Communication method, communication device, and communication system

Abstract

The embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a communication method, a communication device, and a communication system. The communication method is executed by a first multi-link device, and comprises: within a first time period, according to at least one of: a data receiving state of a first affiliated device of the first multi-link device on a first link, a communication mode of the affiliated device of the first multi-link device, and whether at least one link between the first multi-link device and a second multi-link device associated therewith is in an operating state, receiving first data and / or updating the communication mode of the first affiliated device; wherein the first link is any one of the at least one link, the data receiving state comprises whether the first affiliated device has successfully received all data sent by the second multi-link device on the first link, and the first data comprises data, among all the data, that has not been successfully received by the first affiliated device. The method further enhances power-saving mechanisms.

Description

Communication method, communication device and communication system TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present disclosure relates to the technical field of communication, and in particular, to a communication method, a communication device and a communication system. 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 simultaneously take into account reducing device energy consumption, ensuring device communication service quality and improving transmission efficiency.

[0004] SUMMARY

[0005] Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a communication method, a communication device and a communication system to provide further enhanced power saving mechanisms.

[0006] In a first aspect, embodiments of the present disclosure provide a communication method performed by a first multi-link device, the method comprising:

[0007] receiving first data and / or updating a communication mode of a first affiliated device of the first multi-link device according to at least one of a data reception status of the first affiliated device on a first link within a first time period, the communication mode of the affiliated device of the first multi-link device, and whether at least one link between the first multi-link device and a second multi-link device associated therewith is in an active state;

[0008] wherein the first link is any one of the at least one link, and the data reception status comprises whether the first affiliated device successfully receives all data sent by the second multi-link device on the first link, and the first data comprises data in the all data that is not successfully received by the first affiliated device.

[0009] In a second aspect, embodiments of the present disclosure also provide a communication method performed by a second multi-link device, the method comprising:

[0010] The first data is sent according to at least one of a data receiving state of the first affiliated device of the first multi-link device under the first link within a first time period, a communication mode of the affiliated device of the first multi-link device, and whether at least one link between the first multi-link device and the second multi-link device is in a working state; and the first multi-link device is associated with the second multi-link device.

[0011] The first link is any one of the at least one link; the data receiving state includes whether the first affiliated device successfully receives all data sent by the second multi-link device under the first link; and the first data includes data that is not successfully received by the first affiliated device from the all data.

[0012] In a third aspect, the embodiments of the present disclosure further provide a communication device, and the communication device includes a first multi-link device, and includes:

[0013] The processing module is configured to receive first data and / or update a communication mode of the first affiliated device according to at least one of a data receiving state of the first affiliated device of the first multi-link device under the first link within a first time period, a communication mode of the affiliated device of the first multi-link device, and whether at least one link between the first multi-link device and a second multi-link device associated with the first multi-link device is in a working state.

[0014] The first link is any one of the at least one link; the data receiving state includes whether the first affiliated device successfully receives all data sent by the second multi-link device under the first link; and the first data includes data that is not successfully received by the first affiliated device from the all data.

[0015] In a fourth aspect, the embodiments of the present disclosure further provide a communication device, and the communication device includes a second multi-link device, and includes:

[0016] The sending module is configured to send first data according to at least one of a data receiving state of the first affiliated device of the first multi-link device under the first link within a first time period, a communication mode of the affiliated device of the first multi-link device, and whether at least one link between the first multi-link device and the second multi-link device is in a working state; and the first multi-link device is associated with the second multi-link device.

[0017] The first link is any one of the at least one link; the data receiving state includes whether the first affiliated device successfully receives all data sent by the second multi-link device under the first link; and the first data includes data that is not successfully received by the first affiliated device from the all data.

[0018] In a fifth aspect, the embodiments of the present disclosure further provide a communication device, the communication device comprising a first multi-link device, comprising:

[0019] one or more processors;

[0020] The communication device is configured to perform the communication method of the first aspect of the embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0021] In a sixth aspect, the embodiments of the present disclosure further provide a communication device, the communication device comprising a second multi-link device, comprising:

[0022] one or more processors;

[0023] The communication device is configured to perform the communication method of the second aspect of the embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0024] In a seventh aspect, the embodiments of the present disclosure further provide a communication system, comprising a first multi-link device and a second multi-link device; the first multi-link device is associated with the second multi-link device;

[0025] The first multi-link device is configured to receive first data and / or update a communication mode of a first affiliated device of the first multi-link device according to at least one of a data receiving state of the first affiliated device of the first multi-link device on a first link within a first time period, the communication mode of the affiliated device of the first multi-link device, and whether at least one link between the first multi-link device and the second multi-link device is in a working state.

[0026] The second multi-link device is configured to send first data according to at least one of the data receiving state, the communication mode of the communication capability of the affiliated device of the first multi-link device, and whether the at least one link is in the working state.

[0027] The first link is any one of the at least one link; the data receiving state comprises whether the first affiliated device successfully receives all data sent by the second multi-link device on the first link; the first data comprises data sent by the second multi-link device on the first link within the first time period and not successfully received by the first affiliated device.

[0028] In an eighth aspect, the embodiments of the present disclosure further provide a storage medium, the storage medium storing instructions, when the instructions are executed on a communication device, causing the communication device to perform the communication method of the first aspect of the embodiments of the present disclosure, or perform the communication method of the second aspect of the embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0029] In the embodiments of the present disclosure, by combining at least one of the data receiving state of the first accessory device on the first link, the communication mode of the accessory device of the first multi-link device, and whether at least one link between the first multi-link device and the second multi-link device is in a working state, the communication service quality on the first link, the device capable of immediately communicating with the second multi-link device, and the like can be determined. Then, according to the communication service quality on the first link and the device capable of immediately communicating with the second multi-link device, the first data is received and / or the communication mode of the first accessory device is updated. In this way, in the case that the first accessory device fails to successfully receive the first data, the device and the corresponding link that continue to receive the first data can be selected, for example, the first data is continued to be received through the first link, or the first data is received through the device capable of immediately communicating with the second multi-link device, and the like. The transmission reliability of the first data is ensured, the additional signaling overhead caused by retriggering / waking up the first accessory device to enter the second capability communication mode is avoided, and the load balancing between at least one link between the first multi-link device and the second multi-link device is maintained.

[0030] Additional aspects and advantages of the embodiments of the present disclosure will be in part apparent and in part pointed out hereinafter. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0031] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present disclosure, the following describes the drawings required for the embodiments, and the following drawings are only some of the embodiments of the present disclosure, and do not specifically limit the protection scope of the present disclosure.

[0032] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an architecture of a communication system provided by an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0033] FIG. 2 is one of the interaction schematic diagrams of a communication method provided by an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0034] FIG. 3 is another of the interaction schematic diagrams of a communication method provided by an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0035] FIG. 4a is a third of the interaction schematic diagrams of a communication method provided by an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0036] FIG. 4b is a fourth of the interaction schematic diagrams of a communication method provided by an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0037] FIG. 4c is a fifth of the interaction schematic diagrams of a communication method provided by an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0038] FIG. 4d is a sixth of the interaction schematic diagrams of a communication method provided by an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0039] FIG. 5 is a scene schematic diagram of a communication method provided by an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0040] FIG. 6 is one of flow diagrams of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0041] FIG. 7 is another of flow diagrams of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0042] FIG. 8 is a structural diagram of a first multi-link device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0043] FIG. 9 is a structural diagram of a second multi-link device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0044] FIG. 10 is a structural diagram of a terminal according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0045] FIG. 11 is a structural diagram of a chip according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0046] The present disclosure provides a communication method, a communication device and a communication system.

[0047] In a first aspect, the present disclosure provides a communication method, performed by a first multi-link device, the method comprising:

[0048] receiving first data and / or updating a communication mode of a first affiliated device of the first multi-link device according to at least one of a data reception status of the first affiliated device of the first multi-link device on a first link in a first time period, the communication mode of the affiliated device of the first multi-link device, and whether at least one link between the first multi-link device and a second multi-link device associated with the first multi-link device is in an active state;

[0049] wherein the first link is any one of the at least one link, and the data reception status comprises whether the first affiliated device successfully receives all data sent by the second multi-link device on the first link, and the first data comprises data in the all data that is not successfully received by the first affiliated device.

[0050] In the present disclosure, in a case where the first affiliated device does not successfully receive the first data, a device that continues to receive the first data and a corresponding link can be selected, for example, the first data is continued to be received through the first link, or the first data is received through a device that can immediately communicate with the second multi-link device, so as to ensure the transmission reliability of the first data, avoid additional signaling overhead caused by retriggering / waking up the first affiliated device to enter the second capability communication mode, and maintain the load balance between the at least one link between the first multi-link device and the second multi-link device.

[0051] In some embodiments of the first aspect, the communication mode comprises a first capability communication mode or a second capability communication mode; the first time period comprises a first TXOP acquired by the second multi-link device on the first link; and the at least one communication parameter has a parameter value in the first capability communication mode that is less than a parameter value in the second capability communication mode.

[0052] In the above embodiments, the communication mode of the device comprises a first capability communication mode or a second capability communication mode, and the at least one communication parameter has a parameter value in the first capability communication mode that is less than a parameter value in the second capability communication mode. In this way, the device energy consumption can be reduced when the device is in the first capability communication mode relative to the second capability communication mode.

[0053] In some embodiments of the first aspect, the receiving the first data and / or updating the communication mode of the first multi-link device comprises:

[0054] In a case where the first affiliated device successfully receives all the data, the first affiliated device switches to the first capability communication mode;

[0055] In a case where the first affiliated device does not successfully receive all the data, at least one of the following operations is performed:

[0056] The first affiliated device switches to the first capability communication mode;

[0057] The first data is received by a second affiliated device that is in the second capability communication mode and affiliated to the first multi-link device;

[0058] The first data is received by the first affiliated device that remains in the second capability communication mode.

[0059] In the above embodiments, in a case where the first affiliated device successfully receives all the data transmitted by the second multi-link device on the first link, the first affiliated device switches to the first capability communication mode, which can further reduce the device energy consumption of the first affiliated device. In a case where the first affiliated device does not successfully receive all the data transmitted by the second multi-link device on the first link, if the first affiliated device switches to the first capability communication mode, the device energy consumption of the first affiliated device can be further reduced. If the first data is received by the first affiliated device that remains in the second capability communication mode or by the second affiliated device that is in the second capability communication mode and affiliated to the first multi-link device (i.e., the second affiliated device in the frame exchange state), the transmission reliability of the first data can be ensured, the additional signaling overhead caused by retriggering / waking up the first affiliated device to enter the second capability communication mode can be avoided, and the load balancing between at least one link between the first multi-link device and the second multi-link device can be maintained.

[0060] In some embodiments of the first aspect, the receiving the first data and / or updating the communication mode of the first multi-link device comprises:

[0061] In the case that the first affiliated device does not successfully receive all the data, the first acknowledgement frame for all the data is the last acknowledgement frame within the first time period, and at the end time of the first time period, there is a second affiliated device in the second capability communication mode in the affiliated devices of the first multi-link device,

[0062] The first affiliated device switches to the first capability communication mode after sending the first acknowledgement frame on the first link, and the second affiliated device receives the first data on the second link; wherein the second link is a link in the at least one link in addition to the first link and in the working state.

[0063] In the above embodiment, in the case that the first affiliated device does not successfully receive the first data, the first acknowledgement frame is the last acknowledgement frame within the first time period, and at the end time of the first time period, there is a second affiliated device that can immediately communicate with the second multi-link device in the affiliated devices of the first multi-link device, the first data is directly received on the second link through the second affiliated device, and the first affiliated device is controlled to switch to the first capability communication mode, which can ensure the transmission reliability of the first data while avoiding the additional signaling overhead caused by retriggering / waking up the first affiliated device to enter the second capability communication mode.

[0064] In some embodiments of the first aspect, the receiving the first data and / or updating the communication mode of the first multi-link device comprises:

[0065] In the case that the first affiliated device does not successfully receive all the data, the first acknowledgement frame for all the data is the last acknowledgement frame within the first time period, and at the end time of the first time period, there is no device in the second capability communication mode in the affiliated devices of the first multi-link device,

[0066] The first affiliated device maintains the second capability communication mode within the second time period and receives the first data on the first link;

[0067] The second time period includes a time period in which the second multi-link device performs a retransmission operation based on a preset time length or a preset retransmission number.

[0068] In the above embodiment, the first accessory device can wait for the third accessory device to perform the retransmission operation in the second-capability communication mode in the second time period, and in the case that the third accessory device performs the retransmission operation in the second time period, the first accessory device does not need to be retriggered / woken up to enter the second-capability communication mode, and can continue to communicate with the first accessory device, thereby achieving the purpose of improving the communication service quality, communication reliability and communication efficiency between the first accessory device and the third accessory device, and avoiding the additional signaling overhead caused by retriggering / waking up the first accessory device to enter the second-capability communication mode.

[0069] In some embodiments of the first aspect, the receiving the first data and / or updating the communication mode of the first multi-link device comprises:

[0070] In the case that the first acknowledgement frame is not the last acknowledgement frame in the first time period, the first accessory device continues to communicate in the first link in the first time period until the communication operation ends, and switches to the first-capability communication mode after the communication operation ends; wherein the communication operation ends comprises at least one of the following:

[0071] The end time of the first time period arrives;

[0072] After the first accessory device sends the first acknowledgement frame, no second wireless frame is received in a third time period; wherein the length of the third time period comprises a sum of one short interframe space (SIFS), one time slot (slot) and one reception physical layer start delay (RxPHYStartDelay).

[0073] After the first accessory device receives the third wireless frame, no response to the third wireless frame is made after a SIFS; wherein the third wireless frame is used to indicate that the device receiving the third wireless frame needs to immediately respond to the third wireless frame.

[0074] In the above embodiment, in the case that the first acknowledgement frame is not the last acknowledgement frame in the first time period, the first accessory device continues to communicate in the first link in the first time period until the communication operation ends, and switches to the first-capability communication mode after the communication operation ends; in this way, the communication service quality, communication reliability and communication efficiency between the first accessory device and the third accessory device can be improved, and the device energy consumption of the first accessory device can be further reduced, thereby achieving the purpose of device power saving.

[0075] In some embodiments of the first aspect, the receiving the first data and / or updating the communication mode of the first multi-link device comprises:

[0076] In a case where the first affiliated device successfully receives all the data and the first acknowledgement frame for the all the data is the last one in the first time period, the first affiliated device switches to the first capability communication mode.

[0077] In the above embodiment, since the first affiliated device has successfully received all the data sent by the second multi-link device under the first link and the first acknowledgement frame for the all the data is the last one in the first time period, the first affiliated device switches to the first capability communication mode with lower communication parameter values at the end time of the first time period; in this way, the device energy consumption of the first affiliated device can be further reduced while the communication service quality and communication efficiency between the first affiliated device and the third affiliated device are taken into account, so as to achieve the purpose of device power saving.

[0078] In combination with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, before the first data is received and / or the communication mode of the first multi-link device is updated, the method further includes:

[0079] The first affiliated device receives the first data frame and a fourth wireless frame under the first link; the fourth wireless frame is used to request the first affiliated device to perform reception acknowledgement for at least one first data frame; and the all the data includes all the first data frames.

[0080] In the above embodiment, the first affiliated device can perform the reception acknowledgement operation on the data received through the first link in response to the fourth wireless frame sent by the second multi-link device and used to request the first affiliated device to perform the reception acknowledgement for at least one first data frame.

[0081] In combination with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, before the first affiliated device receives the first data frame and the fourth wireless frame under the first link, the method further includes:

[0082] A fifth wireless frame is received through the first link; the fifth wireless frame is used to indicate that the first affiliated device switches from the current communication mode to the second capability communication mode.

[0083] The first affiliated device switches from the current communication mode to the second capability communication mode and sends a sixth wireless frame under the first link; the sixth wireless frame is used to identify that the first affiliated device has switched from the current communication mode to the second capability communication mode.

[0084] In the above embodiment, the first affiliated device can perform the communication mode switching in response to the fifth wireless frame sent by the second multi-link device and used to indicate that the first affiliated device switches from the current communication mode to the second capability communication mode, so as to receive the data under the first link in the frame exchange state (the second capability communication mode).

[0085] In a second aspect, the embodiments of the present disclosure provide a communication method, executed by a second multi-link device, the method comprising:

[0086] sending first data according to at least one of a data receiving state of a first affiliated device of the first multi-link device under the first link in a first time period, a communication capability communication mode of the affiliated device of the first multi-link device, and whether at least one link between the first multi-link device and the second multi-link device is in an operating state; the first multi-link device is associated with the second multi-link device;

[0087] wherein the first link is any one of the at least one link; the data receiving state comprises whether the first affiliated device successfully receives all data sent by the second multi-link device under the first link; the first data comprises data in the all data that is not successfully received by the first affiliated device.

[0088] In some embodiments of the second aspect, the communication capability communication mode comprises a first capability communication mode or a second capability communication mode; the first time period comprises a first time period obtained by the second multi-link device under the first link; and a parameter value of the at least one communication parameter in the first capability communication mode is less than a parameter value in the second capability communication mode.

[0089] In some embodiments of the second aspect, the sending of the first data can comprise:

[0090] In the case that the first affiliated device does not successfully receive the all data, at least one of the following operations is performed:

[0091] sending the first data to a second affiliated device affiliated to the first multi-link device and in the second capability communication mode;

[0092] sending the first data to the first affiliated device that remains in the second capability communication mode.

[0093] In some embodiments of the second aspect, the sending of the first data comprises:

[0094] in the case that the first affiliated device does not successfully receive the all data, a first acknowledgement frame for the all data is the last acknowledgement frame in the first time period, and there is a second affiliated device in the second capability communication mode among the affiliated devices of the first multi-link device at the end time of the first time period,

[0095] receiving the first acknowledgement frame sent by the first affiliated device under the second link, and sending the first data to the second affiliated device under the second link; wherein the second link is a link in the at least one link that is in the operating state except the first link.

[0096] In some embodiments of the second aspect, the sending the first data comprises:

[0097] In a case that the first affiliated device does not successfully receive all the data, and the first acknowledgement frame for all the data is the last acknowledgement frame in the first time period, and at the end time of the first time period, there is no device in the affiliated devices of the first multi-link device in the second capability communication mode,

[0098] In the second time period, the first data is sent to the first affiliated device under the first link;

[0099] The second time period includes a time period in which the second multi-link device performs a retransmission operation based on a preset time length or a preset retransmission number.

[0100] In some embodiments of the second aspect, the sending the first data comprises:

[0101] In a case that the first acknowledgement frame for all the data is not the last acknowledgement frame in the first time period, in the first time period, the communication with the first affiliated device under the first link is continued until the communication operation ends;

[0102] The communication operation ends includes at least one of the following:

[0103] The end time of the first time period arrives;

[0104] After receiving the first acknowledgement frame sent by the first affiliated device, no second wireless frame is sent to the first affiliated device in a third time period; wherein the time length in the third time period includes the sum of one short interframe space (SIFS), one time slot (slot) and one receive physical layer start delay (RxPHYStartDelay).

[0105] After sending the third wireless frame to the first affiliated device, no response information of the first affiliated device to the second wireless frame is received after a SIFS; wherein the third wireless frame is used to indicate that the device receiving the third wireless frame needs to respond to the third wireless frame immediately.

[0106] In some embodiments of the second aspect, before the sending the first data, the method further comprises:

[0107] The first data frame and a fourth wireless frame are sent under the first link; wherein the fourth wireless frame is used to request the first affiliated device to perform receiving confirmation for at least one first data frame; all the data includes all the first data frames.

[0108] In combination with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, before the first data frame and the fourth wireless frame are sent to the first affiliated device under the first link, the method further comprises:

[0109] sending a fifth wireless frame under the first link; wherein the fifth wireless frame is used to indicate that the first affiliated device switches from the current communication mode to the second-capability communication mode;

[0110] receiving a sixth wireless frame under the first link; wherein the sixth wireless frame is used to identify that the first affiliated device has switched from the current communication mode to the second-capability communication mode.

[0111] In a third aspect, the embodiments of the present disclosure further provide a communication device, which comprises a first multi-link device, comprising a processing module; wherein the first multi-link device is configured to execute the optional implementation manners of the first aspect.

[0112] In a fourth aspect, the embodiments of the present disclosure further provide a communication device, which comprises a second multi-link device, comprising a sending module; wherein the second multi-link device is configured to execute the optional implementation manners of the second aspect.

[0113] In a fifth aspect, the embodiments of the present disclosure further provide a communication device, which comprises a first multi-link device, comprising:

[0114] one or more processors;

[0115] wherein the first multi-link device is configured to execute the optional implementation manners of the first aspect.

[0116] In a sixth aspect, the embodiments of the present disclosure further provide a communication device, which comprises a second multi-link device, comprising:

[0117] one or more processors;

[0118] wherein the second multi-link device is configured to execute the optional implementation manners of the second aspect.

[0119] In a seventh aspect, the embodiments of the present disclosure further provide a communication system, which comprises a first multi-link device and a second multi-link device; the first multi-link device is associated with the second multi-link device; wherein the first multi-link device is configured to execute the optional implementation manners of the first aspect, and the second multi-link device is configured to execute the optional implementation manners of the second aspect.

[0120] In an eighth aspect, the embodiments of the present disclosure further provide a storage medium, which stores instructions, when the instructions are executed on a communication device, the communication device executes the optional implementation manners of the first aspect or the second aspect.

[0121] In a ninth aspect, the embodiments of the present disclosure provide a program product, which, when executed by a communication device, causes the communication device to perform the method described in the optional implementation of the first aspect or the second aspect.

[0122] In a tenth aspect, the embodiments of the present disclosure provide a computer program, which, when running on a computer, causes the computer to perform the method described in the optional implementation of the first aspect or the second aspect.

[0123] In an eleventh aspect, the embodiments of the present disclosure provide a chip or a chip system. The chip or the chip system includes processing circuitry configured to perform the method described in the optional implementation of the first aspect or the second aspect.

[0124] It can be understood that the communication device, the communication system, the storage medium, the program product, the computer program, the chip or the chip system are all used to perform the method proposed in the embodiments of the present disclosure. Therefore, the beneficial effects that can be achieved are referred to the beneficial effects in the corresponding method, which will not be described here.

[0125] The embodiments of the present disclosure propose a communication method, a communication device and a communication system. In some embodiments, the terms of the communication method and the signal sending method, the wireless frame sending method can be replaced with each other, and the terms of the information processing system and the communication system can be replaced with each other.

[0126] 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, the steps of different embodiments or part of the steps of different embodiments can be combined arbitrarily, an embodiment can be combined with the optional implementation of other embodiments.

[0127] 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.

[0128] 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.

[0129] In the embodiments of the present disclosure, "a plurality of" means two or more.

[0130] In some embodiments, the terms "at least one of," "one or more of," "a plurality of," "multiple," and the like can be used interchangeably.

[0131] In some embodiments, the recitations "at least one of A, B," "A and / or B," "in one case A, in another case B," "in response to a case A, in response to a case B," and the like can include the following technical solutions according to the case: in some embodiments A (A is executed regardless of B); in some embodiments B (B is executed regardless of A); in some embodiments, A and B are selectively executed (A and B are selectively executed); in some embodiments, A and B (A and B are executed). When there are more branches such as A, B, C, and the like, the above is similar.

[0132] In some embodiments, the recitations "A or B" and the like can include the following technical solutions according to the case: in some embodiments A (A is executed regardless of B); in some embodiments B (B is executed regardless of A); in some embodiments, A and B are selectively executed (A and B are selectively executed). When there are more branches such as A, B, C, and the like, the above is similar.

[0133] In the embodiments of the present disclosure, the prefix words "first", "second", and the like are only used to distinguish different description objects, and do not constitute a limitation on the position, order, priority, quantity, or content of the description objects. The description of the description objects should refer to the description in the context of the claims or embodiments, and should not constitute an additional limitation because of the use of the prefix words. For example, the description 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 thereby are in the same message or not, nor do they limit the order of "first field" and "second field". For another example, the description 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 quantity of the description object is not limited by the ordinal words, and can be one or more. For example, "first device", wherein the quantity of "device" can be one or more. In addition, the objects modified by different prefix words can be the same or different, for example, the description 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 description 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.

[0134] In some embodiments, "comprising", "including", "to indicate", "carrying", can be interpreted as directly carrying A, or indirectly indicating A.

[0135] 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.

[0136] 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.

[0137] In some embodiments, the apparatus and device can be interpreted as physical or virtual, and the name is not limited to the name 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.

[0138] In some embodiments, "network" can be interpreted as an apparatus included in the network, such as an access network device, a core network device, and the like.

[0139] In some embodiments, the acquisition of data, information, and the like can comply with the laws and regulations of the country where the location is located.

[0140] In some embodiments, data, information, and the like can be obtained after obtaining the consent of the user.

[0141] 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 element, any row, or any column combination can also be implemented as an independent embodiment.

[0142] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of the architecture of a communication system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0143] As shown in FIG. 1, the communication system 100 includes a first multi-link device 101 and a second multi-link device 102.

[0144] Optionally, the first multi-link device 101 can be a station device supporting multi-link communication (Non-Access Point Multi-Link Device, Non-AP MLD; referred to as multi-link station device for short) or an access point device supporting multi-link communication (Access Point Multi-Link Device, AP MLD; referred to as multi-link access point device for short), and the embodiments of the present disclosure do not limit this. The second multi-link device 102 can be an access point device supporting multi-link communication or a station device supporting multi-link communication, and the embodiments of the present disclosure do not limit this.

[0145] In some embodiments, the first multi-link device 101 can be a multi-link station device, and the second multi-link device 102 can be a multi-link access point device. In other embodiments, the first multi-link device 101 can be a multi-link access point device, and the second multi-link device 102 can be a multi-link station device.

[0146] Optionally, the number of links established between the first multi-link device 101 and the second multi-link device 102 is not limited by the embodiments of the present disclosure, and can be determined according to actual conditions.

[0147] As an example, referring to FIG. 5, taking AP1 and AP2 as APs attached to an AP MLD, and STA1 and STA2 as non-APs attached to a non-AP MLD, and taking two links established between the first multi-link device 101 and the second multi-link device 102 as an example, if AP1, AP2, STA1, and STA2 all support multi-link communication, then as shown in FIG. 5, AP1 can communicate with STA1 through Link1 (link 1), and AP2 can communicate with STA2 through Link2 (link 2); a multi-link is established between the AP MLD and the non-AP MLD.

[0148] In some embodiments, an access point device (Access Point, AP) can be an access point for a mobile terminal to enter a wired network. The AP is equivalent to 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 through the wireless network. Specifically, 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 next generation 802.11 protocol, but is not limited thereto.

[0149] In some embodiments, the station device (Station, STA) includes, for example, a wireless communication chip supporting Wi-Fi communication function, a wireless sensor, or a wireless communication terminal. Optionally, the wireless communication terminal is at least one of, for example, a mobile phone, a wearable device, an Internet of Things device supporting Wi-Fi communication function, a car with Wi-Fi communication function, 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, but is not limited thereto.

[0150] Specifically, the station device can be a terminal device or a network device with a wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi) chip. Optionally, the relay device 102 and the station device 103 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 next generation 802.11 protocol, but are not limited thereto.

[0151] 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 in the embodiments of the present disclosure. It can be known by those skilled in the art that, as the system architecture evolves and new business scenarios appear, the technical solutions proposed in the embodiments of the present disclosure are also applicable to similar technical problems.

[0152] The following embodiments of the present disclosure can be applied to the communication system 100 shown in FIG. 1 or part of the main body, but are not limited thereto. The main bodies shown in FIG. 1 are examples, and the communication system can include all or part of the main bodies in FIG. 1, or other main bodies other than FIG. 1. The number and form of each main body is arbitrary, each main body can be physical or virtual, the connection relationship between each main body is an example, each main body 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.

[0153] Embodiments of the present disclosure can be applied to a wireless local area network (WLAN), for example, a local area network using an 802.11 series protocol. In a WLAN, a basic service set (BSS) is a basic component of a WLAN. A BSS network is composed of station devices having some association within a certain coverage area. One case of association is that the stations directly communicate with each other in an ad hoc network, which is referred to as an independent BSS (IBSS). Another more common case is that there is only one central station having a full-time management BSS in the BSS network, which is referred to as an access point device, and the other stations in the BSS network that are not APs are referred to as terminals, also referred to as non-AP STAs, and APs and non-AP STAs are collectively referred to as STAs. When describing STAs, it is not necessary to distinguish between APs and non-AP STAs. In the same BSS network, due to distance, transmission power, and the like, a STA cannot detect other STAs far away from it, and the two are each other's hidden nodes.

[0154] FIG. 2 is an interaction diagram of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 2, the above method includes:

[0155] In step 201, the first multi-link device receives first data and / or updates the communication mode of the first affiliated device according to at least one of the data reception state of the first affiliated device of the first multi-link device on the first link within a first time period, the communication mode of the affiliated device of the first multi-link device, and whether at least one link between the first multi-link device and the associated second multi-link device is in an operating state.

[0156] Among them, the first link is any one of the at least one link; the data reception state includes whether the first affiliated device successfully receives all data sent by the second multi-link device on the first link; the first data includes data in the above all data that is not successfully received by the first affiliated device.

[0157] The next generation Wi-Fi technology ultra high reliability (UHR) 802.11bn aims to improve the reliability of wireless local area network connection, reduce delay and reduce device level power consumption, etc. And most UHR devices support multi-link communication, that is, for MLD level devices, when UHR AP and UHR STA use multi-connection mode for data transmission, the power saving mechanism needs to be further enhanced.

[0158] Optionally, in a power management method applied to UHR, a wireless access point (station) device can work in a lower capability communication mode, in which the wireless access point (station) can receive specific wireless frames, such as initial control frames. That is, when the wireless access point (station) device works in the lower capability communication mode, the wireless station (access point) device associated with the wireless access point (station) device can switch to a higher capability communication mode after the wireless access point (station) device receives the initial control frame sent by the wireless station (access point) device, so as to exchange frames with the wireless station (access point) device sending the initial control frame. Optionally, when the wireless device works in the lower capability communication mode, the wireless device can work in a 20 MHz bandwidth and perform transceiving operation in a single spatial stream and a low-rate MCS (Modulation and Coding Scheme).

[0159] In some embodiments based on the above method, when the first device is in the low capability communication mode, the first device can switch to the higher capability communication mode to receive data sent by the second device after receiving the initial control frame sent by the second device associated with the first device; and if the second device successfully receives the data sent by the fourth wireless device, the first device can switch to the lower capability communication mode to reduce energy consumption of the first device after the current data exchange process ends.

[0160] However, although the above method can effectively reduce energy consumption of the wireless access point (station) device to some extent and ensure timely and effective transmission of wireless data, the method still has some defects. Referring to the above example, on the one hand, if the first device switches to the low capability communication mode when the first wireless device does not successfully receive all the data sent by the first device, the first device cannot enter the frame exchange state, resulting in data packet loss; on the other hand, if the second device retransmits the data that is not successfully transmitted, the first device needs to be retriggered / woken up to switch from the lower capability communication mode to the higher capability communication mode, which not only affects the system transmission efficiency but also brings additional signaling overhead, which is not conducive to energy saving of the first device.

[0161] Therefore, in the embodiments of the present disclosure, in order to simultaneously reduce device energy consumption, ensure device communication service quality and improve transmission efficiency, the above power management method is further improved, and a new power saving mechanism is proposed.

[0162] Optionally, the first multi-link device has an affiliated device, that is, a device affiliated to the first multi-link device, and the first affiliated device can be any one of the devices affiliated to the first multi-link device.

[0163] Optionally, the first multi-link device receives data transmitted by the second multi-link device under the first link, i.e., the first multi-link device receives data transmitted by a third affiliated device attached to the second multi-link device and operating under the first link under the first link. For example, referring to FIG. 5, if STA1 is the first affiliated device and Link1 is the first link, AP1 can be the third affiliated device, and STA1 receives data transmitted by AP1 under the first link.

[0164] Optionally, the communication processes under at least one link established between the first multi-link device and the second multi-link device are independent of each other. For one of the links, the link can be in a communication state or in a non-communication state. For example, in order to further save energy, if the device under a certain link is in a power saving mode or a lower communication mode, the link can be in a non-working state.

[0165] Optionally, in the embodiments of the present disclosure, the communication mode includes a first capability communication mode or a second capability communication mode.

[0166] Optionally, the parameter value of at least one communication parameter in the first capability communication mode is less than the parameter value in the second capability communication mode.

[0167] Optionally, the first capability communication mode can also be referred to as a first power mode, a low-energy communication mode, a low-capability communication mode, a low-capability mode, a low-power communication mode, a lower-capability communication mode, a listening mode, or a low-power communication phase, etc. The name is not limited in the embodiments of the present disclosure. The second capability communication mode can also be referred to as a high-power mode, a high-energy communication mode, a high-capability communication mode, a high-capability mode, a high-power communication mode, a higher-capability communication mode, or a high-power communication phase, etc. The name is not limited in the embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0168] Optionally, the communication parameters corresponding to the first capability communication mode or the second capability communication mode can include but are not limited to a channel bandwidth (Channel BandWidth; BandWidth, abbreviated as BW), a supported MCS mode, a number of spatial streams (NSS), a transmission rate, etc.

[0169] Optionally, the parameter value of a certain device in the first capability communication mode is less than the parameter value in the second capability communication mode, which can mean that the communication capability of the device in the first capability communication mode is weaker than the communication capability in the second capability communication mode.

[0170] Optionally, in the first capability communication mode, the device supports a channel bandwidth of 20MHz (Mega Hertz) (i.e., BW = 20MHz), a number of SS of 1 (i.e., NSS = 1, single spatial stream), a value of the MCS index of 5 at most (i.e., the value of the MCS index can be any value from 0 to 5, for example, the value of the MCS index is 5, etc.). In the second capability communication mode, the device supports a channel bandwidth greater than or equal to 20MHz, for example, can be any one or more of 40MHz, 80MHz, 160MHz or 320MHz, a number of SS greater than or equal to 2, a value of the MCS index greater than or equal to 5, etc. The specific parameter values can be determined according to actual conditions.

[0171] Optionally, in a communication mode, the MCS information supported by the device is associated with a plurality of communication parameters, for example, the communication parameters associated with the MCS information can include but are not limited to at least one of the following: NSS, modulation mode supported by each spatial stream, coding rate, BW, device transmission resource type (for example, resource unit RU, multiple resource unit (MRU), distributed resource unit (dRU), UEQM, etc.), whether the device supports BW punctured channel mode, and punctured channel density supported by the device.

[0172] For example, for each communication parameter, whether the device supports each specific parameter value thereof, for example, for NSS, the maximum NSS supported by the device can be 4, or 8 or 16. For example, for modulation mode, the modulation mode supported by one spatial stream of the device can be at least one of the following: binary phase shift keying (BPSK), quadrature phase shift keying (QPSK), 16-quadrature amplitude modulation (QAM), 64-QAM, 256-QAM, 1024-QAM and 4096-QAM. For example, for coding rate, the coding rate supported by one spatial stream of the device can be 1 / 2, 2 / 3, 3 / 4, 5 / 6. For example, for BW, the BW supported by the device can be at least one of the following: 20MHz, 40MHz, 80MHz, 160MHz and 320MHz. When the device supports BW punctured channel mode, the punctured channel density supported by the device can be at least one of the following: 20MHz, 40MHz, 80MHz, 160MHz, 320MHz.

[0173] For a device, the MCS information supported by the device can refer to Table 1.

[0174] Table 1

[0175] As shown in Table 1, in Table 1, n, n+1, n+2, n+3, n+4, etc. are only examples and are used to identify the difference between each row. The specific values need to be adjusted according to the actual situation. In each row, the corresponding NSS, modulation, coding rate, transmission resource type, BW, whether to support puncturing, and puncturing channel density of the device can be combined at will, and the corresponding MCS index value is different under different combinations. For example, in the second row, the MCS index values corresponding to different combinations can be t, t+1, t+2, …, etc.

[0176] Optionally, the first time period includes a first TXOP (transmission opportunity) obtained by the second multi-link device under the first link.

[0177] Optionally, the third affiliated device can perform channel contention under the first link, and in the case of successfully contending for the channel, the transmission pending data (to-be-sent data) obtained by the third affiliated device needs to occupy the transmission duration of the channel. Optionally, the third affiliated device can perform channel contention in the manner of EDCA (enhanced distributed channel access).

[0178] The device that obtains the TXOP can be referred to as a TXOP Holder (TXOP holder), and the TXOP Holder can tell the TXOP duration obtained by it to the receiver (TXOP Responder) through the Duration field (duration field) in the wireless frame. In this embodiment, the third affiliated device can be referred to as a TXOP Holder, and the first affiliated device can be referred to as a TXOP Responder.

[0179] Optionally, in the embodiments of the present disclosure, the data sent by the third affiliated device to the first multi-link device under the first link can include one or more first data frames. Optionally, in the case where the number of first data frames includes multiple, “at least two first data frames in succession” can also be referred to as “first data block”, “first data packet”, etc., and the embodiments of the present disclosure do not limit the name. Optionally, the first data frame can be a PPDU (Physical Layer Protocol Data Unit, physical layer protocol data unit).

[0180] Optionally, the first affiliated device can determine the data receiving status of the first affiliated device on the first link in response to the data receiving status confirmation request sent by the third affiliated device.

[0181] Optionally, whether the first affiliated device successfully receives all the data sent by the second multi-link device on the first link can include that the first affiliated device successfully receives all the data, or the first affiliated device does not successfully receive all the data. Wherein, the first affiliated device does not successfully receive part of the data sent by the third affiliated device on the first link, or the first affiliated device does not receive any data sent by the third affiliated device on the first link, can be regarded as that the first affiliated device does not successfully receive all the data.

[0182] Optionally, when the first affiliated device determines the data receiving status on the first link, the first data frame can be subjected to a receiving confirmation operation frame by frame to determine the data receiving status of each first data frame, or the first data frame (i.e. first data block) received continuously can be subjected to a receiving confirmation operation to determine the data receiving status of each first data block, and the embodiments of the present disclosure do not limit this.

[0183] Optionally, after the first affiliated device determines the data receiving status of the first affiliated device on the first link, the first affiliated device can carry the data receiving status of the first data frame in the first confirmation frame, and report the data receiving status of the first affiliated device on the first link to the third affiliated device by sending the first confirmation frame to the third affiliated device.

[0184] Optionally, when the first affiliated device performs the receiving operation on the first data frame frame by frame, the corresponding confirmation frame can be an ACK (Acknowledgment) frame. When the first affiliated device performs the receiving confirmation operation on the first data block, the corresponding confirmation frame can be a Block Ack (Block Acknowledgment, Block Ack) frame (which can also be referred to as a BA frame).

[0185] In the embodiments of the present disclosure, taking the receiving confirmation operation of the first data block by the first affiliated device as an example, the first confirmation frame for all the data sent by the third affiliated device on the first link is referred to as the "first confirmation frame".

[0186] Optionally, the first acknowledgement frame can comprise a Block Ack Bitmap subfield, the Block Ack Bitmap subfield comprising at least one bit, each bit corresponding to a data reception status of a first data frame. Wherein, for each bit, when the bit is set to "1", it indicates that the first affiliated device successfully receives data carried in the first data frame corresponding to the bit; when the bit is set to "0", it indicates that the first affiliated device does not successfully receive data carried in the first data frame corresponding to the bit. Similarly, in the first acknowledgement frame, when all bits of the Block Ack Bitmap subfield are set to "1", it indicates that the first affiliated device successfully receives all data sent by the third affiliated device under the first link; when all bits of the Block Ack Bitmap subfield are not completely set to "1" (i.e., there are some bits set to "0"), it indicates that the first affiliated device does not successfully receive all data sent by the third affiliated device under the first link.

[0187] Optionally, when the first affiliated device does not successfully receive all data sent by the third affiliated device under the first link, it can specifically be that the first affiliated device does not successfully receive some MPDUs (MAC Protocol Data Unit, MAC is Medium Access Control) in at least one data frame.

[0188] In the embodiments of the present disclosure, the communication service quality between the first affiliated device and the third affiliated device (i.e., the communication service quality under the first link) can be evaluated through the data reception status of the first affiliated device under the first link. Wherein, when the first affiliated device successfully receives all data sent by the third affiliated device under the first link, it can be determined that the communication service quality between the first affiliated device and the third affiliated device is good, i.e., the transmission reliability of the first data frame is high; when the first affiliated device does not successfully receive all data sent by the third affiliated device under the first link (i.e., the first affiliated device does not receive the first data), it can be determined that the communication service quality between the first affiliated device and the third affiliated device is poor, i.e., the transmission reliability of the first data frame is low.

[0189] Optionally, in order to ensure the transmission reliability of the first data frame, the second multi-link device can perform retransmission of the first data. For example, the second multi-link device can determine whether to perform the data retransmission operation according to the parameter value of the Block Ack Bitmap subfield in the first acknowledgement frame. For example, in the case where there is a bit set as "0" in the Block Ack Bitmap subfield of the first acknowledgement frame, the data corresponding to the bit set as "0" can be determined as the first data, and the data retransmission operation is performed on the first data; in the case where all bits in the Block Ack Bitmap subfield of the first acknowledgement frame are set as "1", it can be determined that the data retransmission operation is not needed.

[0190] Optionally, in the case where the first affiliated device does not successfully receive the first data sent by the second link device under the first link within the first time period, the first multi-link device can continue to receive the first data through the first affiliated device under the first link, or receive the first data through other affiliated devices of the first multi-link device under other links, which can be determined according to actual conditions.

[0191] For example, in the case where the first affiliated device does not successfully receive the first data, and the end time of the first time period has arrived, the second affiliated device corresponding to the second link in the second capability communication mode and in the working state and affiliated to the first multi-link device can receive the first data, so that the load balance between at least one link between the first multi-link device and the second multi-link device can be maintained while avoiding the additional signaling overhead caused by retriggering / waking up the first affiliated device to enter the second capability communication mode.

[0192] In the embodiments of the present disclosure, by determining the communication mode of the affiliated device of the first multi-link device and whether at least one link between the first multi-link device and the second multi-link device is in the working state, the device in the second capability communication mode and communicating under the corresponding link (i.e., the link in the working state) among the affiliated devices of the first multi-link device can be determined, and the determined device is determined as the device that can immediately communicate with the second multi-link device.

[0193] In the embodiments of the present disclosure, by combining at least one of the data receiving state of the first accessory device on the first link, the communication mode of the accessory device of the first multi-link device, and whether at least one link between the first multi-link device and the second multi-link device is in a working state, the communication service quality on the first link, the device capable of immediately communicating with the second multi-link device, and the like can be determined. Then, according to the communication service quality on the first link and the device capable of immediately communicating with the second multi-link device, the first data is received and / or the communication mode of the first accessory device is updated. In this way, in the case that the first accessory device fails to successfully receive the first data, the device and the corresponding link that continues to receive the first data can be selected, for example, the first data is continued to be received through the first link, or the first data is received through the device capable of immediately communicating with the second multi-link device, and the like. The transmission reliability of the first data is ensured, the additional signaling overhead caused by retriggering / waking up the first accessory device to enter the second capability communication mode is avoided, and the load balancing between at least one link between the first multi-link device and the second multi-link device is maintained.

[0194] Referring to FIG. 3, in another example provided by the embodiments of the present disclosure, before step 201, that is, before the first device receives the first data and / or updates the communication mode of the first accessory device, the method further includes:

[0195] In step 301, the second multi-link device sends a fifth wireless frame on the first link; correspondingly, the first accessory device receives the fifth wireless frame on the first link. The fifth wireless frame is used to indicate that the first accessory device switches from the current communication mode to the second capability communication mode.

[0196] Optionally, the second multi-link device sends the fifth wireless frame on the first link, that is, the third accessory device sends the fifth wireless frame to the first accessory device on the first link.

[0197] Optionally, the fifth wireless frame can include but is not limited to an initial control frame (ICF, initial control frame).

[0198] Optionally, if the first accessory device is a UHR non-AP STA, before the first accessory device receives the fifth wireless frame sent by the third accessory device, the first accessory device can be in the first capability communication mode; if the first accessory device is an EHT non-AP STA, before the first accessory device receives the fifth wireless frame sent by the third accessory device, the first accessory device can be in the power saving mode.

[0199] Optionally, in other embodiments, the fifth wireless frame can be a trigger frame (trigger).

[0200] At step 302, the first affiliated device switches from the first capability communication mode to the second capability communication mode, and sends a sixth wireless frame under the first link; wherein the sixth wireless frame is used to identify that the first affiliated device has switched from the current communication mode to the second capability communication mode. Correspondingly, the second multi-link device receives the sixth wireless frame under the first link.

[0201] Optionally, the first affiliated device sends the sixth wireless frame under the first link, i.e., the first affiliated device sends the sixth wireless frame to the third affiliated device under the first link. Correspondingly, the second multi-link device receives the sixth wireless frame under the first link, i.e., the third affiliated device receives the sixth wireless frame sent by the first affiliated device under the first link.

[0202] Continuing to refer to the above example, in the case where the fifth wireless frame is a trigger frame used to indicate that the first affiliated device switches from the current communication mode to the second capability communication mode, if the first affiliated device is a UHR non-AP STA, after the first affiliated device receives the fifth wireless frame, the first affiliated device can switch from the first capability communication mode to the second capability communication mode; if the first affiliated device is an EHT non-AP STA, after the first affiliated device receives the fifth wireless frame, the first affiliated device can switch from the power saving mode to the second capability communication mode.

[0203] Optionally, the sixth wireless frame can also be referred to as a response frame responding to the fifth wireless frame, which can include, but is not limited to, an initial control response frame (ICR).

[0204] In the embodiments of the present disclosure, through steps 301 and 302, the first affiliated device can be switched to the second capability communication mode, i.e., enter the frame exchange state, so as to perform frame exchange with the third affiliated device under the first link.

[0205] At step 303, after the second multi-link device receives the sixth wireless frame under the first link, the second multi-link device can send a first data frame and a fourth wireless frame under the first link; wherein the fourth wireless frame is used to request the first affiliated device to perform receiving confirmation on at least one first data frame. Correspondingly, the first affiliated device receives the first data frame and the fourth wireless frame sent by the second multi-link device under the first link; all the data above includes all the first data frames.

[0206] Optionally, the number of the fourth wireless frames can be the same as the number of the first data frames, or less than the number of the first data frames. That is, the first affiliated device can be requested to perform the receiving confirmation operation on the one or more first data frames (i.e., the first data blocks) through the fourth wireless frames. Correspondingly, referring to the embodiment of step 201, after performing the receiving confirmation operation on all the data received under the first link, the first affiliated device can carry the transmission status of all the data received under the first link in the first confirmation frame.

[0207] Optionally, the fourth wireless frame can include, but is not limited to, a BACKReq frame (Block Acknowledgment Request) or a MU-BAR (Multi-User Block Acknowledgment Request) trigger frame.

[0208] Optionally, in the embodiments of the present disclosure, when specifically determining how to receive the first data and / or update the communication mode of the first multi-link device, it can be determined whether the first data needs to be re-received (i.e., whether the second multi-link device needs to retransmit the first data) according to whether the first affiliated device successfully receives all the data transmitted by the second multi-link device under the first link; and in the case that the first affiliated device does not successfully receive all the data transmitted by the second multi-link device under the first link, it can be determined whether to update the communication mode of the first affiliated device according to whether there is a device in the frame exchange state (i.e., a device in the second capability communication mode) among the affiliated devices of the first multi-link device. Specifically, the above receiving the first data and / or updating the communication mode of the first affiliated device can include:

[0209] in the case that the first affiliated device successfully receives all the data, the first affiliated device switches to the first capability communication mode;

[0210] in the case that the first affiliated device does not successfully receive all the data, at least one of the following operations is performed:

[0211] the first affiliated device switches to the first capability communication mode;

[0212] the first data is received by a second affiliated device in the second capability communication mode and affiliated to the first multi-link device;

[0213] the first data is received by the first affiliated device which remains in the second capability communication mode.

[0214] In the above embodiments, by switching the first affiliated device to the first capability communication mode, the device energy consumption of the first affiliated device can be reduced; by the device affiliated to the first multi-link device in the second capability communication mode (i.e., the device in the frame exchange state) receiving the first data, etc., the transmission reliability of the first data is ensured, the additional signaling overhead caused by retriggering / waking up the first affiliated device to enter the second capability communication mode is avoided, and the load balancing between at least one link between the first multi-link device and the second multi-link device is maintained.

[0215] In order to more clearly illustrate the specific way of receiving the first data and / or updating the communication mode of the first affiliated device, the following will be described in combination with different combinations according to "data receiving state of the first affiliated device of the first multi-link device under the first link within the first TXOP", "communication mode of the affiliated device of the first multi-link device", and "whether at least one link between the first multi-link device and the second multi-link device is in the working state":

[0216] Case one: referring to FIG. 4a, the above step 201 (i.e., receiving the first data and / or updating the communication mode of the first affiliated device) can include:

[0217] Step 401a, in the case that the first affiliated device does not successfully receive all the data, the first acknowledgement frame for all the data is the last acknowledgement frame within the first time period, and at the end time of the first time period, there is a second affiliated device in the second capability communication mode among the affiliated devices of the first multi-link device,

[0218] After the first affiliated device sends the first acknowledgement frame under the first link, it switches to the first capability communication mode, and the second affiliated device receives the first data under the second link; accordingly, the second multi-link device receives the first acknowledgement frame under the first link, and sends the first data to the second affiliated device under the second link. Wherein, the second link is a link in the working state among the at least one link except the first link.

[0219] Optionally, whether the first acknowledgement frame is the last acknowledgement frame within the first TXOP, i.e., whether the first affiliated device sends the BA frame to the third affiliated device under the first link for the last time within the first TXOP.

[0220] Optionally, in the case that the first acknowledgement frame is not the last acknowledgement frame in the first TXOP, it can be identified that the first affiliated device can further perform the receiving acknowledgement operation on the newly received data in the remaining duration of the first TXOP, that is, the first affiliated device can further continue to communicate with the third affiliated device in the remaining duration of the first TXOP. For example, the first affiliated device can further continue to receive the data sent by the third affiliated device under the first link in the remaining duration of the first TXOP.

[0221] In the embodiments of the present disclosure, the third affiliated device can determine whether there is enough duration in the first TXOP for the first affiliated device and the third affiliated device to continue to transmit new data (for example, the third affiliated device transmits the first data to the first affiliated device through the first link) by determining whether the first acknowledgement frame is the last acknowledgement frame in the first TXOP, so as to further improve the transmission efficiency.

[0222] In this implementation, the first acknowledgement frame is the last acknowledgement frame in the first TXOP, that is, it can be identified that there is no duration in the first TXOP for the first affiliated device and the third affiliated device to continue to transmit new data, and the first affiliated device and the third affiliated device cannot transmit data in the remaining duration of the first TXOP.

[0223] Optionally, the number of the second affiliated devices can include one or more, and one of the second affiliated devices can be selected to receive the first data. Correspondingly, the number of the second links can also include one or more, and as long as the second affiliated device and the second link are corresponding when the second affiliated device receives the first data under the second link.

[0224] Optionally, it can be determined that the second link is in the working state by the following condition: the second affiliated device as the TXOP Responder of the second TXOP communicates with the fourth affiliated device associated therewith under the second link, and the end time of the second TXOP has not arrived; wherein the fourth affiliated device works under the second link and is affiliated to the second multi-link device; wherein the second TXOP is all or part of the TXOP obtained by the fourth affiliated device through successful channel contention.

[0225] Optionally, it can also be determined that the second link is in the working state by the following condition: the fourth affiliated device as the TXOP Responder of the third TXOP communicates with the second affiliated device associated therewith under the second link, and the end time of the third TXOP has not arrived; wherein the fourth affiliated device works under the second link and is affiliated to the second multi-link device; wherein the third TXOP is all or part of the TXOP obtained by the second affiliated device through successful channel contention.

[0226] Optionally, in a case where it is determined that the second link is in the working state, it can be determined that the second affiliated device is capable of communicating with the fourth affiliated device under the second link.

[0227] Optionally, after the second affiliated device receives the first data under the second link, the second affiliated device can further report, to the fourth affiliated device under the second link, a data reception status of the third affiliated device for the first data. For example, the second affiliated device can send a second acknowledgement frame to the fourth affiliated device under the second link, where the second acknowledgement frame carries the data reception status of the third affiliated device for the first data.

[0228] Optionally, in a case where it is determined that there is a second affiliated device in the second capability communication mode among the affiliated devices of the first multi-link device, and the second link corresponding to the second affiliated device is in the working state, the second affiliated device can be determined as a device capable of immediately communicating with the second multi-link device.

[0229] Optionally, when the second affiliated device communicates with the fourth affiliated device under the second link, the second affiliated device can further report, to the fourth affiliated device through the second link, whether the second affiliated device successfully receives data sent by the fourth affiliated device, i.e., a data reception status for the data sent by the fourth affiliated device.

[0230] In the above embodiment, in a case where the first affiliated device does not successfully receive the first data, the first acknowledgement frame is the last acknowledgement frame in the first TXOP, and there is a second affiliated device capable of immediately communicating with the second multi-link device among the affiliated devices of the first multi-link device at the end time of the first TXOP, the first data is directly received by the second affiliated device under the second link, and the first affiliated device is controlled to switch to the first capability communication mode, which can ensure the transmission reliability of the first data while avoiding additional signaling overhead caused by retriggering / waking up the first affiliated device to enter the second capability communication mode.

[0231] In some embodiments, the third affiliated device can re-perform channel contention, and in a case where the third affiliated device successfully contends for the channel under the first link, the third affiliated device can send the first data to the first affiliated device.

[0232] In other embodiments, in order to maintain load balancing between at least one link between the first multi-link device and the second multi-link device, the third affiliated device can not need to re-perform channel contention, and the first data can be directly sent to the second affiliated device by the fourth affiliated device under the second link.

[0233] Optionally, whether the retransmission of the failed transmission data is needed, and whether the communication mode of the first affiliated device is updated, during the communication between the second affiliated device and the fourth affiliated device, can refer to the implementation provided in step 201 of the embodiments of the present disclosure, and is not limited herein.

[0234] Case two: referring to FIG. 4b, the step 201 (i.e., receiving the first data and / or updating the communication mode of the first affiliated device) can include:

[0235] In a case where the first affiliated device does not successfully receive all the data, the first acknowledgement frame for all the data is the last acknowledgement frame in the first time period, and there is no device in the second-capability communication mode in the affiliated device of the first multi-link device at the end time of the first time period,

[0236] The first affiliated device maintains the second-capability communication mode in the second time period and receives the first data under the first link; correspondingly, the second multi-link device transmits the first data to the first affiliated device under the first link in the second time period. The second time period includes a time period in which the second multi-link device performs the retransmission operation based on the preset time length or the preset retransmission number.

[0237] Referring to the above, in this implementation, the first acknowledgement frame is the last acknowledgement frame in the first TXOP, that is, it can be identified that there is no time length in the first TXOP that causes the first affiliated device and the third affiliated device to continue to transmit new data.

[0238] Optionally, the preset time length or the preset retransmission number can be set according to actual communication needs, and the embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited thereto.

[0239] Optionally, the second time period can be understood as a time period in which the first affiliated device waits for the third affiliated device to perform the retransmission operation. As an example, the end time of the first TXOP (hereinafter referred to as the “first end time”) is reached, and the end time of the first TXOP is added to the preset time length to obtain the end time of the retransmission operation performed by the second multi-link device based on the preset time length (hereinafter referred to as the “second end time”), and the time period between the first end time and the second end time is determined as the second time period. Alternatively, the end time of the first TXOP is reached, and the end time of the first TXOP is added to the time length required for the second multi-link device to perform the retransmission operation with the preset retransmission number for the preset retransmission number of times to obtain the end time of the retransmission operation performed by the second multi-link device (hereinafter referred to as the “third end time”), and the time period between the first end time and the third end time is determined as the second time period.

[0240] Optionally, the third accessory device can perform channel contention when the end time of the first TXOP arrives, and in the case that the third accessory device successfully contends for the channel under the first link before the end time of the second time period arrives, the third accessory device can send the first data to the first accessory device under the first link in the reacquired TXOP. In this case, the first accessory device does not need to update the communication mode, i.e., remains in the second capability communication mode.

[0241] Optionally, if the third accessory device fails to contend for the channel and send data to the first accessory device after the end time of the second time period arrives, the first accessory device switches from the second capability communication mode to the first capability communication mode. If the third accessory device successfully contends for the channel under the first link after the end time of the second time period arrives, the third accessory device can need to retrigger / wake up the first accessory device to enter the second capability communication mode (see the embodiment part of steps 301-302 for details), and send the first data to the first accessory device under the first link after the first accessory device enters the second capability communication mode; see the embodiment part of step 201 for the corresponding operations.

[0242] Optionally, whether retransmission of failed data is needed and whether the communication mode of the first accessory device needs to be updated in the communication between the first accessory device and the third accessory device can refer to the implementation provided in step 201 of the embodiments of the present disclosure, and is not limited herein.

[0243] Optionally, when the first accessory device continues to communicate under the first link, the first accessory device can also report to the third accessory device whether the data sent by the third accessory device is successfully received, i.e., the data reception status of the data sent by the third accessory device.

[0244] Optionally, after the third accessory device sends the first data to the first accessory device under the first link, if there is no new data to be sent to the first accessory device, the first accessory device can switch to the first capability communication mode.

[0245] In the above embodiments, the first accessory device can wait for the third accessory device to perform retransmission in the second capability communication mode in the second time period. In the case that the third accessory device performs retransmission in the second time period, the first accessory device does not need to be retriggered / woken up to enter the second capability communication mode, and can continue to communicate with the first accessory device, thereby avoiding additional signaling overhead caused by retriggering / waking up the first accessory device to enter the second capability communication mode, and improving the communication service quality, communication reliability, and communication efficiency between the first accessory device and the third accessory device.

[0246] Case three: referring to Fig. 4c, the step 201 (i.e., receiving the first data and / or updating the communication mode of the first accessory device) can include:

[0247] Step 401c, in the case that the first acknowledgement frame is not the last acknowledgement frame in the first time period, the first accessory device continues to communicate under the first link in the first time period until the end of the communication operation, and switches to the first capability communication mode after the end of the communication operation.

[0248] The end of the communication operation includes at least one of the following:

[0249] The end time of the first time period is reached.

[0250] After the first accessory device sends the first acknowledgement frame, no second wireless frame is received in a third time period; wherein the length of the third time period includes the sum of one SIFS (Short InterFrame Space), one slot and one RxPHYStartDelay (Receive PHY Start Delay).

[0251] After the first accessory device receives the third wireless frame, no response to the third wireless frame is made after one SIFS; wherein the third wireless frame requires the device receiving the third wireless frame to respond immediately to the third wireless frame.

[0252] Optionally, assuming that the length of the third time period is T, then T = aSIFSTime + aSlotTime + aRxPHYStartDelay.

[0253] Optionally, the first identification information can be included in the third wireless frame, and the first identification information is used to indicate that the feedback mode for the third wireless frame is immediate feedback, i.e., the device receiving the third wireless frame needs to respond immediately to the third wireless frame.

[0254] Optionally, in the case that the first acknowledgement frame is not the last acknowledgement frame in the first TXOP, it can be identified that there is a time length in the first TXOP that causes the first accessory device and the third accessory device to continue to transmit new data. Therefore, in this embodiment, if the first accessory device does not receive the first data, the first accessory device can continue to receive the first data sent by the third accessory device under the first link in the first TXOP; if the first accessory device has received the first data, the first accessory device can continue to receive new data other than the first data sent by the third accessory device under the first link in the first TXOP.

[0255] Optionally, when the first affiliated device continues to communicate under the first link within the first TXOP, the first affiliated device can also report to the third affiliated device through the first link whether the data sent by the third affiliated device is successfully received by the first affiliated device, i.e., the data receiving status of the data sent by the third affiliated device.

[0256] In the above embodiment, when the first acknowledgement frame is not the last acknowledgement frame within the first TXOP, the first affiliated device continues to communicate under the first link within the first TXOP until the communication operation ends, and switches to the first-capability communication mode after the communication operation ends; in this way, the communication service quality, communication reliability and communication efficiency between the first affiliated device and the third affiliated device can be improved, and the device energy consumption of the first affiliated device can be further reduced, achieving the purpose of device power saving.

[0257] Optionally, in this embodiment, after the communication operation ends, the third affiliated device can also continue to compete for the channel, and in the case that the third affiliated device successfully competes for the channel under the first link, the first affiliated device needs to be re-triggered / woken up to enter the second-capability communication mode (for details, refer to the embodiment part of steps 301-302), and after the first affiliated device enters the second-capability communication mode, the first affiliated device is sent with new data to be transmitted under the first link; and refer to the embodiment part of step 201 for performing the corresponding operation.

[0258] Case four: referring to FIG. 4d, the above step 201 (i.e., receiving the first data and / or updating the communication mode of the first affiliated device) can include:

[0259] Step 401d: in the case that the first affiliated device successfully receives all the data and the first acknowledgement frame for all the data is the last acknowledgement frame within the first time period, the first affiliated device switches to the first-capability communication mode.

[0260] In the embodiment of the present disclosure, since the first affiliated device has successfully received all the data sent by the second multi-link device under the first link, and the first acknowledgement frame for all the data is the last acknowledgement frame within the first TXOP, the first affiliated device switches to the first-capability communication mode with lower communication parameter values when the end time of the first TXOP arrives; in this way, the communication service quality and communication efficiency between the first affiliated device and the third affiliated device can be considered, and the device energy consumption of the first affiliated device can be further reduced, achieving the purpose of device power saving.

[0261] Optionally, in this embodiment, the third affiliated device can also continue to compete for the channel, and in the case of successfully competing for the channel under the first link, it is necessary to re-trigger / wake up the first affiliated device to enter the second capability communication mode (for details, see the embodiment part of steps 301-302), and after the first affiliated device enters the second capability communication mode, send new data to be transmitted to the first affiliated device under the first link; and see the embodiment part of step 201 for the corresponding operation.

[0262] In combination with the other optional implementations described before or after the description corresponding to FIG. 2, FIG. 3, FIG. 4a-FIG. 4d, taking the first MLD (i.e. the second multi-link device described above) as the AP MLD, the second MLD (i.e. the first multi-link device described above) as the non-AP MLD, the first MLD being associated with the second MLD, the affiliated devices of the first MLD including the first affiliated AP (i.e. the third affiliated device described above) and the third affiliated AP (i.e. the fourth affiliated device described above), and the affiliated devices of the second MLD including the second affiliated STA (i.e. the first affiliated device described above) and the fourth affiliated STA (i.e. the second affiliated device described above), the first affiliated AP being associated with the second affiliated STA through the first link, and the second affiliated AP being associated with the fourth affiliated STA through the second link as an example, another optional implementation of the embodiment of the present disclosure is described:

[0263] 1. The first MLD sends an initial control (ICF, initial control frame) frame to the second MLD associated through the first link. Wherein, the initial control frame is used to instruct the second affiliated STA corresponding to the first link and affiliated to the second MLD to switch from the low capability mode to the high capability mode (at this time, the second affiliated STA is in the low capability mode).

[0264] 2. After the second affiliated STA receives the initial control frame in step 1, it switches to the high capability mode and sends a response frame (ICR, initial control response) to the first affiliated AP under the first link, indicating that the second affiliated device has completed the state switching.

[0265] 3. After the first affiliated AP receives the ICR frame, it sends a data block and at least one fourth wireless frame to the second affiliated STA, which can be a BACKReq frame or a MU-BAR trigger frame, requesting the second affiliated STA to confirm the transmission situation (i.e. data reception state) of the data block sent by the first affiliated AP.

[0266] 4. The second affiliated STA sends a first acknowledgement frame to the first MLD under the first link after receiving the fourth wireless frame sent by the first affiliated AP. The first acknowledgement frame is used to confirm the result of the transmission of the data blocks sent by the first affiliated AP. The first acknowledgement frame can be a BlockAck frame. After sending the first acknowledgement frame to the first MLD, the second affiliated STA performs any one of the following operations:

[0267] 4.1. If the first acknowledgement frame is the last BA frame before the end of the first TXOP, and indicates that all data blocks are successfully received (i.e., all bit positions of the Block Ack Bitmap subfield in the first acknowledgement frame are set to 1), the second affiliated STA switches to the low-capability mode; wherein the first TXOP is the duration of the current transmission opportunity obtained by the first affiliated AP.

[0268] 4.2. If the first acknowledgement frame is the last BA frame before the end of the first TXOP, and indicates that there is a data block that is not successfully received by the second affiliated STA (i.e., there is a bit position set to 0 in the Block Ack Bitmap subfield in the first acknowledgement frame), the second MLD performs at least one of the following operations:

[0269] A. At the end of the first TXOP, if there is a fourth affiliated STA in the affiliated devices of the second MLD that is in the high-capability mode and that communicates with the third affiliated AP through the second link (wherein the second link is any link established between the first MLD and the MLD other than the first link), the second MLD performs at least one of the following operations;

[0270] (1) receiving the data (i.e., the first data) indicated by the first acknowledgement frame as not being received completely through the second link; i.e., the fourth affiliated STA receives the data indicated by the first acknowledgement frame as not being received completely from the third affiliated AP through the second link.

[0271] (2) the second affiliated STA switches to the low-capability mode.

[0272] B. At the end of the first TXOP, if there is no affiliated STA in the high-capability mode in the affiliated devices of the second MLD, the second affiliated STA remains in the high-capability mode for a first duration (i.e., the second time period) and performs at least one of the following operations:

[0273] (1) receiving the wireless frame sent by the first affiliated AP; for example, the data indicated by the first acknowledgement frame as not being received completely sent by the first affiliated AP to the second affiliated STA after the first affiliated AP re-obtains the TXOP;

[0274] (2) sending necessary response frames (including the acknowledgement frame for the data indicated by the first acknowledgement frame as not being received completely) to the first affiliated AP;

[0275] (3) After the first duration (i.e. the end time of the second time period) arrives, the second affiliated STA switches to the low-capability mode.

[0276] C. If the first acknowledgement frame is not the last BA frame before the end of the first TXOP, the second MLD performs at least one of the following operations:

[0277] (1) receiving the wireless frame sent by the first affiliated AP; i.e. the first affiliated AP continues to send the data indicated by the first acknowledgement frame as not received to the second affiliated STA in the first TXOP;

[0278] (2) sending the necessary response frame (including the acknowledgement frame for the data indicated by the first acknowledgement frame as not received) to the first affiliated AP;

[0279] (3) performing the response operation according to the content in steps 4.1 and 4.2 in the frame exchange process.

[0280] (4) After the end of the frame exchange, the second affiliated STA switches to the low-capability mode; wherein, at least one of the following means the end of the frame exchange:

[0281] a. the end of the first TXOP obtained by the first affiliated AP;

[0282] b. after the second affiliated STA sends the first acknowledgement frame to the first affiliated AP, the second affiliated STA does not receive the frame (i.e. the second wireless frame described above) sent by the first affiliated AP within the first timeout time. The first timeout time can be aSIFSTime+aSlotTime+aRxPHYStartDelay.

[0283] c. after the second affiliated STA receives the wireless frame (i.e. the third wireless frame described above) sent by the first affiliated AP which needs to be responded immediately, the second affiliated STA does not respond to the wireless frame after a short interframe space.

[0284] 5. Corresponding to the second MLD performing the operations in the above cases 4.1 to 4.2, the first MLD can perform the following operations:

[0285] 5.1. Corresponding to 4.1, the first MLD re-participates in the channel competition, and after successfully competing for the channel, re-initializes the frame exchange with the second MLD according to the content in steps 1 to 2.

[0286] 5.2. Corresponding to 4.2, the first MLD performs at least one of the following operations:

[0287] A. At the end of the first TXOP, if there is a third affiliated AP in the first MLD's affiliated devices communicating with a fourth affiliated STA affiliated to the second MLD through the second link, and the fourth affiliated STA is in the high-capability mode, the first MLD performs at least one of the following operations:

[0288] (1) sends a first acknowledgement frame indicating the data (i.e., the first data) that has not been received to the first MLD through the second link; that is, the third affiliated AP sends a first acknowledgement frame indicating the data that has not been received to the fourth affiliated STA through the second link.

[0289] (2) The first MLD re-participates in channel contention, and after successfully contending for the channel, re-initializes the frame exchange with the second MLD according to the content of steps 1 to 2.

[0290] B. At the end of the first TXOP, if there is no affiliated STA in the high-capability mode in the second MLD's affiliated devices, the first MLD performs at least one of the following operations:

[0291] (1) sends a wireless frame to the second affiliated STA within the first time duration; that is, the first affiliated AP continues to send a first acknowledgement frame indicating the data that has not been received to the second affiliated STA within the first time duration;

[0292] (2) receives a response frame (including an acknowledgement frame for the first acknowledgement frame indicating the data that has not been received) sent by the second affiliated STA within the first time duration;

[0293] (3) After the first time duration (i.e., the end time of the second time period) arrives, re-participates in channel contention, and after successfully contending for the channel, re-initializes the frame exchange with the second MLD according to the content of steps 1 to 2.

[0294] C. If the first acknowledgement frame is not the last BA frame before the end of the first TXOP, the second MLD performs at least one of the following operations:

[0295] (1) sends a wireless frame to the second affiliated STA; that is, the first affiliated AP continues to send a first acknowledgement frame indicating the data that has not been received to the second affiliated STA within the first time duration;

[0296] (2) receives a response frame (including an acknowledgement frame for the first acknowledgement frame indicating the data that has not been received) sent by the second affiliated STA;

[0297] (3) In the frame exchange process, performs a response operation according to the content in steps 5.1 and 5.2.

[0298] (4) After the end of the frame exchange, a response frame (including an acknowledgement frame indicating non-received data with respect to the first acknowledgement frame) transmitted by the second affiliated STA is received.

[0299] In some embodiments, the name of information and the like is not limited to the name described in the embodiments, and the terms of "information", "message", "signal", "signaling", "report", "configuration", "indication", "instruction", "command", "channel", "parameter", "field", "symbol", "bit", "data", "program", "chip", and the like can be replaced with each other.

[0300] In some embodiments, the terms of "time", "time point", "time instant", and the like can be replaced with each other, and the terms of "time length", "time period", "time window", "window", and the like can be replaced with each other.

[0301] In some embodiments, the terms of "wireless access scheme", "waveform", and the like can be replaced with each other.

[0302] 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", and "first A" can be interpreted as A prescribed in advance in a protocol and the like, A obtained by setting, configuration, or indication, and A that is certain, arbitrary, or first, but are not limited thereto.

[0303] In some embodiments, determination or judgment can be performed by a value (0 or 1) expressed by 1 bit, by a true or false value (Boolean value) expressed by true or false, or by comparison of a numerical value (for example, comparison with a predetermined value), but is not limited thereto.

[0304] In some embodiments, "not expecting to receive" can be interpreted as not receiving on the time domain resource and / or the frequency domain resource, or can be interpreted as, after receiving the data, etc., not performing subsequent processing on the data, etc.; "not expecting to send" can be interpreted as not sending, or can be interpreted as sending but not expecting the receiving party to respond to the content of the sending.

[0305] 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 201 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, step 301 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, step 302 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, step 303 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, step 401a can be implemented as an independent embodiment, step 402a can be implemented as an independent embodiment, step 401b can be implemented as an independent embodiment, step 401c can be implemented as an independent embodiment, step 401d can be implemented as an independent embodiment; the combination of step 301 and step 302 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, the combination of step 303 and step 201 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, the combination of step 301, step 302, step 303 and step 201 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, the combination of step 301, step 302, step 303 and step 401a can be implemented as an independent embodiment, the combination of step 301, step 302, step 303 and step 401b can be implemented as an independent embodiment, the combination of step 301, step 302, step 303 and step 401c can be implemented as an independent embodiment, the combination of step 301, step 302, step 303 and step 401d can be implemented as an independent embodiment, but not limited thereto.

[0306] In some embodiments, reference can be made to other optional implementations described before or after the corresponding description of FIG. 5.

[0307] FIG. 6 is one of flow diagrams of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0308] As shown in FIG. 6, the above method can be applied to a first multi-link device, and the above method comprises:

[0309] Step 601: receiving first data and / or updating a communication mode of a first affiliated device of the first multi-link device according to at least one of a data receiving state of the first affiliated device of the first multi-link device on a first link, a communication mode of the affiliated device of the first multi-link device, and whether at least one link between the first multi-link device and a second multi-link device associated therewith is in an operating state;

[0310] The first link is any one of the at least one link; the data receiving state includes whether the first accessory device successfully receives all data sent by the second multi-link device on the first link; and the first data includes data in the all data that is not successfully received by the first accessory device.

[0311] Optionally, in the embodiments of the present disclosure, the communication mode includes a first capability communication mode or a second capability communication mode; the first time period includes a first TXOP obtained by the second multi-link device on the first link; and at least one communication parameter in the first capability communication mode has a parameter value smaller than that in the second capability communication mode.

[0312] Optionally, in the embodiments of the present disclosure, the receiving the first data and / or updating the communication mode of the first accessory device can include:

[0313] In a case where the first accessory device successfully receives the all data, the first accessory device switches to the first capability communication mode.

[0314] In a case where the first accessory device does not successfully receive the all data, at least one of the following operations is performed:

[0315] The first accessory device switches to the first capability communication mode.

[0316] The first data is received by a second accessory device in the second capability communication mode and attached to the first multi-link device.

[0317] The first data is received by the first accessory device by keeping the second capability communication mode.

[0318] Optionally, in the embodiments of the present disclosure, the receiving the first data and / or updating the communication mode of the first multi-link device includes:

[0319] In a case where the first accessory device does not successfully receive the all data, the first confirmation frame for the all data is the last confirmation frame in the first time period, and there is a second accessory device in the second capability communication mode among the accessory devices of the first multi-link device at the end time of the first time period, after the first accessory device sends the first confirmation frame on the first link, the first accessory device switches to the first capability communication mode, and the second accessory device receives the first data on the second link; the second link is a link in the at least one link except the first link and in the working state.

[0320] Optionally, in the embodiments of the present disclosure, the receiving the first data and / or updating the communication mode of the first multi-link device includes:

[0321] in a case that the first affiliated device does not successfully receive all the data, the first acknowledgement frame for all the data is the last acknowledgement frame in the first time period, and at the end time of the first time period arrives, and there is no device in the affiliated devices of the first multi-link device in the second capability communication mode,

[0322] the first affiliated device keeps the second capability communication mode in the second time period, and receives the first data under the first link;

[0323] The second time period includes a time period in which the second multi-link device performs a retransmission operation based on a preset time length or a preset retransmission number.

[0324] Optionally, in the embodiments of the present disclosure, the receiving the first data and / or updating the communication mode of the first multi-link device comprises:

[0325] in a case that the first acknowledgement frame for all the data is not the last acknowledgement frame in the first time period, the first affiliated device continues to communicate under the first link in the first time period until the communication operation ends, and switches to the first capability communication mode after the communication operation ends; wherein the communication operation ends comprises at least one of the following:

[0326] the end time of the first time period arrives;

[0327] after the first affiliated device sends the first acknowledgement frame, no second wireless frame is received in a third time period; wherein the time length in the third time period includes a sum of one short interframe space (SIFS), one time slot (slot) and one receive physical layer start delay (RxPHYStartDelay);

[0328] after the first affiliated device receives a third wireless frame, no response is made to the third wireless frame after one SIFS; wherein the third wireless frame is used to indicate that the device receiving the third wireless frame needs to immediately respond to the third wireless frame.

[0329] the receiving the first data and / or updating the communication mode of the first multi-link device comprises:

[0330] in a case that the first affiliated device successfully receives all the data, and the first acknowledgement frame for all the data is the last acknowledgement frame in the first time period, the first affiliated device switches to the first capability communication mode.

[0331] The optional implementation of step 601 can refer to the optional implementation of step 201 in FIG. 2, step 401a in FIG. 4a, step 401b in FIG. 4b, step 401c in FIG. 4c, step 401d in FIG. 4d, and other associated parts in the embodiments related to FIG. 2, FIG. 4a, FIG. 4b, FIG. 4c and FIG. 4d, which will not be repeated here.

[0332] Optionally, before the receiving the first data and / or updating the communication mode of the first multi-link device, the method further includes:

[0333] receiving, by the first affiliated device, the first data frames and a fourth wireless frame under the first link; wherein the fourth wireless frame is used to request the first affiliated device to perform receiving confirmation on the at least one first data frame; and the all data includes all the first data frames.

[0334] Optionally, before the receiving, by the first affiliated device, the first data frames and the fourth wireless frame under the first link, the method further includes:

[0335] receiving, by the first affiliated device, a fifth wireless frame through the first link; wherein the fifth wireless frame is used to indicate that the first affiliated device switches from the current communication mode to the second capability communication mode.

[0336] switching, by the first affiliated device, from the current communication mode to the second capability communication mode, and sending a sixth wireless frame under the first link; wherein the sixth wireless frame is used to identify that the first affiliated device has switched from the current communication mode to the second capability communication mode.

[0337] FIG. 7 is a flow diagram of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0338] As shown in FIG. 7, the method can be applied to the second multi-link device, and the method includes:

[0339] sending, according to at least one of a data receiving state of a first affiliated device of the first multi-link device under a first link within a first time period, a communication capability communication mode of an affiliated device of the first multi-link device, and whether at least one link between the first multi-link device and the second multi-link device is in a working state, first data; the first multi-link device is associated with the second multi-link device.

[0340] wherein the first link is any one of the at least one link; the data receiving state includes whether the first affiliated device successfully receives all data sent by the second multi-link device under the first link; and the first data includes data in the all data that is not successfully received by the first affiliated device.

[0341] Optionally, in the embodiment of the present disclosure, the communication capability communication mode includes a first capability communication mode or a second capability communication mode; and the first time period includes a first TXOP obtained by the second multi-link device under the first link.

[0342] wherein a parameter value of the at least one communication parameter in the first capability communication mode is less than a parameter value in the second capability communication mode.

[0343] Optionally, in the embodiments of the present disclosure, the sending the first data can include:

[0344] In the case that the first affiliated device does not successfully receive all the data, at least one of the following operations is performed:

[0345] sending the first data to a second affiliated device affiliated to the first multi-link device and in the second capability communication mode;

[0346] sending the first data to the first affiliated device which remains in the second capability communication mode.

[0347] Optionally, in the embodiments of the present disclosure, the sending the first data can include:

[0348] In the case that the first affiliated device does not successfully receive all the data, the first acknowledgement frame for all the data is the last acknowledgement frame in the first time period, and at the end time of the first time period, there is a second affiliated device in the second capability communication mode in the affiliated devices of the first multi-link device,

[0349] receiving the first acknowledgement frame sent by the first affiliated device under the second link, and sending the first data to the second affiliated device under the second link; wherein the second link is a link in the at least one link except the first link and in the working state.

[0350] Optionally, in the embodiments of the present disclosure, the sending the first data can include:

[0351] In the case that the first affiliated device does not successfully receive all the data, the first acknowledgement frame for all the data is the last acknowledgement frame in the first time period, and at the end time of the first time period, there is no device in the second capability communication mode in the affiliated devices of the first multi-link device, the first data is sent to the first affiliated device under the first link within a second time period;

[0352] wherein the second time period includes a time period in which the second multi-link device performs the retransmission operation based on the preset time length or the preset retransmission number.

[0353] Optionally, in the embodiments of the present disclosure, the sending the first data can include:

[0354] In the case that the first acknowledgement frame for all the data is not the last acknowledgement frame in the first time period, within the first time period, the communication with the first affiliated device under the first link is continued until the communication operation ends;

[0355] wherein the communication operation ends includes at least one of the following:

[0356] the end time of the first time period arrives.

[0357] after receiving the first acknowledgement frame sent by the first accessory device, no second wireless frame is sent to the first accessory device in a third time period; a length of the third time period comprises a sum of a short interframe space (SIFS), a time slot (slot) and a receive physical layer start delay (RxPHYStartDelay);

[0358] after sending the third wireless frame to the first accessory device, no response information of the second wireless frame from the first accessory device is received after a SIFS; the third wireless frame is used to indicate that a device receiving the third wireless frame needs to respond to the third wireless frame immediately.

[0359] The optional implementation of step 701 can refer to the optional implementation of step 201 in FIG. 2, step 401a in FIG. 4a, step 401b in FIG. 4b, step 401c in FIG. 4c, step 401d in FIG. 4d, and other associated parts in the embodiments related to FIG. 2, FIG. 4a, FIG. 4b, FIG. 4c and FIG. 4d, which will not be repeated here.

[0360] Optionally, before the first data is sent, the method further includes:

[0361] The first data frame and a fourth wireless frame are sent under the first link; the fourth wireless frame is used to request the first accessory device to perform receiving confirmation on the at least one first data frame; and the all data includes all the first data frames.

[0362] Optionally, before the first data frame and the fourth wireless frame are sent to the first accessory device under the first link, the method further includes:

[0363] A fifth wireless frame is sent under the first link; the fifth wireless frame is used to indicate that the first accessory device is switched from the current communication mode to the second-capability communication mode.

[0364] A sixth wireless frame is received under the first link; the sixth wireless frame is used to identify that the first accessory device has been switched from the current communication mode to the second-capability communication mode.

[0365] The embodiments of the present disclosure also propose a device for implementing any of the above methods, for example, a device is proposed, which includes units or modules for implementing each step performed by a terminal in any of the above methods. For another example, another device is proposed, which includes 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.

[0366] 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 any of the above methods or realize the functions of each unit or module 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 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 of 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 above 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.

[0367] 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), or the like. In another implementation, the processor can implement certain functions through a logical relationship of hardware circuits, and the logical relationship of the hardware circuits is fixed or can be reconfigured. 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.

[0368] FIG. 8 is a structural schematic diagram of a first multi-link device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 8, the first multi-link device 800 can include a processing module 801.

[0369] In some embodiments, the processing module 801 is configured to receive first data and / or update a communication mode of a first affiliated device of the first multi-link device according to at least one of a data receiving state of the first affiliated device of the first multi-link device on a first link in a first time period, the communication mode of the affiliated device of the first multi-link device, and whether at least one link between the first multi-link device and a second multi-link device associated with the first multi-link device is in an operating state, wherein the first link is any one of the at least one link, and the data receiving state includes whether the first affiliated device successfully receives all data sent by the second multi-link device on the first link, and the first data includes data in the all data that is not successfully received by the first affiliated device.

[0370] Optionally, the processing module 801 is configured to perform at least one of the communication steps performed by the first multi-link device 101 in any of the above methods (for example, steps 201, 302, 401a, 401b, 401c, 401d, 601, but not limited thereto), which will not be repeated here. The transceiver module 802 is configured to perform at least one of the transceiving steps performed by the first multi-link device 101 in any of the above methods (for example, steps 301, 302, 303, 401a, 401b, 401c, 601, but not limited thereto), which will not be repeated here.

[0371] FIG. 9 is a structural schematic diagram of a second multi-link device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 9, the second multi-link device 900 can include a sending module 901.

[0372] In some embodiments, the sending module 901 is configured to send first data according to at least one of a data receiving state of a first affiliated device of the first multi-link device on a first link within a first time period, a communication mode of a communication capability of the affiliated device of the first multi-link device, and whether at least one link between the first multi-link device and the second multi-link device is in a working state; the first multi-link device is associated with the second multi-link device; the first link is any one of the at least one link; the data receiving state includes whether the first affiliated device successfully receives all data sent by the second multi-link device on the first link; and the first data includes data in the all data that is not successfully received by the first affiliated device.

[0373] Optionally, the sending module 901 is configured to perform at least one of the transceiving steps performed by the second multi-link 102 in any of the above methods (for example, steps 301, 302, 303, 401a, 401b, 401c, 701, but not limited thereto), which will not be repeated here.

[0374] FIG. 10 is a structural schematic diagram of a terminal 1000 (for example, a user equipment, etc.) according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The terminal 1000 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 1000 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.

[0375] As shown in FIG. 10, the terminal 1000 includes one or more processors 1001. The processor 1001 can be a general purpose processor or a special purpose processor, etc., such as 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 (e.g., a base station, a baseband chip, a terminal device, a terminal device chip, a DU or a CU, etc.), execute programs, and process data of the programs. The terminal 1000 is configured to perform any of the above methods.

[0376] In some embodiments, the terminal 1000 further includes one or more memories 1002 configured to store instructions. Alternatively, all or part of the memory 1002 can also be outside the terminal 1000.

[0377] In some embodiments, the terminal 1000 further includes one or more transceivers 1004. When the terminal 1000 includes one or more transceivers 1004, the transceiver 1004 performs at least one of the communication steps (e.g., steps 301, 302, 303, 401a, 401b, 401c, 601, 701, but not limited to) in the above methods, and the processor 1001 performs at least one of the other steps (e.g., steps 201, 302, 401a, 401b, 401c, 401d, 601, but not limited to).

[0378] In some embodiments, the transceiver can include a receiver and / or a transmitter, which can be separate or integrated together. Alternatively, the terms transceiver, transceiving unit, transceiver, transceiving circuit, etc. can be replaced by each other, the terms transmitter, transmitting unit, transmitter, transmitting circuit, etc. can be replaced by each other, and the terms receiver, receiving unit, receiver, receiving circuit, etc. can be replaced by each other.

[0379] In some embodiments, the terminal 1000 can include one or more interface circuits 1003. Alternatively, 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 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.

[0380] The terminal 1000 described in the above embodiments can be a communication device such as a user equipment, but the scope of the terminal 1000 described in the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and the structure of the terminal 1000 can not be limited by FIG. 10. The communication device can be a standalone device or can be a part of a larger device. For example, the communication device can be: (1) a standalone 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 for storing data, programs; (3) an ASIC, such as a modem; (4) a module that can be embedded within other devices; (5) a receiver, a terminal device, a smart terminal device, a cellular phone, a wireless device, a handset, a mobile unit, a car device, a network device, a cloud device, an artificial intelligence device, and the like; (6) other devices, and the like.

[0381] FIG. 11 is a structural schematic diagram of a chip 1100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. For the case where the terminal 1000 is a chip or a chip system, the structural schematic diagram of the chip 1100 shown in FIG. 11 can be referred to, but is not limited thereto.

[0382] The chip 1100 includes one or more processors 1101, and the chip 1100 is configured to execute any of the above methods.

[0383] In some embodiments, the chip 1100 further includes one or more interface circuits 1103. Optionally, the interface circuit 1103 is connected to the memory 1102, and the interface circuit 1103 can be configured to receive signals from the memory 1102 or other devices, and the interface circuit 1103 can be configured to send signals to the memory 1102 or other devices. For example, the interface circuit 1103 can read instructions stored in the memory 1102 and send the instructions to the processor 1101.

[0384] In some embodiments, the interface circuit 1103 performs at least one of the communication steps (such as steps 301, 302, 303, 401a, 401b, 401c, 601, 701, but not limited thereto) in the above methods, and the processor 1101 performs at least one of the other steps (such as steps 201, 302, 401a, 401b, 401c, 401d, 601, but not limited thereto).

[0385] In some embodiments, the terms interface circuit, interface, transceiver pin, transceiver, and the like can be replaced by each other.

[0386] In some embodiments, the chip 1100 further includes one or more memories 1102 for storing instructions. Optionally, all or part of the memory 1102 can be outside the chip 1100.

[0387] The present disclosure further provides a storage medium having stored thereon instructions which, when executed on a terminal 1000, cause the terminal 1000 to perform any of the above methods. Optionally, the storage medium is an electronic storage medium. Optionally, the storage medium is a computer-readable storage medium, but is not limited thereto, and can also be a storage medium readable by other apparatuses. Optionally, the storage medium can be a non-transitory storage medium, but is not limited thereto, and can also be a transitory storage medium.

[0388] The present disclosure further provides a program product which, when executed by a terminal 1000, causes the terminal 1000 to perform any of the above methods. Optionally, the program product is a computer program product.

[0389] The present disclosure further provides a computer program which, when executed on a computer, causes the computer to perform any of the above methods.

Claims

1. A communication method characterized by comprising: The method is performed by a first multi-link device, and comprises: receiving first data and / or updating a communication mode of a first affiliated device of the first multi-link device according to at least one of a data receiving state of the first affiliated device of the first multi-link device on a first link within a first time period, a communication mode of an affiliated device of the first multi-link device, and whether at least one link between the first multi-link device and a second multi-link device associated with the first multi-link device is in an operating state; wherein the first link is any one of the at least one link; the data receiving state comprises whether the first affiliated device successfully receives all data sent by the second multi-link device on the first link; and the first data comprises data in the all data that is not successfully received by the first affiliated device.

2. The communication method according to claim 1, characterized by, The communication mode comprises a first capability communication mode or a second capability communication mode; and the first time period comprises a first transmission opportunity TXOP obtained by the second multi-link device on the first link. At least one communication parameter has a parameter value in the first capability communication mode that is less than a parameter value in the second capability communication mode.

3. The communication method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by, The receiving first data and / or updating the communication mode of the first multi-link device comprises: in a case where the first affiliated device successfully receives the all data, the first affiliated device switches to the first capability communication mode; in a case where the first affiliated device does not successfully receive the all data, at least one of the following operations is performed: the first affiliated device switches to the first capability communication mode; a second affiliated device affiliated to the first multi-link device in the second capability communication mode receives the first data; the first affiliated device in the second capability communication mode receives the first data.

4. The communication method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized by, The receiving first data and / or updating the communication mode of the first multi-link device comprises: in a case where the first affiliated device does not successfully receive the all data, a first acknowledgement frame for the all data is the last acknowledgement frame within the first time period, and at the end time of the first time period, there is a second affiliated device in the second capability communication mode among the affiliated devices of the first multi-link device, after the first affiliated device sends the first acknowledgement frame on the first link, the first affiliated device switches to the first capability communication mode, and the second affiliated device receives the first data on a second link; wherein the second link is a link in the at least one link that is in the operating state except the first link.

5. The communication method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized by, The receiving first data and / or updating the communication mode of the first multi-link device comprises: in a case where the first affiliated device does not successfully receive the all data, a first acknowledgement frame for the all data is the last acknowledgement frame within the first time period, and at the end time of the first time period, there is no device in the second capability communication mode among the affiliated devices of the first multi-link device, The first affiliated device keeps a second capability communication mode in a second time period, and receives the first data under the first link; The second time period includes a time period in which the second multi-link device performs a retransmission operation based on a preset time length or a preset retransmission number.

6. The communication method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized by, The receiving first data and / or updating the communication mode of the first multi-link device comprises: In a case where the first acknowledgement frame for the entire data is not the last acknowledgement frame in the first time period, The first affiliated device continues to communicate under the first link in the first time period until the end of the communication operation, and switches to the first capability communication mode after the end of the communication operation; The end of the communication operation comprises at least one of the following: The end time of the first time period arrives; After the first affiliated device sends the first acknowledgement frame, no second wireless frame is received in a third time period; the time length in the third time period includes a sum of one short interframe space (SIFS), one time slot (slot), and one receive physical layer start delay (RxPHYStartDelay). After the first affiliated device receives a third wireless frame, the first affiliated device does not respond to the third wireless frame after a SIFS; the third wireless frame is used to indicate that the device receiving the third wireless frame needs to respond to the third wireless frame immediately.

7. The communication method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized by, The receiving first data and / or updating the communication mode of the first multi-link device comprises: In a case where the first affiliated device successfully receives the entire data and the first acknowledgement frame for the entire data is the last acknowledgement frame in the first time period, the first affiliated device switches to the first capability communication mode.

8. The communication method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized by, Before the receiving first data and / or updating the communication mode of the first multi-link device, the method further comprises: The first affiliated device receives first data frames and a fourth wireless frame under the first link; the fourth wireless frame is used to request the first affiliated device to perform receiving confirmation on at least one first data frame; the entire data includes all the first data frames.

9. The communication method according to claim 8, wherein, Before the first affiliated device receives the first data frames and the fourth wireless frame under the first link, the method further comprises: Receiving a fifth wireless frame through the first link; the fifth wireless frame is used to indicate that the first affiliated device switches from a current communication mode to a second capability communication mode; The first affiliated device switches from the current communication mode to the second capability communication mode, and sends a sixth wireless frame under the first link; the sixth wireless frame is used to identify that the first affiliated device has switched from the current communication mode to the second capability communication mode.

10. A communication method characterized by comprising: The method is performed by a second multi-link device, and the method comprises: transmit the first data according to at least one of a data receiving state of a first affiliated device of the first multi-link device under the first link in a first time period, a communication capability communication mode of an affiliated device of the first multi-link device, and whether at least one link between the first multi-link device and the second multi-link device is in a working state; the first multi-link device is associated with the second multi-link device; wherein the first link is any one of the at least one link; the data receiving state includes whether the first affiliated device successfully receives all data transmitted by the second multi-link device under the first link; the first data includes data in the all data that is not successfully received by the first affiliated device.

11. The communication method according to claim 10, wherein, The communication capability communication mode includes a first capability communication mode or a second capability communication mode; the first time period includes a first TXOP obtained by the second multi-link device under the first link; wherein a parameter value of at least one communication parameter in the first capability communication mode is less than a parameter value in the second capability communication mode.

12. The communication method according to claim 10 or 11, characterized by, The transmitting first data includes: In the case that the first affiliated device does not successfully receive the all data, at least one of the following operations is performed: sending the first data to a second affiliated device affiliated to the first multi-link device and in a second capability communication mode; sending the first data to the first affiliated device that remains in the second capability communication mode.

13. The communication method according to any one of claims 10 to 12, characterized by, The transmitting first data includes: In the case that the first affiliated device does not successfully receive the all data, a first acknowledgement frame for the all data is the last acknowledgement frame in the first time period, and there is a second affiliated device in the second capability communication mode among the affiliated devices of the first multi-link device at the end time of the first time period, receiving the first acknowledgement frame sent by the first affiliated device under a second link, and sending the first data to the second affiliated device under the second link; wherein the second link is a link in the at least one link that is in the working state except the first link.

14. The communication method according to any one of claims 10 to 12, characterized by, The transmitting first data includes: In the case that the first affiliated device does not successfully receive the all data, a first acknowledgement frame for the all data is the last acknowledgement frame in the first time period, and there is no device in the second capability communication mode among the affiliated devices of the first multi-link device at the end time of the first time period, in a second time period, sending the first data to the first affiliated device under the first link; wherein the second time period includes a time period in which the second multi-link device performs a retransmission operation based on a preset time length or a preset retransmission number.

15. The communication method according to any one of claims 10 to 12, characterized by, The transmitting first data includes: in the case that the first acknowledgement frame for the all data is not the last acknowledgement frame in the first time period, continuing to communicate with the first affiliated device under the first link in the first time period until the communication operation ends; The communication operation ends, and includes at least one of the following: An end time of the first time period arrives; After receiving the first acknowledgement frame sent by the first affiliated device, no second wireless frame is sent to the first affiliated device within a third time period; a duration of the third time period includes a short interframe space (SIFS), a time slot (slot), and a sum of a receiving physical layer start delay (RxPHYStartDelay); After sending a third wireless frame to the first affiliated device, no response information of the first affiliated device to the second wireless frame is received after a SIFS; the third wireless frame is used to indicate that a device receiving the third wireless frame needs to respond to the third wireless frame immediately. Before the first data is sent, the method further includes:

16. The communication method according to any one of claims 10 to 15, characterized by, sending a first data frame and a fourth wireless frame under the first link; the fourth wireless frame is used to request the first affiliated device to perform receiving confirmation on at least one first data frame; the all data includes all the first data frames. Before the first data frame and the fourth wireless frame are sent to the first affiliated device under the first link, the method further includes:

17. The communication method according to claim 16, wherein, sending a fifth wireless frame under the first link; the fifth wireless frame is used to indicate that the first affiliated device switches from a current communication mode to a second capability communication mode; receiving a sixth wireless frame under the first link; the sixth wireless frame is used to identify that the first affiliated device has switched from the current communication mode to the second capability communication mode. The communication device includes a first multi-link device, including:

18. A communication device, characterized by a processing module, configured to receive first data and / or update a communication mode of a first affiliated device of the first multi-link device according to at least one of a data receiving state of the first affiliated device of the first multi-link device under a first link within a first time period, a communication mode of an affiliated device of the first multi-link device, and whether at least one link between the first multi-link device and a second multi-link device associated with the first multi-link device is in a working state; The first link is any one of the at least one link; the data receiving state includes whether the first affiliated device successfully receives all data sent by the second multi-link device under the first link; the first data includes data in the all data that is not successfully received by the first affiliated device. The communication device includes a second multi-link device, including:

19. A communications device, characterized by a sending module, configured to send first data according to at least one of a data receiving state of a first affiliated device of a first multi-link device under a first link within a first time period, a communication capability communication mode of an affiliated device of the first multi-link device, and whether at least one link between the first multi-link device and the second multi-link device is in a working state; the first multi-link device is associated with the second multi-link device. ​ The first link is any one of the at least one link; the data receiving state comprises whether the first affiliated device successfully receives all data sent by the second multi-link device on the first link; and the first data comprises data in the all data that is not successfully received by the first affiliated device.

20. A communications device, characterized by The communication device comprises a first multi-link device, and comprises: one or more processors; The communication device is configured to perform the communication method in any one of claims 1 to 9.

21. A communications device, characterized by The communication device comprises a second multi-link device, and comprises: one or more processors; The communication device is configured to perform the communication method in any one of claims 10 to 17.

22. A communication system, characterized by The communication device comprises a first multi-link device and a second multi-link device; the first multi-link device is associated with the second multi-link device; The first multi-link device is configured to receive first data and / or update a communication mode of a first affiliated device of the first multi-link device according to at least one of a data receiving state of the first affiliated device of the first multi-link device on a first link, a communication mode of an affiliated device of the first multi-link device, and whether at least one link between the first multi-link device and the second multi-link device is in a working state within a first time period; The second multi-link device is configured to send first data according to at least one of the data receiving state, a communication mode of a communication capability of the affiliated device of the first multi-link device, and whether the at least one link is in the working state; The first link is any one of the at least one link; the data receiving state comprises whether the first affiliated device successfully receives all data sent by the second multi-link device on the first link; and the first data comprises data in the all data that is not successfully received by the first affiliated device.

23. A storage medium, the storage medium storing instructions, wherein, The instructions, when executed on the communication device, cause the communication device to perform the communication method in any one of claims 1 to 9, or perform the communication method in any one of claims 10 to 17.

24. A program product, characterized by The program product, when executed on the communication device, causes the communication device to perform the communication method in any one of claims 1 to 9, or perform the communication method in any one of claims 10 to 17.

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