Communication method and communication apparatus

Abstract

A communication method and a communication apparatus, which are used for designing a unified frame format of a PPDU. The present application supports IEEE protocols, such as 802.11be, Wi-Fi 7, EHT, IEEE 802.11bn, UHR, Wi-Fi 8, IMMW, 802.15 and 802.11bf protocols, and can also support a NearLink protocol. The method comprises: sending a PPDU, the PPDU being an AMP PPDU, and the PPDU comprising a first payload, a first field and a second field, wherein the first field is used for indicating whether an energizer signal is present, and the second field is used for indicating a modulation and coding scheme (MCS) for the first payload.

Description

A communication method and communication device

[0001] Cross-reference to related applications

[0002] This application claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 202411226264.9, filed on September 2, 2024, entitled "A Communication Method and Communication Device", the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0003] This application relates to the field of communication technology, and in particular to a communication method and communication device. Background Technology

[0004] The IEEE 802.11 working group is currently discussing a project called Ambient Power (AMP), which supports IoT devices with energy harvesting capabilities. These devices can collect energy from various sources (such as radio waves, light (sunlight), motion, and heat) to enable battery-free communication, thus solving the problems associated with traditional batteries. Such IoT devices could be referred to as AMP IoT devices or AMP devices in general.

[0005] Similar to traditional wireless communication devices (such as Wi-Fi devices), AMP devices can transmit information via physical layer protocol data units (PPDUs). These PPDUs come in various types, including control PPDUs, energy generator PPDUs, control-energizer PPDUs, downlink (DL) control PPDUs, wireless power transfer (WPT) PPDUs, and uplink (UL) PPDUs. Designing the frame format for these different types of PPDUs is a problem currently being studied by those skilled in the art. Summary of the Invention

[0006] This application provides a communication method and apparatus for designing a unified PPDU frame format, which can be applied to various types of PPDUs.

[0007] Firstly, a first communication method is provided, applicable to the AMP (Ambient Dynamics Programming) field. This method can be executed by a first device, such as an access point (AP) for an AMP; or a station (STA) for an AMP; or, the method can be executed by a chip system capable of implementing the functions of the first device. The method includes: transmitting a Physical Layer Protocol Data Unit (PPDU), where the PPDU is an ambient energy PPDU, and the PPDU includes a first payload, a first field, and a second field; wherein the first field indicates the presence of an energizer signal, and the second field indicates the modulation and coding scheme (MCS) of the first payload.

[0008] In this embodiment of the application, the first field can indicate whether the PPDU includes a charging signal, so that the frame format of the PPDU can be applied to both PPDUs that include a charging signal and PPDUs that do not include a charging signal.

[0009] In one possible implementation, at least one of the first field and the second field is included in the signaling field. Currently, the receiving end typically assists in demodulating data through the signaling field in the PPDU, therefore including the first field and / or the second field in the signaling field conforms to the provisions of existing protocols.

[0010] In one possible implementation, the PPDU type includes: control PPDU; downlink control PPDU; uplink PPDU; or control-energizer PPDU. Currently, the main types of PPDUs include control PPDU, charging PPDU, control-energizer PPDU, downlink control PPDU, wireless power transfer PPDU, and uplink PPDU. Among them, charging PPDU and wireless power transfer PPDU are mainly used to transmit charging signals, and the receiving end does not need to demodulate data, and the transmitting end does not need to indicate the MCS. However, for the four types of PPDUs—control PPDU, control-energizer PPDU, downlink control PPDU, and uplink PPDU—the PPDU includes control information or data, and the transmitting end needs to indicate the MCS to assist the receiving end in demodulating the control information or data in the PPDU. Therefore, the frame format of the PPDU in this application embodiment can be applied to these four types of PPDUs.

[0011] In one possible implementation, the first field is also used to indicate the type of PPDU. For example, the first field indicates the presence of a charging signal, and the type of PPDU indicated by the first field includes a control-charging PPDU; the first field indicates the absence of a charging signal, and the type of PPDU indicated by the first field may include a control PPDU, a downlink control PPDU, or an uplink PPDU. Furthermore, by distinguishing between the four types of PPDUs applicable to the embodiments of this application, the number of PPDU types indicated by the first field can be reduced, which helps to reduce the number of bits occupied by the first field, thereby reducing the overhead of the PPDU.

[0012] In one possible implementation, the first field is used to indicate the presence of the charging signal, and the first field is also used to indicate the type of PPDU, including: the first field is used to indicate the control-charging PPDU. In this embodiment, among the four applicable types of PPDUs, only the control-charging PPDU can be used to carry the charging signal. Therefore, when the first field indicates the presence of a charging signal, the first field can directly indicate the control-charging PPDU.

[0013] In one possible implementation, the first field is used to indicate the absence of the charging signal. The first field also indicates the type of PPDU, including: the first field includes a first subfield, the first subfield having a first value, a second value, and a third value; the first value indicates the control PPDU, the second value indicates the downlink control PPDU, and the third value indicates the uplink PPDU. When the first field indicates multiple PPDU types, different values ​​of the subfield indicate different types of PPDUs, which helps the receiving end distinguish the received PPDUs.

[0014] In one possible implementation, the first field indicates the absence of the charging signal, and the PPDU further includes a third field indicating whether it is used for back reflection. The type of PPDU indicated by the first field is related to the third field. When the first field indicates the absence of a charging signal, the types of PPDUs indicated by the first field can be further reduced by combining the applicable scenario of the PPDU, i.e., the indication information of whether it is applicable to a back reflection scenario.

[0015] In one possible implementation, the third field indicates back reflection, and the first field indicates the type of PPDU, including: the first field indicating the control PPDU. In this embodiment, among the four applicable types of PPDUs, PPDUs without a charging signal include control PPDUs, downlink control PPDUs, or uplink PPDUs. Only control PPDUs can be used in back reflection scenarios; therefore, when the third field indicates applicability to back reflection, the first field can directly indicate the control PPDU.

[0016] In one possible implementation, the third field indicates that it is not used for back reflection, and the first field is used to indicate the type of PPDU, including: the first field includes a second subfield, the second subfield having a fourth value and a fifth value, the fourth value indicating a downlink control PPDU, and the fifth value indicating an uplink PPDU. When the first field indicates multiple types of PPDUs, different values ​​of the subfields indicate different types of PPDUs, which helps the receiving end to distinguish the received PPDUs.

[0017] In one possible implementation, the type of the PPDU indicated by the first field is the control-energizing PPDU, and the second field is also used to indicate the MCS of the back-reflecting load. The control-energizing PPDU is a PPDU sent by the AP to the STA, which can carry control information and also provide the STA with an energizer symbol for back reflection. When it provides the STA with the energizer symbol for back reflection, the second field can indicate the MCS of the back-reflecting load, which is used by the STA to modulate the data transmitted to the AP.

[0018] In one possible implementation, the second field is also used to indicate the length of the back reflection load. The length of the back reflection load can also be indicated in other ways, such as through information elements in control information (e.g., the first load), which is not limited in this embodiment.

[0019] In one possible implementation, the second field is further used to indicate the length of the first payload. The length of the first payload can also be indicated in other ways, such as through a medium access control (MAC) header; this embodiment of the application is not limited to this.

[0020] In one possible implementation, the second field is also used to indicate the type of PPDU. In this embodiment, the information indicating the type of PPDU can be included in either the first field or the second field, thereby allowing for a more reasonable setting of the PPDU length, i.e., the number of bits occupied by the PPDU, which helps to reduce the transmission overhead of the PPDU.

[0021] Secondly, a second communication method is provided, applicable to the AMP field. This method can be executed by a second device, such as a station device (STA); or the first device can be an access point device (AP); or the method can be executed by a chip system capable of implementing the functions of the second device. It is understood that the second device and the first device are different devices; for example, if the first device is an AP, then the second device is a STA, and vice versa. The method includes: receiving a Physical Layer Protocol Data Unit (PPDU), where the PPDU is an ambient energy PPDU, and the PPDU includes a first payload, a first field, and a second field; wherein the first field indicates the presence of an energizer signal, and the second field indicates the modulation and coding scheme (MCS) of the first payload.

[0022] In one possible implementation, at least one of the first field and the second field is included in the signaling field.

[0023] In one possible implementation, the type of PPDU includes: a control PPDU; a downlink control PPDU; an uplink PPDU; or a control-energizer PPDU.

[0024] In one possible implementation, the first field is also used to indicate the type of PPDU.

[0025] In one possible implementation, the first field is used to indicate the presence of the charging signal, and the first field is also used to indicate the type of PPDU, including: the first field is used to indicate the control-charging PPDU.

[0026] In one possible implementation, the first field is used to indicate the absence of the charging signal, and the first field is also used to indicate the type of PPDU, including: the first field includes a first subfield, the value of the first subfield includes a first value, a second value and a third value, the first value is used to indicate the control PPDU, the second value is used to indicate the downlink control PPDU, and the third value is used to indicate the uplink PPDU.

[0027] In one possible implementation, the first field is used to indicate the absence of the charging signal, and the PPDU further includes a third field, which is used to indicate whether it is used for back reflection, and the type of PPDU indicated by the first sub-field is related to the third field.

[0028] In one possible implementation, the third field indicates for back reflection, and the first field is also used to indicate the type of PPDU, including: the first field is used to indicate the control PPDU.

[0029] In one possible implementation, the third field indicates that it is not used for back reflection, and the first field is also used to indicate the type of PPDU, including: the first field includes a second subfield, the value of the second subfield includes a fourth value and a fifth value, the fourth value is used to indicate the downlink control PPDU, and the fifth value is used to indicate the uplink PPDU.

[0030] In one possible implementation, the first field indicates the type of the PPDU as the control-charging PPDU, and the second field is also used to indicate the MCS of the back reflection load.

[0031] In one possible implementation, the second field is also used to indicate the length of the back reflection load.

[0032] In one possible implementation, the second field is also used to indicate the length of the first load.

[0033] In one possible implementation, the second field is also used to indicate the type of PPDU.

[0034] For the technical effects of the second aspect or various alternative implementation methods, please refer to the introduction of the technical effects of the first aspect or corresponding implementation methods.

[0035] Thirdly, a third communication method is provided, which can be applied in the AMP field. This method can be executed by the AMP's access point device, such as an AP; or it can be executed by a chip system capable of implementing the functions of the access point device. The method includes: transmitting a control-energizer physical layer protocol data unit (PPDU), wherein the control-energizer PPDU includes M signaling fields, N second payloads, and P indices, where M + P = N. The M signaling fields correspond one-to-one with the M second payloads, and the P indices correspond one-to-one with the P second payloads. The P second payloads are the second payloads among the N second payloads excluding the M second payloads. The signaling fields indicate the modulation and coding scheme (MCS) of the corresponding second payload. The M signaling fields indicate different MCSs. The indices indicate the signaling fields, and the MCS of the second payload corresponding to the index is the same as the MCS of the second payload corresponding to the signaling field indicated by the index. M, N, and P are positive integers.

[0036] In this embodiment, the number of signaling fields included in the PPDU is less than the number of payloads; that is, one signaling field can be used to indicate one or more payloads, which helps to reduce the length of the PPDU and thus reduce its transmission overhead. Furthermore, a PPDU includes multiple payloads, allowing the AP to send information to multiple STAs simultaneously, which helps to improve communication efficiency.

[0037] In one possible implementation, the second payload includes a control payload and an energizer symbol for back reflection. The control-energizer PPDU sent by the AP to the STA can carry both control information and provide the STA with an energizer symbol for back reflection; therefore, the second payload can include both a control payload and an energizer symbol. The control payload carries the control information.

[0038] In one possible implementation, the signaling field is further used to indicate at least one of the length of the control load and the length of the back reflection load in the corresponding second load. The length of the control load can also be indicated by the MAC header, and the length of the back reflection load can also be indicated by information elements in the control load; however, this embodiment does not limit this.

[0039] In one possible implementation, the control-charging PPDU further includes N synchronization fields. The inclusion of synchronization fields in the PPDU conforms to existing protocols.

[0040] Fourthly, a fourth communication method is provided, which can be applied in the AMP field. This method can be executed by a site device, such as a STA; or it can be executed by a chip system capable of implementing the functions of the site device. The method includes: receiving a control-energizer physical layer protocol data unit (PPDU), wherein the control-energizer PPDU includes M signaling fields, N second payloads, and P indices, where M + P = N. The M signaling fields correspond one-to-one with the M second payloads, and the P indices correspond one-to-one with the P second payloads. The P second payloads are the second payloads among the N second payloads excluding the M second payloads. The signaling fields are used to indicate the modulation and coding scheme (MCS) of the corresponding second payload. The M signaling fields indicate different MCSs. The indices are used to indicate the signaling fields, and the MCS of the second payload corresponding to the index is the same as the MCS of the second payload corresponding to the signaling field indicated by the index. M, N, and P are positive integers.

[0041] In one possible implementation, the second load includes a control load and a charging symbol.

[0042] In one possible implementation, the signaling field is also used to indicate at least one of the length of the control load and the length of the back reflection load in the corresponding second load.

[0043] In one possible implementation, the control-charging PPDU further includes N synchronization fields.

[0044] For the technical effects of the fourth aspect or various alternative implementation methods, please refer to the introduction of the technical effects of the third aspect or corresponding implementation methods.

[0045] Fifthly, a communication device is provided. This communication device has the function of implementing the behavior described in any one of the first to third aspects of the method embodiments described above. The beneficial effects are as described above and will not be repeated here.

[0046] The communication device may be an access point device as described in any of the first to third aspects above, or an electronic device (e.g., a chip system) configured in the access point device, or a larger device including the access point device. The communication device includes corresponding means or modules for performing the above-described methods. For example, the communication device includes a processing unit (sometimes also called a processing module) and a transceiver unit (sometimes also called a transceiver module).

[0047] For example, the transceiver unit is used to transmit physical layer protocol data units (PPDUs), where the PPDU is an ambient energy PPDU. The PPDU includes a first payload, a first field, and a second field. The first field is used to indicate whether an energizer signal is present, and the second field is used to indicate the modulation and coding strategy (MCS) of the first payload.

[0048] For example, the transceiver unit is used to transmit control-energizer physical layer protocol data units (PPDUs). The control-energizer PPDU includes M signaling fields, N second payloads, and P indices, where M + P = N. The M signaling fields correspond one-to-one with the M second payloads, and the P indices correspond one-to-one with the P second payloads. The P second payloads are the second payloads among the N second payloads excluding the M second payloads. The signaling fields are used to indicate the modulation and coding scheme (MCS) of the corresponding second payload. The M signaling fields indicate different MCSs. The indices are used to indicate the signaling fields. The MCS of the second payload corresponding to the index is the same as the MCS of the second payload corresponding to the signaling field indicated by the index. M, N, and P are positive integers.

[0049] In one alternative implementation, the communication device includes a storage unit, and the processing unit is coupled to the storage unit and executes programs or instructions in the storage unit to enable the communication device to perform the functions of the access point device described above.

[0050] In one alternative embodiment, the communication device includes a processor coupled to a memory for executing instructions in the memory to implement the method performed by the access point device according to any one of the first to third aspects. Optionally, the communication device may also include other components, such as an antenna, input / output modules, interfaces, etc. These components may be hardware, software, or a combination of both.

[0051] Sixthly, a communication device is provided. This communication device has the function of implementing the behavior described in any of the first, second, or fourth aspects of the method, and the beneficial effects are as described above, and will not be repeated here.

[0052] The communication device may be a station device as described in any of the first, second, or fourth aspects above, or an electronic device (e.g., a chip system) configured in the station device, or a larger device including the station device. The communication device includes corresponding means or modules for performing the above-described methods. For example, the communication device includes a processing unit (sometimes also called a processing module) and a transceiver unit (sometimes also called a transceiver module).

[0053] For example, the transceiver unit is used to receive physical layer protocol data units (PPDUs), where the PPDU is an ambient energy PPDU. The PPDU includes a first payload, a first field, and a second field. The first field is used to indicate whether an energizer signal is present, and the second field is used to indicate the modulation and coding strategy (MCS) of the first payload.

[0054] For example, the transceiver unit is used to receive control-energizer physical layer protocol data units (PPDUs). The control-energizer PPDU includes M signaling fields, N second payloads, and P indices, where M + P = N. The M signaling fields correspond one-to-one with the M second payloads, and the P indices correspond one-to-one with the P second payloads. The P second payloads are the second payloads among the N second payloads excluding the M second payloads. The signaling fields are used to indicate the modulation and coding scheme (MCS) of the corresponding second payload. The M signaling fields indicate different MCSs. The indices are used to indicate the signaling fields. The MCS of the second payload corresponding to the index is the same as the MCS of the second payload corresponding to the signaling field indicated by the index. M, N, and P are positive integers.

[0055] In one alternative implementation, the communication device includes a storage unit, and the processing unit is coupled to the storage unit and executes programs or instructions in the storage unit to enable the communication device to perform the functions of the aforementioned site equipment.

[0056] In one alternative embodiment, the communication device includes a processor coupled to a memory for executing instructions in the memory to implement the methods performed by the station device as described in any of the first, second, or fourth aspects. Optionally, the communication device may also include other components, such as an antenna, input / output modules, interfaces, etc. These components may be hardware, software, or a combination of both.

[0057] A seventh aspect provides a communication device, such as an access point device, or a chip or chip system for use in an access point device. The communication device includes a communication interface and a processor, and optionally, a memory. The memory stores a computer program, and the processor is coupled to the memory and the communication interface. When the processor reads the computer program or instructions, it causes the communication device to execute the method performed by the access point device according to any one of the first to third aspects described above.

[0058] Eighthly, a communication device is provided, such as a station device, or a chip or chip system for use in a station device. The communication device includes a communication interface and a processor, and optionally, a memory. The memory stores a computer program, and the processor is coupled to the memory and the communication interface. When the processor reads the computer program or instructions, it causes the communication device to execute the method performed by the station device in any of the first, second, or fourth aspects described above.

[0059] A ninth aspect provides a communication system that may include an access point device and a site device. The access point device may perform the method performed by the access point device in any one of the first to third aspects described above, and the site device may perform the method performed by the site device in any one of the first, second, or fourth aspects described above.

[0060] Optionally, the access point device may be implemented using the communication device described in the fifth or seventh aspect, and the site device may be implemented using the communication device described in the sixth or eighth aspect.

[0061] A tenth aspect provides a computer-readable storage medium for storing a computer program that, when run on a computer, causes the computer to perform the method described in any one of the first to fourth aspects.

[0062] Eleventhly, a computer program product is provided, the computer program product comprising a computer program that, when run on a computer, causes the computer to perform the method as described in any one of the first to fourth aspects.

[0063] In a twelfth aspect, a chip or chip system is provided, including a processor and an interface, the processor being configured to call and execute instructions from the interface, wherein when the processor executes the instructions, it implements the method as described in any one of the first to fourth aspects. Attached Figure Description

[0064] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram showing the relationship between the type of PPDU and the transmission method;

[0065] Figure 2 shows a schematic diagram of several PPDU frame formats;

[0066] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of a WUR PPDU frame format;

[0067] Figure 4 is a network architecture diagram of a WLAN applicable to an embodiment of this application;

[0068] Figure 5 is a flowchart of a communication method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0069] Figures 6A, 6B, 6C, 6D and 6E are schematic diagrams of several PPDU frame formats provided in the embodiments of this application;

[0070] Figure 7 is a schematic diagram of a frame format for an AMP SIG field provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0071] Figure 8 is a schematic diagram of another frame format of the AMP SIG field provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0072] Figure 9 is a schematic diagram of the format of a type-dependent parameter field provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0073] Figure 10 is a schematic diagram of another type-dependent parameter field format provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0074] Figures 11A and 11B are schematic diagrams of the formats of two more type-dependent parameter fields provided in the embodiments of this application;

[0075] Figures 12A and 12B are schematic diagrams of two more AMP SIG field frame formats provided in the embodiments of this application;

[0076] Figure 13 is a flowchart of another communication method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0077] Figure 14 is a schematic diagram of a frame format of a control-energizer PPDU;

[0078] Figure 15 shows a frame format of a control-energizer PPDU provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0079] Figure 16 is a schematic diagram of a device provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0080] Figure 17 is a schematic diagram of another device provided in an embodiment of this application. Detailed Implementation

[0081] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of this application clearer, the embodiments of this application will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0082] In this application embodiment, the number of nouns, unless otherwise specified, refers to "singular nouns or plural nouns," that is, "one or more." "At least one" means one or more, and "more than one" means two or more. "And / or" describes the relationship between related objects, indicating that three relationships can exist. For example, A and / or B can mean: A exists alone, A and B exist simultaneously, or B exists alone, where A and B can be singular or plural. The character " / " generally indicates that the related objects before and after are in an "or" relationship. For example, A / B means: A or B. "At least one of the following" or similar expressions refer to any combination of these items, including any combination of single or plural items. For example, at least one of a, b, or c means: a, b, c, a and b, a and c, b and c, or a and b and c, where a, b, and c can be single or multiple.

[0083] The ordinal numbers such as "first" and "second" mentioned in the embodiments of this application are used to distinguish multiple objects and are not used to limit the size, content, order, timing, priority, or importance of the multiple objects. For example, the first type and the second type can be the same type or different types, and such names do not indicate that the two types correspond to different devices, application scenarios, priorities, or importance. In addition, the numbering of steps in the various embodiments described in this application is only to distinguish different steps and is not used to limit the order of steps.

[0084] The technical features involved in the embodiments of this application are described below.

[0085] In this application, "transmission" can be understood as "sending" and / or "receiving". The AMP device in this application can be a wireless communication device that supports AMP, such as a high-efficiency (HE) access point (AP), or HE station (STA), or an extremely high throughput (EHT) AP, or an EHT STA, or an access point / site of a future generation of Wi-Fi standard. In this application's embodiments, the AMP device is AMP STA as an example.

[0086] Currently, the 802.11bp working group has summarized the following four information transmission methods at the physical layer technical level:

[0087] (1) Monostatic backscatter. In a monostatic backscatter scenario, the AMP STA (hereinafter referred to as STA) has weak energy storage capacity and can only support backscatter communication. Furthermore, the AP and the device providing the backscatter carrier are integrated. In this embodiment, the backscatter carrier can also be referred to as the energizer symbol. That is, both the control information sent to the AMP STA and the energizer symbol are transmitted by the AP.

[0088] (2) Bistatic backscatter. In a bistatic backscatter scenario, the STA has a weak energy storage capacity and can only support backscatter communication. The AP and the device that provides the energizer symbol are separate. That is, the device that sends control information to the STA is the AP, while the device that provides the energizer symbol is another device, which can be called a carrier source or an energizer source.

[0089] (3) Active transmitter. In the active transmitter scenario, the STA has a strong energy storage capacity and can support active transmission.

[0090] (4) Enhanced legacy 802.11. In the enhanced legacy 802.11 scenario, the STA supports existing WiFi protocols (such as IEEE 802.11b / g / n, etc.), that is, the STA has the functions of existing WiFi devices, and the STA in the enhanced legacy 802.11 scenario can also collect ambient energy.

[0091] Based on the above information transmission methods, six types of PPDUs are proposed: control PPDU, energizer PPDU, ...

[0092] The relationship between the six types of PPDUs—control-energizer PPDU, DL control PPDU, WPT PPDU, and UL PPDU—and the four information transmission methods mentioned above can be seen in Figure 1.

[0093] As shown in Figure 1, the control PPDU and energizer PPDU can be used in both monostatic and bistatic backlight reflector scenarios; the control-energizer PPDU can be used in monostatic backlight reflector scenarios; the DL control PPDU and WPT PPDU can be used in active transmitter scenarios and enhanced conventional 802.11 scenarios; and the UL PPDU can be used in active transmitter scenarios.

[0094] The Control PPDU is used to carry control information sent by the AP to the STA; that is, the AP can send control information to the STA through the control PPDU. This control information can be carried, for example, in the control payload field of the control PPDU.

[0095] An Energizer PPDU is an energy PPDU sent by an AP or energizer device to a STA. It can be used to wake up the STA and provide the STA with an energizer symbol for back reflection, which the STA can then use to perform back reflection.

[0096] The Control-Energizer PPDU can be used to carry control information and an energizer symbol sent by the AP to the STA. Specifically, the AP can send control information to the STA and provide the STA with an energizer symbol for back-reflection via the Control-Energizer PPDU. The control information can be carried, for example, in the control payload field of the Control PPDU.

[0097] The DL control PPDU is used to carry downlink control information sent by the AP to the STA; that is, the AP can send downlink control information to the STA through the DL control PPDU. This downlink control information can be carried, for example, in the control payload field of the DL control PPDU.

[0098] WPT PPDU is a wireless power transfer PPDU sent by the wireless power transfer device to the STA.

[0099] The UL PPDU is used to carry uplink data sent from the STA to the AP. In other words, the STA can send uplink data to the AP through the UL PPDU. This uplink data may include, for example, the STA's identifier, collected sensor data, or positioning information. This uplink data may be carried in the data field of the UL PPDU, such as the AMP-data field described below.

[0100] It is understood that the names of the above six types of PPDUs are only examples. In other embodiments, there may be other names, such as control PPDU can also be called control-only PPDU. This application does not limit the names of the above types of PPDUs.

[0101] Currently, several frame formats have been proposed for the six types of PPDUs mentioned above. Please refer to Figure 2, which shows four frame formats. The frame format shown in Figure 2(a) includes a preamble field, an AMP synchronization (sync) field, and a control payload field; the frame format shown in Figure 2(b) includes a preamble field, an AMP sync field, a control payload field, and an energizer symbol field; the frame format shown in Figure 2(c) includes a preamble field, two repeated energizer symbol fields, and two repeated AMP sync and control payload fields; the frame format shown in Figure 2(d) includes a legacy short training field (L-STF), a legacy long training field (L-LTF), a legacy signal field (L-SIG), a binary phase shift keying (BPSK) mark 1 field, a binary phase shift keying (BPSK) mark 2 field, an AMP-sync field, an AMP-signal (AMP-SIG) field, and an AMP-data field. The AMP-SIG field is used to assist the receiver in correctly demodulating data. AMP-data is, for example, the aforementioned control payload or uplink data.

[0102] The frame formats shown in Figure 2(a), (b), and (c) are each applicable to only one type of PPDU, while the frame format shown in Figure 2(d) is applicable to multiple PPDUs. For example, the frame format shown in Figure 2(a) is applicable to control PPDUs, the frame format shown in Figure 2(b) is applicable to energizer PPDUs, and the frame format shown in Figure 2(c) is applicable to control-energizer PPDUs. The frame format shown in Figure 2(d) is applicable to control PPDUs, as well as DL control PPDUs and UL PPDUs. Currently, there is no frame format that is applicable to both PPDUs containing energizer signals (e.g., control-energizer PPDUs) and PPDUs transmitting control information or data (e.g., control PPDUs). Therefore, a unified frame format needs to be designed that is applicable to both PPDUs containing energizer signals and PPDUs transmitting control information or data.

[0103] Considering the limitations of AMP device capabilities and backward compatibility, existing Wi-Fi designs can be reused to the greatest extent possible. For example, the aforementioned unified PPDU frame format can be designed with reference to the frame format of wake-up radio (WUR) PPDUs.

[0104] Please refer to Figure 3, which is a schematic diagram of the frame format of a WUR PPDU. As shown in Figure 3, the PPDU format of WUR (802.11ba) includes, but is not limited to: L-STF, L-LTF, L-SIG, BPSK-Mark1 field, BPSK-Mark2 field, WUR-sync field, and WUR-data field. The sequence used in the WUR-sync field (which can be simply referred to as the WUR-sync sequence) is obtained by repeating sequence W, or by changing element 1 in sequence W to element 0 and element 0 to element 1. For example, sequence W = [1 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 1 1 1 0 1 1 0 0 0 1 0 1 1 1 0 0 0 1 0 1 1 1 0 0 0 1 1 1 0 0 0 1 1 1 0 0 0].

[0105] WUR-data corresponds to two data transmission rates: 62.5 kbps and 250 kbps. At 62.5 kbps, the WUR-data field uses on-off keying (OOK), i.e., binary amplitude keying modulation, and the sequence used by the WUR-sync field (i.e., the WUR-sync sequence) is sequence W repeated twice. At 250 kbps, the WUR-data field uses OOK modulation, and the sequence used by the WUR-sync field is obtained by changing elements 1 to 0 and vice versa in sequence W. In other words, the correlation between the modulation and coding scheme (MCS) of the WUR-data field and the sequence used by the WUR-sync field is deterministic. Therefore, the MCS of WUR-data can be indicated by the sequence used by the WUR-sync field. That is, detecting WUR-sync allows the determination of the WUR-data's MCS based on that WUR-sync. The MCS includes the data transmission rate, modulation method, and encoding method.

[0106] However, if the data transmission rate is greater than two, and the data has multiple modulation methods or multiple encoding methods, that is, the data transmission rate has multiple relationships with the modulation method and encoding method, if the sender sends the above WUR PPDU frame format, the receiver cannot determine the MCS and therefore cannot demodulate the data correctly. Therefore, an additional field is needed to indicate the MCS.

[0107] Therefore, the PPDU provided in this application embodiment includes a first field and a second field. The first field is used to indicate whether an energizer signal exists in the PPDU, and the second field is used to indicate the MCS. That is, the frame format of the PPDU provided in this application embodiment includes a field for indicating the MCS, and the frame format of the PPDU in this application embodiment is applicable to PPDUs that include energy signals, as well as PPDUs that transmit control information or data. In addition, by designing a unified frame format for PPDUs, some fields in the PPDU other than the first payload, the first field, and the second field mentioned above can be unified, reducing the complexity of the PPDU and thus helping to reduce the transmission overhead of the PPDU. For example, referring to Figure 3, the WUR PPDU indicates the MCS through different synchronization sequences, while the PPDU provided in this application embodiment indicates the type of MCS by designing a second field. In this way, different types of PPDUs can include the same synchronization sequence, which can reduce the complexity of the PPDU and thus reduce the transmission overhead of the PPDU.

[0108] The embodiments of this application can be applied to local area networks (LANs), particularly WLANs, such as WLANs employing any of the IEEE 802.11 series of protocols. The WLAN may include one or more basic service sets (BSSs), and the network nodes within the BSSs include access points (APs) and stations (STAs). The embodiments of this application can also be applied to wireless local area network systems that support IEEE 802.11ax next-generation wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi) protocols, such as 802.11be, Wi-Fi 7, or extremely high throughput (EHT), such as 802.11be next-generation, Wi-Fi 8, ultra high reliability (UHR), 802.11bn, Wi-Fi AI, and other 802.11 series protocols. They can also be applied to communication systems that support integrated millimeter wave (IMMW) protocols, and to wireless personal area network systems that support ultra-wideband (UWB) protocols, such as the 802.15 protocol. Furthermore, they can be applied to sensing systems that support sensing protocols, such as the 802.11bf protocol, and to short-range communication systems that support Sparklink / nearlink protocols.

[0109] The embodiments of this application can also be applied to wireless local area networks such as Internet of Things (IoT) networks or vehicle-to-X (V2X) networks. Of course, the embodiments of this application can also be applied to other possible communication systems, such as long term evolution (LTE) communication systems, LTE frequency division duplex (FDD) communication systems, LTE time division duplex (TDD) communication systems, universal mobile telecommunication system (UMTS), worldwide interoperability for microwave access (WiMAX) communication systems, 5th generation (5G) communication systems, or future evolutionary communication systems, etc.

[0110] The following example uses an embodiment of this application to illustrate a WLAN. Referring to Figure 4, which is a network architecture diagram of a WLAN applicable to an embodiment of this application, Figure 4 shows an WLAN including one AP and two STAs (STA1 and STA2), with each STA being a mobile phone. The STA associated with the AP can receive frames (e.g., control information) sent by the AP and can also send frames (e.g., uplink data) to the AP. This embodiment of the application can be applied to communication between APs and STAs, or to communication between APs themselves. For example, APs can communicate with each other through a distributed system (DS). Alternatively, this embodiment of the application can also be applied to communication between STAs themselves, for example, STAs can communicate directly without going through an AP. In this embodiment, the number of APs performing communication can be one or more, and the number of STAs performing communication can be one or more.

[0111] In this embodiment, the access point device is an AP and the site is a STA. An AP can be an access point for terminal devices to access a wired (or wireless) 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 the Ethernet. For example, an AP can be a terminal device (such as a mobile phone) or a network device (such as a router) with a mobile hotspot (Wi-Fi) chip. In this embodiment, the AP can be a device supporting the 802.11be standard, or it can be a device supporting various WLAN standards such as 802.11ax, 802.11ay, 802.11ac, 802.11n, 802.11g, 802.11b, 802.11a, 802.11be, 802.11bn, and future 802.11 series.

[0112] A STA can be a wireless communication chip, wireless sensor, or wireless communication terminal, and can also be referred to as a user. For example, a STA can be a mobile phone supporting Wi-Fi communication, a tablet computer supporting Wi-Fi communication, a set-top box supporting Wi-Fi communication, a smart TV supporting Wi-Fi communication, a smart wearable device supporting Wi-Fi communication, an in-vehicle communication device supporting Wi-Fi communication, or a computer supporting Wi-Fi communication. Optionally, the STA can support the 802.11be standard, or it can also support various WLAN standards such as 802.11ax, 802.11ay, 802.11ac, 802.11n, 802.11g, 802.11b, 802.11a, or 802.11be, 802.11bn, and future 802.11 series.

[0113] The number of APs and STAs shown in Figure 4 is just an example; there could be more or fewer.

[0114] To better illustrate the embodiments of this application, the methods provided by the embodiments of this application are described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the method flowcharts corresponding to the various embodiments of this application, all steps indicated by dashed lines are optional steps. The methods provided by the various embodiments of this application can be applied to the network architecture shown in FIG4. For example, the first device involved in the various embodiments of this application can be the AP in FIG4, or the first device can also be STA1 or STA2 in FIG4. The second device involved in the various embodiments of this application can be the AP in FIG4, or it can also be STA1 or STA2 in FIG4. Wherein, the first device and the second device are different devices. For example, if the first device is the AP shown in FIG4, the second device can be STA1 or STA2 in FIG4; if the first device is STA1 shown in FIG4, the second device can be the AP or STA2 shown in FIG4; if the first device is STA2 shown in FIG4, the second device can be the AP or STA1 shown in FIG4.

[0115] This application provides a communication method, as shown in Figure 5, which is a flowchart of the method.

[0116] S501: The first device sends a PPDU to the second device. Accordingly, the second device receives the PPDU.

[0117] This PPDU is an AMP PPDU, which can be understood as a PPDU transmitted or received by a wireless communication device supporting AMP, or as a PPDU defined by a protocol related to AMP. This PPDU includes a first payload, a first field, and a second field. Optionally, the PPDU may also include a preamble field and an AMP sync field. The preamble field can be used for PPDU detection, and the AMP sync field can be used for time synchronization.

[0118] The first payload can be, for example, control information or uplink data, and the field used to carry the first payload is, for example, the AMP data field. Optionally, when the first payload is control information, the name of the field used to carry the first payload can also be, for example, the control payload field. In this embodiment, the field used to carry the first payload is the AMP data field as an example.

[0119] The first field indicates whether an energizer signal is present in the PPDU. For example, the first field may be an energizer symbol presence field, or the first field may include a subfield indicating the presence of an energizer signal, such as an energizer symbol presence field. Taking the six types of PPDUs shown in Figure 1 as examples, if the first field indicates the presence of an energizer signal, the PPDU type may be, for example, an energizer PPDU, a control-energizer PPDU, or a WPT PPDU; if the first field indicates the absence of an energizer signal, the PPDU type may be, for example, a control PPDU, a DL control PPDU, or a UL PPDU.

[0120] The second field is used to indicate the MCS of the first payload. The second field is, for example, a type-dependent parameter field, which may include a payload MCS field (or a payload MCS subfield). The payload MCS field is used to indicate the MCS of the first payload. The MCS may include at least one of the following: modulation scheme, coding scheme, or transmission rate.

[0121] Optionally, as mentioned above, the AMP SIG field is used to assist the receiving end in correctly demodulating data. Therefore, in this embodiment of the application, at least one of the first field and the second field may be included in the signaling field, such as the AMP SIG field.

[0122] Taking an example where both the first and second fields are included in the AMP SIG field, the frame format of the PPDU can be seen in Figure 6A. As shown in Figure 6A, this PPDU includes a preamble field, an AMP sync field, an AMP SIG field, an AMP data field, and an energizer symbol field. The preamble field is used for PPDU detection, the AMP sync field is used for time synchronization, the AMP SIG field is used to implement the functions of the aforementioned first and second fields, the AMP data field is used to carry the aforementioned first payload, and the energizer symbol field is used to provide the energizer symbol for backscattering.

[0123] Optionally, the frame format of the PPDU can also be related to the information transmitted by the PPDU. Taking the six types of PPDU shown in Figure 1 as an example, if the PPDU is used to transmit data or control information and is not used to transmit an energizer symbol, such as a control PPDU, DL control PPDU, UL PPDU, or a control-energizer PPDU that is not used to transmit an energizer symbol, the PPDU may not include an energizer symbol field. The frame format of the PPDU can be seen in Figure 6B for example.

[0124] If the PPDU is used to transmit an energizer symbol and is not used to transmit data or control information (e.g., if the PPDU is an energizer PPDU or a control-energizer PPDU not used to transmit data or control information), the PPDU may not include the first payload mentioned above, and the receiving end does not need to demodulate data. Therefore, the transmitting end may not indicate the MCS of the first payload. The PPDU may also not include the AMP sync field, AMP SIG field, and AMP data field; that is, the PPDU only includes the preamble field and the energizer symbol field. The frame format of this PPDU can be seen, for example, in Figure 6C. Optionally, since PPDUs used to transmit energizer symbols and not to transmit data or control information include energizer PPDUs or control-energizer PPDUs not used to transmit data or control information, in addition to the preamble field and the energizer symbol field, the PPDU may also include a field indicating the PPDU type. The field used to indicate the type of PPDU can be, for example, a signaling field containing the first field, or a field indicating whether it is used for dual-site back reflection. For example, if the field indicates that it is used for dual-site back reflection, the type of the PPDU can be determined to be an energizer PPDU. Taking the signaling field containing the first field as an example, the frame format of the PPDU can be referred to, for example, Figure 6D.

[0125] If the PPDU is used to transmit uplink data, for example, if the PPDU is a UL PPDU, the PPDU may not include the preamble field and the energizer symbol field; that is, the PPDU only includes the AMP sync field, the AMP SIG field, and the AMP data field. The frame format of the PPDU can be referred to, for example, in Figure 6E. In this embodiment, the frame format of the PPDU shown in Figure 6A is taken as an example.

[0126] Optionally, among the six types of PPDUs shown in Figure 1, the energizer PPDU and WPT PPDU are used to transmit energy signals, and the receiver does not need to demodulate the data. Therefore, the transmitter does not need to indicate the MCS, and the second field in the AMP SIG field can be reserved. The control PPDU is used to carry control information, the control-energizer PPDU is used to carry control information and the energizer symbol, the DL control PPDU is used to carry downlink control information, and the UL PPDU is used to carry uplink data. That is, for the four types of PPDUs—control PPDU, control-energizer PPDU, DL control PPDU, and UL PPDU—the receiver needs to demodulate the data, and the transmitter can indicate the MCS through the second field in the AMP SIG field.

[0127] Optionally, the PPDU determined based on the first field may include multiple types. For example, if the first field indicates the presence of an energizer signal, the determined PPDU may include three types: energizer PPDU, control-energizer PPDU, and WPT PPDU. If the first field indicates the absence of an energizer signal, the determined PPDU may include three types: control PPDU, DL control PPDU, and UL PPDU. Furthermore, the PPDU determined by combining the first and second fields may also include multiple types. For example, if the first field indicates the absence of an energizer signal, and the second field includes MCS-related information (i.e., the second field indicates the MCS), the determined PPDU may include three types: control PPDU, DL control PPDU, and UL PPDU. Therefore, the PPDU may also include a field indicating the PPDU type, such as a PPDU type field.

[0128] The PPDU type field may be included in the first field, i.e., the PPDU type field may be a subfield of the first field; or, the PPDU type field may be included in the second field, i.e., the PPDU type may also be a subfield of the second field; or, the PPDU type may also be included in the AMP SIG field, i.e., the PPDU type field may also be a subfield of the AMP SIG field; or, the PPDU type field may also be included in the PPDU, i.e., the PPDU type and the fields included in the PPDU are not limited in this embodiment.

[0129] Optionally, the PPDU type field can indicate the type of PPDU, which may be related to the second field. For example, if the second field is reserved, the PPDU type field may indicate an energizer PPDU or a WPT PPDU. If the second field is used to indicate the MCS of the first load, the PPDU type field may indicate a control PPDU, a control-energizer PPDU, a DL control PPDU, or a UL PPDU.

[0130] For example, for the energizer PPDU and the WPT PPDU, the PPDU type field can indicate different PPDUs with different values. For instance, a value of 1 indicates the energizer PPDU, and a value of 0 indicates the WPT PPDU. Alternatively, the PPDU type field can also be used to indicate whether backscatter is used, such as the backscatter indication described below. If the backscatter indication indicates backscatter is used, the PPDU type field indicates the energizer PPDU; if the backscatter indication indicates not to be used, the PPDU type field indicates the WPT PPDU.

[0131] For control PPDU, control-energizer PPDU, DL control PPDU, or UL PPDU, the PPDU type field can indicate different PPDUs by taking different values.

[0132] Please refer to Figure 7, which is a schematic diagram of the frame format of an AMP SIG field provided in an embodiment of this application. In Figure 7, taking the PPDU type field included in the AMP SIG field as an example, the AMP SIG field includes a first field, a PPDU type field, and a second field. The first field is exemplified by the energizer symbol presence field, and the second field is exemplified by the type-dependent parameter field. In the following embodiments, the PPDU type field indicates a control PPDU, control-energizer PPDU, DL control PPDU, or UL PPDU as an example.

[0133] The energizer symbol presence field can occupy one bit, which has two possible values, or two states. For example, when the energizer symbol presence field is 0, it indicates that there is no energizer signal in the PPDU; when the energizer symbol presence field is 1, it indicates that there is an energizer signal in the PPDU.

[0134] The PPDU type field can occupy 2 bits, with 4 possible values, or 4 states. Each value or state indicates a type of PPDU. For example, when the PPDU type field is 00, it indicates a control PPDU; when PPDU type is 01, it indicates a DL control PPDU; when PPDU type is 10, it indicates a UL PPDU; and when PPDU type is 11, it indicates a control-energizer PPDU.

[0135] Optionally, the type of PPDU indicated by the PPDU type field can be related to the first field, that is, the type of PPDU indicated by the PPDU type field can be related to the energizer symbol presence field. For example, if the energizer symbol presence field indicates the presence of an energizer signal, for example, if the value of the energizer symbol presence field is 1, it indicates that the type of PPDU is a control-energizer PPDU, therefore the type of PPDU indicated by the PPDU type field is a control-energizer PPDU. In some embodiments, since the type of PPDU can be uniquely determined by the value of the energizer symbol presence field being 1, the PPDU may not include the first PPDU type field, and this embodiment of the application does not limit this.

[0136] If the `energizer symbol presence` field indicates the absence of an energizer signal (e.g., a value of 0), it suggests that the PPDU type could be a control PPDU, DL control PPDU, or UL PPDU. Three of the four possible values ​​for the `PPDU type` field can be defined to indicate a control PPDU, DL control PPDU, or UL PPDU, with the remaining value reserved. For example, the first three values ​​of the `PPDU type` field can be defined to indicate a control PPDU, DL control PPDU, or UL PPDU, and the remaining value (the fourth) can be reserved. For example, the first three possible values ​​for the PPDU type field are 00 (e.g., the first value), 01 (e.g., the second value), and 10 (e.g., the third value). The first value indicates a control PPDU, the second value indicates a DL control PPDU, and the third value indicates a UL PPDU. That is, when PPDU type = 00, it indicates a control PPDU; when PPDU type = 01, it indicates a DL control PPDU; when PPDU type = 10, it indicates a UL PPDU; and PPDU type = 11 is reserved.

[0137] As shown in Figure 1, the control PPDU and control-energizer PPDU are applicable to backscatter scenarios, while the DL control PPDU and UL PPDU are not. Therefore, optionally, when the energizer symbol presence field indicates the absence of an energizer signal, the AMP SIG field can also indicate whether the PPDU is applicable to a backscatter scenario. For example, referring to Figure 8, the AMP SIG field can also include a third field to indicate whether the PPDU is used for backscatter. This third field is, for example, a backscatter indication field. The backscatter indication field can occupy one bit, which has two possible values, or two states. For example, when the backscatter indication field is 0, it indicates that the PPDU is not applicable to a backscatter scenario; when the backscatter indication field is 1, it indicates that the PPDU is applicable to a backscatter scenario. It is understood that the third field may not be included in the AMP SIG field. For example, the third field may be included in the PPDU or in the first field. This embodiment of the application uses the example of the third field being included in the AMP SIG field.

[0138] Optionally, the type of PPDU indicated by the PPDU type field can also be related to a third field, that is, the type of PPDU indicated by the PPDU type field can be related to the backscatter Indication field. For example, if the backscatter Indication field indicates that it is applicable to a backscatter scene, that is, the value of the backscatter Indication field is 1, indicating that the type of PPDU is a control PPDU, therefore the type of PPDU indicated by the PPDU type field is a control PPDU. In some embodiments, since the type of PPDU can be uniquely determined by the value of the backscatter Indication field being 1, the PPDU may not include the PPDU type field, and this application embodiment does not limit this.

[0139] If the `backscatter Indication` field indicates that it is not applicable to backscatter scenarios (i.e., the value of the `backscatter Indication` field is 0), it means that the PPDU type can include either a DL control PPDU or a UL PPDU. Therefore, two of the four possible values ​​for the `PPDU type` field can be defined to indicate either a DL control PPDU or a UL PPDU, and the remaining two values ​​are reserved. For example, if the two defined values ​​are 01 (e.g., the fourth value) and 10 (e.g., the fifth value), the fourth value indicates a DL control PPDU, and the fifth value indicates a UL PPDU. That is, when `PPDU type = 01`, it indicates a DL control PPDU; when `PPDU type = 10`, it indicates a UL PPDU; and `PPDU type = 00` and `PPDU type = 11` are reserved.

[0140] Alternatively, the PPDU type field can also occupy one bit, which has two possible values. For example, the PPDU type field can take the values ​​0 (e.g., the fourth value) and 1 (e.g., the fifth value). The fourth value is used to indicate the DL control PPDU, and the fifth value is used to indicate the UL PPDU. That is, when PPDU type = 0, it indicates the DL control PPDU, and when PPDU type = 1, it indicates the UL PPDU.

[0141] As mentioned above, the type-dependent parameter field can be used to indicate the MCS of the first payload. Optionally, the type-dependent parameter field can also indicate the length of the first payload. For example, please refer to Figure 9, which shows a format of a type-dependent parameter field provided in an embodiment of this application. The type-dependent parameter field shown in Figure 9 includes a payload MCS field and a payload length field (or it can also be called a payload length subfield), and the payload length field is used to indicate the length of the first payload.

[0142] The payload MCS field can occupy 3 bits, for example, and the payload length field can occupy 6 bits. The length range indicated by the payload length field is related to the type of PPDU. For example, if the PPDU type is control PPDU, the length range indicated by the payload length field is [2:2:128]; if the PPDU type is DL control PPDU, the length range indicated by the payload length field is [4:4:256]; if the PPDU type is UL PPDU, the length range indicated by the payload length field is [1:1:64]; and if the PPDU type is control-energizer PPDU, the length range indicated by the payload length field is [2:2:128]. Within this length range, the first parameter indicates the minimum value, the second parameter indicates the interval value, and the third parameter indicates the maximum value. For example, [2:2:128] indicates a length range of [2, 4, 6, 8, ..., 128], [4:4:256] indicates a length range of [4, 8, 12, 16, ..., 256], and [1:1:64] indicates a length range of [1, 2, 3, 4, ..., 64].

[0143] It is understood that the length of the first load can also be indicated in other ways, such as by a medium access control (MAC) header. In this embodiment, the length of the first load is indicated by a type-dependent parameter.

[0144] Optionally, if the PPDU type field indicates a control-energizer PPDU, for example, PPDU type=11, and the control-energizer PPDU also includes an energizer symbol field, then the type-dependent parameter field can also be used to indicate at least one of the MCS and length of the back-reflecting load. It is understood that the MCS or length of the back-reflecting load can also be indicated in other ways, such as through the first load, for example, through the information element (IE) in the first load. Specifically, the MCS and length of the back-reflecting load can be indicated by the same information element, for example, both the MCS and length of the back-reflecting load can be indicated by the type-dependent parameter field; or, both the MCS and length of the back-reflecting load can be indicated by the IE in the first load. Alternatively, the MCS and length of the back reflection load can be indicated by different information. For example, the MCS of the back reflection load can be indicated by a type-dependent parameter field, and the length of the back reflection load can be indicated by an IE in the first load; or, the MCS of the back reflection load can be indicated by an IE in the first load, and the length of the back reflection load can be indicated by a type-dependent parameter field. This application does not limit this approach.

[0145] For example, please refer to Figure 10, which shows another format of the type-dependent parameter field provided in this embodiment. In Figure 10, the MCS and length of the backscatter payload are used as examples through the type-dependent parameter field. As shown in Figure 10, the type-dependent parameter field includes the payload MCS field, the payload length field, the backscatter payload MCS field (or it can also be called the backscatter payload MCS subfield), and the backscatter payload length field (or it can also be called the backscatter payload length subfield). The relevant descriptions of the payload MCS field and the payload length field can be referred to in Figure 9 regarding the descriptions of the payload MCS field and the payload length field, and will not be repeated here. The backscatter payload MCS field is used to indicate the MCS of the backscatter payload, and the backscatter payload length field is used to indicate the length of the backscatter payload. The name of the field used to indicate the length of the backscatter payload can be, for example, the duration of the energizer symbol. This embodiment does not limit the name of the field used to indicate the length of the backscatter payload.

[0146] The backscatter payload field can occupy 3 bits, and the backscatter payload length field can occupy 6 bits. The length range indicated by the backscatter payload length field is, for example, [4:4:256]. Optionally, since the AP and the device providing the energizer symbol are integrated in a single-site backscatter scenario, the AP can control the length of the backscatter payload. Therefore, the AP may not indicate the length of the backscatter payload, meaning that the AMP SIG field does not include the backscatter payload length field.

[0147] Optionally, as mentioned above, the PPDU type field can also be included in the second field. For example, please refer to Figures 11A and 11B for two examples of the PPDU type field being included in the type-dependent parameter field. Figure 11A includes the PPDU type field, payload MCS field, and payload length field; Figure 11B includes the PPDU type field, payload MCS field, payload length field, backscatter payload MCS field, and backscatter payload length field. When the PPDU type field is included in the type-dependent parameter field, the frame format of the AMP SIG field can be seen in Figure 12A or Figure 12B. The relevant descriptions for Figure 12A can be found in Figure 7, and the relevant descriptions for Figure 12B and Figure 8, which will not be repeated here.

[0148] The second field indicates that the MCS of the first payload is one of those in the first MCS parameter table. Optionally, as mentioned earlier, the payload MCS field occupies 3 bits, which have a total of 8 possible values, or 8 states, each value or state corresponding to one MCS.

[0149] The first MCS parameter table is related to the type of PPDU. The first MCS parameter table corresponding to different PPDU types will be discussed below.

[0150] (1) The type of PPDU is control PPDU. The first MCS parameter table is shown in Table 1 and Table 2.

[0151] Table 1

[0152] Table 2

[0153] States 0-2 in Table 1 are defined, while states 3-7 are reserved. All states in Table 2 are defined. Furthermore, as shown in Tables 1 and 2, when the PPDU type is a control PPDU, the first payload corresponds to one modulation scheme (OOK) and two encoding schemes (PIE and Manchester code). For example, in Table 1, if the payload MCS field value is 001 (payload MCS index is 1), the first payload indicated by the payload MCS field has an OOK modulation scheme, a PIE encoding scheme, and a data rate of 80kbps. As another example, in Table 2, if the payload MCS field value is 101 (payload MCS index is 4), the first payload indicated by the payload MCS field has an OOK modulation scheme, a Manchester code encoding scheme, and a data rate of 125kbps.

[0154] (2) The type of PPDU is DL control PPDU. The first MCS parameter table is shown in Table 3.

[0155] Table 3

[0156] States 0-4 in Table 3 are defined, while states 5-7 are reserved. Furthermore, Table 3 shows that when the PPDU type is DL control PPDU, the first payload corresponds to one modulation scheme (OOK modulation) and one encoding scheme (Manchester code). For example, if the payload MCS field value is 101 (payload MCS index is 4), the first payload indicated by the payload MCS field has an OOK modulation scheme, a Manchester code encoding scheme, and a data rate of 1 Mbps.

[0157] (3) The PPDU type is UL PPDU. The parameter tables corresponding to the first MCS are shown in Tables 4, 5 and 6.

[0158] Table 4

[0159] Table 5

[0160] Table 6

[0161] States 0-4 in Table 4 are defined, and states 5-7 are reserved. All states in Table 5 or Table 6 are defined. Furthermore, Tables 4-6 show that when the PPDU type is UL PPDU, the first payload corresponds to two modulation schemes: OOK modulation and FSK modulation, and two encoding schemes: FEC and Manchester code. For example, in Table 4, if the payload MCS field value is 001 (payload MCS index is 1), the first payload indicated by the payload MCS field has an OOK modulation scheme, a Manchester code encoding scheme, and a rate of 62.5 kbps. As another example, in Table 5, if the payload MCS field value is 101 (payload MCS index is 4), the first payload indicated by the payload MCS field has an FSK modulation scheme, a Manchester code encoding scheme, and a rate of 500 kbps.

[0162] (4) The type of PPDU is control-energizer PPDU. The parameter table corresponding to the first MCS is shown in Table 1 and Table 2 above, and will not be repeated here.

[0163] As mentioned earlier, the second field can also be used to indicate the MCS of the backscatter payload. The MCS of the backscatter payload indicated by the second field can be one of those parameters in the second MCS parameter table. Optionally, as mentioned earlier, the backscatter payload MCS field occupies 3 bits, which have 8 possible values, or 8 states, each corresponding to one MCS. The second parameter table is shown in Tables 7 and 8.

[0164] Table 7

[0165] Table 8

[0166] States 0-3 in Table 7 are defined, while states 4-7 are reserved. All states in Table 8 are defined. Furthermore, Tables 7 and 8 show that the backscatter payload corresponds to one modulation scheme (OOK) and three coding schemes (FM0, Miller, and Manchester code). For example, in Table 7, if the backscatter payload MCS field value is 001 (backscatter payload MCS index is 1), the backscatter payload MCS field indicates that the backscatter payload modulation scheme is OOK, the coding scheme is Miller (two subcarriers repeat per symbol), and the rate is BLF / 2. As another example, in Table 8, if the backscatter payload MCS field value is 101 (backscatter payload MCS index is 4), the backscatter payload MCS field indicates that the backscatter payload modulation scheme is OOK, the coding scheme is Manchester code, and the rate is 62.5 kbps.

[0167] It is understood that Tables 1 to 8 above are merely examples. In some embodiments, the MCS parameter table may also include other modulation, coding methods or rates, and this application does not limit this.

[0168] Optionally, the AMP SIG field may also include a cyclic redundancy check (CRC) field (not shown in the figure), which is used to indicate the cyclic redundancy check code. Optionally, at least one of the AMP SIG field and the second field (e.g., the type-dependent parameter field) may also include a reserved field (e.g., also referred to as a reserved subfield).

[0169] Optionally, after receiving the PPDU, the second device can determine the type of the PPDU and perform relevant steps based on the type of the PPDU. For example, if the type of the PPDU is a control PPDU, DL control PPDU, or UL PPDU, the second device can execute S502. If the type of the PPDU is a control-energizer PPDU, the second device can execute S502 and S503.

[0170] S502: The second device demodulates the first load according to the MCS of the first load indicated by the second field.

[0171] S503: The second device is charged by MCS modulation according to the back reflection load indicated by the second field.

[0172] The second device (e.g., STA1 shown in Figure 4) can modulate and encode the energizer symbol in the control-energizer PPDU according to the MCS of the back reflection payload indicated by the second field in the control-energizer PPDU to obtain the back reflection payload, which is used to carry the data sent by STA1 to the first device (e.g., AP).

[0173] It is understood that the field names involved in the embodiments of this application are only examples, and other names may be used in other embodiments. The embodiments of this application do not limit this.

[0174] In this embodiment of the application, the first device can indicate control PPDU, control-energizer PPDU, DL control PPDU or UL PPDU through a unified signaling field, which helps to reduce overhead and enable the coexistence of multiple devices.

[0175] The following describes another communication method provided by an embodiment of this application. Please refer to Figure 13, which is a flowchart of the method.

[0176] S1301: The first device sends a control-charging PPDU to the second device. Accordingly, the second device receives the control-charging PPDU.

[0177] For a control-energizer PPDU, there may be multiple repetitions of the energizer symbol field and the AMP sync and control payload field. For example, please refer to Figure 14. In Figure 14, the energizer symbol field and the AMP sync and control payload field in the control-energizer PPDU are repeated three times. For each repeated energizer symbol field and AMP sync and control payload field, a corresponding signaling field is required for indication. Therefore, the control-energizer PPDU shown in Figure 14 needs to include at least three signaling fields, resulting in a large overhead for the control-energizer PPDU.

[0178] Considering that some signaling fields may indicate the same content, this application provides a control-energizer PPDU, including M signaling fields, N second payloads, and P indices, where M+P=N. The M signaling fields correspond one-to-one with the M second payloads, and the P indices correspond one-to-one with the P second payloads. The P second payloads are the second payloads among the N second payloads excluding the M second payloads. The signaling fields indicate the modulation and coding scheme (MCS) of the corresponding second payload. The M signaling fields indicate different MCSs. The indices indicate signaling fields, and the MCS of the second payload corresponding to the index is the same as the MCS of the second payload corresponding to the signaling field indicated by the index. M, N, and P are positive integers. For example, the signaling field may be an AMP SIG field. The second payloads corresponding to the P indices are different from the second payloads corresponding to the M signaling fields. Optionally, the M AMP SIG fields may indicate different content, for example, the MCSs of the second payloads indicated by the M AMP SIG fields may be different.

[0179] Please refer to Figure 15, which shows a frame format of a control-energizer PPDU provided in an embodiment of this application. In Figure 15, taking N=4 and M=2 as an example, the control-energizer PPDU includes a preamble field, an AMP SIG 1 field, an AMP SIG 2 field, a payload1 field, a payload2 field, a payload3 field, a payload4 field, an index1 field, and an index2 field. The preamble field indicates a preamble sequence that can be used for PPDU detection and time synchronization; the AMP SIG 1 field corresponds to the payload1 field, and the AMP SIG 1 field is used to indicate the MCS of the second payload carried by payload1; the AMP SIG 2 field corresponds to the payload2 field, and the AMP SIG 2 field is used to indicate the MCS of the second payload carried by payload2; the index1 field corresponds to the payload3 field, and the index1 field is used to indicate the AMP SIG 1 field, meaning that the AMP SIG 1 field is also used to indicate the MCS of the second payload carried by payload3; and the index2 field corresponds to the payload4 field, and the index2 field is used to indicate the AMP SIG 2 field, meaning that the AMP SIG 2 field is also used to indicate the MCS of the second payload carried by payload4.

[0180] Optionally, the second load includes a control load and an energizer symbol. The MCS indicated by the AMP SIG field includes the MCS of the control load and the MCS of the back reflection load. It is understood that the MCS of the back reflection load can also be indicated in other ways, such as by the IE in the control load, and this embodiment of the application does not limit this. The MCS of the control load may be, for example, one of the parameters in the first MCS parameter table shown in Table 1 or Table 2, and the MCS of the back reflection load may be, for example, one of the parameters in the second parameter table shown in Table 7 or Table 8.

[0181] Optionally, the AMP SIG field can also be used to indicate at least one of the lengths of the control load and the back reflection load in the corresponding second load. For example, in Figure 15, the AMP SIG 1 field can indicate at least one of the lengths of the control load and the back reflection load included in the payload1 and payload3 fields. When the AMP SIG field is used to indicate the lengths of the control load and the back reflection load in the corresponding second load, the content indicated by the AMP SIG field can be referenced, for example, from the content indicated by the type-dependent parameter field in Figure 10, and will not be repeated here.

[0182] It is understood that the length of the control load and the length of the back reflection load can also be indicated in other ways. For example, the length of the control load can also be indicated by the MAC header, and the length of the back reflection load can also be indicated by the IE in the control load. This application embodiment does not limit this.

[0183] Optionally, the control-energizer PPDU may also include N synchronization fields (e.g., AMP sync fields) (not shown in the figure), each AMP sync field corresponding to a second payload, which can be generated / determined by a preamble sequence.

[0184] After receiving the PPDU, the second device can execute S1302: the second device demodulates the control load according to the signaling field, and modulates the charging symbol according to the signaling field.

[0185] For example, a second device (such as STA1 shown in Figure 4) can modulate and encode the energizer symbol in the control-energizer PPDU according to the MCS of the back reflection payload indicated by the signaling field in the control-energizer PPDU to obtain the back reflection payload, which is used to carry the data sent by STA1 to the first device (such as AP).

[0186] In this embodiment of the application, by replacing the AMP SIG field with an index, the number of AMP SIG fields included in the control-energizer PPDU can be reduced, thereby reducing the transmission overhead of the control-energizer PPDU.

[0187] Figure 16 shows a schematic diagram of a communication device provided in an embodiment of this application. The communication device 1600 can be the first device or its circuit system as shown in the embodiments of Figure 5 or Figure 13, used to implement the method corresponding to the first device in the above method embodiments. Alternatively, the communication device 1600 can be the second device or its circuit system as shown in the embodiments of Figure 5 or Figure 13, used to implement the method corresponding to the second device in the above method embodiments. For example, a circuit system may be a chip or a chip system.

[0188] The communication device 1600 includes at least one processor 1601. The processor 1601 can be used for internal processing of the device to implement certain control processing functions.

[0189] For example, the communication device 1600 is the first device described in the embodiment shown in FIG5. The processor 1601 is used to generate a PPDU, which includes a first payload, a first field, and a second field. The first field is used to indicate whether an energizer signal is present, and the second field is used to indicate the modulation and coding strategy (MCS) of the first payload.

[0190] For example, the communication device 1600 is the first device described in the embodiment shown in FIG13. The processor 1601 is used to generate a control-charging PPDU. The control-charging PPDU includes M signaling fields, N second payloads and P indices, where M+P=N. The M signaling fields correspond one-to-one with the M second payloads. The modulation and coding strategies (MCS) of the M second payloads are different. The P indices correspond one-to-one with the P second payloads. The P second payloads are the second payloads other than the M second payloads among the N second payloads. The signaling fields are used to indicate the MCS of the corresponding second payload. The indices are used to indicate the signaling fields. The MCS of the second payload corresponding to the index is the same as the MCS of the second payload corresponding to the signaling field indicated by the index. M, N and P are positive integers.

[0191] Optionally, processor 1601 includes instructions. Optionally, processor 1601 can store data. Optionally, different processors can be independent devices, located in different physical locations, or located on different integrated circuits. Optionally, different processors can be integrated into one or more processors, for example, integrated on one or more integrated circuits.

[0192] Optionally, the communication device 1600 includes one or more memories 1603 for storing instructions. Optionally, the memories 1603 may also store data. The processor and the memories may be separate or integrated together.

[0193] Optionally, the communication device 1600 includes a communication line 1602 and at least one communication interface 1604. Since the memory 1603, communication line 1602, and communication interface 1604 are all optional, they are all represented by dashed lines in Figure 16.

[0194] Optionally, the communication device 1600 may further include a transceiver and / or an antenna. The transceiver can be used to send information to or receive information from other devices. The transceiver may be referred to as a transceiver unit, transceiver circuit, input / output interface, etc., and is used to realize the transmission and reception functions of the communication device 1600 via the antenna.

[0195] For example, communication device 1600 is the first device described in the embodiment shown in FIG5 or FIG13, and the transceiver is used to transmit PPDU generated by processor 1601.

[0196] For example, communication device 1600 is the second device described in the embodiment shown in FIG5 or FIG13, and the transceiver is used to receive PPDU from the first device.

[0197] Optionally, the transceiver includes a transmitter and a receiver. For example, the transmitter can be used to generate a radio frequency signal from a baseband signal, and the receiver can be used to convert the excitation signal into a baseband signal.

[0198] Processor 1601 may include a general-purpose central processing unit (CPU), a microprocessor, an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or one or more integrated circuits for controlling the execution of programs according to the present application.

[0199] Communication line 1602 may include a path for transmitting information between the aforementioned components.

[0200] The communication interface 1604 uses any transceiver-like device for communicating with other devices or communication networks, such as Ethernet, radio access network (RAN), wireless local area network (WLAN), wired access network, etc.

[0201] Memory 1603 may be a read-only memory (ROM) or other type of static storage device capable of storing static information and instructions, random access memory (RAM) or other type of dynamic storage device capable of storing information and instructions, or electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM) or other optical disc storage, optical disc storage (including compressed optical discs, laser discs, optical discs, digital universal optical discs, Blu-ray discs, etc.), magnetic disk storage media or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium capable of carrying or storing desired program code in the form of instructions or data structures and accessible by a computer, but not limited thereto. Memory 1603 may exist independently and be connected to processor 1601 via communication line 1602. Alternatively, memory 1603 may be integrated with processor 1601.

[0202] The memory 1603 stores computer execution instructions for implementing the present application scheme, and its execution is controlled by the processor 1601. The processor 1601 executes the computer execution instructions stored in the memory 1603, thereby implementing the steps performed by the first or second device in the embodiments shown in FIG. 5 or FIG. 13.

[0203] Optionally, the computer execution instructions in the embodiments of this application may also be referred to as application code, and the embodiments of this application do not specifically limit this.

[0204] In a specific implementation, as one example, processor 1601 may include one or more CPUs, such as CPU0 and CPU1 in FIG16.

[0205] In a specific implementation, as one embodiment, the communication device 1600 may include multiple processors, such as processors 1601 and 1605 in FIG. 16. Each of these processors may be a single-core (single-CPU) processor or a multi-core (multi-CPU) processor. Here, a processor may refer to one or more devices, circuits, and / or processing cores for processing data (e.g., computer program instructions).

[0206] When the communication device 1600 shown in Figure 16 is a chip, such as a STA chip or an AP chip, the chip includes a processor 1601 (and may also include a processor 1605), a communication line 1602, and a communication interface 1604. Optionally, it may include a memory 1603. Specifically, the communication interface 1604 may be an input interface, pins, or circuits, etc. The memory 1603 may be a register, cache, etc. The processor 1601 and processor 1605 may be a general-purpose CPU, microprocessor, ASIC, or one or more integrated circuits for controlling the execution of a program that controls the communication method of any of the above embodiments.

[0207] This application embodiment can divide the device into functional modules according to the above method examples. For example, each function can be divided into a separate functional module, or two or more functions can be integrated into a processing module. The integrated module can be implemented in hardware or software. It should be noted that the module division in this application embodiment is illustrative and only represents one logical functional division. In actual implementation, there may be other division methods. For example, when dividing each functional module according to each function, Figure 17 shows a schematic diagram of a device. The device 1700 can be the AP or STA involved in the above method embodiments. The device 1700 includes a transmitting unit 1701, a processing unit 1702, and a receiving unit 1703. The transmitting unit 1701 and the receiving unit 1703 can be two functional units, which respectively implement the transmitting function and the receiving function; or the transmitting unit 1701 and the receiving unit 1703 can be the same functional unit, which can implement both the transmitting and receiving functions.

[0208] It should be understood that the device 1700 can be used to implement the steps performed by the AP or STA in the communication method of the embodiments of this application. The relevant features can be referred to the embodiments shown in Figure 5 or Figure 13 above, and will not be repeated here.

[0209] Optionally, the functions / implementation processes of the transmitting unit 1701, receiving unit 1703, and processing unit 1702 in Figure 17 can be implemented by the processor 1601 in Figure 16 calling computer execution instructions stored in memory 1603. Alternatively, the functions / implementation processes of the processing unit 1702 in Figure 17 can be implemented by the processor 1601 in Figure 16 calling computer execution instructions stored in memory 1603, and the functions / implementation processes of the transmitting unit 1701 and receiving unit 1703 in Figure 17 can be implemented by the communication interface 1604 in Figure 16.

[0210] Optionally, when the device 1700 is a chip or circuit, the functions / implementation of the transmitting unit 1701 and the receiving unit 1703 can also be implemented through pins or circuits.

[0211] This application also provides a computer-readable storage medium storing a computer program or instructions that, when executed, implement the methods performed by the AP or STA in the aforementioned method embodiments. Thus, the functions described in the above embodiments can be implemented as software functional units and sold or used as independent products. Based on this understanding, the technical solution of this application, in essence, or the part that contributes to it, or a part of the technical solution, can be embodied in the form of a software product. This computer software product is stored in a storage medium and includes several instructions to cause a computer device (which may be a personal computer, a server, or a network device, etc.) to execute all or part of the steps of the methods described in the various embodiments of this application. The storage medium includes various media capable of storing program code, such as USB flash drives, portable hard drives, ROM, RAM, magnetic disks, or optical disks.

[0212] This application also provides a computer program product comprising: computer program code, which, when run on a computer, causes the computer to perform the method executed by the AP or STA in any of the foregoing method embodiments.

[0213] This application also provides a processing apparatus, including a processor and an interface; the processor is used to execute the method performed by the AP or STA involved in any of the above method embodiments.

[0214] In the above embodiments, implementation can be achieved entirely or partially through software, hardware, firmware, or any combination thereof. When implemented using software, it can be implemented entirely or partially in the form of a computer program product. The computer program product includes one or more computer instructions. When the computer program instructions are loaded and executed on a computer, all or part of the processes or functions described in the embodiments of this application are generated. The computer can be a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a computer network, or other programmable device. The computer instructions can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium or transmitted from one computer-readable storage medium to another. For example, the computer instructions can be transmitted from one website, computer, server, or data center to another website, computer, server, or data center via wired (e.g., coaxial cable, fiber optic, digital subscriber line (DSL)) or wireless (e.g., infrared, wireless, microwave, etc.) means. The computer-readable storage medium can be any available medium that a computer can access or a data storage device such as a server or data center that integrates one or more available media. The available medium can be a magnetic medium (e.g., floppy disk, hard disk, magnetic tape), an optical medium (e.g., DVD), or a semiconductor medium (e.g., solid-state disk (SSD)).

[0215] The various illustrative logic units and circuits described in the embodiments of this application can be implemented or operate the described functions using a general-purpose processor, digital signal processor (DSP), ASIC, field-programmable gate array (FPGA), or other programmable logic device, discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof. The general-purpose processor can be a microprocessor; alternatively, it can be any conventional processor, controller, microcontroller, or state machine. The processor can also be implemented using a combination of computing devices, such as a digital signal processor and a microprocessor, multiple microprocessors, one or more microprocessors combined with a digital signal processor core, or any other similar configuration.

[0216] The steps of the methods or algorithms described in the embodiments of this application can be directly embedded in hardware, software units executed by a processor, or a combination of both. The software units can be stored in RAM, flash memory, ROM, erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), EEPROM, registers, hard disks, removable disks, CD-ROMs, or any other form of storage medium in the art. Exemplarily, the storage medium can be connected to the processor so that the processor can read information from the storage medium and write information to the storage medium. Optionally, the storage medium can also be integrated into the processor. The processor and storage medium can be disposed in an ASIC, which can be disposed in the terminal device. Optionally, the processor and storage medium can also be disposed in different components of the terminal device.

[0217] These computer program instructions may also be loaded onto a computer or other programmable data processing apparatus to cause a series of operational steps to be performed on the computer or other programmable apparatus to produce a computer-implemented process, such that the instructions, which execute on the computer or other programmable apparatus, provide steps for implementing the functions specified in one or more flowcharts and / or one or more block diagrams.

[0218] The contents of the various embodiments of this application can be referenced to each other. Unless otherwise specified or there is a logical conflict, the terms and / or descriptions between different embodiments are consistent and can be referenced to each other. The technical features in different embodiments can be combined to form new embodiments according to their inherent logical relationship.

[0219] It is understood that in the embodiments of this application, AP and / or STA may perform some or all of the steps in the embodiments of this application. These steps or operations are merely examples. In the embodiments of this application, other operations or variations of various operations may also be performed. Furthermore, the steps may be performed in different orders as presented in the embodiments of this application, and it is not necessary to perform all the operations in the embodiments of this application.

Claims

1. A communication method, characterized in that, The method includes: Send a Physical Layer Protocol Data Unit (PPDU), wherein the PPDU is an ambient energy PPDU, and the PPDU includes a first payload, a first field, and a second field; The first field indicates the presence of an energizer signal, and the second field indicates the modulation and coding strategy (MCS) of the first payload.

2. The method as described in claim 1, characterized in that, At least one of the first field and the second field is included in the signaling field.

3. The method as described in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The first field is also used to indicate the type of PPDU.

4. The method as described in claim 3, characterized in that, The types of PPDU include: Control PPDU; Downlink control PPDU; Uplink PPDU; or, Control-energizer PPDU.

5. The method as described in claim 4, characterized in that, The first field is used to indicate the presence of the charging signal, and the first field is also used to indicate the type of PPDU, including: The first field is used to indicate the control-charging PPDU.

6. The method as described in claim 4, characterized in that, The first field is used to indicate the absence of the charging signal, and the first field is also used to indicate the type of PPDU, including: The first field includes a first subfield, and the first subfield has a first value, a second value, and a third value. The first value is used to indicate the control PPDU, the second value is used to indicate the downlink control PPDU, and the third value is used to indicate the uplink PPDU.

7. The method as described in claim 4, characterized in that, The first field is used to indicate that the charging signal is not present. The PPDU also includes a third field, which is used to indicate whether it is used for back reflection. The type of PPDU indicated by the first field is related to the third field.

8. The method as described in claim 7, characterized in that, The third field indicates the use of back reflection, and the first field is also used to indicate the type of PPDU, including: The first field is used to indicate the control PPDU.

9. The method as described in claim 7, characterized in that, The third field indicates that it is not used for back reflection, and the first field is also used to indicate the type of PPDU, including: The first field includes a second subfield, and the second subfield has a fourth value and a fifth value. The fourth value is used to indicate the downlink control PPDU, and the fifth value is used to indicate the uplink PPDU.

10. The method according to any one of claims 3 to 9, characterized in that, The first field indicates the type of PPDU as the control-charge PPDU, and the second field is also used to indicate the MCS of the back reflection load.

11. The method as described in claim 10, characterized in that, The second field is also used to indicate the length of the back reflection load.

12. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that, The second field is also used to indicate the length of the first load.

13. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that, The second field is also used to indicate the type of PPDU.

14. A communication method, characterized in that, The method includes: The system transmits a control-energizer physical layer protocol data unit (PPDU), which includes M signaling fields, N second payloads, and P indices, where M + P = N. The M signaling fields correspond one-to-one with the M second payloads, and the P indices correspond one-to-one with the P second payloads. The P second payloads are the second payloads among the N second payloads excluding the M second payloads. The signaling fields indicate the modulation and coding scheme (MCS) of the corresponding second payload. The M signaling fields indicate different MCSs. The indices indicate the signaling fields, and the MCS of the second payload corresponding to the index is the same as the MCS of the second payload corresponding to the signaling field indicated by the index. M, N, and P are positive integers.

15. The method as described in claim 14, characterized in that, The second load includes a control load and an energizer symbol for back reflection.

16. The method as described in claim 15, characterized in that, The signaling field is also used to indicate at least one of the lengths of the control load and the back reflection load in the corresponding second load.

17. The method according to any one of claims 14 to 16, characterized in that, The control-charging PPDU also includes N synchronization fields.

18. A communication device, characterized in that, The communication device includes a module for performing the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 13, or a module for performing the method as described in any one of claims 14 to 17.

19. A communication device, characterized in that, The communication device includes a processor, which is configured to perform the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 13, or the method as described in any one of claims 14 to 17.

20. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that, The computer-readable storage medium is used to store a computer program that, when run on a computer, causes the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 13 to be performed, or causes the method as described in any one of claims 14 to 17 to be performed.

21. A computer program product, characterized in that, The computer program product includes a computer program that, when run on a computer, causes the computer to perform the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 13, or causes the computer to perform the method as described in any one of claims 14 to 17.

Images