used by the protected TXOP. That is, if the first bandwidth of the idle secondary channel is known, the second bandwidth of the occupied primary channel can be known. Or, if the second bandwidth of the occupied primary channel is known, the first bandwidth of the idle secondary channel can be known.

[0280] Regarding method two:

[0281] In some embodiments, the first signaling is carried in a first PPDU. The first PPDU is used to indicate the time-domain information of the secondary channel in an idle state. Specifically, the first PPDU carries a first signaling field, which is used to indicate the time-domain information of the secondary channel in an idle state.

[0282] In some embodiments, the first PPDU is a PPDU transmitted within a protected TXOP and before a secondary channel that is in an idle state. The first signaling field includes the general signaling field in the first PPDU. For example, as shown in FIG9, taking a UHR MU PPDU as an example, the first signaling field is the general signaling field shown in FIG9, and the first signaling is carried using the reserved field in its general signaling field.

[0283] In some embodiments, the first signaling field includes the following subfields:

[0284] The first subfield is used to indicate the meaning of the second subfield;

[0285] The second subfield is used to indicate time-domain information.

[0286] In this embodiment of the application, the first subfield is the TXOP flag field shown in Figure 9, and the second subfield is the TXOP field shown in Figure 9, as an example.

[0287] In some embodiments, when the first subfield takes the value of the second value, the second subfield is used to indicate the duration of the secondary channel in an idle state. For example, when the TXOP Flag field is set to 1, the TXOP field is used to indicate the duration of the secondary channel in an idle state.

[0288] In some embodiments, when the time length is less than a time threshold, the second sub-field takes a third value. The third value is an even number. The third value is determined based on the time length, the time threshold, and the maximum value of the second sub-field (hereinafter referred to as the maximum value). The third value is equal to twice the first target value, which is determined based on the time length, the time threshold, and the maximum value.

[0289] In some embodiments, the first target value is equal to the floor value of the quotient of the time length and the first value. The first value is equal to twice the quotient of the time threshold and the maximum value. For example, assuming the time length of the secondary channel in the idle state is T1, if T1 is less than 512 microseconds / milliseconds, then the value of the TXOP field is... in, This indicates rounding down. T1 / 8 represents the first target value, and (512 / 128)*2=8 represents the first value.

[0290] In some embodiments, when the time length is greater than or equal to a time threshold, the second sub-field takes a fourth value. The fourth value is an odd number. The fourth value is equal to twice the second target value plus one, and the second target value is determined based on the time length, the time threshold, and the maximum value of the second sub-field.

[0291] In some embodiments, the second target value is equal to the floor value of the quotient of the second value and the maximum value. The second value is equal to the difference between the time length and the time threshold. For example, assuming the time length of the secondary channel in the idle state is T1, if T1 is greater than or equal to 512 microseconds / milliseconds, then the value of the TXOP field is... in, This indicates rounding down. This represents the second target value. (T1-512) represents the third target value, and (T1-512) represents the second value.

[0292] In some embodiments, when the first subfield is set to the fifth value, the second subfield is used to indicate the duration of the protected TXOP. For example, when the TXOP Flag field is set to 0, the TXOP field is used to indicate the duration of the protected TXOP.

[0293] If the TXVECTOR parameter TXOP_DURATION is UNSPECIFIED, the TXOP field will have a value of 127, indicating that there is no duration information for the current TXOP. If the TXVECTOR parameter TXOP_DURATION is an integer value, the TXOP field will have a value less than 127 to represent the duration information for NAV settings and TXOP protection, as follows:

[0294] If the TXVECTOR parameter TXOP_DURATION is less than 512, then the value of the TXOP field is... in, This indicates rounding down to the nearest integer.

[0295] If the TXVECTOR parameter TXOP_DURATION is greater than or equal to 512, then the value of the TXOP field is... in, This indicates rounding down to the nearest integer.

[0296] In some embodiments, the first signaling is carried in a second PPDU. The second PPDU is used to indicate the frequency domain information of the secondary channel in an idle state. Specifically, the second PPDU carries a second signaling field, which is used to indicate the frequency domain information of the secondary channel in an idle state.

[0297] In some embodiments, the second PPDU is a PPDU transmitted within a protected TXOP and before a secondary channel that is in an idle state. The second signaling field includes the general signaling field in the second PPDU. For example, as shown in FIG9, taking a UHR MU PPDU as an example, the second signaling field is the general signaling field shown in FIG9, which carries the first signaling using a reserved field in its general signaling field.

[0298] In some embodiments, the second PPDU and the first PPDU described above are the same PPDU.

[0299] In some embodiments, when the second PPDU and the first PPDU are the same PPDU, the second signaling field and the first signaling field are the same signaling field.

[0300] In some embodiments, the second signaling field includes the following subfields:

[0301] The first subfield is used to indicate the meaning of the third subfield;

[0302] The third subfield is used to indicate frequency domain information.

[0303] In this embodiment of the application, the first subfield is the TXOP flag field shown in Figure 9, and the third subfield is the primary bandwidth field shown in Figure 9, as an example.

[0304] In some embodiments, when the first subfield takes the second value, the third subfield is used to indicate the first bandwidth of the secondary channel in an idle state, or the third subfield is used to indicate the second bandwidth of the primary channel in an occupied state. For example, when the TXOP Flag field is 1, the Primary Bandwidth field is used to indicate the second bandwidth of the primary channel in an occupied state.

[0305] In some embodiments, the value or code point of the third sub-field has a one-to-one correspondence with the first bandwidth; or, the value or code point of the third sub-field has a one-to-one correspondence with the second bandwidth.

[0306] For example, as shown in Table 1 above. When the value of the third subfield is 0, it indicates that the second bandwidth of the main channel in a occupied state is 20MHz; when the value of the third subfield is 1, it indicates that the second bandwidth of the main channel in a occupied state is 40MHz; when the value of the third subfield is 2, it indicates that the second bandwidth of the main channel in a occupied state is 80MHz; when the value of the third subfield is 3, it indicates that the second bandwidth of the main channel in a occupied state is 160MHz; when the value of the third subfield is any integer value other than 0 to 3, it indicates that the third subfield is a reserved field.

[0307] In some embodiments, when the first subfield takes the fifth value, the third subfield is a reserved subfield. For example, when the TXOP Flag field takes the value of 0, the Primary Bandwidth field is a reserved subfield.

[0308] In some embodiments, the above-mentioned apparatus includes:

[0309] The receiving module 1320 is used to receive at least one data unit transmitted on a secondary channel that is in an idle state.

[0310] In some embodiments, when the current station receives the first signaling, it is considered that the secondary channel in the protected TXOP that is idle is accessible. In this case, the current station can choose to access the secondary channel in the protected TXOP that is idle, as indicated by the first signaling, and transmit at least one data unit on the idle secondary channel. The access point also needs to receive at least one data unit on the idle secondary channel.

[0311] In some embodiments, the transmission duration corresponding to at least one data unit is less than or equal to the idle time of the secondary channel. That is, at least one data unit needs to be transmitted within the idle time of the secondary channel indicated by the first signaling. Or, it can be understood that at least one data unit needs to complete the transmission before the end of the idle time of the secondary channel.

[0312] In some embodiments, the transmission bandwidth corresponding to at least one data unit is less than or equal to the bandwidth of the secondary channel in an idle state.

[0313] It should be noted that the device provided in the above embodiments is only illustrated by the division of the above functional modules when implementing its functions. In actual applications, the above functions can be assigned to different functional modules according to actual needs, that is, the content structure of the device can be divided into different functional modules to complete all or part of the functions described above.

[0314] Figure 17 shows a schematic diagram of a communication device provided in one embodiment of this application. The communication device may include: a processor 901, a receiver 902, a transmitter 903, a memory 904, and a bus 905.

[0315] The processor 901 includes one or more processing cores. The processor 901 executes various functional applications and information processing by running software programs and modules.

[0316] The receiver 902 and the transmitter 903 can be implemented as a transceiver 906, which can be a communication chip.

[0317] The memory 904 is connected to the processor 901 via a bus 905. The memory 904 can be used to store computer programs, and the processor 901 can be used to execute the computer programs to implement the various steps performed by the AP and / or STA in the above method embodiments.

[0318] Furthermore, the memory 904 can be implemented by any type of volatile or non-volatile storage device or a combination thereof, including but not limited to: RAM (Random-Access Memory) and ROM (Read-Only Memory), EPROM (Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory), EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory), flash memory or other solid-state storage technologies, CD-ROM (Compact Disc Read-Only Memory), DVD (Digital Video Disc) or other optical storage, magnetic tape cassettes, magnetic tape, disk storage or other magnetic storage devices.

[0319] This application also provides a computer-readable storage medium storing a computer program used by a processor of a communication device to implement the various steps in the above-described wireless signal transmission and / or reception methods. In some embodiments, the computer-readable storage medium may include ROM (Read-Only Memory), RAM (Random-Access Memory), SSD (Solid State Drives), or optical disc, etc. The random access memory may include ReRAM (Resistance Random Access Memory) and DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory).

[0320] This application also provides a chip, which includes programmable logic circuits and / or program instructions, and when the chip is running on a terminal or network device, it is used to implement the various steps in the above-mentioned secondary channel information indication method.

[0321] This application also provides a computer program product or computer program, which includes computer instructions stored in a computer-readable storage medium. The processor of a terminal or network device reads and executes the computer instructions from the computer-readable storage medium to implement the various steps in the above-described secondary channel information indication method.

[0322] Those skilled in the art will recognize that the functions described in the embodiments of this application in one or more of the above examples can be implemented using hardware, software, firmware, or any combination thereof. When implemented using software, these functions can be stored in a computer-readable medium or transmitted as one or more instructions or code on a computer-readable medium. Computer-readable media include computer storage media and communication media, wherein communication media include any medium that facilitates the transfer of a computer program from one place to another. Storage media can be any available medium that can be accessed by a general-purpose or special-purpose computer.

[0323] The above description is merely an exemplary embodiment of this application and is not intended to limit this application. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the spirit and principles of this application should be included within the protection scope of this application.

Claims

1. A method for indicating information of a secondary channel, characterized in that, The method is performed by a station, and the method comprises: receiving first signaling, the first signaling being used to indicate related information of a secondary channel in an idle state in a protected transmission opportunity (TXOP).

2. The method of claim 1, wherein, The related information comprises: time domain information and / or frequency domain information of the secondary channel in the idle state.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein, The time domain information comprises: a time length of the secondary channel in the idle state.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein, The frequency domain information comprises: a first bandwidth of the secondary channel in the idle state; or a second bandwidth of a primary channel in an occupied state; a sum of the first bandwidth and the second bandwidth being equal to a total bandwidth of channels used in the protected TXOP.

5. The method according to any one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that, The first signaling is carried in a first frame, and the first frame comprises: a first field, the first field being used to indicate the time domain information.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein in a case where a value of the first field is a first value, the first field is used to indicate the time length of the secondary channel in the idle state.

7. The method of claim 5, wherein in a case where the value of the first field is a non-zero value, the value of the first field is used to indicate the time length of the secondary channel in the idle state; and in a case where the value of the first field is a zero value, the value of the first field is used to indicate that other stations suspend use of the secondary channel in the idle state until the protected TXOP ends.

8. The method according to any one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that, The first signaling is carried in a second frame, and the second frame comprises: a second field, the second field being used to indicate the frequency domain information.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein a value or code point of the second field has a one-to-one correspondence relationship with the first bandwidth of the secondary channel in the idle state; or the value or code point of the second field has a one-to-one correspondence relationship with the second bandwidth of the primary channel in the occupied state.

10. The method according to any one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that, The first signaling is carried in a first physical layer protocol data unit (PPDU), and the first PPDU carries a first signaling field, and the first signaling field comprises the following subfields: a first subfield, the first subfield being used to indicate a meaning of a second subfield; the second subfield, the second subfield being used to indicate the time domain information.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein in a case where a value of the first subfield is a second value, the second subfield is used to indicate the time length of the secondary channel in the idle state.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein in a case where the time length is less than a time threshold, a value of the second subfield is a third value, the third value is an even value, and the third value is determined based on the time length, the time threshold, and a maximum value of the second subfield.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the third value is equal to twice a first target value, the first target value is equal to a down-rounded value of a quotient of the time length and a first value, and the first value is equal to twice a quotient of the time threshold and a maximum value.

14. The method of claim 11, wherein, in a case that the time length is greater than or equal to a time threshold, the second subfield has a fourth value, the fourth value is an odd number, and the fourth value is determined based on the time length, the time threshold, and a maximum value of the second subfield.

15. The method of claim 12, wherein, the fourth value is equal to twice a second target value plus one, the second target value is equal to a floor of a quotient of a second value and the maximum value, and the second value is equal to a difference between the time length and the time threshold.

16. The method of claim 10, wherein, in a case that the first subfield has a fifth value, the second subfield is used to indicate the time length of the protected TXOP.

17. The method of any of claims 10-16, wherein, the first PPDU is a PPDU transmitted within the protected TXOP and before the secondary channel in the idle state; the first signaling field comprises a general signaling field in the first PPDU.

18. The method of any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein, the first signaling is carried in a second PPDU, the second PPDU carrying a second signaling field, the second signaling field comprising subfields of: a first subfield used to indicate a meaning of a third subfield; the third subfield used to indicate the frequency domain information.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein, in a case that the first subfield has a second value, the third subfield is used to indicate a first bandwidth of the secondary channel in the idle state, or the third subfield is used to indicate a second bandwidth of the primary channel in the occupied state.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein, a value or codepoint of the third subfield has a one-to-one correspondence with the first bandwidth; or a value or codepoint of the third subfield has a one-to-one correspondence with the second bandwidth.

21. The method of claim 18, wherein, in a case that the first subfield has a fifth value, the third subfield is a reserved subfield.

22. The method of any of claims 18-21, wherein, the second PPDU is a PPDU transmitted within the protected TXOP and before the secondary channel in the idle state; the second signaling field comprises a general signaling field in the second PPDU.

23. The method of any one of claims 1 to 22, wherein, the method further comprises: in a case that the first signaling is received and an access condition is satisfied, accessing the secondary channel in the idle state; wherein the access condition comprises: a transmission time length of at least one data unit is less than a time length of the secondary channel in the idle state.

24. The method of claim 23, wherein, the data transmission process of the at least one data unit is completed before the time length of the secondary channel in the idle state ends.

25. A method for indicating information of a secondary channel, the method comprising: the method is performed by an access point, the method comprising: transmit first signaling, the first signaling being used to indicate relevant information of a secondary channel in an idle state in a protected TXOP.

26. The method of claim 25, wherein, The relevant information comprises: time domain information and / or frequency domain information of the secondary channel in the idle state.

27. The method of claim 26, wherein, The time domain information comprises: a time length of the secondary channel in the idle state.

28. The method of claim 26, wherein, The frequency domain information comprises: a first bandwidth of the secondary channel in the idle state; or, a second bandwidth of a primary channel in an occupied state; a sum of the first bandwidth and the second bandwidth being equal to a total bandwidth of channels used in the protected TXOP.

29. The method of any one of claims 26 to 28, wherein, The first signaling is carried in a first frame, the first frame comprising: a first field, the first field being used to indicate the time domain information.

30. The method of claim 29, wherein, in a case where a value of the first field is a first value, the first field is used to indicate the time length of the secondary channel in the idle state.

31. The method of claim 29, wherein, in a case where the value of the first field is a non-zero value, the value of the first field is used to indicate the time length of the secondary channel in the idle state; and in a case where the value of the first field is a zero value, the value of the first field is used to indicate that other stations suspend using the secondary channel in the idle state until the protected TXOP ends.

32. The method of any one of claims 26 to 28, wherein, The first signaling is carried in a second frame, the second frame comprising: a second field, the second field being used to indicate the frequency domain information.

33. The method of claim 32, wherein, a value or code point of the second field has a one-to-one correspondence with the first bandwidth of the secondary channel in the idle state; or a value or code point of the second field has a one-to-one correspondence with the second bandwidth of the primary channel in the occupied state.

34. The method of any one of claims 26 to 28, wherein, The first signaling is carried in a first PPDU, the first PPDU carrying a first signaling field, the first signaling field comprising subfields as follows: a first subfield, the first subfield being used to indicate a meaning of a second subfield; the second subfield, the second subfield being used to indicate the time domain information.

35. The method of claim 34, wherein, in a case where a value of the first subfield is a second value, the second subfield is used to indicate the time length of the secondary channel in the idle state.

36. The method of claim 35, wherein, in a case where the time length is less than a time threshold, a value of the second subfield is a third value, the third value being an even value, and the third value being determined based on the time length, the time threshold and a maximum value of the second subfield.

37. The method of claim 36, wherein, the third value is equal to twice a first target value, the first target value being equal to a floor value of a quotient of the time length and a first value, the first value being equal to twice a quotient of the time threshold and the maximum value of the second subfield.

38. The method of claim 35, wherein, In a case where the time length is greater than or equal to the time threshold, the second subfield has a fourth value, the fourth value is an odd number, and the fourth value is determined based on the time length, the time threshold, and a maximum value of the second subfield.

39. The method of claim 36, wherein, the fourth value is equal to twice a second target value plus one, the second target value is equal to a down integer of a quotient of the second value and the maximum value, and the second value is equal to a difference between the time length and the time threshold.

40. The method of claim 34, wherein, in a case where the first subfield has a fifth value, the second subfield is used to indicate the time length of the protected TXOP.

41. The method of any of claims 34-40, wherein, the first PPDU is a PPDU transmitted within the protected TXOP and before the secondary channel in the idle state; the first signaling field comprises a general signaling field in the first PPDU.

42. The method of any one of claims 26 to 28, wherein, the first signaling is carried in a second PPDU, the second PPDU carrying a second signaling field, the second signaling field comprising subfields of: a first subfield used to indicate a meaning of a third subfield; the third subfield used to indicate the frequency domain information.

43. The method of claim 42, wherein, in a case where the first subfield has a second value, the third subfield is used to indicate a first bandwidth of the secondary channel in the idle state, or the third subfield is used to indicate a second bandwidth of the primary channel in the occupied state.

44. The method of claim 43, wherein, a value or codepoint of the third subfield has a one-to-one correspondence with the first bandwidth; or a value or codepoint of the third subfield has a one-to-one correspondence with the second bandwidth.

45. The method of claim 42, wherein, in a case where the first subfield has a fifth value, the third subfield is a reserved subfield.

46. The method of any of claims 42-45, wherein, the second PPDU is a PPDU transmitted within the protected TXOP and before the secondary channel in the idle state; the second signaling field comprises a general signaling field in the second PPDU.

47. The method of any one of claims 25 to 46, wherein, The method further comprises: receiving at least one data unit sent on the secondary channel in the idle state.

48. The method of claim 47, wherein, a transmission duration corresponding to the at least one data unit is less than or equal to the time length of the secondary channel in the idle state.

49. A secondary channel information indication device, characterized in that, The apparatus comprises: a receiving module configured to receive first signaling, the first signaling used to indicate related information of a secondary channel in an idle state in a protected TXOP.

50. A secondary channel information indication device, characterized in that, The apparatus comprises: The sending module is configured to send first signaling, wherein the first signaling is used to indicate related information of a secondary channel in an idle state in a protected TXOP.

51. A communications device, characterized by The communication device comprises: a processor; a transceiver connected to the processor; a memory for storing executable instructions of the processor; wherein the processor is configured to load and execute the executable instructions to implement the method for indicating information of a secondary channel according to any one of claims 1 to 48.

52. A computer-readable storage medium, comprising: The computer readable storage medium stores a computer program, and the computer program is loaded and executed by the communication device to implement the method for indicating information of a secondary channel according to any one of claims 1 to 48.

53. A computer program product, characterised in that, The computer program product comprises computer instructions stored in a computer readable storage medium, and the communication device acquires the computer instructions from the computer readable storage medium, so that the processor loads and executes to implement the method for indicating information of a secondary channel according to any one of claims 1 to 48.

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