Association method and apparatus, device, medium, and product

Abstract

An association method and apparatus, a device, a medium, and a product, relating to the field of communications. The method comprises: when there is a primary association with a first access point (AP), establishing a secondary association with a second AP. The method provided in the present application supports a first STA in establishing a secondary association with a second AP when a primary association has been established with a first AP. In this case, the first STA can not only communicate with the first AP by means of the primary association, but can also communicate with the second AP by means of the secondary association, thereby enabling the first STA to flexibly use channel resources. Compared with the prior art, which only support the first STA in establishing an association with a single AP, the method shown in the present application supports the first STA in establishing associations with multiple APs, that is, the method supports the first STA in selecting at least one AP from among multiple APs for communication, so that occurrences of the first STA contending for a channel can be reduced as much as possible, thereby improving transmission efficiency.

Description

Association method, device, apparatus, medium and product TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to the field of communication, in particular to an association method, device, apparatus, medium and product. BACKGROUND

[0002] The state of establishing a communication connection between a STA (Station) and an AP (Access Point) is called association. After the STA is associated with the AP, the STA can access the AP or the AP can provide services for the STA. In the related art, a STA is allowed to establish association with one AP to access the AP.

[0003] SUMMARY

[0004] Embodiments of the present application provide an association method, device, apparatus, medium and product, and the technical solutions are as follows:

[0005] According to an aspect of the present application, an association method is provided, the method is performed by a first STA, and the method comprises:

[0006] establishing secondary association with a second AP in the case that primary association exists between the first STA and a first AP.

[0007] According to an aspect of the present application, an association method is provided, the method is performed by a second AP, and the method comprises:

[0008] establishing secondary association with a first STA in the case that primary association exists between the first STA and a first AP.

[0009] According to an aspect of the present application, an association method is provided, the method is performed by a first AP, and the method comprises:

[0010] receiving an MPDU sent by a first STA through a second AP, secondary association exists between the first STA and the second AP, and the secondary association is established in the case that primary association exists between the first STA and the first AP.

[0011] According to an aspect of the present application, an association device is provided, and the device comprises:

[0012] a first association module, configured to establish secondary association with a second AP in the case that primary association exists between the first AP and the second AP.

[0013] According to an aspect of the present application, an association device is provided, and the device comprises:

[0014] a second association module, configured to establish secondary association with a first STA in the case that primary association exists between the first STA and a first AP.

[0015] According to an aspect of the present application, there is provided an association device, the device comprising:

[0016] a third receiving module configured to receive an MPDU sent by a first STA through a second AP, the first STA having a secondary association with the second AP, the secondary association being established when the first STA has a primary association with the first AP.

[0017] According to an aspect of the present application, there is provided a first STA, the first STA comprising: 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 association method.

[0018] According to an aspect of the present application, there is provided a second AP, the second AP comprising: 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 association method.

[0019] According to an aspect of the present application, there is provided a first AP, the first AP comprising: 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 association method.

[0020] According to an aspect of the present application, there is provided a computer readable storage medium, the computer readable storage medium storing at least one program, the at least one program being loaded and executed by a processor to implement the association method.

[0021] According to an aspect of the present application, there is provided a chip, the chip comprising programmable logic circuit and / or program instructions, when the chip is running on a terminal device or a network device, for implementing the association method.

[0022] According to an aspect of the present application, there is provided a computer program product, the computer program product comprising computer instructions, the computer instructions being stored in a computer readable storage medium, a processor acquiring the computer instructions from the computer readable storage medium, the processor executing the computer instructions to implement the association method.

[0023] The technical solutions provided by the embodiments of the present application have at least the following beneficial effects:

[0024] Support the first STA to establish secondary association with the second AP in the case of establishing primary association with the first AP, at this time, the first STA can not only communicate with the first AP through the primary association, but also communicate with the second AP through the secondary association, so that the first STA can flexibly use the channel resource, compared with the related art which only supports the first STA to establish association with one AP, the method shown in the application supports the first STA to establish association with multiple APs (that is, supports the first STA to select at least one AP for communication from multiple APs), which can reduce the event of the first STA competing for the channel as much as possible, and improves the transmission efficiency. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0025] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application, the drawings needed to be used in the embodiment description will be briefly introduced. Obviously, the drawings in the following description are only some embodiments of the present application, and other drawings can be obtained by those skilled in the art without creative labor.

[0026] FIG. 1 shows a schematic diagram of a wireless communication system provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0027] FIG. 2 shows a schematic diagram of a PPDU frame format in the related art;

[0028] FIG. 3 shows a schematic diagram of the format of a general signal field in the related art;

[0029] FIG. 4 shows a schematic diagram of the format of a general signal field in the related art;

[0030] FIG. 5 shows a schematic diagram of a frame format in the related art;

[0031] FIG. 6 shows a schematic diagram of the format of a basic multi-link element in the related art;

[0032] FIG. 7 shows a schematic diagram of the format of a STA control field in the related art;

[0033] FIG. 8 shows a schematic diagram of the format of a STA information field in the related art;

[0034] FIG. 9 shows a schematic diagram of a wireless communication system provided by an example embodiment of the present application;

[0035] FIG. 10 shows a flowchart of an association method provided by an example embodiment of the present application;

[0036] FIG. 11 shows a flowchart of an association method provided by an example embodiment of the present application;

[0037] FIG. 12 shows a flowchart of an association method provided by an example embodiment of the present application;

[0038] FIG. 13 shows a schematic diagram of an association method according to an example embodiment of the present application;

[0039] FIG. 14 shows a schematic diagram of an association method according to an example embodiment of the present application;

[0040] FIG. 15 shows a schematic diagram of an association method according to an example embodiment of the present application;

[0041] FIG. 16 shows a schematic diagram of an association method according to an example embodiment of the present application;

[0042] FIG. 17 shows a schematic diagram of an association method according to an example embodiment of the present application;

[0043] FIG. 18 shows a service architecture diagram based on secondary association according to an example embodiment of the present application;

[0044] FIG. 19 shows a flowchart of a process of establishing secondary association according to an example embodiment of the present application;

[0045] FIG. 20 shows a schematic diagram of a format of a STA control field in a modified basic multi-link element according to an example embodiment of the present application;

[0046] FIG. 21 shows a schematic diagram of a format of a STA information field in a modified basic multi-link element according to an example embodiment of the present application;

[0047] FIG. 22 shows a schematic diagram of a format of a BSS color element according to an example embodiment of the present application;

[0048] FIG. 23 shows a schematic diagram of a format of a channel information element according to an example embodiment of the present application;

[0049] FIG. 24 shows a schematic diagram of a format of a set of NPCA parameters according to an example embodiment of the present application;

[0050] FIG. 25 shows a schematic diagram of a format of a relay element according to an example embodiment of the present application;

[0051] FIG. 26 shows a schematic diagram of a frame structure of a de-association frame according to an example embodiment of the present application;

[0052] FIG. 27 shows a structural block diagram of an association apparatus according to an example embodiment of the present application;

[0053] FIG. 28 shows a structural block diagram of an association apparatus according to an example embodiment of the present application;

[0054] FIG. 29 shows a structural block diagram of an association apparatus according to an example embodiment of the present application;

[0055] FIG. 30 shows a structure diagram of a wireless device according to some embodiments of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0056] For the purpose of clarity, technical solution and advantages of the present application will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following description, same numbers in different drawings represent same or similar elements unless otherwise represented. The embodiments described in the following exemplary embodiments are not meant to represent all embodiments consistent with the present application. Rather, they are merely examples of apparatuses and methods consistent with some aspects of the present application as detailed in the appended claims.

[0057] The terminology used in the present application is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the present application. As used in the present application and the appended claims, the singular forms "a," "an" and "the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms "and / or," as used herein, refers to and encompasses any and all possible combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

[0058] It is to be understood that the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. It is to be further understood that the terms "and / or" as used herein refer to and encompasses any and all possible combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

[0059] FIG. 1 shows a diagram of a wireless communication system according to an embodiment of the present application. As shown in FIG. 1, the wireless communication system can include an access point 110 and a station 120.

[0060] In some scenarios, the AP 110 is referred to as an AP STA, i.e., in some sense, the AP 110 is also a kind of STA. In some scenarios, the STA 120 is referred to as a non-AP STA.

[0061] In some embodiments, the STAs 120 can include AP STAs and non-AP STAs. The communications in the communication system can be between an AP and a non-AP STA, between non-AP STAs, or between a STA and a peer STA. The peer STA can refer to a device that communicates with the STA 120. For example, the peer STA can be an AP or a non-AP STA.

[0062] The AP 110 can be a bridge connecting wired and wireless networks, and mainly functions to connect various wireless network clients together and then access the wireless network to the Ethernet. The AP device can be a terminal device (e.g., a mobile phone) or a network device (e.g., a router) with a wireless fidelity (WIFI) chip.

[0063] It should be understood that the role of the STA 120 in the communication system is not absolute. For example, in some scenarios, when a mobile phone connects to a router, the mobile phone is a non-AP STA. In another scenario, when the mobile phone serves as a hotspot for other mobile phones, the mobile phone acts as an AP.

[0064] The AP 110 and the non-AP STA 120 can be devices applied in the Internet of Vehicles, Internet of Things (IoT) nodes, sensors, smart cameras, smart remote controllers, smart water meters, smart electricity meters, and sensors in smart cities.

[0065] In some embodiments, the non-AP STA 120 can support the 802.11be standard. The non-AP STA 120 can also support the 802.11ax, 802.11ac, 802.11n, 802.11g, 802.11b, 802.11a, and other current and future WLAN standards of the 802.11 family.

[0066] In some embodiments, the AP 110 can be a device supporting the 802.11be standard. The AP 110 can also be a device supporting the 802.11ax, 802.11ac, 802.11n, 802.11g, 802.11b, 802.11a, and other current and future WLAN standards of the 802.11 family.

[0067] It should be noted that the above-mentioned protocols are only examples, and the protocols supported by the AP 110 and the STA 120 are not limited to the above-mentioned protocols.

[0068] In the embodiments of the present application, the STA 120 can be a mobile phone, a tablet computer, a computer, a virtual reality (VR) device, an augmented reality (AR) device, a wireless device in industrial control, a set-top box, a wireless device in self driving, a vehicle-mounted communication device, a wireless device in remote medical treatment, a wireless device in smart grid, a wireless device in transportation safety, a wireless device in smart city, a wireless device in smart home, a wireless communication chip, an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), a SOC (System on Chip), and the like supporting WLAN / WIFI technology.

[0069] The WLAN technology can support frequency bands, which can include but are not limited to low frequency bands (2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, 6 GHz) and high frequency bands (45 GHz, 60 GHz).

[0070] There is one or more links between the station and the access point. In some embodiments, the station and the access point support multi-band communication. For example, communication is carried out simultaneously on 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, 6 GHz, 45 GHz and 60 GHz frequency bands, or communication is carried out simultaneously on different channels of the same frequency band (or different frequency bands), improving the communication throughput and / or reliability between devices. Such devices are often referred to as multi-band devices, or as multi-link devices (MLD), and sometimes as multi-link entities or multi-band entities. The multi-link device can be an access point device or a station device. If the multi-link device is an access point device, the multi-link device contains one or more APs; if the multi-link device is a station device, the multi-link device contains one or more non-AP STAs.

[0071] The multi-link device containing one or more APs can be referred to as an AP MLD, and the multi-link device containing one or more non-AP STAs can be referred to as a Non-AP MLD.

[0072] In the embodiments of the present application, the AP MLD can include multiple APs, the Non-AP MLD includes multiple STAs, multiple links can be formed between the APs in the AP MLD and the STAs in the Non-AP MLD, and the APs in the AP MLD and the corresponding STAs in the Non-AP MLD can perform data communication through the corresponding links.

[0073] The AP 110 is a device deployed in a wireless local area network to provide wireless communication functions for the STA 120. The STA 120 can include a user equipment (UE), an access terminal, a user unit, a user station, a mobile station, a mobile station, a remote station, a remote terminal, a mobile device, a wireless communication device, a user agent, or a user device. Optionally, the STA 120 can also be a cellular phone, a cordless phone, a Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) phone, a Wireless Local Loop (WLL) station, a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA), a handheld device with wireless communication functions, a computing device, or other processing devices connected to a wireless modem, a vehicle-mounted device, a wearable device, and the like. The embodiments of the present application are not limited thereto.

[0074] Some terms related to the embodiments of the present application are introduced as follows:

[0075] Association: used to establish a mapping between a STA and an AP or a personal basic service set control point, and to ensure that the STA can invoke distribution system services. That is, another most basic component unit of the WLAN is the AP, and the STA can establish a communication connection with the AP to perform data transmission through the AP. The state of establishing a communication connection between the STA and the AP is called association. That is, after the STA is associated with the AP, the STA can access the AP, or the AP can provide services for the STA.

[0076] Association Identifier (AID): used to identify a terminal associated with an access point.

[0077] Medium Access Control (MAC): a media access control protocol, or a media access control address.

[0078] Transmission Opportunity (TXOP): refers to a period of time, during which a device having the transmission opportunity can actively initiate one or more transmissions.

[0079] Channel Bonding: a technology that binds two or more adjacent channels for use. For example, two 20MHz channels are bound to form a 40MHz channel; four 20MHz channels are bound to form an 80MHz channel. The channels thus bound can be divided into a primary channel and a non-primary channel (also referred to as a secondary channel), where the channels included in the primary channel are all adjacent, and the channels included in the non-primary channel are also all adjacent. Generally, the primary channel transmits beacon messages (beacon frames, periodically issued by an AP at certain time intervals to inform the outside world of the existence of its wireless network) and part of data messages, and the secondary channel transmits other messages.

[0080] NAV (Network Allocation Vector): used to avoid conflicts in data transmission and ensure that devices in the network can orderly send and receive data.

[0081] OBSS (Overlapping Basic Service Set): two or more unrelated BSSs (Basic Service Sets) that use the same frequency channel at the same time in the same physical space. These BSSs overlap with each other in space and frequency domain, causing interference between transmissions.

[0082] (MU) RTS ((Multi-User) Request to Send): RTS is a control mechanism used to avoid conflicts in data transmission. An RTS frame is sent by a device that wants to send data, requesting the use of the channel. If the AP receives the RTS frame, it will reply with a CTS (Clear to Send) frame, indicating that the channel has been cleared and the device can send data. MU-RTS is an extension of RTS, allowing multiple devices to send RTS frames simultaneously, rather than the traditional single device. This mechanism can improve channel utilization, as it allows multiple devices to request the channel at the same time. MU-RTS is usually scheduled by the AP, which decides which devices can send RTS and the order in which they send.

[0083] Next, the PPDU (Physical Layer Protocol Data Unit) frame in related technologies is introduced:

[0084] PPDU is the format of the physical layer data packet in OSI (Open Systems Interconnection). FIG. 2 shows a schematic diagram of the PPDU frame format in related technologies.

[0085] Legacy Short Training field (L-STF, non-HT Short Training field or Legacy Short Training field): a short training field used in non-HT (High Throughput) devices, used for channel estimation and clock synchronization. Legacy Long Training field (L-LTF, non-HT Long Training field or Legacy Long Training field): a long training field used in non-HT devices, used for more accurate channel estimation. Legacy SIGNAL field (L-SIG, non-HT SIGNAL or Legacy SIGNAL): a SIGNAL field used in non-HT devices, containing control information and data rate of the frame, etc. Universal SIGNAL field (U-SIG, Universal SIGNAL): contains physical layer version information, simplifies the frame format identification process, and is forward compatible with various possible frame formats in the future. EHT SIGNAL field (EHT-SIG, Extended High Throughput SIGNAL): provides additional signaling for STA to parse EHT (Extended High Throughput) MU (Multi-User) PPDU to the U-SIG field. EHT Long Training field (EHT-LTF): used for channel estimation. Data field (Data): the part of the frame that actually carries user data. Packet Extension (PE): used to provide additional reception processing time at the end of the PPDU. The PE field should be transmitted with the same average power as the data field and should not cause significant power leakage outside the spectrum used by the data field, but its content is arbitrary.

[0086] The format of the U-SIG field is shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4. The U-SIG field includes:

[0087] Physical Layer Version Identifier: used to indicate the physical layer standard version used to ensure compatibility. Bandwidth: used to indicate the bandwidth of the channel, which affects the transmission rate and channel capacity. Uplink / Downlink (UL / DL): used to indicate the direction of data transmission, uplink (UL) refers to data transmission from STA to AP, and downlink (DL) refers to data transmission from AP to STA. BSS Color: used to distinguish different BSSs, such as to distinguish whether the PPDU is a PPDU of the BSS or an OBSS. TXOP: refers to the time period during which a device transmits data on the channel. Disregard: usually defined in the allowed settings of the Trigger frame field and TRS control subfield. Carries the value of the subfield that needs to be ignored in the U-SIG field. Validate: carries the value of the subfield that needs to be validated in the U-SIG field. PPDU Type And Compression Mode: used to indicate the type of PPDU and whether compression is used. Punctured Channel Information: used to indicate which subcarriers are disabled in OFDM (Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing) or OFDMA (Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access) transmission. EHT-SIG MCS (Extended High Throughput SIGNAL Modulation and Coding Scheme): used to indicate the modulation and coding scheme of the EHT signal. Number Of EHT-SIG Symbols: used to indicate the number of symbols used in the EHT signal. CRC (Cyclic Redundancy Check): contains the CRC code used for error detection. Tail: contains some padding bits to ensure the integrity of the frame.

[0088] Next, the frame format specified in 802.11be is introduced. FIG. 5 shows a schematic diagram of the frame format in the related art.

[0089] Frame Control: Contains the type, subtype, protection, and control bits of the frame, used to identify the purpose and operation of the frame. Duration / ID: There are three possible forms. One is to set the NAV: When the 15th bit is set to 0, the Duration / ID bit is used to set the NAV, the value represents how many microseconds the ongoing transmission is expected to use the medium. Two is the frame transmitted during the contention-free period: 14 bits are 0, 15 bits are 1, and the other bits are 0. Therefore, the Duration / ID bit is 32768, which is interpreted as the NAV. It allows STAs that do not receive the Beacon frame to announce the contention-free period, so as to update the NAV to the appropriate value to avoid interfering with contention-free transmission. Three is the PS-poll frame (Power Save Poll): 14 bits are 1, and 15 bits are 1. The STA can turn off the antenna to achieve power saving. The STA in sleep mode must wake up periodically. To ensure that no frames are missed, the STA that wakes up from sleep must send a PS-poll frame to obtain the previously stored frames from the AP. In addition, the STA that wakes up adds AID in the PS-poll frame to show its affiliation to the BSS, and the AID value is between 1-2007. Address 1: The MAC address of the sender, used to identify the source of the frame. Address 2: The MAC address of the receiver, used to identify the destination of the frame. Address 3: In different types of frames, it has different uses. For example, in QoS (Quality of Service) data frames, it may contain the MAC address of the receiver; in some control frames, it may contain the address of other related devices. Sequence Control: Used to manage the sequence number of the frame, to ensure the sequential transmission and correct assembly of the frame. Address 4: Used in specific types of frames, such as QoS data frames, which may contain traffic class information. QoS Control: Used to support Quality of Service (QoS), containing priority, TID (Traffic Identifier), and related control bits. HT Control: Used to provide additional control information, such as MIMO operation and aggregation information. Frame Body: The part of the frame that actually carries data or management information. FCS (Frame Check Sequence): Contains the cyclic redundancy check (CRC) code used for error detection, which is used by the receiver to verify the integrity of the frame.

[0090] Next, as shown in FIG. 6, the basic multi-link element format shown in 802.11be is introduced.

[0091] Subelement ID: used to uniquely identify a specific subelement so that the receiver can identify and process it. Length: used to indicate the total byte length of the subelement, including the subelement ID and length fields themselves. This helps the receiver determine the end position of the subelement. STA Control: contains control bits indicating specific operations or configurations for the STA, such as enabling or disabling certain functions. STA Info: contains specific information about the STA, such as link status, signal quality indicators (such as RSSI (Received Signal Strength Indicator) or SNR (Signal-to-Noise Ratio)), link capacity, etc. STA Profile.

[0092] The STA Control field is shown in FIG. 7.

[0093] Link ID (Link Identity): used to uniquely identify a specific link in the network, which helps to distinguish and manage multi-link operation. Complete Profile: used to indicate whether the complete configuration information of the STA is provided, including all the features and parameters it supports. STA MAC Address Present: used to indicate whether the MAC address information of the STA is included in the STA Information field. Beacon Interval Present: used to indicate whether the beacon interval is included in the STA Information field. TSF Offset Present: used to indicate whether the TSF offset is included in the STA Information field. DTIM Info Present: used to indicate whether the DTIM information is included in the STA Information field. NSTR Bitmap Size: used to indicate the size of the NSTR bitmap in the STA Information field. BSS Parameters Change Count Present: used to indicate the size of the BSS parameters change counter in the STA Information field. Reserved: a field reserved for possible future extensions.

[0094] The STA Information field is shown in FIG. 8.

[0095] STA information length field (STA Info Length): indicates the length of the STA information field. That is, the number of bytes / bits occupied by the STA information field. STA MAC address field (STA MAC Address): indicates the MAC address of the STA. Beacon interval field (Beacon Interval): indicates the time interval of beacon frame transmission, usually in milliseconds. The beacon frame is a frame periodically transmitted in a wireless network, used for synchronization and discovery of the network. TSF offset field (TSF Offset): indicates the time offset from the current time point to the transmission of the next beacon frame or DTIM frame. DTIM information field (DTIM Info): indicates the configuration information of DTIM. DTIM is used to indicate the transmission flow situation in the network, so as to carry out appropriate flow management and scheduling. NSTR indication bitmap (NSTR Indication Bitmap): indicates the rate or state of non-service terminal. BSS parameter change counter (BSS Parameters Change Count): used to track the number of changes of BSS parameters, such as channel, SSID, etc. The counter is increased each time the parameter is changed, so that the device detects the change of BSS configuration.

[0096] Figure 9 shows a schematic diagram of a wireless communication system according to an example embodiment of the present application. As shown in Figure 9, the wireless communication system can include a first AP 111, a second AP 112 and a first STA 121. Wherein the first AP 111 and the first STA 121 establish an association in a related technology, which can be referred to as a primary association. In the case where the first AP 111 and the first STA 121 have a primary association, the first STA 121 can establish a secondary association with the second AP 112, so as to support data transmission between the first STA 121 and the second AP 112. Optionally, the first AP and the second AP are connected by wire or wirelessly. The connection between the first AP and the second AP can be direct or indirect. In addition, the first STA 121 only supports establishing one primary association, but supports establishing multiple secondary associations, such as the first STA 121 also establishes a secondary association with another AP 113.

[0097] Figure 10 shows a flowchart of an association method according to an example embodiment of the present application. The method is performed by a first STA, which can be the STA shown in Figure 1 or the first STA shown in Figure 9. The method includes:

[0098] Step 210: establishing a secondary association with a second AP in the case where a primary association exists with a first AP.

[0099] In some embodiments, the first AP and the second AP belong to different BSSs.

[0100] In some embodiments, the first STA establishes the primary association with the first AP through a traditional association manner, that is, the primary association is established based on the traditional association manner, and related parameters in the primary association are also set based on the traditional association manner, which will not be described herein.

[0101] In some embodiments, the secondary association is established with the at least one AP in a case where the first STA has the primary association with the first AP. The at least one AP includes the second AP. That is, one STA can only establish a primary association with one AP, but can establish secondary associations with multiple APs.

[0102] In some embodiments, the first AP is one of the first AP MLDs, and the primary association established by the first STA with the first AP can also be referred to as a primary association of the first STA with the first AP MLD; the second AP is one of the second AP MLDs, and the secondary association established by the first STA with the second AP can also be referred to as a secondary association of the first STA with the second AP MLD. The first STA is one of the first STA MLDs, the first AP is one of the first AP MLDs, and the primary association established by the first STA with the first AP can also be referred to as a primary association of the first STA MLD with the first AP MLD; the first STA is one of the first STA MLDs, the second AP is one of the second AP MLDs, and the secondary association established by the first STA with the second AP can also be referred to as a secondary association of the first STA MLD with the second AP MLD.

[0103] In summary, the method provided by the embodiments of the present application supports the first STA to establish a secondary association with the second AP in a case where the first STA has established a primary association with the first AP, so that the first STA can not only communicate with the first AP through the primary association, but also communicate with the second AP through the secondary association, so that the first STA can flexibly use channel resources. Compared with the related art which only supports the first STA to establish an association with one AP, the method shown in the present application supports the first STA to establish an association with multiple APs (that is, supports the first STA to select at least one AP for communication from multiple APs), which can reduce the event of the first STA contending for the channel as much as possible and improve the transmission efficiency.

[0104] FIG. 11 shows a flowchart of an association method provided by an example embodiment of the present application. The method is performed by the second AP, which can be the AP shown in FIG. 1 or the second AP shown in FIG. 9. The method includes:

[0105] Step 310: establishing a secondary association with the first STA in a case where the first STA has a primary association with the first AP.

[0106] In some embodiments, the first AP and the second AP belong to different BSSs.

[0107] In some embodiments, the first STA establishes the primary association with the first AP through a traditional association manner, i.e., the primary association is established based on the traditional association manner, and related parameters in the primary association are also set based on the traditional association manner, which will not be described herein.

[0108] In some embodiments, the secondary association is established with at least one AP in a case where the first STA has the primary association with the first AP. The at least one AP includes the second AP. That is, one STA can only establish a primary association with one AP, but can establish secondary associations with multiple APs.

[0109] In some embodiments, the first AP is one of the first AP MLDs, and the primary association established by the first STA with the first AP can also be referred to as a primary association of the first STA with the first AP MLD; the second AP is one of the second AP MLDs, and the secondary association established by the first STA with the second AP can also be referred to as a secondary association of the first STA with the second AP MLD. The first STA is one of the first STA MLDs, the first AP is one of the first AP MLDs, and the primary association established by the first STA with the first AP can also be referred to as a primary association of the first STA MLD with the first AP MLD; the first STA is one of the first STA MLDs, the second AP is one of the second AP MLDs, and the secondary association established by the first STA with the second AP can also be referred to as a secondary association of the first STA MLD with the second AP MLD.

[0110] In summary, the method provided by the embodiments of the present application supports the first STA to establish a secondary association with the second AP in a case where the first STA has established a primary association with the first AP. At this time, the first STA can not only communicate with the first AP through the primary association, but also communicate with the second AP through the secondary association, so that the first STA can flexibly use channel resources. Compared with the related art which only supports the first STA to establish an association with one AP, the method shown in the present application supports the first STA to establish an association with multiple APs (i.e., supports the first STA to select at least one AP for communication from multiple APs), which can reduce the event of the first STA contending for the channel as much as possible and improve the transmission efficiency.

[0111] FIG. 12 shows a flowchart of an association method provided by an example embodiment of the present application. The method is performed by a first AP, which can be the AP shown in FIG. 1 or the first AP shown in FIG. 9. The method includes:

[0112] Step 410: receiving the MPDU sent by the first STA through the second AP, the secondary association existing between the first STA and the second AP, the secondary association being established in the case that the primary association exists between the first STA and the first AP.

[0113] In some embodiments, in the case that the primary association exists between the first STA and the first AP, and the secondary association exists between the first STA and the second AP, the first STA sends the MPDU to the first AP through the second AP.

[0114] In some embodiments, the first AP and the second AP belong to different BSSs.

[0115] In some embodiments, the first STA establishes the primary association with the first AP through a traditional association manner, that is, the primary association is established based on the traditional association manner, and the related parameters in the primary association are also set based on the traditional association manner, which will not be described herein.

[0116] In some embodiments, in the case that the primary association exists between the first STA and the first AP, the secondary association is established with at least one AP. The at least one AP includes the second AP. That is, one STA can only establish a primary association with one AP, but can establish a secondary association with multiple APs.

[0117] In some embodiments, the first AP is one of the first AP MLDs, and the primary association established by the first STA and the first AP can also be referred to as the primary association established by the first STA and the first AP MLD; the second AP is one of the second AP MLDs, and the secondary association established by the first STA and the second AP can also be referred to as the secondary association established by the first STA and the second AP MLD. The first STA is one of the first STA MLDs, the first AP is one of the first AP MLDs, and the primary association established by the first STA and the first AP can also be referred to as the primary association established by the first STA MLD and the first AP MLD; the first STA is one of the first STA MLDs, the second AP is one of the second AP MLDs, and the secondary association established by the first STA and the second AP can also be referred to as the secondary association established by the first STA MLD and the second AP MLD.

[0118] Optionally, the secondary association is used to relay at least one of the uplink PPDU, the downlink PPDU and the MPDU between the first STA and the first AP in the case that the primary association is busy (i.e., the first AP is busy).

[0119] To sum up, the method provided by the embodiments of the present application supports the first STA to establish secondary association with the second AP in the case that the first STA has established primary association with the first AP, and at this time, the first STA can not only communicate with the first AP through the primary association, but also communicate with the second AP through the secondary association, so that the first STA can flexibly use channel resources, compared with the related art which only supports the first STA to establish association with one AP, the method shown in the present application supports the first STA to establish association with multiple APs (i.e., supports the first STA to select at least one AP for communication from multiple APs), which can reduce the event of the first STA contending for the channel as much as possible, and improves the transmission efficiency.

[0120] Next, the secondary association proposed by the embodiments of the present application will be further introduced from the following three aspects: application of secondary association, service architecture based on secondary association (receiving process based on secondary association), and establishment and release of secondary association.

[0121] 1. Application of secondary association.

[0122] In some embodiments, the first STA sends an uplink PPDU to the first AP through the second AP. That is, the first STA sends an uplink PPDU to the first AP through the second AP with which the first STA establishes secondary association. Optionally, there is a wired or wireless connection between the first AP and the second AP. For example, the first STA sends the uplink PPDU to the second AP through the secondary association, and then the second AP sends the uplink PPDU to the first AP through the wired connection.

[0123] In some embodiments, the first STA sends an uplink PPDU to the first AP through the second AP in any scenario. Or, the first STA sends an uplink PPDU to the first AP through the second AP in the case that the channel of the first AP is busy.

[0124] In some embodiments, the first AP includes one primary channel and one non-primary channel, and the second AP also includes one primary channel and one non-primary channel. When the primary channel of the first AP or the second AP is busy, the non-primary channel can be switched to for channel contention and packet reception. The channel of the first AP being busy (which can also be referred to as the channel being occupied, the channel being non-idle, etc.) means that the primary channel and the non-primary channel of the first AP are both in an occupied state; or the primary channel of the first AP is in an occupied state. Optionally, the first STA sending an uplink PPDU to the first AP through the second AP means that the first STA sends an uplink PPDU to the primary channel or the non-primary channel of the second AP, and the second AP forwards the uplink PPDU (or MPDUs in the uplink PPDU) to the first AP through the wired or wireless connection between the first AP and the second AP.

[0125] In some embodiments, the channel busy of the first AP comprises at least one of: a NAV timer set by the first AP is not ended; the first AP performs PPDU transmission with the second STA; the channel of the first AP is occupied by OBSS transmission; the first AP reserves TXOP but the receiving station of RTS sent by the first AP does not include the first STA; the first AP reserves TXOP for transmission with the second STA.

[0126] In some embodiments, the NAV timer can also be referred to as a NAV variable, and the NAV timer is used to indicate that, when the first STA listens to a data frame sent by another STA and including a duration, the first STA updates the NAV timer according to the duration included in the data frame; and / or, when the first AP receives a data frame sent by another STA and including a duration, the first AP updates the NAV timer according to the duration included in the data frame. Optionally, in the case that the first STA can perform transmission through multiple channels, the first STA sets one NAV timer for each channel.

[0127] In some embodiments, during the period when the channel of the first AP is occupied by OBSS transmission, although the first AP itself is in an idle state, since the corresponding channel is occupied, it is considered that the channel of the first AP is in an occupied state.

[0128] By way of example and not limitation, in the case that the first AP comprises one primary channel and one non-primary channel, the second AP also comprises one primary channel and one non-primary channel, the first STA establishes primary association with the first AP, and the first STA establishes secondary association with the second AP, the priority of each channel is different for the first STA. Among them, the priority of the primary channel of the first AP is the highest, and the priority of the non-primary channel of the second AP is the lowest; the priority of the non-primary channel of the first AP is higher than, equal to, or lower than the priority of the second AP. By way of example, the priority of each channel is ranked as follows: the priority of the primary channel of the first AP > the priority of the primary channel of the second AP > the priority of the non-primary channel of the first AP > the priority of the non-primary channel of the second AP; or, the priority of the primary channel of the first AP > the priority of the non-primary channel of the first AP > the priority of the primary channel of the second AP > the priority of the non-primary channel of the second AP; or, the priority of the primary channel of the first AP > the priority of the primary channel of the second AP = the priority of the non-primary channel of the first AP > the priority of the non-primary channel of the second AP. When the first STA needs to perform transmission, it will preferentially select a channel that is idle and has a high priority.

[0129] Generally, the first STA performs channel switching when the primary channel of the first AP is occupied. The target of the channel switching includes at least one of the non-primary channel of the first AP, the primary channel of the second AP and the non-primary channel of the second AP. The first STA selects the channel to switch according to the priority of the channel when performing the channel switching.

[0130] In some embodiments, the second AP sends a downlink PPDU to the first STA after receiving the uplink PPDU sent by the first STA, and the downlink PPDU is an acknowledgement feedback or a negative acknowledgement feedback of the uplink PPDU. For example, the uplink PPDU sent by the first STA carries a data frame, and the downlink PPDU sent by the second AP carries a corresponding BA (Block Acknowledgement) frame. That is, the first STA receives the downlink PPDU sent by the second AP, and the downlink PPDU is an acknowledgement feedback or a negative acknowledgement feedback of the uplink PPDU.

[0131] 1.1. Example of selecting a channel for transmission.

[0132] Next, several examples of the first STA sending an uplink PPDU to the first AP through the second AP when the channel of the first AP is busy are shown.

[0133] For example, as shown in FIG. 13, when the primary channel of the first AP is the same as that of the second AP, and the first STA senses that the primary channel of the first AP is performing PPDU transmission with the second STA, the first STA and the second AP switch to the non-primary channel of the second AP for transmission at the same time. In other words, the first STA switches to the non-primary channel of the second AP for channel contention and sends a corresponding uplink PPDU to the second AP. The second AP sends a corresponding feedback (i.e., a downlink PPDU) to the first STA after receiving the uplink PPDU. The feedback sent by the second AP can be an acknowledgement feedback or a negative acknowledgement feedback.

[0134] For example, as shown in FIG. 14, when the primary channel of the first AP is the same as that of the second AP, and the primary channel and the non-primary channel of the first AP are occupied by OBSS transmission, but the non-primary channel of the second AP is idle, the first STA and the second AP switch to the non-primary channel of the second AP for transmission.

[0135] For example, as shown in FIG. 15, when the primary channel of the first AP is the same as that of the second AP, the non-primary channel of the first AP is the same as that of the second AP, and the primary channel of the first AP is occupied by OBSS transmission, the first AP and the second AP both switch to the non-primary channel for transmission with the STA. At this time, the first STA preferentially selects the non-primary channel of the first AP for transmission with the first AP.

[0136] For example, as shown in FIG. 16, in the case that the primary channel of the first AP is different from the primary channel of the second AP, and the NAV timer of the first AP is not expired, the first STA switches to the primary channel of the second AP to perform channel contention and performs transmission with the second AP.

[0137] That is, since the primary channel and the non-primary channel of the first AP and the second AP can be the same or different, when selecting a channel to perform transmission, in addition to considering the priority of the channel, it is also necessary to consider whether the channel is idle (i.e., whether the channel is occupied).

[0138] 1.2. Example of selecting to switch association.

[0139] In another optional embodiment, the first STA selects to switch the association relationship (i.e., the primary association and the secondary association) based on the channel status of the first AP and the second AP. In this embodiment, the first STA selects whether to switch the primary association based on at least one of the channel quality of the first AP and the channel quality of the second AP. For example, the first STA selects whether to switch the primary association based on at least one of the channel quality of the first AP and the channel quality of the second AP, including at least one of the following: in the case that the channel quality of the first AP is higher than the channel quality of the second AP, maintaining the primary association with the first AP and maintaining the primary association with the second AP; in the case that the channel quality of the first AP is lower than the channel quality of the second AP, switching the association with the second AP to the primary association; in the case that the channel quality of the first AP is equal to the channel quality of the second AP, maintaining the primary association with the first AP and maintaining the primary association with the second AP; and in the case that the channel quality of the first AP is equal to the channel quality of the second AP, switching the association with the second AP to the primary association.

[0140] Optionally, the first STA can only establish a primary association with one AP, and therefore cannot continue to maintain the primary association with the first AP while switching the association with the second AP to the primary association. In this case, the first STA can choose to disassociate from the first AP or switch the association with the first AP to a secondary association. That is, "switching the association with the second AP to the primary association in the case that the channel quality of the first AP is lower than the channel quality of the second AP" includes at least one of: switching the association with the second AP to the primary association and switching the association with the first AP to the secondary association in the case that the channel quality of the first AP is lower than the channel quality of the second AP; and switching the association with the second AP to the primary association and disassociating from the first AP in the case that the channel quality of the first AP is lower than the channel quality of the second AP. "Switching the association with the second AP to the primary association in the case that the channel quality of the first AP is equal to the channel quality of the second AP" includes at least one of: switching the association with the second AP to the primary association and switching the association with the first AP to the secondary association in the case that the channel quality of the first AP is equal to the channel quality of the second AP; and switching the association with the second AP to the primary association and disassociating from the first AP in the case that the channel quality of the first AP is equal to the channel quality of the second AP.

[0141] In some embodiments, the first STA stores a primary association threshold and a secondary association threshold, the primary association threshold indicating a channel quality required for establishing or maintaining a primary association, and the secondary association threshold indicating a channel quality required for establishing or maintaining a secondary association. The first STA determines whether to switch the primary association based on at least one of the channel quality of the first AP, the channel quality of the second AP, the primary association threshold, and the secondary association threshold. For example, the first STA switches the association with the second AP to the primary association in the case that the channel quality of the second AP is higher than the primary association threshold; and / or switches the association with the first AP to the secondary association in the case that the channel quality of the first AP is lower than the primary association threshold; and / or disassociates from the primary association with the first AP in the case that the channel quality of the first AP is lower than the primary association threshold; and / or switches the association with the first AP to the secondary association in the case that the channel quality of the first AP is lower than the primary association threshold and higher than the secondary association threshold; and / or switches the primary association with the first AP to the secondary association in the case that the channel quality of the first AP is lower than the primary association threshold and higher than the secondary association threshold; and / or disassociates from the association with the first AP in the case that the channel quality of the first AP is lower than the secondary association threshold; and / or disassociates from the secondary association with the second AP in the case that the channel quality of the second AP is lower than the secondary association threshold.

[0142] For example, as shown in FIG. 17, the first STA tests the channel quality by sending an uplink PPDU on the primary channel of the first AP and the second AP, and selects whether to switch the primary association based on the measured or obtained channel quality. For example, when the first STA moves to a position closer to the second AP, the channel quality of the second AP is higher than that of the first AP for the first STA, i.e., transmission with the second AP can obtain a better transmission rate, at this time, the first STA can switch the association with the second AP to the primary association, i.e., in the current and subsequent transmission, the transmission with the second AP is preferred.

[0143] It should be noted that this is only one scenario of switching the primary association, and in other parts of the content, the first STA is exemplarily taken as an example of establishing the primary association with the first AP and the secondary association with the second AP.

[0144] In addition, the above-mentioned "switching the association with the second AP to the primary association" can be "canceling the secondary association between the first STA and the second AP, and then establishing the primary association between the first STA and the second AP", or "changing the parameters related to the association between the first STA and the second AP, so that the association between the first STA and the second AP changes from the secondary association to the primary association", which is not limited in the present application. The same applies to "switching the association with the first AP to the secondary association", which will not be described here.

[0145] 1.3 Parameters related to the secondary association.

[0146] Next, the parameters related to the secondary association or the setting of some related parameters (such as the parameters of the preamble) in the frame when the first STA transmits through the secondary association with the second AP will be introduced.

[0147] In some embodiments, the destination address of the MPDU in the uplink PPDU sent by the first STA to the second AP through the secondary association is one of the following: the MAC address of the first AP; the MAC address of the first AP MLD; and the MAC address set in the first AP MLD. That is, the destination address of the MPDU in the uplink PPDU is set to be related to the first AP although the receiving end of the uplink PPDU is the second AP. When the destination address of the MPDU is related to the first AP, the second AP can send the MPDU to the first AP based on the destination address.

[0148] In some embodiments, the source address of the MPDU in the downlink PPDU sent by the second AP to the first STA is at least one of the following: the MAC address of the second AP; the MAC address of the second AP MLD; the MAC address set in the second AP MLD; the MAC address of the first AP; the MAC address of the first AP MLD; and the MAC address set in the first AP MLD.

[0149] In some embodiments, the uplink PPDU and / or the downlink PPDU complies with at least one of the following: the bandwidth field in the generic signal field is the bandwidth occupied by the uplink PPDU; the BSS color field in the generic signal field is the BSS color of the second AP; the user field is the association identifier obtained when the first STA is associated with the second AP. That is, the preamble in the uplink PPDU sent to the second AP complies with at least one of the following: the Bandwidth field in the U-SIG is set to the bandwidth occupied by the uplink PPDU sent to the second AP; the BSS Color field in the U-SIG is set to the BSS Color of the second AP; the STA-ID of the User field is set to the AID obtained when the first STA is associated with the second AP (i.e. 11 LSBs (Least Significant Bits) of the AID). The preamble in the downlink PPDU corresponding to the uplink PPDU sent by the second AP and received by the first STA complies with at least one of the following: the BSS Color field in the U-SIG is set to the BSS Color of the second AP; the STA-ID of the User field is set to the AID obtained when the first STA is associated with the second AP. The above settings are adopted for the content of the uplink PPDU and / or the downlink PPDU to support the implementation that the first STA transmits with the first AP through the second AP. In other words, the uplink PPDU and / or the downlink PPDU complies with at least one of the following: the bandwidth field is the bandwidth occupied by the uplink PPDU; the BSS color field is the BSS color of the second AP; the user field is the association identifier obtained when the first STA is associated with the second AP.

[0150] In addition, in the method as shown in FIG. 17, the first STA sends uplink PPDUs to both the first AP and the second AP, and in order to reduce the interference between the two uplink PPDUs, the following setting method can be adopted. The uplink PPDU sent by the first STA to the second AP complies with at least one of the following with the uplink PPDU sent by the first STA to the first AP: the PPDU length is equal; the preamble length of the PPDU is equal; the boundaries of the time domain units corresponding to the PPDUs are aligned (OFDM symbol boundary alignment).

[0151] In some embodiments, the uplink PPDU sent by the first STA to the first AP satisfies at least one of the following: a bandwidth field in the general signal field is the bandwidth occupied by the uplink PPDU; a BSS color field in the general signal field is the BSS color of the first AP; and a user field is an association identifier obtained when the first STA is associated with the first AP. The downlink PPDU sent by the first AP to the first STA satisfies at least one of the following: a BSS color field in the general signal field is the BSS color of the first AP; and a user field is an association identifier obtained when the first STA is associated with the first AP.

[0152] In some embodiments, the second AP receives the uplink PPDU sent by the first STA; processes the uplink PPDU to obtain an MPDU in the uplink PPDU; and sends the MPDU to the first AP. Optionally, the receiving the uplink PPDU sent by the first STA comprises: in a case where a channel of the first AP is busy, receiving the uplink PPDU sent by the first STA.

[0153] In some embodiments, the step 410 can be implemented as: in a case where a channel of the first AP is busy, receiving an MPDU in the uplink PPDU sent by the first STA through the second AP.

[0154] In summary, the method provided by the embodiments of the present application supports the first STA to establish a secondary association with the second AP in a case where the first STA has established a primary association with the first AP. At this time, the first STA can not only communicate with the first AP through the primary association, but also communicate with the second AP through the secondary association, so that the first STA can flexibly use channel resources. When the first STA cannot send information to the first AP of the primary association, the first STA can send information through the remaining AP (such as the second AP) of the secondary association, thereby improving transmission efficiency. Especially in a case where the channel of the first AP is busy, the second AP is used for auxiliary transmission, that is, the channel of the first AP is still used preferentially during transmission, thereby avoiding waste of transmission resources (between the first AP and the second AP) in a case where the first AP supports transmission. In addition, when the second AP receives the MPDU that the first STA wants to send to the first AP, the second AP sends a feedback frame to the first STA. Compared with the case where the second AP forwards the MPDU to the first AP and then the first AP feeds back to the first STA, the time for the first STA to wait for feedback can be shortened, thereby reducing the channel occupation time of the first STA to the second AP and improving transmission efficiency. Meanwhile, the first STA is also supported to determine which AP to maintain the primary association based on channel quality of the first AP and the second AP. Since the primary association is an association with higher priority and mainly processing MPDUs, the AP with higher channel quality is selected to establish the primary association, thereby improving the reliability of data transmission.

[0155] 2. Service architecture based on secondary association (receiving process based on secondary association).

[0156] In some embodiments, the first AP comprises an upper MAC sublayer and a lower MAC sublayer, and the second AP comprises an upper MAC sublayer and a lower MAC sublayer. The uplink PPDU sent by the first STA to the second AP is processed by the lower MAC sublayer of the second AP to obtain MPDUs in the uplink PPDU, and the MPDUs are transmitted by the second AP to the upper MAC sublayer of the first AP for processing.

[0157] When the second AP receives the uplink PPDU from the first STA, the second AP can process according to its receiving procedure in the lower MAC sublayer, and send a feedback frame (i.e. BA, also referred to as downlink PPDU) to the first STA according to the Block Ack Scoreboard. According to the destination address (usually represented as field Address 1) in the received MPDU, the second AP can know that the MPDU needs to be forwarded to the first AP (or first AP MLD) for further MPDU receiving procedure. The forwarding of the MPDU can be completed through a backhaul link (also referred to as a relay link). The backhaul link is, for example, a Distribution System (DS) established based on IEEE 802.11. After receiving the MPDUs, the first AP (or first AP MLD) processes the received MPDUs through the MSDU receiving procedure in the upper MAC sublayer thereof.

[0158] For example, a service architecture diagram based on secondary association is shown in FIG. 18. MPDU relay 10 and MPDU relay 11 can be implemented between the MAC sublayers of the first AP and the second AP to implement the transmission of MPDUs from the lower MAC sublayer of the second AP to the upper MAC sublayer of the first AP. In some embodiments, the first AP comprises an upper MAC sublayer and a lower MAC sublayer, and the second AP comprises an upper MAC sublayer and a lower MAC sublayer. The processing of the uplink PPDU by the second AP to obtain MPDUs in the uplink PPDU can be implemented as “the second AP processes the uplink PPDU through the lower MAC sublayer of the second AP to obtain MPDUs in the uplink PPDU, and the MPDUs are transmitted by the second AP to the upper MAC sublayer of the first AP for processing”. Optionally, the first AP and the second AP further comprise at least one physical layer of a link, and the at least one physical layer of the link is used to assist the processing of the PPDU and / or the MPDU.

[0159] In some embodiments, the first AP comprises a high MAC sublayer and a low MAC sublayer; the second AP comprises a high MAC sublayer and a low MAC sublayer; and the receiving the MPDU sent by the first station STA through the second AP comprises: receiving the MPDU processed and transmitted through the low MAC sublayer of the second AP, and processing the MPDU through the high MAC sublayer of the first AP.

[0160] In summary, the method provided by the embodiments of the present application can perform preliminary processing on the uplink PPDU sent by the first STA by the low MAC sublayer of the second AP in the case that the channel of the first AP is busy, and then send the processed MPDU to the high MAC sublayer of the first AP for processing, so as to indirectly send information from the first STA to the first AP in the case that the channel of the first AP is busy, reduce the time for the first STA to contend for the channel of the first AP, and improve the transmission efficiency.

[0161] 3. Establishment and release of secondary association.

[0162] Firstly, taking the first STA and the second AP as an example, the process of establishing a secondary association between a non-AP STA (or a non-AP MLD) and an AP MLD (an AP affiliated with the AP MLD, i.e., an AP associated with the AP MLD) is introduced.

[0163] 3.1 Establishment of secondary association.

[0164] The prerequisite for establishing the secondary association is that the first STA exists and has established a primary association with the first AP and has performed data transmission. The step 210 can be implemented by: performing a security process and an identity authentication process with the second AP through at least one of a fast roam request frame, a fast roam response frame, a fast roam confirmation frame and a fast roam feedback frame; sending a re-association request frame to the second AP, the re-association request frame comprising transmission parameters of the first STA and the first AP; and receiving a re-association response frame sent by the second AP, the re-association response frame comprising transmission parameters of the first STA and the first AP.

[0165] The step 310 can be implemented by: performing a security process and an identity authentication process with the first STA through at least one of a fast roam request frame, a fast roam response frame, a fast roam confirmation frame and a fast roam feedback frame; receiving a re-association request frame sent by the first STA, the re-association request frame comprising transmission parameters of the first STA and the first AP; and sending a re-association response frame to the first STA, the re-association response frame comprising transmission parameters of the first STA and the second AP.

[0166] Next, the process of establishing the secondary association is introduced in combination with FIG. 19.

[0167] Step 1. A successful (secure) session & Data transmission is established between the first STA and the first AP.

[0168] Wherein, the first AP can be referred to as a current AP; the first AP can also be replaced by a first AP MLD, a current AP MLD, etc. Optionally, the first STA can also be referred to as an FTO (Fast BSS Transition Originator). The first AP can also be referred to as an FTR (Fast BSS Transition Relay) or an FTR (Fast BSS Transition Responder). The successful session established between the first STA and the first AP means that there is an association between the first STA and the first AP, which can be referred to as a primary association.

[0169] Step 2. The first STA determines that it needs to establish an association with the second AP (FTO determines it needs to also associate with the target FTR).

[0170] In some embodiments, the first STA determines that it needs to establish an association with the second AP in the case that there is a primary association between the first STA and the first AP. Optionally, the second AP can be referred to as a target AP; the second AP can also be replaced by a second AP MLD, a target AP MLD, etc. Optionally, the first STA can also be referred to as an FTO. The second AP can also be referred to as an FTR (Fast BSS Transition Relay) or an FTR (Fast BSS Transition Responder).

[0171] Step 3. The first STA sends a fast transition request frame (FT (fast BSS transition) Request) to the second AP.

[0172] In some embodiments, the first STA sends the fast transition request frame directly to the second AP; or, the first STA sends the fast transition request frame to the second AP through the first AP.

[0173] In some embodiments, the fast roaming request frame includes at least one of: FTO; target AP; RSNE (Robust Security Network Element); MDE (Mobility Domain Element); FTE (Fast Transition Element); modified basic multi-link element; relay element. The FTO in the fast roaming request frame is used to indicate the MAC address of the FTO (first STA) or other information used to identify the first STA. The target AP in the fast roaming request frame is used to indicate the MAC address of the target AP (second AP) or other information used to identify the second AP. The RSNE in the fast roaming request frame is used to provide necessary security parameters in the wireless network security handover process, such as pre-shared key authentication and encryption network element. The RSNE in the fast roaming request frame includes PMKR0Name, which is a unique identifier used to identify the Pairwise Master Key in the fast roaming process. The MDE in the fast roaming request frame is used to identify the mobility domain and related fast roaming capabilities. The FTE in the fast roaming request frame is used to ensure secure and efficient session key establishment and maintenance in the fast roaming process to achieve a seamless network switching experience. The FTE in the fast roaming request frame includes Snonce and R0KH-ID. Snonce (Session Nonce) is a random number used for security protocols; R0KH-ID (R0 Key Holder Identifier) is used to identify the key holder participating in the fast roaming process. The modified basic multi-link element in the fast roaming request frame is used to identify and manage different links in multi-link operation. The relay element in the fast roaming request frame is used to identify the current AP and the target AP.

[0174] Step 4. The second AP sends a fast roaming response frame (FT Response) to the first STA.

[0175] In some embodiments, the second AP directly sends the fast roaming response frame to the first STA; or, the second AP sends the fast roaming response frame to the first STA through the first AP.

[0176] In some embodiments, the fast roaming response frame comprises at least one of: FTO; target AP; RSNE; MDE; FTE; modified basic multi-link element; relay element. The FTE in the fast roaming response frame comprises Anonce, Snonce, R1KH-ID and R0KH-ID. Anonce (Authenticator Nonce) is generated by an authentication server to enhance security in a four-step handshake process. R1KH-ID (R1 Key Holder Identifier) is used to identify a key holder participating in the fast roaming process. The settings of other fields in the fast roaming response frame (such as RSNE, MDE, etc.) are similar to the settings of the fields in the fast roaming request frame described above, and will not be repeated here.

[0177] Step 5. The first STA sends a fast roaming confirmation frame (FT Confirm) to the second AP.

[0178] In some embodiments, the first STA directly sends the fast roaming confirmation frame to the second AP; or, the first STA sends the fast roaming confirmation frame to the second AP through the first AP.

[0179] In some embodiments, the fast roaming confirmation frame comprises at least one of: FTO; target AP; RSNE; MDE; FTE; RIC-Request (Reassociation Request Information Code); modified basic multi-link element; relay element. The RSNE in the fast roaming confirmation frame comprises PMKR1Name. PMKR1Name (Pairwise Master Key R1 Name) is used to maintain the continuity of secure encryption in the roaming process. The FTE in the fast roaming confirmation frame comprises MIC, Anonce, Snonce, R1KH-ID and R0KH-ID. MIC (Message Integrity Code) is used to verify the integrity and authenticity of the message. Anonce, Snonce, R1KH-ID and R0KH-ID have been introduced in the fast roaming response frame and will not be repeated here. The RIC-Request in the fast roaming confirmation frame is used to transmit additional information such as roaming information in a reassociation request. The settings of other fields in the fast roaming confirmation frame (such as RSNE, MDE, etc.) are similar to the settings of the fields in the fast roaming request frame and the fast roaming response frame described above, and will not be repeated here.

[0180] Step 6. The second AP sends a fast roaming feedback frame (FT ACK) to the first STA.

[0181] In some embodiments, the second AP sends the fast roam feedback frame to the first STA directly; or, the second AP sends the fast roam feedback frame to the first STA through the first AP.

[0182] In some embodiments, the fast roam acknowledgement frame includes at least one of the following: MAC address of the FTO; MAC address of the target AP; RSNE; MDE; FTE; TIE; RIC-Response; modified basic multi-link element; relay element. The TIE (Transition Information Element) in the fast roam feedback frame includes a reassociation deadline time interval for indicating a reassociation deadline time interval. The settings of other fields in the fast roam feedback frame (such as RSNE, MDE, etc.) are similar to the settings of the fields in the fast roam request frame, the fast roam response frame, and the fast roam acknowledgement frame, and are not described here.

[0183] Step 7. A successful assistant association occurs only when the time between the FT request and the reassociation request does not exceed the reassociation deadline time.

[0184] In some embodiments, the fast roam request is at least one of the following: fast roam request frame, fast roam response frame, fast roam acknowledgement frame, and fast roam feedback frame.

[0185] Step 8. The first STA sends a reassociation request frame (Reassociation Request) to the second AP.

[0186] In some embodiments, the reassociation request frame includes at least one of the following: MDE; modified basic multi-link element; relay element; RIC-Request.

[0187] The BA parameters in the RIC-Request in the reassociation request frame include BA parameters between the first STA and the first AP. The BA parameters include a Block Ack parameter Set, a Block Ack Starting Sequence Control, and the like. The second AP can receive MPDUs or A-MPDU sent by the first STA to the first AP by informing the second AP of the BA parameters between the first STA and the first AP.

[0188] Step 9. The second AP sends a reassociation response frame (Reassociation Response) to the first STA.

[0189] In some embodiments, the reassociation response frame includes at least one of the following: an MDE; a modified basic multi-link element; a relay element; and a RIC-Response.

[0190] The RIC-Response in the reassociation response frame includes BA parameters, but the BA parameters are BA parameters between the first STA and the second AP.

[0191] Step 10. A successful session is established between the first STA and the second AP and data relay is supported.

[0192] In summary, the method provided by the embodiments of the present application shows the establishment process of the secondary association. Compared with the establishment of the association in the related art (i.e., the establishment of the primary association in the present application), the secondary association can receive and decode MPDUs that the first STA wants to send to the first AP through the second AP based on the BA parameters between the first STA and the first AP obtained during the establishment process after the establishment. Meanwhile, the frame structure in the related art (such as at least one of the fast roaming request frame, the fast roaming response frame, the fast roaming confirmation frame, the fast roaming feedback frame, the reassociation request frame, and the reassociation response frame) is reused, and the protocol is less changed.

[0193] Next, the frame structure used in the establishment process of the secondary association is introduced in combination with the drawings.

[0194] At least one of the fast roaming request frame, the fast roaming response frame, the fast roaming acknowledgement frame, the fast roaming feedback frame, the re-association request frame and the re-association response frame includes at least one of the following: a channel information element, the channel information element being used to indicate a channel state; a relay element, the relay element being used to indicate that the STA establishes a secondary association with the AP; a STA control field, the STA control field being used to indicate whether the STA information field corresponding to the STA control field exists the BSS color element and the channel information element; and a STA information field, the STA information field including the BSS color element and the channel information element.

[0195] Firstly, the modification of the basic multi-link element (BASIC MULTI-LINK ELEMENT) shown in FIG. 6 is introduced. The modified basic multi-link element is mainly modified in the STA control field and the STA information field compared with the basic multi-link element shown in FIG. 6.

[0196] FIG. 20 shows a schematic diagram of the format of the STA control field in the modified basic multi-link element according to an example embodiment of the present application.

[0197] The STA control field includes at least one of the following: a link identification field; a full profile field; a STA MAC address present bit; a beacon period present bit; a TSF offset present bit; a DTIM information present bit; an NSTR bitmap size field; a BSS parameter change counter present bit; a BSS color present bit; and a channel information present bit.

[0198] The BSS color present bit set as "1" indicates that there is a BSS color field in the STA information field. Set as "0" indicates that there is no BSS color field in the STA information field. It should be noted that in other embodiments, the "0" and "1" values set in the fields or elements or bits can be reversed. For example, the BSS color present bit set as "0" indicates that there is a BSS color field in the STA information field. Set as "1" indicates that there is no BSS color field in the STA information field. The "0" and "1" values of the channel information present bit, the switching mode field, the AP or non-AP field and the like shown later are the same, and will not be described here. The channel information present bit set as "1" indicates that there is a channel information field in the STA information field. Set as "0" indicates that there is no channel information field in the STA information field. The rest of the parameters refer to the description of the STA control field in FIG. 7.

[0199] FIG. 21 shows a schematic diagram of the format of the STA information field in the modified basic multi-link element according to an example embodiment of the present application.

[0200] STA information field: the STA information field includes at least one of the following: STA information length field; STA MAC address field; beacon period field; TSF offset field; DTIM information field; NSTR indication bitmap; BSS parameter change counter; BSS color; channel information.

[0201] The BSS color is used to indicate the BSS color of the corresponding link. The AP or AP MLD sets this field to the BSS color used by it on the corresponding link. When the STA sends a PPDU to the AP or AP MLD on the link, the BSS color needs to be set to the BSS color of the corresponding link set in the STA information field in the preamble of the PPDU. The channel information is used to indicate the state of the channel.

[0202] The BSS color element and the information channel element are included in the STA information field shown in FIG. 21, the BSS color element is shown in FIG. 22, and the information channel element is shown in FIG. 23. Next, the BSS color element and the information channel element are introduced respectively.

[0203] BSS color element: the BSS color element includes at least one of the following: BSS color of the primary channel; BSS color of the non-primary channel. That is, the BSS color distinguishes the primary channel and the non-primary channel, that is, when the STA sends a PPDU on the primary channel of the AP, the PPDU should use the BSS color of the primary channel; when the STA sends a PPDU on the non-primary channel of the AP, the PPDU should use the BSS color of the non-primary channel.

[0204] Information channel element: the channel information element includes at least one of the following: element identification field (Element ID), which is used to indicate the channel information element with the element identification extension field; length field (Length); element identification extension field (Element ID Extension); channel number field (Channel Number), which is used to indicate the number of channels occupied by the primary channel of the AP; non-primary channel offset field (Non-primary Channel Offset), which is used to indicate the relative position of the non-primary channel of the AP and the primary channel; transmit power envelope field (Transmit Power Envelope), which is used to indicate the maximum transmit power under different bandwidths; NPCA parameter set (NPCA Parameter Set), which is used to indicate the parameters in the NPCA process.

[0205] The NPCA parameter set included in the information channel element is shown in FIG. 24.

[0206] The NPCA parameter set includes at least one of: a switch mode field, which is used to indicate information of switching from main channel transmission to non-main channel transmission of the STA and the AP; a PPDU duration threshold field; a TXOP duration threshold field; an ED threshold field; and a NPCA switch delay field.

[0207] The switch mode field (Switch Mode) is set to "0" to indicate that the STA and the AP detect PPDU transmission between other stations on the main channel and switch to the non-main channel for channel contention and transmission. The STA and the AP need to switch back to the main channel before the PPDU transmission is completed. The switch mode field is set to "1" to indicate that the STA and the AP set the NAV on the main channel and switch to the non-main channel for channel contention and transmission. The STA and the AP need to switch back to the main channel before the NAV ends. The PPDU duration threshold field (PPDU Duration Threshold) is used to indicate the PPDU duration threshold corresponding to the switch to the non-main channel. When the Switch Mode is set to "0", the field indicates that the STA and the AP switch to the non-main channel for channel contention and transmission only when the duration of the PPDU between other stations on the main channel is greater than (or greater than or equal to) the value set by the PPDU duration threshold field. The TXOP duration threshold field (TXOP Duration Threshold) is used to indicate the TXOP duration threshold corresponding to the switch to the non-main channel. When the Switch Mode is set to "1", the field indicates that the STA and the AP switch to the non-main channel for channel contention and transmission only when the NAV timer of the STA on the main channel is greater than (or greater than or equal to) the value set by the TXOP duration threshold field. The ED threshold field (ED Threshold) is used to indicate the ED (Energy Detection) threshold corresponding to the switch to the non-main channel. When the STA and the AP are ready to switch to the non-main channel, if the detected signal energy value on the non-main channel exceeds the value set by the ED threshold field, the STA and the AP do not switch. On the contrary, if the detected signal energy value on the non-main channel is less than the value set by the ED threshold field, the STA and the AP switch to the non-main channel for channel contention and transmission. The NPCA switch delay field (NPCA Switch Delay) is used to indicate the time required for the STA or the AP to perform channel switching. The STA or the AP sets this field to indicate the time required for the STA or the AP to switch from the main channel to the non-main channel or vice versa. The STA and the AP exchange their respective NPCA switch delays, and both of them need to wait until the channel switching of both is completed (i.e., the larger value of the NPCA switch delays of both) before transmission.

[0208] As shown in FIG. 25, the relay element is introduced next.

[0209] The relay element includes at least one of the following: an element identification field, which is used to indicate the relay element with the element identification extension field; a length field; an element identification extension field; a current AP field, which is used to indicate the MAC address of the first AP or the first AP MLD; and a target AP field, which is used to indicate the MAC address of the second AP or the second AP MLD.

[0210] In some embodiments, the STA (or non-AP MLD) establishes a secondary association with the AP (or AP MLD) in the case where the AP or AP MLD receives the relay element.

[0211] The current AP field (CurrentAP) indicates the MAC address of the primary associated AP (MLD). When this field indicates a certain AP (or corresponding link) in the primary associated AP MLD, the target AP field indicates the corresponding AP (or corresponding link, such as target AP to target link identification (Target LinkID)) in the secondary associated AP MLD. In this way, a corresponding relationship can exist, for example, when the STA sends a PPDU to an AP (i.e., target AP) or link (i.e., target link identification) in the second AP MLD, the target address (Adress 1) in the MPDU header can be set to the current AP. In this case (i.e., the current AP field indicates a certain AP or link in the primary associated AP MLD), multiple relay elements can exist in a management frame or action frame; or, one relay element can carry multiple corresponding relationships, such as by adding a number of pair fields or by indicating the number of corresponding relationships through the length. When this field indicates the MAC address of the primary associated AP MLD or any MAC address, the target AP field indicates the MAC address of the secondary associated AP MLD. When the STA sends a PPDU to any AP or link in the AP MLD, the destination address in the MPDU header can be set to the current AP.

[0212] Optionally, it can be understood that the first AP is a relay of the secondary association of the first STA with the second AP, and the second AP is a relay of the information transmission of the first STA with the first AP.

[0213] In summary, the method provided by the embodiments of the present application shows the specific content of the frame format in the secondary association establishment process, indicates the state of the channel information through the channel information element, indicates the switching time and condition of the primary channel and the non-primary channel through the NPCA parameter set, and provides the relay in the secondary association establishment process through the relay element.

[0214] 3.2 Disassociation of secondary association.

[0215] In some embodiments, the disassociation of secondary association comprises at least one of the following: the first STA initiatively disassociates the secondary association; the second AP initiatively disassociates the secondary association; the first STA and the second AP disassociate the secondary association when the primary association between the first STA and the first AP is disassociated; the first AP initiatively disassociates the secondary association of the first STA; and the first AP initiatively disassociates the secondary association of the second AP.

[0216] In some embodiments, the disassociation of secondary association can be ended based on a disassociation frame (DISASSOCIATION FRAME) in the related art, or based on the disassociation of secondary association frame shown in the present application. The disassociation frame can be sent to the first STA, or to the first AP, or to the second AP. The embodiments of the present application do not limit this.

[0217] In some embodiments, for the first STA, the disassociation of secondary association comprises at least one of the following: sending a disassociation frame to the second AP, the disassociation frame being used to disassociate at least one secondary association of the first STA and / or the second AP; or, receiving a disassociation frame sent by the second AP; or, sending a disassociation of secondary association frame to the second AP, the disassociation frame being used to disassociate at least one secondary association of the first STA and / or the second AP; or, receiving a disassociation of secondary association frame sent by the second AP; or, sending a disassociation of secondary association frame to the first AP; or, receiving a disassociation of secondary association frame sent by the first AP.

[0218] In some embodiments, for the second AP, the disassociation of secondary association comprises at least one of the following: sending a disassociation frame to the first STA, the disassociation frame being used to disassociate at least one secondary association of the first STA and / or the second AP; or, receiving a disassociation frame sent by the first STA; or, sending a disassociation of secondary association frame to the first STA, the disassociation frame being used to disassociate at least one secondary association of the first STA and / or the second AP; or, receiving a disassociation of secondary association frame sent by the first STA; or, receiving a disassociation of secondary association frame sent by the first AP; or, sending a disassociation of secondary association frame to the first AP.

[0219] In some embodiments, for the first AP, the disassociation of secondary association comprises at least one of the following: sending a disassociation of secondary association frame to the second AP, the disassociation frame being used to disassociate at least one secondary association of the first STA and / or the second AP; or, receiving a disassociation of secondary association frame sent by the first STA; or, receiving a disassociation of secondary association frame sent by the second AP.

[0220] In some embodiments, the secondary association is based on a secondary disassociation frame ending; the secondary disassociation frame includes at least one of: a frame control field, the frame control field being used to indicate information of the secondary disassociation frame; a duration field, the duration field being used to indicate a time length of occupying a channel by the secondary disassociation frame; a destination address; a source address; a BBS identifier; a sequence control field, the sequence control field being used to indicate fragment information of the secondary disassociation frame; a reason code field, the reason code field being used to indicate that a STA or an AP expects to disassociate; an AP or non-AP field, the AP or non-AP field being used to indicate that two fields continuous after the AP or non-AP field are fields corresponding to an AP or fields corresponding to a non-AP; a number of non-AP MLDs / AP MLDs field, the number of non-AP MLDs / AP MLDs field being used to indicate a number of non-AP MLDs or AP MLDs to be disassociated; non-AP MLDs / AP MLDs fields, the non-AP MLDs / AP MLDs fields being used to indicate MAC addresses of the non-AP MLDs or AP MLDs to be disassociated. The destination address is carried in an Address 1 field, the source address is carried in an Address 2 field, and the BBS identifier is carried in an Address 3 field.

[0221] The frame format of the secondary disassociation frame is shown in FIG. 26. One indication bit in a reason code is used to indicate that a STA (or a non-AP MLD) wants to disassociate with an AP (or an AP MLD); one indication bit is used to indicate that an AP (or an AP MLD, i.e., an AP or an AP MLD sending the frame) wants to disassociate one or more or all associated STAs (or non-AP MLDs) of the AP.

[0222] The AP or non-AP field: set to “0” to indicate that the following fields are a number of non-AP MLDs field and non-AP MLD fields. Set to “1” to indicate that the following fields are a number of AP MLDs field and AP MLD fields.

[0223] Taking the establishment of a primary association between a first AP and a first STA and the establishment of a secondary association between a second AP and the first STA as an example, there are the following situations for the setting of the secondary disassociation frame:

[0224] When the disassociate secondary association frame is sent by the first AP to the second AP, the disassociate secondary association frame includes a number of non-AP MLDs field and a non-AP MLD field. The number of non-AP MLDs field indicates the number of non-AP MLD field, and if the field is "0", it means that all STAs of the first AP cancel the secondary association with the second AP. All STAs of the first AP means the STAs associated with the first AP; or all STAs establishing primary association with the first AP. At this time, the non-AP MLD field is used to indicate the MAC address of the STA (or non-AP MLD) that needs to be disassociated with the second AP.

[0225] When the disassociate secondary association frame is sent by the second AP to the first AP, the disassociate secondary association frame includes a number of non-AP MLDs field and a non-AP MLD field. The number of non-AP MLDs field indicates the number of non-AP MLD field, and if the field is "0", it means that the second AP cancels the secondary association of all STAs associated with the first AP. The STAs associated with the first AP means the STAs associated with the first AP (including primary association and secondary association); or the STAs establishing primary association with the first AP. At this time, the non-AP MLD field is used to indicate the MAC address of the STA (or non-AP MLD) that needs to be disassociated with the second AP.

[0226] When the disassociate secondary association frame is sent by the first STA to the first AP, the disassociate secondary association frame includes a number of AP MLDs field and an AP MLD field. The number of AP MLDs field indicates the number of AP MLD field, and if the field is "0", it means that the first STA cancels all secondary associations. At this time, the AP MLD field is used to indicate the AP (or AP MLD) that needs to be disassociated with the first STA.

[0227] When the disassociate secondary association frame is sent by the first AP to the first STA, the disassociate secondary association frame includes a number of AP MLDs field and an AP MLD field. The number of AP MLDs field indicates the number of AP MLD field, and if the field is "0", it means that the first AP cancels the secondary association of all STAs (or non-AP MLDs). All STAs means the STAs establishing association with the first AP (including primary association and secondary association); or the STAs establishing primary association with the first AP.

[0228] It should be noted that the field format, element format, byte number, frame format and the like shown in the embodiments of the present application are optional examples, and the present application supports any adaptive modification of the frame format, field format, element format of the related frame based on the frame format, field format, element format shown in the embodiments of the present application (such as the frame format, field format, element format shown in any one of FIGS. 20 to 26), for example, adding fields, reducing some fields, recombining some fields, changing byte numbers, changing field names, and the like.

[0229] Again, the frame format, element format, field format shown in the above embodiments are examples and not limitations. The present application supports changing the format of each frame, element, field based on the format design described above, such as changing the order of fields / elements, changing the byte number of fields / elements, changing the bit number of fields / elements, changing the name of fields / elements / frames, and the like. It also supports setting some fields / elements as reserved fields. And setting some fields / elements as obsolete fields. Or setting check bits, presence bits, etc. for some fields / elements.

[0230] It should be understood that the format, name and value of the frame / element / field involved in each embodiment of the present application are only examples and do not mean to limit the format, name and value of the frame / element / field. In different embodiments or different designs, one or more of the name of the above-mentioned element / field, the position in the frame, the arrangement order between other elements / fields, the occupied byte number, the occupied bit number may change. In different embodiments or different designs, one or more of the name of the above-mentioned frame, the contained element / field, the occupied byte number, the occupied bit number may change.

[0231] In some embodiments, the three aspects of "1. Application of secondary association", "2. Service architecture based on secondary association (receiving process based on secondary association)", and "3. Establishment and release of secondary association" can be implemented separately or as combined embodiments. For example, the application method of "1. Application of secondary association" can be used to apply secondary association; or, the method of "2. Service architecture based on secondary association (receiving process based on secondary association)" can be used to construct an architecture based on secondary association; or, the method of "3. Establishment and release of secondary association" can be used to establish and release secondary association; or, the application method of "1. Application of secondary association" can be used to apply secondary association and the method of "2. Service architecture based on secondary association (receiving process based on secondary association)" can be used to construct an architecture based on secondary association; or, the application method of "1. Application of secondary association" can be used to apply secondary association and the method of "3. Establishment and release of secondary association" can be used to establish and release secondary association; or, the method of "2. Service architecture based on secondary association (receiving process based on secondary association)" can be used to construct an architecture based on secondary association and the method of "3. Establishment and release of secondary association" can be used to establish and release secondary association; or, the application method of "1. Application of secondary association" can be used to apply secondary association, the method of "2. Service architecture based on secondary association (receiving process based on secondary association)" can be used to construct an architecture based on secondary association, and the method of "3. Establishment and release of secondary association" can be used to establish and release secondary association. In addition, each sub-solution in "1. Application of secondary association", "2. Service architecture based on secondary association (receiving process based on secondary association)", and "3. Establishment and release of secondary association" can be implemented as independent embodiments or combined embodiments. For example, the establishment method of secondary association in "3. Establishment and release of secondary association" can be used to establish secondary association, and a traditional method can be used to release secondary association; or, the application method of "1. Application of secondary association" can be used to apply secondary association, the establishment method of secondary association in "3. Establishment and release of secondary association" can be used to establish secondary association, and a traditional method can be used to release secondary association; or, the method of "2. Service architecture based on secondary association (receiving process based on secondary association)" can be used to construct an architecture based on secondary association, the establishment method of secondary association in "3. Establishment and release of secondary association" can be used to establish secondary association, and a traditional method can be used to release secondary association; or, the switching method of association in "1. Application of secondary association" can be used to switch primary association, and the method of "3. Establishment and release of secondary association" can be used to establish and release secondary association; or, the switching method of association in "1. Application of secondary association" can be used to switch primary association, the method of "3. Establishment and release of secondary association" can be used to establish secondary association, and a traditional method can be used to release secondary association, etc. It should be noted that the present application only lists some combined modes, but the protection scope of the present application is not limited thereto.

[0232] In conclusion, the method provided by the embodiments of the present application shows the disassociation process of secondary association and the disassociation frame of secondary association. The disassociation of secondary association can be based on the disassociation frame of secondary association shown by the embodiments of the present application or the disassociation frame in the related art. The initiator of disassociation of secondary association can be the first STA, the first AP or the second AP, and the AP or the STA related to secondary association can selectively disassociate from secondary association based on the network status, the intensity of channel contention and the like.

[0233] FIG. 27 shows a structural block diagram of an association apparatus provided by an example embodiment of the present application. The apparatus 500 can be implemented as a first STA or a part of the first STA by software or hardware or a combination of both, and the apparatus 500 comprises:

[0234] The first association module 510 is configured to establish secondary association with the second AP in the case that the first STA has primary association with the first AP.

[0235] For details, refer to the step 210, which will not be repeated here.

[0236] In conclusion, the apparatus provided by the embodiments of the present application supports the first STA to establish secondary association with the second AP in the case that the first STA has primary association with the first AP. At this time, the first STA can not only communicate with the first AP through primary association, but also communicate with the second AP through secondary association, so that the first STA can flexibly use channel resources. Compared with the related art which only supports the first STA to establish association with one AP, the method shown by the embodiments of the present application supports the first STA to establish association with multiple APs (i.e. supports the first STA to select at least one AP for communication from multiple APs), which can reduce the events of channel contention of the first STA as much as possible and improve the transmission efficiency.

[0237] FIG. 28 shows a structural block diagram of an association apparatus provided by an example embodiment of the present application. The apparatus 600 can be implemented as a second AP or a part of the second AP by software or hardware or a combination of both, and the apparatus 600 comprises:

[0238] The second association module 610 is configured to establish secondary association with the first STA in the case that the first STA has primary association with the first AP.

[0239] For details, refer to the step 310, which will not be repeated here.

[0240] In conclusion, the device provided by the embodiment of the present application supports the first STA to establish secondary association with the second AP in the case that the first STA has established primary association with the first AP, at this time, the first STA can not only communicate with the first AP through the primary association, but also communicate with the second AP through the secondary association, so that the first STA can flexibly use channel resources, compared with the related art which only supports the first STA to establish association with one AP, the method shown in the present application supports the first STA to establish association with multiple APs (i.e. supports the first STA to select at least one AP for communication from multiple APs), which can reduce the event of the first STA contending for the channel as much as possible, and improves the transmission efficiency.

[0241] FIG. 29 shows a structural block diagram of an association device provided by an example embodiment of the present application. The device 700 can be implemented as the first AP or a part of the first AP by software or hardware or a combination of both, the device 700 comprises:

[0242] The third receiving module 710 is configured to receive the MPDU sent by the first STA through the second AP, the first STA and the second AP have secondary association, and the secondary association is established in the case that the first STA and the first AP have primary association.

[0243] For details, refer to the above step 410, which will not be repeated here.

[0244] In conclusion, the device provided by the embodiment of the present application supports the first STA to establish secondary association with the second AP in the case that the first STA has established primary association with the first AP, at this time, the first STA can not only communicate with the first AP through the primary association, but also communicate with the second AP through the secondary association, so that the first STA can flexibly use channel resources, compared with the related art which only supports the first STA to establish association with one AP, the method shown in the present application supports the first STA to establish association with multiple APs (i.e. supports the first STA to select at least one AP for communication from multiple APs), which can reduce the event of the first STA contending for the channel as much as possible, and improves the transmission efficiency.

[0245] Next, the secondary association proposed by the embodiment of the present application will be further introduced from the following three aspects: application of secondary association, service architecture based on secondary association (receiving process based on secondary association), and establishment and release of secondary association.

[0246] 1. Application of secondary association.

[0247] For details, refer to the above method embodiment "1. Application of secondary association", which will not be repeated here.

[0248] In some embodiments, the first STA sends the uplink PPDU to the first AP through the second AP.

[0249] In some embodiments, the first STA sends the uplink PPDU to the first AP through the second AP in any scenario. Or, the first STA sends the uplink PPDU to the first AP through the second AP in the case that the channel of the first AP is busy.

[0250] In some embodiments, the channel of the first AP being busy comprises at least one of the following: a NAV timer set by the first AP is not ended; the first AP performs PPDU transmission with the second STA; the channel of the first AP is occupied by OBSS transmission; the first AP reserves a TXOP but the receiving station of the RTS sent by the first AP does not include the first STA; the first AP reserves a TXOP for transmission with the second STA.

[0251] In some embodiments, the apparatus 600 comprises a second transmission module. After receiving the uplink PPDU sent by the first STA, the second transmission module is configured to send a downlink PPDU to the first STA, the downlink PPDU being an acknowledgement feedback or a negative acknowledgement feedback of the uplink PPDU. For example, the uplink PPDU sent by the first STA carries a data frame, and the downlink PPDU sent by the second AP carries a corresponding BA (Block Acknowledgment) frame.

[0252] In some embodiments, the apparatus 500 comprises a first receiving module. The first receiving module is configured to receive a downlink PPDU sent by the second AP, the downlink PPDU being an acknowledgement feedback or a negative acknowledgement feedback of the uplink PPDU.

[0253] 1.1. An example of selecting a channel for transmission.

[0254] The specific content parameters of the "1.1. An example of selecting a channel for transmission" in the above method embodiment are not repeated here.

[0255] 1.2. An example of selecting to switch association.

[0256] The specific content parameters of the "1.2. An example of selecting to switch association" in the above method embodiment are not repeated here.

[0257] In another alternative embodiment, the apparatus 500 comprises a determining module. The determining module is configured to select the switching association relationship (i.e. primary association and secondary association) based on the channel state of the first AP and the second AP. The first STA selects whether to switch the primary association based on at least one of the channel quality of the first AP and the channel quality of the second AP. For example, the first STA selects whether to switch the primary association based on at least one of the channel quality of the first AP and the channel quality of the second AP, which includes at least one of the following: in the case that the channel quality of the first AP is higher than the channel quality of the second AP, maintaining the primary association with the first AP and maintaining the primary association with the second AP; in the case that the channel quality of the first AP is lower than the channel quality of the second AP, switching the association with the second AP to the primary association; in the case that the channel quality of the first AP is equal to the channel quality of the second AP, maintaining the primary association with the first AP and maintaining the primary association with the second AP; in the case that the channel quality of the first AP is equal to the channel quality of the second AP, switching the association with the second AP to the primary association.

[0258] Optionally, the first STA can only establish the primary association with one AP, and therefore cannot maintain the primary association with the first AP while switching the association with the second AP to the primary association. In this case, the first STA can select to release the association with the first AP or switch the association with the first AP to the secondary association. That is, the first STA switches the association with the second AP to the primary association in the case that the channel quality of the first AP is lower than the channel quality of the second AP, which includes at least one of the following: in the case that the channel quality of the first AP is lower than the channel quality of the second AP, switching the association with the second AP to the primary association and switching the association with the first AP to the secondary association; in the case that the channel quality of the first AP is lower than the channel quality of the second AP, switching the association with the second AP to the primary association and releasing the association with the first AP. The first STA switches the association with the second AP to the primary association in the case that the channel quality of the first AP is equal to the channel quality of the second AP, which includes at least one of the following: in the case that the channel quality of the first AP is equal to the channel quality of the second AP, switching the association with the second AP to the primary association and switching the association with the first AP to the secondary association; in the case that the channel quality of the first AP is equal to the channel quality of the second AP, switching the association with the second AP to the primary association and releasing the association with the first AP.

[0259] In addition, the above-mentioned switching of the association with the second AP to the primary association can be releasing the secondary association between the first STA and the second AP and then establishing the primary association between the first STA and the second AP, or can be changing the parameters related to the association between the first STA and the second AP so that the association between the first STA and the second AP changes from the secondary association to the primary association, which is not limited in the present application. The switching of the association with the first AP to the secondary association is similar, which is not described herein again.

[0260] 1.3 Related parameters of secondary association.

[0261] Next, related parameters of secondary association based on the present application are introduced, or the setting of some related parameters (such as the parameters of the preamble) in the frame when the first STA transmits through secondary association with the second AP.

[0262] In some embodiments, the destination address of the MPDU in the uplink PPDU sent by the first STA to the second AP through secondary association is one of the following: the MAC address of the first AP; the MAC address of the first AP MLD; the MAC address set in the first AP MLD. That is, the receiving end of the uplink PPDU is the second AP, but the destination address of the MPDU in the uplink PPDU is set to be related to the first AP. When the destination address of the MPDU is related to the first AP, the second AP can send the MPDU to the first AP based on the destination address.

[0263] In some embodiments, the source address of the MPDU in the downlink PPDU sent by the second AP to the first STA is at least one of the following: the MAC address of the second AP; the MAC address of the second AP MLD; the MAC address set in the second AP MLD; the MAC address of the first AP; the MAC address of the first AP MLD; the MAC address set in the first AP MLD.

[0264] In some embodiments, the uplink PPDU and / or the downlink PPDU comply with at least one of the following: the bandwidth field in the general signal field is the bandwidth occupied by the uplink PPDU; the basic service set BSS color field in the general signal field is the BSS color of the second AP; the user field is the association identifier obtained when the first STA is associated with the second AP. That is, the preamble in the uplink PPDU sent to the second AP complies with at least one of the following conditions: the Bandwidth field in the U-SIG is set to the bandwidth occupied by the uplink PPDU sent to the second AP; the BSS Color field in the U-SIG is set to the BSS Color of the second AP; the STA-ID of the User field is set to the AID obtained when the first STA is associated with the second AP (i.e. 11 LSBs (Least Significant Bits) of the AID (11 least significant bits in the AID field)). The preamble in the downlink PPDU corresponding to the uplink PPDU received by the first STA and sent by the second AP complies with at least one of the following conditions: the BSS Color field in the U-SIG is set to the BSS Color of the second AP; the STA-ID of the User field is set to the AID obtained when the first STA is associated with the second AP.

[0265] Alternatively, the uplink PPDU and / or the downlink PPDU satisfies at least one of the following: the bandwidth field is the bandwidth occupied by the uplink PPDU; the basic service set (BSS) color field is the BSS color of the second AP; and the user field is an association identifier obtained when the first STA is associated with the second AP.

[0266] In addition, in the method shown in FIG. 17, the first STA sends an uplink PPDU to both the first AP and the second AP. In order to reduce the interference between the two uplink PPDUs, the following setting method can be used. The uplink PPDU sent by the first STA to the second AP satisfies at least one of the following: the PPDU length is equal; the preamble length of the PPDU is equal; and the time domain unit corresponding to the PPDU is boundary aligned (OFDM symbol boundary alignment).

[0267] In some embodiments, the uplink PPDU sent by the first STA to the first AP satisfies at least one of the following: the bandwidth field in the generic signal field is the bandwidth occupied by the uplink PPDU; the basic service set (BSS) color field in the generic signal field is the BSS color of the first AP; and the user field is an association identifier obtained when the first STA is associated with the first AP. The downlink PPDU sent by the first AP to the first STA satisfies at least one of the following: the basic service set (BSS) color field in the generic signal field is the BSS color of the first AP; and the user field is an association identifier obtained when the first STA is associated with the first AP.

[0268] In some embodiments, the apparatus 600 further includes a second receiving module. The second receiving module is configured to receive the uplink PPDU sent by the first STA, process the uplink PPDU to obtain an MPDU in the uplink PPDU, and send the MPDU to the first AP. Optionally, the second receiving module is further configured to receive the uplink PPDU sent by the first STA in the case that the channel of the first AP is busy.

[0269] In some embodiments, the third receiving module 710 is configured to receive the MPDU in the uplink PPDU sent by the first STA through the second AP in the case that the channel of the first AP is busy.

[0270] 2. Service architecture based on secondary association (secondary association-based receiving process).

[0271] The specific content parameter of the "2. Service architecture based on secondary association (secondary association-based receiving process)" in the above method embodiment is not repeated here.

[0272] In some embodiments, the first AP comprises an upper MAC sublayer and a lower MAC sublayer, and the second AP comprises an upper MAC sublayer and a lower MAC sublayer. The uplink PPDU sent by the first STA to the second AP is processed by the lower MAC sublayer of the second AP to obtain the MPDUs in the uplink PPDU, and the MPDUs are transmitted by the second AP to the upper MAC sublayer of the first AP for processing.

[0273] In some embodiments, the first AP comprises an upper MAC sublayer and a lower MAC sublayer, and the second AP comprises an upper MAC sublayer and a lower MAC sublayer. The uplink PPDU sent by the first STA to the second AP is processed by the lower MAC sublayer of the second AP to obtain the MPDUs in the uplink PPDU, and the MPDUs are transmitted by the second AP to the upper MAC sublayer of the first AP for processing.

[0274] In some embodiments, the first AP comprises an upper MAC sublayer and a lower MAC sublayer, and the second AP comprises an upper MAC sublayer and a lower MAC sublayer. The uplink PPDU sent by the first STA to the second AP is processed by the lower MAC sublayer of the second AP to obtain the MPDUs in the uplink PPDU, and the MPDUs are transmitted by the second AP to the upper MAC sublayer of the first AP for processing.

[0275] 3. Establishment and release of secondary association.

[0276] First, taking the first STA and the second AP as an example, the process of establishing a secondary association between a non-AP STA (or non-AP MLD) and an AP MLD (an AP affiliated with an AP MLD, i.e., an AP associated with an AP MLD) is introduced.

[0277] 3.1 Establishment of secondary association.

[0278] The prerequisite for establishing a secondary association is that the first STA has a first AP with which it has established a primary association and has performed data transmission. The first association module 510 is further configured to perform a security process and an identity authentication process with the second AP through at least one of a fast roaming request frame, a fast roaming response frame, a fast roaming confirmation frame, and a fast roaming feedback frame; send a re-association request frame to the second AP, the re-association request frame comprising transmission parameters of the first STA and the first AP; and receive a re-association response frame sent by the second AP, the re-association response frame comprising transmission parameters of the first STA and the first AP.

[0279] The second association module 610 is further configured to perform a security procedure and an identity authentication procedure with the first STA by using at least one of a fast roaming request frame, a fast roaming response frame, a fast roaming confirmation frame, and a fast roaming feedback frame; receive a re-association request frame sent by the first STA, the re-association request frame including transmission parameters of the first STA and the first AP; and send a re-association response frame to the first STA, the re-association response frame including transmission parameters of the first STA and the second AP.

[0280] The establishment process of the secondary association is described above with reference to the related description of FIG. 19 in the method embodiments, and thus is not described herein again.

[0281] Next, the frame structure used in the establishment process of the secondary association is described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0282] The at least one of the fast roaming request frame, the fast roaming response frame, the fast roaming confirmation frame, the fast roaming feedback frame, the re-association request frame, and the re-association response frame described above includes at least one of the following: a channel information element, the channel information element being used to indicate a channel state; a relay element, the relay element being used to indicate that the STA and the AP establish the secondary association; a STA control field, the STA control field being used to indicate whether a BSS color element and a channel information element exist in a STA information field corresponding to the STA control field; and the STA information field, the STA information field including the BSS color element and the channel information element.

[0283] First, the modification of the basic multi-link element (BASIC MULTI-LINK ELEMENT) shown in FIG. 6 is described. The modified basic multi-link element is mainly modified in the STA control field and the STA information field relative to the basic multi-link element shown in FIG. 6.

[0284] FIG. 20 shows the STA control field in the modified basic multi-link element.

[0285] The STA control field includes at least one of the following: a link identification field; a complete profile field; a STA MAC address existence bit; a beacon period existence bit; a TSF offset existence bit; a DTIM information existence bit; an NSTR bitmap size field; a BSS parameter change counter existence bit; a BSS color existence bit; and a channel information existence bit.

[0286] The related parameters in this field are described above with reference to the related content of FIG. 20, and thus are not described herein again.

[0287] FIG. 21 shows the STA information field in the modified basic multi-link element.

[0288] STA information field: the STA information field includes at least one of the following: STA information length field; STA MAC address field; beacon period field; TSF offset field; DTIM information field; NSTR indication bitmap; BSS parameter change counter; BSS color; channel information.

[0289] The related parameters in the field are explained in the related content of FIG. 21 in the above method embodiment, which will not be repeated here.

[0290] The BSS color element and the information channel element are included in the STA information field shown in FIG. 21, the BSS color element is shown in FIG. 22, and the information channel element is shown in FIG. 23. Next, the BSS color element and the information channel element will be introduced respectively.

[0291] BSS color element: the BSS color element includes at least one of the following: BSS color of the primary channel; BSS color of the non-primary channel.

[0292] The related parameters in the field are explained in the related content of FIG. 22 in the above method embodiment, which will not be repeated here.

[0293] Information channel element: the channel information element includes at least one of the following: element identification field (Element ID), the element identification field is used to indicate the channel information element with the element identification extension field; length field (Length); element identification extension field (Element ID Extension); channel number field (Channel Number), the channel number field is used to indicate the number of channels occupied by the primary channel of the AP; non-primary channel offset field (Non-primary Channel Offset), the non-primary channel offset field is used to indicate the relative position of the non-primary channel and the primary channel of the AP; transmit power envelope field (Transmit Power Envelope), the transmit power envelope field is used to indicate the maximum transmit power under different bandwidths; NPCA parameter set (NPCA Parameter Set), the NPCA parameter set is used to indicate the parameters in the NPCA process.

[0294] The NPCA parameter set included in the information channel element is shown in FIG. 24.

[0295] NPCA parameter set: the NPCA parameter set includes at least one of the following: switching mode field, the switching mode field is used to indicate the information of switching from the primary channel transmission to the non-primary channel transmission of the STA and the AP; PPDU duration threshold field; TXOP duration threshold field; ED threshold field; NPCA switching delay field.

[0296] The related parameter explanation in this field can refer to the related content in FIG. 24 in the foregoing method embodiment, which is not described herein again.

[0297] As shown in FIG. 25, the relay element is introduced next.

[0298] The relay element includes at least one of the following: an element identifier field, the element identifier field being used to indicate the relay element with the element identifier extension field; a length field; an element identifier extension field; a current AP field, the current AP field being used to indicate the MAC address of the first AP or the first AP MLD; and a target AP field, the target AP field being used to indicate the MAC address of the second AP or the second AP MLD.

[0299] The related parameter explanation in this field can refer to the related content in FIG. 25 in the foregoing method embodiment, which is not described herein again.

[0300] 3.2 Disestablishment of secondary association.

[0301] In some embodiments, the disestablishment of secondary association includes at least one of the following: the first STA initiatively disestablishes the secondary association; the second AP initiatively disestablishes the secondary association; the first STA and the second AP disestablish the secondary association when the primary association between the first STA and the first AP is disestablished; the first AP initiatively disestablishes the secondary association of the first STA; and the first AP initiatively disestablishes the secondary association of the second AP.

[0302] The secondary association can be ended based on a disassociation frame (DISASSOCIATION FRAME) in the related art, or can be ended based on the disestablishment of secondary association frame shown in the present application. The disassociation frame can be sent to the first STA, or can be sent to the first AP, or can be sent to the second AP. The present embodiment is not limited in this regard.

[0303] In some embodiments, the apparatus 500 further includes a first transmission module. The first transmission module is configured to send a disassociation frame to the second AP, the disassociation frame being used to disestablish at least one secondary association of the first STA and / or the second AP; or, receive a disassociation frame sent by the second AP; or, send a disestablishment of secondary association frame to the second AP, the disassociation frame being used to disestablish at least one secondary association of the first STA and / or the second AP; or, receive a disestablishment of secondary association frame sent by the second AP; or, send a disestablishment of secondary association frame to the first AP; or, receive a disestablishment of secondary association frame sent by the first AP.

[0304] In some embodiments, the apparatus 600 further includes a second transmission module. The second transmission module is configured to send, to the first STA, a disassociation frame, the disassociation frame being used to disassociate at least one secondary association of the first STA and / or the second AP; or, receive a disassociation frame sent by the first STA; or, send, to the first STA, a secondary disassociation frame, the secondary disassociation frame being used to disassociate at least one secondary association of the first STA and / or the second AP; or, receive a secondary disassociation frame sent by the first STA; or, receive a secondary disassociation frame sent by the first AP; or, send, to the first AP, a secondary disassociation frame.

[0305] In some embodiments, the apparatus 700 further includes a third transmission module. The third transmission module is configured to send, to the second AP, a secondary disassociation frame, the secondary disassociation frame being used to disassociate at least one secondary association of the first STA and / or the second AP; or, receive a secondary disassociation frame sent by the first STA; or, receive a secondary disassociation frame sent by the second AP.

[0306] In some embodiments, the secondary association is ended based on the secondary disassociation frame; the secondary disassociation frame includes at least one of the following: a frame control field, the frame control field being used to indicate information of the secondary disassociation frame; a duration field, the duration field being used to indicate a time length of occupying a channel by the secondary disassociation frame; a destination address; a source address; a BBS identifier; a sequence control field, the sequence control field being used to indicate fragment information of the secondary disassociation frame; a reason code field, the reason code field being used to indicate that a STA or an AP expects to disassociate; an AP or non-AP field, the AP or non-AP field being used to indicate that two fields continuous after the AP or non-AP field are fields corresponding to an AP or fields corresponding to a non-AP; a number of non-AP MLDs / AP MLDs field, the number of non-AP MLDs / AP MLDs field being used to indicate a number of non-AP MLDs or AP MLDs to be disassociated; and a non-AP MLD / AP MLD field, the non-AP MLD / AP MLD field being used to indicate MAC addresses of the non-AP MLDs or AP MLDs to be disassociated. The destination address is carried in an Address 1 field, the source address is carried in an Address 2 field, and the BBS identifier is carried in an Address 3 field.

[0307] In some embodiments, the secondary disassociation frame has a frame format as shown in FIG. 26. For details of the related parameters in the frame, refer to the related content of FIG. 26 in the method embodiments, which will not be described here.

[0308] FIG. 30 shows a structural schematic diagram of a wireless device (AP or STA) according to some example embodiments of the present application. The wireless device 800 includes a processor 801, a receiver 802, a transmitter 803, a memory 804, and a bus 805.

[0309] The processor 801 comprises one or more processing cores, and the processor 801 performs various functional applications and information processing by running software programs and modules.

[0310] The receiver 802 and the transmitter 803 can be implemented as one communication component, which can be one communication chip.

[0311] The memory 804 is connected to the processor 801 through the bus 805. The memory 804 can be used to store at least one instruction, and the processor 801 is used to execute the at least one instruction to implement various steps in the above method embodiments.

[0312] In addition, the memory 804 can be implemented by any type of volatile or non-volatile storage devices or a combination thereof, including but not limited to: a magnetic or optical disk, an Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory (EEPROM), an Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory (EPROM), a Static Random-Access Memory (SRAM), a Read-Only Memory (ROM), a magnetic storage, a flash memory, and a Programmable Read-Only Memory (PROM).

[0313] In some embodiments, the receiver 802 independently receives signals / data, or the processor 801 controls the receiver 802 to receive signals / data, or the processor 801 requests the receiver 802 to receive signals / data, or the processor 801 cooperates with the receiver 802 to receive signals / data.

[0314] In some embodiments, the transmitter 803 independently transmits signals / data, or the processor 801 controls the transmitter 803 to transmit signals / data, or the processor 801 requests the transmitter 803 to transmit signals / data, or the processor 801 cooperates with the transmitter 803 to transmit signals / data.

[0315] In an example embodiment of the present application, a computer readable storage medium is also provided, and the computer readable storage medium stores at least one program, the at least one program is loaded and executed by the processor, and the computer readable storage medium implements the associated method provided by each of the above method embodiments.

[0316] In an example embodiment of the present application, a chip is also provided, which includes programmable logic circuit and / or program instructions, and when the chip is running on a communication device, is used to implement the associated method provided by each of the method embodiments.

[0317] In an example embodiment of the present application, a computer program product is also provided, which when running on a processor of a wireless device, causes the wireless device to perform the associated method.

[0318] In an example embodiment of the present application, a computer program is also provided, which includes computer instructions, and when a processor of a wireless device executes the computer instructions, causes the wireless device to perform the associated method.

[0319] Those skilled in the art should be aware that in one or more of the examples described above, the functions described by the embodiments of the present application can be implemented in hardware, software, firmware or any combination thereof. When implemented in software, the functions can be stored in a computer readable medium or transmitted as one or more instructions or code on a computer readable medium. The computer readable medium includes computer storage medium and communication medium, and the communication medium includes any medium that facilitates the transfer of computer program from one place to another. The storage medium can be any available medium that can be accessed by a general purpose or special purpose computer.

[0320] It should be understood that the frame format and element format shown in the embodiments of the present application are exemplary cases, and in different embodiments or different designs, at least one of the following can be changed: the position of each field in the frame / element, the arrangement order between the fields, the number of bytes occupied, and the number of bits occupied. The specific format of each frame and each element is not limited by the present application.

[0321] The above description is only optional embodiments of the present application, and does not limit the present application. Any modification, equivalent replacement, improvement, etc. made within the spirit and principles of the present application shall be included in the protection scope of the present application.

Claims

1. A method of association, characterized by, The method is performed by a first station STA, and the method comprises: establishing a secondary association with a second AP in a case that a primary association with a first AP exists.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein, The first STA sends an uplink physical layer protocol data unit (PPDU) to the first AP through the second AP.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein, The first STA sends an uplink PPDU to the first AP through the second AP in a case that a channel of the first AP is busy.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein, The channel of the first AP being busy comprises at least one of the following: a network allocation vector (NAV) timer set by the first AP is not ended; the first AP performs PPDU transmission with a second STA; the channel of the first AP is occupied by an overlapping basic service set (OBSS) transmission; the first AP reserves a transmission opportunity (TXOP) but a receiving station of a request to send (RTS) sent by the first AP does not comprise the first STA; the first AP reserves the TXOP for transmission with the second STA.

5. The method according to any one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that, The first AP comprises a high medium access control (MAC) sublayer and a low MAC sublayer; the second AP comprises a high MAC sublayer and a low MAC sublayer; the uplink PPDU is processed by the low MAC sublayer of the second AP to obtain a MAC protocol data unit (MPDU) in the uplink PPDU; and the MPDU is transmitted by the second AP to the high MAC sublayer of the first AP for processing.

6. The method according to any one of claims 2 to 5, characterized in that, A destination address of the MPDU is one of the following: a MAC address of the first AP; a MAC address of a first AP multi-link device (MLD); a MAC address set in the first AP MLD.

7. The method according to any one of claims 2 to 6, characterized in that, The method further comprises: receiving a downlink PPDU sent by the second AP, the downlink PPDU being an acknowledgement feedback or a negative acknowledgement feedback of the uplink PPDU.

8. The method according to any one of claims 2 to 7, characterized in that, The uplink PPDU and / or the downlink PPDU comply with at least one of the following: a bandwidth field in a general signal field being a bandwidth occupied by the uplink PPDU; a basic service set (BSS) color field in the general signal field being a BSS color of the second AP; a user field being an association identifier obtained when the first STA is associated with the second AP.

9. The method according to any one of claims 2 to 8, characterized in that, The uplink PPDU sent by the first STA to the second AP and an uplink PPDU sent by the first STA to the first AP comply with at least one of the following: PPDU lengths being equal; preamble lengths of the PPDUs being equal; boundaries of time domain units corresponding to the PPDUs being aligned.

10. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that, The establishing a secondary association with a second AP in a case that a primary association with a first AP exists comprises: performing a security process and an identity authentication process with the second AP through at least one of a fast roam request frame, a fast roam response frame, a fast roam confirmation frame, and a fast roam feedback frame; sending a re-association request frame to the second AP, the re-association request frame comprising transmission parameters of the first STA and the first AP; receiving a re-association response frame sent by the second AP, the re-association response frame comprising transmission parameters of the first STA and the first AP.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein, At least one of the fast roaming request frame, the fast roaming response frame, the fast roaming acknowledgement frame, the fast roaming feedback frame, the re-association request frame and the re-association response frame comprises at least one of: a channel information element for indicating a channel state; a relay element for indicating that the STA establishes a secondary association with the AP; a STA control field for indicating whether a BSS color element and the channel information element exist in a STA information field corresponding to the STA control field; and the STA information field comprising the BSS color element and the channel information element.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein, The channel information element comprises at least one of: an element identification field for indicating the channel information element with an element identification extension field; a length field; the element identification extension field; a channel number field for indicating a number of channels occupied by a primary channel of the AP; a non-primary channel offset field for indicating a relative position of a non-primary channel of the AP and the primary channel; a transmit power envelope field for indicating a maximum transmit power under different bandwidths; and a non-primary channel access (NPCA) parameter set for indicating parameters in an NPCA process. The NPCA parameter set comprises at least one of: a switching mode field for indicating information of switching from primary channel transmission to non-primary channel transmission between the STA and the AP; a PPDU duration threshold field; a TXOP duration threshold field; an energy detection (ED) threshold field; and an NPCA switching delay field.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein, The relay element comprises at least one of: an element identification field for indicating the relay element with an element identification extension field; a length field; the element identification extension field; a current AP field for indicating a MAC address of the first AP or a first AP MLD; and a target AP field for indicating a MAC address of the second AP or a second AP MLD. The method further comprises:

14. The method of claim 11, wherein, sending, to the second AP, a disassociation frame for disassociating at least one secondary association of the first STA and / or the second AP; or receiving the disassociation frame sent by the second AP; or sending, to the second AP, a secondary disassociation frame for disassociating at least one secondary association of the first STA and / or the second AP; or receiving the secondary disassociation frame sent by the second AP; or sending, to the first AP, the secondary disassociation frame; or receiving the secondary disassociation frame sent by the first AP. The secondary association ends based on a secondary disassociation frame; and the secondary disassociation frame comprises at least one of: a frame control field for indicating information of the secondary disassociation frame; a duration field for indicating a time length of occupying a channel by the secondary disassociation frame; a destination address; and a source address. ​ 15. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that, ​ ​ 16. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 15, characterized in that, ​ a source address; a BBS identifier; a sequence control field used for indicating fragment information of the de-Secondary Association frame; a reason code field used for indicating that a STA or an AP expects de-Secondary Association; an AP or non-AP field used for indicating that two fields successively following the AP or non-AP field are fields corresponding to an AP or a non-AP; a number of non-AP MLDs / AP MLDs field used for indicating a number of non-AP MLDs or AP MLDs to be de-Secondary Associated; and non-AP MLD / AP MLD fields used for indicating MAC addresses of the non-AP MLDs or AP MLDs to be de-Secondary Associated.

17. The method of any one of claims 1 to 16, wherein, The method further comprises: selecting whether to switch a primary association based on at least one of a channel quality of the first AP and a channel quality of the second AP.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein, The selecting whether to switch the primary association based on at least one of the channel quality of the first AP and the channel quality of the second AP comprises one of the following: in a case where the channel quality of the first AP is higher than the channel quality of the second AP, maintaining the primary association with the first AP and maintaining a secondary association with the second AP; in a case where the channel quality of the first AP is lower than the channel quality of the second AP, switching the association with the second AP to the primary association and switching the association with the first AP to the secondary association; in a case where the channel quality of the first AP is lower than the channel quality of the second AP, switching the association with the second AP to the primary association and de-associating with the first AP; in a case where the channel quality of the first AP is equal to the channel quality of the second AP, maintaining the primary association with the first AP and maintaining the secondary association with the second AP; in a case where the channel quality of the first AP is equal to the channel quality of the second AP, switching the association with the second AP to the primary association and switching the association with the first AP to the secondary association; and in a case where the channel quality of the first AP is equal to the channel quality of the second AP, switching the association with the second AP to the primary association and de-associating with the first AP. The method is performed by a second AP and comprises: establishing a secondary association with a first STA in a case where the first STA has a primary association with a first AP. The method further comprises: receiving an uplink physical layer protocol data unit (PPDU) sent by the first STA; 19. An association method characterized by, processing the uplink PPDU to obtain a medium access control (MAC) protocol data unit (MPDU) in the uplink PPDU; sending the MPDU to the first AP.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein, The receiving the uplink PPDU sent by the first STA comprises: receiving the uplink PPDU sent by the first STA in a case where a channel of the first AP is busy. ​ ​ ​ 21. The method of claim 20, wherein, ​ 22. The method of claim 21, wherein, The channel busy of the first AP comprises at least one of: a network allocation vector (NAV) timer set by the first AP not ending; the first AP performing a PPDU transmission with a second STA; a channel of the first AP being occupied by an overlapping basic service set (OBSS) transmission; the first AP reserving a transmission opportunity (TXOP) but a receiving station of a request to send (RTS) sent by the first AP not comprising the first STA; the first AP reserving the TXOP for transmission with the second STA.

23. The method of any one of claims 20 to 22, wherein, The first AP comprises a high MAC sublayer and a low MAC sublayer; and the second AP comprises a high MAC sublayer and a low MAC sublayer. The processing of the uplink PPDU comprises processing a media access control (MAC) protocol data unit (MPDU) in the uplink PPDU. The MPDU is processed by the low MAC sublayer of the second AP. The MPDU is transmitted by the second AP to the high MAC sublayer of the first AP.

24. The method of any one of claims 20 to 23, wherein, The destination address of the MPDU is one of: a MAC address of the first AP; a MAC address of a first AP multi-link device (MLD); and a MAC address set in the first AP MLD.

25. The method of any one of claims 20 to 24, wherein, The method further comprises: sending, to the first STA, a downlink PPDU, the downlink PPDU being an acknowledgement feedback or a negative acknowledgement feedback of the uplink PPDU.

26. The method of any one of claims 20 to 25, wherein, The uplink PPDU and / or the downlink PPDU comply with at least one of: a bandwidth field in a general signal field being a bandwidth occupied by the second AP; a basic service set (BSS) color field in the general signal field being a BSS color of the second AP; and a user field being an association identifier obtained when the first STA is associated with the second AP.

27. The method of any one of claims 20 to 26, wherein, The uplink PPDU sent by the first STA to the second AP complies with at least one of: a PPDU length being equal to a PPDU length of an uplink PPDU sent by the first STA to the first AP; a preamble length of the PPDU being equal to a preamble length of the uplink PPDU; and a boundary of a time domain unit corresponding to the PPDU being aligned with a boundary of a time domain unit corresponding to the uplink PPDU.

28. The method of any one of claims 19 to 27, wherein, In a case where a primary association exists between a first station (STA) and a first AP, establishing a secondary association with the first STA comprises: performing a security procedure and an identity authentication procedure with the first STA through at least one of a fast roam request frame, a fast roam response frame, a fast roam confirmation frame, and a fast roam feedback frame; receiving a re-association request frame sent by the first STA, the re-association request frame comprising transmission parameters of the first STA and the first AP; sending, to the first STA, a re-association response frame, the re-association response frame comprising transmission parameters of the first STA and the second AP.

29. The method of claim 28, wherein, At least one of the fast roaming request frame, the fast roaming response frame, the fast roaming acknowledgement frame, the fast roaming feedback frame, the re-association request frame and the re-association response frame comprises at least one of: a channel information element for indicating a channel state; a relay element for indicating that the STA establishes a secondary association with the AP; a STA control field for indicating whether a BSS color element and the channel information element exist in a STA information field corresponding to the STA control field; and the STA information field comprising the BSS color element and the channel information element.

30. The method of claim 29, wherein, The channel information element comprises at least one of: an element identification field for indicating the channel information element with an element identification extension field; a length field; the element identification extension field; a channel number field for indicating a number of channels occupied by a primary channel of the AP; a non-primary channel offset field for indicating a relative position of a non-primary channel of the AP and the primary channel; a transmit power envelope field for indicating a maximum transmit power under different bandwidths; and a non-primary channel access (NPCA) parameter set for indicating parameters in an NPCA process. The non-primary channel access parameter set comprises at least one of: a switching mode field for indicating information of switching from primary channel transmission to non-primary channel transmission between the STA and the AP; a PPDU duration threshold field; a TXOP duration threshold field; an energy detection (ED) threshold field; and an NPCA switching delay field.

31. The method of claim 30, wherein, The relay element comprises at least one of: an element identification field for indicating the relay element with an element identification extension field; a length field; the element identification extension field; a current AP field for indicating a MAC address of the first AP or a first AP MLD; a target AP field for indicating a MAC address of the second AP or a second AP MLD. The method further comprises:

32. The method of claim 29, wherein, sending, to the first STA, a disassociation frame for disassociating at least one secondary association of the first STA and / or the second AP; or, receiving the disassociation frame sent by the first STA; or, sending, to the first STA, a secondary disassociation frame for disassociating at least one secondary association of the first STA and / or the second AP; or, receiving the secondary disassociation frame sent by the first STA; or, receiving the secondary disassociation frame sent by the first AP; or, sending, to the first AP, the secondary disassociation frame. The secondary association ends based on a secondary disassociation frame; and the secondary disassociation frame comprises at least one of: a frame control field for indicating information of the secondary disassociation frame; a duration field for indicating a time length of occupying a channel by the secondary disassociation frame; a destination address; ​ 33. The method of any one of claims 19 to 32, wherein, ​ ​ 34. The method of any one of claims 19 to 33, wherein, ​ a source address; a BBS identifier; a sequence control field used to indicate fragment information of the de- secondary association frame; a reason code field used to indicate that a STA or an AP expects to be de- secondarily associated; an AP or non-AP field used to indicate that two fields successively following the AP or non-AP field are fields corresponding to an AP or a non-AP; a number of non-AP MLDs / AP MLDs field used to indicate a number of non-AP MLDs or AP MLDs to be de- secondarily associated; and a non-AP MLD / AP MLD field used to indicate MAC addresses of the non-AP MLDs or AP MLDs to be de- secondarily associated.

35. The method of any one of claims 19 to 34, wherein, The first STA selects whether to switch primary association based on at least one of channel quality of the first AP and channel quality of the second AP.

36. The method of claim 35, wherein, In a case where the channel quality of the first AP is higher than the channel quality of the second AP, maintaining primary association with the first AP and maintaining secondary association with the second AP; In a case where the channel quality of the first AP is lower than the channel quality of the second AP, switching association with the second AP to primary association and switching association with the first AP to secondary association; in a case where the channel quality of the first AP is lower than the channel quality of the second AP, switching association with the second AP to primary association and de-associating with the first AP; In a case where the channel quality of the first AP is equal to the channel quality of the second AP, maintaining primary association with the first AP and maintaining secondary association with the second AP; In a case where the channel quality of the first AP is equal to the channel quality of the second AP, switching association with the second AP to the primary association and switching association with the first AP to secondary association; In a case where the channel quality of the first AP is equal to the channel quality of the second AP, switching association with the second AP to the primary association and de-associating with the first AP.

37. An association method characterized by, The method is performed by a first AP, and the method comprises: receiving a media access control (MAC) protocol data unit (MPDU) sent by a second AP by a first station (STA), the first STA and the second AP having a secondary association, the secondary association being established in a case where the first STA and the first AP have a primary association.

38. The method of claim 37, wherein, The receiving a media access control (MAC) protocol data unit (MPDU) sent by a second AP by a first station (STA) comprises: in a case where a channel of the first AP is busy, receiving an MPDU in an uplink PPDU sent by the first STA through the second AP.

39. The method of claim 38, wherein, The channel busy of the first AP includes at least one of the following: a network allocation vector (NAV) timer set by the first AP is not ended; the first AP performs PPDU transmission with a second STA; a channel of the first AP is occupied by an overlapping basic service set (OBSS) transmission; the first AP reserves a transmission opportunity (TXOP) but a receiving station of a request to send (RTS) sent by the first AP does not include the first STA; the first AP reserves the TXOP for transmission with the second STA.

40. The method of any one of claims 37-39, wherein, The first AP includes a high MAC sublayer and a low MAC sublayer; and the second AP includes a high MAC sublayer and a low MAC sublayer. The receiving first station (STA) receives a media access control (MAC) protocol data unit (MPDU) sent by a second AP, including: The MPDU is processed by a high MAC sublayer of the first AP after being processed by a low MAC sublayer of the second AP and being transmitted.

41. The method of any one of claims 37 to 40, wherein, A destination address of the MPDU is one of the following: a MAC address of the first AP; a MAC address of a first AP multi-link device (MLD); and a MAC address set in the first AP MLD.

42. The method of any one of claims 38 to 41, wherein, The uplink PPDU meets at least one of the following: a bandwidth field in a general signal field is a bandwidth occupied by the second AP; a basic service set (BSS) color field in the general signal field is a BSS color of the second AP; and a user field is an association identifier obtained when the first STA is associated with the second AP.

43. The method of any one of claims 40 to 42, wherein, The uplink PPDU sent by the first STA to the second AP meets at least one of the following: a PPDU length is equal; a preamble length of the PPDU is equal; and boundaries of time domain units corresponding to the PPDU are aligned.

44. The method of any one of claims 37 to 43, wherein, The method further includes: sending, to the second AP, a disassociation frame, the disassociation frame being used to disassociate at least one secondary association of the first STA and / or the second AP; or receiving the disassociation frame sent by the first STA; or receiving the disassociation frame sent by the second AP.

45. The method of any one of claims 37 to 44, wherein, The secondary association is ended based on a disassociation frame; and the disassociation frame includes at least one of the following: a frame control field, used to indicate information of the disassociation frame; a duration field, used to indicate a time length of channel occupation of the disassociation frame; a destination address; a source address; a BSS identifier; and a sequence control field, used to indicate fragment information of the disassociation frame. ​ a reason code field, used to indicate that the STA or the AP expects to release the secondary association; an AP or non-AP field, used to indicate that the two fields successively after the AP or non-AP field are fields corresponding to the AP or fields corresponding to the non-AP; a number of non-AP MLDs / AP MLDs field, used to indicate the number of non-AP MLDs or AP MLDs to be released from the secondary association; and non-AP MLD / AP MLD fields, used to indicate the MAC addresses of the non-AP MLDs or AP MLDs to be released from the secondary association.

46. The method of any one of claims 37 to 45, wherein, The first STA selects whether to switch the primary association based on at least one of the channel quality of the first AP and the channel quality of the second AP.

47. The method of claim 46, wherein, The selecting whether to switch the primary association based on at least one of the channel quality of the first AP and the channel quality of the second AP comprises one of: in a case where the channel quality of the first AP is higher than the channel quality of the second AP, maintaining the primary association with the first AP and maintaining the secondary association with the second AP; in a case where the channel quality of the first AP is lower than the channel quality of the second AP, switching the association with the second AP to the primary association and switching the association with the first AP to the secondary association; in a case where the channel quality of the first AP is lower than the channel quality of the second AP, switching the association with the second AP to the primary association and releasing the association with the first AP; in a case where the channel quality of the first AP is equal to the channel quality of the second AP, maintaining the primary association with the first AP and maintaining the secondary association with the second AP; in a case where the channel quality of the first AP is equal to the channel quality of the second AP, switching the association with the second AP to the primary association and switching the association with the first AP to the secondary association; in a case where the channel quality of the first AP is equal to the channel quality of the second AP, switching the association with the second AP to the primary association and releasing the association with the first AP. The apparatus comprises:

48. An association device, comprising: a first association module, configured to establish a secondary association with a second AP in a case where a primary association exists between a first station (STA) and a first access point (AP). The apparatus comprises:

49. An association device, comprising: a second association module, configured to establish a secondary association with a first station (STA) in a case where the first STA has a primary association with a first AP. The apparatus comprises:

50. An association device, comprising: a third receiving module, configured to receive a media access control (MAC) protocol data unit (PDU) sent by a first station (STA) through a second AP, the first STA having a secondary association with the second AP, the secondary association being established in a case where the first STA has a primary association with the first AP. ​ 51. A first station STA, comprising: The first STA 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 association method according to any one of claims 1 to 18.

52. A second access point, AP, configured to: The second AP 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 association method according to any one of claims 19 to 36.

53. A first access point, AP, configured to, The first AP 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 association method according to any one of claims 37 to 47.

54. A computer-readable storage medium, comprising: The computer readable storage medium stores at least one program, and the at least one program is loaded and executed by the processor to implement the association method according to any one of claims 1 to 47.

55. A chip, comprising: The chip comprises programmable logic circuit and / or program instructions, and when the chip is running on a terminal device or a network device, the programmable logic circuit and / or the program instructions are used to implement the association method according to any one of claims 1 to 47.

56. A computer program product, characterised in that, The computer program product comprises computer instructions stored in a computer readable storage medium, and the processor acquires the computer instructions from the computer readable storage medium, and the processor executes the computer instructions to implement the association method according to any one of claims 1 to 47.

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