Data receiving method, data sending method, communication device and communication system

Abstract

The embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a data receiving method, a data sending method, a communication device and a communication system. The data receiving method comprises: when having received a first radio frame sent by an access point device (AP) and determining that the AP has a downlink data frame to be sent to a first station device (STA), the first STA switching from the current communication mode to a first capability communication mode, wherein the first radio frame is used for identifying that the first STA needs to receive in the first capability communication mode the downlink data frame sent by the AP; or the first radio frame is applied to a target wakeup time (TWT) mechanism and is used for instructing the STA, which has received the first radio frame, to receive the downlink data frame sent by the AP; and regarding at least one communication parameter, a parameter value in the first capability communication mode is greater than a parameter value in a second capability communication mode. By means of the method, a mechanism which further enhances power saving is provided.

Description

Data receiving methods, data sending methods, communication equipment and communication systems Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to the field of communication technology, and in particular to a data receiving method, a data sending method, a communication device, and a communication system. Background Technology

[0002] Currently, research on Wi-Fi technology includes topics such as Ultra High Reliability (UHR), with the vision of improving the reliability of Wireless Local Area Networks (WLAN) connections, reducing latency, improving manageability, increasing throughput at different signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) levels, and reducing device-level power consumption.

[0003] In UHR, to improve the reliability of data transmission, the current data transmission mechanism needs to be further enhanced to meet the requirement that STA can receive buffered downlink data frames from AP.

[0004] Summary of the Invention

[0005] This disclosure provides a data receiving method, a data sending method, a communication device, and a communication system to further enhance power saving mechanisms.

[0006] In a first aspect, embodiments of this disclosure provide a data receiving method, the method comprising:

[0007] Upon receiving a first wireless frame sent by an access point device (AP), and determining that the AP has downlink data frames to be sent to a first site device (STA), the first STA switches from the current communication mode to the first capability communication mode.

[0008] Wherein, the first radio frame is used to identify that: the first STA needs to receive downlink data frames sent by the AP in the first capability communication mode; or, the first radio frame is applied to the Target Wake-Up Time (TWT) mechanism and is used to indicate that: the STA that receives the first radio frame receives downlink data frames sent by the AP.

[0009] For at least one communication parameter, the parameter value in the first capability communication mode is greater than the parameter value in the second capability communication mode.

[0010] Secondly, this disclosure also provides a data transmission method, the method comprising:

[0011] The AP sends a first radio frame to the first STA, instructing the first STA to switch from the current communication mode to the first capability communication mode if it determines that the AP has downlink data frames to be sent to the first STA.

[0012] Wherein, the first radio frame is used to identify that the first STA needs to receive downlink data frames sent by the AP in the first capability communication mode; or, the first radio frame is applied to the TWT mechanism and is used to indicate that the STA that receives the first radio frame receives the downlink data frames sent by the AP.

[0013] For at least one communication parameter, the parameter value in the first capability communication mode is greater than the parameter value in the second capability communication mode.

[0014] Thirdly, embodiments of this disclosure also provide a communication device, the communication device including a first site device STA, comprising:

[0015] The first processing module is configured to switch from the current communication mode to the first capability communication mode when it receives a first wireless frame sent by an access point device (AP) and determines that the AP has a downlink data frame to be sent to the first STA.

[0016] Wherein, the first radio frame is used to identify that: the first STA needs to receive downlink data frames sent by the AP in the first capability communication mode; or, the first radio frame is applied to the Target Wake-Up Time (TWT) mechanism and is used to indicate that: the STA that receives the first radio frame receives downlink data frames sent by the AP.

[0017] For at least one communication parameter, the parameter value in the first capability communication mode is greater than the parameter value in the second capability communication mode.

[0018] Fourthly, embodiments of this disclosure also provide a communication device, the communication device including an access point device, comprising:

[0019] The transmitting module is used to send a first radio frame to the first STA, instructing the first STA to switch from the current communication mode to a first capability communication mode when it is determined that the AP has downlink data frames to be sent to the first STA;

[0020] Wherein, the first radio frame is used to identify that the first STA needs to receive downlink data frames sent by the AP in the first capability communication mode; or, the first radio frame is applied to the TWT mechanism and is used to indicate that the STA that receives the first radio frame receives the downlink data frames sent by the AP.

[0021] For at least one communication parameter, the parameter value in the first capability communication mode is greater than the parameter value in the second capability communication mode.

[0022] Fifthly, embodiments of this disclosure also provide a communication device, the communication device including a first station device, comprising:

[0023] One or more processors;

[0024] The first site device is used to execute the data receiving method described in the first aspect of the embodiments of this disclosure.

[0025] Sixthly, embodiments of this disclosure also provide a communication device, the communication device including an access point device, comprising:

[0026] One or more processors;

[0027] The access point device is used to execute the data transmission method described in the second aspect of the embodiments of this disclosure.

[0028] In a seventh aspect, embodiments of this disclosure also provide a communication system, including a first site device (STA) and an access point device;

[0029] The access point device is used to send a first radio frame to the first STA, instructing the first STA to switch from the current communication mode to the first capability communication mode when it is determined that the AP has downlink data frames to be sent to the first STA.

[0030] When the first STA receives the first wireless frame sent by the access point device AP and determines that the AP has downlink data frames to be sent to the first STA, it switches from the current communication mode to the first capability communication mode.

[0031] Wherein, the first radio frame is used to identify that: the first STA needs to receive downlink data frames sent by the AP in the first capability communication mode; or, the first radio frame is applied to the Target Wake-Up Time (TWT) mechanism and is used to indicate that: the STA that receives the first radio frame receives downlink data frames sent by the AP.

[0032] For at least one communication parameter, the parameter value in the first capability communication mode is greater than the parameter value in the second capability communication mode.

[0033] Eighthly, embodiments of this disclosure also provide a storage medium storing instructions that, when executed on a communication device, cause the communication device to perform the data receiving method as described in the first aspect of this disclosure, or the data sending method as described in the second aspect of this disclosure.

[0034] In this embodiment of the disclosure, a new transmission mechanism is proposed based on the communication mode (first capability communication mode or second capability communication mode) supported by the first STA. Specifically, when the first STA receives a first radio frame sent by the AP (the first radio frame is used to identify that the first STA needs to receive downlink data frames sent by the AP in the first capability communication mode; or, the first radio frame is applied to the TWT mechanism and is used to indicate that the STA that receives the first radio frame receives downlink data frames sent by the AP), and determines that the AP has downlink data frames to be sent to the first STA, the STA switches from the current communication mode to the first capability communication mode to receive downlink data frames buffered by the AP for the first STA in the first capability communication mode. In this way, for STAs that are always in the low capability communication mode, or for STAs in the PS mode, the transmission mechanism provided in this embodiment of the disclosure can be used to receive buffered data frames sent by the AP for the STA when receiving a beacon frame broadcast by the AP or within the TWT SP, further ensuring the reliability of the STA receiving data.

[0035] Additional aspects and advantages of embodiments of this disclosure will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and will become apparent from the description or may be learned by practice of this disclosure. Attached Figure Description

[0036] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this disclosure, the accompanying drawings required for the description of the embodiments are introduced below. The following drawings are only some embodiments of this disclosure and do not impose specific limitations on the protection scope of this disclosure.

[0037] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the architecture of the communication system provided in an embodiment of this disclosure;

[0038] Figure 2 is one of the interactive schematic diagrams of the device power-saving method provided in the embodiments of this disclosure;

[0039] Figure 3 is a second interactive schematic diagram of the device power-saving method provided in the embodiments of this disclosure;

[0040] Figure 4a is the third interactive schematic diagram of the device power-saving method provided in the embodiments of this disclosure;

[0041] Figure 4b is a fourth interactive schematic diagram of the device power-saving method provided in the embodiments of this disclosure;

[0042] Figure 4c is the fifth interactive schematic diagram of the device power-saving method provided in the embodiments of this disclosure;

[0043] Figure 5 is a schematic flowchart of one of the device power-saving methods provided in the embodiments of this disclosure;

[0044] Figure 6 is a second schematic flowchart of the device power-saving method provided in the embodiments of this disclosure;

[0045] Figure 7 is a schematic diagram of the structure of the first device proposed in an embodiment of this disclosure;

[0046] Figure 8 is a schematic diagram of the structure of the second device proposed in an embodiment of this disclosure;

[0047] Figure 9 is a schematic diagram of the structure of the terminal proposed in an embodiment of this disclosure;

[0048] Figure 10 is a schematic diagram of the chip structure proposed in an embodiment of this disclosure. Detailed Implementation

[0049] This disclosure provides a data receiving method, a data sending method, a communication device, and a communication system.

[0050] In a first aspect, embodiments of this disclosure provide a data transmission method, the method comprising:

[0051] Upon receiving a first wireless frame sent by an access point device (AP), and determining that the AP has downlink data frames to be sent to a first site device (STA), the first STA switches from the current communication mode to the first capability communication mode.

[0052] Wherein, the first radio frame is used to identify that: the first STA needs to receive downlink data frames sent by the AP in the first capability communication mode; or, the first radio frame is applied to the Target Wake-Up Time (TWT) mechanism and is used to indicate that: the STA that receives the first radio frame receives downlink data frames sent by the AP.

[0053] For at least one communication parameter, the parameter value in the first capability communication mode is greater than the parameter value in the second capability communication mode.

[0054] In the above embodiments, based on the communication mode supported by the first STA (first capability communication mode or second capability communication mode), a new transmission mechanism is proposed. Specifically, when the first STA receives a first radio frame sent by the AP (the first radio frame indicates that the first STA needs to receive downlink data frames sent by the AP in the first capability communication mode; or, the first radio frame is applied to the TWT mechanism and indicates that the STA receiving the first radio frame receives downlink data frames sent by the AP), and determines that the AP has downlink data frames to send to the first STA, the STA switches from the current communication mode to the first capability communication mode to receive downlink data frames buffered by the AP for the first STA in the first capability communication mode. Thus, for STAs that are always in low capability communication mode, or for STAs in PS mode, the transmission mechanism provided in this disclosure allows the STA to receive buffered data frames sent by the AP when receiving a beacon frame broadcast by the AP or within the TWT SP, further ensuring the reliability of the data received by the STA.

[0055] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the first wireless frame includes at least one of the following:

[0056] A beacon frame; wherein the beacon frame includes first identification information, the first identification information being used to identify that: the first STA needs to receive downlink data frames sent by the AP in a first capability communication mode;

[0057] The second radio frame received before the service period TWT SP arrives; wherein the second radio frame is used to indicate that the STA receiving the second radio frame receives the downlink data frame sent by the AP;

[0058] The third radio frame received within the TWT SP; wherein the third radio frame is used to indicate that the STA receiving the third radio frame receives the downlink data frame sent by the AP.

[0059] In the above embodiments, the AP can explicitly indicate (the first radio frame is a beacon frame) or implicitly indicate (the first radio frame is a second or third radio frame) that the first STA associated with the AP should receive downlink data frames sent by the AP in a higher capability communication mode. In this way, for the first STA that is always in a low capability communication mode, or for the first STA in PS mode, it can receive the buffered data frames sent by the AP for the first STA when it receives the beacon frame broadcast by the AP or within the TWT SP, which further ensures the reliability of the STA receiving data.

[0060] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the first STA switches from the current communication mode to a first capability communication mode, including:

[0061] The first STA switches from the current communication mode to the first capability communication mode based on the first identification information.

[0062] In the above embodiments, the first STA can switch from the current communication mode to the first capability communication mode according to the content indicated by the first identification information in the beacon.

[0063] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, when the AP is attached to a multi-link access point device (AP MLD),

[0064] The beacon frame includes first identification information corresponding to each second STA associated with the AP MLD;

[0065] or,

[0066] The beacon frame includes first identification information corresponding to each third STA in the subset of STAs associated with the AP MLD.

[0067] In the above embodiments, when the AP is attached to the AP MLD, the AP can instruct one or more STAs associated with the AP in the beacon frame to switch to the first capability communication mode before receiving downlink data frames sent by the AP.

[0068] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, after the first STA switches from the current communication mode to the first capability communication mode, the method further includes:

[0069] When the first STA is the third STA, the first STA receives the downlink data frame sent by the AP MLD and to be sent to the fourth STA on the link where the beacon frame is received;

[0070] Wherein, the fourth STA is any STA associated with the AP MLD other than the third STA, and the communication mode of the fourth STA is not the first capability communication mode.

[0071] In the above embodiments, when the first STA has switched to the first capability communication mode, by receiving the downlink data frame sent by the AP MLD and to be sent to the fourth STA under the link of receiving beacon frames, the device power consumption of the fourth STA can be further reduced, and the loading balance between the multiple links established between the AP MLD attached to the AP and the non-AP MLD attached to the first STA can be improved.

[0072] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the beacon frame further includes second identification information, which is used to identify that the AP contains the downlink data frame to be sent to the first STA.

[0073] In the above embodiments, the AP can indicate whether there are downlink data frames to be sent to the first STA by sending a beacon frame to the first STA associated with the AP.

[0074] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the first STA switches from the current communication mode to a first capability communication mode, including:

[0075] Before the TWT SP arrives, if the first STA wakes up before the first delay and receives the second radio frame, the first STA switches from the current communication mode to the first capability communication mode and receives the downlink data frame sent by the AP.

[0076] The first delay includes the switching delay required for the STA associated with the AP to switch from the current communication mode to the first capability communication mode.

[0077] In the above embodiment, if the AP wakes up before the TWT SP arrives and the first STA wakes up before the first delay, it can implicitly indicate through the second radio frame that the first STA associated with the AP should receive the downlink data frame sent by the AP in the first capability communication mode, and carry the first delay in the second radio frame; in this way, the first STA has enough time to switch to the first capability mode and receive the buffered data frame sent by the AP for the first STA when the TWT SP arrives, which further ensures the reliability of the STA receiving data.

[0078] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the first STA switches from the current communication mode to a first capability communication mode, including:

[0079] When the first STA is attached to a non-AP MLD, and the TWT SP is consistent across all links supported by the non-AP MLD,

[0080] Before the arrival of the TWT SP, the STA attached to the non-AP MLD wakes up before the first delay and, upon receiving the second radio frame, switches from the current communication mode to the first capability communication mode and receives the downlink data frame sent by the AP.

[0081] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the first STA switches from the current communication mode to a first capability communication mode, including:

[0082] Within the TWT SP, when the first STA receives the third radio frame, it switches from the current communication mode to the first capability communication mode and receives the downlink data frame sent by the AP.

[0083] The third wireless frame includes second delay information, which includes the maximum value of the switching delay required for a STA associated with the AP to switch from the current communication mode to the first capability communication mode.

[0084] In the above embodiment, within the TWT SP, the AP can implicitly indicate via a third radio frame that the first STA associated with the AP can receive downlink data frames sent by the AP in the first capability communication mode, and carry a second delay in the third radio frame; in this way, the first STA has enough time to switch to the first capability mode and receive the buffered data frames sent by the AP for the first STA within the TWT SP, further ensuring the reliability of the STA receiving data.

[0085] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, when the AP is attached to an AP MLD, the STA associated with the AP MLD includes: an STA supporting a first transport protocol and / or an STA supporting a second transport protocol;

[0086] Wherein, the protocol version of the first transmission protocol is greater than or less than the protocol version of the second transmission protocol.

[0087] In the above embodiments, the second delay can be determined based on the protocol version of the STA associated with the AP, so that there is enough time to switch to the first capability mode regardless of the protocol version of the received third wireless frame.

[0088] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the first STA switches from the current communication mode to a first capability communication mode, including:

[0089] When the first STA is attached to a non-AP MLD, and the TWT SP is consistent across all links supported by the non-AP MLD,

[0090] When a STA attached to the non-AP MLD receives the third radio frame in the TWT SP, it switches from the current communication mode to the first capability communication mode and receives downlink data frames sent by the AP.

[0091] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, after the first STA switches from the current communication mode to the first capability communication mode, the method further includes:

[0092] The communication parameters for receiving data before mode switching by the first STA are used to receive downlink data frames sent by the AP.

[0093] or,

[0094] The downlink data frames sent by the AP are received using the communication parameters corresponding to the first capability communication mode.

[0095] In the above embodiments, by using the communication parameters for receiving data before the first STA performs mode switching, or by using the communication parameters corresponding to the first capability communication mode, the downlink data frames sent by the AP can be received. This can be compatible with the communication parameters for receiving downlink data frames under different WLAN versions, thereby improving the reliability of downlink data frame reception.

[0096] Secondly, embodiments of this disclosure provide a data transmission method, the method comprising:

[0097] The AP sends a first radio frame to the first STA, instructing the first STA to switch from the current communication mode to the first capability communication mode if it determines that the AP has downlink data frames to be sent to the first STA.

[0098] Wherein, the first radio frame is used to identify that the first STA needs to receive downlink data frames sent by the AP in the first capability communication mode; or, the first radio frame is applied to the TWT mechanism and is used to indicate that the STA that receives the first radio frame receives the downlink data frames sent by the AP.

[0099] For at least one communication parameter, the parameter value in the first capability communication mode is greater than the parameter value in the second capability communication mode.

[0100] In conjunction with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the first wireless frame includes at least one of the following:

[0101] A beacon frame; wherein the beacon frame includes first identification information, the first identification information being used to identify that: the first STA needs to receive downlink data frames sent by the AP in a first capability communication mode;

[0102] The second radio frame received before the service period TWT SP arrives; wherein the second radio frame is used to indicate that the STA receiving the second radio frame receives the downlink data frame sent by the AP;

[0103] The third radio frame received within the TWT SP; wherein the third radio frame is used to indicate that the STA receiving the third radio frame receives the downlink data frame sent by the AP.

[0104] In conjunction with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, where the AP is attached to an AP MLD,

[0105] The beacon frame includes first identification information corresponding to each second STA associated with the AP MLD;

[0106] or,

[0107] The beacon frame includes first identification information corresponding to each third STA among the partial STAs associated with the AP MLD.

[0108] In conjunction with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, after the first STA switches from the current communication mode to the first capability communication mode, the method further includes:

[0109] When the first STA is the third STA, the AP sends a downlink data frame to be sent to the fourth STA to the first STA on the link that sends the beacon frame;

[0110] Wherein, the fourth STA is any STA associated with the AP MLD other than the third STA, and the communication mode of the fourth STA is not the first capability communication mode.

[0111] In conjunction with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the beacon frame further includes second identification information, which is used to identify that there is a downlink data frame in the AP to be sent to the first STA.

[0112] In conjunction with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, sending the first radio frame to the first STA includes:

[0113] Before the TWT SP arrives, and before the first STA wakes up before the first delay, the second radio frame is sent to the first STA.

[0114] In conjunction with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, sending the first radio frame to the first STA includes:

[0115] When the first STA is attached to a non-AP MLD, and the TWT SP is consistent across all links supported by the non-AP MLD,

[0116] Before the TWT SP arrives, if the STA attached to the non-AP MLD wakes up before the first delay, the second radio frame is sent to the STA attached to the non-AP MLD.

[0117] In conjunction with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, sending the first radio frame to the first STA includes:

[0118] Within the TWT SP, the third radio frame is sent to the first STA;

[0119] The third wireless frame includes second delay information, which includes the maximum value of the switching delay required for the STA associated with the AP to switch from the current communication mode to the first capability communication mode.

[0120] In conjunction with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, when the AP is attached to an AP MLD, the STA associated with the AP MLD includes STAs supporting a first transport protocol and / or STAs supporting a second transport protocol;

[0121] Wherein, the protocol version of the first transmission protocol is greater than or less than the protocol version of the second transmission protocol.

[0122] In conjunction with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, sending the first radio frame to the first STA includes:

[0123] When the first STA is attached to a non-AP MLD, and the TWT SP is consistent across all links supported by the non-AP MLD,

[0124] Within the TWT SP, the third radio frame is transmitted to the STA attached to the non-AP MLD.

[0125] In conjunction with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, after the first STA switches from the current communication mode to the first capability communication mode, the method further includes:

[0126] Send downlink data frames to the first STA.

[0127] Thirdly, embodiments of this disclosure also provide a communication device, which includes a first station device and a first processing module; wherein the first station device is used to execute an optional implementation of the first aspect.

[0128] Fourthly, embodiments of this disclosure also provide a communication device, which includes an access point device, the access point device including: a transmitting module; wherein the access point device is used to execute an optional implementation of the second aspect.

[0129] Fifthly, embodiments of this disclosure also provide a communication device, which includes a first station device, the first station device comprising:

[0130] One or more processors;

[0131] The first site device is used to execute an optional implementation of the first aspect.

[0132] Sixthly, embodiments of this disclosure also provide a communication device, which includes an access point device, comprising:

[0133] One or more processors;

[0134] The access point device is used to execute an optional implementation of the second aspect.

[0135] In a seventh aspect, embodiments of this disclosure also provide a communication system, including a first site device and an access point device; wherein the first site device is configured to perform the optional implementation described in the first aspect, and the access point device is configured to perform the optional implementation described in the second aspect.

[0136] Eighthly, embodiments of this disclosure also provide a storage medium storing instructions that, when executed on a communication device, cause the communication device to perform the optional implementation described in the first or second aspect.

[0137] Ninthly, embodiments of this disclosure provide a program product that, when executed by a communication device, causes the communication device to perform the method as described in the optional implementation of the first or second aspect.

[0138] In a tenth aspect, embodiments of this disclosure provide a computer program that, when run on a computer, causes the computer to perform the methods described in an optional implementation of the first or second aspect.

[0139] Eleventhly, embodiments of this disclosure provide a chip or chip system. The chip or chip system includes processing circuitry configured to perform the methods described in the optional implementations of the first or second aspect above.

[0140] It is understood that the aforementioned communication devices, communication systems, storage media, program products, computer programs, chips, or chip systems are all used to execute the methods proposed in the embodiments of this disclosure. Therefore, the beneficial effects they can achieve can be referred to the beneficial effects in the corresponding methods, and will not be repeated here.

[0141] This disclosure provides a data receiving method, a data transmitting method, a communication device, and a communication system. In some embodiments, the terms "data receiving method" and "signal receiving method," "wireless frame receiving method," etc., can be used interchangeably; the terms "data transmitting method" and "signal transmitting method," "wireless frame transmitting method," etc., can be used interchangeably; and the terms "information processing system," "communication system," etc., can be used interchangeably.

[0142] This disclosure is not exhaustive, but merely illustrative of some embodiments, and is not intended to limit the scope of protection of this disclosure. Unless otherwise specified, each step in a particular embodiment can be implemented as an independent embodiment, and the steps can be arbitrarily combined. For example, a solution after removing some steps in a particular embodiment can also be implemented as an independent embodiment, and the order of the steps in a particular embodiment can be arbitrarily interchanged. Furthermore, the optional implementation methods in a particular embodiment can be arbitrarily combined; moreover, the embodiments can be arbitrarily combined, for example, some or all steps of different embodiments can be arbitrarily combined, and a particular embodiment can be arbitrarily combined with the optional implementation methods of other embodiments.

[0143] In each of the disclosed embodiments, unless otherwise specified or in case of logical conflict, the terminology and / or descriptions of the embodiments are consistent and can be referenced by each other. Technical features in different embodiments can be combined to form new embodiments based on their inherent logical relationships.

[0144] The terminology used in the embodiments of this disclosure is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to limit the scope of this disclosure.

[0145] In the embodiments disclosed herein, "multiple" refers to two or more.

[0146] In some embodiments, the terms “at least one of”, “one or more”, “a plurality of”, “multiple”, etc., may be used interchangeably.

[0147] In some embodiments, the notation "at least one of A and B", "A and / or B", "A in one case, B in another", "in response to one case A, in response to another case B", etc., may include the following technical solutions depending on the situation: in some embodiments, A (execute A regardless of B); in some embodiments, B (execute B regardless of A); in some embodiments, execution is selected from A and B (A and B are selectively executed); in some embodiments, A and B (both A and B are executed). The same applies when there are more branches such as A, B, C, etc.

[0148] In some embodiments, the notation "A or B" may include the following technical solutions, depending on the situation: in some embodiments, A (execution of A regardless of B); in some embodiments, B (execution of B regardless of A); in some embodiments, execution is selected from A and B (A and B are selectively executed). The same applies when there are more branches such as A, B, C, etc.

[0149] The prefixes "first," "second," etc., used in the embodiments of this disclosure are merely for distinguishing different descriptive objects and do not impose restrictions on the position, order, priority, quantity, or content of the descriptive objects. The description of the descriptive objects is found in the claims or the context of the embodiments, and the use of prefixes should not constitute unnecessary restrictions. For example, if the descriptive object is a "field," the ordinal numbers preceding "field" in "first field" and "second field" do not restrict the position or order of the "fields." "First" and "second" do not restrict whether the "fields" they modify are in the same message, nor do they restrict the order of "first field" and "second field." Similarly, if the descriptive object is a "level," the ordinal numbers preceding "level" in "first level" and "second level" do not restrict the priority between "levels." Furthermore, the number of descriptive objects is not limited by ordinal numbers and can be one or more. For example, in "first device," the number of "devices" can be one or more. Furthermore, the objects modified by different prefixes can be the same or different. For example, if the object being described is "device", then "first device" and "second device" can be the same device or different devices, and their types can be the same or different. Similarly, if the object being described is "information", then "first information" and "second information" can be the same information or different information, and their content can be the same or different.

[0150] In some embodiments, “including A,” “containing A,” “for indicating A,” and “carrying A” can be interpreted as directly carrying A or indirectly indicating A.

[0151] In some embodiments, the terms “in response to…”, “in response to determining…”, “in the case of…”, “when…”, “if…”, “if…”, etc., can be used interchangeably.

[0152] In some embodiments, the terms “greater than”, “greater than or equal to”, “not less than”, “more than”, “more than or equal to”, “not less than”, “higher than”, “higher than or equal to”, “not lower than”, and “above” can be used interchangeably, as can the terms “less than”, “less than or equal to”, “not greater than”, “less than”, “less than or equal to”, “not more than”, “lower than”, “lower than or equal to”, “not higher than”, and “below”.

[0153] In some embodiments, the apparatus and device may be interpreted as physical or virtual, and their names are not limited to the names recorded in the embodiments. In some cases, they may also be understood as "equipment", "device", "circuit", "network element", "node", "function", "unit", "section", "system", "network", "chip", "chip system", "entity", "body", etc.

[0154] In some embodiments, "network" can be interpreted as devices included in the network, such as access network devices, core network devices, etc.

[0155] In some embodiments, the acquisition of data, information, etc., may comply with the laws and regulations of the country where the location is situated.

[0156] In some embodiments, data, information, etc., may be obtained with the user's consent.

[0157] Furthermore, each element, each row, or each column in the table of this disclosure can be implemented as an independent embodiment, and any combination of any element, any row, or any column can also be implemented as an independent embodiment.

[0158] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the architecture of a communication system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0159] As shown in Figure 1, the communication system 100 includes a first station device (STA) 101 and an access point device (AP) 102.

[0160] Optionally, in this embodiment of the disclosure, AP and STA can be devices that support multiple links. For example, they can be represented as Access Point Multi-Link Device (AP MLD) and Non-Access Point Multi-Link Device (Non-AP MLD), respectively. AP MLD can represent an access point that supports multiple link communication functions, and non-AP MLD can represent a site that supports multiple link communication functions.

[0161] In some embodiments, the STA includes, for example, a wireless communication chip, a wireless sensor, or a wireless communication terminal that supports Wi-Fi communication. Optionally, the wireless communication terminal may be at least one of, but is not limited to, a mobile phone, a wearable device, an IoT device that supports Wi-Fi communication, a car with Wi-Fi communication capabilities, a smart car, a tablet computer, a computer with wireless transceiver capabilities, a virtual reality (VR) terminal device, an augmented reality (AR) terminal device, a wireless terminal device in industrial control, a wireless terminal device in self-driving, a wireless terminal device in remote medical surgery, a wireless terminal device in a smart grid, a wireless terminal device in transportation safety, a wireless terminal device in a smart city, and a wireless terminal device in a smart home.

[0162] Specifically, the first site device 101 can be a terminal device or network device with a Wi-Fi chip. Optionally, the first site device 101 can support multiple WLAN standards such as 802.11ax, 802.11be, 802.11ac, 802.11n, 802.11g, 802.11b, 802.11a, 802.11bf, and 802.11bn, as well as the next-generation 802.11 protocol, but is not limited to these.

[0163] In some embodiments, an AP can be an access point for mobile terminals to access a wired network. An AP acts as a bridge connecting wired and wireless networks, its main function being to connect various wireless network clients together and then connect the wireless network to an Ethernet network. Specifically, an AP can be a terminal device or network device equipped with a Wi-Fi chip. Optionally, the AP can support various WLAN standards such as 802.11ax, 802.11be, 802.11ac, 802.11n, 802.11g, 802.11b, 802.11a, 802.11bf, and 802.11bn, as well as the next-generation 802.11 protocol, but is not limited to these.

[0164] It is understood that the communication system described in this disclosure is for the purpose of more clearly illustrating the technical solutions of this disclosure, and does not constitute a limitation on the technical solutions proposed in this disclosure. As those skilled in the art will know, with the evolution of system architecture and the emergence of new business scenarios, the technical solutions proposed in this disclosure are also applicable to similar technical problems.

[0165] The following embodiments of this disclosure can be applied to the communication system 100 shown in FIG1, or to some of the main bodies, but are not limited thereto. The main bodies shown in FIG1 are illustrative. The communication system may include all or some of the main bodies in FIG1, or may include other main bodies outside of FIG1. ​​The number and form of each main body are arbitrary. Each main body may be physical or virtual. The connection relationship between the main bodies is illustrative. The main bodies may not be connected or may be connected. The connection can be in any way, it can be a direct connection or an indirect connection, it can be a wired connection or a wireless connection.

[0166] The embodiments disclosed herein can be applied to Wireless Local Area Networks (WLANs), such as LANs using the 802.11 series of protocols. In a WLAN, a Basic Service Set (BSS) is a fundamental component. An BSS network consists of site devices with some association within a specific coverage area. One type of association is where sites communicate directly with each other in a self-organizing network; this is called an Independent Basic Service Set (IBSS). Another more common scenario is that in a BSS network, there is only one central site dedicated to managing the BSS, called an Access Point (AP) device, while other sites in the BSS network that are not APs are called terminals, also known as non-AP STAs. APs and non-AP STAs are collectively referred to as STAs. When describing STAs, it is not necessary to distinguish between APs and non-AP STAs. Within the same BSS network, due to distance, transmission power, etc., a STA cannot detect other STAs that are far away; they are each other's hidden nodes.

[0167] Figure 2 is an interactive schematic diagram illustrating a data receiving method and a data sending method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in Figure 2, the above method includes:

[0168] Step 201: Upon receiving the first radio frame sent by AP102 and determining that AP102 has downlink data frames to be sent to the first STA101, the first STA101 switches from the current communication mode to the first capability communication mode.

[0169] The first radio frame is used to identify that the first STA101 needs to receive the downlink data frame sent by AP102 in the first capability communication mode; or, the first radio frame is applied to the TWT (target wakeup Time) mechanism and is used to indicate that the STA that receives the first radio frame receives the downlink data frame sent by AP102.

[0170] For at least one communication parameter, the parameter value in the first capability communication mode is greater than the parameter value in the second capability communication mode.

[0171] In WLAN technology, during communication between the STA and AP, when the STA enters PS (power saving) mode, the AP periodically broadcasts beacon frames carrying TIM (traffic indication MAP102) information or multi-link traffic indication information (in this case, the AP is attached to the AP MLD, and the STA is also attached to the non-AP MLD). After receiving the beacon frame, the STA wakes up from power saving mode and receives downlink data frames (e.g., DL PPDU; DL stands for downlink; PPDU stands for Physical Layer Protocol Data Unit) sent by the AP in basic communication mode. Alternatively, in the TWT (target wakeup time) mechanism, the STA receives DL PPDUs sent by the AP within the TWT SP negotiated with the AP.

[0172] However, with the development of WLAN technology, the communication modes supported by the STA may change. For example, to further support STA power saving and reduce STA power consumption, the STA can be in a lower communication mode (e.g., second capability communication mode) when not transmitting data, and switch from the lower communication mode to a higher communication mode (e.g., first capability communication mode) during data transmission. In this case, for STAs that are always in a low capability communication mode, or for STAs in PS mode, how to receive buffered data frames sent by the AP for the STA when receiving beacon frames broadcast by the AP or within the TWT SP requires new signaling specifications to meet the STA's need to receive buffered downlink data frames.

[0173] In this embodiment of the disclosure, a new transmission mechanism is proposed based on the communication mode (first capability communication mode or second capability communication mode) supported by the first STA101. That is, when the first STA101 receives a first radio frame sent by AP102 (the first radio frame is used to identify that the first STA101 needs to receive downlink data frames sent by AP102 in the first capability communication mode; or, the first radio frame is applied to the TWT mechanism and is used to indicate that the STA that receives the first radio frame receives downlink data frames sent by AP102), and determines that AP102 has downlink data frames to be sent to the first STA101, the STA101 switches from the current communication mode to the first capability communication mode to receive downlink data frames buffered by AP102 for the first STA101 in the first capability communication mode. In this way, for STAs that are always in the low capability communication mode, or for STAs in the PS mode, according to the transmission mechanism provided in this embodiment of the disclosure, the STA can receive the buffered data frames sent by AP102 for the STA when it receives a beacon frame broadcast by AP102 or within the TWT SP.

[0174] Optionally, this disclosure does not limit the transmission protocol supported by the first STA101. For example, the first STA101 can be a STA that supports the UHR (Ultra High Reliability) protocol (i.e., the 802.11bn version of the transmission protocol) (which can be simply referred to as a UHR STA or an 802.11bn STA). The first STA101 can also be a STA that supports a protocol version earlier than the UHR protocol (for example, a STA that supports the EHT (Extremely High Throughput) protocol, which can be collectively referred to as a legacy STA).

[0175] Optionally, the first capability communication mode may also be referred to as a first power mode, high-energy communication mode, high-capability communication mode, high-power communication mode, higher capability communication mode, or high-power communication phase, etc., and this disclosure does not limit the name. The second capability communication mode may also be referred to as a second power mode, low-energy communication mode, low-capability communication mode, low-power communication mode, eavesdropping mode, lower capability communication mode, or low-power communication phase, etc., and this disclosure does not limit the name.

[0176] Optionally, the parameter value in the first capability communication mode being greater than the parameter value in the second capability communication mode can mean that the communication capability in the first capability communication mode is stronger than the communication capability in the second capability communication mode.

[0177] Optionally, the communication parameters corresponding to the first capability communication mode or the second capability communication mode may include, but are not limited to, bandwidth (BW), supported MCS methods, and NSS (number of Spatial Streams).

[0178] Optionally, in the second capability communication mode, the device supports an operating bandwidth of 20MHz (Mega Hertz) (i.e., BW = 20MHz), a single SS (Single Spatial Stream) count of 1 (i.e., NSS = 1), and a maximum MCS index value of 5, meaning the MCS index value can be any value from 0 to 5, for example, an MCS index value of 5. In the first capability communication mode, the device supports a bandwidth greater than or equal to 20MHz, for example, any one or more of 40MHz, 80MHz, 160MHz, or 320MHz, a single SS count greater than or equal to 2, an MCS index greater than or equal to 5, and so on.

[0179] For example, the first capability communication mode refers to a BW greater than 20MHz, SS greater than or equal to 2, and MCS order greater than 5. The second capability communication mode refers to a BW equal to 20MHz, SS equal to 1, or an MCS order up to MCS5. Optionally, in a communication mode, the MCS information supported by the device is associated with multiple communication parameters. For example, the communication parameters associated with the MCS information may include, but are not limited to: NSS, the modulation scheme supported by each spatial stream, coding rate, BW, device transmission resource type [e.g., Resource Unit RU, Multiple Resource Unit (MRU), Distributed Resource Unit (dRU), UEQM, etc.], whether the device supports BW punctured channel pattern, and at least one of the following: the punctured channel density supported by the device.

[0180] For example, regarding each communication parameter, does the device support its specific parameter values? For instance, for NSS, the maximum NSS supported by the device could be 4, 8, or 16. Taking modulation schemes as an example, the modulation schemes supported by a spatial stream supported by the device could be at least one of Binary Phase Shift Keying (BPSK), Quadrature Phase Shift Keying (QPSK), Quadrature Amplitude Modulation (QAM), 64-QAM, 256-QAM, 1024-QAM, and 4096-QAM. Taking coding rate as an example, the coding rate supported by a spatial stream supported by the device could be 1 / 2, 2 / 3, 3 / 4, or 5 / 6. Taking BW as an example, the BW supported by the device could be at least one of 20MHz, 40MHz, 80MHz, 160MHz, and 320MHz. When the device supports BW punch channel mode, the punch channel density supported by the device may be at least one of 20MHz, 40MHz, 80MHz, 160MHz, and 320MHz.

[0181] For a given device, the MCS information it supports can be found in Table 1.

[0182] Table 1

[0183] As shown in Table 1, n, n+1, n+2, n+3, n+4, etc., are merely examples used to distinguish the differences between each row. Specific values ​​need to be adjusted according to the actual situation. In each row, the NSS, modulation, coding rate, transmission resource type, BW, whether puncturing is supported, and puncturing channel density corresponding to the device can be arbitrarily combined, and the corresponding MCS index value will differ under different combinations. For example, in the second row, the MCS index values ​​corresponding to different combinations can specifically be t, t+1, t+2, ..., etc.

[0184] Optionally, to ensure the reliability of STA receiving downlink data frames, AP102 can explicitly or implicitly instruct the STA associated with AP102 to receive downlink data frames sent by AP102 in a higher capability communication mode (e.g., the first capability communication mode).

[0185] In the explicit indication method, the first radio frame is used to identify that the first STA101 needs to receive downlink data frames sent by AP102 in the first capability communication mode. Optionally, in this case, the first radio frame may include a beacon frame.

[0186] In the implicit indication method, the first radio frame is used to indicate that the first radio frame is applied to the TWT (target wakeup time) mechanism, and to indicate that the STA receiving the first radio frame receives the downlink data frame sent by AP102. In this case, the first radio frame may include: a second radio frame received before the arrival of the TWT SP (Target Wakeup Time Service Period); or a third radio frame received within the TWT SP.

[0187] Optionally, the second and third wireless frames can be trigger frames.

[0188] Optionally, the TWT SP can be an individual TWT SP or a broadcast TWT SP, and this disclosure does not limit this.

[0189] Specifically, when the TWT SP is an individual TWT SP, the TWT SP is the service period of the target time limit negotiated between the first STA101 and AP102. When the TWT SP is a broadcast TWT SP, the TWT SP is the service period of the target time limit in a communication mode where AP102 uniformly schedules and multiple STAs (including the first STA101) participate as TWT scheduled STAs (the scheduled STAs in the TWT mechanism).

[0190] Optionally, as an optional embodiment, AP102 can indicate whether there are downlink data frames to be sent to the STA by sending a beacon frame to the STA associated with AP102 (i.e., whether AP102 has buffered downlink data frames for the STA).

[0191] As an example, a beacon frame can carry TIM (traffic indication MAP102) information (AP102 is a standalone AP102) or multi-link traffic indication (AP102 is an AP MLD that supports multi-link communication). The TIM information or multi-link traffic indication can be used to identify whether AP102 has downlink data frames to be sent to STA.

[0192] Optionally, the beacon frame can be a broadcast frame, that is, a single beacon frame can broadcast the TIM information corresponding to STAs on multiple links. Accordingly, the first STA 101 can determine whether AP 102 has downlink data frames to be sent to the first STA 101 based on the beacon frame received from AP 102.

[0193] Optionally, AP102 can send beacon frames using the following communication parameters: broadcast bandwidth of 20MHz, and MCS (Modulation and Coding Scheme) mode (e.g., a lower MCS index value, such as MCS0 or MCS1).

[0194] Optionally, in this embodiment of the disclosure, the beacon frame may include second identification information, which is used to identify that there is a downlink data frame in AP102 to be sent to the first STA101.

[0195] Optionally, the beacon frame may include a second information identifier bit, which includes one bit and can identify whether there is a downlink data frame to be sent to the first STA101 in AP102 according to the parameter value of the first information identifier bit.

[0196] As an example, when the second information flag is set to "1", it indicates that the beacon frame contains the second flag information, meaning that AP102 contains a downlink data frame to be sent to the first STA101. When the second information flag is set to "0" or is not present, it indicates that AP102 does not contain a downlink data frame to be sent to the first STA101.

[0197] Optionally, in this embodiment of the disclosure, when AP102 supports multi-link communication, the AP MLD may contain downlink data frames to be sent to all or some of the STAs associated with the AP MLD. That is, when AP102 is attached to the AP MLD (i.e., AP102 supports multi-link communication),

[0198] The beacon frame may also include second identification information corresponding to each second STA associated with the AP MLD;

[0199] or,

[0200] The beacon frame may also include second identification information corresponding to each third STA associated with the AP MLD.

[0201] Optionally, the first STA101 can be one of the second STAs. The first STA101 can also be one of the third STAs.

[0202] Optionally, when AP102 is attached to AP MLD, the beacon frame may include a field associated with the second identification information, such as a first graph information field or multi-link traffic indication.

[0203] Taking the first map information field, which is associated with the second identification information, as an example, this first map information field includes an identification bit corresponding to each STA associated with the AP MLD. For each STA, when the identification bit corresponding to the STA is set to "1", it indicates that the beacon frame contains the second identification information corresponding to that STA, meaning that AP102 has a downlink data frame to be sent to that STA. When the identification bit corresponding to the STA is set to "0", it indicates that the beacon frame does not contain the second identification information corresponding to that STA, meaning that AP102 does not have a downlink data frame to be sent to that STA.

[0204] For example, assuming the number of STAs associated with the AP MLD is 8, namely STA1, STA2, STA3, STA4, STA5, STA6, STA7, and STA8, the beacon frame may include a first map information field associated with the second identification information. This first map information field includes the identifier bit corresponding to each STA associated with the AP MLD, from the high bit to the low bit, corresponding to STA1, STA2, STA3, STA4, STA5, STA6, STA7, and STA8 respectively. Then: if the value of the first map information field is 0010 1100, it means that the AP MLD has downlink data frames to be sent to STA3, STA5, and STA6 respectively, but no downlink data frames to be sent to STA1, STA2, STA4, STA7, and STA8; if the value of the first map information field is 1111 1100, it means that the AP MLD has downlink data frames to be sent to STA1, STA2, STA3, STA4, STA5, and STA6 respectively, but no downlink data frames to be sent to STA7 and STA8.

[0205] Optionally, if there is a downlink data frame to be sent to a certain STA in AP102, referring to the explicit indication method described above, AP102 can indicate the communication mode (e.g., first capability communication mode) used by the STA when receiving the downlink data frame sent by AP102 through the information carried in the beacon frame.

[0206] Optionally, in this embodiment of the disclosure, the beacon frame includes first identification information, which is used to identify that the first STA101 needs to receive downlink data frames sent by AP102 in the first capability communication mode.

[0207] Optionally, the beacon frame may include a first information identifier bit, which includes one bit and can identify whether the first STA101 is receiving downlink data frames sent by AP102 in the first capability communication mode, based on the parameter value of the first information identifier bit.

[0208] As an example, when the first information flag is set to "1", it indicates that the first flag information exists in the beacon frame, meaning that the first STA101 needs to switch to the first capability communication mode to receive downlink data frames sent by AP102. When the first information flag is set to "0" or does not exist, it indicates that the first STA101 does not need to switch to the first capability communication mode to receive downlink data frames sent by AP102.

[0209] Optionally, when the first STA101 receives a beacon frame sent by the AP102, if the first STA101 is in the first capability communication mode, then the first STA101 can directly receive the downlink data frame sent by the AP102 in the first capability communication mode. If the current communication mode of the first STA101 is not the first capability communication mode (for example, the first STA101 is in the second capability communication mode, power saving mode, or Listen Operation mode, etc.), then the first STA101 needs to switch to the first capability communication mode to receive the downlink data frame sent by the AP102.

[0210] Optionally, when AP102 is attached to AP MLD, AP102 may instruct one or more STAs associated with AP102 in a beacon frame to switch to a first capability communication mode before receiving downlink data frames sent by AP102. Accordingly, AP102 may also broadcast first identification information corresponding to one or more STAs associated with AP102 through its broadcast beacon frames.

[0211] Optionally, in this embodiment of the disclosure, when AP102 is attached to AP MLD (i.e. AP102 supports multi-link communication), the beacon frame includes first identification information corresponding to each second STA associated with AP MLD;

[0212] or,

[0213] The beacon frame includes the first identification information corresponding to each third STA in the STAs associated with the AP MLD.

[0214] Optionally, in order to save energy for STAs (i.e. reduce the power consumption of STA devices) and to achieve load balance among multiple links supported by AP MLD, AP102 may specify that STAs on some links supported by AP102 (i.e., the third STA) need to switch to the first capability communication mode to receive downlink data frames buffered by AP102, without limiting all STAs associated with AP102 (i.e., the second STA) to switch to the first capability communication mode to receive downlink data frames buffered by AP102.

[0215] Accordingly, if the beacon frame includes the first identification information corresponding to each third STA, the third STA can receive downlink data frames that the AP MLD has buffered for other STAs (i.e., STAs associated with the AP MLD and not in the first capability communication mode) through the working link of the third STA.

[0216] Optionally, when AP102 is attached to AP MLD, the beacon frame may include a second bitmap information field associated with the first identification information. This second bitmap information field includes an identification bit corresponding to each STA associated with AP MLD. For each STA, when the identification bit corresponding to that STA is set to "1", it indicates that the beacon frame contains the first identification information corresponding to that STA, meaning that the STA needs to receive downlink data frames sent by AP102 in the first capability communication mode. When the identification bit corresponding to that STA is set to "0", it indicates that the beacon frame does not contain the first identification information corresponding to that STA, meaning that the STA does not need to receive downlink data frames sent by AP102 in the first capability communication mode.

[0217] For example, assuming the number of STAs associated with the AP MLD is 8, namely STA1, STA2, STA3, STA4, STA5, STA6, STA7, and STA8, the beacon frame may include a second bitmap information field associated with the second identification information. This second bitmap information field includes an identifier bit corresponding to each STA associated with the AP MLD, from high to low bits corresponding to STA1, STA2, STA3, STA4, STA5, STA6, STA7, and STA8 respectively. Then: if the value of this second bitmap information field is 0110 1100, it means that the AP MLD instructs STA2, STA3, STA5, and STA6 to receive downlink data frames sent by AP102 in the first capability communication mode, while STA1, STA4, STA7, and STA8 do not need to receive downlink data frames sent by AP102 in the first capability communication mode; if the value of this second bitmap information field is 1011 1100, it means that the AP... MLD instructs STA1, STA3, STA4, STA5, and STA6 to receive downlink data frames sent by AP102 in the first capability communication mode, while STA2, STA7, and STA8 are not required to receive downlink data frames sent by AP102 in the first capability communication mode.

[0218] Referring to Figure 3, before step 201 (the first STA101 switches from the current communication mode to the first capability communication mode), the above method further includes:

[0219] In step 301, AP102 sends a first radio frame to the first STA101, instructing the first STA101 to switch from the current communication mode to the first capability communication mode if it determines that AP102 has downlink data frames to be sent to the first STA101. Accordingly, the first STA101 receives the first radio frame sent by AP102.

[0220] Optionally, the content carried in the first wireless frame can be specifically referred to in the embodiment section corresponding to step 201, and will not be repeated here.

[0221] After step 201 (the first STA101 switches from the current communication mode to the first capability communication mode), the above method further includes:

[0222] In step 302, AP102 sends a downlink data frame to the first STA101. Correspondingly, the first STA101 receives the downlink data frame sent by AP102.

[0223] Optionally, the first STA101 can receive the downlink data frame sent by AP102 through step 302a or 302b.

[0224] Step 302a: The first STA101 uses the communication parameters for data reception before mode switching to receive downlink data frames sent by AP102.

[0225] Optionally, the communication parameters for receiving data before mode switching, i.e., the communication parameters used by the first STA101 when receiving downlink data frames before switching to the first capability communication mode.

[0226] Step 302b: The first STA101 uses the communication parameters corresponding to the first capability communication mode to receive the downlink data frame sent by AP102.

[0227] Optionally, the communication parameters corresponding to the first capability communication mode can be found in the above-described fixed communication parameters corresponding to the first capability communication mode. For example, in the first capability communication mode described above, the bandwidth supported by the device can be greater than or equal to 20MHz, such as any one or more of 40MHz, 80MHz, 160MHz or 320MHz, the number of SS can be greater than or equal to 2, the MCS index can be greater than or equal to 6, and so on.

[0228] As an example, when the first STA101 receives downlink data frames sent by AP102 using the communication parameters corresponding to the first capability communication mode, the specific operation may include: the first STA101 can obtain the downlink data frames buffered by AP102 by initiating a PS-Poll (power-saving polling) operation under a bandwidth of 40MHz BW.

[0229] Optionally, the downlink data frames sent by AP102 to the first STA101 may include, but are not limited to, downlink data frames buffered by AP102 for the first STA101 (i.e., data frames that AP102 has to send to the first STA101), downlink data frames sent by AP MLD attached to AP102 and to be sent to the fourth STA, etc.

[0230] Optionally, in this embodiment of the disclosure, after the first STA101 switches from the current communication mode to the first capability communication mode, the above method further includes:

[0231] When the first STA101 is the third STA, the first STA101 receives the downlink data frame sent by the AP MLD and to be sent to the fourth STA in the link where the beacon frame is received;

[0232] Among them, the fourth STA is the STA associated with AP MLD other than the third STA, and the communication mode of the fourth STA is not the first capability communication mode.

[0233] As mentioned above, when the first STA101 has switched to the first capability communication mode, by receiving the downlink data frame sent by the AP MLD and to be sent to the fourth STA through the working link of the first STA101 (i.e. the link where the first STA101 receives beacon frames), the device power consumption of the fourth STA can be further reduced, and the loading balance between the multiple links established between the AP MLD attached to AP102 and the non-AP MLD attached to the first STA101 can be improved.

[0234] The following describes the situation where the first STA101 receives downlink data frames sent by AP102, depending on whether the first radio frame is a beacon frame, the second radio frame, or the third radio frame:

[0235] Scenario 1: The first radio frame is a beacon frame (the beacon frame is used to identify that the first STA101 needs to receive downlink data frames sent by AP102 in the first capability communication mode).

[0236] Referring to Figure 4a, step 201 (the first STA101 switches from the current communication mode to the first capability communication mode) may include step 401a.

[0237] Step 401a: The first STA101 switches from the current communication mode to the first capability communication mode according to the first identification information.

[0238] Optionally, referring to the above, the first identification information is used to identify that the first STA101 needs to receive downlink data frames sent by AP102 in the first capability communication mode. When the first STA101 receives a beacon frame sent by AP102 and determines that the beacon frame carries the first identification information, it can switch from the current communication mode to the first capability communication mode.

[0239] Optionally, the current communication mode of the first STA101 may include, but is not limited to, the first capability communication mode, the second capability communication mode, the power saving mode, or the Listen Operation mode.

[0240] Optionally, in actual operation, if the current communication mode of the first STA101 is the first capability communication mode, then the first STA101 does not need to perform a communication mode switching operation when it receives a beacon frame sent by AP102 and determines that the beacon frame carries the first identification information. If the current communication mode of the first STA101 is not the first capability communication mode, then the first STA101 needs to perform a communication mode switching operation, that is, switch from the current communication mode to the first capability communication mode, when it receives a beacon frame sent by AP102 and determines that the beacon frame carries the first identification information.

[0241] Scenario 2: The first radio frame is the second radio frame (the second radio frame is used to indicate that the STA that receives the second radio frame receives the downlink data frame sent by AP102).

[0242] Referring to Figure 4b, step 201 (the first STA101 switches from the current communication mode to the first capability communication mode) may include step 401b.

[0243] Step 401b: Before the TWT SP arrives, if the first STA101 wakes up before the first delay and receives the second radio frame, the first STA101 switches from the current communication mode to the first capability communication mode and receives the downlink data frame sent by AP102.

[0244] The first delay includes the switching delay required for the STA associated with AP102 to switch from the current communication mode to the first capability communication mode.

[0245] Optionally, step 301 is: before the TWT SP arrives, AP102 sends a second radio frame to the first STA101, instructing the STA that receives the second radio frame to receive the downlink data frame sent by AP102.

[0246] Optionally, when the TWT SP is an individual TWT SP, the first delay includes the switching delay required for the first STA101 to switch from the current communication mode to the first capability communication mode. When the TWT SP is a broadcast TWT SP, in order to ensure that all TWT scheduled STAs have sufficient time to switch from the current communication mode to the first capability communication mode, the first delay includes the maximum value of the switching delays required for all TWT scheduled STAs to switch from the current communication mode to the first capability communication mode.

[0247] Optionally, when the STA supports the same transmission protocol, the switching latency required for the STA to switch from the current communication mode to the first capability communication mode should be the same; when the STA supports different transmission protocols, the switching latency required for the STA to switch from the current communication mode to the first capability communication mode may be different.

[0248] Optionally, in this embodiment of the disclosure, if the first STA101 is attached to a non-AP MLD, and the TWT SP is consistent across every link supported by the non-AP MLD,

[0249] Before the arrival of the TWT SP, the STA attached to the non-AP MLD wakes up before the first delay and, upon receiving the second radio frame, switches from the current communication mode to the first capability communication mode and receives the downlink data frame sent by AP102.

[0250] Optionally, if the first STA101 is attached to a non-AP MLD and the TWT SP is consistent under each link supported by the non-AP MLD, each STA under each link can refer to the above-described method of the first STA101 receiving downlink data frames sent by AP102, wake up before the first delay, and when the second radio frame is received, switch from the current communication mode to the first capability communication mode and receive downlink data frames sent by AP102.

[0251] Scenario 3: The first radio frame is the third radio frame (the third radio frame is used to indicate that the STA that receives the third radio frame receives the downlink data frame sent by AP102).

[0252] Referring to Figure 4c, step 201 (the first STA101 switches from the current communication mode to the first capability communication mode) may include step 401c.

[0253] Step 401c: Within the TWT SP, when the first STA101 receives the third radio frame, it switches from the current communication mode to the first capability communication mode and receives the downlink data frame sent by AP102.

[0254] The third radio frame includes second delay information, which includes the maximum value of the switching delay required for the STA associated with AP102 to switch from the current communication mode to the first capability communication mode.

[0255] Optionally, step 301 is: within the TWT SP, AP102 sends a third radio frame to the first STA101, instructing the STA that receives the third radio frame to receive the downlink data frame sent by AP102.

[0256] Referring to the above, optionally, when the STAs support the same transmission protocol, the switching delay required for the STA to switch from the current communication mode to the first capability communication mode should be the same; when the STAs support different transmission protocols, the switching delay required for the STA to switch from the current communication mode to the first capability communication mode may be different. Therefore, when AP102 is associated with multiple STAs, and each STA corresponds to the same transmission protocol, the second delay can be the switching delay required for any one of the STAs to switch from the current communication mode to the first capability communication mode. When AP102 is associated with multiple STAs, and there are STAs with different corresponding transmission protocols, the second delay can be the maximum value among the switching delays required for the STAs associated with AP102 to switch from the current communication mode to the first capability communication mode.

[0257] Optionally, in this embodiment of the disclosure, when AP102 is attached to AP MLD, the STA associated with AP102 includes: STA supporting a first transmission protocol and / or STA supporting a second transmission protocol;

[0258] The protocol version of the first transmission protocol is greater than or less than the protocol version of the second transmission protocol.

[0259] Optionally, the first transmission protocol can be the highest protocol version currently available as WLAN technology has evolved. The second transmission protocol can be a protocol version lower than the first transmission protocol. As an example, the first transmission protocol can be the UHR transmission protocol, and the second transmission protocol can be the EHT transmission protocol.

[0260] In cases where the STAs associated with AP102 include STAs supporting different transmission protocols, the STAs associated with AP102 can be called hybrid-type STAs. Conversely, if the STAs associated with AP102 include STAs supporting the same transmission protocol, the STAs associated with AP102 can be called STAs supporting a specific transmission protocol.

[0261] Optionally, taking the current highest protocol version corresponding to the transport protocol 802.11bn as an example, the mixed type of STA can include 802.11bn STA and legacy STA.

[0262] Optionally, in this embodiment of the disclosure, if the first STA101 is attached to a non-AP MLD, and the TWT SP is consistent across every link supported by the non-AP MLD,

[0263] When a STA attached to a non-AP MLD receives a third radio frame within a TWT SP, it switches from the current communication mode to the first capability communication mode and receives downlink data frames sent by AP102.

[0264] Optionally, if the first STA101 is attached to the non-AP MLD and the TWT SP is consistent under each link supported by the non-AP MLD, the STA under each link can refer to the above-described method of the first STA101 receiving downlink data frames sent by AP102. In the TWT SP, when the third radio frame is received, the STA switches from the current communication mode to the first capability communication mode and receives downlink data frames sent by AP102.

[0265] In some embodiments, the STA may receive downlink data frames buffered by the AP for the STA in the following situations.

[0266] Scenario 1: When the STA is in low-capability communication mode (i.e., first-capability communication mode) or PS mode, after receiving the beacon frame broadcast by the AP, the STA receives the data frames buffered by the AP for the STA. Specifically:

[0267] When the AP is an independent access point device, it carries TIM information in the beacon frame to indicate whether the AP has buffered downlink data frames for the STAs. When the AP is an access point device that supports multi-link communication (i.e., AP MLD), the AP MLD carries multi-Link traffic indication information in the beacon frame to indicate whether the AP MLD has buffered downlink data frames for multiple STAs associated with the AP MLD.

[0268] Optionally, when the AP is an independent access point device and the AP requires the STA to switch to a high-capability communication mode (i.e., the second-capability communication mode) to obtain downlink data frames buffered by the AP for the STA, the AP can carry an information flag bit in the beacon frame to indicate whether the STA needs to switch to the high-capability communication mode and receive downlink data frames buffered by the AP for the STA in the high-capability communication mode.

[0269] Optionally, when the AP is an AP MLD, the AP attached to the AP MLD may broadcast on one link that STAs on multiple links need to switch to high-capacity communication mode to obtain downlink data frames buffered by the AP for the STAs. Accordingly, the AP attached to the AP MLD can carry in the beacon information flag bit indicating whether STAs (i.e., the second STAs) on multiple links that have corresponding buffered downlink data frames and are in low-capacity communication mode need to switch to high-capacity communication mode, indicating that the STAs need to switch to high-capacity communication mode and receive downlink data frames buffered by the AP for the STAs in high-capacity communication mode.

[0270] Optionally, to save energy for STAs and ensure loading balance between links, the AP MLD can also specify certain STAs (i.e., the third STA) on certain links to switch to high-capacity communication mode, instead of all STAs on all links switching to high-capacity communication mode. Optionally, the STA that switches to high-capacity communication mode can replace other STAs on other links that have corresponding buffered downlink data frames and are in low-capacity communication mode (i.e., the fourth STA) to receive downlink data frames buffered by the AP for the fourth STA.

[0271] Optionally, the AP and STA can also negotiate the communication parameters used by the STA when receiving downlink data frames buffered by the AP when the STA switches from a low-capability communication mode to a high-capability communication mode. For example, the communication parameters can be: (1) the communication parameters used by the STA when receiving downlink data frames buffered by the AP before switching from a low-capability communication mode to a high-capability communication mode; or (2) the fixed communication parameters corresponding to the high-capability communication mode, such as receiving downlink data frames buffered by the AP by sending PS-Poll when the bandwidth is 40MHz.

[0272] Optionally, when the AP or AP MLD broadcasts a beacon frame, the broadcast bandwidth of the beacon frame is 20MHz, and the MCS method used by the beacon frame is a lower MCS method, for example, the index value of the MCS method is 0 or 1, i.e., MCS0 or MCS1.

[0273] Scenario 2: Under TWT SP, when the STA is in low-capability communication mode (i.e., first-capability communication mode) or PS mode, after receiving the trigger frame broadcast by the AP, the STA receives the data frame buffered by the AP for the STA. Specifically (the following explanation uses the STA being in low-capability communication mode as an example):

[0274] a. Before the TWT SP negotiated with the AP (which may include an individual TWT SP or a broadcast TWT SP) arrives, the STA must wake up at least before the handover delay required for the STA to switch from low-capability communication mode to high-capability communication mode, receive the trigger frame (second radio frame) sent by the AP, and after receiving the trigger frame, receive the downlink PPDU (i.e., downlink data frame) sent by the AP. Wherein, if the STA is attached to a non-AP MLD and the TWT SP is aligned (consistent) on each link, then the STA operating on each link must wake up at least before the handover delay required for the STA to switch from low-capability communication mode to high-capability communication mode, receive the trigger frame sent by the AP on the corresponding link, and after receiving the trigger frame sent by the AP on the corresponding link, receive the downlink PPDU sent by the AP on the corresponding link.

[0275] b. In the TWT SP negotiated between the STA and the AP (which may include individual TWT SP or broadcast TWT SP), the STA in low-capability communication mode receives the trigger frame (third radio frame) sent by the AP, and after receiving the trigger frame, receives the downlink PPDU (i.e., downlink data frame) sent by the AP. Specifically, if the STA is attached to a non-AP MLD and the TWT SP is aligned on each link, then the STA attached to the non-AP MLD and in low-capability communication mode receives the trigger frame sent by the AP on the corresponding link within the TWT SP negotiated with the AP on the corresponding link, and after receiving the trigger frame sent by the AP on the corresponding link, receives the downlink PPDU sent by the AP on the corresponding link.

[0276] Assuming that different types of STAs support different handover delays for switching between high and low capability communication modes (i.e., switching from low capability communication mode to high capability communication mode, or vice versa), and if the AP is associated with multiple STAs, then: When the multiple STAs include mixed types (i.e., supporting different transport protocols) such as legacy STAs (e.g., EHT STAs) and 802.11bn STAs (e.g., UHR STAs)), the trigger frame carries the maximum handover delay for switching between high and low capability communication modes supported by each type of STA. When the multiple STAs include STAs of the same type (i.e., supporting the same transport protocol) such as legacy STAs (e.g., EHT STAs) or 802.11bn STAs (e.g., UHR STAs)), the trigger frame carries the handover delay for switching between high and low capability communication modes supported by the corresponding type of STA.

[0277] In some embodiments, the names of information, etc., are not limited to the names described in the embodiments. Terms such as "information", "message", "signal", "signaling", "report", "configuration", "indication", "instruction", "command", "channel", "parameter", "domain", "field", "symbol", "bit", "data", "program", and "chip" can be used interchangeably.

[0278] In some embodiments, terms such as “moment,” “point in time,” “time,” and “time location” can be used interchangeably, as can terms such as “duration,” “segment,” “time window,” “window,” and “time.”

[0279] In some embodiments, terms such as wireless access scheme and waveform can be used interchangeably.

[0280] In some embodiments, terms such as "certain," "preset," "default," "set," "indicated," "a certain," "any," and "first" can be used interchangeably. "Certain A," "preset A," "default A," "set A," "indicated A," "a certain A," "any A," and "first A" can be interpreted as A pre-defined in a protocol or the like, or as A obtained through setting, configuration, or instruction, or as specific A, a certain A, any A, or first A, but are not limited thereto.

[0281] In some embodiments, the determination or judgment can be made by a value represented by 1 bit (0 or 1), or by a true or false value (boolean), or by a comparison of numerical values ​​(e.g., a comparison with a predetermined value), but is not limited thereto.

[0282] In some embodiments, "not expecting to receive" can be interpreted as not receiving on time domain resources and / or frequency domain resources, or as not performing subsequent processing on the data after receiving it; "not expecting to send" can be interpreted as not sending, or as sending but not expecting the receiver to respond to the sent content.

[0283] The device power-saving method disclosed in this embodiment may include the foregoing steps and at least one of the embodiments. For example, step 201 may be implemented as an independent embodiment, step 301 may be implemented as an independent embodiment, step 302 may be implemented as an independent embodiment, step 302a may be implemented as an independent embodiment, step 302b may be implemented as an independent embodiment, step 401a may be implemented as an independent embodiment, step 401b may be implemented as an independent embodiment, step 402b may be implemented as an independent embodiment, and step 401c may be implemented as an independent embodiment.The combination of steps 301 and 201 can be implemented as an independent embodiment; the combination of steps 201 and 302 can be implemented as an independent embodiment; the combination of steps 201 and 302a can be implemented as an independent embodiment; the combination of steps 201 and 302b can be implemented as an independent embodiment; the combination of steps 301, 201 and 302 can be implemented as an independent embodiment; the combination of steps 301, 201 and 302a can be implemented as an independent embodiment; the combination of steps 301, 201 and 302b can be implemented as an independent embodiment; step 301 and... The combination of step 401a can be implemented as an independent embodiment; the combination of step 401a and step 302 can be implemented as an independent embodiment; the combination of step 401a and step 302a can be implemented as an independent embodiment; the combination of step 401a and step 302b can be implemented as an independent embodiment; the combination of steps 301, 401a, and step 302 can be implemented as an independent embodiment; the combination of steps 301, 401a, and step 302a can be implemented as an independent embodiment; the combination of steps 301a and step 302b can be implemented as an independent embodiment; the combination of step 301a and step 302b can be implemented as an independent embodiment. The combination of step 401b can be implemented as an independent embodiment; the combination of step 401b and step 302 can be implemented as an independent embodiment; the combination of step 401b and step 302a can be implemented as an independent embodiment; the combination of step 401b and step 302b can be implemented as an independent embodiment; the combination of steps 301, 401b, and step 302 can be implemented as an independent embodiment; the combination of steps 301, 401b, and step 302a can be implemented as an independent embodiment; the combination of steps 301 and... The combination of step 401c can be implemented as an independent embodiment; the combination of step 401c and step 302 can be implemented as an independent embodiment; the combination of step 401c and step 302a can be implemented as an independent embodiment; the combination of step 401c and step 302b can be implemented as an independent embodiment; the combination of steps 301, 401c, and step 302 can be implemented as an independent embodiment; the combination of steps 301, 401c, and step 302a can be implemented as an independent embodiment; the combination of steps 301, 401c, and step 302b can be implemented as an independent embodiment, but is not limited thereto.

[0284] In some embodiments, other optional implementations may be described before or after the specification corresponding to Figure 4.

[0285] Figure 5 is a schematic flowchart of a data receiving method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0286] As shown in Figure 5, the above method can be applied to the first STA101, and the above method includes:

[0287] Step 501: Upon receiving the first wireless frame sent by the access point device 102 and determining that the AP 102 has a downlink data frame to be sent to the first site device STA, the first STA 101 switches from the current communication mode to the first capability communication mode.

[0288] Wherein, the first radio frame is used to identify that: the first STA101 needs to receive the downlink data frame sent by the AP102 in the first capability communication mode; or, the first radio frame is applied to the Target Wake-Up Time (TWT) mechanism and is used to indicate that: the STA that receives the first radio frame receives the downlink data frame sent by the AP102.

[0289] For at least one communication parameter, the parameter value in the first capability communication mode is greater than the parameter value in the second capability communication mode.

[0290] Optionally, in this embodiment of the disclosure, the first wireless frame includes at least one of the following:

[0291] A beacon frame; wherein the beacon frame includes first identification information, the first identification information being used to identify that: the first STA101 needs to receive downlink data frames sent by the AP102 in the first capability communication mode;

[0292] The second radio frame received before the service period TWT SP arrives; wherein the second radio frame is used to indicate that the STA that receives the second radio frame receives the downlink data frame sent by AP102;

[0293] The third radio frame received within the TWT SP; wherein the third radio frame is used to indicate that the STA receiving the third radio frame receives the downlink data frame sent by the AP102.

[0294] Optionally, in this embodiment of the disclosure, the first STA101 switches from the current communication mode to the first capability communication mode, including:

[0295] The first STA101 switches from the current communication mode to the first capability communication mode based on the first identification information.

[0296] Optionally, in this embodiment of the disclosure, when the AP102 is attached to the multi-link access point device 102AP MLD,

[0297] The beacon frame includes first identification information corresponding to each second STA associated with the AP MLD;

[0298] or,

[0299] The beacon frame includes first identification information corresponding to each third STA in the subset of STAs associated with the AP MLD.

[0300] Optionally, in this embodiment of the disclosure, after the first STA101 switches from the current communication mode to the first capability communication mode, the method further includes:

[0301] When the first STA101 is the third STA, the first STA101 receives the downlink data frame sent by the AP MLD and to be sent to the fourth STA in the link where the beacon frame is received;

[0302] Wherein, the fourth STA is any STA associated with the AP MLD other than the third STA, and the communication mode of the fourth STA is not the first capability communication mode.

[0303] Optionally, in this embodiment of the disclosure, the beacon frame further includes second identification information, which is used to identify that the AP102 contains the downlink data frame to be sent to the first STA101.

[0304] Optionally, in this embodiment of the present disclosure, before the arrival of the TWT SP, if the first STA101 wakes up before the first delay and receives the second radio frame, the first STA101 switches from the current communication mode to the first capability communication mode and receives the downlink data frame sent by the AP102.

[0305] The first delay includes the switching delay required for the STA associated with the AP102 to switch from the current communication mode to the first capability communication mode.

[0306] Optionally, in this embodiment of the disclosure, the first STA101 switches from the current communication mode to the first capability communication mode, including:

[0307] When the first STA101 is attached to a non-AP MLD, and the TWT SP is consistent across all links supported by the non-AP MLD,

[0308] Before the TWT SP arrives, the STA attached to the non-AP MLD wakes up before the first delay and, upon receiving the second radio frame, switches from the current communication mode to the first capability communication mode and receives the downlink data frame sent by the AP102.

[0309] Optionally, in this embodiment of the disclosure, the first STA101 switches from the current communication mode to the first capability communication mode, including:

[0310] Within the TWT SP, when the first STA101 receives the third radio frame, it switches from the current communication mode to the first capability communication mode and receives the downlink data frame sent by the AP102.

[0311] The third radio frame includes second delay information, which includes the maximum value of the switching delay required for the STA associated with AP102 to switch from the current communication mode to the first capability communication mode.

[0312] Optionally, in this embodiment of the disclosure, when the AP102 is attached to the AP MLD, the STA associated with the AP102 includes: a STA supporting a first transmission protocol and / or a STA supporting a second transmission protocol;

[0313] Wherein, the protocol version of the first transmission protocol is greater than or less than the protocol version of the second transmission protocol.

[0314] Optionally, in this embodiment of the disclosure, the first STA101 switches from the current communication mode to the first capability communication mode, including:

[0315] When the first STA101 is attached to a non-AP MLD, and the TWT SP is consistent across all links supported by the non-AP MLD,

[0316] When a STA attached to the non-AP MLD receives the third radio frame in the TWT SP, it switches from the current communication mode to the first capability communication mode and receives the downlink data frame sent by the AP102.

[0317] Optionally, in this embodiment of the disclosure, after the first STA101 switches from the current communication mode to the first capability communication mode, the method further includes:

[0318] The communication parameters for receiving data before mode switching are used by the first STA101, and the downlink data frames sent by the AP102 are received.

[0319] or,

[0320] The downlink data frames sent by AP102 are received using the communication parameters corresponding to the first capability communication mode.

[0321] The optional implementations of step 501 can be found in the optional implementations of steps 201, 401a, 401b, and 401c in Figure 2, as well as other related parts in the embodiments mentioned earlier in Figure 4, which will not be repeated here.

[0322] Figure 6 is a second schematic flowchart illustrating a data transmission method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0323] As shown in Figure 6, the above method can be applied to access point device 102, and the method includes:

[0324] Step 601, AP102 sends a first radio frame to the first STA101, instructing the first STA101 to switch from the current communication mode to the first capability communication mode if it is determined that AP102 has downlink data frames to be sent to the first STA101.

[0325] Wherein, the first radio frame is used to identify that the first STA101 needs to receive the downlink data frame sent by the AP102 in the first capability communication mode; or, the first radio frame is applied to the TWT mechanism and is used to indicate that the STA that receives the first radio frame receives the downlink data frame sent by the AP102.

[0326] For at least one communication parameter, the parameter value in the first capability communication mode is greater than the parameter value in the second capability communication mode.

[0327] Optionally, in this embodiment of the disclosure, the first wireless frame includes at least one of the following:

[0328] A beacon frame; wherein the beacon frame includes first identification information, the first identification information being used to identify that: the first STA101 needs to receive downlink data frames sent by the AP102 in the first capability communication mode;

[0329] The second radio frame received before the service period TWT SP arrives; wherein the second radio frame is used to indicate that the STA that receives the second radio frame receives the downlink data frame sent by AP102;

[0330] The third radio frame received within the TWT SP; wherein the third radio frame is used to indicate that the STA receiving the third radio frame receives the downlink data frame sent by the AP102.

[0331] Optionally, in embodiments of this disclosure, when AP102 is attached to AP MLD,

[0332] The beacon frame includes first identification information corresponding to each second STA associated with the AP MLD;

[0333] or,

[0334] The beacon frame includes first identification information corresponding to each third STA among the partial STAs associated with the AP MLD.

[0335] Optionally, in this embodiment of the disclosure, after the first STA101 switches from the current communication mode to the first capability communication mode, the method further includes:

[0336] When the first STA101 is the third STA, the AP102 sends a downlink data frame to be sent to the fourth STA to the first STA101 on the link that sends the beacon frame;

[0337] Wherein, the fourth STA is any STA associated with the AP MLD other than the third STA, and the communication mode of the fourth STA is not the first capability communication mode.

[0338] Optionally, in this embodiment of the disclosure, the beacon frame further includes second identification information, which is used to identify that there is a downlink data frame to be sent to the first STA101 in the AP102.

[0339] Optionally, in this embodiment of the disclosure, sending the first radio frame to the first STA101 includes:

[0340] Before the TWT SP arrives, and before the first STA101 wakes up before the first delay, the second radio frame is sent to the first STA101.

[0341] Optionally, in this embodiment of the disclosure, sending the first radio frame to the first STA101 includes:

[0342] When the first STA101 is attached to a non-AP MLD, and the TWT SP is consistent across all links supported by the non-AP MLD,

[0343] Before the TWT SP arrives, if the STA attached to the non-AP MLD wakes up before the first delay, the second radio frame is sent to the STA attached to the non-AP MLD.

[0344] Optionally, in this embodiment of the disclosure, sending the first radio frame to the first STA101 includes:

[0345] Within the TWT SP, the third radio frame is sent to the first STA101;

[0346] The third radio frame includes second delay information, which includes the maximum value of the switching delay required for the STA associated with the AP102 to switch from the current communication mode to the first capability communication mode.

[0347] Optionally, in this embodiment of the disclosure, when the AP102 is attached to the AP MLD, the STA associated with the AP102 includes STAs supporting a first transmission protocol and / or STAs supporting a second transmission protocol;

[0348] Wherein, the protocol version of the first transmission protocol is greater than or less than the protocol version of the second transmission protocol.

[0349] Optionally, in this embodiment of the disclosure, sending the first radio frame to the first STA101 includes:

[0350] When the first STA101 is attached to a non-AP MLD, and the TWT SP is consistent across all links supported by the non-AP MLD,

[0351] Within the TWT SP, the third radio frame is transmitted to the STA attached to the non-AP MLD.

[0352] Optionally, in this embodiment of the disclosure, after the first STA101 switches from the current communication mode to the first capability communication mode, the method further includes:

[0353] Send downlink data frames to the first STA101.

[0354] The optional implementations of step 601 can be found in the optional implementations of steps 201, 401a, 401b, and 401c in Figure 2, as well as other related parts in the embodiments mentioned earlier in Figure 4, which will not be repeated here.

[0355] This disclosure also provides an apparatus for implementing any of the above methods. For example, an apparatus is provided that includes units or modules for implementing the steps performed by the terminal in any of the above methods. Alternatively, another apparatus is provided that includes units or modules for implementing the steps performed by a network device (e.g., an access network device, a core network functional node, a core network device, etc.) in any of the above methods.

[0356] It should be understood that the division of units or modules in the above device is only a logical functional division. In actual implementation, they can be fully or partially integrated into a single physical entity, or they can be physically separated. Furthermore, the units or modules in the device can be implemented by a processor calling software: for example, the device includes a processor connected to a memory containing instructions. The processor calls the instructions stored in the memory to implement any of the above methods or to implement the functions of the units or modules in the above device. The processor can be, for example, a general-purpose processor, such as a Central Processing Unit (CPU) or a microprocessor, and the memory can be internal or external to the device. Alternatively, the units or modules in the device can be implemented in the form of hardware circuits. The functionality of some or all of the units or modules can be achieved through the design of these hardware circuits, which can be understood as one or more processors. For example, in one implementation, the hardware circuit is an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC). The functionality of some or all of the units or modules is achieved through the design of the logical relationships between the components within the circuit. In another implementation, the hardware circuit can be implemented using a programmable logic device (PLD). Taking a field-programmable gate array (FPGA) as an example, it can include a large number of logic gates. The connection relationships between the logic gates are configured through configuration files, thereby achieving the functionality of some or all of the units or modules. All units or modules of the above device can be implemented entirely through processor-called software, entirely through hardware circuits, or partially through processor-called software with the remaining parts implemented through hardware circuits.

[0357] In this embodiment, the processor is a circuit with signal processing capabilities. In one implementation, the processor can be a circuit with instruction read and execute capabilities, such as a Central Processing Unit (CPU), a microprocessor, a graphics processing unit (GPU) (which can be understood as a microprocessor), or a digital signal processor (DSP). In another implementation, the processor can implement certain functions through the logical relationships of hardware circuits. The logical relationships of the aforementioned hardware circuits are fixed or reconfigurable. For example, the processor is a hardware circuit implemented using an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) or a programmable logic device (PLD), such as an FPGA. In a reconfigurable hardware circuit, the process of the processor loading a configuration document and configuring the hardware circuit can be understood as the process of the processor loading instructions to implement the functions of some or all of the above units or modules. Furthermore, it can also be a hardware circuit designed for artificial intelligence, which can be understood as an ASIC, such as a Neural Network Processing Unit (NPU), a Tensor Processing Unit (TPU), or a Deep Learning Processing Unit (DPU).

[0358] Figure 7 is a structural schematic diagram of the first site device proposed in an embodiment of this disclosure. As shown in Figure 7, the first site device 700 may include: a first processing module 701.

[0359] In some embodiments, the determining module 701 is configured to, upon receiving a first wireless frame sent by an access point device (AP) and determining that the AP has a downlink data frame to be sent to a first site device (STA), switch the first STA from the current communication mode to a first capability communication mode.

[0360] Wherein, the first radio frame is used to identify that: the first STA needs to receive downlink data frames sent by the AP in the first capability communication mode; or, the first radio frame is applied to the Target Wake-Up Time (TWT) mechanism and is used to indicate that: the STA that receives the first radio frame receives downlink data frames sent by the AP.

[0361] For at least one communication parameter, the parameter value in the first capability communication mode is greater than the parameter value in the second capability communication mode.

[0362] Optionally, the determination module 701 is used to execute at least one of the communication steps (e.g., steps 201, 401a, 401b, 401c, and 501, but not limited thereto) executed by the first device 101 in any of the above methods, which will not be elaborated here.

[0363] Optionally, the first device 700 may further include a first transceiver module, which is used to perform at least one of the transceiver steps (e.g., steps 201, 301, 302, 302a, 302b, but not limited thereto) performed by the first device 101 in any of the above methods, which will not be elaborated here.

[0364] Figure 8 is a structural schematic diagram of the access point device proposed in an embodiment of this disclosure. As shown in Figure 8, the access point device may include a transmitting module 801.

[0365] In some embodiments, the transmitting module is configured to transmit a first radio frame to a first STA, instructing the first STA to switch from the current communication mode to a first capability communication mode when it is determined that the AP has downlink data frames to be transmitted to the first STA;

[0366] Wherein, the first radio frame is used to identify that the first STA needs to receive downlink data frames sent by the AP in the first capability communication mode; or, the first radio frame is applied to the TWT mechanism and is used to indicate that the STA that receives the first radio frame receives the downlink data frames sent by the AP.

[0367] For at least one communication parameter, the parameter value in the first capability communication mode is greater than the parameter value in the second capability communication mode.

[0368] Optionally, the sending module 801 is used to perform at least one of the sending and receiving steps (e.g., steps 201, 301, 302, 302a, 302b, but not limited thereto) performed by the access point device 102 in any of the above methods, which will not be described in detail here.

[0369] Figure 9 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a terminal 900 (e.g., a user equipment) proposed in an embodiment of this disclosure. The terminal 900 may be a chip, chip system, or processor that supports network devices in implementing any of the above methods, or it may be a chip, chip system, or processor that supports a terminal in implementing any of the above methods. The terminal 900 can be used to implement the methods described in the above method embodiments; for details, please refer to the descriptions in the above method embodiments.

[0370] As shown in Figure 9, terminal 900 includes one or more processors 901. Processor 901 can be a general-purpose processor or a dedicated processor, such as a baseband processor or a central processing unit (CPU). The baseband processor can be used to process communication protocols and communication data, while the CPU can be used to control communication devices (e.g., base stations, baseband chips, terminal devices, terminal device chips, DUs or CUs, etc.), execute programs, and process program data. Terminal 900 is used to execute any of the above methods.

[0371] In some embodiments, the terminal 900 further includes one or more memories 902 for storing instructions. Optionally, all or part of the memories 902 may be located outside the terminal 900.

[0372] In some embodiments, the terminal 900 further includes one or more transceivers 904. When the terminal 900 includes one or more transceivers 904, the transceivers 904 perform at least one of the communication steps such as sending and / or receiving in the above method (e.g., steps 201, 301, 302, 302a, 302b, but not limited thereto), and the processor 901 performs at least one of other steps (e.g., steps 201, 401a, 401b, 401c, 501, but not limited thereto).

[0373] In some embodiments, a transceiver may include a receiver and / or a transmitter, which may be separate or integrated. Optionally, the terms transceiver, transceiver unit, transceiver, transceiver circuit, etc., may be used interchangeably; the terms transmitter, transmitting unit, transmitter, transmitting circuit, etc., may be used interchangeably; and the terms receiver, receiving unit, receiver, receiving circuit, etc., may be used interchangeably.

[0374] In some embodiments, terminal 900 may include one or more interface circuits 903. Optionally, interface circuit 903 is connected to memory 902, and interface circuit 903 can be used to receive signals from memory 902 or other devices, and can be used to send signals to memory 902 or other devices. For example, interface circuit 903 can read instructions stored in memory 902 and send the instructions to processor 901.

[0375] The terminal 900 described in the above embodiments may be a user equipment or other communication device, but the scope of the terminal 900 described in this disclosure is not limited thereto, and the structure of the terminal 900 may not be limited by FIG. 9. The communication device may be an independent device or a part of a larger device. For example, the communication device may be: (1) an independent integrated circuit IC, or chip, or chip system or subsystem; (2) a set of one or more ICs, optionally, the IC set may also include storage components for storing data and programs; (3) an ASIC, such as a modem; (4) a module that can be embedded in other devices; (5) a receiver, terminal device, smart terminal device, cellular phone, wireless device, handheld device, mobile unit, vehicle device, network device, cloud device, artificial intelligence device, etc.; (6) others, etc.

[0376] Figure 10 is a schematic diagram of the structure of the chip 1000 proposed in an embodiment of this disclosure. For cases where the terminal 900 can be a chip or a chip system, the schematic diagram of the chip 1000 shown in Figure 10 can be referenced, but is not limited thereto.

[0377] Chip 1000 includes one or more processors 1001, which are used to perform any of the above methods.

[0378] In some embodiments, chip 1000 further includes one or more 1003s. Optionally, interface circuitry 1003 is connected to memory 1002. Interface circuitry 1003 can be used to receive signals from memory 1002 or other devices, and interface circuitry 1003 can be used to send signals to memory 1002 or other devices. For example, interface circuitry 1003 can read instructions stored in memory 1002 and send the instructions to processor 1001.

[0379] In some embodiments, the interface circuit 1003 performs at least one of the communication steps such as sending and / or receiving in the above method (e.g., steps 201, 301, 302, 302a, 302b, but not limited thereto), and the processor 1001 performs at least one of other steps (e.g., steps 201, 401a, 401b, 401c, 501, but not limited thereto).

[0380] In some embodiments, the terms interface circuit, interface, transceiver pin, transceiver, etc., can be used interchangeably.

[0381] In some embodiments, chip 1000 further includes one or more memories 1002 for storing instructions. Optionally, all or part of the memories 1002 may be located outside of chip 1000.

[0382] This disclosure also proposes a storage medium storing instructions that, when executed on a terminal 900, cause the terminal 900 to perform any of the methods described above. Optionally, the storage medium is an electronic storage medium. Optionally, the storage medium is a computer-readable storage medium, but not limited thereto; it may also be a storage medium readable by other devices. Optionally, the storage medium may be a non-transitory storage medium, but not limited thereto; it may also be a temporary storage medium.

[0383] This disclosure also proposes a program product that, when executed by terminal 900, causes terminal 900 to perform any of the above methods. Optionally, the program product is a computer program product.

[0384] This disclosure also proposes a computer program that, when run on a computer, causes the computer to perform any of the above methods.

Claims

1. A data receiving method, characterized in that, The method includes: Upon receiving a first wireless frame sent by an access point device (AP), and determining that the AP has downlink data frames to be sent to a first site device (STA), the first STA switches from the current communication mode to the first capability communication mode. Wherein, the first radio frame is used to identify that the first STA needs to receive downlink data frames sent by the AP in the first capability communication mode; or, the first radio frame is applied to the TWT mechanism and is used to indicate that the STA that receives the first radio frame receives the downlink data frames sent by the AP. For at least one communication parameter, the parameter value in the first capability communication mode is greater than the parameter value in the second capability communication mode.

2. The data receiving method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first wireless frame includes at least one of the following: A beacon frame; wherein the beacon frame includes first identification information, the first identification information being used to identify that: the first STA needs to receive downlink data frames sent by the AP in a first capability communication mode; The second radio frame received before the service period TWT SP arrives; wherein the second radio frame is used to indicate that the STA receiving the second radio frame receives the downlink data frame sent by the AP; The third radio frame received within the TWT SP; wherein the third radio frame is used to indicate that the STA receiving the third radio frame receives the downlink data frame sent by the AP.

3. The data receiving method according to claim 2, characterized in that, The first STA switches from the current communication mode to the first capability communication mode, including: The first STA switches from the current communication mode to the first capability communication mode based on the first identification information.

4. The data receiving method according to claim 3, characterized in that, In the case where the AP is attached to a multi-link access point device (AP MLD), The beacon frame includes first identification information corresponding to each second STA associated with the AP MLD; or, The beacon frame includes first identification information corresponding to each third STA among the partial STAs associated with the AP MLD.

5. The data receiving method according to claim 4, characterized in that, After the first STA switches from the current communication mode to the first capability communication mode, the method further includes: When the first STA is the third STA, the first STA receives the downlink data frame sent by the AP MLD and to be sent to the fourth STA on the link where the beacon frame is received; Wherein, the fourth STA is any STA associated with the AP MLD other than the third STA, and the communication mode of the fourth STA is not the first capability communication mode.

6. The data receiving method according to any one of claims 2 to 5, characterized in that, The beacon frame also includes second identification information, which is used to identify that there is a downlink data frame in the AP to be sent to the first STA.

7. The data receiving method according to claim 2, characterized in that, The first STA switches from the current communication mode to the first capability communication mode, including: Before the TWT SP arrives, if the first STA wakes up before the first delay and receives the second radio frame, the first STA switches from the current communication mode to the first capability communication mode and receives the downlink data frame sent by the AP. The first delay includes the switching delay required for the STA associated with the AP to switch from the current communication mode to the first capability communication mode.

8. The data receiving method according to claim 7, characterized in that, The first STA switches from the current communication mode to the first capability communication mode, including: When the first STA is attached to a non-AP MLD, and the TWT SP is consistent across all links supported by the non-AP MLD, Before the arrival of the TWT SP, the STA attached to the non-AP MLD wakes up before the first delay and, upon receiving the second radio frame, switches from the current communication mode to the first capability communication mode and receives the downlink data frame sent by the AP.

9. The data receiving method according to claim 2, characterized in that, The first STA switches from the current communication mode to the first capability communication mode, including: Within the TWT SP, when the first STA receives the third radio frame, it switches from the current communication mode to the first capability communication mode and receives the downlink data frame sent by the AP. The third wireless frame includes second delay information, which includes the maximum value of the switching delay required for the STA associated with the AP to switch from the current communication mode to the first capability communication mode.

10. The data receiving method according to claim 9, characterized in that, In the case where the AP is attached to the AP MLD, the STA associated with the AP MLD includes: STAs that support the first transmission protocol and / or STAs that support the second transmission protocol.

11. The data receiving method according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that, The first STA switches from the current communication mode to the first capability communication mode, including: When the first STA is attached to a non-AP MLD, and the TWT SP is consistent across all links supported by the non-AP MLD, When a STA attached to the non-AP MLD receives the third radio frame in the TWT SP, it switches from the current communication mode to the first capability communication mode and receives downlink data frames sent by the AP.

12. The data receiving method according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that, After the first STA switches from the current communication mode to the first capability communication mode, the method further includes: The communication parameters for receiving data before mode switching by the first STA are used to receive downlink data frames sent by the AP. or, The downlink data frames sent by the AP are received using the communication parameters corresponding to the first capability communication mode.

13. A data transmission method, characterized in that, The method includes: The AP sends a first radio frame to the first STA, instructing the first STA to switch from the current communication mode to the first capability communication mode if it is determined that the AP has downlink data frames to be sent to the first STA. Wherein, the first radio frame is used to identify that the first STA needs to receive downlink data frames sent by the AP in the first capability communication mode; or, the first radio frame is applied to the TWT mechanism and is used to indicate that the STA that receives the first radio frame receives the downlink data frames sent by the AP. For at least one communication parameter, the parameter value in the first capability communication mode is greater than the parameter value in the second capability communication mode.

14. The data transmission method according to claim 13, characterized in that, The first wireless frame includes at least one of the following: A beacon frame; wherein the beacon frame includes first identification information, the first identification information being used to identify that: the first STA needs to receive downlink data frames sent by the AP in a first capability communication mode; The second radio frame received before the service period TWT SP arrives; wherein the second radio frame is used to indicate that the STA receiving the second radio frame receives the downlink data frame sent by the AP; The third radio frame received within the TWT SP; wherein the third radio frame is used to indicate that the STA receiving the third radio frame receives the downlink data frame sent by the AP.

15. The data transmission method according to claim 14, characterized in that, In the case where the AP is attached to the AP MLD, The beacon frame includes first identification information corresponding to each second STA associated with the AP MLD; or, The beacon frame includes first identification information corresponding to each third STA among the partial STAs associated with the AP MLD.

16. The data transmission method according to claim 15, characterized in that, After the first STA switches from the current communication mode to the first capability communication mode, the method further includes: When the first STA is the third STA, the AP sends a downlink data frame to be sent to the fourth STA to the first STA on the link that sends the beacon frame; Wherein, the fourth STA is any STA associated with the AP MLD other than the third STA, and the communication mode of the fourth STA is not the first capability communication mode.

17. The data transmission method according to any one of claims 14 to 16, characterized in that, The beacon frame also includes second identification information, which is used to identify that there is a downlink data frame in the AP to be sent to the first STA.

18. The data transmission method according to claim 14, characterized in that, Sending the first radio frame to the first STA includes: Before the TWT SP arrives, and before the first STA wakes up before the first delay, the second radio frame is sent to the first STA.

19. The data transmission method according to claim 18, characterized in that, Sending the first radio frame to the first STA includes: When the first STA is attached to a non-AP MLD, and the TWT SP is consistent across all links supported by the non-AP MLD, Before the TWT SP arrives, if the STA attached to the non-AP MLD wakes up before the first delay, the second radio frame is sent to the STA attached to the non-AP MLD.

20. The data transmission method according to claim 14, characterized in that, Sending the first radio frame to the first STA includes: Within the TWT SP, the third radio frame is sent to the first STA; The third wireless frame includes second delay information, which includes the maximum value of the switching delay required for the STA associated with the AP to switch from the current communication mode to the first capability communication mode.

21. The data transmission method according to claim 20, characterized in that, In the case where the AP is attached to the AP MLD, the STA associated with the AP MLD includes STAs that support the first transmission protocol and / or STAs that support the second transmission protocol.

22. The data transmission method according to claim 20 or 21, characterized in that, Sending the first radio frame to the first STA includes: When the first STA is attached to a non-AP MLD, and the TWT SP is consistent across all links supported by the non-AP MLD, Within the TWT SP, the third radio frame is transmitted to the STA attached to the non-AP MLD.

23. The data transmission method according to any one of claims 13 to 22, characterized in that, After the first STA switches from the current communication mode to the first capability communication mode, the method further includes: Send downlink data frames to the first STA.

24. A communication device, characterized in that, The communication equipment includes a first site device (STA), comprising: The first processing module is configured to switch from the current communication mode to the first capability communication mode when it receives a first wireless frame sent by an access point device (AP) and determines that the AP has a downlink data frame to be sent to the first STA. Wherein, the first radio frame is used to identify that: the first STA needs to receive downlink data frames sent by the AP in the first capability communication mode; or, the first radio frame is applied to the Target Wake-Up Time (TWT) mechanism and is used to indicate that: the STA that receives the first radio frame receives downlink data frames sent by the AP. For at least one communication parameter, the parameter value in the first capability communication mode is greater than the parameter value in the second capability communication mode.

25. A communication device, characterized in that, The communication equipment includes an access point device (AP), comprising: The transmitting module is used to send a first radio frame to the first STA, instructing the first STA to switch from the current communication mode to a first capability communication mode when it is determined that the AP has downlink data frames to be sent to the first STA; Wherein, the first radio frame is used to identify that the first STA needs to receive downlink data frames sent by the AP in the first capability communication mode; or, the first radio frame is applied to the TWT mechanism and is used to indicate that the STA that receives the first radio frame receives the downlink data frames sent by the AP. For at least one communication parameter, the parameter value in the first capability communication mode is greater than the parameter value in the second capability communication mode.

26. A communication device, characterized in that, The communication equipment includes a first site device, comprising: One or more processors; The first station device is used to perform the data receiving method according to any one of claims 1 to 12.

27. A communication device, characterized in that, The communication equipment includes an access point device, comprising: One or more processors; The access point device is used to perform the data transmission method according to any one of claims 13 to 23.

28. A communication system, characterized in that, This includes the first site device (STA) and the access point device (AP); The access point device is used to send a first radio frame to the first STA, instructing the first STA to switch from the current communication mode to the first capability communication mode when it is determined that the AP has downlink data frames to be sent to the first STA. When the first STA receives the first wireless frame sent by the access point device AP and determines that the AP has downlink data frames to be sent to the first STA, it switches from the current communication mode to the first capability communication mode. Wherein, the first radio frame is used to identify that: the first STA needs to receive downlink data frames sent by the AP in the first capability communication mode; or, the first radio frame is applied to the Target Wake-Up Time (TWT) mechanism and is used to indicate that: the STA that receives the first radio frame receives downlink data frames sent by the AP. For at least one communication parameter, the parameter value in the first capability communication mode is greater than the parameter value in the second capability communication mode.

29. A storage medium storing instructions, characterized in that, When the instruction is executed on the communication device, the communication device performs the data receiving method as described in any one of claims 1 to 12, or performs the data sending method as described in any one of claims 13 to 23.

30. A program product, characterized in that, When the program product is executed by a communication device, the communication device performs the data receiving method as described in any one of claims 1 to 12, or the data sending method as described in any one of claims 13 to 23.

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