Device power saving method, communication device and storage medium

Abstract

The embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a device power saving method, a communication device and a storage medium. The device power saving method comprises: a first device switching from a first capability mode to a second capability mode in at least one of the following cases: it is determined that a current TWT SP is terminated or ended; it is determined that a service period is ended and there is no data to be sent subsequently; and the current TWT SP expires at a first time, counted from a start time; when the first device is in the second capability mode, before a TWT SP that has been established by means of negotiation starts, the first device needing to switch from the second capability mode to the first capability mode, so as to complete frame exchange within the TWT SP; furthermore, after the TWT SP is ended, the first device switching back to the second capability mode; and in addition, if TWT SP ending / termination information is detected within the TWT SP, the first device switching back to the second capability mode. On the basis of the method, the embodiments of the present disclosure are conducive to reducing the energy consumption of a device, thereby improving the transmission efficiency.

Description

Device power saving method, communication device and storage medium TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present disclosure relates to the field of communication technology, and in particular to a device power saving method, a communication device and a storage medium. BACKGROUND

[0002] Currently, the contents researched by Wi-Fi technology, such as Ultra High Reliability (UHR), have the vision of improving the reliability of Wireless Local Area Networks (WLAN) connection, reducing delay, improving manageability, increasing throughput at different Signal to Noise Ratio (SNR) levels and reducing device-level power consumption, etc.

[0003] In UHR, power saving mechanisms will be further enhanced to reduce device-level power consumption.

[0004] SUMMARY

[0005] Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a device power saving method, a communication device and a storage medium to further enhance the power saving mechanism.

[0006] In one aspect, the embodiments of the present disclosure provide a device power saving method, the method comprising:

[0007] The first device switches from a first capability mode to a second capability mode in at least one of the following situations:

[0008] determining that a current TWT SP is terminated or ended;

[0009] determining that a service period is ended and there is no data to be sent subsequently;

[0010] a start time of the current TWT SP expires at a first time;

[0011] wherein the current TWT SP is a TWT SP of a first TWT Agreement negotiated by the first device and a second device;

[0012] The first device comprises at least one of a TWT Responding STA and a TWT Scheduling AP, and the second device comprises at least one of a TWT Requesting STA and a TWT Scheduled STA;

[0013] The first capability mode and the second capability mode include at least one same communication parameter, and a value of at least one of the communication parameters is higher in the first capability mode than in the second capability mode.

[0014] In another aspect, the embodiments of the present disclosure also provide a communication device, which is a first device, the first device comprising:

[0015] a processing module configured to switch from a first capability mode to a second capability mode in at least one of the following situations:

[0016] determining that a current TWT SP is terminated or ended;

[0017] determining that a service period is ended and no data is to be sent subsequently;

[0018] a start time of the current TWT SP expires to a first time;

[0019] wherein the current TWT SP is a TWT SP of a first TWT Agreement negotiated and established by the first device and a second device.

[0020] The first device comprises at least one of a TWT Responding STA and a TWT Scheduling AP, and the second device comprises at least one of a TWT Requesting STA and a TWT Scheduled STA.

[0021] The first capability mode and the second capability mode include at least one same communication parameter, and a value of at least one of the communication parameters is higher in the first capability mode than in the second capability mode.

[0022] In another aspect, the embodiments of the present disclosure also provide a communication device, which is a first device, the first device further comprising:

[0023] one or more processors;

[0024] The first device is configured to perform the device power saving method as described in the embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0025] The embodiments of the present disclosure also provide a communication system comprising a non-AP MLD and an AP MLD, wherein the non-AP MLD comprises a first non-AP STA, the first non-AP STA sends a first wireless frame to a first access point device (AP) attached to a first multi-link access point device (AP MLD), and does not receive a downlink wireless frame sent by the first AP within a first timeout time, and the first non-AP STA performs an operation of resuming an original state after the first timeout time arrives.

[0026] wherein the first non-AP STA operates in an EMLSR link; at least one operating parameter of the first non-AP STA is lower in the first capability mode than in the second capability mode.

[0027] In the embodiments of the present disclosure, when the first device is in the second capability mode, the first device needs to switch from the second capability mode to the first capability mode before the start of the TWT SP that has been negotiated and established, so as to complete the frame exchange in the TWT SP; further, when the TWT SP ends, the first device switches back to the second capability mode; in addition, if the first device detects the TWT SP end / termination information in the TWT SP, the first device switches back to the second capability mode. Based on the method, the embodiments of the present disclosure are beneficial to reduce the energy consumption of the device, so as to improve the transmission efficiency.

[0028] Additional aspects and advantages of the embodiments of the present disclosure will be given in part in the following description, which will become apparent from the following description, or will be learned by practice of the present disclosure. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0029] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present disclosure, the following describes the drawings required for the embodiment description. The following drawings are only some embodiments of the present disclosure, and do not specifically limit the protection scope of the present disclosure.

[0030] FIG. 1 is one exemplary schematic diagram of an architecture of a communication system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0031] FIG. 2 is one exemplary schematic diagram of a method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0032] FIG. 3 is another exemplary schematic diagram of a method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0033] FIG. 4 is a third exemplary schematic diagram of a method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0034] FIG. 5 is a fourth exemplary schematic diagram of a method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0035] FIG. 6 is a fifth exemplary schematic diagram of a method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0036] FIG. 7 is a flow diagram of a device power saving method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0037] FIG. 8 is a structural schematic diagram of a first device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0038] FIG. 9 is a structural schematic diagram of a terminal according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0039] FIG. 10 is a structural schematic diagram of a chip according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0040] The embodiments of the present disclosure provide a device power saving method, a communication device and a storage medium.

[0041] In a first aspect, the embodiments of the present disclosure provide a device power saving method, which comprises:

[0042] The first device switches from a first capability mode to a second capability mode in at least one of the following situations:

[0043] It is determined that a current TWT SP is terminated or ended;

[0044] It is determined that a service period is ended and there is no data to be sent subsequently;

[0045] A start time of the current TWT SP expires at a first time;

[0046] The current TWT SP is a TWT SP of a first TWT Agreement negotiated and established by the first device and a second device;

[0047] The first device comprises at least one of a TWT Responding STA and a TWT Scheduling AP, and the second device comprises at least one of a TWT Requesting STA and a TWT Scheduled STA;

[0048] The first capability mode and the second capability mode comprise at least one same communication parameter, and a value of the at least one communication parameter is higher in the first capability mode than in the second capability mode.

[0049] In the above embodiments, when the first device is in the second capability mode, the first device needs to switch from the second capability mode to the first capability mode before a start of a TWT SP negotiated and established, so as to complete frame exchange in the TWT SP; further, when the TWT SP is ended, the first device switches back to the second capability mode; in addition, if the first device detects TWT SP end / termination information in the TWT SP, the first device switches back to the second capability mode. Based on the method, the embodiments of the present disclosure are beneficial to reducing device energy consumption and improving transmission efficiency.

[0050] In a second aspect, the embodiments of the present disclosure further provide a communication device, which is a first device, comprising a processing module;

[0051] The processing module switches from a first capability mode to a second capability mode in at least one of the following situations:

[0052] determining that the current TWT SP is terminated or ended;

[0053] determining that the service period is ended and no data is pending for transmission after the service period;

[0054] a start time of the current TWT SP expires at a first time;

[0055] wherein the current TWT SP is a TWT SP of a first TWT Agreement negotiated between the first device and a second device;

[0056] the first device comprises at least one of a TWT Responding STA and a TWT Scheduling AP; and the second device comprises at least one of a TWT Requesting STA and a TWT Scheduled STA;

[0057] the first capability mode and the second capability mode comprise at least one same communication parameter, and a value of the at least one communication parameter is higher in the first capability mode than in the second capability mode.

[0058] In a third aspect, the embodiments of the present disclosure further provide a communication device, the communication device being a first device, and the first device further comprising:

[0059] one or more processors;

[0060] The non-AP MLD is configured to perform the optional implementation manner of the first aspect.

[0061] In a fourth aspect, the embodiments of the present disclosure further provide a communication system comprising a first device; wherein the first device is configured to perform the optional implementation manner of the first aspect.

[0062] In a fifth aspect, the embodiments of the present disclosure further provide a storage medium, the storage medium storing instructions, when the instructions are run on a communication device, causing the communication device to perform the optional implementation manner of the first aspect.

[0063] In a sixth aspect, the embodiments of the present disclosure provide a program product, when the program product is executed by a communication device, causing the communication device to perform the method described in the optional implementation manner of the first aspect.

[0064] In a seventh aspect, the embodiments of the present disclosure provide a computer program, when the computer program is run on a computer, causing the computer to perform the method described in the optional implementation manner of the first aspect.

[0065] In an eighth aspect, the embodiments of the present disclosure provide a chip or chip system. The chip or chip system includes processing circuitry configured to perform the method described in the optional implementation of the first aspect.

[0066] It can be understood that the non-AP MLD, the AP MLD, the communication system, the storage medium, the program product, the computer program, the chip or the chip system are all used to execute the method proposed in the embodiments of the present disclosure. Therefore, the beneficial effects that can be achieved can refer to the beneficial effects in the corresponding method, which will not be repeated here.

[0067] The embodiments of the present disclosure propose a device power saving method, a communication device and a storage medium. In some embodiments, the device power saving method can be replaced by the terms such as communication method, signal sending method and wireless frame sending method, and the information processing system and the communication system can be replaced by each other.

[0068] The embodiments of the present disclosure are not exhaustive, but only illustrate some embodiments, and are not specific limitations on the protection scope of the present disclosure. In the case of no contradiction, each step in an embodiment can be implemented as an independent embodiment, and the steps can be combined arbitrarily, for example, the scheme after removing some steps in an embodiment can also be implemented as an independent embodiment, and the order of the steps in an embodiment can be exchanged arbitrarily, in addition, the optional implementation in an embodiment can be combined arbitrarily; in addition, the embodiments can be combined arbitrarily, for example, some or all steps of different embodiments can be combined arbitrarily, an embodiment can be combined with the optional implementation of other embodiments.

[0069] In each embodiment of the present disclosure, the terms and / or descriptions between the embodiments are consistent if there is no special description and logical conflict, and can be referred to each other, and the technical features in different embodiments can be combined to form new embodiments according to their inherent logical relationship.

[0070] The terms used in the embodiments of the present disclosure are only for the purpose of describing specific embodiments, and not as a limitation on the present disclosure.

[0071] In the embodiments of the present disclosure, "multiple" refers to two or more.

[0072] In some embodiments, the terms "at least one of", "one or more", "a plurality of", "multiple" and the like can be replaced with each other.

[0073] In some embodiments, "at least one of A, B", "A and / or B", "in one case A, in another case B", "responsive to case A, responsive to case B" and the like, can be interpreted to include both cases, A and B, in some embodiments, A (A is performed regardless of B), in some embodiments, B (B is performed regardless of A), in some embodiments, selected from the group consisting of A and B (the selection between A and B is an option), in some embodiments, A and B (both A and B are performed).

[0074] In some embodiments, "A or B" and the like, can be interpreted to include both cases, A and B, in some embodiments, A (A is performed regardless of B), in some embodiments, B (B is performed regardless of A), in some embodiments, selected from the group consisting of A and B (the selection between A and B is an option).

[0075] In some embodiments, the prefix words "first", "second" and the like in the disclosure do not limit the position, order, priority, number or content of the described objects, and the description of the described objects should be understood in the context of the claims or embodiments, and should not be construed as redundant limitations. For example, the described object is "field", and the ordinal words before "field" in "first field" and "second field" do not limit the position or order between "fields", and "first" and "second" do not limit whether the "fields" modified by them are in the same message or not, nor do they limit the order of "first field" and "second field". For another example, the described object is "level", and the ordinal words before "level" in "first level" and "second level" do not limit the priority between "levels". For another example, the number of described objects is not limited by ordinal words, and can be one or more. For example, "first device", where the number of "devices" can be one or more. In addition, the objects modified by different prefix words can be the same or different, for example, the described object is "device", and "first device" and "second device" can be the same device or different devices, and their types can be the same or different; for another example, the described object is "information", and "first information" and "second information" can be the same information or different information, and their contents can be the same or different.

[0076] In some embodiments, "including A", "containing A", "for indicating A", "carrying A" can be interpreted as directly carrying A, or indirectly indicating A.

[0077] In some embodiments, the terms "in response to", "in response to determining", "in the case of", "when", "when", "if", "if" and the like can be replaced with each other.

[0078] In some embodiments, the terms "greater than", "greater than or equal to", "not less than", "more than", "more than or equal to", "not less than", "higher than", "higher than or equal to", "not lower than", "above", and the like can be replaced with each other, and the terms "less than", "less than or equal to", "not greater than", "less than", "less than or equal to", "not more than", "lower than", "lower than or equal to", "not higher than", "below", and the like can be replaced with each other.

[0079] In some embodiments, the apparatuses and devices can be interpreted as entities, and can also be interpreted as virtual, and the names thereof are not limited to the names described in the embodiments, and in some cases can also be understood as "equipment", "device", "circuit", "network element", "node", "function", "unit", "section", "system", "network", "chip", "chip system", "entity", "subject", and the like.

[0080] In some embodiments, the data, information, and the like can be obtained in compliance with the laws and regulations of the country where the data, information, and the like are obtained.

[0081] In some embodiments, the data, information, and the like can be obtained after obtaining the consent of the user.

[0082] In addition, each element, each row, or each column in the table of the embodiments of the present disclosure can be implemented as an independent embodiment, and any combination of any element, any row, and any column can also be implemented as an independent embodiment.

[0083] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an architecture of a communication system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0084] As shown in FIG. 1, the communication system 100 includes a first device 101 and a second device 102.

[0085] In some embodiments, the first device includes at least one of a TWT Responding STA (TWT responding station) and a TWT Scheduling AP (TWT scheduling access point).

[0086] The second device 102 includes at least one of a TWT Requesting STA (TWT initiating station) and a TWT Scheduled STA (TWT scheduled station).

[0087] In some embodiments, the STA includes, for example, a wireless communication chip supporting WiFi communication function, a wireless sensor, or a wireless communication terminal. Optionally, the wireless communication terminal includes, for example, at least one of a mobile phone, a wearable device, an Internet of Things (IoT) device supporting WiFi communication function, a WiFi communication function enabled car, a smart car, a tablet computer (Pad), a computer with wireless transceiver function, a virtual reality (VR) terminal device, an augmented reality (AR) terminal device, a wireless terminal device in industrial control, a wireless terminal device in self-driving, a wireless terminal device in remote medical surgery, a wireless terminal device in smart grid, a wireless terminal device in transportation safety, a wireless terminal device in smart city, a wireless terminal device in smart home, and the like, but is not limited thereto.

[0088] In particular, the STA can be a terminal device or a network device with a wireless fidelity (WiFi) chip. Optionally, the STA can support multiple WLAN standards such as 802.11ax, 802.11be, 802.11ac, 802.11n, 802.11g, 802.11b, 802.11a, 802.11bf, 802.11bn, and the like, and the next generation 802.11 protocol, but is not limited thereto.

[0089] In some embodiments, the AP can be an access point for a mobile terminal to enter a wired network. The AP serves as a bridge connecting the wired network and the wireless network, and its main function is to connect various wireless network clients together and then access the Ethernet network. In particular, the AP can be a terminal device or a network device with a wireless fidelity chip. Optionally, the AP can support multiple WLAN standards such as 802.11ax, 802.11be, 802.11ac, 802.11n, 802.11g, 802.11b, 802.11a, 802.11bf, 802.11bn, and the like, and the next generation 802.11 protocol, but is not limited thereto.

[0090] It can be understood that the communication system described in the embodiments of the present disclosure is for more clearly illustrating the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present disclosure, and does not constitute a limitation on the technical solutions proposed by the embodiments of the present disclosure. Those skilled in the art can know that, with the evolution of system architecture and the appearance of new business scenarios, the technical solutions proposed by the embodiments of the present disclosure are also applicable to similar technical problems.

[0091] The embodiments of the present disclosure described below can be applied to the communication system 100 shown in FIG. 1 or part of the subjects, but are not limited thereto. The subjects shown in FIG. 1 are exemplary, and the communication system can include all or part of the subjects in FIG. 1, or other subjects other than FIG. 1. The number and form of each subject is arbitrary, each subject can be physical or virtual, the connection relationship between each subject is exemplary, each subject can not be connected or can be connected, and the connection can be in any way, can be direct connection or indirect connection, can be wired connection or wireless connection.

[0092] The embodiments of the present disclosure can be applied to a wireless local area network (WLAN), such as a local area network using 802.11 series protocols. In a WLAN, a basic service set (BSS) is a basic component of a WLAN. A BSS network is composed of a first non-AP STA 103 having some association within a certain coverage area. One situation of association is that the stations directly communicate with each other in an ad hoc network, which is called an independent BSS (IBSS). Another more common situation is that there is only one central station with a full-time management BSS in the BSS network, which is called a first AP 104, and other STAs in the network are associated with it. Other stations in the BSS network that are not central stations are called terminals, also called non-AP STAs. When describing a STA, it is not necessary to distinguish between AP and non-AP STA. In the same BSS network, due to distance, transmission power, etc., one STA cannot detect other STAs far away from it, and the two are each other's hidden nodes.

[0093] FIG. 2 is one of the interaction schematic diagrams of the device power saving method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 2, the above method includes:

[0094] Step 201, the first device and the second device negotiate to establish a first target wake time agreement (TWT Agreement) ; the first TWT Agreement includes one or more TWT SPs;

[0095] The first TWT Agreement includes at least one of the following:

[0096] a target wake time TWT indicating a target wake time of the first TWT Agreement;

[0097] a target wake time interval indicating an interval between start times of two consecutive TWT SPs of the first TWT Agreement;

[0098] a minimum wake time length indicating a minimum time required for the second device to be in a wake-up state and the first device to complete frame exchange within each TWT SP of the first TWT Agreement.

[0099] The first device includes at least one of a TWT Responding STA and a TWT Scheduling AP; and the second device includes at least one of a TWT Requesting STA and a TWT Scheduled STA.

[0100] Target Wake Times (TWT) is a technology for energy saving, aiming to further reduce the power consumption of Wi-Fi networks. Specifically, the TWT technology determines the sleep and wake-up time and frequency of the STA by negotiating the service time (SP) between the STA and the AP; the STA keeps active and communicates in the service time, so as to sleep in the time outside the service time, so as to achieve the purpose of energy saving. In addition, the TWT technology can also enable the AP to provide higher quality service to multiple STAs, minimize competition or overlap, and improve spectral efficiency while reducing the power consumption of Wi-Fi networks.

[0101] Specifically, the TWT operation in the embodiments of the present disclosure determines the sleep and wake-up time and frequency of the TWT Requesting STA by negotiating and establishing the TWT mechanism (Agreement) between the TWT Requesting STA and the TWT Responding STA; or determines the sleep and wake-up time and frequency of the TWT Scheduled STA by negotiating and establishing the TWT Agreement between the TWT Scheduled STA and the TWT Scheduling AP.

[0102] Optionally, the TWT Agreement includes a periodic TWT Agreement or a non-periodic TWT Agreement, each of which contains at least one SP. The TWT Requesting STA / TWT Scheduled STA keeps active and communicates within the SP of the corresponding TWT Agreement, and sleeps at other times to achieve the purpose of energy saving.

[0103] For example, in the case where the TWT Agreement contains at least two SPs, before the start of each SP of the TWT Agreement, the TWT Requesting STA / TWT Scheduled STA wakes up, communicates with the corresponding TWT Responding STA / TWT Scheduling AP within the SP, and enters a sleep state after the current SP ends; after a specified interval, the TWT Requesting STA / TWT Scheduled STA wakes up again and enters the next SP.

[0104] Through the above TWT Operation mechanism, the power saving of the TWT Requesting STA / TWT Scheduled STA end can be mainly realized. The corresponding TWT Responding STA / TWT Scheduling AP is usually in an active state, and enters a sleep state outside the SP of the corresponding TWT Agreement only when the Responder PM Mode (power management) field in the TWT Agreement negotiation process is set to 1. In addition, when the TWT Responding STA is an AP, the TWT Responding STA can set the Responder PM Mode field to 1 only when all non-AP STAs associated with the AP support TWT Operation, and the TWT Required field in the HE Operation element (High-Efficiency Operation element) sent by the AP is set to 1.

[0105] In UHR, the vision is to improve the reliability of wireless local area network (WLAN) connections, reduce latency, improve manageability, increase throughput at different signal to noise ratio (SNR) levels, and reduce device-level power consumption, etc. The wireless access point (station) device can work in a lower capability communication mode, for example, in the communication mode, the wireless access point (station) device transmits and receives operations at 20MHz, 1 spatial stream (SS) and a lower rate. And in the case that the wireless access point (station) device works in the low capability communication mode, the wireless access point (station) device can switch from the low capability communication mode to the communication mode with higher communication parameter values in the case of receiving a specific wireless frame (for example, an initial control frame).

[0106] In the embodiments of the present disclosure, in order to make the device in the current TWT Operation mechanism more power saving and meet the UHR requirements, the current TWT Operation mechanism needs to be further enhanced.

[0107] Optionally, in the embodiments of the present disclosure, in the case that the first device is a TWT Responding STA, the second device can be a TWT Requesting STA, one TWT Responding STA can negotiate and establish an Individual TWT Agreement (individual TWT Agreement) with one TWT Requesting STA (that is, the number of the second device can include one), that is, the Individual TWT Agreement is a protocol established between two devices.

[0108] Optionally, in some embodiments, in a case that the first device is a TWT Scheduling AP, the second device can be a TWT Scheduled STA, one TWT Scheduling AP can negotiate with one or more TWT Scheduled STAs (i.e., the number of the second devices can include one or more) to establish a B-TWT Agreement (Broadcast TWT Agreement) or a R-TWT Agreement (Restricted TWT Agreement), i.e., the B-TWT Agreement or the R-TWT Agreement is a protocol established between one scheduling end and one or more scheduled ends, the B-TWT Agreement or the R-TWT Agreement can be initiated by the scheduling end, and the one or more scheduled ends actively respond (i.e., the scheduled end actively joins the TWT Agreement initiated by the scheduling end) or passively respond (i.e., the scheduled end is invited by the scheduling end to join the TWT Agreement initiated by the scheduling end). Wherein, the TWT Scheduling AP can be an AP, and the TWT Scheduled STA can be a STA.

[0109] In the embodiments of the present disclosure, the first device and the second device negotiate to establish a first target wake time protocol (TWT Agreement); the first TWT Agreement includes one or more service periods (Service Period, SP);

[0110] The first TWT Agreement includes at least one of the following:

[0111] Target Wake Time (TWT) indicates the target wake time of the first TWT Agreement, for example, the start time of the target wake time, or the start time of the TWT SP.

[0112] Target Wake Time Interval (TWT Wake Interval) indicates the interval between the start times of two consecutive TWT SPs of the first TWT Agreement;

[0113] Nominal Minimum TWT Wake Duration indicates the minimum time required for the second device to be in an awake state and complete frame exchange with the first device within each TWT SP of the first TWT Agreement.

[0114] Step 202, before the start time of the first TWT SP of the first TWT Agreement arrives, the first device switches from the second capability mode to the first capability mode, and exchanges frames with the second device in the corresponding TWT SP.

[0115] Optionally, before the start time of each TWT SP indicated by the target wake-up time indication arrives, the first device switches from the second capability mode to the first capability mode, and exchanges frames with the second device in the TWT SP.

[0116] The first TWT SP is any one of the TWT SPs in the first TWT Agreement.

[0117] The first capability mode and the second capability mode include at least one same communication parameter, and the value of at least one of the communication parameters is higher in the first capability mode than in the second capability mode. The types of the working parameters (communication parameters) of the first capability mode and the second capability mode can be the same, and at least one of the working parameters of the first capability mode is higher than that of the second capability mode. For example, the working parameters include bandwidth, spatial stream (SS), modulation and coding scheme (MCS) mode, etc. For example, the second capability mode can also be a listening state or a low-power communication phase, and the working parameters are, for example, a 20MHz basic bandwidth, the number of SS is 1, and the MCS mode is, for example, from MCS0 to MCS7. The first capability mode has, for example, a working parameter greater than or equal to 20MHz, the BW can also be 40 / 80 / 160 (80+80) / 320MHz, the number of SS is greater than or equal to 2, and the MCS mode is, for example, from MCS6 to MCS14, etc.

[0118] Optionally, in some embodiments, the first capability mode can be referred to as a full capability (or high capability) mode, and the second capability mode can be referred to as a low capability (LC) mode.

[0119] After step 202, the first device determines the type of the capability mode according to the condition met in step 203 or the condition in step 204.

[0120] Step 203, the first device switches from the first capability mode to the second capability mode under at least one of the following conditions:

[0121] Condition one: it is determined that the current TWT SP is terminated or ended.

[0122] Case two: the first device determines that the service period ends and there is no data to be sent subsequently;

[0123] Case three: the start time of the current TWT SP expires to a first time;

[0124] The current TWT SP is a TWT SP of a first TWT Agreement established by the first device and the second device.

[0125] In case one, the first device determines that the current TWT SP (i.e., the TWT SP in which the current time is located) is terminated (the termination case can include early termination) or ends; for example, the first device receives an indication from the second device that the current TWT SP is terminated or ends, then in the remaining time of the current TWT SP, the frame exchange between the second device and the first device can have ended, the second device will not exchange frames with the first device again, and then the first device can switch back to the second capability mode to save energy.

[0126] In case two, the first device determines that the service period ends and there is no data to be sent subsequently, i.e., the first device determines that the current TWT SP ends and there is no data to be sent to the second device subsequently, then the first device can switch back to the second capability mode to save energy.

[0127] In case three, the first device determines that the current time is within the start time of the current TWT SP to a first time, for example, the first time includes an adjusted minimum TWT wake duration (Adjusted Minimum TWT Wake Duration), then the current time is within the time after the start time of the current TWT SP and the Adjusted Minimum TWT Wake Duration has expired, in the remaining time of the current TWT SP, the second device will not be in the wake-up state and will not exchange frames with the first device, then the first device can switch back to the second capability mode to save energy.

[0128] In step 204, the first device maintains the first capability mode in at least one of the following cases:

[0129] Case four, at least one second TWT Agreement is previously established between the first device and its associated STA; the start time of the TWT SP corresponding to the second TWT Agreement is earlier than the start time of the next TWT SP of the first TWT Agreement;

[0130] Case five, before the start of the next TWT SP of the current TWT SP of the first TWT Agreement, a seventh wireless frame sent by the STA associated with the first device is received; wherein the seventh wireless frame indicates that the first device switches from the first capability mode to the second capability mode.

[0131] In case four, the first device and its associated STA have established other TWT Agreements, such as a second TWT Agreement; and the start time of the TWT SP corresponding to the second TWT Agreement is earlier than the start time of the next TWT SP (the next TWT SP at the current time, such as the next TWT SP of the current TWT SP; or the current time is in the non-SP time, then it is the next TWT SP;) of the first TWT Agreement; that is, the first device needs to run the second TWT Agreement at this time, and the first device needs to maintain the first capability mode to maintain the normal operation of other TWT Agreements of the first device.

[0132] It can be understood that the second TWT Agreement refers to one or more TWT Agreements established between the first device and its associated STA in addition to the first TWT Agreement.

[0133] In case five, before the start of the next TWT SP (at the current time) of the first TWT Agreement, a seventh wireless frame sent by the STA associated with the first device is received, and the first wireless frame is used to indicate that the first device switches from the second capability mode to the first capability mode, for example, the associated STA may need to exchange frames with the first device, at this time, the first device needs to maintain the first capability mode to maintain the frame exchange between the first device and the associated STA.

[0134] In the embodiments of the present disclosure, when the first device is in the second capability mode, the first device needs to switch from the second capability mode to the first capability mode before the start of the TWT SP that has been negotiated and established, so as to complete the frame exchange within the TWT SP; further, when the TWT SP ends, the first device switches back to the second capability mode; in addition, if the first device detects the TWT SP end / termination information within the TWT SP, the first device switches back to the second capability mode. Based on the method, the embodiments of the present disclosure are beneficial to reduce the energy consumption of the device and improve the transmission efficiency.

[0135] Referring to FIG. 3, the second interaction schematic diagram of the device power saving method according to the embodiments of the present disclosure is shown, and the method comprises:

[0136] In step 301, the first device switches from the first capability mode to the second capability mode when the first condition is met and the third condition is not met.

[0137] The first condition includes at least one of the following condition 1, condition 2, condition 3, and condition 4.

[0138] The condition 1 is that the first device receives a first wireless frame sent by the second device, wherein the first wireless frame includes first identification information, the first identification information is used to indicate that a current TWT SP is terminated or ended, and the first wireless frame does not solicit an immediate response.

[0139] The second device sends the first wireless frame to the first device, the first wireless frame indicates that the current TWT SP is terminated or ended, and does not solicit an immediate response, so that the first device can timely switch from the first capability mode to the second capability mode to save device power consumption.

[0140] The condition 2 is that the first device successfully sends a third wireless frame, the third wireless frame is used to respond to a second wireless frame sent by the second device or is used to perform a receiving confirmation on the second wireless frame, wherein the second wireless frame includes second identification information, the second identification information is used to indicate that the current TWT SP is terminated or ended, and the second wireless frame solicits an immediate response.

[0141] The second device sends the second wireless frame to the first device, the second wireless frame indicates that the current TWT SP is terminated or ended, and solicits an immediate response, so that the first device can send the third wireless frame to the second device in response to the second wireless frame sent by the second device, and switch from the first capability mode to the second capability mode to save device power consumption.

[0142] Condition 3, the first device successfully transmits a fourth wireless frame; wherein an End of Service Period (EOSP) field of the fourth wireless frame indicates that the service period is ending, and / or a More Data field of the fourth wireless frame indicates that there is no data to be transmitted subsequently; and the fourth wireless frame does not solicit an immediate response; the EOSP field indicates that the service period is ending, for example, the EOSP field is set to 1, indicating that the service period is ending; the More Data field indicates that there is no data to be transmitted subsequently, for example, the More Data field is set to 0; that is, the first device transmits the fourth wireless frame to the second device, indicating that the service period is ending and / or there is no data to be transmitted subsequently, and the fourth wireless frame does not solicit an immediate response, then the first device can timely switch from the first capability mode to the second capability mode to save device power consumption.

[0143] Condition 4, the first device receives a sixth wireless frame; the sixth wireless frame is used to: respond to the fifth wireless frame transmitted by the second device, or the sixth wireless frame is used to perform a receiving confirmation on the fifth wireless frame; wherein an EOSP field of the fifth wireless frame indicates that the service period is ending, and / or a More Data field of the fifth wireless frame indicates that there is no data to be transmitted subsequently, and the fifth wireless frame solicits an immediate response. The EOSP field indicates that the service period is ending, for example, the EOSP field is set to 1, indicating that the service period is ending; the More Data field indicates that there is no data to be transmitted subsequently, for example, the More Data field is set to 0; the first device transmits the fifth wireless frame to the second device, the fifth wireless frame indicating that the current TWT SP is terminated or ended, and soliciting an immediate response, then the second device can transmit the sixth wireless frame to the first device, responding to the fifth wireless frame transmitted by the first device; after the first device receives the sixth wireless frame, the first device switches from the first capability mode to the second capability mode to save device power consumption.

[0144] The third condition includes:

[0145] The first device and the STA associated therewith have pre-established at least one second TWT Agreement; a start time of a TWT SP corresponding to the second TWT Agreement is earlier than a next TWT SP start time of the first TWT Agreement;

[0146] Before the next TWT SP start of the first TWT Agreement, a seventh wireless frame transmitted by the STA associated with the first device is received; wherein the seventh wireless frame indicates that the first device switches from the first capability mode to the second capability mode.

[0147] As an optional implementation of the embodiment of the present disclosure, referring to FIG. 4, the embodiment includes the following steps.

[0148] S1: In a TWT Wake Interval, T1 is the Scheduled Start Time of the TWT SP, before T1, the first device is in a Low Capabilities Mode (LCM), after T1, the first device enters a High Capabilities Mode (HCM).

[0149] S2: T2 is the Actual Start Time, at this time, the first device starts exchanging frames with the second device.

[0150] Wherein, T1 is to T4 is the Nominal Minimum TWT Wake Duration; T2 is T4 is the Adjusted Minimum TWT Wake Duration.

[0151] S3: At T3, the first device determines that the TWT SP is terminated or ended, and the third condition is not met, at this time, the first device enters the low-capability mode.

[0152] T5 is to T6 is the next TWT SP, from T5, the first device can enter the high-capability mode, and enter the low-capability mode at T6.

[0153] Referring to FIG. 5, the third interaction diagram of the device power saving method according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, the method includes:

[0154] Step 501, the first device switches from the first capability mode to the second capability mode under the condition that the second condition is met and the third condition is not met;

[0155] The second condition comprises: an expiration of a start time to a first time of the current TWT SP; the first device determines that (a current time) is within a time period of the expiration of the start time to the first time of the current TWT SP, for example, the first time comprises an adjusted minimum TWT wake duration, the current time is within a time period after the start time of the current TWT SP and the expiration of the adjusted minimum TWT wake duration, and the second device will not be in an awake state in a remaining time period of the current TWT SP and cannot exchange frames with the first device, so that the first device can switch back to the second capability mode to save energy.

[0156] The third condition comprises:

[0157] The first device and the associated STA of the first device have pre-established at least one second TWT agreement, and a start time of a TWT SP corresponding to the second TWT agreement is earlier than a start time of a next TWT SP of the first TWT agreement.

[0158] Before the start of the next TWT SP of the first TWT agreement, a seventh wireless frame sent by the STA associated with the first device is received, and the seventh wireless frame indicates that the first device switches from the first capability mode to the second capability mode.

[0159] As an optional implementation of the embodiment of the present disclosure, refer to FIG. 6, the embodiment comprises the following steps.

[0160] S1: In a TWT wake interval, T1 is a scheduled start time of a TWT SP, before T1, the first device is in a low capability mode (LCM), and after T1, the first device enters a high capability mode (HCM).

[0161] S2: T2 is an actual start time, at this time, the first device starts to exchange frames with the second device.

[0162] Wherein, T1-T4 is the nominal minimum TWT wake duration; T2-T4 is the adjusted minimum TWT wake duration.

[0163] S3: At T3, the nominal minimum TWT wake duration expires, and there is still remaining time (T3-T4) for the current TWT SP, and the third condition is not met, then the first device enters the low capability mode in the remaining time.

[0164] T5-T6 is the next TWT SP, from T5, the first device can enter the high capability mode, and enter the low capability mode at T6.

[0165] In the embodiments of the present disclosure, when the first device is in the second capability mode, the first device needs to switch from the second capability mode to the first capability mode before the start of the TWT SP that has been negotiated and established, so as to complete the frame exchange in the TWT SP; further, when the TWT SP ends, the first device switches back to the second capability mode; in addition, if the first device detects the TWT SP end / termination information in the TWT SP, the first device switches back to the second capability mode. Based on the method, the embodiments of the present disclosure are advantageous in reducing the energy consumption of the device, so as to improve the transmission efficiency.

[0166] In some embodiments, the names of information and the like are not limited to the names described in the embodiments, and the terms of “information”, “message”, “signal”, “signaling”, “report”, “configuration”, “indication”, “instruction”, “command”, “channel”, “parameter”, “domain”, “field”, “symbol”, “code point”, “bit”, “data”, “program”, “chip”, and the like can be replaced with each other.

[0167] In some embodiments, the terms of “time”, “time point”, “time position”, and the like can be replaced with each other, and the terms of “duration”, “period”, “time window”, “window”, and “time” can be replaced with each other.

[0168] In some embodiments, the terms of wireless access scheme, waveform, and the like can be replaced with each other.

[0169] In some embodiments, the terms of “certain”, “preseted”, “preset”, “set”, “indicated”, “certain”, “arbitrary”, “first”, and the like can be replaced with each other, and “certain A”, “preset A”, “preset A”, “set A”, “indicated A”, “certain A”, “arbitrary A”, “first A” can be interpreted as A predetermined in a protocol or the like, or A obtained by setting, configuration, or indication, or a specific A, a certain A, an arbitrary A, or a first A, but are not limited thereto.

[0170] In some embodiments, the determination or judgment can be made by a value represented by 1 bit (0 or 1), or by a true or false value (Boolean value) represented by true or false, or by comparison of numerical values (for example, comparison with a predetermined value), but is not limited thereto.

[0171] In some embodiments, “not expecting to receive” can be interpreted as not receiving in the time domain resource and / or the frequency domain resource, or as not performing subsequent processing on the data or the like after receiving the data or the like; “not expecting to send” can be interpreted as not sending, or as sending but not expecting the receiver to respond to the content of the sending.

[0172] The device power saving method of the embodiments of the present disclosure can include the foregoing steps and at least one of the embodiments. For example, step 201 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, step 202 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, step 203 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, step 204 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, step 301 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, step 501 can be implemented as an independent embodiment; the combination of step 201 and step 202 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, the combination of step 202 and step 203 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, the combination of step 202 and step 204 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, the combination of step 201, step 202, and step 301 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, the combination of step 201, step 202, and step 501 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, but is not limited thereto.

[0173] In some embodiments, other optional implementations can be described before or after the corresponding descriptions of FIGS. 2 to 6.

[0174] FIG. 7 is a flow diagram of a device power saving method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0175] As shown in FIG. 7, the method includes:

[0176] At step 701, the first device switches from a first capability mode to a second capability mode in at least one of the following cases:

[0177] determining that a current TWT SP is terminated or ended;

[0178] determining that a service period is ended and no data is pending for transmission subsequently;

[0179] a start time of the current TWT SP expires to a first time;

[0180] The current TWT SP is a TWT SP of a first target wake time agreement (TWT Agreement) negotiated and established by the first device and a second device.

[0181] The first device includes at least one of a TWT Responding STA and a TWT Scheduling AP, and the second device includes at least one of a TWT Requesting STA and a TWT Scheduled STA.

[0182] The first capability mode and the second capability mode include at least one same communication parameter, and a value of the at least one communication parameter is higher in the first capability mode than in the second capability mode.

[0183] In some embodiments, the determining that the current TWT SP is terminated or ended includes at least one of:

[0184] At step 702, the first device receives a first wireless frame sent by the second device; wherein the first wireless frame includes first identification information, the first identification information is used to indicate that the current TWT SP is terminated or ended, and the first wireless frame does not require an immediate reply.

[0185] At step 703, the first device successfully sends a third wireless frame; the third wireless frame is used to respond to a second wireless frame sent by the second device or the third wireless frame is used to perform a receiving confirmation on the second wireless frame; wherein the second wireless frame includes second identification information, the second identification information is used to indicate that the current TWT SP is terminated or ended, and the second wireless frame requires an immediate reply.

[0186] In some embodiments, the determining that the service period is ended and no data is pending for transmission subsequently includes at least one of:

[0187] Step 704, the first device successfully sends a fourth wireless frame; wherein, an End of Service Period (EOSP) field of the fourth wireless frame indicates an end of service period, and / or a More Data field of the fourth wireless frame indicates that there is no data to be sent subsequently; and the fourth wireless frame does not require an immediate reply;

[0188] Step 705, the first device receives a sixth wireless frame; the sixth wireless frame is used to: respond to a fifth wireless frame sent by the second device, or the sixth wireless frame is used to perform a receiving confirmation on the fifth wireless frame; wherein, an EOSP field of the fifth wireless frame indicates an end of service period, and / or a More Data field of the fifth wireless frame indicates that there is no data to be sent subsequently; and the fifth wireless frame requires an immediate reply.

[0189] In some embodiments, the first time includes an adjusted minimum wake-up time length.

[0190] In some embodiments, the method further includes:

[0191] Step 706, the first device maintains the first capability mode under at least one of the following conditions:

[0192] There is at least one second TWT Agreement pre-established between the first device and a STA associated therewith; a start time of a TWT SP corresponding to the second TWT Agreement is earlier than a next TWT SP start time of the first TWT Agreement;

[0193] Before the next TWT SP start time of the first TWT Agreement, a seventh wireless frame sent by a STA associated with the first device is received; wherein, the seventh wireless frame indicates that the first device switches from the first capability mode to the second capability mode.

[0194] In some embodiments, the first TWT Agreement includes one or more TWT SPs;

[0195] The first TWT Agreement includes at least one of the following:

[0196] a target wake-up time (TWT) indicating a target wake-up time of the first TWT Agreement;

[0197] a target wake-up time interval indicating an interval between start times of two consecutive TWT SPs of the first TWT Agreement;

[0198] a minimum wake-up time length indicating a minimum time required for the second device to be in a wake-up state and the first device to complete frame exchange within each TWT SP of the first TWT Agreement.

[0199] In some embodiments, the method further includes:

[0200] Step 707, before the start time of each TWT SP indicated by the target wake-up time indication arrives, the first device switches from the second capability mode to the first capability mode and performs frame exchange with the second device within the TWT SP.

[0201] The device power saving method related to the embodiments of the present disclosure can include the foregoing steps and at least one of the embodiments. For example, step 701 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, step 702 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, step 703 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, step 704 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, step 705 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, step 706 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, and step 707 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

[0202] In some embodiments, other optional implementations can be described before or after the description of FIG. 7.

[0203] The embodiments of the present disclosure also propose an apparatus for implementing any of the above methods, for example, an apparatus including units or modules for implementing each step performed by a terminal in any of the above methods. For another example, another apparatus is proposed, including units or modules for implementing each step performed by a network device (such as an access network device, a core network function node, a core network device, etc.) in any of the above methods.

[0204] It should be understood that the division of each unit or module in the above apparatus is only a logical function division, and all or part of them can be integrated into a physical entity or physically separated in actual implementation. In addition, the units or modules in the apparatus can be implemented in the form of processor calling software: for example, the apparatus includes a processor, the processor is connected with a memory, the memory stores instructions, and the processor calls the instructions stored in the memory to realize the functions of any of the above methods or the units or modules of the above apparatus, wherein the processor is a general processor such as a central processing unit (CPU) or a microprocessor, and the memory is a memory in the apparatus or a memory outside the apparatus. Alternatively, the units or modules in the apparatus can be implemented in the form of hardware circuit, and the functions of part or all of the units or modules can be realized by the design of the hardware circuit. The above hardware circuit can be understood as one or more processors; for example, in one implementation, the above hardware circuit is an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), and the functions of part or all of the units or modules are realized by the design of the logical relationship between the elements in the circuit; for another example, in another implementation, the above hardware circuit is a programmable logic device (PLD), and a field programmable gate array (FPGA) is taken as an example, which can include a large number of logic gate circuits, and the connection relationship between the logic gate circuits is configured by a configuration file, so as to realize the functions of part or all of the units or modules. All units or modules of the above apparatus can be all implemented in the form of processor calling software, or all implemented in the form of hardware circuit, or part implemented in the form of processor calling software and the remaining part implemented in the form of hardware circuit.

[0205] In the embodiments of the present disclosure, the processor is a circuit with signal processing capability. In one implementation, the processor can be a circuit with instruction reading and running capability, such as a central processing unit (CPU), a microprocessor, a graphics processing unit (GPU) (which can be understood as a microprocessor), a digital signal processor (DSP), and the like. In another implementation, the processor can implement certain functions through a logical relationship of hardware circuit, and the logical relationship of the hardware circuit is fixed or reconfigurable. For example, the processor is a hardware circuit implemented by an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) or a programmable logic device (PLD), such as an FPGA. In the reconfigurable hardware circuit, the processor loads a configuration document to implement the configuration of the hardware circuit. It can be understood that the processor loads instructions to implement the functions of the above part or all units or modules. In addition, it can also be a hardware circuit designed for artificial intelligence, which can be understood as an ASIC, such as a neural network processing unit (NPU), a tensor processing unit (TPU), a deep learning processing unit (DPU), and the like.

[0206] FIG. 8 is a structural schematic diagram of a first device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 8, the first device 800 includes a processing module 801.

[0207] In some embodiments, the processing module 801 is configured to switch from the first capability mode to the second capability mode in at least one of the following cases:

[0208] determining that a current TWT SP is terminated or ended;

[0209] determining that a service period is ended and no data is to be sent subsequently;

[0210] a start time of the current TWT SP expires at a first time;

[0211] The current TWT SP is a TWT SP of a first TWT Agreement negotiated and established by the first device and a second device.

[0212] The first device includes at least one of a TWT Responding STA and a TWT Scheduling AP; and the second device includes at least one of a TWT Requesting STA and a TWT Scheduled STA.

[0213] The first capability mode and the second capability mode include at least one same communication parameter, and a value of the at least one communication parameter is higher in the first capability mode than in the second capability mode.

[0214] Optionally, the processing module 801 described above is configured to perform at least one of the communication steps performed by the non-AP MLD 800 in any of the above methods (for example, steps 203, 204, 301, 501, 701, 702, 703, 704, 705, 706, 707, but not limited to this), and details are not described herein.

[0215] FIG. 9 is a structural schematic diagram of a terminal 900 (such as a user equipment, etc.) according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The terminal 900 can be a chip, a chip system, or a processor, etc. supporting a network device to implement any of the above methods, and can also be a chip, a chip system, or a processor, etc. supporting a terminal to implement any of the above methods. The terminal 900 can be used to implement the methods described in the above method embodiments, and specific implementation can be referred to the descriptions in the above method embodiments.

[0216] As shown in FIG. 9, the terminal 900 includes one or more processors 901. The processor 901 can be a general-purpose processor or a special-purpose processor, etc., for example, can be a baseband processor or a central processing unit. The baseband processor can be used to process communication protocols and communication data, and the central processing unit can be used to control a communication device (such as a base station, a baseband chip, a terminal device, a terminal device chip, a DU or a CU, etc.), execute a program, and process data of the program. The terminal 900 is configured to execute any of the above methods.

[0217] In some embodiments, the terminal 900 further includes one or more memories 902 for storing instructions. Optionally, all or part of the memory 902 can also be outside the terminal 900.

[0218] In some embodiments, the terminal 900 further includes one or more transceivers 904. When the terminal 900 includes one or more transceivers 904, the transceiver 904 performs at least one of the communication steps (for example, steps 702, 703, 704, 705, but not limited to) in the above method, and the processor 901 performs at least one of the other steps (for example, steps 203, 204, 301, 501, 701, 706, 707, but not limited to).

[0219] In some embodiments, the transceiver can include a receiver and / or a transmitter, which can be separate or integrated together. Optionally, the terms transceiver, transceiving unit, transceiver, transceiving circuit, etc. can be replaced with each other, the terms transmitter, transmitting unit, transmitter, transmitting circuit, etc. can be replaced with each other, and the terms receiver, receiving unit, receiver, receiving circuit, etc. can be replaced with each other.

[0220] In some embodiments, the terminal 900 can include one or more interface circuits 903. Optionally, the interface circuit 903 is connected to the memory 902, and the interface circuit 903 can be used to receive signals from the memory 902 or other devices, and can be used to send signals to the memory 902 or other devices. For example, the interface circuit 903 can read instructions stored in the memory 902 and send the instructions to the processor 901.

[0221] The terminal 900 described in the above embodiments can be a communication device such as a user equipment, but the scope of the terminal 900 described in the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and the structure of the terminal 900 can not be limited by Figure 9. The communication device can be a stand-alone device or can be part of a larger device. For example, the communication device can be: (1) a stand-alone integrated circuit (IC), or a chip, or a chip system or subsystem; (2) a set of one or more ICs, which can optionally also include storage components for storing data, programs; (3) an ASIC, such as a Modem; (4) a module that can be embedded in other devices; (5) a receiver, terminal device, smart terminal device, cellular phone, wireless device, handset, mobile unit, vehicle-mounted device, network device, cloud device, artificial intelligence device, etc.; (6) other devices, etc.

[0222] Figure 10 is a structural schematic diagram of a chip 1000 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. For the case where the terminal 700 is a chip or a chip system, the structural schematic diagram of the chip 1000 shown in Figure 10 can be referred to, but is not limited thereto.

[0223] The chip 1000 includes one or more processors 1001, and the chip 1000 is configured to execute any of the above methods.

[0224] In some embodiments, the chip 1000 further includes one or more interface circuits 1003. Optionally, the interface circuit 1003 is connected with the memory 1002, and the interface circuit 1003 can be used to receive signals from the memory 1002 or other devices, and the interface circuit 1003 can be used to send signals to the memory 1002 or other devices. For example, the interface circuit 1003 can read instructions stored in the memory 1002 and send the instructions to the processor 1001.

[0225] In some embodiments, the interface circuit 1003 performs at least one of the communication steps (for example, steps 702, 703, 704, 705, but not limited thereto) in the above method, and the processor 1001 performs at least one of the other steps (for example, steps 203, 204, 301, 501, 701, 706, 707, but not limited thereto).

[0226] In some embodiments, the interface circuit, the interface, the transceiving pin, the transceiver, and the like can be replaced with each other.

[0227] In some embodiments, the chip 1000 further includes one or more memories 1002 for storing instructions. Optionally, all or part of the memory 1002 can be outside the chip 1000.

[0228] The present disclosure further proposes a storage medium, and the above storage medium stores instructions, and when the instructions run on the terminal 700, the terminal 700 executes any of the above methods. Optionally, the above storage medium is an electronic storage medium. Optionally, the above storage medium is a computer readable storage medium, but not limited thereto, and it can also be a storage medium readable by other devices. Optionally, the above storage medium can be a non-transitory storage medium, but not limited thereto, and it can also be a transitory storage medium.

[0229] The present disclosure further proposes a program product, and the above program product is executed by the terminal 700, so that the terminal 700 executes any of the above methods. Optionally, the above program product is a computer program product.

[0230] The present disclosure further proposes a computer program, and when the computer program runs on a computer, the computer executes any of the above methods.

Claims

1. A device power saving method, comprising: The method comprises: The first device switches from a first capability mode to a second capability mode in at least one of the following cases: determining that a current target wake time service period (TWT SP) is terminated or ended; determining that a service period is ended and no data is pending after the service period; a start time of the current TWT SP expires at a first time; wherein the current TWT SP is a TWT SP of a first target wake time agreement (TWT Agreement) negotiated by the first device and a second device; the first device comprises at least one of a TWT responding station (TWT Responding STA) and a TWT scheduling AP (TWT Scheduling AP); and the second device comprises at least one of a TWT requesting station (TWT Requesting STA) and a TWT scheduled station (TWT Scheduled STA); the first capability mode and the second capability mode comprise at least one same communication parameter, and a value of the at least one communication parameter is higher in the first capability mode than in the second capability mode.

2. The apparatus power saving method according to claim 1, wherein, The determination that the current TWT SP is terminated or ended comprises at least one of the following: the first device receives a first wireless frame sent by the second device; wherein the first wireless frame comprises first identification information indicating that the current TWT SP is terminated or ended, and the first wireless frame does not require an immediate response; the first device successfully sends a third wireless frame; the third wireless frame is used to respond to a second wireless frame sent by the second device or is used to acknowledge the reception of the second wireless frame; wherein the second wireless frame comprises second identification information indicating that the current TWT SP is terminated or ended, and the second wireless frame requires an immediate response.

3. The apparatus power saving method according to claim 1, wherein, The determination that the service period is ended and no data is pending after the service period comprises at least one of the following: the first device successfully sends a fourth wireless frame; wherein an end of service period (EOSP) field of the fourth wireless frame indicates that the service period is ended, and / or a more data (More Data) field of the fourth wireless frame indicates that no data is pending after the service period; and the fourth wireless frame does not require an immediate response; the first device receives a sixth wireless frame; the sixth wireless frame is used to respond to a fifth wireless frame sent by the second device or is used to acknowledge the reception of the fifth wireless frame; wherein an EOSP field of the fifth wireless frame indicates that the service period is ended, and / or a More Data field of the fifth wireless frame indicates that no data is pending after the service period, and the fifth wireless frame requires an immediate response.

4. The apparatus power saving method according to claim 1, wherein, The first time comprises an adjusted minimum wake-up time length.

5. The power saving method of any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein, The method further comprises: the first device maintains the first capability mode in at least one of the following cases: The first device and its associated STA have at least one second TWT Agreement established in advance; the starting time of the TWT SP corresponding to the second TWT Agreement is earlier than the starting time of the next TWT SP of the first TWT Agreement; Before the next TWT SP of the first TWT Agreement starts, a seventh wireless frame sent by the STA associated with the first device is received; wherein the seventh wireless frame indicates that the first device switches from the first capability mode to the second capability mode.

6. The power saving method of any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein, The first TWT Agreement includes one or more TWT SPs; The first TWT Agreement includes at least one of the following: Target wake-up time TWT, indicating the target wake-up time of the first TWT Agreement; Target wake-up time interval, indicating the interval between the starting times of two consecutive TWT SPs of the first TWT Agreement; Minimum wake-up time length, indicating the minimum time required for the second device to be in an awake state and the first device to complete frame exchange within each TWT SP of the first TWT Agreement.

7. The apparatus power saving method according to claim 6, wherein, The method further includes: Before the starting time of each TWT SP indicated by the target wake-up time arrives, the first device switches from the second capability mode to the first capability mode and performs frame exchange with the second device within the TWT SP.

8. A communication device, the communication device being a first device, characterized in that The first device includes: The processing module is configured to switch from the first capability mode to the second capability mode in at least one of the following cases: Determine that the current TWT SP is terminated or ended; Determine that the service period is ended and there is no data to be sent subsequently; The starting time of the current TWT SP expires at a first time; Wherein, the current TWT SP is a TWT SP of the first TWT Agreement established by the first device and the second device; The first device includes at least one of a TWT Responding STA and a TWT Scheduling AP; the second device includes at least one of a TWT Requesting STA and a TWT Scheduled STA; The first capability mode and the second capability mode include at least one same communication parameter, and the value of at least one of the communication parameters is higher in the first capability mode than in the second capability mode.

9. A communication device, the communication device being a first device, characterized in that Further comprising: One or more processors; The first device is configured to perform the device power saving method of any one of claims 1 to 7.

10. A storage medium, the storage medium storing instructions, wherein, When the instructions run on the communication device, the communication device performs the device power saving method of any one of claims 1 to 7.

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