Communication method and apparatus

Abstract

Disclosed in the present application are a communication method and apparatus. The present application supports IEEE protocols, such as an IEEE 802.11be / Wi-Fi 7 / EHT protocol, an IEEE802.11bn / UHR / Wi-Fi 8 protocol, an IEEE Integrated mmWave / Integrated Millimeter Wave / IMMW protocol, an IEEE 802.15 / UWB protocol, or an IEEE 802.11bf / sensing protocol. The present application also supports a SparkLink / NearLink standard protocol. The method comprises: an AMP relay device receiving a first request frame, wherein the first request frame comprises first information, and the first information instructs the AMP relay device to collect information from at least one AMP station; in a transaction-based mode, collecting information from the at least one AMP station; and sending a first response frame to an access point, wherein the first response frame comprises collected information.

Description

A communication method and apparatus

[0001] Cross-reference to Related Applications

[0002] This application claims priority to the Chinese Patent Application No. 202411077356.5, filed on August 6, 2024, and entitled "A communication method and apparatus", the content of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. TECHNICAL FIELD

[0003] The present application relates to the field of mobile communication, and in particular to a communication method and apparatus. BACKGROUND

[0004] Currently, an access point can communicate with a station through a relay device, and the specific implementation manner is as follows: the access point and the relay device are directly associated and communicate, the relay device and the station are directly associated and communicate, and the access point keeps association and communication with the station through the relay device. However, the use scenarios of the above scheme are preferential, for example, in an ambient power (AMP) based wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi) Internet of Things communication scenario, the station is generally a weak terminal and cannot keep association with the relay device or the access point, so the above scheme cannot meet the demand.

[0005] How to realize that the station does not keep association with the relay device or the access point and the access point can also communicate with the station through the relay device is a technical problem to be solved. SUMMARY

[0006] Embodiments of the present application provide a communication method and apparatus, which can realize that the access point can also communicate with the station through the relay device when the station does not keep association with the relay device or the access point.

[0007] In a first aspect, a communication method is provided, which can be executed by an ambient power (AMP) relay device or by a chip or module in the AMP relay device. Taking the case that the method is executed by the AMP relay device as an example: the AMP relay device receives a first request frame from an access point, the first request frame including first information, the first information indicating that the AMP relay device collects information from at least one AMP station; the AMP relay device collects information from the at least one AMP station based on a transaction-based manner; and the AMP relay device sends a first response frame to the access point, the first response frame including the information collected by the AMP relay device from the at least one AMP station.

[0008] In the above scheme, the access point indicates the AMP relay device to collect information from the at least one AMP station by sending a first request frame to the AMP relay device, so that the AMP relay device collects information from the at least one AMP station and feeds back the collected information from the at least one AMP station through a first response frame. In the scheme, even if the AMP station does not associate with the AMP relay device or the access point, the access point can communicate with the AMP station through the AMP relay device.

[0009] In a possible design, the first information takes a first value to indicate that the AMP relay device collects the AMP station identifier from the at least one AMP station; or the first information takes a second value to indicate that the AMP relay device collects at least one of the sensing data and the AMP station identifier from the at least one AMP station.

[0010] The design indicates different operations through different values of the first information, and improves flexibility of the scheme.

[0011] In a possible design, the AMP relay device can further receive a second request frame from the access point; the AMP relay device sends a second response frame to the access point; the first request frame includes second information, the first response frame includes third information, the second information is the same as the third information; the second request frame includes fourth information, the second response frame includes fifth information, the fourth information is the same as the fifth information; and the second information is different from the fourth information.

[0012] Through the above design, concurrent multiple request frames can be implemented, and efficiency of the AMP relay communication can be improved. Meanwhile, the access point can correctly match the request frames and the response frames according to information content in the request frames and the response frames, and reliability of the AMP relay communication can be improved.

[0013] In a possible design, the request frame further includes sixth information; the sixth information indicates a frequency band used by the AMP relay device to communicate with the at least one AMP station.

[0014] Through the above design, the access point can explicitly indicate the working frequency band of the AMP link, and efficiency and reliability of the AMP relay communication can be further improved.

[0015] In a possible design, the first request frame further includes seventh information, and the seventh information indicates the at least one AMP station; the seventh information includes at least one of the following: an address of each AMP station in the at least one AMP station; an address of an AMP station group corresponding to the at least one AMP station; and an address of the AMP relay device.

[0016] Through the above design, the access point can explicitly indicate which AMP stations are the operation objects, and efficiency and reliability of the AMP relay communication can be further improved.

[0017] In a possible design, the first request frame and the first response frame are action frames.

[0018] In a possible design, the action frame includes a first field; a value of the first field is a preset value, and the value indicates that the action frame is used for AMP relay communication.

[0019] By means of the above design, the action frame used for AMP relay communication can be distinguished from the action frame used for other functions.

[0020] In a possible design, the action frame includes a second field; the second field in the first request frame is a third value, used to indicate that the frame type is a request frame; and the second field in the first response frame is a fourth value, used to indicate that the frame type is a response frame.

[0021] By means of the above design, the action frame as a request frame can be distinguished from the action frame as a response frame.

[0022] In a possible design, the first request frame is a multi-user request to send triggered TXOP sharing (MU-RTS TXS) trigger frame. Optionally, the first response frame is an action frame.

[0023] In a possible design, the first response frame is located in a transmission opportunity shared by the MU-RTS TXS trigger frame.

[0024] The design meets the requirement of the MU-RTS TXS trigger frame on the shared transmission opportunity, and improves the compatibility of the scheme.

[0025] In a possible design, the MU-RTS TXS trigger frame includes a third field, and the third field indicates that the MU-RTS TXS trigger frame is used for AMP relay communication.

[0026] By means of the above design, the MU-RTS TXS trigger frame used for AMP relay communication can be distinguished from the MU-RTS TXS trigger frame used for other functions.

[0027] In a possible design, the third field is a fifth value, used to indicate that the triggered transmission opportunity sharing is performed and the shared transmission opportunity is used for AMP relay communication. For example, the third field is a triggered TXOP sharing mode field in the MU-RTS TXS trigger frame.

[0028] In another possible design, the third field is a reserved field in the MU-RTS TXS trigger frame, e.g., the third field is named as an AMP relay indicator field.

[0029] In one possible design, the first response frame includes at least one set of information corresponding to at least one AMP station; each set of information in the at least one set of information includes an identifier of the AMP station corresponding to the set of information.

[0030] In this way, the AP can learn which AMP station each set of information in the first response frame corresponds to after receiving the first response frame.

[0031] In one possible design, each set of information further includes sensing data collected by the AMP relay device from the AMP station corresponding to the set of information.

[0032] In this way, the AP can learn the correspondence between the sensing data and the AMP station in the first response frame after receiving the first response frame, and thus can accurately obtain the sensing data of each AMP station.

[0033] In one possible design, each set of information further includes a fourth field, which is used to indicate a length of the sensing data in the corresponding set of information.

[0034] In this way, the AP can learn the length of each set of information after receiving the first response frame, and can parse and read the information in the first response frame according to the length, which can improve the accuracy and efficiency of the AP in parsing the first response frame.

[0035] In one possible design, the response frame further includes an eighth information, which is used to indicate whether the information collected by the AMP relay device from the at least one AMP station is complete in the transmission opportunity; and / or, the response frame further includes a ninth information, which is used to indicate whether the relay device needs the AP to continue sharing the transmission opportunity.

[0036] In this way, the AP can learn whether the information is complete in the transmission opportunity or whether the AMP relay device needs the AP to continue sharing the transmission opportunity. The AP can thus continue to share the transmission opportunity with the AMP relay device when the information is not complete, which can further improve the reliability of the AMP relay communication.

[0037] In a second aspect, a communication method is provided, which can be performed by an access point, or by a chip or module in the access point. Taking the method performed by the access point as an example: the access point sends a first request frame to an AMP relay device, the first request frame including first information, the first information indicating that the AMP relay device collects information from at least one AMP station; the access point receives a first response frame from the AMP relay device, the first response frame including information collected by the AMP relay device from the at least one AMP station.

[0038] In a possible design, the first information takes a first value, and is used to indicate that the AMP relay device collects an AMP station identifier from the at least one AMP station; or the first information takes a second value, and is used to indicate that the AMP relay device collects at least one of sensing data and an AMP station identifier from the at least one AMP station.

[0039] In a possible design, the access point can further send a second request frame to the AMP relay device; and the access point receives a second response frame from the AMP relay device; where the first request frame includes second information, the first response frame includes third information, the second information is the same as the third information; the second request frame includes fourth information, the second response frame includes fifth information, the fourth information is the same as the fifth information; and the second information is different from the fourth information.

[0040] In a possible design, the request frame further includes sixth information; the sixth information indicates a frequency band used by the AMP relay device to communicate with the at least one AMP station.

[0041] In a possible design, the first request frame further includes seventh information, the seventh information indicating the at least one AMP station; where the seventh information includes at least one of: an address of each of the at least one AMP station; an address of an AMP station group to which the at least one AMP station corresponds; and an address of the AMP relay device.

[0042] In a possible design, the first request frame and the first response frame are action frames.

[0043] In a possible design, the action frame includes a first field; a value of the first field is a preset value, and indicates that the action frame is used for environmental energy AMP relay communication.

[0044] In a possible design, the action frame includes a second field; the second field in the first request frame takes a third value, and is used to indicate that a frame type is a request frame; and the second field in the first response frame takes a fourth value, and is used to indicate that the frame type is a response frame.

[0045] In a possible design, the first request frame is a multi-user request to send trigger type transmission opportunity sharing (MU-RTS TXS) trigger frame. Optionally, the first response frame is an action frame.

[0046] In a possible design, the first response frame is located in the transmission opportunity shared by the MU-RTS TXS trigger frame.

[0047] In a possible design, the MU-RTS TXS trigger frame includes a third field, and the third field indicates that the MU-RTS TXS trigger frame is used for AMP relay communication.

[0048] In a possible design, the third field is of a fifth value, used to indicate that the transmission opportunity is shared and the shared transmission opportunity is used for AMP relay communication.

[0049] In a possible design, the third field is a reserved field in the MU-RTS TXS trigger frame.

[0050] In a possible design, the first response frame includes at least one set of information corresponding to at least one AMP station one by one; each set of information in the at least one set of information includes an identifier of the AMP station corresponding to the set of information.

[0051] In a possible design, each set of information further includes sensing data collected by the AMP relay device from the AMP station corresponding to the set of information.

[0052] In a possible design, each set of information further includes a fourth field, and the fourth field is used to indicate a length of the sensing data in the corresponding set of information.

[0053] In a possible design, the response frame further includes eighth information, and the eighth information is used to indicate whether the information collected by the AMP relay device from the at least one AMP station is completed in the transmission opportunity; and / or, the response frame further includes ninth information, and the ninth information is used to indicate whether the relay device needs the access point to continue sharing the transmission opportunity.

[0054] In a third aspect, a communication apparatus is improved, which includes a module or unit or means for implementing the method in the first aspect or in any of the possible designs of the first aspect.

[0055] In an example, the apparatus includes:

[0056] The transceiver is configured to receive a first request frame from an access point, the first request frame including first information indicating that an AMP relay device collects information from at least one AMP station; collect the information from the at least one AMP station in a transaction-based manner; and send a first response frame to the access point, the first response frame including the information collected by the AMP relay device from the at least one AMP station.

[0057] Optionally, the apparatus further includes a processing module configured to generate the first response frame.

[0058] Optionally, the transceiver is further configured to receive a second request frame from the access point, and send a second response frame to the access point, wherein the first request frame comprises second information, the first response frame comprises third information, the second information and the third information are the same; the second request frame comprises fourth information, the second response frame comprises fifth information, the fourth information and the fifth information are the same; the second information and the fourth information are different.

[0059] In a fourth aspect, a communication apparatus is improved, which comprises a module or unit or means for implementing the method in the second aspect or any possible design of the second aspect.

[0060] Optionally, the apparatus comprises:

[0061] The transceiver is configured to send a first request frame to the AMP relay device, the first request frame comprising first information, the first information indicating the AMP relay device to collect information from at least one AMP station, and receive a first response frame from the AMP relay device, the first response frame comprising the information collected by the AMP relay device from the at least one AMP station.

[0062] Optionally, the apparatus further comprises a processing module configured to generate the first request frame.

[0063] Optionally, the transceiver is further configured to send a second request frame to the AMP relay device, and receive a second response frame from the AMP relay device, wherein the first request frame comprises second information, the first response frame comprises third information, the second information and the third information are the same; the second request frame comprises fourth information, the second response frame comprises fifth information, the fourth information and the fifth information are the same; the second information and the fourth information are different.

[0064] In a fifth aspect, a communication apparatus is provided, which comprises at least one processor, and a communication interface connected with the at least one processor; the at least one processor is configured to cause the method in the first aspect or any possible design of the first aspect to be performed, or cause the method in the second aspect or any possible design of the second aspect to be performed, by executing instructions stored in a memory.

[0065] In a sixth aspect, a computer readable storage medium is provided, which stores a computer program or instructions, when the computer program or instructions are executed by a communication apparatus, the method in the first aspect or any possible design of the first aspect is implemented, or the method in the second aspect or any possible design of the second aspect is implemented.

[0066] In a seventh aspect, a computer program product is provided, in which instructions are stored, which, when run on a computer, cause the computer to perform the method according to the first aspect or any possible design of the first aspect, or cause the computer to perform the method according to the second aspect or any possible design of the second aspect.

[0067] In an eighth aspect, a communication system is provided, comprising:

[0068] An AMP relay device configured to perform the method according to the first aspect or any possible design of the first aspect;

[0069] An access point configured to perform the method according to the second aspect or any possible design of the second aspect.

[0070] The technical effects of the above-mentioned second aspect to eighth aspect can refer to the description of the technical effects of the first aspect, and will not be repeated here. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0071] Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram of a network topology of an AMP relay system;

[0072] Fig. 2 is a schematic diagram of MAC specification of S1G relay;

[0073] Fig. 3 is a schematic diagram of a possible application scenario of an embodiment of the present application;

[0074] Fig. 4 is a flowchart of a communication method provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0075] Fig. 5 is a schematic diagram of a flow of AMP relay collecting information from an AMP STA;

[0076] Fig. 6 is a schematic diagram of a frame structure of a first response frame;

[0077] Fig. 7 is an interaction flowchart of an AP, an AMP relay and an AMP STA;

[0078] Fig. 8 is an interaction flowchart of an AP, an AMP relay and an AMP STA;

[0079] Fig. 9 is a schematic diagram of a frame structure of a MU-RTS TXS trigger frame;

[0080] Fig. 10 is a schematic diagram of a frame structure of a MU-RTS TXS trigger frame;

[0081] Fig. 11 is a schematic diagram of a structure of a communication apparatus provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0082] Fig. 12 is a schematic diagram of a structure of another communication apparatus provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0083] FIG. 13 is a structural schematic diagram of a chip according to an embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0084] The technical solutions provided by the embodiments of the present application are described in further detail below with reference to the drawings.

[0085] In the embodiments of the present application, the number of nouns, unless otherwise specified, represents "a singular noun or a plural noun", i.e. "one or more". "At least one" means one or more, and "multiple" means two or more. "And / or" describes the association relationship of the associated objects, which means that there can be three kinds of relationships, for example, A and / or B, which can represent the following three cases: A exists alone, A and B exist together, B exists alone, where A and B can be singular or plural. The character " / " generally represents an "or" relationship between the associated objects. For example, A / B means A or B. "At least one of the following" or similar expressions means any combination of these items, including any combination of single item or multiple items. For example, at least one of a, b and / or c means that a exists alone, b exists alone, c exists alone, a and b exist together, b and c exist together, a and c exist together, and a, b and c exist together, where a, b and c can be single or multiple.

[0086] The ordinal numbers "first", "second", etc. mentioned in the embodiments of the present application are used to distinguish multiple objects, and are not used to limit the size, content, order, time sequence, priority or importance of the multiple objects.

[0087] Traditional IoT devices usually need to be equipped with batteries to ensure stable power supply, and the limited life of the battery greatly increases the operation and maintenance cost of the IoT network, especially in extreme environmental conditions, it is quite challenging to maintain network operation and replace batteries. Secondly, about tens of billions of batteries are discarded every year, a small part of which can be effectively recycled; at the same time, as the number of global IoT devices grows, the number of discarded batteries will also increase, which will have a serious impact on the earth's ecology. To solve the above problems, battery-free IoT communication is proposed, which not only improves the performance and sustainability of the network, but also significantly reduces the size and cost of the device by removing the battery in the device, thereby supporting various emerging applications. In addition, battery-free devices are more environmentally friendly and safer for children and the elderly. Wireless Fidelity (Wi-Fi) technology has become a strong competitor for IoT network deployment due to its widespread deployment and use in unlicensed frequency bands. However, existing Wi-Fi IoT technology still cannot meet the increasing application requirements. First, in extreme environmental conditions (such as high pressure, extremely high / low temperature, humid environment), traditional battery-powered devices may not work properly. Second, many use cases require maintenance-free devices (e.g., no need / cannot replace traditional batteries). Finally, some use cases require ultra-low complexity, very small device size (e.g., a few millimeters thick), longer life cycle, etc.

[0088] Wi-Fi IoT technology based on ambient power (AMP) has broad prospects and can achieve battery-free and meet the requirements of various vertical industries. Such battery-free AMP devices rely on energy harvesting to operate, and the energy sources include radio waves, light (sunlight), motion, heat, etc., while a relatively simple waveform design is used to reduce complexity and power consumption (typical peak power may be less than 1 mW). Combining AMP technology with Wi-Fi can achieve new IoT services and broaden the entire Wi-Fi ecosystem.

[0089] For example, in a meeting of the institute of electrical and electronics engineers (IEEE) 802.11 AMP study group (SG), a network topology of an AMP relay system is described as shown in FIG. 1. An AMP relay in the AMP relay system is a relay device for an AMP scenario, i.e., a relay device supporting communication with an AMP station (STA). An AMP STA is a device (i.e., an AMP device) relying on AMP for communication. An AMP relay is associated with an AP and can directly communicate with the AP. An AMP STA has an AMP link with the AMP relay, and the AMP STA directly communicates with the AMP relay through the AMP link. There is no communication link between the AMP STA and the AP, i.e., the AP does not support AMP link communication. The meeting only describes the topology of the AMP relay system and part of the link information, and does not give the interaction process and detailed settings of the AMP relay, the AP, and the AMP STA at the protocol level. Therefore, how to implement the interaction of the AMP relay, the AP, and the AMP STA is a problem to be solved.

[0090] The IEEE 802.11ah standard protocol defines the physical (PHY) and medium access control (MAC) specifications of the S1G relay. In the MAC layer design of the protocol, referring to FIG. 2, a relay (such as relay 2) includes three modules, a relay station (relay STA), a relay function, and a relay access point (relay AP). The relay STA is directly associated with and communicates with a root AP. The relay AP is directly associated with and communicates with other non-AP stations (such as STA4 and STA5). The relay function implements frame forwarding between the relay AP and the relay STA. In this scheme, the AP communicates with the STA, and the relay needs to establish and maintain associations with the AP and the relay. The association process involves a complex frame exchange process, and the devices need to save frame exchange information to maintain the association. However, an AMP STA is generally a weak terminal and cannot support maintaining an association with an AMP relay or an AP. Therefore, this scheme is not applicable to an AMP STA, i.e., the IEEE 802.11ah standard protocol cannot meet the communication requirements in an AMP scenario.

[0091] In view of this, the technical scheme provided in the embodiments of the present application can realize that the AMP STA does not maintain association with the AMP relay or the AP, and the AP can also communicate with the AMP STA through the AMP relay.

[0092] The technical scheme provided by the embodiments of the present application can be applied to IEEE series protocols, such as IEEE 802.11be / wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi) 7 / extremely high throughput (EHT) protocol, IEEE 802.11bn / ultra high reliability (UHR) / Wi-Fi 8 protocol, IEEE Integrated mmWave / IMMW protocol, IEEE 802.15 / UWB protocol, or IEEE 802.11bf / sensing protocol; the present application can also support star-spark / nearlink standard protocols, etc., which are not listed one by one here.

[0093] The communication method provided in the embodiments of the present application can be applied to various communication systems, for example, can be an internet of things (IoT) system, a vehicle to X (V2X) system, a narrow band internet of things (NB-IoT) system. For example, the communication method provided in the embodiments of the present application can be applied to a device in a vehicle to X system, or applied to an internet of things node, a sensor and the like in an internet of things system, or applied to a smart camera, a smart remote controller, a smart water meter and an electric meter in a smart home, and a sensor in a smart city. The communication method provided in the embodiments of the present application can also be applicable to an LTE frequency division duplex (FDD) system, an LTE time division duplex (TDD) system, a worldwide interoperability for microwave access (WiMAX) communication system, a long term evolution (LTE) system, and can also be a 5th-generation (5G) communication system, a future communication system and the like. In addition, the communication method provided in the embodiments of the present application can also be applied to a wireless local area network system supporting IEEE 802.11ax (mobile hotspot (Wi-Fi) 6) / 802.11be (Wi-Fi 7) / 802.11bn (Wi-Fi 68) / Wi-Fi (artificial intelligence, AI) / millimeter wave / UWB or perception.

[0094] For example, FIG. 3 is a possible application scenario to which the embodiments of the present application are applicable. As shown in FIG. 3, the application scenario includes an AP, an AMP STA and an AMP relay.

[0095] For example, the AP can be an access point for an AMP STA, an AMP relay and the like to enter a wired (or wireless) network. For example, the AP can be a terminal device (such as a mobile phone) or a network device (such as a router) with a mobile hotspot (WiFi) chip. In the embodiments of the present application, the AP can be a device supporting the 802.11be standard, or can also be a device supporting various WLAN standards of the 802.11 series such as 802.11ax, 802.11ay, 802.11ac, 802.11n, 802.11g, 802.11b, 802.11a or 802.11be next generation. In some embodiments, the access point can also be referred to as an access device, an access node and the like.

[0096] An AMP STA is a STA with AMP communication function. The specific implementation of the AMP STA can be a wireless communication chip, a wireless sensor, or a wireless communication terminal, etc. For example, the STA can be 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, or a computer supporting WiFi communication function, etc. Optionally, the STA can support the 802.11be standard, or can also support multiple WLAN standards of the 802.11 series such as 802.11ax, 802.11ay, 802.11ac, 802.11n, 802.11g, 802.11b, 802.11a, or the next generation of 802.11be. In some embodiments, the STA can also be referred to as a station device, a user, or a user equipment, etc.

[0097] An AMP relay generally refers to a node or device with AMP communication function and relay function. The AMP relay can forward data from the AMP STA to the AP, or forward data from the AP to the AMP STA. Optionally, the AMP relay can support the 802.11be standard, or can also support multiple WLAN standards of the 802.11 series such as 802.11ax, 802.11ay, 802.11ac, 802.11n, 802.11g, 802.11b, 802.11a, or the next generation of 802.11be. In some embodiments, the relay can also be referred to as a relay node, a relay device, etc.

[0098] It can be understood that only one AP, one AMP relay, and one AMP STA are shown in FIG. 3. In actual cases, one AP can also communicate with multiple AMP relays, one AMP relay can also communicate with multiple AMP STAs, one AMP relay can also communicate with multiple APs, and one AMP STA can also communicate with multiple AMP relays, without limitation.

[0099] In addition, the AMP relay in the embodiments of the present application has AMP communication function, but does not necessarily communicate with any device based on AMP. For example, the AMP relay and the AP can communicate based on a non-AMP manner. For example, in the architecture shown in FIG. 3, the following two links can exist:

[0100] 1) Wi-Fi link between AP and AMP relay. The link can be based on existing 802.11 Wi-Fi protocol. AP and AMP relay associate and communicate using the Wi-Fi link, which operates in at least one of, for example, 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, 6 GHz. It can be understood that Wi-Fi link is only an example of a name, and other alternative names can also be used, for example, it can also be referred to as an 802.11 link or an 802.11 Wi-Fi protocol link, etc.

[0101] 2) AMP link between AP and AMP relay. The AMP link refers to a communication link in which at least one party is an AMP device, for example, the AMP STA is an AMP device, and the AMP relay can or can not be an AMP device. The AMP link is a temporary link different from the Wi-Fi link, which uses a transaction-based communication mode, that is, the AMP STA can establish a temporary communication link with the AMP relay for each communication, and data exchange is based on the communication link. After the exchange is completed, all related parameters and data of this communication can be cleared until the next communication connection is re-established. The operating frequency of the AMP link is, for example, at least one of 1 GHz and 2.4 GHz. The AMP STA can be a low-power and low-complexity device that does not have sufficient capability to maintain an associated state with the AP or the AMP relay, so the AMP link is used to enable the AMP STA and the AMP relay to communicate without association.

[0102] It can be understood that the AMP relay system shown in FIG. 3 is only one possible example, and other variations of the AMP relay system can also be used in actual situations, for example, the communication link between the AP and the AMP relay can also be other implementation manners.

[0103] The network architecture and service scenarios described in the embodiments of the present application are used to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application, and do not constitute a limitation on the technical solutions provided by the embodiments of the present application. It can be known by those skilled in the art that, as the network architecture evolves and new service scenarios appear, the technical solutions provided by the embodiments of the present application are also applicable to similar technical problems. For example, in addition to being applicable to the AMP scenario, the embodiments of the present application can also be applicable to non-AMP scenarios, for example, active communication scenarios (such as scenarios in which the AP, the STA, and the relay are all active devices), for example, scenarios in which the AP and the relay communicate based on Wi-Fi, the relay and the STA communicate based on Wi-Fi, and the like.

[0104] For ease of description, in the following introduction, the method provided by each embodiment of the present application is taken as an example applied to the scenario shown in FIG. 3. For example, the AP described in each embodiment of the present application is the AP shown in FIG. 3, the AMP relay described in each embodiment of the present application is the AMP relay shown in FIG. 3, and the AMP STA point described in each embodiment of the present application is the AMP STA shown in FIG. 3.

[0105] Referring to FIG. 4, a flowchart of a communication method provided by an embodiment of the present application is shown, including steps S101-S103.

[0106] S101, the AP sends a first request frame, and the AMP relay receives the first request frame.

[0107] In the first request frame, first information is included, and the first information indicates an operation that needs to be performed by the AMP relay. In some embodiments, the first information can also be described as an operation instruction, an operation command, a relay command, a relay instruction, or an AMP relay operation instruction (AMP relay command), etc.

[0108] As an example, the first information indicates that the AMP relay collects information from at least one AMP STA. Further, the first information can also indicate which information the AMP relay collects from the at least one AMP STA. For example, the first information can indicate that the AMP relay collects an identifier of each of the at least one AMP STA (hereinafter referred to as an AMP STA identifier) from the at least one AMP STA, or that the AMP relay collects sensing data collected by each of the at least one AMP STA from the at least one AMP STA, or that the AMP relay collects the AMP STA identifier of each of the at least one AMP STA and the sensing data collected by each of the at least one AMP STA from the at least one AMP STA, etc.

[0109] For example, the first information takes a first value, indicating that the AMP relay collects the AMP STA identifier from the at least one AMP STA; or the first information takes a second value, indicating that the AMP relay collects at least one of the sensing data and the AMP STA identifier from the at least one AMP STA. Of course, the above are only some examples, and in actual applications, the first information can also indicate other specific operations performed by the AMP relay.

[0110] S102, the AMP relay collects information from the at least one AMP STA based on a transaction-based event.

[0111] In other words, the AMP relay collects information from at least one AMP STA through transaction-based communication. The transaction-based communication can refer to the above description and will not be repeated here.

[0112] The AMP relay collects information from at least one AMP STA through transaction-based communication, including: the AMP relay establishes an AMP link with each of the at least one AMP STA, and exchanges data based on the AMP link and each of the at least one AMP STA, thereby collecting information from the at least one AMP STA. After the data exchange ends, all related parameters and data of this communication are cleared until the next communication is re-established.

[0113] Referring to FIG. 5, a flowchart of the AMP relay collecting information from the AMP STA is shown, including steps S201-S204:

[0114] S201, the AMP relay broadcasts a request 1, and the corresponding AMP STA receives the request 1.

[0115] The request 1 is used to request the identity of the AMP STA. The message name of the request 1 is, for example, an identity request (ID request).

[0116] S202, the AMP STA sends a unicast response 1 to the AMP relay, and the corresponding AMP relay receives the response 1.

[0117] The response 1 carries the identity of the AMP STA. The message name of the response 1 is, for example, an identity response (ID response).

[0118] Optionally, if the AMP relay still needs to collect other information from the AMP STA, it can continue to initiate data interaction, as shown in S203-S204:

[0119] S203, the AMP relay continues to send a request 2 to the AMP STA, and the corresponding AMP STA receives the request 2.

[0120] The request 2 is used to request data of the AMP STA, such as sensor data or other types of data. The message name of the request 2 is, for example, a data request (data request).

[0121] 204, the AMP STA sends a response 2, and the corresponding AMP relay receives the response 2.

[0122] The data carried in the response 2 is, for example, sensor data or other types of data of the AMP STA. The response 2 is named, for example, data response.

[0123] It can be understood that the figure 5 is an example of one AMP STA, when there are multiple AMP STAs, the interaction process of each AMP STA with the AMP relay can refer to the process shown in figure 5.

[0124] Of course, the process shown in figure 5 is only an example, and the actual process is not limited thereto.

[0125] S103, the AMP relay sends a first response frame to the AP, and the first response frame includes the information collected by the AMP relay from the at least one AMP STA.

[0126] For example, the first information specifically indicates that the AMP relay collects the identity of each AMP STA in the at least one AMP STA, and the first response frame can include the identity of part or all of the at least one AMP STA. For example, the first information specifically indicates that the AMP relay collects the identity of each AMP STA in the at least one AMP STA and the sensor data collected by each AMP STA, and the first response frame can include the identity of part or all of the at least one AMP STA and the sensor data.

[0127] In the above scheme, the AP sends the first request frame to the AMP relay to instruct the AMP relay to collect information from the at least one AMP STA, so that the AMP relay collects information from the at least one AMP STA and feeds back the collected information from the at least one AMP STA through the first response frame, which realizes that the AMP station does not maintain association with the AMP relay device or the AP, and the AP can also realize the effect of communicating with the AMP STA through the AMP relay device.

[0128] In one possible design, the AP can send multiple different request frames to the AMP relay to cause the AMP relay to perform multiple collection operations. For example, in addition to the first request frame, the AP can send a second request frame to the AMP relay, and in response, the AMP relay can receive the second request frame, collect information from at least one station based on the second request frame, and send the collected information in a second response frame to the AP. It can be understood that the operations indicated by the second request frame and the first request frame can be the same or different, which is not limited. The objects (i.e., the AMP stations) of the operations indicated by the second request frame and the first request frame can be the same or different, which is not limited.

[0129] In this scenario, the AP can receive multiple different response frames (e.g., the first response frame and the second response frame). In order to enable the AP to distinguish which response frame corresponds to which request frame, the mutually corresponding request frame and response frame can carry mutually matching information (e.g., carry the same information) for the AP to match the request frame and the response frame.

[0130] For example, the first request frame includes second information, the first response frame includes third information, the second information and the third information are the same; the second request frame includes fourth information, the second response frame includes fifth information, the fourth information and the fifth information are the same; and the second information and the fourth information are different. The AP can determine that the first request frame and the first response frame match according to the second information and the third information, i.e., the content carried in the first response frame is the content requested by the first request frame. The AP can determine that the second request frame and the second response frame match according to the fourth information and the fifth information, i.e., the content carried in the second response frame is the content requested by the second request frame. Of course, the first request frame and the first response frame carrying the same information is only an example, and in practice, different information can be carried, e.g., the second information and the third information are different, but the access point can identify and match the second information and the third information.

[0131] In some embodiments, the above-mentioned second information, third information, fourth information, fifth information, etc. can be referred to as transaction tokens.

[0132] Through the above design, the effect of multiple request frames being concurrent can be achieved, and the efficiency of AMP relay communication can be improved. Moreover, by carrying transaction tokens in the request frame and the response frame, the AP can correctly match the mutually corresponding request frame and the response frame, and the reliability of the AMP relay communication can be improved.

[0133] For ease of description, the specific implementation of the request frame and the response frame is described in detail below by taking the first request frame and the second request frame as examples. The specific implementation of the second request frame and the second response frame can be referred to the specific implementation of the first request frame and the second response frame, respectively.

[0134] In a possible design, the first request frame further includes sixth information, where the sixth information indicates a frequency band used for communication between the AMP relay and the at least one AMP STA, or in other words, an operating frequency band of the AMP link. Accordingly, when collecting information from the AMP STA, the AMP relay and the AMP STA perform data interaction based on the frequency band indicated by the sixth information. In some embodiments, the sixth information can be referred to as an operating band.

[0135] For example, the field length of the sixth information is 2 bits, and when the value of the sixth information is 0, it indicates that the AMP link operates in the S1G frequency band, and when the value of the sixth information is 1, it indicates that the AMP link operates in the 2.4G frequency band, and 2-3 are reserved values. Of course, this is only an example, and the actual implementation is not limited thereto.

[0136] Through the above design, the AP can explicitly indicate the operating frequency band of the AMP link, and the efficiency and reliability of the AMP relay communication can be further improved.

[0137] In a possible design, the first request frame further includes seventh information, where the seventh information indicates a target object of the first information, that is, an operation object of the operation command, for example, indicates the at least one AMP STA. In some embodiments, the seventh information can be referred to as a designated AMP STA identifier.

[0138] In specific implementation, the seventh information can be an identifier or an address of the AMP station, without limitation. For example, the address includes:

[0139] When the operation is a unicast operation, that is, the operation indicated by the first information is for each AMP STA in the at least one AMP STA, the seventh information can include an address of each AMP STA in the at least one AMP STA, where the address specifically can include address information and / or port information, and the like.

[0140] When the operation is a groupcast operation, that is, the operation indicated by the first information is for one or more AMP STA groups, the seventh information can include an address of an AMP STA group corresponding to the at least one AMP STA. It can be understood that the at least one AMP STA can correspond to one or more AMP STA groups, without limitation.

[0141] When the operation is a broadcast operation, i.e., the operation indicated by the first information is for all the AMP STAs within the communication range of the AMP relay, the seventh information can be the address of the AMP relay. Alternatively, when the operation is a broadcast operation, the first request frame can not carry the seventh information, i.e., does not carry the address of any AMP STA.

[0142] Of course, the above are only some examples, and the actual implementation is not limited thereto.

[0143] Through the above design, the AP can explicitly indicate which AMP STAs are the operation objects, and the efficiency and reliability of the AMP relay communication can be further improved.

[0144] In a possible design, the first response frame includes at least one set of information corresponding to at least one AMP STA; each set of information in the at least one set of information includes an identifier of the AMP STA corresponding to the set of information. The identifier of the AMP STA can be the address of the AMP STA, the identifier of the AMP STA, or other values, without limitation. For example, the target AMP STA identifier carried in the first request frame. In this way, after receiving the first response frame, the AP can know which AMP STA each set of information in the first response frame corresponds to.

[0145] Further, each set of information can further include the sensing data collected by the AMP relay from the AMP STA corresponding to the set of information. In this way, after receiving the first response frame, the AP can know the correspondence between the sensing data in the first response frame and the AMP STA.

[0146] Further, each set of information can further include a fourth field, and the fourth field is used to indicate the length of the sensing data in the corresponding set of information. The fourth field can be located at the beginning, the end, or other specified positions of the corresponding set of information, without limitation.

[0147] For example, as shown in FIG. 6, two sets of information in the first response frame are shown, the first set of information corresponds to the AMP STA 1, and sequentially includes the length 1 (indicating the length of the first set of information), the AMP STA ID_1 (the identifier of the AMP STA 1), and the sensing data 1 collected from the AMP STA ID_1; the second set of information corresponds to the AMP STA 2, and sequentially includes the length 2 (indicating the length of the second set of information), the AMP STA ID_2 (the identifier of the AMP STA 2), and the sensing data 2 collected from the AMP STA ID_2.

[0148] In this way, after receiving the first response frame, the AP can know the length of each set of information, and the accuracy and efficiency of the AP in parsing the first response frame can be improved.

[0149] In one possible design, a request frame (e.g., a first request frame or a second request frame, etc.) is an action frame, or the request frame is implemented based on an action frame.

[0150] Optionally, the action frame includes a first field, and a value of the first field is a preset value, indicating that the action frame is used for AMP relay communication.

[0151] The action frame is used for AMP relay communication can mean that the action frame is used to control AMP relay communication, e.g., information carried in the action frame is used for AMP relay communication. For example, a first information in the action frame controls an operation of an AMP relay on an AMP STA in an AMP relay communication process, a sixth information in the action frame controls a working frequency band of an AMP link in the AMP relay communication process, etc.

[0152] In some embodiments, the action frame used for AMP relay communication can be referred to as an AMP action frame (AMP action frame). The request frame can be referred to as an AMP relay request frame (AMP relay request frame), and the response frame can be referred to as an AMP relay report frame (AMP relay report frame).

[0153] Referring to Table 1, an example of a format of an action frame in a Wi-Fi protocol includes a category and action details.

[0154] Table 1

[0155] The category gives a category of the action frame, and the action details further give related subfields of the action frame.

[0156] In embodiments of this application, a value in a value range of the category can be selected to indicate that the action frame is used for AMP relay communication.

[0157] As one possible example, if 128-255 are not allocated, a value X (e.g., X=128) in 128-255 can be selected to indicate an AMP action frame.

[0158] As one possible example, a definition of the AMP action frame can be as shown in Table 2.

[0159] Table 2 AMP action frame

[0160] Optionally, when both the request frame and the response frame are action frames, the second field can be included in the action frame to indicate whether the action frame is a request frame or a response frame. For example, the second field in the first request frame has a third value to indicate that the frame type is a request frame; the second field in the first response frame has a fourth value to indicate that the frame type is a response frame. In some embodiments, the second field can be referred to as an AMP action field.

[0161] As a specific example, Table 3 shows examples of the value of the second field and the corresponding relationship between the value of the second field and the type of action frame:

[0162] Table 3: Second field (AMP action field)

[0163] Of course, Table 3 is only an example, and the actual value of the second field and the corresponding relationship between the value of the second field and the type of action frame can be other corresponding relationships. The value range of the second field is not limited to 0-255.

[0164] In combination with the embodiments described above, Table 4 below shows a specific frame structure example of a request frame:

[0165] Table 4: AMP relay request frame

[0166] The specific meanings of the fields in Table 4 can be referred to the related content described above, and will not be repeated here.

[0167] It can be understood that Table 4 is only an example, and the fields in the actual request frame can be more or less or replaced, without limitation.

[0168] In combination with the embodiments described above, Table 5 below shows a specific frame structure example of a response frame:

[0169] Table 5: AMP relay report frame

[0170] The reporting list is the information collected by the AMP relay device from the AMP STA.

[0171] It can be understood that Table 5 is only an example, and the fields in the actual response frame can be more or less or replaced, without limitation.

[0172] Referring to FIG. 7, an interaction process of the AP, the AMP relay, and the AMP STA is illustrated when the first request frame and the first response frame are action frames: after receiving the first request frame sent by the AP, the AMP relay feeds back an acknowledgement (Ack) to the AP after a short inter-frame space (SIFS) interval, to indicate that the AMP relay has received the first request frame; then the AMP relay triggers the AMP STA to perform uplink transmission (such as instructing the AMP STA to report an identifier and / or sensing data, etc.), to complete the operation of collecting information from the AMP STA. The process can refer to the process illustrated in FIG. 5. After the AMP relay collects the information from the AMP STA, the AMP relay feeds back the first response frame to the AP. After receiving the first response frame, the AP feeds back an acknowledgement (Ack) to the AMP relay after a SIFS interval, to indicate that the AP has received the first response frame.

[0173] In a possible design, the request frame (such as the first request frame or the second request frame) is a multi-user request to send triggered transmission opportunity sharing (MU-RTS TXS) trigger frame, or in other words, the request frame is implemented based on the MU-RTS TXS trigger frame.

[0174] It can be understood that the function of the MU-RTS TXS trigger frame is to trigger transmission opportunity (TXOP) sharing. Specifically, the sender (such as the AP) of the MU-RTS TXS trigger frame shares the transmission opportunity with the receiver (such as the AMP relay) of the MU-RTS TXS trigger frame, so that the receiver can use the transmission opportunity to transmit data.

[0175] Correspondingly, when the first request frame is the MU-RTS TXS trigger frame, the first response frame is located in the transmission opportunity shared by the MU-RTS TXS trigger frame. As shown in FIG. 8, an example is illustrated in which the first request frame is the MU-RTS TXS trigger frame and the first response frame is an action frame. The first response frame and the ACK corresponding to the first response frame are both located in the transmission opportunity shared by the first request frame.

[0176] In combination with the above related embodiments, the AP can also carry the transaction token, the AMP relay command, the designated AMP STA identifier, etc. in the MU-RTS TXS trigger frame (i.e., the first request frame) when sharing the transmission opportunity with the AMP relay. For example, the transaction token, the AMP relay command, the designated AMP STA identifier, etc. can be carried in the User info field or other fields of the MU-RTS TXS trigger frame.

[0177] It can be understood that, since the first response frame is located in the transmission opportunity shared by the MU-RTS TXS trigger frame, the transmission link (i.e., the Wi-Fi link) between the AP and the AMP relay and the transmission link (i.e., the AMP link) between the AMP STA and the AMP relay must work in the same frequency band, such as the 2.4G frequency band. Accordingly, the MU-RTS TXS trigger frame can not carry the operating band, or can carry the operating band and the operating band indicates the 2.4G frequency band.

[0178] Optionally, the MU-RTS TXS trigger frame can include a third field indicating that the MU-RTS TXS trigger frame is used for AMP relay communication. In this way, the MU-RTS TXS trigger frame used for the first request frame in the present application can be distinguished from the MU-RTS TXS trigger frame used for other functions.

[0179] For example, when the third field in the MU-RTS TXS trigger frame is the fifth value, it indicates that the transmission opportunity sharing is triggered and the shared transmission opportunity is used for AMP relay communication; when the third field in the MU-RTS TXS trigger frame is the sixth value, the transmission opportunity sharing is not triggered; when the third field in the MU-RTS TXS trigger frame is the seventh value, the transmission opportunity sharing is triggered and the scheduled station can only transmit the MAC protocol data unit (MPDU) to the associated AP; and when the third field in the MU-RTS TXS trigger frame is the eighth value, the transmission opportunity sharing is triggered and the scheduled station can transmit the MPDU to the associated AP or another station.

[0180] In one specific implementation, the third field can be implemented by using a reserved value of the triggered TXOP sharing mode field in the MU-RTS TXS trigger frame.

[0181] For example, as shown in FIG. 9, the MU-RTS TXS trigger frame is taken as an example of the request frame, in which the triggered TXOP sharing mode field indicates that the MU-RTS TXS trigger frame is used for AMP relay communication. As shown in Table 6, the value of the triggered TXOP sharing mode field is taken as an example:

[0182] Table 6 triggered TXOP sharing mode

[0183] It can be understood that Table 6 is only an example, and the value of the triggered TXOP sharing mode is not limited to the example given in Table 6, and the correspondence between the value of the triggered TXOP sharing mode and the function is also not limited to the example given in Table 6.

[0184] In another specific implementation, the third field can be implemented by using a reserved field in the MU-RTS TXS trigger frame.

[0185] As shown in FIG. 10, another example of the MU-RTS TXS trigger frame as the request frame is shown, in which one bit after the triggered TXOP sharing mode field is used to implement the third field. In FIG. 10, the third field is named as the AMP relay indicator field as an example, and of course it can also be other names.

[0186] The fields such as the transaction token, the AMP relay command, and the designated AMP STA identifier in FIGS. 9 and 10 can refer to the explanation of the fields with the same names in the action frame, which will not be repeated here.

[0187] It can be understood that FIGS. 9 and 10 are only some possible format examples of the MU-RTS TXS trigger frame, and in practice it is not limited thereto.

[0188] The implementation of the response frame when the request frame is the MU-RTS TXS trigger frame can be the same as or similar to the implementation of the response frame when the request frame is the action frame, and therefore the specific implementation of the response frame when the request frame is the MU-RTS TXS trigger frame can refer to the related content above, and will not be repeated here.

[0189] In some embodiments, the first response frame can further carry: eighth information, the eighth information being used to indicate whether the information collected by the AMP relay from the at least one AMP STA is completed in the transmission opportunity, or being used to indicate whether the AMP relay is completed with the operation of collecting information from the at least one AMP STA; and / or, ninth information, being used to indicate whether the relay device needs the AP to continue sharing the transmission opportunity.

[0190] Considering that the first request frame is the MU-RTS TXS trigger frame, the first response frame needs to be transmitted in the transmission opportunity shared by the first request frame, and the AMP relay can not have collected all the information before the end of the transmission opportunity, or considering that the maximum amount of information that can be carried by the first response frame is less than the information collected by the AMP relay, etc., in these cases, the eighth information can make the AP know whether the information collected by the AMP relay from the at least one AMP STA is completed in the transmission opportunity, and the ninth information can make the AP know whether the relay device needs the AP to continue sharing the transmission opportunity.

[0191] As an example, the field name corresponding to the eighth information is report complete flag, and the field name corresponding to the ninth information is require more TF, and Table 7 gives an example of a specific frame structure of the response frame:

[0192] Table 7 AMP Relay Report frame

[0193] It can be understood that Table 7 is only an example, and the correspondence between the values and functions of the actual require more TF and report complete flag is not limited to the example given in Table 7.

[0194] In this way, the AP can know whether the information collected by the AMP relay from the at least one AMP STA is completed in the transmission opportunity through the eighth information, and can know whether the relay device needs the AP to continue sharing the transmission opportunity through the ninth information. Therefore, the AP can continue to share the transmission opportunity for the AMP relay when the information is not transmitted, so that the information collected by the AMP relay can be all sent to the AP, and the reliability of the AMP relay communication can be further improved.

[0195] It can be understood that the above embodiments are all examples of the AMP relay scenario, and the technical solutions provided in the above embodiments are also applicable to other relay scenarios. For example, the embodiments of the present application can also be applicable to a non-AMP scenario, and the above AMP STA can be replaced by a general STA, and the above AMP relay can be replaced by a general relay. For example, the AP and the relay, and the relay and the STA can all communicate based on a Wi-Fi link.

[0196] It can be understood that the above embodiments can be implemented separately or in combination, and the present application does not make any limitation.

[0197] The method provided by the embodiments of the present application is described above in combination with the drawings, and the device provided by the embodiments of the present application is described below in combination with the drawings.

[0198] Based on the same technical concept, the embodiments of the present application provide a communication device, which includes a module / unit / means for executing the method performed by the sending device and / or the receiving device in the above method embodiments. The module / unit / means can be implemented by software or by hardware, or by executing corresponding software by hardware.

[0199] For example, referring to FIG. 11, the device can include a transceiver module 1101. Optionally, it can also include a processing module 1102.

[0200] For example, when the device is an AMP relay device or when the device is located on an AMP relay device:

[0201] The transceiver module 1101 is configured to receive a first request frame from an access point, the first request frame including first information, the first information indicating that the AMP relay device collects information from at least one AMP station; collect information from the at least one AMP station based on a transaction-based event; and send a first response frame to the access point, the first response frame including the information collected by the AMP relay device from the at least one AMP station.

[0202] Optionally, the processing module 1102 is configured to generate the first response frame.

[0203] Optionally, the transceiver module 1101 is further configured to receive a second request frame from the access point; and send a second response frame to the access point; wherein the first request frame includes second information, the first response frame includes third information, the second information and the third information are the same; the second request frame includes fourth information, the second response frame includes fifth information, the fourth information and the fifth information are the same; and the second information and the fourth information are different.

[0204] For example, when the apparatus is an access point or when the apparatus is located on an access point:

[0205] The transceiver 1101 is configured to send a first request frame to the AMP relay device, the first request frame including first information indicating the AMP relay device to collect information from at least one AMP station; and receive a first response frame from the AMP relay device, the first response frame including the information collected by the AMP relay device from the at least one AMP station.

[0206] Optionally, the processing module 1102 is configured to generate the first request frame.

[0207] Optionally, the transceiver 1101 is further configured to send a second request frame to the AMP relay device; and receive a second response frame from the AMP relay device; wherein the first request frame includes second information, the first response frame includes third information, the second information and the third information are the same; the second request frame includes fourth information, the second response frame includes fifth information, the fourth information and the fifth information are the same; the second information and the fourth information are different.

[0208] It should be understood that all the related contents of the steps in the above method embodiments can be cited to the function description of the corresponding function modules, which will not be repeated here.

[0209] In specific implementation, the apparatus can have various product forms, and the following introduces several possible product forms.

[0210] As shown in FIG. 12, the embodiment of the present application further provides a communication apparatus, comprising:

[0211] at least one processor 1201; and a communication interface 1203 connected with the at least one processor 1201; the at least one processor 1201 executes the instructions stored in the memory 1202, so that the apparatus executes the method steps in the above method embodiments through the communication interface 1203.

[0212] Optionally, the memory 1202 is located outside the apparatus.

[0213] Optionally, the apparatus includes the memory 1202, the memory 1202 is connected with the at least one processor 1201, and the memory 1202 stores instructions executable by the at least one processor 1201. FIG. 12 shows that the memory 1202 is optional for the apparatus with a dashed line.

[0214] The processor 1201 and the memory 1202 can be coupled through an interface circuit or integrated together, which is not limited here.

[0215] The specific connection medium between the processor 1201, the memory 1202 and the communication interface 1203 is not limited in the embodiments of the present application. In FIG. 12, the processor 1201, the memory 1202 and the communication interface 1203 are connected through a bus 1204, which is represented by a thick line in FIG. 12, and the connection mode between other components is only schematically illustrated and is not limited. The bus can be divided into an address bus, a data bus, a control bus and the like. For convenience of representation, only one thick line is used in FIG. 12, but it does not mean that there is only one bus or only one type of bus.

[0216] Based on the same technical concept, the embodiments of the present application also provide a chip, which can include a logic circuit and an input / output interface. Optionally, the chip can also include a memory. The input / output interface can be used to receive code instructions (the code instructions are stored in the memory and can be directly read from the memory or can also be read from the memory through other devices) and transmit the code instructions to the logic circuit. The logic circuit can be used to run the code instructions to perform the method in the above method embodiments.

[0217] It should be understood that the processor mentioned in the embodiments of the present application can be implemented by hardware or software. When implemented by hardware, the processor can be a logic circuit, an integrated circuit or the like. When implemented by software, the processor can be a general-purpose processor, which is implemented by reading software code stored in the memory.

[0218] For example, the processor can be a central processing unit (CPU), and can also be other general-purpose processors, digital signal processors (DSP), application specific integrated circuits (ASIC), field programmable gate arrays (FPGA) or other programmable logic devices, discrete gates or transistor logic devices, discrete hardware components, etc. The general-purpose processor can be a microprocessor or the processor can also be any conventional processor.

[0219] It should be appreciated that the memory mentioned in the embodiments of the present application can be a volatile memory or a non-volatile memory, or can include both volatile and non-volatile memories. Among them, the non-volatile memory can be a read-only memory (ROM), a programmable read-only memory (PROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), an electrically EPROM (EEPROM) or a flash memory. The volatile memory can be a random access memory (RAM) used as an external cache. By way of example but not limitation, many forms of RAM are available, such as static random access memory (SRAM), dynamic random access memory (DRAM), synchronous dynamic random access memory (SDRAM), double data rate synchronous dynamic random access memory (DDR SDRAM), enhanced SDRAM (ESDRAM), synchlink DRAM (SLDRAM) and direct rambus RAM (DR RAM).

[0220] It should be noted that when the processor is a general processor, a DSP, an ASIC, a FPGA or other programmable logic device, a discrete gate or transistor logic device, a discrete hardware component, the memory (storage module) can be integrated in the processor.

[0221] It should be noted that the memory described herein is intended to include, but not limited to, these and any other suitable types of memory.

[0222] Based on the same technical concept, the embodiments of the present application also provide a computer readable storage medium, the storage medium stores a computer program or instructions, when the computer program or instructions are executed by a communication device, the method steps in the above method embodiments are realized.

[0223] Based on the same technical concept, the embodiments of the present application also provide a computer program product, the computer program product includes a computer program or instructions, when the computer program or the instructions are run by a communication device, the method steps in the above method embodiments are executed.

[0224] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that embodiments of the present application can be readily used as a method, a system or a computer program product. Accordingly, the present application can take the form of an entirely hardware embodiment, an entirely software embodiment or an embodiment combining software and hardware aspects. Furthermore, the present application can take the form of a computer program product on one or more computer-usable storage media (including, but not limited to, disk storage, CD-ROMs, optical storage devices, etc.) embodying computer readable program code.

[0225] The present application is described in reference to the flow diagrams and / or block diagrams of the methods, apparatus (systems) and computer program products according to this application. It will be understood that each block of the flow diagrams and / or block diagrams, and combinations of blocks in the flow diagrams and / or block diagrams, can be implemented by computer program instructions. These computer program instructions can be provided to a processor of a general purpose computer, special purpose computer, embedded processor, or other programmable data processing apparatus to produce a machine, such that the instructions, which execute via the processor of the computer or other programmable data processing apparatus, create means for implementing the functions specified in the flow diagrams and / or block diagrams block or blocks.

[0226] These computer program instructions can also be stored in a computer- readable memory that can direct a computer or other programmable data processing apparatus to function in a particular manner, such that the instructions stored in the computer-readable memory produce an article of manufacture including instructions which implement the function specified in the flow diagrams and / or block diagrams block or blocks.

[0227] The computer program instructions can also be loaded onto a computer or other programmable data processing apparatus to cause a series of operational steps to be performed on the computer or other programmable apparatus to produce a computer implemented process such that the instructions which execute on the computer or other programmable apparatus provide steps for implementing the functions specified in the flow diagrams and / or block diagrams block or blocks.

Claims

1. A communication method characterized by comprising: The method comprises: An environmental energy AMP relay device receives a first request frame from an access point, wherein the first request frame comprises first information, and the first information indicates that the AMP relay device collects information from at least one AMP station; The AMP relay device collects information from the at least one AMP station based on a transaction-based event mode; The AMP relay device sends a first response frame to the access point, wherein the first response frame comprises information collected by the AMP relay device from the at least one AMP station.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein: The first information takes a first value, indicating that the AMP relay device collects AMP station identification from the at least one AMP station; or The first information takes a second value, indicating that the AMP relay device collects at least one of sensing data and AMP station identification from the at least one AMP station.

3. The method of claim 1 or 2, wherein, The method further comprises: The AMP relay device receives a second request frame from the access point; The AMP relay device sends a second response frame to the access point; The first request frame comprises second information, the first response frame comprises third information, the second information and the third information are the same; the second request frame comprises fourth information, the second response frame comprises fifth information, the fourth information and the fifth information are the same; and the second information and the fourth information are different.

4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, The first request frame further comprises seventh information, and the seventh information indicates the at least one AMP station; The seventh information comprises at least one of: An address of each AMP station in the at least one AMP station; An address of an AMP station group corresponding to the at least one AMP station; An address of the AMP relay device.

5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein The first request frame and the first response frame are action frames.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein, The action frame comprises a first field; The value of the first field is a preset value, indicating that the action frame is used for environmental energy AMP relay communication.

7. The method of claim 5 or 6, wherein, The action frame comprises a second field; The second field in the first request frame is a third value, indicating that the frame type is a request frame; The second field in the first response frame is a fourth value, indicating that the frame type is a response frame.

8. The method of any one of claims 1-4, wherein, The first request frame is a multi-user request to send trigger type transmission opportunity sharing (MU-RTS TXS) trigger frame.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein, The first response frame is located in a transmission opportunity shared by the MU-RTS TXS trigger frame.

10. The method of claim 8 or 9, wherein, The MU-RTS TXS trigger frame comprises a third field, and the third field indicates that the MU-RTS TXS trigger frame is used for AMP relay communication.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein, The third field is a fifth value, indicating that the transmission opportunity is shared and the shared transmission opportunity is used for AMP relay communication.

12. The method of any one of claims 1-11, wherein, The first response frame comprises at least one set of information corresponding to the at least one AMP station; Each set of information in the at least one set of information comprises an identifier of an AMP station corresponding to the set of information.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein, Each group of information further comprises sensing data collected by the AMP relay device from the AMP station corresponding to the group of information.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein, Each group of information further comprises a fourth field for indicating the length of the sensing data in the corresponding group of information.

15. The method of claim 9, wherein, The response frame further comprises an eighth information for indicating whether the information collected by the AMP relay device from the at least one AMP station is completed in the transmission opportunity; and / or, The response frame further comprises a ninth information for indicating whether the relay device needs the access point to continue sharing the transmission opportunity.

16. The method of any one of claims 8-15, wherein, The first response frame is an action frame.

17. A method of communication, comprising: Comprising: The access point sends a first request frame to an ambient energy, AMP, relay device, the first request frame comprising a first information indicating the AMP relay device to collect information from at least one AMP station; The access point receives a first response frame from the AMP relay device, the first response frame comprising the information collected by the AMP relay device from the at least one AMP station.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein, The first information takes a first value for indicating the AMP relay device to collect AMP station identification from the at least one AMP station; or, The first information takes a second value for indicating the AMP relay device to collect at least one of sensing data and AMP station identification from the at least one AMP station.

19. The method of claim 17 or 18, wherein, The method further comprises: The access point sends a second request frame to the AMP relay device; The access point receives a second response frame from the AMP relay device; Wherein, the first request frame comprises a second information, the first response frame comprises a third information, the second information and the third information are the same; the second request frame comprises a fourth information, the second response frame comprises a fifth information, the fourth information and the fifth information are the same; the second and the fourth information are different.

20. The method of any one of claims 17-19, wherein, The first request frame further comprises a seventh information, the seventh information indicating the at least one AMP station; Wherein, the seventh information comprises at least one of: An address of each AMP station in the at least one AMP station; An address of an AMP station group corresponding to the at least one AMP station; An address of the AMP relay device.

21. The method of any one of claims 17-20, wherein, The first request frame and the first response frame are action frames.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein, The action frame comprises a first field; The first field takes a preset value indicating that the action frame is used for ambient energy, AMP, relay communication.

23. The method of claim 21 or 22, wherein, The action frame comprises a second field; The second field in the first request frame takes a third value for indicating that the frame type is a request frame; The second field in the first response frame takes a fourth value for indicating that the frame type is a response frame.

24. The method of any one of claims 17-20, wherein, The first request frame is a multi-user request to send trigger type transmission opportunity sharing, MU-RTS TXS, trigger frame.

25. The method of claim 24, wherein, The first response frame is located in the transmission opportunity shared by the MU-RTS TXS trigger frame.

26. The method of claim 24 or 25, wherein, The third field in the MU-RTS TXS trigger frame indicates that the MU-RTS TXS trigger frame is used for AMP relay communication.

27. The method of claim 26, wherein, The third field is a fifth value, indicating that the triggered transmission opportunity is shared and the shared transmission opportunity is used for AMP relay communication.

28. The method of any one of claims 17-27, wherein, The first response frame includes at least one set of information corresponding to the at least one AMP station; Each set of information in the at least one set of information includes an identifier of the AMP station corresponding to the set of information.

29. The method of claim 28, wherein, The set of information further includes sensing data collected by the AMP relay device from the AMP station corresponding to the set of information.

30. The method of claim 29, wherein, The set of information further includes a fourth field, indicating the length of the sensing data in the corresponding set of information.

31. The method of claim 25, wherein, The response frame further includes an eighth information, indicating whether the information collected by the AMP relay device from the at least one AMP station is completed in the transmission opportunity; and / or, The response frame further includes a ninth information, indicating whether the relay device needs the access point to continue sharing the transmission opportunity.

32. The method of any one of claims 24-31, wherein, The first response frame is an action frame.

33. A communications device, characterized by The apparatus comprises means for performing the method of any of claims 1-16, or means for performing the method of any of claims 17-32.

34. A communications device, characterized by The apparatus comprises at least one processor; and a communication interface connected to the at least one processor; the at least one processor causes the method of any of claims 1-16 to be performed, or the method of any of claims 17-32 to be performed, by executing instructions stored in a memory.

35. A computer readable storage medium, characterized in that, The storage medium stores a computer program or instructions, which, when executed, cause the method of any of claims 1-16 to be performed, or the method of any of claims 17-32 to be performed.

36. A computer program product, characterised in that, The storage medium stores a computer program or instructions, which, when executed, cause the method of any of claims 1-16 to be performed, or the method of any of claims 17-32 to be performed. The storage medium stores a computer program or instructions, which, when executed, cause the method of any of claims 1-16 to be performed, or the method of any of claims 17-32 to be performed.

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