Communication method and apparatus

Abstract

A communication method and apparatus, which relate to the technical field of communications, and can prevent, as much as possible, a station from frequently scanning a channel, thereby improving the reliability of communications. The method is applied to a communication network, which comprises M access points, wherein the M access points are associated with the same basic service set identifier. The method specifically comprises: determining N access points from M access points, and instructing the N access points to send beacon frames, i.e., the N access points sending beacon frames, and (M-N) access points among the M access points other than the N access points not sending beacon frames, wherein N is an integer greater than or equal to 1 and less than M.

Description

Communication method and apparatus

[0001] This application claims priority to the Chinese Patent Application No. 202411089883.8, filed on August 8, 2024, and entitled "Communication method and apparatus", the content of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] The present application relates to the field of communication technology, in particular to a communication method and apparatus. BACKGROUND

[0003] In a communication system, multiple access points in the network can be virtually combined into one access point (AP) by using the same frequency networking manner, so that the station considers that it is always associated with one access point during movement. For example, multiple access points can send a beacon frame to the station, and the beacon frames sent by different access points can include the same basic service set identifier (BSSID). Accordingly, the station can determine the same BSSID according to the beacon frames associated with different access points, and the station can determine that it is always associated with the same access point.

[0004] However, when the station receives the beacon frames sent by multiple access points, the distances between different access points and the station are different, which can cause the signal strengths of the beacon frames received by the station to be different. When the signal strength of the beacon frame received by the station is lower than a certain threshold, the station can consider that the network is unstable and frequently scan the channel, which can cause the station to be disconnected and re-associate with another access point with a different BSSID.

[0005] Therefore, how to avoid the station frequently scanning the channel as much as possible to improve the reliability of communication becomes a problem to be solved. SUMMARY

[0006] The present application provides a communication method and apparatus, which can avoid the station device frequently scanning the channel as much as possible to improve the reliability of communication.

[0007] In a first aspect, a communication method is provided, which can be executed by a wireless controller. In the absence of special description, the "wireless controller" in the present application can refer to the sending end device itself, or a component (for example, a processor, a chip, or a chip system, etc.) in the wireless controller, or a logic module or software capable of realizing all or part of the functions of the wireless controller. The method is applied to a communication network, and the communication network includes M access points, and the BSSIDs associated with the M access points are the same. The method includes: the wireless controller determines N access points in the M access points, and instructs the N access points to send a beacon frame. Wherein, N is an integer greater than or equal to 1 and less than M.

[0008] Based on the above scheme, compared with the M access points all sending the beacon frame, the present application only indicates part of the M access points (i.e. N access points, N is less than M) to send the beacon frame. By indicating part of the access points to send the beacon frame, the number of concurrent beacon frames can be reduced, the number of beacon frames received by the station at the same time can be reduced, the probability of the station receiving a beacon frame with a lower signal strength can be reduced, so that the station can be avoided from frequently scanning the channel as much as possible, the situation that the station is disconnected or re-associated with a BSSID different from other access points can be reduced, and the reliability of communication can be improved.

[0009] Wherein, the M access points associated with the same BSSID can be understood as that the BSSIDs carried in the beacon frames sent by the M access points to the same station are the same, that is, for a certain station, the beacon frames sent by the M access points to the station all carry the same BSSID; the BSSIDs in the beacon frames corresponding to different stations can be different; or, the BSSIDs carried in the beacon frames sent by the M access points to different stations are all the same, that is, the BSSIDs in the beacon frames corresponding to different stations can be the same, and the M access points send the beacon frames with the same BSSID to different stations.

[0010] In a possible implementation, the wireless controller sends first information to the N access points, and the first information is used to instruct the access points receiving the first information to send the beacon frame.

[0011] In a possible implementation, the wireless controller sends first information to the M-N access points other than the N access points among the M access points, and the first information is used to instruct the access points receiving the first information not to send the beacon frame.

[0012] In a possible implementation, the wireless controller sends first information to the N access points, and the first information is used to instruct the access points receiving the first information to send the beacon frame; the wireless controller sends second information to the M-N access points other than the N access points among the M access points, and the second information is used to instruct the access points receiving the second information not to send the beacon frame.

[0013] Based on the above three possible implementations, three feasible schemes are provided for the wireless controller to instruct the N access points to send the beacon frame. In the first scheme, the wireless controller instructs the N access points to send the beacon frame, and at this time, the M-N access points do not send the beacon frame by default; in the second scheme, the wireless controller instructs the M-N access points not to send the beacon frame, and at this time, the N access points send the beacon frame by default; in the third scheme, the wireless controller instructs the N access points to send the beacon frame, and the M-N access points do not send the beacon frame. Compared with the third scheme, the first scheme and the second scheme can reduce the signaling overhead and reduce the work load of the wireless controller.

[0014] In a possible implementation, the wireless controller receives third information, and determines the N access points from the M access points according to the third information. The third information is used to indicate the N access points from the M access points.

[0015] Based on the possible implementation, a feasible solution is provided for the wireless controller to determine the N access points. The wireless controller can determine the N access points through the third information, and compared with the wireless controller itself determining the N access points, the workload of the wireless controller can be reduced.

[0016] In a possible implementation, the N access points are determined according to one or more of the following: position information of the M access points, or signal quality information of the M access points; wherein the signal quality information is used to indicate signal quality between an xth access point and a yth access point from the M access points; x = 1, 2, …, M; y = 1, 2, …, M; x is not equal to y.

[0017] Based on the possible implementation, the N access points can be determined according to one or more of the above information, and a feasible solution is provided for determining the N access points. The wireless controller can determine more accurate position relationship between the M access points according to the position information of the M access points, the wireless controller can more accurately determine signal quality between the M access points according to the signal quality information of the M access points, the wireless controller can determine whether to determine the N access points through the position information of the M access points or the signal quality information of the M access points according to actual communication scenarios or communication conditions, or the wireless controller can determine the N access points by comprehensively combining the position information of the M access points and the signal quality information of the M access points according to actual communication scenarios or communication conditions, and the accuracy of determining the N access points can be improved.

[0018] In a possible implementation, the N access points include a first group of access points, the first group of access points includes a first access point and B second access points, B is a positive integer; each second access point satisfies a first preset condition with the first access point, and the first preset condition includes one or more of the following: a difference between a distance between the two access points and a first distance is less than or equal to a first preset threshold, or a difference between signal quality between the two access points and a first signal quality is less than or equal to a second preset threshold.

[0019] Based on the possible implementation, the first group of access points can be determined by determining the second access points that satisfy the first preset condition with the first access point from the N access points.

[0020] In a possible implementation, the first access point is any one of the A access points; or the first access point satisfies one or more of the following conditions: the first access point is an access point corresponding to a minimum value of A first numerical values corresponding to the A access points, or the first access point is an access point corresponding to a maximum value of A second numerical values corresponding to the A access points; wherein the first numerical value corresponding to any access point is a sum of distances between the any access point and each of the A access points; the second numerical value corresponding to any access point is a sum of signal strengths between the any access point and each of the A access points; the A access points are the M access points, or the A access points are access points other than one or more third access points in the M access points, and a signal quality between the third access point and an access point other than the third access point in the M access points is less than or equal to a third preset threshold.

[0021] Based on the possible implementation, two feasible schemes are provided for determining the first access point, which can improve flexibility and diversity of determining the first access point; in addition, when the first access point is an access point corresponding to a minimum value of A first numerical values corresponding to the A access points, or the first access point is an access point corresponding to a maximum value of A second numerical values corresponding to the A access points, the first access point can be located as close to the center of the M access points as possible, and the second access point can be determined from the first access point to the outside, so as to better ensure that the determined first group of access points are uniformly distributed.

[0022] In a possible implementation, the B second access points include part or all of the access points in a candidate set associated with the first access point; the candidate set associated with the first access point includes one or more access points in the A access points that satisfy a first preset condition with the first access point; wherein the A access points are the M access points, or the A access points are access points other than one or more third access points in the M access points, and a signal quality between the third access point and an access point other than the third access point in the M access points is less than or equal to a third preset threshold.

[0023] In a possible implementation, a sum of B second distances corresponding to the B second access points is greater than or equal to a sum of B second distances corresponding to any B access points in the candidate set associated with the first access point; the second distance corresponding to the bth access point is a sum of distances between the bth access point and two access points closest to the bth access point in B-1 access points corresponding to the bth access point; b = 1, 2, …, B; the B-1 access points corresponding to the bth access point are B-1 access points other than the bth access point in the B access points corresponding to the bth access point.

[0024] Based on the above two possible implementations, B second access points can be determined from the candidate set associated with the first access point, so that the B second access points are as dispersed as possible and uniformly distributed, the interference between access points can be reduced, and the reliability of communication can be improved.

[0025] In a possible implementation, the N access points further include a second group of access points, the second group of access points includes at least one of the B second access points, and one or more fourth access points corresponding to each of the at least one second access point; each fourth access point satisfies the first preset condition with the corresponding second access point.

[0026] Based on this possible implementation, the second group of access points can be determined based on the second access points in the first group of access points, so that the coverage of the determined first group of access points and the second group of access points is continuous, the occurrence of coverage holes can be reduced, and the reliability of communication can be improved.

[0027] In a possible implementation, the one or more fourth access points corresponding to each second access point include part or all of the access points in a candidate set associated with each second access point; the candidate set associated with each second access point includes one or more access points of C access points that satisfy the first preset condition with each second access point; the C access points include A-1 access points excluding one or more access points that satisfy the first distance with the first access point, and the first access point; or the C access points include A-1 access points excluding one or more access points that satisfy the first signal quality with the first access point, and the first access point; the A-1 access points include A access points excluding the first access point.

[0028] In a possible implementation, the one or more fourth access points corresponding to each second access point include one or more access points in the intersection of the candidate set associated with each second access point and the first group of access points.

[0029] Based on the above two possible implementations, the one or more fourth access points corresponding to each second access point can be determined, so that the determined one or more fourth access points are as dispersed as possible and can be uniformly distributed; in addition, the coverage of the determined second group of access points can be continuous, the occurrence of coverage holes can be reduced, and the reliability of communication can be improved.

[0030] In a possible implementation, the N access points further include a third group of access points, the third group of access points includes at least one fourth access point in the second group of access points, and one or more fifth access points corresponding to each of the at least one fourth access point; each fifth access point satisfies the first preset condition with the corresponding fourth access point.

[0031] Based on the possible implementation, the third group of access points can be determined based on the fourth access points in the second group of access points, so that the coverage of the determined second group of access points and the third group of access points is continuous, the occurrence of coverage holes is reduced, and the reliability of communication can be improved.

[0032] In a possible implementation, the one or more fifth access points corresponding to each fourth access point include part or all of the access points in a candidate set associated with each fourth access point; the candidate set associated with each fourth access point includes one or more access points in the D access points that satisfy a first preset condition with each fourth access point; the D access points include the A-1-B access points excluding one or more access points that have a distance less than or equal to a first distance with any access point in the first group of access points, and the first group of access points; or the D access points include the A-1-B access points excluding one or more access points that have a signal quality greater than or equal to a first signal quality with any access point in the first group of access points, and the first group of access points; the A-1-B access points are the A access points excluding the first group of access points.

[0033] In a possible implementation, the one or more fifth access points corresponding to each fourth access point include one or more access points in the intersection of the candidate set associated with each fourth access point and the second group of access points.

[0034] Based on the above two possible implementations, the one or more fifth access points corresponding to each fourth access point can be determined so that the determined one or more fifth access points are as dispersed as possible and can be uniformly distributed; in addition, the coverage of the determined third group of access points can be continuous, the occurrence of coverage holes can be reduced, and the reliability of communication can be improved.

[0035] In a possible implementation, any two access points in the N access points satisfy a second preset condition; the second preset condition includes one or more of the following: a distance between the two access points is greater than or equal to a fourth preset threshold, or a signal quality between the two access points is less than or equal to a fifth preset threshold.

[0036] Based on the possible implementation, the distance between the N access points can be guaranteed to be large, so that the N access points are as dispersed as possible and can be uniformly distributed, the coverage of the N access points can be increased, and thus the reliability of communication can be improved.

[0037] In a possible implementation, the N access points include a sixth access point in each of the N cluster regions, and the sixth access point in the nth cluster region satisfies one or more of the following: the sixth access point in the nth cluster region is an access point corresponding to a minimum value in Xn third values corresponding to Xn access points, or the sixth access point in the nth cluster region is an access point corresponding to a maximum value in Xn fourth values corresponding to the Xn access points; the third value corresponding to any access point is a sum of distances between the any access point and the Xn access points; the fourth value corresponding to any access point is a sum of signal qualities between the any access point and the Xn access points; where n = 1, 2,..., N, and Xn is a quantity of access points in the nth cluster region.

[0038] In a possible implementation, a distance between an access point in the nth cluster region and a center point of the nth cluster region is less than a distance between the access point and a center point of the jth cluster region, or a signal quality between the access point in the nth cluster region and the center point of the nth cluster region is greater than a signal quality between the access point and the center point of the jth cluster region; n = 1, 2,..., N, j = 1, 2,..., N, and n is not equal to j.

[0039] Based on the two possible implementations, the N access points can be determined in a clustering manner, thereby providing a feasible scheme for determining the N access points.

[0040] In a possible implementation, the N access points further include one or more third access points, and a signal quality between the third access point and an access point other than the third access point in the M access points is less than or equal to a third preset threshold.

[0041] Based on the possible implementation, when the M access points include the one or more third access points, the one or more third access points can be selected as one or more access points in the N access points, which can ensure that the N access points have fewer coverage holes, thereby improving the reliability of communication.

[0042] In a possible implementation, a ratio of a quantity of seventh access points in the M access points to M is less than or equal to a sixth preset threshold, and a ratio of a third value corresponding to the seventh access point to (M-1) is less than a seventh preset threshold, where the third value is a quantity of access points in the M access points that have a signal quality less than or equal to an eighth preset threshold with the seventh access point.

[0043] Based on the possible implementation, whether to send a beacon frame by the N access points can be determined according to the ratio of the quantity of the seventh access points in the M access points to M, thereby providing a communication scenario in which the N access points send the beacon frame.

[0044] In a possible implementation, the transmission power of the nth access point in the N access points is greater than or equal to a first preset power threshold; or, the transmission power of the nth access point in the N access points is the maximum value of the transmission power supported by the nth access point; or, the transmission power of the nth access point in the N access points is determined according to one or more of the following: the distance between the nth access point and the M-N access points, and the signal quality between the nth access point and the M-N access points; where n = 1, 2, …, N.

[0045] Based on the possible implementation, three feasible schemes are provided for determining the transmission power of the nth access point, which can improve the coverage range of the nth access point and reduce the coverage gap of the N access points, thereby improving the reliability of communication. The first scheme is that the transmission power of the nth access point is greater than or equal to the first preset power threshold, the second scheme is that the transmission power of the nth access point is the maximum, and the third scheme is that the transmission power of the nth access point is determined according to the distance or the signal quality. Compared with the first and second schemes, the third scheme can dynamically determine the transmission power of the nth access point according to the actual communication scene or communication situation, and can better meet the communication demand and improve the communication performance. Compared with the third scheme, the first and second schemes can reduce the workload of the wireless controller and improve the work efficiency.

[0046] In a possible implementation, the transmission power of the nth access point in the N access points is determined according to one or more of the following: a first power or a second power; the first power is determined according to the minimum value of the signal quality between the nth access point and the access points in a first region associated with the nth access point and a second preset power threshold; the second power is determined according to the minimum value of the signal quality between the nth access point and the access points in a second region associated with the nth access point and a third preset power threshold; the access points in the first region associated with the nth access point are included in the M-N access points, the distance between any access point in the first region associated with the nth access point and the nth access point is less than a second distance, and the signal quality between any access point in the first region and the nth access point is greater than a second signal quality; the access points in the second region associated with the nth access point are included in the access points other than the first region in the M-N access points, the distance between any access point in the second region associated with the nth access point and the nth access point is less than the second distance, or the signal quality between any access point in the second region and the nth access point is greater than the second signal quality; the second distance is the distance between any access point in the first region and the jth access point in the N access points, and the second signal quality is the difference between the signal quality between any access point in the first region and the jth access point; j = 1, 2, …, N, and j ≠ n.

[0047] In a possible implementation, the transmission power of the nth access point is the maximum of the first power and the second power.

[0048] Based on the above two possible implementations, the transmission power of the N access points can be determined according to the signal quality between the N access points and the M-N access points. On the one hand, the coverage of the N access points can be large, and the map or signal topology relationship corresponding to the M access points can be fully covered. On the other hand, the transmission power can be as small as possible under the condition that the transmission power of the N access points meets the requirement of zero coverage gap, so as to reduce power consumption and resource waste.

[0049] In a possible implementation, the distance between the nth access point in the N access points and the backup access point associated with the nth access point is less than the distance between the nth access point and any access point in the M-N access points except the backup access point associated with the nth access point. Alternatively, the signal quality between the nth access point in the N access points and the backup access point associated with the nth access point is greater than or equal to the signal quality between the nth access point and any access point in the M-N access points except the backup access point associated with the nth access point. Alternatively, the distance between the nth access point in the N access points and the backup access point associated with the nth access point is less than or equal to the distance between the nth access point and any access point in the M-N access points except the backup access point associated with the nth access point, and the signal quality between the nth access point in the N access points and the backup access point associated with the nth access point is greater than or equal to the signal quality between the nth access point and any access point in the M-N access points except the backup access point associated with the nth access point; wherein n=1, 2, …, N.

[0050] Based on this possible implementation, the backup access point associated with the nth access point can be determined, so that the backup access point associated with the nth access point can be enabled after the nth access point is offline, and the reliability of communication can be improved.

[0051] In a possible implementation, the backup access point associated with the nth access point in the N access points is determined before the nth access point is offline. Alternatively, the backup access point associated with the nth access point in the N access points is determined after the nth access point is offline; wherein n=1, 2, …, N.

[0052] Based on the possible implementation, two feasible schemes are provided for determining the backup access point associated with the nth access point. The first scheme is to determine the backup access point associated with the nth access point before the nth access point is offline, the backup access point associated with the nth access point can be directly enabled after the nth access point is offline, and the time delay can be reduced. The second scheme is to determine the backup access point associated with the nth access point after the nth access point is offline, the backup access point associated with the nth access point can be determined according to the actual communication scenario after the nth access point is offline, and the communication demand can be better met.

[0053] In a possible implementation, the coverage of the N access points is greater than or equal to the coverage of the M access points, and the signal quality between the nth access point and any access point located in the coverage of the nth access point is greater than or equal to a ninth preset threshold, where n = 1, 2, …, N.

[0054] In a possible implementation, the wireless controller sends fourth information to the N access points, and the fourth information is used to instruct the access points receiving the fourth information to carry identification information in a beacon frame to adjust the transmission power of the access points corresponding to the identification information.

[0055] Based on the possible implementation, when the signal strength of the beacon frame is low, the station can determine the access point corresponding to the beacon frame through the identification information and report the wireless controller, and the wireless controller can adjust the transmission power of the access point reported by the station, without adjusting the transmission power of other access points, so that the calculation complexity can be reduced.

[0056] In a possible implementation, the wireless controller sends fifth information, and the fifth information is used to instruct the station to perform a patrol to determine the signal quality between the station and one or more access points in the N access points.

[0057] Based on the possible implementation, the wireless controller can instruct the station to perform a patrol to determine the signal quality between the station and one or more access points in the N access points, based on the signal quality between the station and one or more access points in the N access points, the wireless controller can dynamically adjust the transmission power of the N access points, or increase or decrease the access points sending the beacon frame, to ensure that the coverage of the access points sending the beacon frame is greater than the coverage of the M access points, and the communication reliability can be improved.

[0058] In a possible implementation, the wireless controller obtains sixth information of the station, and adjusts the transmission power of the N access points according to the sixth information, or re-determines the N access points according to the sixth information. The sixth information is used to indicate a performance index corresponding to a preset patrol route, and the preset patrol route passes through the coverage of one or more access points in the N access points.

[0059] In a possible implementation, the performance indicators corresponding to the preset inspection route include one or more of the following: a packet loss rate, time information associated with the preset inspection route, an uplink received signal strength indication, or a downlink received signal strength indication.

[0060] Based on the above two possible implementations, the wireless controller can adjust the transmission power of the N access points or re-determine the N access points according to the sixth information, so as to ensure that the coverage of the access point that transmits the beacon frame is greater than or equal to the coverage of the M access points, and the communication reliability can be improved.

[0061] In a second aspect, a communication method is provided, which can be executed by an analyzer. In the absence of special description, the "analyzer" in the present application can refer to the receiving end device itself, or can be a component (for example, a processor, a chip, or a chip system, etc.) in the analyzer, or can be a logic module or software capable of realizing all or part of the functions of the analyzer. The method is applied to a communication network including M access points, and the BSSIDs associated with the M access points are the same. The method includes: determining N access points from the M access points by the analyzer; and sending third information to a wireless controller, wherein the third information is used to indicate the N access points from the M access points, and N is an integer greater than or equal to 1 and less than M.

[0062] Based on the above scheme, compared with the M access points all transmitting the beacon frame, the present application determines that part of the M access points (i.e., N access points, N is less than M) transmit the beacon frame. By indicating that part of the access points transmit the beacon frame, the number of concurrent beacon frames can be reduced, the number of beacon frames received by the station at the same time can be reduced, the probability of the station receiving a beacon frame with a lower signal strength can be reduced, the station can be prevented from frequently scanning the channel as much as possible, the situation that the station is disconnected or re-associated with another access point with a different BSSID can be reduced, and the communication reliability can be improved.

[0063] In the above scheme, the M access points associated with the same BSSID can be understood as that the BSSIDs carried in the beacon frames transmitted by the M access points to the same station are the same, that is, for a certain station, the beacon frames transmitted by the M access points to the station all carry the same BSSID; the BSSIDs in the beacon frames corresponding to different stations can be different; or the BSSIDs carried in the beacon frames transmitted by the M access points to different stations are the same, that is, the BSSIDs in the beacon frames corresponding to different stations can be the same, and the M access points transmit the beacon frames with the same BSSID to different stations.

[0064] In a possible implementation, the N access points are determined according to one or more of the following: the location information of the M access points, or the signal quality information of the M access points; wherein the signal quality information is used to indicate the signal quality between the xth access point and the yth access point in the M access points; x = 1, 2, …, M; y = 1, 2, …, M; x is not equal to y.

[0065] Based on the possible implementation, the N access points can be determined according to one or more of the above information, which provides a feasible scheme for determining the N access points. The wireless controller can determine more accurate location relationships between the M access points according to the location information of the M access points, and can determine the signal quality between the M access points more accurately according to the signal quality information of the M access points. The N access points can be determined according to the actual communication scenario or communication situation, or can be determined according to the actual communication scenario or communication situation in combination with the location information of the M access points and the signal quality information of the M access points, which can improve the accuracy of determining the N access points.

[0066] In a possible implementation, the transmission power of the nth access point in the N access points is determined according to one or more of the following: the distance between the nth access point and the M-N access points, or the signal quality between the nth access point and the M-N access points; wherein n = 1, 2, …, N.

[0067] Based on the possible implementation, the transmission power of the nth access point can be dynamically determined according to the actual communication scenario or communication situation, which can better meet the communication requirements and improve the communication performance.

[0068] In a third aspect, a communication method is provided, which can be performed by a station. In the absence of special description, the station in the present application can refer to the sending end device itself, or a component (for example, a processor, a chip, or a chip system, etc.) in the station, or a logic module or software capable of realizing all or part of the functions of the station. The method comprises: the station obtaining fifth information, and sending sixth information to an access point according to the fifth information. The fifth information is used to instruct the station to perform a patrol to determine the signal quality between the station and one or more access points in N access points; the sixth information is used to indicate a performance indicator corresponding to a preset patrol route; and the preset patrol route passes through the coverage range of one or more access points in the N access points.

[0069] Based on the above scheme, the station can perform a patrol according to the fifth information to determine the signal quality between the station and one or more of the N access points, and send sixth information to the wireless controller to indicate the signal quality between the station and one or more of the N access points, so that the wireless controller can dynamically adjust the transmission power of the N access points, or increase or decrease the access points that send the beacon frame, to ensure that the coverage of the access points that send the beacon frame is greater than the coverage of the M access points, and the reliability of communication can be improved.

[0070] In a possible implementation, the performance indicators corresponding to the preset patrol route include one or more of the following: a packet loss rate, time information associated with the preset patrol route, an uplink received signal strength indication, or a downlink received signal strength indication.

[0071] In a fourth aspect, a communication apparatus is provided for implementing the method in the first aspect. The communication apparatus can be the wireless controller in the first aspect, or a device or component (e.g., a chip) included in the wireless controller.

[0072] The communication apparatus includes modules, units, or means corresponding to the above-described method, which can be implemented by hardware, software, or by executing corresponding software by hardware. The hardware or software includes one or more modules or units corresponding to the above-described functions.

[0073] In some possible implementations, the communication apparatus can include a processing module and a transceiver module. The transceiver module can include a sending module and a receiving module, which are used to implement the sending and receiving functions in the first aspect and any possible implementation of the first aspect. The processing module can be used to implement the processing functions in the first aspect and any possible implementation of the first aspect. For example, the processing module is configured to determine N access points from the M access points, where N is an integer greater than or equal to 1 and less than M; and the processing module is further configured to instruct the N access points to send the beacon frame.

[0074] Optionally, the transceiver module and the processing module of the communication apparatus in the fourth aspect can also perform the corresponding functions in the first aspect or any possible implementation of the first aspect. For details, refer to the description of the method examples, and the beneficial effects that can be achieved can also be seen from the foregoing related content.

[0075] In a fifth aspect, a communication apparatus is provided for implementing the method in the second aspect. The communication apparatus can be the analyzer in the second aspect, or a device or component (e.g., a chip) included in the analyzer.

[0076] The communication apparatus includes modules, units, or means corresponding to the above-described method, which can be implemented by hardware, software, or by hardware executing corresponding software. The hardware or software includes one or more modules or units corresponding to the above-described functions.

[0077] In some possible implementation, the communication apparatus can include a processing module and a transceiver module. The transceiver module can include a sending module and a receiving module, respectively, to implement the sending and receiving functions in the second aspect and any possible implementation thereof. The processing module can be configured to implement the processing functions in the second aspect and any possible implementation thereof. For example, the processing module is configured to determine N access points from M access points, N is an integer greater than or equal to 1 and less than M; the transceiver module is configured to send third information to the wireless controller; the third information is used to indicate the N access points from the M access points.

[0078] Optionally, the transceiver module and the processing module of the communication apparatus in the fifth aspect can also perform the corresponding functions in the second aspect or any possible implementation of the second aspect. For details, refer to the detailed description in the method examples, and the beneficial effects that can be achieved can also be referred to the foregoing related content.

[0079] In the sixth aspect, a communication apparatus is provided for implementing the method in the third aspect. The communication apparatus can be the station in the third aspect, or an apparatus or component included in the station, such as a chip.

[0080] The communication apparatus includes modules, units, or means corresponding to the above-described method, which can be implemented by hardware, software, or by hardware executing corresponding software. The hardware or software includes one or more modules or units corresponding to the above-described functions.

[0081] In some possible implementation, the communication apparatus can include a processing module and a transceiver module. The transceiver module can include a sending module and a receiving module, respectively, to implement the sending and receiving functions in the third aspect and any possible implementation thereof. The processing module can be configured to implement the processing functions in the third aspect and any possible implementation thereof. For example, the processing module is configured to obtain fifth information, wherein the fifth information is used to instruct the station to perform a patrol to determine the signal quality between the station and one or more access points from the N access points; the transceiver module is configured to send sixth information to the access point according to the fifth information; the sixth information is used to indicate a performance indicator corresponding to a preset patrol route; the preset patrol route passes through the coverage range of one or more access points from the N access points.

[0082] Optionally, the transceiver and the processing module of the communication apparatus in the sixth aspect can also perform the corresponding functions in the third aspect or any possible implementation of the third aspect, and the specific functions can be referred to the detailed description in the method examples, and the beneficial effects can be referred to the related descriptions.

[0083] In the seventh aspect, a communication apparatus is provided, which includes at least one processor configured to cause the communication apparatus to perform the method in any of the aspects or any possible implementation of the aspects. The communication apparatus can be the wireless controller in the first aspect or any possible implementation of the first aspect, or an apparatus or component included in the wireless controller, such as a chip; or the communication apparatus can be the analyzer in the second aspect or any possible implementation of the second aspect, or an apparatus or component included in the analyzer, such as a chip; or the communication apparatus can be the station in the third aspect or any possible implementation of the third aspect, or an apparatus or component included in the station, such as a chip.

[0084] In some possible implementations, the communication apparatus further includes a memory configured to store computer instructions and / or configuration files of the logic circuit. Optionally, the memory and the processor are integrated together, or the memory is independent of the processor.

[0085] In the eighth aspect, a communication apparatus is provided, which includes a processor and a communication interface. The communication interface is configured to input and / or output signals. The processor is configured to execute computer programs or instructions to cause the communication apparatus to perform the method in any of the aspects. The communication apparatus can be the wireless controller in the first aspect or any possible implementation of the first aspect, or an apparatus or component included in the wireless controller, such as a chip; or the communication apparatus can be the analyzer in the second aspect or any possible implementation of the second aspect, or an apparatus or component included in the analyzer, such as a chip; or the communication apparatus can be the station in the third aspect or any possible implementation of the third aspect, or an apparatus or component included in the station, such as a chip.

[0086] In some possible implementations, the communication interface is an interface circuit configured to read and write computer instructions, for example, the interface circuit is configured to receive computer execution instructions (the computer execution instructions are stored in the memory, which can be directly read from the memory or can pass through other devices) and transmit to the processor.

[0087] In some possible implementations, the communication interface is configured to communicate with modules outside the communication apparatus.

[0088] In some possible implementations, the communication device can be a chip or a chip system. When the device is a chip system, the chip system may include chips or contain chips and other discrete components.

[0089] A ninth aspect provides a communication device, comprising: a logic circuit and an interface circuit; the interface circuit being used for inputting information and / or outputting information; the logic circuit being used to perform the method described in any of the preceding aspects, processing the input information and / or generating the output information. The communication device may be a wireless controller in the first aspect or any possible implementation of the first aspect, or a device or component included in the wireless controller, such as a chip; or, the communication device may be an analyzer in the second aspect or any possible implementation of the second aspect, or a device or component included in the analyzer, such as a chip; or, the communication device may be a station in the third aspect or any possible implementation of the third aspect, or a device or component included in the station, such as a chip.

[0090] In a tenth aspect, a computer-readable storage medium is provided, wherein a computer program or instructions are stored therein, which, when executed by a processor, cause the method described in any of the preceding aspects to be performed.

[0091] Eleventhly, a computer program product is provided, which, when executed by a processor, causes the method described in any of the preceding aspects to be performed.

[0092] It is understood that when the communication device provided by any of the fourth to ninth aspects is a chip, the above-mentioned sending action / function can be understood as output information, and the above-mentioned receiving action / function can be understood as input information.

[0093] The technical effects of any of the implementations of the fourth to eleventh aspects can be referred to the technical effects of the first aspect or any possible implementation of the first aspect, or the technical effects of the second aspect or any possible implementation of the second aspect, or the technical effects of the third aspect or any possible implementation of the third aspect, or the technical effects of the fourth aspect or any possible implementation of the fourth aspect, and will not be repeated here.

[0094] In a twelfth aspect, a communication system is provided, comprising a wireless controller as described in the first aspect or any possible implementation thereof, an analyzer as described in the second aspect or any possible implementation thereof, and a station as described in the third aspect or any possible implementation thereof. Attached Figure Description

[0095] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a BSSID following according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0096] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a same BSSID according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0097] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating triggering station roaming according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0098] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a communication system according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0099] FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a structure of a communication apparatus according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0100] FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an interaction of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0101] FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating specific locations of M access points according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0102] FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a signal topology relationship corresponding to M access points according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0103] FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating N access points according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0104] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a flow of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0105] FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a first group of access points according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0106] FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating a candidate set according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0107] FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a coverage of a first group of access points according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0108] FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating a flow of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0109] FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating a second group of access points according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0110] FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating N access points according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0111] FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating a first region according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0112] FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating a second region according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0113] FIG. 19 is a diagram illustrating a flow of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0114] FIG. 20 is a schematic diagram of a preset inspection path according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0115] FIG. 21 is a schematic diagram of a backup access point according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0116] FIG. 22 is a schematic diagram of a backup access point according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0117] FIG. 23 is a schematic diagram of a structure of a wireless controller according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0118] FIG. 24 is a schematic diagram of a structure of an analyzer according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0119] FIG. 25 is a schematic diagram of a structure of a station according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0120] FIG. 26 is a schematic diagram of a structure of another communication device according to an embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0121] To facilitate understanding of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application, first, a brief introduction of the related art of the present application is given as follows.

[0122] 1) Wireless local area network (WLAN)

[0123] With the rapid development of WLAN, the deployment of wireless access points of enterprise-level WLAN networking is becoming denser to meet the business needs of indoor coverage such as campus networks, enterprise parks, automatic production workshops, and hospitals. The networking of enterprise-level WLAN generally adopts a "thin AP" mode, that is, the WLAN network architecture includes access points and wireless controllers, such as access controllers (AC). For example, a WLAN network can include a wireless controller and an access point, wherein the wireless controller is responsible for managing one or more access points; the access point is responsible for communicating with one or more stations (STA) so that the stations can access the WLAN network.

[0124] 2) Single frequency network (SFN)

[0125] The WLAN network can adopt a same-frequency networking manner. The same-frequency networking is to virtually form one large "virtual access point" from one or more access points in the whole network, and the station can consider itself to be always associated with the same access point during movement, so as to reduce roaming, and even achieve the effect of "zero roaming". That is, the purpose of the WLAN same-frequency networking is to hope that the station cannot distinguish different access points, and considers all the access points in the whole WLAN network as one large virtual access point. In this way, the station can always consider itself to be associated with the same access point during movement in the WLAN network, and can avoid roaming as much as possible, but the station actually communicates with different access points.

[0126] It can be understood that the access point can announce the existence of the WLAN network to the station by sending a beacon frame. To make the station unable to distinguish different access points, special processing needs to be performed on the beacon frame.

[0127] For example, the WLAN same-frequency networking can be implemented by a BSSID following scheme or a same BSSID scheme. As shown in FIG. 1, in the BSSID following scheme, the access point can provide a unique BSSID for each station (for example, the BSSID of the first station is BSSID1, and the BSSID of the second station is BSSID2). That is, the access point needs to send a specific beacon frame for each station, and the BSSID in the beacon frame corresponding to different stations is different. When the station moves, different access points send a beacon frame with the BSSID (for example, the BSSID in the beacon frame sent by the first access point to the first station is BSSID1, the BSSID in the beacon frame sent by the second access point to the first station is BSSID1, and the BSSID in the beacon frame sent by the third access point to the first station is BSSID1). As shown in FIG. 2, in the same BSSID scheme, the access point provides the same BSSID for each station (for example, the BSSID of the first station is BSSID1, and the BSSID of the second station is BSSID1). That is, the BSSID in the beacon frame sent by different access points for each station is the same, and the BSSID in the beacon frame corresponding to different stations is also the same (for example, the BSSID in the beacon frame corresponding to the first station is BSSID1, and the BSSID in the beacon frame corresponding to the second station is also BSSID1).

[0128] The whole network of the same BSSID scheme uses the same SSID and the same BSSID. Compared with the BSSID following scheme, it is not necessary to maintain a special beacon frame for different stations. In addition, since the BSSID in the beacon frame sent by multiple access points for each station is the same, the same BSSID scheme can reduce the waste of air interface resources and greatly improve the air interface utilization rate.

[0129] However, when the station receives the beacon frames sent by multiple access points, the signal strengths of the beacon frames received by the station are different due to different distances between the different access points and the station. When the signal strength of the beacon frame received by the station is lower than a certain threshold, the station considers that the network is unstable and frequently scans the channel, which may cause the station to drop offline and re-associate with other access points with different BSSIDs. As shown in FIG. 3, the BSSIDs in the beacon frames sent by different access points are the same, and the station can receive the beacon frames of three access points. It is assumed that the signal strengths of the beacon frames received by the station from the first access point and the second access point are greater than a certain threshold, and the signal strength of the beacon frame received by the station from the third access point is less than a certain threshold, which causes the station to consider that the network is unstable and frequently scans the channel.

[0130] Therefore, how to avoid the station from frequently scanning the channel as much as possible to improve the reliability of communication becomes a problem to be solved.

[0131] In view of this, the present application provides a communication method, which is applied to a communication network including M access points, and the BSSIDs associated with the M access points are the same. The method specifically includes: determining N access points in the M access points, and instructing the N access points to send beacon frames. Wherein, N is an integer greater than or equal to 1 and less than M. Compared with the case that all the M access points send beacon frames, the present application only instructs part of the M access points (i.e. N access points, N is less than M) to send beacon frames. By instructing only part of the access points to send beacon frames, the number of concurrent beacon frames can be reduced, the number of beacon frames received by the station at the same time can be reduced, the probability of the station receiving a beacon frame with a low signal strength can be reduced, the station can be avoided from frequently scanning the channel as much as possible, the situation that the station drops offline and re-associates with other access points with different BSSIDs can be reduced, and the reliability of communication can be improved.

[0132] The communication method provided by the embodiments of the present application is applicable to a WLAN supporting Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) related standards, including: 802.11a / b / g standards, 802.11n standards, 802.11ac standards, 802.11ax standards, 802.11be standards, 802.11bn standards / ultra high resolution (UHR) standards / wireless-fidelity (Wi-Fi) 8 standards, 802.11ad standards, 802.11ay standards, 802.11bf standards / sensing standards, ultra wideband (UWB) standards / 802.15 standards, and subsequent related evolution standards, without limitation.

[0133] For example, as shown in FIG. 4, a structure schematic diagram of a communication system provided by the present application is shown. The communication system can include an analyzer, a wireless controller, an access point, and a station.

[0134] The analyzer is a device with a data processing function, for example, the analyzer can be a server, can be a platform, can be a unit with a data processing function in the server or platform, can be a unit with a data processing function in the wireless controller, or can be a unit with a data processing function in any other device that performs data transmission with the wireless controller. The analyzer can also be referred to as a data processing device, a data processor, a data processing unit, a data analysis device, a data analyzer, or a data analysis unit, without limitation.

[0135] It can be understood that the analyzer can be independently deployed with the wireless controller, or can be jointly deployed, which is not limited by the present application.

[0136] The wireless controller can manage one or more access points, which is not limited by the present application.

[0137] The access point can communicate with one or more stations, which is not limited by the present application.

[0138] Exemplarily, the access point can be a device supporting a plurality of WLAN standards such as the 802.11be standard or a future Wi-Fi standard; or a device supporting the 802.11a / b / g standard, the 802.11n standard, the 802.11 wireless controller standard, the 802.11ax standard, the 802.11be standard, the 802.11bn standard / UHR standard / Wi-Fi 8 standard, without limitation.

[0139] For example, the access point can be a terminal device, a network device, a communication server, a router, a switch, a bridge, a computer, etc. with a Wi-Fi chip. The access point can also be an access point for mobile users to enter a wired network, and is mainly deployed in a home, a building, and a park, and has a typical coverage radius of tens of meters to hundreds of meters, and can also be deployed outdoors. The access point is equivalent to 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 an Ethernet.

[0140] Exemplarily, the station can be a device supporting a plurality of WLAN standards such as the 802.11be standard or a future Wi-Fi standard; or a device supporting the 802.11a / b / g standard, the 802.11n standard, the 802.11 wireless controller standard, the 802.11ax standard, the 802.11be standard, the 802.11bn standard / UHR standard / Wi-Fi 8 standard, without limitation.

[0141] For example, the station can be a wireless communication chip, a wireless sensor, a wireless communication terminal, a communication server, a router, a switch, a bridge, a computer, etc. For example, the station can be a mobile phone supporting a Wi-Fi communication function, a tablet computer supporting a Wi-Fi communication function, a set-top box supporting a Wi-Fi communication function, a smart television supporting a Wi-Fi communication function, a smart wearable device supporting a Wi-Fi communication function, a vehicle-mounted communication device supporting a Wi-Fi communication function, and a computer supporting a Wi-Fi communication function, without limitation.

[0142] It should be noted that the communication system described in the embodiments of the present application is for more clearly illustrating the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application, and does not constitute a limitation on the technical solutions provided by the embodiments of the present application. It can be known by those skilled in the art that, with the evolution of network architecture and the appearance of new business scenarios, the technical solutions provided by the embodiments of the present application are also applicable to similar technical problems.

[0143] In actual implementation, the analyzer, the radio controller, the access point, and the station shown in FIG. 4 can adopt the component structure shown in FIG. 5, or include the components shown in FIG. 5. FIG. 5 is a component diagram of a communication apparatus 50 according to an embodiment of the present application. The communication apparatus 50 can be the analyzer or a chip or system on chip in the analyzer; or the radio controller or a chip or system on chip in the radio controller; or the access point or a chip or system on chip in the access point; or the station or a chip or system on chip in the station.

[0144] As shown in FIG. 5, the communication apparatus 50 includes one or more processors 501. Further, the communication apparatus 50 can include a communication bus 502, and at least one communication interface 504 (only exemplary in FIG. 5, for example, the communication apparatus 50 includes the communication interface 504, and one processor 501 is taken as an example for description). Optionally, the communication apparatus 50 can further include a memory 503.

[0145] The processor 501 can be a general central processing unit (CPU), a microprocessor, an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or one or more integrated circuits for controlling program execution of the solutions of the present application, or a processing core for processing data (for example, computer program instructions). The processor can be a single-CPU processor or a multi-CPU processor.

[0146] In actual implementation, as an embodiment, the processor 501 can include one or more CPUs, for example, CPU0 and CPU1 in FIG. 5.

[0147] The communication bus 502 can be a peripheral component interconnect (PCI) bus or an extended industry standard architecture (EISA) bus, etc. The bus can be divided into an address bus, a data bus, a control bus, etc. For ease of representation, only one thick line is used in FIG. 5, but it does not mean that there is only one bus or only one type of bus. The communication bus 502 is used to connect different components in the communication apparatus 50, so that different components in the communication apparatus 50 can communicate with each other.

[0148] The communication interface 504 can be a transceiver module for communicating with other devices or communication networks, such as an Ethernet, a radio access network (RAN), or a WLAN, etc. For example, the communication interface 504 can be a transceiver or a transceiver circuit within the processor 501 for signal input and output of the processor.

[0149] The memory 503 can be a device with a storage function. For example, it can be a read-only memory (ROM) or other type of static storage device that can store static information and instructions, a random access memory (RAM) or other type of dynamic storage device that can store information and instructions, an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), a compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM) or other optical disk storage, a magnetic disk storage medium or other magnetic storage device, or any other medium that can be used to carry or store desired program code in the form of instructions or data structures and that can be accessed by a computer, but is not limited to this. The memory can exist independently and be connected to the processor through the communication bus 502. The memory can also be integrated with the processor.

[0150] For example, the memory 503 is configured to store computer-executable instructions for implementing the solutions of the present application, and the processor 501 is configured to control the execution of the computer-executable instructions. The processor 501 is configured to execute the computer-executable instructions stored in the memory 503, so as to implement the method provided in the embodiments of the present application.

[0151] Alternatively, in the embodiments of the present application, the processor 501 can execute the processing-related functions in the method provided in the embodiments of the present application, and the communication interface 504 is responsible for communicating with other devices or communication networks, which is not limited in the embodiments of the present application.

[0152] Alternatively, in the embodiments of the present application, the computer-executable instructions can also be referred to as application program codes, which are not limited in the embodiments of the present application.

[0153] In a particular implementation, as an example, the communication device 50 can further include an output device 505 and an input device 506. The output device 505 is in communication with the processor 501 and can display information in a variety of manners. For example, the output device 505 can be a liquid crystal display (LCD), a light emitting diode (LED) display device, a cathode ray tube (CRT) display device, a projector, or the like. The input device 506 is in communication with the processor 501 and can receive user input in a variety of manners. For example, the input device 506 can be a mouse, a keyboard, a touch screen device, a sensor device, or the like.

[0154] It should be noted that the constituent structure shown in FIG. 5 does not constitute a limitation on the communication device, and the communication device can include more or fewer components than shown in FIG. 5, or combine certain components, or different component arrangements, in addition to the components shown in FIG. 5.

[0155] The communication method provided by the embodiments of the present application will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. As shown in FIG. 6, it is an interaction diagram of a communication method provided by the present application. The communication method is described by taking the interaction between a wireless controller and an access point as an example. The exemplary communication method is applied to a communication network, and the communication network can include M access points, and the BSSIDs associated with the M access points are the same. The BSSIDs associated with the M access points being the same can be understood as that the BSSIDs carried in the beacon frames sent by the M access points to the same station are the same, that is, for a certain station, the beacon frames sent by the M access points to the station all carry the same BSSID; the BSSIDs in the beacon frames corresponding to different stations can be different; or the BSSIDs carried in the beacon frames sent by the M access points to different stations are the same, that is, the BSSIDs in the beacon frames corresponding to different stations can be the same, and the M access points send the beacon frames with the same BSSID to different stations.

[0156] Referring to FIG. 6, the communication method includes the following steps:

[0157] S601, the wireless controller determines N access points in the M access points.

[0158] Wherein, N is an integer greater than or equal to 1 and less than M.

[0159] Among the N access points, each access point can be referred to as a central access point or a central AP, or can be referred to as an access point that sends a beacon frame or an AP that sends a beacon frame. Correspondingly, each of the M-N access points other than the N access points among the M access points can be referred to as a non-central access point or a non-central AP, or can be referred to as an access point that does not send a beacon frame or an AP that does not send a beacon frame.

[0160] Optionally, the wireless controller can determine the N access points from the M access points directly, or the wireless controller can receive third information from the analyzer, and determine the N access points according to the third information.

[0161] It can be understood that when the wireless controller has data processing capability, the wireless controller can determine the N access points from the M access points. Alternatively, the wireless controller and the analyzer can be jointly deployed, the analyzer in the wireless controller can determine the N access points from the M access points, output the third information, and the wireless controller can determine the N access points according to the third information. Alternatively, the wireless controller and the analyzer are independently deployed, the analyzer can determine the N access points from the M access points, send the third information to the wireless controller, and the wireless controller can determine the N access points according to the third information. The present application does not limit this.

[0162] Optionally, the third information can indicate identification information of the N access points, or the third information can indicate indexes of the N access points, or the third information can be a bitmap, each bit in the bitmap being used to indicate whether the access point corresponding to the bit sends a beacon frame, or to indicate whether the access point corresponding to the bit is a central AP, or to indicate whether the access point corresponding to the bit is included in the N access points.

[0163] In the first example, the identification information of the N access points can be a media access control (MAC) address, an internet protocol (IP) address, or a unique identification sequence of the N access points.

[0164] In the second example, an index of an access point can be configured for each access point among the M access points, and the indexes of the N access points are indicated by the third information. Taking M as 10 as an example, an index of an access point can be represented by four bits. When the N access points are access point 1 (i.e., the index of the access point 1 is 0001), access point 5 (i.e., the index of the access point 5 is 0101), and access point 8 (i.e., the index of the access point 8 is 1000), the byte order is from left to right, i.e., the bits in the third information represent the indexes of the access points from left to right in sequence, and the bit value of the third information can be 000101011000.

[0165] In the third example, the third information can be a bit map, each bit in the bit map can represent an access point, and whether the access point is included in the N access points can be indicated by setting the bit value to "0" or "1". Taking M as 10 (i.e., the M access points include access point 0, access point 1,..., and access point 9) as an example, assuming that setting the bit value of a bit in the bit map to 1 indicates that the access point corresponding to the bit is included in the N access points, the high bit is the starting bit of the bit map, and the low bit is the ending bit of the bit map, the bit map can occupy 10 bits, and when the N access points include access point 1, access point 5, and access point 8, the bit map can be 0100010010.

[0166] It can be understood that the N access points can be determined from the M access points in any manner, or the N access points can be determined from the M access points according to one or more of the following information: the position information of the M access points, or the signal quality information of the M access points. For details, refer to the related description below, which will not be described here.

[0167] S602, the wireless controller instructs the N access points to send the beacon frame.

[0168] The wireless controller can instruct the N access points to send the beacon frame through the first information, or the wireless controller can instruct the M-N access points other than the N access points in the M access points to not send the beacon frame through the first information, or the wireless controller can instruct whether the access points in the M access points send the beacon frame through the first information.

[0169] In a first possible implementation, as shown in FIG. 6, the wireless controller can send the first information to the N access points; correspondingly, the N access points can receive the first information from the wireless controller. The first information is used to instruct the access points receiving the first information to send the beacon frame. That is, the N access points receiving the first information can determine to send the beacon frame. For example, taking a bit as the first information as an example, the bit value can be set to 1 to indicate that the access points receiving the first information send the beacon frame, or the bit value can be set to 0 to indicate that the access points receiving the first information send the beacon frame.

[0170] Based on the first possible implementation, of the M access points, the N access points receiving the first information send the beacon frame, and the M-N access points not receiving the first information do not send the beacon frame.

[0171] The wireless controller can send the first information to the N access points in a unicast, multicast, or broadcast manner.

[0172] For example, the wireless controller can send the first information in a unicast manner, i.e., the wireless controller can send the first information to each of the N access points individually, and the access point receiving the first information can determine to send the beacon frame.

[0173] For another example, the wireless controller can send the first information in a multicast manner, i.e., the wireless controller can multicast the first information to a group of access points (the group of access points including the N access points), and the access points in the group receiving the first information can determine to send the beacon frame.

[0174] For another example, the wireless controller can send the first information in a broadcast manner, i.e., the wireless controller can broadcast the first information, and the first information can carry the identification of the N access points, and the access point receiving the first information can determine to send the beacon frame if the identification in the first information is relevant to the access point, or the access point receiving the first information can discard or ignore the first information if the identification in the first information is irrelevant to the access point.

[0175] For another example, the wireless controller can send the first information in a broadcast manner, i.e., the wireless controller can broadcast the first information, and the first information can carry the identification of the N access points, and the access point receiving the first information can determine to send the beacon frame if the identification in the first information is relevant to the access point, or the access point receiving the first information can discard or ignore the first information if the identification in the first information is irrelevant to the access point.

[0176] Based on the second possible implementation, of the M access points, the M-N access points receiving the first information do not send the beacon frame, and the N access points not receiving the first information send the beacon frame.

[0177] The wireless controller can send the first information to the N access points in a unicast, multicast or broadcast manner.

[0178] For example, the wireless controller can send the first information in a unicast manner, i.e., the wireless controller can send the first information to each of the M-N access points individually, and the access point receiving the first information can determine not to send the beacon frame.

[0179] For another example, the wireless controller can send the first information in a multicast manner, i.e., the wireless controller can multicast the first information to a group of access points (the group of access points including the M-N access points), and the access points in the group receiving the first information can determine not to send the beacon frame.

[0180] For another example, the wireless controller can send the first information in a broadcast manner, i.e., the wireless controller can broadcast the first information, and the first information can carry the identities of the M-N access points. An access point receiving the first information can determine not to send the beacon frame if it determines that the identity in the first information is related to itself. Or, an access point receiving the first information can discard or ignore the first information if it determines that the identity in the first information is not related to itself.

[0181] For a third possible implementation, as shown in FIG. 6, the wireless controller can send the first information to the N access points, and the N access points can receive the first information from the wireless controller. The first information is used to instruct the access points receiving the first information to send the beacon frame. That is, the N access points receiving the first information can determine to send the beacon frame. In addition, the wireless controller can send the second information to the M-N access points other than the N access points in the M access points, and the M-N access points can receive the second information from the wireless controller. The second information is used to instruct the access points receiving the second information not to send the beacon frame. That is, the M-N access points receiving the second information can determine not to send the beacon frame.

[0182] The wireless controller can send the first information to the N access points and the second information to the M-N access points in a unicast, multicast or broadcast manner.

[0183] For example, the wireless controller can send the first information and the second information in a unicast manner, i.e., the wireless controller can send the first information to each of the N access points in a unicast manner, and the access point receiving the first information can determine to send the beacon frame. The wireless controller can send the second information to each of the M-N access points in a unicast manner, and the access point receiving the second information can determine not to send the beacon frame.

[0184] For another example, the wireless controller can send the first information and the second information in a multicast manner, i.e., the wireless controller can multicast the first information to a group of access points (the group of access points includes the N access points), and the access points in the group receiving the first information can determine to send the beacon frame. The wireless controller can multicast the second information to another group of access points (the group of access points includes the M-N access points), and the access points in the group receiving the second information can determine not to send the beacon frame.

[0185] For another example, the wireless controller can send the first information by broadcasting and send the second information by broadcasting, that is, the wireless controller can broadcast the first information, the first information can carry the identifiers of the N access points, and the access points receiving the first information can determine to send the beacon frame if the identifiers in the first information are related to the access points; or the access points receiving the first information can discard or ignore the first information if the identifiers in the first information are not related to the access points. The wireless controller can broadcast the second information, the second information can carry the identifiers of the M-N access points, and the access points receiving the second information can determine not to send the beacon frame if the identifiers in the second information are related to the access points; or the access points receiving the second information can discard or ignore the second information if the identifiers in the second information are not related to the access points.

[0186] Based on the communication method shown in FIG. 6, compared with the M access points all sending the beacon frame, the present application only indicates part of the M access points (that is, the N access points, N is less than M) to send the beacon frame. By indicating only part of the access points to send the beacon frame, the number of concurrent beacon frames can be reduced, the number of beacon frames received by the station at the same time can be reduced, the probability of the station receiving a beacon frame with a lower signal strength can be reduced, the station can be prevented from frequently scanning the channel as much as possible, the situation that the station drops the line or re-associates with another access point with a different BSSID can be reduced, and the reliability of the communication can be improved.

[0187] Based on the communication method shown in FIG. 6, optionally, the wireless controller can determine the N access points from the M access points according to one or more of the following information: position information of the M access points, or signal quality information of the M access points. The signal quality information is used to indicate the signal quality between the xth access point and the yth access point in the M access points; x=1, 2, …, M; y=1, 2, …, M; x is not equal to y.

[0188] In the present application, the way in which the wireless controller determines the N access points is also applicable to the analyzer determining the N access points, that is, the present application takes the wireless controller determining the N access points as an example in the description process, and the content of the analyzer determining the N access points can be referred to the content of the wireless controller determining the N access points, which will not be described herein.

[0189] For the wireless controller to obtain the position information of the M access points, the position information of the M access points can be sent by the M access points to the wireless controller, or can be pre-stored in the wireless controller, which is not limited.

[0190] Optionally, the wireless controller can determine a map or a digital map corresponding to the M access points according to the position information of the M access points, and can determine the N access points from the M access points through the map or the digital map.

[0191] For example, FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of a digital map constructed by the wireless controller according to the location information of the M access points. Different access points can be represented by different labels (e.g., S1, S2, …), where FIG. 7 exemplarily presents the specific locations of the access points on the map and the relative locations between the access points. The wireless controller can determine the distance between any two of the M access points (e.g., the distance between the access point labeled S10 and the access point labeled S11 can be 20 meters (m)) and the specific locations of the M access points on the map according to the digital map shown in FIG. 7, and determine the N access points from the M access points.

[0192] For the wireless controller to obtain the signal quality information of the M access points, taking the signal quality information of an xth access point of the M access points as an example, the xth access point can report a hear-see relationship log associated with the xth access point (the hear-see relationship log can include one or more of the following: transmission power, reception power (or RSSI), or path loss) to the wireless controller, and accordingly, the wireless controller can determine the signal quality information of the xth access point according to the hear-see relationship log reported by the xth access point. The manner in which the wireless controller determines the signal quality information of any access point of the M access points is the same as the manner in which the wireless controller determines the signal quality information of the xth access point.

[0193] The transmission power can be understood as the power with which the xth access point transmits a signal to a yth access point; the reception power can be understood as the power with which the xth access point receives a signal from the yth access point; and the path loss can be understood as the path loss between the xth access point and the yth access point. The path loss between the xth access point and the yth access point can be determined according to the difference between the power with which the xth access point transmits a signal to the yth access point (i.e., the transmission power) and the power with which the yth access point receives a signal from the xth access point (i.e., the reception power), and the path loss can also be understood as the signal attenuation difference, which is referred to as the path loss for convenience of description. The yth access point is any access point of the M access points other than the xth access point.

[0194] It can be understood that the access point can determine the path loss according to the transmission power and the reception power and report the path loss to the wireless controller, or the access point can only report the transmission power and the reception power, and the wireless controller can determine the path loss according to the transmission power of one of the two access points and the reception power of the other of the two access points.

[0195] It can be understood that the signal quality between the yth access point and the xth access point in the M access points can be the RSSI of the signal received by the yth access point from the xth access point, or can be the path loss between the yth access point and the xth access point. Wherein, when the RSSI of the signal received by the yth access point from the xth access point is larger, the path loss between the yth access point and the xth access point is smaller, or when the RSSI of the signal received by the yth access point from the xth access point is smaller, the path loss between the yth access point and the xth access point is larger, in order to facilitate the description, the signal quality can be represented by the path loss (or the path loss is understood as the signal quality), the larger the path loss, the weaker the signal quality, the smaller the path loss, the stronger the signal quality.

[0196] Optionally, the wireless controller can construct the signal topology relationship corresponding to the M access points according to the signal quality information of the M access points, and then can determine the N access points from the M access points according to the signal topology relationship corresponding to the M access points.

[0197] Wherein, in the signal topology relationship corresponding to the M access points, the relative distance between the M access points can be determined according to the signal quality between the M access points, such as when the signal quality between any two access points is larger, the relative distance between the two access points is closer; when the signal quality between any two access points is smaller, the relative distance between the two access points is farther. Wherein, the relative distance between any two access points in the signal topology relationship corresponding to the M access points can be the same as the physical distance between the two access points, or can be different, such as when there is an obstacle between two access points, which causes the signal quality between the two access points to be smaller, which can cause the physical distance between the two access points to be closer but the relative distance between the two access points in the signal topology relationship corresponding to the M access points to be farther.

[0198] For example, FIG. 8 is the signal topology relationship corresponding to the M access points constructed by the wireless controller according to the signal quality information of the M access points, different access points can be represented by different symbols (such as S1, S2, …), such as the signal strength between S23 and S22 is greater than the signal strength between S23 and S9, then the relative distance between S23 and S22 is closer, and the relative distance between S23 and S9 is farther.

[0199] It can be understood that the map (or digital map) corresponding to the M access points can represent more accurate position relationship between the access points, but cannot determine the occlusion between the access points and the signal quality between the access points, and the signal topology relationship corresponding to the M access points can more accurately represent the signal quality between the access points, but cannot accurately represent the position relationship between the access points. It can be determined according to the actual communication scene or communication condition whether to determine the N access points through the map or the signal topology relationship, or the N access points can be determined according to the actual communication scene or communication condition in combination with the map and the signal topology relationship.

[0200] Based on the above description of the position information and the signal quality information of the M access points, the wireless controller can select the N access points according to a certain distance from the center of the digital map shown in FIG. 7; or can select the N access points according to a certain distance from the edge of the digital map shown in FIG. 7; or can aggregate a region in the digital map shown in FIG. 7 according to the clustering idea, and then select the access points for sending the beacon frame in the region that meet the preset distance relationship.

[0201] Alternatively, the wireless controller can select the N access points according to a certain signal quality from the center of the signal topology relationship corresponding to the M access points shown in FIG. 8; or can select the N access points according to a certain signal quality from the edge of the signal topology relationship corresponding to the M access points shown in FIG. 8; or can aggregate a region in the signal topology relationship corresponding to the M access points shown in FIG. 8 according to the clustering idea, and then select the access points for sending the beacon frame in the region that meet the preset signal quality relationship.

[0202] Alternatively, the wireless controller can comprehensively determine the N access points according to the position information of the M access points and the signal quality information of the M access points. For example, a plurality of access points can be determined according to FIG. 7 and FIG. 8, and the overlapping access points in the determined plurality of access points are taken as the N access points. Alternatively, a plurality of access points can be determined according to FIG. 7 first, and then the N access points can be determined from the plurality of access points determined according to FIG. 7 according to FIG. 8.

[0203] Based on the above description of determining the N access points according to FIG. 7 and FIG. 8, for example, as shown in the following FIG. 9, an access point located at the center, such as S23, can be determined first, and then N-1 access points can be determined. In the process of determining, the N-1 access points determined can be as dispersed as possible and uniformly distributed. For example, S3, S7, S27, S43, S39, and S19 can be determined. Then, the N access points can include S23, S3, S7, S27, S43, S39, and S19.

[0204] Based on the above description of the method for determining the N access points, the present application provides two possible designs to specifically describe how to determine the N access points. In the first possible design, the first group of access points can be determined first, and then the second group of access points, the third group of access points, and so on, until the coverage of the determined multiple groups of access points has no coverage gap (i.e., the coverage of the N access points can be greater than or equal to the large coverage of the M access points, or the coverage of the N access points can cover the coverage of the M access points).

[0205] The first possible design will be described in detail below:

[0206] In determining the N access points, the first group of access points can be determined first, the second group of access points can be determined according to the first group of access points, the third group of access points can be determined according to the first group of access points and the second group of access points, the fourth group of access points can be determined according to the second group of access points and the third group of access points, and so on, the kth group of access points can be determined according to the (k-2)th group of access points and the (k-1)th group of access points (k is an integer greater than 2). After determining each group of access points, it can be checked whether the coverage of each determined group of access points meets the 0 coverage gap (i.e., whether the coverage of one or more determined groups of access points can cover the map or signal topological relationship corresponding to the M access points), if there is a coverage gap, the next group of access points is determined, if there is no coverage gap, the next group of access points is no longer determined.

[0207] Based on the first possible design, the present application provides the following possible implementations to determine different groups of access points:

[0208] In the first possible implementation, the wireless controller determines the first group of access points, which can include the first access point in the first group of access points and B second access points. B is a positive integer.

[0209] Each second access point can satisfy a first preset condition with the first access point, and the first preset condition can include one or more of the following: the difference between the distance of the two access points and the first distance is less than or equal to a first preset threshold, or the difference between the signal quality of the two access points and the first signal quality is less than or equal to a second preset threshold.

[0210] The first distance can be predefined, or can be determined according to the actual communication scenario or communication situation, without limitation.

[0211] The first signal quality can be predefined, or can be determined according to the actual communication scenario or communication situation, without limitation.

[0212] It can be understood that the first access point can be determined first, and then the access point satisfying the first preset condition is taken as the second access point to determine the first group of access points.

[0213] For determining the first access point, the first access point can be any one of the A access points, for example, the first access point can be an access point located at the center of the A access points, or an access point located at the edge of the A access points; or, the first access point can be an access point closest to the center of the A access points, that is, the first access point can satisfy one or more of the following conditions: the first access point is an access point corresponding to the minimum value of the A first values corresponding to the A access points, or the first access point is an access point corresponding to the maximum value of the A second values corresponding to the A access points.

[0214] The A access points can be the M access points, or the A access points can be access points other than one or more third access points in the M access points. The third access point can be described as an isolated point device, or as an isolated point, or as an isolated access point, which is not limited in the present application.

[0215] In determining the third access point, the signal quality between each access point in the M access points and other access points in the M access points can be determined, and when there is an access point with signal quality less than or equal to a third preset threshold value between the access point and other access points, the access point is taken as the third access point, that is, the signal quality between the third access point and access points other than the third access point in the M access points is less than or equal to the third preset threshold value.

[0216] It can be understood that when the M access points include one or more third access points, the one or more third access points can be selected as one or more access points in the N access points, and at this time, in determining the first group of access points, the one or more third access points need to be excluded, and the first group of access points is determined according to the remaining access points (i.e. A access points); or, when the M access points do not include the third access point, the first group of access points can be directly determined according to the M access points. In addition, when the M access points include one or more third access points, the first group of access points can also be directly determined according to the M access points, which is not limited in the present application.

[0217] The first value corresponding to any access point is the sum of the distances between the access point and each of the A access points. For example, taking the determination of the first value corresponding to access point 1 as an example, the distances between access point 1 and each of the A access points can be determined, and the sum of the distances between access point 1 and each of the A access points is the first value corresponding to access point 1.

[0218] The second value corresponding to any access point is the sum of the signal strengths between any access point and each of the A access points. For example, to determine the second value corresponding to access point 1, the signal strength between access point 1 and each of the A access points can be determined, and the sum of the signal strengths between access point 1 and each of the A access points is the second value corresponding to access point 1.

[0219] The first access point can satisfy one or more of the following: the first access point is the access point corresponding to the minimum value among the A first values ​​corresponding to the A access points, or the first access point is the access point corresponding to the maximum value among the A second values ​​corresponding to the A access points. This application provides three possible examples:

[0220] In the first example, taking the access point corresponding to the minimum value among the A first values ​​corresponding to A access points as an example, we can iterate through the A access points, determine the first value corresponding to each access point (i.e., the sum of the distances between each access point and the A access points), and then determine the minimum value among the A first values. The access point corresponding to this minimum value is the first access point. For example, assuming there are access points 1, 2, and 3, we can determine the first value corresponding to access point 1 (i.e., the sum of the distances between access point 1 and access point 2 and between access point 1 and access point 3), the first value corresponding to access point 2 (i.e., the sum of the distances between access point 2 and access point 1 and between access point 2 and access point 3), and the first value corresponding to access point 3 (i.e., the sum of the distances between access point 3 and access point 1 and between access point 3 and access point 2). When the first value corresponding to access point 1 is the same as the first value corresponding to access point 1, the access point can be determined. When the first value corresponding to point 2 is the minimum of the first values ​​corresponding to point 3, point 1 can be identified as the first access point; similarly, when the first value corresponding to point 2 is the minimum of the first values ​​corresponding to point 1, point 2, and point 3, point 2 can be identified as the first access point; similarly, when the first value corresponding to point 3 is the minimum of the first values ​​corresponding to point 1, point 2, and point 3, point 3 can be identified as the first access point.

[0221] When the number of determined minimum values ​​is greater than 1, the access point corresponding to any one of the minimum values ​​can be determined as the first access point.

[0222] The first value corresponding to the x-th access point can be represented as: S x Let S represent the x-th access point out of A access points. y This represents the y-th access point among A access points, where x and y are different. y iterates through A access points, and dis(Sx S y ) represents the distance between the xth access point and the yth access point in A access points.

[0223] It can be understood that the first parameter corresponding to the xth access point can also be represented as At this time, the maximum value in A first parameters can be determined, and the access point corresponding to the maximum value is the first access point in the first group of access points.

[0224] In the second example, taking the access point corresponding to the maximum value of A second values corresponding to A access points as the first access point, A access points can be traversed to determine the second value corresponding to each access point (i.e., the sum of the signal quality between each access point and A access points), and the maximum value in A second values can be determined. The access point corresponding to the minimum value is the first access point. For example, assuming that there are access point 1, access point 2, and access point 3, the second value corresponding to access point 1 (i.e., the sum of the signal quality between access point 1 and access point 2 and the signal quality between access point 1 and access point 3) can be determined, the second value corresponding to access point 2 (i.e., the sum of the signal quality between access point 2 and access point 1 and the signal quality between access point 2 and access point 3), and the second value corresponding to access point 3 (i.e., the sum of the signal quality between access point 3 and access point 1 and the signal quality between access point 3 and access point 2). When the second value corresponding to access point 1 is the maximum value in the second value corresponding to access point 1, the second value corresponding to access point 2, and the second value corresponding to access point 3, it can be determined that access point 1 is the first access point. Similarly, when the second value corresponding to access point 2 is the maximum value in the second value corresponding to access point 1, the second value corresponding to access point 2, and the second value corresponding to access point 3, it can be determined that access point 2 is the first access point. Similarly, when the second value corresponding to access point 3 is the maximum value in the second value corresponding to access point 1, the second value corresponding to access point 2, and the second value corresponding to access point 3, it can be determined that access point 3 is the first access point.

[0225] Wherein, when the number of determined minimum values is greater than 1, the access point corresponding to any maximum value can be determined as the first access point.

[0226] In the third example, taking the first access point as an example, which corresponds to the minimum value of the A first values corresponding to the A access points and the maximum value of the A second values corresponding to the A access points, the A first values corresponding to the A access points can be determined (the specific determination manner can refer to the first example described above), if there are E access points corresponding to the minimum first values, the E second values corresponding to the E access points can be determined (which can refer to the second example described above), and the access point corresponding to the maximum value of the E second values is taken as the first access point; or, the A second values corresponding to the A access points can be determined first, if there are F access points corresponding to the maximum second values, the F first values corresponding to the F access points can be determined, and the access point corresponding to the minimum value of the F first values is taken as the first access point.

[0227] Based on the above three examples, the first access point in the first group of access points can be determined, which can be located at the center of the M access points as much as possible, and can facilitate the subsequent determination of the access points and simplify the implementation.

[0228] For determining the B second access points in the first group of access points, the B second access points can be part or all of the access points in the candidate set associated with the first access point.

[0229] Wherein, when determining the B second access points in the candidate set associated with the first access point, a value (such as z) can be predefined, when the number of access points in the candidate set associated with the first access point is greater than or equal to z, z access points in the candidate set associated with the first access point can be determined as the B second access points; or, when the number of access points in the candidate set associated with the first access point is less than z, all the access points in the candidate set associated with the second access point are determined as the B second access points.

[0230] Wherein, the candidate set associated with the first access point includes one or more access points in the A access points that satisfy the first preset condition with the first access point.

[0231] For example, taking the first preset condition as an example, which is that the distance between two access points is less than or equal to the first preset threshold, assuming that the first preset threshold is ε, the candidate set associated with the first access point can include one or more access points in the A access points, which have a distance greater than or equal to (the first distance-ε) with the first access point and a distance less than or equal to (the first distance+ε) with the first access point.

[0232] When the access points in the candidate set of the first access point association are distributed relatively concentrated, the first distance can be adjusted, the candidate set of the first access point association is re-determined, and the B second access points are determined in the re-determined candidate set of the first access point association, so as to ensure that the B second access points are distributed relatively uniformly and dispersedly. In addition, when the number of the access points in the candidate set of the first access point association is less than B, all the access points in the candidate set of the first access point association can be taken as the B second access points.

[0233] The sum of the B second distances corresponding to the B second access points is greater than or equal to the sum of the B second distances corresponding to any B access points in the candidate set of the first access point association, so as to ensure that the B second access points are as dispersed as possible and can be uniformly distributed, and at the same time, the distance between the B second access points can be as large as possible, so as to reduce the interference between different second access points and increase the signal coverage range of the B second access points, thereby improving the reliability of communication.

[0234] The second distance corresponding to the bth access point is the sum of the distances between the bth access point and the two access points closest to the bth access point among the B-1 access points corresponding to the bth access point, and the B-1 access points corresponding to the bth access point are B-1 access points other than the bth access point among the B access points corresponding to the bth access point; b = 1, 2, …, B.

[0235] For example, the candidate set of the first access point association includes 8 access points (such as access point 0, access point 1, access point 2, …, access point 7), and B is 6. Any 6 access points among the access point 0, access point 1, access point 2, …, access point 7 can be taken as a combination (for example, combination 1 includes access point 0, access point 1, access point 2, …, access point 5, combination 2 includes access point 1, access point 2, access point 3, …, access point 6, and the like), the distance between each access point and the two access points closest to each access point in each combination (i.e., the second distance corresponding to each access point) can be determined, and then the fourth value corresponding to each combination (i.e., the sum of the second distances corresponding to the 6 access points in each combination) can be determined. A maximum value can be determined from the plurality of fourth values, and the access points in the combination corresponding to the maximum value are the second access points.

[0236] Based on the first possible implementation, a possible embodiment is provided, taking the first preset condition that the difference between the distance between two access points and the first distance is less than or equal to the first preset threshold value as an example, to determine the first group of access points in the A access points, and the specific steps are shown in FIG. 10:

[0237] S1001, the wireless controller performs parameter configuration.

[0238] wherein the wireless controller can configure the first distance, the first preset threshold, and z.

[0239] wherein the first distance can be determined according to the third distance and a first preset scaling ratio.

[0240] wherein the first preset scaling ratio can be predefined, or can be determined according to actual communication scenario or communication situation. The third distance can be shortened or increased by the first preset scaling ratio to determine the first distance.

[0241] For example, the first preset scaling ratio can be in a range of 0-200%, such as 150%.

[0242] For example, the first distance can satisfy the following formula: R=β×r, wherein β is the first preset scaling ratio, and r is an average value of distances between any two adjacent access points in the A access points (or r can be a maximum value of distances between any two adjacent access points in the A access points).

[0243] wherein the first preset threshold can be determined according to the first distance and a second preset scaling ratio.

[0244] For example, the first preset threshold can satisfy the following formula: ε=p×R, wherein ε is the first preset threshold, and p is the second preset scaling ratio.

[0245] wherein the second preset scaling ratio can be predefined, or can be determined according to actual communication scenario or communication situation. The first distance can be shortened by the second preset scaling ratio to determine the first preset threshold.

[0246] For example, the second preset scaling ratio can be in a range of 0-100%, such as 20%.

[0247] For example, z can be 6.

[0248] S1002, the wireless controller determines a first access point in the first group of access points.

[0249] For example, the first access point can be an access point corresponding to a minimum value in A first values corresponding to the A access points.

[0250] wherein the first value can refer to the description of the first value above, which is not repeated here.

[0251] For example, with the positions of the A access points as shown in (a) of FIG. 11, the first access point can be S1 as shown in (a) of FIG. 11.

[0252] S1003, the wireless controller determines a candidate set associated with the first access point.

[0253] For example, A access points can be traversed, and the access points in the A access points that satisfy the distance (R-ε, R+ε) with the first access point are taken as the candidate set associated with the first access point. Wherein, the access points in the candidate set associated with the first access point can be as shown in (b) of FIG. 11, the access points near the dashed line satisfy the distance (R-ε, R+ε) with the first access point, and the candidate set associated with the first access point includes S2, S3, S4, S5, S6, S7, S8, and S9 (i.e., the number of access points in the candidate set associated with the first access point is 8).

[0254] S1004, the wireless controller determines B second access points according to the candidate set associated with the first access point.

[0255] Wherein, when the number of access points in the candidate set associated with the first access point is greater than or equal to z, z access points can be determined as the B second access points; when the number of access points in the candidate set associated with the first access point is less than z, all the access points in the candidate set associated with the first access point can be taken as the B second access points.

[0256] For example, with z being 6, z access points can be determined as the B second access points from the first group of candidate access point set, as shown in (c) of FIG. 11, S3, S4, S5, S7, S8, and S9 are the 6 second access points in the first group of access points.

[0257] Based on the embodiment shown in FIG. 10, the first group of access points can be S1, S3, S4, S5, S7, S8, and S9 as shown in (c) of FIG. 11.

[0258] It can be understood that after the first group of access points is determined, the coverage of each access point in the first group of access points can be determined through the simulation platform (the coverage of each access point in the first group of access points can be as shown in (d) of FIG. 11), to determine whether the coverage of the first group of access points can cover the coverage of the M access points, if the coverage of the first group of access points can cover the coverage of the M access points, only the first group of access points can be used to send the beacon frame (i.e., the N access points are the first group of access points, and the next group of access points is no longer determined); if the coverage of the first group of access points cannot cover the coverage of the M access points, the next group of access points is continuously determined.

[0259] The second possible implementation is that the wireless controller determines the second group of access points, the second group of access points can include at least one second access point in the B second access points, and one or more fourth access points corresponding to each second access point in the at least one second access point.

[0260] The first preset condition is satisfied between each fourth access point and the corresponding second access point.

[0261] It can be understood that the manner of determining one or more fourth access points corresponding to different second access points is the same, and the application is described by taking the determination of one or more fourth access points corresponding to a second access point as an example. The manner can be used to determine one or more fourth access points corresponding to any second access point.

[0262] The one or more fourth access points corresponding to the second access point include part or all of the access points in the candidate set associated with the second access point.

[0263] The candidate set associated with the second access point includes one or more access points in the C access points that satisfy the first preset condition with the second access point.

[0264] For example, taking the first preset condition as the distance between two access points being less than or equal to a first preset threshold as an example, assuming that the first preset threshold is ε, the candidate set associated with the second access point can include one or more access points in the C access points that have a distance greater than or equal to (the first distance-ε) from the second access point and a distance less than or equal to (the first distance+ε) from the second access point.

[0265] The C access points can include access points in the A-1 access points (the A-1 access points include access points in the A access points except the first access point) except one or more access points having a distance less than or equal to the first distance from the first access point and the first access point; or the C access points include access points in the A-1 access points except one or more access points having a signal quality greater than or equal to the first signal quality from the first access point and the first access point.

[0266] For example, the A access points can be all the access points in (a) of FIG. 12, and the access points in the A-1 access points having a distance less than or equal to the first distance from the first access point are the access points in the dashed box (i.e., the access points in the dashed box have a distance less than or equal to the first distance from the first access point). Therefore, the C access points include the first access point and the access points outside the dashed box.

[0267] It can be understood that when the second group of access points is determined, one or more access points in the A-1 access points having a distance less than or equal to the first distance from the first access point can be excluded, which can avoid the case that one or more access points in the second group of access points fall within the range of the dashed box in (a) of FIG. 12, so as to ensure that the coverage of the determined second group of access points is as large as possible.

[0268] For example, as shown in (b) of FIG. 12, the candidate set associated with the second access point can include one or more access points in the dashed box 1, and one or more access points whose distance from the second access point is greater than or equal to (the first distance - ε) and one or more access points whose distance from the second access point is less than or equal to (the first distance + ε) among the access points other than the access points in the overlapping area (i.e., the black shaded part) of the dashed box 1 and the dashed box 2, among the C access points. The C access points can refer to the description of the C access points above, and will not be described here.

[0269] Optionally, the one or more fourth access points corresponding to the second access point include one or more access points in the intersection of the candidate set associated with the second access point and the first group of access points.

[0270] The intersection of the candidate set associated with the second access point and the first group of access points can also be described as a co-set.

[0271] For example, taking the candidate set associated with the second access point as including eight access points (access point 0, access point 1, …, access point 7) and taking the access point 0 as the first access point and the access point 1 as the second access point, it can be determined that the intersection of the candidate set associated with the second access point and the first group of access points includes the access point 0 and the access point 1.

[0272] It can be understood that the access points in the intersection of the candidate set associated with the second access point and the first group of access points are the access points in the first group of access points, and the access points in the intersection can be directly taken as the fourth access points corresponding to the second access point, so that the determined fourth access points corresponding to the second access point have a larger coverage range.

[0273] It can be understood that the set other than the intersection of the candidate set associated with the second access point and the first group of access points in the candidate set associated with the second access point can be referred to as a complement set, and the union of the complement set and the co-set is the candidate set associated with the second access point.

[0274] When determining the one or more fourth access points corresponding to the second access point in the candidate set associated with the second access point, a numerical value (such as z) can be predefined. When the number of access points in the candidate set associated with the second access point is greater than or equal to z, z access points in the candidate set associated with the second access point can be determined as the fourth access points corresponding to the second access point; or when the number of access points in the candidate set associated with the second access point is less than z, all the access points in the candidate set associated with the second access point can be determined as the fourth access points corresponding to the second access point. In addition, when the number of access points in the candidate set associated with the second access point is 0, it indicates that there is no fourth access point corresponding to the second access point, i.e., the second group of access points does not include the second access point or the fourth access point corresponding to the second access point is no longer determined.

[0275] For the number of access points in the candidate set of the second access point association is greater than or equal to z, if the intersection of the candidate set of the second access point association and the first group of access points is empty, then z access points are determined in the candidate set of the second access point association as the z fourth access points, so that the sum of the z second distances corresponding to the determined z fourth access points is greater than or equal to the sum of the z second distances corresponding to any z access points in the candidate set of the second access point association. If the intersection of the candidate set of the second access point association and the first group of access points includes t (t is a positive integer) access points, then the t access points are determined as the t fourth access points, and z-t access points are determined in the access points in the candidate set of the second access point association except the t access points as the z-t fourth access points, that is, a total of z fourth access points are determined, so that the sum of the z second distances corresponding to the determined z fourth access points is greater than or equal to the sum of the z second distances corresponding to any z-t access points in the t access points and the access points in the candidate set of the second access point association except the t access points. Thus, the determined z fourth access points can be as dispersed and uniformly distributed as possible, and the coverage of the z fourth access points can be improved.

[0276] Wherein, the second distance can refer to the description of the second distance above, which will not be repeated here. Wherein, the fourth access point above is the fourth access point corresponding to the second access point, and the above is uniformly described as the fourth access point for convenience of description.

[0277] For example, the candidate set of the second access point association includes eight access points (access point 0, access point 1, …, access point 7), the intersection of the candidate set of the second access point association and the first group of access points includes access point 0 and access point 1, and z is 6. Any 4 access points in access points 2, …, access point 7 can be combined (for example, combination 0 includes access point 2, …, access point 5, and combination 1 includes access point 3, …, access point 6). Access point 0 and access point 1 can be added to each combination (that is, each combination includes six access points, such as combination 0 including access point 0, access point 1, access point 2, …, access point 5, and combination 1 including access point 0, access point 1, access point 3, …, access point 6). The distance between the two access points closest to each access point in each combination with access point 0 and access point 1 added (that is, the second distance corresponding to each access point is determined) is determined to determine the fourth value corresponding to each combination with access point 0 and access point 1 added (that is, the sum of the second distances corresponding to the six access points in each combination with access point 0 and access point 1 added). A maximum value can be determined from the plurality of fourth values determined, and the access points in the combination with access point 0 and access point 1 added corresponding to the maximum value are the fourth access points corresponding to the second access point.

[0278] It can be understood that after the second group of access points is determined, the coverage of each access point in the first group of access points and the second group of access points can be determined through the simulation platform to determine whether the coverage of the first group of access points and the second group of access points can cover the coverage of the M access points. If the coverage of the M access points can be covered, only the first group of access points and the second group of access points can send the beacon frame (that is, the N access points include the first group of access points and the second group of access points, and the next group of access points is no longer determined); if the coverage of the M access points cannot be covered, the next group of access points is continued to be determined.

[0279] The third possible implementation is to determine the third group of access points, the third group of access points including at least one fourth access point in the second group of access points, and one or more fifth access points corresponding to each of the at least one fourth access point.

[0280] Each fifth access point satisfies a first preset condition with the corresponding fourth access point.

[0281] It can be understood that the manner of determining one or more fifth access points corresponding to different fourth access points is the same, and the application is described by taking the determination of one or more fifth access points corresponding to a fourth access point as an example. The manner can be used to determine one or more fifth access points corresponding to any fourth access point.

[0282] The one or more fifth access points corresponding to the fourth access point include part or all of the access points in a candidate set associated with the fourth access point.

[0283] The candidate set associated with the fourth access point includes one or more access points in the D access points that satisfy the first preset condition with the fourth access point.

[0284] For example, taking the first preset condition as an example that the distance between two access points is less than or equal to a first preset threshold, assuming that the first preset threshold is ε, the candidate set associated with the fourth access point can include one or more access points in the D access points that have a distance greater than or equal to (the first distance-ε) from the fourth access point and a distance less than or equal to (the first distance+ε) from the fourth access point.

[0285] The D access points include the A-1-B access points excluding one or more access points having a distance less than or equal to the first distance from any access point in the first group of access points and the first group of access points; or the D access points include the A-1-B access points excluding one or more access points having a signal quality greater than or equal to the first signal quality from any access point in the first group of access points and the first group of access points.

[0286] For example, the A access points can be all the access points in (a) of FIG. 12, the A-1-B access points can be the access points in the dashed boxes in (b) of FIG. 13 (i.e. the access points in the dashed box corresponding to the first access point are the access points whose distances to the first access point are less than or equal to the first distance, and the access points in the dashed box corresponding to the second access point are the access points whose distances to the second access point are less than or equal to the first distance), and then the D access points include the first group of access points and the access points outside each of the seven dashed boxes.

[0287] It can be understood that, when determining the third group of access points, one or more access points of the A-1-B access points whose distances to the first access point are less than or equal to the first distance and whose distances to the B second access points are less than or equal to the first distance can be excluded, so as to avoid the situation that one or more access points of the third group of access points fall into the dashed boxes in FIG. 13, and to avoid the situation that one or more access points of the determined third group of access points have small distances to one or more access points of the first two groups of access points, so as to ensure that the coverage of the determined third group of access points is as large as possible.

[0288] Optionally, the one or more fifth access points corresponding to the fourth access point include one or more access points in the intersection of the candidate set associated with the fourth access point and the second group of access points.

[0289] It can be understood that the manner of determining the one or more fifth access points corresponding to the fourth access point can refer to the manner of determining the one or more fourth access points corresponding to the second access point, which will not be described herein.

[0290] It can be understood that, after the third group of access points is determined, the coverage of each access point in the first group of access points, the second group of access points, and the third group of access points can be determined by the simulation platform, so as to determine whether the coverage of the first group of access points, the second group of access points, and the third group of access points can cover the coverage of the M access points. If the coverage of the first group of access points, the second group of access points, and the third group of access points can cover the coverage of the M access points, only the first group of access points, the second group of access points, and the third group of access points can send the beacon frames (i.e. the N access points include the first group of access points, the second group of access points, and the third group of access points, and the next group of access points is not determined); if the coverage of the first group of access points, the second group of access points, and the third group of access points cannot cover the coverage of the M access points, the next group of access points is determined.

[0291] It can be understood that in determining the fourth group of access points, the fourth group of access points can include at least one fifth access point in the third group of access points, and one or more eighth access points corresponding to each of the at least one fifth access point, wherein the determination of the one or more eighth access points corresponding to each of the at least one fifth access point can refer to the above-mentioned manner of determining the one or more fifth access points corresponding to the fourth access point; in determining the fifth group of access points, the fifth group of access points can include at least one eighth access point, and one or more ninth access points corresponding to each of the at least one eighth access point, and the determination of the one or more ninth access points corresponding to each of the at least one eighth access point can refer to the above-mentioned manner of determining the one or more fifth access points corresponding to the fourth access point, and the next group of access points can be determined in the same manner, which will not be described here.

[0292] Based on the above description of determining N access points by determining multiple groups of access points, optionally, any two access points of the N access points satisfy a second preset condition.

[0293] The second preset condition includes one or more of the following: the distance between the two access points is greater than or equal to a fourth preset threshold, or the signal quality between the two access points is less than or equal to a fifth preset threshold.

[0294] It can be understood that when the determined at least two access points do not satisfy the second preset condition, one access point of the at least two access points is retained and the other access points of the at least two access points are deleted, so as to ensure that any two access points of the N access points satisfy the second preset condition.

[0295] Based on the first possible design, the present application provides a possible embodiment for determining N access points, taking the difference between the distance between two access points and the first distance as an example, which is less than or equal to the first preset threshold, and the specific steps can be as shown in FIG. 14:

[0296] S1401, the wireless controller configures parameters.

[0297] The wireless controller can configure the first distance, the first preset threshold, and z.

[0298] The first distance can be determined according to the third distance and a first preset scaling ratio.

[0299] For example, the first distance can satisfy the following formula: R = 2 × (β × r), wherein β is the first preset scaling ratio, and r is the average value of the distance between any two adjacent access points in the A access points (or r can be the maximum value of the distance between any two adjacent access points in the A access points).

[0300] The first preset threshold value can be determined according to the first distance and the second preset scaling ratio.

[0301] For example, the first preset threshold value can satisfy the following formula: Wherein, ε is the first preset threshold value, and p is the second preset scaling ratio.

[0302] For example, z can be 6.

[0303] S1402, the wireless controller determines the first group of access points.

[0304] The wireless controller can determine the first group of access points in the manner described above with reference to the first possible implementation.

[0305] For example, as shown in FIG. 15, the first access point in the first group of access points can be determined with A access points, as shown in (a) of FIG. 15, and then six second access points in the first group of access points can be determined according to the first access point, as shown in (b) of FIG. 15.

[0306] S1403, the wireless controller determines the second group of access points.

[0307] The wireless controller can determine the second group of access points in the manner described above with reference to the second possible implementation.

[0308] For example, as shown in (b) of FIG. 15, the fourth access point corresponding to each second access point in the second group of access points can be determined according to the six second access points in the first group of access points, as shown in (c) of FIG. 15.

[0309] S1404, the wireless controller determines the kth group of access points.

[0310] The wireless controller can determine the kth group of access points in the manner described above with reference to the third possible implementation.

[0311] For example, as shown in (c) of FIG. 15, the fifth access point in the third group of access points can be determined according to one or more fourth access points in the second group of access points, as shown in (d) of FIG. 15. As shown in (d) of FIG. 15, the eighth access point corresponding to the fifth access point in the third group of access points can be determined according to one fifth access point in the third group of access points, as shown in (e) of FIG. 15.

[0312] S1405, the wireless controller adds one or more third access points.

[0313] It can be understood that the N access points can include the first group of access points, the second group of access points, the third group of access points, the fourth group of access points, and one or more third access points. The N access points can be as shown in (f) of FIG. 15, that is, the coverage of the N access points can cover the coverage of the M access points.

[0314] Different from the way of determining the N access points by determining the groups of access points in the first possible design, the N access points can also be determined by clustering. Details can be referred to the following description of the second possible design.

[0315] In the second possible design, the wireless controller can determine N clustering areas, and determine a sixth access point in each clustering area. The N sixth access points are the N access points.

[0316] The sixth access point in the nth clustering area satisfies one or more of the following: the sixth access point in the nth clustering area is an access point corresponding to the minimum of Xn third values corresponding to Xn access points, or the sixth access point in the nth clustering area is an access point corresponding to the maximum of Xn fourth values corresponding to the Xn access points.

[0317] The third value corresponding to any access point is the sum of distances between any access point and the Xn access points; the fourth value corresponding to any access point is the sum of signal qualities between any access point and the Xn access points; n = 1, 2, …, N, and Xn is the number of access points in the nth clustering area.

[0318] The third value can be referred to the description of the first value, and the fourth value can be referred to the description of the second value, which will not be described here.

[0319] In an example, taking the sixth access point in the nth clustering area as an access point corresponding to the minimum of Xn third values corresponding to Xn access points as an example, to determine the sixth access point in the nth clustering area, the Xn access points in the nth clustering area can be traversed, the third value corresponding to each access point (that is, the sum of distances between each access point and the Xn access points) is determined, and the access point corresponding to the minimum of the Xn third values is the sixth access point in the nth clustering area.

[0320] In another example, taking the sixth access point in the nth clustering area as an example, for determining the sixth access point in the nth clustering area, the Xn access points in the nth clustering area can be traversed to determine the fourth value corresponding to each access point (i.e., the sum of the signal quality between each access point and the Xn access points), and the access point corresponding to the maximum value in the Xn fourth values is the sixth access point in the nth clustering area.

[0321] For determining the N clustering areas, any N access points can be determined first, and based on the any N access points, the clustering area corresponding to each access point in the any N access points can be determined. Wherein, the distance between the access point in the nth clustering area and the center point of the nth clustering area is less than the distance between the access point and the center point of the jth clustering area; or the signal strength between the access point in the nth clustering area and the center point of the nth clustering area is greater than the signal strength between the access point and the center point of the jth clustering area.

[0322] Wherein, j = 1, 2, …, N, and j is not equal to n.

[0323] For example, taking N as 2 and any two access points (such as access point 1 and access point 2) as an example, assuming M is 5 (i.e., there are access point 1, access point 2, access point 3, access point 4, and access point 5), for the access point 3, when the distance between the access point 3 and the access point 1 is less than the distance between the access point 3 and the access point 2, the access point 3 is classified into the clustering area corresponding to the access point 1 (i.e., the first clustering area), or when the distance between the access point 3 and the access point 1 is greater than the distance between the access point 3 and the access point 2, the access point 3 is classified into the clustering area corresponding to the access point 2 (i.e., the second clustering area).

[0324] For the access point 4, assuming that the access point 3 is in the first clustering area, when the distance between the center point of the access point 1 and the access point 3 and the access point 4 is greater than the distance between the access point 2 and the access point 4, the access point 4 is classified into the second clustering area; when the distance between the center point of the access point 1 and the access point 3 and the access point 4 is less than the distance between the access point 2 and the access point 4, the access point 4 is classified into the first clustering area.

[0325] For the access point 5, assuming that the access point 4 is in the second cluster area, when the distance between the center point of the access point 1 and the access point 3 and the access point 5 is greater than the distance between the center point of the access point 2 and the access point 4 and the access point 5, the access point 5 is classified into the second cluster area; when the distance between the center point of the access point 1 and the access point 3 and the access point 5 is less than the distance between the center point of the access point 2 and the access point 4 and the access point 5, the access point 5 is classified into the first cluster area. Alternatively, assuming that the access point 4 is in the first cluster area, when the distance between the center point of the access point 1, the access point 3 and the access point 4 and the access point 5 is greater than the distance between the access point 2 and the access point 5, the access point 5 is classified into the second cluster area; when the distance between the center point of the access point 1, the access point 3 and the access point 4 and the access point 5 is less than the distance between the access point 2 and the access point 5, the access point 5 is classified into the first cluster area.

[0326] Based on the above description of determining the N access points, optionally, whether to determine the N access points from the M access points associated with the wireless controller to send the beacon frame can be determined by determining whether the ratio of the number of the seventh access points in the M access points to M is less than or equal to the sixth preset threshold. That is, when the ratio of the number of the seventh access points in the M access points to M is less than or equal to the sixth preset threshold, the N access points can be determined from the M access points to send the beacon frame; or when the ratio of the number of the seventh access points in the M access points to M is greater than the sixth preset threshold, the M access points can be caused to send the beacon frame.

[0327] The seventh access point can be referred to as a weak perception access point or a weak perception AP. For example, the access points in a dormitory building can be regarded as the seventh access points (i.e., weak perception access points). For example, the access point in one dormitory can have a relatively large signal quality with the access point in the adjacent dormitory, but have a relatively small signal quality with the access point in the dormitory far away. Therefore, the access points in the dormitory building can be regarded as the seventh access points (i.e., weak perception access points).

[0328] For example, the sixth preset threshold can be 0.8.

[0329] For example, when the ratio of the number of the seventh access points to M is less than or equal to 0.8, the N access points can be determined from the M access points to send the beacon frame; or when the ratio of the number of the seventh access points to M is greater than 0.8, the M access points can be caused to send the beacon frame.

[0330] For the determination of the seventh access point, the M access points can be traversed. When the ratio of the third value corresponding to one of the M access points to (M-1) is less than the seventh preset threshold, the access point can be determined as the seventh access point.

[0331] The third value is the number of the access points in the M access points, which have a signal quality less than or equal to the eighth preset threshold with the seventh access point.

[0332] The eighth preset threshold value can be determined according to the preset threshold value of the transmission power and the path loss of the mth access point. For example, when the transmission power is 20 dB and the preset threshold value of the path loss is 100 dB, the eighth preset threshold value can be -80 dB. Alternatively, when the transmission power is 10 dB and the preset threshold value of the path loss is 100 dB, the eighth preset threshold value can be -90 dB. Here, m = 1, 2, …, M.

[0333] For example, when the M access points include access point 1, access point 2, and access point 3, and the eighth preset threshold value is -80 dB, the third value corresponding to each access point can be determined in sequence. For example, when determining the third value corresponding to access point 1, it can be determined whether the signal quality between access point 1 and access point 2 and access point 3 is less than or equal to -80 dB. If the signal quality between access point 1 and access point 2 (or access point 3) is less than or equal to -80 dB, the third value corresponding to access point 1 can be determined as 1. If the signal quality between access point 1 and access point 2 is less than -80 dB, and the signal quality between access point 1 and access point 3 is less than or equal to -80 dB, the third value corresponding to access point 1 can be determined as 2. If the signal quality between access point 1 and access point 2 is greater than -80 dB, and the signal quality between access point 1 and access point 3 is greater than -80 dB, the third value corresponding to access point 1 can be determined as 0.

[0334] For example, the seventh preset threshold value can be 0.3.

[0335] For example, when the M access points include access point 1, access point 2, and access point 3, and the seventh preset threshold value is 0.3, the third value corresponding to each access point can be determined in sequence to determine whether each access point is the seventh access point. For example, if the ratio of the third value corresponding to access point 1 to 2 is less than 0.3, access point 1 is the seventh access point. If the ratio of the third value corresponding to access point 2 to 2 is less than 0.3, access point 2 is the seventh access point. If the ratio of the third value corresponding to access point 3 to 2 is less than 0.3, access point 3 is the seventh access point.

[0336] Based on the above description of the seventh access point, the number of seventh access points in the M access points can be determined to determine whether the beacon frame is transmitted by the M access points or the N access points, so that the signal quality of the beacon frame received by the station can be ensured to be good, and the reliability of the communication can be improved.

[0337] Based on the above description of the communication method, the application also provides a communication method for determining the transmission power of the N access points, or described as determining the power of the N access points transmitting the beacon frame.

[0338] Optionally, the transmission power of the nth access point in the N access points can be greater than or equal to the first preset power threshold; or, the transmission power of the nth access point in the N access points can be the maximum value of the transmission power supported by the nth access point; or, the transmission power of the nth access point in the N access points can be determined according to one or more of the following: the distance between the nth access point and the M-N access points, the signal strength between the nth access point and the M-N access points.

[0339] It can be understood that when determining the transmission power of the N access points, the transmission power of a part of the access points can be determined to be greater than or equal to the first preset power threshold, and the transmission power of another part of the access points can be determined to be the maximum transmission power supported by the access points; or, the transmission power of all the N access points can be determined to be greater than or equal to the first preset power threshold; or, the transmission power of all the N access points can be determined to be the maximum transmission power supported by the access points, which is not limited in the present application.

[0340] It can be understood that, on the one hand, directly determining the transmission power of the N access points to be greater than or equal to the first preset power threshold or to be the maximum transmission power supported by the access points can reduce the calculation complexity and improve the timeliness of determining the transmission power of the access points; on the other hand, specifically determining the transmission power of the N access points according to the actual communication scene or communication condition (such as the distance between the access points, the signal quality between the access points, etc.) can improve the accuracy of determining the transmission power of the access points and improve the reliability of the communication.

[0341] The present application provides a possible design for determining the transmission power of the N access points, so that the transmission power of each access point in the N access points can be determined according to the first power and the second power. For the convenience of understanding, the determination of the transmission power of the nth access point is described as an example, and the determination of the transmission power of any access point in the N access points can refer to the determination method of the transmission power of the nth access point, that is, the transmission power of the nth access point can be determined according to the first power and the second power.

[0342] For example, the transmission power of the nth access point can be the maximum value of the first power and the second power, such as when the first power is greater than the second power, the transmission power of the nth access point can be the first power; when the second power is greater than the first power, the transmission power of the nth access point can be the second power.

[0343] It can be understood that when the first power and the second power are the same, the transmission power of the nth access point can be any one, such as the first power or the second power.

[0344] The first power is determined according to a minimum value of signal quality between the nth access point and each access point in the first area associated with the nth access point and a second preset power threshold.

[0345] The first area associated with the nth access point can be described as a core area of the nth access point.

[0346] The second preset power threshold can be predefined or determined according to an actual communication scenario or communication condition, and is not limited.

[0347] For example, the second preset power threshold can be -55 dBm.

[0348] For example, the signal quality between the nth access point and each access point in the first area associated with the nth access point can be determined, a minimum value is determined from the determined multiple signal qualities, and the first power can be a sum of the minimum value and the second preset power threshold.

[0349] For example, the minimum value of the signal quality between the nth access point and each access point in the first area associated with the nth access point is For example, the second preset power threshold is -55 dBm, and the first power can be

[0350] The access point in the first area associated with the nth access point is one or more access points in the M-N access points, the distance between the access point in the first area associated with the nth access point and the nth access point is less than a second distance (the second distance is the distance between the access point and the jth access point in the N access points), and the signal quality between the access point and the nth access point is greater than a second signal quality (the second signal quality is the signal quality between the access point and the jth access point); j=1, 2, …, N, and j≠n.

[0351] For example, as shown in FIG. 16 and FIG. 17, the horizontal axis and the vertical axis both represent distance, FIG. 16 shows N determined access points (e.g., S167, S182, S95, and S136), and FIG. 17 shows access points in the first region corresponding to S167 (i.e., the access point represented by the pentagram in the dashed box in FIG. 17) determined for S167. When determining the access points in the first region corresponding to S167, all M-N access points in FIG. 17 can be traversed. For example, S170 can be compared with S167, S182, S136, and S95 in terms of distance, and it can be found that the distance between S170 and S167 is the smallest. Meanwhile, S170 can be compared with S167, S182, S136, and S95 in terms of signal quality, and it can be assumed that the signal quality between S170 and S167 is the best. Thus, S170 can be determined to be included in the first region corresponding to S167. Similarly, other access points can be traversed in the above manner, and thus the access points in the first region corresponding to S167 can be determined.

[0352] The second power is determined according to a minimum value of the signal quality between the nth access point and the access points in the second region associated with the nth access point and a third preset power threshold.

[0353] The second region associated with the nth access point can be described as an edge region of the nth access point.

[0354] The third preset power threshold can be predefined or determined according to an actual communication scenario or communication condition, and is not limited.

[0355] For example, the third preset power threshold can be -65 dBm.

[0356] For example, the signal quality between the nth access point and the access points in the second region associated with the nth access point can be determined, and a minimum value can be determined from the determined multiple signal qualities. The second power can be the sum of the minimum value and the third preset power.

[0357] For example, the minimum value of the signal attenuation difference between the access points in the second region associated with the nth access point and the nth access point is For example, the third preset power threshold is -65 dBm, and the second power can be

[0358] The access points in the second area associated with the nth access point are one or more access points of the M-N access points other than the first area, and the distance between any access point in the second area associated with the nth access point and the nth access point is less than the second distance, or the signal quality between any access point in the first area and the nth access point is greater than the second signal quality.

[0359] For example, as shown in FIG. 18, both the horizontal axis and the vertical axis are distances. Taking S177 as an example, it is assumed that the signal quality between S177 and S167 is the maximum, and it can be determined that S177 is included in the second area corresponding to S167. Similarly, other access points can be traversed in the above manner, and the access points in the second area corresponding to S167 can be determined. Alternatively, it is assumed that the distance between S177 and S167 is the maximum, and it can be determined that S177 is included in the second area corresponding to S167. Similarly, other access points can be traversed in the above manner, and the access points in the second area corresponding to S167 can be determined.

[0360] Based on the above possible design, there can be only the first power or the second power, and the transmission power of the nth access point can be the determined first power or the second power.

[0361] It can be understood that the power of the N access points can be determined by the wireless controller, and the transmission power of the access points can be indicated to the N access points through the indication information, or the transmission power can be adjusted by the nth access point itself. The method for determining the transmission power of the access points by the wireless controller and the access points can refer to the description of determining the transmission power of the N access points, and will not be described here.

[0362] Based on the above possible design, the transmission power of the N access points can be determined according to the signal quality between the N access points and the M-N access points. On the one hand, the coverage of the N access points can be large, and the map or signal topology corresponding to the M access points can be fully covered. On the other hand, the transmission power can be as small as possible under the condition that the transmission power of the N access points meets the demand of zero coverage gap, so as to reduce power consumption and waste of resources.

[0363] Based on the above possible design, the present application provides a possible embodiment to determine the transmission power of the N access points, and the specific steps can be shown in FIG. 19.

[0364] S1901, the wireless controller configures parameters.

[0365] For example, the wireless controller can configure the second preset power threshold to be -55dBm and the third preset power threshold to be -65dBm.

[0366] S1902, the wireless controller determines a first area corresponding to each of the N access points.

[0367] The manner of determining the first area corresponding to each of the access points can refer to the manner of determining the first area corresponding to the nth access point, which will not be described herein.

[0368] S1903, the wireless controller determines a first power corresponding to each of the N access points according to the signal quality between each of the N access points and the access points in the first area corresponding to each of the N access points and a second preset power threshold.

[0369] The manner of determining the first power can refer to the manner of determining the first power, which will not be described herein.

[0370] S1904, the wireless controller determines a second area corresponding to each of the N access points.

[0371] The manner of determining the second area corresponding to each of the access points can refer to the manner of determining the second area corresponding to the nth access point, which will not be described herein.

[0372] S1905, the wireless controller determines a second power corresponding to each of the N access points according to the signal quality between each of the N access points and the access points in the second area corresponding to each of the N access points and a third preset power threshold.

[0373] The manner of determining the second power can refer to the manner of determining the second power, which will not be described herein.

[0374] S1906, the wireless controller determines the maximum value between the first power and the second power corresponding to each of the N access points as the transmission power of each of the N access points.

[0375] Based on the above description of determining the transmission power of the N access points, after the wireless controller determines the transmission power of each of the N access points, the wireless controller can instruct each of the N access points to adjust the transmission power, i.e., taking the nth access point as an example, the wireless controller can instruct the nth access point to adjust the transmission power, and the power of the nth access point for transmitting the beacon frame is the power instructed by the wireless controller.

[0376] Based on the above description of determining the N access points and determining the transmission power of the N access points, optionally, the wireless controller can view the signal quality between the nth access point and any access point located within the coverage range of the nth access point based on a simulation platform, and by adjusting the transmission power of the access points or increasing the access points for transmitting the beacon frame, the signal quality between the nth access point and any access point located within the coverage range of the nth access point can be greater than or equal to a ninth preset threshold.

[0377] For the first preset threshold, the second preset threshold, …, the ninth preset threshold mentioned above, each of the first preset threshold, the second preset threshold, …, the ninth preset threshold can be predefined, or can be determined according to an actual communication scenario or a communication situation, and is not limited.

[0378] After determining the N access points and the transmission power of each access point, optionally, whether there is a coverage gap in the coverage range of the N access points can be determined through a simulation platform, and if there is a coverage gap, the transmission power of the access point can be increased to ensure that the coverage range of the N access points is greater than or equal to the coverage range of the M access points; or, the access point that transmits the beacon frame can be increased to ensure that the coverage range of the access point after being determined again is greater than or equal to the coverage range of the M access points.

[0379] Optionally, the wireless controller can determine whether there is a coverage gap in the coverage range of the N access points through a patrol.

[0380] The patrol is used to determine the signal quality between the station and one or more of the N access points.

[0381] Specifically, the wireless controller can send the fifth information to the station through the access point, or the wireless controller can directly send the fifth information to the station; correspondingly, the station can receive the fifth information from the wireless controller through the access point, or the station can receive the fifth information from the wireless controller; further, the station can determine the sixth information through the patrol and send the sixth information to the wireless controller through the access point, or directly send the sixth information to the wireless controller; correspondingly, the wireless controller can receive the sixth information from the station through the access point, or the wireless controller can directly receive the sixth information from the station, and adjust the transmission power of the N access points according to the sixth information; or, determine the N access points again.

[0382] The fifth information is used to instruct the station to patrol, and the sixth information is used to indicate the performance index corresponding to the preset patrol route.

[0383] The preset patrol route passes through the coverage range of one or more of the N access points, for example, taking the N access points as the first group of access points (the first group of access points includes the first access point and six second access points) as an example, the preset patrol route can be as shown by the dashed line in FIG. 20, and the preset patrol route passes through the coverage range of each of the determined seven access points.

[0384] It can be understood that the station can perform the inspection according to the fifth information on the preset inspection route, and determine the signal quality between the station and one or more of the N access points by receiving the beacon frame. For example, the station can move along the preset inspection route, and receive the beacon frame from the access point during the movement to determine the signal quality between the station and the 7 access points during the movement; or, multiple fixed-position stations can be placed on the preset inspection route, so that the multiple stations receive the beacon frame from the access point to determine the signal quality between the multiple stations and the 7 access points.

[0385] For example, the performance indicators corresponding to the preset inspection route include one or more of the following: packet loss rate, time information associated with the preset inspection route, uplink received signal strength indication, or downlink received signal strength indication.

[0386] The packet loss rate is the packet loss rate corresponding to the beacon frame received by the station from the access point, the time information associated with the preset inspection route is the time of receiving the beacon frame (the time information can be a timestamp or a time interval), the uplink received signal strength indication is the RSSI of the station (i.e. the access point receives the signal from the station, and the uplink received signal strength indication is the RSSI of the signal), and the downlink received signal strength indication is the RSSI of the access point (i.e. the station receives the signal from the access point, and the downlink received signal strength indication is the RSSI of the signal).

[0387] Optionally, the wireless controller can send fourth information to the access point to instruct the access point to send the beacon frame carrying the identification information of the access point; correspondingly, the access point can send the beacon frame according to the fourth information and carry the identification information in the beacon frame.

[0388] The station can determine the access point corresponding to the beacon frame according to the identification information after receiving the beacon frame, and when the RSSI of the beacon frame is small (e.g. lower than a certain threshold), the station can report to the wireless controller to enable the wireless controller to adjust the transmission power of the access point corresponding to the beacon frame, and can not adjust the transmission power of other access points to reduce the calculation complexity.

[0389] Based on the description of the above communication method, the application further provides a communication method for determining a backup access point associated with the nth access point in the N access points, so that when the nth access point is offline or restarted due to failure, the backup access point associated with the nth access point can be enabled to ensure the reliability of communication.

[0390] The standby access point associated with the nth access point can also be described as an alternative access point associated with the nth access point, which is not limited in the application. For the convenience of description, the application is described by taking the determination of the standby access point associated with the nth access point as an example, and any access point of the N access points can be determined by referring to the determination of the standby access point associated with the nth access point.

[0391] Optionally, the wireless controller can determine the standby access point associated with the nth access point according to the distance between the access points, or the wireless controller can determine the standby access point associated with the nth access point according to the signal quality between the access points, or the wireless controller can determine the standby access point associated with the nth access point according to the distance and signal quality between the access points. The application provides three possible implementations:

[0392] In the first possible implementation, the distance between the nth access point and the standby access point associated with the nth access point is less than or equal to the distance between the nth access point and any access point of the M-N access points except the standby access point associated with the nth access point.

[0393] Wherein, the M-N access points can be traversed to determine the distance between each access point of the M-N access points and the nth access point, and the access point corresponding to the minimum value of the determined multiple distances is determined as the standby access point associated with the nth access point.

[0394] For example, as shown in the following figure 21, assuming that the determined N access points are S167, S182, S95, and S136, the standby access point associated with each access point can be determined. Taking S167 as an example, all access points of the M access points except S167, S182, S95, and S136 can be traversed, and the access point closest to S167 is taken as the standby access point associated with S167 (for example, S165 is the access point closest to S167), that is, S165 is the standby access point associated with S167. Similarly, the standby access point associated with S182 is S15, the standby access point associated with S136 is S132, and the standby access point associated with S95 is S120.

[0395] In the second possible implementation, the signal quality between the nth access point and the standby access point associated with the nth access point is greater than or equal to the signal quality between the nth access point and any access point of the M-N access points except the standby access point associated with the nth access point.

[0396] Wherein, the M-N access points can be traversed to determine the signal quality between each access point of the M-N access points and the nth access point, and the access point corresponding to the maximum value of the determined multiple signal qualities is determined as the standby access point associated with the nth access point.

[0397] For example, as shown in FIG. 21, assuming that the determined N access points are S167, S182, S95, and S136, the backup access point associated with each access point can be determined respectively. Taking S167 as an example, all the M access points except S167, S182, S95, and S136 can be traversed, and the access point with the maximum signal quality between S167 and the access point is taken as the backup access point associated with S167 (for example, the signal quality between S165 and S167 is the maximum), that is, S165 is the backup access point associated with S167. Similarly, the backup access point associated with S182 is S15, the backup access point associated with S136 is S132, and the backup access point associated with S95 is S120.

[0398] In a third possible implementation, the distance between the nth access point and the backup access point associated with the nth access point is less than the distance between the nth access point and any access point in the M-N access points except the backup access point associated with the nth access point, and the signal quality between the nth access point in the N access points and the backup access point associated with the nth access point is greater than or equal to the signal quality between the nth access point and any access point in the M-N access points except the backup access point associated with the nth access point.

[0399] In the third possible implementation, the M-N access points can be traversed to determine the signal quality between each access point in the M-N access points and the nth access point, and the distance between each access point in the M-N access points and the nth access point. The access point with the maximum signal quality and the minimum distance between the nth access point can be taken as the backup access point associated with the nth access point.

[0400] Based on the above three possible implementations, the backup access points associated with the N access points can be determined. Compared with the backup access points determined based on the other two possible implementations, the backup access points determined based on the third possible implementation can better meet the demand of zero coverage vulnerability and can improve the reliability of communication.

[0401] Optionally, the backup access point associated with the nth access point can be determined before the nth access point is offline; or the backup access point associated with the nth access point can be determined after the nth access point is offline.

[0402] Specifically, when the N access points are determined, the backup access point associated with each access point in the N access points can be determined, so that when the nth access point fails, the backup access point associated with the nth access point can be enabled in time, and the real-time performance is better.

[0403] Specifically, the standby access point associated with the nth access point can be determined according to the above manner after the nth access point fails, and the standby access point associated with the nth access point can be dynamically determined according to an actual communication scene or a communication condition, so that the determined standby access point associated with the nth access point is more accurate, and the reliability of communication is improved.

[0404] For example, as shown in FIG. 22, S167 in (a) of FIG. 22 is offline, and S182, S95, and S136 are normally working, and the standby access point (namely, S165) associated with S167 can be enabled, as shown in (b) of FIG. 22, and the beacon frame is sent by S165, that is, in (b) of FIG. 22, the beacon frame is sent by S165, S182, S95, and S136.

[0405] Optionally, when the standby access point associated with the nth access point is enabled, the transmission power of the standby access point associated with the nth access point can be determined.

[0406] The transmission power of the standby access point associated with the nth access point can be greater than or equal to a first preset power threshold, or the transmission power of the standby access point associated with the nth access point can be a maximum transmission power supported by the standby access point associated with the nth access point, or the transmission power of the standby access point associated with the nth access point is determined according to one or more of the following: a third power or a fourth power (for example, the transmission power of the standby access point associated with the nth access point can be a maximum value of the third power and the fourth power).

[0407] The third power can refer to the description of the first power, and the fourth power can refer to the description of the fourth power, which will not be described here.

[0408] It can be understood that the manner of determining the transmission power of the standby access point associated with the nth access point can refer to the manner of determining the transmission power of the nth access point, which will not be described here.

[0409] It can be understood that the manner of determining the standby access point associated with the nth access point in the N access points by the wireless controller can also be applied to the analyzer to determine the standby access point associated with the nth access point in the N access points, which will not be described here.

[0410] Each embodiment of the present application can be independently implemented or combined for implementation, and is not limited. If there is no special description and no logical conflict, the terms and / or descriptions provided in different embodiments of the present application are consistent and can be mutually referenced, and the technical features in different embodiments can be combined to form new embodiments according to their inherent logical relationship.

[0411] It can be understood that, in the embodiments of the present application, the execution subject can execute part or all of the steps in the embodiments of the present application, and these steps or operations are only examples, and the embodiments of the present application can also execute other operations or various modifications of the operations. In addition, each step can be executed in a different order from that presented in the embodiments of the present application, and it is possible that not all operations in the embodiments of the present application are executed.

[0412] The above mainly introduces the scheme provided by the embodiments of the present application from the perspective of interaction between devices. It can be understood that, in order to realize the above functions, each device comprises a hardware structure and / or a software module for executing each function. Those skilled in the art can easily realize that, in combination with the algorithm steps of each example described in the embodiments disclosed in the present application, the present application can be realized in the form of hardware or a combination of hardware and computer software. Whether a certain function is executed in the form of hardware or computer software driving hardware depends on the specific application of the technical solution and the design constraint conditions. Those skilled in the art can use different methods to realize the described functions for each specific application, but such implementation should not be considered beyond the scope of the present application.

[0413] The embodiments of the present application can divide the function modules of each device according to the above method examples, for example, each function module can be divided according to each function, or two or more functions can be integrated in one processing module. The above integrated module can be realized in the form of hardware or software function module. The division of the modules in the embodiments of the present application is illustrative, and is only a logical function division. When actually implemented, there can be another division method.

[0414] In the case of dividing each function module according to each function, FIG. 23 shows a wireless controller 230 which can execute the actions performed by the wireless controller in the methods shown in the above embodiments. All related contents of each step involved in the above method embodiments can be referred to the function description of the corresponding function module, and the technical effects that can be obtained are referred to the above method embodiments, which will not be described here again.

[0415] The wireless controller 230 can include a transceiver module 2301 and a processing module 2302. For example, the wireless controller 230 can be a communication device, or a chip or other combination device, component, etc. having the functions of the wireless controller described above and applied in the communication device. When the wireless controller 230 is a communication device, the transceiver module 2301 can be a transceiver, which can include an antenna and a radio frequency circuit, etc. The processing module 2302 can be a processor (or processing circuit), for example, a baseband processor, which can include one or more CPUs. When the wireless controller 230 is a component having the functions of the wireless controller described above, the transceiver module 2301 can be a radio frequency unit. The processing module 2302 can be a processor (or processing circuit), for example, a baseband processor. When the wireless controller 230 is a chip system, the transceiver module 2301 can be an input / output interface of a chip (for example, a baseband chip). The processing module 2302 can be a processor (or processing circuit) of the chip system, which can include one or more central processing units. It should be understood that the transceiver module 2301 in the embodiments of the present application can be implemented by a transceiver or a transceiver-related circuit component. The processing module 2302 can be implemented by a processor or a processor-related circuit component (or processing circuit).

[0416] For example, the transceiver module 2301 can be configured to perform all the transceiver operations performed by the wireless controller in the embodiments described in the embodiments, and / or other processes for supporting the technologies described herein. The processing module 2302 can be configured to perform all the operations performed by the wireless controller in the embodiments described in the embodiments, except for the transceiver operations, and / or other processes for supporting the technologies described herein.

[0417] FIG. 24 shows an analyzer 240, which can perform the actions performed by the analyzer in the methods described in the embodiments, all the related contents of the steps involved in the method embodiments can be referred to the function description of the corresponding functional module, and the technical effects that can be obtained can be referred to the method embodiments described above, which will not be described here.

[0418] The analyzer 240 can include a transceiver module 2401 and a processing module 2402. The analyzer 240 can be a communication device, a chip or other combination device or component having the above-mentioned functions of the analyzer, and the like. When the analyzer 240 is a communication device, the transceiver module 2401 can be a transceiver, which can include an antenna and a radio frequency circuit, and the like. The processing module 2402 can be a processor (or processing circuit), for example, a baseband processor, which can include one or more CPUs. When the analyzer 240 is a component having the above-mentioned functions of the analyzer, the transceiver module 2401 can be a radio frequency unit. The processing module 2402 can be a processor (or processing circuit), for example, a baseband processor. When the analyzer 240 is a chip system, the transceiver module 2401 can be an input / output interface of a chip (for example, a baseband chip). The processing module 2402 can be a processor (or processing circuit) of the chip system, which can include one or more central processing units. The transceiver module 2401 in the embodiments of the present application can be implemented by a transceiver or a transceiver-related circuit component. The processing module 2402 can be implemented by a processor or a processor-related circuit component (or processing circuit).

[0419] For example, the transceiver module 2401 can be configured to perform all the transceiver operations performed by the analyzer in the embodiments of the present application, and / or other processes for supporting the technologies described herein. The processing module 2402 can be configured to perform all the operations performed by the analyzer in the embodiments of the present application, except for the transceiver operations, and / or other processes for supporting the technologies described herein.

[0420] FIG. 25 shows a station 250, which can perform the actions performed by the station in the method embodiments shown in the above embodiments. All the related contents of the steps involved in the above method embodiments can be referred to the function description of the corresponding functional modules, and the technical effects that can be achieved can be referred to the above method embodiments, which will not be described here again.

[0421] The station 250 can include a transceiver module 2501 and a processing module 2502. The station 250 can be a communication device, a chip or other combination device or component having the functions of the station described above, and the like. When the station 250 is a communication device, the transceiver module 2501 can be a transceiver, which can include an antenna and a radio frequency circuit, and the like; the processing module 2502 can be a processor (or processing circuit), for example, a baseband processor, which can include one or more CPUs. When the station 250 is a component having the functions of the station described above, the transceiver module 2501 can be a radio frequency unit; the processing module 2502 can be a processor (or processing circuit), for example, a baseband processor. When the station 250 is a chip system, the transceiver module 2501 can be an input / output interface of a chip (for example, a baseband chip); the processing module 2502 can be a processor (or processing circuit) of the chip system, which can include one or more central processing units. The transceiver module 2501 in the embodiments of the present application can be implemented by a transceiver or a transceiver-related circuit component; the processing module 2502 can be implemented by a processor or a processor-related circuit component (or processing circuit).

[0422] For example, the transceiver module 2501 can be configured to perform all the transceiver operations performed by the station in the embodiments shown in the embodiments, and / or other processes for supporting the technologies described herein; the processing module 2502 can be configured to perform all the operations performed by the station in the embodiments shown in the embodiments, and / or other processes for supporting the technologies described herein, except for the transceiver operations.

[0423] As another implementation manner, the transceiver module 2301 in FIG. 23 can be replaced by a transceiver which can integrate the functions of the transceiver module 2301; the processing module 2302 can be replaced by a processor which can integrate the functions of the processing module 2302. Further, the wireless controller 230 shown in FIG. 23 can further include a memory. Alternatively, the transceiver module 2401 in FIG. 24 can be replaced by a transceiver which can integrate the functions of the transceiver module 2401; the processing module 2402 can be replaced by a processor which can integrate the functions of the processing module 2402. Further, the analyzer 240 shown in FIG. 24 can further include a memory. Alternatively, the transceiver module 2501 in FIG. 25 can be replaced by a transceiver which can integrate the functions of the transceiver module 2501; the processing module 2502 can be replaced by a processor which can integrate the functions of the processing module 2502. Further, the station 250 shown in FIG. 25 can further include a memory.

[0424] Alternatively, when the processing module 2302 is replaced by a processor, and the transceiver module 2301 is replaced by a transceiver, the wireless controller 230 related to the embodiments of the present application can also be the communication apparatus 260 shown in FIG. 26. Alternatively, when the processing module 2402 is replaced by a processor, and the transceiver module 2401 is replaced by a transceiver, the analyzer 240 related to the embodiments of the present application can also be the communication apparatus 260 shown in FIG. 26. Alternatively, when the processing module 2502 is replaced by a processor, and the transceiver module 2501 is replaced by a transceiver, the station 250 related to the embodiments of the present application can also be the communication apparatus 260 shown in FIG. 26.

[0425] The processor can be a logic circuit 2601, and the transceiver can be an interface circuit 2602. Further, the communication apparatus 260 shown in FIG. 26 can further include a memory 2603.

[0426] The embodiments of the present application further provide a computer program product, which can realize the functions of any of the above-mentioned method embodiments when executed by a computer.

[0427] The embodiments of the present application further provide a computer program, which can realize the functions of any of the above-mentioned method embodiments when executed by a computer.

[0428] The embodiments of the present application further provide a computer readable storage medium. All or part of the flow of the above-mentioned method embodiments can be instructed by a computer program to relevant hardware to complete, and the program can be stored in the above-mentioned computer readable storage medium. When the program is executed, the flow of each of the above-mentioned method embodiments can be included. The computer readable storage medium can be an internal storage unit of the terminal (including the data sending terminal and / or the data receiving terminal) of any of the above-mentioned embodiments, such as a hard disk or a memory of the terminal. The above-mentioned computer readable storage medium can also be an external storage device of the terminal, such as a plug-in hard disk, a smart media card (SMC), a secure digital (SD) card, a flash card, etc. Further, the above-mentioned computer readable storage medium can include both the internal storage unit and the external storage device of the terminal. The above-mentioned computer readable storage medium is used to store the above-mentioned computer program and other programs and data required by the terminal. The above-mentioned computer readable storage medium can also be used to temporarily store data that has been output or will be output.

[0429] The terms "first" and "second" and the like in the description, claims and drawings of the application are used for distinguishing between similar elements and not necessarily for describing a particular sequential or chronological order. The terms "first" and "second" are used anecdotally and exemplarily, and do not imply a relative importance or a specific order. Therefore, a feature defined with "first" and "second" can include one or more of the features. In the description of the embodiments, the meaning of "a plurality of" is two or more unless otherwise specified.

[0430] Furthermore, the terms "comprise" and "comprising" and the like are used in the sense of "including" and "including but not limited to", respectively. The terms "consist of and "consisting of" are used in the sense of "including and including but not limited to" respectively, and the like. The terms "have", "has", and the like are used in the sense of "comprising". The terms "include", "including", and the like are used in the sense of "comprising".

[0431] In the present application, "at least one" means one or more. "Multiple" means two or more. "At least two" means two or three or more. "And / or", used to describe the relationship between associated objects, means that there can be three relationships. For example, "A and / or B" can mean that there are three cases: only A, only B, and A and B exist at the same time, where A and B can be singular or plural. The character " / " generally represents an "or" relationship between the associated objects. "At least one" or the like means any combination of these items, including single or multiple items. For example, at least one of a, b or c can mean: a, b, c, "a and b", "a and c", "b and c", or "a and b and c", where a, b, and c can be singular or plural. "When" and "if" both mean that under certain objective circumstances, the corresponding processing will be done, not limited by time, and does not require a judgment action when implemented, nor does it mean that there are other limitations.

[0432] In the embodiments of the present application, the words "exemplary" or "for example" are used to mean serving as an example, instance, or illustration. Any embodiment or design described as "exemplary" or "for example" in the embodiments of the present application should not be construed as being preferred or advantageous over other embodiments or designs. Rather, the use of "exemplary" or "for example" is intended to present concepts in a concrete manner, facilitating understanding.

[0433] In the present application, "sending information to (a terminal device)" can be understood as that the destination of the information is the terminal device. It can include directly or indirectly sending information to the terminal device. "Receiving information from (a terminal device)" can be understood as that the source of the information is the terminal device. It can include directly or indirectly receiving information from the terminal device. The information can be processed between the source and the destination of the information sending, for example, format change, etc., but the destination can understand the valid information from the source.

[0434] Through the description of the above embodiments, those skilled in the art can clearly understand that, for the convenience and brevity of description, only the above division of functional modules is taken as an example, and in actual application, the above functions can be completed by different functional modules according to needs, that is, the internal structure of the device is divided into different functional modules to complete all or part of the functions described above.

[0435] In several embodiments provided in the present application, the disclosed device and method can be implemented in other ways. For example, the device embodiments described above are only schematic, for example, the division of the modules or units is only a logical function division, and actual implementation can have another division manner, for example, a plurality of units or components can be combined or integrated into another device, 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 interface, device or unit, and can be electrical, mechanical or other forms.

[0436] The units described as separate components can or can not be physically separated, and the components shown as units can be one physical unit or multiple physical units, that is, can be located in one place, or can be distributed to multiple different places. Part or all of the units can be selected according to actual needs to achieve the purpose of the present embodiment scheme.

[0437] In addition, each functional unit in each embodiment of the present application can be integrated in one processing unit, or each unit can exist physically, or two or more units can be integrated in one unit. The integrated unit can be realized in the form of hardware or in the form of a software functional unit.

[0438] The integrated unit, if in the form of a software function unit and sold or used as an independent product, can be stored in a readable storage medium. Based on such an understanding, the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application can essentially or partially be embodied in the form of a software product, which is stored in a storage medium, includes several instructions to make an apparatus (which can be a single-chip microcomputer, a chip, etc.) or a processor 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 ROM, a RAM, a magnetic disk or an optical disk, and various media that can store program codes.

Claims

1. A communication method characterized by comprising: The method is applied to a communication network, the communication network comprising M access points, the M access points being associated with a same basic service set identification (BSSID), the method comprising: determining N access points from the M access points, N being an integer greater than or equal to 1 and less than M; indicating the N access points to send a beacon frame.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein, The indication of the N access points to send the beacon frame comprises: sending first information to the N access points, the first information being used to indicate that an access point receiving the first information sends the beacon frame.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein, The indication of the N access points to send the beacon frame comprises: sending first information to M-N access points from the M access points other than the N access points, the first information being used to indicate that an access point receiving the first information does not send the beacon frame.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein, The indication of the N access points to send the beacon frame comprises: sending first information to the N access points, the first information being used to indicate that an access point receiving the first information sends the beacon frame; sending second information to M-N access points from the M access points other than the N access points, the second information being used to indicate that an access point receiving the second information does not send the beacon frame.

5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, The determination of the N access points from the M access points comprises: receiving third information, the third information being used to indicate the N access points from the M access points; determining the N access points from the M access points according to the third information.

6. The method of any of claims 1-5, wherein: the N access points are determined according to one or more of the following: location information of the M access points, or signal quality information of the M access points; wherein the signal quality information is used to indicate signal quality between an xth access point and a yth access point from the M access points; x = 1, 2, …, M; y = 1, 2, …, M; x is not equal to y.

7. The method of any of claims 1-6, wherein: the N access points comprise a first group of access points, the first group of access points comprising a first access point and B second access points, B being a positive integer; each second access point satisfies a first preset condition with the first access point, the first preset condition comprising one or more of the following: a difference between a distance between the two access points and a first distance is less than or equal to a first preset threshold, a difference between signal quality between the two access points and a first signal quality is less than or equal to a second preset threshold.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein: the first access point is any one of A access points; or the first access point satisfies one or more of the following: the first access point is an access point corresponding to a minimum value from A first values corresponding to the A access points, or the first access point is an access point corresponding to a maximum value from A second values corresponding to the A access points. The first value corresponding to any access point is the sum of distances between the access point and each of the A access points; and the second value corresponding to any access point is the sum of signal strengths between the access point and each of the A access points. The A access points are the M access points, or the A access points are access points in the M access points except one or more third access points, and a signal quality between the third access points and access points other than the third access points in the M access points is less than or equal to a third preset threshold.

9. The method of claim 7 or 8, wherein, The B second access points include part or all of the access points in a candidate set associated with the first access point. The candidate set associated with the first access point includes one or more access points in the A access points that satisfy the first preset condition with the first access point. The A access points are the M access points, or the A access points are access points in the M access points except one or more third access points, and a signal quality between the third access points and access points other than the third access points in the M access points is less than or equal to a third preset threshold.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein, The sum of the B second distances corresponding to the B second access points is greater than or equal to the sum of B second distances corresponding to any B access points in the candidate set associated with the first access point. The second distance corresponding to the bth access point is the sum of distances between the bth access point and the two closest access points in the B-1 access points corresponding to the bth access point; b = 1, 2, …, B; and the B-1 access points corresponding to the bth access point are B-1 access points in the B access points corresponding to the bth access point except the bth access point.

11. The method of any one of claims 7-10, wherein, The N access points further include a second group of access points, and the second group of access points includes at least one second access point in the B second access points and one or more fourth access points corresponding to each second access point. Each fourth access point satisfies the first preset condition with the corresponding second access point.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein, The one or more fourth access points corresponding to each second access point include part or all of a candidate set associated with the second access point. The candidate set associated with each second access point includes one or more access points in the C access points that satisfy the first preset condition with the second access point. The C access points include the A-1 access points excluding one or more access points having a distance to the first access point less than or equal to the first distance, and the first access point; or the C access points include the A-1 access points excluding one or more access points having a signal quality to the first access point greater than or equal to the first signal quality, and the first access point. The A-1 access points include the A access points excluding the first access point.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein, The one or more fourth access points corresponding to each second access point include one or more access points in an intersection of a candidate set associated with each second access point and the first group of access points.

14. The method of any of claims 11-13, wherein, The N access points further include a third group of access points, the third group of access points including at least one fourth access point in the second group of access points, and one or more fifth access points corresponding to each of the at least one fourth access point; The first predetermined condition is satisfied between each fifth access point and the corresponding fourth access point.

15. The method of any of claims 11-14, wherein, The one or more fifth access points corresponding to each fourth access point include some or all of the access points in a candidate set associated with each fourth access point; The candidate set associated with each fourth access point includes one or more access points in D access points satisfying the first predetermined condition with the each fourth access point; The D access points include the A-1-B access points excluding one or more access points having a distance to any access point in the first group of access points less than or equal to the first distance, and the first group of access points; or the D access points include the A-1-B access points excluding one or more access points having a signal quality to any access point in the first group of access points greater than or equal to the first signal quality, and the first group of access points; The A-1-B access points are the A access points excluding the first group of access points.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein, The one or more fifth access points corresponding to each fourth access point include one or more access points in an intersection of a candidate set associated with each fourth access point and the second group of access points.

17. The method of any of claims 6-16, wherein, The second predetermined condition is satisfied between any two access points in the N access points; wherein the second predetermined condition includes one or more of a distance between the two access points greater than or equal to a fourth predetermined threshold, or a signal quality between the two access points less than or equal to a fifth predetermined threshold.

18. The method of any of claims 1-5, wherein, The N access points comprise a sixth access point in each of the N cluster areas, the sixth access point in the nth cluster area satisfying one or more of: the sixth access point in the nth cluster area being an access point corresponding to a minimum value of Xn third values corresponding to Xn access points, or the sixth access point in the nth cluster area being an access point corresponding to a maximum value of Xn fourth values corresponding to the Xn access points; a third value corresponding to any access point being a sum of distances between the any access point and the Xn access points; a fourth value corresponding to any access point being a sum of signal qualities between the any access point and the Xn access points; wherein n = 1, 2, …, N, and Xn is a number of access points in the nth cluster area.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein: a distance between an access point in the nth cluster area and a center point of the nth cluster area is less than a distance between the access point and a center point of a jth cluster area; or a signal quality between the access point in the nth cluster area and the center point of the nth cluster area is greater than a signal quality between the access point and the center point of the jth cluster area; n = 1, 2, …, N, and j = 1, 2, …, N, n not equal to j.

20. The method of any one of claims 1-19, wherein: the N access points further comprise one or more third access points; wherein a signal quality between the third access point and an access point other than the third access point among the M access points is less than or equal to a third preset threshold.

21. The method of any one of claims 1-20, wherein: a ratio of a number of seventh access points among the M access points to M is less than or equal to a sixth preset threshold; a ratio of a third value corresponding to the seventh access point to (M-1) is less than a seventh preset threshold; the third value is a number of access points among the M access points having a signal quality less than or equal to an eighth preset threshold with the seventh access point.

22. The method of any one of claims 1-21, wherein: a transmission power of an nth access point among the N access points is greater than or equal to a first preset power threshold; or the transmission power of the nth access point among the N access points is a maximum value of transmission powers supported by the nth access point; or the transmission power of the nth access point among the N access points is determined according to one or more of: a distance between the nth access point and M-N access points, a signal quality between the nth access point and the M-N access points; wherein n = 1, 2, …, N.

23. The method of any one of claims 1-22, wherein: a transmission power of an nth access point among the N access points is determined according to one or more of: a first power, or a second power; the first power is determined according to a minimum value of signal quality between the nth access point and access points in a first region associated with the nth access point and a second preset power threshold; and the second power is determined according to a minimum value of signal quality between the nth access point and access points in a second region associated with the nth access point and a third preset power threshold; the access points in the first region associated with the nth access point are included in the M-N access points, any access point in the first region associated with the nth access point is less than a second distance from the nth access point, and signal quality between any access point in the first region and the nth access point is greater than a second signal quality; the access points in the second region associated with the nth access point are included in the M-N access points except for the first region, any access point in the second region associated with the nth access point is less than a second distance from the nth access point, or signal quality between any access point in the second region and the nth access point is greater than a second signal quality; the second distance is a distance between any access point in the first region and a jth access point in the N access points, and the second signal quality is a difference value of signal quality between any access point in the first region and the jth access point; j = 1, 2, …, N, and j ≠ n.

24. The method of any one of claims 1-23, wherein: a distance between the nth access point in the N access points and a backup access point associated with the nth access point is less than a distance between the nth access point and any access point in the M-N access points except for the backup access point associated with the nth access point; or signal quality between the nth access point in the N access points and the backup access point associated with the nth access point is greater than or equal to signal quality between the nth access point and any access point in the M-N access points except for the backup access point associated with the nth access point; or a distance between the nth access point in the N access points and the backup access point associated with the nth access point is less than or equal to a distance between the nth access point and any access point in the M-N access points except for the backup access point associated with the nth access point, and signal quality between the nth access point in the N access points and the backup access point associated with the nth access point is greater than or equal to signal quality between the nth access point and any access point in the M-N access points except for the backup access point associated with the nth access point; wherein n = 1, 2, …, N.

25. The method of any one of claims 1-24, wherein: a coverage range of the N access points is greater than or equal to a coverage range of the M access points, and signal quality between the nth access point and any access point located in the coverage range of the nth access point is greater than or equal to a ninth preset threshold, wherein n = 1, 2, …, N.

26. The method of any one of claims 1-25, wherein, the method further comprises: The fourth information is sent to the N access points, and the fourth information is used to indicate that a beacon frame sent by an access point receiving the fourth information carries identification information, so as to adjust the transmission power of the access point corresponding to the identification information.

27. The method of any one of claims 1-26, wherein, The method further comprises: The fifth information is sent, and the fifth information is used to instruct a station to perform a patrol to determine the signal quality between the station and one or more access points in the N access points.

28. The method of any one of claims 1-27, wherein, The method further comprises: The sixth information of the station is acquired, and the sixth information is used to indicate a performance index corresponding to a preset patrol route; the preset patrol route passes through the coverage range of one or more access points in the N access points; According to the sixth information, the transmission power of the N access points is adjusted; or According to the sixth information, the N access points are re-determined.

29. The method of claim 28, wherein: The performance index corresponding to the preset patrol route comprises one or more of the following: a packet loss rate, time information associated with the preset patrol route, an uplink received signal strength indication, or a downlink received signal strength indication.

30. A communications device, characterized by The communication device comprises a processor; the processor is used to run a computer program or instruction, so that the communication method as claimed in any one of claims 1-29 is executed.

31. A computer readable storage medium, characterized in that, The computer readable storage medium stores computer instructions or programs, when the computer instructions or programs are run on a computer, so that the communication method as claimed in any one of claims 1-29 is executed.

32. A computer program product, characterised in that, The computer program product comprises computer instructions; when part or all of the computer instructions are run, so that the communication method as claimed in any one of claims 1-29 is executed.

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