Wireless communication method, device, and storage medium

Abstract

The present application provides a wireless communication method, a device, and a storage medium. The method comprises: a first MLD transmits a first frame to a second MLD on a first link, the first frame being used for instructing the second MLD to switch one or more second links to a non-primary channel.

Description

A wireless communication method and device, storage medium TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] Embodiments of the present application relate to the field of mobile communication technology, and in particular to a wireless communication method and device, storage medium. BACKGROUND

[0002] Wireless local area network industry is one of the fastest growing industries in the entire data communication field. Wireless local area network solution, as a supplement and expansion of traditional wired local area network, has been favored by home network users, small and medium-sized office users, general enterprise users and telecom operators due to its flexibility, mobility, scalability and lower investment cost, and has been rapidly applied.

[0003] Non-primary channel access (NPCA) operating mode enables a station (STA) to access a secondary channel when a primary channel is busy due to overlapping basic service set (OBSS) traffic or other conditions.

[0004] SUMMARY

[0005] Embodiments of the present application provide a wireless communication method and device, storage medium.

[0006] The wireless communication method provided by the embodiments of the present application comprises:

[0007] The first multi-link device (MLD) sends a first frame to a second MLD device on a first link, the first frame being used to instruct the second MLD to switch one or more second links to a non-primary channel.

[0008] The wireless communication method provided by the embodiments of the present application comprises:

[0009] The second MLD receives a first frame sent by the first MLD device on the first link, the first frame being used to instruct the second MLD to switch one or more second links to a non-primary channel.

[0010] The first MLD provided by the embodiments of the present application comprises:

[0011] The first communication unit is configured to send a first frame to a second MLD device on a first link, the first frame being used to instruct the second MLD to switch one or more second links to a non-primary channel.

[0012] The second MLD provided by the embodiments of the present application comprises:

[0013] The second communication unit is configured to receive a first frame sent by the first MLD device on the first link, the first frame being used to instruct the second MLD to switch one or more second links to a non-primary channel.

[0014] The communication device provided by the embodiment of the present application comprises a processor and a memory. The memory is used to store a computer program, and the processor is used to call and run the computer program stored in the memory, so that the communication device executes the wireless communication method described above.

[0015] The chip provided by the embodiment of the present application is used to implement the wireless communication method described above.

[0016] Specifically, the chip comprises a processor used to call and run a computer program from a memory, so that the device installed with the chip executes the wireless communication method described above.

[0017] The computer readable storage medium provided by the embodiment of the present application is used to store a computer program, and the running of the computer program makes a computer execute the wireless communication method described above.

[0018] The computer program product provided by the embodiment of the present application comprises computer program instructions, and the running of the computer program instructions makes a computer execute the wireless communication method described above.

[0019] The computer program provided by the embodiment of the present application, when running on a computer, makes the running of the computer execute the wireless communication method described above.

[0020] Through the technical solution described above, the first MLD solves the channel asymmetry problem on the second link through other available links, i.e., the first link, outside the second link, so that the access point multi-link device (AP MLD) and the non-access point multi-link device (Non-AP MLD) on the second link can be synchronized to switch from the primary channel to the non-primary channel and communicate by using the non-primary channel; thereby improving the success rate of NPCA operation and further improving the utilization rate of channel resources. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0021] The accompanying drawings described herein are used to provide further understanding of the present application, and form a part of the present application. The illustrative embodiments of the present application and their descriptions are used to explain the present application, and do not constitute an improper limitation on the present application. In the drawings:

[0022] FIG. 1 is an optional schematic diagram of an application scenario of the embodiment of the present application;

[0023] FIG. 2A is an optional schematic diagram of an application scenario of the embodiment of the present application;

[0024] FIG. 2B is an optional schematic diagram of an application scenario of embodiments of the present application;

[0025] FIG. 3 is an optional schematic diagram of a wireless communication method of embodiments of the present application;

[0026] FIG. 4 is an optional frame structure diagram of a MAC frame packet of embodiments of the present application;

[0027] FIG. 5 is an optional frame structure diagram of an A-Control field of embodiments of the present application;

[0028] FIG. 6 is an optional frame structure diagram of a Control subfield of embodiments of the present application;

[0029] FIG. 7 is an optional frame format diagram of AAR control of embodiments of the present application;

[0030] FIG. 8 is an optional flow diagram of a wireless communication method of embodiments of the present application;

[0031] FIG. 9 is an optional flow diagram of a wireless communication method of embodiments of the present application;

[0032] FIG. 10 is an optional flow diagram of a wireless communication method of embodiments of the present application;

[0033] FIG. 11 is an optional flow diagram of a wireless communication method of embodiments of the present application;

[0034] FIG. 12 is an optional flow diagram of a wireless communication method of embodiments of the present application;

[0035] FIG. 13 is an optional frame format diagram of AAR control of embodiments of the present application;

[0036] FIG. 14 is an optional frame structure diagram of a Control subfield of embodiments of the present application;

[0037] FIG. 15 is an optional frame format diagram of a NPCS request frame of embodiments of the present application;

[0038] FIG. 16 is an optional frame structure diagram of a NPCS response frame of embodiments of the present application;

[0039] FIG. 17 is an optional flow diagram of a wireless communication method of embodiments of the present application;

[0040] FIG. 18 is an optional flow diagram of a wireless communication method of embodiments of the present application;

[0041] FIG. 19 is an optional flow diagram of a wireless communication method of embodiments of the present application;

[0042] FIG. 20 is an optional structure diagram of a first MLD of embodiments of the present application;

[0043] FIG. 21 is a schematic structural diagram of a first MLD according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0044] FIG. 22 is a schematic structural diagram of a communication device according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0045] FIG. 23 is a schematic structural diagram of a chip according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0046] FIG. 24 is a schematic block diagram of a communication system according to an embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0047] The technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application will be described below with reference to the drawings in the embodiments of the present application.

[0048] FIG. 1 is an example of a communication system architecture to which embodiments of the present application are applied.

[0049] As shown in FIG. 1, the communication system 100 can include an AP 110 and STAs 120 accessing a network through the AP 110. In some scenarios, the AP 110 can also be referred to as an AP STA, that is, in some sense, the AP 110 is also a kind of STA. In some scenarios, the STA 120 is also referred to as a non-AP STA. In some scenarios, the STA 120 can include an AP STA and a non-AP STA. The communication in the communication system 100 can include communication between the AP 110 and the STA 120, or communication between the STA 120 and the STA 120, or communication between the STA 120 and a peer STA, where the peer STA can refer to a peer device that communicates with the STA 120, for example, the peer STA can be an AP or a non-AP STA.

[0050] The AP 110 can be used as a bridge connecting a wired network and a wireless network, and mainly functions to connect various wireless network clients together and then access the wireless network to the Ethernet. The AP 110 can be a terminal device (such as a mobile phone) or a network device (such as a router) with a WiFi chip.

[0051] It should be noted that the role of the STA 120 in the communication system is not absolute, that is, the role of the STA 120 in the communication system can be switched between the AP and the STA. For example, in some scenarios, when a mobile phone is connected to a router, the mobile phone is a STA, and when the mobile phone is used as a hotspot for other mobile phones, the mobile phone plays the role of an AP.

[0052] In some embodiments, the AP 110 and the STA 120 can be devices applied in vehicle-to-everything (V2X), internet of things (IoT) nodes, sensors, etc. in the internet of things (IoT), smart cameras, smart remote controllers, smart water meters, smart electricity meters, etc. in a smart home, and sensors, etc. in a smart city.

[0053] In some embodiments, the AP 110 can be a device supporting the 802.11be standard. The AP can also be a device supporting multiple current and future WLAN standards of the 802.11 family, such as 802.11ax, 802.11ac, 802.11n, 802.11g, 802.11b, and 802.11a. In some embodiments, the STA 120 can support the 802.11be standard. The STA can also support multiple current and future WLAN standards of the 802.11 family, such as 802.11ax, 802.11ac, 802.11n, 802.11g, 802.11b, and 802.11a.

[0054] In some embodiments, the AP 110 and / or the STA 120 can be deployed on land, including indoors or outdoors, handheld, wearable, or vehicle-mounted; can also be deployed on water (such as a ship); and can also be deployed in the air (such as on an airplane, a balloon, and a satellite, etc.).

[0055] In some embodiments, the STA 120 can be a mobile phone, a tablet, a computer with wireless transceiver, 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 a smart grid, a wireless device in transportation safety, a wireless device in a smart city, a wireless device in a smart home, a vehicle-mounted communication device, a wireless communication chip / application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) / system on chip (SoC), etc. supporting WLAN / WiFi technology.

[0056] Exemplarily, the STA 120 can also be a wearable device. The wearable device can also be referred to as a wearable smart device, which is a general term for devices that are designed and developed by applying wearable technology to daily wear, such as glasses, gloves, watches, clothing, and shoes. The wearable device is a portable device that can be directly worn on the body or integrated into the clothes or accessories of the user. The wearable device is not only a hardware device, but also has powerful functions through software support, data interaction, and cloud interaction. The general wearable smart device includes devices with full functions, large sizes, and the ability to realize complete or partial functions without relying on a smart phone, such as smart watches or smart glasses, and devices that focus on a certain application function and need to be used in cooperation with other devices, such as smart phones, such as various smart wristbands and smart jewelry for monitoring vital signs.

[0057] It should be understood that FIG. 1 is only an example of the present application and should not be construed as a limitation of the present application. For example, FIG. 1 only exemplarily shows one AP and two STAs, and in some embodiments, the communication system 100 can include multiple APs and include other numbers of STAs, and the embodiments of the present application do not limit this.

[0058] FIG. 2A is a schematic diagram of an application scenario of an embodiment of the present application.

[0059] As shown in FIG. 2A, the communication system 200 can include an AP MLD 210 and a non-AP MLD 220, wherein the AP MLD 210 is an electronic device capable of forming a wireless local area network 230 based on a transmitted signal, such as a router, a mobile phone with a hotspot function, etc., and the non-AP MLD 220 is an electronic device that accesses the wireless local area network 230 formed by the AP MLD 210, such as a mobile phone, a smart washing machine, an air conditioner, an electronic lock, and other devices. The non-AP MLD 220 communicates with the AP MLD 210 through the wireless local area network 230. The AP MLD 210 can be a soft (soft) AP MLD, a mobile (Mobile) AP MLD, etc.

[0060] As shown in FIG. 2B, in the communication system described in FIG. 2A, the AP MLD 210 is affiliated with at least two APs 2101, and the non-AP MLD 220 is affiliated with at least two stations (STAs) 2201, where each AP is connected to a different STA in the non-AP MLD 220 through a different link. The AP affiliated with the AP MLD (AP affiliated with AP MLD) can also be referred to as an affiliated AP of the AP MLD, and the STA affiliated with the non-AP MLD (STA affiliated with non-AP MLD) can also be referred to as an affiliated non-AP STA of the non-AP MLD or an affiliated STA of the non-AP MLD.

[0061] In an embodiment of the present application, the AP MLD 210 and the non-AP MLD 220 can be terminal devices, which can refer to access terminals, user equipment (UE), subscriber units, subscriber stations, mobile stations, mobiles, remote stations, remote terminals, mobile devices, user terminals, terminals, wireless communication devices, user agents, or user devices. The access terminal can 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, an in-vehicle device, a wearable device, a terminal device in a 5th generation (5G) network, or a terminal device in a future evolved Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN), etc.

[0062] In the communication system 200 shown in FIG. 2A, a network device can also be included, which can be an access network device that communicates with the terminal device. The access network device can provide communication coverage for a specific geographic area and can communicate with the terminal device located within the coverage area.

[0063] FIG. 2A exemplarily shows one AP MLD and one non-AP MLD. Optionally, the communication system 200 can include multiple non-AP MLDs that access the wireless local area network 230, which is not limited in the embodiments of the present application.

[0064] It should be noted that FIG. 1, FIG. 2A, FIG. 2B only schematically show the system to which the embodiments of the present application are applied, and of course, the method shown in the embodiments of the present application can also be applied to other systems. In addition, the terms "system" and "network" are often used interchangeably in this paper. The term "and / or" in this paper is only to describe the association relationship of the associated objects, which means that there can be three relationships, for example, A and / or B can represent the following three cases: A exists alone, A and B exist together, and B exists alone. In addition, the character " / " in this paper generally represents an "or" relationship between the front and rear associated objects. It should also be understood that the "indication" mentioned in the embodiments of the present application can be direct indication or indirect indication, and can also mean an associated relationship. For example, A indicates B, which can mean that B can be obtained through A; or it can mean that A indirectly indicates B, for example, A indicates C, and B can be obtained through C; or it can mean that A and B have an associated relationship. It should also be understood that the "corresponding" mentioned in the embodiments of the present application can mean a direct correspondence or an indirect correspondence between the two, or it can mean an associated relationship between the two, or it can mean an indication and being indicated, a configuration and being configured, and the like. It should also be understood that the "predefined" or "predefined rule" mentioned in the embodiments of the present application can be realized by pre-saving the corresponding code, table or other means that can be used to indicate related information in the device (for example, including terminal equipment and network equipment), and the specific implementation manner of the present application is not limited. For example, the predefinition can mean the definition in the protocol. It should also be understood that the "protocol" in the embodiments of the present application can mean a standard protocol in the communication field, which can include the LTE protocol, the NR protocol and the related protocol applied to the future communication system, and the present application is not limited thereto.

[0065] In order to facilitate the understanding of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application, the related technologies of the embodiments of the present application are described below. The following related technologies can be combined with the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application in any way, and all belong to the protection scope of the embodiments of the present application.

[0066] NPCA operation

[0067] The NPCA operation mode enables a STA to access a secondary channel when the primary channel is busy due to OBSS traffic or other conditions. In particular, this mode of operation does not assume that a STA is capable of simultaneously detecting or decoding frames and obtaining Network Allocation Vector (NAV) information on both the primary and secondary channels, and that only one BSS can have one NPCA primary channel. When the primary channel of a BSS is known to be busy due to OBSS traffic or other conditions, a STA can contend for the channel on the NPCA primary channel.

[0068] As shown in FIG. 3, the working bandwidth of the station is 80 megahertz (MHz), when the station detects OBSS frame exchange on the 40 MHz primary channel bandwidth, the 40 MHz bandwidth channel is considered busy, and PPDU transmission is performed on the remaining 40 MHz bandwidth channel. In addition, when no OBSS frame exchange is detected, PPDU transmission is performed on the 80 MHz bandwidth channel.

[0069] Interference PPDU (inter-PPDU) can compete for channels on another 60 MHz (or 40 MHz) secondary channel, and can perform transmission after competing for a transmission opportunity (TXOP).

[0070] UHR secondary channel access (Secondary Channel Access)

[0071] In the related art, a secondary channel (secondary channel) access method is proposed, that is, a station is allowed to send only on a secondary channel after detecting that a primary channel is busy.

[0072] For the behavior of the AP side (sending side):

[0073] In the case of considering the first primary channel P1 busy, the medium on the second primary channel P2 is monitored for idle / busy. Energy detection (ED) / preamble detection (PD) clear channel assessment (CCA) is performed. For example: short training field (STF) detection.

[0074] If P1 is busy for the NAV duration, and P2 is idle for X (TBD) duration: on P2, the AP performs backoff, and uses a buffer status report poll (BSRP) trigger frame or a request to send (RTS) frame (control frame) to initiate a transmission opportunity (TXOP) to the target STA. Here, an RTS / clear to send (CTS) or BSRP / buffer status report (BSR) type of control frame exchange is required to understand whether the target STA is on the second primary channel, and the TXOP ends before setting NAV=0 on P1.

[0075] For STA side behavior (receive side):

[0076] If P1 is busy for the duration of the NAV, move to P2 and wait for a BSRP or RTS (control frames) from the AP, the STA returns to P1 before the NAV = 0 for P1.

[0077] Since the AP and STA are at different distances from the OBSS, the AP and STA can have different views of the channel's idle / busy state:

[0078] For the case where the AP side thinks P1 is busy (NAV set) but the STA side thinks P1 is idle, the AP can send a BSRP or RTS on P2 and an available secondary channel, where the STA is not monitoring P2 and does not respond to the BSRP / RTS; the STA can send an RTS on P1.

[0079] For the case where the AP side thinks P1 is idle but the STA side thinks P1 is busy (NAV set):

[0080] The AP can send a BSRP or RTS on P1 and an available secondary channel (excluding P2), where the STA is waiting for P2 and does not respond to the BSRP / RTS on P1;

[0081] The AP can send a BSRP or RTS on P1 and an available secondary channel (including P2), where the STA is waiting for P2 and can respond to the BSRP / RTS on P2;

[0082] The STA can send an RTS on P2, where the AP is monitoring P1 but does not respond to the RTS on P2;

[0083] For simplicity, frames on P2 when P1 is idle are ignored to avoid decoding OBSS frames on secondary channels (which would cause primary channel blindness).

[0084] Frames on P2 are decoded only when P1 is busy.

[0085] Secondary channel usage

[0086] Secondary channel usage requires a consensus between the transmitter and receiver on the primary 20MHz channel occupied by the OBSS and any other channels that are not available. The following are two methods to implement secondary channel usage:

[0087] Implicit, the transmitter and receiver hope to see the same OBSS on the primary 20MHz channel and then move to the next set of channels. A threshold can be set on the signal strength from the OBSS to increase the probability that the transmitter and receiver both see the OBSS. A similar procedure to determine if other channels are busy / idle;

[0088] Explicitly, if a control link exists, the transmitter can indicate on it that it has detected OBSS / or other busy activity and is moving to the next set of channels. Some OBSS include identification information in the preamble and / or MAC portion of the frame. This is possible in a coordinated system.

[0089] Aggregation Control field (A-Control field)

[0090] The High-throughput (HT) Control field can be contained in the Quality of Service Data (QoS Data) frame, Quality of Service Null (QoS Null) frame and management frame, and its existence is controlled by the +HTC subfield in the Frame Control field. The position of the HT Control field in the MAC frame is shown in Figure 4. As shown in Figure 4, the MAC frame includes the following fields: Frame Control, Duration, Address 1, Address 2, Address 3, Sequence Control, Address 4, QoS Control, HT Control, Frame Body, Frame Check Sequence (FCS).

[0091] As shown in Table 1, the A-Control field is the HT Control field when B0 and B1 are both 1. The HT Control field can appear in the QoS Data, QoS Null and management frame.

[0092] Table 1, format of the HT Control field

[0093] The format of the A-Control field is shown in Figure 5, which includes the following subfields: Control List and padding. The Control List field contains one or more Control subfields, and the format of each Control subfield is shown in Figure 6, which includes: Control ID and Control Information. The Control ID subfield indicates the type of the specific A-Control subfield, as shown in Table 2.

[0094] Table 2, values and meanings of the Control ID subfield

[0095] AAR control subfield

[0096] The format of the AAR control subfield is shown in FIG. 7, including an assisting AP link ID bitmap (Assisting AP Link ID Bitmap) subfield and a reserved subfield.

[0097] The control information subfield in the AAR control subfield contains link identifier information of assisting APs affiliated to the AP MLD, which are requested to assist the Non-AP STA (belonging to a non-simultaneous transmit and receive (NSTR) link pair) affiliated to the Non-AP MLD to recover its medium synchronization.

[0098] The Assisting AP Link ID Bitmap subfield in the AAR control subfield indicates the links associated with the link identifiers of the assisting APs associated with the AP MLD. The value in bit position i of the Assisting AP Link ID Bitmap subfield is 1, indicating that the AP running on link ID i is requested to assist in recovering medium synchronization. The value in bit position i of the Assisting AP Link ID Bitmap subfield is 0, indicating that the AP running on link ID i is not requested to assist in recovering medium synchronization.

[0099] The bit corresponding to the AP to which the frame containing the AAR control field is directed in the Assisting AP Link ID Bitmap subfield is set to 0.

[0100] The 15th bit of the Assisting AP Link ID Bitmap subfield is reserved.

[0101] In the related art, the channel asymmetry problem in NPCA has not considered the multi-link scenario, and the information of switching channels can be transmitted through a control link. Although it involves multi-link, using only a specific control link to transmit information can have the problem of low efficiency, i.e., when the control link undergoes non-primary channel switching, other links cannot help indicate the control link switching channel.

[0102] To facilitate understanding of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application, the technical solutions of the present application are described in detail below through specific embodiments. The related art above can be combined with the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application as optional solutions, which all belong to the protection scope of the embodiments of the present application. The embodiments of the present application include at least part of the following contents.

[0103] The wireless communication method provided by the embodiments of the present application is applied to a first MLD, as shown in FIG. 8, and includes the following steps.

[0104] S801, a first MLD sends, to a second MLD device, a first frame on a first link, the first frame being used to instruct the second MLD to switch one or more second links to a non-primary channel.

[0105] The wireless communication method provided in the embodiments of the present application is applied to a second MLD, as shown in FIG. 9, and includes the following steps.

[0106] S901, the second MLD receives, on a first link, a first frame sent by a first MLD device, the first frame being used to instruct the second MLD to switch one or more second links to a non-primary channel.

[0107] The wireless communication method provided in the embodiments of the present application is applied to a wireless communication system including a first MLD and a second MLD, as shown in FIG. 10, and includes the following steps.

[0108] S1001, a first multi-link device (MLD) sends, to a second MLD device, a first frame on a first link.

[0109] The first frame is used to instruct the second MLD to switch one or more second links to a non-primary channel.

[0110] The wireless communication method shown in FIG. 8, FIG. 9 or FIG. 10 of the embodiments of the present application is described below.

[0111] The first MLD is an AP MLD or a Non-AP MLD, and the second MLD is a Non-AP MLD or an AP MLD. In an example, the first MLD is an AP MLD, and the second MLD is a Non-AP MLD. In an example, the first MLD is a Non-AP MLD, and the second MLD is an AP MLD.

[0112] There are N links between the first MLD and the second MLD, and N is greater than or equal to 2. For a link, the link can include one primary channel and one or more non-primary channels. The non-primary channel can also be referred to as a secondary channel or a secondary channel. In the one or more non-primary channels, there is an anchor channel, which can also be referred to as a NPCA primary channel. In the case of multiple non-primary channels, the non-primary channels other than the NPCA primary channel in the multiple non-primary channels can be referred to as NPCA secondary channels.

[0113] In the embodiments of the present application, for a link, the primary channel and the non-primary channel of the link are negotiated by the first MLD and the second MLD.

[0114] The first MLD sends a first frame to the second MLD, wherein the first MLD sends the first frame to the second MLD on a first link. The first link is a link of the first MLD and the second MLD other than the one or more second links.

[0115] In some embodiments, the first MLD sends, to the second MLD, the first frame on a primary channel of the first link.

[0116] In some embodiments, if the first MLD determines that the one or more second links satisfy the NPCA trigger condition, the one or more second links need to be switched to a non-primary channel, the first MLD sends, to the second MLD, the first frame to instruct the second MLD to switch the one or more second links to the non-primary channel. It is appreciated that the first MLD is an NPCA initiator, and the second MLD is an NPCA responder.

[0117] In embodiments of the present application, switching the one or more second links to the non-primary channel can be understood as switching, for the one or more second links, a communication channel or a used channel or a channel used for transmitting a PPDU of the second link from a primary channel of the second link to a non-primary channel.

[0118] In embodiments of the present application, the NPCA trigger condition can include, but is not limited to, one or more of the following: the link is occupied or busy, a duration that the link is occupied or busy is greater than a set duration threshold.

[0119] In embodiments of the present application, the first MLD switches the one or more second links to the non-primary channel, and the second MLD switches the one or more second links to the non-primary channel based on the first frame, so that the channel of the first MLD and the second MLD on the one or more second links is consistent or different.

[0120] The second MLD can switch the one or more second links to the non-primary channel after receiving the first frame.

[0121] The first MLD can switch the one or more second links to the non-primary channel after sending the first frame to the second MLD.

[0122] Switching the second link to the primary channel by the first MLD or the second MLD can be understood as configuring, by the first MLD or the second MLD, a channel of the second link as a non-primary channel within the MLD, so that when the first MLD and the second MLD communicate on the second link, they communicate using the non-primary channel of the second link based on configuration information of the second link. It is appreciated that configuring the channel of the second link as the non-primary channel by the first MLD is configuring the channel of the STA or the AP of the second link affiliated to the first MLD as the non-primary channel. Configuring the channel of the second link as the non-primary channel by the second MLD is configuring the channel of the STA or the AP of the second link affiliated to the second MLD as the non-primary channel.

[0123] In the embodiments of the application, the first MLD determines that one or more second links meet the NPCA trigger condition, needs to switch one or more second links of the first MLD to a non-primary channel, and indicates the second MLD to switch one or more second links to the non-primary channel by sending a first frame on the first link, so as to keep the channels used by the first MLD and the second MLD on the one or more second links synchronized, thereby solving the channel asymmetry problem on the second link through other available links, that is, the first link, improving the success rate of the NPCA operation, and further improving the utilization rate of channel resources.

[0124] In some embodiments, the first MLD listens to an overlapping basic service set (OBSS) physical layer protocol data unit (PPDU) on the one or more second links.

[0125] In the embodiments of the application, listening can be replaced by detecting or monitoring.

[0126] The first MLD listens to an OBSS PPDU on the one or more second links, and sends a first frame to the second MLD on the first link.

[0127] In the embodiments of the application, the first MLD and the second MLD are devices in a first BSS, the OBSS PPDU is a PPDU transmitted on a primary channel of a second BSS, and the second BSS is an OBSS of the first BSS. The first MLD listens to the OBSS PPDU on the one or more second links, and considers that the one or more second links are occupied by the OBSS.

[0128] The OBSS PPDU can be sent by a Non-AP STA or a Non-AP MLD in the second BSS to an AP STA or an AP MLD in the second BSS, or can be sent by an AP STA or an AP MLD in the second BSS to a Non-AP STA or a Non-AP MLD in the second BSS.

[0129] In some embodiments, the NPCA trigger condition is that an OBSS PPDU is detected, and / or a transmission duration of the OBSS PPDU or a TXOP duration indicated by the OBSS PPDU is greater than or equal to a duration threshold. The TXOP duration indicated by the OBSS PPDU can be indicated by a duration field carried by the OBSS PPDU.

[0130] In an example, the first MLD listens to an OBSS PPDU on the one or more second links, and sends a first frame to the second MLD on the first link.

[0131] In an example, the first MLD listens to an OBSS PPDU on one or more second links, and determines that a duration of the OBSS PPDU is greater than a duration threshold, and sends a first frame to the second MLD on the first link.

[0132] In an example, the first MLD listens to an OBSS PPDU on one or more second links, and determines that a duration of a transmission opportunity in which the OBSS PPDU is located is greater than a duration threshold, and sends a first frame to the second MLD on the first link.

[0133] In some embodiments, the OBSS PPDU can include a HE / EHT / UHR PPDU.

[0134] In some embodiments, the second MLD considers that one or more second links are occupied by an OBSS if the second MLD listens to an OBSS PPDU on the one or more second links, or considers that one or more second links are not occupied by an OBSS if the second MLD does not listen to an OBSS PPDU on the one or more second links.

[0135] In the embodiments of the present application, the first MLD sends a first frame to the second MLD on the first link after determining that one or more second links are occupied by an OBSS, so that the channels of the links occupied by the OBSS of the second MLD and the channels of the links occupied by the OBSS of the first MLD are kept synchronized, and normal communication of the first MLD and the second MLD on the links occupied by the OBSS is ensured.

[0136] In some embodiments, the first frame is used to request the second MLD to switch the one or more second links to a non-primary channel; or, the first frame is used to force the second MLD to switch the one or more second links to a non-primary channel.

[0137] If the first frame is used to request the second MLD to switch the one or more second links to a non-primary channel, the second MLD can switch the one or more second links to a non-primary channel.

[0138] If the first frame is used to force the second MLD to switch the one or more second links to a non-primary channel, the second MLD must switch the one or more second links to a non-primary channel.

[0139] In some embodiments, the first frame carries first information, and the first information is used to indicate the second MLD to switch the one or more second links to a non-primary channel.

[0140] The first MLD sends the first frame carrying the first information to the second MLD on the first link, and the second MLD can or must switch the one or more second links to a non-primary channel based on the indication of the first information based on the carrying of the first frame.

[0141] In some embodiments, the first information comprises first indication information, the first indication information being used to indicate the first one or more second links.

[0142] In some embodiments, the first indication information comprises a first bitmap, a bit of the first bitmap being used to indicate whether a link at a corresponding position switches to a non-primary channel; or,

[0143] The first indication information comprises link information of each second link of the one or more second links.

[0144] If the first indication information comprises a first bitmap, different bits of the first bitmap correspond to different links, and a bit of the first bitmap indicates whether a corresponding link switches to a non-primary channel based on a different value. In an example, a value of a bit of the first bitmap is 1 is used to indicate whether a corresponding link switches to a non-primary channel, i.e., the link corresponding to the bit is a second link; a value of a bit of the first bitmap is 0 is used to indicate whether a corresponding link does not switch to a non-primary channel, i.e., the link corresponding to the bit is not a second link.

[0145] A bit of the first bitmap indicating that a corresponding link switches to a non-primary channel can be described as requesting or forcing an AP or STA running on the link to switch to a non-primary channel. A bit of the first bitmap not indicating that a corresponding link switches to a non-primary channel can be described as not requesting or forcing an AP or STA running on the link to switch to a non-primary channel.

[0146] If the first indication information comprises link information of each second link of the one or more second links, the link information of different second links can be located in one field or in different fields. In some embodiments, the link information can be a link identifier.

[0147] In some embodiments, the first information comprises one or more of the following:

[0148] Second indication information, the second indication information being used to indicate a first bandwidth, the first bandwidth being a maximum bandwidth of a PPDU for Non-Primary Channel Access, NPCA;

[0149] Third indication information, the third indication information being used to indicate that the first frame is used to request or force switching to a non-primary channel;

[0150] Fourth indication information, the fourth indication information being used to indicate a first time duration, the first time duration being a maximum limit time duration for the second MLD not receiving a second frame on a non-primary channel;

[0151] Fifth indication information, the fifth indication information being used to indicate a number of second links included in the one or more second links.

[0152] In an example, the first information comprises first indication information, and the first frame is used to indicate which links the second MLD switches to the non-primary channel.

[0153] In an example, the first information comprises first indication information and second indication information.

[0154] In an example, the first information comprises first indication information and third indication information.

[0155] In an example, the first information comprises first indication information and fourth indication information.

[0156] In an example, the first information comprises first indication information and second indication information and third indication information.

[0157] In an example, the first information comprises first indication information and fifth indication information.

[0158] In an example, the first information comprises first indication information, second indication information, third indication information, fourth indication information and fifth indication information.

[0159] For the second indication information, the PPDU based on the NPCA can be understood as a PPDU transmitted on the non-primary channel. The first bandwidth can be understood as the maximum bandwidth that the first MLD and the second MLD can use when transmitting the PPDU on the non-primary channel on the second link. The first MLD and the second MLD can transmit the PPDU on one or more non-primary channels on the second link.

[0160] The second indication information can indicate different bandwidths based on different values. In an example, the second indication information takes a value of 0 to represent that the first bandwidth is 20MHz, the second indication information takes a value of 1 to represent that the first bandwidth is 40MHz, the second indication information takes a value of 2 to represent that the first bandwidth is 80MHz, and the second indication information takes a value of 3 to represent that the first bandwidth is 160MHz.

[0161] In the embodiments of the present application, the first bandwidth can also be predefined.

[0162] The third indication information indicates a request or a forced switch of the second MLD to the non-primary channel based on different values. In an example, the third indication information takes a value of 0 to indicate a request for the receiving station to switch the non-primary channel, and the third indication information takes a value of 1 to indicate a forced switch of the non-primary channel to the non-primary channel. In an example, the third indication information takes a value of 1 to indicate a request for the receiving station to switch the non-primary channel, and the third indication information takes a value of 0 to indicate a forced switch of the non-primary channel to the non-primary channel.

[0163] In the embodiments of the present application, the first indication information for requesting or forcing the second MLD to switch the non-primary channel can also be predefined. In an example, the first indication information is predefined for requesting the second MLD to switch the non-primary channel. In an example, the first indication information is predefined for forcing the second MLD to switch the non-primary channel.

[0164] The first duration indicated by the fourth indication information can also be described as the maximum residence time of the second MLD in the non-primary channel. If no valid MAC frame is received on the non-primary channel within the first duration, the primary channel is switched back after the end of the first duration.

[0165] In some embodiments, the unit of the first duration is microsecond.

[0166] For the fourth indication information, the first information can include one or more fourth indication information. In the case that the first information includes one fourth indication information, the first duration indicated by the fourth indication information is applicable to all the second links in one or more second links. In the case that the first information includes multiple fourth indication information, different fourth indication information corresponds to different second link, and the first duration indicated by the fourth indication information is applicable to the second link corresponding to the fourth indication information.

[0167] In some embodiments, the link information of one second link and the corresponding fourth indication information constitute an information pair, which is located in an information pair field. The information pair field can be referred to as NPCS Duple.

[0168] In some embodiments, if the fourth indication information is not included in the first information, the fourth indication information can be carried in a response frame for responding to the first frame.

[0169] The fifth indication information is used to indicate the number of second links. In the case that the link information of different second links in one or more second links is located in different fields, the fifth indication information can be used to indicate the number of fields including the link information of the second link.

[0170] In some embodiments, the first information is carried in a first field of the first frame, and the first field includes one or more of the following:

[0171] Aggregation Control (A-Control) field;

[0172] Access Point (AP) Assistance Request (AAR) Control field;

[0173] Frame Body field.

[0174] The A-Control field in the first frame is located in the HT Control field, which is a newly defined field with a frame format different from the A-Control field shown in FIG. 5. The A-Control field in the first frame is different in frame format based on different information carried.

[0175] In an example, the A-Control field includes subfields carrying the following information: first indication information, second indication information.

[0176] In an example, the A-Control field includes subfields carrying the following information: first indication information, second indication information, and third indication information.

[0177] In an example, the A-Control field includes subfields carrying the following information: first indication information, second indication information, third indication information, and fourth indication information.

[0178] In the embodiments of the present application, in the case where the bits in the A-Control field are not all occupied by the first information, the remaining bits are reserved.

[0179] In some embodiments, the A-Control field includes a fourth indication information, which is applicable to all second links.

[0180] The AAR control field in the first frame is a newly defined field with a frame format different from the AAR control field shown in FIG. 6. The AAR control field in the first frame is different in frame format based on different information carried.

[0181] In an example, the A-Control field includes subfields carrying the following information: first indication information, second indication information.

[0182] In an example, the A-Control field includes subfields carrying the following information: first indication information, second indication information, and third indication information.

[0183] In some embodiments, the bit map subfield in the AAR control field for indicating the assisted AP link identification is reused for indicating the first indication information.

[0184] The first indication information in the AAR control field can include a first bit map.

[0185] In some embodiments, the first indication information is indicated by the assisted AP link identification bit map subfield in the AAR control field;

[0186] The first information further includes sixth indication information, where the sixth indication information is used to indicate that the assisted AP link identification bitmap subfield is used to carry the first indication information or link identification information of an assisted AP affiliated to the AP MLD.

[0187] In the embodiments of the present application, when the value of the sixth indication information is different, the meaning of the assisted AP link identification bitmap subfield is different.

[0188] In an example, when the value of the sixth indication information is 0, the assisted AP link identification bitmap subfield indicates a link related to a link identifier of one assisted AP affiliated to the AP MLD; and when the value of the sixth indication information is 1, the assisted AP link identification bitmap subfield contains the first indication information, i.e., the assisted AP link identification bitmap subfield indicates one or more second links.

[0189] In some embodiments, the first frame includes one or more of the following:

[0190] a data frame; a management frame; a non-primary channel switching (NPCS) request frame.

[0191] In an example, if the first frame is a data frame, the data frame can include an A-control field or an AAR control field, and the first information is located in the A-control field or the AAR control field that the data frame can include.

[0192] In an example, if the first frame is a control frame, the control frame can include an A-control field or an AAR control field, and the first information is located in the A-control field or the AAR control field that the control frame can include.

[0193] The NPCS request frame is a newly defined frame. If the first frame is the NPCS request frame, the first information is located in a frame body field included in the NPCS request frame.

[0194] In some examples, the NPCS request frame further includes one or more of the following fields: frame control, duration, address, sequence control, HE control, FCS.

[0195] In some embodiments, for the wireless communication method shown in FIG. 8, the method further includes:

[0196] The first MLD receives, on the first link, a third frame sent by the second MLD device, where the third frame is used to respond to the first frame.

[0197] In some embodiments, for the wireless communication method shown in FIG. 9, the method further includes:

[0198] The second MLD sends, to the first MLD device, a third frame over the first link, the third frame being used to respond to the first frame.

[0199] In embodiments of the present application, the second MLD can also switch one or more second links to the non-primary channel after sending the third frame to the first MLD. The first MLD can also switch one or more second links to the primary channel after receiving the third frame sent by the second MLD.

[0200] In some embodiments, the third frame carries second information, the second information being used to indicate a state of each second link in the one or more second links.

[0201] The state of the second link here can include a switching state of the second link switching to the non-primary channel, or a state of the second link after switching to the non-primary channel.

[0202] In an example, the state of the second link is used to indicate whether the second link is successfully switched to the non-primary channel.

[0203] In some embodiments, the second information can include one or more state information, and different state information is used to indicate the state of different second links, i.e., different state information corresponds to different second links.

[0204] In some embodiments, the link information of a second link and the corresponding state information constitute a state information pair, which is located in a state information pair field. The state information pair field can be referred to as an NPCS state Duple.

[0205] In embodiments of the present application, the second information can also include first indication information, which is used to indicate the link information of each second link in the one or more second links.

[0206] In some embodiments, the third frame includes one or more of the following: a block response BA frame; an acknowledgement ACK frame; an NPCS response frame.

[0207] In embodiments of the present application, if the first frame includes a control frame or a data frame, the third frame includes a BA frame or an ACK frame. If the first frame includes an NPCS request frame, the third frame includes an NPCS response frame.

[0208] The NPCS response frame is a newly defined response frame used to respond to the NPCS request frame.

[0209] In some embodiments, for the wireless communication method shown in FIG. 8, the method further includes:

[0210] The first MLD sends a PPDU to the second MLD over the non-primary channel of the one or more second links.

[0211] In some embodiments, for the wireless communication method shown in FIG. 9, the method further includes:

[0212] The second MLD receives the PPDU sent by the first MLD on the non-primary channel of the one or more second links.

[0213] In the embodiments of the present application, after the one or more second links of the first MLD are switched to the non-primary channel, for each second link, the channel is contended on the non-primary channel of the second link, and after obtaining the transmission opportunity, the PPDU is sent on the non-primary channel of the second link.

[0214] After the one or more second links of the second MLD are switched to the non-primary channel, the second MLD listens on the one or more second links and receives the PPDU sent by the first MLD on the corresponding second link. The PPDU can be understood as a PPDU based on NPCA or a NPCA PPDU.

[0215] In some embodiments, the first MLD sends the PPDU to the second MLD on the non-primary channel of the one or more second links, including:

[0216] The first MLD sends the PPDU to the second MLD after the one or more second links are switched to the non-primary channel and wait for the medium synchronization delay MSD.

[0217] In some embodiments, the second MLD receives the PPDU sent by the first MLD on the non-primary channel of the one or more second links, including:

[0218] The second MLD receives the PPDU sent by the first MLD after the one or more second links are switched to the non-primary channel and wait for the medium synchronization delay MSD.

[0219] In the embodiments of the present application, during the MSD, the first MLD performs medium synchronization of the non-primary channel of the one or more second links.

[0220] The medium synchronization of the non-primary channel can be understood as reaching synchronization with the non-primary channel, i.e., determining whether the second channel is in an idle state or a busy state, and if it is busy, determining the duration of the busy state. It can be understood that the duration of the busy state of the non-primary channel can be determined by the NAV.

[0221] After the MSD, the first MLD performs random backoff and sends the PPDU on the non-primary channel of the second link after the backoff ends.

[0222] After the MSD, the second MLD starts listening to the non-primary channel of the second link and waits to receive the PPDU sent by the first MLD on the second link.

[0223] In some embodiments, the first MLD does not support simultaneous clear channel assessment, CCA, on the primary channel and the non-primary channel, and the second MLD does not support simultaneous CCA on the primary channel and the non-primary channel.

[0224] If the first MLD and the second MLD do not support CCA on the primary channel and the non-primary channel, i.e., parallel CCA, the first MLD performs medium sensing on the non-primary channel during the MSD after switching to the non-primary channel.

[0225] In some embodiments, the first MLD is a non-access point multi-link device, Non-AP MLD, and the second MLD is an access point multi-link device, AP MLD, based on the wireless communication method of FIG. 8, the method further comprises:

[0226] The Non-AP MLD receives, on the non-primary channel of the one or more second links, a first trigger frame transmitted by the AP MLD, the first trigger frame being used to assist the Non-AP MLD in performing medium sensing on the non-primary channel of the one or more second links and instructing the Non-AP MLD to transmit a PPDU on the non-primary channel of the second link.

[0227] In some embodiments, the first MLD is a non-access point multi-link device, Non-AP MLD, and the second MLD is an access point multi-link device, AP MLD, based on the wireless communication method of FIG. 9, the method further comprises:

[0228] The AP MLD transmits, on the non-primary channel of the one or more second links, a first trigger frame to the Non-AP MLD, the first trigger frame being used to assist the Non-AP MLD in performing medium sensing on the non-primary channel of the one or more second links and instructing the Non-AP MLD to transmit a PPDU on the non-primary channel of the second link.

[0229] The Non-AP MLD transmits, on the first link, a first frame to the AP MLD to instruct the AP MLD to switch the one or more second links to the non-primary channel. After the Non-AP MLD and the AP MLD switch the one or more second links to the non-primary channel, the AP MLD transmits, on the non-primary channel of the one or more second links, a first trigger frame to the Non-AP MLD.

[0230] Here, the first trigger frame is used to assist the Non-AP MLD in performing medium sensing on the non-primary channel of the one or more second links and instruct the Non-AP MLD to transmit a PPDU on the non-primary channel of the second link.

[0231] It can be understood that the first trigger frame carries the channel state information of the non-primary channel of one or more second links obtained by the AP MLD, so as to send the channel state information of the non-primary channel of one or more second links to the Non-AP MLD, so that the Non-AP MLD implements medium synchronization with the non-primary channel of one or more second links based on the received information. In addition, the first trigger frame is also used to instruct the Non-AP MLD to send a PPDU on the non-primary channel of the second link, that is, to trigger the Non-AP MLD to send the PPDU on the non-primary channel of the second link, and the Non-AP MLD does not need to wait for the MSD before sending the PPDU on the second link.

[0232] In an example, as shown in FIG. 11, the Non-AP MLD is affiliated with three STAs: STA1, STA2 and STA3, and the AP MLD is affiliated with three APs: AP1, AP2 and AP3, wherein the link between STA1 and AP1 is the first link, the link between STA2 and AP2 is the second link, and the link between STA3 and AP4 is the second link. The Non-AP STA is a NPCA initiator, and the AP STA is a NPCA responder. STA1 sends a first frame to AP1 on the first link, which is used to instruct AP2 and AP3 to switch the link to the non-primary channel respectively. After AP2 and AP3 switch the link to the non-primary channel respectively, AP2 and AP3 send a first trigger frame to STA2 and STA3 on the non-primary channel of the respective link respectively, which is used for STA2 and STA3 to perform medium synchronization of the non-primary channel respectively, and is used to instruct STA2 and STA3 to send a PPDU on the non-primary channel of the respective link.

[0233] In the embodiments of the present application, the AP MLD can send a trigger (Trigger) frame to the Non-AP MLD on the non-primary channel of the second link, so that the Non-AP MLD transmits an uplink PPDU on the non-primary channel in a manner based on the trigger frame, so as to use the non-primary channel without waiting for the MSD time interval, thereby improving transmission efficiency.

[0234] In some embodiments, the first frame is also used to instruct or request the AP MLD to send the first trigger frame on the non-primary channel of the one or more second links.

[0235] Here, it can be considered that the first frame implicitly instructs or requests the AP MLD to send the first trigger frame on the non-primary channel of the one or more second links.

[0236] In some embodiments, the first MLD is an AP MLD, the second MLD is a Non-AP MLD, based on the wireless communication method described in FIG. 8, the method further comprises:

[0237] The AP MLD sends a second trigger frame to the Non-AP MLD on a non-primary channel of the second link, the second trigger frame being used to assist the Non-AP MLD in performing medium synchronization on the non-primary channel of the one or more second links.

[0238] In some embodiments, the first MLD is an AP MLD, the second MLD is a Non-AP MLD, based on the wireless communication method described in FIG. 9, the method further comprises:

[0239] The Non-AP MLD receives the second trigger frame sent by the AP MLD on the non-primary channel of the second link, the second trigger frame being used to assist the Non-AP MLD in performing medium synchronization on the non-primary channel of the one or more second links.

[0240] The AP MLD sends a first frame to the Non-AP MLD on the first link to instruct the Non-AP MLD to switch the one or more second links to a non-primary channel. After the Non-AP MLD and the AP MLD switch the one or more second links to the non-primary channel, the AP MLD sends a second trigger frame to the Non-AP MLD on the non-primary channel of the one or more second links.

[0241] Here, the second trigger frame is used to assist the Non-AP MLD in performing medium synchronization on the non-primary channel of the one or more second links.

[0242] As can be understood, the second trigger frame carries channel state information of the non-primary channel of the one or more second links obtained by the AP MLD, thereby sending the channel state information of the non-primary channel of the one or more second links to the Non-AP MLD, so that the Non-AP MLD performs medium synchronization with the non-primary channel of the one or more second links based on the received information.

[0243] In an example, as shown in FIG. 12, the Non-AP MLD is affiliated with three STAs: STA1, STA2 and STA3, and the AP MLD is affiliated with three APs: AP1, AP2 and AP3, wherein the link between STA1 and AP1 is the first link, the link between STA2 and AP2 is the second link, and the link between STA3 and AP4 is the second link. The AP STA is the NPCA initiator, the Non-AP STA is the NPCA responder, and AP1 sends a first frame to STA1 on the first link, for instructing STA2 and STA3 to switch the links to the non-primary channel respectively. After STA2 and STA3 switch the links to the non-primary channel respectively, AP2 and AP3 send a second trigger frame to STA2 and STA3 respectively on the non-primary channel of the respective link, for STA2 and STA3 to perform medium synchronization of the non-primary channel respectively.

[0244] In some embodiments, the AP MLD supports performing CCA on the primary channel and the non-primary channel simultaneously.

[0245] The AP MLD can obtain the channel state information of the non-primary channel on the primary channel of the second link, and send the channel state information of the non-primary channel to the Non-AP MLD through the second trigger frame after switching the second link to the non-primary channel, so that the Non-AP MLD performs medium synchronization with the non-primary channel of one or more second links based on the received information.

[0246] Optionally, the Non-AP MLD does not support performing CCA on the primary channel and the non-primary channel simultaneously.

[0247] In the following, the wireless communication method provided by the embodiments of the present application is further described.

[0248] For the NPCA initiator:

[0249] In an embodiment, when it is detected that the primary channel is occupied by the OBSS on one or more links for a certain time length, a data frame / management frame carrying AAR, A-Control subfield or an NPCS Request frame can be sent to the NPCA responder through other links, for the purpose of requesting the NPCA responder to switch the primary channel of the one or more links to the non-primary channel.

[0250] In another embodiment, when it is detected that the primary channel is occupied by the OBSS on one or more links for a certain time length, a data frame / management frame carrying AAR, A-Control subfield or an NPCS Request frame can be sent to the NPCA responder through other links, for the purpose of forcing the NPCA responder to switch the primary channel of the one or more links to the non-primary channel.

[0251] For NPCA responders:

[0252] In one embodiment, when receiving an AAR, A-Control subfield or an NPCS Request frame, one or more target link's primary channel is switched to a non-primary channel based on the indication therein. If an AAR, A-Control subfield is received, the channel switch result of each target link requested to switch can be informed to the NPCA initiator through a Block Ack (BA) frame; if an NPCS Request frame is received, the channel switch result of each target link requested to switch should be informed to the NPCA initiator through an NPCS Response frame.

[0253] In another embodiment, when receiving an AAR, A-Control subfield or an NPCS Request frame, one or more target link's primary channel must be switched to a non-primary channel based on the indication therein. If an AAR, A-Control subfield is received, the channel switch result of each target link requested to switch can be informed to the NPCA initiator through a Block Ack (BA) frame; if an NPCS Request frame is received, the channel switch result of each target link requested to switch should be informed to the NPCA initiator through an NPCS Response frame.

[0254] In both embodiments, for NPCA responders, if the NPCA responder is an AP MLD and has the capability of performing CCA on both the primary channel and the non-primary channel simultaneously, the NPCA responder can send a trigger frame to the NPCA initiator after switching to the non-primary channel, thereby helping the NPCA initiator to synchronize the medium.

[0255] The signaling used in the embodiments of the present application to request or force the NPCA responder to switch the primary channel of the one or more links to a non-primary channel can include: signaling based on an AAR subfield, signaling based on a newly defined A-Control subfield or signaling based on a MAC frame.

[0256] For signaling based on an AAR subfield

[0257] As shown in FIG. 13, on the basis of the AAR control subfield shown in FIG. 7, three new subfields are defined: a non-primary channel field, a bandwidth (BW) and a compulse (C) or request (R).

[0258] For Assisting AP Link ID Bitmap: This field has different meanings when the Non-Primary Channel field takes different values.

[0259] When the Non-Primary Channel subfield takes value 0, this subfield indicates the link associated with the link identifier of one of the assisting APs in the AP MLD. A value of 1 in bit position i of the Assisting AP Link ID Bitmap subfield indicates that the AP operating on link ID i is requested to assist in recovering medium synchronization. A value of 0 in bit position i of the Assisting AP Link ID Bitmap subfield indicates that the AP operating on link ID i is not requested to assist in recovering medium synchronization.

[0260] When the Non-Primary Channel subfield takes value 1, this subfield indicates the link associated with the link identifier of one of the APs in the AP MLD, or the link associated with the link identifier of one of the Non-AP STAs in the Non-AP MLD. A value of 1 in bit position i of the Assisting AP Link ID Bitmap subfield indicates that the AP or Non-AP STA operating on link ID i is requested to switch to the non-primary channel. A value of 0 in bit position i of the Assisting AP Link ID Bitmap subfield indicates that the AP or Non-AP STA operating on link ID i is not requested to stay on the primary channel.

[0261] The bit position in the Assisting AP Link ID Bitmap subfield corresponding to the AP or STA corresponding to which the frame containing the AAR control field is sent or received is set to 0.

[0262] The B15 bit of the Assisting AP Link ID Bitmap field is reserved.

[0263] Non-Primary Channel: Different values indicate that the Assisting AP Link ID Bitmap field has different meanings. When the value is 0, the Assisting AP Link ID Bitmap field indicates the ID of the link for which AP assistance in recovery is requested, and when the value is 0, the Assisting AP Link ID Bitmap field indicates the ID of the link for which switching to the non-primary channel is requested.

[0264] BW: indicates the maximum bandwidth of the PPDU that can be transmitted after switching to the non-primary channel. Value 0 represents 20MHz, value 1 represents 40MHz, value 2 represents 80MHz, and value 3 represents 160MHz.

[0265] C / R: value 0 indicates that the receiving station is requested to switch to the non-primary channel, and value 1 indicates that the receiving station is forced to switch to the non-primary channel. In another embodiment, value 1 indicates that the receiving station is requested to switch to the non-primary channel, and value 0 indicates that the receiving station is forced to switch to the non-primary channel.

[0266] For signaling based on the newly defined A-Control subfield

[0267] A new A-Control sub-type Non-Primary Channel Switch (NPCS) control (Control) is defined, and the format thereof is shown in FIG. 14, including the following fields: NPC A link ID, BW, timeout, C / R.

[0268] NPCS Link ID: this field indicates the ID of the link for which the non-primary channel switching is requested or forced.

[0269] BW: indicates the maximum bandwidth of the PPDU that can be transmitted after switching to the non-primary channel. Value 0 represents 20MHz, value 1 represents 40MHz, value 2 represents 80MHz, and value 3 represents 160MHz.

[0270] Timeout: indicates the maximum staying time of the station receiving the frame after switching to the non-primary channel. If no valid MAC frame is received on the non-primary channel within the time indicated by the Timeout, the station switches back to the primary channel after the time indicated by the Timeout ends. The unit of this field is microsecond.

[0271] C / R: value 0 indicates that the receiving station is requested to switch to the non-primary channel, and value 1 indicates that the receiving station is forced to switch to the non-primary channel. In another embodiment, value 1 indicates that the receiving station is requested to switch to the non-primary channel, and value 0 indicates that the receiving station is forced to switch to the non-primary channel.

[0272] For signaling based on the MAC frame

[0273] A new management frame, NPCS Request (Non-Primary Channel Switch Request) frame is defined as shown in Fig. 15, including the following fields: Frame Control, Duration, Address 1, Address 2, Address 3, Sequence Control, Address 4, QoS Control, HT Control, Frame Body, FCS. Among them, the Frame Body field includes the following subfields: Category, protected UHR Action, Dialog Token, Number, NPCS List, wherein the NPCS List includes one or more NPCS Duple, and one NPCS Duple includes the following two subfields: Link ID info and timeout.

[0274] Among them, Frame Control: indicates basic information such as frame type.

[0275] Duration: indicates the time interval from the end time of the current frame to the end time of TXOP.

[0276] Address 1: indicates the receiving address.

[0277] Address 2: indicates the sending address.

[0278] Address 3: same as Address 2.

[0279] Sequence Control: indicates the sequence number of MSDU and MPDU.

[0280] HT Control: carries various control signaling.

[0281] Category: indicates the Action frame type, taking any integer between 40-125, for example, 40, to indicate the Action frame of the Protected UHR type.

[0282] Protected UHR Action: indicates the sub-type of the Protected UHR Action frame, taking any integer between 0-255, for example, 0, to indicate the Non-Primary Channel Switch Request frame.

[0283] Dialog Token: Set to a non-zero value to indicate a request / response session.

[0284] Count: Indicates the number of Non-Primary Channel Switch Duple subfields in the Non-Primary Channel Switch List field.

[0285] Non-Primary Channel Switch List: Contains one or more Non-Primary Channel Switch Duple subfields.

[0286] Non-Primary Channel Switch Duple: Contains Link ID and Timeout information for one link.

[0287] Link ID Info: Indicates the Link ID of the link for which a switch to a non-primary channel is requested in a corresponding Non-Primary Channel Switch Request frame.

[0288] Timeout: Indicates the maximum dwell time on a non-primary channel after switching to the non-primary channel on the link indicated by the Link ID Info. If no valid MAC frame is received on the non-primary channel within the time indicated by the Timeout, the primary channel is switched back to at the end of the time indicated by the Timeout. The field is in units of microseconds.

[0289] In addition, a new management frame, the Non-Primary Channel Switch Response (NPCS Response) frame, is defined, as shown in FIG. 16, including: Frame Control, Duration, Address 1, Address 2, Address 3, Sequence Control, Address 4, QoS Control, HT Control, Frame Body, and FCS. The Frame Body field includes the following subfields: Category, protected UHR Action, Dialog Token, Count, and NPCA Status List, wherein the NPCA Status List includes one or more NPCS Status Duples, and one NPCS Status Duple includes the following two subfields: Link ID info and Status.

[0290] wherein,

[0291] Frame Control: indicates basic information such as frame type.

[0292] Duration: indicates the time interval from the end time of the current frame to the end time of the TXOP.

[0293] Address 1: indicates the receiving address.

[0294] Address 2: indicates the sending address.

[0295] Address 3: same as Address 2.

[0296] Sequence Control: indicates the sequence number of MSDU and MPDU.

[0297] HT Control: carries various control signaling.

[0298] Category: indicates the Action frame type, taking any integer between 40-125, for example 40, to indicate the Protected UHR type of Action frame.

[0299] Protected UHR Action: indicates the subtype of the Protected UHR Action frame, taking any integer between 0-255, for example 1, to indicate the Non-Primary Channel Switch Response frame.

[0300] Dialog Token: set to a non-zero value to indicate a request / response session.

[0301] Count: indicates the number of Non-Primary Channel Switch Status Duple subfields in the Non-Primary Channel Switch Status List field.

[0302] Non-Primary Channel Switch Status List: contains one or more Non-Primary Channel Switch Status Duple subfields.

[0303] Non-Primary Channel Switch Status Duple: contains a Link ID and Status information of one link.

[0304] Link ID Info: indicates Link ID information of one link requesting to switch the non-primary channel in a corresponding Non-Primary Channel Switch Request frame.

[0305] Status: indicates the status of the link switching the non-primary channel operation indicated by the corresponding Link ID Info subfield.

[0306] The wireless communication method provided by the embodiments of the present application includes but is not limited to the following embodiments one to three.

[0307] Embodiment one

[0308] As shown in FIG. 17, two links, Link 1 and Link 2, are established between the AP MLD and the Non-AP MLD on different frequency bands, and the parties have agreed in advance that the non-primary channel for the non-primary channel switching operation on Link 2 is only one, i.e., S80 channel. STA 2 in the Non-AP MLD detects that the P80 channel of Link 2 is occupied by OBSS and will last for a certain time, and can access the S80 channel of Link 2 through the NPCA mechanism, but AP 2 in the AP MLD detects that the P80 channel of Link 2 is still idle due to different geographical positions, so it will not switch to the S80 channel.

[0309] Non-AP MLD sends a data frame carrying AAR to AP 1 affiliated to AP MLD through STA 1 on Link 1 on P20 channel, aiming to request AP MLD to switch Link 2 from P80 channel to S80 channel, so as to receive the frame sent by STA 2 on S80 channel of Link 2. Therefore, the Non-Primary Channel in AAR is 1, indicating that the meaning of Assisting AP Link ID Bitmap field in AAR is to indicate the ID of the link switched from primary channel to non-primary channel; in addition, the value of Assisting AP Link ID Bitmap field in AAR should be (0000000000000100)2, in which B2 bit is 1, indicating switching Link 2 from primary channel to non-primary channel; B1 bit is 0 because the AAR is sent through Link 1, and B15 is reserved. In addition, the value of BW field is 3, indicating the maximum transmission bandwidth of 80MHz PPDU. The value of C / R field is 0, indicating requesting the opposite party to switch non-primary channel.

[0310] After receiving the AAR and replying the BA frame to Non-AP MLD on Link 1, AP MLD and Non-AP MLD can start switching channels, i.e., switching from P80 channel to S80 channel, and then both need to wait for a Medium Sync Delay (MSD) time interval. Subsequently, the AP MLD then starts to listen to the channel, waiting to receive the frame sent by STA 2 on S80; while the Non-AP MLD starts to perform random backoff, and after the backoff ends, sends data frames on S80 and receives BA frames.

[0311] Finally, AP MLD and Non-AP MLD switch back from S80 channel to P80 channel before the end of OBSS TXOP of Link 2.

[0312] Embodiment Two

[0313] As shown in FIG. 18, the difference between embodiment two and embodiment one is that Non-AP MLD sends Non-Primary Channel Switch Request frame to AP MLD on P20 channel of Link 1 and receives Non-Primary Channel Switch (NPCS) Response frame to request it to switch the channel of Link 2, and other than that, it is the same as embodiment one.

[0314] In this embodiment, the Count field in the NPCS Request frame takes value 1, indicating that the Non-Primary Channel Switch List contains 1 Non-Primary Channel Switch Duple, in which the Non-Primary Channel Switch Link ID field should take value 2, indicating to switch Link 2 from primary channel to non-primary channel; the Timeout field takes a certain integer value, for example, 1024 microseconds.

[0315] In this embodiment, the Count field in the NPCS Response frame takes value 1, indicating that the Non-Primary Channel Switch Status List contains 1 Non-Primary Channel Switch Status Duple, in which the Link ID Info field takes value 2 indicating Link 2, and the Status takes value 0 indicating that the switching is successful.

[0316] Embodiment Three

[0317] As shown in FIG. 19, the difference between embodiment three and embodiment one is that AP 2 in the AP MLD has parallel CCA capability on Link 2, that is, AP 2 can simultaneously perform CCA on the primary channel P80 and the non-primary channel S80, that is, AP 2 can simultaneously keep synchronization with the primary channel and the non-primary channel, so AP 2 can perform channel access without waiting for the MSD time after switching from the P80 channel to the S80 channel. However, STA 2 in the Non-AP MLD does not have parallel CCA capability, and if it wants to use the S80 channel, it must first wait for the MSD interval to perform channel access. Therefore, the Non-AP MLD can request the AP MLD to send a trigger frame to the Non-AP MLD on the S80 channel of Link 2 through Link 1, so as to let the Non-AP MLD transmit uplink data on the S80 channel in a trigger frame-based manner, which has the advantage that the S80 channel can be used without waiting for the MSD time interval, thereby improving transmission efficiency.

[0318] To this end, the Non-AP MLD sends a data frame carrying the NPCS to the AP MLD, i.e., a data frame carrying the NPCS A-Control field, wherein the Non-Primary Channel Switch Link ID in the NPCS A-Control field is set to 2, indicating switching Link 2 from the primary channel to the non-primary channel. In addition, the BW field is set to 3, indicating a PPDU with a maximum transmission bandwidth of 80MHz. The Timeout field is set to an integer value, for example, 1024 microseconds. The C / R field is set to 1, indicating forcing the other party to switch the non-primary channel.

[0319] After the AP MLD receives the data frame carrying the NPCS A-Control field and sends a BA frame to the Non-AP MLD, the Non-AP MLD can start switching the channel, i.e., switching from the P80 channel to the S80 channel, and start waiting for the MSD time. The AP MLD can start random backoff when the NAV on the S80 channel is reduced to 0, and after the backoff ends, the AP MLD can send a Trigger frame to the Non-AP MLD on the S80 channel, thereby triggering the Non-AP MLD to send the uplink data frame carried in the TB PPDU.

[0320] Finally, the AP MLD and the Non-AP MLD switch back from the S80 channel to the P80 channel before the end of the OBSS TXOP on Link 2.

[0321] The wireless communication method, the non-primary channel switching method and the signaling based on multiple links provided by the embodiments of the present application can solve the channel asymmetry problem on a certain link through other available links, so that the AP MLD and the Non-AP MLD on the link can be synchronized to switch from the primary channel to the non-primary channel, and then communicate using the non-primary channel. In this way, the success rate of the NPCA operation can be improved, and the utilization rate of the channel resources can be improved.

[0322] The preferred embodiments of the present application are described in detail above with reference to the drawings, but the present application is not limited to the specific details of the above-described embodiments. Within the technical concept of the present application, various simple modifications can be made to the technical solutions of the present application, and these simple modifications all belong to the protection scope of the present application. For example, in the above-described specific embodiments, various specific technical features described in the embodiments can be combined in any appropriate manner without contradiction. In order to avoid unnecessary repetition, various possible combinations are not described again in the present application. For another example, various different embodiments of the present application can also be combined in any manner, as long as it does not deviate from the idea of the present application, and it should also be considered as disclosed in the present application. For another example, under the premise of no conflict, each embodiment described in the present application and / or technical features in each embodiment can be combined with any prior art, and the technical solutions obtained after combination should also fall within the protection scope of the present application.

[0323] It should also be understood that, in various method embodiments of the present application, the magnitude of the sequence number of the above-described processes does not mean the order of execution, and the execution order of the processes should be determined according to its function and inherent logic, and should not constitute any limitation on the implementation process of the embodiments of the present application. In addition, in the embodiments of the present application, the terms "downlink", "uplink" and "sidelink" are used to represent the transmission direction of signals or data, wherein "downlink" is used to represent the transmission direction of signals or data as the first direction from the station to the user equipment of the cell, "uplink" is used to represent the transmission direction of signals or data as the second direction from the user equipment of the cell to the station, and "sidelink" is used to represent the transmission direction of signals or data as the third direction from the user equipment 1 to the user equipment 2. For example, "downlink signal" represents that the transmission direction of the signal is the first direction. In addition, in the embodiments of the present application, the term "and / or" is only used to describe the association relationship of the associated objects, and indicates that there can be three relationships. Specifically, A and / or B can represent three cases of A alone, A and B together, and B alone. In addition, the character " / " in this paper generally represents that the front and rear associated objects are in an "or" relationship.

[0324] FIG. 20 is a schematic diagram of the structural composition of the first MLD according to an embodiment of the present application. As shown in FIG. 20, the first MLD 2000 includes:

[0325] The first communication unit is configured to send a first frame to a second MLD device on a first link, the first frame being used to instruct the second MLD to switch one or more second links to a non-primary channel.

[0326] In some embodiments, the first MLD listens to an overlapping basic service set (OBSS) physical layer protocol data unit (PPDU) on the one or more second links.

[0327] In some embodiments,

[0328] The first frame is used to request the second MLD to switch the one or more second links to a non-primary channel; or,

[0329] The first frame is used to force the second MLD to switch the one or more second links to a non-primary channel.

[0330] In some embodiments, the first frame carries first information, the first information being used to indicate the second MLD to switch one or more second links to a non-primary channel.

[0331] In some embodiments, the first information includes first indication information, the first indication information being used to indicate the first one or more second links.

[0332] In some embodiments, the first indication information includes a first bitmap, bits of the first bitmap being used to indicate whether a link at a corresponding position is switched to a non-primary channel; or,

[0333] The first indication information includes link information of each second link in the one or more second links.

[0334] In some embodiments, the first information includes one or more of:

[0335] Second indication information, the second indication information being used to indicate a first bandwidth, the first bandwidth being a maximum bandwidth of a PPDU for Non-Primary Channel Access, NPCA;

[0336] Third indication information, the third indication information being used to indicate that the first frame is used to request or force switching to a non-primary channel;

[0337] Fourth indication information, the fourth indication information being used to indicate a first time duration, the first time duration being a maximum limit time duration for the second MLD not to receive a second frame on a non-primary channel;

[0338] Fifth indication information, the fifth indication information being used to indicate a number of second links included in the one or more second links.

[0339] In some embodiments, the first information is carried in a first field of the first frame, the first field including one or more of: an Aggregate Control (A-Control) field; an Access Point, AP, Assistant Request, AAR, Control field; a frame body field.

[0340] In some embodiments, the first indication information is indicated by an Assistant AP Link Identification Bitmap subfield in the AAR Control field;

[0341] The first information further includes sixth indication information, where the sixth indication information is used to indicate that the assisted AP link identification bitmap subfield is used to carry the first indication information or link identification information of an assisted AP attached to an access point multi-link device (AP MLD).

[0342] In some embodiments, the first frame includes one or more of: a data frame; a management frame; a non-primary channel switch (NPCS) request frame.

[0343] In some embodiments, the first communication unit 2000 is further configured to receive, on the first link, a third frame sent by the second MLD device, where the third frame is used to respond to the first frame.

[0344] In some embodiments, the third frame carries second information, where the second information is used to indicate a state of each second link in the one or more second links.

[0345] In some embodiments, the third frame includes one or more of: a block acknowledgement (BA) frame; an acknowledgement (ACK) frame; an NPCS response frame.

[0346] In some embodiments, the first communication unit 2000 is further configured to send, on a non-primary channel of the one or more second links, a PPDU to the second MLD.

[0347] In some embodiments, the first communication unit 2000 is further configured to send, on a non-primary channel of the one or more second links, a PPDU to the second MLD after the one or more second links switch to the non-primary channel and wait for a medium synchronization delay (MSD).

[0348] In some embodiments, the first MLD does not support simultaneous clear channel assessment (CCA) on a primary channel and a non-primary channel, and the second MLD does not support simultaneous CCA on the primary channel and the non-primary channel.

[0349] In some embodiments, the first MLD is a non-AP MLD, and the second MLD is an AP MLD, and the first communication unit 2000 is further configured to receive, on a non-primary channel of the one or more second links, a first trigger frame sent by the AP MLD, where the first trigger frame is used to assist the non-AP MLD in performing medium synchronization on the non-primary channel of the one or more second links and instruct the non-AP MLD to send a PPDU on the non-primary channel of the second link.

[0350] In some embodiments, the first frame is further used to indicate or request the AP MLD to send the first trigger frame on the non-primary channel of the one or more second links.

[0351] In some embodiments, the first MLD is an AP MLD, the second MLD is a Non-AP MLD, and the first communication unit 2000 is further configured to send, to the Non-AP MLD, a second trigger frame on a non-primary channel of the second link, the second trigger frame being used to assist the Non-AP MLD in performing medium synchronization on the non-primary channel of the one or more second links.

[0352] In some embodiments, the AP MLD supports performing CCA on the primary channel and the non-primary channel simultaneously.

[0353] The first communication unit in the first MLD can be implemented by a transceiver in the first MLD.

[0354] FIG. 21 is a schematic diagram of a structure of a second MLD according to an embodiment of the present application. As shown in FIG. 21, the second MLD 2100 includes:

[0355] The second communication unit is configured to receive, on the first link, a first frame sent by a first MLD device, the first frame being used to instruct the second MLD to switch one or more second links to a non-primary channel.

[0356] In some embodiments, the first MLD listens to an overlapping basic service set (OBSS) physical layer protocol data unit (PPDU) on the one or more second links.

[0357] In some embodiments,

[0358] The first frame is used to request the second MLD to switch the one or more second links to a non-primary channel; or

[0359] The first frame is used to force the second MLD to switch the one or more second links to a non-primary channel.

[0360] In some embodiments, the first frame carries first information, the first information being used to instruct the second MLD to switch the one or more second links to a non-primary channel.

[0361] In some embodiments, the first information includes first indication information, the first indication information being used to indicate the first one or more second links.

[0362] In some embodiments, the first indication information includes a first bitmap, bits of the first bitmap being used to indicate whether a link at a corresponding position is switched to a non-primary channel; or

[0363] The first indication information includes link information of each second link in the one or more second links.

[0364] In some embodiments, the first information includes one or more of the following:

[0365] second indication information, the second indication information being used to indicate a first bandwidth, the first bandwidth being a maximum bandwidth of a PPDU based on a non-primary channel access (NPCA);

[0366] third indication information, the third indication information being used to indicate that the first frame is used to request or force a switch to a non-primary channel;

[0367] fourth indication information, the fourth indication information being used to indicate a first time duration, the first time duration being a maximum limit time duration during which the second MLD does not receive a second frame on a non-primary channel;

[0368] fifth indication information, the fifth indication information being used to indicate a number of second links included in the one or more second links.

[0369] In some embodiments, the first information is carried in a first field of the first frame, the first field including one or more of: an aggregation control (A-Control) field; an access point (AP) assistant request (AAR) control field; a frame body field.

[0370] In some embodiments, the first indication information is indicated by an assistant AP link identification bitmap subfield in the AAR control field;

[0371] The first information further includes sixth indication information, the sixth indication information being used to indicate that the assistant AP link identification bitmap subfield is used to carry the first indication information or link identification information of an assistant AP attached to an access point multi-link device (AP MLD).

[0372] In some embodiments, the first frame includes one or more of: a data frame; a management frame; a non-primary channel switch (NPCS) request frame.

[0373] In some embodiments, the second communication unit 2100 is further configured to send, to the first MLD device on the first link, a third frame, the third frame being used to respond to the first frame.

[0374] In some embodiments, the third frame carries second information, the second information being used to indicate a status of each second link in the one or more second links.

[0375] In some embodiments, the third frame includes one or more of:

[0376] a block acknowledgement (BA) frame;

[0377] an acknowledgement (ACK) frame;

[0378] a non-primary channel switch (NPCS) response frame.

[0379] In some embodiments, the second communication unit 2100 is further configured to receive, on the non-primary channel of the one or more second links, a PPDU transmitted by the first MLD.

[0380] In some embodiments, the second communication unit 2100 is further configured to receive, on the non-primary channel of the one or more second links, a PPDU transmitted by the first MLD after the one or more second links switch to the non-primary channel and wait for a medium synchronization delay MSD.

[0381] In some embodiments, the first MLD does not support simultaneous clear channel assessment CCA on the primary channel and the non-primary channel, and the second MLD does not support simultaneous CCA on the primary channel and the non-primary channel.

[0382] In some embodiments, the first MLD is a non-access point multi-link device Non-AP MLD, and the second MLD is an AP MLD, and the second communication unit 2100 is further configured to transmit, to the Non-AP MLD, a first trigger frame on the non-primary channel of the one or more second links, the first trigger frame being used to assist the Non-AP MLD in performing medium synchronization on the non-primary channel of the one or more second links and instructing the Non-AP MLD to transmit a PPDU on the non-primary channel of the second link.

[0383] In some embodiments, the first frame is further used to instruct or request the AP MLD to transmit the first trigger frame on the non-primary channel of the one or more second links.

[0384] In some embodiments, the first MLD is an AP MLD, and the second MLD is a Non-AP MLD, and the second communication unit 2100 is further configured to receive, on the non-primary channel of the second link, a second trigger frame transmitted by the AP MLD, the second trigger frame being used to assist the Non-AP MLD in performing medium synchronization on the non-primary channel of the one or more second links.

[0385] In some embodiments, the AP MLD supports simultaneous CCA on the primary channel and the non-primary channel.

[0386] The second communication unit in the second MLD can be implemented by a transceiver in the second MLD.

[0387] FIG. 22 is a schematic structural diagram of a communication device 2200 provided in an embodiment of the present application. The communication device can be a first MLD. The communication device 2200 shown in FIG. 22 includes a processor 2210, which can call and run a computer program from a memory to implement the method in the embodiment of the present application.

[0388] Optionally, as shown in FIG. 22, the communication device 2200 can further include a memory 2220. The processor 2210 can invoke and run a computer program from the memory 2220 to implement the method in the embodiments of the present application.

[0389] The memory 2220 can be a separate device independent of the processor 2210, or integrated in the processor 2210.

[0390] Optionally, as shown in FIG. 22, the communication device 2200 can further include a transceiver 2230, and the processor 2210 can control the transceiver 2230 to communicate with other devices, specifically, send information or data to other devices, or receive information or data sent by other devices.

[0391] The transceiver 2230 can include a transmitter and a receiver. The transceiver 2230 can further include an antenna, and the number of antennas can be one or more.

[0392] Optionally, the communication device 2200 can be specifically the first MLD or the second MLD of the embodiments of the present application, and the communication device 2200 can implement the corresponding processes implemented by the first MLD or the second MLD in various methods of the embodiments of the present application. For the sake of brevity, details are not repeated here.

[0393] FIG. 23 is a schematic structural diagram of a chip according to an embodiment of the present application. The chip 2300 shown in FIG. 23 includes a processor 2310, which can invoke and run a computer program from a memory to implement the method in the embodiments of the present application.

[0394] Optionally, as shown in FIG. 23, the chip 2300 can further include a memory 2320. The processor 2310 can invoke and run a computer program from the memory 2320 to implement the method in the embodiments of the present application.

[0395] The memory 2320 can be a separate device independent of the processor 2310, or integrated in the processor 2310.

[0396] Optionally, the chip 2300 can further include an input interface 2330. The processor 2310 can control the input interface 2330 to communicate with other devices or chips, specifically, obtain information or data sent by other devices or chips.

[0397] Optionally, the chip 2300 can further include an output interface 2340. The processor 2310 can control the output interface 2340 to communicate with other devices or chips, specifically, output information or data to other devices or chips.

[0398] Optionally, the chip can be applied to the first MLD in the embodiments of the present application, and the chip can implement the corresponding processes implemented by the first MLD in various methods of the embodiments of the present application. For the sake of brevity, details are not repeated here.

[0399] Optionally, the chip can be applied to the second MLD in the embodiments of the present application, and the chip can implement the corresponding processes implemented by the second MLD in various methods of the embodiments of the present application. For the sake of brevity, details are not repeated here.

[0400] It should be understood that the chip mentioned in the embodiments of the present application can also be referred to as a system-level chip, a system chip, a chip system, or a system-on-chip chip, etc.

[0401] FIG. 24 is a schematic block diagram of a communication system 2400 provided by the embodiments of the present application. As shown in FIG. 24, the communication system 2400 includes a Non-AP MLD 2410 and an AP MLD 2420.

[0402] Among them, the Non-AP MLD 2410 or the AP MLD 2420 can be used to implement the corresponding functions implemented by the first MLD or the second MLD in the above methods. Among them, the first MLD is the Non-AP MLD 2410, and the second MLD is the AP MLD 2420; or the first MLD is the AP MLD 2420, and the second MLD is the Non-AP MLD 2410. For the sake of brevity, details are not repeated here.

[0403] It should be understood that the processor of the embodiments of the present application can be an integrated circuit chip with a processing capability of signals. In the implementation process, each step of the method embodiments described above can be completed by the integrated logic circuit of hardware in the processor or the instructions in the form of software. The processor described above can be a general processor, a digital signal processor (DSP), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field programmable gate array (FPGA) or other programmable logic devices, a discrete gate or transistor logic device, a discrete hardware component. The disclosed methods, steps and logic block diagrams in the embodiments of the present application can be implemented or executed. The general processor can be a microprocessor or the processor can also be any conventional processor or the like. The steps of the method disclosed in conjunction with the embodiments of the present application can be directly embodied as a hardware code processor for execution, or can be executed by a combination of hardware and software modules in the code processor. The software module can be located in a random memory, a flash memory, a read-only memory, a programmable read-only memory or an electrically erasable programmable memory, a register or other mature storage medium in the art. The storage medium is located in the memory, and the processor reads the information in the memory, and combines the hardware to complete the steps of the above method.

[0404] It is to be understood that the memory in the embodiments of the present application can be a volatile memory or a nonvolatile memory, or can include both volatile and nonvolatile memory. Among them, the nonvolatile memory can be a read-only memory (Read-Only Memory, ROM), a programmable read-only memory (Programmable ROM, PROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (Erasable PROM, EPROM), an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (Electrically EPROM, EEPROM) or a flash memory. The volatile memory can be a random access memory (Random Access Memory, RAM) used as an external cache. By way of example, but not limitation, many forms of RAM are available, such as static random access memory (Static RAM, SRAM), dynamic random access memory (Dynamic RAM, DRAM), synchronous dynamic random access memory (Synchronous DRAM, SDRAM), double data rate synchronous dynamic random access memory (Double Data Rate SDRAM, DDR SDRAM), enhanced synchronous dynamic random access memory (Enhanced SDRAM, ESDRAM), synchronous link dynamic random access memory (Synchlink DRAM, SLDRAM) and direct memory bus random access memory (Direct Rambus RAM, DR RAM). It should be noted that the memory of the system and method described herein is intended to include, but not limited to, these and any other suitable types of memory.

[0405] It should be understood that the above-mentioned memory is exemplary but not limiting, for example, the memory in the embodiments of the present application can also be static random access memory (static RAM, SRAM), dynamic random access memory (dynamic RAM, DRAM), synchronous dynamic random access memory (synchronous DRAM, SDRAM), double data rate synchronous dynamic random access memory (double data rate SDRAM, DDR SDRAM), enhanced synchronous dynamic random access memory (enhanced SDRAM, ESDRAM), synchronous link dynamic random access memory (synch link DRAM, SLDRAM) and direct memory bus random access memory (Direct Rambus RAM, DR RAM) and the like. That is, the memory in the embodiments of the present application is intended to include, but not limited to, these and any other suitable types of memory.

[0406] The embodiment of the present application further provides a computer readable storage medium for storing the computer program.

[0407] Optionally, the computer readable storage medium can be applied to the first MLD in the embodiment of the present application, and the running of the computer program causes the computer to execute the corresponding process implemented by the first MLD in the various methods of the embodiment of the present application, which will not be repeated here for brevity.

[0408] Optionally, the computer readable storage medium can be applied to the second MLD in the embodiment of the present application, and the running of the computer program causes the computer to execute the corresponding process implemented by the second MLD in the various methods of the embodiment of the present application, which will not be repeated here for brevity.

[0409] The embodiment of the present application further provides a computer program product comprising computer program instructions.

[0410] Optionally, the computer program product can be applied to the first MLD in the embodiment of the present application, and the running of the computer program instructions causes the computer to execute the corresponding process implemented by the first MLD in the various methods of the embodiment of the present application, which will not be repeated here for brevity.

[0411] Optionally, the computer program product can be applied to the second MLD in the embodiment of the present application, and the running of the computer program instructions causes the computer to execute the corresponding process implemented by the second MLD in the various methods of the embodiment of the present application, which will not be repeated here for brevity.

[0412] The embodiment of the present application further provides a computer program.

[0413] Optionally, the computer program can be applied to the first MLD in the embodiment of the present application, and when the computer program runs on the computer, causes the computer to execute the corresponding process implemented by the first MLD in the various methods of the embodiment of the present application, which will not be repeated here for brevity.

[0414] Optionally, the computer program can be applied to the second MLD in the embodiment of the present application, and when the computer program runs on the computer, causes the computer to execute the corresponding process implemented by the second MLD in the various methods of the embodiment of the present application, which will not be repeated here for brevity.

[0415] Those skilled in the art can clearly understand that the units and algorithm steps of each example described in combination with the embodiments disclosed herein can be realized by electronic hardware or a combination of computer software and electronic hardware. Whether the functions are performed in hardware or software depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution. Those skilled in the art can use different methods to implement the described functions for each specific application, but such implementation should not be considered beyond the scope of the present application.

[0416] Those skilled in the art can clearly understand that, for the convenience and brevity of the description, the specific working processes of the above-described system, device and unit can refer to the corresponding processes in the foregoing method embodiments, which will not be repeated here.

[0417] In several embodiments provided in the present application, it should be understood that the disclosed system, device and method can be implemented in other ways. For example, the above-described device embodiments are merely schematic, for example, the division of the units is only a logical function division, and actual implementation can have another division manner, for example, multiple units or components can be combined or integrated into another system, or some features can be ignored or not executed. In addition, the coupling or direct coupling or communication connection between the units shown or discussed can be indirect coupling or communication connection through some interfaces, devices or units, which can be electrical, mechanical or other forms.

[0418] The units described as separate components can or can not be physically separated, and the components shown as units can or can not be physical units, that is, they can be located in one place, or can be distributed on multiple network units. According to actual needs, part or all of the units can be selected to achieve the purpose of the embodiment.

[0419] In addition, each functional unit in each embodiment of the present application can be integrated into a processing unit, or each unit can exist physically independently, or two or more units can be integrated into one unit.

[0420] If the functions are implemented in the form of software function units and sold or used as independent products, they can be stored in a computer readable storage medium. Based on this understanding, the technical solutions of the present application or the parts of the technical solutions that essentially contribute to the prior art or the parts of the technical solutions can be embodied in the form of a software product. The computer software product is stored in a storage medium and includes a plurality of instructions for causing a computer device (which can be a personal computer, a server, or a network device, etc.) to execute all or part of the steps of the methods described in the various embodiments of the present application. The aforementioned storage medium includes a U disk, a mobile hard disk, a read-only memory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM), a magnetic disk or an optical disk, and various media that can store program codes.

[0421] The above is only a specific implementation of the present application, but the protection scope of the present application is not limited thereto. Any person skilled in the art can easily think of changes or replacements within the technical scope disclosed in the present application, which should be covered within the protection scope of the present application. Therefore, the protection scope of the present application should be subject to the protection scope of the claims.

Claims

A method of wireless communication, the method comprising: A first multi-link device, MLD, transmitting, to a second MLD device, a first frame on a first link, the first frame being used to instruct the second MLD to switch one or more second links to a non-primary channel. The method of claim 1, wherein, The first MLD listening to an overlapping basic service set, OBSS, physical layer protocol data unit, PPDU on the one or more second links. The method of claim 1 or 2, wherein: The first frame is used to request the second MLD to switch the one or more second links to a non-primary channel; or, The first frame is used to force the second MLD to switch the one or more second links to a non-primary channel. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein The first frame carries first information, the first information being used to instruct the second MLD to switch one or more second links to a non-primary channel. The method of claim 4, wherein, The first information comprises first indication information, the first indication information being used to indicate the first one or more second links. The method of claim 5, wherein, The first indication information comprises a first bitmap, bits of the first bitmap being used to indicate whether a link at a corresponding position is switched to a non-primary channel; or, The first indication information comprises link information of each second link in the one or more second links. The method according to claim 5 or 6, wherein The first information comprises one or more of: Second indication information, the second indication information being used to indicate a first bandwidth, the first bandwidth being a maximum bandwidth of a physical layer protocol data unit, PPDU for non-primary channel access, NPCA; Third indication information, the third indication information being used to indicate that the first frame is used to request or force switching to a non-primary channel; Fourth indication information, the fourth indication information being used to indicate a first time duration, the first time duration being a maximum limit time duration for the second MLD not to receive a second frame on a non-primary channel; Fifth indication information, the fifth indication information being used to indicate a number of second links included in the one or more second links. The method according to any one of claims 5 to 7, wherein The first information is carried in a first field of the first frame, the first field comprising one or more of: An aggregated control (A-Control) field; An access point, AP, assistant request, AAR, control field; A frame body field. The method of claim 8, wherein, The first indication information is indicated by an assistant AP link identification bitmap subfield in the AAR control field; The first information further comprises sixth indication information, the sixth indication information being used to indicate that the assistant AP link identification bitmap subfield is used to carry the first indication information or link identification information of an assistant AP affiliated to an access point multi-link device, AP MLD. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein The first frame comprises one or more of: A data frame; A management frame; A non-primary channel switching, NPCS, request frame. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein The method further comprises: The first MLD receiving, from the second MLD device, a third frame on the first link, the third frame being used to respond to the first frame. The method of claim 11, wherein, The third frame carries second information, the second information being used to indicate a status of each second link in the one or more second links. The method according to claim 11 or 12, wherein The third frame comprises one or more of: A block acknowledgement, BA, frame; An acknowledgement, ACK, frame; An NPCS response frame. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein The method further comprises: The first MLD transmits a PPDU to the second MLD on a non-primary channel of the one or more second links. The method of claim 14, wherein, The first MLD transmits a PPDU to the second MLD on a non-primary channel of the one or more second links, comprising: The first MLD transmits a PPDU to the second MLD after switching to a non-primary channel of the one or more second links and waiting for a medium synchronization delay (MSD). The method of claim 15, wherein, The first MLD does not support simultaneous clear channel assessment (CCA) on a primary channel and a non-primary channel, and the second MLD does not support simultaneous CCA on the primary channel and the non-primary channel. The method of claim 14, wherein, The first MLD is a non-access point multi-link device (Non-AP MLD), and the second MLD is an AP MLD, and the method further comprises: The Non-AP MLD receives a first trigger frame transmitted by the AP MLD on a non-primary channel of the one or more second links, the first trigger frame being used to assist the Non-AP MLD in synchronizing a medium of the non-primary channel of the one or more second links and instructing the Non-AP MLD to transmit a PPDU on the non-primary channel of the second link. The method of claim 17, wherein, The first frame is further used to instruct or request the AP MLD to transmit the first trigger frame on a non-primary channel of the one or more second links. The method of claim 14, wherein, The first MLD is an AP MLD, and the second MLD is a Non-AP MLD, and the method further comprises: The AP MLD transmits a second trigger frame to the Non-AP MLD on a non-primary channel of the second link, the second trigger frame being used to assist the Non-AP MLD in synchronizing a medium of the non-primary channel of the one or more second links. The method according to any one of claims 17 to 19, wherein The AP MLD supports simultaneous CCA on a primary channel and a non-primary channel. A method of wireless communication, the method comprising: A second multi-link device (MLD) receives a first frame transmitted by a first MLD device on a first link, the first frame being used to instruct the second MLD to switch one or more second links to a non-primary channel. The method of claim 21, wherein, The first MLD listens to an overlapping basic service set (OBSS) physical layer protocol data unit (PPDU) on the one or more second links. The method of claim 21 or 22, wherein, The first frame is used to request the second MLD to switch the one or more second links to a non-primary channel; or The first frame is used to force the second MLD to switch the one or more second links to a non-primary channel. The method according to any one of claims 21 to 23, wherein The first frame carries first information, the first information being used to instruct a second MLD to switch one or more second links to a non-primary channel. The method of claim 24, wherein, The first information comprises first indication information, the first indication information being used to indicate the first one or more second links. The method of claim 25, wherein, The first indication information comprises a first bitmap, bits of the first bitmap being used to indicate whether a link at a corresponding position is switched to a non-primary channel; or The first indication information comprises link information of each second link in the one or more second links. The method of claim 25 or 26, wherein, The first information comprises one or more of: Second indication information, the second indication information is used for indicating a first bandwidth, the first bandwidth is a maximum bandwidth of a PPDU based on a non-primary channel access (NPCA); Third indication information, the third indication information is used for indicating that the first frame is used for requesting or forcing switching to a non-primary channel; Fourth indication information, the fourth indication information is used for indicating a first time length, the first time length is a maximum limit time length during which the second MLD does not receive a second frame on a non-primary channel; Fifth indication information, the fifth indication information is used for indicating a number of second links included in the one or more second links. The method of any one of claims 25 to 27, wherein The first information is carried in a first field of the first frame, and the first field includes one or more of the following: An aggregation control (A-Control) field; An access point (AP) assistant request (AAR) control field; A frame body field. The method of claim 28, wherein, The first indication information is indicated by an assistant AP link identification bitmap subfield in the AAR control field; The first information further includes sixth indication information, the sixth indication information is used for indicating that the assistant AP link identification bitmap subfield is used for carrying the first indication information or link identification information of an assistant AP attached to an access point multi-link device (AP MLD). The method according to any one of claims 21 to 29, wherein The first frame includes one or more of the following: A data frame; A management frame; A non-primary channel switching (NPCS) request frame. The method of any one of claims 21 to 30, wherein The method further includes: The second MLD sends a third frame to the first MLD device on the first link, and the third frame is used for responding to the first frame. The method of claim 31, wherein, The third frame carries second information, and the second information is used for indicating a state of each second link in the one or more second links. The method of claim 31 or 32, wherein, The third frame includes one or more of the following: A block response (BA) frame; An acknowledgement (ACK) frame; An NPCS response frame. The method of any one of claims 21 to 33, wherein The method further includes: The second MLD receives a PPDU sent by the first MLD on a non-primary channel of the one or more second links. The method of claim 34, wherein, The second MLD receives the PPDU sent by the first MLD on the non-primary channel of the one or more second links, including: The second MLD receives the PPDU sent by the first MLD after switching to the non-primary channel of the one or more second links and waiting for a medium synchronization delay (MSD). The method of claim 35, wherein, The first MLD does not support simultaneous clear channel assessment (CCA) on a primary channel and a non-primary channel, and the second MLD does not support simultaneous CCA on the primary channel and the non-primary channel. The method of claim 34, wherein, The first MLD is a non-AP MLD, and the second MLD is an AP MLD, and the method further includes: The AP MLD sends a first trigger frame to the Non-AP MLD on a non-primary channel of the one or more second links, and the first trigger frame is used for assisting the Non-AP MLD in performing medium synchronization on the non-primary channel of the one or more second links and indicating the Non-AP MLD to send a PPDU on the non-primary channel of the second link. The method of claim 37, wherein, The first frame is further configured to indicate or request the AP MLD to transmit the first trigger frame on a non-primary channel of the one or more second links. The method of claim 34, wherein, The first MLD is an AP MLD, and the second MLD is a Non-AP MLD, and the method further comprises: The Non-AP MLD receives a second trigger frame transmitted by the AP MLD on a non-primary channel of the second link, and the second trigger frame is used to assist the Non-AP MLD to perform medium synchronization on the non-primary channel of the one or more second links. The method of any one of claims 37 to 39, wherein The AP MLD supports CCA on the primary channel and the non-primary channel at the same time. A first multi-link device (MLD) comprises: A first communication unit configured to transmit a first frame to a second MLD device on a first link, the first frame being used to instruct the second MLD to switch one or more second links to a non-primary channel. A second multi-link device (MLD) comprises: A second communication unit configured to receive a first frame transmitted by a first MLD device on a first link, the first frame being used to instruct the second MLD to switch one or more second links to a non-primary channel. A first multi-link device, MLD, comprising: A processor and a memory, the memory being configured to store a computer program, and the processor being configured to invoke and run the computer program stored in the memory, so that the first MLD performs the method according to any one of claims 1 to 20. A second multi-link device, MLD, comprising: A processor and a memory, the memory being configured to store a computer program, and the processor being configured to invoke and run the computer program stored in the memory, so that the second MLD performs the method according to any one of claims 21 to 40. A chip comprising: A processor configured to invoke and run a computer program from a memory, so that a device in which the chip is installed performs the method according to any one of claims 1 to 20, and performs the method according to any one of claims 21 to 40. A computer readable storage medium configured to store a computer program, and the computer program is configured to run so that a computer performs the method according to any one of claims 1 to 20, and performs the method according to any one of claims 21 to 40. A computer program product comprising computer program instructions, and the computer program instructions are configured to run so that a computer performs the method according to any one of claims 1 to 20, and performs the method according to any one of claims 21 to 40. A computer program configured to run so that a computer performs the method according to any one of claims 1 to 20, and performs the method according to any one of claims 21 to 40.

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