Communication method and communication apparatus

Abstract

Provided in the embodiments of the present application are a communication method and a communication apparatus. The method comprises: determining a first frame, wherein the first frame comprises address information of an access point device associated with a first station device and identification information of a first group to which the first station device belongs, the first group comprising the first station device and at least one second station device, and the first station device and the at least one second station device sharing time resources allocated by the access point device; and sending the first frame to the at least one second station device. By means of the method, a first station device can quickly, effectively and concisely manage the first group to which the first station device belongs, such that station devices in the first group can share time resources allocated by the access point device, thereby improving the resource utilization rate and improving communication performance.

Description

Communication methods and communication devices

[0001] This application claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 202411188284.1, filed with the State Intellectual Property Office of China on August 27, 2024, entitled "Communication Method and Communication Device", the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0002] This application relates to the field of wireless communication, and more particularly to a communication method and a communication device. Background Technology

[0003] The 802.11 protocol suite is a communication standard developed by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) for wireless local area networks (WLANs). Starting with IEEE 802.11a / b / g, and progressing through IEEE 802.11n, IEEE 802.11ac, and IEEE 802.11ax, it has now evolved to include discussions on IEEE 802.11be and IEEE 802.11bn.

[0004] In WLANs, access points (APs) can schedule non-AP stations (STAs) for uplink transmission via trigger frames (TFs). However, when an AP schedules a non-AP STA, the non-AP STA can only send the physical layer protocol data unit (TB PPDU) of the uplink trigger frame and cannot perform point-to-point (P2P) transmissions with other non-AP STAs. Furthermore, the AP needs to configure parameters for sending uplink data to the non-AP STA, such as PPDU duration, modulation and coding scheme (MCS), and number of spatial streams (NSS). However, non-AP STAs are more aware of current buffer information and appropriate transmission parameters, increasing the complexity of AP configuration. Therefore, to avoid these problems, the IEEE 802.11be standard introduced the Multiple User Request to Send (MU-RTS) transmission opportunity sharing (TXS) mechanism.

[0005] In the MU-RTS TXS mechanism, an AP can allocate some or all of the remaining time resources in its TXOP to an associated non-AP STA (hereinafter referred to as the designated STA for convenience). This allows the designated STA to communicate with other non-AP STAs or the AP itself within the allocated time resources, i.e., to perform P2P transmission or uplink transmission. With the development of wireless communication services, this P2P communication can be extended to P2P groups including two or more non-AP STAs. Currently, how to manage P2P groups quickly, effectively, and simply is a problem that urgently needs to be solved. Summary of the Invention

[0006] This application provides a communication method and communication device that can quickly, effectively and simply manage P2P groups, so that STAs in the P2P group can share the time resources allocated by the AP, thereby improving resource utilization and communication performance.

[0007] The present application is described below from different aspects. It should be understood that the different implementation methods and beneficial effects described below can be referred to each other.

[0008] In a first aspect, this application provides a communication method, which can be executed by a first site device or a module or unit (e.g., a chip or circuit) in the first site device. The method includes: determining a first frame, the first frame including address information of an access point device associated with the first site device and identification information of a first group to which the first site device belongs, the first group including the first site device and at least one second site device, the first site device and the at least one second site device sharing the time resources allocated by the access point device; and sending the first frame to the at least one second site device.

[0009] The address information of the access point device associated with the first site device can uniquely identify the access point device in the network. For example, it may include the media access control (MAC) address, internet protocol (IP) address, or other addresses that uniquely identify the access point device in the network. The identification information of the first group can uniquely identify the first group in the network to avoid resource conflicts with other groups.

[0010] The communication method of this application involves a first site device determining and sending a first frame. The first frame includes the address information of the access point device associated with the first site device and the identification information of the first group to which the first site device belongs. This enables a second site device that receives the first frame to determine that it belongs to the first group and to allocate resources to the access point devices in its first group. In scenarios where the first site device and at least one second site device share the time resources allocated by the access point device, the first site device can quickly, effectively, and simply manage its first group. This allows the site devices in the first group to share the time resources allocated by the access point device, thereby improving resource utilization and communication performance.

[0011] In one possible implementation of the first aspect of this application, the first frame further includes address information of the at least one second site device.

[0012] The communication method of this application includes, in the first frame, not only the address information of the access point device associated with the first site device and the identification information of the first group to which the first site device belongs, but also the identification information of at least one second site device. Thus, at least one second site device that receives the first frame determines that it belongs to the first group through the identification information of at least one second site device, without the need for the first site device and at least one second site device to exchange signaling again, thereby reducing the number of signaling exchanges.

[0013] In one possible implementation of the first aspect of this application, the identification information of the first group includes an association identifier assigned by the access point device to the first site device or the address information of the first site device.

[0014] The identification information of the first group can be set to 12 bits. Therefore, the AID assigned to the first site device when the access point device associates with the first site device can be reused. Thus, the AID of the first site device is the identifier assigned to the first site device by the access point device when the first site device and the access point device associate. It should be understood that the AID of the first site device can also be the 12-bit AID negotiated by the access point device when sharing time resources with the first group. In the following description, when referring to AID, it can be a reused AID or a renegotiated AID.

[0015] The communication method of this application directly uses the information of the first site device to mark the first group, without requiring system configuration or reserved resources for the identification information of the first group, thus saving resources. In addition, the identification information of the first group includes the AID assigned by the access point device to the first site device. Using the AID of the first site device as the identification information of the first group means that when the access point device and the first site device perform signaling interaction, no additional signaling overhead is required to determine the identification information of the first group, thus saving resources. Furthermore, the identification information of the first group includes the address information of the first site device. Using the address information of the first site device as the identification information of the first group, the first frame can implicitly indicate this. For example, the sending address of the first frame information can be the address information of the first site device, thus saving resources.

[0016] In one possible implementation of the first aspect of this application, the first frame further includes an association identifier assigned by the access point device to the first site device or address information of the first site device.

[0017] The group number is randomly generated by the system or the first site device, or it can be selected by the system or the first site device from a preset set of numbers, or it can be determined after negotiation between the system and the first site device. This application does not limit this.

[0018] The communication method of this application can also use the number of the first group when the AID assigned by the access point device to the first site device or the address information of the first site device cannot uniquely identify the first group. The first group can be identified by the association identifier assigned by the access point device to the first site device and the number of the first group, or by the address information of the first site device and the number of the first group, thereby effectively distinguishing multiple groups containing different site devices.

[0019] One possible implementation of the first aspect of this application is that the identification information of the first group includes an association identifier assigned by the access point device to the first site device and the number of the first group, or the address information of the first site device and the number of the first group.

[0020] The communication method of this application, when the number of the first group cannot uniquely identify the first group, can further identify the first group by using the association identifier assigned by the access point device to the first site device or the address information of the first site device, thereby effectively distinguishing multiple groups containing different site devices.

[0021] In one possible implementation of the first aspect of this application, the first frame further includes identification information of a second group to which the first site device belongs.

[0022] If there are multiple groups, such as the first group and the second group, the identification information of the second group can be included in the first frame to save resources.

[0023] The identification information of the second group may include the association identifier assigned by the access point device to the first site device and the number of the second group, or the address information of the first site device and the number of the second group.

[0024] Alternatively, the first frame may also include an association identifier assigned by the access point device to the first site device, which, together with the number of the second group, identifies the second group; or the first frame may also include the address information of the first site device, which, together with the number of the second group, identifies the second group.

[0025] One possible implementation of the first aspect of this application, the method further includes: sending a second frame to the access point device, the second frame including identification information of the first group.

[0026] The identification information of the first group can be the number of the first group mentioned above.

[0027] In the communication method of this application, a first site device sends a second frame to an access point device. The second frame may include identification information of a first group. When the first site device independently creates a group, the second frame enables the access point device to obtain the identification information of the group to which the first site device belongs, thereby enabling the access point device to share transmission opportunities with the first group in a timely and accurate manner.

[0028] One possible implementation of the first aspect of this application, the method further includes: acquiring a third frame, the third frame including the identification information of the first group.

[0029] The communication method of this application allows the first station device to directly obtain the identification information of the first group through the third frame, thus saving resources.

[0030] One possible implementation of the first aspect of this application, the method further includes: sending a fourth frame to the access point device, the fourth frame being used to request the access point device to allocate identification information of the first group for the first group; the step of obtaining the third frame includes: receiving the third frame from the access point device, the third frame being used to respond to the fourth frame.

[0031] In the communication method of this application, the first site device can interact with the access point device to obtain the identification information of the first group, so that the identification information of the first group does not cause conflict in the network.

[0032] In one possible implementation of the first aspect of this application, the fourth frame carries candidate identifier information of the first group, the candidate identifier information belonging to at least one available identifier information; the method further includes: receiving a fifth frame from the access point device, the fifth frame including the at least one available identifier information; the step of sending the fourth frame to the access point device includes: sending the fourth frame to the access point device according to the fifth frame.

[0033] In the communication method of this application, the access point device indicates the identification information of the available first group to the first site device, and the first site device selects candidate identifiers from the indicated identification information of the available first group. In this case, the selected candidate identifiers can reduce resource conflicts and resource waste.

[0034] One possible implementation of the first aspect of this application, the method further includes: receiving a sixth frame from the access point device, the sixth frame including indication information for instructing the first group to share the time resources allocated by the access point device.

[0035] In the communication method of this application, when the access point device allocates resources, both the first site device and at least one second site device in the first group can know in a timely manner that the resources are allocated to the first group, thereby enabling the first site device and at least one second site device to exchange data in a timely manner, improving the speed and efficiency of data exchange.

[0036] One possible implementation of the first aspect of this application is that the indication information is the setting value of the Transmission Opportunity TXOP sharing mode field in the sixth frame. For example, the setting value is 3. By multiplexing the Transmission Opportunity TXOP sharing mode field to indicate that the first group shares the time resources allocated by the access point device, resources can be saved.

[0037] One possible implementation of the first aspect of this application is that the first group is a peer-to-peer (P2P) group.

[0038] In one possible implementation of the first aspect of this application, the time resource allocated to the access point device is a transmission opportunity (TXOP).

[0039] In the communication method of this application, the access point device allocates TXOP to a first group, so that the first site device and at least one second site device in the first group can continuously transmit data packets within the allocated time resources. This reduces the channel access delay and overhead before each transmission, avoids data collisions and retransmissions caused by competing for the channel within the same time resources, and allows the first site device and at least one second site device to share the time resources fairly.

[0040] One possible implementation of the first aspect of this application is that the first site device is used to manage the first group.

[0041] The communication method of this application manages a first group through a first site device. Thus, signaling interaction between the first group and the associated access point device can be completed through signaling interaction between the first site device and the associated access point device, so that the first site device and at least one second site device in the first group can share the time resources allocated by the access point.

[0042] In one possible implementation of the first aspect of this application, the first site device and the at least one second site device share the time resources allocated by the access point device in a competitive manner.

[0043] Secondly, this application provides another communication method, which can be executed by a second site device or a module or unit (e.g., a chip or circuit) in the second site device. The method includes: receiving a first frame from a first site device, the first frame including address information of an access point device associated with the first site device and identification information of a first group to which the first site device belongs, the first group including the first site device and at least one second site device, the first site device and the at least one second site device sharing the time resources allocated by the access point device.

[0044] In one possible implementation of the second aspect of this application, the first frame further includes address information of the at least one second site device.

[0045] In one possible implementation of the second aspect of this application, the identification information of the first group includes an association identifier assigned by the access point device to the first site device or the address information of the first site device.

[0046] In one possible implementation of the second aspect of this application, the first frame further includes an association identifier assigned by the access point device to the first site device or address information of the first site device.

[0047] In one possible implementation of the second aspect of this application, the identification information of the first group includes an association identifier assigned by the access point device to the first site device and the number of the first group, or the address information of the first site device and the number of the first group.

[0048] In one possible implementation of the second aspect of this application, the first frame further includes identification information of a second group to which the first site device belongs.

[0049] In one possible implementation of the second aspect of this application, the method further includes: receiving a sixth frame from the access point device, the sixth frame including indication information for instructing the first group to share the time resources allocated by the access point device.

[0050] One possible implementation of the second aspect of this application is that the first group is a peer-to-peer (P2P) group.

[0051] In one possible implementation of the second aspect of this application, the time resource allocated to the access point device is a transmission opportunity (TXOP).

[0052] In one possible implementation of the second aspect of this application, the first site device and the at least one second site device share the time resources allocated by the access point device in a competitive manner.

[0053] Thirdly, this application provides another communication method, which can be performed by an access point device or a module or unit (e.g., a chip or circuit) in the access point device, the method comprising: receiving a second frame from a first site device, the second frame including identification information of the first group.

[0054] The identification information of the first group can be the number of the first group mentioned above.

[0055] One possible implementation of the third aspect of this application, the method further includes: receiving a fourth frame from a first site device, the fourth frame being used to request the access point device to allocate identification information of the first group for the first group; and sending a third frame to the first site device, the third frame being used to respond to the fourth frame.

[0056] In one possible implementation of the third aspect of this application, the fourth frame carries candidate identifier information of the first group, the candidate identifier information belonging to at least one available identifier information; the method further includes: sending a fifth frame, the fifth frame including the at least one available identifier information.

[0057] One possible implementation of the third aspect of this application, the method further includes: sending a sixth frame to the first site device, the sixth frame including indication information for instructing the first group to share the time resources allocated by the access point device.

[0058] In one possible implementation of the third aspect of this application, the indication information is the setting value of the Transmission Opportunity TXOP Shared Mode field in the sixth frame.

[0059] One possible implementation of the third aspect of this application is that the first group is a peer-to-peer (P2P) group.

[0060] In one possible implementation of the third aspect of this application, the time resource allocated to the access point device is a transmission opportunity (TXOP).

[0061] Fourthly, this application provides yet another communication method, which can be executed by a first site device or a module or unit (e.g., a chip or circuit) in the first site device, the method comprising: receiving a first frame from an access point device associated with the first site device, the first frame including indication information for indicating that the first site device shares time resources allocated by the access point device or that a group to which the first site device belongs shares time resources allocated by the access point device; determining a second frame, the second frame including identification information of a first group to which the first site device belongs, the first group including the first site device and at least one second site device, the first site device and the at least one second site device sharing time resources allocated by the access point device; and sending the second frame to the at least one second site device.

[0062] The communication method of this application embodiment involves a first site device receiving a first frame to determine whether the first site device shares the time resources allocated by the access point device or whether the group to which the first site device belongs shares the time resources allocated by the access point device. Then, a second frame is determined and sent to at least one second site device, enabling the second site device receiving the second frame to determine that it can also share the time resources allocated by the access point device. The first site device can directly manage the time resources allocated by the access point device. On the one hand, the first site device can quickly, effectively, and simply manage its first group in a scenario where it and at least one second site device share the time resources allocated by the access point device. On the other hand, it enables timely data exchange between the first site device and at least one second site device, improving the speed and efficiency of data interaction.

[0063] In one possible implementation of the fourth aspect of this application, the identification information of the first group is determined by the first site device. For example, the first site device may randomly generate a number for the first group and use that number as the identification information of the first group, or select a number from a set of numbers as the identification information of the first group. After receiving the first frame, the first site device can obtain the right to use the time resources allocated by the access point device. Therefore, the first site device can send a third frame to at least one second site device in the first group to indicate that at least one second site device can also share the time resources allocated by the access point device. In this case, the creation of the first group and related information do not require interaction with the access point device. After establishing the P2P group, the first site device can determine the identification information of the first group itself and carry that identification information in the third frame, so that at least one second site device can also share the time resources allocated by the access point device.

[0064] In one possible implementation of the fourth aspect of this application, the first site device and the at least one second site device share the time resources allocated by the access point device in a competitive manner.

[0065] One possible implementation of the fourth aspect of this application, the method further includes: sending a third frame to the access point device, the third frame being a response frame to the first frame.

[0066] One possible implementation of the fourth aspect of this application is that the first group is a peer-to-peer (P2P) group.

[0067] In one possible implementation of the fourth aspect of this application, the time resource allocated to the access point device is a transmission opportunity (TXOP).

[0068] In one possible implementation of the fourth aspect of this application, the first site device and the at least one second site device share the time resources allocated by the access point device in a competitive manner.

[0069] Fifthly, this application provides yet another communication method, which can be performed by a second site device or a module or unit (e.g., a chip or circuit) in the second site device, the method comprising: receiving a second frame from a first site device, the second frame including identification information of a first group to which the first site device belongs, the first group including the first site device and at least one second site device, the first site device and the at least one second site device sharing time resources allocated by the access point device.

[0070] One possible implementation of the fifth aspect of this application is that the first group is a peer-to-peer (P2P) group.

[0071] In one possible implementation of the fifth aspect of this application, the time resource allocated to the access point device is a transmission opportunity (TXOP).

[0072] In one possible implementation of the fifth aspect of this application, the first site device and the at least one second site device share the time resources allocated by the access point device in a competitive manner.

[0073] Sixthly, this application provides a communication apparatus for performing the method in any possible implementation of any of the above aspects. Specifically, the apparatus includes units / modules for performing the method in any possible implementation of any of the above aspects.

[0074] In a seventh aspect, this application provides yet another communication device, including a processor coupled to a memory, which can be used to execute instructions in the memory to implement the method in any of the possible implementations of any of the above aspects. In one implementation of an embodiment of this application, the communication device further includes a memory. In another implementation of an embodiment of this application, the scheduling device further includes a communication interface, and the processor is coupled to the communication interface.

[0075] In one implementation, the communication device is an access point (AP). When the communication device is an AP, the communication interface can be a transceiver or an input / output interface.

[0076] In another implementation, the communication device is a chip configured in the AP. When the communication device is a chip configured in the AP, the communication interface can be an input / output interface.

[0077] In one implementation, the communication device is a STA. When the communication device is a STA, the communication interface can be a transceiver or an input / output interface.

[0078] In another implementation, the communication device is a chip configured in the STA. When the communication device is a chip configured in the STA, the communication interface can be an input / output interface.

[0079] Eighthly, this application provides a processor, including: an input circuit, an output circuit, and a processing circuit. The processing circuit is configured to receive signals through the input circuit and transmit signals through the output circuit, causing the processor to execute the method in any possible implementation of any of the preceding aspects.

[0080] In specific implementation, the processor can be a chip, the input circuit can be an input pin, the output circuit can be an output pin, and the processing circuit can be a transistor, gate circuit, flip-flop, and various logic circuits. The input signal received by the input circuit can be received and input by, for example, but not limited to, a receiver, and the signal output by the output circuit can be output to, for example, but not limited to, a transmitter and transmitted by the transmitter. Furthermore, the input circuit and the output circuit can be the same circuit, which is used as the input circuit and the output circuit at different times. This application does not limit the specific implementation of the processor and various circuits.

[0081] Ninthly, this application provides a processing apparatus, including a processor and a memory. The processor is configured to read instructions stored in the memory and to receive signals via a receiver and transmit signals via a transmitter to execute the method in any possible implementation of any of the preceding aspects.

[0082] In one implementation, the processor is one or more, and the memory is one or more.

[0083] In one implementation, the memory may be integrated with the processor, or the memory may be separated from the processor.

[0084] In specific implementation, the memory can be a non-transitory memory, such as read-only memory (ROM), which can be integrated with the processor on the same chip or set on different chips. The embodiments of this application do not limit the type of memory or the way the memory and processor are set.

[0085] It should be understood that the relevant data interaction process, such as sending indication information, can be the process of outputting indication information from the processor, and receiving capability information can be the process of the processor receiving input capability information. Specifically, the processed output data can be output to the transmitter, and the input data received by the processor can come from the receiver. Here, the transmitter and receiver can be collectively referred to as a transceiver.

[0086] The processing device in the ninth aspect above can be a chip. The processor can be implemented in hardware or software. When implemented in hardware, the processor can be a logic circuit, an integrated circuit, etc. When implemented in software, the processor can be a general-purpose processor that reads software code stored in a memory. The memory can be integrated into the processor or located outside the processor and exist independently.

[0087] In a tenth aspect, this application provides a computer program product comprising: a computer program (also referred to as code or instructions) that, when run, causes a computer to perform a method in any of the possible implementations of any of the above aspects.

[0088] In one aspect, this application provides a computer-readable storage medium storing a computer program (also referred to as code or instructions) that, when run on a computer, causes the computer to perform the method in any possible implementation of any of the above aspects.

[0089] In a twelfth aspect, a communication system is provided, comprising the first site device described in the first aspect, at least one second site device described in the second aspect, and the access point device described in the third aspect; or, comprising the first site device described in the fourth aspect, at least one second site device described in the fifth aspect, and the access point device. Attached Figure Description

[0090] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the architecture of the communication system provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0091] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of transmission opportunity sharing provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0092] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of another transmission opportunity sharing provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0093] Figure 4 is a schematic flowchart of the communication method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0094] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of the first frame provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0095] Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of the second frame provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0096] Figure 7 is a schematic diagram of the third and fourth frames provided in the embodiments of this application;

[0097] Figure 8 is a schematic diagram of the communication method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0098] Figure 9 is a schematic flowchart of another communication method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0099] Figure 10 is a schematic diagram of another communication method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0100] Figure 11 is an exemplary block diagram of a communication device provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0101] Figure 12 is an exemplary block diagram of another communication device provided in an embodiment of this application. Detailed Implementation

[0102] To facilitate understanding of the embodiments of this application, the following points will be explained before introducing the embodiments of this application.

[0103] In this application, the terms "first" and "second" are used to distinguish identical or similar items that have essentially the same function and effect. Those skilled in the art will understand that the terms "first" and "second" do not limit the quantity or execution order, and that the terms "first" and "second" do not necessarily imply that they are different.

[0104] In this application, "for indicating" or "indication" can include both direct and indirect indication, or in other words, "for indicating" or "indication" can be explicit and / or implicit. For example, when describing information as indicating information I, it can include whether the information directly indicates I or indirectly indicates I, without implying that the information necessarily carries I. As another example, implicit indication can be based on the location and / or resources used for transmission; explicit indication can be based on one or more parameters, and / or one or more indices, and / or one or more bit patterns they represent.

[0105] Unless otherwise specified, the term "transmission" in this application refers to bidirectional transmission, including the actions of sending and / or receiving. Specifically, "transmission" in the embodiments of this application includes sending data, receiving data, or sending and receiving data. In other words, data transmission here includes uplink and / or downlink data transmission. Data may include channels and / or signals; uplink data transmission refers to uplink channel and / or uplink signal transmission, and downlink data transmission refers to downlink channel and / or downlink signal transmission.

[0106] In this application, "sending information to device A" or a similar description can be understood as the destination of the information being device A, and may include sending information directly or indirectly to device A. "Receiving information from device B" or a similar description can be understood as the source of the information being device B, and may include receiving information directly or indirectly from device B. Information may undergo necessary processing between the source and destination, but the destination can understand the valid information from the source. Similar expressions in this application can be understood in a similar way, and will not be elaborated further here.

[0107] It should be understood that in this application, "predefined," "preset," "set," etc., can be implemented by pre-saving corresponding codes, tables, or other means that can be used to indicate relevant information in the device, and this application does not limit the specific implementation method. "Saving" can refer to saving in one or more memories. The type of memory can be any form of storage medium, and this application does not limit this.

[0108] It should be noted that, in this application, the words "exemplarily" or "for example" are used to indicate examples, illustrations, or explanations. Any embodiment or design described as "exemplarily" or "for example" in this application should not be construed as being more preferred or advantageous than other embodiments or designs. Specifically, the use of words such as "exemplarily" or "for example" is intended to present the relevant concepts in a specific manner.

[0109] Furthermore, "at least one" refers to one or more, while "more than one" refers to 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 alone, A and B simultaneously, or B alone, where A and B can be singular or plural. The character " / " generally indicates that the preceding and following related objects are in an "or" relationship. "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, and c can mean: a, or b, or c, or a and b, or a and c, or b and c, or a, b, and c, where a, b, and c can be single or multiple.

[0110] The technical solutions in this application will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0111] The technical solutions of this application can be applied to various communication systems, such as wireless local area network (WLAN) systems. These embodiments can also be applied to other systems, such as long term evolution (LTE) systems, LTE frequency division duplex (FDD) systems, LTE time division duplex (TDD) systems, worldwide interoperability for microwave access (WiMAX) systems, 5th generation (5G) or new radio (NR) communication systems, and future wireless communication systems.

[0112] The following uses a WLAN system as an example to describe the application scenarios and methods of the embodiments of this application.

[0113] WLAN systems can adopt IEEE protocols, such as the 802.11ax standard, IEEE 802.11be / Wi-Fi 7 / Extremely High Throughput (EHT) protocol, IEEE 802.11bn / Ultra High Reliability (UHR) / Wi-Fi 8 protocol, IEEE Integrated mmWave / IMMW protocol, IEEE 802.15 / Ultra-Wideband (UWB) protocol, or IEEE 802.11bf / sensing protocol, or next-generation 802.11 standards; this application may also support Spark Link / Near Link standard protocols. A WLAN may include one or more basic service sets (BSS), and a basic service set may include one access point station (AP STA) and several non-access point stations (non-AP STAs). All non-AP STAs can communicate directly within this BSS, but when communicating with non-AP STAs outside this BSS, they must go through the AP of this BSS. For simplicity, this article will refer to AP STAs as Access Points (AP) and non-AP STAs as Sites (STA).

[0114] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the architecture of the communication system 100 provided in an embodiment of this application. As shown in Figure 1, in the communication system 100, STA 102 and STA 103 are associated with AP 101, while STA 104 is not associated with AP 101. The association of STA 102 and STA 103 with AP 101 indicates that STA 102 and STA 103 are part of the BSS managed by AP 101, and STA 102 or STA 103 can communicate directly with AP 101. The fact that STA 104 is not associated with AP 101 indicates that STA 104 does not belong to the BSS managed by AP 101, and STA 104 does not communicate directly with AP 101. STA 104 needs to communicate indirectly with AP 101 through another AP (not shown in the figure) that it is associated with. For example, if STA 104 belongs to the BSS of another AP, AP 101 can first send information to the other AP, and then the other AP can send the information to STA 104.

[0115] Direct links can also be established between STA 102, STA 103, and STA 104 for direct communication, which can be called group P2P (or cluster P2P, abbreviated as G-P2P or C-P2P) communication. A P2P group can include two or more STAs, where the STA associated with the AP can be the leader or manager STA. For example, STA 102 or STA 103 can be the leader STA, responsible for the creation, management, and signaling interaction with the AP of the P2P group. Scenarios for group P2P communication can include multimedia services, especially video services. For example, in a home theater system, at least one display device and multiple speakers need to transmit data to each other; or in a virtual reality scenario, multiple cameras, controllers, and at least one display device need to transmit data to each other. It should be understood that this is an example to illustrate the scenarios of group P2P communication, and group P2P communication can be adapted to other scenarios, which are not limited here.

[0116] The access point (AP) involved in this application is a device with wireless communication capabilities, supporting communication using the WLAN protocol. It has the ability to communicate with other devices (such as stations or other access points) in a WLAN network, and may also have the ability to communicate with other devices. In a WLAN system, an access point can be called an access point station (AP STA). This device with wireless communication capabilities can be a complete device, or a chip or processing system installed in a complete device. Devices with these chips or processing systems can implement the methods and functions of the embodiments of this application under the control of the chip or processing system. The AP in the embodiments of this application is a device that provides services to STAs and supports the 802.11 series of protocols. For example, an AP can be a communication server, router, switch, bridge, or other communication entity; an AP can include various forms of macro base stations, micro base stations, relay stations, etc. Of course, an AP can also be the chip and processing system within these various forms of devices, thereby implementing the methods and functions of the embodiments of this application.

[0117] The Station (STA) involved in this application is a device with wireless communication capabilities, supporting communication using the WLAN protocol and having the ability to communicate with other stations or access points in the WLAN network. In a WLAN system, a station can be called a non-access point station (non-AP STA). For example, an STA is any user communication device that allows a user to communicate with an AP and thus with the WLAN. This device with wireless communication capabilities can be a complete device, or a chip or processing system installed in a complete device. Devices with these chips or processing systems installed can implement the methods and functions of the embodiments of this application under the control of the chip or processing system. For example, an STA can be a network-connected user device such as a tablet computer, desktop computer, laptop computer, ultra-mobile personal computer (UMPC), handheld computer, netbook, personal digital assistant (PDA), or mobile phone; or an IoT node in the Internet of Things; or an in-vehicle communication device in the Internet of Vehicles; or an entertainment device, gaming device or system; or a GPS device; etc. An STA can also be a chip and processing system in the above-mentioned terminals.

[0118] WLAN systems can provide high-speed, low-latency transmission. As WLAN application scenarios continue to evolve, WLAN systems will be applied to more scenarios or industries, such as the Internet of Things industry, the Internet of Vehicles industry, the banking industry, enterprise offices, stadiums and exhibition halls, concert halls, hotel rooms, dormitories, hospital wards, classrooms, shopping malls, squares, streets, production workshops and warehouses, etc. Of course, devices supporting WLAN communication (such as access points or sites) can include sensor nodes in smart cities (e.g., smart water meters, smart electricity meters, smart air quality monitoring nodes), smart devices in smart homes (e.g., smart cameras, projectors, displays, televisions, speakers, refrigerators, washing machines, etc.), nodes in the Internet of Things (IoT), entertainment terminals (e.g., augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR), and other wearable devices), smart devices in smart offices (e.g., printers, projectors, loudspeakers, speakers, etc.), vehicle-to-everything (V2X) devices, infrastructure in daily life scenarios (e.g., vending machines, self-service navigation kiosks in supermarkets, self-checkout machines, self-service ordering machines, etc.), and equipment in large sports and music venues. The specific forms of STA and AP in this application embodiment are not limited; they are merely illustrative examples.

[0119] In this embodiment, the STA or AP may include a hardware layer, an operating system layer running on top of the hardware layer, and an application layer running on top of the operating system layer. The hardware layer includes hardware such as a central processing unit (CPU), a memory management unit (MMU), and main memory. The operating system may be any one or more computer operating systems that implement business processing through processes, such as Linux, Unix, Android, iOS, or Windows. The application layer includes applications such as browsers, address books, word processing software, and instant messaging software.

[0120] The aforementioned AP or STA can be multi-antenna / multi-RF or single-antenna / single-RF. For example, the STA or AP includes an adjustable beam antenna, a corresponding antenna radio frequency (RF) channel, a signal processing module, and a protocol module, etc.

[0121] The connection between the antenna and the RF channel can be either predefined or switchable. The RF channel connects to the signal processing module for digital-to-analog or analog-to-digital conversion and for transmitting and receiving signal processing. The signal processing module generates a reference signal for measurement, receives the reference signal, estimates signal strength, channel quality, or channel coefficients. The signal processing module also connects to a local clock source to modulate or demodulate the signal to the target frequency band. The local clock source also provides a time reference for when to transmit PPDUs. The signal processing module can trigger the transmission of PPDUs at a specified time. The signal processing module also connects to the protocol module for packet encapsulation and decapsulation, and executes the protocol-defined packet transmission and reception sequence, including transmitting and receiving training frames, and responding with response frames. The signal processing module or protocol module can also indicate the beam used by the antenna during transmission or reception.

[0122] The aforementioned AP and STA may also include external interface modules, but the embodiments of this application are not limited thereto.

[0123] Below, we will first give a brief introduction to some of the concepts or terms involved in this application.

[0124] 1. Network allocation vector (NAV)

[0125] WLANs are deployed on unlicensed spectrum. Access points (APs) or stand-in points (STAs) within a WLAN can compete for channel resources on the unlicensed spectrum. To avoid collisions during channel contention, APs or STAs need to perform channel sensing before competing for the channel, which may include physical carrier sensing and / or virtual carrier sensing.

[0126] Physical carrier sensing (PCS) can be implemented by listening to the energy and / or radio frame signals on the channel. If the strength of the received energy and / or the received radio frame signals is less than a certain threshold, PCS indicates that the channel is idle; otherwise, PCS indicates that the channel is busy.

[0127] Virtual carrier sensing can be implemented by setting a NAV (Network Address Var). An AP or STA in a WLAN maintains an NAV. If the NAV value is not 0, virtual carrier sensing indicates the channel is busy; if the NAV value is 0, virtual carrier sensing indicates the channel is idle. Typically, when both physical carrier sensing and virtual carrier sensing indicate the channel is idle, the corresponding AP or STA is allowed to access the channel and transmit radio frames.

[0128] The specific process of AP or STA maintaining NAV is as follows: If AP or STA receives a radio frame, it parses the frame and finds that the receive address of the radio frame is not the MAC address of AP or STA, meaning the radio frame was not sent to AP or STA. It then obtains the duration indicated by the length field of the radio frame and sets the value of the maintained NAV to the duration. When setting the NAV value, it can first determine whether the duration is greater than the NAV value. If the duration is greater than the NAV value, the NAV value is updated to the duration; otherwise, the NAV value is not updated. It should be understood that if the receive address of the radio frame received by AP or STA is the MAC address of AP or STA itself, or if AP or STA is transmitting a radio frame, it indicates that AP or STA is performing frame interaction and can use the channel; therefore, the NAV value is 0 in this case.

[0129] The NAV mechanism effectively solves the collision problem caused by hidden nodes in a network. In a WLAN, the AP or STA that transmits wireless frame signals is called the transmitter, and the AP or STA that receives wireless frame signals is called the receiver. A hidden node is an AP or STA that is not within the signal coverage area of ​​the transmitter, but can interfere with the receiver when transmitting wireless frame signals. If the transmitter transmits a wireless frame signal, the hidden node, unaware of the transmitter's transmission, also transmits a wireless frame signal simultaneously, causing interference to the receiver and preventing it from correctly receiving the wireless frame signal. With virtual carrier sensing, when the transmitter wins the channel, it can interact with the receiver via short frames. In both short frames, the length field of each frame sets the NAV value for nearby non-target APs or STAs, thus ensuring that the hidden node will not compete for the channel or transmit wireless frame signals during the NAV protection period. This NAV protection period is usually called the transmission opportunity (TXOP).

[0130] For more granular management, the IEEE 802.11ax standard introduced two NAVs: an intra-BSS NAV and a basic NAV. The intra-BSS NAV is updated via intra-BSS PPDUs, while the basic NAV is updated via inter-BSS PPDUs or PPDUs from sources that cannot distinguish between intra-BSS and inter-BSS. Inter-BSS PPDUs are simply PPDUs sent from APs or STAs outside the local BSS, while intra-BSS PPDUs are simply PPDUs sent from APs or STAs within the local BSS. The specific methods for distinguishing between inter-BSS and intra-BSS PPDUs can be found in the IEEE 802.11ax standard and will not be elaborated upon here.

[0131] When both intra-BSS NAV and basic NAV are equal to 0, the virtual carrier sensing indicates the channel is idle, and the AP or STA can compete for the channel. When a STA is triggered by an associated AP to respond immediately, it can only respond if its physical carrier sensing indicates the channel is idle and the basic NAV value is 0 (at this time, because data exchange is in progress, the intra-BSS NAV value is 0). If the basic NAV value is not 0, it will not respond even if the physical carrier sensing result indicates the channel is idle, thus further avoiding collisions in the WLAN.

[0132] 2. TXOP mechanism

[0133] As mentioned above, APs or STAs need to compete for channel resources on unlicensed spectrum. Common channel contention mechanisms may include enhanced distributed channel access (EDCA) mechanisms, or other channel contention mechanisms, which are not limited to the embodiments of this application.

[0134] In the EDCA contention mechanism, after completing channel backoff, the AP or STA competes for the channel by sending the first frame. If the first frame requires a response frame, successful receipt of the response frame by the AP or STA indicates successful channel contention. If the AP or STA does not receive a response frame or receives a negative response frame, channel backoff needs to be performed again. For example, if the first frame is a data frame, after sending the data frame, if the AP or STA receives an acknowledgment (ACK) frame, it indicates successful channel contention; if the AP or STA does not receive an ACK frame or receives a negative acknowledgment (NACK) frame, it indicates failed channel contention. If the first frame does not require a response frame, sending the first frame by the AP or STA indicates successful channel contention, for example, if the first frame is a broadcast frame.

[0135] After successfully contending for a channel, an AP or STA can reserve a time period for data transmission. This time period is called a TXOP, which can be understood by referring to the scenario described in the NAV above. The AP or STA that successfully reserves a TXOP is called the TXOP holder. Within this TXOP, the TXOP holder can actively send data, and a TXOP responder can receive data or send corresponding response frames, but cannot actively send data to the TXOP holder.

[0136] 3. TXOP sharing (TXS)

[0137] The IEEE 802.11be standard introduces a Multiple User Request to Send (MU-RTS) transmission opportunity sharing (TXS) mechanism, which fully utilizes the channel access capabilities of an Access Point (AP) while enabling AP-triggered non-TB PPDUs. In this mechanism, the AP can allocate some or all of the remaining time slots in its TXOP to an associated STA. These remaining time slots are referred to as the first time slot below, allowing the STA to communicate with other STAs or the AP itself within the allocated time slot. TXS also reduces collisions caused by STA contention for channel space, improving system efficiency.

[0138] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of the TXS provided in an embodiment of this application. AP 101, STA 102 and STA 103 can be understood with reference to Figure 1.

[0139] AP 101 can send a PPDU to obtain a TXOP. After obtaining a TXOP, AP 101 can allocate the remaining part or all of the time period in the TXOP, i.e., the first time period, to STA 102. This TXS process may include the following steps one through four.

[0140] Step 1: Within the TXOP, AP 101 sends a MU-RTS TXS trigger frame (TF) to STA 102. This frame can be simply referred to as the MU-RTS TXS TF frame. Correspondingly, STA 102 receives the MU-RTS TXS TF frame.

[0141] A MU-RTS TXS TF frame is a special type of MU-RTS TF frame. This MU-RTS TXS TF frame may include a user information field, an allocation duration field, a triggered TXOP sharing mode field, and may also include other fields. The user information field indicates the destination device, such as STA 102, for which AP 101 allocates the TXOP. The allocation duration field indicates the length of the remaining portion or all of the time period in the TXOP to be allocated by AP 101, i.e., the length of the first time period. The triggered TXOP sharing mode field indicates the sharing mode; for example, if this field is set to 1, it indicates that STA 102 will perform uplink transmission within the first time period; if this field is set to 2, it indicates that STA 102 can perform uplink transmission or P2P transmission within the first time period. It should be understood that the above values ​​are illustrative examples, and other values ​​can be set to indicate uplink transmission within the first time period, or uplink transmission or P2P transmission within the first time period, respectively. This application embodiment is not limited to these values. It should also be understood that MU-RTS TXS TF frames can be either broadcast or unicast frames, depending on the specific settings and scenario.

[0142] Step two, STA 102 sends a clear to send (CTS) frame to AP 101, and AP 101 receives the CTS frame. Specifically, STA 102 waits for the duration of the short inter-frame space (SIFS) before sending the CTS frame to AP 101. The SIFS waiting time ensures efficient frame transmission and reduces collisions. Other intervals or durations can also be waited for; this embodiment is not limited to these.

[0143] Step 3: STA 102 waits for the SIFS duration and then transmits data within the first time interval. The significance of the SIFS waiting duration is the same as in Step 2. Other intervals or durations can also be waited for, which are also the same as in Step 2, and will not be elaborated here.

[0144] STA 102 can send non-TB PPDU (non-trigger based PPDU, non-TB-PPDU) for data transmission during the first time period.

[0145] If the TXOP sharing mode field is set to 1, STA 102 can send a non-TB-PPDU to AP 101 during the first time period. If the TXOP sharing mode field is set to 2, STA 102 can send a non-TB-PPDU to AP 101 during the first time period, and can also send a non-TB-PPDU to other STAs such as STA 103. If STA 102 sends a non-TB-PPDU to STA 103, and STA 103 correctly receives the non-TB-PPDU, it can send a block acknowledgment frame to STA 102.

[0146] Step 4: After the first time period, AP 101 regains access to TXOP.

[0147] For example, after the first time period, AP 101 can send a PPDU.

[0148] Based on the TXS mechanism, IEEE 802.11be also introduces a TXOP return mechanism for TXS. Referring again to Figure 2, STA 102 completes transmission before the end of the first time period and can send a QoS Null frame to AP 101, returning the right to use the TXOP to AP 101. For example, the reverse direction grant (RDG) subfield / more PPDU subfield in the command and status (CAS) control field of the QoS Null frame can be set to 0 to indicate that no more data needs to be transmitted. After receiving the QoS Null frame, AP 101 considers it to have reclaimed the right to use the TXOP and can continue transmission, for example, by sending a PPDU after a predetermined SIFS duration. The meaning of the SIFS duration is the same as in step two; other intervals or durations can also be waited for, also in step two, and will not be elaborated further here.

[0149] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of another TXS provided in an embodiment of this application. AP 101, STA 102, STA 103, and STA 104 can be understood with reference to Figure 1. STA 102, STA 103, and STA 104 can form a P2P group. The service characteristics within this P2P group are often highly consistent, meaning that STA 102, STA 103, and STA 104 can simultaneously generate and transmit data to each other. If AP 101 obtains a TXOP and allocates the remaining part or all of the time period in the TXOP (i.e., the first time period) to STA 102, STA 102 can send data within the first time period. However, STA 103 and STA 104 cannot send data within the first time period. Therefore, the data of STA 103 and STA 104 cannot be sent in a timely manner, resulting in untimely data interaction within the P2P group, affecting service quality and user experience. To avoid the above problems, AP can also allocate the remaining part or all of the time period in the TXOP to the P2P group. However, in this scenario, there is currently no solution for quickly, effectively, and simply managing P2P groups.

[0150] To address the aforementioned issues, embodiments of this application propose a first communication method. In this method, the leader STA determines the AP it is associated with and the P2P group to which it belongs. It obtains the address information of the associated AP and the relevant information of the P2P group, and sends this information to other STAs within the P2P group. This allows other STAs in the P2P group to determine their own P2P group using the relevant information and to identify the AP (i.e., the AP associated with the leader STA) to which resources will be allocated. Thus, the leader STA can quickly, effectively, and simply manage the P2P group in scenarios where associated APs allocate resources to the P2P group.

[0151] The embodiments of this application also propose a second communication method. In this communication method, the AP associated with the leader STA allocates resources to the leader STA (either individually or by allocating resources to a P2P group). The leader STA then allocates the time resources allocated by the AP to other STAs in its P2P group, allowing other STAs in the P2P group and the leader STA to share the time resources allocated by the AP. Thus, the leader STA can also manage the P2P group quickly, effectively, and simply in scenarios where the associated AP allocates resources to the P2P group.

[0152] The communication method of this application embodiment can be interactively executed by a first site device, a second site device, and an access point device. Specifically, the first site device may be the first site device itself, or a chip or circuit in the first site device; the second site device may be the second site device itself, or a chip or circuit in the second site device; and the access point device may be the access point device itself, or a chip or circuit in the access point device. For simplicity, it will be described below as the first site device, the second site device, and the access point device. In addition, the first site device may correspond to STA 102 in system 100 shown in FIG1, the access point device may correspond to AP 101 shown in FIG1, and the second site device may correspond to STA 103 or STA 104 shown in FIG1. ​​Please refer to FIG1 for further understanding.

[0153] The first communication method of this application embodiment will now be described with reference to Figures 4 to 8.

[0154] As shown in Figure 4, the communication method 400 includes the following steps:

[0155] S401, the first site device determines a first frame, the first frame including the address information of the access point device associated with the first site device and the identification information of the first group to which the first site device belongs, the first group including the first site device and at least one second site device, the first site device and the at least one second site device sharing the time resources allocated by the access point device.

[0156] In one implementation of this application, a first site device manages a first group, serving as the leader or manager device of the first group. It is associated with and interacts with an access point device via signaling to manage the first group. Furthermore, at least one second site device within the first group can be considered a group member. This second site device may or may not be associated with the access point device. The communication method of this application manages the first group through the first site device. Therefore, signaling interaction between the first group and the associated access point device is achieved through signaling interaction between the first site device and the associated access point device, enabling the first site device and at least one second site device in the first group to share the time resources allocated by the access point.

[0157] For example, the first frame may be a broadcast frame or a unicast frame, and may be a management frame or a control frame. The type of the first frame is not limited in the embodiments of this application.

[0158] For example, the first site device determines the first frame, that is, the first site device generates or establishes the first frame. The first frame may be a new frame or an existing frame. The first frame may include multiple fields to carry or indicate different information. When the first frame is a new frame, the first site device may establish fields in the new frame to carry the address information of the access point device and the identification information of the first group. When the first frame is an existing frame, the first site device may reuse some fields in the first frame, or utilize some reserved bits in the first frame, or set new fields in the first frame to carry the address information of the access point device and the identification information of the first group. The address information of the access point device can uniquely identify the access point device in the network, specifically it may be the media access control (MAC) address, internet protocol (IP) address, or other address that uniquely identifies the access point device in the network; the identification information of the first group can uniquely identify the first group in the network to avoid resource conflicts with other groups.

[0159] In one implementation of this application, the access point device allocates a time resource called TXOP. In the communication method of this application, the access point device allocates TXOP to a first group, enabling a first site device and at least one second site device in the first group to continuously transmit data packets within the allocated time resource. This reduces channel access delay and overhead before each transmission, avoids data collisions and retransmissions caused by channel contention within the same time resource, and allows the first site device and at least one second site device to fairly share the time resource.

[0160] S402, the first site device sends the first frame to the at least second site device, and correspondingly, the at least second site device receives the first frame.

[0161] For example, the first group can be established independently by the first site device without negotiation with the associated access point device, or the first group can be assigned to the first site device by the access point device. Whether the first site device establishes it independently or assigns it by the access point device, the first site device needs to notify at least one second device of this information.

[0162] It should be understood that, for the sake of simplicity, Figure 4 shows only one second station device; if there are multiple second station devices, the first station device can send the first frame to multiple second station devices by broadcasting, or send the first frame to multiple second station devices respectively. The process of the first station device sending the first frame to each second station device can be referred to S402, and will not be repeated here.

[0163] For example, the first site device sends the first frame via broadcast or unicast, and correspondingly, the second site device receives the first frame broadcast or unicast.

[0164] In the communication method of this application embodiment, a first station device determines and sends a first frame. The first frame includes the address information of the access point device associated with the first station device and the identification information of the first group to which the first station device belongs. This enables a second station device that receives the first frame to determine that it belongs to the first group and to allocate resources to the access point devices in its first group. In a scenario where the first station device and at least one second station device share the time resources allocated by the access point device, the first station device can quickly, effectively, and simply manage its first group, so that the station devices in the first group can share the time resources allocated by the access point device, thereby improving resource utilization and communication performance.

[0165] In one implementation of this application, the first frame further includes the address information of the at least one second site device. Similar to the address information of the access point device, the address information of the at least one second site device can also be the MAC address, IP address, or other address of the at least one second site device. Furthermore, if the first frame is a new frame, the first site device can establish a field in the new frame to carry the address information of the at least one second site device. If the first frame is an existing frame, the first site device can reuse the fields in the first frame, utilize reserved bits in the first frame, or set new fields in the first frame to carry the address information of the at least one second site device. This application does not limit this aspect.

[0166] The communication method of this application embodiment includes not only the address information of the access point device associated with the first site device and the identification information of the first group to which the first site device belongs, but also the identification information of at least one second site device. Thus, at least one second site device that receives the first frame can determine that it belongs to the first group through the identification information of at least one second site device, without the need for the first site device and at least one second site device to exchange signaling again, thereby reducing the number of signaling exchanges.

[0167] For example, a first site device may send a first frame all at once. In this case, the first frame includes the address information of the access point device associated with the first site device, the identification information of the first group to which the first site device belongs, and the address information of at least one second site device. For example, the first site device may send the first frame all at once via broadcast. At least one second device within the coverage area of ​​the first site device can receive the first frame. The at least one second site device that receives the first frame can determine that its address information matches the address information of at least one second site device in the first frame, thus determining that it belongs to the first group and identifying the access point device. Alternatively, the first site device may send the first frame all at once via unicast. The first site device may set the receiving address of the first frame to the address information of at least one second site device. At least one second site device can receive the first frame and determine that it belongs to the first group and identifies the access point device based on the receiving address. Furthermore, if there are multiple second site devices, a second site device that receives the first frame can also identify other second site devices in the first group based on the first frame.

[0168] For example, the determination and transmission of the first frame can also be achieved through multiple interactions between site devices. In this case, when the first site device transmits for the first time, the first transmitted frame may include the address information of the access point device associated with the first site device and the identification information of the first group to which the first site device belongs. For example, the first site device may transmit the frame via broadcast or unicast. After receiving the first frame, the second site device requests to join the first group to which the first site device belongs, for example, by sending a request to the first site device. After receiving the request, the first site device sends a response to the second site device, i.e., a second transmission. The second transmitted frame may include the address information of at least one second site device. Thus, after receiving the frame, the second site device can determine whether its own address information is included in the frame. If so, the request is successful, and it is determined that it belongs to the first group. In addition, if there are multiple second site devices, one of the second site devices can also determine other second site devices in the first group based on the second transmitted frame.

[0169] In this embodiment of the application, the identification information of the first group in the unique identifier network may include a variety of cases.

[0170] In the first scenario, if the first site device belongs to only one group, such as Group 1, the information of the first site device can be directly used to identify Group 1. Therefore, in one implementation of this application, the identification information of the first group includes the association identifier (AID) assigned to the first site device by the access point device or the address information of the first site device.

[0171] The identification information of the first group can be set to 12 bits. Therefore, the AID assigned to the first site device when the access point device associates with the first site device can be reused. Thus, the AID of the first site device is the identifier assigned to the first site device by the access point device when the first site device and the access point device associate. It should be understood that the AID of the first site device can also be the 12-bit AID negotiated by the access point device when sharing time resources with the first group. In the following description, when referring to AID, it can be a reused AID or a renegotiated AID. The address information of the first site device can be the MAC address, IP address, or other address that can uniquely identify the first site device in the network.

[0172] In addition, if the address information of the first site device is used as the identification information of the first group, the sending address field in the first frame can carry this information itself. Therefore, the first frame does not need to set a new field, reuse other fields, or use reserved bits to carry the address information of the first site device.

[0173] The communication method of this application embodiment directly uses the information of the first site device to mark the first group, without requiring system configuration or reserved resources for the identification information of the first group, thus saving resources. In addition, the identification information of the first group includes the AID assigned by the access point device to the first site device. Using the AID of the first site device as the identification information of the first group means that when the access point device and the first site device perform signaling interaction, no additional signaling overhead is required to determine the identification information of the first group, thus saving resources. Furthermore, the identification information of the first group includes the address information of the first site device. Using the address information of the first site device as the identification information of the first group, the first frame can implicitly indicate this. For example, the sending address of the first frame information can be the address information of the first site device, thus saving resources.

[0174] In the second scenario, if the first site device belongs to multiple groups, such as a first group and a second group, the group identification information consists of two parts: one part is the AID or address information of the first site device, and the other part is the group number generated by the system or the first site device. Therefore, in one implementation of this application, the identification information of the first group includes the association identifier assigned to the first site device by the access point device and the number of the first group, or the address information of the first site device and the number of the first group. Additionally, the first frame also includes the identification information of the second group to which the first site device belongs. Similarly, the identification information of the second group includes the association identifier assigned to the first site device by the access point device and the number of the second group, or the address information of the first site device and the number of the second group. Including the identification information of the second group to which the first site device belongs in the first frame simultaneously eliminates the need to send a separate frame for indication, saving resources.

[0175] The group number is randomly generated by the system or the first site device, or it can be selected by the system or the first site device from a preset set of numbers, or it can be determined after negotiation between the system and the first site device. This application embodiment does not limit this.

[0176] For example, the first site device establishes three groups: Group 1, Group 2, and Group 3. Group 1 includes second site devices 1 and 2, Group 2 includes second site devices 3 and 4, and Group 3 includes second site devices 3, 5, and 6. Group 1 is numbered 0, Group 2 is numbered 1, Group 3 is numbered 2, and so on. The identification information for Group 1 includes the AID (or MAC address) of the first site device and 0, the identification information for Group 2 includes the AID (or MAC address) of the first site device and 1, and so on.

[0177] In the communication method of this application embodiment, when the AID assigned by the access point device to the first site device or the address information of the first site device cannot uniquely identify the first group, the number of the first group can also be used, with the association identifier assigned by the access point device to the first site device and the number of the first group, or the address information of the first site device and the number of the first group jointly identifying the first group, thereby effectively distinguishing multiple groups containing different site devices.

[0178] In the third scenario, regardless of whether the first site device belongs to one or more groups, the first frame includes the identification information of the first group. This identification information can be system-generated or generated by the first site device, or it can be the number described in the second scenario. Therefore, in one implementation of this application embodiment, the first frame may also include the association identifier assigned to the first site device by the access point device or the address information of the first site device. Thus, when the group number cannot uniquely identify the group, the AID or address information of the first site device can be used for differentiation. Additionally, similar to the second scenario, the first frame may also include the identification information of the second group to which the first site device belongs.

[0179] The communication method of this application embodiment can further identify the first group by using the association identifier assigned to the first site device by the access point device or the address information of the first site device when the number of the first group cannot uniquely identify the first group, thereby effectively distinguishing multiple groups containing different site devices.

[0180] In one implementation of this application, the first group is a peer-to-peer (P2P) group.

[0181] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of the first frame provided in an embodiment of this application. As shown in Figure 5, the first frame may include an AP address field, a first field and a second field of the P2P group ID, and a P2P group member information field. In the example shown in Figure 5, the associated AP or AP represents an access point device, the leader STA represents a first site device, and the P2P group ID identifies the identification information of the first group.

[0182] The AP address field is used to carry the address information of the associated AP, such as the MAC address of the associated AP.

[0183] The first field of the P2P group ID is used to carry the identification information of the leader STA, such as AID.

[0184] The second field of the P2P group ID is used to carry the number of the first group, such as 0 or 1.

[0185] If the first site device belongs to only one group, the second field of the P2P group ID can be omitted.

[0186] If the group's identification information includes address information such as the MAC address of the leader STA, the first field of the P2P group ID can be omitted in this case, since the sending address of the first frame itself can carry the MAC address of the first site device.

[0187] In addition, the first and second fields of the P2P group ID can also be a whole. Here, it is represented as two parts for the convenience of explaining the specific meaning of the P2P group ID.

[0188] The P2P group member information field carries the member information of the first group, namely the address information of at least one second site device. For example, the value of the P2P group member information field is the MAC address of the second site device. It should be understood that if there are multiple second site devices, there can be multiple P2P group member information fields, with each P2P group member information field carrying information for one second site device.

[0189] It should be understood that if the first frame also needs to indicate the second group, a second field of P2P group ID and a corresponding P2P group member information field can be added. The added second field of P2P group ID carries the number of the second group, and the corresponding P2P group member information field carries the site device information in the second group.

[0190] It should be understood that Figure 5 illustrates one implementation of the first frame. In another implementation, the first frame may include an AP address field, a P2P group ID field, a leader STA address field, and a P2P group member information field. The P2P group ID field carries the number of the first group; if the leader STA belongs to only one group, it can be a default value. The leader STA address field carries the address information of the first site device, such as its AID. The P2P group member information field is the same. If the first frame also needs to indicate a second group, a P2P group ID can be added to carry the number of the second group; correspondingly, a P2P group member information field needs to be added to carry the site device information in the second group. The specific structure of the first frame is not limited in this application embodiment.

[0191] As shown in FIG4, one implementation of this application embodiment, the communication method 400 further includes:

[0192] S403, the first site device sends a second frame to the access point device, the second frame including the identification information of the first group, and correspondingly, the access point device receives the second frame.

[0193] For example, the second frame may be a new frame or an existing frame. The second frame may include multiple fields to carry or indicate different information. If the second frame is a new frame, the first site device may establish fields in the new frame to carry identification information of the first group. If the first frame is an existing frame, the first site device may reuse fields in that frame, utilize reserved bits, or set new fields to carry identification information of the first group.

[0194] In the communication method of this application embodiment, a first site device sends a second frame to an access point device. The second frame may include identification information of a first group. When the first site device independently creates a group, the second frame enables the access point device to obtain the identification information of the group to which the first site device belongs, thereby enabling the access point device to share transmission opportunities with the first group in a timely and accurate manner.

[0195] If the association identifier or address information of the first site device can uniquely identify the identification information of the first group, the first site device does not need to send a second frame, because the access point device has already obtained this information when the first site device and the access point device are associated. If the association identifier or address information of the first site device cannot uniquely identify the identification information of the first group, the number of the first group is needed to uniquely identify the identification information of the first group. In this case, the first site device can inform the access point device of the identification information of the first group through the second frame. For example, the number of the first group can be included in the second frame.

[0196] Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of the second frame provided in an embodiment of this application. As shown in Figure 6, the second frame may include a second field of the P2P group ID and a P2P group member information field. The second field of the P2P group ID and the P2P group member information field are the same as the example shown in Figure 5, and will not be repeated here. In addition, the second frame may not include the P2P group member information field to reduce information redundancy. It should be understood that Figure 6 is only a schematic illustration of the second frame, and the specific structure of the second frame is not limited in the embodiments of this application.

[0197] In one implementation of this application, the communication method 400 further includes: the first station device acquiring a third frame, the third frame including the identification information of the first group.

[0198] For example, if the identification information of the first group is the AID of the first site device, the first site device can directly obtain the recorded AID of the first site device from the local machine, because when the first site device is associated with the access point device, the access point device can assign an AID to the first site device, and the first site device records the AID.

[0199] For example, when the first site device requests a shared transmission opportunity from the access point device, the access point device may also directly send a third frame to the first site device, the third frame including the identification information of the first group.

[0200] It should be understood that when allocating the identification information of the first group, the access point device may also set the identification information of the first group to 12 bits. In this case, the association identifier allocated to the first site device when the access point device is associated with the first site device can be reused.

[0201] In the communication method of this application embodiment, the first station device can directly obtain the identification information of the first group through the third frame, thus saving resources.

[0202] In one implementation of this application embodiment, the communication method 400 may further include:

[0203] S404, the first site device sends a fourth frame to the access point device, the fourth frame being used to request the access point device to allocate identification information of the first group for the first group, and correspondingly, the access point device receives the fourth frame.

[0204] S405, the access point device sends the third frame to the first site device, the third frame being used in response to the fourth frame, and correspondingly, the first site device receives the third frame.

[0205] For example, the fourth frame may include one or more of the following: candidate identification information of the first group; the validity period of the first group; the sharing period required by the first group within the TXOP; the number of site devices in the first group; site device information in the first group; or, service information of the first group. For example, the third frame may include one or more of the following: the response result of the fourth frame; identification information of the first group; the validity period of the first group; the sharing period required by the first group within the TXOP; the number of site devices in the first group; site device information in the first group; or, service information of the first group. For example, the fourth frame may not include the listed information to request the access point device to allocate identification information of the first group; in this case, the third frame sent by the access point device may include the identification information of the first group. If the fourth frame includes candidate identification information of the first group, the third frame sent by the access point device may include the response result of the fourth frame. If rejected, the third frame may also include the identification information of the first group; if accepted, the third frame may not include the identification information of the first group. It should be understood that this is for illustrative purposes only and is not intended to limit the third and fourth frames.

[0206] In the communication method of this application embodiment, the first site device can interact with the access point device to obtain the identification information of the first group, so that the identification information of the first group does not cause conflict in the network.

[0207] Figure 7 is a schematic diagram of the third and fourth frames provided in the embodiments of this application. STA 102 and AP 101 can be understood with reference to Figure 1.

[0208] As shown in Figure 7, STA 102, acting as the leader STA, sends a fourth frame to its associated AP 101 to request the identification information of the first group and to request that the TXOP be shared with the P2P group; the fourth frame may include one or more of the following fields:

[0209] 1. The P2P group candidate ID field carries candidate identification information for the group, such as the candidate identification information for the first group. The candidate identification information or identification information for the group can be found in the above embodiments and will not be repeated here. It should be understood that the P2P group candidate ID or P2P group ID in the example shown in Figure 7 is the group identification information mentioned above.

[0210] 2. The valid time field carries the lifecycle of the business requirements of this P2P group. If the valid time is exceeded, there will be no more business requirements. In other words, if the valid time is exceeded, AP 101 does not need to share TXOP for this P2P group.

[0211] 3. The allocation duration field carries the length of the time period allocated by AP 101 for each TXOP sharing, which is the length of the first time period mentioned above.

[0212] 4. The number field for members is used to represent the number of members in the P2P group.

[0213] 5. Member Information Field: This field carries member information for the P2P group, such as MAC addresses. If there are two or more members, this field can contain two or more entries.

[0214] 6. Business Information Field: Used to indicate business-related information of the P2P group, such as the cycle and volume of the P2P business.

[0215] It should be understood that one or more of the above fields are optional. The information sent by leader STA 102 to AP 101 may not include any of the above fields and may only be used to request the P2P group ID (i.e., the group's identification information).

[0216] As shown in Figure 7, after receiving the fourth frame, AP 101 replies to leader STA 101 with the third frame, which is the response frame to the fourth frame. The structure of the third and fourth frames is basically the same, with the following differences: 1. The third frame needs to indicate whether it agrees to the leader STA's request. Therefore, the third frame includes a request result field to indicate AP 101's response to the fourth frame. The response can include: agree or refuse. If the response is refuse, this field can also include the reason for the refusal. For example, different values ​​can represent different reasons for refusal, such as the AID requested by the leader STA already being used or AP 101 currently being unable to share TXOP, etc.; 2. If the fourth frame does not have a P2P group candidate ID field, then the third frame needs to include a P2P group ID to indicate the group ID assigned by AP 101 to this P2P group.

[0217] If the request result field of the third frame indicates that AP 101 agrees to share TXOP with the P2P group, P2P leader STA 102 needs to send a first frame to the members of the P2P group, the first frame of which can be referred to the description in the foregoing embodiments.

[0218] In one implementation of this application, the fourth frame carries candidate identifier information of the first group, and the candidate identifier information belongs to at least one available identifier information; the communication method 400 may further include:

[0219] S406, the access point device sends a fifth frame to the first site device and the second site device, the fifth frame including the at least one available identification information, and correspondingly, the first site device and the second site device receive the fifth frame.

[0220] It should be understood that the fifth frame mentioned above was sent via broadcast.

[0221] In S404, the first site device can send the fourth frame to the access point device according to the fifth frame.

[0222] For example, the fifth frame may be a beacon frame, probe response frame, association response frame, re-association response frame, or other management frame. In the fifth frame, AP 101 indicates whether this BSS allows sharing TXOPs with the P2P group, and may also indicate the available ID range, for example, indicating that IDs within a range from a starting position (e.g., 2024) to an ending position (e.g., 2034) are available. AP 101 may further indicate in the fifth frame which IDs within the ID range have been used and which have not, for example, through a bitmap, where a bit value of 1 indicates that the corresponding ID has been used, and a bit value of 0 indicates that the corresponding ID has not been used and can be requested. Of course, the meanings of 0 and 1 can be reversed. After receiving the fifth frame, Leader STA 102 determines an ID based on the indication in the fifth frame and sends a fourth frame to AP 101.

[0223] In the communication method of this application embodiment, the access point device indicates the identification information of the available first group to the first site device, and the first site device selects candidate identifiers from the indicated identification information of the available first group. In this case, the selected candidate identifiers can reduce resource conflicts and resource waste.

[0224] In one implementation of this application embodiment, the communication method 400 further includes:

[0225] S407, the access point device sends a sixth frame to the first site device. The sixth frame includes indication information, which is used to indicate that the first group shares the time resources allocated by the access point device. Correspondingly, the first site device receives the sixth frame.

[0226] S408, according to the sixth frame, the first site device sends a seventh frame to the access point device, the seventh frame being used in response to the sixth frame, and correspondingly, the access point device receives the seventh frame.

[0227] In a first implementation of this application, the indication information is the setting value of the Transmission Opportunity TXOP sharing mode field in the sixth frame. For example, the setting value is 3. By multiplexing the Transmission Opportunity TXOP sharing mode field to indicate that the first group shares the time resources allocated by the access point device, resources can be saved.

[0228] Through the interaction of the sixth and seventh frames, the first site device and at least one second site device in the first group can begin to share the time resources allocated by the access point device. In one implementation of this application, the first site device and at least one second site device share the time resources allocated by the access point device in a competitive manner.

[0229] In the communication method of this application embodiment, when the access point device allocates resources, the first site device and at least one second site device in the first group can know in a timely manner that the resources are allocated to the first group, thereby enabling the first site device and at least one second site device to exchange data in a timely manner, improving the speed and efficiency of data exchange.

[0230] For example, the sixth frame may be the aforementioned MU-RTS TXS TF frame. The seventh frame may be the aforementioned CTS frame.

[0231] In a first implementation of this application, the MU-RTS TXS TF frame may include one or more of the following fields:

[0232] 1. The allocation duration field indicates the length of the first time period.

[0233] 2. User information field, in which the 12-bit association identifier subfield (AID12) can carry the AID of the first site device, which can reuse the AID assigned by the first site device when associating with the access point device or the AID negotiated when requesting the allocation of time resources.

[0234] 3. The mode indicator field indicates whether the MU-RTS TXS TF frame will share the first time segment with a P2P group or a single STA. There are two implementation methods:

[0235] Implementation Method 1: For the Trigger TXOP Sharing Mode field in the MU-RTS TXS TF frame, add a new value of 3, which indicates that the first time period is allocated to the P2P group instead of a STA.

[0236] Implementation Method 2: A reserved bit in the MU-RTS TXS TF frame serves as an indication of TXOP sharing within the P2P group. A value of 1 indicates that the MU-RTS TXS TF frame allocates the first time slot to the P2P group; a value of 0 indicates that the MU-RTS TXS TF frame allocates the first time slot to the leader STA. It should be noted that the value of 1 or 0 is only used to distinguish between the two possibilities, and therefore, the values ​​can also be the opposite of the intended meaning.

[0237] 4. P2P Group ID field, optional. Valid when sharing the first time period with a P2P group, indicating which group the P2P leader STA will share the first time period with. This field is optional if a leader STA only participates in one P2P group.

[0238] Additionally, regardless of whether a leader STA participates in one or multiple P2P groups, the P2P group ID field may be present. In this case, the P2P group ID field carries identification information, such as a number, of the group generated by the system or the leader STA. This field can be used to implicitly indicate whether the MU-RTS TXS TF frame shares the first time segment with a P2P group or a single STA. If this field exists, it indicates that the MU-RTS TXS TF frame shares the first time segment with a P2P group.

[0239] In addition, to prevent devices in the P2P group from being unable to perform frame interaction in the first time period due to NAV being set according to the frame sent by AP 101, AP 101 sets the frame length (duration) field in the MU-RTS TXS frame to be shorter than the length of the first time period, such as setting it to the transmission duration of short inter-frame space (SIFS) + CTS.

[0240] Both the first and second site devices can receive the MU-RTS TXS TF frame. After receiving the MU-RTS TXS TF frame, either the first or second site device parses it. Based on the parsing result, the MU-RTS TXS TF frame indicates that the first time period is allocated to the P2P group. If the AID12 in the user information field matches the AID of the first site device in its own P2P group, and if a P2P group ID field exists, the information carried in the P2P group ID field matches the group information recorded by the AP, then the AP allocates the first time period to its own P2P group. During the subsequent first time period, the first site device and at least one second site device in the P2P group can compete for the channel through EDCA contention, or they can use other methods to transmit data to each other.

[0241] In a second implementation of this application, the MU-RTS TXS TF frame may include one or more of the following fields:

[0242] 1. The recipient address (RA) field can carry the MAC address of the leader STA.

[0243] 2. The allocation duration field has the same meaning as the first implementation method.

[0244] 3. The user info field has the same meaning as the first implementation method.

[0245] 4. The pattern indicator field has the same meaning as the first implementation method.

[0246] 5. The P2P group ID field has the same meaning as the first implementation method.

[0247] The second implementation differs from the first implementation in that the value of the receive address field is not limited in the first implementation, and can be, for example, a broadcast address (i.e., all 48 bits of binary are 1) or other recommended values; however, in the second implementation, the receive address field carries the MAC address of the leader STA.

[0248] Both the first and second site devices can receive the MU-RTS TXS TF frame. After receiving the MU-RTS TXS TF frame, either the first or second site device parses it. Based on the parsing result, if the MU-RTS TXS TF frame indicates that the first time period is allocated to the P2P group, and the received address field equals the MAC address of the leader STA of its own P2P group, and if a P2P group ID field exists, and the information carried in the P2P group ID field matches the group information recorded by the AP, then the AP has allocated the first time period to its own P2P group. During the subsequent first time period, the first site device and at least one second site device in the P2P group can compete for the channel through EDCA contention, or they can use other methods to transmit data to each other.

[0249] Figure 8 is a schematic diagram of a communication method according to an embodiment of this application. As shown in Figure 8, STA 102 sends a first frame to STA 103 and STA 104; then, STA 102 sends a second frame to AP 101; after obtaining a TXOP, AP 101 allocates the first time segment of the TXOP to the P2P group through a MU-RTS TXS TF frame; after STA 102 sends a CTS frame, STA 102, STA 103 and STA 104 can compete for the channel for data transmission during the first time segment.

[0250] The second communication method of this application embodiment will now be described with reference to Figures 9 and 10.

[0251] Figure 9 is a schematic flowchart of another communication method 900 according to an embodiment of this application.

[0252] As shown in Figure 9, the communication method 900 includes the following steps:

[0253] S901, the access point device sends a first frame, and correspondingly, the first site device receives the first frame. The first frame includes indication information, which is used to indicate that the first site device shares the time resources allocated by the access point device or that the group to which the first site device belongs shares the time resources allocated by the access point device.

[0254] For example, the first frame may be a MU-RTS TXS TF frame. For a description of the MU-RTS TXS TF frame, please refer to the description in the first communication method, which will not be repeated here.

[0255] S902, the first site device determines a second frame, the second frame including the identification information of a first group to which the first site device belongs, the first group including the first site device and at least one second site device, the first site device and the at least one second site device sharing the time resources allocated by the access point device.

[0256] In this embodiment, the identification information of the first group is determined by the first site device. For example, the first site device can randomly generate a number for the first group and use that number as the identification information of the first group, or select a number from a set of numbers as the identification information of the first group. Compared with the first communication method described above, in the second communication method, after the first site device obtains the first frame, it can obtain the right to use the time resources allocated by the access point device. Therefore, the first site device can send a third frame to at least one second site device in the first group to indicate that at least one second site device can also share the time resources allocated by the access point device. In this case, the creation of the first group and related information do not need to interact with the access point device. After the first site device establishes the P2P group, it can determine the identification information of the first group itself and carry that identification information in the third frame, so that at least one second site device can also share the time resources allocated by the access point device.

[0257] S903, the first site device sends a second frame to at least one second site device.

[0258] The communication method of this application embodiment involves a first site device receiving a first frame to determine whether the first site device shares the time resources allocated by the access point device or whether the group to which the first site device belongs shares the time resources allocated by the access point device. Then, a second frame is determined and sent to at least one second site device, enabling the second site device receiving the second frame to determine that it can also share the time resources allocated by the access point device. The first site device can directly manage the time resources allocated by the access point device. On the one hand, the first site device can quickly, effectively, and simply manage its first group in a scenario where it and at least one second site device share the time resources allocated by the access point device. On the other hand, it enables timely data exchange between the first site device and at least one second site device, improving the speed and efficiency of data interaction.

[0259] In one implementation of this application embodiment, the communication method 900 further includes:

[0260] S904, the first site device sends a third frame to the access point device, the third frame being a response frame to the first frame. Correspondingly, the access point device receives the third frame.

[0261] For example, the third frame can be a CTS frame. For a description of CTS frames, please refer to the description in the first communication method, which will not be repeated here.

[0262] By interacting with the first and third frames, the first site device can use the time resources allocated by the access point device, such as all or part of the remaining time period in a TXOP, which can be referred to as the first time period.

[0263] By transmitting the second frame, the first site device allocates all or part of the remaining time period from the first time period to the first group; this time period can be referred to as the second time period. The first site device and at least one second site device in the first group can begin sharing the second time period after the second frame is transmitted. In one implementation of this application, the first site device and at least one second site device share the time resources allocated by the access point device through competition.

[0264] In one implementation of this application, the second frame includes one or more of the following:

[0265] 1. The allocation duration field is used to indicate the length of the second time period; for example, the value of the second time period is equal to the length of the first time period minus the transmission length of the CTS frame, and then minus the duration of the two SIFS.

[0266] 2. The identification information of the first group differs from that described in the first communication method in that the identification information of the first group can be determined by the first site device and does not require interaction with the access point device.

[0267] 3. AP address field, optional, used to carry the address information of the access point device, such as the MAC address, consistent with the description in the first communication method.

[0268] 4. P2P group member information field, optional, used to carry device information of at least one second site device, consistent with the description in the first communication method. Since the first site device determines the identification information of the first group itself, the first group can be established in advance by the first site device. The first site device and at least one second site device in the first group can know each device in the first group in advance, so the P2P group member information field can be ignored.

[0269] 5. Information used to indicate whether at least one second site device allows channel contention to be performed in the second time period.

[0270] If a second site device is instructed not to engage in channel contention during the second time period, the second site device can only wait for the scheduling of the first site device; if allowed, the second site device engages in channel contention, and if the contention is successful, it sends a data packet.

[0271] 6. Channel access parameters.

[0272] The parameters indicated by the channel access parameter field include two aspects: on the one hand, if the second site device is allowed to compete for the channel, this field carries the EDCA parameters for channel competition, such as the contention window (CW), minimum contention window (CWmin), maximum contention window (CWmax), etc.; on the other hand, if not allowed, this field carries the parameters of whether the second site device needs to perform carrier sensing when the first site device performs scheduled transmission.

[0273] Figure 10 is a schematic diagram of another communication method according to an embodiment of this application. As shown in Figure 10, AP 101 sends MU-RTS TXS TF frames to STA 102, STA 103, and STA 104. This MU-RTS TXS TF frame can refer to the MU-RTS TXS TF frame described in the first communication method above, but unlike the MU-RTS TXS TF frame described in the first communication method, this MU-RTS TXS TF frame may not include the identification information of the first group. STA 102 receives the MU-RTS TXS TF frame and sends a CTS frame to AP 101. STA 102 sends a second frame to STA 103 and STA 104 at SIFS intervals. STA 103 and STA 104 receive the second frame. Taking STA 103 as an example, if the sending address of the second frame is the address of the leader STA of the P2P group to which STA 103 belongs, such as STA 101, and multiple groups exist, the group indicated by the second frame is the P2P group to which STA 103 belongs, and STA 103 can perform P2P data transmission during the second time period; or, if the sending address of the second frame is the address of the leader STA of the P2P group to which STA 103 belongs, such as STA 101, and the P2P group member information carried in the second frame includes information about STA 103, STA 103 can perform P2P data transmission during the second time period. Afterwards, STA 102, STA 103, and STA 104 can compete for the channel to transmit data during the first time period.

[0274] The foregoing has detailed examples of the methods provided in this application. Based on these examples, it can be understood that the first site device, access point device, and second site device, in order to achieve the aforementioned functions, include corresponding hardware structures and / or software modules for performing each function. Those skilled in the art will readily recognize that, based on the units and algorithm steps of the examples described in conjunction with the embodiments disclosed herein, this application can be implemented in hardware or a combination of hardware and computer software. Whether a function is executed in hardware or by computer software driving hardware depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution. Those skilled in the art can use different methods to implement the described functions for each specific application, but such implementation should not be considered beyond the scope of this application. The communication apparatus of an embodiment of this application is described below with reference to Figures 11 and 12.

[0275] Figure 11 is an exemplary block diagram of a communication device 1100 provided in an embodiment of this application. The communication device 1100 may include a processing unit 1110 and a transceiver unit 1120.

[0276] In one implementation of this application, the communication device 1100 can be used to execute the steps or processes of the first station device in the above-described communication method 400.

[0277] The processing unit 1110 is configured to: determine a first frame, the first frame including address information of the access point device associated with the communication device 1100 and identification information of a first group to which the communication device 1100 belongs, the first group including the communication device 1100 and at least one second site device, the communication device 1100 and the at least one second site device sharing the time resources allocated by the access point device.

[0278] The transceiver unit 1120 is used to: send the first frame to the at least second site device.

[0279] In one implementation of this application, the first frame further includes the address information of the at least one second site device.

[0280] In one implementation of this application, the identification information of the first group includes an association identifier assigned by the access point device to the communication device 1100 or the address information of the communication device 1100.

[0281] In one implementation of this application, the first frame further includes an association identifier assigned by the access point device to the communication device 1100 or address information of the communication device 1100.

[0282] In one implementation of this application, the identification information of the first group includes an association identifier assigned by the access point device to the communication device 1100 and the number of the first group, or the address information of the communication device 1100 and the number of the first group.

[0283] In one implementation of this application, the first frame further includes identification information of the second group to which the communication device 1100 belongs.

[0284] In one implementation of this application, the transceiver unit 1120 is further configured to: send a second frame to the access point device, the second frame including the identification information of the first group.

[0285] In one implementation of this application, the transceiver unit 1120 is further configured to: acquire a third frame, the third frame including the identification information of the first group.

[0286] In one implementation of this application, the transceiver unit 1120 is further configured to: send a fourth frame to the access point device, the fourth frame being used to request the access point device to allocate identification information of the first group for the first group; and receive the third frame from the access point device, the third frame being used to respond to the fourth frame.

[0287] In one implementation of this application, the fourth frame carries candidate identifier information of the first group, and the candidate identifier information belongs to at least one available identifier information; the transceiver unit 1120 is further configured to: receive a fifth frame from the access point device, the fifth frame including the at least one available identifier information; and send the fourth frame to the access point device according to the fifth frame.

[0288] In one implementation of this application, the transceiver unit 1120 is further configured to: receive a sixth frame from the access point device, the sixth frame including indication information, the indication information being used to indicate that the first group shares the time resources allocated by the access point device.

[0289] In one implementation of this application, the indication information is the setting value of the Transmission Opportunity TXOP Shared Mode field in the sixth frame.

[0290] In one implementation of this application, the first group is a peer-to-peer (P2P) group.

[0291] In one implementation of this application, the time resource allocated to the access point device is a transmission opportunity (TXOP).

[0292] In one implementation of this application, the communication device 1100 is used to manage the first group.

[0293] In one implementation of this application, the communication device 1100 and the at least one second site device share the time resources allocated by the access point device through a competitive process.

[0294] In another implementation of this application, the communication device 1100 can be used to execute the steps or processes of the second station device in the above-described communication method 400.

[0295] The transceiver unit 1120 is configured to: receive a first frame from a first site device, the first frame including address information of an access point device associated with the first site device and identification information of a first group to which the first site device belongs, the first group including the first site device and at least one communication device 1100, the first site device and the at least one communication device 1100 sharing the time resources allocated by the access point device.

[0296] In one implementation of this application, the first frame further includes address information of the at least one communication device 1100.

[0297] In one implementation of this application, the identification information of the first group includes an association identifier assigned by the access point device to the first site device or the address information of the first site device.

[0298] In one implementation of this application, the first frame further includes an association identifier assigned by the access point device to the first site device or the address information of the first site device.

[0299] In one implementation of this application, the identification information of the first group includes an association identifier assigned by the access point device to the first site device and the number of the first group, or the address information of the first site device and the number of the first group.

[0300] In one implementation of this application, the first frame further includes identification information of the second group to which the first site device belongs.

[0301] In another implementation of this application, the communication device 1100 can be used to execute the steps or processes of the first station device in the above-described communication method 900.

[0302] The transceiver unit 1120 is configured to: receive a first frame from an access point device associated with the communication device 1100, the first frame including indication information, the indication information being used to indicate that the communication device 1100 shares the time resources allocated by the access point device or that the group to which the communication device 1100 belongs shares the time resources allocated by the access point device.

[0303] The processing unit 1110 is configured to: determine a second frame, the second frame including identification information of a first group to which the communication device 1100 belongs, the first group including the communication device 1100 and at least one second site device, the communication device 1100 and the at least one second site device sharing the time resources allocated by the access point device.

[0304] The transceiver unit 1120 is further configured to: send the second frame to the at least second site device.

[0305] In one implementation of this application, the identification information of the first group is determined by the communication device 1100.

[0306] In one implementation of this application, the communication device 1100 and the at least one second site device share the time resources allocated by the access point device through a competitive process.

[0307] In one implementation of this application, the time resource allocated to the access point device is a transmission opportunity (TXOP).

[0308] The communication device 1100 of each of the above schemes has the function of implementing the corresponding steps performed by the first station device or the second station device in the above methods; the function can be implemented by hardware or by hardware executing corresponding software. The hardware or software includes one or more modules corresponding to the above functions; for example, the transceiver unit can be replaced by a transmitter and a receiver, and other units, such as the processing unit, can be replaced by a processor, which respectively executes the transceiver operations and related processing operations in each method embodiment.

[0309] It should be understood that the communication device 1100 here is embodied in the form of a functional unit. The term "unit" here may refer to application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), electronic circuits, processors (e.g., shared processors, proprietary processors, or group processors) and memories for executing one or more software or firmware programs, combined logic circuits, and / or other suitable components that support the described functions.

[0310] In embodiments of this application, the communication device in FIG11 may also be a chip or a chip system, such as a system on chip (SoC). Correspondingly, the transceiver unit may be the transceiver circuit of the chip, and is not limited thereto.

[0311] Figure 12 is an exemplary block diagram of another communication device 1200 provided in an embodiment of this application. The communication device 1200 includes a transceiver 1220 and a processor 1210. In another implementation of this application, the communication device 1200 may further include a memory 1230. The processor 1210, transceiver 1220, and memory 1230 communicate with each other through internal connection paths. The memory 1230 is used to store instructions, and the processor 1210 is used to execute the instructions stored in the memory 1230 to control the transceiver 1220 to send and / or receive signals.

[0312] In one possible implementation, the communication device 1200 can be used to execute the steps or processes of the first station device in the communication method 400 described above. In another possible implementation, the communication device 1200 can be used to execute the steps or processes of the second station device in the communication method 400 described above. In yet another possible implementation, the communication device 1200 can be used to execute the steps or processes of the first station device in the communication method 900 described above.

[0313] It should be understood that the communication device 1200 may specifically be the first site device or the second site device in the above embodiments, and can be used to execute the various steps and / or processes corresponding to the first site device or the second site device in the above method embodiments. In one implementation of this application, the memory 1230 may include a read-only memory and a random access memory, and provides instructions and data to the processor. A portion of the memory may also include non-volatile random access memory. For example, the memory may also store device type information. The processor 1210 can be used to execute instructions stored in the memory, and when the processor 1210 executes instructions stored in the memory, the processor 1210 is used to execute the various steps and / or processes of the above method embodiments corresponding to the first site device or the second site device.

[0314] In implementation, each step of the above method can be completed through integrated logic circuits in the processor's hardware or through software instructions. The steps of the method disclosed in the embodiments of this application can be directly manifested as execution by a hardware processor, or as a combination of hardware and software modules within the processor. The software modules can reside in random access memory, flash memory, read-only memory, programmable read-only memory, electrically erasable programmable memory, registers, or other mature storage media in the art. The storage medium is located in memory, and the processor reads information from the memory and, in conjunction with its hardware, completes the steps of the above method. To avoid repetition, detailed descriptions are omitted here.

[0315] It should be noted that the processor in the embodiments of this application can be an integrated circuit chip with signal processing capabilities. During implementation, each step of the above method embodiments can be completed by the integrated logic circuits in the processor's hardware or by instructions in software form. The processor described above can be a general-purpose processor, a digital signal processor (DSP), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), or other programmable logic devices, discrete gate or transistor logic devices, or discrete hardware components. It can implement or execute the methods, steps, and logic block diagrams disclosed in the embodiments of this application. The general-purpose processor can be a microprocessor, or any conventional processor. The steps of the methods disclosed in the embodiments of this application can be directly embodied as being executed by a hardware decoding processor, or executed by a combination of hardware and software modules in the decoding processor. The software modules can be located in random access memory, flash memory, read-only memory, programmable read-only memory, electrically erasable programmable memory, registers, or other mature storage media in the art. The storage medium is located in memory, and the processor reads the information in the memory and, in conjunction with its hardware, completes the steps of the above method.

[0316] It is understood that the memory in the embodiments of this application may be volatile memory or non-volatile memory, or may include both volatile and non-volatile memory. The non-volatile memory may be read-only memory (ROM), programmable read-only memory (PROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), or flash memory. The volatile memory may be random access memory (RAM), which is used as an external cache. By way of example, but not limitation, many forms of RAM are available, such as static random access memory (SRAM), dynamic random access memory (DRAM), synchronous dynamic random access memory (SDRAM), double data rate synchronous dynamic random access memory (DDR SDRAM), enhanced synchronous dynamic random access memory (ESDRAM), synchronous linked dynamic random access memory (SLDRAM), and direct rambus RAM (DR RAM). It should be noted that the memory used in the systems and methods described herein is intended to include, but is not limited to, these and any other suitable types of memory.

[0317] This application also provides a communication system, which includes a first site device, an access point device, and at least one second site device as described in the aforementioned method 400 or 900.

[0318] This application also provides a computer-readable storage medium storing a computer program, which, when executed by a computer, implements the steps and processes corresponding to the first or second station device in the aforementioned method 400, or the steps and processes corresponding to the second station device in the aforementioned method 900.

[0319] This application also provides a computer program product, which, when executed by a computer, implements the steps and processes corresponding to the first site device or the second site device in the aforementioned method 400, or the steps and processes corresponding to the second site device in the aforementioned method 900.

[0320] In the above embodiments, implementation can be achieved, in whole or in part, through software, hardware, firmware, or any combination thereof. When implemented in software, it can be implemented, in whole or in part, as a computer program product. A computer program product includes one or more computer instructions. When the computer instructions are loaded and executed on a computer, all or part of the flow or function according to the embodiments of this application is generated. The computer may be a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a computer network, or other programmable device. The computer instructions may be stored in a computer-readable storage medium or transmitted from one computer-readable storage medium to another. For example, computer instructions may be transmitted from one website, computer, server, or data center to another 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 may 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 media may be magnetic media (e.g., floppy disks, hard disks, magnetic tapes), optical media (e.g., high-density digital video discs (DVDs)), or semiconductor media (e.g., solid-state disks (SSDs)).

[0321] The first or second station device in each of the above-described device embodiments corresponds completely to the first or second station device in the method embodiments. The corresponding modules or units execute the corresponding steps. For example, the transceiver unit (transceiver) executes the sending and receiving steps in the method embodiments, while other steps besides sending and receiving can be executed by the processing unit (processor). The functions of specific modules can be found in the corresponding method embodiments. There can be one or more processors.

[0322] It should be understood that the term "embodiment" used throughout the specification means that specific features, structures, or characteristics related to an embodiment can be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. It should also be understood that in the various embodiments of this application, the sequence numbers of the above processes do not imply a specific order of execution; the execution order of each process should be determined by its function and internal logic, and should not constitute any limitation on the implementation process of the embodiments of this application.

[0323] As used in this specification, the terms "component," "module," "system," etc., are used to refer to computer-related entities, hardware, firmware, combinations of hardware and software, software, or software in execution. For example, a component may be, but is not limited to, a process running on a processor, a processor, an object, an executable file, an execution thread, a program, and / or a computer. As illustrated, applications running on computing devices and computing devices can both be components. One or more components may reside in a process and / or an execution thread, and components may be located on a single computer and / or distributed among two or more computers. Furthermore, these components may execute from various computer-readable media on which various data structures are stored. Components may communicate, for example, via local and / or remote processes based on signals having one or more data packets (e.g., data from two components interacting with another component between a local system, a distributed system, and / or a network, such as the Internet interacting with other systems via signals).

[0324] Those skilled in the art will recognize that the various illustrative logical blocks and steps described in conjunction with the embodiments disclosed herein can be implemented in electronic hardware, or a combination of computer software and electronic hardware. Whether these functions are implemented in hardware or software depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution. Those skilled in the art can use different methods to implement the described functions for each specific application, but such implementation should not be considered beyond the scope of this application.

[0325] Those skilled in the art will clearly understand that, for the sake of convenience and brevity, the specific working processes of the systems, devices, and units described above can be referred to the corresponding processes in the foregoing method embodiments, and will not be repeated here.

[0326] In the several embodiments provided in this application, it should be understood that the disclosed systems, apparatuses, and methods can be implemented in other ways. For example, the apparatus embodiments described above are merely illustrative; for instance, the division of units is only a logical functional division, and in actual implementation, there may be other division methods. For example, multiple units or components may be combined or integrated into another system, or some features may be ignored or not executed. Furthermore, the couplings or direct couplings or communication connections shown or discussed may be through some interfaces, or indirect couplings or communication connections between devices or units may be electrical, mechanical, or other forms.

[0327] The units described as separate components may or may not be physically separate. Similarly, the components shown as units may or may not be physical units; they may be located in one place or distributed across multiple network units. Some or all of the units can be selected to achieve the purpose of this embodiment, depending on actual needs.

[0328] In addition, the functional units in the various embodiments of this application can be integrated into one processing unit, or each unit can exist physically separately, or two or more units can be integrated into one unit.

[0329] In the above embodiments, implementation can be achieved, in whole or in part, through software, hardware, firmware, or any combination thereof. When implemented in software, it can be implemented, in whole or in part, as a computer program product. A computer program product includes one or more computer instructions (programs). When the computer program instructions (programs) are loaded and executed on a computer, they generate, in whole or in part, the flow or function according to the embodiments of this application. The computer may be a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a computer network, or other programmable device. The computer instructions may be stored in a computer-readable storage medium or transmitted from one computer-readable storage medium to another. For example, computer instructions may be transmitted from one website, computer, server, or data center to another 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 may 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 may be a magnetic medium (e.g., floppy disk, hard disk, magnetic tape), an optical medium (e.g., DVD), or a semiconductor medium (e.g., a solid-state disk (SSD)).

Claims

1. A communication method, characterized in that, include: A first frame is determined, which includes the address information of the access point device associated with the first site device and the identification information of the first group to which the first site device belongs. The first group includes the first site device and at least one second site device, and the first site device and the at least one second site device share the time resources allocated by the access point device. The first frame is sent to the at least second site device.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first frame also includes the address information of the at least one second site device.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The identification information of the first group includes the association identifier assigned by the access point device to the first site device or the address information of the first site device.

4. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The first frame also includes an association identifier assigned by the access point device to the first site device or the address information of the first site device.

5. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The identification information of the first group includes the association identifier assigned by the access point device to the first site device and the number of the first group, or the address information of the first site device and the number of the first group.

6. The method according to any one of claims 1-5, characterized in that, The first frame also includes identification information of the second group to which the first site device belongs.

7. The method according to any one of claims 1-6, characterized in that, The method further includes: A second frame is sent to the access point device, the second frame including the identification information of the first group.

8. The method according to any one of claims 1-7, characterized in that, The method further includes: Obtain the third frame, which includes the identification information of the first group.

9. The method according to claim 8, characterized in that, The method further includes: A fourth frame is sent to the access point device, the fourth frame being used to request the access point device to allocate identification information for the first group; The acquisition of the third frame includes: The third frame is received from the access point device, the third frame being used in response to the fourth frame.

10. The method according to claim 9, characterized in that, The fourth frame carries candidate identifier information of the first group, and the candidate identifier information belongs to at least one available identifier information; The method further includes: Receive a fifth frame from the access point device, the fifth frame including the at least one available identification information; Sending the fourth frame to the access point device includes: Based on the fifth frame, the fourth frame is sent to the access point device.

11. The method according to any one of claims 1-10, characterized in that, The method further includes: A sixth frame is received from the access point device, the sixth frame including indication information for instructing the first group to share the time resources allocated by the access point device.

12. The method according to claim 11, characterized in that, The indication information is the setting value of the Transmission Opportunity TXOP Shared Mode field in the sixth frame.

13. The method according to any one of claims 1-12, characterized in that, The first group is a peer-to-peer (P2P) group.

14. The method according to any one of claims 1-13, characterized in that, The time resources allocated to the access point device are transmission opportunities (TXOPs).

15. The method according to any one of claims 1-14, characterized in that, The first site device is used to manage the first group.

16. The method according to any one of claims 1-15, characterized in that, The first site device and the at least one second site device share the time resources allocated by the access point device in a competitive manner.

17. A communication method, characterized in that, include: A first frame is received from a first site device. The first frame includes address information of an access point device associated with the first site device and identification information of a first group to which the first site device belongs. The first group includes the first site device and at least one second site device. The first site device and the at least one second site device share the time resources allocated by the access point device.

18. The method according to claim 17, characterized in that, The first frame also includes the address information of the at least one second site device.

19. The method according to claim 17 or 18, characterized in that, The identification information of the first group includes the association identifier assigned by the access point device to the first site device or the address information of the first site device.

20. The method according to claim 17 or 18, characterized in that, The first frame also includes an association identifier assigned by the access point device to the first site device or the address information of the first site device.

21. The method according to claim 17 or 18, characterized in that, The identification information of the first group includes the association identifier assigned by the access point device to the first site device and the number of the first group, or the address information of the first site device and the number of the first group.

22. The method according to any one of claims 17-21, characterized in that, The first frame also includes identification information of the second group to which the first site device belongs.

23. A communication method, characterized in that, include: Receive a first frame from an access point device associated with a first site device. The first frame includes indication information, which is used to indicate that the first site device shares the time resources allocated by the access point device or that the group to which the first site device belongs shares the time resources allocated by the access point device. The second frame is determined, and the second frame includes the identification information of the first group to which the first site device belongs. The first group includes the first site device and at least one second site device, and the first site device and the at least one second site device share the time resources allocated by the access point device. The second frame is sent to the at least second site device.

24. The method according to claim 23, characterized in that, The identification information of the first group is determined by the first site device.

25. The method according to claim 23 or 24, characterized in that, The first site device and the at least one second site device share the time resources allocated by the access point device in a competitive manner.

26. The method according to any one of claims 23-25, characterized in that, The time resources allocated to the access point device are transmission opportunities (TXOPs).

27. A communication device, characterized in that, include: A module that performs the method of any one of claims 1 to 16, or a module that performs the method of any one of claims 17 to 22, or a module that performs the method of any one of claims 23 to 26.

28. A communication device, characterized in that, The device includes a processor and a memory coupled together, the processor being configured to control the device to implement the method according to any one of claims 1 to 16, or the method according to any one of claims 17 to 22, or to perform the method according to any one of claims 23 to 26.

29. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that, The computer-readable storage medium stores a computer program or instructions that, when executed by a communication device, implement the method according to any one of claims 1 to 16, or the method according to any one of claims 17 to 22, or perform the method according to any one of claims 23 to 26.

30. A computer program product, characterized in that, The computer program product includes instructions that, when executed by a computer, implement the method according to any one of claims 1 to 16, or the method according to any one of claims 17 to 22, or perform the method according to any one of claims 23 to 26.

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