Communication method and communication apparatus

Abstract

A communication method and a communication apparatus, which are applied to WLAN systems that support IEEE 802.11ax next-generation Wi-Fi protocols, such as 802.11be, Wi-Fi 7 or EHT, or 802.11 series protocols, such as 802.11be next-generation and Wi-Fi 8, and can also be applied to UWB-based wireless personal area network systems and sensing systems. The method comprises: a second device indicating a first time period during which the second device will occupy a first channel, and a first device indicating a second time period during which the first device will switch to a second channel. In this way, during the second time period, the first device and a third device can choose, on the basis of the situation, to communicate with the first device on either the first channel or the second channel. In this manner, transmission requirements of the first device and the third device can be met, thereby preventing the first device and the third device from needing to wait until the second device has finished occupying the first channel before transmission can be performed, and helping to reduce communication latency.

Description

Method and communication device

[0001] The present application claims priority to the Chinese patent application No. 202411092655.6, filed on August 7, 2024, and entitled "Method and communication device", the content of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] The present application relates to the field of communication, and more particularly, to a method and communication device. BACKGROUND

[0003] In the 802.11 protocol, each access point (AP) can independently contend for the channel. Specifically, the AP can perform backoff and pre-empt the channel through the enhanced distributed channel access (EDCA) mechanism, and send data after successfully pre-empting the channel. When one AP pre-empts the channel, other APs can determine the busy / idle state of the channel according to the channel listening, complete backoff when the channel is idle, and access the channel.

[0004] However, this approach can result in a large transmission delay. SUMMARY

[0005] The present application provides a method and communication device for communication, which can reduce the transmission delay and improve the communication efficiency.

[0006] In a first aspect, a method for communication is provided, which can be executed by a first device or a component (such as a chip or a circuit or a chip system, etc.) of the first device.

[0007] The method comprises: receiving first information from a second device on a first channel, the first information being used to indicate a first time period, the first time period being a time period during which the second device occupies the first channel; and sending second information on the first channel, the second information being used to indicate a second time period, the second time period being a time period during which the first device works on a second channel, the second time period overlapping with the first time period, and the first device supporting switching between the second channel and the first channel.

[0008] Based on the above scheme, the second device can indicate the first time period in which the first device will occupy the first channel, the first device can indicate the second time period in which the first device will work in the second channel, so that the first device and the third device can select the first channel or the second channel to communicate with the first device according to the situation in the second time period. In this way, the transmission requirements of the first device and the third device can be met, and the first device and the third device do not need to wait for the occupation of the first channel by the second device to end before transmitting, which helps to reduce the communication delay.

[0009] On the other hand, in the case that the second device occupies the first channel, the first device and the third device can communicate through the second channel, so as to improve the transmission efficiency.

[0010] For example, the first information includes at least one of the following: a start time of the first time period, a duration of the first time period, a period of the first time period, a bandwidth occupied by the second device in the first time period, an identifier of a device communicated by the second device in the first time period, and whether the second device supports spatial reuse in the first time period.

[0011] For example, the first time period is a service period (SP) or a transmission opportunity (TXOP).

[0012] For example, the second information includes at least one of the following: a start time of the second time period, a duration of the second time period, a period of the second time period, a frequency of the second channel, a bandwidth of the second channel, an identifier of a device communicated by the first device in the second time period, and whether the first device supports spatial reuse in the second time period.

[0013] In combination with the first aspect, in some implementations, the bandwidth of the first channel is greater than the bandwidth of the second channel.

[0014] In combination with the first aspect, in some implementations, the start time of the second time period is the same as the start time of the first time period, and the end time of the second time period is later than the end time of the first time period.

[0015] In this way, the first device can occupy a larger bandwidth for as long as possible, improving channel utilization.

[0016] In combination with the first aspect, in some implementations, the method further includes: determining that the first channel is not occupied in the first time period; and communicating with the third device on the first channel in the first time period.

[0017] Based on the above scheme, the first device can determine the subsequent working channel according to the actual occupation of the first channel in the first time period. In the case that the first channel is not occupied, the first device can communicate with the third device on the first channel, which helps to improve the resource utilization.

[0018] As an implementation form, the determining that the first channel is unoccupied in the first time period comprises: in the first time period, determining that a length of time that the first channel is in an idle state is greater than or equal to a first time threshold.

[0019] With reference to the first aspect, in some implementations, the method further comprises: transmitting third information on the first channel in a third time period, the third information being used to indicate that the first device is currently working on the first channel, and the first time period comprises the third time period.

[0020] Based on the above scheme, in the case that the first device still works on the first channel, the first device can indicate to the third device through the third information, so that the first device and the third device can continue to communicate on the first channel, avoid the communication delay caused by channel switching of the first device and the third device, and improve the communication efficiency.

[0021] Exemplarily, the second information further comprises at least one of first indication information and second indication information, the first indication information being used to indicate whether the first device enables the determination of whether the first channel is occupied, and the second indication information being used to indicate the third time period.

[0022] With reference to the first aspect, in some implementations, the method further comprises: communicating with the third device on the second channel in a second time period; and transmitting fourth information on the second channel in a fourth time period, the fourth information being used to indicate that the first device is currently working on the second channel, and the second time period comprises the fourth time period.

[0023] Based on the above scheme, in the case that the first device works on the second channel, the first device can indicate to the third device through the fourth information, so that the first device and the third device can communicate on the second channel. In this way, not only can the transmission requirements of the first device and the third device be met, the communication delay be reduced, but also the conflict with the first device working on the first channel can be avoided, and the communication performance can be improved.

[0024] Exemplarily, the second information further comprises third indication information, the third indication information being used to indicate the fourth time period.

[0025] With reference to the first aspect, in some implementations, the first channel is a primary channel, and the second channel is a non-primary channel.

[0026] Based on the above scheme, the present application can be coupled with a non-primary channel access mechanism, and has a wide application scenario.

[0027] The second aspect provides a communication method, which can be executed by the third device or a component (for example, a chip or a circuit or a chip system) of the third device.

[0028] The method comprises: receiving second information from the first device on the first channel, the second information being used to indicate a second time period, the second time period being a time period during which the first device works on the second channel, and the third device supporting switching between the first channel and the second channel; and communicating with the first device on the first channel or the second channel during the second time period.

[0029] Based on the above scheme, the first device can indicate the second time period during which it will work on the second channel, so that the first device and the third device can select the first channel or the second channel to communicate with the first device according to the situation during the second time period. In this way, the transmission requirements of the first device and the third device can be met, and the first device and the third device do not need to wait for the occupation of the first channel by the second device to end before transmitting, which helps to reduce the communication delay.

[0030] Exemplarily, the second information comprises at least one of: a start time of the second time period, a time length of the second time period, a period of the second time period, a frequency of the second channel, a bandwidth of the second channel, an identifier of a device with which the first device communicates during the second time period, and whether the first device supports spatial reuse during the second time period.

[0031] In combination with the second aspect, in some implementations, the method further comprises: detecting third information on the first channel during a third time period, the third information being used to indicate that the first device currently works on the first channel, and the second time period comprising the third time period; and communicating with the first device on the first channel or the second channel during the second time period, comprising: communicating with the first device on the first channel during the second time period if the third information is detected; or switching to the second channel to communicate with the first device during the second time period if the third information is not detected.

[0032] Based on the above scheme, the third device can determine whether it needs to switch to the second channel by detecting the third information on the first channel. If the third information is detected, it indicates that the first device still works on the first channel, and the first device and the third device can continue to communicate on the first channel. If the third information is not detected, it indicates that the first device does not work on the first channel, and the third device then switches to the second channel, which can avoid the communication delay caused by blind channel switching of the first device and the third device, and improve the communication efficiency.

[0033] Exemplarily, the second information further comprises at least one of first indication information and second indication information, the first indication information being used to indicate whether the first device enables determination of whether the first channel is occupied, and the second indication information being used to indicate the third time period.

[0034] In some implementations, the method further includes: detecting, at a fourth time period, fourth information on the second channel, the fourth information being used to indicate that the first device is currently operating on the second channel, the second time period including the fourth time period; and communicating with the first device on the first channel or the second channel at the second time period, including: communicating with the first device on the second channel at the second time period if the fourth information is detected; or switching to the first channel to communicate with the first device at the second time period if the fourth information is not detected.

[0035] Based on the above scheme, the third device can determine whether to switch to the first channel by detecting the third information on the second channel. If the fourth information is detected, it indicates that the first device is operating on the second channel, and the first device and the third device can communicate on the second channel. If the fourth information is not detected, it indicates that the first device is not operating on the second channel, and the third device can switch to the first channel at this time. In this way, not only can the transmission requirements of the first device and the third device be met, but also the communication delay can be reduced, and the communication performance can be improved.

[0036] Exemplarily, the second information further includes third indication information, the third indication information being used to indicate the fourth time period.

[0037] In some implementations, the first channel is a primary channel, and the second channel is a non-primary channel.

[0038] In a third aspect, a method of communication is provided. The method can be performed by a second device or by a component of the second device (e.g., a chip or circuit or chip system, etc.).

[0039] The method includes: transmitting first information on a first channel, the first information being used to indicate a first time period, the first time period being a time period during which the second device occupies the first channel.

[0040] Based on the above scheme, the second device can indicate the first time period during which it will occupy the first channel, so that the first device can determine whether to perform channel switching. In this way, the communication decision of the first device can be assisted, and thus the communication delay can be reduced and the transmission efficiency can be improved.

[0041] Exemplarily, the first information includes at least one of: a start time of the first time period, a duration of the first time period, a period of the first time period, a bandwidth of the first channel occupied by the second device during the first time period, an identifier of a device with which the second device communicates during the first time period, and whether the second device supports spatial reuse during the first time period.

[0042] Exemplarily, the first time period is a SP or a TXOP.

[0043] In a fourth aspect, a communication apparatus is provided, which can be a first device or a component (e.g., a chip or a circuit or a chip system, etc.) of the first device.

[0044] The apparatus comprises a transceiver configured to receive, from a second device, first information on a first channel, the first information being indicative of a first time period during which the second device occupies the first channel; and transmit, to the second device, second information on the first channel, the second information being indicative of a second time period during which the first device operates on a second channel, the second time period overlapping the first time period, and the first device supporting switching between the second channel and the first channel.

[0045] For example, the first information comprises at least one of a start time of the first time period, a duration of the first time period, a periodicity of the first time period, a bandwidth of the first channel occupied by the second device during the first time period, an identity of a device with which the second device communicates during the first time period, and whether the second device supports spatial reuse during the first time period.

[0046] For example, the first time period is a service period (SP) or a transmission opportunity (TXOP).

[0047] For example, the second information comprises at least one of a start time of the second time period, a duration of the second time period, a periodicity of the second time period, a frequency of the second channel, a bandwidth of the second channel, an identity of a device with which the first device communicates during the second time period, and whether the first device supports spatial reuse during the second time period.

[0048] In some embodiments in combination with the fourth aspect, the apparatus further comprises a processing unit configured to determine that the first channel is unoccupied during the first time period; and communicate, with a third device, on the first channel during the first time period.

[0049] In one implementation, the processing unit is specifically configured to determine, during the first time period, that the first channel is idle for a duration greater than or equal to a first time threshold.

[0050] In some embodiments in combination with the fourth aspect, the transceiver is further configured to transmit, to the second device, third information on the first channel during a third time period, the third information being indicative of that the first device is currently operating on the first channel, and the first time period comprises the third time period.

[0051] For example, the second information further comprises at least one of first indication information and second indication information, the first indication information being indicative of whether the first device enables determination of whether the first channel is occupied, and the second indication information being indicative of the third time period.

[0052] In some implementations, the transceiving unit is further configured to communicate with the third device on the second channel during a second time period; and the transceiving unit is further configured to transmit fourth information on the second channel during a fourth time period, the fourth information being indicative of the first device currently operating on the second channel, the second time period including the fourth time period.

[0053] In some implementations, the second information further includes third indication information, the third indication information being indicative of the fourth time period.

[0054] In some implementations, the first channel is a primary channel, and the second channel is a non-primary channel.

[0055] A fifth aspect provides a communication apparatus, which can be the third device or a component (e.g., a chip or a circuit or a chip system, etc.) of the third device.

[0056] The apparatus includes a transceiving unit configured to receive second information from the first device on a first channel, the second information being indicative of a second time period during which the first device operates on a second channel, and the third device supports switching between the first channel and the second channel; and a processing unit configured to communicate with the first device on the first channel or the second channel during the second time period.

[0057] In some implementations, the second information includes at least one of a start time of the second time period, a time length of the second time period, a period of the second time period, a frequency of the second channel, a bandwidth of the second channel, an identity of a device with which the first device communicates during the second time period, and whether the first device supports spatial reuse during the second time period.

[0058] In some implementations, the processing unit is further configured to detect third information on the first channel during a third time period, the third information being indicative of the first device currently operating on the first channel, and the second time period including the third time period; and the processing unit is specifically configured to communicate with the first device on the first channel during the second time period if the third information is detected, or to switch to the second channel to communicate with the first device during the second time period if the third information is not detected.

[0059] In some implementations, the second information further includes at least one of first indication information and second indication information, the first indication information being indicative of whether the first device enables determination of whether the first channel is occupied, and the second indication information being indicative of the third time period.

[0060] In some implementations, the processing unit is further configured to: detect, at a fourth time period, fourth information on the second channel, the fourth information being used to indicate that the first device is currently operating on the second channel, and the second time period comprises the fourth time period; and in response to detecting the fourth information, communicate with the first device on the second channel during the second time period; or in response to not detecting the fourth information, switch to the first channel to communicate with the first device during the second time period.

[0061] In some implementations, the second information further comprises third indication information, the third indication information being used to indicate the fourth time period.

[0062] In some implementations, the first channel is a primary channel, and the second channel is a non-primary channel.

[0063] In a sixth aspect, a communication apparatus is provided. The apparatus can be a second device or a component (e.g., a chip or a circuit or a chip system) of the second device.

[0064] The apparatus comprises a transceiver configured to transmit first information on a first channel, the first information being used to indicate a first time period, the first time period being a time period during which the second device occupies the first channel.

[0065] In some implementations, the first information comprises at least one of: a start time of the first time period, a time length of the first time period, a period of the first time period, a bandwidth of the first channel occupied by the second device during the first time period, an identifier of a device with which the second device communicates during the first time period, and whether the second device supports spatial reuse during the first time period.

[0066] In some implementations, the first time period is a SP or a TXOP.

[0067] In a seventh aspect, a communication apparatus is provided. The apparatus comprises a memory configured to store a computer program or instructions, and at least one processor configured to execute the computer program or instructions stored in the memory to perform the method of any of the preceding aspects or implementations thereof.

[0068] In one implementation, the apparatus is a first device, a second device, or a third device.

[0069] In another implementation, the apparatus is a chip, a chip system, or a circuit for the first device, the second device, or the third device.

[0070] In an eighth aspect, a communication apparatus is provided. The apparatus comprises at least one processor and a communication interface, the at least one processor being configured to obtain, via the communication interface, a computer program or instructions stored in a memory to perform the method of any of the preceding aspects or implementations thereof. The communication interface can be implemented by hardware or software.

[0071] In an implementation form, the apparatus further comprises a memory.

[0072] In a ninth aspect, a processor is provided for executing the method provided in any of the aspects above.

[0073] For the sending and obtaining / receiving operations involved by the processor, if no special description is made, or if it does not contradict with the actual role or inherent logic in the related description, it can be understood as the processor outputting and receiving, inputting, and the like, or can be understood as the sending and receiving operations performed by the radio frequency circuit and the antenna, which are not limited in the present application.

[0074] In a tenth aspect, a computer readable storage medium is provided, which stores program codes for execution by an apparatus, and the program codes comprise codes for executing the method provided in any of the aspects above or the implementation forms thereof.

[0075] In an eleventh aspect, a computer program product containing instructions is provided, which, when executed on a computer, causes the computer to execute the method provided in any of the aspects above or the implementation forms thereof.

[0076] In a twelfth aspect, a chip is provided, which comprises a processor and a communication interface, and the processor reads instructions stored on a memory through the communication interface and executes the method provided in any of the aspects above or the implementation forms thereof. The communication interface can be implemented by hardware or software.

[0077] Optionally, as an implementation form, the chip further comprises a memory, and the memory stores computer programs or instructions, and the processor is configured to execute the computer programs or instructions stored on the memory, and when the computer programs or instructions are executed, the processor is configured to execute the method provided in any of the aspects above or the implementation forms thereof.

[0078] When the method provided in the present application is executed by the chip, the present application does not limit the number of chips for implementing the method of the present application, for example, it can be executed by one chip, or two or more chips. Moreover, when the number of chips for implementing the method of the present application is two or more, the chip manufacturers are not limited, which can be the same manufacturer or different manufacturers.

[0079] In a thirteenth aspect, a computer program is provided, which, when executed on a computer, causes the method provided in any of the aspects above or the implementation forms thereof to be executed.

[0080] In a fourteenth aspect, a communication system is provided, which comprises at least two of the first apparatus, the second apparatus and the third apparatus described above.

[0081] It should be understood that the beneficial effects of the fourth aspect to the fourteenth aspect and any implementation thereof can refer to the first aspect to the third aspect and any implementation thereof. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0082] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a network architecture suitable for embodiments of the present application.

[0083] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of another application scenario suitable for embodiments of the present application.

[0084] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of an EDCA-based transmission process.

[0085] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of a multi-link transmission scenario.

[0086] FIG. 5 is a schematic flowchart of a method 500 of communication provided by the present application.

[0087] FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of the relationship between the first channel and the second channel of the present application.

[0088] FIGS. 7 to 9 are schematic flowcharts of methods 700, 800 and 900 of communication provided by the present application, respectively.

[0089] FIGS. 10 and 11 are schematic diagrams of the structure of a communication apparatus provided by embodiments of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0090] The technical solutions in the present application will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0091] The embodiments of the present application can be applied to a wireless local area network (WLAN), for example, a network supporting Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11 related standards, such as 802.11a / b / g standards, 802.11n standard, 802.11ac standard, 802.11ax standard (i.e., Wi-Fi 6, also known as high efficient (HE) standard), 802.11be standard (i.e., Wi-Fi 7, also known as extremely high throughput (EHT) standard), 802.11bn standard (i.e., Wi-Fi 8, also known as ultra high reliability (UHR) standard), or Wi-Fi 8 next generation standard, etc., including 802.11ad, 802.11ay standards, etc. The embodiments of the present application can also be applied to a wireless local area network system supporting integrated millimeter wave (IMMW), and can also be applied to a wireless local area network system supporting ultra wide band (UWB), such as 802.15 series standards, and can also be applied to a sensing system, such as 802.11bf series standards, or can be applied to wireless positioning, such as 802.11az, and the present application can also support spark link, near link, etc. standard protocols.

[0092] Although the embodiments of the present application are mainly described by taking deployment of a WLAN network, especially a network applying IEEE 802.11 system standards, as an example, it is easy for those skilled in the art to understand that various aspects involved in the embodiments of the present application can be extended to other networks using various standards or protocols, for example, high performance radio local area network (HIPERLAN), wireless wide area network (WWAN), wireless personal area network (WPAN) or other now known or later developed networks. Therefore, regardless of the coverage range and wireless access protocol used, various aspects provided by the embodiments of the present application can be applied to any suitable wireless network.

[0093] The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application can also be applied to various communication systems, for example: a WLAN communication system, a wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi) system, a 5th generation (5G) system or new radio (NR), an internet of things (IoT) network, or a vehicle to x (V2X) network, and the like.

[0094] The above communication system to which the present application is applied is only illustrative, and the communication system to which the present application is applied is not limited thereto. Herein, the following will not be repeated.

[0095] Specifically, the WLAN can include a plurality of basic service sets (BSSs), each BSS corresponding to a BSS color, and the BSS color being used to uniquely identify one BSS. The network nodes in the BSS are collectively referred to as stations (STAs). Among them, the station can be an access point (AP) type station, or a non-access point type station (non-AP STA), which are respectively referred to as AP and non-AP station. Each BSS can include one AP and a plurality of non-AP stations associated with the AP. The present application does not specifically indicate that the STA can be an AP or a non-AP STA.

[0096] The AP in the present application can also be referred to as a wireless access access point or a hotspot, etc. The AP is an access point for mobile users to enter a wired network, and is mainly deployed in homes, building interiors and campus interiors, with a typical coverage radius of tens of meters to hundreds of meters. Of course, it can also be deployed outdoors. The AP is equivalent to a bridge connecting wired and wireless networks, and its main role is to connect various wireless network clients together and then access the wireless network to the Ethernet. Specifically, the AP can be a device supporting the 802.11 series standard, for example, the AP can be a device supporting one or more WLAN standards such as 802.11ac, 802.11ax, 802.11be, 802.11bn or subsequent versions.

[0097] The non-AP station in the present application can be a wireless communication chip, a wireless sensor or a wireless communication terminal. For example, a mobile phone supporting WiFi communication function, a tablet computer supporting WiFi communication function, a set-top box supporting WiFi communication function, a smart TV supporting WiFi communication function, a smart wearable device supporting WiFi communication function, a vehicle-mounted communication device supporting WiFi communication function and a computer supporting WiFi communication function. Among them, the non-AP station can be a device supporting 802.11 series standards, for example, the non-AP station is a device supporting one or more WLAN standards such as 802.11ac, 802.11ax, 802.11be, 802.11bn or subsequent versions.

[0098] In the present application, the non-AP station or the AP includes a hardware layer, an operating system layer running on the hardware layer, and an application layer running on the operating system layer. The hardware layer includes hardware such as a central processing unit (CPU), a memory management unit (MMU) and a memory (also known as main memory). The operating system can be any one or more computer operating systems that implement business processing through processes, such as Linux operating system, Unix operating system, Android operating system, iOS operating system or windows operating system, etc. The application layer includes browsers, address books, word processing software, instant messaging software, etc. Moreover, the present application embodiment does not particularly limit the specific structure of the execution subject of the method provided by the present application embodiment, as long as it can communicate according to the method provided by the present application embodiment by running the program whose code records the method provided by the present application embodiment, for example, the execution subject of the method provided by the present application embodiment can be a non-AP station or an AP, or a functional module in the non-AP station or the AP that can call and execute the program.

[0099] In addition, various aspects or features of the disclosure can be realized using one or more computer program products. A computer program product can include a computer readable medium having computer program code stored therein. The computer program code can include one or more computer program components that, when executed by one or more processors, implement various aspects or features of the disclosure. The computer program code can be executed by one or more processors of a graphics processing unit (GPU), a central processing unit (CPU), a digital signal processor (DSP), a micro processing unit (MPU), or any other device suitable for implementing the various aspects or features of the disclosure. In addition, various aspects or features of the disclosure can be realized using one or more apparatuses that are configured or arranged in any suitable manner, such as by way of standard engineering or programming techniques. The term "apparatus" as used herein can include, among other things, a computer, a programmable logic array, an application-specific integrated circuit, or any other device suitable for implementing various aspects or features of the disclosure. In addition, various aspects or features of the disclosure can be realized using one or more articles of manufacture that are formed of a computer readable medium having computer program code stored therein. The computer readable medium can include, among other things, a floppy disk, a flexible disk, a hard disk, a magnetic tape, a cassette tape, an optical disk, a CD-ROM, a CD-RW, a DVD, a Blu-ray® disk, a memory stick, a memory card, a ROM, a PROM, an EPROM, an EEPROM, a flash memory, or any other device suitable for retrieving from a computer readable medium that computer program code that, when executed by one or more processors, implements various aspects or features of the disclosure. In addition, various aspects or features of the disclosure can be realized using one or more computer program components that are stored on one or more computer readable media. The one or more computer program components can include, among other things, computer program code that, when executed by one or more processors, implements various aspects or features of the disclosure. The one or more computer program components can be embodied in whole or in part by one or more computer readable media.

[0100] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an application scenario suitable for embodiments of the disclosure.

[0101] As shown in FIG. 1, one BSS can include one AP and one or more non-AP stations associated with the AP, for example, BSS#1 includes AP#1 and non-AP station 11, non-AP station 12 and non-AP station 13, and BSS#2 includes AP#2, non-AP station 21, non-AP station 22 and non-AP station 23. Wherein, the AP in one BSS and the one or more non-AP stations associated with the AP can communicate, the APs in different BSSs can also communicate, and the non-AP stations can communicate through the AP. In addition, in FIG. 1, BSS#1 and BSS#2 partially overlap, that is, the two BSSs are overlapped basic service sets (OBSSs), and non-AP station 11, non-AP station 12 and non-AP station 23 are the partially overlapped parts of the two BSSs.

[0102] In this application, OBSS refers to BSSs with overlapping coverage and using overlapping channels. Specifically, to reduce signal coverage dead angle, when deploying APs, the coverage of the APs can be overlapped. However, the spectrum is limited, and the same channel can be repeatedly used by multiple BSSs. Thus, there can be a situation that BSSs with overlapping coverage use overlapping channels. Therefore, OBSSs can communicate with each other, but also interfere with each other. An OBSS station refers to a station in a BSS that is an OBSS of the BSS to which the station belongs. For example, in FIG. 1, BSS #1 and BSS #2 are OBSSs of each other. Therefore, for any one of AP #1, non-AP station 11, non-AP station 12, and non-AP station 13, any one of AP #2, non-AP station 21, non-AP station 22, and non-AP station 23 is an OBSS station. For any one of AP #2, non-AP station 21, non-AP station 22, and non-AP station 23, any one of AP #1, non-AP station 11, non-AP station 12, and non-AP station 13 is an OBSS station.

[0103] It should be understood that FIG. 1 is only exemplary and should not limit the network architecture of the wireless local area network to which the embodiments of the present application are applicable. For example, the network architecture can further include more or fewer BSSs, each BSS can further include more or fewer non-AP stations, or part of the BSSs can not include APs. The area in which multiple BSSs overlap each other can further include more or fewer non-AP stations, and the like, which are not limited by the embodiments of the present application.

[0104] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of another application scenario applicable to the embodiments of the present application. The scenario shown in FIG. 2 is a fiber to the room (FTTR) network architecture.

[0105] Optical fiber networks play an increasingly important role in supporting broadband access to homes, offices, commercial buildings, factories and smart cities. With the development of home networks, the broadband data rate and quality of service (QoS) need to be continuously improved. For example, media services need to provide customers with 4K / 8K video, augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) and other ultra-high-definition videos, which occupy up to Gb / s of network capacity. Various new service requirements, including online education, telemedicine and video conferencing, also require network quality in terms of low latency and packet loss rate. As shown in FIG. 2, FTTR uses edge optical network equipment (Edge ONT) to lay optical fibers down to each room. Specifically, an FTTR optical gateway is arranged in the home, which is used as the core to link the operator network upwards and link multiple Edge ONTs (such as the ONT of the master bedroom, the ONT of the living room, the ONT of the secondary bedroom, the ONT of the study room, etc. as shown in FIG. 2) downwards, which can achieve a network fully covered networking technology, realizing gigabit bandwidth to each room, so that each smart home (such as the wearable device, computer, temperature and humidity sensor, mobile phone, sweeping robot, camera, smart air conditioner, etc. in FIG. 2) can access the network through Wi-Fi, easily meeting the network needs of people in daily life and office.

[0106] In the 802.11 protocol, each AP can independently compete for the channel, and the AP can perform backoff and channel preemption through the enhanced EDCA mechanism, and send data after successfully preoccupying the channel. When an AP preoccupies the channel, other APs can determine the busy / idle state of the channel according to the channel listening condition, complete backoff when the channel is idle, and access the channel. EDCA is a set of channel competition mechanisms defined by Wi-Fi multimedia (WMM), which mainly uses the backoff waiting method to make high-priority messages have the right to send first and more bandwidth.

[0107] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of an EDCA-based transmission process. As shown in FIG. 3, at time 1, AP2 generates a burst channel occupation, AP2 transmits a physical layer protocol data unit (PPDU) 1, and the PPDU 1 carries data 1 to be transmitted by AP2. At this time, AP1 channel sensing shows that the channel is busy, AP1 performs EDCA backoff, until time 2 when the channel becomes idle, AP1 initiates transmission, so that PPDU 2 of AP1 can be successfully transmitted, and the PPDU 2 carries data 2 to be transmitted by AP1. At time 3, AP1 receives acknowledgement (ACK) 1 of the PPDU 2, indicating that the transmission of data 2 is successful. Wherein, AP is willing to base on physical carrier sensing channel or virtual carrier sensing channel.

[0108] In the above process, in the case that AP1 detects that the channel is busy, AP1 needs to wait until the channel becomes idle, and then AP1 can access the channel to transmit the PPDU 2, which causes a large transmission delay.

[0109] With the continuous development of technology, WLAN has an increasingly strong demand for low latency and high throughput. Low latency and high throughput transmission helps to improve transmission rate and transmission reliability, and improve user experience.

[0110] To meet the above demand, a station can use a physical multi-link manner. Specifically, in the case that there are multiple channels, when a link corresponding to a channel is busy, the station can communicate through a link corresponding to another channel. The so-called physical multi-link means that the station has multiple transceivers, each transceiver corresponds to a different link, and each link has a fixed operating channel or operating frequency. The physical link can be understood as a real physical connection of the station. The following will be described in conjunction with FIG. 4.

[0111] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of a multi-link transmission scenario. The scenario shown in FIG. 4 can also be referred to as a physical multi-link scenario. As shown in FIG. 4, AP1 is a physical multi-link device, which has a transceiver 1 and a transceiver 2, the transceiver 1 works on channel 1, and the transceiver 2 works on channel 2, that is, the transceiver 1 and the transceiver 2 of AP1 correspond to a physical link of AP1 respectively. AP2 is a physical single-link device, which has a transceiver 1, and the transceiver 1 works on channel 1, that is, the transceiver 1 of AP2 corresponds to a physical link of AP2.

[0112] At time 1, AP2 generates a burst channel occupancy, AP2 transmits PPDU 1 on channel 1. At this time, AP1 listens to channel 1, shows that the channel is busy, AP1 initiates transmission on channel 2 by using transceiver 2, so that PPDU 2 of AP1 can be transmitted smoothly. At time 4, AP1 receives the positive acknowledgement of PPDU 2, indicating that data 2 transmission is successful.

[0113] In the above process, AP1 needs to have 2 sets of transceivers physically, respectively working on channel 1 and channel 2, so as to support multi-link, therefore, this way has higher hardware requirements for the station, and is complex and high in cost to implement.

[0114] Therefore, the present application provides a communication method and a communication device, which can reduce transmission delay and improve communication efficiency at low cost.

[0115] It should be understood that the embodiments shown below take the first device, the second device and the third device as the execution subject of the interaction to illustrate the method, but the present application does not limit the execution subject, as long as the execution subject can communicate according to the method provided by the embodiments of the present application by running the code of the method provided by the embodiments of the present application. The execution subject of the method provided by the embodiments of the present application can be the first device, the second device or the third device, or a functional module capable of calling and executing the program in the first device, the second device or the third device. For example, the first device in FIG. 5 can also be a chip, a chip system or a processor supporting the method that the first device can implement, and can also be a logic module or software capable of implementing all or part of the functions of the first device; the second device in FIG. 5 can also be a chip, a chip system or a processor supporting the method that the terminal device can implement, and can also be a logic module or software capable of implementing all or part of the functions of the second device; and the third device in FIG. 5 can also be a chip, a chip system or a processor supporting the method that the terminal device can implement, and can also be a logic module or software capable of implementing all or part of the functions of the third device.

[0116] FIG. 5 is a schematic flowchart of a communication method 500 provided by the present application. As shown in FIG. 5, the method 500 includes the following steps.

[0117] S510, the second device sends first information, and correspondingly, the first device receives the first information.

[0118] In the present application, the second device can be an AP. The first device can be an AP or a non-AP STA.

[0119] In an implementation manner, the first device and the second device work on the first channel when performing S510, that is, the second device sends the first information on the first channel, and correspondingly, the first device receives the first information on the first channel.

[0120] For example, the first channel includes a primary channel, for example, the first channel includes a primary 20MHz channel.

[0121] For example, the operating frequency band of the first channel can be a 2.4GHz frequency band, a 5GHz frequency band, a 6GHz frequency band, or a 60GHz frequency band, etc.

[0122] In another implementation, the first device and the second device both operate on the second channel when performing S510, that is, the second device transmits the first information on the second channel, and correspondingly, the first device receives the first information on the second channel. Details of the second channel will be described in S520 below.

[0123] It should be understood that the above implementation is only an example, and the present application does not limit the manner in which the first device and the second device interact the first information. For example, the second device can also send the first information to the first device through a wired channel. Hereinafter, for the convenience of description, the first device and the second device are taken as an example to perform S510 on the first channel.

[0124] The first information is used to indicate the first time period, and the first time period is a time period in which the second device occupies the first channel. Alternatively, the first information is used to indicate a time period in which the second device will occupy the first channel. The first information can be referred to as occupation indication information.

[0125] For example, the first time period is an SP or a TXOP. In other words, the first time period is an SP or a TXOP of the second device.

[0126] The TXOP is used for a station (referring to an AP or a non-AP STA) to efficiently transmit a plurality of PPDUs. Specifically, when the station has a transmission demand, it performs backoff, and after the backoff is completed, a period of time, i.e., a TXOP, is obtained. In this period of time, the time interval between adjacent successfully transmitted PPDUs (referring to PPDUs received by the station and PPDUs sent by the station, or PPDUs sent by the station and PPDUs received by the station) is only a short interframe space (SIFS), without the need for backoff. The station will declare the length of this period of time at the beginning of the TXOP, and other stations will parse the length and avoid competing for the channel in this period of time.

[0127] The SP can also be referred to as a service period or a service cycle. For example, the SP can be a restricted target wake-up time (R-TWT) or a coordinated R-TWT. The R-TWT and the coordinated R-TWT are introduced in a WLAN energy saving mechanism. During the R-TWT or the coordinated R-TWT, a device should keep awake to receive data. Outside the R-TWT or the coordinated R-TWT, the device can enter a low power mode to save power.

[0128] In this application, the first time period is determined by the second device based on prediction of data traffic, and represents a time period during which the second device will occupy the first channel. According to actual data traffic, the second device can or can not occupy the first channel during the first time period.

[0129] For example, the first information can be carried in a frame sent by the second device to the first device, or can be carried in a physical layer (PHY) header or a medium access control (MAC) layer header of any physical layer protocol data unit (PPDU) sent by the second device, or can be carried in a broadcast frame sent by the second device, without limitation.

[0130] It should be understood that, regardless of the destination of a PPDU, a station in the network will analyze the PPDU to a certain extent, for example, analyze the PHY header of the PPDU, or analyze the PHY header and the MAC header of the PPDU, to determine whether the PPDU is a packet addressed to itself. Therefore, when the first information is carried in the PHY header or the MAC header of the PPDU, the first device can obtain the first information by analyzing the PPDU, regardless of whether the destination of the PPDU is the first device.

[0131] For example, the first information includes at least one of the following: a start time of the first time period, a duration of the first time period, a period of the first time period, a bandwidth occupied by the second device in the first time period, an identifier of a device communicated by the second device in the first time period, and whether the second device supports spatial reusing (SR) in the first time period.

[0132] Specifically, the starting moment can be a time point, or an offset time length relative to a reference point, e.g., the reference point is target beacon transmission time (TBTT) and the time length is 5 ms, which means the starting moment of the first time period is 5 ms after TBTT. The starting moment can also be a predefined configuration, in which case the first information can not include the starting moment of the first time period. Alternatively, the reference point is a predefined configuration, in which case the first information can only include the offset time length.

[0133] The time length indicates the length of time occupied by the first time period, e.g., 4 ms.

[0134] The period indicates the time interval between adjacent two first time periods, e.g., the starting moment is time point A and the period is 50 ms, which means the starting moment of the first time period #1 is time point A, the starting moment of the first time period #2 is time point A+50 ms, the starting moment of the first time period #3 is time point A+100 ms, and so on. The period of the first time period is optional content in the first information, e.g., when the first time period has periodicity, the first information can include the period, and when the first time period does not have periodicity, the first information can not include the period.

[0135] The bandwidth occupied by the second device in the first time period in the first channel indicates how much bandwidth the second device will occupy in the first time period, which can be the same as the bandwidth of the first channel, or less than the bandwidth of the first channel. That is, the second device can occupy part or all of the bandwidth of the first channel in the first time period. For example, the bandwidth of the first channel is 80 MHz, and the second device will occupy 40 MHz of the 80 MHz in the first time period. The bandwidth occupied by the second device in the first time period in the first channel can be optional information in the first information, e.g., the protocol predefines that the second device will occupy all of the first channel in the first time period, or the protocol predefines that the second device will occupy half of the first channel in the first time period, so the first information can not include the bandwidth.

[0136] whether the second device supports spatial reuse in the first time period indicates whether the bandwidth occupied by the second device in the first time period can be used by other devices at the same time. The whether the second device supports spatial reuse can be replaced by whether the second device allows spatial reuse, whether the second device allows spatial multiplexing, etc. In the case that the second device supports spatial reuse in the first time period, the second channel and the first channel occupied by the first device in the second time period can have an overlap, and in the case that the second device does not support spatial reuse in the first time period, the second channel and the first channel occupied by the first device in the second time period can be completely orthogonal, i.e. independent of each other. The whether the second device supports spatial reuse in the first time period is optional information in the first information, for example, the protocol predefines that the second device does not support spatial reuse in the first time period, so that the first information can not include this information.

[0137] It should be understood that spatial reuse is a technology that allows different devices to perform wireless transmission at the same time. It can be achieved by identifying and distinguishing signals from different but possibly overlapping BSSs. For example, in the implementation of spatial reuse, the AP can identify two APs and non-AP STAs that are not far apart but not adjacent, and ensure that they can concurrently transmit data without conflict under the same channel.

[0138] Exemplarily, in the case that the AP supports spatial reuse, the AP can communicate with the adjacent non-AP STA with a smaller transmission power, so as to reduce the interference brought by spatial reuse as much as possible.

[0139] The identity (ID) of the device communicated by the second device in the first time period can also be referred to as the link identity of the first time period, which indicates which device the second device will communicate with in the first time period. For example, the device identity can be the MAC address of the non-AP STA associated with the second device, or can be a broadcast address, indicating that the second device will send a broadcast message in the first time period. The identity of the device communicated by the second device in the first time period is optional information, for example, the second device can not indicate the identity of the device communicated in the first time period, and at this time the first information can not include the device identity.

[0140] Optionally, the first information can further include the transmission power of the second device in the first time period, for example, 18 dBm.

[0141] Optionally, the first information can further include fourth indication information, which is used to indicate whether the first time period is tentative / uncertain, or in other words, to indicate whether the first time period has uncertainty, or in other words, to indicate whether the second device has the possibility of occupying the first channel.

[0142] For example, the first time period is SP1, and the first information can carry the content shown in Table 1 below, indicating that the starting time of SP1 is 5 ms after a predefined reference point, the period is 50 ms, the duration length is 4 ms, the first device communicates with the non-AP STA 2 in this time period, the transmission power is 18 dBm, spatial reuse is not supported, and a total of 80 MHz is occupied.

[0143] Table 1

[0144] S520, the first device sends second information, and correspondingly, the third device receives the second information.

[0145] In this application, the third device can be a non-AP STA, or a non-AP STA. In other words, the communication between the first device and the third device can refer to the communication between the AP and the non-AP STA, or the peer to peer communication between the non-AP STA and the non-AP STA.

[0146] In an implementation manner, the first device and the third device work on the first channel when performing S520, that is, the first device sends the second information on the first channel, and correspondingly, the third device receives the second information on the first channel.

[0147] In another implementation manner, the first device and the third device work on the second channel when performing S520, that is, the first device sends the second information on the second channel, and correspondingly, the third device receives the second information on the first channel. The second channel will be described in detail below.

[0148] It should be understood that the above implementation manners are only examples, and the present application does not limit the manner in which the first device and the third device interact with the second information. For example, the first device can also send the first information to the third device through a wired channel. In the following, for the convenience of description, the first device and the third device work on the second channel when performing S520 are taken as examples for description.

[0149] The second information is used to indicate a second time period, and the second time period is a time period in which the first device works on the second channel. Or in other words, the second information is used to indicate a time period in which the first device is about to switch to the second channel and work on the second channel.

[0150] In this application, the switching can also be referred to as jumping, and therefore, the second information can be referred to as switching indication information, or jumping indication information.

[0151] The second time period and the first time period have an overlap, i.e., there is an intersection between the second time period and the first time period. For example, the start time of the second time period is earlier than the start time of the first time period, and the end time of the second time period is earlier than, equal to, or later than the end time of the first time period. For another example, the start time of the second time period is the same as the start time of the first time period, and the end time of the second time period is earlier than, equal to, or later than the end time of the first time period. For yet another example, the start time of the second time period is later than the start time of the first time period, and the end time of the second time period is earlier than, equal to, or later than the end time of the first time period.

[0152] As a possible implementation, the start time of the second time period is the same as the start time of the first time period, and the end time of the second time period is later than the end time of the first time period, so that the first device can switch to the second channel until the start time of the first time, and switch back to the first channel before the end of the first time period. When the bandwidth of the first channel is greater than the bandwidth of the second channel, this way can make the first device occupy a larger bandwidth for as long as possible.

[0153] For example, the first device learns from the first information that the second device will occupy the first channel in the first time period, and the first device can determine to work in the second channel in the second time period, so as to not only avoid the conflict, but also improve the transmission efficiency.

[0154] As an example, the first channel and the second channel are orthogonal to each other, i.e., the first channel and the second channel are independent of each other and have no overlap, as shown in (a) of FIG. 6. It should be understood that the first channel and the second channel can be adjacent or not adjacent, without limitation.

[0155] As another example, the first channel and the second channel have an overlap, for example, the first information includes the second channel, as shown in (b) of FIG. 6. In an implementation, the second channel is a part of the first channel in the case that the second device supports spatial reuse in the first time period. In this case, the second device and the first device can share the second channel in the form of spatial reuse in time period #A, where time period #A represents the overlap of the first time period and the second time period.

[0156] As a possible implementation, the second channel in the present application refers to a non-primary channel. In other words, the present application can be coupled with a non-primary channel access (NPCA) access mechanism. For example, the second channel refers to a non-primary channel of the NPCA mechanism.

[0157] In the present application, the non-primary channel can also be replaced by a secondary channel, a temporary primary channel, or a slave channel, etc.

[0158] As another possible implementation, the second channel in the present application is a primary channel, for example, the second channel is a primary 20MHz channel or a primary 80MHz channel, etc. In other words, the present application can be applied to the scenario that the device switches between different primary channels.

[0159] It should be understood that the present application does not limit the size of the bandwidth of the first channel and the bandwidth of the second channel, and the bandwidth of the first channel can be greater than, less than or equal to the bandwidth of the second channel.

[0160] In the present application, the first device supports switching between the second channel and the first channel, or in other words, the first channel and the second channel correspond to channels of different frequency bands respectively, and the transceiver of the first device can support switching between channels of different frequency bands, or in other words, the first device is a virtual multi-link device.

[0161] The so-called virtual multi-link can also be called a logical link, which refers to a physical connection that does not actually exist. The virtual link logically simulates the function of the physical link, but does not directly correspond to a specific physical medium (such as a transceiver, an antenna, etc.). For example, the first device has only one set of transceiver, which can switch between the first channel and the second channel, when the transceiver works on the first channel, it corresponds to one virtual link of the first device, and when the transceiver works on the second channel, it corresponds to another virtual link of the first device. Since the first device has only one set of transceiver, it can be understood that it has only one physical link, but the first device can support 2 virtual links, so it is a virtual multi-link device. Virtual multi-link can reduce the complexity of physical devices, improve the flexibility and reliability of devices, and meet various complex transmission scenarios.

[0162] Exemplarily, the first channel can also be replaced by a first link, and the second channel can also be replaced by a second link.

[0163] Exemplarily, in the present application, the mode in which the device works as the first channel can be called a primary mode, and the mode in which the device works as the second channel can be called a secondary mode. The first device supports switching between the second channel and the first channel, which can also be said that the first device supports switching between the primary mode and the secondary mode, or the first device supports switching between the first link and the second link.

[0164] Similar to the first information, the second information can be carried in a frame sent by the first device to the third device, can be carried in a PHY header or a MAC header of any PPDU sent by the third device, or can be carried in a broadcast frame sent by the third device, without limitation.

[0165] Exemplarily, the second information can include at least one of the following: a starting time of the second time period, a time length of the second time period, a period of the second time period, a frequency of the second channel, a bandwidth of the second channel, an identifier of a device communicated by the first device in the second time period, and whether the first device supports spatial reuse in the second time period.

[0166] Specifically, the starting time of the second time period, the time length of the second time period, the period of the second time period, the bandwidth of the second channel, the identifier of the device communicated by the first device in the second time period, and whether the first device supports spatial reuse in the second time period can refer to the meanings of the first information described above, and will not be described here. The frequency of the second channel represents a frequency band or a frequency range corresponding to the second channel, for example, a 2.4 GHz frequency band, a 5 GHz frequency band, a 6 GHz frequency band, or a 60 GHz frequency band.

[0167] Optionally, the second information can further include a transmission power of the first device in the second time period, for example, 18 dBm.

[0168] Optionally, the second information can further include a time interval for switching between the first channel and the second channel by the first device, for example, 40 us. The sum of the time interval for switching between the first channel and the second channel by the first device and the time length of the second time period can be understood as a time length during which the first channel is unavailable, that is, a time period during which the first device works on the second channel can be understood as a part of the time period during which the first channel is unavailable for the first device.

[0169] It should be understood that the number of second channels included in the second information can be one or multiple, without limitation.

[0170] For example, the second information can carry the content shown in Table 2 below, indicating that the first device switches at a starting time of 5 ms after a predefined reference point, with a period of 50 ms and a duration of 4 ms, communicates with the non-AP STA 1 in the time period, has a transmission power of 18 dBm, does not support spatial reuse, and occupies a total of 40 MHz.

[0171] Table 2

[0172] S530, the third device communicates with the first device on the first channel or the second channel in the second time period.

[0173] The third device supports switching between the second channel and the first channel, or the first channel and the second channel correspond to channels of different frequency bands respectively, and the transceiver of the third device can support switching between channels of different frequency bands, or the third device is a device supporting virtual multi-link.

[0174] Specifically, the third device can communicate with the first device on the second channel in the second time period according to the second information, or the third device can still communicate with the first device on the first channel in the second time period, which will be described below.

[0175] It should be understood that, in this application, the third device communicates with the first device on the channel Y1 (the second channel or the first channel) in the time period X1 means that the third device and the first device can normally perform information transmission and reception on the channel Y1 at a time in the time period X1, and this application does not limit that the third device and the first device always work on the channel Y1 in the time period X1, the following cases also belong to the third device communicating with the first device on the channel Y1 in the time period X1:

[0176] Case 1: At time 1 in the time period X1, the third device works on the channel Y2 (the first channel or the second channel), but cannot receive information of the first device, the third device switches from the channel Y2 to the channel Y1 at time 2 in the time period X1, and the third device and the first device normally communicate on the channel Y1 from time 2 to time 3 in the time period X1.

[0177] Case 2: At time 0 in the time period X1, the third device works on the channel Y1, but cannot receive information of the first device, the third device switches from the channel Y1 to the channel Y2 (the first channel or the second channel) at time 1 in the time period X1, however, the third device still cannot receive information of the first device on the channel Y2, the third device switches from the channel Y2 to the channel Y1 at time 2 in the time period X1, and the third device and the first device normally communicate on the channel Y1 from time 2 to time 3 in the time period X1.

[0178] Optionally, in the case where the second channel is multiple, the first device and the third device can communicate on one of the second channels.

[0179] Based on the above scheme, the second device can indicate the first time period in which the first device will occupy the first channel, and the first device can indicate the second time period in which the first device will work on the second channel, so that the first device and the third device can select the first channel or the second channel to communicate with the first device according to the situation in the second time period. In this way, the transmission requirements of the first device and the third device can be met, and the first device and the third device do not need to wait for the occupation of the first channel by the second device to end before transmitting, which helps to reduce the communication delay.

[0180] On the other hand, in the case where the second device occupies the first channel, the first device and the third device can communicate through the second channel, so as to improve the transmission efficiency.

[0181] In addition, the present application does not require the first device to have two sets of transceivers, so as to reduce the complexity of the WLAN device and thus reduce the cost.

[0182] Optionally, in an implementation scenario, the method 500 further includes: S540, the first device determines whether the first channel is occupied in the first time period. In other words, the first device performs idle detection on the first channel in the first time period, or in other words, the first device performs channel sensing (CS) on the first channel in the first time period.

[0183] Wherein, whether occupied or not can also be understood as whether idle or not, occupied means not idle, and not occupied means idle.

[0184] The first device determines whether the first channel is occupied in the first time period, including: in the first time period, the first device determines whether the duration that the first channel is in an idle state is greater than or equal to a first time threshold. Or, in a fifth time period in the first time period, the first device determines whether the first channel is always in an idle state.

[0185] Specifically, the first device can perform idle detection on the first channel in the first time period. When the duration that the first channel is in an idle state is greater than or equal to the first time threshold, it means that the first channel is in an idle state, that is, the detection is passed. When the duration that the first channel is in an idle state is less than the first time threshold, it means that the first channel is in a busy state, that is, the detection is not passed. Or, when the first channel is always in an idle state in the fifth time period, it means that the first channel is in an idle state, that is, the detection is passed. When the first channel is not always in an idle state in the fifth time period, it means that the first channel is in a busy state, that is, the detection is not passed.

[0186] Exemplarily, the first time threshold can be a protocol pre-defined idle detection duration.

[0187] Exemplarily, the fifth time period can be a protocol predefined idle detection period. For example, the protocol predefines the start time of the fifth time period to be the same as the start time of the first time period. Alternatively, the fifth time period can be a time period determined by the first device itself, for example, the first device determines the fifth time period according to a random backoff time period.

[0188] Optionally, the length of the fifth time period is the same as the first time threshold.

[0189] It should be understood that, due to the randomness of data traffic, if no data to be transmitted reaches the sending buffer of the second device at the arrival of the first time period, the second device can not initiate transmission, so that the actual situation of the first channel is an idle state.

[0190] Optionally, the first device can start idle detection at the start time of the first time period, so as to determine as early as possible whether the first channel is in an idle state, to prepare for the next communication decision.

[0191] Optionally, the second information can include first indication information, the first indication information being used to indicate whether the first device enables determination of whether the first channel is occupied, or in other words, whether the first device enables a channel persistence mechanism, or in other words, whether the first device determines whether to continue to work in the first channel according to the actual occupation of the first channel, or in other words, whether the first device performs channel switching according to the second time period, or in other words, whether the first device switching to the second channel is tentative / uncertain. For example, the first indication information is 1 bit, and the value 0 indicates that the first device does not enable determination of whether the first channel is occupied, i.e., does not start the channel persistence mechanism, i.e., does not determine whether to continue to work in the first channel according to the actual occupation of the first channel, i.e., performs channel switching according to the second time period, i.e., switching to the second channel is not tentative / uncertain; and the value 1 indicates that the first device enables determination of whether the first channel is occupied, i.e., starts the channel persistence mechanism, i.e., determines whether to continue to work in the first channel according to the actual occupation of the first channel, i.e., does not perform channel switching according to the second time period, i.e., switching to the second channel is tentative / uncertain.

[0192] As a possible implementation, in the case where the fourth indication information indicates that the first time period is tentative, the first device indicates through the second indication information that the second time period is tentative.

[0193] As a further possible implementation, the first information does not comprise the fourth indication information, and the first device determines by itself whether to carry the first indication information. For example, if the first device has the capability to determine the idle state of the first channel, the first indication information is carried, and if the first device has no capability to determine the idle state of the first channel, the first indication information is not carried.

[0194] Based on the above scheme, the first device can determine the subsequent working channel according to the actual occupation of the first channel in the first time period, which helps to improve the resource utilization.

[0195] As an implementation of the implementation scenario, in a case where it is determined that the first channel is not occupied in the first time period, the method 500 further comprises: S550, the first device sends third information on the first channel in a third time period, wherein the third information is used to indicate that the first device currently works on the first channel.

[0196] Specifically, in a case where the first device determines that the first channel is not occupied in the first time period, the first device can not switch according to the content indicated by the second information, that is, the first device can still work on the first channel in the first time period, and further, the first device can send third information in the third time period to indicate that the first device currently works on the first channel.

[0197] Exemplarily, the third information can be a preamble in a PPDU sent on the first channel, wherein the preamble comprises the BSS color of the first device. Alternatively, the third information can be a frame, for example, a persistence indication frame, which can be an initial control frame (ICF), wherein information of the first channel on which the first device currently works, such as frequency, bandwidth, etc., can be carried.

[0198] The third time period is located in the first time period, or in other words, the first time period comprises the third time period.

[0199] Optionally, the second information can comprise second indication information, and the second indication information is used to indicate the third time period, for example, to indicate the duration and starting moment of the third time period, etc.

[0200] In an implementation, the second indication information does not indicate the starting moment of the third time period, and the starting moment of the third time period can be a default moment. For example, the protocol defines that the starting moment of the third time period is the same as the starting moment of the first time period, or defines that the starting moment of the third time period is the same as the starting moment of the second time period.

[0201] It should be understood that S550, the first device transmits the third information in the third time period, means that the time point or time period when the first device transmits the third information is located in the third time period, which does not mean that the duration of the third information is completely the same as the third time period.

[0202] Optionally, in this implementation scenario, corresponding to S550, the third device can detect the third information on the first channel in the third time period, S530, the third device communicates with the first device on the first channel or the second channel in the second time period, specifically including: in the case of detecting the third information, the third device communicates with the first device on the first channel in the second time period; or, in the case of not detecting the third information, the third device switches to the second channel to communicate with the first device in the second time period.

[0203] Specifically, for the third device, if the third information is detected on the first channel, it means that the first device works on the first channel, and the third device can work on the first channel to communicate with the first device, and if the third information is not detected on the first channel, it means that the first device does not work on the first channel, and therefore the third device can switch to the second channel.

[0204] For example, the duration of the third time period is greater than the first time threshold. In this way, the first device can first determine whether the first channel is occupied according to the first time threshold, and in the case of not being occupied, the first device can transmit the third information in the third time period. By configuring the duration of the third time period to be greater than the first time threshold, sufficient time can be reserved for the first device to transmit the third information, and the third device can also detect the third information in the third time period.

[0205] For example, the protocol can be configured, and after the OBSSAP of the first device receives the first information, it can not preempt the first channel in the third time period, or not transmit access parameters on the first channel, so as to ensure that the second channel is not occupied by devices other than the first device and the third device, and avoid causing conflicts.

[0206] Based on the above scheme, in the case that the first device works on the first channel, the first device can indicate to the third device through the third information, so that the first device and the third device can continue to communicate on the first channel, avoid the communication delay caused by channel switching of the first device and the third device, and improve the communication efficiency.

[0207] As another implementation manner of this implementation scenario, in the case that it is determined that the first channel is occupied in the first time period, the method 500 further includes: S560, the first device switches to the second channel in the second time period.

[0208] The specific content of this implementation manner is the same as another implementation scenario below, and specific reference is made below.

[0209] Optionally, in another implementation scenario, the first device does not determine whether the first channel is occupied in the first time period, and the method 500 further includes: the first device switches to the second channel in a second time period.

[0210] Specifically, the first device can switch to the second channel in the second time period in a case that the first device determines that the first channel is occupied in the first time period, or the first device does not need to determine whether the first channel is occupied in the first time period, and directly switches to the second channel when the second time period indicated by the second information arrives.

[0211] Optionally, in an implementation scenario, the method 500 further includes: S570, the first device sends fourth information on the second channel in a fourth time period, and the fourth information is used to indicate that the first device currently works on the second channel.

[0212] Exemplarily, similar to the third information, the fourth information can be a preamble in a PPDU sent on the second channel, and the preamble includes the BSS color of the first device. Alternatively, the fourth information can be a frame, for example, a switching indication frame, and the switching indication frame can be an ICF, and the ICF can carry information of the second channel currently worked by the first device, such as a frequency, a bandwidth, and the like.

[0213] The fourth time period is located in the first time period, or the first time period includes the fourth time period.

[0214] Optionally, the second information can include third indication information, and the third indication information is used to indicate the fourth time period, for example, indicates a time length and a starting moment of the fourth time period, and the like.

[0215] In an implementation manner, the third indication information does not indicate the starting moment of the fourth time period, and the starting moment of the fourth time period can be a default moment. For example, a protocol predefines that the starting moment of the fourth time period is the same as the ending moment of the third time period, or the starting moment of the fourth time period is the same as the starting moment of the first time period, or the starting moment of the fourth time period is the same as the starting moment of the second time period, and the like.

[0216] It should be understood that, in S570, the first device sends the fourth information in the fourth time period, which means that the moment or the time period when the first device sends the fourth information is located in the fourth time period, and this does not mean that the time length of the fourth information is completely the same as the fourth time period.

[0217] Optionally, in this implementation scenario, corresponding to S570, the third device can detect fourth information on the second channel in a fourth time period, S530, the third device communicates with the first device on the first channel or the second channel in the second time period, comprising: in the case that the fourth information is detected, the third device communicates with the first device on the second channel in the second time period; or, in the case that the fourth information is not detected, the third device switches to the first channel to communicate with the first device in the second time period.

[0218] Specifically, for the third device, if the fourth information is detected on the second channel, it indicates that the first device works on the second channel, and the third device can work on the second channel to communicate with the first device, if the fourth information is not detected on the second channel, it indicates that the first device does not work on the second channel, and thus the third device can switch to the first channel.

[0219] Specifically, in the case that the fourth information is not detected, the third device can switch to the first channel at the end of the second time period, or switch to the first channel at the end of the fourth time period, which is not limited.

[0220] Optionally, the fourth time period can be located after the third time period. For example, the first device first determines whether to send the third information in the third time period, and then determines whether to send the fourth information in the fourth time period, so that the third device can first detect the third information on the first channel, and then detect the fourth information on the second channel, to determine the current working channel.

[0221] Based on the above scheme, in the case that the first device works on the second channel, the first device can indicate to the third device through the fourth information, so that the first device and the third device can communicate on the second channel. In this way, not only the transmission requirements of the first device and the third device can be met, and the communication delay can be reduced, but also the conflict with the first device working on the first channel can be avoided, and the communication performance can be improved.

[0222] FIGS. 7 to 9 are schematic flowcharts of a communication method 700, 800 and 900 provided by the present application, respectively. The method 700, 800 and 900 are described by taking the first device as AP1, the second device as AP2, and the third device as non-AP STA1 as an example, and the method 700, 800 and 900 can be regarded as several specific implementations of the method 500.

[0223] As shown in FIG. 7, the method 700 includes the following steps.

[0224] S701, AP2 sends information #1 (an example of first information) on channel 1 (an example of the first channel).

[0225] wherein information #1 indicates a time period that AP2 is going to occupy channel #1, denoted as SP1 (an example of a first time period).

[0226] S702, AP1 transmits information #2 (an example of a second information) on channel 1.

[0227] wherein information #2 indicates a time period that AP1 is going to switch to channel #2 (an example of a second channel), denoted as time period #B (an example of a second time period), for example, time period #B is the same as SP1.

[0228] wherein information #2 includes the duration and starting time of time period #C (an example of a third time period) and time period D (an example of a fourth time period), for example, the starting time of time period #C is the same as the starting time of time period #B, and the ending time of time period #C is the starting time of time period #D.

[0229] S703, AP1 determines that channel #1 is not occupied during SP1.

[0230] For example, AP1 can perform idle detection on channel #1 from the starting time of SP1, and determine that channel #1 is not occupied during time period #B (an example of a fifth time period).

[0231] wherein the starting time of time period #B is the starting time of SP1.

[0232] S704, AP1 transmits information #3 (an example of a third information) on channel #1, and correspondingly, non-AP STA1 detects information #3 on channel #1 during time period #C.

[0233] wherein information #3 indicates that AP1 is currently operating on channel #1.

[0234] S705, AP1 communicates with non-AP STA1 on channel #1, for example, AP1 transmits data frame #1 to non-AP STA1 on channel #1.

[0235] As shown in FIG. 8, the method 800 includes the following steps.

[0236] S801 is the same as S701, and S802 is the same as S702.

[0237] S803, AP1 determines that channel #1 is occupied during SP1.

[0238] For example, AP1 can perform idle detection on channel #1 from the starting time of SP1, and determine that channel #1 is occupied during time period #B (an example of a fifth time period).

[0239] S804, AP1 switches to channel #2 and sends information #4 (an example of the fourth information) to non-AP STA1 on channel #2. Correspondingly, non-AP STA1 does not detect information #3 on channel #1 in time period #C, non-AP STA1 switches to channel #2 and detects information #4 on channel #2 in time period #D.

[0240] Wherein, the meaning of information #3 is the same as the foregoing, and information #4 represents that AP1 currently works on channel #2.

[0241] S805, AP1 communicates with non-AP STA1 on channel #2, for example, AP1 sends data frame #1 to non-AP STA1 on channel #2.

[0242] As shown in FIG. 9, the method 900 includes the following steps.

[0243] S901 is the same as S701, S902 is the same as S702, and S903 is the same as S803.

[0244] S904, AP1 does not switch channels and remains on channel #1. Correspondingly, non-AP STA1 does not detect information #3 on channel #1 in time period #C, non-AP STA1 switches to channel #2 and does not detect information #4 on channel #2 in time period #D, and non-AP STA1 switches to channel #1.

[0245] Wherein, the meaning of information #3 and information #4 is the same as the foregoing.

[0246] S905, AP1 communicates with non-AP STA1 on channel #1, for example, AP1 sends data frame #1 to non-AP STA1 on channel #1.

[0247] It should be understood that the methods 700, 800 and 900 are all described by taking the first device as AP1, and the first device can also be non-AP STA, that is, the method 500 is also applicable to the end-to-end communication scenario, and the application is not limited in this regard.

[0248] It can be understood that, in order to implement the functions in the above embodiments, the base station and the terminal include corresponding hardware structures and / or software modules for executing various functions. Those skilled in the art should easily realize that, in combination with the units and method steps of the examples 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 by hardware or computer software driven hardware depends on the specific application scenario and design constraints of the technical solution.

[0249] FIG. 10 and FIG. 11 are structural diagrams of a communication apparatus provided by the embodiments of the present application. The communication apparatus can be used to implement the functions of the terminal or the base station in the above-mentioned method embodiments, and thus can also achieve the beneficial effects of the above-mentioned method embodiments. In the embodiments of the present application, the communication apparatus can be the first device, the second device or the third device, and can also be a module (such as a chip) applied to the first device, the second device or the third device.

[0250] As shown in FIG. 10, the communication apparatus 2000 includes a transceiver unit 2020, and optionally, the communication apparatus 2000 further includes a processing unit 2010. The communication apparatus 2000 is used to implement the functions of the first device, the second device or the third device in the above-mentioned method embodiment shown in FIG. 5.

[0251] When the communication apparatus 2000 is used to implement the functions of the first device in the method embodiment shown in FIG. 5, the transceiver unit 2020 is configured to receive first information from the second device on the first channel, the first information being used to indicate a first time period, the first time period being a time period during which the second device occupies the first channel; and the transceiver unit 2020 is further configured to send second information on the first channel, the second information being used to indicate a second time period, the second time period being a time period during which the first device works on the second channel, the second time period overlapping with the first time period, and the first device supporting switching between the second channel and the first channel.

[0252] When the communication apparatus 2000 is used to implement the functions of the second device in the method embodiment shown in FIG. 5, the transceiver unit 2020 is configured to send first information on the first channel, the first information being used to indicate a first time period, the first time period being a time period during which the second device occupies the first channel.

[0253] When the communication apparatus 2000 is used to implement the functions of the third device in the method embodiment shown in FIG. 5, the transceiver unit 2020 is configured to receive second information from the first device on the first channel, the second information being used to indicate a second time period, the second time period being a time period during which the first device works on the second channel, and the third device supporting switching between the first channel and the second channel; and the processing unit 2010 is configured to communicate with the first device on the first channel or the second channel during the second time period.

[0254] For detailed description of the functions performed by the processing unit 2010 and the transceiver unit 2020, reference can be made to the related description in the method 500 shown in FIG. 5.

[0255] As shown in FIG. 11, the communication apparatus 3000 includes a processor 3010 and an interface circuit 3020. The processor 3010 and the interface circuit 3020 are coupled with each other. It can be understood that the interface circuit 3020 can be a transceiver or an input / output interface. Optionally, the communication apparatus 3000 can further include a memory 3030 for storing instructions executed by the processor 3010 or storing input data required by the processor 3010 for executing instructions or storing data generated after the processor 3010 executes instructions. Sometimes, the interface circuit 3020 can also be understood as a part of the processor 3010, and the communication apparatus 3000 includes the processor 3010.

[0256] When the communication apparatus 3000 is used to implement the method shown in FIG. 5, the processor 3010 is configured to implement the functions of the processing unit 2010, and the interface circuit 3020 is configured to implement the functions of the transceiver unit 2020.

[0257] When the communication apparatus is a chip applied to the first device, the chip implements the functions of the first device in the method embodiments. The chip receives information from the second device or the third device, which can be understood as that the information is first received by other modules (such as a radio frequency module or an antenna) in the first device and then transmitted to the chip by the modules. The chip transmits information to the second device or the third device, which can be understood as that the information is first transmitted to other modules (such as a radio frequency module or an antenna) in the first device and then transmitted to the second device or the third device by the modules.

[0258] When the communication apparatus is a chip applied to the second device, the chip implements the functions of the second device in the method embodiments. The chip receives information from the first device, which can be understood as that the information is first received by other modules (such as a radio frequency module or an antenna) in the second device and then transmitted to the chip by the modules. The chip transmits information to the first device, which can be understood as that the information is first transmitted to other modules (such as a radio frequency module or an antenna) in the second device and then transmitted to the first device by the modules.

[0259] When the communication apparatus is a chip applied to the third device, the chip implements the functions of the third device in the method embodiments. The chip receives information from the first device, which can be understood as that the information is first received by other modules (such as a radio frequency module or an antenna) in the third device and then transmitted to the chip by the modules. The chip transmits information to the first device, which can be understood as that the information is first transmitted to other modules (such as a radio frequency module or an antenna) in the third device and then transmitted to the first device by the modules.

[0260] It is to be understood that the processor in the embodiments of the present application can be a central processing unit (CPU), and can also be other general-purpose processors, a digital signal processor (DSP), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field programmable gate array (FPGA) or other programmable logic devices, transistor logic devices, hardware components or any combination thereof. The general-purpose processor can be a microprocessor or any conventional processor.

[0261] The method steps in the embodiments of the present application can be implemented in hardware or in software instructions executable by a processor. The software instructions can be composed of corresponding software modules, which can be stored in a random access memory, a flash memory, a read-only memory, a programmable read-only memory, an erasable programmable read-only memory, an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory, a register, a hard disk, a mobile hard disk, a CD-ROM or any other form of storage medium well known in the art. An exemplary storage medium is coupled to the processor, so that the processor can read information from and write information to the storage medium. The storage medium can also be an integral part of the processor. The processor and the storage medium can be located in an ASIC. In addition, the ASIC can be located in a base station or a terminal. The processor and the storage medium can also exist as discrete components in the base station or the terminal.

[0262] In the above embodiments, all or part of the embodiments can be implemented by software, hardware, firmware or any combination thereof. When implemented by software, all or part of the embodiments can be implemented in the form of a computer program product. The computer program product includes one or more computer programs or instructions. When the computer programs or instructions are loaded and executed on a computer, all or part of the processes or functions described in the embodiments are performed. The computer can be a general purpose computer, a special purpose computer, a computer network, a network device, a user equipment or other programmable apparatus. The computer programs or instructions can be stored in a computer readable storage medium or transferred from one computer readable storage medium to another computer readable storage medium, for example, the computer programs or instructions can be transferred from one website site, computer, server or data center to another website site, computer, server or data center through wired or wireless manner. The computer readable storage medium can be any available medium accessible by a computer or a data storage device such as a server, data center and the like integrated with one or more available media. The available media can be a magnetic medium, such as a floppy disk, a hard disk, a magnetic tape; or an optical medium, such as a digital video disc; or a semiconductor medium, such as a solid state disk. The computer readable storage medium can be a volatile or non-volatile storage medium, or can include both volatile and non-volatile storage media.

[0263] In various embodiments of the present application, the terms and / or descriptions of different embodiments are consistent and can be referred to each other if there is no special description and logical conflict, and the technical features in different embodiments can be combined to form new embodiments according to their inherent logical relationship.

[0264] In the present application, "at least one" means one or more, and "multiple" means two or more. The "and / or" describes the association relationship between the associated objects, which means that there can be three kinds of relationships, for example, A and / or B, which can represent the following cases: A exists alone, A and B exist together, B exists alone, where A and B can be singular or plural. In the literal description of the present application, the character " / ", generally represents that the front and rear associated objects are in an "or" relationship. "Including at least one of A, B and C" can mean: including A; including B; including C; including A and B; including A and C; including B and C; including A, B and C.

[0265] In the present application, "predefined" can be realized by pre-saving corresponding codes, tables or other ways that can be used to indicate related information in the device, and the specific implementation manner is not limited in the present application.

[0266] It should be understood that in various embodiments of the present application, the first, second and various numerical designations are merely for the convenience of description and do not limit the scope of the embodiments of the present application. The magnitude of the serial numbers of the above processes does not mean the order of execution, and the execution order of the processes should be determined according to their functions and inherent logic.

[0267] Those skilled in the art can appreciate that the units and algorithm steps of the examples described in conjunction with the embodiments disclosed herein can be implemented in electronic hardware or a combination of computer software and electronic hardware. Whether the functions are implemented in hardware or software depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution. A skilled person can use different methods to implement the described functions for each specific application, but such implementation should not be considered beyond the scope of the present application.

[0268] Those skilled in the art can clearly understand that, for the convenience and brevity of description, the specific working processes of the above-described system, device and unit can refer to the corresponding processes in the foregoing method embodiments, which will not be repeated here.

[0269] In several embodiments provided in the present application, it should be understood that the disclosed system, device and method can be implemented in other ways. For example, the above-described device embodiments are merely schematic, for example, the division of the units is only a logical function division, and actual implementation can have another division manner, for example, multiple units or components can be combined or integrated into another system, or some features can be ignored or not executed. In addition, the coupling or direct coupling or communication connection between the displayed or discussed units can be indirect coupling or communication connection through some interfaces, devices or units, which can be electrical, mechanical or other forms.

[0270] The units described as separate components can or can not be physically separated, and the components displayed as units can or can not be physical units, that is, they can be located in one place, or can be distributed on multiple network units. Part or all of the units can be selected according to actual needs to achieve the purpose of the embodiments of the present application.

[0271] In addition, the functional units 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.

[0272] If the functions are implemented in the form of software function units and sold or used as independent products, they can be stored in a computer readable storage medium. Based on this understanding, the technical solutions of the present application essentially or the parts that contribute to the prior art or parts of the technical solutions can be embodied in the form of a software product. The computer software product is stored in a storage medium and includes a plurality of instructions for causing a computer device (which can be a personal computer, a server, or a network device, etc.) to execute all or part of the steps of the methods described in the various embodiments of the present application. The aforementioned storage medium includes: a U disk, a mobile hard disk, a read-only memory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM), a magnetic disk or an optical disk, and various media that can store program codes.

[0273] The above is only a specific implementation of the present application, but the protection scope of the present application is not limited thereto. Any person skilled in the art can easily think of changes or replacements within the technical scope disclosed in the present application, which should be covered within the protection scope of the present application. Therefore, the protection scope of the present application should be subject to the protection scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A communication method, characterized in that, Applied to the first device, including: Receive first information from the second device, the first information being used to indicate a first time period, the first time period being the time period during which the second device occupies the first channel; Send a second message, which indicates a second time period, which is the time period during which the first device operates on the second channel. The second time period overlaps with the first time period, and the first device supports switching between the second channel and the first channel.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first information includes at least one of the following: The start time of the first time period, the duration of the first time period, the period of the first time period, the bandwidth occupied by the second device in the first channel during the first time period, the identifier of the device communicated by the second device during the first time period, and whether the second device supports space reuse during the first time period.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The second information includes at least one of the following: The start time of the second time period, the duration of the second time period, the period of the second time period, the frequency of the second channel, the bandwidth of the second channel, the identifier of the device that the first device communicates with in the second time period, and whether the first device supports spatial reuse in the second time period.

4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, The first time period is either the service interval SP or the transmission opportunity TXOP.

5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, The method further includes: It was determined that the first channel was not occupied during the first time period; During the first time period, communicate with the third device on the first channel.

6. The method according to claim 5, characterized in that, Determining that the first channel was not occupied during the first time period includes: During the first time period, the duration during which the first channel is in an idle state is determined to be greater than or equal to a first time threshold.

7. The method according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that, The method further includes: A third message is sent on the first channel during a third time period. The third message is used to indicate that the first device is currently operating on the first channel. The first time period includes the third time period.

8. The method according to claim 7, characterized in that, The second information also includes at least one of a first indication information and a second indication information, wherein the first indication information is used to indicate whether the first device enables the determination of whether the first channel is occupied, and the second indication information is used to indicate the third time period.

9. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, The method further includes: During the second time period, communication is conducted with the third device on the second channel; A fourth message is transmitted on the second channel during a fourth time period. The fourth message is used to indicate that the first device is currently operating on the second channel. The second time period includes the fourth time period.

10. The method according to claim 9, characterized in that, The second information also includes third indication information, which is used to indicate the fourth time period.

11. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that, The first channel is the primary channel, and the second channel is a non-primary channel.

12. A communication method, characterized in that, Applied to third-party devices, including: The third device receives second information from the first device, the second information being used to indicate a second time period, the second time period being the time period during which the first device operates on the second channel, and the third device supports switching between the first channel and the second channel; During the second time period, the device communicates with the first device on either the first channel or the second channel.

13. The method according to claim 12, characterized in that, The second information includes at least one of the following: The start time of the second time period, the duration of the second time period, the period of the second time period, the frequency of the second channel, the bandwidth of the second channel, the identifier of the device that the first device communicates with in the second time period, and whether the first device supports spatial reuse in the second time period.

14. The method according to claim 12 or 13, characterized in that, The method further includes: In a third time period, third information is detected on the first channel, the third information being used to indicate that the first device is currently operating on the first channel, and the second time period includes the third time period; Communicating with the first device on the first channel or the second channel during the second time period includes: Upon detecting the third information, communication with the first device occurs on the first channel during the second time period; or, If the third information is not detected, the device switches to the second channel to communicate with the first device during the second time period.

15. The method according to claim 14, characterized in that, The second information also includes at least one of a first indication information and a second indication information, wherein the first indication information is used to indicate whether the first device enables the determination of whether the first channel is occupied, and the second indication information is used to indicate the third time period.

16. The method according to claim 12 or 13, characterized in that, The method further includes: In a fourth time period, fourth information is detected on the second channel, the fourth information being used to indicate that the first device is currently operating on the second channel, and the second time period includes the fourth time period; Communicating with the first device on the first channel or the second channel during the second time period includes: Upon detecting the fourth information, communication with the first device occurs on the second channel during the second time period; or, If the fourth information is not detected, the system switches to the first channel to communicate with the first device during the second time period.

17. The method according to claim 16, characterized in that, The second information also includes third indication information, which is used to indicate the fourth time period.

18. The method according to any one of claims 12 to 17, characterized in that, The first channel is the primary channel, and the second channel is a non-primary channel.

19. A method of communication, characterized in that, Applied to a second device, including: First information is determined, which is used to indicate a first time period, which is the time period during which the second device occupies the first channel; Send the first message, The first information includes at least one of the following: The start time of the first time period, the duration of the first time period, the period of the first time period, the bandwidth occupied by the second device in the first channel during the first time period, the identifier of the device communicated by the second device during the first time period, and whether the second device supports space reuse during the first time period.

20. The method according to claim 19, characterized in that, The first time period is either SP or TXOP.

21. A communication device, characterized in that, include: The unit is used to perform the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 11, or includes a unit for performing the method as described in any one of claims 12 to 18, or includes a unit for performing the method as described in claim 19 or 20.

22. A communication device, characterized in that, include: A processor coupled to a memory for storing a computer program, the processor for executing the computer program stored in the memory to cause the apparatus to perform the method as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 11, or to cause the apparatus to perform the method as claimed in any one of claims 12 to 18, or to cause the apparatus to perform the method as claimed in claim 19 or 20.

23. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that, The storage medium stores a computer program or instructions that, when executed by a communication device, implement the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 11, or the method as described in any one of claims 12 to 18, or the method as described in claim 19 or 20.

24. A computer program product, characterized in that, Includes a computer program that, when run, implements the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 11, or implements the method as described in any one of claims 12 to 18, or implements the method as described in claim 19 or 20.

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