Signaling receiving method and apparatus for roaming process, signaling sending methods and apparatuses for roaming process, and devices and medium

Abstract

The present application belongs to the technical field of communications. Disclosed are a signaling receiving method and apparatus for a roaming process, signaling sending methods and apparatuses for a roaming process, and devices and a medium. The signaling receiving method comprises: receiving first signaling sent by a network device, the first signaling carrying first information of a target-side network device, wherein the first information is used for assisting a non-access-point device in determining a primary channel for communication with the target-side network device. During the roaming process, the first information is provided for the non-access-point device, and by means of the first information, the non-access-point device can be assisted in determining the primary channel for communication with the target-side network device, thereby facilitating the non-access-point device in accessing the primary channel where the target-side network device is located. Thus, during the roaming process, the non-access-point device can establish an association and perform frame exchange with the target-side network device as soon as possible, which can reduce time waste caused by channel mismatch, thereby reducing a latency during the roaming process.

Description

Signaling receiving method and device, signaling sending method and device, and equipment and medium for roaming process TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to the technical field of communication, in particular to a signaling receiving method and device, a signaling sending method and device, and equipment and medium for roaming process. BACKGROUND

[0002] When a non-access point device initiates roaming, the non-access point device can stop communicating with a source-side network device and switch to communicating with a target-side network device.

[0003] For the roaming process, how to avoid the channel accessed by the non-access point device being inconsistent with the channel worked by the target-side network device is a problem to be solved.

[0004] SUMMARY

[0005] The present application provides a signaling receiving method and device, a signaling sending method and device, and equipment and medium for roaming process. The technical solution is as follows:

[0006] According to an aspect of the present application, a signaling receiving method for roaming process is provided, which is executed by a non-access point device, and the method comprises:

[0007] receiving first signaling sent by a network device, the first signaling carrying first information of a target-side network device;

[0008] The first information is used to assist the non-access point device in determining a main channel for communicating with the target-side network device.

[0009] According to another aspect of the present application, a signaling sending method for roaming process is provided, which is executed by a source-side network device, and the method comprises:

[0010] sending first signaling to a non-access point device, the first signaling carrying first information of a target-side network device;

[0011] The first information is used to assist the non-access point device in determining a main channel for communicating with the target-side network device.

[0012] According to another aspect of the present application, a signaling sending method for roaming process is provided, which is executed by a target-side network device, and the method comprises:

[0013] sending first signaling to a non-access point device, the first signaling carrying first information of the target-side network device;

[0014] The first information is used to assist the non-access point device in determining a primary channel for communication with the target side network device.

[0015] According to another aspect of the present application, a signaling receiving apparatus for a roaming procedure is provided, the apparatus comprising:

[0016] a receiving module configured to receive first signaling sent by a network device, the first signaling carrying first information of a target side network device;

[0017] The first information is used to assist the apparatus in determining a primary channel for communication with the target side network device.

[0018] According to another aspect of the present application, a signaling sending apparatus for a roaming procedure is provided, the apparatus comprising:

[0019] a sending module configured to send first signaling to a non-access point device, the first signaling carrying first information of a target side network device;

[0020] The first information is used to assist the non-access point device in determining a primary channel for communication with the target side network device.

[0021] According to another aspect of the present application, a signaling sending apparatus for a roaming procedure is provided, the apparatus comprising:

[0022] a sending module configured to send first signaling to a non-access point device, the first signaling carrying first information of the apparatus;

[0023] The first information is used to assist the non-access point device in determining a primary channel for communication with the apparatus.

[0024] According to another aspect of the present application, a non-access point device is provided, the non-access point device comprising:

[0025] a processor;

[0026] a transceiver connected to the processor;

[0027] a memory for storing executable instructions of the processor;

[0028] The processor is configured to load and execute the executable instructions to implement the signaling receiving method for a roaming procedure according to the various aspects described above.

[0029] According to another aspect of the present application, a source side network device is provided, the source side network device comprising:

[0030] a processor;

[0031] a transceiver connected to the processor;

[0032] a memory for storing executable instructions of the processor;

[0033] The processor is configured to load and execute the executable instructions to implement the signaling receiving method for the roaming procedure according to various aspects described above.

[0034] According to another aspect of the present application, a target-side network device is provided, which comprises:

[0035] a processor;

[0036] a transceiver connected to the processor;

[0037] a memory for storing executable instructions of the processor;

[0038] The processor is configured to load and execute the executable instructions to implement the signaling receiving method for the roaming procedure according to various aspects described above.

[0039] According to another aspect of the present application, a computer readable storage medium is provided, which stores a computer program for being executed by a processor to implement the signaling receiving method for the roaming procedure and / or the signaling sending method for the roaming procedure.

[0040] According to another aspect of the present application, a chip is provided, which comprises programmable logic circuit and / or program instructions, and is used to implement the signaling receiving method for the roaming procedure and / or the signaling sending method for the roaming procedure when the chip is running on a communication device.

[0041] According to another aspect of the present application, a computer program product is provided, which comprises computer instructions stored in a computer readable storage medium; a processor of a communication device reads the computer instructions from the computer readable storage medium and executes the computer instructions, so that the communication device implements the signaling receiving method for the roaming procedure and / or the signaling sending method for the roaming procedure.

[0042] According to another aspect of the present application, a computer program is provided, which is executed by a processor of a communication device to implement the signaling receiving method for the roaming procedure and / or the signaling sending method for the roaming procedure.

[0043] The technical scheme provided by the embodiments of the present application has at least the following beneficial effects:

[0044] By providing the first information for the non-access point device in the roaming process, the non-access point device can determine the primary channel for communicating with the target side network device through the first information, thereby helping the non-access point device to access the primary channel where the target side network device is located. The non-access point device can be enabled to establish association and exchange frames with the target side network device as soon as possible in the roaming process, time waste caused by channel mismatch can be reduced, time delay in the roaming process can be reduced, and user roaming experience can be improved. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0045] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application, the drawings needed to be used in the embodiment description will be briefly introduced. Obviously, the drawings in the following description are only some embodiments of the present application, and other drawings can be obtained by those skilled in the art without creative labor.

[0046] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a communication system provided by an example embodiment of the present application;

[0047] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a signaling flow provided by an example embodiment of the present application;

[0048] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a signaling flow provided by an example embodiment of the present application;

[0049] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of a signaling flow provided by an example embodiment of the present application;

[0050] FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of a signaling flow provided by an example embodiment of the present application;

[0051] FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of a connection relationship between APs provided by an example embodiment of the present application;

[0052] FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of a process of switching a primary channel provided by an example embodiment of the present application;

[0053] FIG. 8 is a flowchart of a signaling receiving method for a roaming process provided by an example embodiment of the present application;

[0054] FIG. 9 is a flowchart of a signaling sending method for a roaming process provided by an example embodiment of the present application;

[0055] FIG. 10 is a flowchart of a signaling sending method for a roaming process provided by an example embodiment of the present application;

[0056] FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram of a frame format of a RAR frame provided by an example embodiment of the present application;

[0057] FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram of a frame format of an FT re-association response frame according to an example embodiment of the present application;

[0058] FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram of a frame format of an RAI frame according to an example embodiment of the present application;

[0059] FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram of a frame format of an FT re-association request frame according to an example embodiment of the present application;

[0060] FIG. 15 is a flowchart of a signaling transmission method for a roaming procedure according to an example embodiment of the present application;

[0061] FIG. 16 is a schematic diagram of a signaling flow according to an example embodiment of the present application;

[0062] FIG. 17 is a schematic diagram of a signaling flow according to an example embodiment of the present application;

[0063] FIG. 18 is a schematic diagram of a signaling flow according to an example embodiment of the present application;

[0064] FIG. 19 is a schematic diagram of a signaling flow according to an example embodiment of the present application;

[0065] FIG. 20 is a block diagram of a signaling reception apparatus for a roaming procedure according to an example embodiment of the present application;

[0066] FIG. 21 is a block diagram of a signaling transmission apparatus for a roaming procedure according to an example embodiment of the present application;

[0067] FIG. 22 is a block diagram of a signaling transmission apparatus for a roaming procedure according to an example embodiment of the present application;

[0068] FIG. 23 is a schematic diagram of a structure of a communication device according to an example embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0069] For the purpose of clarity, technical solution, and advantages of the present application, the embodiments of the present application will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Here, exemplary embodiments will be described in detail, and examples thereof are shown in the drawings. In the following description related to the drawings, the same numbers in different drawings represent the same or similar elements unless otherwise indicated. The embodiments described in the following exemplary embodiments do not represent all the embodiments consistent with the present application. Rather, they are merely examples of apparatuses and methods consistent with some aspects of the present application as detailed in the appended claims. All other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative work on the basis of the embodiments in the present application belong to the scope of protection of the present application. The terms used in the present disclosure are merely for the purpose of describing specific embodiments, and are not intended to limit the present disclosure. The singular forms "a," "an," and "the" used in the present disclosure and the appended claims are also intended to include the plural forms unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It should also be understood that the term "and / or" used herein refers to and includes any or all possible combinations of one or more associated listed items. It should be understood that although the terms first, second, third, etc. can be used in the present disclosure to describe various information, these information should not be limited to these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one type of information from another. For example, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure, first information can also be referred to as second information, and similarly, second information can also be referred to as first information. Depending on the context, the word "if" as used herein can be interpreted as "when" or "upon determination" or "in response to determining".

[0070] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a communication system 10 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present application. The communication system 10 includes terminal-to-terminal, or terminal-to-network device, or access point (AP) to station (STA), which is not limited in the present application. In the present application, the communication system 10 is taken as an example including an AP 110 and a STA 120.

[0071] In some scenarios, the AP can also be referred to as an AP STA, that is, in a certain sense, the AP is also a kind of STA. In some scenarios, the STA can also be referred to as a non-AP STA (non-AP STA).

[0072] In some embodiments, the STA can include an AP STA and a non-AP STA. The communication in the communication system can be between an AP and a non-AP STA, between a non-AP STA and a non-AP STA, or between a STA and a peer STA, where the peer STA can refer to a device that communicates with the STA, for example, the peer STA can be an AP or a non-AP STA. For example, there are two communication scenarios between a STA and an AP: an uplink communication scenario and a downlink communication scenario. The uplink communication refers to the STA sending a signal to the AP, and the downlink communication refers to the AP sending a signal to the STA. The AP acts as a bridge connecting the wired network and the wireless network, and mainly connects various wireless network clients together and then accesses the wireless network to the Ethernet. The AP device can be a terminal device (such as a mobile phone) or a network device (such as a router) with a wireless fidelity (WiFi) chip.

[0073] It should be understood that the role of the STA in the communication system is not absolute, for example, in some scenarios, when a mobile phone connects to a router, the mobile phone is a non-AP STA, and when the mobile phone acts as a hotspot for other mobile phones, the mobile phone acts as an AP. The AP and the non-AP STA can be devices applied in the Internet of Vehicles, Internet of Things (IoT) nodes, sensors, etc., smart cameras, smart remote controllers, smart water meters, etc. in smart home, and sensors, etc. in smart city.

[0074] In some embodiments, the non-AP STA can support, but is not limited to, the 802.11bf standard. The non-AP STA can also support 802.11ax, 802.11ac, 802.11n, 802.11g, 802.11b, 802.11a, and other current and future 802.11 family Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) standards. In some embodiments, the AP can be a device supporting the 802.11bf standard. The AP can also be a device supporting 802.11ax, 802.11ac, 802.11n, 802.11g, 802.11b, 802.11a, and other current and future 802.11 family WLAN standards.

[0075] In the embodiments of the present application, the STA can be a mobile phone, a tablet computer, a computer, a virtual reality (VR) device, an augmented reality (AR) device, a communication device in industrial control, a set-top box, a communication device in unmanned driving, a vehicle-mounted communication device, a communication device in remote medical treatment, a communication device in smart power grid, a communication device in transportation safety, a communication device in smart city, a communication device in smart home, a wireless communication chip, and the like supporting WLAN / Wi-Fi technology. The WLAN technology can support frequency bands including, but not limited to, low frequency bands (2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, 6 GHz), and high frequency bands (45 GHz, 60 GHz).

[0076] There is one or more links between the station and the access point, and in some embodiments, the station and the access point support multi-band communication, for example, simultaneously communicating on 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, 6 GHz and 60 GHz frequency bands, or simultaneously communicating on different channels of the same frequency band (or different frequency bands), to improve the communication throughput and / or reliability between devices. Such devices are commonly referred to as multi-band devices, and can also be referred to as multi-link devices (MLD), and sometimes referred to as multi-link entities or multi-band entities. The multi-link device can be an access point device or a station device. If the multi-link device is an access point device, the multi-link device includes one or more APs; if the multi-link device is a station device, the multi-link device includes one or more non-AP STAs. The multi-link device including one or more APs can also be referred to as an AP, and the multi-link device including one or more non-AP STAs can also be referred to as a Non-AP, which can be referred to as a STA in the embodiments of the present application.

[0077] In the embodiments of the present application, the AP can include a plurality of APs, the Non-AP includes a plurality of STAs, and a plurality of links can be formed between the plurality of APs in the AP and the plurality of STAs in the Non-AP. The AP in the AP and the corresponding STA in the Non-AP can communicate data through the corresponding link.

[0078] An AP is a device that provides wireless communication functions for STAs in a wireless local area network. A STA can include a user equipment (UE), an access terminal, a subscriber unit, a subscriber station, a mobile station, a mobile, a remote station, a remote terminal, a mobile device, a wireless communication device, a user agent, or a user device. Optionally, a STA can also be a cellular phone, a cordless phone, a Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) phone, a Wireless Local Loop (WLL) station, a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA), a handheld device with wireless communication functions, a computing device, or other processing devices connected to a wireless modem, an in-vehicle device, a wearable device, and the like. Embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited in this regard.

[0079] In embodiments of the present disclosure, both the STA and the AP support the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11 standard, but are not limited to the IEEE 802.11 standard.

[0080] The following introduces roaming:

[0081] Roaming refers to a process in which a non-AP device migrates from a source AP device to a target AP device.

[0082] In some embodiments, the non-AP device includes a non-AP station device (non-AP STA) or a non-AP multi-link device (non-AP MLD).

[0083] In some embodiments, the source AP device includes a source AP station device (AP) or a source AP multi-link device (AP MLD). Optionally, the source AP device can also be referred to as a current AP device, which includes a current AP station device or a current AP multi-link device.

[0084] In some embodiments, the target AP device includes a target AP station device (AP) or a target AP multi-link device (AP MLD).

[0085] The following introduces a signaling procedure for seamless roaming based on a non-collocated AP MLD:

[0086] Exemplarily, for the signaling procedure of seamless roaming based on non-collocated AP MLD, the main content includes:

[0087] • Source AP, target AP and controller communicate through backhaul;

[0088] • Context can be transferred from source AP to target AP through backhaul;

[0089] • There is no data forwarding between APs;

[0090] • AP1 (source AP) and AP2 (target AP) can be generalized to AP MLD1 and AP MLD2 in the call procedure;

[0091] • STA and non-AP MLD are synonymous in the call procedure.

[0092] The context that can be migrated between APs includes:

[0093] • Information about sequence number (SN) (per-TID);

[0094] • Information about packet number (PN).

[0095] Exemplarily, in the case that a non-AP STA can communicate with multiple non-collocated AP MLDs during roaming, the signaling procedure is shown in FIG. 2. In the case that a non-AP STA can only communicate with one non-collocated AP MLD at the same time during roaming, the signaling procedure is shown in FIG. 3. In the case that a non-AP STA can only communicate with one non-collocated AP MLD at the same time during roaming, but switches to a target AP immediately after sending a roaming announcement indicator (RAI) frame and without context migration, the signaling procedure is shown in FIG. 4.

[0096] The following introduces a seamless roaming architecture based on over-the-DS hot association:

[0097] DS is a system for interconnecting a set of basic service sets (BSSs) and integrated local area networks (LANs) to create an extended service set (ESS). The main role of a DS is to connect different BSSs, allowing communication devices in different BSSs to communicate. For example, by connecting BSS1 and BSS2, data in BSS1 and data in BSS2 can be forwarded to each other. In some embodiments, each BSS includes one or more communication devices, such as station 1 (STA1) and station 2 (STA2) in BSS1, and station 3 (STA3) and station 4 (STA4) in BSS2. For example, through the DS, data in station 2 (STA2) can be forwarded to station 3 (STA3), or data in station 3 (STA3) can be forwarded to station 2 (STA2).

[0098] For example, for the signaling flow of seamless roaming based on over-the-DS hot standby association, the main content includes:

[0099] • The non-AP MLD exchanges fast transition (FT) probe request / response frames with the current AP MLD to obtain information about the neighboring AP MLD;

[0100] • The non-AP MLD exchanges FT reassociation request / response frames with the current AP MLD to associate with the neighboring AP MLD for hot standby.

[0101] For example, the signaling flow of seamless roaming based on over-the-DS hot standby association is shown in FIG. 5. As shown in FIG. 6, the current AP MLD 601 and the neighboring AP MLD 602 are connected through the DS 603.

[0102] The following describes ultra high reliability (UHR) secondary channel access:

[0103] Secondary channel access allows a station to transmit only on the secondary channel after detecting that the primary channel is busy. For example, the main content of secondary channel access includes:

[0104] AP behavior (transmitter):

[0105] • Monitor the medium idle / busy on the second primary channel (P2):

[0106] Energy Detection (ED) / Packet Detection (PD) based Clear Channel Assessment (CCA): e.g. Short Training Field (STF) detection.

[0107] • If the first primary channel (P1) is busy for the duration of the Network Allocation Vector (NAV) and the second primary channel is idle for the duration of X:

[0108] On the second primary channel, the AP defers and initiates a Transmission Opportunity (TXOP) to the target STA using a Buffer Status Report Poll (BSRP) trigger or a Request To Send (RTS) frame (control frame). During this procedure, an RTS / Clear To Send (CTS) or BSRP / BSR type of control frame exchange is needed to know if the target STA is on the second primary channel.

[0109] STA behavior (receiver):

[0110] • If the first primary channel is busy for the duration of the NAV:

[0111] The STA moves to the second primary channel and waits for a BSRP or RTS (control frame) from the AP. The STA returns to the first primary channel before the NAV = 0 of the first primary channel.

[0112] The first primary channel is a channel commonly used by member stations in all basic service sets (BSSs). For example, in a basic service set corresponding to 20 MHz, 40 MHz, 80 MHz, 160 MHz, or 80+80 MHz, the primary channel is a main 20 MHz channel. The second primary channel can be referred to as a non-primary channel access (NPCA) primary channel, which is a primary channel used when the access point and associated stations perform non-primary channel access. The NPCA primary channel can also be referred to as an NPCA anchor channel. For example, FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of a process of switching primary channels according to an example embodiment of the present application. As shown in FIG. 7, the STA initially communicates with the AP on the first primary channel, with a bandwidth of 40 MHz. The STA initially communicates with the AP on the first primary channel of the AP, with a bandwidth of 40 MHz. Then, due to the busy first primary channel, the STA moves to the second primary channel of the AP to communicate with the AP, with a bandwidth of 40 MHz.

[0113] As described above, during roaming, the target side network device can be located on the NPCA primary channel (the second primary channel) rather than the non-primary channel (the first primary channel). The target side network device is located on a channel, which means that the target side network device receives and / or transmits frames on the channel. At this time, if the non-access point device defaults to access the primary channel rather than the NPCA primary channel of the target side network device after roaming, because the accessed channel is different from the channel on which the target side network device is located, the non-access point device cannot communicate with the target side network device in the first time, thereby affecting the latency performance of seamless roaming.

[0114] The method provided in the present application provides first information for the non-access point device during roaming, which can assist the non-access point device in determining the primary channel for communication with the target side network device, thereby helping the non-access point device to access the primary channel on which the target side network device is located. The non-access point device can quickly establish association with the target side network device and exchange frames during roaming, which can reduce the time waste caused by channel mismatch, thereby reducing the latency during roaming and improving the roaming experience of users.

[0115] FIG. 8 is a flowchart of a method of receiving signaling for a roaming process according to an example embodiment of the present application. The method can be performed by a non-access point device. Optionally, the non-access point device in the embodiments of the present application includes a non-access point station device or a non-access point station multi-link device. The method includes the following steps:

[0116] Step 802: receiving first signaling sent by a network device.

[0117] The first signaling carries first information of the target-side network device, and the first information is used to assist the non-access point device to determine a primary channel for communication with the target-side network device. In some embodiments, the first information is used to assist the non-access point device to determine a primary channel in which the target-side network device is located, and the primary channel in which the target-side network device is located includes a primary channel in which the target-side network device receives frames and / or transmits frames. In some embodiments, the first information is used to assist the non-access point device to determine a primary channel in which the target-side network device operates. In some embodiments, the first information is used to assist the non-access point device to determine a primary channel accessed in the primary channel of the target-side network device. In some embodiments, the first information is determined by the target-side network device.

[0118] In some embodiments, the target-side network device corresponds to at least two primary channels, for example, the target-side network device corresponds to two primary channels. In some embodiments, the primary channels of the target-side network device include: a first primary channel; and a second primary channel. The first primary channel and the second primary channel are different primary channels.

[0119] In some embodiments, the first primary channel includes a common operating channel / channel of all non-access point devices in a BSS of the target-side network device. In some embodiments, the first primary channel is a channel commonly used by all member stations in the BSS of the target-side network device. For example, in a basic service set corresponding to 20MHz, 40MHz, 80MHz, 160MHz, or 80+80MHz, the first primary channel is a main 20MHz channel. In some embodiments, the first primary channel can be referred to as the first primary channel. In some embodiments, the second primary channel includes an NPCA primary channel. In some embodiments, the NPCA primary channel is a primary channel used when the non-access point device performs non-primary channel access. In some embodiments, the second primary channel can be referred to as the second primary channel or the NPCA anchor channel.

[0120] In some embodiments, the first signaling is equivalent to / replacable by NPCA state request signaling, and the first information is equivalent to / replacable by NPCA state information. The first information is used to indicate the NPCA state of the target-side network device.

[0121] In some embodiments, the first signaling is sent by the source-side network device. In some embodiments, the first signaling is sent by the target-side network device. In some embodiments, in a non-collocated seamless roaming scenario, the first signaling can be sent by either the source-side network device or the target-side network device. For example, in a roaming process, in a case where the non-access point device is only linked to one non-collocated network device at the same time, the first signaling is sent by the source-side network device; in a case where the non-access point device is linked to two or more non-collocated network devices at the same time, the first signaling is sent by the source-side network device; in a case where the non-access point device is only linked to one non-collocated network device at the same time, and the non-access point device switches to the target-side network device immediately after sending the RAI without context migration, the first signaling is sent by the target-side network device. In some embodiments, in a seamless roaming scenario through Distribution System (DS) hot association, the first signaling is sent by the source-side network device.

[0122] In some embodiments, the target-side network device can also be understood as a target access point device. The target access point device includes a target access point station device or a target access point station multi-link device. In some embodiments, the non-access point device described above includes a non-access point station device, the source-side network device includes a source access point station device, and the target-side network device includes a target access point station device. In some embodiments, the non-access point device described above includes a non-access point station device, the source-side network device includes a source access point station device, and the target-side network device includes a target access point station multi-link device. In some embodiments, the non-access point device described above includes a non-access point station device, the source-side network device includes a source access point station multi-link device, and the target-side network device includes a target access point station device. In some embodiments, the non-access point device described above includes a non-access point station device, the source-side network device includes a source access point station multi-link device, and the target-side network device includes a target access point station multi-link device. In some embodiments, the non-access point device described above includes a non-access point station multi-link device, the source-side network device includes a source access point station device, and the target-side network device includes a target access point station device. In some embodiments, the non-access point device described above includes a non-access point station multi-link device, the source-side network device includes a source access point station device, and the target-side network device includes a target access point station multi-link device. In some embodiments, the non-access point device described above includes a non-access point station multi-link device, the source-side network device includes a source access point station multi-link device, and the target-side network device includes a target access point station device. In some embodiments, the non-access point device described above includes a non-access point station multi-link device, the source-side network device includes a source access point station multi-link device, and the target-side network device includes a target access point station multi-link device.

[0123] In some embodiments, the first information includes one or more of the following: a dwell channel; a primary channel busy time; a dwell time; a primary channel bandwidth; a primary channel timeout time; a timestamp.

[0124] The dwell channel is used to indicate the primary channel in which the target-side network device is located. For example, the dwell channel is used to indicate that the target-side network device is located in the first primary channel or the second primary channel. In some embodiments, the dwell channel is used to indicate the primary channel in which the target-side network device is located at the time of sending / receiving the first signaling and / or the current time. In some embodiments, the dwell channel is used to indicate the primary channel in which the target-side network device is located at the time indicated by the timestamp. In some embodiments, the timestamp is used to indicate the time of generating the first information, such as Timing Synchronization Function (TSF) time. In some embodiments, the dwell channel can be referred to as Channel.

[0125] The primary channel busy time is used to indicate a duration of busy time of the first primary channel of the target-side network device, e.g., a NAV value set for the target-side network device on the primary channel. In some embodiments, the dwell channel is used to indicate a duration of busy time of the first primary channel of the target-side network device starting from a time when the first signaling is transmitted / received and / or a current time. In some embodiments, the primary channel busy time is used to indicate a duration of busy time of the first primary channel starting from a time indicated by the timestamp. In some embodiments, the timestamp is used to indicate a time when the first information is generated, e.g., a TSF time. In some embodiments, the primary channel busy time can be referred to as a Primary Channel NAV.

[0126] The dwell time is used to indicate a duration of dwell of the target-side network device on the primary channel indicated by the dwell channel. In some embodiments, the dwell time is used to indicate a duration of dwell of the target-side network device on the primary channel indicated by the dwell channel starting from a time when the first signaling is transmitted / received and / or a current time. In some embodiments, the dwell time is used to indicate a duration of dwell of the target-side network device on the primary channel indicated by the dwell channel starting from a time indicated by the timestamp. In some embodiments, the timestamp is used to indicate a time when the first information is generated. In some embodiments, the duration of dwell indicated by the dwell time includes one or more of a duration of dwell (a range of time) and periodic durations of dwell (periodic ranges of time). In some embodiments, the timestamp is used to indicate a time when the first information is generated, e.g., a TSF time. In some embodiments, the dwell time can be referred to as a Dwell Time.

[0127] The primary channel bandwidth is used to indicate a bandwidth for transmission on the second primary channel of the target-side network device. In some embodiments, the bandwidth indicated by the primary channel bandwidth includes a bandwidth for transmitting a physical layer protocol data unit (PPDU) and / or a bandwidth for receiving a PPDU. In some embodiments, the primary channel bandwidth is used to indicate a maximum bandwidth for transmission on the second primary channel of the target-side network device for a duration of busy time indicated by the primary channel busy time starting from a time when the first signaling is transmitted / received and / or a current time. In some embodiments, the primary channel bandwidth is used to indicate a maximum bandwidth for transmission on the second primary channel for a duration of busy time indicated by the primary channel busy time starting from a time indicated by the timestamp. In some embodiments, the timestamp is used to indicate a time when the first information is generated, e.g., a TSF time. In some embodiments, the primary channel bandwidth can be referred to as a NPCA Channel Max BW.

[0128] The primary channel timeout time is used to indicate the maximum listening duration of the non-access point device on the second primary channel of the target side network device after the roaming procedure. In some embodiments, the primary channel timeout time is used to indicate the maximum listening duration of the non-access point device on the second primary channel of the target side network device immediately after the roaming procedure. In some embodiments, if the non-access point device fails to successfully communicate with the target side network device within the maximum listening duration indicated by the primary channel timeout time, the non-access point device switches to the first primary channel of the target side network device. In some embodiments, the primary channel timeout time can be referred to as NPCA Channel Timeout.

[0129] In some embodiments, the dwell channel is used to indicate that the target AP MLD / AP is located on the first primary channel or the NPCA primary channel (the second primary channel). The primary channel busy time is used to indicate the continuous busy time of the first primary channel of the target AP MLD / AP, i.e., the NAV of the first primary channel detected by the target AP MLD / AP. The dwell time is used to indicate the dwell time of the target AP MLD / AP on the first primary channel or the NPCA primary channel, which can indicate a range of time from the current time, can indicate a range of time in the future, or can indicate a range of time periodically in the future. The maximum NPCA primary channel bandwidth is used to indicate the maximum bandwidth of the target AP MLD / AP for transmitting or receiving a PPDU on the NPCA primary channel. The NPCA primary channel timeout time is used to indicate the maximum duration of the Non-AP MLD / Non-AP STA continuously failing to successfully exchange frames with the target AP MLD / AP on the NPCA primary channel of the target AP MLD / AP, and the Non-AP MLD / Non-AP STA should / must return to the first primary channel of the target AP MLD / AP after exceeding this duration. The timestamp is used to indicate the local synchronization time of the target AP MLD / AP when at least one of the four NPCA state information, i.e., the dwell channel, the primary channel busy time, the maximum NPCA primary channel bandwidth, and the NPCA primary channel timeout time, is generated by the target AP MLD / AP.

[0130] In some embodiments, the non-access point device determines the primary channel indicated by the dwell channel as the primary channel for communicating with the target-side network device. In some embodiments, the non-access point device determines the second primary channel of the target-side network device as the primary channel for communicating with the target-side network device in a case that the current time is within the duration busy time indicated by the primary channel busy time. In some embodiments, the non-access point device determines the primary channel indicated by the dwell channel as the primary channel for communicating with the target-side network device in a case that the current time is within the dwell time indicated by the dwell time. In some embodiments, the non-access point device determines the second primary channel of the target-side network device as the primary channel for communicating with the target-side network device in a case that the bandwidth for transmission on the second primary channel indicated by the primary channel bandwidth satisfies the transmission requirement of the non-access point device. In some embodiments, the non-access point device does not determine the primary channel for communicating with the target-side network device using the first information in a case that the time difference between the current time and the time indicated by the time stamp is greater than the time difference threshold. It should be noted that the above conditions can be used alone or in combination, and the embodiments of the present application do not make any limitation in this regard.

[0131] In some embodiments, the first signaling includes a first action frame. In some embodiments, the first action frame includes a first field, and the first field is used to carry the first information. In some embodiments, the frame body of the first action frame includes the first field. In some embodiments, the first action frame includes one or more of the following action frames: a roaming announcement response (RAR) frame; a fast transition (FT) reassociation response frame. In some embodiments, the first signaling includes the RAR frame in the scenario of non-co-located seamless roaming. In the scenario of seamless roaming through DS hot association, the first signaling includes the FT reassociation response frame.

[0132] In some embodiments, the first signaling is sent by the source-side network device or the target-side network device to the non-access point device actively. In some embodiments, the first signaling is sent by the source-side network device or the target-side network device to the non-access point device in a case that the non-access point device requests the first information. In this case, the non-access point device sends second signaling to the source-side network device, and the second signaling is used to request the first information. In some embodiments, for a case that the source-side network device sends the first signaling to the non-access point device, in a case that the source-side network device receives the second signaling, the first information is obtained through the target-side network device, i.e., the first information sent by the target-side network device is received, so as to send the first signaling to the non-access point device. In some embodiments, for a case that the target-side network device sends the first signaling to the non-access point device, in a case that the source-side network device receives the second signaling, the source-side network device informs the target-side network device that the non-access point device requests the first information, so that the target-side network device sends the first signaling.

[0133] In some embodiments, the second signaling comprises a second action frame. In some embodiments, the second action frame comprises a second field, and the second field is used to indicate the request for the first information. In some embodiments, a frame body of the second action frame comprises the second field. In some embodiments, the second action frame comprises one or more of the following action frames: a roaming announcement indicator (RAI) frame; an FT reassociation request frame. In a case of non-co-located seamless roaming, the second signaling comprises the RAI frame. In a case of seamless roaming through DS hot association, the second signaling comprises the FT reassociation request frame.

[0134] In summary, the method provided by the embodiments can provide the non-access point device with the first information in the roaming process, and the first information can assist the non-access point device in determining a main channel for communication with the target-side network device, so as to help the non-access point device to access the main channel in which the target-side network device is located. The non-access point device can be enabled to establish association with the target-side network device and exchange frames as soon as possible in the roaming process, time waste caused by channel mismatch can be reduced, time delay in the roaming process can be reduced, and user roaming experience can be improved.

[0135] The method provided by the embodiment can also assist the non-access point device in determining whether to access the NPCA primary channel of the target side network device by using the first information, so that the non-access point device can communicate with the target side network device on the NPCA primary channel when the target side network device is located on the NPCA primary channel. The first information indicates the primary channel where the target side network device is located by using the staying channel, which helps the non-access point device to communicate with the target side network device on the primary channel where the target side network device is currently located. The first information indicates the duration of the busy time of the first primary channel by using the primary channel busy time, which helps the non-access point device to know the busy condition of the first primary channel before communicating with the target side network device. The first information indicates the staying duration of the target side network device on the current primary channel by using the staying time, which helps the non-access point device to know the future channel staying condition of the target side network device before communicating with the target side network device. The first information indicates the transmission bandwidth of the second primary channel by using the primary channel bandwidth, which helps the non-access point device to know whether the second primary channel meets the transmission requirement before communicating with the target side network device. The first information indicates the maximum listening duration on the second primary channel by using the primary channel timeout time, which enables the non-access point device to switch channels in time when the non-access point device cannot listen to the second primary channel. The first information includes the timestamp, which enables the non-access point device to know the validity of the first information. The source side network device sends the first signaling or the target side network device sends the first signaling, which can be applied to different application scenarios. The second signaling is sent, which enables the non-access point device to request the first information on demand.

[0136] FIG. 9 is a flowchart of a signaling sending method for a roaming process according to an example embodiment of the present application. The method can be performed by a source side network device. Alternatively, the source side network device in the embodiment of the present application can also be understood as a source access point device, which includes a source access point station device or a source access point station multi-link device. The method includes the following steps:

[0137] Step 902: sending first signaling to the non-access point device.

[0138] The first signaling carries first information of the target side network device, and the first information is used to assist the non-access point device in determining a primary channel for communicating with the target side network device. In some embodiments, the first information is used to assist the non-access point device in determining a primary channel where the target side network device is located, and the primary channel where the target side network device is located includes a primary channel where the target side network device receives and / or sends frames. In some embodiments, the first information is used to assist the non-access point device in determining a primary channel where the target side network device works. In some embodiments, the first information is used to assist the non-access point device in determining a primary channel for accessing among the primary channels of the target side network device. In some embodiments, the first information is determined by the target side network device.

[0139] In some embodiments, the target-side network device corresponds to at least two primary channels, for example, the target-side network device corresponds to two primary channels. In some embodiments, the primary channels of the target-side network device include: a first primary channel; a second primary channel. Wherein, the first primary channel and the second primary channel are different primary channels.

[0140] In some embodiments, the first primary channel includes a common operating channel / channel of all non-access point devices in the BSS of the target-side network device. In some embodiments, the first primary channel is a channel commonly used by all member stations in the BSS of the target-side network device. In some embodiments, the second primary channel includes a NPCA primary channel. In some embodiments, the NPCA primary channel is a primary channel used when the non-access point device performs non-primary channel access. In some embodiments, the first signaling is equivalent to / replaceable by NPCA state request signaling, and the first information is equivalent to / replaceable by NPCA state information. The first information is used to indicate the NPCA state of the target-side network device.

[0141] In some embodiments, in the scenario of non-co-located seamless roaming, the first signaling is sent by the source-side network device. For example, in the roaming process, in the case that the non-access point device is only connected to one non-co-located network device at the same time, the first signaling is sent by the source-side network device; in the case that the non-access point device is connected to two or more non-co-located network devices at the same time, the first signaling is sent by the source-side network device. In some embodiments, in the scenario of seamless roaming through DS hot association, the first signaling is sent by the source-side network device.

[0142] In some embodiments, the first information includes one or more of the following information: a stay channel; a primary channel busy time; a stay time; a primary channel bandwidth; a primary channel timeout time; a timestamp. The stay channel is used to indicate the primary channel where the target-side network device is located. The primary channel busy time is used to indicate the duration of the busy time of the first primary channel of the target-side network device, for example, the NAV value set by the target-side network device on the primary channel. The stay time is used to indicate the stay duration of the target-side network device on the primary channel indicated by the stay channel. The primary channel bandwidth is used to indicate the bandwidth transmitted on the second primary channel of the target-side network device. The primary channel timeout time is used to indicate the maximum listening duration of the non-access point device on the second primary channel of the target-side network device after the roaming process. The timestamp is used to indicate the time when the first information is generated.

[0143] In some embodiments, the first signaling comprises a first action frame. In some embodiments, the first action frame comprises a first field, and the first field is configured to carry the first information. In some embodiments, a frame body of the first action frame comprises the first field. In some embodiments, the first action frame comprises one or more of the following action frames: a RAR frame; a FT re-association response frame. In some embodiments, in a non-co-located seamless roaming scenario, the first signaling comprises the RAR frame. In a seamless roaming through DS hot association scenario, the first signaling comprises the FT re-association response frame.

[0144] In some embodiments, the first signaling is sent by the source-side network device to the non-access point device proactively. In some embodiments, the first signaling is sent by the source-side network device to the non-access point device upon a request of the first information from the non-access point device. In this case, the source-side network device receives second signaling sent by the non-access point device, and the second signaling is configured to request the first information. In some embodiments, upon receiving the second signaling, the source-side network device acquires the first information through the target-side network device, i.e., receives the first information sent by the target-side network device, and then sends the first signaling to the non-access point device.

[0145] In some embodiments, the second signaling comprises a second action frame. In some embodiments, the second action frame comprises a second field, and the second field is configured to indicate the request of the first information. In some embodiments, a frame body of the second action frame comprises the second field. In some embodiments, the second action frame comprises one or more of the following action frames: a RAI frame; a FT re-association request frame. In some embodiments, in a non-co-located seamless roaming scenario, the second signaling comprises the RAI frame. In a seamless roaming through DS hot association scenario, the second signaling comprises the FT re-association request frame.

[0146] In summary, the method provided by the embodiments can provide the first information for the non-access point device in the roaming process, and the first information can assist the non-access point device in determining a primary channel for communication with the target-side network device, thereby helping the non-access point device to access the primary channel in which the target-side network device is located. The non-access point device can be enabled to establish association with the target-side network device and exchange frames as soon as possible in the roaming process, time waste caused by channel mismatch can be reduced, time delay in the roaming process can be reduced, and user roaming experience can be improved.

[0147] The method provided by the embodiment can also assist the non-access point device in determining whether to access the NPCA primary channel of the target side network device by using the first information, so that the non-access point device can communicate with the target side network device on the NPCA primary channel when the target side network device is located on the NPCA primary channel. The first information can indicate the primary channel on which the target side network device is located by using the staying channel, so as to help the non-access point device communicate with the target side network device on the primary channel on which the target side network device is currently located. The first information can indicate the duration of the busy time of the first primary channel by using the busy time of the primary channel, so as to help the non-access point device know the busy time of the first primary channel before communicating with the target side network device. The first information can indicate the staying time of the target side network device on the current primary channel by using the staying time, so as to help the non-access point device know the future staying time of the target side network device on the channel before communicating with the target side network device. The first information can indicate the transmission bandwidth of the second primary channel by using the bandwidth of the primary channel, so as to help the non-access point device know whether the second primary channel meets the transmission requirement before communicating with the target side network device. The first information can indicate the maximum listening time on the second primary channel by using the timeout time of the primary channel, so that the non-access point device can switch the channel in time when the non-access point device cannot listen to the second primary channel. The first information can indicate the validity of the first information by using the time stamp. The first information can be requested by the non-access point device on demand by using the second signaling.

[0148] FIG. 10 is a flowchart of a signaling sending method for a roaming process according to an example embodiment of the present application. The method can be performed by a target side network device. Optionally, the target side network device in the embodiment of the present application can also be understood as a target access point device. The target access point device includes a target access point station device or a target access point station multi-link device. The method includes the following steps:

[0149] Step 1002: sending first signaling to the non-access point device.

[0150] The first signaling carries first information of the target side network device, and the first information is used to assist the non-access point device in determining a primary channel for communicating with the target side network device. In some embodiments, the first information is used to assist the non-access point device in determining the primary channel on which the target side network device is located, and the primary channel on which the target side network device is located includes a primary channel on which the target side network device receives and / or sends frames. In some embodiments, the first information is used to assist the non-access point device in determining the primary channel on which the target side network device works. In some embodiments, the first information is used to assist the non-access point device in determining a primary channel for accessing in the primary channel of the target side network device. In some embodiments, the first information is determined by the target side network device.

[0151] In some embodiments, the target-side network device corresponds to at least two primary channels, for example, the target-side network device corresponds to two primary channels. In some embodiments, the primary channels of the target-side network device include: a first primary channel; a second primary channel. Wherein, the first primary channel and the second primary channel are different primary channels.

[0152] In some embodiments, the first primary channel includes a common operating channel of all non-access point devices in the BSS of the target-side network device. In some embodiments, the first primary channel is a channel commonly used by all member stations in the BSS of the target-side network device. In some embodiments, the second primary channel includes a NPCA primary channel. In some embodiments, the NPCA primary channel is a primary channel used when the non-access point device performs non-primary channel access. In some embodiments, the first signaling is equivalent to / replaceable by a NPCA state request signaling, and the first information is equivalent to / replaceable by NPCA state information. The first information is used to indicate the NPCA state of the target-side network device.

[0153] In some embodiments, in the scenario of non-co-located seamless roaming, the first signaling is sent by the target-side network device. For example, in the case that the non-access point device is only connected to one non-co-located network device at the same time, and the non-access point device switches to the target-side network device immediately after sending the RAI without context migration, the first signaling is sent by the target-side network device.

[0154] In some embodiments, the first information includes one or more of the following information: a stay channel; a primary channel busy time; a stay time; a primary channel bandwidth; a primary channel timeout time; a timestamp. The stay channel is used to indicate the primary channel where the target-side network device is located. The primary channel busy time is used to indicate the duration of the busy time of the first primary channel of the target-side network device, for example, the NAV value set by the target-side network device on the primary channel. The stay time is used to indicate the duration of the stay of the target-side network device on the primary channel indicated by the stay channel. The primary channel bandwidth is used to indicate the bandwidth transmitted on the second primary channel of the target-side network device. The primary channel timeout time is used to indicate the maximum listening duration of the non-access point device on the second primary channel of the target-side network device after roaming. The timestamp is used to indicate the time when the first information is generated.

[0155] In some embodiments, the first signaling includes a first action frame. In some embodiments, the first action frame includes a first field, and the first field is used to carry the first information. In some embodiments, the frame body of the first action frame includes the first field. In some embodiments, the first action frame includes a RAR. In some embodiments, in the scenario of non-co-located seamless roaming, the first signaling includes a RAR frame.

[0156] In some embodiments, the first signaling is sent by the target-side network device to the non-access point device actively. In some embodiments, the first signaling is sent by the target-side network device to the non-access point device in a case that the non-access point device requests the first information. In this case, the source-side network device receives second signaling sent by the non-access point device, and the second signaling is used to request the first information. In some embodiments, in a case that the source-side network device receives the second signaling, the source-side network device notifies the target-side network device that the non-access point device requests the first information, so that the target-side network device sends the first signaling.

[0157] In some embodiments, the second signaling comprises a second action frame. In some embodiments, the second action frame comprises a second field, and the second field is used to indicate the request for the first information. In some embodiments, a frame body of the second action frame comprises the second field. In some embodiments, the second action frame comprises a RAI frame. In some embodiments, in a case of non-co-located seamless roaming, the second signaling comprises the RAI frame.

[0158] In summary, the method provided by the embodiments can provide the non-access point device with the first information in the roaming process, and the first information can assist the non-access point device in determining a main channel for communication with the target-side network device, thereby helping the non-access point device to access the main channel in which the target-side network device is located. The non-access point device can be enabled to establish association with the target-side network device and exchange frames as soon as possible in the roaming process, time waste caused by channel mismatch can be reduced, time delay in the roaming process can be reduced, and user roaming experience can be improved.

[0159] The method provided in the embodiment can also assist the non-access point device in determining whether to access the NPCA main channel of the target side network device by using the first information, so that the non-access point device can communicate with the target side network device on the NPCA main channel when the target side network device is located on the NPCA main channel. The main channel indicated by the staying channel in the first information is the main channel where the target side network device is located, which helps the non-access point device to communicate with the target side network device on the main channel where the target side network device is currently located. The busy time of the main channel in the first information indicates the duration of the busy time of the first main channel, which helps the non-access point device to know the busy condition of the first main channel before communicating with the target side network device. The staying time in the first information indicates the staying duration of the target side network device on the current main channel, which helps the non-access point device to know the future channel staying condition of the target side network device before communicating with the target side network device. The main channel bandwidth in the first information indicates the transmission bandwidth of the second main channel, which helps the non-access point device to know whether the second main channel meets the transmission requirement before communicating with the target side network device. The main channel timeout time in the first information indicates the maximum listening duration on the second main channel, which enables the non-access point device to switch channels in time when the non-access point device cannot listen to the second main channel. The timestamp in the first information enables the non-access point device to know the validity of the first information. The second signaling can be used to request the first information by the non-access point device as needed.

[0160] The method provided in the application can provide the non-access point device with the first information in the roaming process, and the first information can assist the non-access point device in determining the main channel for communicating with the target side network device, so as to help the non-access point device to access the main channel where the target side network device is located. The method can enable the non-access point device to establish association with the target side network device and exchange frames as soon as possible in the roaming process, can reduce the time waste caused by channel mismatch, and thus reduce the time delay in the roaming process, and helps to improve the roaming experience of users.

[0161] The signaling and related rules involved in the application are introduced as follows:

[0162] The first signaling is as follows:

[0163] The first signaling carries first information of the target-side network device, and the first information is used for assisting the non-access point device to determine a primary channel for communicating with the target-side network device. In some embodiments, the first information includes one or more of the following information: a dwell channel (Channel); a primary channel NAV (Network Allocation Vector); a dwell time (Dwell Time); a primary channel bandwidth (NPCA Channel Max BW); a primary channel timeout (NPCA Channel Timeout); and a timestamp (Timestamp).

[0164] In some embodiments, the first signaling includes a first action frame. In some embodiments, the first action frame includes one or more of the following action frames: an RAR frame; and an FT re-association response frame.

[0165] Taking the RAR frame as an example of the first action frame provided in the embodiments of the present application, FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram of a frame format of the RAR frame according to an example embodiment of the present application. The fields in the RAR frame shown in FIG. 11 are introduced as follows:

[0166] • Frame Control (Frame Control): indicates basic information such as frame type.

[0167] • Duration (Duration): indicates a time interval from an end time of the current frame to an end time of TXOP.

[0168] • Address 1 (Address 1): indicates a receiving address.

[0169] • Address 2 (Address 2): indicates a sending address.

[0170] • Address 3 (Address 3): is the same as Address 2.

[0171] • Sequence Control (Sequence Control): indicates a sequence number of a MAC service data unit (MSDU) and a MAC protocol data unit (MPDU).

[0172] • HT Control (High Throughput Control): carries various control signaling.

[0173] • Category (Category): indicates an Action frame type, and takes an arbitrary integer between 40 and 125, for example, 40, to indicate a Protected UHR type of Action frame.

[0174] • Protected UHR Action: indicates the subtype of the Protected UHR Action frame, taking a value of any integer between 0-255, e.g., 1, to indicate a RAR frame.

[0175] • Dialog Token: set to a non-0 value to indicate a request / response session.

[0176] • Status Code: indicates a status code.

[0177] • STA Address: indicates the Media Access Control (MAC) address of the non-AP MLD / non-AP STA that sent the RAI frame corresponding to this RAR frame.

[0178] • Target AP Address: indicates the BSSID of the BSS of a target AP.

[0179] • Target AP NPCA Status Info: indicates the NPCA status information of a target AP. In some embodiments, in the case that the first signaling is a RAR frame, the Target AP NPCA Status Info field corresponds to the first field in the foregoing.

[0180] • Channel: indicates the primary channel on which the target AP is located. For example, taking a value of 1 indicates the first primary channel, and taking a value of 0 indicates the second primary channel (NPCA primary channel); or taking a value of 0 indicates the first primary channel, and taking a value of 1 indicates the second primary channel.

[0181] • Primary Channel NAV: indicates the duration of continuous busy of the target AP on the first primary channel, i.e., the NAV value set by the target AP on the primary channel.

[0182] • Dwell Time: indicates the duration of the target AP staying on the first primary channel or the second primary channel indicated by the Channel field.

[0183] • NPCA Channel Max BW: This field is reserved when the Channel field indicates the first primary channel; otherwise, it indicates the maximum bandwidth of the PPDU that the target AP transmits or receives on the NPCA primary channel. For example, a value of 0 indicates 20MHz, a value of 1 indicates 40MHz, a value of 2 indicates 80MHz, a value of 3 indicates 160MHz, and other values are reserved.

[0184] • NPCA Channel Timeout: This field is reserved when the Channel field indicates the first primary channel; otherwise, it indicates the maximum listening duration on the NPCA primary channel after the non-AP MLD / non-AP STA performs roaming. If the communication with the target AP fails within the duration indicated by the NPCA Channel Timeout field, the first primary channel of the target AP is switched to.

[0185] • Timestamp: Indicates the local time of the target AP when at least one of the Channel, Primary Channel NAV, Dwell Time, NPCA Channel Max BW, and NPCA Channel Timeout fields is generated, for example, the TSF time.

[0186] • FCS: Frame Check Sequence.

[0187] Taking the first action frame provided by the embodiments of the present application as an FT re-association response frame, FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram of the frame format of the FT re-association response frame provided by one example embodiment of the present application. The fields in the FT re-association response frame shown in FIG. 12 are introduced as follows:

[0188] • Frame Control: Indicates basic information such as frame type.

[0189] • Duration: Indicates the time interval from the end time of the current frame to the end time of the TXOP.

[0190] • Address 1: Indicates the receiving address.

[0191] • Address 2: Indicates the sending address.

[0192] • Address 3: Same as Address 2.

[0193] • Sequence Control: Indicates the sequence number of MSDU and MPDU.

[0194] • HT Control: Carries various control signaling.

[0195] • Category: Indicates the Action frame type, with a value of 6, indicating the FT Action frame type.

[0196] • FT Action: Indicates the sub-type of the FT Action frame, with a value of any integer between 5-255, e.g., 6, to indicate the FT Reassociation Response frame.

[0197] • STA Address: Indicates the MAC address of the non-AP MLD / non-AP STA that sent the FT Reassociation Request frame corresponding to this frame.

[0198] • Target AP Address: Indicates the BSSID of the BSS of a target AP.

[0199] • Status Code: Indicates the status code.

[0200] • FT Reassociation Request frame body: Used to contain other fields. In some embodiments, in the case where the first signaling is the FT Reassociation Response frame, the FT Reassociation Request frame body field corresponds to the first field in the foregoing.

[0201] • Channel: Indicates the primary channel in which the target AP is located. For example, a value of 1 indicates the first primary channel, and a value of 0 indicates the second primary channel (NPCA primary channel); or a value of 0 indicates the first primary channel, and a value of 1 indicates the second primary channel.

[0202] • Primary Channel NAV: Indicates the duration of continuous busy of the target AP on the first primary channel, i.e., the NAV value set by the target AP on the primary channel.

[0203] • Dwell Time: Indicates the duration of the target AP staying on the first primary channel or the second primary channel indicated by the Channel field.

[0204] • NPCA Channel Max BW: This field is reserved when the Channel field indicates the first primary channel; otherwise, this field indicates the maximum bandwidth of the PPDU that the target AP transmits or receives on the NPCA primary channel. For example, a value of 0 indicates 20MHz, a value of 1 indicates 40MHz, a value of 2 indicates 80MHz, a value of 3 indicates 160MHz, and other values are reserved.

[0205] • NPCA Channel Timeout: This field is reserved when the Channel field indicates the first primary channel; otherwise, this field indicates the maximum listening duration on the NPCA primary channel after the non-AP MLD / non-AP STA performs roaming. If the communication with the target AP fails within the duration indicated by the NPCA Channel Timeout field, the first primary channel of the target AP is switched to.

[0206] • Timestamp: This field indicates the local time of the target AP when the target AP generates at least one of the Channel, Primary Channel NAV, Dwell Time, NPCA Channel Max BW, and NPCA Channel Timeout fields, e.g., the TSF time.

[0207] • FCS: Frame Check Sequence.

[0208] Second signaling:

[0209] The second signaling is used to request the first information. In some embodiments, the second signaling includes a second action frame. In some embodiments, the second action frame includes one or more RAI frames in the following action frames; the FT re-association request frame.

[0210] Taking the second action frame provided by the embodiments of the present application as an RAI frame as an example, FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram of the frame format of the RAI frame provided by one example embodiment of the present application. The fields in the RAI frame shown in FIG. 13 are introduced as follows:

[0211] • Frame Control: This field indicates basic information such as the frame type.

[0212] • Duration: This field indicates the time interval from the end time of the current frame to the end time of the TXOP.

[0213] • Address 1: This field indicates the receiving address.

[0214] • Address 2: This field indicates the sending address.

[0215] • Address 3: same as Address 2.

[0216] • Sequence Control: indicates the sequence number of MSDU and MPDU.

[0217] • HT Control: carries multiple control signaling.

[0218] • Category: indicates the Action frame type, takes any integer value between 40-125, for example, 40, to indicate the Protected UHR type of Action frame.

[0219] • Protected UHR Action: indicates the subtype of Protected UHR Action frame, takes any integer value between 0-255, for example, 0, to indicate the RAI frame.

[0220] • Dialog Token: set to non-0 value to indicate a request / response session.

[0221] • STA Address: indicates the MAC address of the non-AP MLD / non-AP STA sending the RAI frame.

[0222] • Target AP Address: indicates the BSSID of the BSS of a target AP.

[0223] • Request for NPCA Status of Target AP: indicates whether to request the NPCA status of the target AP. For example, takes value 1 to indicate yes, and takes value 0 to indicate no; or, takes value 0 to indicate yes, and takes value 1 to indicate no. In some embodiments, in the case that the second signaling is a RAI frame, the Request for NPCA Status of Target AP field corresponds to the second field in the foregoing.

[0224] • FCS: frame check.

[0225] Taking the first Action frame provided by the embodiments of the present application as an example, the FT Reassociation Request frame, FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram of the frame format of the FT Reassociation Request frame provided by one example embodiment of the present application. The fields in the FT Reassociation Request frame shown in FIG. 14 are introduced as follows:

[0226] • Frame Control: indicates basic information such as frame type.

[0227] • Duration: indicates the time interval from the end time of the current frame to the end time of the TXOP.

[0228] • Address 1: indicates the receiving address.

[0229] • Address 2: indicates the sending address.

[0230] • Address 3: same as Address 2.

[0231] • Sequence Control: indicates the sequence number of MSDU and MPDU.

[0232] • HT Control: carries various control signaling.

[0233] • Category: indicates the Action frame type, for example, a value of 6 indicates the FT Action frame type.

[0234] • FT Action: indicates the subtype of the FT Action frame, takes any integer between 5-255, for example, 5, to indicate the FT Reassociation Request frame.

[0235] • STA Address: indicates the MAC address of the non-AP MLD / non-AP STA sending the frame.

[0236] • Target AP Address: indicates the BSSID of the BSS of a target AP.

[0237] • FT Reassociation Request frame body: frame body field, used to contain other subfields.

[0238] • Request for NPCA Status of Target AP: indicates whether to request the NPCA status of the target AP. For example, a value of 1 indicates yes, and a value of 0 indicates no; or, a value of 0 indicates yes, and a value of 1 indicates no. In some embodiments, in the case of the second signaling being an FT Reassociation Request frame, the Request for NPCA Status of Target AP field corresponds to the second field in the foregoing.

[0239] FCS: Frame Check Sequence.

[0240] The related rules of the signaling are as follows:

[0241] The non-access point device can send a state request signaling (first signaling) to the source side network device when roaming, to request the source side network device to obtain the NPCA state of the target side network device.

[0242] The source side network device should (as soon as possible) send the NPCA state information of the target side network device to the non-access point device after obtaining the NPCA state information.

[0243] The target side network device can also directly send the NPCA state information to the non-access point device under certain conditions.

[0244] The non-access point device can determine the primary channel for subsequent communication with the target side network device to be the first primary channel or the second primary channel (NPCA primary channel) according to the received NPCA state information of the target side network device.

[0245] FIG. 15 is a flowchart of a signaling transmission method for a roaming process according to an example embodiment of the present application. The method can be used in the system shown in FIG. 1. The method comprises the following steps:

[0246] Step 1502: The non-access point device sends a second signaling to the source side network device.

[0247] The second signaling is used to request the first information. In some embodiments, for the case that the source side network device sends the first signaling to the non-access point device, the source side network device obtains the first information through the target side network device in the case that the source side network device receives the second signaling, i.e., receives the first information sent by the target side network device, so as to send the first signaling to the non-access point device. In some embodiments, for the case that the target side network device sends the first signaling to the non-access point device, the source side network device notifies the target side network device that the non-access point device requests the first information in the case that the source side network device receives the second signaling, so that the target side network device sends the first signaling.

[0248] In some embodiments, the second signaling comprises a second action frame. In some embodiments, the second action frame comprises a second field, and the second field is used to indicate the request for the first information. In some embodiments, the second action frame comprises one or more of the following action frames: RAI frame; FT Re-association Request frame. In the scenario of non-co-located seamless roaming, the second signaling comprises the RAI frame. In the scenario of seamless roaming through DS hot association, the second signaling comprises the FT Re-association Request frame.

[0249] Step 1504: The source side network device sends the first signaling to the non-access point device.

[0250] The first signaling carries first information of the target-side network device, and the first information is used to assist the non-access point device to determine a primary channel for communicating with the target-side network device. In some embodiments, the target-side network device corresponds to at least two primary channels, for example, the target-side network device corresponds to two primary channels. In some embodiments, the primary channels of the target-side network device include: a first primary channel; and a second primary channel. The first primary channel and the second primary channel are different primary channels. In some embodiments, the first primary channel includes a common operating channel / channel of all non-access point devices in a BSS of the target-side network device. In some embodiments, the first primary channel is a channel commonly used by all member stations in the BSS of the target-side network device. In some embodiments, the second primary channel includes an NPCA primary channel. In some embodiments, the NPCA primary channel is a primary channel used when the non-access point device performs non-primary channel access.

[0251] In some embodiments, the first information includes one or more of the following information: a stay channel; a primary channel busy time; a stay time; a primary channel bandwidth; a primary channel timeout time; and a timestamp. The stay channel is used to indicate the primary channel where the target-side network device is located. The primary channel busy time is used to indicate the duration of the busy time of the first primary channel of the target-side network device, for example, the NAV value set by the target-side network device on the primary channel. The stay time is used to indicate the duration of the stay of the target-side network device on the primary channel indicated by the stay channel. The primary channel bandwidth is used to indicate the bandwidth transmitted on the second primary channel of the target-side network device. The primary channel timeout time is used to indicate the maximum listening duration of the non-access point device on the second primary channel of the target-side network device after the roaming process. The timestamp is used to indicate the time when the first information is generated.

[0252] In some embodiments, the first signaling includes a first action frame. In some embodiments, the first action frame includes a first field used to carry the first information. In some embodiments, the first action frame sent by the source-side network device includes one or more of the following action frames: a RAR frame; and an FT re-association response frame.

[0253] Step 1506: The target-side network device sends first signaling to the non-access point device.

[0254] In some embodiments, the first action frame sent by the target-side network device includes a RAR frame.

[0255] It should be noted that the step 1504 and the step 1506 are parallel steps, and one of them can be selected to be executed. For example, for the scenario of non-co-located seamless roaming, in the roaming process, in the case that the non-access point device only maintains link connection with one non-co-located network device at the same time, the step 1502 and the step 1504 are executed; in the case that the non-access point device maintains link connection with two or more non-co-located network devices at the same time, the step 1502 and the step 1504 are executed; in the case that the non-access point device only maintains link connection with one non-co-located network device at the same time, and the non-access point device switches to the target side network device immediately after sending the RAI and without context migration, the step 1502 and the step 1506 are executed. For the scenario of seamless roaming through DS hot association, the step 1502 and the step 1504 are executed.

[0256] In the embodiment, the step 1502, the step 1504, and the step 1506 are optional, and in different embodiments, one or more of the steps can be omitted or replaced.

[0257] The step 1502 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, such as being implemented alone as a signaling sending method on the non-access point device side or a signaling receiving method on the source side network device side. The step 1504 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, such as being implemented alone as a signaling receiving method on the non-access point device side or a signaling sending method on the source side network device side. The step 1506 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, such as being implemented alone as a signaling receiving method on the non-access point device side or a signaling sending method on the target side network device side.

[0258] In conclusion, the method provided in the embodiment can provide the first information for the non-access point device in the roaming process, and the first information can assist the non-access point device in determining the main channel for communicating with the target side network device, thereby helping the non-access point device to access the main channel in which the target side network device is located. The non-access point device can be enabled to establish association with the target side network device and exchange frames as soon as possible in the roaming process, time waste caused by channel mismatch can be reduced, time delay in the roaming process can be reduced, and user roaming experience can be improved.

[0259] The method provided in the embodiment can also assist the non-AP device in determining whether to access the NPCA main channel of the target side network device by using the first information, so that the non-AP device can communicate with the target side network device on the NPCA main channel when the target side network device is located on the NPCA main channel. The main channel indicated by the staying channel in the first information is the main channel where the target side network device is located, which helps the non-AP device to communicate with the target side network device on the main channel where the target side network device is currently located. The busy time of the main channel in the first information indicates the duration of the busy time of the first main channel, which helps the non-AP device to know the busy condition of the first main channel before communicating with the target side network device. The staying time in the first information indicates the staying duration of the target side network device on the current main channel, which helps the non-AP device to know the future channel staying condition of the target side network device before communicating with the target side network device. The main channel bandwidth in the first information indicates the transmission bandwidth of the second main channel, which helps the non-AP device to know whether the second main channel meets the transmission requirement before communicating with the target side network device. The main channel timeout time in the first information indicates the maximum listening duration on the second main channel, which enables the non-AP device to switch channels in time when the non-AP device cannot listen to the second main channel. The timestamp in the first information enables the non-AP device to know the validity of the first information. The source side network device sends the first signaling or the target side network device sends the first signaling, which can be applied to different application scenarios. The second signaling is sent, so that the non-AP device can request the first information on demand.

[0260] For example, the method provided in the embodiment of the present application is applied to the scenario of non-collocated seamless roaming. For the signaling flow of the case that the non-AP STA can maintain link connection with only one non-collocated AP at the same time during roaming, refer to FIG. 16. For the signaling flow of the case that the non-AP STA can maintain link connection with two or more non-collocated APs at the same time during roaming, refer to FIG. 17. For the signaling flow of the case that the non-AP STA can maintain link connection with only one non-collocated AP at the same time during roaming, and the non-AP STA switches to the target AP immediately after sending the RAI and without context migration, refer to FIG. 18.

[0261] As shown in FIG. 16, the Non-AP STA sets the Request for NPCA Status of Target AP field in the RAI frame sent to the current AP (AP1) in step 4 to indicate Yes, i.e. requests to obtain the NPCA status of the target AP through the current AP. AP1 can obtain its set of NPCA status information of the target AP (AP2) through step 9 or other ways (before step 10 starts), which includes Channel, Primary Channel NAV, Dwell Time, NPCA Channel Max BW, NPCA Channel Timeout, Timestamp. In this embodiment, Channel = NPCA Primary Channel, which indicates that the target AP is located on the NPCA primary channel at the time indicated by Timestamp; Primary Channel NAV = 4ms, which indicates that the primary channel (the first primary channel) of the target AP will be busy for 4ms from the time indicated by Timestamp; Dwell Time = 4ms, which indicates that the target AP will work on the NPCA primary channel for 4ms from the time indicated by Timestamp; NPCA Channel Max BW = 80MHz, which indicates that the maximum bandwidth of the PPDU that the target AP can send and / or receive on the NPCA primary channel is 80MHz; NPCA Channel Timeout = 1.5ms, which indicates that the NPCA primary channel listening timeout time is 1.5ms; Timestamp = t, which indicates the local time when the target AP generates this Channel, Primary Channel NAV, NPCA Channel Max BW, NPCA Channel Timeout, e.g. TSF time.

[0262] Then, AP1 carries the above-mentioned Channel, Primary Channel NAV, Dwell Time, NPCA Channel Max BW, NPCA Channel Timeout, Timestamp in the RAR frame and sends it to the Non-AP STA in step 10, thereby assisting the Non-AP STA in deciding to access the NPCA primary channel or the primary channel of the target AP when roaming.

[0263] The Non-AP STA receives the RAR frame and obtains the NPCA state information of the target AP therein, but due to the time consumption of frame transmission or other operations, the Non-AP STA obtains the NPCA state information of the target AP at a time later than the time indicated in the Timestamp. In the embodiment, the Non-AP STA receives the NPCA state information of the target AP at t+2 ms, which is 2 ms later than the time t, and this time has not yet exceeded the time length indicated by the Primary Channel NAV field and / or the Dwell Time field (4 ms), so the NPCA state information of the target AP has not yet expired and has high credibility. In addition, the Non-AP STA can deduce that the target AP can still work on its NPCA primary channel for 2 ms from the time t+2 ms, which is sufficient time.

[0264] Therefore, the Non-AP STA will first switch to the NPCA primary channel of the target AP to attempt to compete for the channel or listen to the channel in step 11, so as to establish a connection with the target AP and perform frame exchange for a period of time, which is subject to specific conditions, but generally does not exceed the time length indicated by the Primary Channel NAV field and / or the Dwell Time field, i.e., does not exceed the time t+4 ms.

[0265] In this way, the Non-AP STA can communicate with the target AP at the first time after roaming more accurately, on the one hand, the Non-AP STA can compete on the NPCA primary channel so as to send uplink low-latency data as soon as possible; on the other hand, the target AP can also send downlink low-latency data on the NPCA primary channel in advance.

[0266] As shown in FIG. 17, the difference between the signaling flow in FIG. 17 and that in FIG. 16 is only that the non-AP MLD can maintain link connections with two or more non-collocated APs simultaneously during roaming, so the signaling flow is different. However, the information and rules delivered in the RAI frame and the RAR frame are the same as in FIG. 16. As shown in FIG. 18, the difference between the signaling flow in FIG. 18 and that in FIG. 16 is only that the non-AP STA switches to the target AP immediately after sending the RAI and does not perform context migration, so the RAR frame is sent by the target AP to the non-AP STA instead of being sent by the current AP to the non-AP STA, and the target AP has the ability to predict the NPCA state information in advance, i.e., the Dwell Time field carries a period of dwell time in the primary channel or the NPCA primary channel in the future, or multiple periods of dwell time in the future, so the signaling flow is different. However, the information and rules delivered in the RAI frame and the RAR frame are the same as in Embodiment 1.

[0267] Take the method provided by the embodiments of the present application as an example applied to the scenario of seamless roaming through DS thermal association, FIG. 19 is a schematic diagram of a signaling flow provided by one example embodiment of the present application. As shown in FIG. 19, the Non-AP STA sets the Request for NPCA Status of Target AP field to indicate yes in the FT Re-association Request frame sent to the current AP MLD, that is, requests to obtain the NPCA status of the target AP MLD through the current AP MLD. The current AP MLD can obtain its set of NPCA status information of the target AP MLD through some means, including Channel, Primary Channel NAV, Dwell Time, NPCA Channel Max BW, NPCA Channel Timeout, Timestamp. In the present embodiment, Channel = NPCA Primary Channel, indicating that the target AP MLD is located on the NPCA primary channel at the time indicated by Timestamp; Primary Channel NAV = 4ms, indicating that the target AP MLD will continue to work on the NPCA primary channel for 4ms from the time indicated by Timestamp; NPCA Channel Max BW = 80MHz, indicating that the maximum bandwidth of the PPDU that the target AP MLD can send and / or receive on the NPCA primary channel is 80MHz; NPCA Channel Timeout = 1.5ms, indicating that the NPCA primary channel listening timeout time is 1.5ms; Timestamp = t, indicating the local time when the target AP MLD generates this Channel, Primary Channel NAV, Dwell Time, NPCA Channel Max BW, NPCA Channel Timeout, such as TSF time.

[0268] After that, the current AP MLD carries the above-mentioned Channel, Primary Channel NAV, Dwell Time, NPCA Channel Max BW, NPCA Channel Timeout, Timestamp information in the FT Re-association Response frame and sends it to the Non-AP MLD, thereby assisting the Non-AP MLD in deciding to access the NPCA primary channel or the primary channel (the first primary channel) of the target AP MLD when roaming.

[0269] The Non-AP MLD receives the FT re-association response frame and obtains the NPCA state information of the target AP MLD therein, but due to the time consumption of frame transmission or other operations, the Non-AP MLD obtains the NPCA state information of the target AP MLD at a time later than the time indicated in the Timestamp. In this embodiment, the Non-AP MLD receives the NPCA state information of the target AP at t+2 ms, which is 2 ms later than the time t, and this time has not yet exceeded the time length indicated by the Primary Channel NAV field (4 ms), so the NPCA state information of the target AP MLD has not yet expired and has high credibility. In addition, the Non-AP MLD can deduce that the target AP MLD can still work on its NPCA primary channel for 2 ms from the time t+2 ms, which is sufficient time.

[0270] Therefore, the Non-AP MLD can next first switch to the NPCA primary channel of the target AP MLD, send an active hot backup association request frame to the target AP MLD, and receive an active hot backup association response frame, so as to establish association with the target AP MLD and perform frame exchange for a period of time, the length of which is subject to the specific circumstances, but generally does not exceed the time length indicated by the Primary Channel NAV field, i.e., does not exceed the time t+4 ms.

[0271] It should be noted that the order of the method steps provided in the embodiments of the present application can be appropriately adjusted, the steps can be increased or decreased as appropriate, and the different steps can be freely combined to form new embodiments. Any person skilled in the art can easily think of changes within the technical scope disclosed in the present application, which should be covered within the protection scope of the present application, and therefore will not be described herein. In addition, the order of the above different situations does not have a preferred meaning, but is only for convenience of description.

[0272] FIG. 20 is a block diagram of a signaling receiving apparatus for a roaming process provided by an example embodiment of the present application. The apparatus can be implemented as a non-access point device or a part of a non-access point device by software or hardware or a combination of both. The apparatus includes a receiving module 2001 and a sending module 2002.

[0273] The receiving module 2001 is configured to receive first signaling sent by a network device. The first signaling carries first information of a target-side network device, and the first information is used by the auxiliary device to determine a primary channel for communicating with the target-side network device. In some embodiments, the target-side network device corresponds to at least two primary channels, for example, the target-side network device corresponds to two primary channels. In some embodiments, the primary channels of the target-side network device include: a first primary channel; and a second primary channel. The first primary channel and the second primary channel are different primary channels. In some embodiments, the first primary channel includes a common operating channel of all devices in a BSS of the target-side network device. In some embodiments, the first primary channel is a channel commonly used by all member stations in the BSS of the target-side network device. In some embodiments, the second primary channel includes an NPCA primary channel. In some embodiments, the NPCA primary channel is a primary channel used when a device performs non-primary channel access.

[0274] In some embodiments, the first signaling is sent by a source-side network device. In some embodiments, the first signaling is sent by the target-side network device. In some embodiments, in a non-co-located seamless roaming scenario, the first signaling can be sent by the source-side network device or the target-side network device. In some embodiments, in a seamless roaming scenario through DS hot association, the first signaling is sent by the source-side network device.

[0275] In some embodiments, the first information includes one or more of the following information: a stay channel; a primary channel busy time; a stay time; a primary channel bandwidth; a primary channel timeout time; and a timestamp. The stay channel is used to indicate a primary channel where the target-side network device is located. The primary channel busy time is used to indicate a duration of continuous busy time of the first primary channel of the target-side network device, for example, a NAV value set by the target-side network device on the primary channel. The stay time is used to indicate a duration of stay of the target-side network device on the primary channel indicated by the stay channel. The primary channel bandwidth is used to indicate a bandwidth for transmission on the second primary channel of the target-side network device. The primary channel timeout time is used to indicate a maximum listening duration of the device on the second primary channel of the target-side network device after roaming.

[0276] In some embodiments, the first signaling includes a first action frame. In some embodiments, the first action frame includes a first field used to carry the first information. In some embodiments, a frame body of the first action frame includes the first field. In some embodiments, the first action frame includes one or more of the following action frames: an RAR frame; and an FT re-association response frame. In some embodiments, in a non-co-located seamless roaming scenario, the first signaling includes the RAR frame. In a seamless roaming scenario through DS hot association, the first signaling includes the FT re-association response frame.

[0277] In some embodiments, the first signaling is sent by the source-side network device or the target-side network device to the apparatus proactively. In some embodiments, the first signaling is sent by the source-side network device or the target-side network device to the apparatus in a case that the apparatus requests the first information. The sending module 2002 is configured to send, to the source-side network device, second signaling used to request the first information. In some embodiments, the second signaling comprises a second action frame. In some embodiments, the second action frame comprises a second field used to indicate that the first information is requested. In some embodiments, a frame body of the second action frame comprises the second field. In some embodiments, the second action frame comprises one or more of the following action frames: a RAI frame; an FT Re-association Request frame. In a case of non-collocated seamless roaming, the second signaling comprises the RAI frame. In a case of seamless roaming through DS hot association, the second signaling comprises the FT Re-association Request frame.

[0278] FIG. 21 is a block diagram of an apparatus for signaling in a roaming procedure according to an example embodiment of the present application. The apparatus can be implemented as a source-side network device or a part of a source-side network device by software or hardware or a combination of both. The apparatus comprises a sending module 2101 and a receiving module 2102.

[0279] The sending module 2101 is configured to send, to a non-access point device, first signaling. The first signaling carries first information of a target-side network device, and the first information is used to assist the non-access point device to determine a primary channel for communication with the target-side network device. In some embodiments, the first information is used to assist the non-access point device to determine a primary channel in which the target-side network device is located, and the primary channel in which the target-side network device is located comprises a primary channel in which the target-side network device receives frames and / or sends frames. In some embodiments, the first information is used to assist the non-access point device to determine a primary channel in which the target-side network device operates. In some embodiments, the first information is used to assist the non-access point device to determine a primary channel accessed in the primary channel of the target-side network device. In some embodiments, the first information is determined by the target-side network device.

[0280] In some embodiments, the target-side network device corresponds to at least two primary channels, for example, the target-side network device corresponds to two primary channels. In some embodiments, the primary channels of the target-side network device comprise: a first primary channel; and a second primary channel. The first primary channel and the second primary channel are different primary channels.

[0281] In some embodiments, the first primary channel comprises a common operating channel of all non-access point devices in the BSS of the target side network device. In some embodiments, the first primary channel is a channel commonly used by all member stations in the BSS of the target side network device. In some embodiments, the second primary channel comprises a NPCA primary channel. In some embodiments, the NPCA primary channel is a primary channel used when the non-access point device performs non-primary channel access. In some embodiments, the first signaling is equivalent to / replaceable by a NPCA status request signaling, and the first information is equivalent to / replaceable by NPCA status information. The first information is used to indicate the NPCA status of the target side network device.

[0282] In some embodiments, in the scenario of non-collocated seamless roaming, the first signaling is sent by the apparatus. For example, in the roaming process, the first signaling is sent by the apparatus in the case that the non-access point device only maintains link connection with one non-collocated network device at the same time; the first signaling is sent by the apparatus in the case that the non-access point device maintains link connection with two or more non-collocated network devices at the same time. In some embodiments, in the scenario of seamless roaming through DS hot association, the first signaling is sent by the apparatus.

[0283] In some embodiments, the first information comprises one or more of the following information: a staying channel; a primary channel busy time; a staying time; a primary channel bandwidth; a primary channel timeout time; a timestamp. The staying channel is used to indicate the primary channel where the target side network device is located. The primary channel busy time is used to indicate the duration of the busy time of the first primary channel of the target side network device, for example, the NAV value set by the target side network device on the primary channel. The staying time is used to indicate the duration of the staying of the target side network device on the primary channel indicated by the staying channel. The primary channel bandwidth is used to indicate the bandwidth transmitted on the second primary channel of the target side network device. The primary channel timeout time is used to indicate the maximum listening duration of the non-access point device on the second primary channel of the target side network device after the roaming process. The timestamp is used to indicate the time when the first information is generated.

[0284] In some embodiments, the first signaling comprises a first action frame. In some embodiments, the first action frame comprises a first field, and the first field is used to carry the first information. In some embodiments, the frame body of the first action frame comprises the first field. In some embodiments, the first action frame comprises one or more of the following action frames: a RAR frame; an FT re-association response frame. In some embodiments, in the scenario of non-collocated seamless roaming, the first signaling comprises the RAR frame. In the scenario of seamless roaming through DS hot association, the first signaling comprises the FT re-association response frame.

[0285] In some embodiments, the first signaling is sent by the apparatus to the non-access point device proactively. In some embodiments, the first signaling is sent by the apparatus to the non-access point device upon a request of the first information from the non-access point device. The receiving module 2102 is configured to receive second signaling sent by the non-access point device, the second signaling being used to request the first information. In some embodiments, upon receiving the second signaling, the apparatus obtains the first information via the target side network device, i.e., receives the first information sent by the target side network device, and then sends the first signaling to the non-access point device based on the first information.

[0286] In some embodiments, the second signaling comprises a second action frame. In some embodiments, the second action frame comprises a second field, the second field being used to indicate the request of the first information. In some embodiments, a frame body of the second action frame comprises the second field. In some embodiments, the second action frame comprises one or more of the following action frames: a RAI frame; a FT re-association request frame. In some embodiments, in a non-collocated seamless roaming scenario, the second signaling comprises the RAI frame. In a seamless roaming via DS hot association scenario, the second signaling comprises the FT re-association request frame.

[0287] FIG. 22 is a block diagram of an apparatus for signaling in a roaming procedure according to an example embodiment of the present application. The apparatus can be implemented as a target side network device or a part of a target side network device by software or hardware or a combination of both. The apparatus comprises a sending module 2201.

[0288] The sending module 2201 is configured to send first signaling to a non-access point device. The first signaling carries first information of the apparatus, the first information being used to assist the non-access point device to determine a primary channel for communication with the apparatus. In some embodiments, the first information is used to assist the non-access point device to determine a primary channel in which the apparatus is located, the primary channel in which the apparatus is located comprising a primary channel for frame reception and / or frame transmission of the apparatus. In some embodiments, the first information is used to assist the non-access point device to determine a primary channel in which the apparatus operates. In some embodiments, the first information is used to assist the non-access point device to determine a primary channel for access in a primary channel of the apparatus. In some embodiments, the first information is determined by the apparatus.

[0289] In some embodiments, the apparatus corresponds to at least two primary channels, e.g., the apparatus corresponds to two primary channels. In some embodiments, the primary channels of the apparatus comprise: a first primary channel; a second primary channel. The first primary channel and the second primary channel are different primary channels.

[0290] In some embodiments, the first primary channel comprises a common operating channel of all non-access point devices in the BSS of the apparatus. In some embodiments, the first primary channel is a channel commonly used by all member stations in the BSS of the apparatus. In some embodiments, the second primary channel comprises a NPCA primary channel. In some embodiments, the NPCA primary channel is a primary channel used when the non-access point device performs non-primary channel access. In some embodiments, the first signaling is equivalent to / replaceable by a NPCA status request signaling, and the first information is equivalent to / replaceable by NPCA status information. The first information is used to indicate the NPCA status of the apparatus.

[0291] In some embodiments, in the scenario of non-co-located seamless roaming, the first signaling is sent by the apparatus. For example, in the case that the non-access point device is only linked to one non-co-located network device at the same time, and the non-access point device switches to the apparatus immediately after sending the RAI and without context migration, the first signaling is sent by the apparatus.

[0292] In some embodiments, the first information comprises one or more of the following information: a staying channel; a primary channel busy time; a staying time; a primary channel bandwidth; a primary channel timeout time; a timestamp. The staying channel is used to indicate the primary channel where the apparatus is located. The primary channel busy time is used to indicate the duration of the busy time of the first primary channel of the apparatus, for example, the NAV value set by the apparatus on the primary channel. The staying time is used to indicate the duration of the staying time of the apparatus on the primary channel indicated by the staying channel. The primary channel bandwidth is used to indicate the bandwidth transmitted on the second primary channel of the apparatus. The primary channel timeout time is used to indicate the maximum listening duration of the non-access point device on the second primary channel of the apparatus after the roaming process. The timestamp is used to indicate the time when the first information is generated.

[0293] In some embodiments, the first signaling comprises a first action frame. In some embodiments, the first action frame comprises a first field used to carry the first information. In some embodiments, the frame body of the first action frame comprises the first field. In some embodiments, the first action frame comprises a RAR. In some embodiments, in the scenario of non-co-located seamless roaming, the first signaling comprises a RAR frame.

[0294] In some embodiments, the first signaling is sent by the apparatus to the non-access point device proactively. In some embodiments, the first signaling is sent by the apparatus to the non-access point device in the case that the non-access point device requests the first information. In this case, the source side network device receives a second signaling sent by the non-access point device, and the second signaling is used to request the first information. In some embodiments, in the case that the source side network device receives the second signaling, the non-access point device requests the first information is notified to the apparatus, so that the apparatus sends the first signaling.

[0295] In some embodiments, the second signaling comprises a second action frame. In some embodiments, the second action frame comprises a second field, and the second field is used to indicate the request for the first information. In some embodiments, a frame body of the second action frame comprises the second field. In some embodiments, the second action frame comprises a RAI frame. In some embodiments, in a non-co-located seamless roaming scenario, the second signaling comprises the RAI frame.

[0296] It should be noted that the apparatus provided by the above embodiments, when implementing its functions, is only exemplified by the above division of various functional modules, and in actual application, the above functions can be completed by different functional modules according to actual needs, that is, the content structure of the device is divided into different functional modules to complete all or part of the above-described functions.

[0297] As to the apparatus in the above embodiments, the specific manners in which various modules perform operations have been described in detail in the embodiments of the method, and will not be described in detail here.

[0298] Again, the frame formats, element formats, and field formats shown in the above embodiments are examples and are not limiting. This application supports changes to the formats of various frames, elements, and fields based on the format designs described above, such as changing the order of fields / elements, changing the number of bytes of fields / elements, changing the number of bits of fields / elements, changing the names of fields / elements / frames, and the like. It is also supported to set part of the fields / elements as reserved fields.

[0299] It should be understood that the formats, names, and values of the frames / elements / fields involved in various embodiments of the application are only examples and do not limit the formats, names, and values of the frames / elements / fields. In different embodiments or different designs, one or more of the following may change: the name of the element / field, the position of the element / field in the frame, the arrangement order between the element / field and other elements / fields, the number of bytes occupied, and the number of bits occupied. In different embodiments or different designs, one or more of the following may change: the name of the frame, the elements / fields contained, the number of bytes occupied, and the number of bits occupied.

[0300] FIG. 23 is a structural schematic diagram of a communication device (network device or terminal device) provided by an embodiment of the application. The communication device can include a processor 2301, a receiver 2302, a transmitter 2303, a memory 2304, and a bus 2305.

[0301] The processor 2301 includes one or more processing cores. The processor 2301 performs various functional applications and information processing by running software programs and modules.

[0302] The receiver 2302 and the transmitter 2303 can be implemented as a transceiver 2306, which can be a communication chip.

[0303] The memory 2304 is connected to the processor 2301 through the bus 2305. The memory 2304 can be used to store a computer program, and the processor 2301 is configured to execute the computer program to implement various steps performed by the network device or the terminal device in the above method embodiments.

[0304] In addition, the memory 2304 can be implemented by any type of volatile or non-volatile storage devices or a combination thereof, including but not limited to: RAM (Random-Access Memory) and ROM (Read-Only Memory), EPROM (Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory), EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory), flash memory or other solid-state storage technology, CD-ROM (Compact Disc Read-Only Memory), DVD (Digital Video Disc), or other optical storage, magnetic cassette, magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices.

[0305] The embodiments of the present application also provide a computer readable storage medium, the storage medium stores a computer program, and the computer program is used to be executed by a processor of a terminal device or a network device to implement various steps in the above signaling receiving method for a roaming process and / or the signaling sending method for a roaming process.

[0306] In some embodiments, the computer readable storage medium can include: ROM (Read-Only Memory), RAM (Random-Access Memory), SSD (Solid State Drives) or optical disc, etc. Among them, the random access memory can include ReRAM (Resistance Random Access Memory) and DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory).

[0307] The embodiment of the present application further provides a chip, which comprises a programmable logic circuit and / or program instructions, and is used for implementing each step in the signaling receiving method for a roaming process and / or the signaling sending method for a roaming process when the chip is running on a terminal device or a network device.

[0308] The embodiment of the present application further provides a computer program product or a computer program, which comprises computer instructions stored in a computer readable storage medium, and a processor of a communication device reads and executes the computer instructions from the computer readable storage medium, so as to implement each step in the signaling receiving method for a roaming process and / or the signaling sending method for a roaming process.

[0309] Those skilled in the art can realize that, in the one or more examples described above, the functions described in the embodiment of the present application can be realized by hardware, software, firmware or any combination thereof. When realized by software, the functions can be stored in a computer readable medium or transmitted as one or more instructions or codes on a computer readable medium. The computer readable medium comprises a computer storage medium and a communication medium, wherein the communication medium comprises any medium facilitating the transmission of a computer program from one place to another. The storage medium can be any available medium accessible by a general or special purpose computer.

[0310] The above description is merely exemplary embodiments of the present application, and is not intended to limit the present application. Any modification, equivalent replacement, improvement, etc. made within the spirit and principle of the present application shall be included in the protection scope of the present application.

Claims

1. A signaling reception method for roaming processes, characterized in that, The method is performed by a non-access point device, and the method comprises: receiving first signaling sent by a network device, the first signaling carrying first information of a target-side network device; wherein the first information is used to assist the non-access point device in determining a primary channel for communication with the target-side network device.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein, The primary channel of the target-side network device comprises: a first primary channel; and a second primary channel; wherein the first primary channel comprises a common operating channel of all non-access point devices in a basic service set (BSS) of the target-side network device, and the second primary channel comprises a non-primary channel access (NPCA) primary channel.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The first information comprises one or more of the following information: a stay channel; a primary channel busy time; a stay time; a primary channel bandwidth; a primary channel timeout time; and a timestamp; wherein the stay channel is used to indicate a primary channel in which the target-side network device is located; the primary channel busy time is used to indicate a duration of continuous busy time of the first primary channel of the target-side network device; the stay time is used to indicate a stay duration of the target-side network device on the primary channel indicated by the stay channel; the primary channel bandwidth is used to indicate a bandwidth for transmission on the second primary channel of the target-side network device; the primary channel timeout time is used to indicate a maximum listening duration on the second primary channel after the roaming process; and the timestamp is used to indicate a time at which the first information is generated.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein, The stay channel is used to indicate a primary channel in which the target-side network device is located at the time indicated by the timestamp.

5. The method according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that, The primary channel busy time is used to indicate a duration of continuous busy time of the first primary channel starting from the time indicated by the timestamp.

6. The method according to any one of claims 3 to 5, characterized in that, The stay time is used to indicate a stay duration of the target-side network device on the primary channel indicated by the stay channel starting from the time indicated by the timestamp.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein, The stay duration comprises one or more of a one-time stay duration and periodic stay durations.

8. The method according to any one of claims 3 to 7, characterized in that, The primary channel bandwidth is used to indicate a maximum bandwidth for transmission on the second primary channel within the duration of continuous busy time starting from the time indicated by the timestamp.

9. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that, The first signaling is sent by a source-side network device or by the target-side network device.

10. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that, The first signaling comprises a first action frame.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein, The first action frame comprises a first field used to carry the first information.

12. The method according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that, The first action frame comprises one or more of the following action frames: a roaming announcement response (RAR) frame; and a fast transition (FT) reassociation response frame.

13. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that, The method further comprises: sending second signaling to a source-side network device, the second signaling being used to request the first information.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein, The second signaling comprises a second action frame.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein, The second action frame comprises a second field used to indicate a request for the first information.

16. The method according to claim 14 or 15, characterized in that The second action frame comprises one or more of the following action frames: a roaming announcement indication (RAI) frame; and an FT reassociation request frame.

17. A method of signaling for a roaming procedure, the method comprising: The method is performed by a source-side network device, and the method comprises: sending first signaling to a non-access point device, the first signaling carrying first information of a target-side network device; The first information is used to assist the non-access point device in determining a primary channel for communication with the target side network device.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein, The primary channel of the target side network device includes a first primary channel and a second primary channel. The first primary channel includes a common operating channel of all non-access point devices in a BSS of the target side network device, and the second primary channel includes an NPCA primary channel.

19. The method of claim 17 or 18, wherein, The first information includes one or more of a stay channel, a primary channel busy time, a stay time, a primary channel bandwidth, a primary channel timeout time, and a timestamp. The stay channel is used to indicate a primary channel in which the target side network device is located. The primary channel busy time is used to indicate a duration of continuous busy time of the first primary channel of the target side network device. The stay time is used to indicate a duration of stay of the target side network device on the primary channel indicated by the stay channel. The primary channel bandwidth is used to indicate a maximum bandwidth for transmission on the second primary channel of the target side network device. The primary channel timeout time is used to indicate a maximum listening duration on the second primary channel after the roaming process. The timestamp is used to indicate a time at which the first information is generated. The stay channel is used to indicate a primary channel in which the target side network device is located at the time indicated by the timestamp.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein, The primary channel busy time is used to indicate a duration of continuous busy time of the first primary channel starting from the time indicated by the timestamp.

21. The method of claim 19 or 20, wherein, The stay time is used to indicate a duration of stay of the target side network device on the primary channel indicated by the stay channel starting from the time indicated by the timestamp.

22. The method of any one of claims 19 to 21, wherein, The duration of stay includes one or more of a duration of stay and periodic durations of stay.

23. The method of claim 22, wherein, The primary channel bandwidth is used to indicate a maximum bandwidth for transmission on the second primary channel within the duration of continuous busy time starting from the time indicated by the timestamp.

24. The method of any one of claims 19 to 23, wherein, The method further includes:

25. The method of any one of claims 17 to 24, wherein, receiving the first information sent by the target side network device. The first signaling includes a first action frame.

26. The method of any one of claims 17 to 25, wherein, The first action frame includes a first field for carrying the first information.

27. The method of claim 26, wherein, The first action frame includes one or more of a RAR frame and an FT re-association response frame.

28. The method of claim 26 or 27, wherein, The method further includes:

29. The method of any one of claims 17 to 28, wherein, receiving second signaling sent by the non-access point device, the second signaling being used to request the first information. The second signaling includes a second action frame.

30. The method of claim 29, wherein, The second action frame includes a second field for indicating a request for the first information.

31. The method of claim 30, wherein, The second action frame includes one or more of a RAI frame and an FT re-association request frame.

32. The method of claim 30 or 31, wherein, The method is performed by a target side network device, and includes:

33. A method of signaling for a roaming procedure, the method comprising: sending first signaling to a non-access point device, the first signaling carrying first information of the target side network device; The first information is used to assist the non-access point device in determining a primary channel for communication with the target side network device. ​ 34. The method of claim 33, wherein, The main channel of the target side network device includes: a first main channel; and a second main channel; wherein the first main channel includes a common operating channel of all non-access point devices in a BSS of the target side network device, and the second main channel includes the NPCA main channel.

35. The method of claim 33 or 34, wherein, The first information includes one or more of: a staying channel; a main channel busy time; a staying time; a main channel bandwidth; a main channel timeout time; and a timestamp. The staying channel is used to indicate a main channel in which the target side network device is located; the main channel busy time is used to indicate a duration of continuous busy time of a first main channel of the target side network device; the staying time is used to indicate a duration of staying of the target side network device on the main channel indicated by the staying channel; the main channel bandwidth is used to indicate a bandwidth of transmission on a second main channel of the target side network device; the main channel timeout time is used to indicate a maximum listening duration on the second main channel after the roaming process; and the timestamp is used to indicate a time at which the first information is generated.

36. The method of claim 35, wherein, The staying channel is used to indicate a main channel in which the target side network device is located at the time indicated by the timestamp.

37. The method of claim 35 or 36, wherein, The main channel busy time is used to indicate a duration of continuous busy time of the first main channel starting from the time indicated by the timestamp.

38. The method of any one of claims 35 to 37, wherein, The staying time is used to indicate a duration of staying of the target side network device on the main channel indicated by the staying channel starting from the time indicated by the timestamp.

39. The method of claim 38, wherein, The duration of staying includes one or more of a duration of staying and periodic durations of staying.

40. The method of any one of claims 35 to 39, wherein, The main channel bandwidth is used to indicate a maximum bandwidth of transmission on the second main channel within the duration of continuous busy time starting from a target time.

41. The method of any one of claims 33 to 40, wherein, The first signaling includes a first action frame.

42. The method of claim 41, wherein, The first action frame includes a first field used to carry the first information.

43. The method of claim 41 or 42, wherein, The first action frame includes an RAR frame.

44. The method of any one of claims 33 to 43, wherein, The first signaling is sent in a case where the source side network device receives second signaling sent by the non-access point device, the second signaling being used to request the first information.

45. The method of claim 44, wherein, The second signaling includes a second action frame.

46. The method of claim 45, wherein, The second action frame includes a second field used to indicate a request for the first information.

47. The method of claim 45 or 46, wherein, The second action frame includes an RAI frame.

48. A signaling receiving device for roaming, characterized in that, The apparatus includes: A receiving module configured to receive first signaling sent by a network device, the first signaling carrying first information of a target side network device; The first information is used to assist the apparatus in determining a main channel for communication with the target side network device.

49. A signaling transmission device for roaming, characterized in that, The apparatus includes: A sending module configured to send first signaling to a non-access point device, the first signaling carrying first information of a target side network device; The first information is used to assist the non-access point device in determining a main channel for communication with the target side network device.

50. A signaling transmission device for roaming, characterized in that, The apparatus includes: A sending module configured to send first signaling to a non-access point device, the first signaling carrying first information of the apparatus; The first information is used to assist the non-access point device in determining a main channel for communication with the apparatus.

51. A non-access point device, comprising: The non-access point device comprises: a processor; a transceiver connected to the processor; a memory for storing executable instructions of the processor; wherein the processor is configured to load and execute the executable instructions to implement the signaling receiving method for a roaming procedure as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 16.

52. A source-side network device, comprising: The source side network device comprises: a processor; a transceiver connected to the processor; a memory for storing executable instructions of the processor; wherein the processor is configured to load and execute the executable instructions to implement the signaling sending method for a roaming procedure as claimed in any one of claims 17 to 32.

53. A target-side network device, comprising: The target side network device comprises: a processor; a transceiver connected to the processor; a memory for storing executable instructions of the processor; wherein the processor is configured to load and execute the executable instructions to implement the signaling sending method for a roaming procedure as claimed in any one of claims 33 to 47.

54. A computer-readable storage medium, comprising: The computer readable storage medium stores a computer program, and the computer program is used by the processor to implement the signaling receiving method for a roaming procedure as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 16, and / or the signaling sending method for a roaming procedure as claimed in any one of claims 17 to 32, and / or the signaling sending method for a roaming procedure as claimed in any one of claims 33 to 47.

55. A chip, comprising: The chip comprises programmable logic circuit and / or program instructions, and when the chip is running on a communication device, the programmable logic circuit and / or program instructions are used to implement the signaling receiving method for a roaming procedure as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 16, and / or the signaling sending method for a roaming procedure as claimed in any one of claims 17 to 32, and / or the signaling sending method for a roaming procedure as claimed in any one of claims 33 to 47.

56. A computer program product, characterised in that, The computer program product comprises computer instructions stored in a computer readable storage medium; the processor of the communication device reads the computer instructions from the computer readable storage medium and executes the computer instructions, so that the communication device implements the signaling receiving method for a roaming procedure as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 16, and / or the signaling sending method for a roaming procedure as claimed in any one of claims 17 to 32, and / or the signaling sending method for a roaming procedure as claimed in any one of claims 33 to 47.

57. A computer program, characterized in that, The computer program is executed by the processor of the communication device to implement the signaling receiving method for a roaming procedure as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 16, and / or the signaling sending method for a roaming procedure as claimed in any one of claims 17 to 32, and / or the signaling sending method for a roaming procedure as claimed in any one of claims 33 to 47.

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